Mom with Stage IV, but doing well

KathleenM · New User Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Virginia

My 52 year old mother was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer back in early March. She was a smoker since her teens, but quit 8 years ago along with my Dad. With the cancer having spread from her left lung into her lymphatic system with some cells too close to the heart, radiation wasn't an option, so she's been doing chemo all the way.
She didn't have many symptoms other than feeling a lump on her neck one morning while drinking coffee and then promptly went to the doctor for it.

Now, 5 months later after all 4 rounds of chemo, she's doing great and did great all throughout the treatments. She didn't get sick, she didn't starve herself; instead, she still works 5 days a week and only leaves early generally the third day or so after the treatment which is the only time she feels bad. She just takes a Percocet to ease the pain and gets some sleep and she's fine.

We went to the oncologist not too long ago when she got the results of her PET scan and the tumors have all significantly gone down and have not spread. While statistics show that it doesn't really do anything, Mom opted to take an additional two rounds of chemo, starting on her birthday (Aug 30) because she takes so well to the treatments.

I'm just amazed at how well she's doing and really really hope that this will persist and she will completely recover.

Despite all this, pessimistic thoughts of the possibility of her body suddenly failing and losing the fight lingers in my mind. The thought of her not being there for big events such as grandchildren from me or my other older two sisters, being at my graduation from college (I'm just 19), or just plain not being able to grow old and live peacefully. Me and my eldest sister stayed an extra day at the beach this year with her "just in case" this would be the last time we'd be able to do that. Awful to think, but sorely a possible reality.

At least her optimism and faith is keeping her well for now and I hope for the best.

isidella

Stay positive. It sounds like you are cherishing the time you have with your mother. She may have lung cancer, but she could just as easily be taken away from you in a car accident or some other tradgedy.

It sounds like she is doing great. Keep us posted.
Take care,
Isidella

patandcan · New User Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 3

Thank you for sharing your story, I really needed that. My mom was diagnosed 5 days ago with lung cancer (non-small cell)...we know that cancer cells was in her lung fluid, but won't know more until the Oncology appointment on Tuesday. Did your mom have any difficulty breathing?

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