SCLC - Honest Answer?

BWFC · Regular Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 17

MIL is still doing ok, she goes for her scan next week then the results the week after, she suffers from anxiety at the moment which is only understandable the docs prescribred her diazapan which seems to help. I have noticed that she is coughing alot more than she used to which obviously worrys me..?? Any thoughts?

brainman · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 4:21 am Post subject: Re: SCLC - Honest Answer?

BWFC, is your MIL coughing up anything or is it dry coughs? Does she have a fever? In either case, you should make sure her medical team knows about this change. The increased coughing could be the cancer. However, it could also be pneumonia or just the common cold or sinus drainage. Only a doctor examining her can tell you for sure.
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pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1294

Hi,

Thanks for the update. When was the last time she did chemotherapy? SCLC is aggressive and I hope it is a simple cold. Her lungs are compromised and she is susceptible to anything happening virus wise in the lungs now. Call the doctor and report the increase in the cough. I know she's going in for scans, but if it is pneumonia or a bronchial infection, they can give her something. Jim's right about whether she is bringing anything up or not and what color it is. Greenish to yellow indicates an infection of some sort.

Let us know and best of luck.

PBJ
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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

BWFC · Regular Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 17

I will quiz her about it over the weekend, I think we need to be strong and talk about it, I think the whole family must have noticed the increase in coughing but nobody is saying anything...

In answer to your question pbj11 she had chemo for 3 months starting in Nov07 and ending Jan08, then she had the Radium Feb Mar Apr.

BWFC · Regular Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 17

MIL has been to the docs and they have given her a container to take a sample of what she is coughing up to the hospital, she has her scan today...I told her that she needed to get the cough sorted in case it was an infection, she says the cough is like when she stopped the cigarettes, she is coughing up yellow / green mucus, and it is mostly at nights ir first thing in the morning.....will keep you updated, I suppose we will know more next week when we get the scan results. Anyone any suggestions on questions to ask the doc?

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1294

Hi,

With the color you're describing, it does sound like an infection. I hope they get on top of this problem quickly for her and have her on some medication. Pneumonia is very common with lung cancer. I'm sorry. Let us know what the results are. We'll be keeping all of you in our thoughts.

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

Donitta · Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 12:49 pm Post subject: Hang in there

Hi,
My mom was diagnosed late Nov of last year with Advanced SCLC when she went in thinking she had Bronchitus. Heaver smoker her whole life. I can tell you from my personal experience that there will be months of mixed emotions both from you and your mom. As many have stated this is an ugly aggressive disease. You go through stages of surreal unsure moments and other times it's easy to be optimistic and stay positive.

My advice to you is to enjoy the time that you have, be supportive yet realistic and you may want to get a diary for your loved one to write in. Keep in mind though that if they aren't the type to write now, they most likely won't take to a diary! Just something for you and your family to have later on. My mom didn't write in hers but that was her choice, it was there if she wanted it.

The doctor's cannot tell you exactly how long anyone has, I think you already know what the prognosis is. Just be thankful for the conversations and special memories that you have.

We lost our mom only a few months after she was diagnosed, half way through her chemo. She actually died from a bacteria infection since her white blood cell count was low. So always expect the unexpected, and I mean that in a good way. Although its only been a few months and I miss my mom a great deal, I am thankful that she didn't suffer and struggle for a long period of time. It's a painful and stressful disease.

Good luck to you and your family and I hope for the best for you!

simplyklb · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:54 am Post subject: Re: SCLC - Honest Answer?

I hate cancer, especially lung cancer!!!! It just an insidious disease that I hate so much. My dad has SCLC - extensive disease. He has not felt good since I don't know when. His voice has been raspy since April. My mom has NSCLC. She thinks that she fractured a rib from coughing so much. Lung cancer just an ugly, ugly disease.

Kristi
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Dad - Andy, 70, diagnosed with SCLC in May 2008
2/20/38 - 10/15/08 Fly high, Dad!
Mom - Jackie, 67, diagnosed with NSCLC in May 2008

BWFC · Regular Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 17

Thanks for sharing all your thoughts, ideas and experiences. MIL was told on Thursday that the cancer has reacted well to the treatment (Just as expected) she does not need to go back to the docs for 2 months now when I expect she will have another scan. Good news I think but I can't help just thinking its only time until it bounces back... she still seems ok but I have noticed she is getting tired out and cant do everything in the house that she always has done.

BWFC · Regular Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 17

I read somewhere that there was a drug to help keep bones heathly when going through cancer treatments...can anyone help me out with the name??

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1294

Zometa is given once every four weeks for patients who have bone mets. It gives strength to the bones to try and fend off future bone mets.

Hope this helps.

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

koikkeril · Super Moderator Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 334

I think its pretty cool news to have a two months off break.. Make that time special and enjoy these next few weeks off. Its a rough old road to travel and sometimes we need that break to get ready for the next chapter. I pray things go well for you both I know the worry you are experiencing and its a horrible disgusting disease that we could all do without but remember hope without hope there is no life! God Bless you both, Koik

BWFC · Regular Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 17

Hi all, MIL went for her check up after 2 months of no treatment and was just told the same thing again (keep an eye on things, then go back in 2 more month). She has her bad days and good one's, she is still coughing more than normal and I have also noticed she sleeps alot more and can't do as much as she used to, she has also lost her appertite a great deal. Her hair is starting to grow back from the treatment whcih she thinks is great but I just keep waiting for it to bounce back again! Anyway just thought I would keep everyone updated.

Take care

LizNDale · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:46 am Post subject: Re: SCLC - Honest Answer?

BWFC,

Good news on your MIL, what did her check-up consist of? A look and a listen - or did they do more scans?

You sound kind of down, how are you holding up?

Thinking of you,

Liz
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Her Story:
http://cancerforums.net/about9639.html
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BWFC · Regular Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 17

Thanks Liz,

The check only consisted of a feel round where she had the lump in her removed and a 'how are you feeling?' talk over, I think she just says she is feeling great, I think she is tryin to make herself beleive there is nothing wrong (Which I suppose isn't a bad thing) but she just puts her tiredness and loss of appetite down to anything but the cancer. Think she goes back in a couple of weeks so I might go with her this time.....my partner is so so close to her mother and I can't even start to go into what this is doing to us and our family.

Anyway we just try to take every week at a time, has anyone any stats on how long SCLC usually take to bounce back after treatment, or any stories of it not bouncing back?

Have a good weekend folks, whatever your up to Confused

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