[Newly diagnosed Poorly Differentiated Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (right lung); likely Stage IV]

Thanks Lou and Laurel - I really appreciate it!

Reading others' stories on here has inspired hope - especially since my research on SCLC with malignant pleural effusion says I'll be dead in 3-12 months. THAT had my chin in the dirt for a few hours...but I am ready to fight...I have PUSHED my "Team" (who knew I'd be getting a team) to get me into every test absolutely as fast as possible regardless of where I have to go to get it (I've been to 3 different cities for testing) - hence, the reason I was able to get it all done so quickly - and now I'm begging them to start my treatment NEXT week (so funny, only people on here would probably understand someone BEGGING for chemo).

I am ready to fight - happy to hear about rapid advances in treatment - and - that maybe this is not an automatic death sentence - or - at least not such an immediate death sentence! I ride an 850 pound Harley Davidson (by myself) - my husband and I ride our bikes every weekend and just rode 250-300 miles Sunday - it's hard for me to imagine that I won't be here in a few months - it doesn't even make sense!

So, instead of thinking about how long I have before I die, I'm going to focus on fighting.  Thanks for sharing your chemo experience Laurel - of course I'm super nervous about it - still working full-time of course - I've just been taking sick time as needed for tests/procedures thus far...hoping I can continue working - even through treatment - just taking a day - or days - as needed for any ill effects. I've had long hair my whole life - it's 3/4's of the way down my back - and I know it's vain, stupid, and a tiny thing in the grand scheme of things, but I'm already grieving the loss of my hair (how long till that happens?).  

I appreciate your comments Lou and Laurel - thank you for taking the time to greet and educate/share with me!

[Who has Small Cell Lung Cancer?]

On 4/24/2022 at 7:35 PM, Cheryl Lynn said:

So glad I found this group and reading everyone's stories. I was diagnosed with sslc January 7/22. Very hard news to swallow but doing ok. Just finished 12 rounds of chemo. I get my pet scan tomorrow, and fingers crossed will be good news. The depression side is just hitting me and I'm trying everything not to fall in the black hole. I'm so tired most days and yet others I can function normally. Nauseous comes and goes but manageable. Praying for some normalcy🙏

Hi Cheryl! Just diagnosed a couple weeks ago and preparing to start chemo treatment possibly next week.  I know it's different for everyone and dependent upon which drugs you're on - but can you tell me what to generally expect?

[Introduction...3.5 cm Right Lower Lobe mass]

On 3/18/2021 at 12:29 PM, TJM said:

I'll be contrary to the consensus of the group here. I LOVE that they must post the results in the patient portals immediately now.  If the mumbo jumbo is to hard to understand just read the impression, it's like the summary.

I just had a scan on Monday, the results were posted by the time I got back home. Good results which saved me a lot of anxiety waiting for my appointment with my Onc. Even if it had been a bad result I, personally, want to know ASAP

 I always ask if they saw anything when the scan is done and they always tell me they cant discuss.

Peace

Tom

Right on Tom!!!! I look for my results every hour until they show up!!! I'll google what I don't understand but I want to know ASAP!!

[Newly diagnosed Poorly Differentiated Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (right lung); likely Stage IV]

I have a >5 to <7 right hilar mass, determined to small cell.  I've had CTs, MRI/Brain, and PET scan, and while there does not appear to be any obvious distant spread, my tumor is invading the mediastinal space between the lungs and I have pleural effusion, which the radiologist stated was "likely malignant," which would put me in Stage IV.  My case is being staged this Friday morning. I found out that I "likely" had lung cancer 5 weeks ago; this week I'm looking at a Stage IV SCLC diagnosis, starting systemic chemo treatment next week, and likely not surviving long enough to see my grandkids graduate high school. Pretty overwhelming.

Been coughing since February/March...but wasn't bad and didn't really both me.  Cough worsened just before I left on my 2-week motorcycle trip, and about mid-trip, I started to have difficulty breathing/shortness of breath.  The minute I returned, I contacted my PCP and she referred me for a CT - took 2.5 weeks to get in to get one - and the rest is history. 

Shocked, wondering what chemo is going to do to me, wondering how I'll manage work and planning for my potential demise in whatever time I have left.