[Brain Radiation]

thanks for your thoughtful reply. before you know it you'll be moving FASTER AND FASTER, YOU'LL SEE

[Brain Radiation]

Thanks for your response, hopeful, and i hope your treatment hurries ups and finishes with good results do you feel you would be able to work while undergoing this treatment; cause in case i do have to do it i'm trying to figure would i need to take time from work or not. what do you think?

[Brain Radiation]

Thanks Laurie for your fast response to my question. i don't know if this PCI procedure is in my future or not, but i think it's a good idea to know what i could expect. Hoping your mom continues to improve.

[Brain Radiation]

Hi all. Was just wondering about PCI side effects - specifically, does anyone know if you lose your hair when you undergo this procedure. I thought i remembered reading/hearing that you do, but i'm not sure. also, what other side effects can be expected?

[Mom starts chemo/radiation today...]

I'm glad you found this board. These people will rally around you and your mom and are more than happy to help you. Tell your mom that being her age (young 51) and being strong both work very favorably for her. They did for me. I was 48 when i had chemo and radiation, back last April thru June, and just found out Friday that I have a clear CAT scan and no cancer. That will help show mom that things can work out for her as well. Also, there are many anti-nausea meds that work (Zofran and Anzimet) and that the chemo really is medicinal in nature. the sooner you begin, the faster that tumor will disappear. praying for you. praying for us all.

[Finally getting started]

Just received good news on Friday from my dr. my CAT scan looked good with evidence of continued healing and no sign of cancer. he is pleased with my progress, and boy, so am i. never give up hope.

[Hello All]

Hi Carleen, glad you decided to join this forum. Here you will find a great group of positive survivors who are rooting for you and your husband with all their might. When you first heard this diagnosis, you and your husband were devistated and stunned. Now, put that in a box to the side. Take out the next box marked "cure" open it and out will come ALOT of questions, ups and downs, highs and lows and TONS OF HOPE. Many people do succeed in beating this. I agree that reading the stats is not the way to go. They serve no purpose except to depress you. What you need right now is UP THoughts! 1. Your husband is very young which is a very positive thing in fighting this. 2. You can go into battle armed with questions if you write them down ahead of time and go to the appointments prepared. 3. You can be aware that everyone seems to experience side effects differently; some people do extremely well with Chemo and manage well. The anti-nausea drung Zofran worked wonders for me. When I had chemo, it was important to drink alot of water which the nurses monitored all the time. I had radiation as well. My regime was 3 weeks (Mon-Fri) of twice a day radiation which began last April. The second week of April i began the chemo of Cisplatin and Etopisde(?) for three days straight and four rounds, ending in June of 2002. My doctor was treating this very aggressively and apparently it worked. I am currently waiting for results of a CAT scan I had yesterday. I feel good, although I am nervous. I am only 49 and, again the doctors feel my age helped my situation. Please feel free to express your feelings on this board - that's what we are here for. Also, by thinking positvely, that vibe will rub off on your husband and he will be up, too. Please smile for us.

[Revlon update]

Hi to all, thanks for your replies and kind words. It seems most people on the board have ncslc; i guess this is more common than small cell. however, i know i can share my experiences with you anyway. i don't know the in and out of all this stuff, of course, but i do have insight into the emotion involved. also the understanding of the rights of the patient. Fortunately, i have been treated like gold by my doctor. i wish everyone had a doctor like him. One thing I see is to TALK TO THE DOCTOR ABOUT EVERYTHING. One thing my doctor does at every visit is ask me "questions, questions" almost to the point that it makes you crazy. But I know he means well. He wants me to ask! At my last visit I told him I did too much reading and now i know ALOT more than before and that i didn't know how good that really was. However, the cat is out of the bag now. he reassured me that statistics are just that, that they are just numbers and i am me -- not a number. what a good doctor! If you are not comfortable with your doctor, GET ANOTHER QUICKLY. They are there to help you and encourage you. any negativity from them and you should be gone! Your test results should be available to you as soon as possible - no waiting! You are entitled to know as soon as possible. This is your LIFE - NOT AN OIL CHANGE ON YOUR CAR! Be positive and hope for the best. THIS IS A GREAT LIFE. ENJOY IT NOW!

BTW. that's Daggie in my avatar having fun with a baloon.

[Revlon update]

Hi to all. I've been reading this website for quite a long time now. i'm not very computer literate, so up until now i haven't been able to log on. anyway..a short intro.. i was diagnosed with limited sclc in april of 2002. went through cisplatin and etopocid chemo and radiation at the same time finishing up in June of 2002. currently my doctor says i am clinically in remission, i feel well, work full time, and am trying to go on with my life as best i can. life is indeed very different than before. i have read all your stories and cannot begin to tell you how much they have touched me. i cannot express in writing how terrible this cancer is and how devestating it is to us and our families. that is why i was so outraged at Revlon's insensitivity and ignorance. this morning i e-mailed Dr. Max Gomez at WNBC, NY. My dr. is a friend of Dr. Max's and i'm hoping my e-mail to him will get us some positive feedback ($) directed towards this horrible plight that is allowed to continue. I realize that the public in general needs a wake up call; needs to be educated as to just how prevalent a disease this is; that it effects so many smoking and non-smoking people and that it is a killer. Also, they need to get over the notion that we bring this on ourselves. anyway..just thought i'd share that with everyone. Let's hope we get some good feedback.i'll keep you posted. in the meantime, think positively!!!!!!