missyk
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Posts posted by missyk
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Well, if we're going direct relation it would be my aunt (mom's sister) who's 61 (i think).
If we're going with step's...my step-grandfather who's 92!
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Yes! That's exactly it! It's like the "link" that bound the family was lost. I've not talked to my brother (who lives right here in town, too) or my sister for over a week. I suspect we'll all end up at Ralph's (mom's) for Father's Day because we want HIM to feel special...but then we'll all go our separate ways again.
My sister sent me an email asking for pictures of Mom for a photo album for Ralph. When I responded I signed it "love ya". Her response back to me was signed "thanks". I wanted to call Mom and tell her to tell Becky to pull her head out and quit being a b**ch.
I feel bad, though, that I feel this way when I KNOW how lucky I am to have a wonderful step-father who's been there for us since we were little...but I *DO*.
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Hi and welcome but sorry you've had to find your way here.
As others have said, unfortunately lung cancer is fairly symptomless and most are found "by chance". However, it is NOT a death sentence. There is hope of treatment and good quality of life to go along with it!!
Please, keep us informed about how you and your mom are doing!
Much love and many prayers...
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I was writing about my wonderful step-dad earlier and all the sudden it hit me so hard...we're alone. We kids are.
Both of our biological parents are gone. All of our biological grandparents are dead. We have aunts, uncles and cousins...but we don't know them and they don't live in our area.
I know we have our step-dad and his family...and I'm so thankful for that and love them dearly and have always and will always consider them my family...but...
I don't even know WHY the thought hit me so hard. Maybe it's just something else to focus on other than Mom. I don't know...
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Don's Lucy was the first that came to mind for me, also!! Multiple bone mets and 4 years of quality life!! NOTHING like what "the numbers" say it should be. My mom wasn't supposed to live 6 months because of brain mets. She was a two year survivor! There IS hope and numbers ARE just numbers.
Aggressive treatment! Woohooo! Give it everything you have and I'll say a prayer of thanks that you have doctors who didn't just poo-poo him off but offered aggressive treatment! Pain control should have him feeling better and shed a new light on all of this.
Much love and many prayers...
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Worry is a HUGE part of this journey at the beginning. Cancer is always on your mind, the ever-present companion to everyday life.
It DOES get to be less noticable, though, as time goes on. You'll find times when you've gone a whole day and NOT thought about it!! You'll eventually get to where the good news is just that...good news. There are ups...and, unfortunately, there are downs. But isn't life that way anyway?
Just remember...hope is there for YOU, too. Hope that tomorrow brings a day when the worry for your mom is on the back-burner and you forget for a moment that there IS a "new normal".
Much love and many prayers...
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A good cup of hot tea and my friend here to sit and talk with!
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Karen,
My deepest sympathies are extended to you and your family. I'm so sorry for the loss of your cousin.
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Oh I'm so sorry to hear it wasn't better news from the PET!
Please, as gently as you can, let your Mom know that the new therapies are more gentle than they've ever been and many have few side effects that aren't managable pretty easily. There are many, many people living quality lives with stage IV lung cancer.
We had this same discussion with Mom when she was diagnosed and at first she didn't want to go through the trouble (and yes, the expense) of treatment when she had been told it wouldn't make more than 6 months difference. She lived for a year and a half past that 6 months with a good quality of life and we treasure that time now.
Ultimately, though, it is your mom's decision and I know you'll do a wonderful job of supporting her, whatever she chooses. I know it's hard...we're here for you.
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Fan-freaking-tastic!!!! I'm SO excited for you guys!
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I went to my most recent dr's appointment the end of last week and, of course
had another ultrasound. I'm now in the every-two-week cycle of appointments...early because of previous pregnancy history and my blood pressure. That's the picture down there at the bottom. For those who have trouble seeing anything in them,the head's to the right and he's laying sideways facing toward you.I'm 30 weeks along now and he's measuring almost spot on for my due date. His head's a little bigger, stomach's a little smaller, but it all evens out. He's right around 3lbs and since I've decided to do a regular labor and delivery instead of another c-section, I'm HOPING he doesn't get too big!
When he finally makes his appearance in August (ACK, this being pregnant in the summer thing's for the birds! ) we'll be naming him Xavier Declan. Xavier is a Spanish Saint...Declan is an Irish Saint from around the same time as Patrick (which my brother used for his son).
We're starting to collect all the stuff we're needing for an unexpected addition to the family and getting really excited. Sabrina's having fun playing with him through my tummy and his daddy's even starting to poke at my tummy to get him to move. Overall...we're just really enjoying!!!
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My medical terminology classes lets me know WHAT those words are...but putting them all together is a totally different story. Might I suggest hopping over to Dr. West (at http://www.onctalk.com ) and posting it for him...he'll read it and give you an explaination, I'm sure!
I'm sorry you're having to wait and worry
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Air conditioning takes the humidity out of the air, which is what always made it so hard for Mom to breathe comfortably. She also ran an air purifier since she had central air conditioning.
Best of luck to your mum!!
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*sighs* I watch NASCAR, actually. My dad and I used to talk about the different drivers. I'm lucky in that I have a great relationship with my step-dad and I also spend alot of time with him on Father's Day...so I get a mixed bag on the day. The joy of having my "daddy"...and the sadness of not having my "dad".
Do what you need to, do what feels right...we're here with you.
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I'm so sorry to hear of your cousin's fight.
How incredibly hard that must be for your family.I can tell you from experience that Mom was able to live for almost three months with almost no food...only liquids...but she originally had alot of body fat that her body used up in that time. However, if she's unable to take even liquids by mouth, the body dehydrates much faster and, in general, it's thought to be not much longer than a week.
Sending hugs and prayers to you and yours...
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As Nick brought up...get ahold of the Social Security Administration and get the paperwork going for disability. It takes up to 6 months to start receiving benefits, I believe (someone will come around who knows better than I do) but it'll take some of the strain off knowing it's coming!!
All the other's have had great advice, too! Please take it and remind Mom that right now it's not about the money...it's about the fight. I know that was something my Mom worried about often, too...and we reassured her often that it just didn't matter...SHE mattered.
I had to come back and add...you might also want to have her check with her local department of human services on a "medically needy" service. I'm not sure what it all entails but they should be able to tell her if there's a program available. If she's paying her own insurance and they DO have a program, alot of times it will also pay HER premium, too!!!
Sending many prayers for you all...
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Aaron,
I am glad to see your update! I'll be thinking of you at 2, sending positive thoughts and many prayers that they'll see how you've turned that part of your life into such a positive experience and it's made you who you are today...a well-rounded, thoughtful, considerate, hard-working man. I'm just sure they'll admit you to the bar!!!
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Heidi... I'm so sorry you and your mom will be back in the boxing ring but I can't imagine a better person to be in her corner for the fight! Take your time to have your pity party and I know that when you get to see Mom...you'll be ready and so will she.
Thinking of you, sending love and prayers...
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Mom had HUGE success with the carbo/taxol even at reduced strength after her first two or three rounds!!
Just remember that first-line doesn't always do it, second-line might not, nor third or fourth...but somewhere along the way "THE" combination might be found that does the trick! And we'll keep praying that it's this one, for now!
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Hmmmm...seems to me that Mom did 3 rounds (carbo/taxol) before she started having clotting issues that made the doctors do new scans/xrays for a "check"...but I'm not sure what's common. Mom and her doctor determined together that the chemo regimine was too hard on her blood counts and reduced the amount of chemo she got each time...but it was still very effective for her!
Mom also had difficulties with staying hydrated. She, like me, had to have the water ICE cold and through a straw to tolerate drinking it...and iced tea in a bottle became a constant companion...but we did eventually get ahead of it!!
As far as keeping the weight up...whatever he wants to eat whenever he wants to eat it!!! Milkshakes (the ooh so yummy full fat ones!) Mom couldn't drink (she was lactose intolerant on top of everything else
) but she always said they sounded good. Philly cheese steak sandwhiches, too! -
Yup, makes me cry, too.
Thanks for posting the lyrics, Randy!
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Ralph...
Prayers that the WBR does the trick!!
If the radiation is what's causing you to forget to do something if you don't do it right away...I think I got too close to Mom's or something!
I've been doing that a lot myself, lately. 
had another ultrasound. I'm now in the every-two-week cycle of appointments...early because of previous pregnancy history and my blood pressure. That's the picture down there at the bottom. For those who have trouble seeing anything in them,the head's to the right and he's laying sideways facing toward you.
Surgeon
in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER
Posted
Add me to the list of folks diggin this news big-time! (And if all of US are, I can't imagine how happy your family must be!)
If I ever see a post where surgery is an option...WOW..what GREAT news!
I'm so happy for you guys and wish your mom all the best. It's so nice when you've found a physician that you're comfortable with and you just *know* you're in good hands.