dads sclc - Cancer: Lung Message Board

jax6 · 11-25-2005, 07:13 PM

Hi. I am new here. My dad was diagnosed with sclc with mets to lymph nodes and adrenal gland, still waiting on cat and bone scans for final staging. I am aware of how bad the prognosis for sclc is- but he isn't and I am frustrated with his docs for not giving it to him straight. He said he asked the doc what his "chances" are and they said 50/50. After reading up on sclc I am sure he misunderstood or they aren't telling him everything. He doesn't have a clue about what's ahead of him and I am not about to tell him- he wouldn't recieve it from me anyway and I guess its good for him to be hopeful, I just know that he would never go thru chemo or radiation if he realized there's no hope for a cure. Any advise or comments greatly appreciated.

Karen44 · 11-25-2005, 08:42 PM

While there is no cure for SCLC the chemo and radiation can extend his life,and give him a good quality of life.
My best advice to you would be research,research,research!!
SCLC is also notorius for metastis thru out the body and it seems the one place it goes is to the brain.
My hubby was orginally dx in June with Limited Stage SCLC which is to say that the cancer at that time was found only in his lung and lymph nodes,but SCLC grows like wildfire and has to be treated aggressively.
It seems that radiation and chemo together are the way to go with this cancer,well since my hubby's initial tx he thought the chemo would reach his brain,then we were told chemo does not cross the blood-brain barrier,this is the brains way of protecting itself.
Also be advised alot of sites for cancer have information that is several years old and some sites haven't been updated with the lastest on SCLC.
I will pray for your family as this disease affect the whole family,just not the person who has been diagnosed.
God Bless and keep hope,even though it seems at times all hope is lost!!

Karen44

jax6 · 11-26-2005, 10:09 AM

I have been researching- everything that I can find. But I was not aware that the chemo would not work for the brain-if that's what you mean. I just wish that they'd tell him it's incurable so that he could make an educated decision about how to proceed. I just don't want there to be any regrets. He is not the type of man that can tolerate sickness well. Last week he ran a high fever all week and he said life like that is not worth living. He is doing well so far on his second week of radiation to the lung, but I wonder how he'll tolerate the chemo(he starts this week).
I also don't understand why they are doing radiation to the lung first with low dose chemo instead of high dose right off. I would assume that the mets to the adrenal gland put him into extended stage even without getting the results of the cat and bone scans, so wouldn't the chemo be the thing to start being aggressive with first?
I do, however have a lot of faith in God, and I believe that he allows all things to happen for a reason, I'm just not sure what that reason is yet.
I'm sorry to hear about your husband. This is tough enough to go through with my dad and although we are very close, it's not the same as your situation. But you are correct when you say that it's something the whole family goes through. My dad has
6 kids and we are all close but all handling it very differently. I am 26 and I just can't imagine life without him. Thank you for your prayers and I will also be praying for you.

Karen44 · 11-26-2005, 11:29 AM

You have to get with all his Dr's and demand they tell you exactly what their course of tx will be and his prognosis,remember the Drs are working for your dad and he is paying their salaries so DEMAND to be informed.
With my husband we are blessed to have Drs who are straight and honest with us,they told us from the get go that there was no cure and also about the possibility of mets to the brain,but when you hear the initial dx a lot of the info you received is lost just due to the shear shock of the dx.
I would recommend perhaps taking a tape recorder to the Dr appointments,that way you can play the tape back and know exactly what was said.
Do you know what chemo drugs they will be giving?? They gave my hubby etoposide(VP-16) and Cispaltin,he had 9 cycles and did very well with no side effects,I realize everyone is different.
I am like you in that everything happens for a reason and God knows what that is,I believe we need to turn it over to him and let his will be done!
I know it is hard to watch a loved one go thru this,just try and be strong,but also show your emotions and cry if you feel the need it helps a lot,God knows I must be dehydrated by now

Please keep in touch this message board is a great way to talk with others who are going thru the same experiences.
I will continue to pray for your family

God Bless

Karen44

Kimslos · 11-26-2005, 11:45 AM

My husband also has sclc and when he was orginally dx he already had the cancer widespread throughout his body. He went thru the same chemo treatment as Karen's husband. It is true what Karen said that each person reacts differently to each chemo treatment. Infact, my husband had his treatment every 3 weeks and each time he had it, he had a different reaction. He never knew what to expect. He is still fighting hard, but at this time is finished with chemo. (with some shrinkage of cancer in his lungs and liver) The brain is the biggest issue and he has to make a decision on radiation which he is just not ready to jump into at this point. We enjoy every moment we have together and with our boys. I am having a hard time being happy during this holiday season, but must be for my family. My dad is also very sick with congestive heart failure and they don't know if he will survive this time around. We pray everyday that a new treatment will be available and hopefully our prayers will be answered. Hang in there with your dad. My husband had always said he would never do chemo, but when he realized it was his only option he agreed. Karen, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband daily. I need to run for now...my 9 year old is so excited to put out the Christmas decorations. (he sure keeps me going and reminds me to stay positive without even knowing he is doing that)
Kim