ginnie

this was not alot of fun at all! i had this done on friday and still have headaches from it! anyone else had this done? have a good day all! gin

I too have stage 4 and am close to your Mom's age. Your Mom is in a earlier progression than I am. I have lymph node involvement in the chest and neck which makes it inoperable. Sounds like your Mom has a good chance to get rid of the masses before they start to spread to the other lymph nodes. If she is basically a healthy person then she shouldn't have any problem handling the surgery or the treatments after. Hang in there and if you don't feel comfortable with the doctor's choices then get a second opinion! gin

Eric, thinking of you and your family during this time. Love and prayers, gin

Lori, Love and prayers to you and your family. Just remember that your Mom is with you always, you are part of her. gin

Don, I am so sorry to hear this. My love and prayers are with you and your family during this time. Lucie is an angel. gin

oh, forgot one, i now grind my teeth at night, have to make a conscious effort to stop it.

ok here goes, i'm going to list symptoms i have and i want to know if anyone has any ideas or opinions.. headaches - infrequent but i don't normally have any, numbness in face and arms-not constant, just comes and goes, low grade fever - not constant, tired, muscle weakness at times, coughing - non-productive, vision is odd, i've been to the dr. and had ct scans of head, neck, chest, and abdomen, no progression, no fluid in lungs. i just don't feel good, best way to describe it is like how you feel when you start to get the flu. I thought maybe depression, i'm on effexor and don't really feel depressed. dr. is sending me to a neurologist.

i had 2 and 3 degree burns from radiation. the only thing i found that gave me relief is a moist wound dressing called Mepilex. It can be worn during treatments also to reduce damage to skin. Talk to your radiation nurse about it. Mine provided the bandages to me. She had to get them from a medical supply rep.

Well, i'm still having headaches, went to the dr yesterday, ct scan of head was clear. going to see neurologist. having sob and swelling right side of neck, so ct scans on monday... and the hits just keep on coming.... have to laugh, it's better than crying! take care, love and prayers to all gin

it is very normal to be angry and depressed when you get dx with cancer. it wouldn't hurt if his dr. can prescribe an anti-depressant ie: effexor, etc. i think that attitude plays a big part on how well you do in the fight. You may not win but giving up will not help him or the people he cares about. Your mother needs to understand that this is just as much a mental fight as it is a physical one. I can imagine how she feels, I have never been sick and then to receive this was a real shock. I have to remind my self that I'm not as strong as i use to be. as a caregiver the best thing you can do is be supportive and learn as much as you can to help him in the fight. Don't pay attention to the stats, everyone reacts differently. I was diagnosed with stage 4, 1-3 years, and to see me today you wouldn't even know i have cancer. I don't care what the dr. says the only one who knows how much time i have is God and until then I will enjoy all that life has. Please come here with questions and for support. Wishing you all the best! gin

You all are the most wonderful people at making someone feel good! Thank you for all the warm and heartfelt wishes!

Well, on Sept. 1 it will be one year since dx. i have to say considering everything it hasn't been too bad a year i suppose. I know more now than i ever wanted to know about dr.'s, hopsitals, rx, side effects, etc.! gin

i tried to get my disability but they told me i made too much money working. I went part time and I still made too much, so i went back full time. I have to work to keep my medical insurance and if I don't work the rent doesn't get paid. My husband makes less than me so he can't cover the rent and the rest of the expenses. what i make working full time covers the bills. If I were to get my disability then we could make it with no problem.

i have taken care of the big things, paid the car off, set up my arrangements and paid for them. I have tried to apply for my disability but they say i make too much money (what a joke!). i am still working but i know there will come a time when I won't be able to and my husband cannot support us on his pay alone. That is the one thing that has me frustrated, I'm afraid to feel sick - i can't afford to! so on days when i don't feel so good I still go to work. I worked all through my treatments and I know that I can't do that again but financially i don't have much of a choice.

so far no progression, dr. appt in sept and then pet scan in oct. I think the spots she saw on the ct scan is what she wants to see on the next pet, to see if they light up.