[Roll Call-Effectiveness of Chemo Drugs]

Toronto, Ontario

IIIB Squamous Cell

first line:

-12 days radiation, reduced tumor 50%

-4 rounds navelbine/cisplatin; reduced a little bit, not the other 50% we were hoping for, did 5th round of chemo and then he opted not to do the 6th round.

[End-of-Life Conversations: Patients & Caregivers]

Since Mark's diagnosis in January, he has many times told me how sorry he is for me having to take care of him like this. My response, I am grateful for every day I get to take care of him - he could have been gone in an instant, hit by a bus! heart attack, all kinds of ways but we have been given this extra time and for that I am definitely grateful.

[Hank has passed away.]

My heart goes out to you. Take care of yourself.

[Emotions]

Sounds exactly like everything that goes thru my head every single day.

[It was supposed to be a boring day for me]

Wonderful news Sandra, enjoy your weekend! from your fellow Canadian girl!

[It was supposed to be a boring day for me]

Oh Sandra - you know I'm saying one for ya!

[Scan Update]

Well the doc had initially said if the tumor had reduced by 50% he would get another 2 rounds of cisplatin/navelbine. So that is of course what we wanted. Unfortunately it did not reduce by 50% BUT fortunately he is still getting the 2 bonus rounds.

Doc did confirm that while it did not reduce by 50%, it did reduce a little bit. Much better than the alternative, but beggars can't be choosers as they say and sure am learning about that. Doc was on the fence as to whether to continue but basically left it up to Mark, he has been taking the chemo so well doc said it could not hurt if he takes the extra 2.

I asked what happens after this is done, Doc says they will then monitor, every 2 months chest xray, every 4 months ct scan. Is this the norm?? they say he has rec'd the max on radiation and this is the max with this chemo. Because they said initially he is treatable not curable will they not try anything else??

and thanks for the prayers, you guys are definitely the best!

[Speaking of Scanaxiety]

we get the results Monday as to whether or not the chemo is killing that nasty tumor in my man. Say a prayer!

[Coughing has started again...]

Just a question about this coughing. It had basically stopped after his radiation had finished. He just finished his 2nd round chemo last week, cisplatin and navelbine and he is taking it pretty good I must add. Our theory is that he is coughing up all the bad stuff, is he??

He had a CT scan done on March 24 after radiation was completed and chemo was starting and learnt that the tumor had reduced by 50%, which was the best news! but this coughing starting up again has me worried - should I be?

[I am so excited]

YAHOOIE, good for you girl!!

[Another new one, unfortunatley...]

This is an amazing website and I am grateful I found it. Posted yesterday in the Caregiver message board, guess I should have come here first. My spouse was diagnosed Jan 23 with StageIII lung cancer. He got sick around the end of November, the holiday season was coming fast and unfortunately he started getting worse, wanted him to get to the doctor, his doctor of course at that time was on holiday, on Jan 4th I finally convinced to go to a walkin clinic, doc gave him anti-botics for what they thought may be bronchitis. They helped a bit but not much. His doctor was finally back on January 8 and he got an appt for that day. Chest x-ray showed a spot, CT scan the following Thursday showed a 5"x7" tumor on his right lung. January 23rd he had a scope done and was diagnosed. We were told he would have 7 weeks of radiation along with chemo for 4 weeks every 4 weeks. Both were to start Feb 25th, he was really bad by then, I really don't know how his body, heart could take all the coughing, it's breaks your heart to hear. He was in the chemo chair for 2 hours getting ready to get started when they pulled him out of the chair, he had a CT scan done the previous Thurs and along with the chest xray they had done that morning and they did not like what they saw, things had gotten worse, they said he would not be able to take both together could possibly kill him, we were told he was now treatable but not curable. They did, Thank God, start radiation that day, they did 12 straight days and it is amazing what it has done for him. He can breathe again! Where he was coughing 99% of the day and not getting any sleep, the coughing has subsided to 5% of the day and Lord can he sleep. We meet with chemo doctor this coming Monday at 8am and praying they do start that day.

It has been a nightmare, it has been a rollercoaster, it has been undescribable, but you all know that. But I am truly grateful that I can be there to get him thru this. Thanks for listening.

[New to this site and have to say thank you..]

My honey was diagnosed on January 23, 2008 with Stage 3 Lung Cancer. They were to do 7 weeks of radiation along with chemo for 4 weeks, every 4 weeks. Februray 25th was the big day for Chemo to start and also the radiation. He sat in the chemo chair, for 2 hours, all set up and ready to go when they pulled him out of it to tell us that from the CT scan done the Thursday before things had gotten worse and they could not do the treatment plan original given to us. So no chemo. Radiation doc advised that he was now treatable but not curable. they did start radiation that day and did it for 12 straight days. I must say, it has worked wonders. He can breath again that nasty coughing has almost become disappeared, I thank God every day. We meet with the chemo again on Monday morning and pray that they can start it that same day. My heart has ached for him since this has all started, I have never felt so helpless in my life. I'm a woman - a mother -a grandmother - I have nutured since I can remember now and cannot fix the man I love with all my heart.