Donna G

HI Sheryl. Welcome. Just 2 yrs after a heart transplant he got lung cancer? Boy, I would have guessed that he had every test imaginable before the transplant and he must have passed. The first time he had surgery , they did not recommend chemo? How is he doing with the mets, has the chemo and radiation shrunk them? Please keep us posted. Donna G

Yes, great news. Love the picture also, fall in New England. Enjoy. Donna G

Just thought I would mention, I wore my Lung Cancer Awareness tee shirt to the Skills Fair today. With all my talking, I couldn't believe that there are still some nurses at the hospital that don't know that I had lung cancer. I am in the float pool, so I go to work in most areas, ICU, medical, surgical, maternity . So I got to give my story again today.

Craneman, just want to welcome you to our family. I had a tumor in my right upper lobe but I did have pain, it was pressing on nerves and the pleura of the lung. I had chemo and radiation before they would do surgery, then surgery and more chemo after. I was diagnosed in December of 97', do the math! Yes this can be overcome! Now , keep us posted on the plan of treatment and how you are doing. Donna G

I had no brain mets but I do want to pray that all goes well and you have a speedy recovery. Donna G

I got the "I Voted" sticker. I was going to vote at 7 am on the way to a skills fair ( mandatory inservice) but when I saw the looooooooooooooong line of people holding their umbrellas because it was raining, I decided to wait til after the inservice. It was a good idea, sun is shining, no umbrellas and no line. If nothing else it is a great day, no political commercials! Donna G

Thanks for sharing with us , Curtis. Becky I know is so pleased. Last evening at church we prayed and sang the litiny of saints. We have developed a tradition of singing all those who we have buried from our parish this past year, we are large and the list was also. Becky pray for us. All you saints of God pray for us.

I had Cisplatin and VP-16 (Etoposide), Will be 7 yrs this December since diagnosis, I guess I should be one of those good stats! I never really had problems with nausea, I gained weight! I did have low WBCs, and nueropathy. The most important point I make however is I am keeping friends with NED.

Wow! That was a book! I hope many people read it and become interested in finding the cure. Donna G

> > > > Subject: MOTHER'S MILK > > > > > > Students in an advanced biology class were taking a mid term. The > > last question was "Name seven advantages of mother's milk," worth 70 > > points or none at all. > > > > One student who had also partied the night before, was hard put to > > think of seven advantages. He finally wrote: > > > > 1. It is a perfect formula for the child. > > 2. It provides immunity against several diseases. > > 3. It is always available as needed. > > 4. It is always at the right temperature > > 5. It is inexpensive > > 6. It bonds the child to the mother, and vice versa. > > > > And then, the student was stuck. Finally, just before the bell > > indicating the end of the test rang, he wrote... > > > > 7. It comes in such cute containers. > > > > He got an "A." > > It is great to think that a guy would even know the first 6!

> > Sally jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the >operating room. She said: "How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When >can I see him?" > > The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy >didn't make it." > > Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any >more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?" > > > The surgeon asked, "Would you like some time alone with your son? >One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the >university." > > Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good-bye to >son. >She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. > > "Would you like a lock of his hair?" the nurse asked. > > Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in >a plastic bag and handed it to Sally. The mother said, "It was Jimmy's idea >to donate his body to the university for study. He said it might help >somebody else. "I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using >it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day >with his Mom." She went on, "My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking >of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could." > > Sally walked out of Children's mercy Hospital for the last time, >after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's >belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home was difficult. >It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's >belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's >room. She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in >his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down across his >bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep. > > It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Laying beside her on the >bed was a folded letter. The letter said: > > "Dear Mom, I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I >will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say I >LOVE YOU. I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we >will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so >you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old >stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably >wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and >stuff girls like, you know. Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is >a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed >me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels >are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't >look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. >Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on >God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I >told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good-bye and >everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this >letter. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this >letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the >questions you asked Him 'Where was He when I needed him?' "God said He was >in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was >right there, as He always is with all His children. > > Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except >you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I >have to give God His pen back now. He needs it to write some more names in >the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. >I'm, sure the food will be great. > > Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore. The cancer is >all gone. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't >stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of >Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about >that? > Signed with Love from: God, Jesus & Me. > >

Hi Claire. Sounds like all good news to me. I wish we did not have to think about it, but alas we all do--------the return of the monster! I hope you are spending most of your time enjoying life. Donna G

Hi Barb. Sounds like it started out pretty rough for you but boy also sounds like you are one of the lucky ones who responds well to Iressa! Welcome and now that you have introduced yourself please let us know how things are going. Donna G

Sounds like you have her hip all covered, you say she got it replaced. An Ortho doc would not be real up on lung cancer treatment, glad you got a great Onc Doc. Welcome, keep us posted now on how Mom is doing. Donna G

Welcome Nenette. Sorry to hear your Mom has joined our fight against lung cancer. As you have heard it is a difficult journey, she is young in her fight. Now I think you are doing all the right things, also remember, someone even in Stage IV survives, why not your Mom. Also remember, as our friend here in Mn always says, " It is another great day to be alive". Enjoy. Donna G

I also vote with Don, sips of Boost, Ensure etc. , they will add up. Donna G

Herman , thanks for the update!. So glad treatment is underway. Please keep us posted on how your father is responding to treatment. Donna G

I know what you mean. I have been an RN for too many years, lets say 36, Since I got lung cancer not a week goes by sometimes not a day goes by that either I have a patient, or a co worker, or someone I know at church , etc who has lung cancer. Was I blind before? I don't even remember but a few people that I knew had lung cancer the first 30 yrs, the past 6 yrs it is nearly a daily thing! I am open about my journey, perhaps that helps others share theirs with me. Donna G

As I said ," we will probably be there again soon". Well today is the day. # 1500 joined again. Boy I wish that not so many people had to deal with this disease but so glad we can help each other here. Donna G

Hi Gina. Boy I wish I had only gained to 110! Cholesterol? Why not Lipitor? I think everyone needs at least 110 lbs. Exercise helps too, and the pups would probably love you for it. I have Rocky ( border collie and Australian shepard mix) and Sally ( border collie mix with ears that look like the flying nun) Boy do they love to run and play in between finding important "jobs" they find to do. Glad to hear you are enjoying your weekends. Donna G

The thecal sac is a thin walled tube filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds the spinal cord . CSF is the cushiony fluid that protects the brain and spine and helps distribute nutrients to these structures. I just looked that up, boy do I wish I knew everything! Best wished on your trip and with your treatment Donna G

Great news, glad you are able to go and be with him. Is he going to have the whole lung removed or a lobe? If a lobe he'll have a chest tube til the rest of the lung re-inflates. If the whole lung no chest tube. Many have an epidural, like a continuous local anesthetic after, some have a PCA, with Morphine or Dilaudid, that you punch a button and it gives you a dose of pain med. Some have bothe. If they do it with a scope it is a small incision. If done open they break ribs and you get a smile incision. Guess witch one you get over quicker! Either way that cancer is removed! That is a good thing. Keep us posted. Usually you spend one to three days in ICU. Donna G

Heather , I have posted about this before. Last year I heard a Dr at a thoracic onocology meeting describe how he does it, and watched a video, It is great if you have a doctor who is trained to do this, if the tumor is simple, as not wrapped around something. No broken ribs, small incision, much quicker recovery. Donna G

Several of us from our local support group this morning attended the funeral for our friend Kay. Sandy , Kay and I frequently took turns picking each other up and driving to St. Paul for the meetings. Kay was always up beat, smiling, she loved her grandchildren. She had been a second grade teacher. She was a prayer warrior, had a deep faith life and always a big smile and hug. We will miss her so. Many people were there, many tears. Donna G

Great article, and great job Heather. Donna G