Dad's cancer has returned

• By irmaly
• Posted October 1, 2008 at 9:23 pm

Cathy, I am so sorry to hear this news. I know how devastated you all are. I went through this battle with my father last year.

I am certainly no doctor, but, unless I missed something, I would think the next approach would be the second line chemos, like topotecan, not repeating the first line. The scans certainly seem like a good idea, and many oncs now recommend brain radiation as a preventative.

I don't know what to tell you other than you might want to check out an article from Dr. West on this here:

http://cancergrace.org/lung/2008/09/25/wird-relapsed-sclc/

Dr. West was a godsend to us when were going through this. He answered many of my questions via email and almost immediately. He also offers forum on SCLC here:

http://cancergrace.org/forums/index.php?board=44.0

Best of luck to you and your Dad and keep fighting!

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• By jmichelle
• Posted October 2, 2008 at 9:37 am

Hi Cathy,
So sorry to hear about the return of his cancer.

Did he have radiation in addition to the chemo? If not... why? I would ask the doctor and see if it an option this time.

My Mom had a recurrence of SCLC 1 year after her first diagnosis. She was put on Taxatore the 2nd time and they were able to give her radiation AGAIN. (I know that people say you can't have radiation to the same place twice but they figured out a different angle. ) Anyway, good news is, Mom just had her 9 month scan and it was GOOD! Tell your Dad not to give up! Best Wishes to you both.

Jodi

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• By pattyp1
• Posted October 2, 2008 at 10:42 am

hey, Cathy,
this is a speed bump in the path of this disease. there is good news here - his cancer is responsive to chemo - that means it CAN respond again. if it decides not to respond to the carbo/etoposide, there are many other kinds of chemos available. it was a good thing he had a little vacation in here, though.

please, please, please remember one thing - as long as your daddy is breathing, there IS hope - and we'll be praying along side of you.

hugs
Pat

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• By jennymac
• Posted October 2, 2008 at 11:09 am

Hi Cathy,

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. My father is gone now, but I wanted to give you a little encouragement. My father was diagnosed in 2002 and had surgery to remove the left lung. The cancer returned soon after in the other lung and he began radiation and chemo. He then had three great years living cancer free. The cancer returned again and he had several types of chemo. The last round WAS working. The tumor shrank and his Dr. was amazed at his continuted response to chemo. Unfortunately, he had some other complications and an infection and had to stop treatment and ultimately, the tumor got too big. But my point is, he went through two successful battles and was winning a third. We had five good years, which is what he asked for when he was first diagnosed.

To have the disease return so soon is a blow, but there is hope that your dad will respond to the chemo again. My fingers are crossed for you!

Jen

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• By jadams
• Posted October 2, 2008 at 11:24 am

Like Irmaly, I didn't think they would repeat the first line of chemo again.

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• By summeron2001
• Posted October 2, 2008 at 11:33 am

I agree the fact that he responsed to chemo the first time is a good sign - I would think they might try another chemo drug this time but perhaps because he responded so well they feel it will work again. Sending hugs your way.

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• By 444
• Posted October 2, 2008 at 8:28 pm

CATHY,
I was dx with SCLC in March 2008 with mets to the liver. They said the left lung had a 3.5 cm mass and my liver was loaded (30 +). I started Cisplatin and Camptosar on March 13th, 2 months later CT scan showed remarkable reduction, lung was 2.0 cm and only two remaining spots on the liver but the bone scan revealed mets to the pelvic and lower spine. Continued with tx but decided to go for second opinion due to the questions unanswered about bone mets. Went to Cancer Treatment Center of America in Oklahoma and got some great support but in the long run it did not work out for me. Came back to Nebraska closer to home and continued with chemo. Sept 8 scan showed NO CANCER in the lung or liver but still in the bone. I started radiation to the brain and chest (preventative) and the right hip area on 9/29. So far it is going well, its a little tougher than the chemo, as i was very fortunate to not get sick just tired, the radiation is making me very tired, will have 15 to the brain and 28 to the chest and hip. I just wanted to tell you my story to help you in any way i can, i would be happy to answer any questions you have. This has taken quite a toll on my family. I have 2 kids and 6 grandkids. Just lost my mom last Nov to this terrible, horrible disease!! Some days you just dont know how much more you can take but we have to keep positive and take one day at a time. I really look forward to hearing from you. I am also a nurse, which sometimes is helpful but also can be bad knowing some of the things or thinking we can fix everyone and everything. Take care and hope to visit with you. I also agree with the other advise, that a different chemo regime is usually used.
Lori

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• By Cathyraff
• Posted October 3, 2008 at 4:49 pm

Thanks to all of you for your words of encouragement. We will know more next week after he sees his oncologist and has the scans. Will keep you all informed. You're all in my prayers.
Cathy

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