To all those that have survived SCLC please post your story here. My Mother has SCLC and I would like to pass on some inspiring stories to her. Thanks!

I keep checking this post too.

My father has been fighting sclc since Feb 2001. He is going through his second round of chemo now. There are a couple of stories about beating this cancer in the archives.

I will be praying for you and your mother.

My dad was just diagnosed with small cell lung cancer
January 1st 2002. I am very scared and needed to talk with somebody. Stories or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the tip about the archives and I pray that your families or loved ones are doing ok.


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God Bless-RPD

Rpd- My Mom is doing well and is now cancer free.

RS

[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 03-23-2002).]

rscott-
Thank you so much for replying. Had your mothers cancer spread when they started the chemo? What was her prognosis and how long did they say she has? I am really just trying to put things in my mind at ease to make things easier for me right now. Again, I appreciate you replying!


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God Bless-RPD

RPD-

My Mom's cancer had not spread. They did a whole body scan and it was clear except for the chest tumor. Her doctor said she has a "good chance for remission". I will never forget those words! There was no talk of "how long does she got". I have met people that have survived over 15 years with small cell lung cancer. The chemo and radiation was rough but my Mom is almost back to her old self. She goes every 2 months for a chest x-ray and so far she is cancer free! A new drug called Gleevec or Gleevac shows promise for treating small cell and other cancers. If you have any more qustions please let me know.

RS

Thanks. I have been reading the archives on this subject and there is so much hope and inspiration in these people that I feel like he could live forever. Did you read the one about the woman who was diagnosed in 1994 and is still in remission? That is so great. My dads cancer has spread to the bone in his left arm a little above the elbow. His chemo did start today. Is that too long since he found out almost a month ago


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God Bless-RPD

rpd

What chemo is your father getting?

My dad was diagnosed last February. He is doing well. He has is starting his second round of chemo. His frist round of chemo was (cisplatin and V_16). He had a two series of raditaion. He is now getting topetecan. He is very tired but seems to be handle everything well. I hope all goes well for you and your father. God Bless.

rscott99
when was your mom diagnosed. I am very happy for you both!!!

[This message has been edited by babs225 (edited 01-31-2002).]

[This message has been edited by babs225 (edited 01-31-2002).]

My Mom was diagnosed in May of 2001. Her treatments ended in July or August. She has no treatment scheduled now......just a chest x-ray every 2 months. Her hair and strength have come back but she did lose some hearing that will never come back. A small price to pay if it means living many more years! I can't remember the chemo drugs my mom was on.

RS

I don't know what the chemo is called. I just talked to him this morning and he sounded great. I will ask him what kind it is. Last weekend he was driving in the car and sneezed trying to pay attention to the road and broke a rib in the back. They told him that it will be a couple of months before that heals. He is a little bit worried about getting sick from the chemo and how painful that would be to his back. But his attitude is great and he's a fighter. Thank you both for responding back! Is the topotecan really strong chemo?

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God Bless-RPD

Topetecan is for recurrent cancer or for cancer that has never responded to chemo. It is very strong. It is also given to breast cancer patients. Keep up your spirits.

RPD-

I would tell your dad to start drinking protien drinks. He will most likely lose his appetite. My mom lived on a drink called Resource. It is similar to the orange drink they serve at McDonalds but it is loaded with protien. My mom liked it because it wasn't "milk based" like Ensure or similar drinks. He needs to keep his strength up because his body, along with the chemo, continually fights the cancer. My mom became very week and couldn't even drive a car. She had to walk with a cane for a while too. I told her to think of her Resource drink like medicine, ITS NOT OPTIONAL! Your dad should also.

RS

RS,

Did you get the drink on line or in a local store? Good information.

RPD-

The milk based drinks are everywhere(kmart, walmart and any drug store) but the Resource drink we had to have walgreens special order. It comes in a little juice box and cost aboout $1.00 each. It seems expensive but it will probably be all he "eats" so it only costs $3.00 a day if he drinks 3! He might like the milk based stuff which is easier to get. Not to confuse you, but, some Resource is also milk based. If he wants juice based get the orange flavored Resource. Hope thats clear enough.

RS

Thanks!!!

Regarding the loss of appetite and that comes with the chemo (and can turn into cachexia if not taken care of), speak to the Drs. about possibly prescribing an appetite stimulant, such as Megace. It takes a few weeks to kick in, so good to start early.

Best wishes.

Hello, it has been a while since I've posted to these boards. I am a 9 year sclc survivor. I was dx'd in aug of 1993. I survived 3 separate rounds of chemo. When I was dx'd I read up on everything. I wasn't going to just leave it in the dr.s hands. I take vitamins everyday, plus amino acids and herbs. I just added D-glucarate as I read that it helps people with cancer. A very good book to read is 'Cancer Diagnosis-what to do next' by W. John Diamond and W. Lee Cowden both M.D.s. It is an alternative Medicine Guide. Every day is a battle but I love every day. I know of 2 others who are long term survivors. We met on this board and now give support to each other. I urge all of you who have cancer or have a loved on who has it to give good strong support. It is so easy to get down. We who are fighting the battle do need to be uplifted. Take care and God Bless you all. Shari

Hi! I don't know whether this will help - I know of a doctor whose mother survived Stage IV lung cancer and has now been cancer free for more than 12 years. The doctor's name is Dr. Sun, he had his mother take nontoxic vegetables with known antitumor properties in additon to the conventional therapies. His remedy is now available to the general public - I posted all the details I know in a reply to Jasmine's Stage IV post in a different section of this message board.

God Be with You and Your Loved Ones,

Tien Lee

My husband has small cell lung cancer limited disease. He is currently finishing his fourth chemo treatment.
We are so pleased to read about the survivors .
Good luck to all of you and I am glad to have found these boards.
Bettina

My husband was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer metastes to liver on January 2, 2002. He had two chemo sessions with Etoposide and Cisplatin and they took a cat scan. This second cat scan which revealed that his lungs were entirely clear and his liver lesions were reduced by 75-90%. After four more sessions he had a cat scan on May 13th. This revealed a continued reduction in the amount and size of the the cancer cells but they are not completely gone. He starts today on Topotecan for five days and the fifth day he gets Taxol. We needed to switch as cancer cells get resistent to certain drugs. Then off four weeks and one more week of this chemo regimine. Then wait four weeks for another cat scan.

He is taking Megace for his appetite - which worked right away for him. He didn't lose his appetite until the sixth round. He is taking Ritalin for energy and it also helps act as an anti-depressant. He is taking Zofran and Compozine for nausea and by the 5th session we had to double the dose but he is doing fine now.

I have found that comparing treatments, meds and results can only be "compared" so far....Cancer as a disease is as unique and individual as the patient.

I have not read one story that is EXACTLY like my husbands. Even the same diagnosis plays out so different in different individuals.

Doctors in all their God given talent, gifts, wisdom and ability don't know how many days any one has....they are only guessing. Only God knows how many days anyone has. We must trust in Him and not be afraid. For God doesn't want us to be afraid.

Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Shannon

Thumbs up to you ShariMarie! You have given me the first hope since this nightmare has started. My husband was diagnosed with limited sclc 2/6/02. He's been thru radiation and has 1 more round of chemo. The tumor has shrunk to just about nothing at this point, and next their talking brain radiation. Have you gone thru this? Having trouble finding much info. Having trouble understanding why do it before it's spread. Any info/input you can give me on this would be reatly appreciated. Our hopes are high, our attitudes great, but I've printed your submission to show him. He will be thrilled!
Thanks so much,
Melanie

I am so glad to find this site to read and learn about the same thing my husband and I are going thru. He was diagnosed with sclc in May 2002.

I am praying for your mom, there is always hope, every day she is alive they are coming up with new medications... I pray every day and thank god for each day I am alive, I also was diagnosed August 1st 2001 with sclc... I am only 46 yrs old.... I have to believe that there is hope..... Christine

Cancer Here is a poem I wrote when I was diagnosed with SCLC in August 2001... I am battling it too. I am in remission right now http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif hang in there , we shall all hang in there together

Cancer cannot take away our hopes or our dreams
I know it may seem to try constantly it seems
Our spirit must rise and fly high above the heavens
We must conquer this demon for that is a given
Should, at some point weakness invade
Our heart and soul must scream in a tirade
As we dig deep into the depths of our souls
We must remind ourselves of our dreams and goals
Our loved ones fight with us constantly by our side
Well, lets face it, we are in for one hell of a ride
Love has no limits, forever giving us strength
Let us win this battle we have been sent
The battle cry of hopes, dreams and love
Scream wildly in our minds with help from above
Cancer oh Cancer we shall not let you be victorious
For all that we are and ever will be
The heavens shall sing that personal song of victory

My wife is 47 and was diagnosed with small cell three months ago in her lung, liver and spine. She has completed her 3rd cycle of chemo and was doing much better, but we learned this week it has spread to her brain. She starts radiation tomorrow for 10 treatments. We were going to go to MD Anderson when we were thru with chemo, but now they won't accept her since she has to begin radiation. Her health otherwise is good, but I need to know if all cancer hospitals exclude you from trials or other treatments once you have radiation. We are in Memphis, and I know there are centers at Vanderbilt and the University of Mississippi that hopefully we can go to when further treatment is needed. Any suggestions would be appreciated from anyone. Thanks and God bless.

Kevin

I just wanted to say that I am so happy to hear about the people that have survived SCLC.....It makes so glad to see that people can actually beat it!! unfotunately my momma didnt...she put up one heck of a fight though....may God bless you all...you will all be in my prayers....

BTW I am new here...my first post http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

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In Loving memory of my Momma
Lived with SCLC for 18 months

Patty Sergent
May 31, 1947-December 9, 2000

You will always be our little angel
We love you momma

Hello again
Just to let you know that my husband has now finished his chemo therapy with a total remission of his sclc.
He is now starting radio therapy for 28 sessions with concurrent cranial irradiation.
He has not lost any weight and is doing fine.
The latest I found on treatment of small cell lung cancer is a study called SILVA.
This is based on a product by MERCK and IMCLONE.
It is in stage 3 of clinical study and patients with limited desease can take part until October providing they fulfill certain criteria.
Here comes some explanation in doc speak:

BEC2 is an investigational anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody that is designed to prevent or delay the recurrence of certain types of tumors when used with Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) as an immune stimulant. The BEC2 antibody mimics the ganglioside GD3, a tumor antigen on the surface of certain types of tumor cells. By mimicking this antigen, BEC2 appears to stimulate a stronger immune response to cells expressing natural GD3.
In limited pilot studies, preliminary findings suggest that BEC2 has the potential to stimulate the body's immune system to identify and eliminate residual tumor cells, prevent recurrence of tumors, and prolong survival in patients with limited disease small cell lung carcinoma. The Company in cooperation with its partner Merck KGaA is currently evaluating BEC2 in an international Phase III clinical trial for this indication.

Current Clinical Studies of BEC2

Population Phase Design Objectives Status

Patients with newly diagnosed limited stage small cell lung carcinoma III randomized Determine the survival benefit of BEC2 vaccination Enrolling patients
I know that the Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital in New York is dealing with the study.
Hope this can help someone.Regards Bettina

Hello everyone,god bless you all ! I am very scarred for my aunt she just found out she has Small Cell Cancer on her left lung.She has Emphysema,too.Everyone keeps saying she only has weeks or months to live. She hasn't started any Chemo or Radiation and we don't know if it has spread to her brain or bones yet .I have found alot of information on this webboard but I would really like to know what the chances are that it will spread to her bones or brain ,if anyone knows.please we need answeres thank you all

hello again........great news......they did a bone scan and a brain scan and it has not traveled to either we are so happy......she starts chemo today god bless you all my prayers are with you all.....

Hi,

I was wondering if someone could help me out. My Uncle was diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer two weeks ago, which had metastasized to the brain (tumor size 7.5 x 5 x 2), and spots on kidneys. He lives in Greece and I am on my way to support the family. The are choosing radiation for the lungs and were to start chemotherapy this week. No surgery on the brain tumor because it is too large. Has been prescribed anti-seizure medication. Worried sick...very close with him. I don't know what to do to help him feel better. He is a heavy smoker and some people say he should continue to smoke since it is terminal. Is that true? Is there no cure? Are there any herbal mixes I can bring to help him feel better?

Please help...any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Worried sick...

Maria

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Maria T.

My mom was diagnosed with SCLC in August of 2000 along with severe emphysema. She has had 2 rounds of chemo and brain radiation. Her cancer came back and so she had a third of her right lung taken out in September of 2001. It has been real hard on her to recover because of her emphysema and the surgery. In October of 2002 she was diagnosed with pseudomonas aeruginosa and is thought to have had this since the surgery. They told her that there is no cure for the pseudomonas and that she will be on antibiotics from now on. She is getting monthly xrays to make sure that that she is still cancer free but she is very sick from the pseudomonas and only weighs 77 pounds. Has anyone else dealt with pseudomonas aeruginosa?