Donna G

Hello bluebayou, I know you live in Canada but when I see your name I just keep thinking Louisiana! It is interesting that your signature does not mention that you had surgery. I remember you said you had it in Africa. I had ( am just getting over) back pain. My ribs never really healed . I think that the surgery , stretching my muscles back there , the scar etc all added up to my problem. I went to a back pain specialist and they found I had a zillion trigger points in the muscles they treated for about a year. Now I am going to a massage therapist and she is trying to stretch the muscles. Your CT you said was negative in June? These tests always make us worried. I do hope the bone scan will be negative also. Then you can relax for a while. Keep us posted Donna G

You are at the next BIG STEP - surgery. It is no picnic but it is do able. Many of us have been there. Hope you have a good Epidural, that your lung expands quickly, don't forget it is good for you to get out of bed, walk, good for you to take deap breaths, good for you to do range of motion within a couple of days on the affected side. Hope you get back to the board soon and post wonderful new in the GOOD NEWS ribbon. Best Wishes Donna G

I am very sorry you have lost your Dad to this terrible disease. Donna G

The September meeting of the Pancoast Tumor Survivors. Calling Grammy Bear or Gary, Tracy for her Dad, JudyB or Siana for her Mom, Rocco, Rita Bubb, Mhutch1366 alias MaryAnn, Keith of Oklahoma, and Laurene if we can find her. Counting me that makes 9 of us should attend .

I am sorry to hear that you and your husband are having to go through this , so young , and with no real family support. Stealing a saying from raising children " it takes a village to over come this disease". You can not do it alone. I am so glad that you have come here for here you will find your supportive family. Please now that you have introduced yourself feel free to share with us more details- how you are coping, any problems you are having with side effects, etc. Are you searching for help perhaps in your church family? When I had chemo one day a week they had to pre medicate me therefore I could not drive, my family "church" always had someone at my door to drive me on Mondays and drop my off, then my husband , not missing work, could pick me up after he got off. It worked out and I think saved my husband some of the stress. Keep in touch. Donna G Again Welcome

Please feel free to join the monthly pancoast tumor club!!!!. Wow 13 pounds!! that is bigger than giving birth to a baby!!. 3 years since all this wow. Boy am I glad that you found us!!. Your story brings with it so much hope. It is wonderful. I also have survived a pancoast tumor. It was 5 yrs last December since I was diagnosed , the 6th is coming up in a few months. How are they following up with you? Tell us more. Welcome!! Donna G

1st welcome. 2nd get an antidepressent now. We all needed one at one time or another to get through this. Perhaps Wellbutrin, it may also help you to leave those cancer sticks alone. If you have Emphysema , one lung the last thing in this world you need is a cigarette. I know , it is like little people up in your head telling you a cigarette would make you feel better, they are not your friends, they lie!!!! Quiting smoking alone increases your chances of surviving. It takes time for your body to ajust to the surgery, you probably will improve, less shortness of breath after a while. I guess that is enough for now. You are young, I am sorry you have this disease but I am glad you have joined us. You are important. Please take care. Keep us posted one how you are doing. Donna G

Here in the states there are so many organizations to go to, American Lung Assoc. , many anti smoking assoc as MPAAT( Minnesota partnership against tobacco ) but I have no idea where you would go in Ireland. Donna G

What a blessing for Paul to have Mom at the wedding!. Now you have another child without having to go through the nine months etc. ! Congratulations! So glad to hear you had a wonderful time. Donna G

Life is full of peaks and valleys. Your in one of those valleys right now. I hope you rise again soon. Donna G

Wouldn't it be wonderful if it were arthritis? Welcome and please do keep us posted on this new news. Donna G

Great News!

I know it is real hard right now. I am so sorry that your Dad passed. Please know you are in my prayers . Donna

Katie that is beautiful. Thanks for sharing that sight and song with us. Sorry we can't be there for you but thanks to you we can listen from afar.

Some have emailed me wanting to know how Connie is doing. I spoke with her this am. She still needs those little pills some to keep comfy but less. She is hoping she will get rid of the O2 soon completely. She is having to make Dr visits to get lab work for the coumadin. She has not been going up and down the stairs to the "puter" too much and is sorry she has not been updating you. She tells me she had to get a new primary MD this week, her regular one fell out of a tree trimming branches and punctured bothe lungs with broken ribs, fractured his jaw and arm amongst other problems so he'll be out of work for a while!!! Bet he has chest tubes coming out bothe sides!! She can not drive but it sounds as if she still is doing phone support!! Please keep her in your prayers as she heals for their next attempt and removing the tumor from her left atrium. Donna G

Michael , about the barber----- Deisel fumes are 300 times more carcinogenic than gas fumes, you mentioned trucks-. The next generation of victims- our kids. Why you say ? All the kids are bused to school in vehicles run on diesel, now people have their groceries , mail, packages etc delivered in the neighborhood by diesel trucks, more trucks on the highways, more highways etc etc. Why do they allow diesel ? Money, just like the government allow tobacco companys to add carcinogens to cigarettes, money, more tax revenue. My 2 cents worth.

Warren Zevon passed. Listening to the news this AM they mentioned that he lost the battle. He had a Minnesota connection, he had been at Jesse Ventura's inauguration bash 4 yrs ago and they "sang" together.

Prayer going up!

I have come in late on this conversation. But did I read correctly that a Dr said that you only benefit from chemo if you get it right after surgery? If you have cancer you nearly always benefit from chemo. Is he saying to kill "micrometastasis" early ? benefit from preventing it growing? Because you still would certainly benefit from chemo if you have cancer whether it is micro mets or larger. Bluebayou welcome. Must have been scary to be diagnosed overseas away from home! Your name sounds like you are from Louisiana more than from Canada! I hope now that you have introduced yourself, joined the family, that you keep us posted on how you are doing, how your tests come out. Again, welcome Donna G

I posted re this in March. Good site see below, for other foods too http://www.cancerproject.org/medicine/i ... nates.html

Sandy I am glad I found you!! This should be filed in the Goood News ribbon Love it!! Congrats!! Donna G

Did a google search. Found an article that said on August 28, 03 it had been one year since WArren Zevon was told he had terminal lung cancer with Mets to the liver. It talks about his smoking etc for 30 yrs and quit 5 yrs ago . but listen he has Mesothelioma last I heard that was caused by asbestos not smoking. Now everyone reading that article will think its caused by smoking. It sounds like he is still a busy guy and also the grandfather of a new set of twins. they are airing the show again 9/10 at 8PM eastern. The article also mentioned he was upset at the Drs that had told him how long he had to live, felt they had no business doing that, they didn't know. Donna G

What a relief! Now just get well!! Great news. Donna G

Of Course, you and Katie, her Dad and family are in my prayers.Donna G

Prayers going up that your road is straight, smooth and narrow. Donna G