Don

Linda, Like the rest here I am very sorry to read your post. Hospice will give you all you need so try not to worry about that. Everytime I was told that I would not be here by morning and every night when I went to sleep I would try and think that everything was ok. The way I figure it if I woke up in the morning and opened my eyes to see my wife I would smile and try my best to enjoy that day and if by chance I opened my eyes and the Lord was there I would smile and know that I was going to be at the largest family reunion ever and just think of all the food that would be there. Just realize that no matter what happens it is a win win situation. Smile tonight when you close you eyes and know that peace with the Lord is around the corner. God Bless Don

Just got my results for last weeks PET scan and MRI. Everything is great and no sign of cancer anywhere. They still want a repeat in 6 months of my head because of small vessel or something like that but no PET's for 1 year now. Thank God and all the prayers. I wish all of you the best and all I can say is keep fighting. Don PS My hip replacements are working great and I am still breaking horses and chasing cows.

Patti B Not sure what kind of medicine your doctors pratice but what they have done would have scared me. I have also had a blood clot in my right foot. After my wife pushed me to the hospital and they put a pulse sensor device on my foot which told them that I had a clot and then rushed me in to surgery to place a stent/filter in the main artery coming back up my leg. If the clot would have come loose it would be thinned by the filter and not go to my heart or lungs. Then I was placed on the heparin. Do you realize that the clot could cause gangrene or even killed you. I hate to upset you but I have been through this and almost lost my toes. Dont ever give in. Now that your better make sure you walk alot to keep the blood circulation going. Please dont be upset with me but make more noise with your doctor. Don

www.maniacworld.com/effective-message-on-tobacco.html Don

Congrats on quitting. You may want to start anti depressants to help. My wife and I both quit over 5 years ago (3 weeks before being told I had SCLC). I used the old fashion way. I sat down and said a prayer and promised God that I would quit and that I would not break this promise. During times of extreme urges I would say a prayer and relax in a form of meditation. I smoked 2 packs a day for 35 years and it was not easy but the rewards today are I feel great and food taste soooooooo good. Better to weigh a few extra pounds than the side effects from smoking. God Bless Don

Go to a neurosurgeon and see if gamma knife is a option. I had gamma knife and within 60 days tumor was gone. I did not have WBR or PCI. Very little side effects. God Bless Don

I think that you should go to a web site www.irsa.org and learn about all of the different options you have before making a decision. This is a great web site that fully explains options, side effects, and new treatments. PCI and WBR are not the only answers. God Bless Don

It was the spring issue 2007.

Living Longer with Lung Cancer. Now that is something we all would like to hear. The Cure Magazine has a article titled Hazardous To Your Heart. Some cancer therapies effectively kill cancer cells but with consequences to the heart. They talk about how cancer patients that have had radiation and chemo are living longer but now having problems with the heart. I had to have both hips replaced due to steriods that I was given for chemo and gamma knife. The doctors and I kinda had a chuckle about that saying that I wasn't suppose to live that long to have those side effects. 7 Jan 08 I hit my 5 year mark. This week they are sending me to the heart doctor to see what they think about my fast pulse rate. I have seen a few articles about cancer patients having heart attacks after they beat the cancer. For those of you that would like the Cure magazine go to www.curetoday.com and sign up. Its free and always has alot of good info. Just something to be aware of. God Bless Don

Well 7 Jan 08 was my 5 year mark. PET scan in Dec shows NED and MRI in Dec well lets say it is questionable. They want another MRI in mid Feb. Seems there is a spot but they really didnt think it was cancer but couldnt explain what it is. I will humor them and take another test. I wish I could tell you that I am cured but it seems that most onc's still believe that sclc is always there once you have had it and that it will return. Question is when but the bigger question is what will you do with your life in the meantime? God Bless Don PS Anybody seen my fat cow?

In the mean time while your waiting on doctor appointments, have him do leg exercises. While sitting have him lift his legs and hold 10 seconds, then point toes forward and hold 10 seconds, then point toes back towards himself and hold 10 seconds. This exercise should be repeated 5-6 times and hour. This will avoid blood clots from forming and also help keep muscles active. Have him do arm exercies while sitting meaning lifting a 2-5 pound object such as a book. Deep breathing exercises. All of this can be done while watching tv or visiting with other people. Remember the meds do help but he will have to exercise his body and if he cant then you pick up his legs and do it for him. God Bless Don

Ask for a thyroid blood count if one hasnt been done. Don

4 Yrs 10mos for me. Still riding and breaking horses along with shoeing horses daily. Someone questioned me several years ago what does it take to work for yourself. I told him it's simply, get out of bed every morning and go find some work. I give this same advice to cancer patients, get out of bed every morning and go find something to do. Dont ever look back just keep looking up. God Bless Don

In my case the decadron may have caused the deteriation of my hips. I have had total hip replacement on both left and right hips. I also had the mood swings with lots of anger issues. Your doctor will most likely wean you off slowly. It can cause many problems if you just quit.

Ask your onc about Topoteacan. It is very effective for SCLC as a 2nd line treatment.

Linda, Your mom has completed the same treatments that I did 4 1/2yrs ago. I would suggest that 90-120 days from last chemo she start another chemo called Topoteacan. It has a way of cleaning up SCLC. I dont believe in PCI or WBR if nothing is showing up on the MRI. I did have a brain tumor but was treated by Gamma Knife. God Bless Don PS: I had extensive SCLC with superior vena cave syn.

On www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/default.htm there is a article about taking cholesterol drugs (statin drugs) and that it might help to fight lung cancer. I guess you never know what to think or what to do but what if??? God Bless Don

Am thinking call 911 for ambulance and tell them no matter what he says dont listen.

Karen, Yes I had that taste in my mouth and I started using plastic forks and spoons. It has disappeared over the years but I still use plastic when I have a choice. Tell your dad things will begin to taste better in time. Its just the meds and all the changes. Don

Teri, Go to www.aacancer.com for some info Don

I did not say that it was used as a preventative but was used as a "window of opportunity" when some areas could not be identified if it was live SCLC or scar tissue. This was based on PET scan results. Because there was question we choose to do the chemo instead of waiting to see who was right. This is considered aggressive treatment and trying to stay ahead of things.

Yes I did but was not any problems. Seems it would start from laying around too much in my opinion. It showed up on pet scans a few times so I would get busy working outside and it seemed to disappear. Work never hurt anybody. Don

Bobby, I had chemo and radoation 2x day for 15 days. I had ext sclc with superior vena cava syn. chemo and rad together are consided the most aggressive treatment plan. There are new studies out that show this but it is extremly hard on the patient and is very possible the treatment will kill you. This I can say having done it. To help brighten your sprits I received my PET results today and I am still cancer free. 4 years as of 6 Jan 07. In the beginning I was told maybe 2 weeks to 2 months but the doc still gave me all he could. Tell your sister stay positive and eat ice cream and rent lots of good movies. God Bless Don

Loretta, No one knows your husband like you do and I promise you will notice any changes just like the doc said. Dont worry so much about trying to figure everything out, your not the doctor. Just pay attention and if you see something or have a gut feeling about something call your doctor. Your gonna do just great. God Bless Don

Hello All. Thank all of you for your wonderful comments. I just want you to know that today is my 4 year survior mark for me. I feel better than ever, have had total hip replacements in both hips, and too top it all off they now have given me hearing aids. LOL. Like I am gonna pay attention to things. They are great for church in hearing the pastor or watching tv. Other than that they live on my dresser. I hope you all remember in the beginning they said maybe 2 weeks to 2 months for me. Well that shows the treatments have gotten better and the Lord still works for all of us. Dont let your mind take you down, or lack of eating, drinking water, and or statistics. I had fun today and I know that I will tomorrow. God Bless Don My picture and history was removed by my thinking I knew how to use a computer. Will replace it later.