[A New Chapter]

Tom - 

I hope that you can find some relief. Chronic pain is not for the faint of heart. We're all here for you.

[Ready for yet another new normal]

Tom - we're going to need a bird-cam set up in your yard - livestream!

[Ready for yet another new normal]

I had an appointment with Super Doc on Thursday. He said to stay home as long as my job will allow me too - he said the risk of exposure is just too high. He's hopeful a vaccine will make some impact but that won't be a reality for 6 to 12 months, so I'm home until then. I told him I was more scared of the virus than a lung cancer recurrence because I felt sure the virus would kill me. He said it would.  He also quashed my trip - I knew he would and I knew it was the right thing to do. Still sucks.

Hope you all continue to stay safe!

[Ready for yet another new normal]

Tom,

I should have hired you as my new consultant with your knowledge of travel insurance.  As much as I don't want to admit it, I'm pretty sure I'm home for the long haul. My husband and I are considering an RV as a travel option because we can get away but not be reliant on others to clean up after us, feed us, etc. 

I'm with you - I didn't beat lung cancer to get taken out by this, either. I have plans!

[One Step Forward, Hopefully Not Two Steps Backward]

Hi, Ken. How are you feeling? 

[Celebrating Sixteen Years!]

So so so very happy for you! You are absolutely my rock.

[Can You Spell Thyroidectomy?]

Hey Ken - let us know how the surgery went. I had a thyroidectomy in 2016. I had lung cancer mets to my thyroid AND I had thyroid cancer. I'm sure your team has told you this but you're going to feel like you got hit by a truck until your TSH numbers stabilize. After surgery, mine went up to 25 and normal is anything under 5. I was a mess!
 

[A Life Well Lived]

I've been so hit or miss here lately that I'm just seeing this.  I'm sorry for your loss, and her family, but it sounds like she didn't give in to cancer and lived her life on her terms.  We should all be so fortunate to live that way.  

[Another recurrence, another call to Mom and Dad]

Thank you all for indulging my meltdown yesterday.  Today is a better day because I decided it would be.  The sun is out (FINALLY) and I'm alive.  I don't believe I can ask for much more than that.

 

[Another recurrence, another call to Mom and Dad]

The logical part of my brain knows the SBRT is the way to go.  In addition to the article you shared, I found a lot of great articles about it; very promising.  But today is one of those days - I'm tired/anxious/frustrated/done with cancer and have spent the day in tears.  The last couple of weeks have been stressful with appointments and scans and waiting.  Just ready to get this treatment under my belt and get out of my own head!  

[Another recurrence, another call to Mom and Dad]

I meet with Super Radiation Doc on Wednesday - but it will likely be SBRT. 

[There are days....]

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments.  I guess, after two years, I'm still adjusting to the dreaded "new normal".  There are many aspects of this site that I enjoy, but coming here to write what is on my mind is probably the best.  My husband understands but you all really understand.  

Wishing you a happy day!

[Fourteen Years, Three Right Feet!]

By the way, I'll be adding a two red toe picture today.  

[My Friend Randy]

Tom, I'm sorry for your loss.  Lifelong friends are a treasure.

[Fourteen Years, Three Right Feet!]

I love this!!!  Your story gives us all hope.

[Breathe Deep]

Tom,

It was such a pleasure to meet you on Saturday!  I've often said we're members of a club no one wants to join, but getting to meet and speak with others who've walked the path makes this just a bit better.  We had a good event and I'm already looking forward to next year.

Happy Thanksgiving to all - 

[Deja Vu All Over Again]

Thinking about your daughter and you, and praying for only the very best results.

[Social Security Disability by Disapproval]

My dad fought this battle when he became ill.  His neurologist certified him as totally and permanently disabled due to three strokes and ongoing seizures.  He was denied on his first application, hired an attorney and was approved but had to fight every year to remain disabled until he reached retirement age. 

[Caregiver Conflict? Why? Let's just...not.]

Bless the caregivers!  They make my life so much easier, and it makes it easier to fight the cancer.

[Thirteen Years; Thirteen Toes!]

I'm looking forward to painting my first red toe in a couple of weeks!  

[Thanksgiving]

Such a lovely photo and sentiment, Tom.  Thank you for sharing (and yes, I might have a tear in my eye).

[Grandfather and Survivor]

Congratulations on this beautiful addition to your family!  I am so happy for you and yours!!  

[Chemo Doesn't Work and Oncologists Get Rich]

Almost every day, a friend on Facebook shares a story that doctors won't cure cancer because they and big pharma make too much money.  Well, guess what?  Those drugs and that surgeon saved my life and I am eternally grateful for the time I have.  Without either of those, I likely wouldn't be here today.  I have looked into other options, but certainly not in place of but instead in conjunction with my treatment.  Part of being your own advocate is researching treatment and determining what is snake oil and what's real.

[Uncertain Treatment Outcomes: A Baseball Model]

Great analogy!  I'm swinging for the fences every day....

[I'm new and scared]

Hi, Mike.  I started my journey with the pulmonologist.  I had a nagging cough and, as an asthma patient, already had a pulmonologist.  I had been to the ER, though, and had a CT that showed my mass.  He referred me to a wonderful surgeon who in turn referred me to an even better oncologist following my surgery.  Here's hoping that it is anything but lung cancer.