Guest Sally Posted August 19, 2003 Share Posted August 19, 2003 Hi This is my first time using this site and I was hoping to come in contact with anyone who has stories of hope and encouragement re: stage IIIb NSCLC. My 18 year old brother was recently diagnosed with this and we are still in shock. He has has 4 chemo sessions (carboplatin & gemcitabene) so far. He dealt with the chemo fine - no hair loss, nausea, etc. Just tired and uncomfortable. He has gained weight thank God. I need to hear from people desperately as I find this is helping me cope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marta Posted August 19, 2003 Share Posted August 19, 2003 HI Sally, I am shocked to hear of your brothers condition at such a young age. Can you give us some more details of his disease? Keep with us...there is a ton of support...and stories of survivors at every stage. Praying for you Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted August 19, 2003 Share Posted August 19, 2003 So sorry to hear that your brother has lung cancer. We have at least 3 people on the board that are very young. Jodi was diagnosed with Mesothelioma at 26, Jay is in his teens and is post op and had chemo, David P was diagnosed at 20 and he is 46 yrs old now! He is a hero! He has one lung and is entered in a bike race! ( hence the picture of him biking on his posts. ) Please share more details and we will try to help. Do you live here in the USA? Waiting to hear from you. Donna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted August 19, 2003 Share Posted August 19, 2003 Sally, I am truly sorry to hear about your brother. There is a lot of support here. Please post any questions that you may have. I can guarantee that there is someone here that can give you accurate information. I cannot tell you how much love and caring is in this forum. What area do you live in, ie... state, city. We are all survivors on this site, so please ask any questions you may have. Nothing is considered a stupid question. There is total respect for all people here. Please let us know what is going on, we care. Special prayers have been said for your brother, you and your family. God Bless Karen Praying for a "Cure", By his Stripes, We are Healed *********** Dx'd 3-03 - 3a 3-25-03 to 5-15-03 radiation 4-01-03 to 5-20-03 taxol/carbo 7-23-03 started chemo taxol/carbo (every 3 wks) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted August 19, 2003 Share Posted August 19, 2003 Sally, I believe Jay is 19. Hopefully he will see your post and answer. it would be wonderful to put the two of them together as e-mail buddies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sally Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 Thanks to everyone who replied. It means so much to me. I am from Ireland. Here are a few more details about my brother: - He turned 18 in February 2003. - Started smoking at 16 and gave it up last Christmas (we didn't know about it) - Was feeling breathless one night so my mum sent him to the local doctor who proceeded to send him to hospital as there was no air getting to his right lung - the hospital said his lung was full of fluid and drained it - they saw a tumour and due to his age didn't think it was anything serious but a biopsy showed it was an adenocarcinoma. It has also spread to his diaphram - He started chemo in May and finished it late July; Carboplatin + Gemcitabene every three weeks - He had no hair loss/nausea, just tired and uncomfortable (sorry if I'm writing all this wrong - all your messages seem so professional). My father died 9 years ago from mesothelioma (age 42) and my mother was only getting over his death this year. She is beyond devastated. She is only 53. We all are. At the moment I have taken over the mother position and I'm the type of person who wants to know everything (except prognosis) about his condition. Any help (especially tips on using this site) much appreciated. Sally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 Sally, it takes some time to learn your way around this site but you are young so will pick up quicker. Ask Rick under technical any particular questions he comes up with the answers. So you are in Ireland, the land of my ancestors. You say your brother smoked for a couple of years, I am very glad he quit for that fact alone increases his survival. I can not believe however that 2 yrs of smoking caused a tumor that has probably been lurking there that long. I have been told that it takes a while for them to grow large enough to be found. Sounds like the tumor is in a main bronchi. Has he had a CT to check on the response to the treatment? Is it shrinking? Do they plan surgery? What tests has he had to be sure it has not spread elsewhere? I guess thats enough questions for now. Is it as hot in Ireland as the rest of Europe? ( Oops that was another one!) Please keep us informed you have joined our family now. Your brother is in my prayers. Donna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted September 5, 2003 Share Posted September 5, 2003 Wow... my birthday is also on February, but I turned 19. I also finished chemo in July. No hair loss either, but I was tired all the time (still am ) Anyway, just wanted to reply to that, I'll e-mail you again now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judysdaughter Posted September 5, 2003 Share Posted September 5, 2003 It sounds like you have a heavy load to carry, please lean on the people at this site. They are wonderfully helpful! God bless you and your family and the rest of us too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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