Ellen Lilja

Maybe the surgeon left something in you? ! Ellen Lilja

Hello Deb - Yes, get a pnuemonia shot for Heaven's sakes...my doctor wasn't the one who told me about it, though...I was told by another lung cancer patient! You said your doctor said the shot is only good for one kind of pnuemonia...weeeeelllllll....so, that's one you won't have to worry about! But, each year, get the flu shot, too. I had entire left lung removed July 9, 2001. I still pant going up the stairs, and my legs get very tired by the time I am at top...I think because of low oxygen supply to them. I have days when I need a nap, period! So, I take it. Just listen to what your body is telling you to do. I'm 63, and am a playwrite, so I have the blessing of being able to work from my home, and nap when I need to. But, in my younger days, we used to own and were the CEOs of of a large employment service which we owned, and at that time, I remember one of our management employees had a heart condition...so, we saw no reason why that person shouldn't take a nap when needed...we had a couch put in his office, and when he napped, he put a motel sign, "Do no disturb" on his door, and the receptionist turned off his phone. He was a great asset to our corporation and stayed with us until we sold. Ask your boss if you can nap when needed....it'll give you a "second breath" to continue on with your day. When I get over stressed, tired, worn-out, etc, I do a fantastic impersonation of Darth Vadar....also find it hard to breath in hot weather, over 85 degrees, and in airplaines, and in the Denver airport! Altitude is as big problem..at about 2,500 feet I start getting winded. But you know, with all these things plus more, I would still take the treatment, surgery and cure...I love life! ONWARD! Ellen Lilja

Hello to the male gender on this message board... I've noticed that only women seem to complain about breast pain after various surgery for lung cancers... Is this pain only female related...like PMS, babies and menopause? Reminds me of when I very urgently asked my oncologist if my PSA had been checked for cancer...she's still rolling on the floor... Anyway, I'm curious to know if breast pain is gender related... Thanks for responding. Onward! Ellen Lilja Ellen Lilja

Hello Eileen, Yes, I have some breast pain...and now I NEVER wear a bra! Didn't like the dern things anyway when I did wrap them around me. Most of the time, the pain I experience is when my left breast is touched by a hand...just barely touched will do it. Clothing doesn't both me, and like I said, to sent my bra to-hell-in-a-handbasket...My pnumonectomy of my left lung was done on July 9, 2001...so I'm 2 years out now. I think I'll post an inquiry to the men...I notice that all of your responses have come from women. I haven't attempted a mammogram...the very thought sends me into a catatonic trance.... Onward! Ellen Lilja

Hello John, Good advice! I sought a second opinion and have never regretted it.l..my second opinion gave me hope! The first, didn't. I'm sorry to hear about your Mom, no matter how old we are, it hurts to lose our Mothers. Take care, Onward! Ellen

Hello Kay- Your father is fortunate to have you! Your love for him shows thorugh your posted message. Getting a second and third opinion may be something for you to think about. False postitives are scarier than positive false. You just never know. My personal feeelings about alternative medicines is that when one is dealing with something as strong and as determined as cancer, then one should go with the treatment that has a proven track record - but use the alternative medicine with it. Alternative medicines do work, but I personally would want the strongest thing out there...in order to give me my best shot. I had carbo/taxol. It is a strong chemotherepy. I lost my hair, everywhere (!), developed nueropathy in both legs and feet, had diarrhea, deep bone pain, and some little things....but, today I am cancer free. 1/2 of my hair grew back (everwhere!), my nueropathy went away accept for just a wee bit in both of my big toes, I don't have anyother things left over from the chemo. I had my entire left lung removed, July 9, 2001...when I was 61...I am now 63. Happy and postive thoughts are being sent by me to you and your father. Remember, no one is terminal until they are dead..and even then life goes on in another way...onward! Ellen Lilja

Hello Debi - Forget the bra...No matter the construction of it, the dern thing will rub on your incision and make you miserable. It's been 2 years since I wore one of them, and now I wonder why I ever started to in the first place. ...back in 1951... Of course, now my husband has to get onto his knees to "see my puppies." I can hear your frustration with the "new you." But, the "old you" is still there, you just have to work "all of you" a little differently. Water has a way of finding its own level. Listen to your body, it will tell you what you can and cannot do, but its ok to challenge it, too! Jobs...because of insurance coverage, you gotta tell the truth to your prospective employers...but I think (not sure of this) that it is discriminatory to not hire a person because of being a cancer survivor. HOpe you took your sister up on doing the town...the new you will just have to take a little longer to oogle and doogle...and who knows, slowing down a bit may be just the thing that was needed to enjoy something really special.....onward! Ellen Lilja

...Probably because by the time most lung cancer is diagnosed it has already spread to nodes, brains, liver, bones, etc Mets. Stage 4 .

My husband is turning 70 years old, and is beginning to have a bit of a problem remembering small things. And I have chemo brain. The other day, it suddenly occured to both of us that one of us is suffering from a memory problem, but we couldn't remember which one it is.....

Hello Rinksgal - Winstead Churchill, who smoked cigars like a pot bellied stove but never got lung cancer, (geez!) said, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." Well, your fear is well founded. Lung cancer is a dastardly monster who quietly hides - leering out from its dark cavern - basking in its own putrid stench. You've seen it raise its ugly, hideous head once...you KNOW what it can do...no wonder you're scared! Who isn't with your experience? Right now, you've got the "worry-watch," but soon, you'll know if you can breath a sigh of relief, or if you need to switch from the worry-watch to one of supportive, loving care, and since you've done that before...you know what to do...s/o is fortunate to have you. Let us know his CT results. I'll be busy on my knees for both of you as we wait to hear. Onward, Ellen Lilja

When I lost all of my hair from the carbol/taxol, treatments, my then eight year old grandson, who was very concerned about my now bald head, placed his little hand on my shinning scalp and smiled so sweetly at me as he gently rubbed my hairlessness and said, "Grandma, you are the most beauitfulest old woman I ever did seen." It made my day...I still chuckle over it. Onward!...Ellen Lilja

Hello Marcia - Your first day after surgery...use those pain meds... they will help you heal. I remember waking up on July 10, 2001 and wondering why I felt as if I were starving... Suddenly realized I hadn't eaten in two days...nurse brought me a cup of chocolate pudding, it was the best I'd ever eaten. Won't be long before you'll be outta there and home in your own bed. Praying for your quick recovery...Onward! Ellen Lilja