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Chemo with stage I yea or nay ??

I would really like to hear from "the group" on this one. November 2007 diagnosed with stage IA NSCLC. Right lower lobe removed. Great recovery. Several times reassured I needed no further therapy ( meaning chemo or radiation). Go about my life, enjoy. Started getting a backache in November of 2011. After all the usual round about medical suggestions. Diagnosed in may 2012 stage 3B. Went into surgery with hopes of more removal but no such luck. Cancer is on spine and chest wall. Not removeable parts. So NOW I'm on chemo. Has any one been in the same boat, have an opinion, been treated differently I would love to hear from all of you. Hugs and stuff to all. Deva

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Permalink Reply by John H MOD on February 8, 2012 at 7:15pm

Hi Deva and everyone, I was 3A NSCLC over 12 years ago. When I was diagnosed back in 1999 they offered me a "new twist" in treatment to have chemo and radiation first. Would I be willing to do this? Sure if it means that I better my odds. Well since then they say that this doesn't effect in any reasonable way the longevity of survival. Oh well I guess I'm the exception. I'm just saying we're all different and we all react differently to these treatments. So a lot of times bad things happen even when only good should. I haven't figured out how to face that challenge but to say it's beyond my control. All we can do is go from here where we are. The stages that they use for us sometimes are their best guesses. I'm truly sorry that you are here now dealing with this but I will send you some strength to push through this latest set back. Stay on top of these doc s and keep them giving you the best treatment that they can now!
John
Ps I have the same problems sometimes with my I Phone. You hit send and the little I guess is an icon keeps spinning and it never sends or goes through. So it isn't just you. I have a I phone 3

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Permalink Reply by HollyJo/MOD on February 9, 2012 at 10:40am

Hello Erin,

I personally am a fan of "mop up" chemo. Amy brings up a valid point though. I think this is the type of thing you do have to follow your "gut" on. We were asked in my husbands case, and he didn't have surgery has he was not a candidate. We did choose the extra 4 rounds of chemo, even though they were not sure if it would benefit or not. Our thoughts were, that it would hopefully catch any stray cells. My husband also was very healthy with the exception of the Cancer. That is another important factor of deciding "chemo or no chemo".

Hope this helps some-

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Permalink Reply by jc123 on February 20, 2012 at 12:48pm

Oh my Deva our stories are pretty much alike. I was diagnosed with stage 1A NSCLC. in May 2007 of the right lower lobe and had a wedge resection with no other treatment which was very scary to me but like you was reassured I needed no further treatment. Go about my life, enjoy. I did until my 4 year check up when a mass was found in my upper left lobe. In December 2011 I had my upper left lobe removed. I had stage 1B. Same story no further treatment needed. But this time they did tell me that what ever is in my DNA that lets me grow cancer is still there and the liklihood of getting a third one is high. They said that chemo would not change that. It is so hard to think that I can do nothing more to try to help myself. I don't want to wait for the other shoe to drop. If I do get another cancer surgery is no longer an option. I hope the very best for you.

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Permalink Reply by jdfly1023 on March 13, 2012 at 2:30am

Dev hi I havent been on for awhile,so when this caught my eye I had to pause and read. Wow this is scary, I too stage 1a NSCLC (adenocarcinoma) middle lobe right lung, 2009. I had entire lobe removed and was told no other treatment needed,"I got it all", I'm coming up on 3 years and everytime time I go in for my appointment,, Im so scared something will be there this time. So far Nothing is there, but reading your post does let me know my doctor isn't God and you never know.Why is it(God complex or what) when you suggest to your doctor things like chemo or something, you are told you dont need it, Why not just be extra cautious and take some treatment. I hope you are able get the treatment you need to destroy this thing inside of you. Good luck and I will be praying for you.