Stage IIIB Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung

amakis · Regular Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 39

I just found out 15 minutes ago that my dad, age 60 has Stage IIIB Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the lungs. Has anyone experienced this, or is aware of prognosis?

fightinghard2006 · New User Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Posts: 7

My mother was just recently diagnosed with Squamous Cell Lung Cancer. She has to go through a bone scan, MRI, and PET Scan this week. We will find out everything Friday morning when we meet witht he oncologist.
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Fighting Hard in Michigan

amakis · Regular Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 39

I have found that after all the scans the best thing to do is to cling to the positive results. My dad does have cancer in his lungs and throat but nowhere else. It has given my family and I peace of mind knowing what exactly we are dealing with and are now taking steps to fix the broken parts. Also, when you meet with the oncologist, I suggest having a piece of paper and pen to write down some key words. I feel that I have taken a proactive approach to fighting my dad's cancer by being informed about everything- the internet, as scary as it sometimes can be, is a great resource.
Did they say what stage your mom's cancer is in?
M thoughts are with you and your mom.

fightinghard2006 · New User Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Posts: 7

They have not said. Her case is being discussed at a committee meeting on Friday morning before our appointment. She is in good spirits though. Her cancer has caused another conditioned that makes the ankles, feet, and hands swell. She is in more pain from that than anything else. We are hopeful that it is has not metasized anywhere else.
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Fighting Hard in Michigan

amakis · Regular Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 39

I'm so glad to hear that the doctor's are discussing your mom's case with a committee. The same was done with my dad and it just made me feel so much better knowing that all his doctor's would be working together to prolong my dad's life. May I ask how old your mom is? My dad is 60 and will be 61 this Thursday. It is still so hard for me to comprehend his condition. I'm glad however, that I have the facts of his cancer and am able to sort through my feelings by educating myself. The unknown is the scariest thing for me, and despite all that I have learned, each person is different and therefore I am scared of what may come. Again, my thoughts are with you.

fightinghard2006 · New User Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Posts: 7

Thanks for the thoughts. My mother is 51 years old. She thought that she just had bronchitis so she went into the doctor and he ordered a chest x-ray. They found two masses. One was in her lung and the other was outside of her lung. After her consultation with the thoracic surgeon and lung specialist, it was brought to our attention that the cancer was wrapped around her throat causing her hoarseness and choking. The lung specialist was reviewing file and noticed something odd. In 2003 she had an ultrasound on her thyroid. There were goiters on both sides. Her thyroid doctor never told her this (or she just doesn't remember). Anyway, we are hoping that the goiter is what is causing her hoarseness and not the cancer. We will find out more on Friday.
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Fighting Hard in Michigan

amakis · Regular Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 39

You sound very intelligent about your moms conditon present and past and I think that is great. I'm 27 and in the first week was a basket case. Now, reading these forums have given me a lot of comfort. I do hope your mom does not have Cancer, however, if she does, I suggest reading all the success stories you can find because they are very comforting. Good Luck and I'll be thinking about you guys.

fightinghard2006 · New User Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Posts: 7

I think educating ourselves is the best thing we can do. We may not be able to know exactly what they are going through, but just knowing what it is about is helpful. I am trying to get my mother to stop smoking, but it will be hard since she has smoked since whe was 15. Have you been to any of the meetings with your dad? Have him sign something that says you can call the doctor with any questions and the doctor can talk to you. I had my mom do it. Is your dad a smoker? If so, how long? I have been reading about the chemotherapy and side effects. I would like to see if she can take any kind of vitamins or herbs to help boost herimmune system while she is going through the chemo. I am not sure what kind of chemo she will going through. I hope to find all that on Friday at her doctor's appointment. I am 31 with two small children. My parents live 2 hours away. I visited them every weekend since we found out about the masses. My sister and I did the spring cleaning this past weekend (well almost all of it--no windows, too clold). I think my mom appreciated that. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family!!
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Fighting Hard in Michigan

amakis · Regular Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 39

I have actually stay really proactive with my dad. I took some time off work and went to my dad's initial dr.'s apts. I went loaded with questions from suggestions I had read on these forums and from various cancer websites. I think it made my dad proud that I was able to talk intelligently with the dr. and also ask good questions, the ones my mom and dad didn't even consider yet.
My dad is not a smoker, which makes his diagnosis such a shock, but from what I've read non-smokers are getting lung cancer too. My dad currently undergoing both chemo and radiation. The chemo he is on is Carboplatin and Taxotere. He hasn't experienced any pain yet, however, he is definatley coughing a lot and so I am wondering if this is a side effect to the treatment. I plan to research this.
By the way, I'm 27 with a 11.5 month daughter- Madelyn. Madelyn has been a godsend for my dad, but unfortunately he is having the hardest time accepting that he won't get to see her grow up- this is what makes me the saddest.
Anyway, I was thinking about you and your mom and hope that things go well for you today.
Warmly,
Amanda

fightinghard2006 · New User Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Posts: 7

Well, we met with the Oncologist today. It is definitely Stage IIIB. Nothing in the brain or the bones. We were happy to hear that. We did not talk prognosis, which I was glad. My mom is in good spirits. They will be attacking with Chemo and Radiation as well. She is a little scared about the radiation and the side effect it may have on her esophagus. I told her everyone is different and she may not have it all. I think attitude and faith are big things when it comes to fighting this awful disease. My mom was glad that I was at her appointments with her. It seems that the patient usually only hears two or three things and then they become oblivious to what else is said. She called me when she got home and wanted to know what the doctor said so she could talk to my dad about it. She wanted to make sure she got it right. She also has a benign goiter, so she has to get her Thyroid function tested. This will be very important when her immune system starts getting hit from the Chemo. She wants to have her treatment at a hospital close by, so she has to meet with one more doctor before they start treatment. Hopefully it will get started at the end of the next week or the beginning of the following week. I will keep you and your family inour prayers.
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Fighting Hard in Michigan

amakis · Regular Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 39

I am sorry to hear that it is cancer- and Stage IIIB- same as my dad's. Nothing in brain or bones is definately great news. My dad just met with his oncologist this morning. The dr. seems to think my dad is doing well, he checked his heart and breathing (I don't know what the heck that's supposed to tell you) but I guess the dr. said it all sounded good. My dad is starting his third week of treatment this week. The doctor did mention that my dad will probably experience pain to his esophagus and may need to admit him into the hospital to get pain killers and fed intraveneously. Although, they said that last time and my dad didn't need any of that. I had my mom ask about Tarceva and the Doctor did say that if my dad wanted that, then he could start taking it after his treatment. I've just heard all these great things about Tarceva- almost like the miracle drug, and yet the doctor didn't seem very excited about it. My dad's oncologist is definately conservative with things- including his emotions. I'll never forget how non chalantly he told my dad 6 months to a year. I guess you have to have pretty tough skin to be an oncologist- I know I couldn't do it. Anyway, we're just taking it one day at a time, I refuse to believe that my dad has less than a year to live. Thank you for your thoughts and prayer. You and your family are in mine as well.
Amanda

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