Our world was turn upside down

hopeinlife · Regular Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 17

I have been silently crying for almost a week now. My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma (lung cancer) on May 2, 2008. She is a non-smoker, never drink, or do any drugs. I love my mom so much. It's surreal that this is happening to her. I stayed with her in the hospital for 3 days and was discharged 5 days ago and is now on Tarceva.

I pray so much that she can get well and live for many many years. As I read this forum, I feel for everyone, the patients and family members.

Life is so precious and I want to still be able to spend the next 20 years with her. I want her to see me get marry.......<sorry, I just cry again>.......ok.....I want her and dad to be there when I graduate from medical school....I want her to hold her grandkids....

All of you are in my prayers.

brainman

Oh, I am so very sorry about your mother's advanced Lung Cancer. Since it is a stage IV it must have already spread. What are the metastatic sites?

You really to need to let it all out. Find someone with whom you feel safe to openly express your sadness. Crying is a great therapy.

You and your mother are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

hopeinlife · Regular Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 17

Hi,
Thank you for your prayers.

Yes, it is metastatic. It spread to her bones and a tiny bit in the brain. They scan the abdomen and her liver is fine.

It is amazing how all of the spreading happen so quickly without much sign and symptoms.

brainman

That is how it often is with Lung Cancers. You would assume that a Lung Cancer would cause noticeable problems very early. However, unfortunately, that is not the case. I am not sure of the statistics but just based on the posts to this forum, it seems like a large percentage of Lung Cancers are not found until the have already metastasized. Maybe some day we will have better screenings for lung cancers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

simplyklb

First of all, you are not alone. My world has been turned upside down in the last month, especially in the last sixteen days. My dad just got diagnosed with small cell lung cancer last week and my mom is in the process of being diagnosed with cancer (Get her results tomorrow).

Mu thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!

Kristi

maryaz

Kristi and hopeinlife. My thoughts and prayers go out to you both and your families. Kristi, how awful to be dealing with this with 2 parents at the same time. I hope the upcoming diagnosis is not too far along.

My husband's cancer was caught at stage 3B and it was NSCLC squamous cell carcinoma. His heart doctor took an xray because my husband was short of breath and he saw something which caused him to do a CTscan and that was how his was found. They didn't know for a while that it was cancer but they knew something was wrong.

NSCLC is very slowing growing and can be there for a long time and there are no signs to know. By the time the symptoms are there, it is too far along to do much for.

I am new at all this myself but am learning. I have learned that if cancer does run in your family, you should be checked at certain times. I don't know the timing but do get checked.

My heart goes out to you both.
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 822

Mary,

Just a little correction. Some NSCLC is slower growing, especially the BAC type. It is all about the cell differentiation. The less differentiated, the faster the cancer grows and my husband's cancer grew very quickly. Not as fast as SCLC, but right behind it.

Hopeinlife,

I'm sorry about your Mom's diagnosis. I know how much my husband's loss has affected my daughter and she feels the same way about him not being here to walk her up the aisle, etc. (if she ever gets married! Shocked

) God bless you during this time of diagnosis. I know you must be in shock.

Kristi,

I hadn't heard about your Mom! Oh dear, sometimes life can really throw you curve balls that are not fair at all. I'll have to look and see where else you have posted as I didn't know. Sending many warm thoughts of comfort to you.

PBJ
_________________
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

simplyklb

I haven't posted about her yet. We don't know the type of cancer yet. I will post in the appropriate forum.

Kristi

simplyklb

we just got the preliminary report on my mom... It's definitely cancer. Pathologist has classified it as non small cell cancer. We don't know if it has originated in the lung or in the abdomen (there is a spot there according to the PET scan results).

It's just a matter of pulling all our resources together and helping one another. My sister-in-law and I attend all appts. since we are both medical savvy. Then we disseminate the info to other members of the family.

We are going to fight this with all we have!

Kristi

brainman

Kristi, I am so sorry that your worse fears have been confirmed Sad

. At least now you know more about what your mother is dealing with and can plan for the future. Continue to keep us informed and ask all the questions you have. We will try to give you sound information and loving support.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

simplyklb

I come from a family of survivors. We will get thru this.

We are all realistic about my Dad. He won't be here in five years.

My dad's dad had poor health for the last 40 years of his life. He had a heart attack at 38... He was an alcoholic and smoked. He died in July 1991 at the age of 81.

I was born with a very rare condition and have had a lot of surgeries over the years. I had my last surgery in January 1999 at the tender age of 34.

My oldest brother needs a kidney transplant in the not-so-distant future. My middle brother is a perfect match and will donate to him when the time comes.

We have a lot more hope for Mom. Once we get the final diagnosis for her, we can formulate a plan for her.

Kristi

hopeinlife · Regular Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 17

Thank you everyone. I'm so sorry Kristi that you're going through this. <hug>.

I really don't know what to say anymore. I think my mind is numb or is it merely acceptance now that is taking over. I tried to go through my daily activities as if nothing happen. Or is it merely denial?

I don't live with my mom. I worked in a different city. I plan to fly home every two weeks and spend 3 days with her each time. I have brothers/sisters that are taking care of her right now. I do feel guilty not being with her 24/7.

I hope we can find a cure for any type of cancer soon. No family or anyone should go through this pain and suffering.

simplyklb

I live with my folks so I am a primary caregiver. My sister-in-law and I handle many of the appts. My brothers work but they have been a huge hekp. I am unemployed right now so that helps my parents out tremendously. I don't drive so we must arrange for someone to take us to appts. It's not a problem because we can call on several people. Plus we have people offering to help us.

The oncologist's office will be a huge help as it handles all the insurance claims and everything. If I had to handle the insurance paperwork, I would go out of my mind. Smile

My parents will only need to pay the portions that are not covered by Medicare and their secondary insurance.

It's hard to deal with one diagnosis let alone two.

Please know that someone in Missouri is thinking about you! Lots of good thoughts and prayers for you and your Mom!

Kristi

hopeinlife · Regular Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 17

Thanks Kristi,

I wish your mom and dad the very best. No one wants something like this to happen but it's there.

I am fortunate to have brothers/sisters to help out, although I feel guilty for not being home much all these years. I moved out for college and visit home periodically but never really stay at home for an extended period of time. Hence, the guilt.

Life offer us lemons right now, we'll just make lemon juice ok?

simplyklb

I hope that you can spend more time with your Mom. I Know it is hard when you have to juggle everything. Try calling her everyday.

Oh yeah! Hang in there! We are both in for a bumpy ride. Gather all your support system around you.

Kristi

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