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London Lad

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  1. Dad passed away this Saturday just gone. Everything seems unreal at the moment. Since I was a kid, because I had such a wonderful, loving childhood I have always dreaded the day when I'd be without my parents. I still have my beautiful mother and sisters but right now my heart is in pieces. It is certainly true that the level of grief felt is proportional to the love that has been lost. Over the past 10 months my dad battled with such courage and dignity he redefined what those two words mean to me. We did many good things through 2004 but I have many regrets around the things I didn't achieve while my dad was still here. His passing was peaceful for someone who'd been fighting so long and so hard in a battle we all knew could ultimately not be won. Tonight our favourite football team plays. We'd often watch the games together but when we couldn't see the game together we always speak by phone after the match. Tonight I have nobody to call and it hurts so bad. I'm so proud of my dad, he'll forever be my hero. May I extend my thanks to the kind, supportive and wonderful folk on this board. My dad knew I came on this board and he'd be grateful to.
  2. Bev, I'm another UK person here. Where if you don't mind me asking is your dad being seen? My dad was diagnosed March 13th with stage IV NSCLC. Getting to that point his GP and chest physician were between them hopeless. The initial oncologist he then saw whilst he was a least a cancer specialist had a lousy attitude and offered no hope. So I got my dad referred to a cancer specialist centre (Royal Marsden, London). The staff there have been fantastic. Attitude and mindset of sufferers and carers is so important. There are several other excellent cancer centres around the UK. One thing for example is the fact that they tend to be able to get access to drugs still yet to be approved in the UK, Iressa for example. I'm no physician but right after dad was diagnosed he coughed terrible, especially early morning and late night, including some blood. Since dad's been on oramorph for his pain the coughing has improved markedly. I could go on and would love to share more if it would help, especially if it's anything UK specific. This site is the last place in the world you'd ever wish to find yourself coming to but I've found it to be occupied by some damn fine human beings.
  3. My dad has just recieved his second round of Zometa to help with his bone mets. Both times he's received the treatment, two days after he's experienced acid in his stomach and then vomitting. Does anyone else here know if that is a fairly common side effect? Something interesting the physician told us about was that there has recently been published a peer review paper that has now demonstrated that Zometa is effective in lung cancer (previously use had been based on the effectiveness in other cancers such as breast). I've been unable to find the paper on the net yet but will keep trying.
  4. London Lad

    New puppy

    Mary I'm sorry to say, judging by the numerous postings above, that I didn't know David. But what I do know is that 2 weeks before my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer, my mum and dad took charge of a 2 month old labrador. Well, there is absolutely no doubt - this lovely, gorgeous dog (Keano) has warmed our hearts so often, in so many many ways. I'm sure yours will too. Sean
  5. Lovely Paddy, just lovely. I grew up on the beach and it always gives such peace and comfort. Take care and love from England Sean
  6. London Lad

    Full Circle

    Here's a little story. Back when I just a very young lad i.e. over 30 years ago now, my dad took me to see a football team play (soccer team for all my US friends). From that day on I was hooked with Manchester United - for the women in my life since, some may argue dangerously obsessed. It's an obsession of support that my dad and I hold up to this day. When my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer and given 6 months to live, back in March of this year, amidst all the turmoil, one thought kept coming to the forefront of mind - to re-pay dad and get him to a big game like he did for me all those years ago. But the season was drawing to a close, dad was mid-way through chemo and who knew if he'd make it to next season. Well a few weeks ago, I entered the hallowed stadium, amongst 70,000 other devoted fans, having got tickets for my dad and I. He hardly walked for months but that day he walked several miles. As we entered the stadium and took to our seats, we both smiled smiles wider than you can imagine and then both shed a few tears (a bit like I am right now typing this). It was a truly wonderful day. Our team won. My dad even shouted back at the opposition fans and I'll treasure the memory while my mind is still alive. Thank you for indulging me. Sean
  7. Carleen & Keith, Happy Anniversary from London, UK. Start preparing for the next one. Sean
  8. Hi Xena, as you can probably guess I'm from the UK. Try to take comfort from the fact that people on here really do know how you're feeling. Certainly over here in the UK a diagnosis of stage IV lung cancer comes with the standard "they've got 6 months to live" response. But it doesn't have to be that way. The first doc who saw my dad gave that response and offered as a treatment option 'no treatment'. My dad, me and the rest of my family were not having that. He is now being treated at a specialist cancer centre, by a fantastic team, who don't promise miracles but they do care. In two weeks time, God willing, my dad reaches that 6 month milestone. He's not through yet and those caring for him damn well ain't. This is a battle alright, a painful, horrible battle but it's a battle you can fight. Don't give up hope and stay in touch. Sean
  9. Hello Tracy, I like you am new on here but it's already clear to me you've found a fantastic on-line place to be. It's 5 months since my dad was diagnosed and still I find myself walking into the onco hospital thinking to myself "is this really happening? to my dad? to my family? to me?". Everyone fights in their own way. For me it's just important to fight, whatever way that may be. Take care Sean
  10. For all the responses to my message, thank you, I'm very touched. I shall feedback the thoughts and comments from all of you tomorrow when I see my dad (I am indeed from London, UK). Humanity shines brightly indeed through the folk on here.
  11. Firstly I'd like to thank from heart the organisers/moderators/contributers to this exellent site. It gives information, comfort and hope in equal measure. My dad is 73 and was diagnosed with NSCLC stage IV in April 04. The doc he was initially seeing, who turned out to be a terrible carer, gave dad 6 months, and laid out the 'no treatment, no hope' option as a serious option to consider. I realise I'm not the one to have go through with treatment but dad just didn't want to sit back, and die according to the statistical average. So I got dad to an expert centre, where the docs turned out to be wonderful. He's had 3 cycles of chemo - carboplatin, vincristine and mitomycin and is now being rested. The scan he had 3 weeks has shown that the mets on his liver have responded signifcantly, not disappeared completely but the doc sounded very pleased with this result. The primary tumour on his left lung is much the same as it was nearly 6 months ago. Dad's breathing is probably better than it was before treatment and his pain is completely controlled by the same dose of oramorph he first started 6 months ago. Has anyone else here heard of similar results i.e. no change to the primary tumour but a reduction in liver mets and if so, what your thoughts are on this news? He has lost a lot of weight which worries me, although this seems to have stablised of late. Dad has also been on high dose vit C, selenium, beta-carotene, bromelain and a mushroom extract since diagnosis. Any comments would be very gratefully appreciated. Thank you. Sean
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