marion

I was on Carboplatin/Gemzar from Nov. 2003 until July 2004 and and then they told me I was in remission. They have kept me on Iressa since August 2004. Last month PET scan showed a increase in activity but when did the Bone scan; that was negative. So who knows. Still on Iressa. Sometimes bloodcount dropped and had to miss treatment. Hair thinned some and after treatment, felt awful for a few days; as well as I can remember.Couldn't eat very well but had a craving for boiled potatoes with butter on them. Believe I had diahrea also but can't complain since it put me in Remission. marion

Thanks a lot for the infomation about Mr. Jennings. Marion

Is there anyone out there that knows what was the type of lung cancer, stage, etc. that Peter Jennings had. Also, did he have any treatment? I haven't been able to find anything about this. Last nite on CNN; they had a program about "Taming the Beast." It was filmed at the hospital in Houston. marion

She has been on my mind so much. She is at Peace now with the angels and Peace and Prayers to all of you, her wonderful family. Marion

I forgot to tell you that I have been taking the pill, Iressa since August of 2004. It seems to be doing the trick. Marion

I just saw your letter today and thought I would write. As you can see from my history that I am state IV NSCLC but I am older than your spouse. As far as I know I am still in remission. I will go in tomorrow for my monthly check up and probably a PET scan. I am sorry your doctor wasn't more sensitive to you and your husband's situation. My doctors have been rather good for the most part. I am not the go getter I used to be and have lost weight; but still going but at a slower pace. I would have to be doing that anyway at my age. Take care and God Bless you and your family. marion

Yeah, Cathy. Been thinking about you a lot. Hope things are going along fine. Prayers for you and yours. marion

Thank you so much for your information on these other organizations. As soon as my daughter gets over her wood tick bite; I will push to get her started on this. Thanks again. marion

I showed my daughter the above thread for she had a team for the Relay for Life this year. She asked me to get information on the WALC LCA Lungevity Cancer Care and Joanies Cause and she would check into it. Would anybody out there help me out on this. Really appreciate it. marion

No shame in having weepy days or bad days. I am sure all of us do but don't mention it until someone else brings up there blues. Then all the secrets come out of the woodwork. I go thru spells of being up and then down and never sure how I will be feeling each day until it arrives. You are just starting on your treatment, so of course you are uptight. You'll do alright and soon get in the swing of things. Take care and God Bless. marion

Mom's are mighty special people. Even as old as I am; I still miss mine very much. Infact, she had her stroke on the Friday before Mother's Day. so HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of you and us and the ones that came before and will come in the future. Marion

I took Carboplatin and Gemzar at the same time and they worked for me. Now I did feel bad but it got me to the point where they put me on Iressa, which I have been on since August 2004. God Bless and help with your decision. love ya. Marion

I am so glad that you have had a good week. I have been thinking and saying prayers for you and the others also. Take care and God Bless. love ya. marion

Just got back from the Relay for Life get together in Altavista, Va. Last year I went but started feeling bad before the Survivor's Walk and had to leave. This year was much better. It was certainly a overpowering feeling to walk toward the group and going around the track with the people cheering you on. Tears were on many faces, including my own. I have never done anything like this before and it certainly was an experience I will never forget. To see my cousin and her husband making the walk (both with cancer). She had been told this week that hers had spread to several places. To see the little ones that are going thru this really can break one's heart. But all in all I had an enjoyable time plus they had delicious free food for the Survivors after the lap. Can't beat that. All take care. Marion

I don't know what to say but God Bless You and we will all be praying for you. Love you. Marion

I am taking Immodian and Lomotil and still have the problem. Not as bad as it would be if I didn't take it. But I just can't get an appetite and might eat several bites and that is it, even if I try. I eat several times a day. I feel very empty inside and hungary but I can't eat a half way normal meal. I have gotten the Ensure to see if that will help. I have also been on Vitamins. Marion

Had a PET scan last week and everything came back fine. Have been on Iressa since August of 2004. I have lost 25 pounds and am having a terrible time eating. Even little meals. I am on the weak side and feel bad a lot. I do wish I could eat better for I think I would have more strength and maybe WOULD NOT feel so bad. Don't mean to complain for after all the scans were clear. But it doesn't take much to wear me out. Marion

A HAPPY EASTER TO EACH AND EVERY ONE. I hope the bunny brought you lots of goodies. marion

Looking at those darling babies are enough to make you forget all your troubles. I do like and love cats. I have 5 in the house at this time and they bring a loads of joy to both of us. Marion

Oh yes, I feel this most be a common condition us LC patients go thru. I am going to have a PET scan this Tue. and like you say: "Is this going to be the time." I start getting worked up about a week or week and half before my monthly check up. I guess it is the unknown and the knowing that we have only a limited control of what is going on. I worry when things are bad and when they are good; I still worry, afraid of when they will turn bad. Guess that is the way it goes. Good luck with your doctor's appointment. Marion

Making the list was one of my favorite things to do in going on a trip. I almost think I had more fun doing that than going. I would make a list of me, husband and daughter and than a miscellaneous list. One night I was up to 4:30am getting ready and when I was; I woke then up and said "lets go." I know you will have the same pleasure in doing this. Might just start on my list. marion

You have great ideas going. Where is the Rain Forest Cafe Restaurant in florida. We used to go down a lot when our girl was younger but not as much now. Today, I was figuring out the distance from here to Idaho and that area. Don't know if I will get there but will start going that way. Sometimes, I get too tired. As i have told my husband; you just can't sit around all the time and do nothing. Got to have something in the works and you seem to have hit the nail on the head. After it warms up a little more; we want to take baby Crimson (3 Years) down to N.C. to the zoo they have. Like you, I feel sure I will need a wheel chair. Right much ground to cover, but that's alright. have fun. Marion

I started taking Iressa, one pill a day at first, and not long afterwards I started breaking out on face and other places. Diahrea, also. Was taking Imodium and Lomotil also. Helped some. After the first month, he changed me to 5 pills a week and the next month 5 1/2 pills a week. The breaking out on face is calmed down considerably but have itching spells on back, chest, arms and various places. Still have diahrea and lost of appetite but if it keeps me in check; will continue as long as it works. That is unless something better comes along. Have lost about 25 lbs. and I am sure this is from the diahrea and lost of appetite at times. Just hits me different ways at different times. Do hate being weak but can't have everything. Marion

I was diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC in November 2003 amd started treatment the Wednesday before Thanksgiving of that year. It was carboplatin and gemzar. Kept going with that until Aug. 2004, when they put me on Iressa, which I am still taking 5 1/2 pills a week. So far, so good. I know this is a difficult time for you and your mom but you'll can do it. Prayers to you two. Marion

When I was taking regular Chemo and was feeling bad; I did not watch any television. When I moved, it was trying to get some food in me. BUT: I think a good reason to look at the food network would be to say to yourself: " When I am feeling better, I am going to eat this, that and everything they are making." Having a big appetite to look forward to. Just a thought. Marion