posted
My mother in law has metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Stage IV. Does anyone here know anything about that, or anything about studies that may have some hope of doing something?
Posts: 12266 | Registered: Jul 2005
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--- Edited to add: Would she be interested in paticipating in a research study (on the chance that she might be exposed to the intervention group and that the intervention may pay off -- big ifs), or would she be more interested in maximizing her quality of life where she is, right now? And would frequent travel for treatment be an option, or are you looking for a specific geographic area?
Often cancer treatments are very protocol-driven, and there may not be much reason to travel except for participating in a research trial. Many times the recommended treatment is the same wherever you go.
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
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posted
Lisa, this is the standard reference online for this sort of cancer. It is the NIH's Cancer Institute factsheet for "Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer." (By definition, "Stage IV" means it has metastisized, so this is an exact match.)
The information is quite technical, but it is state-of-the-art information for the topic. It includes recommended therapies as well as commentaries on the levels of evidence for each of those treatments; i.e., how well-supported the treatments are by the research.
Additionally, it links to the various clinical trials currently ongoing.
I'd be happy to help you wade through the jargon, if you like. Otherwise (or in addition), I can find a more lay-friendly article. I know you are quite specific and particular in your postings, though, so it seemed appropriate to start with this and branch out as needed.
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posted
And eMedicine has a good article on Non-small Cell Lung Cancer in general. This provides a pretty thorough overview, and it may be useful for defining terms and getting the lay of the land. It is also geared toward professionals, though.
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posted
Havah's mom, actually. Thanks for the links, ClaudiaTherese. Havah's a total wreck over this.
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quote:Originally posted by ClaudiaTherese: Lisa, I'm so sorry.
I will go looking.
--- Edited to add: Would she be interested in paticipating in a research study (on the chance that she might be exposed to the intervention group and that the intervention may pay off -- big ifs), or would she be more interested in maximizing her quality of life where she is, right now? And would frequent travel for treatment be an option, or are you looking for a specific geographic area?
Often cancer treatments are very protocol-driven, and there may not be much reason to travel except for participating in a research trial. Many times the recommended treatment is the same wherever you go.
Honestly, I don't know. I'm just collecting info at this point. My father-in-law would prefer to stay put, but if there's something that looks hopeful... I don't know. They're down in Clearwater, FL.
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posted
Lisa, I am sorry to hear your family has to go through this. When my wife's aunt was diagnosed with lung cancer (I don't know what kind) she received treatment from Cancer Treatment Center of America http://www.cancercenter.com/ . We are lucky to have a facility here in Tulsa. It is a great place with a loving staff.
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For trial information, check out cancertrialshelp.org. It allows you to search for clinical trials.
Be aware that this is a very basic tool for screening trials - there are many more qualifications required than what this checks for - but it does provide an idea of what's available.
This was the last big project I worked on as a programmer, so I got to work with a lot of people in the cancer support community.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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quote:American Cancer Society - Cancer Support Group for any person with cancer or those who provide emotional support to cancer patients. Registration is recommended. (No fees) ... 6:00pm-7:30pm, 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, Powell Cancer Pavillion, 303 Pinellas St., Clearwater, FL Call (727)-462-2139
Even if your mother-in-law and her family aren't interested in attending the meetings, this group might have additional information.
Also,
quote:Cancer Hope Network: Cancer Support Counseling (Free one-on-one support for newly diagnosed cancer patients and their families) Call 1-877-HOPENET
posted
Lisa, I'm so sorry, This is the same disease that took my mother -in-laws life two years ago. How is your MIL's over all health? This may seem like a stupid question for someone who has just been diagnosed with lung cancer but it can make a big difference. My MIL suffered from severe COPD and had lost an enormous amount of weight before she was diagnosed with lung cancer (She was 5' 9" and weighed under 90 lbs). Those factors made her a poor candidate for surgery or chemotherapy. Ultimately we decided on focused radiation therapy. It did irradicate the original tumor but 9 months later an additional metastatic tumor was found. If your MIL is in relatively good physical condition she will have many options available that were not available for my MIL. Either way, you and your family will be in for some difficulty times during the coming months. I will keep you and Havah and her mother in my thoughts and prayers.
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Her health has been great. She thought she had a cold, because she was coughing a little. And a little blood came up, so they thought they'd get it checked out.
Right now... it's weird, but her GYN just found a lump in her breast which hadn't shown up on her last mammogram. Which... strange as it may seem, means that we're hoping against hope that she has breast cancer, and that what they found in her lungs was breast cancer that spread there. Because there are options available with breast cancer that aren't available with lung cancer.
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Good Luck Lisa. Since my last post it occurred to me that it was very insensitive to be talking about my MILs death. What I really wanted to say was that as long as their aren't other serious health concerns there are lots of options for cancer treatment now. Many people recover fully from stage 4 cancers so its not yet time to despair.
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posted
You weren't being insensitive at all. Thank you for sharing it.
Right now, for me personally, it's harder to deal with my partner's emotional turmoil than it is to deal with the cancer issue. I don't know what to do to avoid setting her off. And I feel like a bit of a jerk for being worried about that more than the cancer. Fortunately, I'm used to being a bit of a jerk, so that's not so bad.
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posted
Lisa, I'm so sorry for you and your family. It seems pretty horrible to go to the doctor for what you think is a cold and find out you have metastatic cancer.
Posts: 3546 | Registered: Jul 2002
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Lisa, I don't think that it is at all jerk like for you to be more worried about Havah and your relationship with her than you are worried about her mother. No matter how much you like your MIL, she's never the same as your mother. Even though I was particularly close to my MIL, I didn't greave for her the way my husband did when she became ill. At many times I was more concerned about him than I was my MIL because he was clearly suffering. He is the most important person in my life and I felt like I ought to be able to do something to ease his suffering but I couldn't. Because he was in turmoil, he would be impatient and easily angered. And even though I tried to be supportive and understanding he didn't make it easy and I sometimes lost my patience with him.
So I think what you are going through with Havah is pretty normal. Hang in there. This too shall pass.
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posted
Lisa, I'm so sorry, both for what Havah's mother is going through and for the stress you are going through with Havah. I hope you both find ways of coping. I wish I had something helpful to offer.
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![[Frown]](frown.gif)
I'm sorry.
