Mally

Im definitely scarred. Just waiting on Dr. To call me. It's been almost a weak, since I had my CT. Two years ago my dr. found nodules in both lower lungs and said nothing needed to be done except, watch. Every 6 months have a CT. I didn't do that. There was no way anything bad was going to happen to me. Last week I was told a have a 5" mass in my lower left lung, 2 or 3 in my right and that my lymph nodes were larger. And all these things surrounding my heart. I had my biopsy last week. Don't know nothing. Im so scarred. 

Information on Tarceva?  Where is that easy button?  Here (select the EGFR down arrow), here, and here.
You are both welcome here by the way.
More questions?  This would be the place.
Stay the course.
Tom

I found any discomfort didnt start until id had a few infusions and the the biggest problems were nausea (but never vomited ) but the tablets they gave me helped heaps and constipation was chronic for a while but these problems came regular at same time of cycle so i learnt quickly how to handle these things with regular supplements and was told my hair would thin but not all fall out and this didnt start happening until the last 3 infusions and kept coming out for 6 weeks after finishing ....but growing back now 

Great news! Glad to hear it.
Juidy M

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Nicole,
Right you are FANTASTIC is the word.  Keep his sprits up.  Remember, I believe attitude counts.  Everyone should be cautiously optimistic but optimistic nevertheless!
Stay the course.
Tom

We got the results and while it wasn't NED it was FANTASTIC news.  He has greater than 50% shrinkage in the lung and in some lymph nodes greater than 75% shrinkage.  He will do 6 more chemo treatments and meet with the radiation oncologist tomorrow.  His chemo schedule is 1 treatment once a week for two weeks and then a week break.  We are so pleased and thankful for the news!  

Nicole,
It is not unusual for there to be a delay between the end of scheduled radiation and a scan, but normally that delay amounts to about 2 weeks.  Still depending on how busy the center is, a nearly month long post treatment center is not very unusual.  Moreover, scheduling additional radiation in advance is actually a good thing.  It tells me the radiation oncologist believes additional radiation can be performed if necessary.  As I recall, you reported he did not tolerate chemotherapy very well and radiation was therefore his only treatment alternative.  Might a appointment for additional radiation treatment if necessary be a good thing?
And yes, normal treatment protocol is to assess the treatment effect before deciding on further but scheduling it in case I think is prudent and telling.  
Stay the course.
Tom

It was the best thing i did to join this group of positive and supportive people and it helped me so much and i have had surgery and chemo and scans showed no sign of cancer so i feel very lucky and positive ..

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It was the best thing i did to join this group of positive and supportive people and it helped me so much and i have had surgery and chemo and scans showed no sign of cancer so i feel very lucky and positive ..

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It was the best thing i did to join this group of positive and supportive people and it helped me so much and i have had surgery and chemo and scans showed no sign of cancer so i feel very lucky and positive ..

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Hopefully this will be it for you susan because it sounds like youve put up with alot

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Hopefully this will be it for you susan because it sounds like youve put up with alot

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It was the best thing i did to join this group of positive and supportive people and it helped me so much and i have had surgery and chemo and scans showed no sign of cancer so i feel very lucky and positive ..

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Welcome here sherryz and we have all been in your shoes so understand how you feel and theres a lot of long term survivors on here so when you know what you have and a treatment plan others will chip in and give some advice and support as i got when i joined and im now NED which means no evidence of disease and you can be too ...

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Katherine,
Oh my, I am sorry to learn of your mom's diagnosis.  Bottom line up front:  I was diagnosed stage III, had pre-surgical chemo and radiation, then surgery, then complications, then more chemo and radiation but all that ended in 2007.  Then, I've achieved a state of "no evidence of disease" or NED; the state all lung cancer survivors hope to attain.  So, if I can live, so can your mother.  I was diagnosed February 4, 2004 and since that time very sophisticated and effective treatments have been introduced.  So, there is hope.
What can you do?  Become a subject matter expert on lung cancer.  There will be questions to ask as tests and treatments take place.  Educated questions prompt alternative treatment ideas.  My wife's TPQ "terribly perceptive question" likely saved my life. Here is where you might start your reading.  Send this link to your other family members and encourage them to learn about lung cancer.  While you are at it, you might pass this along to your dad as he prepares to accompany your mother to treatments.
What can you expect to change in your lives? I wouldn't begin to know how to answer that.  Certainly, you shouldn't have an expectation that your mother's life is going to be different.  I lost a lung and have residual side effects from my many treatments but my life since February 2007 has been wonderful and fulfilling.  If you are temped to peek at lung cancer survival statistics, read this instead and do listen to the Stephen Jay Gould essay cited in the link.
Encourage your dad and perhaps your mom to join us.  Questions?  This is the place!
Stay the course.
Tom

Hi everyone, 
I got the news last week that my mom has stage 3 lung cancer. It really tore me apart, she's my best friend and I owe everything I have, and every part of who I am to her. When she was younger she also battled and won the battle with lymphoma. I've always been so proud of her for that, but I wasn't around to see her go through all of the treatments and how they can change a person. I'm scared to see how the treatment for her lung cancer will affect her. My dad is her primary caregiver but we will all be helping her through this as much as possible. He was by her side through her cancer the first time so I'm happy he will be with her again. He is good at staying positive. I've been doing a lot of crying in private, but staying positive around the family, especially my mom herself. She herself is staying positive, saying today that "she's got this" after we learned after her MRI showed that she had no other tumors in her body as of now besides in her lung. After learning this I felt a big sense of relief, but then it slowly faded once I realized how hard this was still going to be to fight. I don't feel right for allowing myself to breathe and feel hopeful, I feel like I should take this as realistically as possible but I'm not informed enough to even know what that entails. 
Tomorrow she sees a surgeon to see if she should do chemo and surgery or chemo and radiation. At first glance before the MRI they didn't think surgery would be an option at all, so I feel a bit of optimism that maybe surgery can happen after chemo now. I know people have beaten lung cancer with just chemo and radiation. I also know a family friend's mother just had half of her lung removed and is in remission doing very well. These things make me feel so much better but I know every single case is different. My mother is the most resilient, strongest, and most selfless woman in the world. Everyone who meets her loves her and her smile lights up the room. I want to know what I can do to make this easier on her, my brothers, my dad, and myself as well. What are the steps to take? What can I expect to change in our lives? She's always taken care of me and been my rock and I plan to do the same for her.
Any advice, thoughts, anything would be good. 
Thank you!!!

Teri,
I've read that post surgical chemo is given after curative surgery to reduce the recurrence possibility.  I suppose recurrence is connected to survival but I'd consider asking a medical oncologist about post surgical chemo purpose and efficacy.  I had four recurrences after NED treatments, and a National Cancer Institute Study on lung cancer recurrence surprised me.  It is linked in this blog.
I really want you to keep dodging that bullet.
Stay the course.
Tom

Apparently the reason the pathology report still is not available is that the pathologists are trying to "reconstruct" the wedge resection the surgeon took immediately prior to the lobectomy.  Surgeon says he understands why they need to do it, but that HE knows what he did and it doesn't affect the outcome of the surgery.  So although the complete pathology report is not yet complete, I do know now that it was adenocarcinoma, that it was "deep," that it had grown significantly since the PET scan, and that the lymph nodes were all clear.  And, of course, based on the PET scan, no evidence of any metastasis.
I have an appointment on 8/1 and in the meantime the surgeon will be meeting with their "tumor board" and also bringing in an oncologist to recommend surveillance protocol going forward.  He says chemo at this point could MAYBE add 2% to overall survival odds, so he didn't recommend any.  He thinks my chances are excellent, and my lung function is great.  So it looks like, barring something unforeseen, this really WILL be "one and done"!
I feel truly like I just dodged a bullet.  I had ZERO symptoms and if it weren't for the screening program, god only knows how bad this would have gotten before it was discovered.  
I'm feeling pretty darned good today.  My cousin had come out here on Wed. to help me out and take me to my appointment, but I felt so good after Friday's appointment (chest tube removed, crepitus virtually gone) that we ran around and did errands--including a mani-pedi for each of us!  I have a bit of achiness (like I pulled an upper back muscle), and up until this morning (so far) a slightly annoying cough.  
It's weird, though, I'm still sort of sorting through various emotions--I'm so grateful not to have to battle this with all kinds of therapy but at the same time there's almost an element of survivor's guilt--there are so many brave souls on this forum and everywhere who have to go through what I was spared.  I know how fortunate I am, and I'm so grateful for the inspiration and support everyone here has provided.  It all helped going in to know that others have gone through it and come out on the other side.  And, of course, none of us knows what the future holds.  So I will be happy for however long my good health lasts and do my best to keep it going!
Teri

I'm do happy for your good news. And no need to feel guilty. I'm sure no one on here wants to hear of bad results. Good results encourage us all. Be happy and enjoy! I've really enjoyed following your posts.
Judy M

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Hello there!
I finished my last radiation last week, a total of 35 treatments. Yesterday I had a follow up appointment with the Florida Cancer clinic for a blood test. All my numbers are still down low, especially my white blood cell count. That would probably explain my weakness and tiredness, no energy. My throat and tongue are finally doing better so I'm able to eat a little more than before. The numbing stuff is okay for a couple of bites and then it seems to wear off.
I can eat mashed potatoes now with gravy, no meat, it seems to scratch the throat. I'm sure this will get better. The sores on my tongue feel good with frozen ice cream, now that I'm able to eat more, I picked some up today.
I've still been trying to be active, but for every hour of activity, I seem to need 6 hours of rest, mostly sleep. I've gained 3 lbs back so far.
The right side of my chest I've been encountering pain, not sure what from since that's not where the cancer is nor where they did the radiation.
I've got another appointment coming up with the cancer for a blood test and meet with the doctor since my last chemo on August 2nd. August 16th, I'm supposed to get my first cat scan. I'm looking forward to that one to see if anything has happened with the cancer.
Thanks all for the good wishes, it helps to know others are going through the same thing you are and understand the feelings of occasional depression.
DragonKing (Dave)

Hi, Dave,
I'm happy to hear that you've finished your chemo. How is your radiation going? Susan makes a great point about your support system. It sounds like you are surrounded by great people who care about you. Know that we're here for you too. Please post an update when you can!
With gratitude,
Lauren
--
Digital Community Manager
LUNGevity Foundation

Hi i was a 17 yrs of not smoking 61 yr old and i also had no symptoms and mine adenocarcinoma was picked up during a scan that was checking for any recurrence of a sarcoma cancer that id had 5 yrs ago and i had the left bottom lobe taken and a wedge of another nodule followed by 4 months of chemo because 7 out of 20 lymph nodes were positive ...ive had scans done on completion of the chemo and all is clear and next scans booked for 6 months time so hang in there because we are survivors and can and do get through it

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Oh yes, I had that problem.
My crepitus after my second surgery was so prevalent that the doctor made surgical incisions in my chest and a team of nurses squeezed all the air out of me.  This occurred while I was in the ICU and hooked up to a morphine push.  They hit the push and I watched them manipulate all the air out of me. My wife asked them to keep the air in because she said my face looked 10 years younger.  The air swelling removed all my wrinkles!
I indeed hope your are "one and done."
Stay the course.
Tom

I am 56 years old a 10yr cigarette free women, who was just rejoicing recently in September 2016 and being cancer free, from a kidney cancer (low grade non invasive) when May 24 I felt a lump in my neck, I started taking medical mushrooms Coq 10, Vit- D3  Curumin, wheat grass...  extra.. New to Texas had no doctor, found one and then learnt end of June I have metastatic adeno carcinoma of the lung that has spread to the lymph node.No symptoms at all. found my way to MD Anderson and just learnt it could be stage 3 or 4 . I will learn next week what stage. I understand 57 % of people are right where I am...   I am a very positive person and enjoy a good laugh.. I am married and have three grown children, 3 step children and 18 grandchildren and one great grandson.  Love to garden, herbs make my own medicines, tinctures and salves. Love to cook.I am Canadian my husband is Finnish and we both speak Swedish. We are alone in the USA.  Any insight to this horrible sickness about drugs to stay away from, or info on Natural meds I am all ears. Thank you I look forward to hearing good news...

Welcome K
Glad you found us.  I was 50 yrs old when I was diagnosed with lung cancer.  I was Stage 3B .  I started with 2 chemo drugs and radiation immediately. 
It sounds like they know you have Adenocarcinoma but you do not mention that you have a plan-- of care set up yet.  I hope they start some treatment soon !
MD Anderson I hear is a good treatment center. 
I really do not think there are any natural drugs that are going to make a difference .  The cure drugs can be tuff but there are meds they can give to to lessen the
side affects as nausea etc.  Please let us know how you are doing and what the plan will be.  We have been through this and really want to help you.
 
Donna G