AMay

Hi Tom It's the senior training grade for future hospital consultants, so I'm thinking now maybe his approach is that of a very 'textbook' nature. Luckily our next appointment will be back with the oncology doctor who we've regularly been seeing. That's a great idea, thank you I will be in contact with him. Again, thank you so much for taking time out to respond. Anna.

Tom, as before, thank you for your detailed reply. I know I'm frantic, I just feel scared and I need to compose myself so I can carry on reassuring my mum confidently based on facts. I feel so sad and angry for her that right before treatment has finished the registrar in a word has said but it's not going to cure it. Surely there are people out there that do beat this crappy disease who haven't had surgery. As you say about Cyberknife. I've been exploring that. I wonder if there's a way that can eradicate the cancer from the gland in the middle of the chest because then mum would be a candidate for surgery to remove the tumour in her lung. Undortunatley mum's test can back negative for a mutation. We're never giving up, I know it's going to take time and patience. I just wish the attitude of the registrar reflected our determined approach to this. Merry Christmas to you and here's to a happy and healthy 2017.

Hi guys I originally posted in the 'Introduce yourself' section and this is where we are now.. My mum has stage 3a adenocarcinoma NCSLC, treatment plan was put in place, due to a lymph node in the mediastinum being affected mum couldn't have surgery, so it was agreed mum would have intense chemoradiation. 30 rounds of radio administered every day Mon-Fri for 6 weeks and three rounds of chemo (week 1 carbaplatin and vinulerbine week 2 vinulerbine week 3 chemo free week - repeated 3 times) She started this treatment on 15th November and in the doctor's words is doing 'marvellous' having no side affects apart from indigestion. This has helped us all keep upbeat that my mum is still able to carry on doing everything she normally would with no fatigue or sickness as we were orginally prepared she may suffer with as a result of the intense treatment. Mum finishes her last radiotherapy session this coming Friday and has her third and final round of chemo starting on 29th Dec. We met with the doctor's registra today as we usually meet with the doctor every Tuesday just to touchbase. However, from speaking to the registra today, me and mum came away feeling a little disheartened. I said that I imagine we can't expect for all of the cancer to have gone after treatment but hopefully notice a shrinkage so where do we go from there, and he went on to say 'unfortunately with lung cancer, if it's not cut out then it's rare it will ever be cured, it might be a case of hopefully keeping it stable.' Mum will have a scan in a few weeks time as treatment can carry on working after its finished but if we go and there's a shrinkage but it is still there, I know both my mum and I then want to explore what's next. Is there anyone who has had chemoradtion who can provide some insight? How did it work for you? Did you require further treatment, if so what treatment did you have? I'm interested in talking to the doctor about Immunotherapy, however in the UK I know it's not readily available as such. We just want it gone, all gone!! Thank you in advance

Lily - Thank you for your kind words. I'm sorry to hear of your father's diagnosis but great to read that you're still enjoying each other's company, long may this continue. Tom - I've read quite a few of your posts and in a way clung on to what you have said and your experiences. I'm aware that each individual is unique but you really do bring hope to a lot of people. I hope I get to speak to you both again soon. Best wishes.

Hi everyone.. Fed up and disheartened reading all the 'stats' of this awful disease, I came across this site when looking for inspirational survivor stories following my mum's initial diagnosis of lung cancer. A bit about my mum; she is a healthy, active & young 63 year old. Retired last year and enjoying her days with my 1 year old son; mum's first grandchild. Then our world was rocked when my mum was diagnosed with lung cancer, following a visit to the doctors for a subtle cough (like a clearing of the throat) that had lasted a couple of weeks. Where we are now; After a number of tests, scans, biopsies; mum has Stage 3a Non Small Cell Adenocarcinoma Lung Cancer. There is a tumour in her right upper lobe, one lymph node involvement close to the tumour, but unfortunately involvement of a mediastinal lymph node (but still on the same side as the tumour) Because of the involvement of the gland in the middle of the chest, the surgeon said mum is not a suitable candidate for surgery. Frustrating as she scored 120% in her lung function test and health wise is deemed a perfect candidate for surgery. The surgeon said therefore my mum would would have radio and chemo combined with a curative intent. I asked if mum responds well to the treatment and the mediastinal gland then becomes clear would she be able to have surgery. The surgeon said if there is no evidence of disease in the middle gland after treatment then she would be reffered back to him for surgery. However, when we met with the oncologist she didn't agree, stating that surgery would be unlikely as the treatment would either work (curing all the cancer) or not work. I wasn't particularly impressed with her attitude. The surgeon was very much "we'll fight this together' and that is the attitude my mum needs to hear. Anyway, in a couple of weeks mum will begin Chemotherapy (Vinorelbine/Navelbine and Cisplatin/Platinum) alongside radiotherapy, administered everyday Monday-Friday. In the information booklet we received it states that this will be an 'aggressive' form of treatment with curative intent. I know my mum will feel the side effects but I'm happy with this 'full on' approach. Why I'm writing this; from day one of being told there was something suspicious, I adopted an undefeated and strong approach, I KNEW my mum was going to beat this. My best friend of 26 years wasn't/isn't going anywhere. Even after set backs (one consultant didn't tell us about the mediastinal gland and led us to believe surgery would be the option) I still continue to believe this. My mum is a fighter, her attitude amazes me, she goes along with what the doctors tell her, and we carry on as normal; with the help of my son being the biggest distraction. However, I know my mum is scared. Scared this line of treatment isn't going to work. We live in the UK and the hospital we are at doesn't provide some of the more advanced treatments that I have been reading about (immunotherapy, cyberknife, proton beam therapy etc) I will do anything and everything I can to get my mum better from this. I'm hopeful (got to have hope, right?) that this treatment plan that my mum will be starting will work; whether that be get rid of it all together, or allow for surgery. I guess I'm looking for people in a similar situation or who have been in a similar situation because even though I'm feeling strong for mum, I feel like I need positive reinforcement if that makes sense? From the posts I've read, I admire you all. Your strength and determination is doing so much for people who have lurked for a while like I have; thank you.