jim1013

Thanks you guys as always. I'll have him look into that. What do you make of the drop in cancer cells? His appetite is back and finding his rhythm with these chemo treatments

My best friend has NSCLC adeno with tumor isolated in upper lung. He's been responding beautifully to about 6 rounds of chemo now and as the cancer cells continue to decrease, so does his voice. Anyone happen to know why voice is hoarse and if there is anything he can do to improve his voice? He still works and needs his voice like we all do. It's frustrating. He's seeing an ENT later next week I believe, but I thought I'd jump on here and ask you all. Also, just some good news, is that his cancer cells have dropped sharply from mid 20's to 12 just during his chemo treatments recently. Is this a good indicator or pretty typical? I heard "normal" people have 3-5 range for cancer cells too. I don't know, but Doc seems to be really impressed by this. Thank you all for your support, this website is a great tool for many in need. -Jim

Well guys, my buddy had to be rushed to the ER the other night after he had a fever of 102 he couldn't shake. He's being hospitalized now and doing better, fever has come down...I wonder what happened this time. I visited him today and I have a feeling he had an allergic reaction to a shot they gave him at his appointment w oncologist. At this point, just trying to get him to rest comfortably and get the heck out of there...although thanks to support on here, i was able to warn him a month ago to not be alarmed if he has to be hospitalized every so often. I've learned so much on here and have passed it on to him. This chemo has given him a beating, though. Soon we will know from CAT scan if chemo is working on the tumor. I will say that some good news (could be) he learned from xray taken is that lungs appear to be clear and free from fluid as opposed to before. Maybe that's result of tumor being shrunk---decrease in effusion? It's also important to note that 2 fluid tests from month ago AND biopsy of lining of lung all came back negative. Thanks again and will continue to check in with you fine folks. -Jim

You all are just amazing people. You keep me strong and offer perspectives I may have not even considered. His health seems to have gotten worse in the past 24 hours. He went in for a regular doc visit today (non cancer related) and when his temperature was taken, it was 102 degrees and may have early pneumonia. He didn't even realize he had a fever, but nonetheless he was given anti biotics and has been on rest ever since. His daughter has been checking on him ever so often and taking his temp. I will be sure to visit eery day and take your suggestions on the food intake/anti depressants. The doctor told us last time that he doesn't usually like patients who combine anti depressants with their chemo and said its"normal" to feel depressed. Whatever doc is what I say. Anything could help right now, although yesterday he was a little more upbeat. And he has to eat something...he's losing weight fast. He has cereal in mornings and a little bit here and there, but really not that much. Anyone heard of Gerson therapy/diet? I will see what works and what doesn't, like many of you suggested. I meet with my boss tomorrow and will update him on situation. He knows what's going on, but is an "all about the numbers" guy. I'll weigh my options in next few weeks, but my best friend is like family to me. Known him all my life and he is my brother really. His house needs some work too, I'd like to help more than I'm doing now. Thank you all for your wonderful display of support, sometimes I even need a head check every now and then I'll keep you all updated, I appreciate all your insight. -Jim

Hey everyone, just an update for those who have been following this case of my best bud. After two rounds of chemo, he is not doing well. His attitude has changed from positive to negative, refuses to eat because he isn't hungry, doesn't believe in chemo and says at best, it"guess work", His family and I try to keep a positive look at things saying we don't know how well it's working yet, but there are success stories out there. On Thursday, he has a follow up appt. with his oncologist and I offered to go with him. He liked that, so I will be there to take notes for him. To me, it seems his oncologist doesn't ever call for follow ups, doesn't give him the whole plan in terms of how many more rounds of chemo to expect, and doesn't care to help figure out his lack of eating issues. He sees his oncologist 1x a week max and he needs him more. After his first round of chemo, he did have to have a blood transfusion as his platelet levels were really low. Maybe this is why he is feeling like this again? So we should know more Thurs, but can you guys offer any advice on dealing with the hunger/supplement issue or anything else? I have found myself and his family becoming angry, depressed, disappointed in our health care system, etc. many many emotions....and now I'm ready to quit my job for my best friend, he needs all the support he can get right now.

Good points Dianne and Judy. I stopped by his apartment today following his first round of chemo and he was pretty energized from all the steroids. Wonder if he may get pretty sick the next two days. They are giving him Alimta too I believe. He seems upbeat, doc says he shouldn't get nauseous at least. Next treatment scheduled in 3 weeks. What should we look for in blood tests/other tests moving forward? I think he has a brain scan coming up for precautionary reasons. Thanks- Jim

Well my buddy starts chemo tomorrow for first time and neither me or his family know what to expect. The doc won't even roll out a plan or dates past his 2nd chemo treatment, is that normal? I guess I'm just happy for him that both fluid tests were negative and the biopsy was too. Anyway, thought I'd keep you all updated and please feel free to share any thoughts/advice that you can. God bless -Jim

Hey guys, hope everyone is having a great start to the new year. So I have an interesting update to my best friend and was curious as to what some of your thoughts might be. After my friend's first fluid test was ruled negative for cancerous cells, his doctor recommended another fluid test AND a biopsy. My friend went in for the procedure and they took a biopsy of the lining and another sample of fluid (this time less fluid). Long story short, both the fluid and the biopsy came back negative! Still, the doctor is being cautious and wants to consider it stage 3 or stage 4. My question is why?? As I recall, the doctor said it would be stage 1 if fluid and biopsy remained negative. But no, apparently it being negative didn't do anything for the staging. So now chemo is about to begin and we are all confused more than ever...any thoughts/ideas as to why staging wasn't improved and why tests continue to come up negative? I thought biopsy was much more accurate than the fluid tests? Thanks all-Jim

Hi Judy, Thanks for getting back to me earlier and sorry for the delay, spending a lot of time with family and my friend over the holidays. This is very encouraging and I will share with him. If it's ok with you, can we stay in touch on here throughout this journey? He has not yet started chemo and undergoes another test/biopsy on pleural fluid this week. Who knows, maybe there is a chance it may come up negative again. If it does come back positive for cancer cells, I sure hope they get started on chemo right away. I just feel like the longer we wait, the more chance cancer can spread. Do you think the Alimta is the way go for when he does begin treatment and anything else we should look into in the meantime? I can't thank you enough for all your help Judy, our interaction will certainly cheer my friend up and will encourage him to join the boards. Is this a good way to stay in touch with you? Many thanks and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. -Jim

Thank you for the kind words everyone. Judy-You seem to have the same exact diagnosis as my best friend and he also lives in S Fla. Could you help me understand a little more? Say the 2nd test comes back positive like the 2nd doc thinks, what does that mean for my friend? Is it still doable? I see with your treatment that fluid has stopped in the lung and you are doing well. Any advice you might able to share regarding treatment, what to look for going forward, words of encouragement for my friend, etc? Anything is helpful regarding this road to hopeful recovery being that you both have very similar situations. Many thanks to you all. -Jim

Thanks Cat. I like this site too so I'll be on both here and there. See you around and God Bless.

My best friend (60 yo male) was recently just diagnosed with NSLC adenocarcinoma and it really came out of the blue as I know some of you know. I really want to help him, but I also need advice on how to proceed. He got a PET Scan from 1st doctor revealing the cancer had not spread, tumor is in tough spot, well differentiated, and considered stage 2. They tested fluid in the lung (about 1 liter) which came back negative for cancer. 2nd opinion was earlier this week where this doctor was not so optimistic. He said this kind of fluid is "almost always" malignant and is considering my friend's cancer stage 4 "until further tests prove otherwise". Needless to say, this really upset my friend. I guess my question is how accurate is thoracentesis/cytology exams (where they test pleural fluid in lung) and what should we do now? My friend needs support right now and I really want to help him get through this. Surely this test must be accurate sometimes or they wouldn't do the tests on patients. Has anyone had experience with this? I think he is going to go for a repeat test of the fluid and possibly a biopsy. Thanks so much for any advice you might be able to share. -Jim