adee

I realize that this is an old, old subject, but it caught my eye. My onc has told me that I have no evidence of active cancer and doesn't need to see me until sometime next year. I know I should be ecstatic, but frankly I'm scared. I may not have cancer now, but what about tomorrow and the next day. I still don't feel like I can make any long term plans - even a few weeks from now. I almost feel abandoned by my doctor. While undergoing treatment, I truly felt safe and cared for - now I'm on my own and scared to death. After reading the posts on this subject, I realize I'm not alone with this feeling - but, gosh, it really astonishes me that I feel this way when I should be grateful and thankful.

I just got home from onc appointment following my PET/CT scan last week. The good news is the tumor in my lung is drastically smaller and shows no signs of activity. And there are no signs of cancer anywhere else in my body. The bad news is I have fluid in my lungs which may indicate cancer, although the PET scan didn't indicate that it was cancer. My onc is going to just watch it (she said my lungs sound okay), then follow up in several weeks with a chest x-ray. More bad news is that my cancer marker is elevated from last time. Onc says this doesn't necessarily mean anything (?????). Has anyone had fluid in the lungs that turned out to be non-malignant. Has anyone had elevated markers although cancer shows signs of remission or inactivity?

I used the standard remedy of baking soda and salt mixed with water after every meal or snack (and in between) Also the onc nurse gave me some samples of UlcerEase mouth rinse that worked very well. I'm not sure if this is an RX or OTC though. Even Cepacol Throat Lozenges worked fairly well. I couldn't stand using the "Magic Mouthwash". It made my mouth and throat so numb I felt like I was choking to death and I would get panicky! Sometimes I'm such a wimp. And as others have mentioned, popsicles, ice cream and jello feel really good.

What wonderful replies! And I'm definitely going to write her a truly heartfeld letter (to accompany a gift card!) to try to express my gratitude to her. Even though I have other friends that have supported me, none has shown so much love and compassion or spent so much time with me. Others ask what they can do to help, but she seems to know without asking! At the beginning of this ordeal, she said "I'll do anything I can do to help, and if I can't do anything we can just sit and cry together." So far, we have laughed far more than we have cried. We have grown so much closer as friends. You all have made me realize how lucky I am and how blessed I am to have such a friend and I need to let her know in words - not just monetarily. Thank you so much everyone.

Ever since being diagnosed with lung cancer in March, I have one particular friend who has been with me every step of the way. She has kept in touch by phone every few days, restocked my freezer with home cooked meals many times, brought me books, magazines, flowers from her garden or one of my favorite candy bars. She has sat with me talking about politics, religion, or just plain gossip - or sometimes just sat quietly while I napped on the couch. I want to repay her some way for her unfailing kindness and compassion, but I don't want to insult her in any way. She's not a rich person and I know that everything she has done has been a financial strain on her. Does anyone have a suggestion? The only thing I can think of is a gift card to one of her favorite stores. Even that seems inadequate, but I feel so indebted to her that I have to do something to thank her.

I am currently on Taxotere - every 3 weeks - probably for 5 treatments. It has been worse than the Taxol/Carbo I had before. I've had almost every side effect, hair loss after the first treatment, mouth sores, eye problems, severe pain in my legs and hips, extreme fatigue. But I just tell myself that all these side effects means that the Taxotere is working! The side effects go away about a week before I start my next treatment, so there are a few good days mixed in with the awful ones.

When I first saw this topic - LC Survivors - my first thought was "I can't post there, I'm not a survivor." But after reading the very upbeat posts, I've decided I must be a survivor since I haven't dropped dead yet - even after all the devasting news and invasive testing and procedures. I know that the outlook is grim - I probably won't be here a year from now according to statistics - but until then I'm a survivor and I'll try to live each day to its fullest.

Answering the couple of replies regarding my drop in blood pressure. The oncologist first thought it was from dehydration during chemo and I wound up in the hospital twice being pumped full of fluids for days on end. But the blood pressure problem continued even after chemo was stopped (I've been on a 4 month chemo break. That's far too long for it to be attributed to dehydration! It is truly a very rare neurological side effect from Taxol.

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome to the board! I feel like I've found a home when I can dump all my fears and thoughts (both good and bad). Although my sweet husband has been so supportive, I know he gets tired of hearing some of this stuff over and over again. So thanks for being here!

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting, although I've been reading the board since March when I was diagnosed with Stage IIIA NSCLC. Because of breathing problems, I am not a candidate for surgery. I have gone through 7 weeks (5 days/week) of radiation and 7 Taxol/carboplastin treatments that left me with numerous side effects. The worst of these is orthostatic hypotension - that means my blood pressure drops to about 70/50 when I stand up. My oncologist and cardiologist have both said there is no cure and really no effective treatment. I think I would feel pretty good, if I could just get off the couch! Has anyone had this dreadful side effect with chemo? CAT and PT scans last month showed that the tumor had not spread - but it hadn't shrunk either - damn! I'm scheduled for another round of chemo starting next week - Taxotere this time. Wish me luck!