Dazy

Thank you, Connie. I have a dear friend who is not computer "savvy" and really could use a resource such as this. On a personal note...I hope you are recovering well and feeling better! You are such a CHAMPION!!! Hugs! Stacey

Words simply cannot convey my sorrow...I'll just send hugs instead... ~ Stacey

Oh Fred ~ that is WONDERFUL news!!! I haven't been around for awhile and just read Tracy's good news. I was already enjoying a frosty Corona at the Pub when I read your good news!! So, Kasey, another Corona please? and a drink on me for you two, as well!! Wow, at this rate, I am gonna be hammered by noon... With GREAT GLADNESS & Big Hugs!!!!!! Stacey P.S. With ALL this good news, Kasey, I just KNOW you are gonna be next!! GREAT news coming from your clan these days...you guys are on a roll!!!

...Thinking of you and hoping all went well! Yours in HOPE! Stacey

BTW - a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Wishing you MANY more!!! Gotta love the Ativan... (((HUGS, Judy)))

Sonya, this was also posted by a wonderful fellow Arizonan/LCSC member, "MaxL", in the "Introduce Yourself" forum. I am adding it here, in case you missed it. LOTS of valuable info here: Hi Sonya. I live in Glendale Arizona and have just gone through lung cancer treatment. Years ago my brother-in-law was in the same position as you, and he was able to get on a medical program here in Arizona called AHCCCS,ARIZONA HEALTH CARE COST CONTAINMENT PROGRAM.Here is some information that I just found on GOOGLE. Below is the telephone number and once you contact them an AHCCCS eligibility specialist will review your application to find the program or programs that you and your family may qualify for. The eligibility specialist will send it to the right agency or AHCCCS department(s) which will decide your eligibility. You will receive a phone call or a letter if there is anything else you need to do or send. Most programs do not need a face-to-face interview if we can contact you by phone. You can get an application or get help filling it in between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call (602) 417-5010, then press 1, or call toll free 1-800-528-0142 then press 1. Where exactly do you live in Arizona? I really do want to add that now is a critical time for you to stay as positive as you can. I realize how difficult this is to do, but it really is important that you do so. Keep in touch with this site as this support group helped me get through the tight spots and will do so for you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. _________________ Thanks Max!!! Hope you are recovering well!!! ~ Stacey

Hi Sonya! I replied to your original post in the "introduce yourself" section, as well. As I had said in my other post, this could be many other things than LC. We have ALOT of Valley Fever in AZ and it can cause similar symptoms. VF is certainly no picnic, and would also need to be treated/managed, but it is better than LC. Either way, you definitely need to see a doc and get this figured out. I live in Mesa, AZ. Where are you located? I will do my BEST to get you some help. PM me if you do not want to post where you live. My son works at Mayo, and I am pretty good at advocacy - given a chance. Yours in HOPE! Stacey

I am so sorry to hear this, Stephanie. I have no real comforting words to offer...just hugs. ~Stacey

I have no info (other than what you found online) about this stuff. I just wanted to tell you I hope they can eliminate this junk from your regime and you can get to feeling a little better. (((HUGS))) ~Stacey

Hi Judy ~ I had a bone marrow extraction and bone biopsy (rear left hip) last summer. While not a pleasant experience and quite uncomfortable, it was managed with only 1mg of Xanax - 1 hr. prior, and some heavy local anesthesia. You feel alot of pressure and a BRIEF sharp "twinge" when they extract marrow. You feel a slightly lesser but similar sensation when they take the bone sample. It is totally do-able as an outpatient procedure. I am a big WUSS and I did okay. My son works at Mayo and a nurse there said approximately 80% of the patients are able to tolerate it without a general. I will have to have them every year/other year as I had some abnormalities in my marrow. Just look into something to help you relax, (or IV meds would be nice ) it is fairly quick and then you will be out and back home. Just be sure to take it easy for the remainder of the day. I'll be praying for you and holding your hand in spirit on Thursday! And looking forward to your posting of good CLEAN results! Yours in HOPE! Stacey P.S. (Added after original post...) I just noticed that your biopsy is being done on your vertebra..? If that is the case, I guess a slightly different procedure would be done. Should have read more closely... Either way ~ I am wishing you all the very BEST and praying for an easy procedure! ((HUGS!))

- I just don't know what else to say...

Hi Sonya! I'm a fellow "Zonie" ! how can I help? How "out in the middle of nowhere" are you...? As long as there is a dirt road nearby, we can get ya some help!! (and even if there isn't a dirt road, i've got 4wd!! ) Seriously, I am sorry you are dealing with all of this worry, especially without insurance and resources. But it may not be LC! We, in AZ, live in the Valley Fever hotbed. VF can also cause exactly what you are describing, and while no picnic, it is immensely more manageable than LC! Let us know where you are, or PM me. Maybe I can help... I can certainly try! Hang in there! Yours in HOPE! Stacey

Hi again, Cathy ~ I think, personally, I would tell her, BUT in the calmest, most honest way possible. Give her ALL the info but make sure she knows that it very well COULD BE NOTHING. Given the fact that you are a nurse, I think she will take her biggest "cues" from you. That way, she will trust that she will get the facts from you. Personally, I do not believe ignorance is bliss - and for me, at least, it would be far more frightening to think someone was keeping the total truth from me. Hopefully, you will feel better after talking to her doc. Maybe they can get an expedited appointment for the CT so you can get some quick answers and put this behind you! Praying for good outcomes! Yours in HOPE! Stacey

Hi again Hopeandstrength! Sorry you are having to face this worry again , BUT it could be so MANY other things, too! Especially on xray. It could simply be artifact, or residual infection/inflammation. When I picture "squiggly thing" on xray, I imagine it looks like what is described as "ground glass" opacity. It looks kinda like wisps of smoke, or "squiggly". I believe GGO can show up in pneumonia, and other infections, as well as some LC's. TRY not to worry too much (easier said than done, I know... ) Wait until after the scan - who knows - maybe it will be resolved by then...POOF! It does happen. That is what I will be hoping & praying for!! In the meantime...Wishing you & your Mom a Happy, worry (and LC) free 2008!!! Keep us posted! Yours in HOPE! Stacey

Silly girl....OF COURSE you'll be back! LOTS of love, hugs, prayers and POSITIVE VIBES are heading your way! I'll be looking forward to meeting you & Geri at the Pub in January, so hurry up & get well!!! HUGS to you, too, Katie!! You are such an angel! Yours in HOPE! Stacey

I use Advair and it does cause hoarseness, sometimes. I have also developed a "thrush throat" (for lack of better term...) from inadequate rinsing/gargling after inhalation. It feels like hair growing on the back of your throat (ewww!) and appears like a spotty, white "plaque". This is listed as a fairly common occurence with Advair. On the bright side, Advair has been a real help with my breathing issues. Hopefully, it will do the same for you. I would ask your doc, like Connie said. Probably just a side-effect, but ALWAYS better to be sure. Yours in HOPE! Stacey

WONDERFUL NEWS!!! I'm glad it went so well - and I may indeed pay a visit to your surgeon. She sounds wonderful!! I wanted to visit Banner the day of your surgery, but we've been with with that whopper bug going around & I certainly didn't want to bring THAT along... But I was with you two in spirit!! Glad you are home and healing well and ready to kick back & enjoy the holidays!! Onward & forward!!! Happy Hugs and Merry Christmas wishes to you & Inez! Yours in HOPE! Stacey

Hi Lori! I'm sorry I missed this...Hopefully by now you have received some reassuring info from the pulmonologist. I am a nodule watcher, and have been for almost 3 years. I'll echo what has been said here - they could be MANY things, as well as cancer, and most of those are too tiny to do anything about OTHER than watch although PET may be useful for the 8mm nodule. Again, you probably have a plan in place by now. So, I'll just extend a welcome and my BEST wishes for a good outcome whatever it may be. I'll be keeping fingers crossed that the doxycycline will work and clear those li'l "boogers" right outta there!! Please feel free to PM if ya need to! Yours in HOPE!! Stacey

Thinking of you & Inez, today, and praying all goes well. May your surgery be successful and your recovery speedy! Yours in HOPE! Stacey

I am SO GLAD to hear there was no major changes!! Stable is good! Is the depression related to the nodule ordeal, or were you dealing with it prior? I ask because I think that has been one of the major hurdles I have had to deal with in my own "watch". The anxiety/fear, etc. can be overwhelming at times. I'm glad you are seeing your doc...hopefully you will soon be feeling much better and able to enjoy your holidays! ((BIG HUGS)) Hang in there!! Yours in HOPE! Stacey

Hi again, Gaylee! I'm glad you got that appt. moved up. 9mm is still pretty small, but from what I've read, PET can pick up nodules as small as 7-8mm, I think...not that it reliably does, mind you. But I think it will give you a great deal of peace of mind if no uptake is seen. And even if it does show uptake, many other things like infection, inflammation, etc. show uptake, as well. As far as a doc...yup, I would find a pulmonologist. They are the lung experts, and will be able to best address the SOB (shortness of breath, that is.. ) Most importantly, know you are NOT alone! There are many "watchers" here, and while a nerve wracking experience, we are HERE, huh? Hang in there! Yours in HOPE! Stacey

Darn it, Max! NOT what any of us were hoping to hear! But I agree with Ned - YOU are golden!! You are indeed lucky they caught this early, and with that stellar attitude of yours, you & Inez will pull thru this with flying colors, as well!! (((Healing HUGS from the Eastside!! ))) Please feel free to PM if I can do anything for you or Inez...I am sort of a "local" ya know. Yours in HOPE! Stacey

Hello and welcome to the nodule watchers club.. The waiting really is the hardest part. I would certainly push for the PET unless, like Don said, it is much smaller than 1cm. PET really isn't very accurate with lesions under 1cm. MANY nodules(according to Mayo Clinic, as many as 98% of nodules smaller than 1cm!) are found to be benign upon biopsy. Those are pretty good odds that this will turn out to be something else! I have a TON of nodule info if you need more. In the meantime...DEEP breath...try to relax. Your gonna be just fine! Feel free to PM anytime if ya need to talk the "scaries" away! Yours in HOPE! (& watch) Stacey

Good luck today! Sending up prayers for a successful surgery, a speedy recovery, and a BENIGN Dx!!!! Yours in HOPE! Stacey

Oh Ry... I am absolutely shocked and devastated to read this. And my words seem lame. So, I'll send the biggest HUGS I can muster - and prayers for peace for you & the kids. I am SO sorry. To me, John was like a pillar of this community. He will be SO missed. With great sadness, Stacey