Andrea S.

Thanks for sharing this wonderful and inspirational news! You give me hope for my mother.

Jennifer, my mom tolerated chemo very well. She had some mild fatigue at first, which seemed to get better with time. She never had any nausea at all until her 7th cycle, although that was controlled well with medication.

Jennifer, my mom tolerated chemo very well. She had some mild fatigue at first, which seemed to get better with time. She never had any nausea at all until her 7th cycle, although that was controlled well with medication.

I'm so sorry you are going through all this. Being a caregiver to someone with cancer is so difficult. You really need to take care of yourself right now and anti-depressants might not be a bad idea (they've helped for me!). Also, I agree with Carleen's post and would like to suggest trying a different dr. I know things turned around for my mom when she switched dr.'s - they shouldn't be blase about this. This is his life and a good dr. can make all the difference in the world. Also, there are many different drugs out there, it sounds like maybe Iressa isn't one that is working. That doesn't mean something else won't though! Bets of luck to you both.

I don't know much about the difference between the phases of clinical trials, but I thought I'd throw my .02 worth in. My mom did 7 cycles on a clinical trial - it was a new drug, given in addition to 2 standard drugs. We had a great experience with the trial - my mom received wonderful care and frequent scans. Better than that - she had a great response! The plus of clinical trials is to have the opportunity to try brand new drugs, which may be better than the standard regimens out there. And keep in mind that many of the top drugs out there right now are pretty new on the scene. Good luck in whatever you decide.

I am so, so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. I, too, have lost a child (to a chromosome problem, not to cancer) and it is one of the hardest things ever. Be proud of your son, I never got the chance to know him, but it sounds like he was a great person.

Hello, I am mostly a lurker - I don't post much, but I read often and think of all of you. Anyway, I have some good news to share about my mother and I am also interested in some advice. Some history: my mom (now age 55) was dx'ed with stage IV. nsclc in April 2003, with mets to the lymph nodes in the mediastienum (sp?), esophagous, armpits and diaphram. The prognosis was grim and we were devastated. She was placed on a clinical trial (I don't know the name) and did quite well - barely anything for side effects. She had 7 cycles (the dr. said most people only tolerate about 3 cycles of this drug), which significantly reduced the cancer. The chemo then got too toxic and she was placed on a standard regimen of carbo/taxol. After 1 cycle, the dr. noted the lymph nodes in her armpits had increased, although everything in the chest continued to look excellent. This was right before Thanksgiving and we were so scared. My mom became so depressed and talked about giving up. The dr. ordered a PET scan, which showed that although the tumor had grown, it was now completely localized in the armpit area and they felt surgery was now an option. Surgery was last week and so far, it appears to have been very successful. They removed everything they could see - 11 nodes - and she now appears to be cancer free. It's a miracle and we couldn't be more grateful. Okay - my question. How long can we expect her to be in remission? I've read from others on this sight that lung cancer usually re-occurs, esp. when it is advanced. Is it possible that she could make it to the 5-year mark and be considered "cured"? What are her chances? She is in excellent health otherwise, has quit smoking and they may do radiation once she is healed from surgery. Any comments?

COngrats on such wonderful news. My mother (dx'ed with stage IV. nsclc) just got similar news. It's a Christmas miracle!

Hi Cherbut, first of all, I am so sorry about your diagnosis. I also wanted to respond to your post, as my mom was dx'ed with Stage IV. lung cancer back in April and also went through a number of cycles (7) of carboplatin and taxol. My mom tolerated these drugs extremely well for about 6 cycles - the only problem was falling white blood cell counts, so they finally took her off it. My mom still feels great (physically anyway) and like you, these drugs were quite effective for her. Incidentally, my mom never did get sick or have any pain. She initially went in for a lump on her neck, which turned out to be mets. to the lymph nodes. A stage IV. dx is very scary (I can read the fear in your words), but the fact that you feel good is a huge asset in fighting this cancer. My mom has done amazingly well (there is no longer any visible cancer in her chest area, there is just some in her armpits that have grown slightly) and I firmly believe that her "feeling good" has played a huge role. Because of it, she has been eating well and has been able to tolerate the chemo well. It sounds like you have also done well and always remember that there are people with worse cases than yours who have beaten this rotten disease.

Hi Jenny, I don't post much, but I saw your post and had to reply. I can really understand where you are coming from. My mom has stage IV. adenocarcinoma and like you - I am also pregnant. I am currently 7 months pregnant with my second child and I don't have to tell you how stressful it is. This pregnancy was unplanned (my older child is only 11 months old) and we are in the process of building a new house, which makes things additionally stressful. Anyway, I'm sorry to ramble on about myself - that wasn't my intention. Unfortunately, I don't know that I have any advice for you. My mom was diagnosed in April and this has been the most difficult thing I have ever been through. The best advice I can give is to take care of yourself in whatever way you can. Get counseling if you need to and consider anti-depressants if you are offered them (I am taking Celexa and it has been safe and effective). You aren't being selfish at all - remember, that you can't take care of anybody else if you fall apart. And you need to concentrate on that little baby because he/she needs you. BTW - I see you are going through the Mayo Clinic. Which one are you going through? The reason I ask is because we are going through the Mayo Clinic in Rochester (we are fortunate to live in the area). I would be happy to recommend a good dr. if you are interested. Hugs to you, I know this is hard.

Remission! That is so wonderful and I am so happy for you and your family. And I wanted to add that your post is just what I needed. My mom's cancer is very similar to your Dad's and she is having a PET scan today to see if some growth under her arms is indeed cancer or something else (she's done great otherwise). Your post has given me a sense of calm about today.

Mary Ann, thanks for your supportive words and help. I did call the oncology dept. and spoke to 2 different people (1 nurse and the study coordinator). They weren't sure whether it was a bug or if it was a reaction to the chemo. Luckily, she did get a few crackers and some fluid down later and seemed somewhat better yesterday. Thanks for your advice.

Hello, I am new here and want to introduce myself. I've mostly been posting on the family/caregivers site. Anyway, my name is Andrea S., I am 30 yrs. old and my mom (age 55) was diagnosed with Stage IV. adenocarcinoma of the lung in April 2003. She has been on a clinical trial and has done amazingly well. Unfortunately, she was just taken off the trial due to the toxicity and has just started on a standard regimen of carboplatin/taxol. I guess my good news is that she has wowed us all with her progress. The tumor has been consistently shrinking and at this time, it is no longer visible at all in the mediasteinum area (sp?). The remaining sites are in the lung and the lymph nodes in the neck area, under the armpit and one node in the diaphram. Those areas have been shrinking as well. It's a rotten disease, but she's fighting it. I guess I found myself over at this site because I'm trying to maintain hope and sometimes that gets hard. I am tired of people telling me to "enjoy the time we have left". I'm not trying to be in denial of the extent of her disease, but I have faith that she can (and will!) be here for a long time. I would esp. appreciate any positive stories of people fighting stage IV. cancers. Hugs and prayers to all of you!

Yesterday, my mom got the upsetting news that she is being taken off the study she has been on due to toxicity levels. She is extremely upset by this, even though we tried to reassure her that the risks/benefits of the chemo need to be kept in check. Anyway, she was then given a dose of carboplatin and taxol yesterday, which she has been getting since April/May 2003 (along with the study drug) and has tolerated well. However, she woke up last night with severe nausea and vomiting. She has vomited 4 times since last night and hasn't been able to keep anything down. I'm really worried about her and it is so hard to see her sick like this. My question is - could the taxol/carbo make her sick, even though she's tolerated it well in the past? Or is it something else? Has anybody else experienced this? I really appreciate your help.

Sally, I am so sorry about your brother's dx. You are absolutely right - this does suck, it sucks alot. I wish there was something I could say to help you. Please remember that your brother does have alot of things in his favor. For starters, he is young and likely has a strong immune system. This will definately work in his favor. My mom was dx'ed with stage IV. cancer in April 2003 (at age 54) and has done quite well. I think one thing that helped her was her health and strong immune system. Best of luck to you, Sally, and please turn to us whenever you need to.

I don't post much (mostly a lurker), but I just wanted to chime in about the clinical trials. My mom, who was dx'ed with Stage IV. adenocarcinoma in April 2003, has been on a trial since about May. I feel kind of silly, because I don't even know the name of it. However, it has been a very good experience for her. It consists of a 3-week cycle, combining 3 doses of the trial drug with Taxol and Carboplatin. She has had an amazing response and has wowed everybody - she's had a signficant decrease of the tumor in all areas, her kidney and lung functioning have held up well and she hasn't had any sickness. Of course, this could just be from the Taxol/Carb., but we have been very pleased overall. I would encourage to find out what you can. Also, her treatment has been free due to being involved with the trial, which is a nice bonus.

Kathy, I'm so sorry to hear about your stepmom's diagnosis. My mom was diagnosed with Stage IV. non small lung cancer in April 2003. I'm sorry, but I'm not familiar with the dr. you are talking about or his methods. Can I ask why your stepmom has chosen not to pursue any conventional treatments? I truly believe it's her choice, but I would encourage her to really look at all the options. My mom only chose to try chemo because she was told that, contrary to popular belief, the side effects of the chemo were much less painful than suffering from the cancer itself. She had no illusions (and neither did we) that it would "cure" her. However, she has done so well with the chemo and hasn't had a single day of sickness - and it is actually working. Anyway, I wish you both the best and I am so sorry for this terrible news.

Hello, I wanted to thank you all for the warm welcome! It was so nice to come here and see all the support, although I'm sorry we had to meet under such grim circumstances. I am happy to say that the chemo continues to work for my mom. The dr. said he can no longer see any of the tumor left in her mediastinum (sp?), which is great as this area had the most extensive area of cancer. The tumor in her lung also continues to shrink. The only worrisome thing is the nodes under her armpit were enlarged. The dr. was not at all concerned, stating it wasn't necessarily the cancer, but could be anything - the nodes fighting off an infection, etc. It still worries me though. She will continue taking the study drug with the Taxol and Carboplatin, although at a decreased dose due to her white cell count. The dr. and study coordinator continue to be amazed at her progress, so that is good. They said most patients have to switch drugs after 2 cycles and she is now starting her 7th cycle. In fact, they said she has the best response to this study that has ever been seen, so that is good. For some reason, I don't feel so good about this though. Maybe the reality of this is finally sinking in. I've never considered the possibility that the cancer could "outsmart" the chemo at any time and that she could rapidly go downhill. Well, I guess I just need to keep saying prayers and keep up my hope. Thanks again for all the support.

Hello, my name is Andrea S. and I am new here. My mom, now age 55, was diagnosed with Stage IV. adenocarcinoma of the lung in April 2003. The cancer was in her lungs, but mostly in the lymph nodes all over the upper part of her body. It was a huge, traumatic shock to all of us and I am looking for support from others and any info. I can get. I would also like to provide support to others and to let them know what I have been discovering - cancer, even stage IV., cancer, is not necessarily a death sentence! My mom (Jan) has completed 6 rounds of chemo, which includes carboplatin, taxol and a study drug (sorry, I don't know the name of it). She has tolerated it quite well, the only side effects she's had are hair loss and a drop in her white blood cell count. So far, my mom has been wowing people with her response to the chemo. She has a CT scan after every 2 cycles and there have been dramatic decreases in the cancer each time. However, she has now reached the end of the study and we are seeing her dr. tomorrow to see what the next plan is. She also had a CT scan today and we will find out the results tomorrow. As always, we are all an emotional wreck, waiting to see if the chemo. is still working. Anyway, I look forward to getting to know others here and my heart goes out to all of you. Nobody deserves this horrible disease. Andrea S.