When my husband, Justin Andrews was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer last year, we searched everywhere for a story of a survivor who beat it without surgery... we wanted to know that we weren't trying to acheive the impossible. Soon more and more survivors were introduced to us, and we prayed that someday God allow us to use our story to give hope to others. We prayed for a miracle...
When Justin was first diagnosed a year ago, he had tumors in both lungs, all down his spine, in both hips, two tumors in his neck, two tumors in his left shoulder, and his liver. His scans on 8/11/09 after the conclusion of chemotherapy and radiation treatment showed that all the cancer is gone… by the grace of God Justin was declared to be in remission. He received the Taxol/Carbo/Avastin cocktail after having two treatment attempts fail. Justin's Oncologist at Duke Medical Center even described Justin's response to the treatment as "beyond unusual and simply miraculous"... we knew that these results went far beyond modern medicine! Justin is truly nothing less than a miracle! We are so thankful that our prayers were answered and we witnessed a miracle... always remember... everyday holds the possibility of one!
Read Justin's story here:
http://www.justinsfightclub.com/About_Us.html
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Stage IV lung cancer - YOU can win!
- By justinsfightclubwife
- Posted August 28, 2009 at 2:40 pm · 21 replies
- In Survivor stories
- Shared with the public
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21 replies
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- By cards7up
- Posted August 28, 2009 at 2:48 pm
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that is wonderful! If all responded the same way, we could beat lung cancer. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. What works for one doesn't necessarily work for someone else even with the same type of cancer. Your husband was one of the lucky ones, hope he stays in remission forever. Take care, JC
- By cuddles53
- Posted August 28, 2009 at 2:49 pm
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This is truly inspiring, thanks so much for sharing it with us, so many of us are in our own little worlds of sometimes you might call it misery, hearing something like this just makes us feel we too could do this. I also am in a remission at present. I am not saying their were not many bumps in the road, but I am still hee. Here is to you as a family, and wishing you all well. Keep that man strong and healthy, and you do the same! You have a wonderful little famly.
It is true miracles do happen, he is living proof of it, years ago, this wouldnevr have happened, check out some of the lung cancer vaccines soon to be coming out, maybe within the next couple of years. It will be good to know for a maintenance therapy for your hubby. God bless Sandy
- By MajorMike
- Posted August 28, 2009 at 2:55 pm
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I love it when a Stage 4 wages a victorious battle against the Cancer Beast. Congrats! Just for clarification when you mentioned "two failed" attempts. That was before the successful Taxol/Carbo/Avastin combo? I'm on the same carbo and will be starting my second round next Thursday. Again, as a Stage 4, thank you for your reporting of this great fight.
- By justinsfightclubwife
- Posted August 28, 2009 at 2:58 pm
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Yes, before Taxol/Carbo/Avastin he was on Alimta/Cisplatin & then Tarceva... they both failed... things were looking really bad by the time he started T/C/A (he had lot so mets to his liver at that time) but everything turned around immediately... his first scans were incredible! I expand on his scans and there's actually pictures on that website above. His liver is 100% clean now and it baffles the docs b/c it's so clean it looks like nothing was ever there... a true miracle!! Best of luck to you, Major Mike! It is a fight that can be won!!!
- By Granny888
- Posted August 28, 2009 at 3:13 pm
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The taxol/carbo/avastin brough about my first remission in six months. Here I am a year later(15 months) doing it again hoping for the same result. Tarceva is next, but I hope it's a while before we have to branch on to that one -- this worked well before, didn't stop, so we can hope. I love it.
Second dose today (reduced doses once a week) and doing very very well so far.
- By gesmommy
- Posted August 28, 2009 at 3:13 pm
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Thank you so much for sharing your story-its is truly an inspiration! May you have many more!
- By karilynn
- Posted August 28, 2009 at 3:50 pm
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I am so happy for you and your family. Dr Crawford is also one of my mother's doctors. He is a great man. My God continue to bless you and your family
Kari
- By brooklyn1
- Posted August 28, 2009 at 5:00 pm
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Wow, what a truly inspiring story - thank you for sharing your journey. I am so glad that Justin is able to move beyond the horrors of this terrible disease to live a fruitful, happy and healthy life.
All congratulations and best wishes to you and everything you did to make this miracle possible. Despite all that everyone faces when given such a grim diagnosis as his, faith, hope and determination makes all the difference.
Celebrate every moment together!
Peg
- By beckylynn
- Posted August 28, 2009 at 7:44 pm
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Super Terrific News. So exciting.
I'm so happy for Justin and your entire family.
Becky :)
- By Sherryraleigh
- Posted August 28, 2009 at 8:14 pm
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Thank you for sharing your wonderful story with us. It re-news my faith to read this and I send prayers to you and your family. Dr. Crawford is also my doctor. I am stage IV as well. After two treatments of Alimta and Carbo the main tumor in my lung shrunk 10 to 20 percent. Monday I have my fourth treatment and then my next CT scan. I am feeling more hopeful and feeling more trust in Dr. Crawford just because you shared with us. What a wonderful gift to all. We thank you.
- By Marylou1
- Posted August 28, 2009 at 8:46 pm
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Thank you SO much for sharing your story. It is truly an inspiration for all of us to continue the fight.
God Bless You,
Marylou
- By dpharr
- Posted August 29, 2009 at 11:45 am
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Thank you for sharing your story. Miracles do happen! Keep the faith. God bless you.
Dorothy
- By Suzanne55
- Posted August 30, 2009 at 11:09 am
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Thank you so much for sharing your story. Dr. Crawford is my doctor also and I think I remember seeing Justin at Duke. Young people always stick in my mind. May the remission continue.
Suzanne
- By daysailor
- Posted August 30, 2009 at 12:11 pm
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Congradulations to you and your family. I am also a stage 1V and am hoping for the best. It is discouraging to read statistics on cancer so I am so glad I found this website. I hope you have many happy days together. daysailor
- By MaryHope
- Posted September 2, 2009 at 10:46 pm
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Thank you for the inspiration. I am new to this site. I have been visiting since I first found out I had 2 large tumors in my left lung. I don't know which stage I am yet either IIIB or IV. My PET scan showed hot spots in liver and spine. Today I had a liver MRI and a bone scan. I Your story has totally inspired me!! I had my first visit with oncologist and he was not very hopeful. You are my inspiration that people can beat this horrible disease.
I wish you continued health and happiness!
- By HollyJo
- Posted September 2, 2009 at 11:20 pm
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Thank you for sharing and giving the Gift of Hope. I am so Happy for you and your family.
Holly
- By MrsJones37
- Posted September 3, 2009 at 10:26 am
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Thank you for sharing...it gives me hope for my husband!
- By daysailor
- Posted September 3, 2009 at 12:40 pm
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It is so good to hear about other people's success stories. It gives us all hope and motivation to keep fighting.
- By SARALEONIE
- Posted September 6, 2009 at 12:27 am
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What fantastic news. It gives everyone else hope. Thanks for sharing your story.
- By demika
- Posted September 6, 2009 at 9:03 am
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Thank you for sharing. You have definitely helped my spirits because this was a difficult week. Again, thank you & I wish the best for your husband & family.
Demika
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