David P

Congratulations GRAMPS!! No cigars with the coffee bunch eh? Good news is just so good to hear!! Take care, and we're with you for those results tomorrow. David

Hi all. Carleen, I hope some things are being put into a little more perspective for you now, but before you go to your husband's next doctors appointment prepared to ask all the right questions, and record all the answers, you need to know what exactly are the MUST ASK questions. This is where I see a new forum would be useful. It shouldn't get confused with the "welcome/introduce yourself" one, and it would be more pointed and directed than "hospital hints". I see something like "Newcomers Information Forum" - more of a "getting started" or "how to" type thing for someone who already has too much to think about to attempt to ask meaningful questions, and come away with answers in a manner that they can be talked about at a later date. -- A list of MUST ASK questions for doctors, nurses, clinics, etc. that could be printed off and taken to the appointment. -- A list os strategies used to help deal with all the new and yet unencountered situations that WE ALL know WILL arise for this new person; such as dealing with family members and friends, and how to ask for and receive help, or how to put things into perspective so as not to be too overwhelmed.(Joanie's putting one box away, and taking out a new box is a good one). -- How to orchestrate second opinions, ask for and collect lab and test results data,and keep those records for future use (hopefully you don't need them, but as we have seen recently, the results may by required months,or even years later) It certainly would have helped me way back when. I'm constantly AMAZED at the amount of information you all deal with these days.Just some ideas. Bye for now, David P.

Hi Carleen. Don't try to think about what COULD happen down the road; the road you and your husband have begun your latest journey on is a cloudy, rainy, dismal, rough, bumpy road, full of large and small potholes, lots of curving, winding changes in direction, and many hills to climb. The thing is, that around the VERY NEXT curve, or over the top of the VERY NEXT hill may be sunshine and a straight, level, or slightly downhill (good for coasting with no worries) section of road that runs through beautiful fields and meadows of flowers. If you concentrate on all the steep hills, curves and clouds that you MIGHT encounter down this road --- YOU'LL GO NUTS!!! Carleen, my steep hills and cloudy days turned into a straight and level road through meadows of flowers 26 years ago. And now I go LOOKING for steep hills to climb!!(mostly on my bicycle now) The other thing is that everyone, including the doctors, thought my number was up way back when - I was the only guy who knew for a fact that my ticket wasn't going to get punched anytime soon. This can be the same for anyone. Just have to read all the stories on this board. So listen to all the right-on advice you've been getting here, stay positive, and keep in touch. David P. Judy and Tiny, and everyone else out there with so much needed advice on how newbies, and newbie caregivers can successfully deal with doctors, clinics, reports, and the like; could we consolidate all that stuff in point form and maybe post it somewhere a new-to-the-board person could be directed to view it? Perhaps a dedicated forum? It seems that the same advice is always going out to new people in various bits and pieces, but seeing so many great points all together in Judy and Tiny's and other's replies started me thinking it could all be put in one post. We could then say, " Howdy, sorry you had to... and by the way, make sure you go to the_____ forum and read the post on how to deal with doctors, etc." I would do it, but I have been so far removed from the nitty gritty of all this cancer stuff for so long, I feel I wouldn't do it justice. What do you all think? David P.

Hey Percy. Glad you found this site so soon after surgery; it is a very comforting place to be - lots of good advice from those who "have done" combined with a large dose of "can do" attitude mixed in. To what extent was your surgery? If you have any specific questions regarding what is possible with one lung, or how to get the most out of rehab so you can get up and running and back at full speed, I'll be happy to share my experiences with you. I've been out and about with one lung for quite some time now. David P.

Hi Chris. You are right when you say how great this message board is, and how supportive all it's participants are. I was like you at first - lurking - until I realized that even though I did not "know" these people, it was like I had known them all my life; it feels as though who ever is answering the question or responding to the concern is sitting right beside me holding my hand - it's a very comforting place this message board. I'm sorry to hear about your mom, but am pleased she is responding well to the treatments, and I'm certain that you and your mother will find this place as comforting and informative as I have. Keep in touch, David P.

Way to go Tiny!! I'm smiling ear to ear for you. That ice cream sure sounds good. Take care, David

Hey there Wiz. Welcome to the message board. Sorry to hear about your sister in law. Sounds like you're making headway in your search to know more about what can be benefitial in her particular situation. Might I suggest reading through the wealth of information in the backlogs of each of the forums on this message board. There are many wonderful stories of survival that you could print off so your sister in law could read and see there is hope after diagnosis. You will also find many stories about people whose doctors said they have X number of months or years to live, BUT THEY ARE STILL AROUND !! Hope is a powerful thing. Keep us posted, David P.

Hi Libby. You couldn't have come to a better site than this for fisrt hand information; and you're doing all the right things so far - questions, questions, questions. Now that you're on the board, you should post in other forums as well. Some people don't get around to all the forums, and may miss your questions. I myself, don't have any technical answers for you - I'm in the resident cheerleader category here. So... good luck for your husband and yourself, and stay in touch. David P.

Hello Anne. Good to see you found this site - it is indeed a wonderful place to hang out and get things off your mind, along with getting all your questions answered by some one whose "been there, done that." You WILL find information and support that you need, like so many others have. Welcome Anne, David P.

Hey Sam, good to see you still around, hope things work out for you. A little fuzz is good, and I sometimes wish I could get 12 hours of sleep. Stay in touch, David P.

Hi there Spunky, and welcome (I think). Sorry to hear your mom is not doing too well. You'll hear many people on this board tell you not to consider how much time the doctor says a cancer patient has - they just don't know - and there are many variables that can change things one way or the other. You have been reading the posts, so you already know about P.P.A. - the Power of Positive Attitude. Second opinions also seem to be big in the advice columns here. I know of a few cases where cancer patients have given up, only to rally back when a new doctor, with new treatments enter the mix. Soooo... DON'T GIVE UP, AND DON'T LET YOUR MOM GIVE UP EITHER !!!!!!!! David P.

Hey Lee-Anne. Hang in there. I've heard many people on the message board speak of this process as being on a roller coaster. Usually, the down side to a coaster is fairly short and swift, but on the "roller coaster called life", the downs seem to be a little longer. You guys are due for an upswing any time now... wait... get ready... here it comes... David P.

Laurie my friend, what a WONDERFUL daughter you are!!

Hey Sanjo. We all know that size doesn't count, but 10 cm's - that's pretty big! Wonderful news to hear that it shrunk drastically, and if there's any good news in any sort of lung removal, then it's nice to hear you "just" had a lobectomy. I would really like to hear the rest of your story; your entire story, from just before diagnosis, to now (if you're comfortable with that). Stories like yours are simply a joy to read. Many people see lung cancer as a death sentence - when those same people read about a cancerous 10 cm tumor, a lobectomy, and a totally negative pathology report six months later - well dear Sanjo, it just don't get much better! The "Inspiration" forum would be an appropriate place for such an inspiring story (if you're comfortable with that). Looking forward to hearing more from you Sanjo, David P.

Hi Lee-Anne. A heartfelt welcome to you. This IS a wonderful place to find support. Sorry to hear your dad's having a tough go of it; it's bad enough he has to deal with the disease, but doctors "dropping the ball" is a really big pill to swallow. I'm glad to hear he's home. Work at making him rest, and see that he eats well (there are some great cancer related nutrition books available - some in the "Recipes" forum). He will certainly get stronger and have a more positive outlook. So long for now, David P.

Peggy. Again, let me offer my welcome to you and your sister. Lil' sis sure sounds like one tough cookie, and you sound like one heck of a big sister!! You are to be commended on your level of activism with regards to the research on lung cancer. Seems like full time work; but then, what wouldn't one do for a loved one in need? It shows in your post that you have much experience in the role of care giver. Thank you for the drug website, I'm sure it will help many people. Let your sister know that I'm a 46 year old middle school teacher that has been around for 26 years since my diagnosis and left pneumonectomy in 1977. I have two daughters, and I couldn't imagine what your sister goes through every time she's told to "get things in order". Please Peggy, when you see your sister next, give her ONE BIG, HUGE, LONG, HUG from all of us here, and try to get her to at least read some of the messages on this,the best LC board on the net. I went through my ordeal entirely without any support, besides my immediate family, and would have given anything to have had the love and support from all these fantastic, knowledgeable people on this message board. Tell your sister she can contact me any time she may wish to talk. So long for now, David P.

This is what good soap operas are made of! Shordy, I wish I had Dave's box of tissues, I'm still using my shirt sleeve. It's really nice to see things work out for the best. Somebody should post this in the "Good News" forum. Take care of daddy, Shordy. So long for now, David P.

Hello Sara and Ed. I too would like to welcome you to this message board; it is indeed unfortunate that our paths cross under these circumstances. However, now that you are here, you must make the best of the lung cancer specific knowledge the people on this board have to offer. When you are comfortable sharing information, visit and post some more information about Ed's condition in the appropriate forums on the board. Symtoms, medications, treatments, schedules, timelines, and conversations with doctors, are all things we need to know to assist in lowering your anxiety levels, and answering some of the many, tough questions you both must have. Talk to you soon, David P.

Hey, hey, Renee and Mom. It's awfully nice to hear that your mother has run into some GOOD NEWS finally!! If anyone deserves some good news, it's you and your mom. I'm happy for both of you (but especially for mom).So long for now, David P.

Shordy, my heart is no longer heavy, and I have a smile on my face after reading about your decision. It's a good decision; one that you will feel good about having made, in the long run. Way to go! David P.

Hello Shordy. We haven't spoken before, but my heart is very heavy after reading your latest post. I just looked up all of your previous messages and now have some understanding of what you have been going through. My father is in the middle of lymph cancer treatments. My father is also a "tough guy" - no emotions - the first and only time I have ever seen him cry was when his mother passed away; I've never heard him say, "I love you" to anyone (come to think of it, I've never heard anyone say it to him) but that doesn't mean my brothers and sisters and my mother don't love him, and he us. When you said that you are going to stay away maybe for a while, that made sense; you're fed up with all this cancer stuff, and tired of seeing your father acting mean to others and you need a break. I'm assuming he wasn't mean before he got sick. So you have to know it's the sickness that's affecting his behavior. Others will know this as well. The part of your latest post that made my heart sink was when said you might stay away for good. Have you had enough time to think about what that really means? Before you answer that, go back and re-read your first post from February 28th. He couldn't walk and you were looking for advice. Near the end of your message you said, "HE'S MY DADDY, AND I LOVE HIM SO MUCH." After all you two have meant to each other (I know, I have two daughters), and after supporting him thus far in his courageous fight with this stinking disease, could you really stay away for good? I would hate to think what you would put yourself through if anything happened to your daddy while you were staying away. Have you read Ocean's post, and the responses to it in the SCLC forum, subject - "My Daddy fought hard"? I now would like to appologise for being so candid and assuming that I have any right to impose my thoughts on you in this time of anguish for you and your family, but I am speaking from a loving father's perspective. Perhaps I'm speaking FOR your father, because he's not able to think straight right now. I hope you change you mind, and I also hope I haven't offended you. Sincerely, David Piercy

Hey Behappy will ya! I too like the name you have chosen. They say, "what's in a name?" You've already got it figured out. Ada's hit the nail right on the head - just look on the bright side - everything has one - sometimes you have to look harder than others to find it though. Surviving lung cancer definitely put a "brighter side" to almost everything else I have ever encountered in my life since I had my left lung removed 26 years ago; everything since has been small potatoes, a piece of cake, peanuts, just molehills really. I exercise regularly, eat healthy, like Tiny says, and I don't sweat the small stuff. One saying I've become famous for (to my wife's chagrin) is, "don't worry about it." Plain and simple, don't worry about what you have no control over. You're alive and breathing - brightside - you'll breeze through surgery - bright side - recovery will be a snap - bright side - you'll be playing football with the over 40's... no, that'll be the over 50's next year - BRIGHT SIDE --- get the picture, Behappy? If all else fails, look up one of Don Wood's jokes in the "Just for Laughs" category, or just sit back and try to imitate Karma's Dancing Spiderman moves. So long for now, David P.

Hello Howard, I'm glad you have found this website too. My name is David and although I'm not the one to give you any advice on your wife's condition, I am here to give you any support I can. I'm saddened by the fact that you need to be here at all, but as you need info, well, this is the place your going to get it - and then some. I've been around 26 years since my left lung was removed, so I'm basically just a cheerleader here. I'm sure you'll find a lot of info that will help your wife, and I hope you and your wife find some comfort here as well. Take care. So long for now, David P.