jdjenkins

Beth, We had the same experience with my Dad and Tarceva. We ended up giving the drug to Dad's oncologist. He does research at the UofM and will use it there. So glad to hear Bill is feeling so well. Enjoy each day! Denise

I recently talked with the director of one of the trials. He said that if Dad's brian mets had been treated with radio surgery or surgery he could still qualify. Dad had received too many types of chemo to qualify though so that study was out. I wish you luck. Denise

Oh Cindi I don't know what to say. I'm so sad for you, I wish I could put my arms around you right now. I don't know much about congestive heart failure so I'm praying there are things they can do for you. I guess it is a good sign they sent you home. Please keep us posted and let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Remember I live in Minneapolis area. Love, Denise

Cindy, Please get to the ER asap. Better to check it out. Hope everything goes ok for you. Denise

Dear Beth, I'm so sorry for your loss. They say the Lord doesn't give your more than you can handle, but how much can one family handle. I know you are a strong woman and will help Bill and your boys get through this time. They are so lucky to have you. My Dad's Brother passed away last week from LC. My Dad does not have much physcial strength left, so we set up a private viewing time for him to say goodbye. Just the family was there. It was very emotional for all of us, but I was glad Dad got to say goodbye. He like Bill, told his brother he would be joining him shortly. So very very sad. Dad was totally exhausted the next day. I'm not sure how Bill's physical strength is, but you may want to consider this option if he is too weak to handle the whole funeral. I will be praying for your family. Denise

So happy to hear your good news and that Doc has many more options for Lucy. She is truely amazing. You two make a great pair. Enjoy your Thanksgiving! Denise

I'm so happy everything is stable. Thanks for sharing your good news. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Denise

Dear Pat, Your post reminded me so much of what my Mom is going through right now. She is on the same path as you and Beth. I know how completely overwhelming the fear and sadness can be. I pray that Brian gets some strength back soon. My Dad is in hospice now and actually feels a little stronger since stopping his treatment. He no longer shakes so much and has gained some weight. It sounds like you will be having a treatment break soon, hopefully that will help Brian regain some strength. My heart breaks for you and Brian. Denise

My Uncle passed away yesterday afternoon. He only knew he had lung cancer for 5 days. He was in so much pain, now he is at peace with the Lord. He will be waiting for my Dad when his time comes. This is a very hard week for my Mom and Dad. Please pray for the Lord to give them strength. Denise

My Dad had pleural effusion last summer and had the drainage tube inserted. The surgery went well he spent 3 days in the hospital. We were trained in hospital on how to drain the tube at home. He drained it about once a week. They removed the tube in October he was only getting a small amount of drainage weekly. I hope everything goes well for Ron. Denise

We received very sad news yesterday. My Dad's brother was dx with bone cancer. He has several mets ribs, spine, hip, legs. He is in so much pain he can not even sit up in bed. He is completly bed ridden. They have not been able to find the primary but they are taking a close look at the lung today. Two years ago he had spots on the lung that checked out fine, doctor never followed up on them. My Dad is completely devastated by the news. He has been so down lately and how he gets this news. I feel so bad for my Uncle and cousins. I know what a hard road they have in front of them. There were three boys in my Dad's family and all ended up with cancer. Three for three makes me worried sick about my future. All three of the boys smoked, but quite a very long time ago. I told my husband last night that I want to get a scanner in my house and run through it monthly. He has a family history of cancer also so we are really just trying to live life to the fullest. What else can you do?

Dear Pat, I'm so sorry that you received bad news from the doctor. I so admirer Brian's determination to fight this cancer. It is truely inspiring. I wish so bad that my Dad could talk with Brian about his journey. Dad has never really been in the fight. You are such a wonderful loving couple (like my parents), and my heart aches for you. We certainly know your pain. Praying for a miracle for Brian. Denise

Hi Beth, Thanks for posting an update. I have been thinking about you and Bill. I'm glad hospice is helping you both. My Dad just recently signed up for hospice, we thought we were prepared for this but it was a very sad day for my family. They are very helpful to my Mom and Dad. I too wish my Dad could continue treatment. He is just too weak to do anymore chemo. He is taking medicine to increase his appetite. This seems to be working, he was munching on chocolate bars last night when we brought the kids trick or treating. Maybe you should ask hospice about giving it a try. I will keep your family in my prayers. Denise

Cindi, Praying for good results on your MRI today. Denise

I'm sorry I don't know anything about either of those treatments. I don't think the information the nurse gave you was correct about hospice. You can be in hospice more than 6 months, but to qualify you can not be actively treating your illness. My Dad just signed into hospice. Sounds like your Mom has treatment options available. I prayer that they will help her. I know how hard it is to see your parent suffer and not be able to do anything to help. It really breaks your heart. God bless your family. Denise

Absolutely these brain mets can be treated. My Dad had two sucessfully treated with Cyberknife. I hope your Mom has the same outcome. Denise

This has to be such a difficult time for you. You need someone to help take care of you. Cindi is right about needing your friends right now. Do you have any where your Dad lives? You have suffered the loss of your Mom, have a new baby, and don't have your husband there to take care of you. I know it is hard to see your remaining parent move on. My husbands Mother was seriously dating a man about 4 months after his Dad died of cancer. It was very hard for him to come to terms with her dating. Brought up a lot of guess like, were they really in love, what kind of marriage did they have. She married him about one year later and they have been married for 6 years now. He is a wonderful man and is a great grandfather to our kids. We are lucky to have him in the family. He has actually made life easier for my husband, my husband doesn't have to worry so much about his Mom being lonely or needing help. At first it was very difficult for us to see him having fun with the kids. We wished so that Jeff's Dad would have had more time with our kids. Dani was 2 and I was pregnant with Nick when he died. Time heals those feelings. It must be so painful right now with the loss so fresh to see her with your baby. Maybe a little distance might be good for you to heal and spend time with your friends. Just be honest with your Dad about how hard it is to see him with her and take one day at a time. Denise

I knew the Lord would not let us down. I'm so happy that you both get to attend the wedding. I hope it is a wonderful weekend. Enjoy! Denise

My Dad has developed pain in his lower left abdomen. They are not there all the time but come and go. He woke up last night with them. He says sometimes they feel like cramping, but he is not consitipated. The nurse was there today and said maybe he should cut back on his salt tablets. Did not see anything else wrong. Has anyone got any ideas about what could be causing pain. Mom is very scared. He has been off chemo for 2 months now. He has two lympth nodes by his left kidney that showed up on last PET. Brain mets sucessfully treated. No other mets. He has an appointment with Dr. on Friday, but wondering if we should bring him in before. Thanks for any help. Denise

So very sad to hear of Brian's recent pain. I pray they are able to fix him up quickly so you both can attend the wedding. Remember how we all prayed for Bill to get strong enough for his daughters wedding. The Lord answered us last time and he will this time too. Denise

Sounds like you have an amazing daughter! I have a 6th grade daughter too. She was asked to write her memoirs for communications class. She entitled it "The Day My Heart was Broken". It was about her Grandpa having cancer and all the wonderful memories she has of them together. I had to laugh when I read your comment about doing something right over the last 11 years. I thought the exact same thing. Isn't it nice to have those moments when you realize all that hard work just might pay off in the end. Denise

I know what you mean. There have been many times over the last year that we have been at social events and I thought I just don't have the energy for this. They really don't seem as much fun or as important anymore. Thank goodness I have a great group of friends that understand. Even though my Dad is still with us, I believe I have been grieving him since the day we found out he had cancer. Grieve is so very hard on everyone.

Great news! Thanks for sharing with us all. Enjoy your celebration! Denise

Cindi, Praying everything goes well for you and they find a fix for your SOB. Take care. Denise

Beth, I'm so sorry that you and your family are going through this terrible nightmare. It must be so hard for you to hold it all together Mom, Wife, Caregiver. All the symptoms Bill is experiencing are listed in the hospice book a friend of mine gave me. Please try to encourage him to sign up for hospice. They are a wonderful support for the family and the patient. I also wanted to reccommend the book "Final Gifts". It is by two hospice nurses and is very comforting. I will pray for your family. Denise