Lung Cancer ,anyone Out There Beat It???

[WHIT1]

My mil has lung cancer, its the fast growing but slow moving ,if that makes any sense. She started chemo last week and has 5 more tx which is suppose to take her through the summer. Then she has radiation. What I have been reading on the boards has not been good so please has anyone or their family member survived this terrible cancer? She has a positive outlook and we tell to keep positive thoughts but the more I read and see on tv the less I like. Need to hear about some people that have lived and the chemo helped. So any imput would be appeciated :

 

[DawnCt1]

DH's uncle survived lung cancer with surgery but they found his lesion incidentally and he had absolutely no symptoms at the time of diagnoses. He has lived more than 10 years. With lung cancer one can assume he is home free. My father, on the other hand survived 18 months after diagnosis. He was on the "long side". His also was found incidentally. He went to the hospital with chest pain that turned out to be gastritis and found a lesion. He never had any respiratory symptoms, other than COPD from smoking. He had chemo and radiation. He passed away in 1976. I am sad to say that the stats for lung cancer still hover around 5%. It metastacizes early, spreading to the mediastinum, brain and bone. I hate cigarettes!

 

[sue1013]

My MIL is a 4 yr survivor. Hers was found when she went to the ER due to what ended up being acid reflux. However she ignored it and didn't tell anyone about it until she was hospitalized for a blood clot in her leg. She told the doctor he could discuss her condition with her son (my DH). Then we all found out she had known about the tumor for 10 months. She was very lucky it had not spread out of the lung. The local hospital she was in wanted to do chemo and radiation we said we needed a 2nd opinion and took her to a cancer hospital in the city. They did surgery removed the top lobe of her lung, she did not have chemo or radiation. She's fine today. Please make sure she gets a 2nd opinion. We've found out with MIL and FIL the hospital you go to can make a huge difference.

 

[DawnCt1]

Please make sure she gets a 2nd opinion. We've found out with MIL and FIL the hospital you go to can make a huge difference.

That is so true, particularly with cancer. The first treatment you embark on should be the right one.

 

[georgina]

I don't know anyone personally, but a local TV meterologist, Joe DeNardo, had a whole lung removed in 1998, chemo and radiation, and he is still around. People can survive lung cancer.

 

[trip]

My Mom lasted 3 years. The 5-year survival rate for all stages of lung cancer combined is only 15%. Not all who have lung cancer are smokers.

I think one of the reasons for low funding is because it's easier to blame people who have lung cancer than some of the others cancers(ie breast cancer.)

 

[JoyG]

I saw "The Marlboro Man" on Larry King back when Dana Reeve was first diagnosed. Apparently he has survived 3 different bouts of lung cancer, he's now an anti smoking activist.

 

[MinnieM3]

Hmmm thought about skipping this board, but I'd like you to know that I am 46, never smoked (never even had a puff!), refuse to be around smokers, survived Stage 3 Breast Cancer and I was diagnosed with lung cancer about a month ago. I have every intent on surviving and living to, oh, 100 or so! I have much to do and 3 kids to take care of!

My surgery to remove half my lung is Tuesday morning. I had no symptoms. I went to have a chest x ray after my final breast cancer reconstuction surgery because I developed a cough and fever and they thought I had pneumonia. No pneumonia, surprise, it's lung cancer.

Keep positive! I'll let you know how my journey progresses. I have no doubt that I will be fine.

 

[4nana]

My heart goes out to your MIL and family. Both of my dear parents are victims of the terrible cancer curse, so I feel your pain. We lost my dear Dad to throat/esophagal cancer and my Mom is praise God a 15 yr breast cancer survivor.

My prayers are with your MIL for beating this. Her positve outlook will really help. Sadly, we just lost a dear friend to lung cancer. He had quit smoking 15 yrs ago, went thru all the various treatments, but it spread so fast the odds were sadly against him.

On a positive note, I also have 2 female friends (late 50's) one a smoker and one not. One had a physical and it was picked up in her blood work, the other had a cold/cough and it was picked up on lung xray. They both had surgeries, followed by radiation, and are doing well and going strong 3-5 yrs later.

I know it's easier said than done, but staying strong and thinking positive is half the battle. You should like a very caring DIL and a (hug) for you too.

MinnieM3 - lots of prayers headed your way too! Your courage is amazing and we're all praying for you and your upcoming surgery and treatment. ^i^
Your Dis friends send their powers to beat this once again!!!


and prayers to all those who are suffering or have a loved one to this dreaded disease.

 

[snowwite]

My dad has been in remission with non small cell lung cancer for 6 years. He could not have the chemo but did participate in a clinical trial in Boston. Dont give up.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Marie has an uncle, now in his late 70's I would say, who had lung cancer probably 15 years ago. It was touch and go for a time but he is still here, enjoying life. My best wishes and prayers for your mother-in-law, she needs to be ready to fight it. And again, Beth, my prayers and good wishes continue for you.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer almost ten years ago (after two bouts w/prostate cancer). They had to remove the upper lobe of his lung...he is 77 now and still going strong! On a side note, when they removed part of his lung they moved the lower lube into the upper cavity because there is more room. I found this really interesting as I didn't know lungs could be moved around.

Good luck to those of you currently going through treatment for lung cancer (or any cancer, for that matter).

 

[lucyanna girl]

Yes! My FIL had lung cancer around 15 years ago and is fine and healthy today. He took cemo and radiation. Thank God, he is a wonderful man. I lost my own DF and hate to think of losing him.

 

[DebbieB]

My dad, a smoker, originally had lung cancer in 1979 at the age of 45. He just had radiation. My mom asked the doctor how long he had, the doctor said "I wouldn't plan a trip to the ocean next summer". He was fine until 1993 when it came back and he died shortly after. 14 years was pretty amazing to all the doctors.

Best wishes to your MIL.

 

[momof2inPA]

Hmmm thought about skipping this board, but I'd like you to know that I am 46, never smoked (never even had a puff!), refuse to be around smokers, survived Stage 3 Breast Cancer and I was diagnosed with lung cancer about a month ago. I have every intent on surviving and living to, oh, 100 or so! I have much to do and 3 kids to take care of!

My surgery to remove half my lung is Tuesday morning. I had no symptoms. I went to have a chest x ray after my final breast cancer reconstuction surgery because I developed a cough and fever and they thought I had pneumonia. No pneumonia, surprise, it's lung cancer.

Keep positive! I'll let you know how my journey progresses. I have no doubt that I will be fine.

If attitude has anything to do with it-- and we all know it does-- you'll be around for a long, long time.

 

[lunchmomd]

Kind of ironic that I just noticed this post this morning. The receptionist in my office (who has become a very close friend to me and my family) came into work Monday and couldn't breathe (sounded like pneumonia). I made her go to the ER and after doing a chest xray they admitted her (they thought she had blood clots in her lungs). They did a CT scan, still weren't able to quite determine the "clots" and also noticed that her lymph nodes were quite enlarged. They went into her lungs somehow, biopsied, and determined that she has lung cancer and it has spread to her lymph nodes. Just diagnosed yesterday. She is 62 years old, a 10 year breast cancer survivor, and never smoked. As of last night, the doctors hadn't been in yet to discuss type of cancer, treatment options, etc. I am just devistated! But her daughter (only child - son was murdered 20 years ago) seems unfazed by the whole thing. Has only been in to visit her mom once all week!

Anyway, my real point, is thanks for posting all the positives I have read here. Makes me feel a little hopeful. P&PD would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dbogen]

My Moms surgery was a year ago last month. It was found by a fluke. A annual chest x-ray found a mass on her gland mid chesk(I forget the name now) that was removed in Nov 04 and when she was getting ready for radiation Dec04 they found the mass on her lung. A trip to boston for a specalist and in Feb 05 her whole lung was removed. They consider her cancer free from the surgery and chemo but its only been 7 months post chemo.

She gets winded easily, but she is still here with us and I expect her to dance with her grandsons at their weddings.

Deanna

 

[winniedapooh]

Hmmm thought about skipping this board, but I'd like you to know that I am 46, never smoked (never even had a puff!), refuse to be around smokers, survived Stage 3 Breast Cancer and I was diagnosed with lung cancer about a month ago. I have every intent on surviving and living to, oh, 100 or so! I have much to do and 3 kids to take care of!

My surgery to remove half my lung is Tuesday morning. I had no symptoms. I went to have a chest x ray after my final breast cancer reconstuction surgery because I developed a cough and fever and they thought I had pneumonia. No pneumonia, surprise, it's lung cancer.

Keep positive! I'll let you know how my journey progresses. I have no doubt that I will be fine.

Sending pixie dust your way...

 

[WHIT1]

Reading all your replies has helped so much. It does give us a light at the end of the tunnel. The dh and I went to wallyworl and got some fleece material and I made her some real soft lap blankies to keep her warm while getting the chemo. I also got her a tote bag and the dh and I painted an island,bright sun and fishes in the water and told her its her happy place. Then on the other side I painted balloons,flowers and alot of bright colors and then the dh,myself,the dog,the cat and my son personally sighed it for her. She called last night and was in tears thanking us for taking the time to do something so special for her. She a very positive attitude and this even helps more. So for those who are also going through this with a loved one the littest things makes the diffence. So thanks again everyone for the pixie dust and positive thoughts and hugs.

 

[WHIT1]

Hmmm thought about skipping this board, but I'd like you to know that I am 46, never smoked (never even had a puff!), refuse to be around smokers, survived Stage 3 Breast Cancer and I was diagnosed with lung cancer about a month ago. I have every intent on surviving and living to, oh, 100 or so! I have much to do and 3 kids to take care of!

My surgery to remove half my lung is Tuesday morning. I had no symptoms. I went to have a chest x ray after my final breast cancer reconstuction surgery because I developed a cough and fever and they thought I had pneumonia. No pneumonia, surprise, it's lung cancer.

Keep positive! I'll let you know how my journey progresses. I have no doubt that I will be fine.

I wish you lots of luck and positive thoughts for your surgury tue. Keep those positive thoughts always and it will get you through anything. I know you can do this and won't let this terrible disease win.