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Treatment for stage 4 lung cancer

KBfox1
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Hi all

 

We have been today to see the oncology team and they should be starting treatment for mum within the next couple of weeks

They are doing 3 x 4 cycles of chemo which will be carpoplatin and paxciltaxel plus mum is also eligible for immunotherapy with pembrolizumab

Has anyone else been on a combination of these 3 drugs together and has experiences they can share?

I'm worried for how my mum will be she is really well at the minute and I'm concerned that this will make her ill and quality of life diminished she's quite sickly anyway not great with her stomach and struggles to take tablets 

what can we expect?

They wouldnt give me a prognosis today mum has gone to be weighed and I was left with the consultant but it's already spread into her spin, ribs and hip 

 

x 

  • Offline

    Hi

    Sorry to hear of your Mum's diagnosis. My Dad was also diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer a month ago. He has it on his liver and spine also.
     

    He had his first treatment 9 days ago (Carboplatin and Etoposide) with immunotherapy (Atezolizumab). He too is on a 3 weekly cycle with 4 sessions of chemo with immunotherapy, and allowed to stay on the immunotherapy for 2 years. 

    I know your Mum has a couple of different treatments but from what my Dad has experienced so far, it took a couple of days to hit him, once it did he was very fatigued for 2/3 days, had some diarreah and slight loss of bladder control but that eased off after 3 days, he now feels a bit weak but he is up and about indoors. He had no nausea or sickness and he has been eating little and often and managing small dinners.

    His Oncologist has said he needs to keep healthy, and everyone reacts differently to treatment. One bit of advice, is to try and make sure your Mum stays positive. I know how distraught and fearful everyone will be, but my Dad's mental health has really taken a kick the last few weeks and it's hard to see, he is just petrified and a stressful couple of weeks as he has been in hospital. But everything I read, from people that have been through this, is to try and stay positive. 
     

    I hope that helps a little and wishing all of you the best.

    Lucie x 

  • Offline in reply to Lucie83

    Hello Lucie

     

    I am sorry to hear about your dad too thank you for replying 

    That is really helpful to know I'm hoping mum will only have minor side effects too it's a big worry as she's fine at the moment other than a pain in her back 

    I'm trying to do as much with her as we can to get her out rather than her being at home thinking about it we are going away to Devon next week for a holiday which will be nice before she starts treatment 

     

    please keep in touch and let me know how things go all the very best too 

     

    Katy xx

  • Offline in reply to KBfox1

    Hi Katy,

    Devon will be lovely, and hopefully you can all relax to a certain extent. 
     

    I hope treatment is kind to your Mum and be prepared for any image changes, that's what I'm also finding hard to see but as I said, every patient is different. 
     

    Have a good break in Devon and keep us posted 

    xx

  • Offline in reply to Lucie83

    Will do thank you so much Lucie 

     

    take care xx

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