Scared

My sister has just been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer that has spread to her liver.From everything I gather from the web, she is in serious problem with a short life span expectancy. What I we expect in terms of time left to spend with her?

[Hidden]

Dear nameless, try not to worry.. I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in July of 2015! Along with that it had metastasized to my liver and pancreas. I have had chemo for over 15 mo. I just started Opdivo 6 weeks ago. Hopefully this will work for me. I will be going for PET scan in March to see what the cancer is doing. Please have someone go with your sister to every appt. My son goes with me. He will hear things that o don't! Sometimes the internet isn't the best info about cancers. This web site is great.. you will learn a lot and be given hope!! Welcome to the site! I will be praying for you and your family . God bless all of you

[imina in reply to Hidden]

At catlover48. My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 lung spread to liver and she was gone in 3 weeks believing there was no hope. If you don't mine sharing for all to have hope what treatment plan did you receive. I realized everyone's plan is different but hearing the what where and how will help others

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

There are new treatments in use and new ones about to be approved that make the statistics you read useless. They will be testing her tumor to learn if the mutation that caused the cancer has a targeted treatment.

Precision medicine is rapidly changing the face of lung cancer. Don't be in too big a hurry to bury her.

DO-allow her to talk about her fears and ask her what she wants if treatment fails.

[Memaw0100]

I don't know what your religious beliefs are, but I feel God is in charge and can do miraculous things. None of us know how we will leave. I am in remission now, but know anything could change. I could have a heart attack today, already had one, be in an accident. I try and be thankful for each day and consider it a blessing. Try and cherish each day!

[FtB_Peggy]

Nameless,

Please do not go by statistics, your sister is unique, the statistics are often years old, and they are just numbers. Your sister is an individual. Help her along the way with caring support and a listening ear. Give her hope. Enjoy her.

We can help with information for her, and you, if you want to email me at [e-mail] with her street address (or yours), I can send you our free Patient Information Kit, and any other resources she might need (financial help, help with co-pays, second opinions, etc). So, either email me or go to freetobreathe.org/contactsupport to fill out a form for information. Take a look around our website (freetobreath.org) to learn more.

You will make a wonderful advocate for your sister. Help her fight this with knowledge.

Thank you so much for reaching out to this community, the people here are wise and generous with their hearts. They will walk you both through this time. Take care of yourself too.

Hugs,

Peggy

[scifiknitter Blogger]

Dear CatLover,

As previous responses have said, your sister is at the very start of finding out exactly what type of lung cancer she is. She will be having lots of tests in the next few weeks to sort that out - CT scans, probably a PET scan, a biopsy and molecular testing to better determine exactly what she is contending with. She could be eligible for a treatment that will help her live many years - targeted treatment or immunotherapy. Hang in there while she is waiting for answers. I'm certain that the information that Peggy can provide will be very helpful. Don't give up hope!

Anita

[pmsusan99 in reply to scifiknitter]

I agree, I was diagnosed 3 months ago with stage 4 lung cancer and just had my 4th immunotherapy Dr says my systems seem minimal now, next immunotherapy treatment in 3 wks. Will be taking a new ct scan. Hopefully good news. Keep the faith, think positive.

[Texas64]

First. Stay off the internet! Those were my doctors orders in the beginning of my journey. I had stage 3B nsclc. My future looked bleak. Praise God my husband took me to Mayo Clinic in minnesota. There I received heavy doses of carboplatin and taxol with radiation for 30 days. At 4 weeks tumor and lymphnodes were dead. Never give up! If you are a believer pray, seek the company of Godly Christian people who will pray for you and with you. No matter how hard it is your sister must have a positive attitude, she must fight with everything she has. Tell her to go into treatment with the attitude that the chemo and radiation and immunotherapy drugs are going to kill this demon I am 8 months out of treatment and no evidence of disease. My oncologists have every expectation that I have beaten this monster. My primary care doctor gave me a bottle of AHCC( immune booster that also kills cancer cells. My doctors believe that AHCC made the tumor more vunerable to chemo and radiation. AHCC is made in Japan From. mushrooms. It is used in 700 hundred hospitals in this country. It has been used in Europe for years. You can buy from amazon. You must take 6000 mg a day for two weeks and 1000 mg everyday for the rest of your life. Please do research on it before you buy. Sloan Kettering website has a search box. Type in AHCC and it will give you some information Gods Blessings on your family.

[JeanE41]

Each of us has a different journey with lung cancer. It can be a long one, but if taken in small steps it is manageable. Be sure you and your sister understand what you are being told. Ask for a second opinion if you are not comfortable with what you are being told. Don't be afraid to use this site as a sounding board. I am new to it and wish I knew about it earlier.

Keep faith and enjoy your time together. Find fun things to do along the way. Hope this helps.

Jean

[Six1]

Hidden Welcome aboard Great advice Great Friends

I've been on the site bout a year The only problem I have is with my phone,😀 They are always there with for u

[Helenmcq51]

I firmly believe that a good upbeat attitude, healthy eating (no processed food organic meats, fruits n veggies) and exercise even if only walking in the house are very important. Listen to drs and ask questions, don't give up only God knows your sister future. Pray. Good luck