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masspa

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Posts posted by masspa

    Dad diagnosed with lungcancer

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    Stormwatch,

    Sorry about your dad. My Mom (83 years old with stage 3 NSCLC) just completed 30 radiation treatments and 3 rounds of chemo. She tolerated the treatment remarkably well. TOward the end she developed some esophagitis (pain when she swallows sometime, and some times a "spasm" in her esophagus) nothing debilitating, and the meds she was given have helped a lot. SHe had no nausea or significant ratigue from the chemo.

    She finished radiation last week, and her only real complaint now is the esophageal pain and fatigue (the fatigue has been pretty bad the last couple days) She is still able to work around the house, check email... but hasn't had the energy to get out and about with friends.

    Honestly, I was amazed at how well her 83 year old body tolerated all this treatment.

    I hope this helps, and I hopw things work out well for your dad

    Jen

    tugging along

    in MEMBER UPDATES

    Posted

    So,

    Nine treatments finished today -that means only 21 more to go, right?? (or are you doing 35? 40?) either way, you're 9 down, and every day brings that count lower.

    My mom finished her radiation last week, with that attitude, she got through it - one day at atime.

    She had some days that she was kinda tired (especially after chemo), but most days she did just fine. Listen to your body and give it the rest it needs so you can kick this thing in the butt!!

    Jen

    Lobulated nodular densities vs. lung cancer - new to site

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    Welcome Karyn,

    I agree with Ernie that a second opinion is warranted - especially since you're having symptoms and have a positive family history, and now have m ore densities than you did before. to confirm what you've heard about the PET - my Mom's onc says that the PET does not tend to "light up" lesions less than 10 mm, so that part's correct, and I guess trying to hit a 2-3 mm lesion during aneedle biopsy would probably have a pretty low yield, but I definately think you should geta secone opinion - preferably at a cancer center if there's one available to you.

    Jen

    Getting to Know You - February 13

    in JUST FOR FUN

    Posted

    I'm pretty happy with Jen. I was jenny for awhile in highschool/college- when any of my friends from that era call me that, I feel like a little kid.Like Deborah, jennifer was the name that meant I was in trouble.

    HOwever, as the family story goes, Mom was ready to name me Cornelia - thinking it would be cute for all my friends to call me corny.

    So, with apologies to anyone out there named Cornelia - I'm pretty happy with Jen

    FInished radiation

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Mom's finished with her 30 radiation treatments and 3 of 4 cycles of chemo. I have to say I was worried about an 83 year old going through concurrent radiation and chemo, but she's been handling it remarkably well.

    THe plan is to hold off on her final round of chemo until 3/2 because she's starting to experience the radiation associated symptoms (esophagitis and fatigue) and since those symptoms may increase over the next 3-4 weeks, she didn't want to hit her with another round of chemo next week.

    Mom's psyched about that!!! SHe's really been a trooper!! She had been a bit tired, but is still getting out with friends and enjoying life. I think not having to make the drive into Boston (45-60 min each way) daily will feel like vacation. ALthough others do the actual driving, it's still tiring.

    THe current plan is to have a chest CT 3/2, meet with her medical onc and NP and start her final round of chemo for this cycle.

    I know she's excited for the scan to see how she's responding to treatment. As so many others have said - that's the really scarey time. I'm hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst - I think she'll be so disappointed if there hasn't been improvement. SHe's been working so hard at all of this, it would be a horrible blow for her not to see some result from that.

    she's been so positive throughout her treatment, and so sure that she'll come out of this OK, I just hope we haven't lulled ourselves into a false sense of security.

    Oh well, I guess there's nothing that can be done about that execpt to continue to hope for the best - what will be, will be.

    SOrry, I've babbled for awhile - I do have one more question

    Regarding the radiation symptoms - now that she's finished - I know the symptoms will persist, but do they get worse after radiation is complete??

    I share all your stories and insight with Mom, and she really appreciates all your help. So, from both of us, thanks for all the support and help

    Jen

    Chest pain, how long to expect

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Hi,

    I'm certainly no expert, but I agree with the others who are concerned about chills and fever. I know my Mom's medical oncologist told her that fever was a very important sign when she was having chemo, because the meds might decrease her WBC (they tend to be lowest about 2 weeks out from treatment as I understand it) Her doc was adamant that Mom call if she developed worsening cough, fever, or any indication that she might have an infection.

    As for the pain - she began to dvelop the esophagitis last week. She also had some reflux (heartburn). SHe has been taking Prilosec 40 mg twice daily which has helped the reflux, magic mouthwash, and Sucralfate (she swears by this stuff)which help with the esophagitis. they all seem to help her chest pain (which is probably esophageal pain)They recently gave her some roxicet (a narcotic) because the pain was waking her at night, and the milder meds weren't getting her comfortable enough to go back to sleep

    I guess my concern for you is that there's the possiblity of a little pneumonia cooking, and it would be good to get your doc to take a look.

    New Diagnosis for my Mom

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    Julie,

    Welcome - My Mom was diagnosed in november of this year, and the fears you describe sound oh so familiar!!! My Mom's 83 years old, and I feared the worst - wondering if we were going to make her life too miserable during the treatment to make it worth it.

    Well, she's been throuth 28 of 30 radiation treatments (5 days a week for 6 weeks) and 3 of 4 3 day cycles of chemo and, other than some minor fatigue and pain in her throat( from the radiation), she's been doing gret. She's still going out to dinner with friends, going to the theater (occasionally) and doing much of what she did before her diagnosis.

    It sounds like your mom has a similar positive attitude, and my wish for you is that her experience through treatment is as smooth as has been for my mom.

    good luck

    Jen

    hoarse voice

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Anyone have any trouble with hoarse voice?? Mom's voice has been hoarse since the beginning of her treatment. Her radiation oncologist thought it might be the tumor pressing on her "vocal cord nerve"

    SHe was under the impression that it would improve with treatment. She's 7 treatments short of her 30 radiation and has had 3 cycles of Carbo/etoposide.

    SHe seems to feel that the chemo helps her cough (which is MUCH better since the treatment began), but that the hoarsness is no better, and some days worse.

    DId anyone else have this problem - it almost seems that the days her cough is best, her voice is at it's worst. We agree that we should be thankful for the improvement of her cough, but I think she's pretty frustrated about her voice, and hopes that it won't be permanent.

    She's going to ask her rad onc when she sees him tuesday.

    But on a positive note - she's almost finished with her treatments and aside from some mild fatigue and some discomfort swallowing (it's occasional and mild)

    she's doing well.

    Question form one who was recently diagnosed

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    I'm in the "it's too long" camp and I also agree that getting to a cancer center would probably be helpful. My Mom had a CT 10/31, bronchoscopy 11/7, and a PET scan scheduled for 11/25. then there was a lag (in fact it took 2 weeks for her pulmonologist to call her back with the results- by then she had faxed her info to Dana Farber, gotten an initial visit, and a schedule to begin Chemo the next week.

    The efficiency and speed with which Dana Farber has been moving has impressed me from the start. so, again, if a mmajor cancer center is an option for you, I think that'd be a good place to get a second opinion, and maybe your treatment.

    Good luck

    Jen

    Mum diagnosed today

    in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

    Posted

    Hi,

    Sorry to hear about your Mum. I'm also a relative newbie, and the daughter of an 83 year old diagnosed with Squamous Cell LC november of this year. I was so scared that treatment would just wear Mum out, but she's doing remarkably well. Minimal discomfort. Obviously whether or not to receive treatment is ultimately your Mum's decision, but if it helps, tell her about the 83 year old who's going through both chemo and radiation, feeling well - still doing most of her normal activities, and looks great in a wig!

    good luck, and keep us posted about "mum"

    Jen

    Just checking in

    in LC SURVIVORS

    Posted

    I'm sure your docs are onto this (since they probably know way more than me about cancer treatment), but my Mom has Zofran and Decadron (steroid) in her IV before her infusion begins - are you doing that. Additionally she takes Zofran and Decadron twice daily for 2-3 days after chemo, as well as having Compazine available to use as needed for nausea not controlled by the ZOfran.

    I hope this helps, but if you're not being "pre-treated" with Zofran it might be helpful - Mom has had very little nausea after her chemo (2 rounds so far...)

    good luck!

    Jen

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