Patient Discussions: Lung Cancer - Describe Your Experience
Source: http://www.medicinenet.com
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Comment from: heartbroken, 75 or over Female (Caregiver)
My mom had been having severe pain in her neck, shoulders and across her breast. We were told after having X-rays and CT scans that she had degenerative discs, and they had collapsed on top of each other causing the pain. We finally took her to a larger city hospital and asked for help with the pain she was having. They ran several tests including a CT scan of her chest. We were then told she had stage 4 inoperable lung cancer, and they gave her two weeks to six months to live. She died two days later.
Related Reading: breast | CT scan | lung cancer
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Comment from: Sue, 35-44 Female (Caregiver) Published: September 05
My dad was sick last year (June 2007). He was told by local general practitioner that he had the flu. He had a chest X-ray that showed a mark on his lung, but the doctor said it was an old infection. He had antibiotics for June, July and August, but the "flu" didn't go away. He had a lot of pain in his neck, so the doctor sent him to physical therapy, which didn't do anything. By end of August 2007, he was so sick, had lost so much weight, that he could barely even walk. A doctor finally decided to give him a second chest X-ray and blood tests. The mark on his lung was still there but bigger. He had a lung biopsy, and it was confirmed he had lung cancer. The only treatment was radiation, which didn't really do anything for him. He was in so much pain that he lost his voice. My dad died on November 17th, 2007. He was only 62 and before he got sick, he was fit and strong.
Related Reading: flu | chest X-ray
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Comment from: Thankful, 65-74 Female (Patient)
I'm 65 years old and in December of 2006, I had the middle lobe of the right lung removed. The follow-up was three chemotherapy treatments. I get checked every three months by the oncologist, and the surgeon checks me at six-month intervals. There are days that I think back and can't believe I went through all of this, it's like it was someone else, and then I remember that it can come back at any time.
Related Reading: chemotherapy
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Comment from: scared little sister, 35-44 Female (Caregiver)
My brother was just diagnosed. He is in complete denial. We can not get him to talk, eat, or sleep. All we know is he said the doctor said lung cancer and it was stage 1. I figured that was good. But after reading the sites that stage 1 SLC, does not have a very good outcome and only 16% of survivors live past 5 years. I don't know what to tell him. I am a nurse and worked with chemo patients for 2 years in the past. I believe that quality of life is more important then quantity. He deserves to happy and not to be miserable if it is his time. I just can't tell my mom or sister that I understand him saying no chemo. I am sorry that I am rambling, I am just scared, I will lose him.
Related Reading: sleep
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Comment from: Carol, 75 or over Female (Patient)
It has been five years since I was told I had non-small cell lung cancer. They removed the upper lobe of my left lung. I did not have chemo or radiation. So far, I am cancer-free. I am 77 years old.
Related Reading: cancer
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Published: July 31
My dad had lung cancer. First, his face and neck area was swollen. During that period, we never thought it was cancer, and later on, the swelling moved to his arms and chest area. After 12 days, we found out it was lung cancer from a CT scan had had done. He immediately started chemotherapy and radiation therapy. For the first two chemo rounds, the swelling was gone, but it came back. My dad survived about one to two months after the diagnosis.
Related Reading: radiation therapy
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Published: July 11
I started coughing up bloody phlegm six weeks ago. I don't have a family doctor and had to make an appointment to see one in emergency care. He X-rayed me and gave me a pulmonary test and sent me for a CT scan in another town. I went to London and saw a top specialist who told me I have lung cancer, and it has spread to my lymph nodes. I now need a biopsy and will need radiation and chemo therapy. I'm 65 and not ready to go yet.
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Published: July 01
I had breast cancer one year ago. Soon after radiation therapy I became short of breath and had symptoms of asthma. I now have numerous nodules in the lung. The doctors do not know if it is cancer and want to wait another 6 months to do anything.
Related Reading: breast cancer | asthma
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Published: June 24
Mike and I were only married 4 months when he had a MRI on his back prior to back surgery. The MRI showed tumors on his T5, 6, & 7. They did a biopsy and found cancer. They did additional testing and discovered that they think it originated in his lungs. Mike began radiation and chemotherapy immediately not questions asked. He has had 20 radiation treatments and has been receiving chemotherapy for 10 months. He even kept working during his treatments until he was too sick to work. I took time off work to take care of him and ended up losing my job. He has taught me so much about love, faith and hope. One of the first cancer patients we met told us that you cannot fight this disease without hope. She was right! Mike has been in so much pain and has been so sick (nausea) for months. He never complains. He told me that he didn't care if he had 4 days, 4 weeks, 4 months or 4 years he had to hang around for me. I feel bad that part of the reason he going through treatment is because of me. It's hard to see someone you love so much go through so much. But, we continue to pray and ask God to hold us in the palm of his hand. I feel blessed to still have Mike with me. All he has to do is smile at me and I fall in love with him all over again. So, those of you who also love someone who has cancer, just continue to love them! Love is healing.
Related Reading: MRI
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Published: May 23
My husband was diagnosed in October of 2003. He has non small cell lung cancer with brain mets. We have now finished all the radiation he can have for a life time. We are doing chemotherapy still. He has had a port that clotted off so we had it removed . Then had a central line put in that his body rejected. He is running out of good veins so they are using larger ones that are not that good either. We are down to what do we do now. The blood transfusion or Procrit makes him very sick. His red blood cells are so low or stop chemo. He wants to continue so we decided on Procrit and continue chemo. Only time will tell. The doctor says he may have six months left, but he has said that 4 1/2 years ago. I don't discuss financial things with him stress is very bad for cancer patients . The less they have to worry about the better the fight. Caregivers remember you are not alone in your fight. There are others going though the same thing.
Related Reading: blood transfusion | stress
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Comment from: judimari, 75 or over Female (Caregiver)
My grandmother just told me she had lung cancer and is not going to take treatment. Can you please tell me how long she has to live? She is a heavy smoker at the age of 76. Please advise I desperately need to know.
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Comment from: Monk, 65-74 Male (Caregiver)
My husband had pneumonia and has had several CT scans since then because there is a spot or shadow on the X-ray and a CT scan. His pulmonary doctor said the spot isn't getting any bigger and she is afraid to do any invasive testing because he only has 1 lung. (The left lung was removed 10 years ago because of a fungus). He has some cough and wheezing and I am concerned that it is cancer. What should we do? His doctor is content to wait and see.
Related Reading: pneumonia
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Comment from: mdelisa2003, 45-54 Female (Caregiver)
My sister was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in June. The cancer has spread from the lungs to the stomach to the abdomen. The doctors have given her less than six months to live. They state the chemotherapy would be useless and have recommended hospice. My sister is in complete denial and has refused hospice care. It is very difficult for the entire family, especially me because she has become so dependent on me. She won't fight the cancer.
Related Reading: hospice
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Comment from: MaggiNMe, 55-64 Female (Patient)
I am 64 years old and was diagnosed 4 months ago with stage IIIa lung cancer. I finished 6 rounds of chemo yesterday (Taxotere, Cisplatin, Avastin) and have had no side effects except some tiredness, some loss of appetite, and sleeplessness but nothing I would consider a problem. The tumor was the size of a fist and is now reduced by 60%! I am now pending surgery and even though I feel very apprehensive, I want the tumor out of me!
Related Reading: tumor
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Comment from: patsyj, 55-64 Male (Caregiver)
My husband was just diagnosed with lung cancer. He also has COPD and the doctor said that there was nothing that could be done because of the condition of his lungs. If anyone has heard of a treatment besides chemo and radiation therapy I would be more than happy if you would share it with me.
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Published: August 18
My mother, a healthy, active non smoker, developed a dry lingering cough during October at age 55. She was treated for asthma-like symptoms. She felt well enough to prepare Thanksgiving dinner that year & 2 weeks later was diagnosed w/Stage 4 lung cancer. She lived 2 months. It seems routine chest x-rays & more screening-- for all & most importantly for those w/ family history of any cancers would surely save lives. For her there were no signs until it was too late.
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Comment from: charpre, 45-54 Male (Caregiver)
My husband lost his battle after only nine months diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. He went through chemotherapy and radiation which prolonged his life but in retrospect maybe no treatment would have given him more quality of life.
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Published: August 01
My husband of 13 months was diagnosed with NSCLC stage 3, we were told he had to have chemo and rads and that he had 6 months at the most, so it was all set up. He had a severe burnt throat and no appetite at all. I got him Slimfast in the cans and kept 6 cans in the fridge at all times. I also gave him 3 iron tablets a day and all of this was given to help him build up his system, and it worked. He was on pain meds which made him sleepy but helped with the pain from the chemo and rads. When he got to where he was awake more I got him Ovaltine as that is good hot or cold and has the appox. same ingredients as Slimfast. Well, it is now 4 years later and he is up and about and eating good and even working in the yards etc. The chemo and rads left him weaker than he used to be so he just had to adjust his routine somewhat, but I have to say he has had the very best of care through the VA that anyone on earth could get and the doctors have been so absolutely wonderful it is just beyond words. They have kept close checks on my husband, run test to check and recheck to make sure it hasn't come back some where else. All I can say is God Bless them, they have all gone above and beyond the call of duty and even calling after hours and on weekends to check on him. So, veterans use your VA hospital they are awesome. And veterans, God Bless you for all you are doing and have done, you are the best, we all love you and owe you so much.
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Published: July 24
May Dad was diagnosed just about 1 year ago with lung cancer. He went through all therapy available but made him feel worse. Needed a feeding tube, burned esophagus. My question was, they day he passed away he was given a great report of how the cancer was responding, and about 8 hrs later began to violently throw up/gag up blood and died within 15 min. The doctors say his lung "exploded" there was pieces of lung in the pool of blood. Is it possible to "cough up your lung?
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Published: June 11
I get a bruised feeling in my right chest after a coughing fit.
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