Lung Cancer

[Tanya]

hi, my mother was diagnosed with stage 1b nonsmall cell lung cancer squamous cell, in dec. 2006. She had a right lower lobe lobectomy and was told that the lymph nodes were clear and she would not need any chemotherapy or radiation. Well in may she started having a sore throat and eventually a mass showed up which and u/s showed that it was a thyroid mass. She then went for a ct scan and it showed that it was possibly not thyroid. They did a biopsy of this mass and compared the slides with the slides from the lung cancer and it showed that it is the same cancer which means that she has had a recurrence. This has been going on for months and now she cannot swallow any food at all, she has lost 20 pounds in a little over a week, she is dehydrated, she sleeps alot but is very easily woken up, she has been vomiting for 10 days and started radiation 4 days ago. They would not start chemotherapy monday because she was so sick. I guess what i am asking is what does this mean? Is she terminal? The pet scan and ct scan she had of the brain was clear all but the mass in her neck. I dont understand why she got so sick even before the radiation if it isnt anywhere else. She is staying with me because she has no strength and is very sick.

[coloradoan]

Tanya, I'm so sorry to hear about the difficulties your mother is having. Has your mom's oncologist given you any insight into why she is so sick if the mass is restricted to her neck? My thoughts are with you.

[Tanya]

Her oncologist just says that they are not sure why she is so sick. She now has a peg "feeding" tube and it seemed to help her some, but she is still pretty sick.

[suzbain]

Hey I am very sorry to hear that your mum is sick..I am awaiting diagnosis for my mums CTPU scan
she is to have a Bronchoscopy on Wed morning and a biopsy of the lumps in each lung...I am refusing to believe it is Cancer as she looks well and does not have most symptoms of Lung Cancer.
She has Cronic Bronchitis and Emphasema so maybe it is not Cancer???

[Tanya]

Hi, I hope that everything good turns out for your mom. Alot of the hard part is the waiting on tests and the results. My father had COPD/emphysema also. That is a scary disease in itself. My mom is still pretty sick. She has no quality of life. It takes everything she's got just to get her up and to the radiation and chemo treatments. When she is home here with me, she stays in bed. It is so scary. I just want her to get better, but things don't look good right now. Keep me posted on your moms test results...

[blancaruiz]

My mother went for a cough to the doctor and was given x-rays only to find a black spot on her lung. It turned out to be a cancerous tumor,then went to consultation for surgery only to be told about lymph nodes seen. Was given biopsy, turned out cancerous, no surgery, them her other lung found lymph nodes, cancerous. all this within a month period. My mom does not smoke, good health full of life, and now, chemo and despair. How do I deal with this, I love my mom so dearly and seeing her suffer is making me not stop crying everyday with despair, how do I find peace without so much hurt inside me and helping my mom better. I do not let my mom see me when I am this way.

[Tanya]

Hi, I am so sorry to hear about your mother. It is very hard to keep strong on the outside and on the inside you are screaming to let it all out. I break down quite a bit, but of course not around my mom. This is the hardest thing that I have ever been through. Breaking down is the way we grieve. We deserve to have the time to break down, that way we can pick ourselves up and be strong again. I want to cry all the time, I am exhausted, drained and scared to death. Somehow I still keep strong, so that I can take care of her. We have completed 30 rounds of radiation with 5 days left. We have had 5 rounds of chemo, with one left Monday and two weeks off and then start another 6 weeks. It isnt easy. But hopefully we will have some good time when we are through with treatment. Good luck with your mom and please keep me updated......

[blancaruiz]

Hi Tanya
I was glad to read your letter, and I felt sad and happy inside. My mother will start her first chemo this Wednesday , which I will be accompany her. Mt mpthetr is scared, since different stories were told to herm but I tell her not to believe anything, until she herself goes thru it, everybody body reacts different. I will be with her as long as she feels better, I just hope I can detaine my tears and my pain inside. If she suffersm its hard for me not to hurtm and maybe with time I will be able to control much better the pain I have. I will keep you up on my moms progress and you as well on yours. and again thank you for your reply. It really made a difference upon reading your letter.
Blanca