small cell lung cancer with liver and spine mets

• By SCLCFighter
• Posted June 4, 2009 at 5:04 pm
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Hi there.  I was diagnosed with SCLU on April 22, 09 and up until 3 weeks prior to that date, didn't have a clue I was sick.  On April 22nd, I was told I have 3 tumers surrounding the heart and windpipe (squeezing) and mets to the liver.  I could not breath, felt like all the food I was eating was stuck in my chest and someone reaching in trying to burst my heart.  What I can offer you is that after the very first chemo treatment, first day, not first cycle, (carbo/vp 16), I had immediate relief from the symptoms and felt like a million bucks (well a million with cancer) but it helped so much.  I have been lucky in that I haven't even had an upset stomach and I have gone thru two cycles so far (one week on, 2 weeks off).  Only side effects are a little tired and lost my hair.  I would also offer this advice, do not worry about statistics or read anything other than to educate yourself about treatment options, possible side effects and new things coming down the line, the rest is based on someone other than your dad and mean nothing.  Don't get me wrong,  I've read and I worry like anyone else has and is, because I'm 42 and have a beautiful fiance and two kids 8 and 11 that I hope to be a great stepdad to and I want grow old with all three, but considering what I have, I feel really great other than a cough that drives me nuts.  Not sure if that helps at all, but I know that I was as miserable as one person could be until Chemo and now I have to remind myself I am in a fight with cancer because I go about my everyday business pretty much normal. 

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• By firelady1968
• Posted June 4, 2009 at 7:18 pm
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There is a god in heaven.....you are the person I needed to hear from.....he has terrible pain in his chest (especially after eating).....and then nausea...I have read many different places that the treatment will stop some of this...I cannot wait for that to happen. You are truly an inspiration....please keep me posted on your success and I will do the same...we too are playing the hurry up and wait game right now...Monday seems so far away...thank you soo much for your positive feedback...I know we can all beat this!!!!

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• By SCLCFighter
• Posted June 4, 2009 at 11:34 pm
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I will keep you posted and I know your Dad will do fine, just keep faith and believe.  Thats what gets me through the day.  The hurry up and wait is the hardest part.  I just want to get the treatments done, get great test results and move on, but it doesn't work that fast.  I guess I always remember what my grandfather preached.  Anything worth doing is worth taking your time and doing it right, so I chalk this process up under that advice.  God bless your Dad, you and your family. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

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• By dusteerose
• Posted June 5, 2009 at 10:02 am
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Hi Firelady,

Keep the faith and the fight going. There is hope. I was diagnosed in July/August 2008 with advanced small cell lung cancer. It had started going to my adrenal gland. I am 53 years old. I started chemo in september 2008 and my last chemo treatment was January 2009. I had the pet scans in February 2009. I am in remission. I did have 3 weeks of precautionary radiation to the brain and lung.

I now go every 3 months for scans to see if the cancer has come back or not. I will continue to do that for the rest of my life.

I just had my ct scan and will get the results on Monday June 8. Keeping my fingers crossed the this ugly beast will still be away.

I got my nieces, nephews, famly and my pets to live for and they keep me going and in the fighting spirt. God knows I love them.

Jen

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• By Milo65
• Posted June 5, 2009 at 10:25 am
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My father (67) was diagnosed with ext. SCLC in December. He had a primary in the lung and mets to the brain, spine and liver. He went through 22 cycles of radiation and 6 cycles of cisp/vp-16. He had cyberknife done to the brain mets. After his 4th cycle he had a scan done which showed no cancer in his head, spine or liver. The tumor in his lung was reduced from the size of a lime to the size of a walnut. We are hoping for a full response. There is hope. Keep your head up. My fathers biggest setback came from dehydration. Both the disease and the treatment can rob the body of fluids.

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• By Daughter816
• Posted June 5, 2009 at 10:55 am
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I am also on your side. My Dad has SCLC, is 64 years old,vey fit and healthy otherwise and was diagnosed Feb 09. We just found out he has mets to the brain so he started WBR this week.
I can concur that once chemo is started there should be immediate relief! My Dad is ok,still getting around,feels ok,just tired.
He will start a more agressive line of chemo in 2 weeks.
Keep the faith and stay strong and
"When you get to the end of your rope,tie a knot and HANG ON!!!"
Good luck prayers are being sent your way!
D

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• By firelady1968
• Posted June 6, 2009 at 7:03 am
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Thanks to all of you.....yesterday was a very bad day..he woke up and was vomitting all day....however, he was extremely constipated from the pain meds....I believe now that ,that problem is over,today will surely be a better one...just two more days until Siteman.....I will let you all know what treatment we are going to do after that.....have a great weekend.....Love, Michelle

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• By Tmc
• Posted June 6, 2009 at 9:50 am
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I was diagnosed last August. I'm in remission. Mine was limited but treatment is the same. Lost my hair twice. I am working. Still tired too much of the time. I was lucky that I didn't get sick from the chemo but that and the radiation really knock the stuffing out of you. Keep praying and keep his and your spirits up. My faith keeps me strong. It does get a little easier. When you are first diagnosed, it's such a shock. I couldn't sleep. I'd wake up in the middle of the night, etc. Be there for him and pray. Someone earlier said not to read and believe what's on the Internet. That is such good advice. There are quite a few people living many years with this disease. I hope to be one of them!! God bless you and your dad.

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• By candifleming
• Posted June 6, 2009 at 6:25 pm
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What an attitude!!! You'll do fine and inspire others to do the same. I too HAD small cell, been NED for 1 1/2 yrs....I could have not made it without the Lord that healed me and the Healing Church I went to. Don't go reading stats they will drive you crazy, all are different. I wish Cancer was erradicated years ago like TB, polio, etc. and one day it will, probably not in my lifetime but I believe it will. Anyway stay strong and healty as one can and keep us posted...Good news is always an uplifter.

Candi Fleming

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