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.

rlogan | @rlogan | Apr 10, 2022
In reply to @dedehans "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..." + (show)
@dedehans

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.

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Dede, What do you put on the swabs?
Liz has an insulated glass of ice water that she sips from throughout the night,

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rlogan | @rlogan | Apr 10, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "That's wonderful that she has few side effects right now. However, it has to be very..." + (show)
@merpreb

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?

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Liz will still pretty much eat anything but really seems to enjoy chocolate brownies, ham, cheese, fried chicken, and really enjoys ice cream!! I think she just "powers through" the metallic taste when it occurs.

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2 replies
dedehans | @dedehans | Apr 10, 2022
In reply to @rlogan "Dede, What do you put on the swabs? Liz has an insulated glass of ice water..." + (show)
@rlogan

Dede, What do you put on the swabs?
Liz has an insulated glass of ice water that she sips from throughout the night,

Jump to this post

I keep one in a small shotglass of water....just to swab around my mouth and teeth when too dry and I really don't feel like getting up....I do keep a glass of water at bedside too....

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dedehans | @dedehans | Apr 10, 2022
In reply to @rlogan "Liz will still pretty much eat anything but really seems to enjoy chocolate brownies, ham, cheese,..." + (show)
@rlogan

Liz will still pretty much eat anything but really seems to enjoy chocolate brownies, ham, cheese, fried chicken, and really enjoys ice cream!! I think she just "powers through" the metallic taste when it occurs.

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Good! Eat what makes you happy. I also am a fan of tomato basil cream soups.....and broccoli and cheese soup....hungry now!

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Apr 10, 2022
In reply to @rlogan "Liz will still pretty much eat anything but really seems to enjoy chocolate brownies, ham, cheese,..." + (show)
@rlogan

Liz will still pretty much eat anything but really seems to enjoy chocolate brownies, ham, cheese, fried chicken, and really enjoys ice cream!! I think she just "powers through" the metallic taste when it occurs.

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I experienced metallic tastes when I had chemo. SHe's a strong woman to power through the taste! Bob, is Liz up and around, at least a bit for exercise?

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rlogan | @rlogan | Apr 10, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "I experienced metallic tastes when I had chemo. SHe's a strong woman to power through the..." + (show)
@merpreb

I experienced metallic tastes when I had chemo. SHe's a strong woman to power through the taste! Bob, is Liz up and around, at least a bit for exercise?

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She is able to move around by herself pretty well. She has back & shoulder pain nearly constantly (arthritis) that we are treating with heat/cold pad, lidocaine and Oxycodone. This keeps her awake at night sometimes. She does not exercise as often as she should and I keep on her about this..... I am concerned that it will become more difficult for her once chemo starts and trying to get her into better habits now.....

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Apr 10, 2022
In reply to @rlogan "She is able to move around by herself pretty well. She has back & shoulder pain..." + (show)
@rlogan

She is able to move around by herself pretty well. She has back & shoulder pain nearly constantly (arthritis) that we are treating with heat/cold pad, lidocaine and Oxycodone. This keeps her awake at night sometimes. She does not exercise as often as she should and I keep on her about this..... I am concerned that it will become more difficult for her once chemo starts and trying to get her into better habits now.....

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I understand what you are saying. Chemo will most likely take a lot out of her. But immunotherapy can be a different story. Aren't the results of her tests coming up soon? Let's see what happens with what she is subscribed, ok?

It might help if you walk with her. Walking will be her best friend in the coming weeks and months.

Will she walk with you?

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2 replies
lidiagamble21 | @lidiagamble21 | Apr 11, 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?

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I was very lucky. I was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. Had chemo and radiation on the same days and I never experienced any nausea or vomiting.
God willing Liz does well with the treatments. God bless her.

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rlogan | @rlogan | Apr 11, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "I understand what you are saying. Chemo will most likely take a lot out of her...." + (show)
@merpreb

I understand what you are saying. Chemo will most likely take a lot out of her. But immunotherapy can be a different story. Aren't the results of her tests coming up soon? Let's see what happens with what she is subscribed, ok?

It might help if you walk with her. Walking will be her best friend in the coming weeks and months.

Will she walk with you?

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Merry, she is on oxygen 24-7 so the only walking she really does is when we go for her doctor visits. The physical therapist showed her a way to walk around the house to get exercise and she has a stationary bicycle she can use also, just gotta get her more interested in using all the exercise tools available.....

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