1. < Lung Cancer

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

Posted by rlogan @rlogan, Feb 19, 2022

My wife received the following diagnosis yesterday: Primary malignant neoplasm of lung, secondary malignant neoplasm of liver, secondary malignant neoplasm of vertebral column. Four months ago she had a chest x-ray performed and no anomalies were noted.

We have surmised that this is likely Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer.

She has been referred to a local oncologist and a PET-CT scan has been ordered by our doctor.

Last evening we requested an appointment at the Mayo Clinic - Jacksonville at the suggestion of a friend.

Can anyone tell us what we can expect over the next few days/weeks/months?

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

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Apr 9, 2022
In reply to @rlogan "That's one BIG accelerator!!! Thanks for checking up on us. Liz completed her radiation treatments today..." + (show)
@rlogan

That's one BIG accelerator!!!

Thanks for checking up on us. Liz completed her radiation treatments today and will begin chemo next week. We meet the the Oncologist Monday morning and she has a treatment that afternoon. The radiologist said that he will rescan her brain in a few weeks to check on the progress the radiation treatments made on the cancer there and schedule additional treatments if they are needed. He wants any swelling to subside and does not want her going through initial chemo and radiation at the same time. That's about where we stand now. Will give an update next week as new info becomes available.

Thanks again for caring!!!

Jump to this post

Always, Bob.

REPLY
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Apr 9, 2022
In reply to @dedehans "If nausea hits (probably will) saltines and ginger ale help alot.....along with the zofran pill...my morning..." + (show)
@dedehans

If nausea hits (probably will) saltines and ginger ale help alot.....along with the zofran pill...my morning staples....

Jump to this post

Dee- Not all radiation treatments cause nausea. I have had 2 bouts of SBRT and not one little tingle of that awful feeling.

I'm sorry that you still are needing to take Zofran. Are you still in active treatment?

REPLY
3 replies
rlogan | @rlogan | Apr 9, 2022
In reply to @dedehans "If nausea hits (probably will) saltines and ginger ale help alot.....along with the zofran pill...my morning..." + (show)
@dedehans

If nausea hits (probably will) saltines and ginger ale help alot.....along with the zofran pill...my morning staples....

Jump to this post

Liz has no nausea from the radiation treatments, but has lost almost all sense of taste (due to where they are treating her brain). Radiologist says sense of taste should return in a few weeks after treatment ends.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Apr 9, 2022
In reply to @rlogan "That's one BIG accelerator!!! Thanks for checking up on us. Liz completed her radiation treatments today..." + (show)
@rlogan

That's one BIG accelerator!!!

Thanks for checking up on us. Liz completed her radiation treatments today and will begin chemo next week. We meet the the Oncologist Monday morning and she has a treatment that afternoon. The radiologist said that he will rescan her brain in a few weeks to check on the progress the radiation treatments made on the cancer there and schedule additional treatments if they are needed. He wants any swelling to subside and does not want her going through initial chemo and radiation at the same time. That's about where we stand now. Will give an update next week as new info becomes available.

Thanks again for caring!!!

Jump to this post

Hoping that you are both doing ok, good to hear from you. If you are comfortable sharing, let us know if the oncologist has any news on Monday regarding the biomarker testing. Take care.

REPLY
rlogan | @rlogan | Apr 9, 2022
In reply to @dedehans "I have been thinking about you too...we all are. How is Liz feeling and is she..." + (show)
@dedehans

I have been thinking about you too...we all are. How is Liz feeling and is she eating well? Important. Trying to keep weight on during these treatments can be tough ( I am an example) so aside from the "correct" diet give her that which her mouth may water for.....me? macaroni and cheese my go to longed for food. We will wait to hear from you next week.

Jump to this post

Liz has been keeping her weight on since she started taking the steroids to prevent/reduce brain swelling during the radiation treatments. She is eating 3+ times a day regularly.

She did develop a "metallic" taste in her mouth along with feeling dry mouth, but we got some "dry mouth" mouthwash and lozenges that helped both issues. Hoping these issues will go away now that radiation treatment is done (for now).

REPLY
1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Apr 9, 2022
In reply to @rlogan "Liz has no nausea from the radiation treatments, but has lost almost all sense of taste..." + (show)
@rlogan

Liz has no nausea from the radiation treatments, but has lost almost all sense of taste (due to where they are treating her brain). Radiologist says sense of taste should return in a few weeks after treatment ends.

Jump to this post

That's wonderful that she has few side effects right now. However, it has to be very difficult to eat without taste. WHen I was in chemo and my taste buds were compromised I ate things, for the first time, that were very spicy! We are all so different.

WHat will Liz eat?

REPLY
1 reply
dedehans | @dedehans | Apr 9, 2022
In reply to @rlogan "Liz has been keeping her weight on since she started taking the steroids to prevent/reduce brain..." + (show)
@rlogan

Liz has been keeping her weight on since she started taking the steroids to prevent/reduce brain swelling during the radiation treatments. She is eating 3+ times a day regularly.

She did develop a "metallic" taste in her mouth along with feeling dry mouth, but we got some "dry mouth" mouthwash and lozenges that helped both issues. Hoping these issues will go away now that radiation treatment is done (for now).

Jump to this post

re dry mouth.: https://www.amazon.com/dry-mouth-sponge/s?k=dry+mouth+sponge
I have some at my bedside table and swab my dry mouth and teeth several times at night....don't have to go and get water.

REPLY
1 reply
dedehans | @dedehans | Apr 9, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "Dee- Not all radiation treatments cause nausea. I have had 2 bouts of SBRT and not..." + (show)
@merpreb

Dee- Not all radiation treatments cause nausea. I have had 2 bouts of SBRT and not one little tingle of that awful feeling.

I'm sorry that you still are needing to take Zofran. Are you still in active treatment?

Jump to this post

Yes

REPLY
1 reply
dedehans | @dedehans | Apr 9, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "Dee- Not all radiation treatments cause nausea. I have had 2 bouts of SBRT and not..." + (show)
@merpreb

Dee- Not all radiation treatments cause nausea. I have had 2 bouts of SBRT and not one little tingle of that awful feeling.

I'm sorry that you still are needing to take Zofran. Are you still in active treatment?

Jump to this post

No radiation for me. Thinking about Liz and future chemo. I am on a targeted pill type of chemo and I am nauseous afterwards if empty stomach and often full stomach. I find a few saltines and a bit of ginger ale help. Also zofran with each dose.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.