Alli

Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond to my post. Finally - we have an appointment with the oncologist next Monday, so we can find out more, and then treatment... It's been such a long wait. As I mentioned earlier, mum's initial x-ray was back in Oct. Two unsuccessful bronchoscopies and a needle biopsy were done prior to the last successful(?) biopsy very recently. The bad news resulting from the biopsy was given the day before the first anniversary of my dad's death Mum is 65, and has never smoked, which initially made it difficult for us to believe that she could have lung cancer. We've since learnt a thing or two. In my life, I have been feeling quite sensitive to others' reactions when I tell them about mum, and at times find myself feeling angry about what people say. It's like a rollercoaster ride at the moment. I can't imagine what it must be like for my mum. She is feeling scared at the moment, because she doesn't know what she is to deal with. And of course she misses my dad. Thank you so much again for your support. I want to show mum this website soon. Alli

My name is Alli and I have been reading the posts on this fantastic website for a few weeks now. Last week my mother was officially diagnosed with NSCLC - Adenocarcinoma as a result of a biopsy. Initially, a tumor was identified on an x-ray in her right middle lobe (back in October 2006), but we found out last week that the first tumor is actually located on the periphery of her lung - right lower lobe, and it has spread to the middle lobe. Several lymph nodes are also involved. My mother received a phone call last week from the hospital and was told that surgery is not an option (as it was when it appeared that the solitary mass was the problem). We are awaiting a meeting with the oncologist this week. I have a question in regards to staging of LC: I have read that when a tumor has spread to a different lobe, even of the same lung, that this is Stage 4 disease (this is also described in the staging link provided recently on this site). Alternately I have read that if it is confined to one lung that it is Stage 2. Could anyone please provide advice on this matter? Finally, can anyone give me some advice on the best way to support my mother during this very difficult time? Thanks and good wishes Alli