Fred G

Just wanted to thank all for this valuable information regarding what I may expect during my treatment phase, as I began my 3D Radiation on my right lung yesterday and I am now receiving my first chemo treatment (Paclitaxel, Carboplatin) this morning.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

Just wanted to thank all for this valuable information regarding what I may expect during my treatment phase, as I began my 3D Radiation on my right lung yesterday and I am now receiving my first chemo treatment (Paclitaxel, Carboplatin) this morning.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

Tom
Thanks so much. Glad to hear that Chemo brain will end. Since I have 3 weeks between treatments was hoping this horrible taste would end some time before my next treatment, but maybe not. Everything except sugary things tastes extremely bitter like a bitter pill.
I do want to share with you that even though I don't have the results on my scans I'm experiencing the results of the S.B.R.T. My shortness if breath that I thought was C.O.P.D. has definitely improved. So I'm supposing that was the result of the tumors. Explains why my C.O.P.D. diagnosis went from mild to severe all of a sudden.
Judy M

Sent from my SM-J100VPP using Tapatalk

Lemon water helps also. Both have backed it off for now

Sent from my SM-J100VPP using Tapatalk

Had scans last Wednesday and started chemo on Thursday. Doc is wanting to keep scans his little secret until I see him on Wed. I may let him. Lol. Not too bad until this morning when nausea hit in spite of meds. Lemon water and peppermint candy is helping, so thought I'd pass that along. Hope all you guys are doing well.
Judy M
 
Sent from my SM-J100VPP using Tapatalk
 
 

Chixter,
These activities may indeed have caused the small nodules.  If the next scan shows no growth, then you can assume these nodules resulted from your past smoking or work related activities.  If not, then you'll be very interested in learning about lung cancer treatment and this is the place to do so.
I hope you abide by your wife's suggestion about wearing breathing protection while navigating craw spaces or doing hobby activities.
Stay the course.
Tom

On Peg tubes , I as a veterinarian have used them a lot in cats that's that were not eating. A Peg tube was placed as a last resort to help these cats . There is a bulb in the stomach that that is supposed to press against the abdominal wall.On the exterior the skin is protected by a patch to keep fluids from entering the body. We don't move the tube at all as body wall movements prevent adhesions. I have had Peg tubes in for 6 months. The situation you describe is serious and in an animal the tube comes out! No excuse. Of course, I just have 41 years of surgical experience and a little common sense. Good luck to your father and you! God bless you!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Jeff,
Happy you have a quick appointment at the VA.  I assume you are aware of the disability implications of a agent orange related condition.  You should do a little on line research to see if you qualify for a monthly disability check from the VA.
Let is know about the results from your appointment and your treatment plan.  Of course, if you have questions, this is a good place to ask.
Stay the course.
Tom

Thank you Lauren, I sincerely appreciate you quick response. If you will remember my radiologist wanted to treat my lung cancer using the IMRT technique, however my insurance provider denied his request twice, so I am now awaiting the new radiation schedule utilizing the 3D technique. I will keep you posted.

Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk

Thanks, Dave for the update. I know that you have probably had many folks tell you that you have been through tougher things than this, the problem with that is I was 18, 19, and 20 years old when I was going through it! But now I am 69 years old and I am wondering where all of that "get up and go", "got up and went!"

Thanks again for the update and take real good care of yourself.

Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk

Thanks, Dave for the update. I know that you have probably had many folks tell you that you have been through tougher things than this, the problem with that is I was 18, 19, and 20 years old when I was going through it! But now I am 69 years old and I am wondering where all of that "get up and go", "got up and went!"

Thanks again for the update and take real good care of yourself.

Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk

Hey Dave! Thank you so much for the update, it is really important to me as a Cancer rookie; but also because you are a "brother in arms". Additionally, I will be starting my chemo/radiation therapy shortly.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

Talking About Lung Cancer
http://blog.lungevity.org/2012/01/10/ta ... ng-cancer/
January 10th, 2012 - by Katie Brown
Hearing that you or your loved one has lung cancer can be shocking and overwhelming.
There are many emotional stages that you and your loved ones experience even before a treatment plan is made and a communication plan is needed. One way to help adjust is to be sure you, your family and your medical team have good communication and a solid understanding of each other. By learning communication tips and tools, you’ll be able to advocate for the care you desire and the support system around you will be able to clearly understand your needs and wishes.
You’ll need to speak clearly and openly with your medical team. To make sure you hear your doctor and understand what he is saying, ask questions and verify his answers to you. Make sure your doctor hears and understands your needs and concerns as well. Speak up, bring two lists outlining the concerns that you want addressed during your office visit. Keep one list for you and give the other list to your doctor. Make notes on your list and encourage your doctor to make notes on his list.
Make a plan with your medical team on your diagnosis, the immediate next steps, your treatment options, your exact treatment plan, and what to do when there are side effects. You also need a plan on how and who you will communicate your needs, concerns and wishes to.
If possible bring someone with you to your doctor’s appointments. People hear things differently, which is why it is important to write things down, verify what you are hearing, audio record the visit, and/or bring another set of ears to hear what is being relayed to you. Getting in plain writing a detailed description of your office visit and treatment plan would be ideal but it isn’t always probable or possible, so using one or more of these tools to get a clear understanding of your office visit and expectations will help keep you more at ease as you move forward in your treatment.
You also need to speak clearly with those around you to make sure your needs are addressed. Your family, friends, employers and coworkers want to help you. But they can’t help unless you let them know what it is you need. This can be a challenge for some people who have difficulty asking for help. To help those who have a difficult time asking for help, there are tools like Caring Bridge pages, Meal Train and other websites that allow you to list your needs and things in your everyday life that you may need assistance with. You provide the website to your friends and family and they take it upon themselves to sign up for specific chores and to help with specific needs, like providing meals, yard work, transportation to and from treatments, and even a night out or much needed break for the caregivers.
Nurse navigators and social workers may also be available to help you communicate your needs and find the resources to help you during this journey with lung cancer. There are also services that help with legal and financial needs as well.
For a listing of resources that can help you talk about lung cancer, please visit http://events.lungevity.org/cg/resources.html
What tips or advice would you give someone on the importance of communicating and talking about lung cancer?

From the time of diagnosis, the lung cancer patient is thrown into a world of often unfamiliar medical language and concepts. LUNGevity Foundation has partnered with the medical experts at Global Resource for Advancing Cancer Education (GRACE) to help interpret complex medical language into easy-to-understand language. We also provide services such as the Ask the Experts online message board, and blogs, webinars, podcasts and videos on new developments in lung cancer and topics of interest to those navigating this disease. This enables lung cancer patients and their loved ones to better understand the medical terms, processes and latest advances associated with lung cancer research.
The generosity of our donors allows LUNGevity to offer these services at no charge.
http://ow.ly/tytBW

Once you or a loved one are faced with a cancer diagnosis, you have so many questions, fears and concerns. How am I going to get through this? Where do I begin? It's scary and not easy. We've turned to our WhatNext-ers, and asked them what advice they would give to someone who is newly diagnosed with cancer and needs support. They've been through it, hopefully their words of wisdom can help.
1. Assemble your team. They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it takes a team to beat cancer. Once you accept you have cancer and have a journey in front of you, it's time to assemble your team. The team isn't just doctors and nurses, but also family and friends, and even strangers. There are so many aspects of the journey ahead that you can never prepare for. Accepting help and gathering a support system is critical. It also helps to know you are not alone in the journey. -- CarolLHRN
2. Know who you can let your guard down with. Emotional health is so important and often ignored by many providers. Make sure you have someone to talk with and don't be afraid of all the emotions you will experience from fear and sadness to laughter and joy and everything in between. To have the strength to move through the journey, your mind has to be strong too. -- CarolLHRN
3. Be selfish. Be very selfish, you need to put yourself first. Put together a laundry list of things that need to get done now and tell a friend. It is perfectly OK to do so. Then, let go all the negative thoughts, acts and things. -- cranburymom
4. Take control. This is your life and you control what is done to you. Ask questions. challenge answers, and research what you are told. Second and third opinions are good choices. Keep your family close, thank well-wishers, trust in God, and deal with the emotions as they come along. -- emtp12
5. Give yourself a break. So what if your house isn't perfect, the cupboard is bare, or you don't have clean underwear, you can worry about all of that later. Don't be afraid to accept help, if people don't really want to help they shouldn't offer, I personally didn't go to Wal-Mart for months and my husband and I survived, so what if he bought the wrong brand of toiletpaper. Also, it is ok to freak out, it is ok to be scared, and it is ok to be angry. You also have to do everything you can to make educated decisions and do what is right for you. Don't second guess yourself. Do the best you can with what you have and what you know. -- grams2jc
6. You are alive - live! Remember that you are still alive and your family needs you. Be selfish with your energy level and with doing things that are not totally necessary, but hoard what you do have to make time for your close friends and family. It's so easy to fall into depression and to be overwhelmed, but right now you are still here and you need to treasure that time! -- danellsar
7. Take care of youself, and that means crying, too. Allow yourself to freak out and cry once in a while. But give yourself a certain time of day to do it. Allow it to own a place in your life, give it it's own freedom and then put it away and focus on your goals. Take care of your body - eat well, get the rest you need when you need and by all means rely on the kindness of others. No one knows what to do with you. They try to help and sometimes it seems overwhelming but the relief you experience by just saying "yes" even if it's not in your nature and just allowing and letting go of it all. Sharing it with others is a way of healing. You need to get the disease out of your body. -- kimjx6
8. Have a positive attitude. Realize you are not alone. There are many of us in the same boat. Cancer does suck but in most cases it is definitely beatable-so gear up for a fight and keep positive. Push the worries aside and focus on each day as a gift, smell some roses, then just keep living your life. Life gets back to semi-normal--but you do change. Some good-some not so good. So watch the poor me syndrome-and finish the race. --indyeastside
9. Be ready for anything. I am losing my sight and at times my will. I am not a weak person but I do cry. It makes me feel better to get that stuff out even if the hurt feelings and worrying thoughts will come back. -- flyglo
10. Surround yourself with others who support you. If there aren't any, go find some. You play a huge part in your healing. Tell yourself you're going to be ok until you believe it. I dealt with losing my hair by praying, so when it was time to cut it, I was ok and I didn't cry. This should change your life for the better! It should change your perspective on life and make you realize what's really important. Only look at the positives. -- RebeccaLynn25

https://www.whatnext.com/blog/posts/10- ... ith-cancer

Minnie:
You mentioned several "what if's" Here's one you should mention, and remember; "What if she survives and beats this". Think about that one.

You all are so RIGHT. But no matter how much I know that she is an adult and my mom, I sometimes still feel like it might be time for a little bit of role reversal.
I know that sounds so crazy, but dealing with someone so close to you that has lung cancer sometimes seems to make you crazy.
I've read a lot of posts where those that are fighting this disease often rely on medications to 'keep the edge off.' Sometimes I feel like I need them.
I find myself lately just very depressed and always looking into the future with the 'what ifs.' Like, what if she becomes seriously ill tomorrow, or what if she dies unexpectedly and I'm not there. It's horrible.
Not only that, but sometimes I find it very difficult to concentrate on my studies. And if I fail, that will make her so disappointed, I know, but how do I get through this? Especially being so far away?
I can tell in her voice when I talk to her when she doesn't feel so well, I even broke down one night while I was talking to her on the phone. I don't want to do that. I don't want her to worry about me. I want her to concentrate on herself. But sometimes, I'll just be sitting in class, think about her, and I've got to leave before the tears start coming. Or other times I just have to sleep. Not that I am exhausted, but it feels like my brain just needs to shut off for a while. She would absolutley kill me if she knew all this was going on. And like I said before, sometimes it's just too hard to try to talk to people who don't understand what you are going through.
I really appreciate the replys, especially from the mothers. You give me a perspective that I know is full of unconditional love for your children. Thank you so much.
Enough of my rambling again ... until next time!
Minnie

Gail,
I love your sign off: "Keep Breathing" !!! That pretty much sums it up!
Smiles,
Tiny

I agree with Cindy. We moms just want to do our mom stuff. I was home a week from my mastectomy and writing a big health report with my then 12 year old. I remember I had taken a nap, and saved my pain pill for that time. We want our life to be as normal as possible.
And I also remember not wanting people lurking. I didn't like feeling that I was being watched.
You can find a way to connect.
Keep breathing.

Dear dear Minnie. Your mother is doing what all of us moms do. We do what is best for you children, I know!! You are an adult, let me tell you as long as you are alive you are her 'child'. I have 3 kids, 25,23, and 16. There are days when I want to crawl in bed but one of them has something important for me to see or do. Your mom knows you need to finish school and she does not want her disease to stop you from doing it. Go on and do it. Just call her often, drop her a card once in awhile, write her a poem or just a letter telling her what she means to her. I know that those things mean so much to me. Your mother knows best, do what she tells you

Thank you. I wish my mom would let me or someone go with her, but she won't allow it which makes it much more difficult for those who care about her. I will keep your mom in my thoughts as well. I'm getting married in a few months and I want so much for my mom to be there and be healthy . 

I have my last chemo infusion at 9am next wednesday and ct scans of chest and abdomen in the afternoon and get results the following Wednesday so that will be a fearful week of waiting ...fingers crossed and prayers please ?
 
Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk
 
 

Hey Dave! Thank you so much for the update, it is really important to me as a Cancer rookie; but also because you are a "brother in arms". Additionally, I will be starting my chemo/radiation therapy shortly.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

Thanks, Dave for the update. I know that you have probably had many folks tell you that you have been through tougher things than this, the problem with that is I was 18, 19, and 20 years old when I was going through it! But now I am 69 years old and I am wondering where all of that "get up and go", "got up and went!"

Thanks again for the update and take real good care of yourself.

Sent from my SM-G935U using Tapatalk

The best of luck to you bigheart and anyone or all of you who will be starting with radiation and chemotherapy. If the doctors and staff explain everything, you'll feel better knowing what is going to happen. It's scary but this too will pass. If you do have questions, always ask because you need to know as much as you can about your cancer.
I had another session of radiation today. Met with the PA. She said that it would be about 3 months after my treatments before they would do any tests to see if the cancer has shrunk. Also, I'll probably need some kind of spray for my throat to make it feel better.
Tomorrow will be my second chemo treatment. Will keep you posted.
So far I still feel okay. Still need the morphine for the pain but that has nothing to do with the treatment.
DragonKing (Dave)