Rick56

[Rick56]

Hi, I am Rick. 64 I knew it was stage 4 lung cancer when I read the CT scan results on June 23, the doctor confirmed it later that day. Surgery on July 8 to remove a piece of my fibula provided a tissue sample. I start immuno and chemotherapy on 7/26. Radiation therapy on 7/27.  Crazy ride over the last month. Results and answers take time.  I am grateful to begin the treatment journey finally. I don’t even know what questions to ask, but know I want to hear about the journey from others on the same voyage.  

[Babs]

Hi Rick,

Welcome!  Sorry you have to be here.  There are many who will share their journeys.  What kind of lung cancer do you have.  I have squamous Non small cell.  I was diagnosed July 2019.  I went through radiation and chemo.  Have been on Immunotherapy and just started a clinical trial a week ago for a new chemo drug.  Any and all info you can share will help others help you along the way.  Did they send a sample from your biopsy in for bio marker testing?  Glad you are on a treatment plan and again, welcome.  Others will chime in soon.

Babs

[Tom Galli]

Welcome Rick!

Like Babs, I have squamous cell Non Small Cell Lung Cancer. But, when I was diagnosed more that 17-years ago, the treatment you are receiving didn't exist. In fact, nothing but the drugs Taxol and Carboplatin were available to "treat" squamous cell. Immunotherapy is a game changer in a big way and unlike Taxol and Carboplatin, it can "eliminate" tumors. I know so many in our community who have benefited from the therapy you are now receiving.

Let us know the name of your immunotherapy drug. That will key our survivors community who've had similar treatment to chime in and share their experience and results. 

Stay the course.

Tom

[LUNGevityKristin]

Welcome, Rick! I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis but so glad you found this great resource. I just wanted to share information about "asking the right questions" since everything can be so overwhelming: https://lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/asking-right-questions

Also, here is more about the types of treatments you will be receiving: https://lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/lung-cancer-101/treatment-options-for-lung-cancer

Please keep us updated on how you are feeling after your first treatments. We are here to support you!

[LouT]

Hi Rick,

I want to welcome you and tell you that I'm sorry you have to be here.  I also want to share something that Tom Galli put together that is really helpful for people recently diagnosed.  It is "10 Steps to Surviving Lung Cancer; by a Survivor" and it can be found here.  We look forward to learning more about your condition and how we can help.

Lou

[Rower Michelle]

Hi from me too Rick,  and greetings from Overland Park, KS! 

I'm sorry you find yourself here in a club that no one wants to join.  Over the years one of the lessons learned is diagnosis is not prognosis.  The treatment options available to us are the best ever so there's a lot to be hopeful about.  

I was diagnosed in 2018 with Stage IV ALK Positive NSCLC (that's a mouthful I know).   There's a lot to learn in the beginning and you're in the right place.  We've got many wonderful people here too that can answer just about any question.   So please ask away.   We're here to support you, whatever you need. 

We also have a lung cancer group that meets via Zoom which focuses on survivorship that meets twice a month.  I'm happy to provide you with the details as well.  Can you tell us where you are treated?  

Welcome to the family,

Michelle