Wanda <potslady@aol.com> wrote in news:n6k3s1t9br2q0q3d3gpvff5v4ks3kpao13
@4ax.com:

Hi, Wanda & welcome,

I'm sure J will be around soon to give you helpful information & some
ideas.  Steph, a radiology oncologist, pops in to address techincal  
questions & add his dry humor.  Meanwhile, you might read some of the
current & earlier posts. Penny (Pen) has small cell lung cancer.  You can
read her blog at  http://pensclc.blogspot.com/  She is living life to its
fullest & has a great sense of humor, although she's had some challenging
times.

My husband died of non-small cell lung cancer 4 months ago, 4+ years
after diagnosis.  This group is very supportive & helpful.  We learned
things here that we found nowhere else.  And even when we had questions
in the middle of the night, we often got quick answers.

I'm sorry you're having to go through this, especially at Christmas.  
Steph has a list of questions (which you can modify) to take with you so
you don't blank.  It's also a good idea to take someone with you &/or
tape recorder to help you remember the answers.  The jargon is unfamiliar
to many of us at first.  It's a lot to absorb, especially on top of the
shock.  

Sounds like you got started on treatment quickly.  There are pills
specifically for chemo nausea & they worked for my husband & others,  If
you haven't been prescribed them, ask your onc.  Socks (my husband)
learned the hard way to take them before any nausea symptoms presented.  
Much more effective that way.

My best to you,
Figgertoes

Hi Wanda,
I too have SCLC and was given the same diagnosis as you in May 2005. Fig
gave you my blog to read, I hope that will help you a little.
I am here if there is anything that I can do to help you through the next
while. :)
hugs,
Penny

Wanda,

Sorry you had to use this newsgroup, but you are in the right place.  We
have several medical types (both Dr.'s. and nurses) and a lot of us troops
in the trenches.

I was diagnosed with SCLC (get used to acronyms) on May 29, 2003.  I heard
the same longevity expectation that you did.  True my cancer was only in my
lungs, but the Rad Onc felt that I should "get your ducks in a row." That
was over 2 1/2 years ago.  

Now for the treatment. I received Carboplatin and VP16 chemo and radiation  
concurrently.  The sickness was the worst I felt in my whole life. Wear
loose fitting clothes and comfortable shoes.  I adopted moccasins as my
footwear 99% of the time.  I took advantage of the electric carts in stores.
I smoked pot to reduce the nausea. NOTHING prevented or reduced the
fatigue.  That is the one thing most people mention.  It will linger long
after your treatments.  

You didn't mention Radiation Therapy (RT).  Are they waiting until the
chemo is done?  In my research I found that many times the two are given
together. I think RT is the best for SCLC.  It seems to respond to the RT
and the Chemo is to clean up loose ends.  This is just my personal opinion.  
I'm not a doctor

Is anybody looking at your liver?

As Fig suggested it's handy to have someone go with you to take notes and
offer input.  

You're not going to feel like eating, but you must try.  I existed on
smoothies and milk shakes.  Plenty of fruit and canned nectar smoothies. I
used Carnation Instant Breakfast in the milk shakes.  Some flavors of Boost
are also good. I cannot stand the taste of Ensure!!!

Again, sorry you had to come here, but glad you found us. Don't hesitate to
jump online with any questions or just to rant.  

I didn't mean to make this so long, but now I am going to make it longer:

 
Bob's History
Dx SCLC May 29,2003
Carboplatin&VP-16   6 rounds 3 week cycle
Concurrent RT to chest
Transfusion 2 units July 15 2003
Transfusion 2 units date unknown
NED October 20,2003
Mets in cerebellum  January 13,2004
Whole Brain Radiation
NED January 22,2004
NED April 23, 2004
NED July 26,2004
Mets in hipocampus (brain) Nov 4, 2004
Referred to Stanford Nov 10, 2004
CyberKnife Treatment Nov 16, 2004
<http://www.stanfordhospital.com/clinicsmedServices/COE/cyberknife/ckHome.ht
ml>
Brain MRI Jan 7 2005
NED Jan 10, 2005
NED April/14, 2005
Bone Scan April 28, 2005
NED May 2,2005
MRI, CT July 8,2005
NED July 13,2005
MRI, CT Oct 14, 2005
NED Oct 17, 2005

Hi Wanda,

It seems most of us are diagnosed with Pleurisy and then Pneumonia before
finding out it is lung cancer....

Sorry to have you here on this group, but a good thing you found it.  I
don't know what I would do without these folks.

I also was in shock when the doctor told me I had 6-9 months and then asked
if I had any questions.  I had a friend come to the hospital to write down
what the radiologist said so that I would remember.  When I asked whether
the chemo and radiation would extend my life, I got no answer.

I had radiation for 6 weeks, daily along with low doses of Chemo weekly.  I
was to start the regular doses of chemo this week, but ended up being too
weak to take it and now waiting to hear when I can once again start it.

I am not doctor so I can't tell you the medical stuff, but we are here for
you as you need us.

Stay strong and have a positive attitude!

Odie

Hello Wanda,
I'm sorry to hear about your cancer and that you've been sick.
I see that Fig mentioned taking the nausea meds before needed. Perhaps
that would help.
I imagine the location (of one tumor) can make a difference as well, if
you're vomiting.
So let's hope the chemo reduces the size of the tumor at the base of your
esophagus.

It always worries me when the met (spread) is found before the primary.
Perhaps that means it's more aggressive. Maybe that's a "gut feeling".
I'm not an expert and my gut could be wrong. I'm sure you know that SCLC
is staged by either "limited" or "extensive stage". So is that tumor at
the base of your esophagus on your liver or in your lung?
A year ago, wray told us " mets are common and often occur in the brain,
liver, and/or bones. "

I hope you'll stay around and let us know how you're doing. Once you've
joined the "club" here, we'll all be caring and wondering, if we don't
hear from you.
Many hugs,.
J

Thanks everyone for the kind words of welcome. It feels pretty safe in
here.
We have told only immediate family. I can't talk about it without
breaking down and until I can I'm keeping it to myself. I ran into an
aquaintance at chemo who has been coming for treatments 1 1/2 years
and no one knows. He asked me not to tell.
I will read you blog, Penny, and Bob, most of your list went over my
head. I am still reading and learning off the internet. As I said, the
info the doctor gave me was pretty worthless.
You have all left me feeling much better about things. Thank you--

wanda