SherryZ

What an incredible and scary ride this has been. I'm sorry I haven't kept up to date here. My husband and I decided that it would be best for me to stay with my daughter during my treatments and she doesn't have the internet. I am not very good with typing on my phone and I've been experiencing some vision changes throughout my treatments. I finished my last chemo cycle a little over two weeks ago. I can't believe it's over. I've handled my treatments fairly well. I've needed Neupogen shots in the second week after each cycle but didn't need to get blood until this last cycle. My hg went down slowly each week but didn't reach danger levels until this past cycle. I only needed one unit. The nurses made it sound like I was going to feel better by the end of the day but it's taken four days to actually feel a change. I finally received my test results this morning and now I know why it took so long. Everything they check was low, so I'm surprised it didn't take longer to recover. I feel really good today, though. Aside from the blood counts, the only other problem I'm having is my lung feeling like it's been cut in half. It's right at the tip of my ribs and it makes it hard to sit right. I am not scheduled for any restaging/followup scans until the end of November, which is seven weeks from my last cycle. I know that my tumor had shrunk by half, halfway through treatments but now it's just a waiting game to see if that progress continued. This waiting is scarier than anything. Now I'm back home, and everyone is comfortable allowing me to take care of myself during the day. My daughter and husband make sure they call or text me at least once throughout the day. I'm glad this place is here and now I have the experiences to help others...and people to help me as I need it. Thanks for listening.

Thank you all so very much for the warm, supportive welcome. What a long week last week became. Stayed with my daughter so I wouldn't be alone during the day and she could take me to my appointments. Forgot to grab my laptop when I went out the door. My husband works long hours and is struggling so much with his emotions and not being able to be with me during all this. Had to reassure him that I wouldn't be able to get this treatment if not for him and all his hard work. I had my first cycle of chemo and my first week of radiation. Did well on the first day, but wow, did Day 2 wipe me out. Day 3 wasn't too bad, except that's when my taste buds changed. I'm doing four 3-day cycles of Cisplatin/Etoposide and at least 30 days of radiation. The MRI came back clean, as well. I am def. limited stage at this point. I felt like I hit the lottery when my oncologist told me the only thing in my head was my brain, lol. Love that shirt, Susan. My daughter chopped off my ponytail, but then my kids said I should leave my hair short for a week because it's been so long since they've seen me with hair that short. I left it, but it's going bye-bye tomorrow. Bed head all day isn't a good look for me. My youngest still shaved his head in support. I'm just so thankful for all the support here, and that I found this site, but wish so badly that no one needed a place like this. This new diagnosis and knowledge is the scariest place I've ever been.

On July 17th I went to see my PCP thinking I had pneumonia. Today I'm sitting here with a diagnosis of limited SCLC, although my oncologist hasn't received the results of the brain MRI yet. Since learning that I have SCLC on July 24th, I've had a CT, bronchoscopy/biopsy, PET scan, radiation oncology consult, a chemo/radiation plan made and an Xcela port placed for chemo. I haven't gone one day without a test or consult since the middle of July. On Tuesday I go for a test for the accuracy of the radiation markings, then am scheduled to start radiation and chemo on Wednesday. I had the brain MRI today, which is the first diagnostic test that didn't seem to happen over night. Now I have three days of nothing but thinking and time for everything to sink in. My husband, kids and I have planned a "go bald" picnic this Sunday. I'm going to lose my hair anyway, so I might as well do it on my terms, right? My youngest (who's 25) is going bald with me. My husband probably will do the same. And then we're sending my hair to a children's charity since I haven't had it cut in over 13 years. What a way to finally have that done. After that, who knows what will happen. I feel like I was given the best bad news when I was told I have limited SC. Now I feel like I'm waiting for the rug to be pulled from underneath me as I wait for the results of the MRI. I have my small moments of breaking down, but I mostly feel emotionally numb at this point. I'm just now beginning to understand all this information that's been tossed in my lap. I'm scared I won't have time to understand the rest.

Wow, that is quick. my prayers to you, and all here. Doing very well on quitting. Started Chantix immediately and have cut down significantly, about a third from normal. In fact, have plans on putting them down for good later today. It's been much easier than I expected, and my husband is quitting with me so that helps. Thank you for the positive. It seems like Tues and Weds are so far away, though. I'm trying not to think about it. Just keeping myself busy at home. I can't say thank you enough to you and everyone. So happy I found this site so soon.

thank you for the welcome messages. I had the bronchoscopy on Wednesday and it went well. The doctor had already let me know that he couldn't tell me anything afterwards, but he did show me some pictures, although I was barely awake from the procedure without my glasses. I had no idea what I was looking at. Prior to going to the hospital, the local radiation/oncology satelite unit called to say they have me scheduled for a PET scan on Tuesday morning. Then Wednesday I have a followup with the pulmonary doc for the results of the bronchoscopy. Ever since finding out the "possibility" of what's coming, I feel like I'm quickly going down hill. Is that normal? My breathing is actually better the last two days, but every ache and pain I've felt for the last 10 years suddenly seems connected.

Hi everyone. My name is Sherry. I turned 52 Sunday and saw the doctor after my first CT scan yesterday. So happy birthday to me with the news from my doctor that CT scan shows that I probably have lung cancer. I have a large mass blocking my airway in the right upper lobe, and some swelling under my right arm around the side of my breast/ribs. Although nothing has been confirmed, the looks on their faces were far from positive. They are going to set me up with a bronchoscope/biopsy by the end of the week, fingers crossed. i don't know what to ask, expect, feel -- other than scared right now. I see many positive posts and I'm hoping I didn't wait too long. Thought I had pneumonia a couple weeks ago, which is why I go the x-ray. I'm a long-time smoker, so quitting that is a priority, and my husband is going to join me in that journey. I know I'll have lots of questions, but I see that many are already asked/answered. Until I know what it is, I don't know what to ask. Thank you for being here.