Karen_L

@LouT  I’m so glad you got to see that beautiful city and the whole area. Nice way to celebrate being alive, eh? 

I've been away from the forums since March, when my 91 year-old mom tested positive for Covid. Her care during the acute illness and her recovery became my focus until the end of May, when my husband and I began three weeks of travel: NYC, then 2 weeks bicycling along the Danube with extra days in Prague and Budapest. It was an extraordinary experience, even in the moment when lung cancer crashed the party. No, nothing bad, just one of the occasional spasms of grief that seem to be part of my experience. (I wrote about it here.) 
Toward the end of the trip, one of our group came down with a cold. The day after we landed at our airport, I had chills and a runny nose. The day after that, I had a positive Covid test. It was mild-- the doctor remarked that I didn't even seem sick. I had a small fever for five days, isolated from the rest of the household, and have emerged with a small cough. Thank goodness for vaccinations. 
I also had my quarterly scans last week. Everything is stable!  🎉  Now it's back to living life which, once this cough is quiet, will involve a lot of bicycling. 
It's nice to be back! 

@Livin Life Thanks so much. Yes, Mom is better. It was a long haul, but she’s back walking and building endurance. Hope all is well with you, too.  

@Sue BB I don’t know many folks with the KRAS mutation. I know there’s a Facebook group for it, but that’s about all I know.  Brain mets are scary; it sounds like Mayo was aggressive in addressing them. I’ve only had one and gamma knife was a miracle. I, too, started a targeted therapy afterwards and it’s kept me stable for more than a year. I’m very grateful, and so glad you are doing better. I hope you are better able to tolerate the treatment as time passes. 

@TJM I'm catching up on all the posts I seem to have missed. I’m so glad to have read this— you have an amazing story to tell, and it’s inspiring. It brings to mind LouT’s comment that we need to decide to live, which you certainly did! I so understand your comment about the divisiveness in Europe. My recent experiences in Budapest & Prague have me diving deep into post-WW2 history. It’s mind boggling. I hope you are continuing to adventure!

I've been away from the forums since March, when my 91 year-old mom tested positive for Covid. Her care during the acute illness and her recovery became my focus until the end of May, when my husband and I began three weeks of travel: NYC, then 2 weeks bicycling along the Danube with extra days in Prague and Budapest. It was an extraordinary experience, even in the moment when lung cancer crashed the party. No, nothing bad, just one of the occasional spasms of grief that seem to be part of my experience. (I wrote about it here.) 
Toward the end of the trip, one of our group came down with a cold. The day after we landed at our airport, I had chills and a runny nose. The day after that, I had a positive Covid test. It was mild-- the doctor remarked that I didn't even seem sick. I had a small fever for five days, isolated from the rest of the household, and have emerged with a small cough. Thank goodness for vaccinations. 
I also had my quarterly scans last week. Everything is stable!  🎉  Now it's back to living life which, once this cough is quiet, will involve a lot of bicycling. 
It's nice to be back! 

I've been away from the forums since March, when my 91 year-old mom tested positive for Covid. Her care during the acute illness and her recovery became my focus until the end of May, when my husband and I began three weeks of travel: NYC, then 2 weeks bicycling along the Danube with extra days in Prague and Budapest. It was an extraordinary experience, even in the moment when lung cancer crashed the party. No, nothing bad, just one of the occasional spasms of grief that seem to be part of my experience. (I wrote about it here.) 
Toward the end of the trip, one of our group came down with a cold. The day after we landed at our airport, I had chills and a runny nose. The day after that, I had a positive Covid test. It was mild-- the doctor remarked that I didn't even seem sick. I had a small fever for five days, isolated from the rest of the household, and have emerged with a small cough. Thank goodness for vaccinations. 
I also had my quarterly scans last week. Everything is stable!  🎉  Now it's back to living life which, once this cough is quiet, will involve a lot of bicycling. 
It's nice to be back! 

I've been away from the forums since March, when my 91 year-old mom tested positive for Covid. Her care during the acute illness and her recovery became my focus until the end of May, when my husband and I began three weeks of travel: NYC, then 2 weeks bicycling along the Danube with extra days in Prague and Budapest. It was an extraordinary experience, even in the moment when lung cancer crashed the party. No, nothing bad, just one of the occasional spasms of grief that seem to be part of my experience. (I wrote about it here.) 
Toward the end of the trip, one of our group came down with a cold. The day after we landed at our airport, I had chills and a runny nose. The day after that, I had a positive Covid test. It was mild-- the doctor remarked that I didn't even seem sick. I had a small fever for five days, isolated from the rest of the household, and have emerged with a small cough. Thank goodness for vaccinations. 
I also had my quarterly scans last week. Everything is stable!  🎉  Now it's back to living life which, once this cough is quiet, will involve a lot of bicycling. 
It's nice to be back! 

Sue,
This is hard news. I'm so sorry you are dealing with it. Lung cancer does seem to like the brain. About a year after my initial diagnosis, a lesion was found on my brain. Because my fist line of treatment included radiation, I had a radiation oncologist on my team already, and the tumor board at my cancer center recommended gamma knife (similar to cyber knife) treatment. Despite the name, no knives are involved! It's a very precise, targeted form of radiation to the specific tumor sites. There are usually not big side effects-- I had none. (My brother-in-law did a 30 mile bike ride the day after his...which is more than I would attempt.) 
I was also started on Tagrisso, a therapy that targets EGFR-mutated cancer that's gone to the brain. 
It's a scary time but take it one step, one breath at a time. Please keep us posted.
K
 
 

I've been away from the forums since March, when my 91 year-old mom tested positive for Covid. Her care during the acute illness and her recovery became my focus until the end of May, when my husband and I began three weeks of travel: NYC, then 2 weeks bicycling along the Danube with extra days in Prague and Budapest. It was an extraordinary experience, even in the moment when lung cancer crashed the party. No, nothing bad, just one of the occasional spasms of grief that seem to be part of my experience. (I wrote about it here.) 
Toward the end of the trip, one of our group came down with a cold. The day after we landed at our airport, I had chills and a runny nose. The day after that, I had a positive Covid test. It was mild-- the doctor remarked that I didn't even seem sick. I had a small fever for five days, isolated from the rest of the household, and have emerged with a small cough. Thank goodness for vaccinations. 
I also had my quarterly scans last week. Everything is stable!  🎉  Now it's back to living life which, once this cough is quiet, will involve a lot of bicycling. 
It's nice to be back! 

Thinking of you, @LilyMir. Hang in.

Thinking of you, @LilyMir. Hang in.

@Blossomsmom For what it's worth, a friend once consoled me through a huge no-sleep period with, "Nobody ever died from lack of sleep." I'm not sure it's true, but it somehow made it easier. Rather than lie there, perhaps you'd consider getting up for warm milk with a little honey and cinnamon. It might not ease you into sleep, but it will be a kindness you might enjoy. Plus, neighborhoods can be so interesting at 3 a.m..... Ask me how I know. You can do this; you will do this, and you will be OK. Sending peace. 

@Blossomsmom For what it's worth, a friend once consoled me through a huge no-sleep period with, "Nobody ever died from lack of sleep." I'm not sure it's true, but it somehow made it easier. Rather than lie there, perhaps you'd consider getting up for warm milk with a little honey and cinnamon. It might not ease you into sleep, but it will be a kindness you might enjoy. Plus, neighborhoods can be so interesting at 3 a.m..... Ask me how I know. You can do this; you will do this, and you will be OK. Sending peace. 

@Scruboak  Four years or five, a clear scan is a clear scan and worthy of a deep breath of thank goodness and a barrel-full of WHOOPEE!

I've been away from the discussion and this may have resolved itself, but, frankly, I think your situation is completely unacceptable. I would strongly suggest you get yourself to a facility specializing in lung cancer.
I see you're in Maryland-- you have to be near a reputable cancer center specializing in lung cancer. Yes, I'm emphasizing a place with a specialty in lung cancer. That's because our cancer field is exploding with new research and a generalist cannot stay on top of the new developments.
All you need is a starting place. It's kind of like being a detective and may take a little effort on your part. I don't have any comments pro or con the following places, but they may be good first steps. 
Potential resources: two NCI-designated cancer centers in MD. You can find them here:https://www.cancer.gov/research/infrastructure/cancer-centers/find
I also found a lung nodule clinic affiliated with U of MD, which may be worth checking out. https://www.umms.org/uch/health-services/cancer/cancer-services-and-treatment/lung
Keep at this. Keep us posted!
 
 

@Scruboak  Four years or five, a clear scan is a clear scan and worthy of a deep breath of thank goodness and a barrel-full of WHOOPEE!

I've been away from the discussion and this may have resolved itself, but, frankly, I think your situation is completely unacceptable. I would strongly suggest you get yourself to a facility specializing in lung cancer.
I see you're in Maryland-- you have to be near a reputable cancer center specializing in lung cancer. Yes, I'm emphasizing a place with a specialty in lung cancer. That's because our cancer field is exploding with new research and a generalist cannot stay on top of the new developments.
All you need is a starting place. It's kind of like being a detective and may take a little effort on your part. I don't have any comments pro or con the following places, but they may be good first steps. 
Potential resources: two NCI-designated cancer centers in MD. You can find them here:https://www.cancer.gov/research/infrastructure/cancer-centers/find
I also found a lung nodule clinic affiliated with U of MD, which may be worth checking out. https://www.umms.org/uch/health-services/cancer/cancer-services-and-treatment/lung
Keep at this. Keep us posted!
 
 

What a lovely surprise. I vote for going out to dinner to celebrate!

I, too, had a PE and then mysterious swelling of both calves way later, for no apparent reason. The oncologist on call was baffled. I, too, went to the ER, had a vascular sonogram, was forgotten in my little room and had to seek discharge.... 🤪 I don't even remember what was decided or what I did. I don't have it now.
Still, one foot still swollen would concern me. Have they suggested compression socks? Don't be a "good patient" and sit in silence. This demands an answer and a concrete response.  

@Blossomsmom For what it's worth, a friend once consoled me through a huge no-sleep period with, "Nobody ever died from lack of sleep." I'm not sure it's true, but it somehow made it easier. Rather than lie there, perhaps you'd consider getting up for warm milk with a little honey and cinnamon. It might not ease you into sleep, but it will be a kindness you might enjoy. Plus, neighborhoods can be so interesting at 3 a.m..... Ask me how I know. You can do this; you will do this, and you will be OK. Sending peace. 

@Scruboak  Four years or five, a clear scan is a clear scan and worthy of a deep breath of thank goodness and a barrel-full of WHOOPEE!

What a lovely surprise. I vote for going out to dinner to celebrate!

I came across a column a few days ago from a self-proscribed hypochondriac. Turns out it was someone with a history of hodgkin’s. I was thinking that it really is a side-effects of cancer recovery. Even if all goes to plan, you will always be extra wary of any physical symptoms. I get a bit worried if I have the tiniest cough. Just spoke to someone who is convinced her dodgy hip is bone metastasis, rather than the logical conclusion that carrying around her toddler grandkids might be to blame. But better safe than sorry - so good to get it checked. And when that is done, celebrate your clear scan again!

@Blossomsmom May 6th probably can't come soon enough. I'll be thinking of you as the date approaches.