Radiation/Chemo for Lung Cancer
pentek12803-29-2003, 01:46 PMMy MIL was set for a lobectomy on Wed., but when they started, they did some testing on lymph nodes in the mediastinum and found 1 out of 9 tested to contain a tiny amount of cancer. Due to this, they did not proceed with surgery and have recommended 6 weeks of radiation and possibly some chemo and then having surgery.
She is 70 years old and is in good health...life long nonsmoker, decent weight, strong heart, definitely no spreading to other organs, bones, etc. so we are all trying to remain very positive.
I'm scared about the effects of radiation and chemo....can anyone tell me about them? Please tell me honestly. I need to be prepared.LeisaH03-31-2003, 10:04 AMPentek..... Chemo is very hard on the body. It kills off both good and bad cells. It will leave her with nausa and low white blood cell counts. It can also leave rashes on the skin. Radiation, can leave burns, Mom could not wear her wig after radiation because it burned her scalp so much. Radiation can also leave you sick and run down. Ensure that she continues to eat and that someone goes with her to the doctors and writes down stuff they say. Get things like ensure so that she can drink even if she does not feel ready to eat.
Good Luck
Leisacarolhg03-23-2005, 10:52 AMHow is she doing today? Did she have the surgery? I have the very same condition. You are both in my prayers.-Cheryl-03-23-2005, 08:43 PMPen,
Yes, the combination of chemo and radiation does take its toll but I feel well worth it if you are fortunate enough to have, a) doctor that is willing to treat her with the combo and, b) Your MIL seems fit enough for him to make that decision. Treatments hit people differently, especially since so many different types and strenghts of chemo are being used.
As advised by an earlier post, having help is a big plus too... someone to push her along when the rough spots hit. I'm sure it will be a while before they will do the surgery.... they usually try to do that surgery shortly after the chemo and radiation treatments have concluded. Our best to you.
Jack, husband of Cheryl
Cheryl diagnosed in May, 2003 NSCLC 111a
Lobectomy- 9-03
pericardial effusion 7-04
pericardial "window" 7-04
Brain MRI- 12-04- extensive brain mets
WBR- 1-05
Brain MRI- stable 2-05
started clinical trial- 3-05
Chest CT 3-05 significant improvement!Dolly674004-12-2005, 01:23 PMPLEASE GIVE YOUR MOM MY BEST WISHES. I WILL TURN 65 IN JUNE AND LAST DECEMBER THEY REMOVED MY RIGHT LUNG BECAUSE OF A STAGE 2 CANCER TUMOR. SURGEON SAID GOT IT ALL BUT I SAW ONCOLOGIST WHO SUGGESTED 18 CHEMO TREATMENTS AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE. MY PET SCAN SHOWED NO OTHER CANCER IN ANY ORGAN OR BONE. I HAD 5 TREATMENTS (at $7,000 apiece) AND STOPPED THEM. I WAS SO SICK I COULD NOT LIFT MY HEAD OFF THE PILLOW TO GET TO THE NEXT TREATMENT OR EAT OR CARED IF I LIVED OR DIED. I HAD NO QUALITY OF LIFE. I FIGURE I HAVE A 50-50 CHANCE OF SURVIVING. I'M HAVING A CAT SCAN IN JUNE TO SEE IF EVERYTHING IS STILL CLEAR. I HAVE TO LIVE WHAT IS LEFT OF MY LIFE WITHOUT BEING SICK EVERY DAY AND NIGHT. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR MOM. YOU DO NEED TO STAND BY HER. SHE WILL GET DEPRESSED AND LONELY.
She is 70 years old and is in good health...life long nonsmoker, decent weight, strong heart, definitely no spreading to other organs, bones, etc. so we are all trying to remain very positive.
I'm scared about the effects of radiation and chemo....can anyone tell me about them? Please tell me honestly. I need to be prepared.LeisaH03-31-2003, 10:04 AMPentek..... Chemo is very hard on the body. It kills off both good and bad cells. It will leave her with nausa and low white blood cell counts. It can also leave rashes on the skin. Radiation, can leave burns, Mom could not wear her wig after radiation because it burned her scalp so much. Radiation can also leave you sick and run down. Ensure that she continues to eat and that someone goes with her to the doctors and writes down stuff they say. Get things like ensure so that she can drink even if she does not feel ready to eat.
Good Luck
Leisacarolhg03-23-2005, 10:52 AMHow is she doing today? Did she have the surgery? I have the very same condition. You are both in my prayers.-Cheryl-03-23-2005, 08:43 PMPen,
Yes, the combination of chemo and radiation does take its toll but I feel well worth it if you are fortunate enough to have, a) doctor that is willing to treat her with the combo and, b) Your MIL seems fit enough for him to make that decision. Treatments hit people differently, especially since so many different types and strenghts of chemo are being used.
As advised by an earlier post, having help is a big plus too... someone to push her along when the rough spots hit. I'm sure it will be a while before they will do the surgery.... they usually try to do that surgery shortly after the chemo and radiation treatments have concluded. Our best to you.
Jack, husband of Cheryl
Cheryl diagnosed in May, 2003 NSCLC 111a
Lobectomy- 9-03
pericardial effusion 7-04
pericardial "window" 7-04
Brain MRI- 12-04- extensive brain mets
WBR- 1-05
Brain MRI- stable 2-05
started clinical trial- 3-05
Chest CT 3-05 significant improvement!Dolly674004-12-2005, 01:23 PMPLEASE GIVE YOUR MOM MY BEST WISHES. I WILL TURN 65 IN JUNE AND LAST DECEMBER THEY REMOVED MY RIGHT LUNG BECAUSE OF A STAGE 2 CANCER TUMOR. SURGEON SAID GOT IT ALL BUT I SAW ONCOLOGIST WHO SUGGESTED 18 CHEMO TREATMENTS AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE. MY PET SCAN SHOWED NO OTHER CANCER IN ANY ORGAN OR BONE. I HAD 5 TREATMENTS (at $7,000 apiece) AND STOPPED THEM. I WAS SO SICK I COULD NOT LIFT MY HEAD OFF THE PILLOW TO GET TO THE NEXT TREATMENT OR EAT OR CARED IF I LIVED OR DIED. I HAD NO QUALITY OF LIFE. I FIGURE I HAVE A 50-50 CHANCE OF SURVIVING. I'M HAVING A CAT SCAN IN JUNE TO SEE IF EVERYTHING IS STILL CLEAR. I HAVE TO LIVE WHAT IS LEFT OF MY LIFE WITHOUT BEING SICK EVERY DAY AND NIGHT. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR MOM. YOU DO NEED TO STAND BY HER. SHE WILL GET DEPRESSED AND LONELY.