My beautiful mum

It's great to hear such positive stories on this site. My mum was diagnosed with limited SCLC on 14/10/09 and has just started on carboplatin and etopside. Since diagnosis I've done nothing but cry even though I hide my fears and tears from my mum. She is adamant that she is going to beat it and having read some of these stories I am now starting to believe it. Specialists have been fantastic and have advised that if the chemo works well they will also use RT at the end of the treatment. As mum would say 'her fate is in the lap of the gods', she has always been a devout catholic and truely believes that God will direct her. I was very cynical and bitter at first but have now found that I have returned to the church and the power of prayer. I'm really looking for answers as to how successful treatment has been with sufferers of SMLC and what kinda remission times we may get (if anyone can answer that). Also is usual to lose your hair on carboplatin I know some chemo's vary with regarding to hair loss but am a complete novice to the world of cancer care. Thanks

By s0ngbird1962
Posted November 2, 2009 at 6:53 pm
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My Mom was diagnosed with limited sclc Dec '06. After a fight for her life, 3 years later she is alive and well and living life to the fullest. She's my hero.

Along with radiation, I believe she had the same chemo combo your Mom is having. (She did lose her hair).

Your Mom sounds like she has a great attitude, keep on believing, all is not hopeless, there are many survivor stories out here....

Prayers to you...
Michelle

By Jessica815
Posted November 2, 2009 at 11:53 pm
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Sorry to hear about your mom. I can completely understand and feel what you are going through. My mom was diagnosed in March '09 with limited small cell too. It was devastating to us all and I cried and worried daily. At first when I started doing all the research, I was crushed by all the negative statistics. After doing more research and finding this website I became more positive. It is good to actually read here what people are experiencing rather than looking at numbers. My mom had a 10x10cm tumor in center of chest and several lymph nodes involved(basically whole chest was involved). She did 4 rounds of cisplatin/etoposide, 30+ chest radiations(at same time as chemo), and 15 PCI treatments. She ended treatment in July and her first set of scans showed everything shrunk considerably( <2cm). She had her 3 month scans at end of September and everything continued to shrink(<1cm), plus they said what they saw may just be scar tissue, calcifications etc.

My mom tolerated her treatment very well. Cisplatin is very similar to carboplatin ,although a little harsher with side effects than carbo. Nausea and lack of appetite were obvious problems. She initially lost over 20 lbs., but that quickly leveled off. Actually I think the worst part for her was the chest radiation. The radiation caused a lot of pain in the esophagus as it hit there. So, she had a few weeks where it was very hard to swallow, though they have medicines to help. She had to get a blood transfusion once or twice when her blood counts went low, but that was nothing at all and painless. Other than that she did well and was a little tired but was never bedridden or anything. Her hair began falling out 2 weeks after her first chemo. Now that I remember that was painful/irritating for a couple of weeks(felt like hair was being pulled and burning/itching). Despite all that she did well and continues to do well. Her hair is growing back now and she doesn't have any real lasting effects- maybe a little tired. I feel she would have a little more energy if she got out in the sun more. It wasn't a walk in the park, but she got through it quite well- thankfully.

Even knowing the statistics, I rarely ever think she will die from this.(maybe a little naive on my part). We are determined to try whatever(conventional and alternative) and keep fighting. I believe a positive attitude helps a lot and glad to hear how positive your mom is! Nutrition is key I believe to help the body heal and fight cancer. There are so many cancer diets out there it's mind boggling though. I wish oncologists would help with nutrition but sadly they don't. I am not a fan of the eat what your grandparents ate approach or the bottles of Ensure. Instead I think cancer patients should eat food with a nutritional purpose(protein, fiber, vitamins/minerals) not just empty calories. Well, I won't start a rant here about nutrition- got sidetracked! Research Chia seeds though- great complete protein that can be mixed with anything when it gets hard to eat and won't alter flavor. Great nutrition and health benefits there and they help the body stay hydrated. One last thing, most important is for your mom to stay hydrated at all times! This was hard for my mom as she doesn't like water, but I think her lack of hydration lead to a lot of the nausea.

Anyway, it sounds like your mom is getting great care and will do well. You will see here, there are plenty of people who are 3+ years past diagnosis. This group has been a great comfort and incredible source of information. Keep us updated and good luck to your mom. I wish her the best!

Jessica

By cuddles53
Posted November 3, 2009 at 12:46 am
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My husband lived over 6 years and was called cured, he also had ext small cell lung cancer and was given only 3 mmonths. He was told after 5 years he was cured. he died after 6 years not of the cancer, but from a bleed in the brain, possibly from the radiation and cheemo side effects. But not a direct result from cancer.
God bless. If he can do it, so can your mum. He was like your mum in that he said he could beat it too, and he did.
God bless Sandy

By beckylynn
Posted November 3, 2009 at 12:58 am
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I'm so glad you're there for your mom. All you can do is read what is working for others and help incorporate it for your mom.

One thing you can do is prepare for the hair loss. Maybe buy her a few pretty scarfs to have ready. Wigs are kinda hot and when she's at home she maybe more comfortable wearing the scarf vs the wig.
My sister has a couple she prefers to wear at the house.

Remember, no one is getting outta here alive. Just 'live' while we are here and do the best we can do for each other.

Lastly, I always recommend a book that I feel can be benefical in your mom's therapy. PH MIRACLE LIVING by Dr. Robert Young. Hopefully you can find a copy of it at your library. It's a great book that helps you understand how the body really works and what we can do to help bring healing to our bodies even in severe health situations. Take from the book what you believe in and what you feel will benefit your mom the most.

Blessings to you and your mom.
Becky :)

By fulham
Posted November 3, 2009 at 4:58 pm
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Thank you so much for the kind words and encouragement. I have never believed in the power of prayer so much in all of my life. Mum is Irish and says that half of southern ireland is lit up with candles where family are also praying for her x x

By DottieCatt
Posted November 3, 2009 at 5:42 pm
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THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS. I AM JUST STARTING THIS OUT IN NOV. I AM SO GLAD TO HEAR I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. I DO KNOW I HAVE BEEN REBORN AGAIN AND DO BELIEVE THE WORD. I FOLLOW PASTOR TIM- MEADOWBROOK,OCALA AND DR. CHARLES STANLEY FOR ABOUT 7 YEARS. THEY KEEP ME INTOUCH WITH GOD. GOD BLESS DOTTIECATT

By GitarGrl
Posted November 3, 2009 at 8:23 pm
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You sound a lot like me. My Mom was told she had lung cancer at the end of September. She's already had one treatment with carboplatin/alimta and will have her second tomorrow. I've been crying all the time and am not handling the strain of this nearly half as well as she is. We don't have a large family or lots of friends. Basically it's just me and my 84 yr old Dad to do everything around the house. Mom is 77, though up 'til now she's been The Energizer Bunny. She easily got away with lying about her age because her hair is natural and still not gray. (I'm going gray before my Mom! LOL) So far, she hasn't had any hair loss, though we've been told it could be a side effect.

So everything falls on me and I feel like I'm crumbling a lot of the time. I say this because I want you to know you're not alone. In fact, you seem to be doing a lot better than me so I'll use you as an inspiration. ;-)

There are lots of success stories here. (I'm sorry, but I try to avoid the sad posts because they just make me cry more.) I agree with a prior reply about nutrition. My Mom has very little appetite and I'm doing all I can to supplement what she does eat to make it have higher calories and more protein and fiber. I track everything she eats and drinks. I also track her meds and vitals. I bought a pulse oximeter that lets us monitor her oxygen levels and pulse. I already had a blood pressure monitor in the house because my Dad monitors his BP. And I got her an electronic thermometer. Part of our ritual every day is to check everything and make notes.

We also believe in the power of prayer and I've asked my friends to pray for my Mom. I tell her about each email I receive in which people say they are praying for her and it lifts her spirits. I believe it really does help. I'll add you and your Mom to my prayers and wish nothing but the best for you both.

Cris.

By fulham
Posted November 4, 2009 at 9:26 am
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Cris, some of the reviews here are so positive that is difficult not to have faith. We are a family of 6 but my dad is absolutely useless round the house. Mum & Dad will be married 50 years on 28th November and mum keeps saying 'why did I let him depend on me so much?' 2 of my brothers are not in a position to do too much so it falls on myself and my remaining brother that lives at home to facilitate all mum's needs. As you seem to be much the same as me I need to ask have you been getting stress pains anywhere? Since all of this began in September I seem to be getting lots of pain in my chest, breasts, arms and massive headaches. I'm fairly convinced it must be stress related as before diagnosis I had no ailments. Good luck with the 2nd round of chemo. My mum is very tired today but doesn't like to give into the tiredness so I told her off and sent her back to bed (LOL). She says she can't sit and do nothing whereas I say whilst your body is recovering you do nothing!! Thanks again for your kind words. I've been looking at some really positive stuff on this site today and will keep the fight going x

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