Stage IV cancer mets to bone & liver diagnosed 4 yrs ago

ceemint · New User Joined: 08 Sep 2008 Posts: 7

Hi all,

I am new to this forum. I never thought this journey would be this difficult for our family.

My MIL was diagnosed with Stage IV nsclc with mets to spine in 2004. The doctor gave her 6 months to live. She miraculously survived all these years and worked until a couple of months ago. She went through radiation and 6 rounds of chemo in 2004, was stable by taking Tarceva until 2007. She went through another 6 rounds of chemo and was stable until 2 months ago. In Aug, she was experiencing severe shortness of breath. Her appetite decreased and was not able to walk very far. The doctor told her that she has pleural effusion in both lungs and mets to her liver. She then started chemo again.

Two weeks ago, she had a collapsed long after her 2nd round of chemo, and was rushed to the hospital to get her fluids drained. She wanted to continue with her chemo as soon as she got out of the hospital, but both my husband and I worried about her condition since she was very weak. We were not sure if chemo is going to weaken her body even more. But she was persistent and finished her 3rd round of chemo yesterday (such a brave woman). The doctor said that her left lung is currently leaking air, but her fluids are at an optimal level.

We are not sure what to expect anymore since chemo will be her last resort. The doctor is not willing to give us any prognosis or life expectancy since she has been a living miracle and beat all the odds. Any body has any idea of what to expect in this situation? She is very weak, cannot walk very far, her appetite is okay, but cannot eat a lot at a time, she cannot sleep most of the time and still has shortness of breath. My husband and his family are trying to figure out their vacation days to try to be with her as much as possible. But since we don't know what to expect, its hard for us to decide when to take time off. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks for reading!!

Ceemint

dano

Welcome Ceemint;
I'm glad to hear of your MIL basically great run with cancer, she sounds like a real fighter. I am curious of her age. I'm sorry about the fight you will have with the vacation time. Cancer is not very convenient for any of us. The fact that she wants to survive should be highly respected and any time you can get should be made as memorable as possible. There is no time line or the answer to what's next, the doctors are always amazed by the survivor and have no words for the one's that don't. Your MIL is a bright light for me as that I don't know my future either. You and your MIL will be in my prayers.
God Bless
Dan
_________________
54 year old male in Hawaii
Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV
with Mets to the lymphs and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08
Currently on chemo treatments every 3 weeks
with Alimta
and taking Lovenox for blood clots
Now back to work full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1386

Hi Ceemint,

What a story of triumph for your MIL! Her survival has been phenomenal and stands as a source of hope for everyone.

She's a fighter all right. They will know soon if she is showing a response to the chemo by the clearing up of the new symptoms. Let's hope she does respond and take it a step at a time.

Dano's right -- there is no predictable time frame. Read through some of the profiles or stories here and you will see things happen in wildly different ways for each person. I always think that seeing a person is better than putting it off for the loved ones.

I sincerely hope that your dear MIL can buy some more quality time with this new regimen.

Hugs and Prayers,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

brainman

Hi Ceemint. WOW!!! Your MIL has shredded that prognosis!!!! At this point it is totally impossible to make any other prediction... and that is all that it would be... about how much longer she has or what will happen next. Do you understand how phenomenal it is to live for 4 years with NSCLC Stage IV with mets to the bones AND Liver? (rhetorical question)

As for taking time off, I can understand how difficult this decision is or at least I know how difficult it was for me. I eventually just made the decision to move in with my mother and then with my father when they had cancer. But I was in a position to be able to do that.

You are in my thoughts and prayers as you try to make decisions about your MIL.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

ceemint · New User Joined: 08 Sep 2008 Posts: 7

Thanks everyone for your comments and words of encouragement. My MIL is turning 59 in Oct. She is doing very well right now with minimal side effects after her chemo. She is starting to walk around the house and does not feel as tired as before. So I think she will come out fine this time as well. I had a nice conversation with her yesterday and she told me that she wants to fight and survive this disease. She thinks its curable and has no clue how bad its already been. But sometimes not knowing is a good thing, right? She does not want to hear about her condition and does not care. So we deal with the doctors mostly and just tell her that she is doing a fabulous job. So far so good. I'll keep everyone updated on her progress.

Thanks,

Ceemint

ChemoMan

Hi Ceemint

Your Mother in law is my hero(ine).
_________________
Age 52
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008
Remission confirmed 1st October 2008
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9620

ceemint · New User Joined: 08 Sep 2008 Posts: 7

Hi all,

Just a quick update on my MIL for the last few days. She's currently experiencing pain from the treatment of thoracentesis, ie: opening to draw out fluid for pleural effusion. She says some internal organs maybe damaged while inserting the tube. So her doctor prescribed her some painkillers. She is also taking antibiotics because she was coughing up large amounts of mucus with yellow coloring. She has lost all her sense of taste and smell. So she has absolutely no appetite, but forces herself to eat because she wants to get well. She is still tired and not able to go out at all. So she is basically homeridden for the most part. Her next chemo treatment will be next week. Hopefully her condition improves after her chemo sessions.

Ceemint

ceemint · New User Joined: 08 Sep 2008 Posts: 7

Just an update on my MIL. We celebrated her b-day last night. We were suppose to go out for dinner, but she was not feeling well, so we celebrated with her at home instead.

Her condition is getting worse day by day. It breaks my heart to see the how her body and face changes as time goes on. Her eye lids are swollen yet her face is shrinking. She is becoming really skinny, but her abdomen remains huge. She has a hard time walking around the house, so she stays mostly in her bed and sometimes on the sofa. Her appetite is okay, she does try to eat little by little. We try to spent as much time with her as possible, but is just scared of what's going to happen.

Her 4th chemo is on Wed. We hope that she will come out fine. It is hard to believe a great woman with so much mental toughness is deteriorating like that. We simply hope she will not suffer anymore.....

Ceemint

maryaz

Ceemint; Sorry that you are having to go thru this with your MIL. It is a difficult journey. Know that others have gotten thru it and do it with as much love and caring that you can. Know that others care. I will be praying for your MIL and family.
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html

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