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Mentor

Small Cell Lung Cancer: Let's connect

Posted by Merry, Volunteer Mentor @merpreb, Jan 12, 2019

Most of the discussions about lung cancer has been about Non-small cell lung cancers. There are many sub-types of this that are included. But there is another type of lung cancer that needs to be discussed and that is Small Cell Lung Cancer. This aggressive form of lung cancer most commonly occurs in smokers. It usually starts in the breathing tubes (bronchi) and grows very quickly, creating large tumors and spreading (metastasizing) throughout the body.
Symptoms include bloody phlegm, cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Treatment includes surgery (for small tumors) as well as chemotherapy, sometimes in combination with radiation therapy.
Lung cancers cells are sometimes classified by where they tend to grow.
There have been huge breakthroughs in lung cancer research of late.
Please join @margot69 and I in this new disussion.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

lady1lake | @lady1lake | Jan 16, 2019
In reply to @margot69 "Was hoping that more people would post about their experiences with SCLC. I go to see..." + (show)
@margot69

Was hoping that more people would post about their experiences with SCLC. I go to see Dr. Wakelee at Stanford tomorrow and am just about over one with nerves. I do have the first appt with an Oncologist here at Sutter Gould on Friday. I need to sit down and write out my questions and hope there is time allotted to address them. Someone, who friended me off the discussion boards and has been a great support, mentioned having a port for treatments. I hadn't thought about that. Does anyone have a port and, if so, where and is it painful? 😬😬

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It is a good idea to have a list of questions. Being nervous makes one forget to ask for needed info.
I have had 2 ports. One back in 2010 for breast cancer, which I beat. Then another one placed early last summer for SCLC. Both were placed in my chest in 2 different areas. I did not have any pain or problems. Am leaving the last one in for a while in case there is a need for more chemo later. Just have to have it flushed every 6-8 weeks. The oncology nurse also accesses the port for blood test. Makes things so much easier.

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Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 16, 2019

@margot. Small cell lung cancer is considered a rare cancer because about only 20% of lung cancer patients have it. Maybe that's why there are so few people responding because there are very few people on here with it.
As far as ports go, if you have to have infusion therapy then that's the way to go. I had a port. You can read up on them. But I think that you are jumping the gun because you don't know what the doctor will decide is the best treatment for you.
Please make sure that your questions are addressed. They are very important. They concern your health.
Take some deep breaths. Once your list is finished I think that you will feel more settled. More in control. Try and take one thing at a time.
I'll be thinking of you. Travel safely. Let me know what you learn when you ,have a minute.
Does your new friend have lung cancer and like to join us?
You've got this! You know that she's great and caring! You'll be in great hands! Best of luck.

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margot69 | @margot69 | Jan 16, 2019

That is a good point, Merry. Most information I have found isn't really showing treatment plans or a good prognosis.
I hadn't received info from Stanford so went on the site to check my appt info. It showed I had a 15 min appt! I almost lost my 💩 (Excuse me). I called and was assured my appt would be over an hour and they have all my records. I am going to get my folder and write down my questions now.
I sent that guy the link here so maybe he will check it out. He is in the UK. Kind of odd how he got diagnosed and the treatment plan. We have been discussing the health issues we have both had for some time before this diagnosis. M seems unrelated but a lot of parallels.
I will keep you updated assuming I don't have a damn heart attack. ❤️

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Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 16, 2019

Lol Margot. You'll be fine!

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Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 17, 2019
In reply to @margot69 "That is a good point, Merry. Most information I have found isn't really showing treatment plans..." + (show)
@margot69

That is a good point, Merry. Most information I have found isn't really showing treatment plans or a good prognosis.
I hadn't received info from Stanford so went on the site to check my appt info. It showed I had a 15 min appt! I almost lost my 💩 (Excuse me). I called and was assured my appt would be over an hour and they have all my records. I am going to get my folder and write down my questions now.
I sent that guy the link here so maybe he will check it out. He is in the UK. Kind of odd how he got diagnosed and the treatment plan. We have been discussing the health issues we have both had for some time before this diagnosis. M seems unrelated but a lot of parallels.
I will keep you updated assuming I don't have a damn heart attack. ❤️

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Margot- Thinking of you! Breathe! You've got this!

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1 reply
margot69 | @margot69 | Jan 17, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "Margot- Thinking of you! Breathe! You've got this!" + (show)
@merpreb

Margot- Thinking of you! Breathe! You've got this!

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Thank you, Merry. Didn't sleep most of the night. 😴

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Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 17, 2019
In reply to @margot69 "Thank you, Merry. Didn't sleep most of the night. 😴" + (show)
@margot69

Thank you, Merry. Didn't sleep most of the night. 😴

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@margot- I'm sure that you didn't. Just try and hang in there. Let's get you squared away and then deal with other things. hugs

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Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 18, 2019
In reply to @margot69 "Thank you, Merry. Didn't sleep most of the night. 😴" + (show)
@margot69

Thank you, Merry. Didn't sleep most of the night. 😴

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@margot- How did it go yesterday? It must have been a long day yesterday, you must be exhausted. Just letting you know that I'm thinking about you.

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margot69 | @margot69 | Jan 18, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@margot- How did it go yesterday? It must have been a long day yesterday, you must..." + (show)
@merpreb

@margot- How did it go yesterday? It must have been a long day yesterday, you must be exhausted. Just letting you know that I'm thinking about you.

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Hi Merry,
That is sweet of you. It was a long drive and day. Actually, I have an appt with an Oncologist here in town today. I really do like Dr. Wakelee and her staff. She may have given me a bit of hope. I will try to write more later. Keep those fingers crossed.

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lady1lake | @lady1lake | Jan 19, 2019
In reply to @margot69 "I am in a private e-mail with a few friends and they are not happy about..." + (show)
@margot69

I am in a private e-mail with a few friends and they are not happy about the way this has been handled or, shoukd Insay, not handled. I feel like a fish flopping around in a sinking boat. One would think they would have a Patient Advocate to help. One woukd think the Doctor woukd sit down with you, explain what you have, possible treatments, suggestions where to go. Not Sutter Gould. Just send the patient a message she has a terminal illness and needs treatment ASAP. My PCP will be hearing from me, again.
Yes, that commute can be a bitch as you never know how traffic will be. I was a hour late for a GI appt over at Stanford one day. Get to the office and was told I could not be seen. I was so upset and said I was going to file a complaint. Took us about 3 hours to get there. We left and my cell rings and Tgey are telling me the doctor would see me. We were almost out of town but turned around.

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I can imagine your frustration. Hope you are now getting the attention & good advice you deserve.

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