In Nov 02, my sister was diagnosed with nonsmall cell lung cancer with a 9 cm tumor in her left lung. Nothing was said about surgery. She was started chemo, followed by radiation, which all ended in May 03. Follow up scans showed no improvement but no advancement so another round of chemo with a different drug was started. After that, it had grown some and pressing on her heart. Then she went on Iressa. After that, it was causing some fluid buildup around heart and some in lung with maybe a spec on her liver, but not definitive. So yet a different chemo was started a month ago. Last week she had a seizure and was rushed to the hospital. A CT scan showed 2 spots on her brain. Now, radiation has begun on the brain, and then chemo will resume.

The confusion is: She was hospitalized once early on with a collasped lung but she recovered. However, her bloodwork has ALWAYS been normal, no anemia or such, she has never missed work except for appointments (works in an elementary school cafeteria but is off for the summer right now). No nausua never (except this last round would give her a headache). She doesn't understand (and we don't either) how it can be so advanced but she feels fine.

We're upset, worried, but then confused and b/c she is doing so well, we believe we still have room for optimism. Can some of you share your insites to this?

Thank you so much,

RitaB