Linking you to resources and support in the lung cancer community!
New Study
I was contacted by my oncologist at MD Anderson this morning asking me if I would be willing to speak to an ABC reporter concerning a news break of a posible new procedure to be able to do genetic testing to find out if a patient would benefit from adjuvant chemotheraphy. I spoke withe the reporter this afternoon by phone. He specifically wanted to know if this test were availabe to me right now would I want to take advantage of it. I just had my second surgery in 4+ years. This is a new cancer but still an adenocarcinoma. It is a stage 1B and my doctors say I need no further treatment. They did say that whatever is in me to make me grow 2 different cancers is still in me, that another cancer is likely and that surgery is no longer an option. I sit here in the delimma of should I insist on chemo or just sit back and wait for the other shoe to drop. All of the research I have done (extensive) only confuses me more, half says adjuvant chemo might benefit me and half say there would be no benefit. A genetic test would take a lot of the guesswork our of it. This test will not benefit me but hopefully some of you will be able to use it or someone that I love who developes cancer in the future. My doctor said before he would let me agonize for months over what to do he would go ahead and give me the chemo, but he does not recommend it. I don't know when the story will air on ABC but keep a watch out if you are interested in the test.
On another issue, have any of you especially the ladies suffered with nerve pain in and under the breast? Last week I had a nerve block and it helped some areas but not in the breast at all. I was given Lidoderm patches in the hospital and they worked but my insurance will not cover them so they are not an option. I cannot afford them without insurance help. What have you used or tried that worked? My doctor wants me consider another block this time burning the nerve ends, But it was not a pleasant procedure and I would like to avoid another one. Because of the pain of wearing a bra, I tend to stay in and not be mobile enough which is not good for me. Any help or advise would be appreciated\
I hope you all realize how wonderful to have you as friends and allies. No one else understands waht we face on a daily basis. Thank you all.
By the way, while I had the reporter( a doctor) on the phone I asked him to consider injucting in his story the stigma we lung cancer patients face and the need for more research dollars.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by AmyLCA on -
Definitely let us know when the story airs!
I wanted to forward you this link from a previous conversation about bras and pain: http://www.lunglovelink.org/forum/topics/bra-dilemaany-help?
Maybe you will find some useful information here?
Amy
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Permalink Reply by jc123 on -
Amy turns out this was an internet story you can find it at
abcnews.go.com/health/gene-test-sort-lung-cancer-cases/story?id=15449857
I really wish that test was available to me. Joyc3
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Permalink Reply by AmyLCA on
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Hi Joyce,
That link didn't seem to work but I found it here: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/gene-test-sort-lung-cancer-cases/story...
Sounds really interesting. Every year at the end of May/beginning of June is a big annual conference of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. That's where all the big research findings and research in progress comes out. I will keep watch to see if this test gets any buzz. It's a long way off, but it never hurts to start getting a sense of what the big things are!
Amy
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Permalink Reply by Deva on -
Would love to be updated on when it is going to air. I myself had Stage 1A NSCLC November 2007. Right lower lobe removal and follow-up for 3 years. Recovered well and was told chances of cancer returning were very slim. I was really feeling like I should have had some "precautionary" chemo, but was told absolutely not necessary. May 2012, diagnosed with Stage 3B lung cancer in spine and on chest wall. No more surgical options. I really wish I had had chemo in addition to my surgery. That said, it is not usually recommended and we will never know if it would have made a difference. Good luck to you and look forward to ABC airing the story. ANY coverage in any format is wonderful for our future. Stay hopeful!
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Permalink Reply by jc123 on
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Deva it is an internet story and I sent the link to Amy but here it is for you
avcnews.go.com/health/gene-test-sort-lung-cancer=cases/story?id=15449851
If you can't find it let me know.
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Permalink Reply by Easylife on -
Dear traveler my diagnosis of a stage 4 incurable non small cell cancer of the lung with metastasis.to my bones and arm .According to my doctors & Oncologists since my cancer was well advance they decide it to use radiation therapy as a palliative care .........they said to start getting my things in order because i had only 3 to 6 months to live and that my dear friend was in 1993 soon to be 20 years .I will like to share with you the way to heal your self in working with science you have to believe you can overcome any disease knowing to man with out a doubt As a man thinks in his mind ,so is he in his body.The strongest things in your body is your thinking ."We are all capable of doing so much more than we think we are .....
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Permalink Reply by LeeMy49 on
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Hello, I have tryed gabapentin, it helps with the nerve endings where I was cut open.. It will take awhile to work but at least I am not on pain pills or the patch. I am a nurse and it will help. I can't tell you to take them due to the fact, I am not a Dr. Best of luck!!!
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Permalink Reply by Lobsterman-Dave on -
Sorry you are going through this crap jc. I originally was diagnosed in May 2010 upon my third bout of pneumonia, had a third of my right lung removed, chemo and radiation. Then had to go back for more since June 2011 and am still getting chemo. Just writing to thank you for talking to the reporter about Lung Cancer although from experience, nothing may come out of it. I am trying in my own way to write an article to newspapers and organizations to educate the public about the delemas of living with Lung Cancer. Way to go........Dave
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