joanie55

Cindy, I tip my glass to your "3000". wow Joan

Sending soooo many prayers to you both.

Oh my! You've got to be able to challange this!!

Bobby, My primary cancer is lung. I thought I had pulled my back and went to my doctor. He sent me to a bone doctor who prescribed pain killers after x-raying me and seeing nothing. I couldn't take them as they were way too strong and made me sick so I went to a chiropractor who treated me for about one month. When I did not respond to treatment he suggested an MRI. Totally shocking!!! I never in a million years could believe what he was telling me. They actually thought my primary was going to be breast (probably because I live on L.I. and it is epidemic here). My husband asks my prognosis at every visit to my doctor. Makes me crazy. My doctor has one stage IV patient that's been around going on 7 years. Who knows?? I don't want to hear anyone tell me how long I've got. If they do, I'll prove them wrong. He says I'm not "curable", but hopefully we can contain this for a long time. That's my plan

Hi Bobby, First, please do not read those statistics. I believe what you read is for people that opt for no treatment at all. I was diagnosed stage IV, with mets to bones almost 9 months ago, and besides a few aches here and there, I have to say I feel pretty good. I did not have radiation, but chemo instead and it really did help me. I do take oxycodone twice a day. There's so much they can do today. I plan on being here a long time and its really important to stay positive. My very best wishes to you both and I hope this helped some. Joan

Ditto. I can't wait to hear some good news for them. Hope they are all doing well.

Thanks for sharing this. I personally don't see what the problem is with screening with x-rays, especially with an at-risk candidate. So what if its a false positive. I'd risk a false positive to find a real one. I just don't get it.

Jimben, Don't know about you, but I'm still very young!

Nelson, No suggestions, but lots of good wishes flying over to Manchester. Joan

Just want to add my best wishes to you both.

Ya gotta believe. It never gets to be old hat. I'm scared before, after, during, etc. But, it will be all good!

I'm going to see what channel it's on in NY. Sounds great. Thanks for posting.

Wondering if anyone has experienced joint pain in their hands. I feel it much more during the night and my doctor seems to have no idea what it is. It's the strangest feeling, I wake up and find it hard to close my hands.

I spent about 7-8 hours total a day, every 3 weeks having my chemo. Sometimes I was lucky enough to fall asleep. Other times I had lots of company. The first few times, I met 3 other gals, all just starting out. We'd look forward to meeting every 3 weeks. But, all in all, I found the best was to sleep through as much as I could (and I never nap!!) and go from there, doing whatever you would normally do sitting or laying down. tv, dvd, etc.

Brit, My heart goes out to you. As I think you can see, we're all here for you and will do all we can to make this a little easier, knowing you're not alone. There is so much more that can be done today than ever before .

Hi Debra, Another stage IV here. Hey, I watched that Beatles show too Leslie. Hate to have to meet here, but believe me, I'm glad this is here. Debra, just know that people here do care and are here for you and you can e-mail me any time. Joan

Sorry, Can't pick just one: It's a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street Must have seen each one 100 times

Hi Ellen, Even though they say that chemo is cumulative, my last treatment was by far my easiest! I was so worked up and scared and then nothing happened. You really never know. There were also times that I started to feel a little sick before the chemo which almost sounds like what Hank is going through right now. Best to you both. Joan

Hi Jim, I finished the same cocktail about 2 months ago, including Avastin. I'm actually still on the Avastin. Going through it all, I kept saying "i'll take this, just let me keep going". It really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The avastin is supposed to be really good stuff . I really hope you have an easy time. Joan

I had lots to smile about yesterday. Even though I went to NY to have MRIs done, I saw my daughter who just got engaged. Just looking at her face and listening to her talk about her fiance and upcoming wedding was enough to make me smile wide.

My thoughts and prayers are with you both.

I wish someone had wanted me to go for a spiral CT scan. I would consider yourself so lucky that you can be monitored to this extent. I also know that feeling, but at the end of the day, better safe than sorry. Best of luck and congrats on 4 years!!!!

Hi Leslie, So glad that you're feeling so much better. I think the worst is always the anticipation. Looking forward to your wonderful posts. Continued success in your treatments. Joan

Two times, exactly the same way. sex, water broke, baby born. Good luck!

Hi, Yes, I get that quite often and only since I've been in treatment. I know its from one of my many treatment medications, but not sure which one. Doctor says its not serious unless it doesn't stop. Then I should call him. Thank goodness, I Haven't had that problem. Best to you and Gary.