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[dtothxtwo]

MY SISTER WHO HAS SMOKED FOR 40 YEARS WAS DX IN OCT 2004 WITH LUNG CANCER WITH METS TO THE BRAIN. THEY REMOVED A DINNER ROLL SIZE TUMOR FROM THE BRAIN. SHE HAS HAD ALL HER RADIATION AND CHEMO TX. SHE WAS TOLD BY DR. THAT THAT WAS ALL THAT COULD BE DONE. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE WE GO FROM HERE. SHE IS DOING GOOD BUT LOST USE OF LEFT ARM AND HAND DUE TO BRAIN TUMOR. SHE HAD NO SYMPTOMS UNTIL WE THOUGHT SHE HAD A STROKE. BRAIN SCAN SHOWED TUMOR. THEY GAVE HER 2 YEARS AT THE MOST. SHE IS ONLY 54 YRS. OLD. ANY GUIDENCE FROM YOU WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU ALL. WE LOST OUR MOM AND AUNT TO CANCER, NOW MY SISTER. WILL I BE NEXT?? I BELEIVE SO, ITS A GENETIC DEFECT.

[Snowflake]

If you truly think you will be next, convince your doctor to do scans.

As for the sister, get a second opinion. There are people here on their third and fourth line of chemo. One time through is not all there is.

Good luck.

[kimblanchard]

And there are those like me, who are on their sixth chemo regimin. Don't ever give up the battle, I was given one year and am approaching my second anniversary. We are not controlled by statistics. Enjoy each day.

Welcome

jim

[CharlieD]

Sorry to hear about your sister and I can understand your concern when considering your family history. You didn't mention where you live or what kind of facility gave you the opinion that that was all that could be done. I can't imagine that it was a National Cancer Institute Facility and that is where I think your next telephone call should go . They are all over the country. If you could identify what region of the country you are located, I'm sure someone on this site will be able to point you in the right direction. Good Luck and God Bless.

CharlieD

[dtothxtwo]

SOMEONE ASKED WHERE MY SISTER WAS TOLD ABOUTHER PROGNOSIS.IT WAS AT THE COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER IN HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA. THANK YOU ALL FOR ACCEPTING ME IN THIS BOARD. MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL OF YOU AND MY PRAYERS WILL CONTINUE.

DEBRA

[CharlieD]

Debra,

Just by chance, I glanced at the Alabama National Cancer Institute listing for Alabama and noticed that there is another one, or they say the only one in Birmingham. Copied and pasting it below.

Profile

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Comprehensive Cancer Center

Birmingham, Alabama

(800) 822-0933

www.ccc.uab.edu

One of the nation’s leading cancer research and treatment centers, the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only NCI-designated “comprehensiveâ€

[cindi o'h]

Hi Debra,

There is another family member here on this board who might be of some help to you. I will send her an email and alert her to another Huntsville gal.

In the meantime. Prayers going up for your sister that she will find the best care possible for long term survival.

Welcome to our group of survivors and families of survivors.

cindi o'h

[sophiesdaughter]

Welcome to this board and sorry you have to be here.

I don't think that chemo and radiation is all that can be done for your sister, most people on this site

go through second and third line chemotherapy, and there is also a drug called tarceva (tablet taken daily), which works very well for some patients and has milder side effects compared to chemo. Your sister is still at the beginning of the battle. I wish her the best.

Rana

[Maryanne]

Sorry to hear the news about your sister and you had to find us. You will see that we are a great support and knowledgable family here.

One thing I can definetly say is, Do Not listen to statistics or time given. People beat the odds all the time.

She must get other opinions, as I know there is hope for her.

Listen to what the experience people here have to say. Some have been in her place, and they have first hand knowlege.

You should get yourself some scans to make sure you are not affected since you have a family history

Maryanne