MaryTD777

Susan, wonderful news!! Congratulations on your first cancerversary!! May there be many, MANY more!!



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​Well said!!
 
I tend to make sure that when I see the doctor before the surgery or procedure I ask them how THEY are feeling/doing!! Did they sleep well? All the kids are doing well? Wife/Hubby is happy? LOL!! It sounds a bit like what you said. At the very least I get a giggle out of them and that is MY way of reminding them that I am a person, parent, spouse, pet owner or whatever else I want them to think of me as when they open me up and I suddenly look like any photo from a text book or slide show.
 
​Always looking for a smile or a giggle!

Hi Vicky,

For sure the first thing is to knock all of those stats out of your head. Those numbers are always based on the prior decade... in other words, even in 2019, you really
Probably won't see any results newer than 2000-2009. Crazy, sad, but true. There were more things discovered in 2015 than in the previously mentioned decade! Much of the research done to make those discoveries was funded by the same amazing group that makes this site possible!! LUNGevity is FANTABULOUS!!

Holler out anytime around here! Someone will surely be around to holler back soon [emoji38]

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Paula,
Firstly, I agree 1,000% with Tom! Good news & stick with the recommended chemo & radiation.

Now, to our similarities! OMG! I am 53, though I was 47 at Dx. My husband brought 2 adult children into the family, a boy & a girl in their 30s. My daughter is 26 & we actually have a grandchild from each of them & the boy has another on the way in June. I also have my firstborn, a baby girl who I gave to a better family at birth who reached out to me when she was 16, she is now a 33 year old man, who still needs surgery to finish the process.

How stunningly alike do we sound?

Sending more hugs & prayers!!
Mary

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Hi Vicky,

For sure the first thing is to knock all of those stats out of your head. Those numbers are always based on the prior decade... in other words, even in 2019, you really
Probably won't see any results newer than 2000-2009. Crazy, sad, but true. There were more things discovered in 2015 than in the previously mentioned decade! Much of the research done to make those discoveries was funded by the same amazing group that makes this site possible!! LUNGevity is FANTABULOUS!!

Holler out anytime around here! Someone will surely be around to holler back soon [emoji38]

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Hi Paula,

I'm so sorry that you have to deal with someone who judges health by looks!! I hope that they never have to face a terrible diagnosis.

That could change medicine for ever!! I can't imagine having to take a look in the mirror to see how I feel!! I've never imagined what it could be like! If I want to be cured, do I go get a facial & see if they could put a pretty face on me. Lots of blush & a fresh new eye liner could signal remission I'll bet!

I wish that friend could see the silliness of what I just shared with you. I didn't get ill at all. I got very tired & couldn't stand the smell of gas. I lived in NJ so I didn't have to pump anyway, but this way hubby would always make sure my tank was full. Even my docs were surprised that my "strong chemo" didn't make me sick. Surprised, not worried!

I hope that the answers above give you hope & that you come back often to let us know how you're feeling once you finish treatment!!

Take care,
Mary

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Oh, and my chemo was etopiside & cisplatin! Most of the people I know who used a platinum used carboplatin... you may be only the 1st or 2nd person I've "met" who had that one, & definitely the 1st with both together!!

Cheers,
Mary

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Paula,
Firstly, I agree 1,000% with Tom! Good news & stick with the recommended chemo & radiation.

Now, to our similarities! OMG! I am 53, though I was 47 at Dx. My husband brought 2 adult children into the family, a boy & a girl in their 30s. My daughter is 26 & we actually have a grandchild from each of them & the boy has another on the way in June. I also have my firstborn, a baby girl who I gave to a better family at birth who reached out to me when she was 16, she is now a 33 year old man, who still needs surgery to finish the process.

How stunningly alike do we sound?

Sending more hugs & prayers!!
Mary

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Hi Peggy,
How are you? How long ago were you Dx? Was Tarceva your first & only treatment? If you want to talk, I'm around, as are others who have had the same treatment. Just holler when you're ready!
[emoji5]

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Hi Vicky,

For sure the first thing is to knock all of those stats out of your head. Those numbers are always based on the prior decade... in other words, even in 2019, you really
Probably won't see any results newer than 2000-2009. Crazy, sad, but true. There were more things discovered in 2015 than in the previously mentioned decade! Much of the research done to make those discoveries was funded by the same amazing group that makes this site possible!! LUNGevity is FANTABULOUS!!

Holler out anytime around here! Someone will surely be around to holler back soon [emoji38]

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Hugs & prayers for the best trial available!

Having multiple types of cancer to fight must be hard on you. This part improving but this part growing would have had me going through many extras boxes of kleenex. I am glad you are able to forge ahead so well. There must be many prayers out there for you, pushing you onward & upward
[emoji5]
Please remember you can come here for anything. Basically conversation, prayers, hollering... you name it!

Take care,
Mary

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Paula,
Firstly, I agree 1,000% with Tom! Good news & stick with the recommended chemo & radiation.

Now, to our similarities! OMG! I am 53, though I was 47 at Dx. My husband brought 2 adult children into the family, a boy & a girl in their 30s. My daughter is 26 & we actually have a grandchild from each of them & the boy has another on the way in June. I also have my firstborn, a baby girl who I gave to a better family at birth who reached out to me when she was 16, she is now a 33 year old man, who still needs surgery to finish the process.

How stunningly alike do we sound?

Sending more hugs & prayers!!
Mary

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Hi, PeggieH,
Welcome to LCSC. We are glad that you've joined this online support community. This is a great place to connect with other patients/survivors and get to know caregivers and advocates whose lives have also been affected by lung cancer. Please feel free to join some of the conversations in the discussion threads or ask questions. There are many very knowledgeable members on this site who have a lot of experience. I am also happy to help you find additional resources and support. Feel free to post on this thread or message me directly with any questions/concerns about how to use this forum!
With gratitude,
Lauren
--
Digital Community Manager
LUNGevity Foundation

Hi and welcome here and ask away any questions you may have because there are a lot of very knowledgeable and have a lot of experience in their journeys with lung cancer

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Paula,
Well that is good news.  I agree with your doctor.  Complete the two remaining chemo treatments and finish the scheduled radiation.
But, no evidence of disease is a wonderful result.  Celebrate! 
Stay the course.
Tom
 

The doctor showed me the actual scans today. As of now I am in remission but will still finish 2 more rounds of chemo. However can you pray that God help me to know what to do as far as radiation. I have to meet with a radiologist to ask questions and decide what to do.Both Radiation and the two remaining chemo's would be preventative measures because small cell cancer can come back too easy and we want to do our best so it does not come back.

Paula,
Ok, I think I understand.  By dye test, do you mean CT with contrast (contrast being the dye)?
First thing I advise, these are your test records.  You can and should ask for copies of them.  See the clinic nurse before or after your next scheduled infusion and tell her you want paper copies of all scans conducted.  Then, take those copies to your family doctor or general practitioner.  That ought to clear the confusion about where your cancer was located on initial diagnosis and where it is now.
Second, it is not unusual for there to be dramatic reduction in tumors even half way through your infusion process.  I had one such in-process scan that indicated no evidence of disease (NED) after only 2 infusions into an 8 series schedule.  Yes, I finished the remaining infusions and suggest you do the same.  Even if things are drastically improving, you still want to ensure you kill every last cancer cell!
Are you attending your consultations with your doctor with a second person?  A second set of ears is always helpful, especially when it comes to confusion like what you are relating.  When I was in treatment, I was so "out of it" that my wife did most of the questioning.
I'm betting on the drastic improvement by the way.
Stay the course.
Tom

Yes, a CT with contrast. I couldn't remember what it was called. I am going to finish all my chemos. I have 3 left for a total of 6. I didn't think to ask the nurse for all of my records so thank you. I can do that when I get my next chemo which is coming up soon. I haven't been having anyone with me unless it was when I was in the hosp and my daughter was there and the initial visit with the doctor after the biopsy. I will see if she can go with me this next time.  The drastic improvement without all the extra sure would be nice. I know I'll be praying for that and so will my friends and family. Thank you very much                                                                                                                                                                                             

Paula,
Very glad you are still hanging in there. Of course, my prayers for you and all those affected by lung cancer continue.
I reviewed your past posts and didn't find any information on how you are being treated.  Are you receiving radiation and chemotherapy?  What type of chemo are you prescribed and what are your infusion intervals?  Letting us know about this information will allow other LUNGevity members to share their experience in treatment outcomes and side-effect mitigation.
Stay the course.
Tom
 

I'm still hanging in there and working on things like hope and acceptance. Any prayers would be appreciated. "Thx Paula

Good morning, Paula,
I am so happy that you've "found new hope!" That is exactly why this forum exists: to help people living with lung cancer feel connected, to learn from each other's experiences, to find resources/support, and to give each other hope! I'm glad that you have a positive attitude and that you're being honest with people about your fears/concerns. It's important to acknowledge them, like Katie said, so that you can go on living your life and focus on other things! I think it's great that your daughter is there to help, and I hope that you enjoy more time with her and your grandson.
If you have questions or you'd like more information/resources or additional support, let us know. We're in this together.
With gratitude,
Lauren
--
Digital Community Manager
LUNGevity Foundation

Wow, thank you everyone. I've had a couple rough days this time right after day 3 of treatment but still better than some of the stories I hear and not anything I can't handle. I even managed to enjoy some TV, some time on the computer and some visiting from family. Mostly I was just really fatigued, nauseous, in pain and constipated but no vomiting, NO depression and best of all, thanks to you guys and some prayer, NO loss of hope! Maybe I should say feeling like I have found new hope. I know there are no guarantees of course but I also don't want to say "I'm dying, leave me alone" which is how I was beginning to feel. Someone also reminded me there are 5 stages of death and cancer can be dealt with in those same 5 ways, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. I figure it's ok that those around me are at different stages than I am. I did talk to a couple of people who are the closest to me and that I deal with everyday and explain to them that I needed, for my benefit, for them to at least accept that "I" believe there is a chance I could die from this whether they believed that or not. I also needed them to not rebuke what I was saying but to respect my thoughts and feelings if they were going to keep being around me. I was worried when I did that but it all turned out ok. 
 For those interested, I'm 53, I have 3 grown children ages 26, 28 and 30, 2 girls and 1 boy. 1 girl is transgender and I only mention that because I still mess up and say He instead of She and to others that can be very confusing. I also have one grandson who is 10. My oldest daughter and my grandson moved back in with me recently so my daughter could help me out. She has been a huge blessing! Before this whole cancer thing I was already on disability due to about 15 or so other physical problems I have. I am currently just doing chemo but I should start radiation soon. I have a dye/MRI test in two weeks to find out how my cancer is doing. I'm still trying to take things one day at a time and enjoy life as much as I can each day. I could say more but I feel like I'm rambling on and don't want this to become a book. LOL. I really mean it when I say Thank you to everyone. You guys really helped and I am looking forward to getting to know you all more. 
 

Just chiming in that it sounds like he got to the right place & has good plans laid out for him. I will keep those prayers going for y'all!

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Hi Leia,

The hardest thing about cancer is that no 2 stories are ever the same. Some people have surgery & then chemo, some radiation before the surgery. I had chemo & radiation before surgery. There is really no was anyone can say This is what to do.

I can tell you that I have met numerous people through this group and others. There have been so many different situations that I have come across, from stage I through IV with & without mutations. The only thing you & yours brother need to keep in mind is that no mortal man or woman can number the days anybody has left. As I once heard on a commercial - the doctor checked him from top to bottom & there was no expiration date marked on his foot!

The only thing that I offer up my opinion on, aside from not letting anyone play like a god counting your days, is that I would only go to & take people to a cancer center for cancer. I just can't find any sense in going to a regular Dr & hospital getting all kind of germs messing with me or them on top of the cancer, sitting in waiting rooms next to flu patients & whatnot. I want doctors who eat, sleep & drink everything to do with cancer every day, not a GP who tries to keep up on the journals. A cancer center may also be involved with trials. Now, that's just my opinion and has nothing to do with this site.

I'll keep your brother & you in my thoughts & prayers.
Take care,
Mary

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This is why I advocate. Here is a picture of my Grandpa TP (Thomas Payne). He was such a great Grandpa. I remember him letting me drive his pick up truck on the ranch when I was around 7 years old. He'd put me in his lap and let me steer the wheel. It was great! He also had a lot of stories about what he was like as a kid, the military, college and a judge. SO MANY stories. HA. I miss them now. I wish he could've met my Husband, they would've had a lot of laughs together. He used to call me Gertrude. I don't know why, but that was what I knew to answer to. He called my Grandma, Jane.Her name is Olga , she lives with my Mom & step-dad now...anyway... He would leave notes for her all around the house saying things like, "Tarzan go to ranch. Me love Jane". It was so sweet. He passed away the year after I graduated from High school. I'll never forget that day.