SCLC - what's going to happen
My husband was diagnosed with SCLC in November 2016. We were in shock, he went from playing golf on November 22 to getting a diagnosis of advanced lung cancer on November 25th. This was quickly followed by hospitalization on December 11 with pain and dehydration,(lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks). Started chemo, cisplatin and etopiside on December 19, and has had six chemo, ten chest radiation and four whole brain preventative radiation which was finished May 5. He has been hospitalized since May 2 with infections and pneumonia, hes still in as the temp is still going up ....we were shocked, we had this vision that he would be resting at home in May, not sick in the hospital.. We are shattered, and worried, as if this is what is going to happen then how will he survive if he needs additional chemo after the next scans? I'd love to connect with someone who is. going through SCLC, I don't what to expect and I'm worried about his care.
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Comments
Hi Von,
I too was diagnosed last september with stage 4 small cell lung cancer, I only married 5 years ago and have 2 small kids under 5, when i received the news i was devastated but had to pull myself together to try figure out how to tell my wife who only lost her 24 year old brother to a tragic accident a few months before. Its been absolute hell like your husband i spent a lot of time in hospital mainly because of total weakness weight loss and unimaginable pain, thankfully i have managed to stay away from being admitted the last few months mainly due to stubbornness and a good palliative care team. I went through 6 months of chemotherapy and 10 solid weeks of radium my last 2 chemo treatments were combined with the radium which proved hard going but got through them then a 3 week rest and then 3weeks of radium to the brain, that just about finished me off and havent had an ounce of strength since, but for my boy's i have to find it to try keep things normal as possible. 6 weeks after all the treatments I had a CT it showed that the tumours in my lung had shrunk "Noticeably" and that the activity in the glands had ceased but the curse was still present. At that point I was told that the next step was a full CT in three months, I was overjoyed! But unfortunately the last few weeks i feel unwell every day barely able to dress myself and more reliant on my oxygen, I feel so depressed and my temper is very short lately also and barely sleep 4 hours a night. I am due "The Scan" tomorrow and i haven't been able to think of anything else for weeks and in all honesty I am terrified of what the consultant will tell me next week. I am assured by both consultants that if need be there are many other treatments available if it should come to that, its no consolation but I am sure if it comes to it i'll be glad of it. I have found dealing with and sharing all i feel and think very difficult i just try very hard to find strength to keep going and avoid taking to bed at all as it would only serve to weaken me and allow this awful scourge to take grip. I will gladly answer any questions you may have if i can and i wish both you and your husband the very best of wishes. Take care.
Hi Von,
I too was diagnosed last september with stage 4 small cell lung cancer, I only married 5 years ago and have 2 small kids under 5, when i received the news i was devastated but had to pull myself together to try figure out how to tell my wife who only lost her 24 year old brother to a tragic accident a few months before. Its been absolute hell like your husband i spent a lot of time in hospital mainly because of total weakness weight loss and unimaginable pain, thankfully i have managed to stay away from being admitted the last few months mainly due to stubbornness and a good palliative care team. I went through 6 months of chemotherapy and 10 solid weeks of radium my last 2 chemo treatments were combined with the radium which proved hard going but got through them then a 3 week rest and then 3weeks of radium to the brain, that just about finished me off and havent had an ounce of strength since, but for my boy's i have to find it to try keep things normal as possible. 6 weeks after all the treatments I had a CT it showed that the tumours in my lung had shrunk "Noticeably" and that the activity in the glands had ceased but the curse was still present. At that point I was told that the next step was a full CT in three months, I was overjoyed! But unfortunately the last few weeks i feel unwell every day barely able to dress myself and more reliant on my oxygen, I feel so depressed and my temper is very short lately also and barely sleep 4 hours a night. I am due "The Scan" tomorrow and i haven't been able to think of anything else for weeks and in all honesty I am terrified of what the consultant will tell me next week. I am assured by both consultants that if need be there are many other treatments available if it should come to that, its no consolation but I am sure if it comes to it i'll be glad of it. I have found dealing with and sharing all i feel and think very difficult i just try very hard to find strength to keep going and avoid taking to bed at all as it would only serve to weaken me and allow this awful scourge to take grip. I will gladly answer any questions you may have if i can and i wish both you and your husband the very best of wishes. Take care.
How did your scan go? Best of luck in your treatment going forward and stay strong
