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Hello, my name is Christine. In Nov 2016, my Mom was diagnosed w/ Stage IV metastatic adenocarcinoma NSCLC (primary: right lung, spread to both adrenal glands, brain & right proximal tibia). She had surgery to remove the tumor in her right tibia, which they filled with bone cement to stabilize the bone. She has completed whole brain radiation, radiation to the right tibia, 2 rounds of chemo: Paraplatin (Carboplatin), Alimta (Pemetrexed) & Avastin (Bevacizumab) & 6 Opdivo (Nivolumab) treatments. The chemo & Opdivo were both unsuccessful. Since her last scans 3 months ago, the cancer is spreading/growing in the bones (spine, hip, both tibia, left fibula, & sacrum) in her lung, adrenal glands (lung tumor & adrenals mets doubled) & possible spot on the liver. The good news is the WBR radiation helped, out of the 13 mets only 1 is left. It seems as her cancer is receptive to radiation but not chemo or immunotherapy. The remaining treatment options are becoming scarce. The Oncologist offered 3 options: 1- Do nothing. See her once a month, if possible treat pain/issues as they arise. The Oncologist estimates life expectancy to be 3-6 months. 2- Chemo: Docetaxel 1x every 3wks. 3- Chemo: Gemcitabine 1x every week for 3 weeks per month. Estimated life expectancy for both chemo options is 6-12 months. However, based off her chemo history her QOL will be severely impacted. My Moms primary goal is quality of life & has chosen to treat issues as they arise. Tomorrow, her 72nd birthday, she will have her 1st of 5 radiation treatments to mets in her right tibia & fibula b/c they are causing severe pain. Sorry for the excessive details, I'm emotional, confused & scared. My main objective in writing tonight is to ask the tough question, what generally happens when treatment is basically stopped. I know everyones situation is different, so there wont be a cookie cutter answer. I'm looking for honest, straight forward, even blunt info as to what we are facing as this disease keeps spreading.
