Adenocarcinoma NSC Lung Cancer Stage 3. Advice? Success stories?

Posted by detroitmom23 @detroitmom23, Feb 7, 2023

I recently found out that I have stage 3 adenocarcinoma NSCLC with mass in lung and spread to lymph nodes in neck, they want to do four rounds of chemo and if shrunk enough possibly radiation afterwards. I have asked them not to give me a prognosis because my fragile mind can’t handle it.
My first chemo treatment is tomorrow and I’m a nervous wreck. Any advice on getting through it?
Any success stories would be SO welcome right now.

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Hello, I’m sorry, I don’t have any advice but I just wanted to wish you the best of Luck and much Love! I just had my first Lung Cancer screening and they also found adenocarcinoma lesion in my upper left central lobe area. I go on Thursday for bronchoscopy for staging. I’ve only been going through this for about a month but stressing has caused me to loose 4 pounds and reading everything I can on Mayo’s website. I’ve had to come to grips that it will be what it will be. I’m hoping for a GOOD outcome, but also preparing for the maybe not do good. I am opting for the 5 day radiation beam therapy or as I know it, Cyberknife. I’m hoping they will say I can do that. If not I guess it’s a possible lobectomy. Anyway, I pray your outcome is GOOD! You must remain positive! Know that you are not alone!❤️

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Please also update when you can. It’s good to have others to talk to that are maybe going through some of the same things you are. I am also scared, no one wishes for this stuff, but we can help each other be or stay strong! I heard that meditation is supposed to be very helpful. I don’t know how to meditate, but I will do my best version of it and that will work for me. Just visualize the chemo killing all the cancer cells and visualize yourself healing and getting stronger and healthier. God Bless you, and Best of everything for you!

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Success stories: I was given six to eight months. THAT WAS 6 1/2 YEARS AGO. Stage IV adenocarcinoma. Metastasized to brain and adrenal glands. Don’t ever give up.

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OMG That is Fantastic! So Happy for your success in this fight!!! I pray that good fortune will continue to be with you!

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First day of chemo went better than I expected . Just a long day.,, started with getting bloodwork done. Then met with Nurse Practitioner to discuss any pain or anxiety symptoms I’m experiencing and made recommendations. Then met with RN. Who went over all potential side effects I could have from chemo, VERY COMPASSIONATE professionals. Luckily the type of chemo I’m having has fewest side effects. But they are ultra proactive about preventing side effects too, steroids for 3 days surrounding chemo, anti nausea pills for home , anti nausea medication in IV. Also a vitamin B 12 injection to help combat fatigue. Nurse was very good about convincing me to stay optimistic. Said she has patients who were diagnosed at stage 4 and still doing well at 10 year mark, That was really good to hear. Very understanding that some days will be good some days not but to keep my eye on the end results. Emphasized nutrition, rest and exercise. Also said I should rinse my mouth with water, baking soda and salt 6 times a day starting immediately to prevent canker scores. Going into the infusion room was stressful. The surroundings were well appointed but I felt so overwhelmed that I needed to be there. They had a little trouble getting IV in which sucked but after that it went well, 10 min drip of one drug and 30 min drip of second drug and it was over. I felt nothing while they were infusing it. The only thing I still have hanging over my head is the side effects that are sure to come. Hopefully they will be manageable. All I can say at this point is a big shout out to the doctors and nurses at University of Michigan hospital cancer center in Ann Arbor. Their compassion is truly remarkable.

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Compassionate providers make the unpleasant tolerable! I'm so happy to hear that your first treatment went smoothly. I think you would be abnormal if you didn't have anxiety about treatments and diagnosis. Hoping your next few days are uneventful with few side effects!

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@katiesue

Success stories: I was given six to eight months. THAT WAS 6 1/2 YEARS AGO. Stage IV adenocarcinoma. Metastasized to brain and adrenal glands. Don’t ever give up.

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I have been diagnosed with stage IV adenocarcinoma so was happy to see your story .It has not metastasized. I am in a clinical trial but as of now doctors can’t be certain it is effective. I have a biopsy scheduled Monday to determine if I stay in trial or go to standard treatment. The unknowns are so difficult. Thank you for sharing your progress.

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@dianemb

I have been diagnosed with stage IV adenocarcinoma so was happy to see your story .It has not metastasized. I am in a clinical trial but as of now doctors can’t be certain it is effective. I have a biopsy scheduled Monday to determine if I stay in trial or go to standard treatment. The unknowns are so difficult. Thank you for sharing your progress.

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I thought one of the definitions of Stage IV is that the cancer has metastasized. ???

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@detroitmom23

First day of chemo went better than I expected . Just a long day.,, started with getting bloodwork done. Then met with Nurse Practitioner to discuss any pain or anxiety symptoms I’m experiencing and made recommendations. Then met with RN. Who went over all potential side effects I could have from chemo, VERY COMPASSIONATE professionals. Luckily the type of chemo I’m having has fewest side effects. But they are ultra proactive about preventing side effects too, steroids for 3 days surrounding chemo, anti nausea pills for home , anti nausea medication in IV. Also a vitamin B 12 injection to help combat fatigue. Nurse was very good about convincing me to stay optimistic. Said she has patients who were diagnosed at stage 4 and still doing well at 10 year mark, That was really good to hear. Very understanding that some days will be good some days not but to keep my eye on the end results. Emphasized nutrition, rest and exercise. Also said I should rinse my mouth with water, baking soda and salt 6 times a day starting immediately to prevent canker scores. Going into the infusion room was stressful. The surroundings were well appointed but I felt so overwhelmed that I needed to be there. They had a little trouble getting IV in which sucked but after that it went well, 10 min drip of one drug and 30 min drip of second drug and it was over. I felt nothing while they were infusing it. The only thing I still have hanging over my head is the side effects that are sure to come. Hopefully they will be manageable. All I can say at this point is a big shout out to the doctors and nurses at University of Michigan hospital cancer center in Ann Arbor. Their compassion is truly remarkable.

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After awhile I learned to embrace the treatment effects. They didn’t last that long. Keep a diary or a checklist and you may start seeing a pattern. The steroids made me feel energized at first and then I knew I’d be spending a few days on the couch barely eating. So I had my cream of wheat and bananas; soup and crackers at the ready. Easy reading ( books I’d already read and loved so it would be easy to focus), and my favorite movies so if I fell asleep I wouldn’t miss anything. I got rid of any guilt I might feel for just staying low for a few days. Then gradually work myself out of it again until I was back to normal. ( Knowing I was going to have to do it all over again I three weeks)

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@katiesue

I thought one of the definitions of Stage IV is that the cancer has metastasized. ???

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Just what I was told.

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