My mum was diagnosed with stage 3B NSCLC lung cancer, subtype squamous cell carcinoma last year, Feb 2020. It was a huge shock but we preservered. Mum had radiotherapy and chemo which she finished in April last year and she started immunotherapy in June. Her scan in August showed that she was clear and there was only a small speck left which doctors weren't sure if it was remaining cancer cells or inflammation. Nevertheless things looked good and a CT scan in November didn't show anything.
The doctor predicted that there wouldn't be anything new and that mum would be clear. She went for her PET scan and unfortunately there is something there. It's fairly small and it's in the place where it started; it's not spread within the lungs or anywhere else in the body which is the only consolation I take in this situation.
I'm still really gutted. I was really counting on the immunotherapy to work but it doesn't seem that it did. On the other hand the doctors aren't sure as they say that it could have stopped the cancer from spreading or getting worse. Also immunotherapy can take longer to work and the results aren't as easy to see as chemo and radiation.
They're talking about giving my mum chemo. We're both shocked and gutted and are trying to be strong. The doctors said that my mum's blood test results are excellent and she's in good health otherwise. I know the reccurence especially with lung cancer is common.
I feel very up and down. I'm trying to be positive but it's hard. I've heard that many people can live with cancer as a chronic disease for many years. I'm scared to be too hopeful but at the same time I know that she's strong and it seems that the recurrence has been caught at an early stage. I really hope that if she has chemo that it will help and get rid of the cancer.
Mum's cancer was and is inoperable and we've been looking into stereotactic radiotherapy or cyberknife. I don't know if they'll give my mum a different immunotherapy. My mum was given immunotherapy on the NHS so I don't know if they'll give her a different one or if she has to pay. The cost of extra treatment is stressful to think about. My mum is prepared to go private.
Hi crazycatlady91 and welcome to the group, but so sorry you find yourself here.
I’m sorry it looks like the cancer has come back, but the positive thing is it sounds like they have spotted it very early. Hopefully the chemo will get rid of it completely for your mum. You mention immunotherapy, and I wondered if your mum was staying on that alongside the chemo, or if they are stopping it completely? Immunotherapy is given for a maximum of 2 years, and is only stopped before if they think it is not working. Once you have had immunotherapy once, You cannot have it for a 2nd time unfortunately. That will be the same for private patients.
It sounds like the chemo worked before for your mum. I know this is hard for you and your mum, it’s only a year since her last chemo. But you are right, there are many of us that have been living with this disease for years, and have a good quality of life.
I wish your mum all the very best.
