Need support

By kbt
Posted September 2, 2008 at 5:25 pm · 22 replies
In Non-small cell lung cancer - Stage III

My mom has been diagnosed with stage 3a adenocarcinoma recently. Her tumor is located at the right upper lobe. PET scan lit up in the hilar and pre-treacheal lymph node. Doctor recommended chemo and radiation to try to shrink the tumor before surgery. After speaking to my mom's friend, who is a nurse, I am very scared and upset. She doesn't sound postive and I couldn't hear any encouraged word out of her at all. Also, the stats on the internet does not look very good either. My mom will start her first chemo this week and schedule to see a radiation oncologist tomorrow. Any survivors out there who can give me some support.

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By peyz33
Posted September 2, 2008 at 5:47 pm

DO NOT believe the stats you read on the internet - your mom is not a statistic - she is a breathing human being - and there's no end-date stamped on her butt! Now - 3A isn't great - but it's not terrible either - especially since they are talking shrinking the tumor and then surgery - that my dear is GREAT news. Just take very good notes at the doctor visits and then come back here and ask all of us what they mean.....Try to be positive - from where I stand this is good news - it could be A LOT worse -
KAren

By texaszan
Posted September 2, 2008 at 6:39 pm

3a is curable under the right conditions and treatable with long term good results under the worst so don't let them get you down. They'll shrink it down, cut it out and probably do a little more radiation after the surgery. She'll be okay. My husband has 3a in the upper right lobe and his doctors are very optimistic and told us flat out that 3a is CURABLE. Just the fact that it's resectable is a great sign. So don't let a depressed nurse upset you. She isn't an oncologist.

By Dana
Posted September 2, 2008 at 7:54 pm

I was 3b . . . and I've now been cancer free for almost 3 years. Don't lose hope. Don't give up. And don't pay attention to statistics!!

Do, however, get a second opinion!!!!
I'm praying for you,
Dana

By karilynn
Posted September 2, 2008 at 8:33 pm

My mom is a 2b and she just got finished with 6 rounds of chemo and 25 radiation treatments. We met with a surgeon today and he is ordering a follow up CT and PET scan. 2nd opinions alway help - keep the faith & surround yourself w/ positive people.

Kari

By kbt
Posted September 2, 2008 at 9:38 pm

The oncologist and the surgeon have already told us that they are trying to go for the cure. However, from talking to my mom's friend really disappointed me. Thank you all for the supports and I understand that I have to be strong and stay optimistic to stand by my mom and to fight this battle together with her. Hearing all these survivor stories really does raise some hope. I notice that my emotion has been like a roller coaster ride lately. I would be very positive one minute, but the next minute, I would lose all the faith.

By Marie400
Posted September 3, 2008 at 7:37 am

Your friend may be a nurse, but if she isn't an oncologist or chemo nurse she is not up to date on the treatments for lung cancer. I'm sure she means well and is worried for you and your Mom.

Chemo nurses are angels sent straight from Heaven with no stops in between. They know EVERYTHING about chemo and cancer. Ask, ask, ask!! A good chemo nurse will gladly share everything she knows and everything other patients have shared with her.

Stay strong for your Mom - not an easy task as I have found out, but necessary.

By mickyinko
Posted September 3, 2008 at 7:06 pm

hi there,
I had 3a and surgery, adjunctive chemo and 36 bouts of radiation and after all that it did recur in the lung and kidney after 15 months so i have recently had my first line of chemo and my oncologist told me after 2 rounds that all cancer has almost disappeared from the body including the 4cm tumor in the kidney, 3a is not the problem its keeping a good attitude. I have only had 12 days off work during the whole process and that was for surgery in april'07 and with a smile on my face especially after the latest news so keep your chin up and truly believe you can beat it.
All the best Michael

By kbt
Posted September 3, 2008 at 7:29 pm

That was great Michael. That was very encouraging. Mom will start chemo and radiation tomorrow and I wish she will respond well to the treatment to allow her to go into the surgery. Together with my mom, we will beat this nasty stuff.

By taronik
Posted September 5, 2008 at 12:31 am

Hello.
I am also looking for a person who can give me some idea about Stage3A NSCLC.I am also in the same situation as you.My mom is going to have chemo next week,she is in Armenia,Erevan.I am so sad,being nurse, I know what can happen.But u never know.Jusy pray,there is nothing we can do.
And can u tell me what chemo drugs they are going to inject?
My moms Dr. prescribed Taxotere,Gemzar,Nabelbine.

By kbt
Posted September 5, 2008 at 2:26 am

My mom just started chemo today and she is getting Taxol/Carboplatin weekly. Concurrently, she will be receiving daily radiation for about 25 -28 times.

By doctar
Posted September 5, 2008 at 3:57 am

dont worry , try ur leval best. but in last month on 14th my mom died due to adenocarcinama of lung with advanced stage, but it was diagnosed one month before her death, all have diagnosed asa benigh tuomr, bust at end stage, she was give for 10days radiartion and daily she wason chemotherapy, ie on l-tyrosine inhhibitors, some she didnt respond, due respiratoty arrest she passed away, its sad for me,
i pary for u , same thing should not happned to u plz try to consult as soon as possible life is great, god is great,

By Barbietwin
Posted September 5, 2008 at 8:02 am

Hi, My twin sister Betty has 3 a also she is in treatrment doing great....sorry the nurse is like that...stick with this group for all our support and help gods love to you and you mom hugs Barbie

By Nitatx
Posted September 5, 2008 at 10:03 am

I am 70 years old and had the 3a, upper right lobe removed and chemo and radiation....I am now 2 years free. Michael is so right on having good attitude....Laughter is a fantastic medicine. My children played silly games with me and we watched funny movies, sure helps you feel better. I plan to reach 98 at least. Hugs to you all.

By Nitatx
Posted September 5, 2008 at 10:07 am

You should all go to the site StandUp2Cancer.org and launch a star. Sign the petitions, etc. Remember to watch the Cancer special tonight - lung cancer is finally getting the spotlight.

September 5, will be an extraordinary day. On this day, the country will come together for one purpose: to defeat cancer. Please tune in to Stand Up to Cancer, presented on NBC, CBS, and ABC at 8pm ET/PT, 7pm CT.

By marilynchristine
Posted September 5, 2008 at 11:43 am

My husband was diagnosed with Stage 3A nonsmall cell lung cancer 6-1/2 years ago. He had chemo (Taxol and Carboplatin) and radiation to shrink the tumor which was 12 centimeters and had spread to lymph nodes in center of chest. Then he had surgery (right upper lobectomy) to remove remainder of tumor. He will be cancer free for 7 years on March 17, 2009. Good luck to you and your mother. It's a tough fight but with aggressive care and prayer, you can win.

By kbt
Posted September 5, 2008 at 7:28 pm

Thank you all very much. It is very impressive to hear all from all of these survivors and successful personal experience. I really appreciate all your support. Marilyn, did your husband have chemo after the surgery? do you still remember how long of chemo did your husband receive? My mom is in a very similar situation and she is having 6 weekly chemo (Taxol adn Carboplatin as well) and radiation to try to shrink the tumor. I wish she will respond to the chemo and radiation.

By Optimism
Posted September 5, 2008 at 10:33 pm

Mine too. She had her first chemo treatment last week and did not take it well. She's been very sick since and that's hard to watch. She has Stage 3 Adenocarcinoma of the upper left lobe and they want to shrink it with chemo and hopefully remove it. Currently it is sitting on a bundle of nerves near her collar bone and she has been in pain since February. That said, she is very optimistic as am I - there is NO other way to be. None of us can let this cancer thing get us down, we will fight to the end and you need to do the same. Be there for your mother in any way you can and do all the research you can. I wish you and your mother the very best of luck in becoming cancer free. And I agree, don't believe everything you read on the net. This site is proof positive that they are lung cancer survivors out there and that is absolutely wonderful to see.

By Jolene
Posted September 6, 2008 at 2:12 am

Any cancer is dangerous, but, as you read here, there are those who have wonderful results. I know all about the stats as I read and reread all of them as well. Our case didn't work out well, but, there were many factors that came in to play. My husband is a retired school admin. and his boss had Stage IIIa. It was a horrific battle. He has been in remission for 12 years.

Was his journey easy? No. BUT...he has a wonderful quality of life and continues to be one of the miracles.
No one knows who will be the miracle. Who will teach the oncologists something new with how they respond to treatment. Every case is unique. Pray and keep your mom's spirits high. Attitude is part of the battle.
Praying for your mom and your family. olene

By charly1722
Posted September 6, 2008 at 8:48 am

Hi My name is Charlene. I am sorry to hear how upset you are, but try to think positive. I too was just diagnosed with stage 3 nsclc. Tumor also in my right lung. less than 2cm. Also pet scan found cancer in my lympnods in my chest as well. I am a non smoker and I am 50 yrs young and very healthy otherwise. My doctors are giving me great prognosis. They told me that the internet only tells you the worst statistics, usually based on older men who smoke. They encouraged me not to look at them. I am going to beat this as I'm sure your mom will as well. Read the success stories on this site. I just read one from a man who 9 years cancer free and he was diagnosed with the same as I and your mom. So with you by her side I'm sure she will fight and beat this as well.
Please feel free to email me if you would like to chat more. c.foster401@comcast.net.
Charlene

By andmegab
Posted September 7, 2008 at 8:59 am

if the docs are talking cure, its possible. i too have an upper right lobe tumor. they are talking cure to me too. chemo and radiation shrunk the tumor by 50%, but they will still have to replace part of my back chest wall. yep, its scary, but medicine has so many more answers and better treatment than it did when all those stats came out. lots have lead the way for me, and i hope one day soon i can do the same for them. tell mom grab my hand and we will do this together. it aint easy...but together, we can do it. my surgery is scheduled for the 24th, and i know im gonna get thru it. if i can, and im a whiney cry baby, so can she. its important to remember we are not alone here....we can do it!

hugs to you and mom.
deb

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