Keith

Thank you for the input. This is exactly why this board works. The quick, caring responses. I would much rather take a book recommended over a possible found through hours of research. I thank you again for my family. Keith

I would very much like to help the people around me as I go through this cancer process. I watch them struggle with it on a daily basis. Any input on books/web sites or other sources that speak to how the family of cancer patients can better cope and manage through the entirety of the process would be greatly appreciated. Keith

You look young in your picture - and therefore, like me, they shold be going after it w/ maximal aggression. I am queued for 50 to 60 greys of radiation to run over 5 to 6 weeks in conjunction w/ aggressive chemo. I will keep you update on my radiation progress - I would certainly like to know of yours. I recieved a second Onc. opinion yesterday and we addressed exactly what you are talking about - Sure sounds to me that it should be agressive even if "protocall" calls for something different. I also noticed in my research and had confirmed by my onc. that taxotere/cysplatin may have a slightly better efficacy. Kinda depends on where in the country you are what is the most popular chemo combo. my prayers are with you Keith

Wow - thanks for the responses - really exellent information. Here, as everywhere in my life just now, I am consistently overwhelmed with the outpuring of kindness. Keith

Dx'd on Aug. 26 with a pancoast NSCLC - by definition stage 3 - probably a T3 or T4 - no distant mets found (will complete staging this week) I am sure there will be a surgery coming on this. I would very much like information from those of you out there who have gone through this yourself or with a loved one. What surgical techniques were used - posterior or anterior entry for complete tumor resection .... etc. Also, what were the chemo drugs and dosages, amount and frequency of rediation for pre-surgical shrinkage? What was time window between shrinkage and surgery? Any any all input is greatly appreciated.

Dx'd on Aug. 26 with a pancoast NSCLC - by definition stage 3 - probably a T3 or T4 - no distant mets found (will complete staging this week) I am sure there will be a surgery coming on this. I would very much like information from those of you out there who have gone through this yourself or with a loved one. What surgical techniques were used - posterior or anterior entry for complete tumor resection .... etc. Also, what were the chemo drugs and dosages, amount and frequency of rediation for pre-surgical shrinkage? What was time window between shrinkage and surgery? Any any all input is greatly appreciated.

CT scan on Aug. 6th shows a fist sized mass in upper lobe of right lung. I just got back from a brochoscopy. Hopefully will get a quick read from pathology tomorrow. I have a needle biopsy scheduled for early Wednesday morning if bronc biopsy results are negative. Bone scan results were negative. All that said, like others, I am much pleased to have stumbled across this site. Any and all support welcome just now - the limbo of waiting is brutal. I have a couple of questions. The first is, can anybody tell me what is the "standard" treatment protocol for stage IIIb or IV nscl? The second is, does anybody know about someone who has had a tumor (6x5x3cm or larger) that has broken throught the chest wall removed? A doctor today said that a resection might be possible. It didn't really make sense to me, but then I am brand new to this. Thanks in advance, Keith