Hope09

Hi All, Haven't been on here in a while....lots of reasons. Weeks after treatment (Carbo/Taxol/Radiation) Dad was hospitalized for stomach pain/not being able to eat and major coughing. 6 days, blood transfusions, IV antibiotics (for pneumonia/pseudomonas and strep infection)...then home. Stomach slowly improving. Before all this, good news - "treatment" results were "remarkable"...30% shrinkage in primary tumor, no cancer activity. Now there's possibility of pneumonectomy - left lung. Differing opinions amongst the teams of docs (shocker). Chance of cure, per surgeon, is 20% with this surgery. Chance of cure without - per all - is <15%. Would you do it? Have you done it? Know someone who has? Please share your thoughts. We are overwhelmed by all the info - especially since we're hearing different things from the docs. THanks and take care.

thank you

Thanks Ladies!

Hey all - I have done a little research on the chemo drugs i noted but your personal experiences with this treatment would be much appreciated. Also, when do you typically start to lose hair? (this obviously isn't the most important thing but just wondering so i can prepare...Dad has always had a full head of hair and a mustache...) Thanks.

I should add that the oncologist didn't want to do the Cisplatin because Dad had a ruptured brain aneurysm in June '07 which left him with some hearing loss already (yes, he's been through hell already...and is only 56 years old) and now wears a hearing aid. I understand that the Cisplatin can cause more hearing loss, so Onc opted for Carboplatin once a week instead of Cisplatin every 3 weeks. Efficacy should be same. Your thoughts?

Thank you all very much. As it turns out, the chemo was rescheduled for next Friday because they want to start after the first radiation session, which will be this coming Tuesday. We just got back from Georgetown (where Dad will be treated) and the plan is Carboplatin and Paclitaxel (Taxol), once a week for 4 weeks. Re-evaluation at 4th week and then 2 more weeks of stronger chemo treatment (still a little unsure about those last 2 weeks but will sort out). She said to focus on the first 4 weeks first. So, mediport (sp?) placement on Monday the 2nd, radiation session 1 on Tuesday, chemo session 1 on Friday. Does that sound about right and can you tell me side effects/what to expect based on those specific drugs? Thanks.

Hi All, What can Dad expect in terms of potential side-effects, etc., after first chemo session? We are in the initial stages and just learning the treatment plan (it will be some combo of chemo and radiation)...Actually, we were supposed to find out the chemo plan this Friday but, apparently, now he's scheduled for actual treatment (i need to confirm). He has stage 3 (whether a or b is still being debated) NSCLC. Thanks.

Thank you both

Hey guys - I am deleting what i originally posted here because i may encourage my dad to come on the forum to see some of the great, inspirational stories and i don't want him to stumble across the post (that i have just replaced with this new message), recognize that it's his story based on some very specific details, and then worry about how it's affecting his family, on top of everything else he's going through. I hope that makes sense....and thanks again for your replies.