One professor can help you. been there, done that. No joke. Even my uncle got a lung cancer.

One professor can help you. been there, done that. No joke. Even my uncle got a lung cancer.

Hi everyone,

I've read quite a few pages on this forum and many pages that I can find about lung cancer on Google. My family received a very unfortunate news today that mum is diagnosed with Stage IIIB Adeno Carcinoma (Lung Cancer). She is 63, a passive smoker and healthy with zero symptom. Was told that surgery is no longer an option since we're at the advance stage. We're now waiting for the EGFR test back to see if it's mutation positive and assess our options. Meanwhile I think we need to start looking for treatment options since medical doctors today take a long time to get an appointment.

I've read some wise comments about do not restrict patient's food or mental well being is important. I've cried all day and I definitely want to be strong and support her all the way. I heard a lot of people commented about "chemo kills", government hospital are better, consider alternative treatment, TCM maybe, or even spiritual healing. In short the medical industry is so lack of transparency that makes all of us so vulnerable.

My questions are:

1. Anyone heard or gone through chemo that successfully cured/treated in their 60s?
2. Anyone has any recommendation of oncologists/specialist to for 2nd/3rd/4th opinion & options for lung cancer treatment?
3. Anyone know any Chinese doctor/TCM that is specialist in lung or cancer patients?
4. Have you heard of any other alternative treatments/real stories that helps with stage 3B lung cancer patients?
5. It's not going to be an easy journey from here on, whoever that have gone through this with their close family members.. Can you give me some tips in terms or lifestyle/mental preparation/mindset/communication with patients during this period of time?

I'm not giving up, I am going to fight every step of the way with her to sustain her quality of life and give her what she needs to have a remaining fruitful life.

Meanwhile, any recommendation or comments will help a lost soul here.

Your response is highly appreciated.

Hi everyone
I came across this post when doing research on IKN. I know the last post was in June and I hope you and your family are managing well Claudia.

My mom was just diagnosed in June as well and Claudia, trust me, I have gone through the same mental process and agony as you. My mom has exactly the same condition as your mom and she showed no symptoms except for a hard lymph node that came up one day. What's more she has never been a smoker.

She came back negative for egfr and pdl-1 and basically any of the mutation that qualifies for targeted therapy or immunotherapy so she is on chemo currently. Four cycles of chemo has shown the tumor shrinking slightly so we take the good news as they come.

I am trying to get her into IKN because the financials are too heavy for us. Anyone with any stories to share or advice be it on my mom's case or recommended tips on doctors, please do.

Claudia, hope your mom is keeping strong

Hi, I'm wk lee and l fully understand what you are going through. My wife is a 4th stage cancer patient in remission and we have learnt a lot through our experience and contacts. I am a committee member of a cancer NGO called Cansurvive Centre Malaysia Bhd where we organise monthly free talks pertaining to health and cancer. Please PM me with your contact number if you would like to be added to our Support Group Chat.
It may also be of interest to note that , through my contacts and research, I have come across an immunotherapy with a 90% chance of permanent remission ( subject to review and case acceptance by doctor) ! There is hope for cancer survivors, regardless of stage.

Hi buddy,

I lost someone dear to me, to lung cancer as well. Diagnosed Adenocarcinoma Stage IV. She fought and survived for close to 5 years. I'm not going to give you advises on what the course of treatment and what to eat or "cancer preventing food" or anything like that.

What I can share with you is my experience. You/your family should get educated, and know about the drugs that is given to the patient. Get involved in her treatment, and try to read up on the drugs that is suggested before making a decision. Join focus groups and forums, and stay in the know for latest developments in the treatment of your particular kind of cancer. Just so you know, many countries/hospitals offer free clinical trials for newly developed drugs. We've done a few in Singapore General Hospital previously.

While taking advice from people is good and those giving advice often mean well, what you should prioritise is the patient's happiness and general well-being. Do not restrict what the person want to eat or do just because "it will make the cancer worst" or anything that people tell you. What I can tell you that there's nothing worst that can happen to you if you already got the big-C. Maintain quality of life. There's no point surviving if the patient cannot maintain a good quality of life. Take into account the patient's feelings when making major decisions like changing drugs, or second opinions. Remember, happiness and high hopes are often better than the best cancer medication.

This is going to be a trying time for you and your family. You will see true colours of friends, family and strangers. You will find help and support in places you least expect, likewise with rejection. Ignore the rejections/true colour of people, we are only human, and take all the support that you need. These are often given freely. Do not hesitate to ask for help even when its a listening ear.

There will be times when the results are good, there will be more times when the results are not so good. Stay strong, or show that you are strong. Do not be discouraged. Your support means more to the patient than you know. So you have to show her that you are strong for her. Again i stress here, maintain quality of life. Go out and celebrate when you have good results. Pull a strong face, "try again" when its not that good. Moods, feelings, and thoughts have more effects than you realise. 

All in all, good luck, stay strong.

Hi Evenieves,

A lot has happened to my mum and the family since the diagnostic, in a good way. We took the risk to get it removed, and from the surgery it's confirmed that she is staged 3A and good clearance. She is EGFR positive and on Iressa at the moment. There's a recent studies come back to be very promising so let see how it goes. IKN is really difficult to get in, unless you started all the way from government, the waiting period is forever. I hope you found ways around it with some connection. (I found none)

My mum has been doing a lot of alternative holistic treatment too, cancer is a problem of weakened immune system, cutting it out doesn't solve the problem completely, she is on IV high dose Vit C, Coffee enema daily, eassiac tea, PM and i point you to some of the places for good learning information.

All the best.