Wendy

I love to hear great news like this!! Thanks for sharing and reminding us that while there are peaks and valleys, there are alot of RAINBOWS too. Wendy

Angie you and your family are in my prayers. Your dad is really lucky to have such a wonderful, caring and supportive daughter in his corner. The unfortunate part of this whole cancer "biz" is that it is so hard on the family and loved ones. I wish you strength as you go forward in this journey. Wendy

Hi Mike, Glad to hear that you have been feeling good during your chemo. It sure makes the battle easier. Best wishes for continued smooth sailing. Wendy

I am probably not a good example for you here. I was originally diagnosed as Stage 1 and when I had surgery they found much more cancer than anticipated and was restaged 3a. Seems to me the majority of the folks in this category have chemo/radiation first then surgery.

Linus I too was very surprised that it can strike someone so young. I was even more surprised how it can strike someone that hasn't smoked ever in their life. Glad to hear you quit smoking now - every day DOES count! Wendy

Sorry to hear about your mother. You did however come to the right place. There always seems to be someone who has experienced similiar circumstances to chat with. Best wishes to you and your family. Wendy

First - Congratulations on your anniversary! Second - I am soooooooooo bummed out - I was at the U of M lung cancer forum on Saturday too. I sat pretty close to the front of the audience so I didn't notice you. I think I would have been able to pick you out of the crowd by your picture on the board. It would have been fantastic to meet you face to face! I did also place a call to you tonight (you had given me your number a few weeks ago). Cheers to many more years of good health! Wendy

thanks for the info!

I am so sorry about your cat As a fellow cat owner I know how much my cat means to my family emotionally. They can truly be your best friend.

Keeping my fingers and toes crossed. Wendy

Its great to hear that you have the surgery behind you. Although everyone looks at things differently, I would tell you to go for the chemo. Chemo and the side effects are usually only temporary. If it gives you a better chance for reoccurance, go for it. Good luck on your decision and keep us posted. Wendy

Melanie, Boy I can truly relate to your email. It was really hard for me to not want to yell and scream - I have cancer - everything became so different in my life. The plus side of this illness is that you do get a chance to stop and look at your priorities and change them if need be. I am glad you changed your mind on the treatment. Heck your soooooo young, you have another 40 years left in you at least, might as well try to scare the cancer out now so you don't have a reoccurence later. I did have cisplatin, taxotere and vp16. I actually took 4 antinausea drugs with the cisplatin and was never nauseated (I had nausea problems from my surgery - I WASNT going through that again!). Remember that the treatment is temporary and you won't have to do it forever. Best wishes for a smooth 2nd chemo. Wendy

Joyce - I'm a little too far to join in but do want to thank you for being a great advocate - Good luck with the event! Wendy

Karen, We need many more advocates such as you and your daughters to bring awareness and research forward - what an inspiration you are. I agree - lets have a "before cancer day". Best wishes for a successful fight. Wendy

Cathy: Happy Birthday! Cheers to many more too. Sorry to hear about the allergic reaction to Iressa. I am currently taking it on a trial and have experienced the rash pretty badlly but not the swelling. Hopefully the half dose will work for you - if not, there are definetely more drugs out there for you to try. Don't lose hope - Wendy

My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Wendy

I love it when someone has a great doc - there is nothing worse than not agreeing or liking the doc. Best wishes, Wendy

I hope the doc's get get Bobs pain under control soon. Prayers coming your way. Wendy

Oh my goodness, I didn't realize I wrote "my kids aren't CANCER eaters. I guess I didn't forget about it really. It sure would be fun though if it was that easy!

I don't know about anyone else but TODAY I am giving up thinking about my lung cancer - I am concentrating on my halloween candy! We purchased way too much candy this year (we don't want to run out you know), so I am trying to avoid eating it all myself. Unfortunately I am not doing a very good job at it. My kids are not big cancer eaters so I cannot even pawn it off on them. Cheers to a great sugar overdose Have a great day! Wendy

Prayers on the way Wendy

Hey Beth, Sorry to hear that you are feeling pretty down. We all know that this battle is just as much an emotional roller coaster as it is physical. I agree with Cindy that there is no need to post - but come on and read the funny's. Keep everyone up to date on your progress. If you need support from others - ask for it. First and foremost, be good to yourself. When you feel like crap - do something special for yourself (take a hot bath, eat an ice cream cone, snuggle up with your children/pet, call someone you haven't talk to for a long time. Take the time you need for your emotional health too. Sometimes a good cry is just what the doctor ordered. Take care of yourself - I will be thinking about you whether you post or not. Cheers to better health! Wendy

Cheryl Sorry to hear about the numb feet! Geez we put up with alot during this battle - BUT you have a great attitude to go along with it, I love the bride of frankenstein comment. Good luck with the battle and thanks for tips for help temporarily limit the sleeping feet! Wendy

Cathyr: I just started Iressa 4 weeks ago and started getting the rash two days into it. The rash I ended up with absolutely miserable. It was like 1000 small little pimples all over my face, neck, back and shoulders and scalp. It itched to beat the band. My normal doc was out of town and her collegue wanted me to be "patient" to see if the rash would run it's course - it didn't! Fiinally my doc prescribed a gel for acne that seems to be taking care of the rash. Been on it for 4 days and it has helped tremendously. Doc stated that the rash may come and go - everyone is different though. As far as the swelling - no clue on that one. Good luck to you and hopefully the rash doesn't get too bad. Wendy

I know this response is a little late, however I agree that you should give your doctor a call if your breathing is harder than before. I did have a similiar reaction and found out that my red blood cells were low and needed a transfusion. I hope your recovery from the chemo is speedy. I will be thinking about you. Wendy