Question:
My 75-year old mother was diagnosed with SCLC on 12/11/06. This week we met with her oncology Dr. and her treatment is going to be an agressive combination of chemo and radiation - approximately 3.5 months. With just learning about the diagnosis - listening to all the treatment and possible side affects of the treatments it surely seems overwhelming at this time. We are very encouraged as she only has to very small nodules in her right lung! Wondering if you can recommend any reading material for my Mom that would help her as well as family members. I have begun journaling - both to capture all the information from the Dr.'s as well as questions and feelings. I just signed up to this message board - and it surely looks like a great place to get and share information and thoughts.
L
Answer:
I don't really know what reading would be helpful other than just getting the facts from reputable online sites.
The doctor my mother is going to at the Massey Cancer Institute in Richmond has one of the five year survivors under his care. That's right, the 2% that live on with this disease and fight on to live way longer than they expect, and he has treated her going on her fifth year with SCLC (extended, too!). While I realize it's important to be realistic, there is something to be said for hope and optimism, too. There are some people who outlive their diagnosis. And reading their stories is inspirational. I've even found many good stories on this site--not just "we beat it" but "we're still around, trying to beat it" or "our outcome was better than expected." Small joys, small miracles. They are out there. Best to you and yours.
Answer:
HI, I am very sorry to hear about your mom. Years ago my mom had the same diagnosis. She took the chemo which gave us extra time with her. In the end when she said no more chemo they gave her one month to live she lived almost five months. Please keep us posted. May I ask, what were your mom's symptoms. how was it discovered?
Answer:
She had this tiny bit of wheezing. She had a lung xray which showed the mass (3 cm) and we thought it was definitely nsclc, but were shocked to hear it was the other.
We are so sad and sick with fear. She is in otherwise good health, and is quite a character, so everything she says makes us laugh (then cry). My sister had cancer five years ago and we just made it to the "all clear" stage, now this...
Of course, we're still in the "Maybe it will be okay" stage, which seems naive and impossible, but it's too hard to actually face the other.
Thanks for listening.
Answer:
I know how terrible this is!! I was 21 when my mom was diagnosed and 23 when she died. I can tell you we did have many great times and memories through out it. I had such peace and closure by the time she passed because we said so much to each other that we might not have otherwise said. We all laughed and cried and friends from all over came and visited her when she was terminal. We were all so touched by the help and love of so many we didn't know all that well. It meant the world to my mom that so many visited, sent cards etc. She was quite remarkable...when they gave her one month to live she still kept busy, sewing and being my mom, and like I said, she lived five more months. Don't give up hope and enjoy each day.