jacobson1972

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am so sorry for your loss.

Jessica...I am so sorry for your loss. You all look so happy in the picture from your wedding. I will say a prayer for you. Please hang in there and take care.

Thank you again...so much for your prayers and kind words. I just can't get over the sense of caring I get from this forum. It is truly a wonderful place, and all of you are wonderful people. God bless!

Thank you for all of your warm replies and prayers. It's nice to hear the comments on the picture. A little history...I am a single mom and my daughter's father is not involved in her life, nor was he involved throughout my pregnancy. My mom was there for me throughout my entire pregnancy. I knew from the very beginning that I wanted her with me when I had her. I don't know what the bigger miricle was...bringing my daughter into the world, or watching my mom while I was bringing my daughter into the world. My mom was so amazed and proud, just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. I remember her amazement when Caroline was crowning, and it dawned on her that all of the "hair" she saw down there was actually her granddaughter's head! LOL It was so funny!! Granted, my daughter had a headful from birth. But to remember her so excited, and going from saying that she didn't think she could watch, to seeing her leave my side to watch this baby come into the world, well, it just makes my heart swell. She was such a wonderful mother to me...even though I let her down so many times. She never gave up on me. I am grateful to be able to carry on her name and spirit in my daughter. Thanks for listening. Although I didn't post much on this board throughout her illness, I came here often just to read. I pray for all of you and your families who are affected by this disease.

I just finished updating my profile. It had been awhile since I posted, and it was hard to update it knowing what the final entry would be. How quickly this changed her life. I can't believe that less than a year ago, she seemed healthy, happy and content. Her final hours were spent with family, and I was by her side when she left. I'm just beside myself and don't know what to do now. We had her funeral on Saturday. Here is a picture of her when she was well and happy...just a little over two years ago, when my daughter was born, her namesake, Caroline. My thoughts and prayers are will all of you. I pray for hope and strength for you and your families.[/img]

Thank you for the replies. In answer to one of the questions, she is feelng sick to her stomach, achy all over and even the smell of food makes her feel like she's going to be sick. As of yet though, she has not thrown up. I spoke with her this evening and she was able to eat some toast, so at least that is something. Thanks again. MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!!! Beth

I was reading more posts, and found a similar post. I have some good ideas from those, but welcome to additional feedback. Beth

My mom had her first round of chemo on 12/20/05. Unfortunately, I do not know what type of chemo it is....my parents have not been very detailed about any of this, so it's hard to get info from them. I was hoping some of you could recommend some side effect relief tips from chemo. She's describing it as flu-like symptoms. She's not able to eat anything either. Also, what are some of the other side effects from chemo that may come? I'm sorry I don't post often. Thank you for your help and support. Happy holidays, Beth

I haven't posted in a few weeks, and unfortunately, there isn't much new to report. My mom was admitted again to the hospital becuase of severe back (previous stress fracture) and leg (nerve) pain. After two weeks, her pain level has just within the past two days been reduced to a 5. They are now talking about back surgery to insert a rod. I'm very unclear on the meds that she's on, or the procedures that they are doing. I do know that they planned on starting Tarveca (sp?) but are holding off until she is 50% mobile. It just seems like my parents have no idea what is going on or what the next plan of action is. I have heard of patient advocates, but am unclear what they do. Any info provided would be very helpful and greatly appreciated. Beth

Sorry for the typo. And you are correct, it has spread to the L1 vertebre area. Beth

Hi, it's Beth again. Have any of you or your loved ones had tremendous leg pain associated with NSMLC? In my mom's case, a tumor on her L1 vertebre was putting pressure on the spine, which caused it to fracture. Since then, the pain caused by this is very bad for her. They are contemplating different pain control options, including an epidural type pain med and a nerve block. They will only begin treatment when the pain is allowing her to be at least 50% mobile. Just trying to gather more info...thanks for any input. Beth

Hello all, I'm new here and recently posted my intro on the intro board. My mom has been diagnosed with NSCLC, squamous cell, stage IV and it has spread to the lymph nodes and lower back/bones. My mom is very interested in clinical trials and will soon be starting the clinical trial for Erlotinib (trade name Tarceva, OSI-744). It's a phase II trial. I was wondering if anyone has been involved in this or has any information on it. Thanks! Beth

Thanks to everyone for the wonderful replies. You don't even know how much better I feel just reading your kind words. My mom's appt went good. My parents are very happy with the oncologist, and truly believe that their initial negative feelings towards here were because she was the messenger. She seems to be very caring and compassionate. For those of you from MI, it's Dr. Tobin from the Breslin Cancer Center. They will do two additional rounds of radiation, and are still trying to get her pain under control. She was admitted again Monday night because of excruciating leg and back pain. She is seeing a pain specialist this morning, and we are thinking they will do a nerve block. My mom is very interested in clinical trials, so she will be entering the clinical trial for the drug ERLOTINIB (other name, TARCEVA, OSI-774). Thanks again for your support. It is very encouraging to read all of the success stories here. Beth

Hello, I'm Beth from MI. My mom was diagnosed 2 weeks ago with non small cell lung cancer, squamous cell, stage 4. It has spread to her bones and lymphnodes. She is 61 and has been told she has 4 months with no treatment, and up to 16 months depending on how well she responds to chemo. She had 8 sessions of radiation to try and shrink the tumor that is pressing on her L1 vertebre, causing a lot of back and leg pain. The back pain has gotten a little better, but the leg pain is unbearable. She is on morphine, but it doesn't seem to help. We feel like her oncologist is dragging her feet. She was in the hosptal for over a week, and her oncologist was not able to schedule her post hospital consultation until over a week later. Her appt is tomorrow. Sorry to ramble so much. I'm glad to have found this site. Beth