Donna G

I had gotten too thin when I was diagnosed . During treatment every day at the clinic in radiation they offered me nutritious drinks, then I 'd go to chemo and they would feed me, then home to sleep , eat, by the time I finished my treatments ( 4-5 months) I had gained nearly 70 pounds. If he is real thin go ahead and get something like boost and push it along with meals several times a day. The nutrition will help him.

That is good news . Thanks for sharing it with us. Donna

Mine was about 3-4 cm , the size of a golf ball. It was pressing on nerves that travel through the apex of the lung is the only reason I found out that I had it, no other symptoms except chest pain or burning feeling.

Shirley, I don't know what to say it is such a loss. I am so sorry. I read here that every one had a chance to see him and he had a time to accept his illness. I hope Michael met him at the gate and has planned his birthday party. I know Randy will always watch over you. Praying for your peace and your families. Donna

Shirley , I am so sorry for your loss. I can't believe he has left us so soon. I know you will miss seeing the twinkles in his eyes. I only knew you guys a short time but it was easy to see how much you loved each other. May you find peace and comfort. Donna

When I read your post I was thinking , some of us have friends with opinions telling us what we should and shouldn't do. It must be very different when many of your friends are doctors who really think they know what you should do. I imagine it has it's advantages and disadvantages. Wish you well with your decision Sam. Donna

Debi , I agree with Sam. You have to feel comfortable with your choice. I have been able to attend the semi annual Twin Cities Thoracic Onocology Consortiums ( boy thats a mouth full) and I heard a Physician from the Univ. of Mn speak on his research into developing a reliable test for "micrometastasis". You see many Stage I survivors are told their pathology has clean margins and no sign of metastasis, but pathologists are unable to see single or microscopic metastasis at this time. So even though with the best technology today you are told you are clean they have found that about 40 % will have evidence of disease within a couple of years. (refer to Dr Sam's post). This is another good reason we need to fund research , so doctors as Dr Michael A Maddaus can develop better staging tests to more accurately decide who needs chemo and who does not.

Your message ought to be uplifting to any one with brain mets, here you are posting only 4 days after surgery! Hope the radiation goes as smoothly. thanks for the reminders of all we have to be grateful for.

I am sorry to hear how much your Dad has had to go through this year. I hope you do get a second opinion. Back in January when all started, did they do a CT of the chest , you said he was having a lot of tests, could not swollow , then had a seizure due to lack of O2. If he had a CT of the chest did a tumor show up then ? It sounded as if all was snowballing down hill after that with the bowels etc. Problems with blood clots has happened to others also who have a tumor. Please keep us posted. Donna

No , no vent after surgery. I had cisplatin once a week and VP 16 every day certain weeks, but I also had radiation every day ( 5 days a week)

O No! Shirley I am so sorry. I know spending more time in the hospital was the last thing that Randy wants to do !!. Is he on west hall again? I hope he gets over this quick. Donna

rayroy, I am so sorry. Please know that I pray for peace for you and your family.

August Pancoast Meeting called to orderHello all I am doing fine, other than an unrelated trigger thumb, and Injured rib catilage. You should know I love to celebrate, my 56th Birthday is Monday, tuesday Connie says at group we are having cake because 3 of us have birthdays this month, Connie too! That should be fun. Now how are all of you doing? I heard my mentor in now a 16 yr Pancoast tumor survivor and he is back up north here working at the golf course again this summer. Rocco hows the radiation side effects , any better? Judy B Is the thoracic pain sydrome being helped Rita Bubb In june you said your 6 month check up went well , did the accupucture help your pain? Laurene from Canada, who was a 2 yrs survivor in Feb are you still checking in? Please check in . Donna

Sounds like your sisters road to recovery in full of twists and turns. She is so fortunate to have you willing to go with her for the ride. Keep us posted how it looks over the next hill. Donna

Welcome Barbara I see you're CT scan is coming up soon, I pray that you will be posting in the GOOD NEWS ribbon Did that surgery take care of the pleural effusion problem? How did you do with the chemo? I hope that you find good info and support here. Now that we have met you , please let us know how the CT came out. Donna

Could you ask them for a happy face? Now I wish I had when I got those 2 dot tatoos for my lung radiation. Keep us posted how the radiation goes. Donna

Those positive thoughts are called Hope and it sounds that there are good reasons for you to have hope - you say the brain tumor is small, the lung tumors is dying, the small tumor will be history on Friday. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Waiting to hear how things went .

Mainecoon, we are so sorry for your loss. We all know how difficult Friday's service will be for you and how hard it will be the next day when every one is gone. You have said that you are not a sensitive guy, perhaps that is what she saw in you even if you do try to hide it. We saw it in your posts. She said a few months ago don't worry she will be allright. I hope you will know that in a special way she will always be with you , all your shared memories will always be with you. I have read your doubts concerning an afterlife , I hope that she will send a message to you that she is painfree now and watching over you. Donna

Sorry to hear that your battle has become more difficult. Brain mets sound very scary but many have overcome them. Your youth also is on your side (your 43 yrs old I believe). Please keep us posted re what the radiologist tells you tomorrow. Donna

Boy I wish that would have printed out! I was going to post that at the station at the hospital. Great points! Wonder if Bloch printed this "book"

Three and a half years!! When they had told you 31/2 yrs ago to get your affairs in order your Dad was right. I remember how you told us" my Dad said why don't we go to Mayo like we did for your brother". You have been through a lot but the wonderful results that you are with us and proved that doctor wrong . Did you have your 29th birthday yet? ( Sorry I forget) When you get your results I hope we can have a party at group and celebrate . I love to celebrate Donna

I'll say it again - WE LOVE THAT GOOD NEWS- keep it coming.

They do lungs also. This would be a treatment option for those who can not have lobectomies if their tumor meets the parameters. Next site http://www.rfalung.com/

From what I have read bothe of those chemos can cause peipheral neuropathy. ( carbo/taxol) I had this develop during my second round of chemo after I had surgery, the doctor stopped the chemo so I missed the last doses. Some of the neuropathy symptoms went away, like I don't just fall down any more, but the weird feelings in my feet stayed but so did I so I figure small price , I am alive to have those feelings. Sorry I did not take those same chemos so I don't know if I was of any help. I took Cisplatin and VP 16.

I know I have been to web sites where they show xrays of the lungs, tumors etc can't think of one now This site is animated ablation Go to what ablation then click on computer dramatization http://cancerablation.com/windex.html