[What can I expect in the Months to come?]

I don't what I can add to what Val said--she put it beautifully. Just know that we all care for you. I'm sorry that your wedding plans may seem clouded by this relevation, but I hope you still enjoy this time, and can enjoy it with your grandmother. If you check out the success stories on the board, you can see that those numbers we are given are just statistics.

I wish I had more to offer you, but know you are among friends here.

Kelly

[Any expertise with throat cancer?]

Karen,

Does your mom still have the use of her vocal cords? Mom is worried about having an electronic voice, though I bet my kids would think it is cool.

Thanks for your help!

Kelly

[Good News for Jeffrey]

Thanks for sharing your great news with us!

Kelly

[Any expertise with throat cancer?]

In May, my mom's pulmonoligist causually mentioned that Mom's bronchoscopy (my medical spelling it horrendous) showed "distals on her vocal cords." Mom asked if this was cancerous, and the Dr. said it was.

Fast forward to July, and Mom asked the rad. onc. about the vocal cords. He had no info in his files, but said that if it was vocal cord cancer, then that is a different beast from the adenocarcinoma that is in her lungs and on her skull.

I checked back with Mom's pul. who said she knows she put it in mom's file to her onc., but can't remember if she mentioned it specifically to him. She assumed that since Mom was getting Chemo (just Tarceva) and radiation (just on her skull) it would take care of it. She spoke with the onc., and they want mom to see an ENT.

Now mom's very upset about this 'new' development, and we are dancing with the insurance companies on who we can go to on it. She sees an ENT on 8/9 for more scoping.

Does anyone else have experience with vocal cord cancer? We feel so lost.

Thanks!

Kelly

[Radioligist Oncologist visit]

Hopefully that is one less thing for you to worry about. Thanks for keeping us posted!

Kelly

[Newcomer Introduction]

Hey Raffielle!

Welcome...you've found a very supportive community here. I'm new too, but I've drawn a lot of strength from the folks here already.

I can imagine what a shock the diagnosis was for you. You sound like a very strong person who wants to take care of herself, not burden others, or be an object of pity. My mom is a very similiar person. You may be surprised by the reaction of those around you when you are ready to tell them. They might go through the same initial shock, but I hope you can find support there as well. It was so hard for my mom to ask for help, but once she did our community here responded for her. She now has plenty of rides to radiation and the myriad of doctor appointments she seems to accumulate. Plus, I'm less stressed now that she has other people she can rely on as well if I'm not readily available.

Take care of yourself!

Kelly

[Hi all]

I'm new here, too, but I've found it to be a great place to find support and answers. Keep us posted on your and your mom's journey

Kelly

[Need to know more about Tarceva and Avastin]

Sounds like quite a journey for you.

My mom is on Tarceva only (since March), and it has been great for her. Her face broke out quite a bit at first, but even that isn't a problem for her anymore. She did have bowel problems as well, and she ended up dehydrated (she also has an illeostomy, so she dehydrates easily) and hospitalized. She hasn't had another occurrance since then, so we aren't sure if it was a bug or the Tarceva that caused her problems. At that time she went back on it every-other day, but is now back on it daily, with no further problems (fingers crossed).

We are thrilled with it, because she can just take it at home, and her tumors have not increased in size since she has been on it. I know everyone responds differently, but so far so good on Tarceva for us.

Best wishes to you!

Kelly

[my friend has lung cancer]

I'm so sorry about your friend, but she is lucky to have such a wonderful,caring person in her life. I know that when I get down about my Mom's cancer, my best friend pulls me through. What I need from her the most at those times is her understanding, but most of all the ability to talk about normal, non-cancer things. She helps me laugh...even if it is just re-telling some lame story from high school that we both were there for.

Just this weekend she came over and helped me paint my room. It was a great break from all the other stress in my life, and my room looks great! We also stayed up late watching goofy movies. What a normal weekend.

BTW, at this point my mom's only treatment option is Tarceva. For us it has been a godsend. She has had almost no side effects from it, and none of her tumors have grown since she has been on it. Everyone reacts differently, but we are thrilled with it.

Good Luck!

Kelly

[Help with my Mom]

Hello all! I've been dealing with my Mom's lung cancer since February. My family is very supportive, but I was looking for an empathetic ear. Mom has battled health issue all my life (fall outs from 30 years of Chrohn's disease) but this one has her scared. The recent diagnosis of vocal cord cancer (follow ups with specialists this week) really has thrown her. In all other times of crisis, her positive atttitude has pulled her through, but she's having trouble maintaining it.

My father died when I was young, so it's always been my brothers, my mom, and I against such things. We are trying to help her with the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of this journey, but it gets tough sometimes for us as well. As I'm sure you understand, in addition to being a daughter, I'm also a wife, a mother of 2 young children, and a teacher. Thanks for having a great board here!

Kelly