missyk

Meghan... Welcome to this wonderful site!!! I don't recall Mom having those specific side-effects although she had the chills more often and diarrhea is an almost constant companion of Tarceva from what i understand. Someone will come along who can tell you more information. In the mean time, add our prays for a great outcome!!

I'm so sorry for my disappearance...just had to take some time to "reset" and gather all of my thoughts and basically take some time to realize where i (and mom) stood in this crazy place we call life...But, here i am, back again. I wanted to give you all a quick update on Mom but first i wanted to say how much it broke my heart to see the losses i missed while i was away. My condolences to all of you and your families. It makes me so sad. Mom was on Tarceva for a few months and seemed to respond well. The second little brain met that they "zapped" is almost gone and when they did her last CT they had told her that even the primary tumor was no longer visible. But, because of that lil bugger in her grape, they couldn't give her a date with NED. Shortly after that she noticed a lump on the left side of her neck down by her shoulder. Her doctors told her (without a biopsy) that they could almost guarantee that it was a lymphnode that was popping back up with some cancer that needed to be kicked. They stopped the Tarceva and put her on something else...didn't much matter what it was though, after one treatment she spent a week in the hospital (and a night in ICU) with blood pressure of 60/40 and a racing heart. They are STILL trying to get her levels back up...the stubborn things don't want to go back to "normal" i guess. So, in the mean time, she and her med. onc. decided that since it was HIM who made her sick that they'd leave well enough alone until it was absolutely necessary to give her more chemo. The lymphnode that is enlarged is the only thing showing in her body for right now...but i do worry about "getting behind". But, she'll go in monthly for scans now that they're taking a "wait and see" attitude with it. The good news is that Mom was there when her 4th grandbaby was born, a little boy named Patrick...something she never thought she'd be here to see last May when she was diagnosed. Right now she's in Vegas enjoying a much overdue trip for some relaxation...Sue-style!!! You all have always been in my prayers and will continue to be. I'm hoping to get back here a little more regularly, too. With all my love,

YEAH Suki!!!! Wonderful to hear! And so glad she's not having any of the "bad" side effects on the Tarceva!!!

Bunny... I'm going to tell you...i did the complete opposite. I went in not long ago, got a chest xray, had a kidney ultrasound, had my thyroid checked, etc etc...all was normal, of course, but i DID tell Mom i was having it all done. It made her feel BETTER to know that i was looking out for ME, too. Just my little tid-bit.

Nancy, I'd be honored for it to hang on your wall. And all the best to you!! With love,

Yes *blush* i did write that. I started writing it when mom was first going through chemo, after sitting in there with her and seeing everyone in every circumstance. It sat, and sat, and sat because i didn't have an ending i liked for it. I found it again the other day and thought, "Well, i'll just type it up as it is." It finished itself while i was typing. Thank you all for your kind words...but it is I who should be thanking you for showing us all what it means to be a survivor.

I'm not sure where i want to post this...just want to make sure it get it on here. I sent it to Mom and she suggested that i post it for all of you to see. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! Survivor The one who stands tall With shoulders held high. Wearing the bald With a gleam in their eye. The one who looks deeply In the eyes of their kids; Clings to them tightly And kisses their lids. The one who sits crying With hands to their head Cursing, then sighing, Then praying to mend. The one who is lost And unable to scream For in counting the cost They're unable to dream. The one who finds peace In the breaking of dawn. The one who finds comfort In the words of a song. Each faced a day Of unspeakable strain. Each found a way To deal with the pain. Each should be praised, Held high in esteem. They've run the gauntlet And still look serene. So i take my mom's hand And take each step as it comes. I walk when she walks And run when she runs. The ending unwritten; The tale still spins... And pray at the end It's she who will win. Melissa H (missyk) Nov. 20, 2005

Wow...what a great subject! Gives us all a chance to blow off a little bit of steam! (these are going to sound so selfish!) 1.) When i have plans to do something and another "something" comes up that supercedes my plans...seems to happen all the time to me, so i keep saying i'm going to stop planning. 2.) Those people who don't even know Mom's last name who live in the same town she does yet feel it's their right to talk about her disease (inaccurately, no less!) 3.) Getting up in the morning, thinking you're running late, and realizing it's Saturday.

We traded our itty bitty car for (luckily a 4 cylinder) SUV this past spring...decided i was sick and tired of my daughter sticking her feet in my back as we drove. I know we should probably down-size to a small car again...but we only drive 10 miles a day for work so we don't get hit TOO hard by the gas pinch. Prays we'll see gas back under $3 a gallon at some point, though, or i need a raise!

Fall is my favorite, the cool, crisp air and the warm sun...the smell of people burning leaves, the giggles of Halloween night. Here where i live, we have Covered Bridge Festival the second weekend in October, too (live in the home of the Bridges of Madison County) and i'm SO glad they put it in the fall!!!

Mine was a 1974 Ford Gran Torino (ok, i was BORN in 1975 ) but it ran like a charm. She was christened "myrtle the love yacht" while in highschool. I used to race her thru the s-curves on the way to school in the morning and jump her (yes, she would jump!) over a part of a road in town after school. Wow..i DO miss that car!

Congratulations!!!! Those lil girls are so much fun!

Definately a cool breeze...hopefully with warm sun, but not hot...air condition i can get any day, but a cool breeze is a gift we don't get too often. Which is better, young chidren or teenagers?

I love it, but i hardly get to see it! So not only do i love it, but i miss it! TPBM has eaten icecream straight out of the carton at midnight

Too tired. Which is worse, too smelly or no smell at all? (and psssttt...thanks, i've been LOL the entire time reading these!)

Lynn... Glad you're here...sorry you have to be. I've never met a more wonderful group of people than here, or more knowledgable about lung cancer. If someone doesn't know, they can point you in the direction of someone who does! Welcome to this home!

Smoking too much while spending too much time on the internet and leaving everything else for later....does that count as one or three?

Cindi... Love, prayers, and many many hugs coming your way for easy time of surgery and very quick healing....or i'll send all the hooligans i brought with me to the pub up there to move you on your way! Honestly, i hope all goes well for you and can't wait to hear you're feeling better and recovering at an amazing rate!

He looks just about perfect for my lil girl A man who can fish, what else does she need? And he's adorable!!! Think we should set them up?

Well, they got tired of her there at the hospital...they hit her with the SRS and then kicked her out!!! She's home and feeling better, so i hear. Thanks all for your support, encouragement, and advice...finally a "normal" problem from her! LOL Love and prayers for all,

Lord knows angry is something i know well...i think i have anger issues! Kidding! It all depends on why i'm angry...If it's my daughter acting up, i hate to say, i tend to yell! If it's my husband, i'm a slammer...cabinet doors and drawers mostly. He's gotten really good at putting one specific drawer front back on. If it's at myself, i cry...a friend, i get nasty sarcastic and usually regret it later. One thing i'm NOT good at is keeping it to myself! You know that saying...if momma's not happy, ain't nobody happy? That's life around here

She hadn't been in the hospital in a while, so she decided to go back for a visit on Sunday! Not anything "serious" unless you consider extreme fatigue, the "normal" chemo side effects, and severe pain in feet and lower legs (chemo also) "serious". The doctor told her that not only was she extremely dehydrated, she was not eating NEARLY enough, either. So, he told her she would be keeping them company until HE was satisfied she would be eating and drinking enough at home. So far she's feeling a little better with the bags of fluid they've put in...said the "dizzy" is better, at least. The feet are still hurting her badly, but the dr told her that he'd keep working with her on finding something that didn't make her feel too drugged but would take care of the pain. On a super good note...she got the bite plate, mask, and stealth mri done today for the SRS tomorrow!! Bye-bye last lil tumor and we're praying it'll leave her empty headed!!!! Just a quick update...all is still good, as long as she'll eat more than she wants to!

Can't wait to hear what Mom has to say when i ask her how the baby's doing when i talk to her tomorrow! I LOVED that!!! Good to hear she's taking it all in stride! Attitude is everything. Love and prayers for you and your mom!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I sat and cried as i read this...not only for myself, who posts here, by my dear stepfather (my daddy) and my brother and sister who also care so much! We don't have to be there physically, really, to be a caregiver. I love my mom with everything i am, but "life goes on" resonates in my head. I am still, also, a wife and a mother, and a needed part of our school system...those things don't, and can't change. Thanks again, i needed that!

Jim... Good to see you back!! Glad they all dragged ya back up...we'll do our best to keep ya up here! You always make me smile...your optimism and sheer joy in life give me something to look forward to!