tbender Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 My wife was dx this wk with stage IIIA NSCLC and is due to begin Rad therapy. I am not to sure of what to expect. Any advise or help will be appreciated. I will look through the many posts as I am sure someone has already posted this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Hello Troy, First of all, Welcome. Sorry you have had to find us. The more infor. you can give us about your wife, the better. I am stage lllB and not eligible for surgery. Many stage lllA are able to have surgery and have tumor/lobe/lung removed. Read as much as you can. Ask questions. Seek other opinions! Many will combine chemo and radiation. Knowledge is power. Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Welcome Troy, Cindi is right about giving as much info as you can so the very knowledgeable folks here may offer their expertise. This is a scary ride to be on, but all of us have stood right in your shoes and know exactly how you are feeling. If you read my profile, I'm 3a OR b...........there was disagreement among centers. I was able to have surgery. But even if your wife is not, there is much that can be done and we have MANY long term survivors here. I'll look for your updated info and will be hoping for the best. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbender Posted July 31, 2006 Author Share Posted July 31, 2006 Cindi O'h Thanks for the reply. More info on my wife.. Her health started to decline in '92 uclerated stomach. she had 3 procedures to try and fix this, none worked. In 1999 she had her stomach removed do to ulcers and has been battleing with malnutrition ever since. Aug 05 she had a feeding tube put in and started recieving nightly feeds through this. Things were looking up. Last month started to feel like she was getting a chest cold, visited the doctors and did the chest x-ray, 2 days later was ordered to get a pet scan. 2 days later was admitted to the hospital for malnutrion and dehydration then came the news about the cancer.... Since she battles malnutional problems constantly she is not a good canidate for surgery at this time. She has a 5cm tumor lower left lobe of the lung and the pet scan also illuminated the lymphnodes in the middle of the chest. We were told that it is the Squamous cell type of lung cancer, and rad therapy w/sm dose of chemo is the best option at this time. She is scheduled for some more ct scans/bloodwork this wk and then start the therapy. Not sure if this is what you are asking. But it is all I know at this time. If there are other things I should know please tell me so I can find them out. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Hello again, Troy. good job with your wife's profile. All of this lung cancer lingo was alot of mumbo jumbo to me at first. How quickly we learn when it is put before us. It sounds as if your wife has the same kind of cancer as I. I was treated with rad/chemo and I am 3 1/2 years out from diagnosis. Take heart. It sounds as if your wife is compromised in her general health and the doctors are taking this into account. She will be set up for a simulation for the radiation therapy. This appointment takes awhile. They will tattoo her so that they can get the crosshairs of the radiation beams exactly in the areas that they want them. They will also make detailed plans of each radiation dose and settings for the machines. For all of us, it is invaluable to get the nutrition and fluids in. For your wife, it will be even more important. Are you comfortable with her care? Is it at a comprehensive cancer treatment center? Do you have family/friends close by for yourself and for your wife? Squamous responds well to radiation. And combined with chemo, it hits the cancer tumors and cells doubly hard. She will probably be having a bone scan and an MRI of her brain to check for distant metastasis. Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trish2418 Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Hi Troy and welcome to the board. I'm so sorry about your wife's health problems. She's certainly lucky to have you in her corner, though. The only advice I can offer at this time is to see if the facility you'll be using has a dietician available to your wife while she's going through radiation. I had one and she did have a lot of good tips about manipulating foods so that I would be able to swallow them (I had problems with my esophagus during radiation). Also, I had a masseuse available (gratis, provided by hospital) and believe me the weekly massage really helped relieve the muscle kinks I got lying with my arms above my head everyday. Good luck to you and your wife. Hope all goes well. Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbender Posted July 31, 2006 Author Share Posted July 31, 2006 Cindi O'h My wife is being treated at a Navy Medical center(being retired Navy this is one of the nice things don't have to worry about the cost of treatment). The down side to this is that if we want another opinion then we will have to pay out of pocket for everything and I can't afford that...So we will take what we can at this point. Yes we do have plenty of family in the area, MIL/FIL/SIL/BIL and daughter all live on the same street as us. Plus another SIL in the area. My family is all in Pa. However I talk with them quite a bit. The talking seems to help me for now, and I look foreword to useing this site as much as possible. I have read that rad therapy causes the throat to swell and therefore makes it difficult for food and fluid intake. Makes me wonder how she will take all the other meds that she is on. The fact that she already has a feeding tube means that the nutrional issues will be followed more closely and should help some. So far the care that she is recieving seems to be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastCoastLadi Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Hello and Welcome Troy... Your wife has a wonderful advocate in you! I know that you will get all kinds of good info. here, so just ask away.....but definitely when you're w/ her drs. ask any and all questions and concerns that you have.... Grace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda661 Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Welcome to the board, Troy. Sorry you had to find us, but glad you did! Cindi has done a really good job with her questions to you so far -- not much more I can add. When you get the specifics on your wife's treatment plan (i.e. how many radiation treatments, what kind of chemo is planned) that might help folks as well. How's the C-diff recovery going? How has that been treated? That little issue won't help the hydration factor if it's not nipped in the bud. Keep close tabs on that one. As Cindi said, knowledge is power. Do plenty of research and ask as many questions as you can come up with -- we'll be here to support you. Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Welcome aboard Troy. Radiation and chemo just may do the job! When I had surgery after chemo and radiation they told me all that was left was scar, all tumor dead. Hope it goes as well for your wife. Sounds like you are still near the base. My husband was Navy during the Vietnam era. I have a friend in your area that stayed there after her husband retired. Keep us posted. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Troy, I agree with the throat swelling...boy, do I agree. There have been just two of our members that I can recall swelling badly enough that they had difficulty with swallowing pills. They required stretching of the esophagus to get them to swallow. Usually, it is not a problem, just a pain. They will give you special creams to help with any skin irritation issues. It might be a good idea right now to start to lube her skin with a moisturizer front and back to start to get her skin in tip top shape. I am fair skinned and mine broke down rather quickly and ended up with some bad burns. I have heard that the military hospitals offer state of the art treatment. Hope they take really good care of your wife. We have a couple/few other ex GI's here as well. Sounds like you have good family close at hand. Very good. Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbender Posted July 31, 2006 Author Share Posted July 31, 2006 Talked with the nutritionist and she said that she would look at my wife's nutritional status and then may recommend that she be on the feeding tube as often as 20 hrs/day. She wants to monitor her through all of this, as she is a breast cancer survivor and understands some of what we are going through. The C-diff infection was cleared up with cipro. It came back over the weekend....Still waiting to hear what the treatment will be for that. Good to hear that there are so many survivors and the length of time for a lot of them is encouraging. My wife is still struggleing with the initial survival time of 18 mths. I keep telling her about the stories that I have seen where people survive longer and it seems to help for a little. I will continue to tell her about them and when she gets home from the hospital she can get on here and see it for herself and hopefully it will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Welcome, Troy. I also have a wife with NSCLC, Stage IV, adenocarcinoma. She was given 9 months to live and is now coming up on 4 years. So there is always hope. It is essential that your wife get the proper liquids and nutrition during treatment. Her case is so unique (feeding tube and all) that it is hard to make any specific suggestions. Sounds like she is being well cared for, by you and by the medical staff. Keep us posted. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda661 Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Flagyl (metronidazole) and oral vancomycin are the two antibiotics that are usually used in combatting C-diff. And of the two, vanco. is the most effective when you're down to the stubborn ones of those bugs that just wouldn't perish with initial treatment....at least that's what our docs. said (one was a Gastro-Intestional specialist) as mom battled with repeat bouts of it. This link will at least give you a little background on it if you find you need it: http://www.aboutibs.org/Publications/CDifficile.html There have also been past discussions on C-diff in our forums with other links available (I think one discussion took place in the general forum). Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marym Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Welcome Troy, Sounds as if you're getting good information. I can only agree that the nutrition and hydration are very important. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Welcome Troy. I hope your wife gets here strength up and handles the treatments well. Tell her to ignore the statistics. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Your wife is not a number. The doctors can give you no exact numbers as to survival as we are all individuals. I hope the C-diff is taken care of soon. She really needs nutrician and that sure isn't helping. Best of luck on her treatments. Welcome to the board. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErinC1973 Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Welcome, Troy. I am sorry to hear of your wife's diagnosis and other illness. I do hope that it all falls into place soon and she gets what she needs in terms of nourishment and treatment. Keep us updated on any progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treebywater Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Welcome Troy! I sure am sorry that you had to find us, but glad you did. I don't have much info or help for you, but I did want to say Hooyah Navy! My hubby is AD right now. In regards to the medical facility--perhaps it is just for active duty, but it's my understanding that you can get a referral for a second opinion? Have you tried that route? I know dealing with TriCare and lack of choices for medical care can be a pain in the butt. Sounds like you are at a good MTF. That's a positive. Praying for your wife, and for you. Do come back often! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raindog Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Hi and welcome Troy. I have no advice to share with you as I am also new to this challenge called cancer. When my Dad was diagnosed I started reading as much about this desease as I could find. Knowledge is power! When I found this board everything really kicked into HIGH gear. These folks are amazing and will guide you with the best advice possible. Stats and numbers are B.S ! I have learned that from the very folks on this board. You hang tough with your wife and family. It gets easier once the treatments get under way. I was a wreck until we got a game plan together. Now I know the battle is on and that makes us all feel better. The sitting and waiting part of this S**T is what drove us nuts! I also wanted to get my Dad a second opinion. We decided not to as my Dad really likes the Oncologist and was tired of all the tests. We took great relief that the treatment was designed and approved by our local cancer clinic. I think if your wife and you are comfortable with your Doctors it's probably a good plan. Take it one day at a time. I firmly believe that attitude will go a long way towards kicking the crap out of this thing! Best wishes to you and yours, -Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Troy My wife did good Getting through 3 weeks in ICU with c-diff on the Flagyl Vancomycin treatment. If the Cipro does not help that would be the other option. Make sure you keep an eye on fluid rretention from IV solution of Electrolytes. My wife gained 25 pounds in 3 weeks and went through lays of Albumin or Protein to Urinate it all off. She did recover though. About taking Pills. Your wife still has the feeding tube correct? Yes of course! Ask if pills can be powderized and admininstered through tube possibly. YOu can buy crusher at most Drugstores for $5.00 about. radiation will cause some swallowing problems. I know Walgreens has a wide variety of oral treatments Over the Counter that may help. The swallowing problems will go away after Radiation is complete. I believe the member with the most recent experience that I know of is RogerC. He just finished his Rad treatment recently so he may be a great source of info on dealing with this. I hope and Pray for the best for you and your wife in fighting this. I am a former Bubblehead SSBN And SSN service 82-89. If you need anyhting post and let us know or PM Me if I can help in any way. Lots of great advice already here from everyone. Sending Prayers FOr you and Family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Welcome Troy: It sounds like your wife had a good treatment plan. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbender Posted August 1, 2006 Author Share Posted August 1, 2006 C-diff being treated with oral vanco. She went for the Rad therapy simulation, also scheduled for a mri of the brain. Got my fingers crossed that it is good. She is in better spirits after the simulation, said that the Rad Onc talked with her about the number/time thing. Will keep you posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbender Posted August 1, 2006 Author Share Posted August 1, 2006 C-diff being treated with oral vanco. She went for the Rad therapy simulation, also scheduled for a mri of the brain. Got my fingers crossed that it is good. She is in better spirits after the simulation, said that the Rad Onc talked with her about the number/time thing. Will keep you posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsC1210 Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Troy, Although I cannot add to the wonderful advice and comments you have already gotten here, I did want to say hello and welcome to this wonderful site. Chris 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.