rvillella

Snowflake; As one of those who helped me through this journey so far, I'm just tickled pink at the results. I'm praying that it continues and each scan is even better than the last. Rock On. Ralph

Snowflake; You have been a beacon for me through alot of my treatments and stuff. Your the stuff hero's are made of. Congrats on the 5 years and here's to many 5's more. Ralph

I was on Alimta for a sshort time. It was to hard on my body and put me in the hospital for a week. Don't let that worry you though my ONC says some people can't handle it. I had less trouble with the carboplatin/taxol cocktail for the first line of treatment and know a few people who couldn't handle that. I hope Alimta works for you. It's supposed to be a good drug. Ralph

Debi I know the feeling. Sometimes I forget that life is for the living and letting things like the c word get me down shouldn't worry me. Some sliding backward is usual. Just like when I quit smoking. Took a while and I still get the urge sometimes but I fight it and win. Ralph

Thanks Rich I love it when the members here remind me to fight and look forward to the future. I don't ask how long I have because I don't care what the medical community thinks and you are a good example of that. Ralph

Don't really think I made a dramatic change. I do know that I now look at life as a gift and the people in it as my angels. I eat what I want. I just don't don't overindulge anymore. Ralph

Michele I was diagnosed with COPD with chronic bronchitis prior to my diagnosis of lung cancer. The one thing I do know is that the COPD in my case makes it a little harder to breath when I exert myself. Look at my profile at the end of the reply and you will see what I have gone through with this. I am now stage 4 because of brain mets and am off all medications as they don't think it will prolong my life any. The people here have lots of experience with the ins and outs so ask away and I will put your dad in my prayers. Ralph

I was in extreme pain because of the same thing. They finally gave me some magic mouthwash which helped me get food down without alot of pain. Before that I lived on soups and milkshakes. I had to stay away from bread because it was to dry. Ralph

Way to go Tom. Keep on fighting. Ralph

While I was on Tarceva the only thing that worked for me was Hydrocortisone. The rash didn't go away until the Tarceva quit working. So the rash is a good sign. It does get better but the end result is tarceva working. Ralph

Hello all; I let it get by me this year. I've survived 2 years with this nasty thing in my body and plan to go many more. I am now on Tarceva and have the rash to prove it. I had a small stroke at the end of August hich messed up my balance and eyesight. It's hard to see the letters on the computer or on paper. I'm getting around it but it is stilll rough. I can't drive anymore so I'm stuck at home. The Onc called in hospice because they are afraid I'll fall or have another stroke and no one will be around for hours. Since my wife works I guess it's a good idea to have someone look in on me. I wish every one well. I'll try to post more often but it is difficult when you have a hard time seeing the letters on the screen. Ralph

And the neweest one of all from the TV. Why are they called cookies. Why aren't they called Bakies instead of cookies? You don't cook them you bake them.

Yeah I was going to put a word up there that might have gotten me a slap on the wrist but right now I just don't care that much. I took the first infusion in the third week of July and now it's time for the next one and I don't even feel ready for the thing. Called and left a message for the doc to call. I'm going to see if they won't put me in the hospital for this next go around. This stuff has really kicked me in the Any of you alimta users with some suggestions let me know before my wife goes through with the threat to shoot me soon, and put me out of her misery. Ralph

My Doctors constantly remind me that I am being treated Pallatively and that they can't cure me. What is funny is my wife and I both know this and the Oncologist that we see now can't really deal with his patients dying. Although they never give me a time frame I am almost 2 full years out from the first round and fought 2 others this year and may have one more to fight. Don't let the numbers fool you. You may get the magic bullet and live to a ripe old age. Ralph

For some reason the doctors from Duke and the VA seem to feel that there is a chance of seizure or eye trouble. Haven't had any of the normal systems but they are still afraid of the medical/legal aspects of me having an accident because of the radiation. Ralph

Amen Ralph

I completed the Whole Brain Radiation last month and had a follow up last Friday, just waiting on the results of the MRI. I asked the Rad Doc how long I would be stuck not able to drive or anything and their answer was not for quite a while. Have any of you out there gone through this? And if so how long were you unable to get behind the wheel? I feel so useless when I can't even take my wife's car to get the oil changed or to have it washed. It's the little things in life that you miss. Ralph

Carol; Two years and many more to go. Congrats! Ralph

Congrats. Always love baby pictures and those two are beautiful. Ralph

I had the same treatments but to a larger area of my chest wall. I had trouble swallowing after the third or fourth week. Got a solution they call magic mouthwash and it helped me eat a little more than I would have without it. I had more trouble with the burn from the radiation. Hope this helps. Ralph

Way to go Mike. Keep it up. Enjoy the summer. Ralph

Welcome to the site. One of the few no one wants to look for but many of us are here. Everyone here is a gold mine of information, support, and just plain friendly. Ralph

Glad you found us. I was diagnosed around the same time. The only difference is that my wife and I stayed married. Good thing too, she would have killed me if I left. May you continue to be free of cancer. Ralph

Welcome and may NED stay with you. Ralph

What's Love got to do with it -- Tina Turner