BettyBP

Well, Mom just came back from doctors and they are sending her in for an MRI this afternoon at 2:45. Also more possible bad news is that she had her mammogram Monday and they called today and want her to come in for a rescan and to talk to doctor on Friday. too much all in one day and now the waiting and stress will begin again waiting for results. thanks everyone and will let you know how it goes

Thanks for all the hugs Connie - I sure can use them right now. I will let everyone know what the doctor says after we see him this afternoon at 1pm. Mom is trying to stay positive...and so am I - but the fear is sometimes so overwhelming will get back to everyone this afternoon and thanks for the prayers and kind thoughts

Thanks Connie for the reply. It may not be what I wanted to hear and hopefully it is stress related headaches...I just dont know and am getting sooo scared all over again, wondering if the cancer has returned to her brain? She did not have headaches the first time it was in the brain and after radiation last year she was NED in the head....oh please..... With her being now a one plus year survivor and doing so well - I am just sooo afraid right now and pray her appt this afternoon is NOT bad news. Oh please God take care of my mother......

Just to let you know we are thinking of you and will keep you in our prayers.

SO happy to hear that your husband has surpassed the one year mark and will continue to keep your family and everyone on these boards in my prayers and thoughts. To add some more "good" news, my mother reached her one year since diagnosis this past week as well and is going pretty good right now except for headaches. We had gone to a huge cancer center in our area during the first week after diagnosis and the same situation occured where they did not give her much hope. Our family immediately wanted her to go somewhere that had hope and I think that made all the difference. Staying positive is so huge during treatment, recovery etc. I wish you many more years of NED

SO happy to hear that your husband has surpassed the one year mark and will continue to keep your family and everyone on these boards in my prayers and thoughts. To add some more "good" news, my mother reached her one year since diagnosis this past week as well and is going pretty good right now except for headaches. We had gone to a huge cancer center in our area during the first week after diagnosis and the same situation occured where they did not give her much hope. Our family immediately wanted her to go somewhere that had hope and I think that made all the difference. Staying positive is so huge during treatment, recovery etc. I wish you many more years of NED

Hi everyone - My mother completed her 25 radiation treatments on March 26 and thankfully DID NOT have ANY side effects during this time besides being a little tired some days. She currently is now a one year survivor (plus one week) and has been having head aches since last week and is going to see one of her doctors today at Pluta Cancer Center at 1pm. Are headaches common post radiation treatment to the lung? I would like to be able to give her some information on this before she goes to see her doctor as I told her it COULD be a side-effect from the radiation. Any help advice you can give me would be great. As an FYI, Mom has been doing very well and has not had any severe side effects from radiation treatments - she did have some minor burning of the skin a couple of weeks in, but has not had any problems eating meals etc. She still take her flax-seed oil pills daily and maintains a somewhat healthy diet. We are JUST SOOOO happy that she has surpassed the one year mark and are praying sooo hard to please let her not have a relapse so she can be with us for many years to come. Thanks and any advice/info on headaches after radiation to the lung would be truly appreciated

Ken - the Gaviscon I found at the store in both liquid and tablet form state they are for heartburn/gas/GERD etc and nothing about sore throat? Is this the same medicine you were speaking of? Mom completed her fifth radiation treatment this morning and is doing really well and is sooooo upbeat and I am going to pick her up the Gaviscon and some vitamin water this afternoon and want to make sure this is the right stuff. Another update on Mom is that she asked the doctor if she could color her hair on Monday and he said yes - so her multi-colored white, grey, black hair is now a blonde mix...she is pretty happy about it and it took Dad 24 hours to notice, but told her he thought the radiation was doing something to her hair. She has curls coming in now too and says it is the first time in her life she has ever had curls (at age 65) thanks again everyone here....

Thanks again Jen - your Dad's story sure give me hope and will keep us all on the positive as we have been for the past 11 months.

Thanks Jen again for your help and advice. The doctor told Mom that one thing that wont happen is that she will not lose her hair with the radiation to the lung. FOr which she is very thankful as the hair is finally all coming back and even tho it may only be an inch or so, she is very happy about that. I will keep in mind about the watermelon - she starts today at 8:15 and I am a wreck - she wants to go alone... and told me this morning that she will go alone until she thinks she cant do it (if that time comes) thanks again to everyone on this site that has saved my sanity

Ken, thank you so much for the detailed account and hope you start feeling better soon. I dont want to pry, but can you tell me what feels good to eat? I just want us all to be prepared for when and if Mom starts getting that "broken glass" feeling in her throat that I keep hearing about. So scared for her and my father right now and just praying for all clear at the end of the next 25 days. She goes back in this afternoon and will find out if IMRT or not - she has like 5 marks on her and it made me scared that they were going after 5 areas when her last report only showed one tumor and enlarged node. thanks again. prayers and love are with you

Thanks again to all of you that have responded to all my questions, fears etc on the threads I have started - not sure WHERE I would be without this website (maybe in nervous-breakdown land?) I am getting the same feelings I had in the beginning of hopelessness and I know that we have made it almost a year with great results and all I can do now is support my family and pray to God that we get thru radiation treatments with not too mcuh pain.... Its so hard because right now she is NOT in pain except she has a little shortness of breath going down the stairs to do laundry - I just dont want to see her in pain - but...she said she will do whatever she need to do to try and beat this. One of the Nurses at Pluta Cancer Center gave her a CLEAR ribbon to wear and told ther that is what we are going for - TO CLEAR THIS UP please pray and thanks again and love to you all

Thanks everyone and will keep you up-to-date. Radiation to start tomorrow at 8:15 am and to follow daily until she hits 25 treatments There are three marks on her chest..... scared

Thanks everyone - I am soo scared right now and I cannot imagine the feelings going through both of my parents minds.... Mom is so strong and ready to fight. Yesterday she receieve THREE marks on her chest and will start radiation tomorrow and will go daily at 8:15 each morning. The two spots she wanted to show me were marks right down the center of her chest We go back this afternoon for a final set of x-rays and to make sure the simulation has her in the correct positions. Hs anyone had radiation to three spots? I know one spot is causing the problem with the lung, one is a tiny one and not sure what the third spot is at this point Just scared because one field can be bad enough, but THREE????? thank you all for you support

Thanks everyone for the replies. I have sent them all on to my parents and brothers. Will let everyone know the plan of action when we meet Mom's nurse from Pluta when she goes for her CT tomorrow at 10am. thanks again

Hi Everyone - We met with radiologist yesterday and Mom will be going in for another CT Monday at 10am (without contrast) so we can pinpoint the area(s) that will receive treatment. She will be getting 5 weeks worth at either x25 straight with weekends off or 2 weeks on, 1 week off and then back on (if she is experiencing pain and wants to stop) My family, including my Mother wants to be prepared and have what we need in the house for her to eat during this time if there is pain in swallowing. That seems to be the doctors main concern at this point. He said NO SODA due to the carbonation and that is ok - what about juices? He talked about acid reflux causing pain and is also starting her on a daily heartburn pill (although she only takes them when she knows she is having sauce or something moderately spicy). Was anyone else here put on daily heartburn medicine? What do you suggest to keep on hand in the house besides protein drinks and soups? When does pain swallowing USUALLY begin? I know not everyone has experienced pain while swallowing, but whether you (or the person you care for) HAS HAD or NOT HAD problems, I would like to hear about it and anything that can help us try to prepare a little ahead of time. thanks so much again to everyone here - you all are in my prayers as well.

Wendy & Leslie - Thank you so much for your replies and appreciate your help during this time. I forwarded both responses to my parents, brothers and SILS to be aware of both scenarios. At the doctors yesterday he told us he will be targeting two spots and she will go in for a new CT on Monday - FLAT BOARD? with no contrast etc to better locate the areas and he said that we will start radiation next week for sure. He said 5 weeks for a total of 25 treatments and may go 2 weeks on and 1 week off if she gets uncomfortable or suffers any pain. She asked if she could still drive and he said yes. Talked about esophogeal burning and how she may have problems swallowing and said she may get a rash/burn on her chest from this. Mom is ready to go..she is so strong. thanks again Ladies and will have more details after I talk to Mom this morning. Do patients with SC ever get to take any of these chemo pills I read about in so many of the user profiles??? thanks again and love.....

Hi all - Going in to talk to Mom's radiologist in an hour or so to see when she will be starting radiation treatment to the lung to heopfully open her airway up. We found out yesterday that her lung has collapsed and the doc thinks that radiation to the tumor will open it up for her. There is no spread outside the lung at this point (thank goodness) She has not had radiation to her lung as of yet due to the tumor not being visible for so long - I will be bringing a copy of the report home with me today and will be able to let everyone know more after I question the doctors. Not sure if she goes in today for markings for the radiation or what. Her first line of chemo worked so well with minimal effects and am wondering will they use the same chemo treatment after her radiation? Mom says I am so nosy thanks for all your prayers and will keep you informed

Hi Leslie - We went thru almost the same thing with my mothers first doctor and 11 months later she has been doing fabulous. She went thru 16 rounds of radiation to the brain with very minimal side effects - she says the radiation didnt cause her any side effects and that is was more the chemo that followed that tired her out. 11 months later - her hair has almost grown back, no dimentia, no memory loss and has been on the go since October when they told her she could resume driving. We started her on great nutrition the day we heard about the "shadow" and the doctors all said her diet kept her strong and healthy thru all her treatments. the most weight she ever lost was 3 pounds total!!! SHe will begin radiation probably this ocming monday to her lung as it has collapsed due to the tumor blocking the airway. She said she does not feel any different and is ready to start the fight all over again. Stay strong and HOPEFUL as from reading these boards and others, we KNOW this can be beat. prayers are with all of you

Thanks so much for the reply and will make sure we get the Aloe. Did burning start after first treatment? Mom gave away all her boost and ensure when she was feeling better in october and we will have to stock up again. I am so sorry about your Mom and any other information you could share with me I would appreciate. Did you start using the Aloe on day one? Were there certain foods she found easier to eat? thanks again and prayers to all

Paperback - I was where you are almost one year ago and I can tell you that besides some fatigue and hair loss from the chemotherapy..My Mom has felt great for months now and has been on the go, go, go. I too researched up and down and felt hopeless until I found this and one other site that has survivors that helped me out. I have found talking to folks that have SCLC or Caregivers of patients my MOOD changed as well as the rest of my family. Please remember this can be beat.... My Mom goes in this afternoon to set up her radiation treatments to her lung and she is determined to beat this!! Stay positive and eat healthy. My Moms doctor said her diet from day one has played a big role in her not losing weight and feeling good throughout chemo and radiation......

Morning. I took Mom for her Ct on Monday morning (Feb 11) and this time she did not get sick on the table as they did not make her drink the liquid. That was a good thing. Went to the cancer center yesterday for the results and were told that she has a collapsed lung and she will be going back today at 1pm to set up her regimen for radiation to the lung. Apparently the tumor is partially blocking her airway in the lung and the doctor beleives that the radiation will clear this up. Has anyone here experienced this? Mom has been feeling good (especially since her hair is growing back so nicely) and is on the go whenever she can. I have ben researching ALL NIGHT on radiation side-effects to the lung and am interested in hearing from anyone I can. My husband and I went out to lunch with my Mom and Dad yesterday and she said she will do whatever it takes to fight this. She is pretty positive about this as she had NO side effects from her brain radiation besides a little fatigue. We go back this afternoon at 1pm and will let everyone know what is going on tomorrow...... she is so strong...and brave

Thanks everyone and will inform Mom about the Tessalon perles The nurse prescribed Tussionex? for her and picked up this afternoon - Mom has not coughed all day, but at least now she has something if she needs it. Sadly, her deductible for this year has still not reached the 3300 - so she had to pay a pretty penny for it.

Thanks Shelley. Thanks and I will be saying a prayer for you and your Mom. We have barely have any snow on the ground - although it is way below freezing here!! A friend of mine working near Oswego saif they have 3' - so glad it isnt here... PS - what ship were you on in the picture? I love to cruise - one of my favorite ways to vacation!! Talked to Mom a little while ago and she feels good - said her and Dad had a fishfry tonight at home...she still hasnt coughed today and I take that as a good sign. all I can do is pray...... Goodnight all and thanks again, Wholeheartedly..... Betty

Jen - You know what - you are right and tomorrow I am going to make sure that my brothers or I call and try and speak to her doctor. I thought as soon as they gave her diagnosis that they would have gotten her ready for her next round. Your last line of your post got to me and I plan to add it to my sig, as obviously, it is so true. thanks again. Why would a doctor wait when there is no spread of the disease outside her lung? When I asked the nurse today about it when I called to get something for her cough and she told me that they told my mother if her symptoms with coughing up blood get worse to call in and then they would start treatment. But the odd thing is, that the nurse first asked me when she was starting treatment!!!! I told her she wasnt coming in until next month for another CT. ohhh, this is waaay too much. This was not my Moms normal nurse...... Mom is healthy otherwise and did not lose more than 5 lb total during treatments...... thanks Jen for the WAKE UP