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NewlyWedWife
Regular
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Posts: 31
Location: Central, NJ
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 Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 3:25 pm Post subject: Day-by-Day |
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Hello, I'm new to the Forum, and as you can tell from my username, a Newly Wed. My one year anniversary is coming up on June 5th, and our first year together has been a wonderful but difficult one. We moved and established ourselves in our new home with our 2 daughters D-16 & D-18. Our oldest graduates this week. (Note I've been registered since March but have been reading and just felt now like I can finaly share).
My Husband 37 was diagnosed with Lung Cancer on March 10th, and we are now in our 4th series of Chemo Treatments for Lung Cancer Small Cell. In addition, a nuclear brain scan indicated a spot on the front lobe, as well as a spot on his hip (PET Scan). We were given the option to cease Chemo and do brain radiation and then pickup Chemo, or continue with Chemo for the lungs and monitor the Brain spot (5mm) to see if there is any growth.
We found out about the cancer after he took a fall at work and thought he broke a rib, we rushed him to the hospital, and low and behold he had a collapsed lung with 1.5 liters of fluid in it. They drained the lung and from the fluid detected the cancer. The fall was a blessing.
He began Chemo on March 31st 2008, and after our 3rd session were given the radiation choice. We chose to continue with the Chemo and keep an eye on things, but this meant that he could only receive 2 of the 3 Chemo types he should be given and were told that Avastin was not approved for Brain Cancers, so he would have to complete his 6months of Chemo on the two types, every three weeks he goes, and then after do two months of radiation for the brain, then go back and do 4.5 months of the Avastin Chemo. So for him it will be close to a year of treatments.
What has frustrated me the most is the insurance, the Zofran prescribed covers about 7 days, however the insurance company will only approve it once every 30days, so to them it's -so what, let him throw up- it's very frustrating to explain that this is a man who needs to feel as human as possible to fight the cancer, not feeling ill 23 days of the month. I end up getting an emergency refill which is only 6 pills that I end up paying 98.00 for each time and only last 2 days.
He has his ups and downs, but for a man in construction who is a work-aholic, the 10minute energy spikes are just tough, as well as the fact that his mind goes a mile a minute and his body just cant keep up. He's hit some lows with Medication mixups, and depression for many different reasons, some without saying. He tries not to cry in front of me and had breakdowns mostly at night when he thinks I'm asleep. He's up all hours and yet has weekly spikes where all he does is sleep.
For him the biggest loss was being told this will effect our ability to conceive which we were trying to prior to being diagnosed. Unfortunately we did not know about the fertility issue until 2 days prior to his first treatment of Chemo at which time it was too late to do anything about.
We worry about disability being much lower then his pay, and a newly married couple with two girls entering college, and just not enough savings after my divorce and his perodic Gland removal surgery 5 years ago (non cancer), but required plastic surgery. We were getting by before but now are facing less income, and the possibility of being layed off from his small company as well as a trade he very well may not be able to go back to. We worry about the girls and the strain on our new family and marriage and hope that they are effected as minimally as possible when it comes to their preparation for their futures (college). And foremost as aweful as it may seem we greive for the loss of the joyous first years of marriage that most young couples get to have.
I've changed work to allow me to work evening and nights to be able to watch him during the days, and honestly we had done so in preparation for having a baby, prior to the diagnosis, but found out a week after I switched and we started trying about the cancer. The switch of work was a blessing because now I can be available for all the Doctor visits and tests, but it's much tougher on me as well with getting up at 6:30am to run to schools, and then work until midnight with little down time inbetween making sure our other daily tasks and responsibilities are followed up on.
Overall, we are faring well, I am happy to be able to be here for my husband and the girls, and he is a fighter.
Current Treatments: Every three weeks - Mar. 2008-Sept 2008 - TAXOL & NEULASTA & CARBOPLATIN
Future Treatments: Radiation on Brain starting Sept. 2008 - then after Radiation begin Chemo type Nov. 2008. AVASTIN
Current Meds:
EMEND- 1 morning of & 1 day after treatment
ENDOCET - (Percocet 5-325mg) 1-2 tabs by mouth every 4 hours as needed
LORAZEPAM - (Ativan 1mg) 1-tab by mouth every 4 hours as needed (Stopped taking due to reactions with endocet)
DEXAMETHASON - (4mg) take 5 tabs by mouth evening before treatment & 5 tabs the morning of treatment
ONDANSETRON - (Zofran 8mg) - take 1 tab by mouth every six hours as needed for Nausea.
Any words of wisdom are welcome!
_________________
Believe
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Husband has Lung Cancer & Brain Tumor NSCLC Stage IV
Diagnosed Mar 2008
37 Yrs Old
Smoker 15 years
- - - - - -
My story thus far: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9545
- - - - - -
Current treatments & Meds:
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9550
Last edited by NewlyWedWife on Wed May 28, 2008 3:18 pm; edited 7 times in total |
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ksplat
Super Moderator
Joined: 26 Apr 2007
Posts: 563
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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| Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject: Day-by-Day |
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Hello NewlyWedWife,
I am so sorry to read about your Husband's diagnosis & suffering with nausea. I'm not familiar with the Medical Ins system in the US but know from this forum there are people everywhere fighting with their insurance to get a "fair break' for their loved ones. I do hope your dedication & advocacy of this drug will bring you some joy?
Although I'n not altogether advocating alternative therapies. Have you tried any natural supplements for the nausea? I do know my acupuncturist is able to treat this problem (among many others) with needling & chinese herbs. If you were prepared to give it a go I'm sure you would find this helpful. Also a Naturopath would be another therapist you could try? These are only my suggestions & in saying that I am not familiar with LC but do have a Bro with a brain tumour. He is a young man too & it's just so hard to see a loved one suffer with cancer.
Don't lose hope, keep pursuing information & knowledge on this illness. I do hope you receive a reply from a more knowledgeable member on this forum. Perhaps someone from the US who could offer advice on the probelm you're experiencing with your Insurance & supply of anti-nausea meds?
My prayers & thoughts are with you all.
Cheers, Angie.
_________________
Brother diagnosed with GBMIV Feb 07
Treatment: Radiotherapy, Temodal, Gliadel Wafers, Dexamethasone, Keppra, Dilantin, Clexane
Went to our Heavenly Father after a 19mth battle,, 47 years young.
23 Sep 2008
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=19227
"Without Faith We Have Nothing" |
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NewlyWedWife
Regular
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Posts: 31
Location: Central, NJ
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| Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 6:14 pm Post subject: Re: Day-by-Day |
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Thank you for your suggestions and encouragement. Best wishes to you and your loved ones.
_________________
Believe
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Husband has Lung Cancer & Brain Tumor NSCLC Stage IV
Diagnosed Mar 2008
37 Yrs Old
Smoker 15 years
- - - - - -
My story thus far: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9545
- - - - - -
Current treatments & Meds:
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9550 |
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NewlyWedWife
Regular
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Posts: 31
Location: Central, NJ
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:29 pm Post subject: A Ray of hope |
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Had our Oncologist appt today. The Scan showed no additional spread or growth, and the oncologist was very happy with the results of the Chemo thus far. We are going for a Brain Scan Friday and if all is the same with the Leision, then the oncologist will begin the Avastin treatment as well next session. We originally were told the Avastin would have to wait until after the Chemo and then radiation and then Avastin, but now it looks like the effects are positive that they are going to include it now. Keep your prayers and fingers crossed that the Leision hasn't grown any. Today is a beautiful day!
_________________
Believe
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Husband has Lung Cancer & Brain Tumor NSCLC Stage IV
Diagnosed Mar 2008
37 Yrs Old
Smoker 15 years
- - - - - -
My story thus far: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9545
- - - - - -
Current treatments & Meds:
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9550 |
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pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 1302
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:45 am Post subject: Re: Day-by-Day |
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Good for the two of you! Grab the good news times and hold them close. Keeping you in my thoughts for a successful scan on Friday too!
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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NewlyWedWife
Regular
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Posts: 31
Location: Central, NJ
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:02 pm Post subject: More good news!!! |
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The MRI showed the Leison on the brain front lobe has reduced in size without radiation. The Oncologist thinks that this may in fact not be a cancerous spot.....  We will now be adding Avastin to the next Chemo treatment, and if the leison goes away by September, radiation may not be needed. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS & WELL WISHES! This was Awesome news for us...
_________________
Believe
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Husband has Lung Cancer & Brain Tumor NSCLC Stage IV
Diagnosed Mar 2008
37 Yrs Old
Smoker 15 years
- - - - - -
My story thus far: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9545
- - - - - -
Current treatments & Meds:
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9550 |
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brainman
Chief Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 4297
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:59 pm Post subject: Re: Day-by-Day |
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NewlyWedWife, the is fantastic news!! If it is not cancer, it well might resolve itself with time. What did the doctor say it might be if not cancer? There are a number of non-cancerous things that it could be.
Definitely, you and your husband are still 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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NewlyWedWife
Regular
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Posts: 31
Location: Central, NJ
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:29 pm Post subject: Re: Day-by-Day |
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Hello Brainman, Doctor didn't go into much detail as to what it might be, but it's dissapating and that was about all my mind stopped at when I started doing our happy dance. We will go into further detail during our next visit, but he called last night at 900pm to give us the good news. Hopefully the Avastin will boost the lung reduction, and we are going from there. Thank you Again...
_________________
Believe
--------
Husband has Lung Cancer & Brain Tumor NSCLC Stage IV
Diagnosed Mar 2008
37 Yrs Old
Smoker 15 years
- - - - - -
My story thus far: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9545
- - - - - -
Current treatments & Meds:
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9550 |
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pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 1302
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Day-by-Day |
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Yoo-hoo!!! Happy dancing right beside you with that good scan news!
Congratulations! 
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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pjean
Regular
Joined: 12 Mar 2007
Posts: 28
Location: minnesota
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 5:42 pm Post subject: at 37 too like you |
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| wow do we have alot in common,you can email me anytime to chat how did we ever get to this point and why.my fiance has 10 tumors on the brain(had wbr last march and gamma knife and surgery) has a ton of tumors on the bones like your husband mine also worked construction.People our age need support because we are in our prime and have or want children and were working have more going on then someone whos 80 please please email me to talk when ever,I would like to hear from you |
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