purplelady47

Hey there Cheryl~ I just finished a clinical trial with Taxotere and Talabistat which did nothing to decrease the size of my tumors. In fact, there was progression while I was on this clinical trial. This chemo combo was really rough on me too - it made me terribly tired and unable to do my regular activities. I hope you have an easier time with this than I did. With a gentle hug, Pam in FL

Don ~ You have truly made a difference in my life. Congratulations on 9000 posts and thank you from the bottom of my heart. With a gentle hug, Pam in FL

I just had treatment #5 of 6 of Taxotere. I am experiencing severe right hip and flank pain. I have had this pain prior to beginning my original chemotherapy back in January 06, but it seems to have greatly increased since I started the Taxotere. A bone scan was negative and I just had a MRI of the spine last week to see if there are bone mets. I tried Percoset for this pain and it didn't even touch it. Darvocet is doing much, much better for the pain control. I have not received any Neulasta injections while on Taxotere, so I know that is not why I am experiencing pain. If my MRI is negative, I am just going to hope that the pain decreases after my last Taxotere treatment. A heating pad seems to help relieve some of the pain too. I am sorry Joel is having a difficult time - this Taxotere treatment has not been easy for me either. With a very gentle hug, Pam in FL

Just my favorites - 3 Musketeers and Kit Kat bars!! And all the left-overs are MINE!! Pam in FL

OH WOW!!!!! :::::happy dance::::: Great news!!! Thanks for sharing it with us!! Pam in FL

Speaking from the patient's perspective, I can empathize with the difficulty your Mom is having dealing with her terminal diagnosis. It's a really hard blow to cope with along with feeling crummy from the chemo coupled with the changes in her life. I am one of those "cup is 1/2 full" people and I was able to deal with my original diagnosis without anti-depressants. When my cancer started growing again, I asked for medication to help me deal with my feelings of anger and sadness. I know that the Lexapro has been a HUGE help for me - I knew I couldn't snap our my my bad feelings and attitude. An anti-depressant might also help with the anxiety/panic attacks too. My daughter and son-in-law have moved in with me and we had to set some good rules about what they can and can't do for me. I know that they want to take care of everything for me, but I also know that if I don't have anything to do, I am going to feel useless. So as long as I am physically able to help, I have my list of chores to do as part of the family. Perhaps if you give your Mom some responsibilities (based on her ability) and express how important her assistance and input is, you will motivate her out of her helplessness. Can you print up some of the survivor stories here that can give her some hope? Or get her to the computer on Wednesday evening when we have the Survivor's Chat? Knowing that she is not alone and that there are others living with lung cancer might also be of some help to her. I know you are doing your best as her daughter and caretaker and it's hard to see your Mom so negative. I am really sorry that you have to deal with all this. Consider yourself gently hugged, Pam in FL

Super, super news!!! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!! I will keep sending positive energy to her so that her recovery is uneventful. With a gentle hug, Pam in FL

This is so great Lillian. I am very grateful for your effort!! Pam in FL

I am so very sorry for your loss. With a gentle hug, Pam in FL

I would take my phone....that way I could take pictures and make calls to tell folks about my adventure!! Pam in FL

Lynda, I am so very sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. I hope your memories of the happy times are some comfort to you during this sad time. With a gentle hug, Pam in FL

I prefer extra crispy dark meat. Good luck on the testing - I will be thinking of you and the girls. Major hugs, Pam in FL

John ~ I am so very, very sorry. Wishing you peace and comfort, Pam in FL

We are here for you Tami - feel free to vent, rant or rage with us. That's what friends are for!! Prayers and positive thoughts coming your way. Consider yourself hugged by me, Pam in FL

Avery - such a beautiful name. She's a lucky girl to have you as her great grandpa!! Congratulations!!! With a gentle hug, Pam in FL

This is such wonderful news!!!! :::major happy dance::: Glad to hear that your vacation was wonderful also!!! Pam in FL

Sharing some pictures with all your friends here would be a very, very good thing. Congratulations on your daughter's wedding Joanie. I remember my daughter's wedding - all the beauty, all the emotions and all the love. It was one of the best days of my life too. I am so pleased that you were able to share this wonderful celebration!!!! I will be looking forward to the day that you announce that you will soon be called "Grandma". With a gentle hug, Pam in FL

Stephanie ~ Thank you for sharing all your good news with us!!! :::major happy dance::: I *L*O*V*E* to hear good news!!!! Please tell your Mom that I send her my best wishes also!!! Pam in FL

Sending you lots and lots of positive thoughts today, Bucky!! Pam in FL

Ah Joanie ~ Sending you prayers and warm wishes. Pam in FL

You are so right - we are truly blessed. Thank you for sharing this with us. Utilizing a kleenex, Pam in FL

Hey Randy ~ I am so very grateful for your hard work and support here on this list. Your honesty and dedication really blows me away!!! I haven't made it to the Tuesday night chats lately, but I am going to do my best to be there next week. I've missed hanging out with all of you and "hearing" you yell "DOLLYWOOD!!!" Thank you for all you do and for being YOU. With a gentle hug, Pam in FL

Wow! What great ideas you have received!!! I can't add much, other than to express that sometimes we just don't know. We have all been told that the affects of chemo are cumulative, but since every person is different - different age, different health status, different stage of cancer, it's hard to predict. When I was on my first chemo, I didn't notice a big difference between #1 and #2. But when I had my second chemo, I was knocked on my butt by fatigue after chemo #2. But my red blood cell count was in the basement, so that caused the great fatigue. I was very pleased that my fatigue level was greatly reduced after chemo #3. I try to plan for the worse for the days after chemo. That way if it is not so bad, then I am pleasantly surprised. I had chemo yesterday, so I am feeling pretty spunky today (gotta love those steroids!). But I plan on spending the next 3-5 days on the couch watching videos, reading and doing simple crafts. I am a great believer in Boost milkshakes. I buy the ones with fiber that help offset any potential constipation issues from my medications. I can't drink them straight, but with a couple of scoops of premium ice cream they are pretty good. And I highly recommend Dairy Queen too!!! I will be thinking of your sister and you as you deal with chemo #2. Chemo isn't fun but it is doable when the cancer patient has a great caregiver like you. With a gentle hug, Pam in FL

That's so true - Every time I come here with a problem, question or with just a need to ramble, I always KNOW that the folks here REALLY do care. Since I found this list, I've never felt alone on my cancer journey. If it wasn't for the folks on this list, I would not have asked for an anti-depressant, which has dramatically changed my mental/emotional quality of life. There have been days that I have not been able to post to the list - I've just been overwhelmed with sad news and coping with my own issues. Sometimes I am just overwhelmed by the magnitude of caring, sharing and empathy that I have received and that I see going out to every member. This list has made such a huge difference in my life. Know that we are all here for you, sending you lots of positive energy, strength and courage. With a gentle hug, Pam in FL

Oh Jodi - I am sorry I am so late in responding to your post. Please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your Dad. I am sending you lots of strength and hugs during this difficult time. Pam in FL