Stage 3 Lung cancer

Jaypee · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 4:57 pm Post subject: Stage 3 Lung cancer

My 52 year old sister was just diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer. Her bottom right side of the trachea and lymph nodes are malignant. I'm not clear on whether it is small cell or non cell, she didn't say. She is scheduled for both chemo and radiation. Is there anyone who can can shed some light on this particular diagnosis? Any guidance, advice or words of encouragement would be much appreciated. I'm not asking for any false hopes, just the facts and what to expect. Sincere thanks. Question

MPapailiou · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 4:15 am Post subject: Re: Stage 3 Lung cancer

I'm really sorry about your sister. My mother has NSCLC stage 4, so I know how it feels to care for a cancer patient that you love very much. I'm not in a position to clarify things about your sister's situation but I really hope that the treatment will make her feel better.
Be strong, smile and try to make her smile a lot too!
Mandy

Jaypee · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 11:52 pm Post subject: Your reply

MANDY.........
I sincerely appreciate you replying to my post. Thanks, for passing along good wishes. Not to worry, although inside I am burning with sympathy for my sister, I have a unique and quick witted sense of humour....I won't use my humour to "mask" any pain my sister or my family has as a result of her diagnosis, but will choose to use my humour to "ease, comfort, lighten and travel" with her while she endures this journey.
All we have left is each other, wisdom, hope, dreams......and if all else fails...our humour will withstand whatever comes her or our way.
My SIS will weep, another time ...reflect, often she will make US laugh with her sharp humour, and sometimes ...lash out...but my SIS will endure...and she will dream, hope, wish...but most important of all...she WILL smile and laugh. This is Life...this is her journey for now.....
Once again, I thank you for replying...I feel better....One day my SIS will too. (she's the bravest human being I know.)

Jaypee · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 12:01 am Post subject: nsclc

MANDY....I forgot to say how sorry I am for you and your Mum....I'm hoping....reeeeeeely hoping she is doing okay. That's all I've really got for now. I hate to be ignorant but what is NSCLC....I think I know but I'm new to the cancer world and the computerized forum/chat world too!
Please keep in touch...no matter what occurs.
Sincerely Jay
_________________
Wisdom, Serenity and Courage.

MPapailiou · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 4:03 am Post subject: Re: Stage 3 Lung cancer

Thanks for your kind words... Smile

NSCLC is Non Small Cell Lung Cancer. Stage 4 means that it is metastatic, a metastasis to another organ has already appeared...

Steve Wilkins · New User Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 4

Jaypee,

Don't lose hope. People with Stage III and Stage IV Lung cancers do survice! My wife (52 years old -non-smoker) was diagnosed with Stage IIIb Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - Adenocarcinoma) in November 2003. According to a review of the literature on the web for Stage IIIb cases, her prognosis was about 12 weeks. She immediately started and received 6 sessions of Chemotherapy (carboplatinum & taxotere) every 3 weeks. By the end of this first cycle of chemo, her tumors (9CM) had shrunk dramatically. We ended up going to MD Anderson Medical Center in Houston Texas for an additional 2.5 months of concurrent chemo and radiation therapy. My wife's treatment concluded 7/15/04. At her 1-year post-treatment follow up (based upon full body PET/CT scans and MRI of Brain), she was in full remission - that means no sign of cancer anywhere.

What I have learned through this experience is:

- There is a great deal of variation in the way doctors across the country diagnose lung cancer (some rely on X-ray, some CT and some Spiral or combined CT and PET scans).

- There is a lot of variation in how doctors treat NSCLC ? some give chemo, some radiation ? some give both concurrently.

- When it comes to radiation therapy, not all physicians and treatment facilities are the same. The radiation therapy facility my wife was initially referred treated 60 cases kinda sorta like my wife?s condition over the last 3 years. At MD Anderson Medical Center, where she was eventually received radiation, they treat 300+ cases exactly like my wife?s each year. You get better treatment and fewer complications at facilities that have the most experience treating your condition.

- Every patient needs a caregiver to act as the general contractor for the patient?s cancer care. The health care system is too fragmented and doctors are too busy to always be as on top of things as they should be.

The bottom line for you and your sister is:

1). First get a second opinion from highly qualified lung cancer treatment specialists ? if your sister is Stage IIIA include a Surgical Consult with a Thoracic Surgeon in addition to talking with medical oncologists and radiation therapists.

2) Second, consider being treated at a medical cancer treatment facility accredited by the National Cancer Institute ? most States have at least one NCI facility. Why - they treat more Lung Cancers than anybody else (and when it comes to surgery and radiation therapy) experience can make all the difference in outcomes.

Good luck.

Jaypee · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:47 am Post subject: Stage 3 reply

Steve,

Thanks so much for replying to my post. I'm more than glad to hear of your wife's success. This, I hope and choose to believe will be a great outcome for her and you.

Today, my sister and I went for her first appointment with the oncologist. She was told her treatment will be concurrent and radical. It begins with one week from now (My sis asked for a weeks prep time to get things in order, work, family etc.) She is scheduled for a 6 hour day on Oct. 31/05, 2 drugs, one is cisplatinum? the other is VP16 (Atopiside?). tues to Frid. of that week consists of 3hours chemo and rest. She has to have blood drawn every week. She continues on the following Monday with the 6 hour chemo regime, then I believe has a week and a half off for rest. Then the cycle starts again. The Doc. believes she has non small cell, but that's still not confirmed. I guess it will be shortly.

She has been to a thoracic surgeon, he removed 3 or 4 lymph nodes from the bronchial area between the lungs. The pathology report said the two tumours in her lungs were benign, but the oncologist said they were more than likely malignant, they are in the process of checking.

Radiation is to follow possibly concurrrent with the second round of chemo.

I'm not so warm and fuzzy about chemo. I have a gut feeling theres more out there than chemo. No disrespect or disclaiming anyones success with chemo, especially when I hear you say your wife has had great results.
I just have reservations about what the chemo drugs do to anyone. Is this a North American treatment because of how huge a money making industry this is....or this this a treatment that truly controls and/or cures cancer??????? I am skeptic, for reasons I won't go into for now, but I only pray and wish whatever appears to help our loved ones...continues to help them in every way they deserve. for now, I'll stay glued to every bit of information possible.

Again, Steve...thanks for relaying your story....it helps more than you may realize.

Jaypee
_________________
Wisdom, Serenity and Courage.

Jaypee · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:47 am Post subject: Stage 3 reply

Steve,

Thanks so much for replying to my post. I'm more than glad to hear of your wife's success. This, I hope and choose to believe will be a great outcome for her and you.

Today, my sister and I went for her first appointment with the oncologist. She was told her treatment will be concurrent and radical. It begins with one week from now (My sis asked for a weeks prep time to get things in order, work, family etc.) She is scheduled for a 6 hour day on Oct. 31/05, 2 drugs, one is cisplatinum? the other is VP16 (Atopiside?). tues to Frid. of that week consists of 3hours chemo and rest. She has to have blood drawn every week. She continues on the following Monday with the 6 hour chemo regime, then I believe has a week and a half off for rest. Then the cycle starts again. The Doc. believes she has non small cell, but that's still not confirmed. I guess it will be shortly.

She has been to a thoracic surgeon, he removed 3 or 4 lymph nodes from the bronchial area between the lungs. The pathology report said the two tumours in her lungs were benign, but the oncologist said they were more than likely malignant, they are in the process of checking.

Radiation is to follow possibly concurrrent with the second round of chemo.

I'm not so warm and fuzzy about chemo. I have a gut feeling theres more out there than chemo. No disrespect or disclaiming anyones success with chemo, especially when I hear you say your wife has had great results.
I just have reservations about what the chemo drugs do to anyone. Is this a North American treatment because of how huge a money making industry this is....or this this a treatment that truly controls and/or cures cancer??????? I am skeptic, for reasons I won't go into for now, but I only pray and wish whatever appears to help our loved ones...continues to help them in every way they deserve. for now, I'll stay glued to every bit of information possible.

Again, Steve...thanks for relaying your story....it helps more than you may realize.

Jaypee
_________________
Wisdom, Serenity and Courage.

Jaypee · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:49 am Post subject: Stage 3 reply

Steve,

Thanks so much for replying to my post. I'm more than glad to hear of your wife's success. This, I hope and choose to believe will be a great outcome for her and you.

Today, my sister and I went for her first appointment with the oncologist. She was told her treatment will be concurrent and radical. It begins with one week from now (My sis asked for a weeks prep time to get things in order, work, family etc.) She is scheduled for a 6 hour day on Oct. 31/05, 2 drugs, one is cisplatinum? the other is VP16 (Atopiside?). tues to Frid. of that week consists of 3hours chemo and rest. She has to have blood drawn every week. She continues on the following Monday with the 6 hour chemo regime, then I believe has a week and a half off for rest. Then the cycle starts again. The Doc. believes she has non small cell, but that's still not confirmed. I guess it will be shortly.

She has been to a thoracic surgeon, he removed 3 or 4 lymph nodes from the bronchial area between the lungs. The pathology report said the two tumours in her lungs were benign, but the oncologist said they were more than likely malignant, they are in the process of checking.

Radiation is to follow possibly concurrrent with the second round of chemo.

I'm not so warm and fuzzy about chemo. I have a gut feeling theres more out there than chemo. No disrespect or disclaiming anyones success with chemo, especially when I hear you say your wife has had great results.
I just have reservations about what the chemo drugs do to anyone. Is this a North American treatment because of how huge a money making industry this is....or this this a treatment that truly controls and/or cures cancer??????? I am skeptic, for reasons I won't go into for now, but I only pray and wish whatever appears to help our loved ones...continues to help them in every way they deserve. for now, I'll stay glued to every bit of information possible.

Again, Steve...thanks for relaying your story....it helps more than you may realize.

Jaypee
_________________
Wisdom, Serenity and Courage.

Steve Wilkins · New User Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 4

Jaypee,

Glad to hear that you and your sister have a plan! Do yourselves a favor and get her Oncologist to nail down the diagnosis ASAP.

Regarding Chemo, let me paraphrase one of Dr. Andrew Weil's books in which he argues that cancer results from the failure of the body's immune system. In the case of your sister and my wife, their immune systems were overwhelmed. As such Dr. Weil recommended that cancer pateints start with traditional (vs alternative) treatments to get the cancer under control, i.e. chemo. Once under control, alternative therapies can be introduced to help rebuild the body's immune system.

Forget about who is making money or not. Like the cause of my wife's cancer, we will never know. But that not the important thing right now. You sister's life depends on doing the smart thing. Lung cancer doesn't scew around and neith should you.

God Speed.

Steve W

Jaypee · Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:17 am Post subject: My sis

Paul, I'm grateful for your helpful response to my post. Any information which appears valuable is appreciated. Thanks very much...

Jay
_________________
Wisdom, Serenity and Courage.

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