Please pray for my beautiful Mom 💕

Please know this is not an automatic death sentence. I've survived 14 years with stage 4 lung cancer.

Many patients today are able to have targeted therapies that prevent the cancer from growing rather than traditional chemotherapy. Some of the treatments are pills they can take at home. Immunotherapy, which was introduced a few years ago has been a game changer and increased overall survival.

Your mom has been your tower and strength. It's time for you to know to trust yourself. She taught you right from wrong, good from bad. Use what she has taught you. It's ok to make mistakes, that's a huge part of becoming an adult. She wants you to succeed. She may need to help her make decisions.

In addition to prayers, which we will freely give here, it will help if you educate yourself about your mom's cancer. The Mayo Clinic website has some very good information for you to learn from.

Learn what type of lung cancer she has, what the biomarker is that drives her cancer. (A biomarker is the spot on the gene that reproduced wrong that let the cancer grow). Find out what type of treatment she's going to have and learn what side effects to watch for.

You will swiftly learn that both you and your mom are stronger than you knew. We're here to help with questions that come up.

Welcome and big hugs for you @melissabuelna38. Getting a diagnosis like this is understandably devastating and can shake a family to its core.
Day by day you'll be able to learn more about her condition. Don't look up the statistics, and if you already have, don't believe them! They are always lagging behind current treatments and advancements. There is a lot happening in lung cancer world today. It's finally getting the attention from researchers that it's always deserved. As denzie pointed out, knowing the details of the type of cancer is important, as her doctors will match a treatment to whatever is driving the cancer. It doesn't always mean traditional chemotherapy, and it certainly doesn't mean that there is no hope. There is always HOPE.
I was diagnosed as a stage IV lung cancer patient 4 1/2 years ago. Today, I live a generally normal life, and I continue to make future plans. This isn't the death sentence that it was even 20 years ago.
Deep breath, you can do this! When is her next appointment? Has she been scheduled for any follow up scans (PET) or a biopsy?

Thank you ladies so much for your comments. Your comments really helped me feel better about the whole situation cuz I automatically thought it was a death sentence like you said. It’s comporting knowing that you guys have lived many years with the stage 4 lung cancer. Everytime I would think about it I would just break down and cry. Thank you so much for helping me feel better about the situation and God bless

Ir's also okay to be very emotional about it at this point. Keep talking to each other and support your mom's feelings, too. This is a hard time but it will get better. You will find the way.

Prayers being sent your way! For your Mother and You! I have just a little bit of advice. Mom will still try to be strong for you and the family, but YOU ALL need to let her know that you are there for HER, in her time of need! She will need someone to talk to about her cancer. She will need to feel free to talk about it. It will help her mental health which she will also need to get through this battle. Be encouraging and positive! She will need that as well. Don’t overwhelm her and be understanding of mood swings. This is not just a physical battle. It does a lot to you mentally when you hear the word Cancer. Be strong! Give your family lots of Love! God Bless you All!

@melissabuelna38, I want to repeat what others have said: lung cancer is no longer a death sentence. I was diagnosed in 2018. My lung cancer metastasized to my brain in 2020, making me stage 4. I'm still working full-time, gardening, going for walks, and judging BBQ! I take a daily pill, and that's it. For the record, I have the EGFR Exon 19 mutation. When you learn your mother's type of lung cancer, I'm sure you will find there are people here who can provide their own stories.

I also want to address your role as a caregiver. The only presentation at this year's World Conference on Lung Cancer that made my eyes leak was given by a caregiver who started his talk with two questions: "Are you comfortable?" and "Are you happy?" At the end of the talk, he told us that those were the two questions he asked his father every day after his father had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. It's just as important to take care of your mother's heart as her body, which I'm sure you already realize. Filling her life with happy thoughts, memories, and hope is some of the best medicine you can provide.

Be sure to take care of yourself. See if there is a local lung cancer support group nearby. If not, consider starting one! GO2 for Lung Cancer, go2.org, has many resources for you, including a "How To" guide on starting a support group. I know this because I'm starting one here in my town! Providing help for others is a great way to feel better yourself.

I wish you much strength, persistence, and eeeease during this challenging time.

Melissa, what you are going through is very normal, but, as many have already said when her diagnosis of what type of cancer she has is determined, then they can go out and target that little devil causing the problems. You didn't mention if she has cancer in both her lungs or just one? My hubby 3 years ago was "by surprise" diagnosed with double lung cancer and the cancers were different in each lung! After removal of the one lung lobe with EGFR mutation, he went on the targeted Tagrisso pill (1 per day) for 3 years which just ended, and the other lung had radiation that he didn't even feel. There is such good treatments out there for both NSCL and SCL cancers that there is definitely hope for her even at stage 4. Hoping this gives some light to you - think as much on the positives as you can and a very Merry Christmas to your whole family with lots of fun and laughs.

Your mother and you are in my thoughts and prayers. I lost my mother from metastatic breast cancer in 1973 when she was 51 and I was 21. My youngest brother was 7. The only treatment then was radiation therapy for cancer. Today there are many treatments. There is hope in this day and age for her. Keep the faith and fight it. Get involved, push for the best doctors and the best treatments. Talk to people who have been there and done this. Get educated about it. Ask questions. Ask her what she wants to do. You may need to take her out of state for care. Whatever fits her needs and is affordable. You’ve got this! Stay positive for her and for you.

@melissabuelna38 , I hope you were able to have a peaceful holiday with your family. Has your mother learned any more about her cancer? How are you holding up?