A family member has advanced lung cancer

[flamingdem]

My closest sibling. I'm in shock. I learned it's in the hylar region from and around the trachea.

I'm going to help manage her case and need to get all the information that I can.

It's just the beginning so the type is unknown. Yesterday a broncoscopy. Tomorrow a pet scan and pulmonary function.

So the genetic testing takes a full three weeks? Is that necessary to know what kind of cancer we're dealing with? Are there ways to find a consultant-cancer expert for a second or third opinion if a quick decision must be made say radiation vs chemo vs immunotherapy if a candidate?

Worried that it is all happening quickly and that I'm absolutely new to this.

[Enter stage left]

1. I'm sorry. Just lost a very best friend to cancer. Best wishes...

[flamingdem]

2. Thanks for your good wishes

[nocoincidences]

3. From my experience....

Make yourself an expert on this particular cancer if you want to be her support and advocate.

Google is definitely your friend, so don't hesitate to research it. Patient groups who all have this cancer can be found and will tell you everything you need to know.

[flamingdem]

7. Yes, it's great for research

Getting informed is about all I can do right now.

[cilla4progress]

4. Holding you and your sibling

in my heart, flamingdem!

[flamingdem]

8. Thank you!

!

[CentralMass]

5. Best wishes to you and your sibling.

[flamingdem]

9. Thanks CM

Much appreciated

[littlemissmartypants]

6. So sorry to hear about your sister. I lost my dad a year ago this December.

It may have already been suggested but a good starting point is the American Cancer Society.

https://www.cancer.org/

Stay encouraged.



❤

[flamingdem]

10. Thanks

and I'm sorry for the loss of your dad.

[littlemissmartypants]

12. Thank you. I miss him a thousand times a day. ❤

[ancianita]

11. Oh man, the one

sibling you're closest to. You are tackling this and sound strong.
Please take care of yourself all the while.

It's not so weird anymore, these genetic tests, and can be worth the wait because now that they can do gene editing so stop the cancer. I don't know a lot, but I read about CRISPR Cas9 uses for curing genetically inheritable diseases, and some cancers are in that category.

[moonscape]

13. While I know zero about this cancer, if it

is common or not, but my best advice is to seek out the best oncology specialist in it that you can find. Then seek another, anywhere, and get a 2nd/additional opinion via video conferencing.

I know with my cancer, those who do that tend to live longer and have better remission rates, and I tend to think it’s a good idea regardless the life-threatening disease we have. All our research and learning is so we can ask salient questions and understand the answers!

Very sorry your sibling got this news. How fortunate for her that you are there by her side.

[flamingdem]

15. Thanks for the idea about video conferencing

I want to get a second opinion from the closest cancer center but it's still too much of a drive.

[cate94]

14. Hopefully it isn't small cell

Other lung cancers offer more hope and more time and options. Hoping for the best for you.

[flamingdem]

16. Fortunately it's non small cell

From what I understand small cell is more aggressive?

[cate94]

17. It usually shows up when it's already metastasized.

With non small cell there is more hope.