heffa47 Posted February 10, 2006 Share Posted February 10, 2006 Unfortunately I have had experience with these types of boards before. What a great resource they are and I'm looking forward to everyones wealth of knowledge on the subject to help us through our struggles ahead. My wife is 14 years post chemo for Hodgkins disease and doing very well. We even managed (with a little chemical help) to have a son 7 years ago! Our most recent battle is for my mother-in-law. She was diagnosed with NSCLC just last week. She is 58 and smoked for about 25 years before quiting about 10 years ago. She is also a breast cancer survivor going on 20 years! The only info we have at the moment is that she has a tumor in her left upper lung (about the size of a lemon) that is too large to operate on, and it is also affecting the lymph nodes in the area. I'm not even sure what stage that puts her at. She is waiting for a PET scan to determine where else we might be dealing with. The initial plan is radiation and chemo (the type of chemo has not been discussed yet) to shrink the tumor before any other action is taken. Anybody have any suggestions before we get started with treatment? Thanks in advance for all of your help, Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted February 10, 2006 Share Posted February 10, 2006 Welcome Jeff-- I am glad you found our board. My husband's tumor was also inoperable and he has been doing well for the last 3 1/2 years. Keep us posted as soon as you know the treatment protocol and the stage. Again, welcome. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted February 10, 2006 Share Posted February 10, 2006 Welcome Jeff, I, too, was 58 when dx with Stage llla OR b NSCLC. Initially I was deemed inoperable. You can read my tx in the Profile under my name. I always highly recommend a second opinion. In fact, if you read about me in the My Story forum, you will see I sought 4 opinions. I DID have surgery and right now have no evidence of disease (NED). Make sure you research all you can. Do not depend solely on your medical team for all your info. Make sure someone attends all appts. and have your questions ready. More 'experts' here will be along with suggestions for you. We are all here to help in any way we can. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heffa47 Posted February 10, 2006 Author Share Posted February 10, 2006 Good to hear back so soon from people here. Kasey, We had already found your profile and it sounded most like the way my mother-in-laws is presenting. We are trying not to get our hopes up too high but we are taking alot of hope from your case. I look forward to hearing from everybody of course, but your experience may be the most relevant. I will post more when we get the next news. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted February 10, 2006 Share Posted February 10, 2006 Jeff,welcome to our support family.You will find many knowing and caring people here. I was originally told inoperatable and 3 months to live,mabe 6.This April it will be 3 years now.I was able to find surgeon to operate and have had several bouts with chemo and radiation. I am sorry to hear about your mother in law.Hope they find a treatment that works and has little side effects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tatlyn Posted February 10, 2006 Share Posted February 10, 2006 Hi Jeff, Welcome!! Lynda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted February 10, 2006 Share Posted February 10, 2006 Hi Jeff; welcome to this board. I am sorry you mother in law has to deal with lc. Hopefully the PET scan will show no further spread of the cancer. If it was me, and no other organs were affected, I would ask do the chemo and radiation with the intent to have surgery when the tumor is smaller. I would ask for carboplatin/gemzar and avastin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Welcome Jeff. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Welcome Jeff. I started with chemo and radiation, then surgery ( then more chemo) It is possible that her tumor will shrink and put her in the surgical category. Please keep us posted. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myrnalu Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Hi Jeff,i am also 58.diagnosed in sept.4cm tumor on right lung.went for surgery but couldnt get it because of lymph node involvment.staged3b.had 8weeks of chemo,carboplatin and taxotere.also had radiation ct scan shows 50% shrinkage,am starting more taxotere on monday.then possible surgery.upper right lobectomy.Prayers to you and your mil. Marie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellen B. Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Welcome, Jeff. Ellen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 hi Jeff. welcome. just keep gathering information, and make sure you have faith in your med team. my mother's cancer has, so far, been operable but there are plenty of people here doing well with chemo/rad only. keep us posted! xoxo amie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Hi Jeff, Keep a positive Addietude, as that is half the battle. There is always hope and so many different kinds of treatments. They just have to find the one what is right for your mom. If you are not happy with what the Doctor says always search out another. That has saved so many lives. Keep us posted. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francesbean Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 Hello Jeff, Just wanted to give you a warm welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilliBr1 Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 Welcome Jeff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelepal Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 Jeff, I'm really sorry to hear that your Mother-in-Law has NSCLC, My Dad also had NSCLC he was DX on 04/01/05 at 66 years old Unfortunately lost his battle on 11/18/05. But my advise to you and your family is to stay positve because there are alot of people who survive this monster.Your family will be in my prayers. Keep us posted! Michele Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miami Janet Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 Welcome Jeff...hope you find a lot of information here. Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 Welcome, Jeff, We are glad you decided to join us. There are a lot of knowledgeable people here that are more than happy to share their experiences with you.. I know you will soon learn this group is made up of a bunch of warm and caring folks. Let us know how we may help you. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heffa47 Posted February 15, 2006 Author Share Posted February 15, 2006 Thanks for all the words of encouragement. My mother-in-law got her PET scan today and we are waiting on the results. Scheduled to start chemo next Tuesday. I will post further updates and questions under the NSCLC topic. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkiesmom Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 Please get a second opinion. My husband was diag last may with LC and his tumor was 10cm. Our first doctor said it was also to big and he most likley couldn't operate. We saw another Doc at Moffitt and he said he could operate which he did and gary's stage which was about a 3 a or b at the first doctor turned out to be staged at 1b. PRAYERS lORRIE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethluvswill13 Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 Jeff, I'll be praying for your MIL and your family. Keep us posted when you learn more about her cancer. As your post stated this board has lots of members with lots of knowledge. Hoping to hear more soon and wishing her the best. Hugs,Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jodi Posted February 22, 2006 Share Posted February 22, 2006 Welcome and I truly support your fight! Hugs, Jodi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.