Merry, Volunteer Mentor
@merpreb
@merpreb
Posts: 5596
Joined: Feb 07, 2018
Small Cell Lung Cancer
Most of the discussions about lung cancer has been about Non-small cell lung cancers. There are many sub-types of this that are included. But there is another type of lung cancer that needs to be discussed and that is Small Cell Lung Cancer. This aggressive form of lung cancer most commonly occurs in smokers. It usually starts in the breathing tubes (bronchi) and grows very quickly, creating large tumors and spreading (metastasizing) throughout the body.
Symptoms include bloody phlegm, cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Treatment includes surgery (for small tumors) as well as chemotherapy, sometimes in combination with radiation therapy.
Lung cancers cells are sometimes classified by where they tend to grow.
There have been huge breakthroughs in lung cancer research of late.
Please join @margot69 and I in this new disussion.
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lady1lake
@lady1lake
@lady1lake
Posts: 65
Joined: Jun 09, 2018
Lady, those are the drugs they plan on using for my treatments. I think it will be 3 days in a row then 3 weeks off. I was reading sons of your past posts. I keep reading that people have also had radiation. No radiation was recommended to me. Where is your cancer, Lady? When were you diagnosed? Thanks.
I was diagnosed last April & was put on the same time frame as you, 3 days in a row & 3 weeks off. In between the 1st & 2nd rounds they put me on twice a day radiation treatments every week day for 5 weeks. That regime was prescribed by the Mayo oncologist & my local radiation oncologist. My cancer is in the upper section of my right lung. Radiation is not painful, just so many trips (50) Fortunately both oncologist offices are just a couple of miles apart for the overlap days.
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margot69
@margot69
@margot69
Posts: 84
Joined: Oct 26, 2018
I was diagnosed last April & was put on the same time frame as you, 3 days in a row & 3 weeks off. In between the 1st & 2nd rounds they put me on twice a day radiation treatments every week day for 5 weeks. That regime was prescribed by the Mayo oncologist & my local radiation oncologist. My cancer is in the upper section of my right lung. Radiation is not painful, just so many trips (50) Fortunately both oncologist offices are just a couple of miles apart for the overlap days.
Lady,
Thank you. I assume you are doing pretty well. Now, I am questioning why radiation was not recommended for me. I have the tumor (?) in my left lung, nodes in my chest and in my right shoulder and 3 spots on my liver. Brain MRI was clean, so far. I saw the oncologist at Stanford and the one locally and they seemed to agree on treatment, I guess. So, your cancer has not spread? I have seen mention of a couple other Chemo combinations. I have seen mention that some people seem to be taking additional drug therapy. Considering when I am saying I started complaining of the cough (Sept ?) I shoukd be much sicker then I am. She said something about me possibly having a classification of SCLC, neuroendocrine, whatever that means. Thank you so mych. I am jyst worn out talking about and reading about this and I am not seeing a whole lot of encouragement out there.
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Merry, Volunteer Mentor
@merpreb
@merpreb
Posts: 5596
Joined: Feb 07, 2018
Lady,
Thank you. I assume you are doing pretty well. Now, I am questioning why radiation was not recommended for me. I have the tumor (?) in my left lung, nodes in my chest and in my right shoulder and 3 spots on my liver. Brain MRI was clean, so far. I saw the oncologist at Stanford and the one locally and they seemed to agree on treatment, I guess. So, your cancer has not spread? I have seen mention of a couple other Chemo combinations. I have seen mention that some people seem to be taking additional drug therapy. Considering when I am saying I started complaining of the cough (Sept ?) I shoukd be much sicker then I am. She said something about me possibly having a classification of SCLC, neuroendocrine, whatever that means. Thank you so mych. I am jyst worn out talking about and reading about this and I am not seeing a whole lot of encouragement out there.
@margot69– Here is a link to endocrine-tumors. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/neuroendocrine-tumors/symptoms-causes/syc-20354132.
Merry, Volunteer Mentor
@merpreb
@merpreb
Posts: 5596
Joined: Feb 07, 2018
Lady,
Thank you. I assume you are doing pretty well. Now, I am questioning why radiation was not recommended for me. I have the tumor (?) in my left lung, nodes in my chest and in my right shoulder and 3 spots on my liver. Brain MRI was clean, so far. I saw the oncologist at Stanford and the one locally and they seemed to agree on treatment, I guess. So, your cancer has not spread? I have seen mention of a couple other Chemo combinations. I have seen mention that some people seem to be taking additional drug therapy. Considering when I am saying I started complaining of the cough (Sept ?) I shoukd be much sicker then I am. She said something about me possibly having a classification of SCLC, neuroendocrine, whatever that means. Thank you so mych. I am jyst worn out talking about and reading about this and I am not seeing a whole lot of encouragement out there.
@margot69– Good morning- Radiation is different for each type of cancer so I don't think that they can do multiple ones. I know that you are worn out. Adjusting to an illness like cancer can be very draining, both physically and emotionally. I suggest that when possible, step outside and take a walk, any length of time that you are able to do is fine. This will "clear the cob webs" as my mom use to say. I don't know what these next few months will bring for you but life is only a day at a time, a moment if need be and one decision at a time.
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Merry, Volunteer Mentor
@merpreb
@merpreb
Posts: 5596
Joined: Feb 07, 2018
My stomach issues started some years ago, horrible, daily nausea, for one. Lots of tests, lots of different meds over the years. I cone under the umbrella of IBS. I can manage it better now but why Iam so concerned about Chemo making me sick. Doctir is not putting a port in now, woukd be useless if I cannot tolerate treatment. This shoukd be interesting as they have a hard time finding a decent vein for an IV or blood test. I am dreading this. Has anyone had treatments IV? I am tired of talking about, and reading about, cancer! Thanks, Merry. Helps to,have a place to come to to talk about this.
@margot69– I'm sorry that you have this problem. Late last year I was introduced to a relatively new otc for indigestion, FD Gard. This is for upper belly- It calms everything down. Bd Gard is, lower belly, helps with IBS symptoms. See if they will help. I take them along with Omeprazole. Check with your doctor to make sure they are ok for you to take.
Merry, Volunteer Mentor
@merpreb
@merpreb
Posts: 5596
Joined: Feb 07, 2018
what are some of the new great breakthroughs
That's a great question @joangma– Here is a link: https://www.curetoday.com/publications/cure/2018/lung-2-2018/targeting-innovation-in-small-cell-lung-cancer; https://lungcanceralliance.org/blog/first-new-treatment-approved-for-small-cell-lung-cancer-in-20-years/.
margot69
@margot69
@margot69
Posts: 84
Joined: Oct 26, 2018
@margot69– I'm sorry that you have this problem. Late last year I was introduced to a relatively new otc for indigestion, FD Gard. This is for upper belly- It calms everything down. Bd Gard is, lower belly, helps with IBS symptoms. See if they will help. I take them along with Omeprazole. Check with your doctor to make sure they are ok for you to take.
Hi Merry,
I might check on that but it has been years of this, many tests and many meds, there about 14 now that I can't take (why my doctor and myself are concerned about the Chemo). Can't take Nexium or Omeprazole. I have been in Ranitidine twice a day. I actually get up around 5-5:30, take two and go back to bed to try and settle my stomach before I get up. My GI Doctor at Stanford suggested Intry Iberogast, which is an herbal liquid I order on Amazon. That has seemed to help me the most and I now take it as needed. I have read the GI community is starting to prescribe it now. My GI Doctor here has given it to some of his patients. I have been on Gabapentin for years for my stomach. They actually prescribe it for neuropathy, which I developed and was on the ned, only me. Actually, had to see a Neurologist at Stanford because they couldn't figure that out either. Did punch biopsies and I have small fiber neuropathy, idiopathic, of course. I will make note of the FD Gard but kind of hate to rock the boat right now.
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Merry, Volunteer Mentor
@merpreb
@merpreb
Posts: 5596
Joined: Feb 07, 2018
bluelagoon
@bluelagoon
@bluelagoon
Posts: 57
Joined: Apr 25, 2018
@margot69– Good morning- Radiation is different for each type of cancer so I don't think that they can do multiple ones. I know that you are worn out. Adjusting to an illness like cancer can be very draining, both physically and emotionally. I suggest that when possible, step outside and take a walk, any length of time that you are able to do is fine. This will "clear the cob webs" as my mom use to say. I don't know what these next few months will bring for you but life is only a day at a time, a moment if need be and one decision at a time.
Merry, I've referred to clearing the cobwebs for years! We're at Mayo now for my 6 month check and the cobwebs would freeze if I took a walk outside right now. First time we're making the subway route our first choice- usually I prefer fresh air.
Merry, Volunteer Mentor
@merpreb
@merpreb
Posts: 5596
Joined: Feb 07, 2018
Merry, I've referred to clearing the cobwebs for years! We're at Mayo now for my 6 month check and the cobwebs would freeze if I took a walk outside right now. First time we're making the subway route our first choice- usually I prefer fresh air.
@bluelagoon – best of luck. Please keep me updated! You've got this!
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bluelagoon
@bluelagoon
@bluelagoon
Posts: 57
Joined: Apr 25, 2018
@bluelagoon – best of luck. Please keep me updated! You've got this!
Thanks, Merry! Everything was stable and we came out with a better understanding of the whole check up process. Between some of the comments here and some of the things that have popped in our head the last few months I had my list of questions and she was great with answering everything. Looking forward to next trip in hopefully warmer weather!
Merry, Volunteer Mentor
@merpreb
@merpreb
Posts: 5596
Joined: Feb 07, 2018
yay @bluelagoon! That's just wonderful that your doctor was so receptive to making you feel so comfortable, answering all of your questions. When you get your tests results would you mind sharing them?
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Merry, Volunteer Mentor
@merpreb
@merpreb
Posts: 5596
Joined: Feb 07, 2018
Hi Merry,
I might check on that but it has been years of this, many tests and many meds, there about 14 now that I can't take (why my doctor and myself are concerned about the Chemo). Can't take Nexium or Omeprazole. I have been in Ranitidine twice a day. I actually get up around 5-5:30, take two and go back to bed to try and settle my stomach before I get up. My GI Doctor at Stanford suggested Intry Iberogast, which is an herbal liquid I order on Amazon. That has seemed to help me the most and I now take it as needed. I have read the GI community is starting to prescribe it now. My GI Doctor here has given it to some of his patients. I have been on Gabapentin for years for my stomach. They actually prescribe it for neuropathy, which I developed and was on the ned, only me. Actually, had to see a Neurologist at Stanford because they couldn't figure that out either. Did punch biopsies and I have small fiber neuropathy, idiopathic, of course. I will make note of the FD Gard but kind of hate to rock the boat right now.
Margot, how are you today? Have you found out any more about your chemo?
lady1lake
@lady1lake
@lady1lake
Posts: 65
Joined: Jun 09, 2018
Today I received good news from my radiology oncologist about a Brain MRI that was performed last Tuesday. There are no metastatic signs. Thank God! Now scheduled for whole brain radiation starting next Monday. This was recommended by the oncologists at Mayo Clinic for preventative purposes. I will have 1 session each day for 10 days.
@margot69
Lady, those are the drugs they plan on using for my treatments. I think it will be 3 days in a row then 3 weeks off. I was reading sons of your past posts. I keep reading that people have also had radiation. No radiation was recommended to me. Where is your cancer, Lady? When were you diagnosed? Thanks.
Liked by Merry, Volunteer Mentor