Still in remission, thank the Lord - Cancer: Lung Message Board

sharon58 · 11-16-2007, 10:24 AM

I am 49 years old. A wife, mother and grandmother. I was diagnosed Oct. of 2006 with extensive stage sclc. I was given a year to a year and a half to live. I received 6 (18) complete treatments of etoposide VP16 and carboplantin. I have been in complete remission since Feb. 2007. I stopped wearing my wig in Aug. and have had my hair trimmed three times! Had an MRI this week spoke to my Oncologist today he says no sign of cancer in my neck, spine or lower back. My markers are fine no sign of active cancer. I have lived in fear since my diagnosis. Doctors give no hope for cure of this cancer. I have found faith in the Lord and have so many praying for me. I believe this has made the difference for me. I have a six year old son that I love with all my heart and I fully intend to raise him! I gave my oncologist his kindergarten picture and asked him to place it where he would see it often and think of us and ANYTHING we could try for me. I told him I want to be here to give my sons senior picture to him. Of course he acted very uncomfortable and had no real response. If anyone knows of anything new, anybody who specializes in this type of cancer anything that could be of help please respond. Maybe I'm stupid but would'nt it make sense to have some sort of preventative treatment to stop microscopic cancer cells from starting this whole thing over again? I sit here with tears streaming down my face and praying for everyone on this site.

ladyj2 · 11-16-2007, 11:42 AM

Sharon I am so sorry for your diagnosis. My mom passed away from it many years ago and now I tend to worry about getting it. I have young children as well so I can empathize with the devastation you must feel. I don't know of any cures but I did read about a new blood test that is supossed to pick up cancer even in stage 1. It is simple and I took it to my Dr. and just had it done and am awaiting results. It is called lung cancer detect. I think it measures the haah in your blood. Not subjected to radiation as with the CT. I don't know how they test your markers now, maybe something similar. Even though it's not a cure I thought I would tell you about it because if you ever do have a recurrence maybe it can be caught sooner. I do not know what the false positive rate is. I am just hoping to start a baseline and do it for the rest of my life.
I will keep you and you son in my thoughts and hope you continue to do well.

carol1961 · 11-16-2007, 08:49 PM

Hello

...you are on the internet...read the stats...and you KNOW there are those positive percentages that CAN....WILL beat it...or at least give you longer than you ever hoped for....you may be in that percentage....just believe....take care....c

carol1961 · 11-16-2007, 08:57 PM

have you had radiation to the brain..proactively? this was what my mom docs said if she got in remission...which she didn't...but they routinely due this...once someone goes into remision...as a just in case...as mets will often go there...and chemo doesn't usually get there...just sharing the info we got...might look into as preventative measure....take care..c

mishymay3 · 11-16-2007, 09:05 PM

I am so very sorry. I can't even imagine the fear you face. Please check out Johanna Budwig Revisited. Google her. It is very interesting. My mother-in-law is doing this now. I pray for you and your family.

Michelle