From the article: What is Stage 4 Lung Cancer Life Expectancy?
A diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer turns life upside down. So many emotions. So many questions. So many fears. How are you coping with your stage 4 diagnosis? What has been hardest? What has helped the most? Has something or someone in particular helped you cope? Please share your feelings and/or find comfort in hearing the stories of others who have also had to cope with a diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer. Share Your Feelings
stage 4 lung cancer
- My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer that metasisized to his brain with more than 20 tumors including his brain stem in February of this year. There were no signs, not even a headache. We have done 14 full brain radiations and 3 chemo treatments so far. He's done fairly well...just extremely tired and sleeps a lot. He's on anti seizure meds 2000 mg a day, and I am thinking that it's too much and that's why he's so tired all the time. They told us 4-5 months with radiation and chemo, but my husband DOES NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO DIE and we will fight this as much as we can. He has a pet scan and mri in June and pray that the cancer hasn't gone any place else and we will beat this!!! God does do miracles and we're hoping for one here!
- —Guest Melinda
and still kicking
- I am just writing to say that statistics are just numbers and that you can make it much longer than they pundits would say. I thank God everyday for this life I didn't think I would have. Editor's note: Thank you so much for sharing! Yes, statistics are just numbers. And there are many people like you that show that people can survive and thrive much longer than statistics would predict.
- —Guest 7 years alive
Non smoker sister with stage 4
- My sister was an active, health nut in August 2011. 8 months later she's in hospice care with likely "months" left. Until this day, our family is "boggled" as to how this happened. It's sad that lung cancer does not get the attention nor funding for research that it deserves. I'm sick and tired of hearing about "Breast cancer" now. I want to throw my shoe at the TV whenever I see one of those commercials.... Editor's note: I'm with you. Even as a breast cancer survivor myself I'll join you with throwing that shoe -- and add a few more until my closet is empty. I'm hoping more breast cancer survivors will feel the gratitude I do and take that and invest their energies into raising awareness and funding for lung cancer. Thank you for sharing. I will keep your sister, you, and your family in my thoughts and prayers. BTW - your sister is not alone. At least 20% of women who develop lung cancer have never smoked a cigarette. It's time for this country to start talking about our sisters and mothers and daughters regarding LUNG cancer.
- —Guest Chris
Still Fighting
- I am still fighting for my life i have for 3 years honostly their isnt a high chance i will live even with chemo but live each day like u would die tomorrow.u wont regret the dumb things you do if u honostly know how long u have left. ive done dunt things but i dont regret it at all. im who i am
- —jason10197
Life is very sweet - living with cancer
- In a way, I feel lucky to have cancer, because it has given me time to really show how much I love and care for others. I was a crazy workaholic project manager in Information Systems until June 2007 when I began treatment. I feel a lot of gratitude for my family and friends, and for a good life. What keeps me alive is focusing every day on NOW. I see a few clients (as an MFT therapist), and am building a computer system with a data warehouse for a non-profit counseling center near home. Treatment has been really tough. I have Stage IV metastatic rectal cancer with metastases to both lungs and spine. I have had 49 days hospitalized, intensive continuous chemo, radiation for 12 weeks, and 7 surgeries in the past 4 years. I am still alive and nowhere near the end, thank the Good Lord. I believe that loving and giving as much as possible to others will keep me alive better than anything else. All of us with cancer know that we find strength we never thought we had.
- —violinoboe
helpless
- Ive read each of everyone's feeling., of how to cope with stage 4 lung cancer....I'm devastated just too know that someone so close to me.has this awful sickness..i really don't know what too expect., i pray everyday for her i hope with faith that she survives I see there is people who survives and i hope she one of them.....I my self need help....just too cope with this I surely dont want too loose her......
- —Guest Carmen Mendez
mom was diagnosed with lung cancer
- Mom was a fit and lively 71 year old lovely lady who kept being treated for chest infections. Got diagnosed in Aug 2011, told it was the size of a grapefruit, had radiotherapy which shrank it by a third. Chemo really knocked mom about after just 1 treatment, so recommend not to have anymore. It only took 6 months to go from fit and fighting to crying in shear agony. Thankfully the pain stopped at 4am on the 26th Feb 2012, my mom was such a fighter and was more disappointed that she let it win, but she couldn't fight physically or mentally anymore. This awful disease has taken another life and I hate it.
- —Guest tracy
Best Friend with Stage IV Lung Cancer
- Best friend (age 58) diagnosed in Jan 2012 with large cell adenocarcinoma - stage IV lung cancer with mez to spine and hip. He's been in terrible pain for 3 years but all his doctors missed this diagnosis up until now. He lost 60 pounds (200 lbs down to 140) the first year and then another 20 lbs since the diagnosis. Other symptoms were terrible constipation, no saliva, and very low blood pressure (70/40) which caused him to black out often. It's so hard being the caretaker - I feel guilty complaining when I'm not the one who is dying! I'm trying to learn what to expect over the next few months and what resources are available to help us through this. He's getting radiation treatment for three weeks. Doctors told him he may be too weak for chemo after the radiation is finished. Does that mean the end is near? He is a fighter and I am so proud of him, but I don't want him to suffer any more. If he wants to fight to the end, I will fight the cancer with him.
- —Marisa88
My husband was diagnosed with lung cance
- My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer December 28, 2011. He was being treated for pheunomia since June, the PA kept doing chest x-rays and giving him antibiotics for the spot in his left lung. Over Thanksgiving he developed back pain, he was sent for a PET scan which showed the tumor in his lung, a large one wrapped around his spine, femur, sacrum, liver and spleen. I almost passed out when I read the report. He's had 15 days of radiation and now starting chemo. We are both very afraid, can enyone tell me what to expect? Editor's note: My thoughts are with you and your husband. Unfortunately it's hard to know what to expect because everyone is so different. Some people succumb quickly to the disease, while others, for no apparent reason, can live for a lengthy amount of time. Sharing your fear is such an important step. Blessings to you as you face this disease that nobody should have to face.
- —britcarol
warrior
- My uncle was diagnosed with invasive stage 4 cancer in lungs and spread to spine, liver, and colon in jan2011. It is jan 2012 and is still with us but seems he is getting weaker. Hes under going orally chimo. He is fighting this cancer everyday! I know jehova is giving him the strength to stay strong.
- —Guest mcornejo
They will leave you .
- My grandmother was diagnosed in 2010 , she made it to december of 2011 . When she was diagnosed she had a year to live , she lived a year and six months almost . Right now she is on her death bed and we know we are losing her . I love my grandmother very much , but the suffering she is taking is aweful . She was taken to the E.R. on Christmas they took many tests and the outlook is , they want her to die comfortably . Letting them go is hard but remember , you don't want them too suffer. . . . . . .
- —Guest Whitney
It's Not Over Till It's Over
- My mom was diagnoised with stage 4 lung cancer in 2010. We were told that there was nothing that could be done. My mom was always a very small person and since they also found that she had emphazima,divertickulitis, and bronchitis along with the lung cancer her doctor told her that she had three to four months to live. We were all devistated and mom was ready to sit down and die. She has never had any pain for which I am so thankful for. She would have already been dead if she had taken chemo and I think the doctor was right in not offering to give it to her.It will be two years in April since she was diagnoised. I can see her slipping daily but God has blessed me with her not being in pain and it did take a firm talking with her to make her see that she had always been a fighter and now was not the time to stop. I hurt her feelings by taking a stand on waking her up, because it aint over till its over and because of her stubborn will she has made it much longer than was expected. LOL
- —sandrawillis
Mom
- My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, 9 marble size brain mets on October 24. Still waiting on biopsy and treatment options. I am terrified and alone. She thinks she will beat this and is positive. She seems fine, the odd headache and a little tired. I am worried we are waiting to long for treatments to start. Are they worth it at this point? Editors note: Everyone is so different and I so wish I could answer your question. I love your mom's attitude - and don't need studies to tell me whether or not attitude makes a difference. It does! You are not alone. There is a wonderful lung cancer community out there. Email me and I'll help you if you need. From a personal side I can tell you brother's mother-in-law is facing something similar. Have they done genetic testing? (i.e. could she be someone who would benefit from medications that treat people who have an ALK mutation? Not that you should know, but a question to ask her oncologist since there are medications that can prolong survival for some people with specific mutations.
- —Guest Maya k
My Mom
- My mom was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer of both the lungs in July of 09, she has undergone 2 types of chemo treatments that she did not benefit from either one, summer of 11 she fell and broke her hip, biopsy showing cancer now in the hip bone. Completed radiation treatments and now Oct of 11 was told it's in her spine. Radiation not an option. Pain is terrible and unable to walk. She is not giving up! Has beaten all the odds and time frames that have given her for life expectency, but has accepted that it could be anytime and has started the planning process. We are making the best of the time we have left with her.
- —Guest Mrs. D
Dad's cancer
- My dad was diagnosed in Oct 2011 with stage iv lung cancer, pallatative care only, no treatments will help because of the tumors size and location. It is very hard to see him getting weaker and weaker, on oxygen and sleeping 18 hours a day, He has eaten food in over a month because he cannot swallow due to the tumors size, was drinking ensure and fruit juice and water. But this week he has only drank water, only a little bit. I wonder how much time he has left. I dont want him to feel a lot of pain or stress from others. I am so thankful that my parents have the most wonderful support system of friends and dr that come to their home to visit them and offer kind words to them. My dad is very graceful and confident even while dying. I am falling apart in my 30's because I am not ready to lose him...he is too young at 59 yrs old and I really wanted my young sons to know and remember him the way I do. I have always been a daddys girl...doesnt even change now that I am grown myself.
- —Guest Brandy
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