lovingdaughter

Has anyone experienced hair loss with cisplatin/etoposide and radiation therapy? My mom is losing her hair and she thinks it is all going to come out.

Congratulations! You give me hope for my Mom. Thank you!

I thought the blood transfusion would give my mom more energy but she has been sleeping almost constantly since she received it.

Thanks for the posts ... it helped to read that this is really just a bump in the road. She had the transfusion today and is feeling ok - tired but otherwise no complaints. We are looking forward to tomorrow as it will be the completion of the first week of treatment.

Has anyone had to have a blood transfusion due to low red blood cell/hemoglobin? My mom started chemotherapy and radiation for the first time on Monday. Today she had her 'check-up' with the medical oncologist. Blood count reduced from 9.6 to 7.6. She is going in for a blood transfusion tomorrow. Her doctor didn’t appear to be overly concerned but I'm scared ... How serious is this?

Radiation w/ Cisplatin & Etoposide We met with the radiation and medical oncologists yesterday and they are recommending radiation with chemotherapy. Cispatin, Etoposide and Radiaiton on Day 1 Day 2 - 5 Etoposide and Radiation Day 6 Cisplatin and Radiation Day 7 - 28 Radiation only Then repeat ... Has anyone had this type of treatment? On another note, we were able to talk my Mom into going to SC (from NY) to visit the newest family member born on April 3rd (2nd grandchild for my parents). We are remaining positive and living!')

Met with the medical oncologist at Sloan yesterday He confirmed stage IIIb and said radiation and chemo is the recommended treatment Referred us to the radiation oncologist. Took her off coumadin and on lovenox (sp?) Seeing radiation oncologist on April 30th. Felt like it was an out of body experience ... didn't get to ask all my questions ... Any advice on what to do now while we wait? My mom is not living right now ... she won't go out, she won't go visit my brother (he lives in SC and just had a baby, also has a 3 1/2 year old), won't answer the phone or talk to any friends. Only talking to my dad and me. Any advice???

On March 26, 2009 a mass was found in my mom's left lung. Fine needle biopsy on April 8th April 16th Met with lung surgeon for a consultation of the biopsy results. Results confirmed cancer but because there are enlarged lymph nodes in the center of her chest they couldn't stage the cancer without testing the lymph nodes. In the midst of the consultation, my mom told the doctor that her leg has really been bothering her so he ordered her to get an ultrasound on her leg to rule out anything else. The ultrasound results are that she has a blood clot in her leg. As a result, my mom was admitted to the hospital. Since she was here anyway, the doctor performed the mediastinoscopy now (the test for her lymph nodes) while also getting her on blood thinner to control the blood clot. She had some tests and it appears she has a clot in her right lung too. The mediastinoscopy results found that she has cancerous lymph nodes in the center of her chest. Stage IIIB I am trying my hardest to remain optimistic ... She had a PET Scan which did not show any other 'hot spots' so we are hopeful the cancer is contained to the left lung and the lymph nodes in the center of the chest. We are seeing an oncologist (cancer doctor) on Tuesday, April 21 at Sloan-Kettering. Would really help to get in touch with survivors and understand everything we need to do. I