New here - Cancer: Lung Message Board

NovaF · 03-19-2007, 06:51 PM

Hi,
My name is Nova.
My husband was diagnosed with SCLC in January, and is getting ready to start his third round of chemo this Friday.
They are also starting radiation treatment this time too.
I was wondering if anyone can tell me what to expect with the radiation being added on, along with the chemo?
After the first chemo, my husband ended up in the ER at the cancer center, very dehydrated.
After the second chemo, he ended up in the hospital for 3 days with an infection.
Needless to say, I'm dreading them adding on radiation, when the chemo alone has already made him so ill.
Any helpful hints you could offer would be appreciated.
They've already told us that his esophagus will be burnt, and it will be nearly impossible to swallow. They'll be using pain patches to control that.
He's lost 30 pounds, lost all of his beautiful blonde hair, had to stop going to work, etc..... I've never felt so badly for anyone in my life

Thanks for being here,
Nova

serinity · 03-20-2007, 07:53 AM

Hi Nova,
My mother had small cell lung cancer. She didnt have the radiation until after she finished her chemo. I can tell you though, in my moms case, she really didnt have bad effects from the radiation. The radiation did affect her esophogus. She drank alot of the nutrition drinks going through radiation. It was easy to go down.Also pudding and things that are soft. I assume your husband will have about 15 treatments? The esophogus didnt really start affecting her until she was into her 7th treatment, and after she finished the radiation it took about a week for her to start really eating. The radiation also left like burn marks on her back.(not severe)They also went away soon after.
Does your husband have extensive or limited?
As you go through this , just know there are people here on this board for you.You are not alone. God Bless you and your husband.

NovaF · 03-20-2007, 05:19 PM

Thanks for writing, Serinity.
My husband is supposed to have radiation treatments twice a day, (6 hours apart), for 3 weeks. (Five days a week= lot's of running back and forth to the cancer center!)

They said he would experience a sore throat after about 4 days, and they would prescribe a throat rinse/gargle to help. They said it would then get worse, and he would have to use a pain patch.
I've already bought some Instant Breakfast packets, but guess I ought to buy some Ensure and Boost too.
So far, they say his cancer is Limited. It's in some of his lymph nodes though, and is also outside the lung, pressing against his ribs, and wrapped around the bottom of his heart. His brain scan came out okay, thank goodness.
I noticed you said your Mom "had" small cell cancer..... I'm sorry if she lost her battle with it.
Thanks for answering,
Nova

serinity · 03-20-2007, 08:32 PM

Hi Nova,
Thats good your husbands cancer is limited. I believe they treat it differently when its limited rather than extensive like my moms was.And yes she lost her battle with this a year ago.She fought a long hard battle.
Just get ready for a roller coaster ride. There are so many ups and downs.Enjoy the ups and pray hard when the downs come.Everyone is so different in the way their body fights the cancer.I pray that your husband is strong and beats this .It can happen. Never give up hope.

By the way take care of yourself too, I know all the appts. can be overwhelming. Grab one of his nutrition drinks for you on the way out. The chocolate ones are the best

Kimslos · 03-20-2007, 09:59 PM

Hi Nova,
I am sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. My husband also has SCLC. My husband never had to have radiation. Well, let me rephrase that...he opted not to have radiation on his brain since it would not save his life and all the research we read it could rob his of quality. (he could change his mind any day,but as of now he has said no) When you have SCLC that spreads to the brain it honestly spreads everywhere so they must radiate the entire brain which also kills good brain cells. It was nice to hear that your husband's cancer is limited and not extensive and pray that the aggressive treatment plan will eliminate the cancer. I wish your husband the best during treatment and Serenity is right as it is a roller coaster ride with so many ups and downs. Take care of yourself during all of this too. You mentioned they will put your husband on pain patches. My husband was put on those over a month ago and it has been a struggle to finally get to the correct dosage, but they finally seem to be working. I guess with my husband though they said the dosage could change overnight as his cancer progresses.
Keep us update and would be glad to answer any questions for you as not many people on the posting board have SCLC.
Serinty...nice seeing you on the posting board. I hope you are holding up okay.
Kim