Trying to figure this all out...

[Rosie]

Hello everyone,

I just found this board and am already thankful for what I've been able to see.

I have a few questions that I'm hoping some of you can help me with.

My mom just had her biopsy this morning. The doctor says he's pretty definite it is small cell cancer. He didn't say either way concerning the extent, but from what I've seen on here and other sites it is extensive.

There is a mass growing on the top of her lungs and in between that has the growth inside of it. Because it is in between the lungs that means it is extensive, right? (Also in her lymph nodes, etc.)

The doctor didn't say much, he was just quiet and said it was bad.

Here is my dilemma.

I live about four states away. My sister is there with her and for that I am truly thankful.

I am wondering if we (my husband and three boys) should head up there.

The doctor said that they won't know more until the rest of the tests come back.

How aggresive is this disease?

I should also tell you that my mom is an alcoholic and her body is in some pretty rough shape. I have a feeling that will really hurt her success with the chemo. I could be wrong though... am I?

I realize that none of you can give me exact dates, but anything will help.

My husband and I work in ministry, suffice to say that we don't have much money to travel. But if we are talking weeks or less than six months, we will at least try to work it out. If we have more time than that, it would be a lot easier financially to wait until spring.

I feel so lost being so far away.

Any ideas or suggestions are much appreciated.

Blessings to you all

[/i]

[Don Wood]

I would not wait until spring. This diesease can take people in a few months or it can go on for a lot longer. We never know. Perhaps you could go for Christmas holidays. Don

[dadstimeon]

Hi Rosie,

Sorry to hear about your mother. I agree with Don. Here’s a website on SCLC. Hope this helps. Peace, take care and God Bless.

http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/t ... Section_50

Rich

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The Power Of People Helping People / The Power Of Knowledge / The Power Of God / The Power Of Believing / The Power Of Positive Thinking / The Power Of Never Taking No For An Answer / That’s The Key

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With Every Breath A Lung Cancer Guidebook / From ALCASE / A Wealth Of Information / Free

http://www.alcase.org/education/publica ... reath.html

The Cancer Survival Toolbox / Free / From NCCS

http://www.cancersurvivaltoolbox.org

Clinical Trails Listing Service / Center Watch

http://www.centerwatch.com

Lung Cancer In The News / GOOGLE

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&editi ... ung+cancer

The Wellness Community / National Cancer Support, Education And Support / Free

http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org/pro ... /guide.asp

Drug Information Online

http://www.drugs.com

ALCASE / Alliance For Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support, Education

http://www.alcase.org

Unites States / National Library Of Medicine

http://www.nlm.nih.gov

Health Information / Medical Encyclopedia

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia.html

Google / Great Search Engine

http://www.google.com

R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation, Inc. / Please read: A Letter to all newly diagnosed cancer patients

http://blochcancer.org

American Cancer Society / No Matter Who You Are, We Can Help

http://www.cancer.org

Cancer Information Service / NCI

http://www.cancer.gov

Cancer Research Center / A Cure For Cancer...

http://www.cancerresearchcenter.org

American Institute for Cancer Research; Nutrition Hotline / AICR

http://www.aicr.org

Cancer Hope Network / Cancer?

http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org

Association of Cancer Online Resources / Free Online Lifeline For Everyone Affected By Cancer & Related Disorders

http://www.acor.org

Lung Cancer Information Library / Electronic Library Of Comprehensive Educational Materials On Cancer For Healthcare Professionals And Patients.

http://www.meds.com/lung/lunginfo.html

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[bart ziggie ( Greg )]

Rosie, You have asked some good solid questions. Unfortunately there is no clear cut answers to some of these. There is alot of info out there to help you start to make some choices for yourself and to help your mother out as well. www.blochcancer.org this is a good place to look for some quick answers. I agree with Don Wood i would make preperations to go ASAP. Small Cell is not a death penalty however it is a very aggressive and swift moving cancer. Left untreated it is fatal. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to your mother and your family as you start your fight. Feel welcome here. We are here for you. No question is a stupid question. Make sure you keep us posted.

Regards

Greg

[MO_Sugar]

Rosie,

I also agree with Don. Please don't wait until it is to late. I was diagnosed with sclc in June of this year. SCLC can double in size in 30 days so left untreated it does not give one a long time. It is good that there is family close to be able to help your Mom right now. I will be praying for your Mom and for your family.

[berisa]

Hi, I am sorry that you have to be here. You can find my dad's brief history (Profile) at the bottom of this post.

I strongly suggest you to find some solutions to help your mom quitting alcholic. This definitely affects the following treatments.

Don and other folks are right. SCLC is very aggressive. It spreads very fast. Nobody knows how long the survival will be. What I am doing for my dad is collecting related information, giving him the best/most suitable (I think) treatments, and spending more time with him. I am more fortunate because Hong kong is just a small city that I can reach him in 1 hour. For your moving, I don't have any suggestion and this is really up to you and your family. Do something that will not make you regret But, some SCLC patients could live really long, say several years, then you have to think about it. But, this moment, I suggest you to make decision until the diagnosis confirmed and after the chemo treatment started. Because you could make better decision while you have more information on both your mom's actual situation and on the cancer-related knowledge.

All the best.

[Rosie]

Thank you all so much for your replies.

We found out today that the doctor told my mom to get a scan done every three months over a year ago. Then she had pneumonia and they wanted to keep an eye on some different stuff. She told us they wanted one every six months. Regardless, she never went for any of them. They could have caught it so much sooner.

We will know more next week when she has her appt.

Blessings to you all. You are encouragement and hope to those of us that are new to this avenue in our lives.

[wenna]

Hi Rosie,

I am so sorry you have to be here, but we are here to hopefully help in some way. The more information you are armed with, the better you and your family will be able to cope with this. And we listen when you just want to vent so don't be afraid to.

wenna