Anyone in this situation? Also, know this doctor?

• By pattyp1
• Posted July 22, 2008 at 12:05 pm

hey, Pam,
I'm so glad you now know what you're dealing with - and that it's not worse! and, my heavens, Dana Farber?! wow! she'll be in great hands.
wishing you all well!!!!
hugs,
Pat

• Reply
• Report problem

• By drmjf
• Posted July 22, 2008 at 6:04 pm

My father was diagnosed June 17/08. His situation is almost exactly the same. He sought medical care for neck pain that he thought was a heriniated disc from a privious injury. CT scan reveled a small primary lesion (2.2cm) lower right lobe. PET scan showed Mets to C7 vertebra and small spot on the hip (femur). Lymph node in the chest has been biopsied and was positive for non small cell lung cancer. All other major organs are clear at this time. He is seeing oncologist at the Mayo clinic in Rochester Minnesota. They are treating this as stage IV. He recieved radiation to the neck and the hip. This was to eliminate possible fractures and pain. (he has had minimal pain to the neck.) He is set to start chemo tomorrow. His treatment will be Gemzar and carboplatin. He is being tested today to see if he qualifies for a trial of AZD2171. We are hopeful that he will qualify. They have informed us that at stage IV they do not treat to cure but to halt the existing cancer.
This has been a very scary journey. Sometimes it seems the more you look for answers the more questions you have. My dad is confident that he will recieve the best care possible. I am hopeful that he will keep a positive attitude and put up a good fight.
Listening to the doctors and looking at statisitical data is very frightening. I think we must remember that God has a plan for everyone of us.
This has been a great resource for uplifting stories.

• Reply
• Report problem

• By hopefuldaughter
• Posted July 22, 2008 at 10:04 pm

Pat - Thanks again for the words of support!

DRMJF - Thank you for your reply. Well, we have more answers. I know now she is Stage IV (understand why now). She will begin radiation very soon, M-F for three weeks. Then they will recheck and treat her with chemo. You're right, sounds like we are in the same boat. Thank you for your information as you guys are slightly further along in this than me. I am hoping that very soon I will be able to help others here. I will keep your dad in my thoughts.

And I'm sure I'll be posting more soon....

• Reply
• Report problem

• By drmjf
• Posted July 24, 2008 at 10:18 pm

I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Just a little update. My dad started his chemo treatment today. He is on gemcitobine and carboplatin. This is on a 21 day cycle. He also qualified for a trial study at mayo clinic in Rochester Minn. This trial is AZD2171. He was really happy to be included in this study. I spoke to him about 5 hours after his first treatment. He was doing great. He was hungry and felt no appparent side effects YET. Lets hope it stays this way. They gave him some anti-nausia meds and steroids prior to his chemo. So far - So good.

The day I got that phone call from my mom telling me they think my dad has lung cancer has forever changed our lives. Here we are searching for HOPE. Thankfully there is hope here. Keep searching and keep sharing.

I sometimes tell people that I feel lucky to know that he has stage IV lung cancer. I know that every moment counts. This is dads last chapter, no matter how long we get. He could have been taken from us in so many other ways that we would not have been given this opportunity to not take him for granted. I am an eternal optumist. My cup is always 1/2 full. There are many lessons to be gained during this journey. I take on the responsibility to learn from the lessons God has in store.

• Reply
• Report problem

Add to the discussion