Andrewsmom Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 When I was diagnosed with limited stage sclc in January 2002, the one thing I wanted more than anything was to find a long term survivor. With that in mind, I just wanted to share my good news at reaching 4 years since my last chemo treatment for ls sclc. At my onc appointment this week the doc said only one more 4-month visit and then we can cut back to twice a year plus annual spiral CT scan. For those of you still fighting this battle, keep fighting - there are survivors and I believe they are growing in numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 So very happy to hear your good news! I know that your story will be an inspiration for so many sclc patients that are fighting this terrible disease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 Congratulations! That kind of report does bring hope. I have to be frank about this though -- those of us dealing with Stage III or IV (metastatic lc), although we are happy for the Stage I or II folks and their longevity, really don't get a lot of hope unless the person is Stage III or IV with longevity. That is just the way it is. Keep those good reports coming, however. It brightens the day. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmar Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 What an upbeat message to relay to my sister with sclc. Thank you so much. I'm very very happy for you. Congrats to you!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ztweb Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 Thank you so much, and most of all CONGRATULATIONS! What wonderful news. I love reading these stories, as we need them to keep us sane in this journey. God bless! Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrewsmom Posted August 11, 2006 Author Share Posted August 11, 2006 Don: I totally get what you are saying and I actually did think twice about posting because of the very factors you mentioned, I was limited stage and I was also relatively young at the time (44). I can only hope that we won't have to wait too long before medical research will discover a treatment that will enable people with extensive stage sclc to see similar survival times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 I'm glad that you DID post, and I don't want anyone to have second thoughts about posting good news. We can all celebrate with you, and that does give us joy. When one wins, we all win. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 Thank you Andrewsmom, I've been following your survivorship and am glad to hear you're still NED. Regardless of stage, long term survivors of SCLC are rare. Taken from lungcancer.org: "Survival of SCLC, despite stage and response to treatment, is generally poor. Close to 80 percent of limited stage patients achieve a complete response to therapy, yet average survival is less than two years. Those with extensive stage also have a high response rate of 70 to 80 percent, but average survival is about one year. Approximately 90 percent of patients have a recurrence within the first three years. Chemotherapy can be effective as a "second-line" treatment, lengthening survival and palliating symptoms. However, objective response rates are less than 30 percent and median survival from recurrence is 26 weeks." The medical community only recognizes SCLC by two stages, limited and extensive. The above quote is derived from statistic's and no individual is a statistic but one only needs to research this site to substantiate the poor prognosis for limited and extensive SCLC members. When we were anticipating the results of my Dad's initial biopsy, we were praying it was NSCLC stage III as the original opinion suggested and not small cell. Surgery for a cure would still be an option after chemotherapy was used to shrink his 6 CM tumor. Chemotherapy and radiation are the only treatment options for SCLC, surgery for a cure is never an option. So yes, your long term survival is very encouraging, you've beaten the odds. I only wish we had more male survivors. Congratulations and I wish you continued good health! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy RN Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 Congrats. I know the feeling-no hope given at first. Mine was extensive in 2/2001 then relapsed in 2/2003, well I am still here. I still go in every 3 months, one time bld work and chest xray, the next a CT and bld work. So far so good. Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitzu Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 I'm truly happy for you, however I cannot deny I am secretly jealous that my Dad did not go in the same direction. I always tell myself I should be content with the fact that he was around for 3 years. I don't think enough research is being conducted on SCLC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 This really is Wonderful News! I'll add to your Hope list and that is, I have two very dear friends that are long term SCLC Survivors. My one friend is 71 years old and she was dx.d extensive small cell and she is now a 7 years survivor and still cancer free. My other friend who is 51 today was dx.d limited and she is a 6 year survivor and still cancer free. I also know another lady who was extensive and she is in her early 70's and she is a 15 years survivor and still cancer free. So, please know this can be beat for many many years. Congratulations on your 4 WONDERFUL YEARS! YOU GO GIRL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geri Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 I have a 3 month head start on you, my dx was Nov 2001. Welcome to the "4 years plus since the end of tx club", this is truly a momentous occasion. You give hope to all newly dx sclc patients. Here's to many, many more anniversaries. Geri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastCoastLadi Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 I'm so happy to be reading this today!!! My husband is almost an 11 month survivor! His bone scans were clear, his brain mets are gone, he's on his 3rd wave of chemo. I call him "Chemo Man!!!!" ....he makes healthy people look bad!!!!! I want him to survive this!!! Grace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyf267 Posted August 16, 2006 Share Posted August 16, 2006 These kind of posts are what keep me going from day to day Thank you sooooo much for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelofcharlie20 Posted August 16, 2006 Share Posted August 16, 2006 Such refreshing news. I love these stories, they give me hope. Best, Shirley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted August 16, 2006 Share Posted August 16, 2006 Congratulations!!!! All of you long term survivors with any stage at all give me real hope. I do not have SCLC but like Connie said, there are those out there that are making it. If only there could be more. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbw1 Posted August 17, 2006 Share Posted August 17, 2006 Congratulations! As you can see from my profile I was diagnosed with Ext small cell two years ago. Imagine that, the survival rate is blah, blah, blah. Everyone is different and I chose to speak life rather than the alternative. Prayer works! Blaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t_beanes Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 Congratulations!Great to read your excellent news. Regards T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.S. I Love You Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 We are always glad to hear good news like this! My wife, Bev, was lucky to have a lobectomy on the day she was biopsied. It turned out to be SCLC.She completed her chemo, radiation and PCI and has been NED every scan since, 2 years! Your 4 years is inspiring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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