Non Small Cell Lung Cancer????? - Cancer: Lung Message Board

Clerklady · 09-11-2007, 12:32 PM

Hello All,

They have found a spot the size of a quarter on my mother's lung. They did a biposy and told us it was non small cell lung cancer. The Dr ordered a PET scan and we do not have the results back yet. What will the PET scan show other than if the cancer is anywhere else? We do not know what stage it is in or how to treat it at this point. Can anyone explain non small cell to me and what would the options for my mother be based on your experiences.

We are praying that all goes well, she is 75 and small framed women, with RA also and emphysemia. Any stories would be great, thanks in advance.

God Bless, Denise

Saliero · 10-17-2007, 01:42 PM

Hi, my mum has recently been diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer, stage 3a. She's 70 and also suffers from emphysema, the tumor is 7cm in size and has spread to her lymph nodes. She's not considered to be fit enough for chemotherapy and so will have radiation on its own which I think might be a blessing because the thought of her having to undergo chemo was frightening. Radiotherapy has far fewer side effects.

It's a horrid, scary thing to happen, Mum and I are so close. I'm only 33 and due to give birth in December, the thought of her not being around in the future is something I can't even think of. I'm praying so hard her treatment works. She's receiving pallative care as it's incurable but hopefully they'll be able to manage it successfully.

Good luck and don't forget to update.

snoopy63 · 10-17-2007, 02:48 PM

I am sorry you are dealing with this...
actually most of your questions cant really be answered until they do the PET
to see if it is anywhere else....

this will allow them to stage and determine course of treatment....

my husband never had a PET b/c they could tell just from the CT that it was in both lungs and his spine...stage 4... too late to do much except palliative care...I will leave my story at that...b/c it didnt have a good ending...

hopefully in your mothers case it will be contained to the one lung and not have spread....I know it is hard but stay positive and strong for your mother... they are making advances everyday....hopefully it has been caught early

my thoughts and prayers are with you....

Clerklady · 10-18-2007, 10:36 AM

Saliero & Snoopy,

Thanks for the reply. We have learned through a PET scan that the spot has grown 1cmm sense June when the first CAT scan was done and one of her lymph nodes lit also. We have met with her lung Dr, which said that surgery was possible and would request the surgeon to meet with us to discuss the details. We met with the surgeon and apparently she will not be able to with stand the surgery. She has a lung disease called intratissual (sp) lung disease and the chances of her being on a ventilator for the rest of her life was about 90% after the surgery. I was somewhat relieved that she did not have to go through surgery but very, very upset with her lung Dr. for not mentioning any thing about this lung disease only calling it slight emphysema, big difference according to the surgeon. She failed a breathing test called a diffusion test that alerted the surgeon, the lung Dr. also saw the resulted of this breathing test also, my feelings of this lung Dr are way beyond incompetentâ€¦â€¦.With that said, I feel betterâ€¦â€¦â€¦..So we have sent her records to an oncologist and we are at this point waiting to hear for him. I would like to have her receive a small dose of radiation to keep the tumor on her lung from spreading to her chest wall and no chemo for the lymph node. She is pretty fragile the way it is, and knowing that the side effects like you say from radiation therapy would be far less, chemo for her would scare me to death. Her quality of life at this point is far more important to me than her quantity. She is pretty scared and the waiting is not good on any of us, but it is something that God has put into our path. God is also showing us the difference in patience and longsuffering, our God is faithful and we love Him so, He is in control and we have put all of this into His very capable hands.

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers, mine also go out to you both, may the Lord guide us and strengthen us as we support our love ones and stand on the promises of our Lord to never leave us. Pray that we hear from this oncologist soon and we are able to move forward to the next step in our lives. I am also very close with Mom and am afraid for her, death in and of itself is not the scary part but I do not want her to suffer or for her to be afraid of what lies ahead. I am trying to stay positive but also stay in reality also. It is hard to see fear in my Momâ€™s eyes, she had been my rock and support and strength for so long, and it is hard for her to think of losing her independence and having to depend on anyone.

My love and prayers go to you all who are battling this intrusive disease, may they find a cure one day.

God Bless you all, Denise

SanDee53 · 10-26-2007, 10:48 PM

Denise,

Unfortunately there are very few happy endings with lung cancer. I lost not one but both of my parents to lung cancer. My dad in 1997 passed away 6 weeks after diagnosis. He also had an incompetant Dr with a terrible bedside manner. He eventually lost his license over another case. If you are unhappy with her Dr find another one.

My mom was diagnosed in July 06. Her breathing got so bad that we thought we would lose her that month before her 73rd birthday. We even had hospise come to see us. Mom decided she did not want to go through chemo but she also had emphysema and was on oxygen. We called the oncologist that she was supposed to see and convinced mom to keep her appt. That maybe they could at least make her comfortable. This woman was wonderful. She gave mom so much hope which she needed and told her the chemo would actually make her more comfortable. She gave her reason to fight. Mom had long hair and the Dr played with moms hair and really made mom feel like fighting.

Mom started chemo and we took her down to get her hair cut really short so the loss of hair would not be dramatic for her. She loved her haircut and said that was how she wanted to wear it from now on. Took her out to dinner and had a great time. Mom actually enjoyed going for her chemo treatments as it really helped her anxiety and she was able to breath so much better afterwards. Mom had only a few bouts with nasuea and never had any vomiting. Mom did well for 5 months and then caught a flu bug or something and passed away from pulmonary failure just before Christmas. We were so greatful for those 5 months as we thought we would lose her in July.

Mom had a good quality of life during that time. She went out to eat, shopping and to the Casinos. She was Christmas shopping just a few days before she passed away. I am so grateful that mom did not deteriorate and lose a lot of weight, lose her appetite, suffer in pain and become bedridden. The cancer had spread to her liver so we were so concerned about her suffering. I am not sure if your mom would have the same type of chemo. Everyone reacts differently but for mom it did give 5 more months with her children and grandchilden. She lived to see one more greatgrandchild born.

We never knew how much time mom had. We did not want to know and either did she. It was better that way. I pray for your mom and for you. This will be a rough road ahead for you. I hope you will all be able to have some quality time with her. You have to be her rock.

God Bless
SanDee