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bwalker5839
Regular
Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 28
Location: Central Missouri, USA
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 Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:01 am Post subject: what to expect in stage 4? |
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I had surgery, sisplatin chemo, and 27 days radiatioon for stage 3 NSCLC.
Surgeons also found it in chest lymph nodes. Several weeks later it showed up as a large lump on my thigh (stage 4 now) & I just completed 6 cycles carboplatin chemo, and a trial with AZD2171. Now i sit & wait for something to show up, tho the ADZ continues daily, with a chest CT every 6 weeks.
My question is what to expect? I know it can come back in bones, liver, brain, lung, etc. What do i watch for? how will i know i have brain mets? will my eyesight go bad? headaches? Start voting for Democrats?
How would I know if it's in my liver? will i start having problems with nausea?
Bones: will it become painful to stand up or to walk?
I'll be looking behind every tree in the forest but don't know what i'm watching for? |
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pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 1262
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| Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:55 am Post subject: Re: what to expect in stage 4? |
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[quote]My question is what to expect? I know it can come back in bones, liver, brain, lung, etc. What do i watch for? how will i know i have brain mets? will my eyesight go bad? headaches? Start voting for Democrats? [/quote]
Fear not my friend -- my husband was stage IV for 2 1/2 years and never voted for a Democrat!  You crack me up -- but your joking tells me that you have a healthy outlook and that is so very important. A sense of humor goes a long way in coping with this disease.
Seriously, it all depends on whether the cancer even decides to run to different areas. We don't have experience with brain or liver mets, so I can't comment on those. The few bone mets my husband got never bothered him a bit, but it's all about location, location, location.  Just stay on your toes to notice any changes, but with the realization that a pain here and there may not have anything to do with the cancer. Could be just the usual aches and pains as we get older, but it is always wise to mention any new continuing pain with the doctor. Our doc always asked about blurred vision or headaches in his assessment of possible brain mets, so that would be a clue. He also would ask if taking tylenol got rid of any pain and if so, it probably wasn't cancer related.
Don't look for trouble, but stay aware is what I'm saying. Hard to do, I know. I have to think that your Doctor will be giving you CT/PET scans at regular intervals to monitor any changes too.
Hang tough and keep that great sense of humor!
PBJ
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Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.
Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 |
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bwalker5839
Regular
Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 28
Location: Central Missouri, USA
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| Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:14 am Post subject: Re: what to expect in stage 4? |
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Thanks PBJ. My father was never sick till he died suddenly with a stroke at 62. I've been so grateful for the two years i've had so far to enjoy the birds feeding outside my window, the smell of spring in the woods, etc. I have a wonderful supportive wife, two terrific married daughters, grandchildren, and an extended and supportive family of brothers & sisters. & I've been spending lots of time with them.
Like my wife said, we'll just enjoy every day we have.
Thanks again for your comments. |
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