Karenlea Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Hello. I have been lurking here for a few weeks, while my mom was under going various tests. Last week, her biopsy came back positive for cancer. She has a 4 cm tumor in her upper left lung. Today, we went to two appointments and found out that it's stage three and she is not a candidate for surgery. An appointment with an oncologist will be tomorrow. I am falling apart. I am an only child, of a single parent. I feel really lucky to have found these message boards. I have been feeling very alone and reading these boards makes me feel less alone and much more informed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernrol Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Karen, Welcome to the site. My cancer was also inoperable. That was in July, 2005. Your mom's cancer is treatable with chemo and there have been some very good results. Stay positive, Ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Karen- Hang in there!! This forum will provide you with so mych hope and inspiration. Keep coming here whenever you need anything at all - we will be here for you. Stay positive and please keep us updated on your mom. Prayers are with you and mom - Patti B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolasDaughter Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Karen, So sorry to hear about your mom's dx. It can be so scary - especially in the beginning with all the tests and scans and unknowns. Sending prayers for you and your mom - please let us know how we can help. From one Daughter to Another - Nicole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Welcome to this site! You and your mom are added to my prayer concerns. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Karen, It is so easy to be overwhelmed at first. The diagnosis is so frightening. But you will read many positive stories here and learn that you can fight this disease. Read my mom's profile at the bottom of this page for once story. She was diagnosed at stage IV last January and is doing great now. Hang in there, Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muriel Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Welcome. Sorry to hear about your Mom's Dx. As others have already said, it's really scary in the beginning. I found that the more I learned about cancer in general and about NSCLC, the less anxious I became. Still scared, but controllable. Do let us know about the Onc visit and what she/he suggests doing. Best wishes Muriel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 I am so sorry about your mom. Let us know what her stage and treatment plan is once you know. I am also an only child and I know how hard it is when everything is your responsibility. I hope you have some good friends that will help you out and support you. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 I too am an only child and close to my mom. Did they tell you if surgery could be an option in the future? I know a lot of people who are Stage III and had chemo before surgery. Are you comfortable with where your mom is being treated? My parents both are treated by oncologist Dr Neil Barth in Newport Beach and we would highly recommend him to people in the area. You are not that far in Pasadena. Keep us posted. You are not alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karenlea Posted December 13, 2007 Author Share Posted December 13, 2007 Thank you so much to all of the positive responses! It does make me feel better to read so many inspirational personal stories. Thank You! I actually got some better news today. It is still inoperable, but we found out that there is a small chance that it might be completely curable with a chemo/radiation combination. However, my mom is having a PET scan next week, to make sure that the stage three diagnoses, isn't really a stage four. On a whole, it was the most positive doctor's appointment that we have gone to. She is starting Chemo next week and we really like the doctors/nurses and hospital. Things are looking a little bit up for now! Thank you again for listening to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsC1210 Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 Karen Welcome to the boards. Please keep us updated on your Mom and let us know how we can help. Warmly Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynneH Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 Karen, Welcome. I see you were a night owl at 2:00 in the morning posting! You need to get some good rest and it is so encouraging to read that you like the medical team tending to your Mom. That makes a huge difference in everyone's stress levels..... I think you will find the people here to be the most supportive, loving, group of on-line 'friends' that truly understand your concerns and fears. Nice to meet you, Lynne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 Karen: I'm glad you got some better, more hopeful news during your last appointment. This "inoperable" thing doesn't necessarily mean what many people assume it means. Surgery might still be technically possible, and could remove all detectable traces of cancer from the immediate vicinity, but if there's a chance the cancer may have escaped into the bloodstream (indicated by suspicious areas elsewhere or by a malignant pleural effusion), surgery could not be done with "curative intent" and chemo (sometimes combined with targeted radiation) is needed instead. This would be the case with stages IIIB and IV. In some cases surgery is feasible AFTER completion of chemo. Best wishes and Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnB Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 Hi Karen I'm sorry to hear about your mother. My Mom was dx in September, and I remember how difficult it was to deal with. Don't forget to take care of yourself as well as your mother. Mom was also stage 3 inoperable, but she is responding really well to her chemo and radiation. Take care, Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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