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The Norris Center, Los Angeles What is this ?

 
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dollygirl
New User


Joined: 28 May 2008
Posts: 5
PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 4:55 pm    Post subject: The Norris Center, Los Angeles Reply with quote
Hello, I am new here and have a problem,

My husband was Dx with NSCLC nine months ago. To make a long story short...he was a patient at a LA County Health Clinic and was sent to USC/LA for an x-ray as part of his yearly treatment. Several months later his film was randomly pulled for Utilization Review and a suspicious "spot" was discovered (L. main stem bronchus 1cm lesion rated stage 2)

Follow up care determined it was squamous cell and a plan of treatment was discussed with additional dialog concerning his insurance. It was also determined that he would receive faster treatment if he left the county hospital and went across the street to the Norris Cancer Center (he drives 20 miles into LA M-F to the center. We live less than 8 miles from the city of Hope in Duarte)

He did and received daily radiation and weekly chemo for 6 weeks. To date he has had two biopsies, 4-5 CTs and PET scans blood work etc. and is now on hiatus with info the lesion is smaller. Surgery is not an option as he had a massive bypass 10 years ago leaving him with major problems.

My question is what is next?? Can someone offer info on either the NORRIS CENTER or follow up in general????

I am a retired RN (ER/ICU) with limited knowledge in oncology and a husband that will not let me participate in his treatment. I am going nuts here and would like some info on what occurs AFTER this round of treatment.

He is also making me crazy telling me he'll be dead by Christmas. I know this is depression talking but believe it or not, I can not find a single simple statement on actual survival on any site I have visited and have used my skills to redirect this attitude with little luck! I should also mention he is my caretaker,

BTW, his medical team was delighted he had no symptoms, lost no weight, hair nor experienced any negative symptoms other than
exertional dyspnea (s.o.b.) when he over did lifting.

Thanks for your attention, sorry I was so long winded but I am what I am, gabby.
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brainman
Chief Admin


Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 4297
Location: Tennessee
PostPosted: Fri May 30, 2008 1:38 am    Post subject: Re: The Norris Center, Los Angeles Reply with quote
dollygirl, I am very sorry about your husband's lung cancer. I did move your post to the Lung Cancer forum because you are more likely to get helpful information here.

Sorry, but I do not have any information on the Norris Center other than what I can find doing a Google search.

You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma 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/
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pbj11
Site Admin


Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 1302
PostPosted: Fri May 30, 2008 9:23 am    Post subject: Re: The Norris Center, Los Angeles Reply with quote
Dolly,

Welcome to the site and I am very sorry to hear about this diagnosis for your husband. He does have an earlier stage, so this is good news. From what you describe, the cancer is still there, but smaller. Maybe they are waiting and watching to see what it does. That isn't unusual, but they should have follow-up scans, usually every three months to monitor the little bugger so nothing earth shattering happens before they can catch it and begin a new treatment regimen. Hopefully it will just sit there like a lump of coal.

It's a shame that he isn't letting you in on all of this. Is there any particular reason why? You must be frustrated as all get out over this situation. Especially having been a part of the medical community.

I just posted this link for another board member, but it will give you an idea of survival rates at the bottom of the staging information.
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3x_How_Is_Non-Small_Cell_Lung_Cancer_Staged.asp?sitearea=

Awww, don't worry about being long-winded around here -- that's what we are all here for after all! It's about supporting both the patients and their caregivers and loved ones.

Feel free to post whatever is going on in your world. It's better to get it out of your system, especially to others who really understand what you are going through.

God bless,
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
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