Flyman35

Even though Tom was a 5 1/2 year LC survivor it was CHF that got him in the end. He struggled for every breath. He sure did put up a fight. Thomas S. Murphy, age 78, of Palatine, IL, passed away Friday, November 8, 2013 in Boone Grove, IN surrounded by his family. On July 28, 1935 he was born the son of Thomas and Pauline Murphy who precedes him in death. Also preceding are sisters: Donna (Ki) Wagner and Marian Oliver. Surviving are his children: Debbie (Richard) Falgout, Steven (Barbara) Murphy, Michael (Lorenda) Murphy, Erin (Lee) Arntzen, Vivienne Murphy, Jayla Jackson; step-daughter Christine Tinsley; 7 grandchildren; siblings: Sharon (Phil) Casbon and Pat (Debbie Irwin); numerous nieces and nephews. On December 5, 1992 he married Denise Tinsley in Rolling Meadows, IL. Thomas had over 30 years in Sales for Chrysler Automotive. He also was an avid pilot of small aircraft for over 30 years, loved garage sales and all sporting events. A memorial visitation will be held Friday, November 15, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the memorial service to follow at 1 p.m. with Pastor Craig Forwalter officiating at Kosanke Funeral Home, 105 East Indiana Ave., Kouts. Memorial contributions can be made toLungevity Foundation, 218 S. Wabash Ste. 540, Chicago, IL 60604 or American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674.

Even though Tom was a 5 1/2 year LC survivor it was CHF that got him in the end. He struggled for every breath. He sure did put up a fight. Thomas S. Murphy, age 78, of Palatine, IL, passed away Friday, November 8, 2013 in Boone Grove, IN surrounded by his family. On July 28, 1935 he was born the son of Thomas and Pauline Murphy who precedes him in death. Also preceding are sisters: Donna (Ki) Wagner and Marian Oliver. Surviving are his children: Debbie (Richard) Falgout, Steven (Barbara) Murphy, Michael (Lorenda) Murphy, Erin (Lee) Arntzen, Vivienne Murphy, Jayla Jackson; step-daughter Christine Tinsley; 7 grandchildren; siblings: Sharon (Phil) Casbon and Pat (Debbie Irwin); numerous nieces and nephews. On December 5, 1992 he married Denise Tinsley in Rolling Meadows, IL. Thomas had over 30 years in Sales for Chrysler Automotive. He also was an avid pilot of small aircraft for over 30 years, loved garage sales and all sporting events. A memorial visitation will be held Friday, November 15, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the memorial service to follow at 1 p.m. with Pastor Craig Forwalter officiating at Kosanke Funeral Home, 105 East Indiana Ave., Kouts. Memorial contributions can be made toLungevity Foundation, 218 S. Wabash Ste. 540, Chicago, IL 60604 or American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674.

This is what a 5 Year, Stage IV NSCLC survivor looks like. 5 YEARS!!! WAY TO GO TOM!!!!

It was January 29th 2008. 5 years ago the surgeon told Tom he had stage 4 lung cancer. 5 years ago Tom asked the surgeon how much time he had. The surgeon said without treatment we won't be having this conversation this time next year. So Tom said I guess we better do the treatment. 5 years ago we went to the oncologist who stepped out of the box. 5 years ago. Where did the time go? There by the grace of God lives Tom. Thomas Murphy is officially a 5 year, Stage IV NSCLC Lung Cancer survivor. He took a licking but he keeps on ticking.

It was January 29th 2008. 5 years ago the surgeon told Tom he had stage 4 lung cancer. 5 years ago Tom asked the surgeon how much time he had. The surgeon said without treatment we won't be having this conversation this time next year. So Tom said I guess we better do the treatment. 5 years ago we went to the oncologist who stepped out of the box. 5 years ago. Where did the time go? There by the grace of God lives Tom. Thomas Murphy is officially a 5 year, Stage IV NSCLC Lung Cancer survivor. He took a licking but he keeps on ticking.

Here's the mini scoop. We are going to go straight to the PET scan in 4 weeks. The Onc thought he'd skip that extra step of another CT. The PET is set up for 11/20/12. If the PET shows anything then we will go back to the surgeon for another bronchoscopy. Like the holidays don't bring enough stress without the added stress of waiting and wondering. Thanks & keep those prayers coming. WE sure could use them. Denise

Here's the mini scoop. We are going to go straight to the PET scan in 4 weeks. The Onc thought he'd skip that extra step of another CT. The PET is set up for 11/20/12. If the PET shows anything then we will go back to the surgeon for another bronchoscopy. Like the holidays don't bring enough stress without the added stress of waiting and wondering. Thanks & keep those prayers coming. WE sure could use them. Denise

Thanks ladies. I always wondered why they do his CT's without contrast first. He is allergic to the dye but when he does the protocal he's fine. We see the Onc on Tuesday and see where we go from there. Denise

So we are 3 1/2 months away from Tom hitting the 5 years at stage IV mark and we now get an although & however report. SIGH!!! Mediastinal windows reveal small scattered mediastinal lymph nodes which are stable and not definitely pathological based on CT size criterion. His COPD, emphysema & radiation damage stuff is all stable. No new mass or adenopathy although exam is limited without intravenous contrast. Abnormal fullness in the right hilum, again limited in evaluation due to lack of contrast. Volume loss and retraction related to that is stable. However, there are new non specific ill-defined opacities or nodularities right lower lobe, 14mm and 8mm and in the right suprahilar distribution measuring about 10mm. Impression: New non specific nodularities in the right lung. Findings may be infectious or inflammatory although malignancy cannot be excluded. Very short term followup cT chest within 4 weeks is recommended. If these do not resolve correlation CT PET scan to exclude malignancy is recommended. I'm so bummed right now. Denise

So we are 3 1/2 months away from Tom hitting the 5 years at stage IV mark and we now get an although & however report. SIGH!!! Mediastinal windows reveal small scattered mediastinal lymph nodes which are stable and not definitely pathological based on CT size criterion. His COPD, emphysema & radiation damage stuff is all stable. No new mass or adenopathy although exam is limited without intravenous contrast. Abnormal fullness in the right hilum, again limited in evaluation due to lack of contrast. Volume loss and retraction related to that is stable. However, there are new non specific ill-defined opacities or nodularities right lower lobe, 14mm and 8mm and in the right suprahilar distribution measuring about 10mm. Impression: New non specific nodularities in the right lung. Findings may be infectious or inflammatory although malignancy cannot be excluded. Very short term followup cT chest within 4 weeks is recommended. If these do not resolve correlation CT PET scan to exclude malignancy is recommended. I'm so bummed right now. Denise

Hi Paldridge, So sorry we had to meet this way. I hope your hubby is getting his nausea under control. My husband was also treated for pneumonia for 2 months before they decided to do an x-ray and found he had a 7cm NSCLC mass wrapped around the main bronchus on the right which made it inoperable as well as mets to the liver. This put him at stage IV and after 7 chemo treatments and 35 radiation treatments 4 ½ years later he is still here and ready to celebrate his 77th birthday next month. This can be an emotionally and physically draining experience on both of you. So, as many others on this site have told me numerous times over the years, don’t forget to take care of you. Never give up hope and keep up the fight. Denise

Thanks all!! Tom's Oncologist has confirmed that there is NO SIGN OF CANCER!!! He says the bad news is that your lungs look like crap. The good news is it's NOT CANCER.Yeah baby!!! The Onc also said that Tom is getting very good at catching pneumonia. We have now added Spiriva and a Pro Air inhaler for the COPD. Hopefully this will help with the breathing and give him a bit more stamina. This man continues to amaze me. He's like the energizer bunny. He keeps going and going and going. 4 years 3 months and counting. It gives me hope that I will get my 20 year wedding anniversary milestone!! Denise

Thanks all!! Tom's Oncologist has confirmed that there is NO SIGN OF CANCER!!! He says the bad news is that your lungs look like crap. The good news is it's NOT CANCER.Yeah baby!!! The Onc also said that Tom is getting very good at catching pneumonia. We have now added Spiriva and a Pro Air inhaler for the COPD. Hopefully this will help with the breathing and give him a bit more stamina. This man continues to amaze me. He's like the energizer bunny. He keeps going and going and going. Denise

Thanks all!! Tom's Oncologist has confirmed that there is NO SIGN OF CANCER!!! He says the bad news is that your lungs look like crap. The good news is it's NOT CANCER.Yeah baby!!! The Onc also said that Tom is getting very good at catching pneumonia. We have now added Spiriva and a Pro Air inhaler for the COPD. Hopefully this will help with the breathing and give him a bit more stamina. This man continues to amaze me. He's like the energizer bunny. He keeps going and going and going. Denise

4 years later here we sit waiting and wondering. A couple of weeks ago Tom was having a lot of trouble breathing. He called the doctor and they refused to give him and appt. They told him to go straight to the ER. Instead he went to the local urgent care clinic. The clinic took one look at him and called 911 and had an ambulance transport him to the hospital. They took very good care of him and got him comfortable and admitted him with pneumonia. This is the 3rd time in 3 years for pneumonia. While he ws there they did a chest x-ray and said there was a 3cm mass in the right lung. His original tumor was also in the right lung on the main bronchus near the aorta. This one is in the lower lobe. They called in the Onc for a consult and he sent him for a CT which we had done on 4/6. We go to the Onc for results on 4/13. We can pick up the copy of the CD and report on Monday though so we will basically know what is going on before the appt with the Onc. Tom is still having trouble breathing and is very weak. He actually let me push him in a wheel chair when he went for his CT. This is the first time he has let me do this but he knew he couldn't make the walk. He has also lost 15 lbs in the last 1 1/2 months and is now covered in a rash on his chest, stomach, arms, back and thighs. This is an odd symptom to have as nothing has changed in his environment or diet for him to being having an allergic reaction to anyhting. Nor is he on any medications that he would react to. Needless to say I am very worried. More later Denise

4 years later here we sit waiting and wondering. A couple of weeks ago Tom was having a lot of trouble breathing. He called the doctor and they refused to give him and appt. They told him to go straight to the ER. Instead he went to the local urgent care clinic. The clinic took one look at him and called 911 and had an ambulance transport him to the hospital. They took very good care of him and got him comfortable and admitted him with pneumonia. This is the 3rd time in 3 years for pneumonia. While he ws there they did a chest x-ray and said there was a 3cm mass in the right lung. His original tumor was also in the right lung on the main bronchus near the aorta. This one is in the lower lobe. They called in the Onc for a consult and he sent him for a CT which we had done on 4/6. We go to the Onc for results on 4/13. We can pick up the copy of the CD and report on Monday though so we will basically know what is going on before the appt with the Onc. Tom is still having trouble breathing and is very weak. He actually let me push him in a wheel chair when he went for his CT. This is the first time he has let me do this but he knew he couldn't make the walk. He has also lost 15 lbs in the last 1 1/2 months and is now covered in a rash on his chest, stomach, arms, back and thighs. This is an odd symptom to have as nothing has changed in his environment or diet for him to being having an allergic reaction to anyhting. Nor is he on any medications that he would react to. Needless to say I am very worried. More later Denise

I am so saddened to read this. My heart is breaking and I just can't stop crying. I will miss her deeply. I saw the graduation pictures and was happy to see her dream finally come true. My deepest condolences to you, your dad & family Nick. Denise

I'm so sorry to hear this Judy. Prayers for peace and comfort for the whole family. Denise

Thanks everybody. Here is my little update. We are going to wait and scan again on 6/10/11. it will be a fused PET/CT where they overlay the images from the new scan on top of the old scans to check for growth etc. Hurry up and wait. I hate waiting. Denise

http://www.popeater.com/2011/03/15/gerard.smith-cancer/ Brooklyn band TV on the Radio has announced that bassist Gerard Smith is battling lung cancer. According to a statement on the band's official website, Smith will be sitting out their upcoming tour in order to receive treatment for the disease, which was diagnosed shortly after the band wrapped their new album, 'Nine Types Of Light,' due out April 12. "Upon the completion of 'Nine Types of Light', Gerard was diagnosed with lung cancer," the band said. "As a result, he has been undergoing treatment and will be unable to participate in the upcoming tour." The statement continued: "Gerard is fortunate enough to have health insurance and is receiving excellent medical care. Already we have seen dramatic results. Combine that with Gerard's legendarily willful disposition and it might just be cancer that has the problem. We appreciate your concern and support for Gerard and his family." In the meantime, the rest of band will focus their efforts on drumming up excitement for 'Nine Types of Light,' which is their forth studio album and follow-up to 2008's 'Dear Science.' TV on the Radio will also headline AOL Music and Spinner's hotly anticipated SXSW showcase on Thursday, March 17, at Austin's famed Stubb's Bar-B-Q, before playing a string of U.S. dates this April. So why not come out and send some positive vibes their way, and let Smith know we hope to see him healthy and back on stage again soon.

After several months of healing from a bad bought with pneumonia that marred a routine CT and then a subsequent PET we had yet another CT last week. Most things are unchanged and the pleural effusion has resolved. There is one thing left that is disconcerting. The report states there is a 6mm nodule on series 5, image 32 in the mid right lung which is too small to characterize. This is the lung that the cancer originated in. We see the onc on Tuesday to discuss what we do next. Denise

Well suck a duck!! Praying those suckers get blasted to smithereens Ned. Denise

I will start with the fact that Tom is a 3 year stage 4 lung cancer survivor. The latest PET results from Friday have me worried though and I looking for opinions. We have a routine follow up appt with the Onc on 2/15 and are thinking of calling in the morning to move it up. The Pulm did not seem to like that that appt was still 3 weeks away. The PET was ordered by the pulmonologist after a routine CT was marred by a bad case of pneumonia which landed Tom in the hospital for 5 days last month. The CT showed that the right hilum could not be evaluated due to the consolidation in the right lung from the pneumonia. The Pulm says to talk to the Onc and see if he thinks another round of chemo is warranted. Findings show: There is minimal faint increased activity associated with the soft tissue attenuation in the right hilum, SUV value less than 3. Although evaluation is limited without intravenous contrast, the soft tissue densities in the right hilum have increased by about 1 cm, superiorly presently measuring 3 x 4.7 cm compared to the prior 3 x 3.7 cm, and in the right infrahilar distribution presently measuring about 2.2 x 3.7 cm compared to prior 2 x 2 cm. Impression: Slightly more prominent soft tissue attenuation within the right hilum, but SUV values are less then 3. Findings are nonspecific, low to moderate suspicion for malignancy. Very close CT surveillance of the chest is recommended. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks, Denise

Prayers, prayers and more prayers Judy. Denise

Mom took an ambulance ride to the hospital on Monday and is still there in the ICU. She had severe pain in her right arm and has not been feeling well for some months now. She lost all circulation and feeling in her right arm. They ran a few tests and found out she threw a clot. They did emergency surgery at 2 a.m. to fish out a 3 inch long clot from her forearm via an embolectomy. The doctors thought that it may have come from her heart due to her CHF. Doctors said fortunate and unfortunate. Unfortunate that she had a clot but fortunate that it didn't go to her brain. She can no longer walk on her own. She tries using the walker we got her but even with that she is falling and needs to use the wheel chair now. She has no appetite and is nauseous all the time. Mom has also lost 80 lbs within the last year and 20 of them have been since Thanksgiving. Her echo and transesophogeal echo came back as not having any more clots in or near her heart, which is good news. However, her chest x-ray is not good. Due to her CHF her heart is so large it's taking up most of the space in her chest. It spans across both sides of her chest in the x-ray. There is a lot of fluid in her chest as well which appears to be a collapse of that part of her lung. Her breathing is very shallow and she states that when she breathes in she cannot feel her lungs expand. They called in a pulmonologist tonight and he wants her to have a CT scan tomorrow to get a better look at her lungs and chest as they also note finding a mass. Mom has CHF, diabetes, high BP & cholesterol, severe arthritis in her spine with a couple of compressed vertebrae and is a 6 1/2 year breast cancer survivor. My mom just turned 70 and is a never smoker but lives in a house full of smokers. Dare we add lung cancer to the mix?