Wife Just Diagnosed w/ ES SCLC - What Can We Expect?

Chris, I have learned more about what may be wrong than I ever thought I would. I know it sounds strange, but NSCLC would seem like a blessing compare to SCLC from what I have read..... Hopefully the Oncologist can give us little more insight tomorrow and we should know late next week exactly what we are dealing with.... After that we need to find the best corrective procedures we can.

As far as dinner plans go, we prefer to eat at home. That way we get what we want and we are both pretty decent cooks ;p

I hear you. I live in southern NE and take a train to Mass General just for that reason! You might consider asking about local hotels that cater to hospital/cancer patients for better deals if you plan on staying the night. I'm glad for now it's just a 20 minute ride.

Enjoy your weekend. If there is anything else that I can help with I'm here for you.

Merry

You are correct about the SCLC, it is tougher, but my brother just past two years, an unheard of length of time just a few short years ago. There is always hope!
We cook at home as well, but we do cook special dinners when we are wanting to count our blessing. Enjoy your weekend.💕

We met with the Oncologist yesterday to discuss the brain MRI and P.E.T. scan. It now appears that we may in fact be dealing with pancreatic cancer not lung cancer. This did not show up in the CT scan, but seems prevalent in the P.E.T. scan. The mass seen in her lungs on the CT scan was actually swollen lymph nodes. The brain MRI showed some areas of concern in the base of her brain at the spinal interface and one spot in her front right lobe.

Our next step is the initial consultation meeting with the Dr. performing the biopsy on Tuesday. We are still hoping for quick biopsy after this meeting so that we know what we are dealing with and start a targeted treatment for the cancer. We will be sending the data to Mayo as soon as it is available in hopes of getting an appointment in Jacksonville to take advantage of their expertise.

The Oncologist will be referring Liz to a Radiologist to go after the two areas of her brain, as needed.

We are back to not knowing more that we know at this point......

Prayers to you both. I have stage 4 lung cancer which as metastasize to stomach and kidneys. It’s a new journey for me.

This is all new to us also, that is why I started this thread. In hopes of capturing our experiences and challenges for other "newbies" to know at least one other person's journey from the initial diagnosis to treatment and beyond. Good luck and where are you as far as treatment? Is it working?

Bob- Sometimes what seems to be one thing, isn't that at all. A healthy pancreas will look the same as a pancreas with a small tumor and CT scans can miss it. Biopsies are often scheduled after the appointment with the doctor. Is this with a thoracic surgeon?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pancreatic-cancer-group-introduce-yourself-and-connect-with-others/
I'm sending you the link to the pancreatic cancer group in case you want to touch base with others who have faced what you are going through now.

I wish you the best on Tuesday and I hope that you will let us know the next step. Not knowing things so much a part of a cancer journey. It really tests every part of a person. Right?

It’s a journey but have faith and ask for prayers. I have stage 4 lung cancer which metastasized to liver and stomach. That was three years ago . Was told maybe three months to year or so started 3 types of chemo and keytruda for 6 1/2 months, I I quit the chemo (due to lots of sickness after each dose every 21 days and continued 2 years and 2 months on keytruda. November had to stop keytruda because developed c-diff and kidneys were shutting down. Was told to drink lots of water everyday and they came back 55 percent as of last scan and blood work last week. Tumor, nodules and cells haven’t started up yet. Ask Dr if they would and said theirs 60 percent chance. Lost my husband 2016 maybe he’s looking out for me. God is good have faith and prayer. 🙏🏻 Good luck to you both.

I am sorry to hear it is in the pancreas and brain and now will be the time the doctors will identify what kind of cancer it is and how to treat it best. I am hoping you are currently set up to see doctors at Mayo or Cancer hospital. You will have a team of doctors who specialize in whatever liz' tumor types are and decide how to treat it. The waiting element is very hard and most of us here have been through it. From day of diagnosis til Surgery 3 months....day of surgery to starting treatment another 6 weeks.

Dede, thanks for sharing!! We have an appointment tomorrow with the Dr. that will perform the biopsy(ies). They will also be scheduling the placement of a mediport for needed chemo at the same time as the biopsy, if warranted. Another appointment is later in the day with a Radiologist to look at treatment options for the affected brain areas. We are hoping that the wait for biopsy results will not be long after our initial consultation tomorrow so that we can start chemo and/or other beneficial treatments.

We pre-registered Liz at Mayo-JAX a few weeks ago and sent what records we have today so they will be available to the Mayo team as soon as the biopsy results are known. PUSH-PUSH-PUSH....

The internet can be a wonderful thing!!