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mets to lung

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Comments

  • kt1966
    kt1966 Member Posts: 1,021
    edited June 2015

    Sorry for your progression. I hope ixempra really does the trick! Thinking of you.

    I've just started taxol. So far ok (apart from a bit of a tummy ache). Hope it works for me :)

  • tryn2staycalm
    tryn2staycalm Member Posts: 470
    edited June 2015


    Ahhhhh ... so sorry to hear this Brenda Scared.   Wishing you the best with ixempra.

    Many Hugs, Cathy

  • Adnerb
    Adnerb Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2015

    kt and Cathy, thank you for your kind comments. kt, good luck on the taxol. That's really powerful stuff. I had taxotere during my early stage years. Cathy, I don't remember what your present regimen is. Nice to hear from you!

    Hugs,

    Brenda

  • tryn2staycalm
    tryn2staycalm Member Posts: 470
    edited June 2015


    Brenda I'm also on weekly Taxol.  I had a lot of progression with mets to lungs, liver and bones (painful) so on heavy narcotics for the pain. So got put on Taxol in the same week.  They also found a cancer related blood clot in the lung so tests for that tomorrow and I had to see a clot specialist and she put me on  daily injections of Fragmin which is a clot buster/blood thinner.  The combo has my bowels refusing to work.  It's tiring right now but fighting the fight. 

    Cathy

  • GrammyR
    GrammyR Member Posts: 297
    edited June 2015

    Adnerb- Many hugs and prayers that this next drug puts a halt to more progression. Be sure to try to take a little time to do somethings you enjoy if you are up to it. You deserve a little pampering. Medicating

  • Adnerb
    Adnerb Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2015

    GrammyR, thank you for your kind words. Today I am having lunch by the beach with friends. Tomorrow I go to my second yoga class. Life isn't so bad as long as people stop telling me that I'm sick.

    Hugs,

    Brenda

  • susaninsf
    susaninsf Member Posts: 1,099
    edited January 2016

    This thread has been quiet for a long time.

    I've got a lung met that has shrunk and has a very low SUV but is really my last remaining evidence of disease. The last two scans it seems to be stable. Originally 4cm, it is now 2.8cm x 1.2 cm, SUV 1.6. My MO mentioned perhaps doing targeted radiation on it. Has anyone done targeted radiation on a single lung met? Wondering what the downsides would be of such treatment. Not sure I should do anything. I've had my brain, eye and femur bone radiated and the treatment was absolutely effective in getting rid of those tumors with very few side effects. Don't know if lung radiation is more difficult.

    Thanks, Susan

  • Texasrose53
    Texasrose53 Member Posts: 290
    edited January 2016

    Hi Susan...just found this discussion board, I have been looking for a Lung mets discussion board for a while. Glad I found you ladies!!

    I too have (6) lung mets (largest 1.4 cm) the others are .8mm or less. My ONC has talked to me about Proton Radiation. Targeted radiation if we get the mets down to one in my lungs. They have a new facility in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. She said it has little side effects and does not damage any other parts of the body. Targets that one met completely. She said it is only a few treatments not like the 28 I had with my original BC. Is that the type of radiation you are talking about? I didn't see any downsides when she was talking to me about.....

  • susaninsf
    susaninsf Member Posts: 1,099
    edited January 2016

    Hi Texasrose,

    Thanks for responding with your experience. So helpful to know that your RO didn't think there would be any major side effects. I have certainly been happy about my previous radiation experiences. I much prefer it to surgery, which is exactly the opposite of how I felt when I had Stage 0 cancer.

    I hope your chemo gets you down to one lung met. I had a lot of smaller tumors too but they are now described as "Few, tiny scattered pulmonary nodules." Until recently, I had been concentrating on my brain, eye and bone mets but now that those are all gone I can focus on this one lung tumor.

    Hugs, Susan

  • susaninsf
    susaninsf Member Posts: 1,099
    edited January 2016

    Thanks Bon. What would be the benefit of starting a new thread? I prefer to preserve and carry forward the comments that have been made previously as they may help someone. As far as I know, this is THE lung mets thread. Is there another one that has replaced this one?

  • Texasrose53
    Texasrose53 Member Posts: 290
    edited February 2016

    I don't know of any other lung met threads. I haven't done and am not a current candidate for the proton radiation...too many small lung mets. But hope to get there. I did get approved for a PET scan on the 10th of Feb. Hoping for good news!

    Susan keep us posted on your decision with the targeted radiation

    Julie

  • rpoole1962
    rpoole1962 Member Posts: 386
    edited February 2016

    HI Ladies, I can give you my experience with proton therapy, but not on the lungs. I had proton therapy to a couple of chest mets and they are completely gone. My radiologist has 36 years of experience and he told me that the arimidex I was on would shrink the mets, but not get rid of them completely. The proton therapy would get rid of them completely and possibly prevent them from coming back. The treatment was really easy and the equipment looks like something out of star wars!! My mets were close to my esophagus so I ended up with esophagitis...very painful to swallow. And of course a little sunburn on my chest, but not nearly as bad as conventional radiation. I would definately recommend it!

    I also have lung mets that are very tiny and scattered throughout each lung. They have been stable for a year, but the last scan showed they were multiplying. So I am now on Ibrance/letrozole and pray this knocks them back. Are lung mets rare? Just wondering because not a lot of ladies on this thread.

    Good luck with the proton!

    Robin

  • susaninsf
    susaninsf Member Posts: 1,099
    edited February 2016

    Robin,

    Thanks for sharing your experience with proton therapy to your chest. Your experience combined with Texasrose's information help me to feel more comfortable with radiating my one lung tumor.

    I don't think lung mets are rare. In fact, I'm on the brain mets and the lung mets threads and the lung mets thread used to be much more active than the brain mets thread. Now it is the opposite. I think it's just a matter of getting more people re-engaged and posting regularly so that the thread shows up near the top so the newly diagnosed will see it.

    Hoping you are able to turn things around with the Ibrance/Letrozole combo!

    Hugs, Susan

  • kt1966
    kt1966 Member Posts: 1,021
    edited February 2016

    Hiya girls.

    I've got lung mets too. I had problems finding this thread and started my own little one when I had an effusion.

    I had pleurodesis to deal with mine & tho it relieved it at the time I'm kind of regretting it now as I do have ongoing discomfort/pain. When I take a quick deep breath as in yawning, laughing, burping, hiccuping etc my whole chest hurts. It also hurts at night when I change position in bed. But at least I can breathe!

    I also find I can't seem to improve as far as fitness goes, trying more hills but still puff & pant & my heart rate goes real high.

    I asked about radiation but was told no. I only have 2 nodules but the pleura are covered in to many mets to count.

    I hope that radiation does a good job for you Susan.

  • Texasrose53
    Texasrose53 Member Posts: 290
    edited February 2016

    Hey KT....are you currently doing chemo? Because the chemo can cause the shortness of breath. I also walk and find that I am more out of breath on some days vs. others. I attribute it to the chemo...

    Julie

  • kt1966
    kt1966 Member Posts: 1,021
    edited February 2016

    Yeah, Rose, I'm on taxol at the moment.

    I guess it could be contributing...

  • susaninsf
    susaninsf Member Posts: 1,099
    edited February 2016

    Before I even knew I had mets, I noticed that my breathing sounded really strange when I was running through the airport. Kind of like a wheezing sound inside my chest. I just ignored it because I was in a rush :-(

  • Longtermsurvivor
    Longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 738
    edited February 2016

    Hi, I have lung mets too - only one in the lung that I know of, but it's been there since 1999. The pleural mets showed up in my left lung 8 years ago and have been a nagging presence. Had a VATS pleuradesis procedure in 2012 to seal the lung linings together, but many nodules remain in the pleura. Like KT, I have ongoing pain from the procedure, but so much better than not being able to breath or filling up with fluid.

    My current concerns are ascites and liver & peritoneal mets.

    Since I'm not in active treatment and on hospice, I probably won't contribute to this topic/thread much.

    Just wanted to let you know there's another one of us here.

    Keep on healing!

    Stephanie

  • singlemom1
    singlemom1 Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2016

    Hi all, I have mets to the lungs also. I have 4 nodules, the largest being 7mm and one lymph node around 2 cm they were able to biopsy. Doc has not mention the proton radiation but stated I couldn't have radiation again since I had it in 2011. I assume she meant the standard radiation. I am currently on ibrance and letrozole. Had first scan which showed small decrease in one and stability in others.

  • mirryp
    mirryp Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2016

    I have lung mets along with bone mets. Mild reticulonodular opacities. The dr. translated that to many tiny spots, not to worry about now. Easy for him to say. And I'll add I've had them since June 2011. I always wanted to know how long someone had been living with.... as I lurked. :) I was a former marathoner, a fairly good runner but I've given it up because of the huffing and puffing. Currently, since September 2012, on letrozole only.

  • Beatmon
    Beatmon Member Posts: 617
    edited February 2016

    I don't think I've posted on this thread. I'm a lifer on Herceptin and Perjeta. Had 50 scattered nodules now down to 6 with no progression since ending taxotere in December of 2014. Makes me very sad to see sweet Barbs picture at the top of this page. I know we all miss her.

    I wouldn't be a candidate for Proton I don't believe due to the scattering. Is that correct

  • Texasrose53
    Texasrose53 Member Posts: 290
    edited February 2016

    Hi Beatmon....you are correct. That is the reason I am not a candidate. If I only had the one nodule (1.5 cm) and no other mets (.7-8mm) in my lungs I would have been a candidate. Still hoping that day happens....but for now I am not a candidate.

    Julie

  • Max_otto
    Max_otto Member Posts: 124
    edited February 2016
    Hello Ladies,
    I have pleural mets, too numerous to count. Today I received my results on a CT scan,
    No pleural effusion and tumors are decreasing or stable, needless to say I am very happy. I am on first line treatment with Palbociclib and letrozole for 7 months.
    Kathy
  • Texasrose53
    Texasrose53 Member Posts: 290
    edited February 2016

    Kathy...that is great news!!!Smile

    Julie

  • singlemom1
    singlemom1 Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2016

    congratulations Maxx!!!!!!!

  • Geeper
    Geeper Member Posts: 91
    edited February 2016

    Max_otto- Great news! I am happy to hear that you have no pleural effusion and that the tumors are decreasing and or are stable. That's just awesome!

  • Max_otto
    Max_otto Member Posts: 124
    edited February 2016

    Texasrose, SInglemom and Geeper,

    Thanks for the encouragement, I also wanted to mention I had blood clots which sent me to the emergency room on the previous scan, however, they have all resolved, cause was undetermined. Perhaps soon I can quit taking the Enoxaparin injections, I have a technicolor tummy, not particularly an attractive asset and so will be delighted to return to the more natural look.

    Kathy


  • lalady1
    lalady1 Member Posts: 530
    edited February 2016

    Hi Ladies - I am joining you on this board. Got RX on 12/30/15 after pleural effusion in left lung that BC had returned. :( Pet scan confirmed one nodule in left lung and mets to sternum. I am on round 2 of Ibrance + Faslodex. have been getting thoracentisis every 2 weeks to left lung. Still managing to go to work, albeit slower pace thanks to Uber. Had first blood transfusion this Friday after Hemaglobin crashed to 6 thanks to Ibrance. I am breathing better today. Any of you have transfusions? Returning to onc in 2 weeks to check numbers - hoping to go to lower dose of Ibrance. Took a long walk on the pier today at the beach a la Susan. Congrats Max!

  • MondaysChild
    MondaysChild Member Posts: 161
    edited February 2016

    I am here to join your club. You've really spiffed up this place. Looks nice....

    I am newly diagnosed with mets to the lungs. Lots of tiny bits everywhere, in all five lobes. 100% ER+ and 100% PR+, Her2-. Grade 2. No symptoms, discovered accidently as part of an annual physical which included a low dose CT lung cancer screening instead of the usual x-ray. Lung biopsy using VATS technique last week confirmed breast cancer mets to lungs.

    CT scanned today to see if the size of any of the mets meets minimum size for clinical trial. If not, we will starting Faslodex asap. I have been on letrozole since September, 2011 so everyone is amazed I have had this occur with 100% ER+.

  • MondaysChild
    MondaysChild Member Posts: 161
    edited February 2016

    And....I just heard I am not eligible for the clinical trial my oncologist had his eye on, so I will start Faslodex tomorrow or Friday.

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