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Brain metastasis, Living with Stage IV Small Cell Lung Cancer, living with untreated small cell lung cancer, Mass in frontal lobe
Our situation has changed. Two days ago, I wrote the note below to a closed online group for people who are living with Stage IV Small Cell Lung Cancer. Nearly 100 people have acknowledged that post, many of whom are bravely trying to beat this cancer. I’d like to share that note with you here:
I’ve commented on this page but not shared our story. My husband was diagnosed with Stage IV SCLC in January of 2018 by a biopsy of a marble-sized nodule under the skin on his right side.
At 77, being told chemo would buy him limited extra time, and feeling he’s “lived a good life, been very blessed, and am ready to go,” he opted for no chemo. He’s had a normal life since then, and we’ve made several trips to say farewell to many family and friends.
We’d been told he’d go full tilt and then he wouldn’t. That “wouldn’t” happened over this past week. He developed an unsteady gait, a severe headache behind his eyes, and began hallucinating. He’s been on hospice since January just for weekly checkups, and yesterday the staff diagnosed him, from his new symptoms, with a mass in the frontal part of his brain.
We are so thankful for these six normal months from this known very aggressive cancer and have received tons of support and prayers from our family and friends. We are at peace and pray for the same for each of you in your unique situations. Now we’ve been told his future is more limited than if his symptoms had showed up in other places in the body, and we hope to live each remaining day to its fullest with the help of his first medications.
I so appreciate the support I’ve seen here and each of you and your stories! Thanks for reading ours!
I also thank you, my blog readers, for following what I feel are my Grace Notes, one after another after another positive things that have happened for us since Marv’s diagnosis. I’m thankful to report today that his new symptoms are under control, thanks to daily visits and medication help from hospice

Walking with our grandkids today.
Today, we hung out at our daughter’s garage sale, an annual event. This weekend our son and daughter-in-law fly in for the week. We plan another trip next week to celebrate the Fourth with family in the town where Marv grew up. Every day is precious and we remain grateful!
Your Grace Notes document a journey of courage and love and I so admire you both. Marvin chose the right road and is fortunate to have you traveling it with him.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I …
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost
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I love that Frost poem and have not thought to connect it with Marv’s choice. Thanks, Lynn! So true.
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What a courageous road you are travelling. Thanks for updating us, Lois, and know that thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Thank you, VJ. We appreciate and feel all support.
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Thank you for sharing your Grace Notes and showing us that there are positive events even in the most dire of situations.
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Yes! Have to be on the lookout, but they are there! Thanks.
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Smiling for your meaningful week ahead and silent tears as I walk with you, Lois.
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Love those images, Pat, smiling and silent tears. Thank you.
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Praying for you and thankful you are willing to share this journey. Know that we will be lifting you all up in prayer. And thankful for the medical field to help navigate all these new symptoms. Love to you all!
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Welcome, Linda. And thank you for your kind words!
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We recall our morning with you in Phoenix when you shared Marv’s diagnosis with us and have been following your posts. You are in our prayers. We admire the positive use you are making of this time with family and friends. Adele & Ken
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What a fun morning that was! I have some pictures of us in the sun. Nice memories. It’s been a good experience to live so intentionally. Thanks!
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Peace to you and Marv as your journey continues.
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Peace, a wonderful state of mind for sure. So far, so good. Thanks, Steph.
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Continuing to lift you up in prayer, that you and Marv will know the depths of God’s grace , love, and comfort and that you will experience it in abundance.
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Cynthia, thank you. I never realized how much one could feel other’s concerns and prayers. We are blessed.
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The pair of you are such an incredible inspiration to me. I often wonder what I would do in your husband’s position, and he has demonstrated how enriching life can be should one particular choice be made. Thank you to him and you both. I wish you well, and I wish him a miraculous healing. You never know! I never stop believing.
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Thank you for your encouraging words. My husband has never wavered in his decision. He tells me I’ve helped him make these months “fantastic.” We’re trying to make the best of it, and so far, that’s worked! Our faith is strong and Marv says he knows God won’t take him a minute earlier or later than planned!
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We are praying for peace and God’s love to surround you. Thinking of you. Rich and Jan
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Thanks, Jan and Rich. We have many fond memories of you folks.
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Lois, your grace blogs have been courageous and heartfelt. We admire Marv’s decision and your awesome support of him. The testimony of Marv and you to God’s grace and peace is an inspiration and blessing. You may recall that Pat’s husband died of SCLC and Sandy died of pancreatic cancer. I remember my dad talking of the grace that comes to dying and that is certainly true. God will continue to be faithful as you move forward. Pat and I continue to pray for you and your family. Duard and Pat Warsen
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Thank you, Duard and Pat. It helps to hear from all people and especially those who’ve been through what we are experiencing. We take life day by day and feel so cared for.
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