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I am Sandra. I live in Phoenix,AZ I was diagnosed in January with Stage 4 small cell lung cancer. My x-ray showed my mass is 5".  My oncologist admitted me into the hospital for my first chemo round. I had my first Pet Scan in Feb, it showed my cancer spread to my lymph nodes , liver. I had an MRI and it showed lesions in my brain. She put me on short term disability. I was out of work for 7 weeks. I am still going through Chemo. I have 2 more rounds out of 6 to go, then another pet scan and then I will find out her plan. A few weeks ago I had another pet scan, it showed progress in my lymph nodes and my liver, but not my lung I sill have a mass and an infection on my lung. I am a little scared what the next plan will be after my next pet scan.  For 10 days I took an antibiotic. I still have the darn cough. Months ago I lost my voice, it is coming back slowly.

I have the chemo side effects and the weirdest thing is the weekend before my chemo treatment I get really bad cramps on my butt cheek so horrible I cry for days. I told my Dr, she thinks it could be not enough electrolytes. 

I have been back to work a month now. I am still tired every day, I get  tired walking but I make myself do things  and of course some days are better than others. I had to come back to work, being home was driving me crazy and of course financially. 

I have a great support system, my boyfriend is the best, my family and friends.

Sorry for going on. That's some of my story.

Sandra Z

 

 

 

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Welcome here and im sorry you are going through this and alot of people on here have a load of experience in treatments and the disease so if you have questions then fire away and someone will try to give you answers

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Sandra,

Welcome here. Indeed you've had a tough row to hoe. I think it is good you are back to work. I worked during my two chemo only treatment cycles (6 infusions every 3 weeks) in 2005 & 2006. It felt good to engage in activity unrelated to cancer. 

I also had and have muscle cramps. Have you doctor check you magnesium levels in your next blood test. I bet they are low. Mine are chronically low and I take 1,000 mg per day. 

Lets us know your scan results and of course if you have questions, fire away!

Stay the course.

Tom

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Thank you for the welcome Mally & Tom. My cramps started last night, this is early for them to start. I barley got any sleep. Since I was going to work today I couldn't take a pain killer so I took some Ibuprofen, as of right now it seems to be helping. Thank goodness. 

My next chemo appointments are next week and they will take more blood work. I will ask about a magnesium blood test.

I will let you all know when I have my pet scan. 

I also get shooting pains after my chemo treatments. Does anyone else get these?

 

Sandra

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Sandra,

I experienced all kinds of pain after infusions. Mostly in my joints, and it was a gnawing persistent pain that overwhelmed even Fentanyl patches. 

Three days of full immersion misery then I was fine. I had Taxol and Carboplatin as my chemo cocktail; a total of 18 infusions!  So pain was a problem and time was the only the only mitigation. 

Stay the course. 

Tom

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  • 2 weeks later...

I had my magnesium level checked, it was good.  I have 1 more chemo round at the end of the month then the Dr. will send me for another pet scan, then we'll see what he plan is. I am a bit nervous for the next step

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I also called many places for financial help, since I keep getting bills. The American Cancer society gave me names of places to call, and the places gave me other places to call. Some of them go by income. I haven't had any luck with anyone to help with small cell lung cancer in Arizona

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Last chemo treatment i had to have a magnesium infusion because i was very low and i was changed to a different recipe of chemo before i started because being t2 diabetic they said the original plan can cause neuropathy sharp pains and it wouldve most likely affected me ..

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