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

Chris, we only learned of the diagnosis Friday afternoon. A PET scan was ordered by our family doctor, but not scheduled and biopsy not even addressed yet. I will be calling the Mayo-JAX Appt center Monday am to double-check on the online appt request I filled out Friday afternoon and I will also be asking our family doctor to refer this to Mayo-JAX for treatment.

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rlogan,

I am at the beginning stages of tests etc. at Mayo Jax for stage 3 SMCLC. So far I am really impressed with the doctors and my care team at Mayo. I was diagnosed while summering in Michigan (My home is in the Jax area). What helped me to get care at Mayo is that I immediately contacted my primary care doctor. He sent my test results to Mayo and procured an appointment for me with my care team at Mayo. You may want to try that avenue for your wife. It worked for me. Cancer is so nasty. After yesterday's appointment with the radiation oncologist, I really hit a low. I think the reality of my diagnosis finally sunk in. It's really scary. I love Merry's suggestions about controlling your attitude, your appointments, your questions etc. I think this site could be a great avenue for really expressing our private feelings and concerns. My friends all want to find ways to help - I'm going to let them. I do not want them to be my sounding board for when I get down. I'm trying to really look at my friends and determine the simple things they can do in the way of helping me. It would be easy to want to crawl in my hole and shut everyone out. Thanks for letting me vent. Wishing you the best on getting into Mayo. Please try your primary care doc. Try all the angles until you get in. Once in there are so many appointments and tests. It will take a while before you get started on treatment. It is all necessary so the treatments are geared for each individual. I was diagnosed in MI on July 17. My initial appointment with a Mayo oncologist was August 5th. Next week will be more testing and biopsies. It seems to take about a month of appointments and biopsies before treatments begin. Take care of both of you. V

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@vlpr

rlogan,

I am at the beginning stages of tests etc. at Mayo Jax for stage 3 SMCLC. So far I am really impressed with the doctors and my care team at Mayo. I was diagnosed while summering in Michigan (My home is in the Jax area). What helped me to get care at Mayo is that I immediately contacted my primary care doctor. He sent my test results to Mayo and procured an appointment for me with my care team at Mayo. You may want to try that avenue for your wife. It worked for me. Cancer is so nasty. After yesterday's appointment with the radiation oncologist, I really hit a low. I think the reality of my diagnosis finally sunk in. It's really scary. I love Merry's suggestions about controlling your attitude, your appointments, your questions etc. I think this site could be a great avenue for really expressing our private feelings and concerns. My friends all want to find ways to help - I'm going to let them. I do not want them to be my sounding board for when I get down. I'm trying to really look at my friends and determine the simple things they can do in the way of helping me. It would be easy to want to crawl in my hole and shut everyone out. Thanks for letting me vent. Wishing you the best on getting into Mayo. Please try your primary care doc. Try all the angles until you get in. Once in there are so many appointments and tests. It will take a while before you get started on treatment. It is all necessary so the treatments are geared for each individual. I was diagnosed in MI on July 17. My initial appointment with a Mayo oncologist was August 5th. Next week will be more testing and biopsies. It seems to take about a month of appointments and biopsies before treatments begin. Take care of both of you. V

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vlpr, my wife's battle is now over. Her cancer was especially aggressive and found a way around every treatment attempted. She kept a positive attitude the entire time and was my ray of sunshine.

The folks here were VERY supportive and I used them often. Good luck with your battle and treatment. I hope everything works out well for you!!!

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