Candy

I'm glad you found this board it is so supportive. Your Mom's diagnosis is much the same as my husband's. He has just finished 8 rounds of chemo and might have more. He is doing very well. He has started to put on weight and his lung tumor is only 3/4 centimeter (after 6 rounds) and his liver spots are smaller and fewer in number and his back doesn't even hurt right now (that is where his bone mets are.) This stuff is really responsive to chemo. That at least is something to be grateful for. Keep coming here, its a huge help and WELCOME

Oh Ginny! You and Earl must be beside yourselves with joy! I am dancing in my office right now!

I surely can't tell you if what your doing is right or wrong but like Katie I can share with you how it works for my husband. His diagnosis is much like your mother's. He is also receiving VP16 and Carbo (3 days of treatment, approximately 2 1/2 wks off is 1 round). The plan was for him to have 6 rounds of treatment. He received 3 rounds and went for scans. There was an "impressive improvement" in our doctor's words. He had three more treatments and there was a "significant improvement". Since he showed such improvement the doctor suggested 2 more rounds but left the decision up to us. We decided to go for it. He just finished his 8th round yesterday and is still feeling pretty well considering what he's going through. He lost almost 50 pounds at the beginning but he gained 11 pounds during the last 1 1/2 wks, he has had no nausea, his appetite continues to be normal and his blood counts look pretty good. He is set up for more scans on June 17 and 18 (Bone scan, MUGA scan and CAT scan). The doctor says if the scans show improvement he would like to consider yet more of this same treatment. The carbo seems to be working for Hugh. I don't know if you can change in mid-stream. Hugh applied for Social Security disability. He was very reluctant but I think if they can concentrate on just dealing with the chemo and beating this monster they are better off. I would hate for Hugh to have to worry about trying to work also. Good luck! It sounds like you are doing all the right things for your Mom. She is as lucky to have you as you are to have her

I'll be thinking about you and sending prayers your way. As for the "gloom and doom". I agree, I tell our doctor and nurses that we are all too aware of the worst case scenario and we would like as many best case scenarios as they can give us. Just knowing there are best case scenarios out there gives us something to hope for and something to work toward.

I agree with Marlon 100% - The man obviously needs to be shot.

Hooray!

Congratulations Estelle!

This is just the BEST news!

And you know what? I think its important not to be judgemental. I have been right along and I must say I have spent some pretty angry moments over the way some of my close family have chosen to handle this, but after I posted on this subject and read everyone's replies I started thinking: Who am I to tell people how they should handle their grief? Maybe they are dealing with it the best way they can. If they choose to step back or remain distant, aren't they simply trying to survive? Perhaps in a different manner than many of us would wish for or that is helpful, but we all know that dealing with this is difficult to put it mildly and maybe they WANT to give more but simply can not. That would be a hard concept for many strong people to understand. As I deal with Hugh's illness I am there because I love him, I want to be there and lets face it we're in this for "better or worse". I am hoping that I am stronger through this and will be there for my family and/or friends when they need me. That's today, I think I must be in a generous mood. Tomorrow I will probably be back to myself and angry at all the idiots who don't even call and ask how Hugh and I or doing!

Geez, Jonathan - what would we do without you? Thanks!

Hugh had his first transfusion last Friday, everyone on this board told me it wasn't bad the last time we were thinking about having one which helped us make the decision Friday when his count was 6.9 I was so scared! It was pretty routine, Hugh sat in a recliner and watched TV and ate lunch while having it. Hugh has felt better since the transfusion than he has since he began chemo. He mowed the lawn last weekend, planted flowers, built a flower box yesterday and repaired some plumbing in the basement. We went out Tuesday to the races and he wasn't even tired the next day. I think he would have another one in a minute if his counts get low again.

Hugh is also now getting an Arenesp injection 1x/week. They started it when his red blood cell count got low. He says it burns slightly but nothing really bad. Hugh's blood counts have still been dropping and he had the transfusion last week, but the nurse said sometimes it takes up to 6 weeks before the injection starts working. I wonder why they don't give it sooner so its working by the time they need it?

No one knows your body like you do. It sounds to me like you are thinking everything through and being very thorough and careful not to make a snap decision. You've thought about it, you are seeking a second opinion - Whatever you decide will be the best thing!

Hooray!!!!

Sending prayers and hoping all is well - your right, this da.. disease has so many ups and downs it frustrating and scary!

Cathy, With my husband's diagnosis he and I have grown very much closer. My siblings have distanced themselves from me. (I think Hugh and I represent everything that they fear right now). I think our children's relationships have remained about the same as they struggle through this and seem to be in denial. I am here to deal with Hugh's needs so they don't have to try to hammer out any agreements about what should be done. They trust that Hugh and I are making the right decisions - we are still young and able to make those decisions. When my mother (a widow) became ill a few years ago, it was a huge strain on the relationship with my brother and sister. I grew closer to one and further from the other. It seemed that no one could agree on anything. One thing for certain, it hurts deeply when you expect people will "be there" for you and they, for some reason, can't or won't. Just another issue to deal with that comes with illness. YUCK!

Sorry you are having to deal with this nasty stuff! My husband also had SCLC and I agree with Katie 100 percent - don't listen to the numbers, new treatments are out there all the time. Being tired is part of it. Its a rollercoaster ride for sure. Have a treatment, feel lousy by the end of the week, and just get feeling better about the weekend before the next treatment is due. I've found from reading everyone's posts here and experience that the anti-nausea drugs prevent nausea but don't necessarily get rid of it once it starts. Hugh now takes them every 4-6 hours for the first week after a treatment whether he is sick or not. He has been doing really well with no nausea. If one drug doesn't work, ask your doctor for a different one. There are many different ones out there. I heard someone compare the fatigue during chemo to the feeling of being neck-deep in water and trying to run. I think you just have to give in to it and sleep as much as you need to. And everyone here will tell you: drink, drink, drink plenty of fluids! Best wishes to you and your mom! You have come to the right place. This board offers a wealth of information and support!

Great news Dave! You are everyone's inspiration!!!!!!!

Adding my prayers to everyone else's. I always ask myself WHY scan time is so so so stressful. I try to reason with myself by telling myself that having the scan doesn't change whats in there. Doesn't matter, I am usually physically sick when its time to have them and more so when we go to get the results.

Brandy, Its good you found this board. It was my saving grace. Cancer turns your world upside down. Don't ever think you are selfish for feeling sad. It is about your Mom, but its also about you. Come here often, there were days at first when I only went to the good news section. Try to stay off the net, the statistics posted out there are depressing and mostly untrue. Its true you must ask questions of your doctor and gain knowledge. The question part is something I preach but don't practice yet. I'm trying. I've learned a lot on this board, its informative, uplifting and a place to go to lean on people who know what your feeling.

Good JOB!!!!!!!!!! My husband and I have a very favorite restaurant in NY (we live practically right on the border in MA) and since his diagnosis we have been unable (and unwilling) to go there. Though the food is great the smoke really bothers Hugh now. Another pet peeve? WHY do the grocery stores, etc put the smoking areas right by the entrance? Every time we go grocery shopping we have to walk through the employees second hand smoke. Come to think of it, I think I will say something to the manager this week!

Great news Shannon - you guys deserve this in a big way!

Great news Don! Celebrate long and loud!

I would just like to say "DITTO" to Ginny's post!

Every bit of good news is a relief isn't it? Hugh's disability started coming last month. Its true that the people at Social Security are very helpful. I guess its like most things. They deal with so much fraud that they tend to get the reputation of being nasty, but when people are honestly in need they are honestly willing to get things done for you. I was also nervous about money even though I work, Hugh has always been the primary money maker in our family and we depend on his income. Disability is a lot less than we are used to, but its doable with a few lifestyle changes - heck, our lifestyle is pretty much changed anyway. Yesterday we sat on the deck watching the hummingbird and we talked about how enjoyable it was. Who needs expensive weekends away when you can sit on the deck and enjoy your own yard for free? So long as Hugh and I can do it together, I will be grateful.