janetg

A great big hug and positive thoughts are being sent your way. Your strength is amazing. Janet PS - I remember pac-man, too!!

Don and Lucie, What wonderful news! I can't tell you how happy and relieved I am for both of you. You're an amazing couple. You continue to give the "new" guys so much hope. Janet

Hi Don, Hope things are going really, really well. This sounds very positive. Prayers are going up for both of you. Janet

Good news, God is good. Enjoy your weekend celebration. Janet

Congratulations! That's one under your belt. Hoping for success with treatment and am admiring your outlook. Have a wonderful weekend!! Janet

Beth, I've sent a "nice" pm, the only kind that you deserve to receive. I don't think I've heard you "whine" once. You've had too, too much to deal with and I think you're doing a great job of not loosing your mind. Many others would envy the strength you've had during your fight!!! Janet

Wonderful, wonderful news!!! It is great to hear great news! I love it, I love it, I love it!! Here's to an uplifting weekend!! Janet

Hi Sharon, So glad to hear that everything is ok!!! It's so scary isn't it. I went for a mammogram yesterday and it's always nerve wracking because I've had a history of fibroadenomas (2 were surgically removed 4 and 6 years ago) which my mom did as well. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 but has done quite well. Now that there's a history I'm more nervous. Last evening I decided I'd reward myself with a stress reducing, relaxing bubble bath after getting the "squishing" overwith. I had a panic stricken moment when I caught sight of what appeared to be a big bruise on my breast. Well, I did the double take with adrenalin pumping and quickly realized that I hadn't pealed the blue strip that they place over the scars from previous incisions. Whew, what a sense of relief I and even chuckled to myself at my "self induced panic." I think it's time to destress with a little sip of a dry white wine. Have a wonderful weekend! Janet

Prayers coming your way. Janet

Hi, I was just reading the postings today and have questions that some of you may be able to answer. Ron had his MRI done on January 31 and the hospital called to say that the "pictures" weren't clear so the onc. wanted him checked again but with an injection of dye. That was done Feb. 1. We haven't heard anything which we're hoping is good. He is scheduled for a follow up appointment on March 16. That was arranged at the time of his last visit with the doctor on January 19. We're wondering but at the same time we're avoiding calling. One of us has been saying as each day goes by that not getting called in early is a good thing. Ron's oncologist is so wonderful that we're thinking that he would have contacted us if the MRI wasn't good. As far as the possibility of mets to the left adrenal. I don't see any change in behavior, physical changes or anything obvious to indicate "changes." But would I see anything? Does one experience anything if a met to the adrenal occurs? It may not be an intelligent question but what the heck. Ron had a cystoscopic done yesterday. Things look good. I forgot to note in Ron's bio that he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer in 1999. There was a reoccurance of the disease in 2000 but he was successfully treated with TUR and mitacmycin. There's been no problem since that time. He's also a diabetic. Boy, its sounds like he's in rough shape doesn't it? But he's not - he's the picture of health and strong. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, Janet

You're a member of the inspiration club. I'm so, so happy for you. Congratulatiions! Janet

Pammie, It's not just good news, it's "great" news - wonderful, wonderful. I love to hear great news. Janet

Let it snow (flake), let it snow (flake), let it snow!!!!! Wonderful, wonderful. Congratulations, Janet

Hi Bo, My nephew works for Astra Zeneca (Iressa) here in Canada and my brother works for Roche(Tarceva). I talked to my brotherbriefly about this the other evening. He says that he thinks that Iressa is going to be pulled because it's not doing what it was released to do. Apparently, it will still be available to those who are on it and having good results or those who are in a compassionate program. It seems that Tarceva may have more promise and in fact, Ron's oncologist, feels that way. His thinking seems to be that if the chemo is working then keep going with it. He says that if we were caught between a rock and a hard place then one would try anything that might work. I know you'll get a lot of good feedback here. Your replies thus far seem to indicate that Tarceva may be the way to go. Take care, Janet

Cathy Congratulations! Keep up the fight - you're a power to be reckoned with!! Janetg

I'm sorry that this day is a sad day for you. Your mom was taken from you much, much too early. Watch for signs today - I bet you'll get a sign to tell you she's ok and that she doesn't want you to feel sad. Take care, Janet

Hi Don and Lucie, I'm picturing good food, great weather and sunshine! You have been such an inspiration. Lucie has done extremely well, so there's no reason to think anything different now. It sounds like you have a wonderful and optimistic doctor. The very, very best wishes for continued success with treatment, Janetg

Beth, I join everyone else in wishing you success with Alimta. You're going to fight this - you have so much support and love. You've seen so many of your friends on this board surviving and you will too. We attended a funeral yesterday of a "healthy" 47 year old friend who died of an aneurysm on Sunday morning. He expected to be attending Ron's funeral. So, we just don't know - our friend enjoyed life to the fullest. He had no knowledge of what was going to happen. He didn't worry last week - he used his energy to enjoy life as usual. Ron is Stage IV is doing extremely well - 10+ months since official diagnosis - he says that he felt from day one he was going to live. His positive attitude has taken him to where he is today. You've gotten a tremendous blow but you will rebound. God is listening. Janetg

Hi - Wow, I can't believe that I''m not the only one who felt bad when things were good!!! I actually thought that I was losing my mind and beginning to suffer from depression unrelated to Ron's illness. I was really strong and bubbly when he was at his worst and now when he's bubbly, lifting weights and "hooting" (that's the terminology for uncontrolled laughter in our neck of the woods) I'm sad. When we didn't expect to get any "good" news I was better able to handle things. Now, as you have all said, it's time to worry about that other shoe falling. At least I think now that I may be somewhat "normal" since most of you have experienced very similar things going on. I learn so much each time I tune in!! Here's to reducing the funk!! Janetg

Things will get better but I know it's tough to see someone you love so much go through the rigors of treatment for this disease. I've seen the treatment completely zap a 220 lb. man whose nickname is "the animal." (He played drums for 30 years so they named him after the muppet guy - didn't want you to think that he got the name for being abusive!!!) But within weeks of completing the chemotherapy regime I see the return of energy and zest for life. Your mom is in the middle of the tough side of things. She'll be back - just try to hold on to that. The impending birth of her grandchild may just be God's gift that gives her that extra fight. Hang in there, you're in our thoughts and prayers. Things "will" improve. Janetg

Beth Just read your posting this morning. You must have had a rough night waiting for today's appointment. Good luck with today's appointment - you will continue to do well!!! Your spunk is admirable and will take you a long, long way. Janetg

Congratulations! What wonderful news. Thanks for sharing it. Thanks for being there. Janetg

Margaret - Sincere condolences during this difficult time. It's difficult to know what to say when we lose a loved one. But you know that you're being thought of and Jim is being remembered and prayed for by so many. I would like to say that I have only been on the site for a very short period of time but I have been so moved by the warm feeling I get from those who are present on this board. I was truly impressed that you were able to take the time away from the grief you must have been experiencing to be so supportive. I recognize that you're a strong individual and I admire that strength. May God be good to you as time helps you to deal with your loss. It sounds like you have had some wonderful memories to treasure. Janetg

Hi Rob - You're now where so many on this board have been. The fear of what to expect is devastating. The main thing is to try to look at the positive side of things - the wonderful treatment that is now available. My first reaction to hearing a diagnosis of lung cancer is that it's terminal. However, as you can see from this board that there are many long term survivors who have their cancer controlled. My husband's oncologist compares it to diabetes - we at this point can't cure what you have but we can "control" it. It think that that has given us hope - we were shocked and not optimistic when Ron was diagnosed with Stage IV in March 2004. He began treatments in April and was able to do many, many things during the months of weekly trips to the cancer centre. We are happy to report that he's now 10+ months since the initial diagnosis date and is doing great. The journey has not been all bad. It's been scary at times - when Ron lost 30 lbs within three weeks after diagnosis. He couldn't sit up because of extreme back pain. After 5 radiation treatments the pain subsided within one week. When he began chemo he had difficulty with nausea and wasn't able to eat very much at all. But we mixed up some Boost supplement with milk and a wee bit of ice cream (he's diabetic, too) and he seemed to begin to turn around. Within a month or so he started to gain weight and eat well. It wasn't unusual for him to finish chemo at 12:00 and head home to a plate of pasta and meatballs! The nausea was controlled with Zofran. So, all in all, his experience with chemo was not bad. Wonderful strides have been made to control the side effects. His main complaint was fatigue. He hated not having the energy to do what he normally likes to do. He's been working steadily since Sept. and has more energy than I could ever hope for. He's already beaten the 7 month life expectancy statistic and has no intention of giving in to the cancer. One thing I do know is that while we've had to deal with more than our share of bad news we also had a great year. We appreciate our lives so much more. I do dwell sometimes on the negative thoughts of what is in store for him but then I see his big smile and hear his hearty laugh (picture him bending at the waist when he loses it) and I think, that's why this guy is still here - he's fighting this tooth and nail, lives life normally, and has so many people sending prayers up for him. I didn't locate this site until recently but as I think back I would have loved to have talked to people who had this experience at the time of Ron's diagnosis. The sleepness nights, the tears and the constant burden of worry would have been less. Your dad must be a great guy and I think he''d boast to us that he's got a wonderful son. I was touched with your message mydad/myfriend. I look forward to your updates. Here's to success. (This would be me raising a glass of white wine, which I will do this evening). Janet

Thanks for responding so quickly and with useful information. I really, really, appeciate everyone's efforts. This is a wonderful site. Janetg