Lung Cancer Stage 3a

[Kimil]

Anyone with stage 3a nsc lung cancer?

[judg69]

Kim, I was diagnosed on the cusp of 3A and 3B. That was 5 1/2 years ago, and I'm still kicking, somehow. Kind Regards, judg69

[Kimil in reply to judg69]

That is great news! Would you mind telling me what treatments you had?

[Texasjune]

I had 3a lung cancer one year ago. Was treated with 6 weeks of radiation and chemo. No signs of cancer now. I get a ct every 3 months

[Kimil in reply to Texasjune]

Wonderful! I am so happy for you. I go to my doctor Monday to see if they are going to remove it.

[judg69 in reply to Texasjune]

Hi Kim. In order, I had the following : 1) Radiation - 2 Months Radiation lifetime maximum # of gray units. 2) Chemo - 8 weeks Cisplatin and Taxitere - rough . 3) Lobectomy - removal top lobe right lung and visible metasticized tissue. 4) Chemo - 2 years Avastin and Alimta, and a post treatment shot to boost white cells. 5) Quarterly CT scans. Your treatment will undoubtedly be unique to you and your cancer. Best advice, keep your dobber up, stay strong and stay positive. You can do it, and I am in your corner. Kind Wishes, judg69

[Kimil in reply to judg69]

Thank you so much judg69. I appreciate your response and hope all continues to go well for you. I will try my best to beat this.

[Kevin1]

Hi there! I was diagnosed finally in 2013 with stage 3a nsc lung cancer- I had been going to doctors for over a year and told I had bronchitis and treated with round after round of antibiotics. I knew it was something more, insisted on CT scan and they found it in April 2013, started chemo and radiation in May, finished up in October and my lungs have no evidence of disease to this day! I did not have surgery because the 7cm tumor was wrapped around my pulmonary artery. This is why it didn't show uo on any of the MANY chest x-rays I had the year leading up to my diagnosis. I had 3 lymph nodes affected also but I'm all clear! My drugs were Cisplatin and Etopside with lots of pre-meds I didn't throw up not even once!! Insist on anti-nauseous pre-meds! And if you can get it, ask for the test to see which chemo drugs will be best for your personal cancer. I didn't have that test but luckily my doctor gave me the right "cocktail" for me. BEST OF LUCK - KEEP POSITIVE THOUGHTS - LOTS of people are beating this disease and YOU WILL TOO!! Read some great stories on radicalremission.com

[Kimil in reply to Kevin1]

I am so happy for you. Hoping I do as well! Thank you so much for your words of encouragement!

[judg69]

Kim, please keep us updated, Kind Regards, judg69

[Kimil in reply to judg69]

Will do and thanks again!

[AlisaB]

Hi, I was diagnosed 17 years ago with Stage 3a. I had a lobectomy and then 6 treatments of carboplatin and taxol. I've been stable since. In 2014 I asked my doctor to test my original tumor to see if it had a mutation (I was diagnosed before mutation testing and targeted therapies) and I found out I had the EGFR mutation, so if it was now, I would have been put on targeted therapy I guess. For me, since I've been stable, I guess the treatment I had was okay ....

I was getting scanned every 6 months until 2 years ago when I was put on a yearly schedule. By the way, even after 17 years I still get scanxiety.

[Kimil in reply to AlisaB]

AlisaB I sure hope my treatments go as well as yours. It sure helps to hear encouraging words. Thank you for responding.

[cmilashoski in reply to AlisaB]

I like your story it's very similar to my diagnosis I'm only going on my 2nd year but knowing you made it that far makes me happy I had the surgery also and chem and radiation they say I'm ned right now and I hope in 15 years I can say the same thing

[JRuthI1946 in reply to AlisaB]

You are a shining star to us all

[JRuthI1946 in reply to AlisaB]

You are a shining star to all of us

[JRuthI1946]

I was diagnosed with NSC LUNG CA in June of 2013.

Because I had asthma I had been being followed for a while...then suddenly a positive chest ,mri and PT scan. Believing it to be stage 1, I had a left upper lobectomy. Pathology showed stage 3a. Had 2 positive nodes .Had chemo Cisplatin and alimta for one dose. I didn't tolerate the Cisplatin so I was switched to Carboplatin and Alimta. After that I had 6 weeks a radiation. Doing fine.

Good luck. Think positively. Do yourself a favor and don't share your story with lots of people. They are inclined to tell horror stories. Stay with the people who can be helpful.

[Kimil in reply to JRuthI1946]

Did you have much pain?

[JRuthI1946 in reply to Kimil]

Pain is a relative word. I don't use the word that often. Post op was not bad at all. Meds on board. Chest tube removal...not a picnic.

After that, I would say there is discomfort..for some time. Wearing a bra is tough. Try not to concentrate on PAIN. .YOU WILL MOVE FORWARD IF YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO DO SO. Surround yourself with friends who will talk about nonesense...not your illness.

[katherineNED]

I was diagnosed with nsclc 5/29/14. We originally thought it was stage 1 and with lobectomy of upper left lung a cure was possible. Unfortunately when he took my lung out he took out 15 lymph nodes and 3 tested positive which made it Stage 3. I then had 16 weeks of chemo (cisplatin and vinorelbine). The cisplatine kicked my butt and I needed a blood transfusion and additional hydration. Scans were clear for a year and then a CT scan revealed a swollen lymph node. Bronchoscopy to get sample and it was cancer. Went on 4 treatments of cisplatin again. It shrunk the original node but another one popped up even bigger. Had 30 radiation treatments ( 5 days a week for 6 weeks). I had a CT and a PET scan a week ago (1 year since radiation) and all was clear. Best wishes!