Mom has Stage 4 NSCLC & mets to Brain

Pray4Mom · Regular Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 48

I am really excited to share this news - a happy news after all that has been happening with Mom's health. Mom had a closed MRI today - screws and contraption on her head, making her look (and feel) like Frankenstein. I think it was more painful for me to see the long needles enter her brain 6 times than it was for her! (I could never practice medicine)

Anyhow, the GOOD NEWS is that the MRI shows NO ADDITIONAL CANCER CELLS than the one small one near her cerebellum! We are all so RELIEVED! She will continue to check in every 3 months to make sure that the brain cancer doesn't return.

The gamma knife radiosurgery was simple and easy (interesting too). We expect the radiation treatment to kill the cancer completely in a month... At this point, the doctors have not given her steroids... she simply takes advil on occasion.

She starts chemo next week for her lung cancer...

We are thrilled.. relieved... and continuously prayerful and at God' mercy.

THANKS so much for anyone's prayers and show of compassion. It means a lot to me as I grapple with it all!

Jim, what a cute and endearing story of your Mom. It really does help to laugh, doesn't it? It is true that laughter is the best medicine - helping the endorphines to alter our mood. It is wonderful.

Mom was very cute today. She was even making jokes as the screw were being placed in her head. She is such a brave and strong woman. I really admire her strength.

May you have joy too and see promising results in your journey of cancer.

We all live on a wing & prayer...

Blessings to all and thanks for reading this long post.
_________________
Katherine
California

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1031

Oh Jim!!! I love that story. It's always amazing to me that the patients seem far stronger than the rest of us. Shocked

Katherine,

I've known many who have been helped greatly by the gamma knife procedure. Now it's off to Chemoland! Not the amusement park of choice, but what are you going to do? Many warm thoughts and prayers for much success.

Hang in there,
PBJ

Pray4Mom · Regular Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 48

Mom starts 5 hours of chemo today... and will continue to do so every three weeks for three months. She is scared about losing her hair... and not looking forward to the side effects of treatment...

She is amazing. She bounced back from gamma knife surgery quickly.. I am so thankful she is obtaining immediate medical care AND that so many people are praying for her recovery...

Thanks for caring and thanks for praying.
_________________
Katherine
California

winnymac

Katherine,

That is really good news - I think the hair issue would be a hard one, I think a lot of people end up shaving it off before it all falls off. My dad had no problem with it but I think for women it is defintely more traumatic. I will pray that she has few or no side effects. My dad had none except for the hair but everyone is different.

Take care,
Linda
Salem OR

Pray4Mom · Regular Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 48

Thanks, Linda.

Mom's first chemo treatment went well (now ask me in 3-4 days when the effects are due) - she was treated with Paclitaxel (Taxel) and Carboplatin... She will lose her hair in a couple of weeks. We are going to go wig shopping.. I guess the good news is that now she won't have to wash and style her hair everyday!

Mom is courageous.. as are all those who are treated for this dreadful disease.

I am a bit drained and, kind of in autopilot. I'm sure some of you understand this. I am hopeful.. cautiously optimistic for her recovery.. yet I also know she is nearly 73.. I am thankful for each day with her.
_________________
Katherine
California

brainman

Katherine, how is your mother doing? I have not kept up with your post to other Embarassed

but thought about you today and wanted to ask for an update. I do hope she is still doing well with the chemo.
_________________
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/

Pray4Mom · Regular Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 48

Thanks for asking, Jim, and thanks for your patience. I just couldn't log in. I needed a break. Mom is amazing. Chemo has been hard for her - especially the 4-7 days after treatment. Doctor gave her vicadin to deal with the leg pain from taxil but that did not work - so they gave her something else to help her sleep... She has good days and bad days - tired more on some days than others. She has one more chemo before her next pet scan - if the tumor on her lung has decreased to their liking, the doctors will perform surgery to remove part of lung, If not, another round of chemo.

It has been an amazing experience for me. My love for her grows and we are enjoying every moment together - talking, laucghing and sharing. I am grateful and hopeful for her recovery.

May God continue to bless you Jim and others that are reading this.

Kat
_________________
Katherine
California

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1031

Kat,

God bless you for being such a wonderful daughter. Prayers that this new regimen will chase the beast into oblivion for your dear Mother.

I'm sorry that she is having the pain associated with this. If this is peripheral neuropathy, she might consider taking up to 600 mg of B-6 per day. (The less the better, as it is an anti-oxidant and you don't want to undercut the chemo.) My husband was on this regimen too as his first line therapy and didn't have any pain, but was taking Doctor ordered B-6. Who knows why some people get these reactions and others don't? The human body is so unique, but I thought I'd pass on the info.

Prayers for good things to happen.

PBJ

Pray4Mom · Regular Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 48

It has been awhile since I have posted anything, let alone made a visit... I've been busy taking care of my Mom and more.

Mom finished her 3rd and final chemo session. Chemo was very hard on her. She suffered great pain in her legs and other parts of her body. The last round of chemo she received some heavy narcotics and although her pain has dissipated, it is still there. She gets VERY, very tired and need to sleep several hours a day.

Her lung surgery is at UCSF on the 7th of January. She is scared and wonders if she will make it.

Chemo reduced her lung tumor by 50% (thank God). However, the doctors found a cerebral embolism and want to keep an eye on this.

Mom has dropped weight, especially in the legs. She eats, but smaller portions. She is simply exhausted and the narcotics make her emotional and a bit unstable at times. It is tough to see her like this.

I confess I wonder if she is getting better when it appears her discomfort has only increased... and she is so tired...

Is her sleepiness normal? What is her chance of recovery after the surgery? Specifically, how much time will be added to her life as a result of having the surgery? We are a bit worried for her because her recovery from chemo has been challenging.....

Thanks and many blessings to all,
Katherine
_________________
Katherine
California

Pray4Mom · Regular Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 48

Thanks to all for praying for my Mom and family during the last 6 months. I am so glad to share with you some really good news about my Mom. As mentioned in this link: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8445 - Mom had lung surgery 2 weeks ago today. The doctors at UCSF removed 1/3 of her upper right lung and she is recovering very well, though it was painful indeed and a full recovery will take an expected couple more months.

All this to say, that she is really doing well! It has been uncomfortable and painful but she is healing!

The GREAT news to report: She is lung cancer FREE! However, she may still have to go through radiation to kill off any cancer in her brain (she had gamma knife last Fall). Either way, we are rejoicing with this news.

Feb 25, mom still has to return to UCSF to have a brain surgery to remove the aneurysm sitting behind her forehead. Naturally, she is not looking forward to this although doctors have assured her that the lung surgery was more painful that what her brain surgery will be.

So I am thankful for the extended time given to Mom. THANKS to anyone who prayed; I am so eternally grateful.

This forum is such a wonderful place to come and pour out one's fears, tears and joys as we journey through the process of cancer.

e-hugs, blessings and abundant peace and grace upon each of you and your loved ones.
_________________
Katherine
California

brainman

Katherine, I rejoice with you. It is indeed good to be cancer free. I hope your mother continues to do well through the treatments that follow.

I also understand how hard it is to take care of someone who has cancer and know that it makes it hard to find time for anything.

You and your mother continue to be 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/

lanacevro · New User Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 5

Oh dear Catherine,

I am sorry to write to you without having anything useful to say *I am new to this horible desease with my dad being diagnosed only last week)

I was reading your comments and also that of Dawn and I realised how these feeling are not unique to me and how we all seem to be dealing with it alike

Catherine I pray for your mum and hope for her!

Please be strong

God bless

Lana
l

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1031

Hey Katherine,

This is joyful news! Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us.

Prayers for everyone! On me!

Hugs,
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

Pray4Mom · Regular Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 48

Thanks to all for the loving support! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Yes, being a primary caretaker has been a challenge BUT I have learned so much and love my Mom and others more deeply. I would not want it any other way.

It is interesting and sad, however, to see how some people ignore the needs of my Mom, or their lack of interest in how they can support me through this process. I think it must trigger the fear button in people - that we are all mortal and will eventually all leave this earth. My brother has clearly been checked out and did not even make the effort to fly here to see my Mom in the last 6 months of her sickness. Granted, he has a busy life, but come on! I don't think he knows how to deal with this.

Well, now she appears to be lung cancer free. We hope all will continue to be in her favor with any cancer in her body. I hope and pray for your loved ones to receive tender care and success as well.

Blessings and more blessings of peace and healing for all.
_________________
Katherine
California

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