gerbil runner Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Just an update on where my mom is at... The PET scan showed only a tiny spot at the original lung tumor site, which the onc. and radiologist firmly believe to be scar tissue. Blood levels are good, EKG looks good, pulmonary function not great, but ok. Mom is supposed to have a stress test, also. She had a heart attack - minor - back in 1990, so everyone wants to be sure her heart is strong enough. Friday, Sat., Sun. and today, she went in for Neupogen shots to stimulate stem cell production. Tomorrow is when they start collecting stem cells. Mom has to be there at 6 am, and it will take 8 hours. Due to her heart condition, the dr. wants her to stay overnite for monitoring (just to get more information). Since she would have to return at 6 am the following morning, it's probably just as well. One thing the dr.'s want to do before she begins the super-chemo is remove the plastic stent which was placed in her pancreas. Since the tumor there is gone, the stent is no longer needed. We're not sure how the timing will work out, but I think Thursday is when they want to do the stent removal. Once the stem cells are collected, Mom should get a few days off before being admitted. We're getting nervous, anxious to get this over with. It will likely be at least 3 weeks hospitalization, and a slow recovery after. I'll keep everyone updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 I am so excited for your mom. Hope all goes well. I think I told you awhile ago that we know someone that did this for bone cancer and he is now doing extremely well (I am guessing also he is older than your mom and handled it very well). I wish you all the very best! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Sounds good and I will be praying for you and your family.. I also have a question. Is this a common treatment for SCLC or is it considered experimental? Does insurance pay? Is it ever used for NSCLC? Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Wow! Good luck! I am so excited that things are moving along! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 I'm going to be one of your Mom's biggest cheerleaders....Just imagine me in a short pleated skirt, bulky letter sweater, varicose veins, and new eyebrows!!!! Wishing her the very best outcome.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Wishing your mom well. Keep us informed about how the procedures all go. This is new and exciting treatment and we are all interested. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Jen, Good luck as you all start this healing journey! I'm so proud of her for her courage, and yours too! My wish is a for a procedure without complications and a very speedy recovery. I know you will be with her every step of the way. She is being treated in RI, right? If she came to Boston, you'd get lunch out of the deal, from me! Tell your Mom special prayers are being said especially for her! Take care. Nancy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerbil runner Posted May 25, 2004 Author Share Posted May 25, 2004 Thanks so much! Stem cell is not a common treatment for LC. It's basically a way to give a massive amount of chemo, enough to destroy most/all of the patient's bone marrow, and then implant stem cells (preferrably self-donated beforehand, like my mom is doing) to rebuild the bone marrow. My mom was offered the opportunity because, even though she has extensive SCLC, she had a very fast, very complete response to chemo and only 2 tumor sites. If the cancer does not respond well to chemo, stem cell rescue does not make sense. Her onc. was with Dana Farber for many years, and also spent a couple of years at Roger Williams Medical Center, which is where the procedure will take place, so he's seen a lot happen in that area. He claims that, like most new treatments, only the patients most likely to benefit get approval. Once a treatment succeeds in a few trials, patients with more difficult circumstances are allowed the treatment. Naturally, results are not as good once tougher cases are being tried. Stem cell rescue has been used for a variety of cancers, with varying degrees of success. It's even being tried for people with severe rheumatoid arthritis. As extreme and scary as the procedure is (about 2-5% of patients die of complications), she is being offered a better-than-50% chance of a CURE. As we all know, that beautiful word is not something usually offered for sclc patients. Mom is also lucky to have insurance willing to pay for the procedure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Awesome, Jen! Hoping the waiting flies by and you're on the other side of this one before you know it... Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bean_si (Not Active) Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Jen, Prayers for you, your mom and your whole family. You must be very proud of her. She is courageous and is paving the way for a cure of SCLC. Tell her thank you from another SCLC patient. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Jen, Good wishes, best of vibes and prayers for your Mom, so all go well. J.C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhutch1366 Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Jen, Best wishes for a super response and rapid recovery for your mom. She is an amazing woman, and you are fortunate to have dr.s willing to do this. Tell Claire she ROCKS! XOXOXOXOX Prayers, always. MaryAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MayFrog Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Best Wishes to your mom....here's hoping all works as well as can be hoped for, and that she beats this beast. Please keep us posted of her progress, she sounds like a tough lady! Bless you all, Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 Wow Jen, this is unreal! I so hope your mom comes out of this with BELLS on! Way to go MOM! Everytime you post more information I just keep taking it all in. WOW!!! GOD BLESS and GOOD LUCK MOM! Hang in here, we're ALL cheering you on! Stay strong Jen, we're here for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Cheryl- Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 how exciting,"Please keep us up to detail on recovery God Bless, Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MO_Sugar Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 Prayers and best wishes being sent that this works well for your Mom! God Bless, MO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addie Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 Sending prayers for Mom and kudos for her courage! Hoping this is wildly successful for her and will be looking forward to the updates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 Jen, Prayers this procedure works for your mom. Please keep us posted on her progress... God bless and prayers always, Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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