Wife's Diagnosis SCLC- Chemo Next Week-What Should I Do?
Hello, my wife had a biopsy of a lump on her neck on Jan. 31,2025. It was determined she has SCLC, An xray revealed a mass in our right lung. Met with an oncologist and he ordered a PET scan and MRI of the brian. The results came back and no other cancer locations were found, PTL!
A port was put in today and chemo starts next Tuesday. We meet with a radiation doctor Friday. Radiation treatments will start soon. Chemo treatment is carbopatin/etoposide.
Is there anything I can do to better help her with the chemo side effects? Anything I should get prior to treatments? And any other suggestions or comments on our journey?
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.
I forgot to mention prayers are greatly appreciated! Her name is Paula. We strongly believe in the power of prayer!
The chemo therapy I went through really affected my appetite. I only could eat plain food, potatoes, rice etc. About three days after infusion I felt horribly ill. Rest up on those first days, don’t waste any energy. The first time after chemotherapy, not knowing any better, I went to Costco and it hit me hard. I could barely stand up and get out of the store. May your wife have a good journey and recovery.
Hello, I am sorry to hear that your wife has gotten this diagnosis and you find yourselves here. I think this is a wonderful place for you to connect with others who have gone through similar experiences and hopefully you will find alot of support here. From what I know from my dad's lung cancer diagnosis and treatment... Hydration is super important. Movement is important. Taking any anti nausea medications as directed are important. Good Nutrition. Adequate rest. Medications can be prescribed to help with anxiety and depression and there is no shame in taking any of those things at all. This is a tough road to walk. My dad did okay with the chemo. The radiation was tougher. 5 weeks x 5 days a week. He got really weak the last week and a half or so and the last two radiations were extremely difficult for him but he was determined to get them done. Everyone's experience with cancer will be different. You as her primary caregiver will also need support. I will pray for Paula and for you. I also believe in the power of prayer and will pray in agreement with you for everything you are praying for. Wishing you both good health.
Thank you @hercules for your prayers! And for your information and suggestions. I'm sorry your dad had to go through this and I hope he was able to survive.
My wife had pneumonia and I think that sickness helped the doctors discover the cancer before it had spread further. Her cancer doctor wsas very good about giving us a thorough description of SCLC and the treatment plan. The doctor and all treatments are only 25 minutes away, so that is blessing.
Thank you dianemb for sharing your experience. I'll be sure and take her straight home after treatments. And thank you for your well wishes.
We can see it is going to be a long journey. We have a large and tight knit family and I know they will be a big help to her and me as well. And our church family is a loving helpful group. We have many people to lean.
Hello, unfortunately my dad did not survive his. He fought it bravely and some very good things came about for us as a family through his journey with cancer so his experience was not wasted. Every member of my family was baptized. In a way, my dad helped his family do the most important thing that he could have ever done for us throughout his whole life in his WEAKEST moments. Yes... God is good. I am so proud of my dad and miss him terribly. I envision Jesus' first words to my dad as he welcomed him home was "well done good and faithful servant." It's been 8 years. I still have a lot of PTSD from his ordeal but as I said, he did really well for the most part and even though he had some difficult days, God was merciful in many ways. I also learned through attending every appointment and treatment with him and meeting all different kinds of people that had all different cancers at various stages that EVERYONE's experience is unique. Two people can have the same cancer, same stage and will have entirely different journeys. ONE DAY AT A TIME. That is how I believe your wife and you will get through this. Keep the faith, even when it is tested because God is with you and for you! Look for the blessings during this time and you will find them. I prayed for you both this morning and will continue to do so!
Hello @bovic21, You've had a whirlwind of a couple weeks! That's a fast turnaround, but great that her team is jumping into action. You've already received some good advice here. She needs to listen to her body, but she also needs to communicate with you and her team. They'll have suggestions to mitigate any negative side-effects.
She's fortunate to have you at her side.
I'm tagging a couple of other active members that have mentioned small-cell and even etoposide to see if they have any specific advice: @sksnow, @vlpr .
@hercules, thank you so much for your prayers and your kind words. And thank you for sharing your experience.
Your dad must have been a wonderful man and defintely a good servant of the Lord! Every member of your family saved is a real testimony of your dad's faith. I pray our faith passes onto the unsaved in our family.
ONE DAY AT A TIME is great advice. I can see otherwise it is too overwhelming!
Hello @lls8000 and thank you for your advice and for tagging other people.
I had learned a couple of years ago that Mayo Clinic Connect is a valuable resource. It is a great place to find people that have walked the path you're on or are going down that path now.
I appreciate all the help and advice.
My wife's team does seem very good and quick to action. We meet with the radiation doctor on Friday and get those treatments set up. I can't imagine how we would feel if we had to wait 3 or 4 weeks or longer for these appointments and treatments. I really feel for people going thru that.
My husband was diagnosed in september last year. They did not get the treatments started until December. Long story. He took one treatment in December and the second one in January and he decided he could not do any more. When my husband was first diagnosed, he was already stage 4 and he also had advanced copd. He weighed 90 pounds. So we got Hospice involved in January this year. They take care of all his meds. Twice a week a nurse comes to the house to see how he is doing and takes his vitals. He is getting worse as far as his anxiety. He cries, shakes and screams. My heart is breaking for him. And he is not a christian. He believes in God but not Jesus. Yesterday, I brought up Jesus and he screamed at me to get out of the room and to take my God crap with me. He is catholic but has not been inside a church in over 50 years. So after I calmed down enough, I called a priest from a local catholic church and asked if he would come and give him his last rites. Guess they can do that early now. He told me he would never talk to my minister because we are protestant-methodist. I pray that he will find Jesus before it is too late. But thank God, you and your wife are both believers. I believe , also, in the power of prayer. Guess that is why God said we should not be unequally yoked. He didn't care that I went to church, etc., but he wanted nothing to do with it. One thing your wife needs to do after treatments is rest and make sure she takes the anti nausea meds that they give her. And she needs to stay hydrated. Everyone has different reactions to treatment. So I will pray for her and you that all goes well for her and prayerfully, that she may recover. God bless you both.