I am 5-plus year survivor of stage IV non-small lung cancer, and prostate cancer too. Stage IV lung cancer is no longer a death sentence. It is possible to survive and thrive. But surviving this very deadly disease requires everything you have.
Hi @jolloyd51 , Welcome to Mayo Connect. Sorry that you had such a hard year in 2024. I'm sure you'll remember it like no other that you've faced. It certainly sounds like you're headed in the right direction. The treatments that we have access to today are amazing. We have to feel fortunate for that! I take a targeted therapy (pills) every day.
Are you tolerating the Keytruda ok? Did your doctors give you anything additional for the bone metastases?
So far I am tolerating the Keytruda well. I am tired often, but I don't feel sick or have any pain. My last scan showed some "ground glass opacitities" in both lungs, which could be something serious, and it could be caused by Keytruda, but we are needing more scans to be sure. I'm not having any symptoms from the GGO.
For the bone metastases, I am taking thea bone strengthener Zometa as an infusion every four weeks. Yes, 2024 was an interesting year.
Hi @jolloyd51 , Welcome to Mayo Connect. Sorry that you had such a hard year in 2024. I'm sure you'll remember it like no other that you've faced. It certainly sounds like you're headed in the right direction. The treatments that we have access to today are amazing. We have to feel fortunate for that! I take a targeted therapy (pills) every day.
Are you tolerating the Keytruda ok? Did your doctors give you anything additional for the bone metastases?
So far I am tolerating the Keytruda well; however, I am being monitored carefully for some “ground glass opacities” that showed up in the upper lobes of my lungs in my last PET scan. Since I’m not having any symptoms (shortness of breath, coughing, low blood oxygen level), they gave me another dose last week but I’ll be getting a scan soon to see if those opaque spots are growing or resolving.
For the bone metasteses, I get a Zometa infusion every four weeks for two years. The cancer in my bones was not visible on my last scan.
Hi @nanagg , Welcome! I'm sorry that you're facing this disease. It's a tough road, but hopefully it's not too bumpy for you. What type of lung cancer do you have, and are you stage 4? How are you tolerating the chemo?
Hi @jolloyd51 , Welcome to Mayo Connect. Sorry that you had such a hard year in 2024. I'm sure you'll remember it like no other that you've faced. It certainly sounds like you're headed in the right direction. The treatments that we have access to today are amazing. We have to feel fortunate for that! I take a targeted therapy (pills) every day.
Are you tolerating the Keytruda ok? Did your doctors give you anything additional for the bone metastases?
I was diagnosed in June 2024 with stage 4 non-small cell adenocarcinoma that metastasized to my pelvic and scapular bones. I had three rounds of chemo and immunotherapy (Keytruda). Doc dropped the chemo but I’m getting Keytruda every six weeks. No bad side effects yet and my body’s reaction to Keytruda has been “amazing,” apparently because of a protein (PL-01) in my tumor that responds very well to treatment.
@nursed2075- Welcome to Mayo Connect. Yes, we have a lung cancer group. I am the mentor for lung cancer and health. I do have stage 4 lung cancer. Many people in the lung cancer group do. I'm horrible on my cell phone otherwise I'd put the link here. You can access it the same way you found this group.
Why are you interested in stage 4 lung cancer patients? Have you been diagnosed with it?
Thank you. It was good to read you’ve been on targeted therapy for four plus years. The vascular doctor thought it may be the cancer that caused inflammation which might have caused the clots. You raise a good point about the targeted therapy a possible cause. I have a video appointment with my main lung cancer doctor next Monday so I’ll hear his thoughts. Thank you so much for helping me. I’ve been feeling a bit down with this latest situation.
Sending virtual hugs to you Diane. Any diversion from our "normal path" is difficult. The doctors will figure this out. It sounds like there are options to treat it, and options are good!
The sun is out where I am, after too many cloudy days. Of course, that means its bone chilling cold outside, but inside it's nice to have the sun coming through the windows. Sometimes it's the little things that give us a lift. I hope you have something to lift you up a bit too. 🙂
Thank you. It was good to read you’ve been on targeted therapy for four plus years. The vascular doctor thought it may be the cancer that caused inflammation which might have caused the clots. You raise a good point about the targeted therapy a possible cause. I have a video appointment with my main lung cancer doctor next Monday so I’ll hear his thoughts. Thank you so much for helping me. I’ve been feeling a bit down with this latest situation.
I was diagnosed September 2022 with stage 4 nsc lung cancer. I went through standard chemotherapy, immunotherapy and am currently in a trial of targeted therapy since August 2023. I feel well, just tired in the afternoons. 2024 was a really good year for me. Unfortunately now I have some clots in my lungs. The remedy is twice a day enoxaparin shots for 30 days. I think it’s a form of heparin. Once over the shock of that news I’m grateful they were found early on the c t scan. I keep wondering why this lung cancer occurred. Keep up the hope. Hugs
@dianemb, I'm glad that 2024 was good to you. When we can get through years with minimal issues, it's a good year!
I'm glad that the CT scan showed the blood clots, and that they have an additional medication to try to treat them. Do your doctors think the clots could be related to your targeted therapy? Some of the targeted therapies have that as a side effect. I've been on mine for 4 1/2 years now.
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I am 5-plus year survivor of stage IV non-small lung cancer, and prostate cancer too. Stage IV lung cancer is no longer a death sentence. It is possible to survive and thrive. But surviving this very deadly disease requires everything you have.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionSo far I am tolerating the Keytruda well. I am tired often, but I don't feel sick or have any pain. My last scan showed some "ground glass opacitities" in both lungs, which could be something serious, and it could be caused by Keytruda, but we are needing more scans to be sure. I'm not having any symptoms from the GGO.
For the bone metastases, I am taking thea bone strengthener Zometa as an infusion every four weeks. Yes, 2024 was an interesting year.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsSo far I am tolerating the Keytruda well; however, I am being monitored carefully for some “ground glass opacities” that showed up in the upper lobes of my lungs in my last PET scan. Since I’m not having any symptoms (shortness of breath, coughing, low blood oxygen level), they gave me another dose last week but I’ll be getting a scan soon to see if those opaque spots are growing or resolving.
For the bone metasteses, I get a Zometa infusion every four weeks for two years. The cancer in my bones was not visible on my last scan.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHi @nanagg , Welcome! I'm sorry that you're facing this disease. It's a tough road, but hopefully it's not too bumpy for you. What type of lung cancer do you have, and are you stage 4? How are you tolerating the chemo?
Hi @jolloyd51 , Welcome to Mayo Connect. Sorry that you had such a hard year in 2024. I'm sure you'll remember it like no other that you've faced. It certainly sounds like you're headed in the right direction. The treatments that we have access to today are amazing. We have to feel fortunate for that! I take a targeted therapy (pills) every day.
Are you tolerating the Keytruda ok? Did your doctors give you anything additional for the bone metastases?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI was diagnosed in June 2024 with stage 4 non-small cell adenocarcinoma that metastasized to my pelvic and scapular bones. I had three rounds of chemo and immunotherapy (Keytruda). Doc dropped the chemo but I’m getting Keytruda every six weeks. No bad side effects yet and my body’s reaction to Keytruda has been “amazing,” apparently because of a protein (PL-01) in my tumor that responds very well to treatment.
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Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsI’m getting ready to do my 3rd chemo treatment
Sending virtual hugs to you Diane. Any diversion from our "normal path" is difficult. The doctors will figure this out. It sounds like there are options to treat it, and options are good!
The sun is out where I am, after too many cloudy days. Of course, that means its bone chilling cold outside, but inside it's nice to have the sun coming through the windows. Sometimes it's the little things that give us a lift. I hope you have something to lift you up a bit too. 🙂
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThank you. It was good to read you’ve been on targeted therapy for four plus years. The vascular doctor thought it may be the cancer that caused inflammation which might have caused the clots. You raise a good point about the targeted therapy a possible cause. I have a video appointment with my main lung cancer doctor next Monday so I’ll hear his thoughts. Thank you so much for helping me. I’ve been feeling a bit down with this latest situation.
@dianemb, I'm glad that 2024 was good to you. When we can get through years with minimal issues, it's a good year!
I'm glad that the CT scan showed the blood clots, and that they have an additional medication to try to treat them. Do your doctors think the clots could be related to your targeted therapy? Some of the targeted therapies have that as a side effect. I've been on mine for 4 1/2 years now.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction