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HI Jen, I haven't posted much in the past few months, but I saw your recent question and I wanted to respond. I work for the Dana-Farber here in Boston, and I split my time with research between the Farber and the Brigham and Women's Hospital on the bone marrow transplant floor. Because Dana Farber is an outpatient only facility, they do transplants at the Brigham (all buildings connected by tunnels) The auto bone marrow transplant (BMT) is fairly high risk for people who have blood cancers (lymphoma etc). It is, in most cases, the only way to acheive prolonged remission or cure for these chemo-resistant patients. In the past eight years or so, they have expanded the procedure to include people who have certain solid tumors. The most research in that area is on Breast Cancer. They have, in certain circumstances, achieved cures for women in stage III and IV. Because it works with these patients(sometimes), researchers are looking to see how it works for people with other types of solid tumors. At the Brigham and Dana Farber, there was some protocols years ago that looked at its role with SCLC. The data here was not promising, and they ended up doing more harm than good. In fact, there were four studies that found it too be no more beneficial than agressive chemotherapy. I've looked around a bit for you, and I wanted to let you know that no one here, to my knowledge, is doing bone marrow transplantation for solid tumors. In fact, the've even stopped doing them for breast cancer. However, for a small group of specific people, this does work. Some breast cancer patients, and a small number of SCLC patients have been "cured" There is a researcher at the Roger Williams Cancer Center in Rhode Island that is running a study. I'm wondering who your mom is going to speak to here in Boston. If she does end up coming, please let me know. The oncologists here are amazing, and I work with a good number of them. If they are giving you no hope now, and the BMT is better than nothing than you should consider finding a doctor to agree to do it. As always, one should consider quality of life, because if it would happen to fail ( not saying it definitely will), this procedure is not a nice one. Please feel free to PM me anytime Hope I helped Laura

Hi all, Ginny, thanks so much for being thoughtful and asking Dr.Cohen about my mom. I haven't posted in a while...I guess coming here and writing messages really makes me have to face the fact that I lost my best friend. She died on January 26, 2004 in an inpatient hospice and was 46 years old. The last days of her life were not peaceful or easy. She suffered quite a bit, and lingered. The doctors and nurses were amazed at how she hung on, and they told us that in hours she would be gone. She lived seven days after that prediction. I am not grateful for that time, because she spent it unconcious and having seizures. After all that we have been through dealing with the fact that a 46 year old woman, my mother, would die from lung cancer, we were forced to watch her in agony day and night. Please tell Dr.Cohen that I thank him for his compliment...I hope that he is right. Maybe someday I will do something for the cancer cure. Laura

Hey there sis... I just thought that I would post my formal condolences for your daddy. Of course, you are in my thoughts constantly. Love Laura

Hey Kristy, I actually had costo a few months back..not related to chemo treatments. They took an X-ray to diagnose...Its one of those medical conditions they label only after they rule everything else out and have no other explanation. The cartilage between my rib cage and sternum was painful and actually visibly swollen. It was painful but then just kind of went away on its own. Maybe you could ask for a PET scan to help with peace of mind for possible bone mets? Good luck Laura

Hi Deb, The most horrible part of my mom's battle so far has been from the pain of bone mets. She had radiation back in May, and was on about 100 mg of oxy a day during it. About three weeks after the end of radiation, she was completely off pain meds all together. That lasted about three months. Now the pain is back and she is having more radiation. So, keep the faith. It worked for us, and Zometa was helpful. Stronium 89 is an injection that can cause low blood levels and more systemic side effects than radiation. Its looked at as more of a last ditch option. Good luck...I will be praying for Dad... Love Laura

Ginny, I am so sorry to hear of this setback....You are in my daily prayers... This disease is a true monster.. Remember that Dr.Cohen considers the quality of life of those living with cancer very highly. Take care and keep the faith, Love Laura

Ginny, Prayers going up for you two....Dr.Cohen is on this one!!!! Love Laura

HI Jason, It sounds like you've had quite the ride for a 31 year old so far... My mom had similiar symptoms, and she went misdiagnosed for over a year. I'm not saying that I think you have cancer, but I think you owe it to yourself to leave the area that you've been tested at up until this point, and go to see another doc. A new set of eyes and ears could help your situation. Suggest a PET scan....and keep asking questions until you get satisfactory answers Good Luck Laura

Hi Si, I happen to work in clinical trials in boston, and also have a mom in the same position as your wife. I've also been on the search for trials for her and I found a few things specific to what you were asking. She is not yet enrolled on anything so I dont have much in the way of personal experience, but the GVAX vaccine is a very very promising way to go. I spoke personally with the pharm company who makes it and the early results were amazing. However, they've been on hold from the FDA for a few months because of problems with harvesting the tumor. Before they can manfacture a vaccine, they have to pull part of the tumor out. This is dangerous and caused one death so far, so beware. I know they are making modifications to the procedure to make it more safe.... Good luck with the search, and let me know if i can be of any help in finding something in my area for you Laura

Praying for Ada's family...May they have the memories to sustain them Laura

Kathy, I just wanted to let you know that I am praying for you....try to cherish your time at the beach together and think of the good times. Thinking of you Laura

Great news...tell her that we are all praying for her speedy recovery Laura

Kristy, It looks like we have a lot in common. The picture of me and my mom and dad was taken at my college graduation too...and I often think back to that time when she looked so healthy, and we had no inkling of what was to come in just a few short months. Anyway, It sounds like you are getting some good news...and I will pray that you continue to get more of the same Take care Laura

Hi Lily, First of all, allow me to extend my sympathies for the loss of Johnny. I would also like to apologize for not recognizing that this question was about something in the past I am very very sorry for responding to your post this way. Thank you for sharing Johnny's story. I believe that we all need to have advocates... The medical community cant always save our loved ones, but they can respect the little things, or help make our journey more comfortable. I admire your work...and the process of reflection on your journey with Johnny... Keep up the work, and thank you for your advice. You are in my prayers Laura

Allison. Just saw that you are in Boston...I was wondering where your dad was being treated besides at MSKCC... I work at Dana Farber/Brigham and Women's... Praying for you and your family, Laura

Hi Lilly, I completely agree that he has not had an through work up as to the stage and diagnosis of his NSCLC. A biopsy is the single best diganostic test that doctors can offer...BUT..it is not a replacement for a complete staging. When there is a biopsy done, it only determines if there is cancer present in the body..nothing more... A PET scan is effective, but it is not the end all be all of diagnostic testing. Staging is the most critical part of this...and where they stage him will determine how the rest of his treatment is carried out. It is very very very important that you get a second opinion at this point. You and Johnny deserve answers...and the right to know with 95 percent certainty that this is DEFINITELY NSCLC....and the exact stage it is. Also, has anyone tested him for mesothelioma? The fungus exposure is a big red flag.... Find another cancer center..and take all the films with you..Sometimes a different doc with see things in a new light.. There was a question in my mom's diagnosis..and we took her five hours away to have another work up done. Do what you have to do to get the answers you need. Where do you live? Maybe someone on the boards can recommend a doc to you... Good luck Laura

Joanie, Thank you for that amazing glimpse into the life of your beautiful daughter..She seems like a truly wonderful person Laura

Mainecoon, Absolutely beautiful....

Hi Kris, It sounds like your dad has had quite the fight. After all of the treatments, Its to be expected that your dad is so sick. My mom is Stage IV with squamous cell too...and she just recently finished five chemo treatments. Our onc at Fox Chase in Philly spoke to us just recently about the same issues you have raised. What I got from the conversation was this: There is a standard in the medical community about how much chemo is providing a benefit vs the toll it takes on the quality of life. I'm not sure what the original plan was for your dad...but in my mom's case there never was a "curative" plan for her. The docs were honest and let us know that the medical community does not have a way to completely irridacate the cancer from her body. After five treatments, she has reached her maximum benefit from the chemo. That doesn't mean that anyone is reading the last rights..it just means that the chemo (at this point) will more harm than good. My advice to you is to seek a second opinion concerning the cough...and keep in mind the quality of life of your father first. My mom is 46...and I am 22...and I'm not ready to lose her...but I don't want her to have any treatments to make her more sick for no reason. You are in my prayers Laura

HI Johnny, I am so sorry to hear of all of this... I am praying your family gets the (correct) diagnosis quickly... Keep us updated Laura

Terre, I am so sorry to hear of your loss...May you find peace in the days ahead. Laura

This is great news...WELCOME HOME LUCIE!!!!

Andrea, That was so nice to read. Getting away for awhile to see a music festival under the stars sounds like awesome quality time for you and your family. I am praying for you and your mom. Please keep us updated on the results of the PET scan. Take care Laura

Kristy, Nice to meet you.....I am sorry to hear about your mom's diagnosis but I thought that I might share my story with you (briefly) and offer some advice. My mom (46) was diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC in April. Like you, I had just recently moved from their house in PA to new job (and life) doing cancer research in Boston. When she was diagnosed, I felt like I had been hit with a truck. Im an only child, and my mom is my best friend. We have an amazing relationship, and I always spoke to her on the phone every day- though college and the move here- she was my support system. Anyway, all I could think about was getting back home to be with her. But a few family discussions later, it was decided that I would stay put. She started treatments, and I started visiting every other weekend. My whole world has turned upside down...and I can't focus on much of anything...But...she has tolerated the treatments reasonably well...and I have every reason to believe that she has a lot of time left with us. As far as tips for chemo go, I don't have much more to offer you...but I wanted to let you know that I am here to listen...and I know what your going through... Stay strong... Laura

Kathy, My mom is having the same exact thing happen to her. We spoke to two different onc's and they both said it was because of low platelets...And she was in no immediate danger because of it...although she was going to need a platelet transfusion.... I know the blood can be from other things as well...but this could be the case with Tim as well Take care Laura