Tom K
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Posts posted by Tom K
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There is not another feeling in the world like you get when you hear results like this. How sweet it is!
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Teri,
Thank you for the update. Please tell Bill I think of him often and I miss his thought provoking posts.
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About 6 weeks after surgery, I was also diagnosed with cancer in the lymph nodes in the center of the chest. I was devastated by this new diagnosis. I was also offered aggressive treatment similar to your MILs and was told it was for curative intent. When my doctor told me it could still be cured, I felt a whole lot better and became an active participant in the fight. The treatments are not easy. The radiation to the center of the chest caused serious esophagusitous and combined with the chemo, it made eating a real chore for many weeks. I was anemic and exhausted. BUT, knowing that I was fighting for my life and that I could realy win this fight made me want to continue with the treatments. In fact I was enthusiastic about going to chemo and radiation. I distinctly remember being very, very disappointed on the one occasion my chemo was canceled (because I was so anemic).
The point of my story is that somebody should ask your MILs oncologist what is the intent of the treatment. I am sure, once she hears they are going for a cure, she will be much more engaged. If her doctor does not indicate they are seeking a cure, get a new doctor.
Please encourage your MIL to come to this site and read the stories of other survivors. I found that reading all the stories of the many real people here that have won the fight was inspirational and immensely encouraging.
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Before you go, please let me add my voice to the chorus of people thanking you for all you have done for us. I pray you have health, peace and good fortune in all your endeavors.
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Hi Carol,
I have been on vacation and I’m catching up on all the posts. Congratulations on the good news. I have had that banana flavored barium drink and it is indeed awful.
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Hi Richard,
Welcome to the group. First off, that whole thing about cancer always returning is a myth (I am banking on it not being true). Surgery gives you the best chance for a permanent cure. Don’t concern yourself with the statistics, most are aged and do not take in account results from newer therapies or they are skewed by other factors. There are lots of people on this site that have been cancer free for many years. You have already received lots of god advice on how to handle the surgery and follow treatment. The only other things I might add is that I found having an epidural for a few days after surgery made it more bearable and I was most comfortable sleeping in a recliner for the first 10 days or so.
As you progress along the journey you may have lots of concerns. Please do not hesitate to ask questions. For me, it helped a lot knowing others in this group had had similar experiences.
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Great news on the report. Now you can put away the Ativan for another 3 months and get back to enjoying life.
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Flo,
PET scans are capable of picking up inflammation, infection or cancer. In my case, a PET lit up an area on my liver. Because a CT and an MRI also showed some unusual tissue in that area of my liver I had to have a biopsy. It turned out to be just inflamed fatty tissue. The PET and MRI were redone 3 months later and the fatty tissue was still there at the same size but it no longer lit up on the PET. We accepted that has validation of the biopsy results. Terry’s doctor probably thinks it was just inflammation on his adrenal gland being picked up with the last PET. But you may want to ask him very specifically if he would consider another PET just to validate it was inflammation.
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I agree with the others. Keep Capullo. You will treasure the companionship as you go through this journey.
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Good job Don. Not just for yourself but for other patients who may some day face a similar situation.
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Hi T-bones,
You will get through this and you are a survivor. I also worked through my treatments. I did it to keep my mind busy and I know it helped me deal with the anxiety because I had less time to think about the situation. My bosses also reduced my responsibilities but I believe they thought they were helping me by reducing stress. And when I think back on it, they were right. That could be what your bosses are doing as well. As long as you have enough work to keep you busy, it might be a good thing to slow it down a little right now and reduce your stress. Your body is going through enough right now. Good luck to you.
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I am so sorry to hear your Mom is having so much difficulty. I second the suggestion that you ask her doctor about a feeding tube. My doctor’s told me the majority of patients who get radiation to the esophagus will need one.
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I was in pretty good shape before my lobectomy and it was about 5 weeks before I was able to go back to work. I stopped the pain meds and started with the long walks about 2 weeks after surgery and I think it helped me recover quicker.
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Don M….A very wise man
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My 33 radition treatments were smack dab in the middle of my chest and I had a lot of pain in my esphogus. Like the others have recommended, she should plan to eat a lot of soft foods and a whole bunch of shakes. I made my shakes with French Vanilla Ice Cream, Chocolate Boost, a large squirt of Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup and a couple of spoonfuls of Carnation Instant Breakfast. That concoction provided about 1600 calories in a 16 oz glass. I lived on these for a couple of weeks and I credit them with helping me avoid a feeding tube.
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I can’t answer your question about high dose chemo, but thank you for the update and let Terry know he has a lot of friends here that are thinking about him.
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xray result
in HOPE
Congratulations Mike! Enjoy your good health.
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Fantastic Voyage...Beneath the Sheets
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Welcome to this site, it is a great source of knowledge and hope. As far as what you are up against; on this site we have several people who have survived, thrived and lived for many years with stage IV LC, and you have every reason to expect your boss will do the same. As far as smoking goes, she should quit immediately, there are studies that indicate people who quit smoking respond better to treatment than those who continue to smoke. Don't be afraid to ask questions, the great thing about this site is the people who are so willing to share their knowledge and experience. You may want to tell your boss about it. I would have been a mental basket case when I was going through treatments if I had not had the hope offered by the members of this site.
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I wish there were words that could take away your sorrow and grief. But it seems only time can do that. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
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I wish the results would have been better for you, but I am sure the doctors will find something that will keep it a bay for a while longer.
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Congratulations. It always brightens my day to read good news stories like yours.
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Barb’s description is perfect. Radiation starts out easy but has the treatments progress you will get more and more tired. Not exhausted, just tired more easily. I had radiation right on my esophagus and that made eating extremely painful, but for most people I am told the only pain is skin burns or irritation
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Hi Kathy,
I enjoyed reading about Joe’s success over cancer but sorry to hear he is still suffering so much pain. Like Carrol and Becky, my pain was easily managed with Alieve just a few weeks after the surgery. Chronic pain can be very depressing; your surgeon or PCP should be able to refer Joe to a pain management specialist. They may be able to offer some non-drug therapies to help alleviate his pain.
Hi Has anyone had good and lasting results
in LC SURVIVORS
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Cancer was found in my lymph nodes after the surgery. So I was treated with concurrent chemo/radiation and then consolidation chemo. I finished all the treatments a year ago and I am still here with NED.
I work with a guy who had a similar situation and his was also LLL. He underwent similar treatments and has been NED for 3.5 years.