CancerCompass message board discussion started by Nikke on 4/25/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23400,0.htm Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hi my name is Nikke, my mom was diagnosed w/stage iv lung cancer, about 3 weeks ago after having a persistent cough for about 6 mo. My mom doesn't smoke. Basically she was given NO hope, 6-12 mo of life. She was told she had Adeno Carcinoma. My husband went to the doctor with her today, they are only giving her chemo, they say radiation therapy won't help her, or surgery because it has spread to multiple parts of the lung and her lymph nodes. My mom is 61 years old. I have her in my home and I have grown really accustomed to having her around, I am a stay at home mom and I spend a lot of time with her.  My kids are 2 and 7 mo, it breaks my heart to think she won't be around for very long and will miss them growing up. She coughs almost all night. They gave her one round of chemo a week ago. I am even trying unconventional methods to get her better. I am so sad, its just all consuming. I can't bear to see her suffer like this, but I can't imagine life without her. I know we all die someday, but I wish it not to be like this, it's such a painful way to go. Please if you believe in God, pray for my mom. Her name is Maria. Thank You. Nikke Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 4/25/2008 Nikke wrote:Hi my name is Nikke, my mom was diagnosed w/stage iv lung cancer, about 3 weeks ago after having a persistent cough for about 6 mo. My mom doesn't smoke. Basically she was given NO hope, 6-12 mo of life. She was told she had Adeno Carcinoma. My husband went to the doctor with her today, they are only giving her chemo, they say radiation therapy won't help her, or surgery because it has spread to multiple parts of the lung and her lymph nodes. My mom is 61 years old. I have her in my home and I have grown really accustomed to having her around, I am a stay at home mom and I spend a lot of time with her.  My kids are 2 and 7 mo, it breaks my heart to think she won't be around for very long and will miss them growing up. She coughs almost all night. They gave her one round of chemo a week ago. I am even trying unconventional methods to get her better. I am so sad, its just all consuming. I can't bear to see her suffer like this, but I can't imagine life without her. I know we all die someday, but I wish it not to be like this, it's such a painful way to go. Please if you believe in God, pray for my mom. Her name is Maria. Thank You.Nikke,I found out I had stage four colon cancer in 2004 and was told I too had maximum 3-6 months to live.As you can tell I'm here almost 4 years later!!! So don't give up!! Miracles can happen. Heidirose Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Nikki,Has anyone suggested that your mother try Tarceva?  It doesn't work for a lot of people, but non-smokers who have the same kind of cancer your mother has have a much better success rate.  It's worth looking into.  Roz Rosalind Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 4/25/2008 Nikke wrote:Hi my name is Nikke, my mom was diagnosed w/stage iv lung cancer, about 3 weeks ago after having a persistent cough for about 6 mo. My mom doesn't smoke. Basically she was given NO hope, 6-12 mo of life. She was told she had Adeno Carcinoma. My husband went to the doctor with her today, they are only giving her chemo, they say radiation therapy won't help her, or surgery because it has spread to multiple parts of the lung and her lymph nodes. My mom is 61 years old. I have her in my home and I have grown really accustomed to having her around, I am a stay at home mom and I spend a lot of time with her.  My kids are 2 and 7 mo, it breaks my heart to think she won't be around for very long and will miss them growing up. She coughs almost all night. They gave her one round of chemo a week ago. I am even trying unconventional methods to get her better. I am so sad, its just all consuming. I can't bear to see her suffer like this, but I can't imagine life without her. I know we all die someday, but I wish it not to be like this, it's such a painful way to go. Please if you believe in God, pray for my mom. Her name is Maria. Thank You.Hi Maria,I'm sorry to hear about your Mom.  I also am 61 and have stage IV lung cancer, both lungs, but no node involvement.  I have been on Tarceva for 19 months now and am doing fine.  I never took any other chemo or radiation.  Have you gotten a second opinion?  If not, I would do so as quickly as possible.  Take a copy of all your mom's test results and blood results with you.  If your mom has been tested for EGFR blood test and the number is greater than 60, she would be a good candidate for Tarceva.  It's certainly worth asking about.I wish you luck in whatever you decide.  Spend as much time as you can with your mom and have fun.  God Bless you both.  Let us know what you decide to do.  Chessie Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 4/25/2008 Nikke wrote:Hi my name is Nikke, my mom was diagnosed w/stage iv lung cancer, about 3 weeks ago after having a persistent cough for about 6 mo. My mom doesn't smoke. Basically she was given NO hope, 6-12 mo of life. She was told she had Adeno Carcinoma. My husband went to the doctor with her today, they are only giving her chemo, they say radiation therapy won't help her, or surgery because it has spread to multiple parts of the lung and her lymph nodes. My mom is 61 years old. I have her in my home and I have grown really accustomed to having her around, I am a stay at home mom and I spend a lot of time with her.  My kids are 2 and 7 mo, it breaks my heart to think she won't be around for very long and will miss them growing up. She coughs almost all night. They gave her one round of chemo a week ago. I am even trying unconventional methods to get her better. I am so sad, its just all consuming. I can't bear to see her suffer like this, but I can't imagine life without her. I know we all die someday, but I wish it not to be like this, it's such a painful way to go. Please if you believe in God, pray for my mom. Her name is Maria. Thank You. Hi Niki.  I was diagnosed with stage 4 NSCLC in Feb 2005.  I had a big brain met from my lung tumor that came thru my skull and had to be removed right them to save my life.  I had no idea I had cancer until this tumor appeaed on my head.  I was coughing and going downhill fast.  I had radiation on the head surgical site, and then taxol and carboplatin chemo for 5 rounds.  I had cancer on my spine, my lung, my lymp and other places.  I started Tarceva the end of July 2005, and am completing my 33rd month tomorrow.  In September 2006, I had another big met removed from the back of my brain followed by radiation of that site, and never stopped the Tarceva.  I like your Mom had a very short life expectancy, but good medicine and Prayer!!! from many good folks still has me here in my 4th year after diagnosis.  I share my story with other cancer victims.  I've been lucky and blessed I know.  I'm 69 and I've started back in the choir and practice with a quartet.  I'm heading on a fishing trip Monday, and if the Lord is willing and the creeks don't rise, I'm making my first sky dive onto an Alabama beach on Memorial Day.  Remember my watchword, and my advice to all, "DON'T RUIN TODAY WORRYING ABOUT TOMORROW".  Some of my best days have been since I was diagnose with Stage 4 Lung Cancer.  Can you survive Stage 4 cancer.  The answer is YES!  Who knows how long.  Just enjoy each day...the air, the sun, the flowers, friends and family.  Don't waste whatever time you have in sadness and worry.  You might be around years later like me.   God is good and has preparred a much better place for us.  Smile in that wonderful knowlege, but enjoy the moment..everyone of them!!!Ed Edwardg Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Nikke: Here is a link to Tarceva and then ask your doctor. Also I am sending a private message, look under the message link on the side to find where to go for private emails. All the best mmsOn 4/25/2008 Nikke wrote:Hi my name is Nikke, my mom was diagnosed w/stage iv lung cancer, about 3 weeks ago after having a persistent cough for about 6 mo. My mom doesn't smoke. Basically she was given NO hope, 6-12 mo of life. She was told she had Adeno Carcinoma. My husband went to the doctor with her today, they are only giving her chemo, they say radiation therapy won't help her, or surgery because it has spread to multiple parts of the lung and her lymph nodes. My mom is 61 years old. I have her in my home and I have grown really accustomed to having her around, I am a stay at home mom and I spend a lot of time with her.  My kids are 2 and 7 mo, it breaks my heart to think she won't be around for very long and will miss them growing up. She coughs almost all night. They gave her one round of chemo a week ago. I am even trying unconventional methods to get her better. I am so sad, its just all consuming. I can't bear to see her suffer like this, but I can't imagine life without her. I know we all die someday, but I wish it not to be like this, it's such a painful way to go. Please if you believe in God, pray for my mom. Her name is Maria. Thank You.  mmsurvivor Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT My dad also has the same type and stage of cancer as your mom. He was not a smoker but was diagnosed after a bad cough that did not go away. I know he had some fluid drained from his lung at the beginning and that helped with the cough. He then had taxol and carboplatin ( not sure of the spelling). The chemo helped for a while, about 6 months and then he switched to Tarceva.  He was diagnosed in August of 05. He is currently doing very well. His latest scan showed the cancer is stable. He looks and says he feels great. I honestly never thought that we would be at this point where we would feel as if the cancer is controlled. I pray every day that he can continue on this way for as long as possible. I do know that I try to enjoy any time we spend together and try not to dwell too much on the future. I just wanted you to know that my dads health at the very beginning was like your moms and now because of the medications he is able to enjoy life. I will pray for your mom and wish you well. Sterling Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT I was diagnosed in 8/07 with adenocarcinoma, never smoked and 60 years young. I did Tarceva with excellent results until the first of April when the cough returned and a CT scan showed progresssion. I am now doing Taxol/Carbo/Avastin/Zometa. I also had all the chest lymph nodes involved and mets to my spine, hip, uper arm and liver. There is hope and life with cancer. Nancy3 Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT