Friend diagnosed with Cancer

concernedfriend · Regular Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 10

Hi. My best friend was diagnosed with what they believe to be Lung cancer. An Xray found a spot on her lung, then she had a dye imaging test(not sure of the proper name) but then they found out she had a nodule on her liver also,and that it has metastasized to lymph nodes in her sternum.

Mind you that back in May, she had an xray done and no nodules were showing then. Can Cancer show up in 3 months like that?

She is going to see the thoracic surgeon on Wed.

I know no one can diagnose her but can someone give me an idea, of what to expect. She thinks she might be in stage 4, seeing it has spread.
Would chemo or radiation help at all? Can the doctor just look at her images and say there is no more we can do, or must he open her up to be certain.

Any help or info would be appreciated.

Thanks

concernedfriend · Regular Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 10

Hi..no one has any advice or info to share?

Thanks

Tera · Senior User Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 198

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. I know this is a scary time for her and for you.

Until a definitive diagnosis is determined, no one can really tell you what can happen and even then, people are so very different. There have been those with stage IV who have lived longer than expected, way longer, and others who we lose so quickly.

For a diagnosis of lung cancer, primary, a biopsy has to occur. Lung cancer tends to like to spread to the adrenals, brain, and bones, as well as the liver. Lung cancer can spread and grow fast. And alot depends on the type of lung cancer, i.e. non small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, etc.

Chemo and/or radiation can help, depending on what the biopsy finds. Many do well on chemo and/or radiation, while others do not. One of our posters, Dano, is on chemo and went back to work full time. My mom, on the other hand, while she made it through ten whole brain radiation treatments, was not able to tolerate chemo, and didn't make it that far.

Use stastistics as just that....statistics. They by no means are a harbringer of what your friend will experience.

I wish your friend all the best. I will keep her in my prayers.
Give the others time, you will get more responses.

Gillette · Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 10:09 pm Post subject: waiting

I found the waiting for the results, and then to find the path of the treatments, was as hard as hearing the diagnosis of my husbands stage 4 lung cancer , spread to the brain in 1(now2) places, at 51 years old. Each "critter" as I call cancer, is as different as each person, and hence there is no one-treatment-fits-all. All info we each are given is based- as mentioned before- on statistics: what has historically happened before added up, divided, and the average is what is used. Your friend needs support, and your love. Let her know yu'll be there, and it will help her wait for the answers also. And be ready for tests after tests- it is the only way the info can be gathered. Keep us posted, and pray. The power of positive prayer cannot be discounted. God Bless.
_________________
Kathy: loving Ben, who at 51:4/08, seizure: dx. NSCLC st. 4. metsX1 to brain: 5/08-8/08 carbo/taxol 5 treat. 10/8/08- 2 mets to brain. 16WBR, 4 to tumors10/9-11/4/08. 12/9/08 ? lymph involvement, lung tumor recurring, new satallite. Alimta began 12/16/08, every 3 weeks. Living, laughing, and praying every day.

concernedfriend · Regular Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 10

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your stories. My friend is only 50. She knows it doesnt look good. All I can do is be there and support her.I will give an update when I get one.

God bless everyone!

Gillette · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:13 am Post subject: friend

And that is the most important thing- to love her and listen, and JUST BE THERE. The unconditional acceptance is paramount- that she can talk to you about anything, and you will still love her. You (and she) will hear many, many time lines, experiences, and outcomes. We have. You have to live each day as it comes, and not resign to die until death is emeninent. Another who posts in this forum, signs off - "where there is life, there is hope" Ben says he will live until he dies, make plans for the future, and enjoy everything he can until unable to do so. We have heard everything from a few months, to 5 years, for his condition, and he has had 5 chemos, and has 6 radiations to go. Just keep your chin up, and laugh with her whenever possible. You lives will be changed- this meanie cannot come this close and not change you(and her) inside forever. We cannot remember what was important before the diagnosis in 4/08. Keep reaching out, venting: whatever it takes for you to get through this. Those of us whose loved ones have cancer need to have others of us around to validate that we are NOT crazy. God Bless you, chin up, and my prayers to you and your friend.
_________________
Kathy: loving Ben, who at 51:4/08, seizure: dx. NSCLC st. 4. metsX1 to brain: 5/08-8/08 carbo/taxol 5 treat. 10/8/08- 2 mets to brain. 16WBR, 4 to tumors10/9-11/4/08. 12/9/08 ? lymph involvement, lung tumor recurring, new satallite. Alimta began 12/16/08, every 3 weeks. Living, laughing, and praying every day.

dano · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:28 am Post subject: Re: Friend diagnosed with Cancer

Hi Concerned;
Getting the diagnosis is the most stressful time of having cancer, because of the shock of the initial news rattles you for some time. It sounds like the doctors are doing well if they are able to hold there tongue trying not to give false hope, false doom, or bad a diagnosis. As was mentioned before there is no standard when it comes to cancer, though there are things that are similar. I find some of the best medicine is coming here to the cancer forum. It helped me settle down and gain understanding.
God Bless
Dan
_________________
54 year old male in Hawaii
Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV
with Mets to the lymphs and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08
Currently on chemo treatments every 3 weeks
with Alimta
and taking Lovenox for blood clots
Now back to work full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

concernedfriend · Regular Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 10

Hi..you guys are wonderful!!

Well, my friend went to the thoracic surgeon and he did another cat scan and it appears her brain has not been affected, thank god.

He wants to do a PET scan this week and then do a biopsy on the lung and then on the lymph nodes. He doesnt seem AS concerned as the spot on the liver as it is small.

So, we shall see. I will keep you all updated. Thanks again for the support.
I appreciate it and god bless you all.

Tera · Senior User Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 198

That is good news. I will say a prayer for your friend. Keep us informed.

God Bless.

dano · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 2:25 am Post subject: Re: Friend diagnosed with Cancer

Concerned;
I'm scratching my head as to why the biopsy is the most important, at least that's how my doctors were and many others here in the forum. That gets the control over to the oncologist so that treatment can be started ASAP. I would think that radiation may be used on the liver, but chemo maybe used to stop the spread of cancer first. But until the biopsy is done, the type of cancer determines the the treatment. Good luck.
God Bless
Dan
_________________
54 year old male in Hawaii
Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV
with Mets to the lymphs and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08
Currently on chemo treatments every 3 weeks
with Alimta
and taking Lovenox for blood clots
Now back to work full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

concernedfriend · Regular Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 10

Hi..Here is an update.

My friend had a biopsy done this past friday.

They went in thru her neck, I believe, and then through her stomach.

She is very sore. She has nauseau and her chest really hurts, behind her breasts. This pain was there before the biopsy.

How exactly does cancer cause pain? Im not being ignorant,I just dont know the answer here however, will tumors on her lung and liver cause acute physical pain? Her voice is very hoarse.

I am very scared for her. The good news is that so far, it hasnt traveled to her brain.

Thanks...Ill let you know in a few days the results.

Thanks for all the well wishes. Appreciate the support.

Gillette · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:31 pm Post subject: friend diagnosed

Sounds like she went through a relatively difficult biopsy process. Don't forget that any biopsy is surgery, and all surgeries have muscle cutting involved, to one extent or another. That can, and will add to any pain one already has.
My husband has no pain from his cancer, so I cannot share any experience of that with you, I am sorry.
You sound like a great support for her, and will be able to see if her pains eases or not. Keep her in contact with her health team around all issues, especially pain, and ask questions of them yourself , if you get the opportunity.
What great news- that it has not travelled to her brain!!!
And keep us posted. Good thoughts sent your way, to you both, and prayers
God Bless
_________________
Kathy: loving Ben, who at 51:4/08, seizure: dx. NSCLC st. 4. metsX1 to brain: 5/08-8/08 carbo/taxol 5 treat. 10/8/08- 2 mets to brain. 16WBR, 4 to tumors10/9-11/4/08. 12/9/08 ? lymph involvement, lung tumor recurring, new satallite. Alimta began 12/16/08, every 3 weeks. Living, laughing, and praying every day.

Tera · Senior User Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 198

Sounds like she did have a rough time of it. Some of the pain may be the way the biopsy was done. But as for the cancer pain, my mom didn't have a lot of pain except for in her neck from the bone metastasis then her stomach because of the large adrenal mass and consitpation. She did have the hoarseness, which was from the lung cancer pressing on her vocal cords.

The first step is over, now waiting for the results. Hang in there and keep encouraging her

maryaz · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 12:23 am Post subject: Re: Friend diagnosed with Cancer

I, too, thought the biopsy was the important step to get the cancer identified. Sorry about the pain. Do not hesitate to ask questions of the doctors. My husband had no pain from the cancer. He was told the cancer pain doesn't stop once it starts. That was per his oncologist.

I don't think the cancer actually causes pain unless late in the diagnosis. As mentioned there are many things that can cause pain. My husband had no problem with his biopsy but was thru the back. Sounds like your friend had a difficult time there.

Best of luck with the outcome and hope treatment starts soon. Don't let anything go too long. Call and ask. We did and had no problem with the oncologists' office.
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html

concernedfriend · Regular Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 10

Hello dear friends.

Ok, my friend was diagnosed with Stage 3b Lung cancer...does not know the type(such as non-small and so on).

She will have to do 4 rounds of chemo and radn and if that works, then they will attempt to remove the tumor on her lung. the cancer has metastisized.

She said they are giving her 20-25% chance of surviving this.

At least we know what it is. Her voice is changing. Its hoarse, but it has a different tone too. Is this normal lung cancer? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

thanks again for all the kind words.

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