We were told my dad (65) had cancer Wednesday and was diagnosed with sclc Thursday. A MRI revealed it is in his lung and lymph nodes. It's also in his lower spine. The past couple of months, we'd been to several different doctors because of major lower back pain. X-Rays couldn't find anything. It wasn't until a friend of dad's recommended he go to this spine diagnostic clinic. They found he had a fracture in his lower vertebrae. The doctor was suspicous when my dad couldn't recall what could have caused the fracture. He scheduled an out-patient procedure called Vertebroplasty (injecting cement into the fracture). The day of the procedure, Mon, Nov.13th, a biopsy was also done, which they said was routine. They said he would have instant relief after the Vertebroplasty, but the pain actually got a lot worse and that night, major muscle spasms, he was rushed to the hospital. The doctors were able to relieve the pain, and he was feeling a lot better. They scanned his back again, and said the procedure was a success. He was about to released from the hospital when the biospy came back as cancerous. They scanned again to find it was lung cancer, a spot on his lung and in his lymph nodes. The Dr. said 3 months to live without treatment. Yesterday, a scan was done of his brain and it was clear and normal. Praise God. He started chemo yesterday: etoposide/caroplatin for 3 days. They plan to do 3 more days of chemo again three weeks from now. Dr. Stagg said we would see how this works, and if it works well, then later, we will try Radiation. I'm wondering why he doesn't want to do radiation and chemo at the same time since the cancer is so fast-spreading. Why not try to knock it out full force instead of waiting? Also, what about trying this PCI to prevent it from going to his brain and/or laser therapy??? I've spent three days in shock and intense sadness trying to come to grips realizing what my loving, humble and gentle father will have now to face. Now, I'm jumping into a new mode of needing to know and understand the best way to attack this. Any advice any of you have would be greatly appreciated. I just found this website this morning and printed out Don's message on how to beat sclc. It's an inspiration.