Patty

Welcome but sorry there was a need for you to come here. It's such a nasty disease. You will get a lot of support, help, understanding & knowledge from these wonderful people here. Patty

Sending her wishes of peace & comfort, and for her to be able to go home. Patty

Hi Joanie, I've had a lot of experience with depression and anti-depressants, even before this cancer. Anyways, I will vouch for Lexapro also. It has been the only one that I really noticed a difference with, and pretty much right away, too. Probably, you also need to heal up from your last ordeal and not expect a lot out of yourself. Take Care, Patty

Perfectly understandable to me. My Mom's been gone for 40 years and I still get angry, sad, cry etc. You never get "over" it. You will always miss her, but it does get to where it is not such an open wound. It will get better and there is no right or wrong way to grieve, and we can't help what we "feel". And especially now when you have this yearly celebration that you have to go through without her. Yes, perfectly understandable and your feelings are surely validated. Take Care, Patty

So very sorry to hear this news. No shame, except that it had to be this way, but can understand it all and many thoughts and prayers for you all. Patty

Hi Tammy, I agree with everyone else to at least seek another opinion and to let them know about anything else your Dad is taking. I am quite puzzled at how they are treating this. My diagnoses was far worse before I had a PET Scan, which showed much less cancer than the CT Scan did. I didn't see where your Dad had a PET Scan. I do think some other opinions are definetly in order. Good luck and take care, Patty

Heather, Great news, and wish you many many more. Yes-do something to celebrate. Patty

Wow, that is great for you. I really wish I could get some too, from the many people who are gone that I really loved. Patty

Yes, yes, lots of thoughts and prayers for you. Patty

Hi Tami, Just wanted you to know I am sending lots of prayers and thoughts your way. I also have to deal with depression even before my lc. It too is a horrible thing to deal with. I have been off and on anti-depressants since 1989. For the last few years though have stopped fighting it and just let them keep prescribing until I feel better. The problem with alot of anti-depressants is that it takes them so long to start working. So you don't know if they are working or not I guess. Anyways, still don't know what to do about it most of the time, and have been on & am on many drugs, have been to a lot of therapists/psych counselors etc. I hate it and myself alot for being this way, even though, I know I "shouldn't. I get very angry too. I get real tired of trying to fight/deal with everything that life throws at us. I probably didn't help you much, but at least you know that you are not alone. PM me if you'd like to. Take care, Patty

PS: I was told, in my case, that IF it comes back, it would most likely be in the first 18 months. What they are going to tell me after that, I don't know.

Debi, That was wonderful the way you put all that to words. Really makes me feel not so different too and I've decided there is no so called "normal". And I feel so bad for the too many others who are going thru so much more, and guilty for griping at all. I too have survived other major "stuff" before this lc. Anyways, the mouth & tongue stories had me rolling on the floor with laughter (mentally of course, since I'm not physically able to do that right now without hurting myself), especially when the dr said to just stop looking in her mouth and inspecting other tongues. I'm still laughing! How do you make these emoticons work anyways? Thanks again to you Debi and everybody else-Patty

I am glad you are over it, but does any one else wonder how utterly ingnorant for a non-medical person to say such a thing, let alone a "doctor"? I am kinda dwelling on the part where is asked 'how many years....'? Isn't it pretty much well known that it is quite UNKNOWN with ANY cancer the "ifs" and "how longs" etc????? Or am I way off base to think such a thing? Patty

Huge thanks to you all, because this is really helping me to feel a lot better!!! Patty

Oh Geri!! This is waaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy better than just "good" news!!!!!!! I don't drink but I can still do "CHEERS" with you!! Sure gives hope to hear this too! Thanks, Patty

Fay, Thinking about you a lot and wishing you the very best. Patty

All was okay except for the PET Scan showed "something" at surgery site where the mass was removed. Onc doesn't believe it is cancer, either inflammation, scar tissue, etc. but needs to be looked at again in 2-1/2 months. Referred me to a pulmonary dr, maybe he can do something to help with the pain, coughing, shortness of breath or whatever the problem is down in there, I guess. Soooooooo....I'd really like to believe that it's not cancer and that I am going to be cured, but lately the lung cancer survival "statistics" have really gotten me down. They have told me that I have a good chance of being cured, but a big part of me says that I'm not going to be that lucky, so I am going to worry for another 2-1/2 month. My Onc says I probably have over a 50% chance. To me that is the difference between yes & no. A flip of the coin as to whether I am going to live or die! I know, I know, I still have a LOT to be thankful for, and I know it in my head, just need to convince my emotions, heart, nerves, all my aches & pains etc. Any opinions about my PET Scan results or anything else anybody can share with me? Thanks, Patty

luck

Thank you Cindi o'h! My heart really goes out to you, but sounds to me like you have already beaten the odds, given your brother's history. I am so very sorry for you. Thanks again, Patty

I have been "hanging out" here for a few days and find it very comforting yet very sad. I am looking to contact someone who could understand me better. Maybe someone I could vent to, discuss things with, get other opinions about things etc. Someone who has a lot in common with me, although I am probably expecting too much, and consider myself somewhat of a one of kind enigma (ha ha), and I will never find such a person. I have been married for 33 years, have two grown children, a granddaughter, one younger sister, parents gone for a long time and not really very many friends. All family lives in another state about 3 hours away. Along with this lung cancer, I've been menopausal for way too long, have a long history of depression, diagnosed with diabetes II and ADD in 1998. It has been even more downhill ever since we were relocated to IN in 1999. Well, except for the birth of my first grandchild. Is there anyone else who also has been told that they have a good chance of being cured? I know that I have a lot to be thankful about, but I sure am having an awful hard time. When is a good time to chat in the "chat" place? Thanks for any help or understanding and thanks for this website, sure wished I'd found it sooner. Thanks again, Patty