Hi, I'm new - Cancer: Lung Message Board

Ladymr29 · 03-28-2007, 01:07 AM

Hello. I am new here. And I am so glad I found you all. My name is Martha. In March 2005 my dad was diagnosed w/small cell lung cancer. He had chemo and radiation and his cancer went into remission. Well just a few weeks ago he learned the cancer was back. The original spot he had was 2cm. Now its 3cm. And he also has a new spot which is very small, it is also in the same lung. He is going through Chemo again. He seems to be sicker this time. He is coughing up blood once in a while. Also his back has been hurting really bad. So he was given morphine pills. He just saw his oncologist today and he told my dad that his back pain was not from the cancer? I was just wondering what I should expect. My dad does not seem to ask his oncologist many questions. I think he is really scared. He doesn't even know what stage his cancer is in. Can anyone tell me what to expect? It is really hard. Any info or comments are welcome. Thank you all so much.

sar4boy · 03-28-2007, 11:32 AM

My mom was just diagnosed in Feb 07. My mom had a lot of back pain before finding out about the cancer. Her pain was a couple of inches below where your bra would come and then over towords the side. Unfortunately the cancer had spread to her liver and both lungs. I didn't realize how fast this cancer spreads until I read up on it.

I was wondering if you could tell me when you knew it was in remission. Do they consider it in remission when the tests stay steady for a period of time? How many chemo treatments did he have? I don't quite understand why she only is getting chemo when I read that so many get radiation.

serinity · 03-28-2007, 12:45 PM

Hi Martha,
Welcome to the boards. Im sorry its under these circumstances.You will find alot of people here that are very helpful and understanding.
I dont believe that there are stages of small cell. Its either limited or extensive. Limited I believe is confined to the lung. Extensive has spread to other places outside the lung.My mom had extensive sclc. Her cancer went into remission after the chemo, but hers came back in the brain. As far as what to expect I cant tell you in his particular case, but its like a rollercoaster ride. There are so many ups and downs. When he was first diagnosed, Im sure you were so down and then remission-- so up and now thats its back---down again. See what I mean? I know its not fair is it?
Can you go to the doctors with him and ask some questions? If you cant, he can let them know that his daughter has some questions, and she will be calling. He can tell them that its ok to speak with you concerning his medical info.
Keeping you and your dad in my prayers

ebrena · 03-28-2007, 11:35 PM

Hi lady when my mom was diagnosed wth sclc that had metastised to her brain at that time she was told she was already in stage 4 and he gave us 4 months. That part is neither here nor there everyone is different. She was very intimidated by all the Dr's she had, I took her to all her appt's I told them I was her caregiver and asked all kinds of questions for her. I would make a list of everything we wanted answers to and then very assertivley asked the questions anything I didn't understand I would ask to be repeated I wrote every thing into my day planner. I had to be one step ahead of all of them inorder to get the care and information mom and myself needed. When they stopped paying much regard to my mom I suppose because they knew there was no hope & we knew that BUT that's when I jumped in and said "when does the part of keeping the patient pain free and comfortable kick in?" I was upset at their disregard by then. Anyhow that very night I was sent home with meds to keep her pain free and comfortable. You must be self-assured and ask questions and demand answer's. We even got to see the scans from her brain CT on the oncologists computer, she wanted to see what was going on in her head. When she was really declining and we spent a fair amount of time in the emergency at the hospital we wanted the facts and they finally started talking and as upsetting as it was my mom and myself needed to know and we needed to hear it from the Dr's. It was the most upsetting time of my life as well of course my mom's but nothing is better than honesty there is nothing worse than speculation-to protect who? She knew what she was up against but needed to know where she was at. I still get upset over it all but I thought I would maybe I would give you a slight push on how to find things out. Just be determined and strong for you and your family and write things down and ask questions and demand answers. Hugs to you all.

Sandra14 · 04-04-2007, 02:23 PM

Hi, I'm new here too and looking for answers. I know I have non small cell lung cancer (adnocarcinoma) - Stage 4. I was diagnosed in Feb. 06. My oncologist & med dr. keep telling me I have a very strange case. It may not apply to you dad at all but here goes. I went through 6 rounds(?) of Chemo. I had no tumors large enough for radiation at the time. I did not go into remission after Chemo even though everything seemed better. I was put on a new non-chemo drug called Avastin. During the meantime I had horrible joint, muscle and back pain. They finally told me that the chemo had uncovered Rheumoid Arthritis. This started attacking my platletts. After a series of test, they determined I had a 3rd disease - ITP. Its a immune disease that I would never attempt to pronounce. I'm going for a bone marrow biopsy tomorrow and a pet scan on Friday. My CEA marker last week jumped from 6.4 (almost remission) to 21. My system is too week to go through chemo until I get my platlets under control (the ITP). My initial pain (and one that I have now) is back pain. I'm not sure how to describe it. As far as you dad not asking enough questions, I have a wonderful doctor. Sometimes I have to dig in my heels and refuse to leave until he answers all of my questions. The doctors stay so rushed, sometimes you just have to make yourself hear and remember that it's nothing personal.