chemos?

[anrean]

This is my 5th primary ca diagnosis and I am tired. There are multiple tumors in both lungs which opts me out of surgery. Any advice on chemos would be very helpful. I don't want to do chemo that will make me sick - seems at this point counter-intuitive to spend my time sick from chemo

[BrigidK]

I too have multiple tumors in both lungs, no surgery. I had chemo over the summer taxol and carboplatin. The only side effect was some fatigue a few days after infusion and some tingling in my hands, which went away eventually. Along with the chemotherapy I had radiation on lungs and lymph nodes. I would say go for it, benefit outweighs the cost.

[bjworkman in reply to BrigidK]

I have had the same. Yes go for it. Keep living

[anrean in reply to BrigidK]

Thank you for the info - I have a lot of thinking to do. Had ca in both breasts, and I don't ever want to go through the terrible sickness of chemo again unless it is short and buys me a lot of time. Already did the lung rads on one of the tumors. Find out next week if it worked. Been doing ca treatment since 2002 and am now very much quality over quantity.

[Helenmcq51 in reply to anrean]

Hi anrean, good luck with whatever decision you come to, I agree quality of life is important.

[bjworkman]

My hope is for you to find something to totally help you. Cancer sucks--- live your life

[FtB_Peggy]

anrean,

You have been through so much, I am deeply sorry. I would like to add my voice to the others, though, and urge you to keep fighting. Your life, your story, has immense value. You are one of a kind - that is worth fighting for!

If you are interested in looking into clinical trials, please take a look at this link on our website freetobreathe.org/lung-canc...

We partner with Antidote (a free, confidential, personalized service that lets you easily see what trials you might qualify for - and you aren't obligated to do anything more than look, if you want. You will also find information on second opinions on our website, if you haven't done that yet.

Please feel free to email me if you have questions. [e-mail].

Also, please keep talking to us, we want to know how you are doing!!!

Peggy

[Jenniferroseolson]

I am young (46 today) and perhaps that has helped me tolerate chemo, but the treatments I did were difficult for the first four-six rounds (pemetrexed carboplatin)while I was recovering from pleural effusion, pleurodesis, chest tubes etc. I have Stage 4 nsclc since April 2015. The maintenance chemo I receive now every 3-4 weeks for the past 13 or so months is Alimta, and it is tolerable for me and keeping cancer stable. I had chemo yesterday, ran errands today, and will spend the next three days sleeping a lot before recovery to my full with my family-husband, 3 kids, and 2 dogs. There was another string on here recently where many of us posted our experiences with various treatments...I don't know if there is a search feature where you could find that strong also. Best wishes for you as you discern the best path.

[BrigidK in reply to Jenniferroseolson]

You are too young to be going this. I am 58 with nsclc with mets to brain. I have been unable to work so I applied for compassionate Social Security Disability. Please look into this. I did it all on line and was approved quickly. No lawyer or personal interviews. Good luck to you.

[Jenniferroseolson in reply to BrigidK]

ThanksBrigid. I was still getting back into the workforce after staying home full time raising three kiddos for 14 years so I just assume I won't quality for anything but will check it out.

[Lifzgr8t]

Hi. I have SCLC since 06/15. My cancer was inoperable and is in the right lung and chest lymph nodes. I had 12 cycles of carboplatin and etoposide with very light side effects; loss of hair and some fatigue. I am now getting ready (next week) to finish up 6 cycles of Topotecan. Once again few side effects: thinning of hair and slight fatigue. SCLC is very aggressive andvis not curable at this time. It will continue to keep coming back. The best thing I can do with my oncologist's help is to keep finding ways to kill it off, have a few months reprieve and kill it off again. Our next step when it comes back again is to use the new immunotherapy infusions. There is ALWAYS hope. Never, ever give up, but I understand about the "quality" of life. I will not consider anything that will make me "deathly ill" day after day. That's not quality of life for me. So far, in my 20th month, God still has me healthy enough to keep fighting. At the end of next week I will have received 78 treatments of chemo. God bless you and hang in there!! 😊💜

[Lesleykay21 in reply to Lifzgr8t]

Thanks for sharing your story. It's great to see you still fighting! What stage was your cancer considered? My Dad has extensive small cell. It started in one lung and lymph nodes but recently a scan showed a pea size met to his brain. He is on his second week of radiation therapy to his chest and brain. It's pretty scary, I'm glad to hear your story as it's inspirational.

[Sue----- in reply to Lifzgr8t]

Thanks for your concern for all of us. What stands out for me is your love for God. He is my first healer. The Dr . Wants me to take this abdivo, they show it on tv. I go to the Dr. On the 20th of this month. My kidneys have taken a beaten . Don't know if I will be able to take any treatments. You know there are so many good people that gives us some good advice, but we are the only one that has the last word on what the hell will we do. Lol. My Dr. Say's I have a good sense of humor, guess that's. All I have. I refuse to give up.. so keep God first and we will make it. Here or there. Lol. God Bless

[anrean in reply to Lifzgr8t]

I have nsclc with 10 more tumors in my right lung (they already radiated one and I find out next week if it worked) and I won't let them tell me how many in the left lung...some things are better left unknown. I am coming to terms with what all of this means. Had breast ca twice and the chemo was awful enough that I don't want to go through the puking and exhaustion again. Been fighting ca - each time a primary- since 2002 and this is my 5th round. I'm hanging in there, but am also tired of fighting, thinking I have won, and getting knocked down again. Survived both liver and ovarian ca and all the surgeries that entailed. No more surgery if it means breaking my ribs - and opting out of any chemo that will make me sick, been there, done that and barely survived to tell the tale. Haven't given up hope, just not willing to spend my time "deathly ill" or in more long lasting pain. Coming to terms with this new ca is difficult. Lots of decisions to make next week as the journey continues. Doc says this is a very aggressive ca, so taking that into account as I hope for the best.

[Sue-----]

I have had chemo for 9 month's. Every 3 wks. No one can give you advice, because each one of us is different. What works for one doesn't work for another. Just trust in God and dr. And family. We can only say how we get through the road of hell. I think I want quality life (no chemo) or life ( Chemo). But for me looks like I will go with life. I do have some good day's. Just do what the good Lord wants. He will have his way -anyway. Lol. Good luck.

[anrean in reply to Sue-----]

We get through one step at a time. I know when this life is over I am heading to heaven, so that is very comforting. Like you, I am very adamant about quality over quantity, and in coming to terms with this, the feeling just gets stronger. Sometimes enough is enough. 15 years of fighting ca is coming to the point of being enough. I remember the first couple cancers and how willing I was to do anything to live...but I'm almost 60 now and my perspective has changed drastically. My game plan is to deal with each tumor with rads and let God take care of the rest.

[Sue----- in reply to anrean]

Good evening Andean , I'm 74 and I will fight to the end. I have been going to dr's for almost 9 yrs. I have fibromyalgia , the 4th -5th vertebra needed to be fused. So I'm in a lot of pain. Can't have any kind of surgery because of the lump nodes are ca. I look at the good lord and see the large nails that he took for all of us. I'll take the small nails. Lol. My perspective has not changed, as long as My God is pulling, yanking kicking me to the right and to the left. I know he will come for me when the time is right, and that is what I'm waiting for. God Bless. Let me know how you are doing.

[FtB_Peggy]

anrean,

Your courage and clarity are touching. Only you know what is best at this time for you, and clearly you are thinking long and hard about it all. Thank you for being so candid, and for allowing us to chat with you as you work through all of this, it is very generous of you. Bless you, and continue to trust your instincts. Caring hugs.