Jenny G.

That was my medical oncologist. I was just diagnosed and had all of the treatments still ahead of me and you know lung cancer is an automatic approval and you can't know how you'll tolerate treatment. Anyway, I'm glad I was able to continue working, now that the chemo and chest radiation are behind me, this PCI is easy. The fatigue got awfully bad while having chemo and rad and I had to be hospitalized for a few days due to low white cell count and developed infection. It definitely helps to keep busy if you can find the energy. I think he was trying to prepare me for what might lie ahead. My work took all of my energy and my house just went to shambles.You're lucky to look like Telly Savalas. Me, well my son says I have a bean head and look real crazy. I have about a half inch of hair now and will soon be losing it again. After this, I hope to get a long break. I find your case very interesting, you've definitely beat the odds and you're a great inspiration. Jenny[/code]

duplicate posting, sorry, it must be the steroids!

Hi John, The radiology nurse told me to buy stock in the company that makes Amifostine, maybe I should have listened. Jenny

It is so awful to lose someone you care so much about, someone who is an important part of your life. The people on this board have become like family and that is where you should turn for support and comfort. There are many here who know what you are going through. Where time was once so precious, it now becomes the enemy. Do you have a local, in person, support group you could go to? What helped me the most was to read, understand, and get knowledge. If you could find a good book on dealing with grief, that might be helpful. It helped me to understand the stages and that as unbelievably horrible as it was, it was also a normal healing process and that I could get through it. You wonder how people ever survive such things, but they do and so can you. You are stronger than you think, you just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Our loved ones will always be with us. It's so hard to understand why this should be so painful, this natural part of life, something that will happen to us all. Sorry, I'm really feeling sad about all of this and I feel your pain. I'm glad to see you back and Mainecoon, I've been wondering about you too and am glad to see you posting.

Gina, That is a huge accomplishment! I am so proud of you! Jenny

Wow David! Let me be the first to congratulate you. Glad you're back safe and sound. That was an awesome accomplishment! Jenny

Sue, I can't believe you said that. My son and I went to Applebees for dinner tonight, it's his favorite for the chicken and ribs, but we don't go often. It's just what I needed to lift my spirits a little and best of all, I didn't have to cook. Sorry if I'm getting off topic. Jenny

I know just how you feel. I should be feeling happy now, but instead I feel more depressed than ever. And yes, there are always those who have it so much worse, how dare we feel this way? I'm sure many of us go through this and there doesn't even need to be logic behind it. We can't control our feelings. This disease wears on you, but we can't let it take our spirit. Don and Norme have the right idea and good suggestions. Try to find something to engage your mind and take it in another direction. You probably shouldn't be upping your dosage without checking with doc first. It sounds like you got some undesirable side effects and the medication needs to be kept at a constant level, I think. Get a plan, maybe you could think of a project that would interest you. At one point, I decided to build a deck and that occupied me for some time, planning my little oasis. Never did it, but that doesn't even matter, it gave me something to look forward to. I think we all need that. Hope you feel better soon. Jenny

Hi Lenny, Hope you get to feeling better soon. I'm going through the brain radiaiton now and -WARNING: VOMITING CONVERSATION TO FOLLOW- after my first treatment I had a bad headache that evening and got nausiated and vomited. My stomach felt queasy for several days since, but is now better and I didn't have any other vomiting. I've completed 4 treatments. I'm one of those people like Jerry Seinfeld (haven't vomited in 13 years). I did vomit 2x in one day when I got neutropenic during chemo and chest radiation, but I've been fortunate that it hasn't been a problem for me. I told the technicians on my 2nd visit about my troubles and they didn't think the radiation was the cause. Especially not the nausea and after only 1 treatment. A couple of people at work told me of recent nausea episodes so I thought maybe it was just a bug. Did they actually tell you that head radiation can cause nausea? Wonder why this would be? I was only expecting fatigue as a side effect, if anyone knows of other "physical" side effects, I'd like to hear about it. I know about the cognitive concerns and the hair loss. Anything else I should be expecting? I'm glad they were able to deal with your problem quickly. Work should not be your main concern right now, try to rest and keep your strength up for the battle. I'm so sorry to hear about your chief, that's got to be hard for you. Keep the faith and enjoy those beautiful children every chance you get. I'm praying for you and your family. Jenny (a fellow hoosier, born and raised in Ft. Wayne)

I've been clicking on the "new posts since last visit" button and somehow missed this. On my very first visit to oncologist, he suggested that I go on disability. I decided that just wasn't an option for me. It's a mixed blessing. It may have been a relief to have him tell me I needed to quit, but then when I stay at home I have so much more time to think and get depressed. There have been many days especially lately, when I don't get there at 8:00 and have taken a few days off when I just can't deal with it. I'm fortunate to have leave time saved up and work for understanding people. Also, there is no one to cover my work, and a lot of other issues to consider, mainly financial. In a perfect world, I think I would quit my job, hire a housekeeper and a cook, and spend lots of time at a favorite spa or resort. Wouldn't that be great! I think stress is a big factor in all of this and it's probably best to take it easy and get lots of rest through your treatment if at all possible. My doctor is really good about letting me make my own decisions, for better or worse. Jenny

Dear Joanie, I am so sorry for your loss, this is such sad, terrible news. I hope that you will find the strength to get you through this. I can't begin to imagine the pain you must be feeling. Jenny

Hi Kathi, It sounds like he is getting standard "agressive" treatment. It may be hard on him to get the chemo and radiation at the same time, but this is done routinely. I didn't start radiation until around the the 3rd chemo, but thought that they should have done it sooner. I'm so glad everyone is treating him well, it does help to have friendly caregivers that you like and trust. I hope the chemo has few ill effects on him. Be sure he gets plenty to drink, lots of rest, and keeps his nutrition up. I'm wishing the best for him. Jenny

Yeah Cindy! I'm so happy for you. I've been having headaches too and queasy stomach, but nothing I can blame them on. Thinking there must be a bug going around. Keep up the good work. Jenny [/code]

Yeah Connie! Welcome back, so glad you're home from the hospital and doing better. Norme is right, get some rest and take care. Thinking of you. Jenny

That is excellent news and after only 2 rounds of chemo! Congratulations and I hope things continue to go well. Jenny

Lilllie, I am so sorry for what you are going through. You certainly have your hands full. Have they done radiation on your mom? This can sometimes alleviate the problems that are causing the pain. I hope that you will find the strength to see you through this. Jenny

Hi Renee, Welcome back. Your mom will always be with you. I hope things continue to get easier for you. Jenny

I agree that your doctor is not doing right by you. At the very least he could prescribe something to help your cough even if he doesn't know what is causing it. You should not have to suffer with this, do you have a GP that would write you a prescription now, until you find another oncologist? I hope that you can find relief soon. Jenny

Hi Joe, How is your father feeling? The NSCLC doesn't grow so fast, but I know just how you feel. Even the first scan may not produce the results you will see at the end of the treatments, so there is a lot of waiting involved. Enjoy spending time with your dad, encourage him to rest and eat well and have faith that the treatments are working. Jenny

Welcome Keith, Mine was about the same size but SCLC and they seldom operate for that. The chemo may shrink the tumor enough to make this possible. This is the hardest time, waiting for treatment to begin. Stay away from the statistics and visit here often. There is lots of hope and support available. There are people here that have been though what you are going through and you can learn a lot. Knowledge is power! Jenny

Heather, It sounds like your mom is responding very well to treatment. Natalie is so right about taking time for yourself. Visiting this site can also help. You are definitely not alone. Jenny

Wow! That sounds like fantastic news to me. I'm so happy for you. I'll be curious to hear what they do next, keep us posted. I had to go to Emory for my PET scan, but now we are getting our very own top of the line PET/CT this week. Keep fighting, it seems to be working and the longer we hang in there, the more options we have. Jenny

Fantastic news! Won't it be great to get a break! Hope you can put it out of your mind for awhile. Jenny

Donna, That's a beautiful post. It is everywhere and I feel so fortunate to have found this supportive, comfortable group. Jenny

Katie, Thank you for the feedback. Probably the main difference is that if something is there then they have something to aim at and may do a higher dosage. I hate that your dad still has so many more to go, but it will very likely get rid of it. Add this to the chemo and no wonder he's so weak and tired. I think my treatments will go by quickly and I've already planned to work shortened days to get more rest. Thank God for an understanding boss. Katie, I hope you're getting enough rest too, I know how worried you are. Jenny