Do you think chemo will help my husband ? sclc, 3 rounds of chemo already?

Question

after 3 rounds of chemo ct report said , satellite nodule in right upper lobe has decreased from 8 x14 mil to 5 x8, hilar mass decreased from 28 x 49 mil to 21 x 35 mil , but interval development of 8 mil endobronchial nodule in the bronchus intermedius, basilar infiltrate in lower Left lobe, review of the bone windows shows numerous lytic skeletal lesions throughout thorax, nodule has developed in left adrenal gland 17 x 20 mill. numerous skeletal lesions throughout spine.. dr's impression: improvement in the thoracic disease in relation to decrease in size of right hilar mass and satellite right upper lobe nodule, but there is obvious progression of disease with diffuse skeletal lytic involvement as well as an endobronchial lesion in the bronchus intermedius. Dr said chemo working , husband weighs less than 130 lbs now and weaker, I don't understand how it can be working. please advise.

Answer 1

Teresa it sounds like the chemo is working for your husband.  It will shrink the tumours and at the end of the chemo your husband will be assessed and you will be told the results. 130 lbs is a low weight for a man but try not to worry too much about that.  Once the chemo is finished he should gain weight again without any trouble.  Meantime if he eats little and often and munches all day between meals on something a little fattening that he enjoys - that will help.  Yes he will be very weak due to the chemo if not his illness - he might be very frail.  Again once the chemo stops he will pick up.  Sometimes on the chemo it can seems things are getting worse but hang on in there.  Sincerely, all the very best to you both.

Answer 2

I've had leukemia twice and had a bone marrow transplant. If it's working them stay positive. Tell your husband to keep fighting and EATING. HE NEEDS TO EAT AND EXERCISE. At one point it got hard for me to walk. Even if it's just a couple steps, he needs to walk. Chemo saps your strength and hits you in the gut. I've been there. Just both of you KEEP FIGHTING. I just told myself that I was NOT going to loose and here I am 100% cancer free 2 1/2 years later.