Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2017 18:17:29 GMT
As I mentioned on my other thread my SIL has been diagnosed with lung cancer. The news today is not good, it's spread to her airways and she'll be undergoing further tests to see if it's anywhere else. I have no idea of her chances of survival at this time, actually no idea about this type of cancer really. It's all come as such a shock.
Does anyone have any experience that they could share? The good, bad and ugly is appreciated as I feel we need to be prepared for everything.
Also, if you could spare some prayers or positive thoughts that would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
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Post by hdoublej on Jul 25, 2017 18:19:36 GMT
I'm so sorry she is facing this. Prayers her and everyone who loves her.
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scrappyesq
Pearl Clutcher
You have always been a part of the heist. You're only mad now because you don't like your cut.
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Post by scrappyesq on Jul 25, 2017 18:19:37 GMT
I am so sorry.
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Post by scrapmaven on Jul 25, 2017 18:20:31 GMT
I don't have any advice, but I have lots of prayers.
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Post by lucyg on Jul 25, 2017 18:21:26 GMT
I don't have any answers for you, but I'm very sorry to hear.  |
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Post by christine58 on Jul 25, 2017 18:22:27 GMT
I don't have good things to tell you. It's an ugly disease especially if it has spread.
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Post by pjynx on Jul 25, 2017 18:34:24 GMT
I'm so sorry to hear this. I have no advice for you but wanted you to know that you are not alone. My mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung cancer about 1.5 months ago. It's advanced small cell carcinoma. In both lungs, lymph nodes and liver. The prognosis is not good. She just underwent her 2nd round of chemo and will have new scans done next week to see if the chemo is helping at all.
Has your SIL's been staged? Do you know what type it is? ie: lymphoma vs carcinoma vs others? Also, maybe check around on the American cancer.org website and see if there are any clinical trials that she might be eligible for. I believe (not sure though - one of my sisters has been doing the medical research there), there might also be links on that website for financial assistance.
Good luck and ((HUGS))
Pam |
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Mystie
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Post by Mystie on Jul 25, 2017 18:37:18 GMT
I don't have experience with lung cancer, but I pray that she will have the best possible prognosis. I'm sorry this has happened, it's always such a terrible shock for everyone involved. Hugs to you.
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inkedup
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Jun 26, 2014 5:00:26 GMT
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Post by inkedup on Jul 25, 2017 18:42:46 GMT
No experience to share, but I'm very sorry you are all going through this.
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Post by gar on Jul 25, 2017 18:51:15 GMT
Unfortunately I do but don't read on if you aren't really ready to hear about prognosis etc. My very dear friend's husband discovered a lump in his neck. His lung cancer had spread and was sadly already stage 4. He wasn't a smoker. He outlived his prognosis by some 6 months + if I remember correctly and I believe he was expected to see another year from diagnosis. I'm so sorry, I hope your SIL gets a better chance.  |
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Post by Zee on Jul 25, 2017 19:05:19 GMT
I don't have a lot of experience with lung cancer but I'm sending positive thoughts.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jul 25, 2017 19:21:08 GMT
Unfortunately way too much experience. A lot depends on her specific diagnosis as there is huge variability. Unfortunately too often lung cancer is not caught early enough to be effectively treated - but if still confined to the lungs and in particularly operable - prognosis is significantly better. The other huge variability is whether the particular tumor your SIL has contains a specific genetic mutation that has shown to respond to treatment. There are treatments for different mutations and some have shown significantly better treat-ability than traditional treatments that has prolonged survival rates significantly if you have that specific mutation. Here's a bit of information about standard genetic testing done now related to lung cancer: www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/lung/diagnosis/genetic-testing There are also clincical trials that may be appropriate, again after knowning the specifics about her diagnosis. |
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jul 25, 2017 19:25:09 GMT
I'm so sorry to hear this. I have no advice for you but wanted you to know that you are not alone. My mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung cancer about 1.5 months ago. It's advanced small cell carcinoma. In both lungs, lymph nodes and liver. The prognosis is not good. She just underwent her 2nd round of chemo and will have new scans done next week to see if the chemo is helping at all.
Has your SIL's been staged? Do you know what type it is? ie: lymphoma vs carcinoma vs others? Also, maybe check around on the American cancer.org website and see if there are any clinical trials that she might be eligible for. I believe (not sure though - one of my sisters has been doing the medical research there), there might also be links on that website for financial assistance.
Good luck and ((HUGS))
Pam I'm sorry pjynx - are close to any NCI centers? Has she undergone any testing for genetic mutations? It's such an ugly disease. My thoughts are with you. |
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oh yvonne
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Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Jul 25, 2017 19:25:31 GMT
Oh no! I'm so sorry, my thoughts and prayers are with you all as you deal with this blow.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:36:09 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2017 19:25:51 GMT
I'm so sorry to hear this. I have no advice for you but wanted you to know that you are not alone. My mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung cancer about 1.5 months ago. It's advanced small cell carcinoma. In both lungs, lymph nodes and liver. The prognosis is not good. She just underwent her 2nd round of chemo and will have new scans done next week to see if the chemo is helping at all.
Has your SIL's been staged? Do you know what type it is? ie: lymphoma vs carcinoma vs others? Also, maybe check around on the American cancer.org website and see if there are any clinical trials that she might be eligible for. I believe (not sure though - one of my sisters has been doing the medical research there), there might also be links on that website for financial assistance.
Good luck and ((HUGS))
Pam I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. I'm not sure about stages etc at this point, my brother is dealing with her doctors and I don't think he's taking it all in. I should add she's in the UK but I'll have a Google for clinical trials. Save |
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jul 25, 2017 19:30:39 GMT
Here's the latest on FDA approvals and clinical trial results from the NCI specifically for lung cancer, in case it's helpful: www.cancer.gov/types/lung/researchETA - I'm sorry OP, I didn't realize you were in the UK. |
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Post by gillyp on Jul 25, 2017 19:33:01 GMT
You and she absolutely have my good vibes and positive thoughts lainey x |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:36:09 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2017 19:42:59 GMT
My very dear friend's husband discovered a lump in his neck. His lung cancer had spread and was sadly already stage 4. He wasn't a smoker. I'm sorry about your friend's husband Gar. My SIL was a heavy, chain smoker for years when she suffered a stroke and was forced to stop. Thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts. |
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Post by katlaw on Jul 25, 2017 19:53:17 GMT
I am so sorry. It is a very scary disease to navigate. A couple words or wisdom or bits of advice I wish someone had shared with me when my step father and uncle were both going through this is
#1 - the patient and the patient's family often feel pressured to consent to any treatment the doctor offers. Like some beacon of hope you go to chemo or radiation or both. You change your diet - sugar feeds cancer cells, you want to be alkaline because cancer cannot live in an alkaline body, fasting can kill cancer cells, etc, etc. You get so much unwanted advice from everyone you talk to.
Do I believe some of that helps? For sure. Just remember, for the chemo or radiation or surgery that the doctor recommends you do not have to decide instantly. It is okay to ask lots of questions. It is okay to say I want to go home and discuss all of this with my family before I decide if this is right for me.
If the patient knows someone they trust who has some medical knowledge but is not direct family take them with you to the appointments. They will understand things differently and can ask questions the family may not have even considered.
As for the rest of the unwanted advice say thanks and let me research that on my own. People mean well and want to help but hearing about alternative treatments and amazing clinics in Mexico and someone who survived even though they shouldn't have is really stressful.
#2 - Let the patient know she is in charge. She gets to say what she wants and no one should pressure her to do anything she is frightened of or not ready to do. My stepfather felt like he had to go through treatments because his son made him feel like that. His son made him feel like he had to "try everything" and in some cases that can lead you to finding the thing that works. But it can also lead to a lot of heartache, mental anguish, physical pain and debt. Each patient needs to decide for themselves what they want.
The doctor told my stepfather he had to have radiation to shrink the tumour and then surgery to remove the tumour. So he did that. And when they did the surgery the tumour was too close to a major vein and could not be removed. So they closed him back up and gave him 18 months to live. He lived for 16 months and was on morphine from them cracking open his chest during the surgery. He did not have a good 16 months to spend with family, he slept a lot and did not enjoy spending time with family. Looking back he should have asked them more questions and he likely would have chosen to live out the time he had left without all that treatment and pain and stress.
There are some amazing treatments out there now and more and more people are surviving cancer so don't give up hope. There is always hope.
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Post by heckofagal on Jul 25, 2017 19:56:02 GMT
I'm so sorry. I just want to say that there is hope. My mother had to have a physical before she went for cataract surgery. Her doctor requested a chest x-ray that revealed a grapefruit sized tumor that turned out to be non-small cell carcinoma. She was 78 and had smoked most of her life (although had stopped several years earlier) and struggled with emphysema, and we had just buried her cousin that passed away from lung cancer the week before. We thought we were at the end. She did not want any treatment as she wanted to enjoy the time she had left and not be sick. The doctor convinced her treatment would be beneficial for making her feel better as a growing tumor would not give her a good quality of life. She was not a candidate for surgery due to her emphysema, but she did have chemo and radiation. She did have some issues with the chemo and radiation. And in the end she stopped her treatment before all the chemo was done but it was making her sick and she was losing too much weight so she just quit. But the doctor came back after her scan after treatment and told us she was in remission. He said he would not say cured as there was still a mass showing, but he felt it was a dead mass. She bounced back and had some good times despite her emphysema. But I think the chemo and radiation exasperated her already weakened system and she died 3 years later. But I still consider it a victory that she beat lung cancer.
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cycworker
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Post by cycworker on Jul 25, 2017 19:57:39 GMT
I'm so sorry. My uncle died of cancer that began in his lungs, but I never really got a lot of the details of any of the medical aspects.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2017 19:59:44 GMT
What awful news.  Cancer sucks. |
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Post by miominmio on Jul 25, 2017 20:09:26 GMT
I'm so sorry, lung cancer is not a diagnosis anyone would want. I used to work for our Social Insurance, and a large part of my job for several years was disability cases, so I have seen many clients with lung cancer (and read probably tons of medical records). It is difficult to treat and several types are very aggressive, but progress is being made all the time, and there will always be those who beat the odds.
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River
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Post by River on Jul 25, 2017 20:13:17 GMT
I'm so sorry your family has to go through this. I don't really have anything to add except to reiterate that they can get several opinions, they don't have to stick with the first person that diagnosed it. Also, ask if their conversations can be recorded, it saves a lot of time trying to write everything they say down. Some will say no to video, audio or both. Some will let you record with no problem, one had me sign a release of sorts that it couldn't be used against him (or something like that) and one said audio only. Those recording were invaluable to me. I could listen back at the conversation late at night when I was alone and could concentrate better. I could then write down questions I had from that visit.  |
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Post by heartland on Jul 25, 2017 20:26:13 GMT
(((hugs)))
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Post by KikiPea on Jul 25, 2017 20:28:51 GMT
No experience, but prayers have been sent!
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Post by mom on Jul 25, 2017 20:28:52 GMT
I am so sorry! I don't have much experience with lung cancer, though my grandfather did pass away from it. By the time his was caught it was too late for treatment.
My only advice is ask questions and don't do anything you are not sure about.
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casii
Drama Llama
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Post by casii on Jul 25, 2017 20:31:09 GMT
No advice or experience, but I will say a prayer.
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Post by JoP on Jul 25, 2017 20:37:18 GMT
So sorry to read your update lainey I've no experience of lung cancer to offer but want to say I'm sending positive thoughts and prayers your way (((hugs))) |
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Post by grammy2emmasophia on Jul 25, 2017 20:38:09 GMT
I am so very sorry to hear of this diagnosis. My Dad was diagnosed 2 weeks ago with Non-small cell lung cancer. He has a 9cm mass in his lower left lobe. He fell helping my mom and they both ended up in ER at the same time. She was diagnosed with amyloidosis and he was found to have a mass on his lung. He is having surgery, VATS procedure, on Wednesday next week. The surgery will be 40 to 60 minutes. 4 incisions and lobe pulled through rib cage. His tumor is quite large, so they may have to take a piece of rib. 2 days in the hospital and barring any complications we should have him home over the weekend. One lymph node in the same lung by the tumor is enlarged but the surgeon and oncologist said it is coming out anyway and there is no sign of cancer anywhere else. My Dad is 80 and we are horrified, but this procedure seems like the best choice in having him around with us for quite a bit longer. Surgeon and Oncologist said this may be all he needs. Always get a 2nd opinion. My father's 1st oncologist, he also went alone as he didn't want to bother anyone, pretty much wrote him off. I knew of an oncologist who a friend used. My Dad let me go with him and I went in armed with questions about treatments, immunotherapy, etc. This dr took the time to show us scans and explain everything and answered all questions. He then referred us to a surgeon, who seems to be one of the best in our area.
I will say a prayer for your SIL and all who love her. This is an absolutely horrifying journey my family is on, but thanks to this 2nd opinion, we are very hopeful that my Dad's 80th birthday party last week wasn't his last. Peace, love and strength to you all.
Kathy
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Cancer sucks. 
