Hello,
Got the official stage yesterday. The doctor said it was stage 4. I was thinking 3B. But.......this is the hand I've been dealt. He said it is 4 because it is in both lungs and the lymph nodes. I am going in Monday for another CT scan, a MRI, a bone scan and an EKG. He wants to make sure that it has not spread to my brain or bones. Right now I am scheduled for clinical trial treatment of either: Taxol + Carboplatin every 3 weeks for 6 treatments "OR" Taxol, Gemzar and Avastin once a week, 3 weeks on, one week off. I don't have the number of treatments in my notes so I'm not sure how long it would last. The nurse said they are agressive treatments. I am going to UAB in Birmingham Alabama, at the Kirkland Center. My Doctor is Francisco Robert (Vizcarrondo). Has anyone ever heard of him?? He not the warmest person I've ever met but he spent all the time I felt I needed and answered all my questions so that I understood everything (at least I think I did) my family got pretty much the same impression. As he was leaving he turned to my sister and told her that because of all the cancer in my family (fathers side) and in particular we've had several family members with lung cancer that it appears that we may be genecially pre-disposed to it. (sorry for the bad spelling) My sister is the smart one in the family. She is the oldest (by 5 years for me) and never smoked like me and my brother did. Well..anyway has anyone heard of these chemo combos?? This Doctor?? Any advice? UAB Kirkland Center is suspose to be a pretty good place, is a "Comprehensive Cancer Center" ranked in the Top 100 by US News and World Report. I'm kind of scared and still very hopeful. Right now I am taking a deep breath, drinking a glass of wine and searching, searching for info. Thanks for all the support you guys have given me so far.....I don't know if I would be so hopeful without it. I hope everyone is well.