My mom was diagnosed with SCLC in 2/2006. She had an upper lobectomy and received chemo (VP16, carboplatin) for 6 cycles. She chose not to do the cranial radiation.
All had been quiet until this past February. The cancer made a reappearance and chemo was started. While she did surprisingly well the first time, this time it devastated her physically and emotionally. She was able to push through 5 cycles and then decided to stop. She also turned down a 2nd line of chemo that the Onc had spoke about.
Mom is almost 80 and also suffers from Parkinson's and Epilepsy. It's been heart-breaking trying to comfort her and remain strong when she is so down and wants to just give up. But, at the same time, I try my best to understand how she feels and let her know that I respect any decision she makes.
Thankfully, her latest PET scan showed shrinkage of the hot spots. This had encouraged her incredibly. she still wants to take a break in the chemo, but her spirits have been lifted. We're taking everything a moment at a time.
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Hi--I'm new here
- By cosette
- Posted October 5, 2009 at 6:12 pm · 5 replies
- In Family members and caregivers
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Cancer Tarceva Carboplatin Epilepsy Lung cancer Pancreatic cancer
5 replies
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- By linda22
- Posted October 5, 2009 at 6:39 pm
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Hi,
Thank you for guiding to your post. I am sorry for both of you. I lost both my parents to lung cancer and it is heartbreaking to say the least. Your mother sounds like a very strong woman. You must be too. She is lucky to have you taking care of her. On a different note: I am doing fine at this time. I have BAC lung cancer and had my RLL removed last year. No other treatment as of now. Thank you for asking! I hope you find some peace for yourself. It's so important to be kind to yourself when you are in the middle of caring for someone who is ill. Keep us posted on how she is doing. Take care! Linda
- By cards7up
- Posted October 5, 2009 at 9:07 pm
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I'm so sorry for the reoccurence and the hard time she's had with the tx. I can understand her wanting to take a break. It is her choice and all you can do is support her no matter what. She's had a hard fight with the LC along with her other health problems. You will know what to do for her when it needs to be done. Take care of both of you. JC
- By cuddles53
- Posted October 5, 2009 at 10:52 pm
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I am glad mom is feeling somewhat better, right now. this is so hard on us all either having the disease or watching it, I don't know which is worse really, I have been on both sides of the fence, and I think one is as bad as the other sometimes. When you have a loved one that you can not live without, it makes life so difficult to go on yourself. To watch someone lose hope is devastating. I never had to see this, my husband never gave up hope. He had small cell and was given 3 months. He was a fighter since the day he was born. He was a little guy that weighed just 3 pounds at birth, his mom said he fought to live even then. he did not take any doctors word about having 3 months so he plugged on and on, had every treatment they could offer. He went into a remission and lived over 6 years with it. He died, but guess what??Not of lung cancer, he had a complication from all of those treatments. There is hope, as long as we believe it we can live on I really think. I also was told 12 to 15 months and here I am too. I think hope has a lot to do with it.
It is ultimately your moms choice as to what she wants to do with this. We do have many options. There is also the pill Tarceva many go on that one, and it seems a little easier. Also the LDN is popular with many, it is supposed to build your immune system. Let her know of these other options, many doctors do not tell their patients about these things, and we have to find them on our own. good luck, and god bless.
Sandy
- By cosette
- Posted October 7, 2009 at 9:31 am
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Thank you for the warm welcome and encouraging words. :)
Sandy--what is "LDN"? Not to sure of the lingo yet.
- By FightCancer
- Posted October 7, 2009 at 9:45 am
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I read your post to Sandy.. Your are such wonderful daughter... Every mother would like to have one like you....
I dont have much words to right... but I had been through this when my Mom had Pancreatic cancer.....
Your mom though might be upset for your sister but still tries to protect her... because despite
your sister has left everything on you..still your mom loves her ..this is how most of the Moms are...
love all their kids.. however bad they are....
Just do take best possible care of her.....
give her all you love....
Afterall mom is the best gift that we have...
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