Candy Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Well, I've "lurked" around this website for a couple of weeks. I ran across it while searching the web for information on SCLC. Everytime I got online I would promise myself never to do it again. Too many horror stories. But, I just couldn't help it. These boards have been a Godsend for me the last couple of weeks. I found it when, in desperation, I searched for lung cancer survival stories and then bookmarked the Goodnews section and most days its the only place I go. My 59 year old husband was diagnosed with SCLC in December. Same old story I see in many of the posts. He and I both had a bout with some kind of mild flu. A couple of days later he developed a cough and went to the doctor. He was twice diagnosed with pneumonia and on antibiotics. After the second xray the doctor noticed that the xrays hadn't changed and things just went crazy from there. He had a CAT scan and we went to see a specialist on December 3 and he told us he thought it was cancer. When we told him we had a 5 day Florida vacation planned in 2 days (our first ever with no children in our 24 married years) he said without hesitation - go, it won't make a difference, this has been there 3 months or more and 5 days won't change a thing. My husband already had the back pain so maybe he was right to tell us to go, but I struggle with the wisdom of that decision every single day. I absolutely did not want to go, my husband wanted to go very badly. We went, we managed to have a good time together even with the possibility of cancer hanging over our heads, and nothing can ever erase the memories we made. We had the bronchoscopy as soon as we returned and we were first told that they didn't think it had spread but further testing proved different. He has always had back problems but I think I knew in my heart that the horrible pain he was having was definitely NOT his usual back pain. Also after the biopsy he got very sick, very quickly. The night before his first treatment we had to call the ambulance and on the day he had his first treatment scheduled he could barely walk into the Doctor's office and had to lay down as soon as we got him there. The good news is that the pain is completely under control with a very low dose of oxycontin. He is currently going through chemo (3 days of chemo and 2 1/2 weeks off. We just finished round 5 - one more to go. His most recent CAT Scan (after the 3rd treatment) showed a big improvement. He feels pretty lousy right now, but it seems more related to the therapy than the disease. He doesn't cough and is hardly short of breath at all. I hate to see the therapy end, I feel "proactive" or something while we are doing it. I could go on and on, but I won't. I am grateful that I found this place. I have been reluctant to actually post or register because it would be another step to making this awful thing real. Thanks for listening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Dear Candy and Hubby, I know you are heartsick with the reality of this miserable disease. I'm welcoming you and encouraging you to post often as a way of helping you cope. We want to be here to help you with information and concerns and milestones. Remember to take care of yourself, too. Prayers will be coming your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanna M. Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Oh Candy, I am so sorry you had to come here. I know this disease is so awful and what you read on the internet is enough to make you crazy. This board was where I found my hope when I thought we had none. My mom has a very similar story to your husband, a pneumonia that wouldn't go away, then the ct scan revealed cancer. That was an awful day when we found that out. They told her she would be lucky to have 6 months, and even started preparing her in case she would die w/in the next few days/weeks etc.!!!!! That was all even before biopsy. My mom got progressively sicker before she began chemo. Fortunately cheomo has been a miracle for her, she feels wonderful. THe chemo knocks her out for a few days after treatment but then the next 2 weeks or so she feels great, so far. She just finished her 3rd treatment. So far the scans have shown a significant decrease in the size of the tumors. She had a very large one in the center of her chest and into her right lung (13 cms X 10cms!!!) and a smaller 2 cm one in the bottom of her right lung. They think it has met. to her pancreas, but no one can be sure at this point w/o a biopsy. It appears enlarged on the catscan, so they can't tell if it's cancer for sure or not. We are praying that my mom's cancer keeps shrinking!!! Her onc said if the cancer isn't gone by 6 treatments that she'll continue on with the same meds as long as it's still working. So they may do that with your husband also. Hang in there, we all know what you are going through, unfortunately. I will add you in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Glad you are here, Candy. Hang in there with us. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Diana Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Hi Candy- So sorry to hear you and your husband's story. Try not to regret the few days you spent in Florida. The doc was right- 5 days would have made no difference but it sounds like it helped your husband mentally and gave you both some good memories to share while going through all this misery of rx. 12/3 was the day I had my ct scan and my tumor was discovered- went thru chemo and radiation and had my left lung removed 4 weeks ago. Have to have a few more chemos starting in a few weeks. I just joined this site and it is wonderful- I cannot tell you how much all the support and kind words have helped me- there are a lot of fantastic people here- keep posting- it really does help. Good luck. Diana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 Hi Candy, Welcome. I'm sorry your husband has Lung Cancer. I hope that you will find comfort here. The people here are so kind and understanding. I will keep you and your husband in my prayers. Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candy Posted April 4, 2003 Author Share Posted April 4, 2003 Hmmm, I posted a reply this morning and I have no idea where it went, so, if its somewhere that it doesn't belong I'm sorry! I can't say often enough how glad I am that I found this place. It is such a comfort. Thank you for such a warm welcome. For me cancer has given new meaning to the phrase "one day at a time". I know my husband can beat this with a lot of help from God and the doctors and a little bit of luck. It is possible. I am relieved to hear that it may be possible for him to continue with the treatment longer than 6 months if the cancer isn't gone. Sometimes the doctors just leave you hanging. After Hugh's first 3 treatments the doctor set us up for a CAT Scan and said we would talk on Monday and decide if it made sense to continue. I was crushed. We had the scan and waited all weekend and I kept wondering what he meant. Would he just tell us the treatment wasn't working and send us home? I am also guilty of not asking questions if I think my husband won't like the answer. He has a wonderful outlook and believes that he will get better. I don't want to ask questions that might ruin his attitude because I believe that your outlook is a big part of this. I get really angry sometimes when the doctor ends every sentence with "but this cancer almost always comes back" I KNOW the worst case scenario, how about telling us some of the best case ones? On the bright side, Hugh's scans were very good, but, the doctor reminded us that this cancer almost always returns after treatment is done and he even added "so the most important thing is for you to have fun". Great! I know that they feel they have to prepare you for the worst, I just want so badly to hear the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyB Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 Candy, Don't hesitate to get a new doctor. This one sounds too gloomy. It's hard enough to stay "up" with your dr. trying to bring you down. Remember, there is no lung cancer that is 100% fatal. Sending positive vibes to you and Hugh. JudyB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Posted April 5, 2003 Share Posted April 5, 2003 HI Candy, I was in a lung cancer support group yesterday with a man who is an 8 year survivor of SCLC, and he is doing well. Best to you and Hugh. DavidA 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.