Treatment for small cell

[Jerry0]

Hi my Mum was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell in August - she has finished 4 rounds of chemo - carboplatin and etiposode - after 2nd round ct scan showed tumour had shrunk as had lymph nodes and no new spots - she is so much better in herself - her cough has gone, her breathing is so much better and she is very positive after feeling pretty depressed at one stage and has a great appetite - oncologist appt was last week and I wasn’t able to be there as I normally am - they are doing another ct scan and he said dependant on results chemo will stop and radiotherapy will start - can anyone explain why this would

Be please as I’ve read about awful side effects of radiotherapy and we are doing good at the moment -many thanks

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello Jerry0,

Its good to hear that your mum has responded well to the chemo and that her mood has also improved. The best people to advise you on decisions made on your mum's treatment are the oncology team who are looking after her, you can contact the specialist nurse who will be able to talk you trough the reasons why her treatment has changed.

We have a very good booklet on Radiotherapy which contains lots of information on what to expect from this treatment, I have added a link below for you to view or if you prefer give us a call on the helpline freephone 0800 358 7200 and I can post out a copy to you

roycastle.org/system/file_u...

Kind regards

Roy Castle Helpline

[Ella-M]

Jerry .... my dad has just been diagnosed with SCLC also ... we didn't want to know the stage or didn't ask about time-frames etc...but i can see from CT its in lymph nodes outside lung and there is a dot in between lungs also and neck cells tested positive and stomach gland... its a strange time .My Dad is only 54 and after a life threatening battle with pneumonia at the age of 31 where he was on life support ( i was only 6 at the time but remember it clearly).He started chemo on Monday 3/12/18- in hospital, followed by two days chemo tablet form also carboplatin etoposide combination- and strange to say is in otherwise good health. I found the medical team to be excellent but very negative - in the 3-4 weeks of tests and confirming cancer presence - we had come to terms with lung cancer and had decided we will beat this thing- although aware this cruel disease is typically something that can be managed and repressed but seldom cured.I waited in the foyer of the cancer center we attend on monday and a lady approached me out of no where in a crowded room and starts talking - she was 80 and came through lung cancer - she presented me with a relic medal depicting our lady and Bernadette in Lourdes- told me to rub it on my dad and not take it off and return to her when it was gone/done/no longer needed ....i don't know actually at which point i am to return it - but i do know this The Lady (Kathleen) has been the only light i have seen in weeks and seeing recent posts from others is giving me hope and light for my Dad also. I hope we can all help each other. 3days prior to this medal presentation - i had prayed for a grace/healing for my Dad and having not known the rosary -offered up that i should learn to pray the holy rosary for a grace to be awarded to him in these unsure times - and feel like my prayer has been heard and this lady answered it . I am catholic and the medal presented had been giving to this lady from a member of the protestant faith i believe she told me. I can only hope my faith and development of it alongside the medical experts help we can indeed beat this. My Dads tumor is in his left lung at 2cm in size, this lung was already damaged/scared by the pneumonia - the right lung is perfect though! . He now hits day 5 of chemo cycle tomorrow and starts the antibiotic element and is due to return for chemo on Christmas eve .to-date he has experienced little in the terms of side effects and is getting up and on with things in the earlier part of the day . If anyone has any advice on anything i can do to help him - i am very open to advice x Love and Light to you all

[kwaka903 in reply to Ella-M]

Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee and blessed art though amongst woman, blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus, Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death Amen. Ella, for your Dad God Bless...

[kwaka903]

I had radio, no side effects. For scell left upper lung.

[Ella-M in reply to kwaka903]

Thanks for your post.how have you been?

[Saddolly]

My mum was diagnosed with stage 3 sclc and they started her on carboplatin and etiposide for 6 rounds and by the 4th round they started radiotherapy alongside it as they said they needed to use the most aggressive form of treatment.....at time of diagnosis Mum had lymph node involvement!! My poor mum had every side effect going....they had to reduce her chemo!! She finished all rounds of chemo and radio and only really suffered the burns to her skin!! She was so brave Just dealt with it like a trooper!! Didn’t moan once x x I hope your mum has an easy time of it!! All the best to you and your mum!! I know how hard it gets....xxx