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My Mom had a PET scan upon diagnosis (only a few months ago). Her oncologist told us that her follow up tests would be a CT of the chest to look for changes in the tumor. I didn't ask why they weren't going to do a PET or MRI, but we have an appointment Friday - I'll ask then, and let you know what I find out. Jen

Hi, I Haven't been on the site as much recently - work has been busy, and I'm spending a lot of time helping Mom out. She just finished her 2nd cycle of Carbo/etoposide, and has completed 9 of 30 scheduled radiation treatments. SHe's lost her hair which she doesn't like, but she's gotten some cute hats (shopping for cute hats has always make her happy) and a stunning wig. SHe says it looks like she's always wanted her hair to look - all her friends at her retirement community love it and want one for themselves!! So, although she doesn't like the thought of being bald, she's dealing with it with her typical positive style. As for the treatments - since she was quite fatigued after her first cycle of chemo, her oncologist recommended taking steroids for a couple days following treatment.- she's been doing GREAT!!! No fatigue, no nausea, no problems at all. I'm so happy for her and proud of how she's handling all this. It has been wonderful to go with her to her treatments - the folks at Dana Farber are wonderful, kind, and efficient. I know things may get more difficult for her, but for now I'm so glad she's doing so well. Thanks to all for your support Jen

Hi Traci, I'm also the daughter of a Mom recently diagnosed with nsclc. Hers is a squamous cell that is wrapped around her L mainstem bronchus and L pulmonary artery. SHe's just finished 2 cycles of chemo and her first 10 radiation treatments. SHe's 83, and seems to be handling it pretty well. She did have some episoded of difficulty breathing on exertion early on, but non since the treatment started. Her cough has also improved. I don't know if your Mom has started any treatment, but here's hoping that with it begins she will begin to have some relief of her symptoms. KEep the faith Jen

Hi Flo, My Mom also has stage III lc. she had chronic cough for 8 months, but 10/31 has the ct scan that showed the 'suspicious" lesion. ANyway, we moved rapidly through further diagnostics, found an oncologist we liked, and began treatment - we've changed the plan a few times, but She's starting next week with radiation and chemo. SHe's just so happy to be getting started. (she's being so positive - she has immense faith that the treatment will shrink the tumor, and she's anxious to get started) I think having a plan has given her (and me) something to focus on rather that obsess about the diagnosis and all the scarey stuff. GOod luck with everything Jen

I'm sure it's scarey - it was pretty scarey to me, and I'm not even the one undergoing the treatment. My Mom (83 y/o) went for her first treatment, and was a champ. She brought her walkman, crossword, and we packed lots of snacks (although Dana Farber provided more food than we could ever have eaten). She also had a slight reaction to the Taxol, and they stopped the infusion - the infusion nurses are all great and will be watching you closely, and will give you as much info possible and pre-medicate you to prevent nausea or other side effects. GOOD LUCK Jen

Thanks everyone for your responses. Mom and I go to see her oncologist tommorow. I'll update as things progress Jen

Yee Haw!! COngratulations - that is wonderful news. Jen

Don, I was just doing a bit of reading, and it seems that Carbo/etopside is often given to older folks because it tends to be more tolerable than other combinations and since she's gonna be getting concurrent radiation, I supose they're trying to limit adverse effects. I'm still gonna ask, though thanks again for your response Jen

Don, Yes, I was wondering about that. A nurse that I work with also works with the local oncologists and says her docs are using etopside foe nsclc as well. I'm gonna ask the medical oncologist when I see her 12/22

Hi, I recently posted about my Mom - 83 y/o diagnosed with NSCLC probably IIIA. SHe tried a course of taxol/carbo, but didn't tolerate the taxol. In the meantime she saw her radiation oncologist who recommends starting the radiation sooner rather than later because she has developed some hoarsness. SO with the new plan, she began Carbo/etopside 10/10 with both day one and etopside only days 2 and 3. SHe meet with her medical oncologist 12/22 (I'm not sure why - maybe just to check in) then with her radiation oncologist 12/28 - presumably to schedule her radiation - she had all her mapping done last week. ANy suggestions for her. I'm a little worried that both chemo and radiation together may be a little tough on her. She tolerated the first round of chemo very well - no nausea, just a little fatigue. She is otherwise healthy, and pretty feisty. she has tons of support, so hopefully she'll do OK. I'd love any insight on what to expect, and how best to help her through it. thanks Jen

I'm certainly no expert - I'm new here myself. My mom also has IIIa (maybe NSCLC - also Squamous Cell. SHe's a vibrant 83 year old. At first, her medical oncologist wanted to do a trial of chemo (2 cycles of carboplatinin/taxol), re scan and decide whether to go on with chemo only, or add radiation - depending on the response of the tumor. SHe saw a radiation oncologist later who recommended radiation as well - partly based on the location of the tumor. Hers is also near her heart - it's around the Left mainstem bronchus and Left pulmonary artery. She's getting a bit hoarse, so he's worried that it may be pushing on a nerve. My Mom's being treated at Dana Farber and they have the ability to give radiation with CT guidance, and even compensate for the movement of the tumor when she breathes, so the collateral damage may be low. I guess I'd ask your doc if he thinks that there's a place for radiation after the chemo - maybe he wants to try and shrink it first to decrease the risk of injuring the heart. I wish I could tell you more, but definately keep asking questions . jen

I'm glad your dad's chemo went well. MY Mom was just diagnosed - IIIa nsclc - probably squamous cell. She tried an infusion of Taxol last week, but had a reaction to it - she's going tomorrow for her first treatment with gemzar/carbo, so hopefully that's the winning combo for her. Her tumor is also near the heart, major vessels, and L mainstem bronchus. Her medical onc thinks sequential chemo/radiation is a good idea for her, but she's 83 years old (although otherwise healthy), and I think much of the reason is not to hit Mom too hard with tons of treatments and adverse effects - at 53, your dad is probably in a better position to deal with both treatments at once. The onc did say that shrinking the tumor with chemo first would allow a smaller radiation windo, and hopefully decrease risk of damage to heart or pulmonary vessels. She did recommend that we see the rad onc this week, so I'll let you know if he has any other insight. As for feeling the need to be there - I totally understand that - Mom lives in a very supportive community, but she still lives alone, and I find myself feeling very protective of her through this ordeal. best wishes to you and your dad - I'll keep you in my thoughts Jen

Thanks for the response!! that's all very encouraging. I'll tell Mom and let her know - I'm sure it will put her mind at ease! As for the radiation - Her appointment with the rad onc is in 2 days, so hopefully he'll have something to offer thanks again Jen

Hi, I've been reading your stories of hope since my mom was told she has a "spot" on her lung in late october (this was after 8 months of chronic, racking cough), Now with more information (and some time to accept that Mom has lung cancer, and be ready to fight), I'm ready to post - so here it is My mom is 83 and has been recently diagnosed with Non small cell lung cancer - her bronchoscopy yielded small path specimens, but from what they can tell, it's squamous cell. Her main tumor seems to ne in and around her Left mainstem bronchus and left pulmonary artery - both are still patent, but surgery really isn't an option. SHe smoked for 25 years, but quit 15 years ago. She's otherwise healthy, and has a great support system, as well as a fabuously positive attitude. We've seen the medical oncologist at Dana Farber who recommended sequential chemo then radiation given my Mom's age and prosimity of the tumor to her heart and great vessels. SHe's calling it stage IIIA (or B, we'd need a mediastinoscopy to confirm no spread to those nodes - but none lit up on the pet) Her plan was for 2 cycles of taxol/carbo, then re-evaluate and eith continue with that combo, start radiation, or change drugs - depending on whether the tumor shrinks, stays the same or grows - obviously we're all hoping it shrinks. Mom went for her first treatment last week, but unfortunately was not able to tolerate the taxol. she had two different episodes of shortness of breath after 8-10 cc of the infusion, so the decision was to wait until the next week (12/8) when she'll meet with her doc again, and probably start with carbo/gemzar. Anyone have any thoughts?? We were disappointed that the taxol didn't work - both because we were anxious to start shrinking things,and because our impression is that gemzar is kinda the second choice and might not be as affective. Mom has an appointment for a second opinion at a closer facility, but for now we're gonna stay with the Dana Farber plan.