Gabriel Fernandez Posted April 1, 2018 Posted April 1, 2018 Hello to all! My name is Gabriel Fernandez and I'm from the Philippines. I couldn't find an Philippine or Asian website that specializes in Lung Cancer and found this site instead. I recently had a Lung Resection or Upper Lobectomy to take out an isolated cancer tumor but findings from that operation have placed me in STAGE2B. Thus my Oncologist tells me I need to go through 4 months of Adjuvant Chemo with a combination of Cisplatin and Vinorelbine. I've been putting off the treatment as I am more scared of the chemo process than surgery. Inputs and insights about my case are welcome and I will be grateful for whatever learning I can get about this chemo process I am about to undertake. Thanks!
Donna G Posted April 1, 2018 Posted April 1, 2018 Hello Gabriel. Glad you found us. I hope you will get a port put in for your Chemo. I had to have chemo before I could have surgery (and also radiation ) and after I had surgery. I took Cisplatin and Etopiside (VP 16). It was quite an ordeal but am glad I did take it. I have survived over 20 years now. Please keep us posted and feel free to ask questions.. Donna G
Laurel Posted April 1, 2018 Posted April 1, 2018 I had surgery one month ago removing the top right lobe of my lung and 12 lymph nodes, 4 being cancerous. I was told they could see no more cancer. I was told I could come back to M D Anderson every few months to be monitored OR I could do chemo to chase any miniscule cancer. I'm stage IIIa. I've chosen chemo. They will be using Carboplatin and Altima. I have read that lung cancer can be persistent so I want to be aggressive in treatment. I wish you well Gabriel in this cancer journey. Ask your questions here. There is a lot of experience and support.
BridgetO Posted April 1, 2018 Posted April 1, 2018 Hi Gabriel and welcome. I didn't need chemo for my lung cancer, which was stage 1a.I did have it, however, for another cancer that was state 3 and aggressive. I had concurrent chemo (cisplatin) and radiation and then additional chemo with carboplatin and taxoterre. I had some pretty unpleasant side effects but it was worth it because I'm alive today, 7 years later, with no evidence of disease.Regular CT scans to monitor for metastisis did turn up my primary lung cancer. My quality of life is good. I know chemo is scary. If you are unsure if it's really necessary for your survival, you could get a second opinion. If you have chemo, I agree with Donna's advice to get a port. I didn't. but wish I had. Between all the blood tests, IV meds for CTs, and chemo., my veins got a lot of scarring, so inserting the needle for chemo was difficult. Best wishes Bridget O
Tom Galli Posted April 1, 2018 Posted April 1, 2018 Gabriel, Welcome here! I strongly suggest you have the adjuvant chemotherapy because lung cancer often recurs. I had five recurrences after what were supposed to be successful treatments and in fact could not have my adjuvant chemotherapy because of surgical complications. After resolving the complications, 3 new tumors arose in my left and only remaining lung. So I believe it is essential treatment. Here is a blog about infusion and hints on IVs that may be helpful as you proceed to your treatment. Of course fear of a new treatment is natural but I think you will settle into the routine quite quickly. Two points about adjuvant chemotherapy: the strength is often reduced so you might not even loose your hair, and as a result of strength reduction, side-effect often hardly noticeable. I found my chemo nurse to be a very good source of information about my treatment and for tips on dealing with side-effects. Stay the course. Tom
Gabriel Fernandez Posted April 2, 2018 Author Posted April 2, 2018 On April 1, 2018 at 6:23 PM, Donna G said: Hello Gabriel. Glad you found us. I hope you will get a port put in for your Chemo. I had to have chemo before I could have surgery (and also radiation ) and after I had surgery. I took Cisplatin and Etopiside (VP 16). It was quite an ordeal but am glad I did take it. I have survived over 20 years now. Please keep us posted and feel free to ask questions.. Donna G Thank you for your reply Donna! I am quite scared about the side effects of chemo and how badly off it will be for my system (will I be able to function etc). My Oncologist's answer is the standard: different individuals react to the meds differently. So I guess it must be true. I entertained the thought of NOT doing the adjuvant chemo and go for alternative treatments - 4 months is a long time after all - but reading so many survival stories here of chemo treatments is giving me courage.
Gabriel Fernandez Posted April 2, 2018 Author Posted April 2, 2018 Thank you Laurel, Bridget and Tom! Your replies encourage me. Yes I'm getting a port (i find that part kinda cool). And thank you Tom for describing in detail the "less-stronger" strains for adjuvant chemo. I'm seeing my Oncologist on Wednesday to finalize everything. I am SO GLAD i found this community! Gabriel
Susan Cornett Posted April 2, 2018 Posted April 2, 2018 Gabriel, Welcome. Your oncologist is correct - we all react differently to the chemo. With my first round (cisplatin and pemexetred/Alimta), my biggest side effects were nausea and fatigue. With my second round (carboplatin and taxol), I lost my hair and had bone pain at the very end of treatment. I was able to work throughout both rounds of chemo. Your best bet is to research possible side effects and plan accordingly. I knew that nausea would be an issue, so my fridge was stocked with bland food. I had infusions on Fridays, and took Mondays off to rest. You may be interested to reach chemocare.com for possible side effects. Keep us posted.
Robert Macaulay Posted April 2, 2018 Posted April 2, 2018 My situation is I get Chemo just after Noon each week. I usually have very light breakfast six hours prior and the procedure takes three hours and I do not eat till eight that night cup tea and some biscuits or Banana . Next day I go back to eating what I want but no spicy foods and have had no side effects and now at my normal weight and holding steady. I should mention I do drink lots of water each day Bob
wwroam Posted April 3, 2018 Posted April 3, 2018 A little bit of history. I did 12 cycles of Folfox 4 ( Oxaliplatin and Fluorouracil )in 2007 for Stage 3 Colon Cancer. I worked all through it. Last year I did 4 cycles of Carboplatin + Gemcitibine, followed by 30 days of radiation and 6 cycles of Carboplatin + Taxol. I worked through that as well. Don't be intimidated by the chemo.
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