I have so many questions about nsclc

[rockie]

Hi Scarlett, thank you for replying to my post. I wish I could reach out to your friend and wipe away that horrible disease. If there were a magic wand, poof....all cancers gone. All MS gone. All Diabetes gone...and on and on....not money, fame or riches. Just no more illnesses. I will pray for you and ask God for love and strenght for you and your friend and his family.

Take care...hubby just now beginning to feel a little sick ...going to check on him

Rockie

[sawbuck44]

My brother had nsclc and survived 9 months. He was told 1 to 5 years. The last time he was in the hospital he was puffing up mostly his face. I asked the doctor why and he could not (or would not) give me an answer. He just said very blatently, 'I don't know.' I really got angry at that because if your a cancer doctor, you have seen this before. When my brother finished radiation, he also did not want to be touched but that was because his skin was very sensitive from the radiation. He was frustrated because he couldn't swallow anything. He also had a lot of shakes and ensure. It is a frustrating disease because there are so many slight variations and reasons why one patient with the same thing may do better than another.

My brother's was inoperable and he also had chemo. They did not mention Iressa until the day they told him he only had a few weeks left and that was just 'thrown' out there. Even though my brother knew it was inoperable he asked his doctor again and of course the doctor said not an option.

I would only say to be very understanding of his anger and pain. Find a way to keep communicating with him. Talk about things that you've always talked about. He is feeling very lonely right now no matter how many people are around.

The other thing is the timeframe given. The last conversation the doctor had with my brother, I was fortunate to be there, my brother asked him how long he had. The doctor said 2 weeks to 2 months. The next day they told us he had only a few days then they put him in hospice where he passed on a few hours later.

Most of the time during his illness, I took it too lightly. I thought he'd be okay...he wasn't that sick. Now I wish I would have spent even more time with him than I did. I just pray that others can see more clearly and know how much they are needed.

[forjillo]

My Mum is 61 years old & had a 2cm tumor removed 7 months agofrom her left upper lung lobe NSCLC & we were told it was 100% successful. Today we were all devastated at the news that the the cancer has returned & that she has stage 3 ?? the doc says she could expect to live 12 - 18 months. We are all completely in shock to say the least & desperate to find out some answers & would love to hear from people out there with similar experiences. We have so many questions that seem to be too hard to get definitive answers on. She is due to start Chemo in 1 week. How will she feel ??? Are we better of trying alternatives like b17 or is it all crap??? Can she lead a quality life with her 2 young grand kids & one due in 6 months ? We are so scared what is going to happen next ?????