Life expectancy of Stage IV NSCLC

MyDadStageIV · Regular Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 16

My father was diagnosed with Thorasic Cancer and then just a week later diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC. He has done tests, Radiation & Chemo. His last PET Scan showed that 90% of the spots are gone in his lungs. There was only one left in a node. So we are very excited. My father was given 1 to 2 years life expectancy at the beginning. We are looking forward to more since the Chemo has worked so well. Although, he did not do another round of Chemo due to his health after the last round, the doctors are very happy with the results at this time. My father is 70 with other health concerns as well. He is also a survivor of Prostate Cancer.

I noticed on the site that many have been taken quickly, I just wanted to give some hope out there. And, myself am still trying to get a better understanding of his life expectancy.

camper · New User Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

My Dad was diagnosed with stage 3B cancer on November 29, 2005 and he passed away on January 5, 2006. He had 10 days of radiation and never made it to chemo. The doctors never told us it was so advanced and he had so little time left.

jacqi6 · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 2:45 am Post subject: kept in the dark

Dear Camper,

Sorry to hear about the sudden passing of your dad. You were obviously kept in the dark, seems thats what the doctors are best at doing when it comes to lung cancer. Its a pity that they put your Dad thru radiation, do you think hed have opted not to have it done if hed known how long he had?

Now your left asking lots of questions I suppose.

Im still asking lots of questions, I think im still in disbelief that my mum passed so suddenly from lung cancer Sad

.

camper · New User Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

Dear Jacqi6,

If we had known, I'm sure Dad would not have gone through radiation. It burned his esophagus and was so painful he wouldn't eat in the end. I know he is at peace now.

I still have lots of questions....why didn't they know, and if they did know, why didn't they tell us?

Sorry to hear about your mum passing.

surfit · New User Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 3

My mom fought for three years against lung cancer (stage IV) which spread to her brain and hip. She responded well to chemo, gamma knife and cyber knife. But, mercifully, she died on January 05, 2006. She was sufferring so much at the end it was good for her to pass at that point. It is hard to let go, but was the best thing. God Bless you all in your battle and in supporting your loved ones.

Jennifer16628

We learned on Feb. 10, 2006 that my mother has stage 3B lung cancer. She is 53 years old and is having a lot of shortness of breath. Originally we were told she had probably 12-18 months, a week later we were told less than 6 months, and then 2 days ago the Oncologist said...without treatment 4 weeks maybe 8 weeks. The tumor is quite large and is pressing against the windpipe and the pulmonary artery. The Oncologist believes a Chemo/Radiation combo is the only chance she has since this is not operable. They did not see anything in the CT scan indicating that it has spread but the Oncologist said that it is more than likely in the lymph nodes in the center of the chest even if they haven't seen it in a scan. Does anyone have any advice...words of wisdom...anything. I am 30yrs old and the oldest of seven. We are all having a very difficult time with this. There seems to be so many unknowns. Why if this is only stage 3B are they saying less than 8 weeks life expectancy? I am very confused. Thank you for any input and to all others going through this...I am sorry and my thoughts and prayers are with you...this is terrible.

jacqi6

Dear Jennifer,

It seems you are about to go through with your Mum, what i went through with my Mum back in august/september last year.

My Mum got short of breath around July 05, her doctor thought it was just bronchitis so she was treated with anitibiotics for 4 weeks and she just seemed to get sicker; short of breath, tired/sleeping alot, no appetite. When the antibiotics didnt work they sent her for an xray& ctscan, which showed up the cancer and fluid in her lungs. Her lung was pushed shut with all the fluid in the cavity between the lining of her lung and the wall of her chest. Which was what was supposedly causing her shortness of breath.

So she went into hospital... after lots of xrays ect. they put a drain in her back thru to her cavity mentioned above and drained all the fluid out. However, she was still very short of breath , only now she was pain. They then discovered that she had a growth at the top of her lungs, sort of covering her windpipe. It was so large that it wasnt letting hardly any air thru to her right lung. They said her left lung was good, right useless.

The fluid returned and they sent her off to another hospital to an "expert" cardiologist/thorasic surgeon who was apparently going to attempt to remove the growth covering the windpipe or insert a stent (although the oncologist said this was near impossible to do) and keep trying to get the fluid drained via a procedure where they puff talcum powder thru a tube into all the lumps and bumps made by the cancer in the lining of the lung which cause the lung lining to sweat making the fluid.

Well after theyd tried the talcum procedure they thought she was 'fixed'.

Then they xrayed to see if the fluid had returned and it had and they had also let air into the cavity of the chest/lung which was highly dangerous.

So they carted her off to surgery to remove the growth on windpipe and fix cavity.

Well this was too much for Mum's body, her heart gathered up its pace and kidneys gave way and she passed away 3 days after the operation.

My advice to you Jennifer is that you let your Mum call the shots give her as much information that you can lay your hands on , but, from my research on these sites, dont let her put herself thru too much, radiation ect hoping she will feel better/a miracle might happen ect, because at the end of the day lung cancer is verrry quick. Make her comfortable, enjoy talking to her, and keep her strong.

Goodluck Jennifer, my thoughts are with you .

Diane12

Jennifer, my mom (63 y/o) was just diagnosed with lung cancer, stage 2 nsclc on Jan. 31, so I can relate to what your family is going through. Did your mom receive a 2nd opinion? What we learned during our ordeal is that we had to bombard doctors/specialists with calls and emails until we were able to get mom in quickly to see them. If your mom hasn't had a 2nd opinion, try to get her one as quickly as possible.

My prayers are with you...

Jennifer16628

Thank you for the quick responses....I am so sorry for the both of you that have had and are going through this also. I can say that the doctors have been VERY quick with everything. My mom even asked for things to slow down a little because we were seeing different doctors and specialists almost every day. She has seen one Oncologist, two Pulmonologists, gone through X-rays, bronchosopy w/ biopsy, CT scans (with another to come on Thursday of her stomache and pelvic area ? I guess to see if it has spread there). The original diagnosis came when she went to the hospital with trouble breathing - there was a whole group of doctors running tests and talking with her then. We see the radiologist again on Thursday after the CT scan and then back to the Oncologist on Friday. I have been with her at every appointment and will be with her at all future. Hopefully she will defy odds and live a lot longer than anticipated without a lot of complications or pain. I am worried though as every day she is commenting on the trouble breathing she is having...she says she has a cold Confused

I suppose it is the 'forever cold'. My prayers are with you. I will be looking forward to hearing from others going through this and those who already have. Thank you.

jacqi6 · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:39 pm Post subject: Extra xrays & Scans

I believe the reason they do all the extra xrays ect is to try and determine where the cancer has orginated. Whether it started in the lung or elsewhere. This gives them even more of an idea of life expectancy because if the lung is secondary then that indicates that the cancer has already done alot of dammage to the body.

With my Mum , they xrayed everywhere, and at the last minute we found out that she actually had breast cancer that had spread to her lungs. I still dont know if it started in her lungs or breast and probably never will. The team of doctors werent too interested in helping as they knew she didnt have long... but we didnt know that.

Anyway, fingers crossed for your Mum !

Talk soon.

Diane12

[quote="Jennifer16628"] My mom even asked for things to slow down a little because we were seeing different doctors and specialists almost every day. [/quote]

Jennifer - I know what you mean - my mom was getting so stressed out from all the running around she had to do since being diagnosed on Jan 31, and really hasn't had much rest since all of this started. She also has a terrible cough, which is wearing her out and zapping all of her energy, and like your mom, a 'forever cold'...with a fever that pops up every other day? She also suddenly developed A-Fib, which landed her in the hospital for a week, and also is having high sugar problems.

It is wonderful that you have been and will continue to be with your mom every step of the way - that support cannot be measured, and shows just how much you love your mom! Be strong and continue to hope and believe that she will defy the odds...never give up!!

May God bless and sustain you and your family as your journey down this very difficult road...

Diane12

{{{Jacqi6}}} I am so sorry for the lost of your mom, and that she survived the surgery but passed away 3 days later! Oh my..I know that must have been terrible for you and your family.

My mom is set for surgery on March 8 to remove the cancerous tumor on the lower lobe of her right lung. She already has severe COPD with a left lung that doesn't function much and we are all so terrified about the surgery...but this is her best chance for a cure and longer life. Man, I am so scared!! Crying or Very sad

brainman

Dianne, I hear your anxiety about the surgery and just want to let you know that I will be thinking and praying for your mother on the 8th.
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jacqi6 · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 7:38 pm Post subject: Surgery

Hi Dianne,

Thanks for your kind words.

Im sure your mum will survive this surgery. If they are removing the growth off the bottom of her lung then it sounds as though she still has some time. Im thinking positive thoughts for you and your mum Very Happy

. Goodluck! Let us know how she goes on the 8th ok!

seeya

Diane12

Dear brainman and jacqi6 - thank you so much for your prayers and thoughts regarding my mom's upcoming surgery! It has been one obstacle after another to get her ready for surgery, with all new issues just popping up; a-fib, infections, high sugar, etc. but through it all, I continue to be amazed by the care and concern of others, and the strength of the human spirit. Thanks again!!

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