Lung Cancer that has Met to the brain

lowings · New User Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 2

Hi all. I've read much and your forum has been extrememly helpful. My mother in law was diagnosed w/ Stage III lung cancer in the end of March with a tennis ball sized tumor. She underwent radiation and chemo at the same time. - she moved in with my husband and I on June 29th. She completed her 8 weeks of treatment and we were very excited waiting for news of the tumor shrinking. On 8/17/05 she was very foggy minded for a day or two and had a stroke. Then we found out the bad news. She had 7 lesions in her brain the largest of which is 2.5 cm. The good news - - the treatment shrunk her tumor in her lung! -- But that doesn't matter anymore the doctors told us. After 4 days in the hospital - she now cannot walk or use her right arm or leg. We were told we could expect a week to 2 weeks w/o radiation. . . 1 to 2 months with. It had moved to Stage IV.

Still living with us, we now have round the clock nurses living with us as well and thankfully she decided on the radiation to shrink the tumors and keep the strokes at bay and underwent 14 sessions of FBR (full brain radiation). She's been a trooper and made it to her 60th birthday on 9/6/05. We're blessed she made it that long. She has a horses appetite, and her mind has cleared since completing her 14th radiation session on 9/7. She appears to be doing really well. Understandably her short term memory is only about 15% but her other thoughts seem to clear more day after day. And she still has a great sense of humor.

The thing is what do we expect now? The doctors had said they would only do 14 sessions of radiation, so what are we to do now? Just waiting for the tumors to grow again and swell her brain?

I'm so uncertain, and her only child, my husband is delighted w/ the progress of the radiation, as am I. . . I'm only afraid for him that in a matter of weeks -- or less, what he might be hit with. We understand that she's terminal and are trying to prepare for that, but it's just so heartbreaking when she's seemed to have done so well with all the FBR radiation. She has visitors everyday and sits on the porch with them, goes to lunch and everyone thinks she's doing very well.

I guess what I'm looking for is -- Does anyone have experience or knowledge as to what we expect next. . . or what we can look for or what changes may take place. I hope we still have months with her, but as fast as the tumors appeared to begin with, I'm worried at how fast they may regrow.

I'm sorry to have to ask, b/c if you do then I know you've experienced the heartbreak and loss that we're experiencing. . . and I do thank you in advance for your sharing with me.

Remus · New User Joined: 26 Sep 2005 Posts: 7

Hi -

I find myself in a similar situation and without a lot of information either. My mom (61 yrs) was diagnosed with lung cancer last summer. They removed a partial lung and followed up with chemo. She was doing okay until the summer when we discovered that it had metastasized to the brain. She had immediate surgery (thank god it was operable) and followed up with 10 Full Brain Radiation treatments.

Today she's undergoing a brain, bone and liver scans and I'm afraid for the results. She has been very weak since the brain surgery and can hardly do anything for herself...yet, she's planning on going to the States in October for two months.

I know that neither she or her spouse want to know the ultimate prognosis so they don't ask BUT my family, siblings etc...do want to know. She won't allow me to come to the follow up appt with her doctor next week - telling me that it will all be fine and there's no reason to be there but I feel extremely helpless and frustrated. In my heart, I don't believe that she should be planning on travelling at all - I don't know what would happen if she ends up in the hospital in the States (we're Canadian) as I couldn't possibly leave my job and family to be with her.

I wish I had answers for you because I would then maybe have some answers for myself. If anyone out there has been in a similar situation, I'd appreciate hearing about it as well. All I've really been told is that because it metastasized so quickly, it's not a good sign.

Thanks,

EricP · New User Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1

My mom diagnosed 8/04 with stage 3a, had entire lung removed thougth that was the end of it. 3/05 discovered 7-8 brain tumors. did WBR - 10 treatments, responded then got worse. Found Cyberknife (differnt from GammaKnife) and she has done a few of them and down to 3 tumors, not sure what the future holds but its a nice option to have.

Jaypee · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 12:52 am Post subject: cancer

Here goes......my sister has just been diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer....she's being set up for chemo & radiation. Don't know yet what to expect.
I just want to tell all of you about my friend Sharon, 37 yrs. old, who died October 10, 2004....exactly one year ago....at this very time.
PLEASE, don't stop reading this post because I said she died. Her story is unique, but not unheard of, especially in Canada, due to our distressed health care system.
Sharon was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer about 5 years ago., she underwent chemo/radiation etc. and went into remission. She came back to work in full force..continued to work, play, love and live. Only one thing was nagging, she once in a while complained of an aching or sore back/hips. Her doctors dismissed her too quickly even though they knew her history, they never once ordered a bone or CAT scan to make sure the cancer had not returned. Finally, months later, after almost a 2 year remission, the doctors "gave in" and scanned Sharon's bones....etc.
Well, needless to say, no surprise, the cancer was now in her bones....then her liver....eventually Sharon's brain.
Her gait became unsteady, her pain was increasing, her eyesight diminishing.....yet Sharon's spirit was STRONGER than ever, and Sharon never complained. All of us, friends, co-workers and family pitched in to assist with care giving for Sharon. There were medical mistakes made along the way....hard to accept, but not surprising...there were hurdles to conquer but not impossible. Sharon's will was truly to LIVE, no matter how hard it may have been for those who loved Sharon to see her this way. Sharon wanted to endure without complaining and live to tell her story. Sharon died for a few reasons..... cancer, our horrible health care system who failed to respond to her complaints, ...and fate.
BUT...for all of you out there wondering what to expect, how to handle/manage and prolong the life of a loved one in a similar situation...here's my thoughts...
Be VIGILANT with your health care providers. Tell them what you want and need, every step of the way. Drain them if you have to. Piss them off if that's what it takes to get the tests, diagnostics and results that are needed. If you sit back and rely on the doctor to tell you what is going to happen...guess what?.........it will.
Be realistic, yet hopeful. If you or a loved one has a pain which most others would consider insignificant.....tell your doctor. Then tell your doctor what you want done to test for the pain. Stay on top of every single thing that nags you or your loved one. Don't give up and don;t feel like a complainer...just demand what is your right to proper health care.
Let's stop worrying about "exhausting" our health care system.....take care of what matters most in this life. We've ALL paid our dues, contributed to the Cancer Society funds, etc.........
Time to get results....Good ones only....for you and your loved ones.
Take Care......
Bon Voyage and Go Get Em!!!!!!!!!
Best of wishes to all who have been faced with this. :!: :!: :!: :wink:
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Wisdom, Serenity and Courage.

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