Jenny G.

Hi Botley, When I was first diagnosed, I had a CT scan, a brain MRI, and a bone scan. After the chemo and radiation I had another CT which showed a spot that they thought was probably scar tissue, it was then that a PET was done to be sure. Then I had the PCI. Now my doctor has ordered another CT of the chest and lower body, but I got a letter from my insurance co. today that says it was not approved. Probably because I just had the PET in Aug. Not sure where we'll go from here. I have to wonder why they just didn't do the PET in the first place instead of the CT. They probably only follow the CT with a PET if there is a question. The PET shows activity, I think. Oh yeah, also when my doc ordered this last CT he told me that the insurance won't pay all the cost of an MRI for SCLC. hmmm. Jenny

Sam, This just makes my day! I hope they get rid of that fungus fast and you continue to do better. Jenny

Question for Stephanie and Judysdaughter.....Are you both Judy Bs daughters? Trying to keep things straight. Jenny

I noticed too that there seems to be many on here with family members. This could be important research and in 10 years they only have 270+ signed up. Think what this might mean to our children.. Jenny

The National Familial Lung Cancer Registry was established at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in September 1993. The goals of the Registry are: 1) to further our understanding of the causes of lung cancer (beyond smoking), and 2) to serve as an educational resource for persons at risk for lung cancer. Over 270 lung cancer families are registered to date. So far, research with these families includes studies of DNA repair capacity and genetic markers and their relationship to environmental factors. If two or more people in a family have been diagnosed with lung cancer, the family is eligible to be part of the Registry. Family members and patients can refer themselves to the National Familial Lung Cancer Registry, as well as those referred by physicians. Each patient/family referred will be sent a family medical and smoking history questionnaire. In addition we will need to obtain a consent to release medical records on family members with lung cancer. This will allow us to review the medical records and pathology slides of each affected family member to confirm all cases. Family members who have participated in our study have written letters describing how lung cancer has affected their families and the families' experience with our research study. We urge persons from families in which more than one family member has had lung cancer to register their families. http://www.path.jhu.edu/nfltr.html/

Norme, I agree with how confusing this all is and I can't begin to understand all the medical terms. It's hard to get clear answers sometimes. I think I saw someone post about talking to the actual person that read the scans and getting clarification from them in layman's terms. That sounded like a great idea to me. We are paying for their services and yet I've never talked to any of them. Has anyone else done this? Jenny

I have been more hot than cold, but it fluctuates. My hands have been so warm they felt like heaters during the chemo. Now that my hair is gone again and the tempertures are falling, I could really feel the effects last night. The #1 thing you can do is to wear a hat. You lose a lot of body heat through your head, especially with no hair. Try a stocking cap for awhile and see if it helps. My radiologist just reminded me about that. Jenny

I have been more hot than cold, but it fluctuates. My hands have been so warm they felt like heaters during the chemo. Now that my hair is gone again and the tempertures are falling, I could really feel the effects last night. The #1 thing you can do is to wear a hat. You lose a lot of body heat through your head, especially with no hair. Try a stocking cap for awhile and see if it helps. Jenny

Look at the views vs. the replies. I'm sure there are hundreds more that never registered, but you'd think if they bothered to register, they would post. Personally, I've always been a pretty private person and leary of putting myself out there on the internet. I lurked for maybe a month before I got the courage to join in. This just seemed like such a comfortable group and everyone was so nice and now look, picture and all. Never thought I would do that. In any case, I know that all of you (us) talkers are giving much needed support to many who desperately need it and that's what's important. Jenny

Cathy, Thank you for this info. I was able to order a copy of the program by clicking on the TV. Jenny

Norme, I am so sorry to hear this news, but then your follow-up post sounds good. You are such an incredible woman. The support you give on this board is amazing even as you go through your own troubles. I am always impressed and inspired by your replies. I only hope that you can feel the love and support being retuned to you and Buddy. I care about you both. Jenny

It makes me so happy to read this today. Thank you for sharing. I hope the sun continues to shine for a very long time. Jenny

Sam, I am so sorry for what you are going through. Please don't give up. I will be praying for you. Jenny

Hi, I think if you are fired from a job because of performance, behavior, attendance, etc. problems, you do not get unemployment if the company contests it and wins. If you are laid off due to lack of work or fired for unjust reasons then you can collect if you win the hearing. If you decide to apply for disability then you would be saying that you cannot work and this would probably not help your case. Sounds like you definitely need an attorney. Anyway, welcome to the group and I wish you the best of luck. Jenny

Hi Berisa, This is very interesting. I do not have the line, but my son (17) does. I'm sure that no one can resist checking when they read this so we can do our own study here. I have also heard that a crease in your ear lobe is a sign of heart disease I have this crease. Do you think that might come from Chinese medicine too or does everyone get this crease when they get older? Jenny