Andrea B.

I wondered the same thing you did over and over when my mom was first diagnosed. Generally if the cancer has metastasized it means it is in the lymph node system...which means surgery is not much of a benefit. Also, we were told that by having surgery can delay treatment of chemo and radiation, which is not something we wanted to do. But don't lose hope, there are so many options available now that my mom was told sometimes chemo and radiation can be as successful as surgery. IfI always recommend getting a second opinion!!! Blessings to you, this is a difficult road but there is lots of support here.

Gayle, Call your mom's doctor. My mom's legs and feet swelled (are your mom's tender to the touch??) and it was due to blood clots. You want to catch these early, they are pretty common with lung cancer. Usually they will do an ultrasound to check if there are any present. Hope your mom is feeling better soon. Andrea B.

Dear Shelly, I am so very sorry for the heartache you are enduring. I wish I had the words to make it better for you. It is so hard when we have no control over our loved ones decisions. All we want is for them to stay with us and to love them. But ultimately it is their decision. My heart aches for you and all the you have gone through. I think of you all the time and please know I am here for you. I wish I had the words... Hugs to you.

Dearest Berisa, I am so sorry to hear of the difficulties your father and family are enduring. Please know you are always in my prayers and I am thinking of you. This is a difficult time for everyone and I wish I had the words to make it better for you. My mom was having delusions too, due to her medication. She has been MUCH better over the past few months. Blessings and hugs to you.

Karen, I don't have any experience or answers for you, but want you to know I am thinking of you and holding you in good thoughts. Blessings and hugs to you. Andrea B.

Dear Paddy, I am so sorry to hear about your beloved husband's cancer spreading. We too are in the same unfortunate situation with my mom. My mom tried Taxotere and one of the main side effects for her was tingling in the hands and feet as well as shortness of breath. I pray Taxotere will stop the progession of the disease. Blessings to you and your husband. You will be in my prayers. All my best, Andrea B.

Well, just got back from the latest update on my mom's CT scan. The news was not good. Iressa is not working...numerous more mets to the liver, new met in the right lung and new met in the left lung. We are in the process of looking into the GVAX vaccine, but other options are getting exhausted now. The oncologist said hospice might be our next step. I am sick! Tired of cancer and all the emotional pains. I can't stand what it has done to my loving and beautiful mom. I sat alone with her in the exam room and cried telling her over and over how much I loved her. My mom told me she wished that she would have had more time to spend with me. How can life be so cruel?? Thank you to each and everyone of you for your prayers and kind words. It means more to me than you know. You each remain in my daily thoughts. Love to you. Andrea B.

Carleen, I am glad you were able to quit your job and find a new one. The last thing you need is anymore undue stress. Blessings to you and travel safe.

The last post was from me. Forgot to log in after all the changes to the site!

Dear Linda, See my post under the other forum. You and your beloved dad are in my prayers.

Prayers being said right now!

Dear Linda, You and your beloved dad are always in my prayers and I am sorry for the heartache you are feeling right now. My mom too was so weak in November and December of last year that we had to lift her out of her chair and help her do the daily tasks. She too was on Iressa at the time. Turns out she had a compression fracture in her back and was just deteriorating. A wonderful doctor filled the fracture in her back with "cement" and it went wonderfully. Unfortunately, she had continued to decline due to some other complications...doctors gave up hope on her. But my mom fought back. It has been a fight, but she has regained strength and is getting around again. She is also back on Iressa. I really can't explain exactly how it happened, but I thank God it did. If you would have asked me back in December whether my mom would be alive now I would have told you no. But it proves that you should never give up hope and count each day as a blessing. Hugs to you. Andrea

Dear MO, Prayers headed your way!!!!! Hugs to you, Andrea

Great news, Ginny!!! And you are right, stable is good news!!! I keep Earl in my prayers. Blessings to you both.

Happy Birthday to Lucie!!! Your post brought a much needed smile to my face. It proves that love and determination can keep fighting battles. Have a wonderful time celebrating this weekend! Lucie (and you) is/are an inspiration.

Pier, Great news!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing and your mom will be in my prayers for continued good news.

Hello All, Could you please say a prayer for my mom. She is going in tomorrow for a CT scan (results we won't get until the 16th) to see if Iressa is working for her. Last appointment we found out about the liver mets and I am praying so hard that my mom gets some much needed good news. It would help with her spirits. Thank you and blessings to each of you. Andrea B.

Ry, Glad to hear you are feeling better and were able to enjoy a dinner with your husband regardless. I can only imagine the 5 year old dance. I am hoping your mom will be on the mend soon. Blessings to you.

Dear Bess, I am so sorry to hear about all the problems that have been happening to you. Life seems to throw us so many curves and it is so hard to understand why. I am praying that your new chemo regime kills all the cancer cells and doesn't continue to be so hard on you. I am also praying for your husband and that he has a quick recovery. I am sending hugs to you.

Dear Peg, First, I want to send you a big big hug!!!! I am so very saddened to read this post. But please know I am continuing to pray for you and Bill. Blessings, Andrea B.

Dear Becky, I spoke with the Cancer Care Center in Spokane, WA about getting my mom in for the GVAX trial. They told us that they either have to get a sample from a soft tissue mass in her lymph nodes (but this was ruled out because my mom had it radiated and that can't be done) or they have to be able to pull fluid from the pleural effusion. She told me they have to be able to get 600cc of fluid in order to make the vaccine. My mom first has to check with her oncologist about getting the fluid tested to see if it is malignant. They were informative and helpful. I am praying this will be something for you. Don't give up! Blessings to you.

Prayers being said for Guido! It is amazing how our four legged friends are such a part of the family. One of my beloved dogs passed away not too long ago and it broke my heart. Andrea and Otis

Dear MO, Hope you enjoyed the zoo! Sounds like a truly wonderful outing and something I am sure your family will cherish. Blessings to you.

Dear Denise, I am happy to hear your mom had her spirits lifted. Wishes for a very happy birthday to your mom. You both are always in my prayers. Hugs to you.

Dear Cheryl, I am so sorry to hear about Jack! How very scary. My mom has had 2 stents put in, angioplasties and her aortic valve replaced. All went well with her and I know it will be the same for Jack. Please know you are both in my prayers. Blessings and hugs to you!!!!!