Lung cancer returned

[Iris Jaffe]

After a year Of being NED, I was just diagnosed again.  I need some support. 

[Marcia Fluhr]

I am a new member too.   Everyone is so responsive.  Sending you positive thoughts and prayers for a total recovery this time.

[LexieCat]

I'm so sorry, Iris. I know how you feel--I had a recurrence three years after my lobectomy and when it came back, it was Stage IV.

What kind of treatment did you have before? What is your stage now?

Sending a hug--I have to go to bed now because I have to be up at 4 am to take my neighbor for hand surgery (he's driven me to the hospital a few times so happy to return the favor), but other members will be along soon and I'll be checking back in here tomorrow morning.

[Susan Cornett]

Hi Iris - 

Sorry to hear you've had a recurrence but, unfortunately, it is not uncommon with this stupid disease. I was first diagnosed in 2016 - I had surgery and chemo. I had my first recurrence in 2017 - I had chemo and radiation. I had my second recurrence in 2018 and had SBRT (type of radiation). That second recurrence hit me hard, but I've (knock on wood) been cancer free following my SBRT treatment in the fall of 2018.

Don't let this take the wind out of your sails. Hang in there and keep us posted.

[Carrie5260]

Hi Iris,  I’m new to this site, and new to this “world”. I’m still waiting on a diagnosis, and I feel a lot of anxiety. I can only imagine how devastated you must feel about your recurrence. I don’t know what you’ve been through, or what treatment you received to achieve NED, but I’m sure it required strength. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this forum, it’s the multitude of treatments available. Be strong. Beat this recurrence. Ask for support when you need it. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you the very best. 

[Judy M2]

I'm very sorry to hear this, Iris. Will you be getting new biomarker testing to determine whether there is a (new) mutation? Has your oncologist talked about next steps? Hopefully you weren't just given your diagnosis without some treatment information. 

[TJM]

You have come to the right place for support!

We are here. What kind of support do you need? Emotional? Technical? Experiences? All of the above?

Just ask. We will all do our best to provide it.

Peace

Tom

[Deb W]

Hi Iris,

I am so sorry to hear of your recurrence.  I have an understanding of how you might be feeling. Did they tell you the stage and is there a treatment plan in place?

I was diagnosed with 1B in March 2019.  I had a lobectomy and all margins were clear so no chemo or radiation after surgery.  I had a recurrence April 2020 - diagnosed with Stage IV. It turned out that I had a mutation MET Exon 14 Skipping but it wasn't known until I had already received chemo and Immunotherapy. In March of this year after 3 NED scans, it came back again.  I tried the Targeted therapy drug and had an allergic reaction after 10 days.  I had a CT scan and it showed that the drug worked, but I can't take it.   I feel good, but anxiously awaiting the treatment plan.

There are so many advancements in lung cancer treatment.  We will be here to support you in any way we can.

 

Deb

[Tom Galli]

Iris,

Welcome here.

Recurrence for most seems to be par for the lung cancer course. I've had 5 since my February 2004 diagnosis and have experience every form of lung cancer treatment save immunotherapy. I'm still here and my bottom line is if I can live, so can you.

You all ready know a lot about your treatment future. A recurrence find is much line an initial find. More than likely a biopsy will not need to be repeated but there will be a treatment plan at the end of diagnosis.

You didn't mention your original stage or type of lung cancer. It might help to reveal this information if you are comfortable because it will give us insight into what your future may be, treatment wise.

Stay the course.

Tom

[Roz]

Hi Iris,

Unfortunately, it seems like recurrence often occurs with lung cancer. I'm hoping you get some treatment options that work!

Best,

Ro

[JimsMNL]

You did it before, you can do it again. 🙂 I wish you the best.

[Sandy N]

Seems like with lung cancer (and many other cancers as well), you're never just "one and done".  I was diagnosed in November 2019 at stage 3A.  Treatment (chemo and radiation) worked and my chest has remained fine since then.  I enjoyed a lovely spring and summer of NED but then a scan in late fall revealed that it had progressed to both adrenal glands.  I've been on a couple different treatments since (this one I'm on now is kicking my butt!).  You are definitely not alone nor will we let you deal with it alone.  Most of us have either been there done that and/or currently dealing with it.  There are so many tools in the toolbox to deal with this stuff so hang in there!  Don't lose hope because you are in the company of some diehard hopers! 

[LUNGevityKristin]

Hi Iris,

I'm so sorry to hear this news.  Can you tell us a little about your lung cancer? Have you had biomarker testing?  What type of treatment did you have?  Keeping you in my thoughts.  We are here to support you.

[LouT]

Iris,

This news is not what we like to hear, but with LCit is not uncommon.  But we have many stories here of people, at one time, in the throes of recurrence who are now NED or their cancer is under control.  My hope is for you to join that group.  We'll be here to support and help you.  As you can tell from many of the questions the more we know about your diagnosis, the more help we can be to you.  Feel free to share any details you are comfortable with and know that we'll be here for you.

Lou