EX Small Cell Lung Cancer Trial Treatment

Hi There
Fellow Collegues and new comers as well..I had posted a couple of days ago to keep everyone up to date on my now 1 year battle with Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer...As I had mentioned I was side tracked from treatment due to a sudden change that envolved Dealing with Movement of this darn disease to my Brain and the need for 15 sessions of
radiation treatment..
Well as I mentioned i would post the treatment that looks like I will be taking.It is not new apperantly..any body with knowledge of this ..please do drop a note..
First this is being conducted at "Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Center"I belive this will envolve 64
patients.
A clinical Trial,a type of research study.I have been asked to participate because I have Small Cell lung cancer that has worsened.Despite treatment with Chemo-Therapy.
The Treatment is to be with "TEMOZOLOMIDE"...This drug Temozolomide is an Oral Chemotherapy Drug!
Now to make this short & sweet "like my wife" I'll Just highlight! Ha !True story about my wife!
I'll take this drug once a day for 3 weeks straight 21 days...No chemotherapy..then rest for 7 days....then I do it again same 21 days on ...7 days off...for 3 sessions total..
I will have some testing,visit the Dr. 1st day of each session..a few other tests type of thing ....but htat's the drug..Thats the treatment routine.I basically have decided I will take it..I just need to discuss it with my
"Short & Sweet" other half again,,As I'm still a little lost from my Brain being washed ( Ha) this past couple of weeks!
Apparently this has been used in other cancers in
the past.I beleive the DR had said that I have responded well to all my treatments so far..& that it appears I have even had good response to the last "Brain Set Back"with the radiation..Also the Chemo has worked well for me as well..
So basically thats about it..
I thank everyone for posting there info and contributing to this..I do find comfort and read our stories quite regularly..I pray for each and every one..
Team Work Is a pretty darn strong way to tackle things...Good luck to everyone.My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dan,
My Wife Pam
& 2 sons Brandon 21,Zackari 19

By DailySurvivor
Posted September 19, 2009 at 2:37 am
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The clinical trial you are about to enter sounds very interesting, as well as the new drug you will be taking. After the trial is over, the docs should have a good idea of whether the drug works good or not. Since this is a new drug and we would all like to know about it, please keep us updated of your progress, the CT/MRI results, and the side effects. Do you know if it is a Phase 1, Phase 2, or Phase 3 trial? Each phase has a different purpose.

By 8wall
Posted September 19, 2009 at 6:50 am
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Thank-you
This I will make a note of rite now and I will ask that
very good question..As he said it was not new,,He really did not say at what aspect or level of treatment for my stage of this phase of disease.
Dan

By tomo
Posted September 19, 2009 at 7:03 am
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Dan, Pam and sons This trial sounds really promising, I pray all goes great with this trial - please keep us all updated with the results. We are going through the same journey, my dad diagnosed the same time as you. How did you know that it had travelled to the brain, was it from a CT scan? Did you have WBR previously before as a preventative measure? Im worried that when they call my dad back and say how are you feeling and if he says Ok they just say see you in another few months, no scans. This new trial sounds gives hope and thats what we all need. Sending prays and hugs to you all. Juliex

By 8wall
Posted September 19, 2009 at 7:04 am
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Daily Survivor
I do now remember him telling me that this was not a New drud..I don't remeber if I explained that..But yes he said this drug has been used in other areas of cancer..I beleive Breast cancer and another area..Maybe we can google and or research in the meantime..But it was new for my type of application.
Dan

By 8wall
Posted September 19, 2009 at 7:37 am
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Hi Juliex,
Thank you,you are very kind.
I did not have WBR .Because I was having Chemotherapy as it had metastisized.We put my Brain treatment to the side ..Then the day after my chemo I would go to a clinic Closer by
and have a shot that was to help boost my blood levels...well at a rest stop on the thruway I dropped onto my knees on the concrete....this was after my 5th chemo treatment...I never really thought
too much about it!....Then about 2 weeks after that ..One morning I was extremely dizzy..kind of lost my bodily functions in terms of mobility...this is where & one of my sons took me in rite away to emergency
they looked at my Brain(they had a cancer center there)..We then went to the Brain treatments as it became the priority..The treatment was done to my Brain with Radiation...and now I'm
back with Chemo..or will be...I hope this makes a little sense
as I still have confusion,which is some what frustrating,
Dan

By cards7up
Posted September 19, 2009 at 9:50 am
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Good luck to you in the trial. Here is a site to check out and just click on links to read more info. Take care, JC
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/temozolomide

By DailySurvivor
Posted September 19, 2009 at 9:59 am
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I googled the chemo drug called Temozolomide (also calledTemodar or Temodal), like you suggested. It is specifically for brain mets. You are right. It is not new. Seems like the trial is perfectly suited for you. Good luck! And keep us informed.

By Barbell
Posted September 19, 2009 at 10:42 am
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Thanks for sharing your information. I will be praying for you and the success of your trial. Keep that positive attitude and keep in touch. God bless you and your family. Judy

By babylilly
Posted September 19, 2009 at 1:36 pm
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Dan - Good luck with this new treatment. My husband was diagnosed wih sclc in Feb of this year. He went thru 10 treatments of radiation and than chemo for 5 months - 3 Mondays on, than 1 off. The first set of scans showed the cancer had shrunk from 8 to 2 centimeters. These last pet scans showed everything is stable. He goes this Monday for an MRI of the brain to make sure it didn't spread there. If all goes well he will start radiation to the brain for 4 to 5 weeks, Monday thru Fri. I'm super scared once again. I'm praying that it has not spread to the brain - the not knowing is worse. How does your wife do it? Sometimes I feel like I'm gonna lose it myself. Good luck. Keep in touch. My prayers are with you.
Connie

By 8wall
Posted September 19, 2009 at 2:00 pm
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Hi Connie,
Just the fact that you have gone through 10 treatments of radiation sounds like it was preventative treatment ?4-5 weeks of radiation to the
Brain throws me though?Would you be battleing non small cell lung cancer by chance?
I thought for sure I only could have 1 session aprox 12 treatments ..I know it's all very very tough on my
wife...
Dan

By 33skc
Posted September 22, 2009 at 10:39 pm
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Dan: Thanks for sharing your story, good luck with the new treatment. You have been through alot and are a real trooper. I have SCLC limited stage, I had 5 months of chemo 3 days every third week of which I just completed. I have also had 34 radiation treatments to my chest. Now I am going to have 18 treatments of radiation to my brain, as a precautionary. I do not have cancer in my brain. I am not looking forward to this, but am walking in faith. I love all of your stories of faith and success. Prayers to everyone! Sandra.

By LTLCS
Posted September 22, 2009 at 10:57 pm
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Hey Dan, I just wanted to say, GO KICK SOME CANCER BUTT! I'm in the background here cheering you on and hopeing this will be the magic bullet.

Sending you Positive Vibes and hugs to you and the family. Your always in my prayers.

Warm & Gentle Hugs,
Connie

By 8wall
Posted September 23, 2009 at 12:56 pm
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Sandra
Thankyou,Keep strong,It's painless,and very fast procedure! I was finished in no more than minutes.I didn't feel a thing! A little redness that was it...So hang in there
Dan

By nancydoodle
Posted September 23, 2009 at 6:34 pm
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just saw this-good luck and God bless with the trial-i saw this because i was reading a post from a man named "curmudgeon" about sclc (today's date) you might be able to help him. nancy

By Barbell
Posted September 24, 2009 at 10:00 pm
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Sandra, sounds like you had the same treatments as I did. I was dx'd 9/2007, underwent the chemo, radiation to chest, and precautionary brain radiation, finishing in May 2008. Two years this month since dx and still scanning "stable," no new growth or metastisis. I wish for you good luck and a long and healthy life.

Dan, I am thinking of you and hoping you a very successful result with your trial. Keep us posted. Love and good wishes to you both. Judy

By whynotme
Posted September 26, 2009 at 6:46 am
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Dear Dan,
Like I said to Major Mike before, You Go, Boy!
My husband has a type of small cell, and we go this am for his CT; he too had brain mets, went thru WBR, chemo, the works.
It's a battlefield this cancer war, and you guys and gals are my real heroes.
Susan

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