Debbie,
Your situation sounds very similar to my father's. He has an inoperable
adenocarcinoma in his right lung with metatasis to several vertabrae and
one rib. His oncologist is taking a similar medical approach as your's, but
terminal is not part of her vocabulary. She has given us odds, but with
encouragement that we can fight this disease and that nothing is hopeless.
She too has not recommended the use of experimental therapies, but only
because she feels that there are many conventional chemotherapies yet to be
explored. She has been straight with us, but at the same time advocating
hope and optimism in the face of this thing. I cannot say enough good
things about this Dr.; she has supported us medically as well as
emotionally. When we were presented with the original prognosis, we
requested a second opionion. Rather than reacting defensively, she
congratulated us on our decision and put a great deal of effort into giving
us a list of oncologists we could choose from. I'm probably beating this to
death by now, but my feeling is that your situation isn't "terminal", your
oncologist's attitude is. One thing I've learned from the people on the MOL
is how truly powerful a positive attitude can be. An oncologist you can be
confident in can make a huge difference. Good luck-I'm praying for you!
Bill Hale
At 04:45 PM 7/1/98 EDT, you wrote:
>Hi,My name is Debbie and I first wrote a couple of months ago. I have been
>off line since then.
>
>To refresh everyone, I am 35 years old and have stage IV non small cell
>adenocarcinoma. I was digagnosed four months ago. The cancer at that point
>had already metastisized to my bone. I have undergone 6 chemos using Taxol
>and carboplatin. I will go tomorrow for a ct scan and on Friday the DR. will
>decide whether or not to go with 2 more chemos or try radiation at least
on my
>bone.
> I feel like I am about to come to another crossroads next week as it
again
>will be time to make a decision about the next course of treatment. I am
very
>willing to try any trials, but my Dr. is not very open to that. He has told
>me that my diagnosis is terminal but I am not willing to give up that easily.
>I have two small children ages 2 and 5 who need me and I am desperatly i n
>search of any information that might be helpful.
> If anyone has any info. I would appreciate hearing from you. Also, a
>couple months ago I had written to another Debbie who also has non small cell
>and I have wondered how she is doing. Debbie if you read this I would
love to
>hear from you.
> Debbie M
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