ellakc2

Dr. Joe, It's so hard. Personally I wanted all the truth. The first thing my surgeon said to me which got my attention, was, this is not a death sentence. And then I listened. Your in such shock. I'm so glad I had someone w/ me to remember everything that was said. If I had to do it over again I would bring a tape recorder. My dad passed five yrs ago from Pancreatic cancer so Iam no stranger to cancer, but this was a totally different type. But it was the same surgeon so I felt very comfortable w/ him. He was so calm and reassuring. And the hospital I attended did have a team in place. Good luck and take time w/ your boy they're only small once.

Thanks Dr. Joe for fining the time for us.

Hey Bo, What's the difference between IIIA and IIIB?

Thanks guys for the data. I was a dumb kid I started smoking at 12 and was smoking every day by 15. One thing good that has come out of my cancer is that my 4 and 5 yr. old grandchildren saw what happened to me. We didn't tell them to much (I didn't want them to be afraid) but I did tell them grammy was so sick from cigarettes. At the time of illness they were 3&4. Now being a yr. older they ask questions. Joseph the 4 yr. old told me his mommy had the cancer talk w/ him. He actually was very funny w/ the facial expressions asking me questions. But god willing they will never smoke.

Hey did anyone see "Tobacco Files" host by Peter Jenkings on WPVI channel 6 in the Philadelphia, PA area. It was on Tuesday, Sept.8 Very interesting. It did cement may feeing that there will never be more research or a cure for Lung Cancer as long as Uncel Sam reeps the benefits Truely a sad thing.

Hi everyone! I have a question! I always see EX: IIB or IIIA . My Dr. never put a letter A or B behind my class. I asked this question once before and Cindy got back to me and said A is operable and B is non-operable. After she told me this I heard soooo many conflicting answers. Does anyone definiately know??? I have never see it anywhere in print. And I don't go to see my Dr. until December. Extremely curious???

Hi Baydreamer Welcome, Love the name. I have III NSCLC. I had the top R Lobe removed on 9-15-03, and then radiation and cemo at the same time. I had a 2cc tumor w/ two lymph nodes involved they classed it as stage II. After they operated they legally had to classify it class III because they found one microscoptic cell starting to pass under the sterum to go to my left lung. They said it was an extremely early stage III. All hospitals have similar but different terminology. My Dr. never told me A or B. I've been told A is operative and B is non-operative, I don't know that to be true??? Alot has to do w/ general health, if he smokes his lungs could be too damaged. The position and location of the tumor and size. And yes, bug him to go. Your parents will never remember the things the Dr. will explain. I didn't and I am so glad mykids were there even though I would of rather faced it myself (to avoid them hurting)If they don't want assistance from there kids try to get them to take a tape recorder. Most onocolgist are used to it. If the Dr. balks, time to get a new Dr. Most incourage it. They are in shock and it is so natural for the mind to protect itself by not comprehending or absorbing everything. Here's a website to go to, to look things up . http://www.oncologychannel.com/lungcanc ... ages.shtml As of 8-13-04 Iam clear. Good luck to you all.

Hi Cheryl, I have known people w/various types of cancer in my life. An I believe lung cancer is the most discriminating type of cancer. Because people don't know and they believe you do it to yourself through smoking. I know is crazy but people have actually said that to me when I was diagnosis because I WAS a smoker. I'm proud of myself for not smoking anymore (believe it or not). Because of anytime in my life when I felt like I needed a cig, it's now with all the stress of cancer. I've had no signs of my cancer for almost a year. And I pray I won't ever again. I know never say never. But god willing I will never pick up another cig again. I wouldn't have to worry about cancer killing me, my kids would. Have a good holiday.

To Karen C. you gave excellent advice! Peoples mood change in a heart beat, no matter how much they say they understand they don't. I wish cancer was as easy as divorce. I was digusted when I read what your boss said to you. He had alot of guts. Good luck to all!

Angie, I know the feeling. I feel for people that go through this w/ no one to speak up for them. You go girl. My dad who passed in 99 of Pancreatic cancer used to say. The loudest squeak gets the most oil. Good luck to your dad and family.

Hi Justakid, Funny story. In January of 2004, I went to the food store because I knew this coming up cemo would be a bear and had no idea of how sick I would be. My hair was starting to fall out (it was shoulder length). I was coming out of the store to my car and it was a very cold and windy day (live in PA) and what I thought was leaves blowing by was my hair coming out and blowing by. Had a good laugh, what else could I do. I felt like I Love Lucy Show. Have to look at the humor.

Becki, Praying for your nephew and the family. Saving the lung is a good thing. Positive attitude is a must. I know it's hard. Your nephew being a ball player will understand. Will not be defeated.

Hi ! Registrated the end of August. Have been reading ever since and have responsed to a few people. Two weeks before my 50th (7-31-03) I was dx w/ nsclc. Smoked for 35 years. Had lobectomy on right top lobe. Was very early stage III w/ lymph node involvement. Had radiation and chemo and was done all treament by 1-23-04 and was back to work the following week,I had no choice I live alone. That was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I have two married daughters and four wonderful grandchildren. My dad passed of Pancreatic cancer in 99, so Iam not a stranger to cancer.I think I have a positive attitude and that helps, but some days it's sooooo hard. We all wait for the other shoe to drop. The one thing for some reason that makes me laugh when I'm down is something my four year old grandson said to me the first time he saw me w/o my wig when my hair was only about a half a inch long. He looked at me, and titled his head in innocences and said, Grammy I don't know what you did to your hair, but it don't look so good. I howled w/ laughter. For some reason it struck my funny bone. So if your down, maybe you can think of Joseph's (out of the mouths of babes comment), and smile. Good luck to all!!!!!

Sorry for all the troubles you had. I have seen Dr.s stop cemo often. I personally don't believe in it. Cemo is so ulgy, yet sooo wonderful. Use all the tools you have. Discomfort and sickness is worth remission. If and when people ask my opinion I always go w/ cemo. Been there and have done it, it's worth it. Good luck to you all.

Hi! was dx w/ nsclc on7-31-03. Smoked for 35 years. Had top of right lobe removed. Went through cemo and radiation and have been cancer free since. I have not had a cig since. First of all I wouldn't have to worry about the cancer killing me, my kids would. It absolutely is a choice. I've beat it w/ sugarless gum and lifesaver sugarfree cremesavers. You have a 80 to 90 % chance of the cancer reoccuring if you smoke. I know how hard it is to stop. I am a stubborn person and I used it in my job to quit. Living alone is the hardest. It truely is a friend. You loose sooo much w/ cancer and you justify it, it your mind. Try hard. It is an addiction, but it is more of a CHOICE than anything else. I do miss my cigs, but I would miss my family more. I do think of the postive. I have saved alot of money. I don't have to go out in the freezing cold at work to smoke (live in PA). My car and house don't smell. But most of all I want to set a good example for my grandkids so they don't ever start this crappy habit. So everytime I have a craving I think of this stuff. I get up and do something with my hands. It's so hard. Good luck and take care.

Hi ! Iam new to this site. I was dx 7-31-03 w/ nsclc at age 49, two weeks short of my 50th birthday. I have two married daughters and four gorgeous grandkids who are the loves of my life. I have been a single parent since my kids were 7 and 9. Did everything alone w/ no child support and that to me was way harder than cancer (believe it or not). I was early stage three w/ lymph node envolvment. I had my top lobe of my right lung removed on 9-15-03. Had radiation and cemo at the same time was done all treatment by 1-23-04 and went back to work one week later. (Had no chose, I live alone) That was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I know how scared you are, the doubts and fears can overwhelm you if you allow it. I have had all good test results and so far so good. We all wait for the other shoe to drop. Cancer patients are just more aware of their mortality. One of the funniest things is when my hair was growing in and was about a half an inch long. My grandson who was 3 1/2 at the time. Saw me w/o my wig for the first time. He shook his head and in his innocents said, Grammy I don't know what you did to your hair but it don't look so good. I absolutely howled w/ laughter it just hit my funny bone. When I get down in the dumps I just think of Joseph and smile. My two oldest grandchildren are now 4 and 5 and and they have seen what smoking can do and hopefully they will never smoke. I smoked for 35 yrs. I try to look at the postive of all this. I lost 30 lbs. I only needed to loose 20 (memopause weight gain) So I had to gain 10 back. Got to eat good stuff. They radidated the crap out of my sterum. They orginally found cells starting to go under it and to the other lung. So swallowing was a challenge. I don't know if you have children or grandchildren, but they got me through alot. I wake up every morning and think, I want to see them grow up, play sports, go to college, get married and have families. And if I don't, they will know that they had a grandmom who was strong and fought this god awlful disease with everything she had. My dad passed in 99 of Pancreatic cancer. He survived 4yrs and 2 months which is a long time for that type of cancer. He showed us everyday that life is worth fighting for. And when he passed at the age of 67 he accepted it with grace, but he fought hard and had a good life. Try to look at the postive. I truely know how hard it is , but it's all we have. Good luck to you and I will pray for you.