Mom has cancer... - Cancer: Lung Message Board

jenikat · 12-06-2004, 01:05 AM

Hi, my name is Jen, I am 21 years old and my mom was just diagnosed with lung cancer.

It was just a coincidence that it was found actually, she had been sick from bronchitis (which she gets alot, 30 year smoking habit) and she was having her chest X-rayed when they found a spot in her lung. So after a biopsy and a brief stay in the hospital (over the week of thanksgiving

) the diagnosis was cancer. The doctor also recently informed us that the cancer is non- small cell and it is not in the chest wall it is just a tiny spot of the lung. I am not sure what most of this means.

But something that is kind of scary is that, they also found two shadows on her kidneys. They don't know what they are yet if they are just cysts or if they are also cancer. She goes to have a PET scan in a few days to see what stage her cancer is in and to determine what the spots on her kidneys are.

My sister who is much older than me and an avid internet researcher has informed me that if she has kidney cancer, there is nothing that can be done about it except chemo and even then, there is very little chance of recovery. As for the lung cancer, my mom wants to opt for surgery if her cancer is in a stage that allows for it.

But now after my sister has told me this, I am really freaking out. She says that if the kidneys show cancer it is likely that the lung cancer spread to them and therefore it is in a further stage. I understand she is just trying to inform me of all the possibilities, but she is really depressing me. I tend to be an optimistic person, and it is killing me to think that there is no hope. I am seriously crying while typing and that is so not like me.

Anyway thank you for letting me share my story. I know it sounds weird but I honestly never thought I would be visiting one of the cancer threads on this site. If anyone has any information, advice or just pieces of your experiences, please share them.

mephoto · 12-06-2004, 06:43 AM

jenikat,

I am so sorry to hear of your news. I'm sure you have so many questions and your emotions are running wild right about now. I remember the feeling when we found out my dad first had lung cancer. It's tough to go through! My first suggestion would be to just get all of the info. from the doctors first. Where did it start, what stage is it, what can be done, what is the plan of action we will take. Once the doctor informs you of the type of cancer and the stage then you can find loads of information on the web. Just educate yourself and your family and you will better understand this disease. For myself, I felt much better going through this with my family this way. I felt as the disease progressed, I knew what to expect and I was prepared for each step of the way.

You are so young also, my heart goes out to you and I hope you find the strenght to help your family through this. You will always have this board here also....it is a wonderful place to come if you need information, or just a shoulder to cry on.

God bless you and your family and please keep us posted.
K.

alexandraB · 12-06-2004, 07:30 AM

Hi Jenikat, I am new to this board too and dont have too much info, but i just wanted to tell you i wish you the best of luck, your story is so similar to mine. I'm 22, and very scared.They also found something on my father's lung this past week of Thanksgiving, also through a random xray for a yearly checkup. He is having further tests on wednesday and thursday. The tests are to determine what kind of cancer it is, size of tumor, and whether it has spread. I know it is so scary, but you just have to try and wait, and hope/pray for the best until the results. Most of all, show your mother you are strong and there for her, because she is scared now too and needs your support. Once you know the test results, you will better know what you are up against. I also freaked out when i read the statistics for lung cancer, but dont obsess about those too much. Each person is different! Stay strong, best wishes!

Sbeth1966 · 12-06-2004, 07:32 AM

Jen,
I would strongly echo what Medphoto posted; but would also add that if your mother has been diagnosed with lung cancer that has begun to spread to her kidneys, it would not be kidney cancer. This would still be lung cancer with mets (meaning the primary lung tumor has metastized to other organs) to the kidney. Treatment plans, as well as prognosis, are very different depending on what the kind of cancer is found. Please remember that EVERYBODY is different in how they respond to treatment and the prognosis and statistics are only a guess and nothing definite.
My prayers are with you and your family.
Love,
Beth

jenikat · 12-06-2004, 09:07 PM

Thank you guys so much for your support...You're all so sweet!
My mom goes in for her PET scan on Wednesday, so I guess we'll know more about what is going to happen then. I will post again after that with an update.
It feels so good to know that someone else is going through the same things as you, especially when none of your friends really can relate to it. Empathy from others always helps more than sympathy, so thank you.

alexandraB-that is so weird that your father and my mother are both going through the same thing right now...the test days and everything!
Best wishes to you all!