natalie

Christina- I am so so sorry to hear your news. Please accept my condolences. My prayers are with you.

Shellie- I would call the doctor and ask him just to reassure yourself. It doesn't sound like something to worry about. It sounds as if he want to make her better. Doctors rarely offer to do anything extra from what I've seen unless it's asked for...so I would take this as a good thing. He wants her to have more energy...that's good! Is she taking supplements? Maybe she's taking too many calcium supplements? I always thought calcium was a good thing, I never knew you could get too much of it. The chemo maybe gave her elevated calcium? Sometimes I think the chemo is worse than the cancer! Shellie, don't worry, this sounds like a positive thing.

Marlon, we are here for you and please vent anytime. I'm 30 and an only child dealing with this and my Dad is not the best caregiver I would want for my mom and I get really frustrated with him. Sometimes I want to scream at him and do, then we get into a fight and the situation gets worse. I understand quite a bit what you are going through...you love your mom tremendously and will do anything for her. Yesterday my mom and I were sitting next to one another outside and she looked at me, called me her baby and ran her fingers through my hair for about 5 minutes. She hasn't done that to me since I was 10 years old and sick with strep throat. At that moment, I wanted to be the child. I wanted to curl up and lay my head on her and call her mommy like I did when I was a kid. I wanted her to take care of me. It hurts so bad. I love her so much. I want to protect her from anyone that is going to bring her down or hurt her. I take my anger out on anyone that doesn't bring out 100% positivity to my mom. Leanne, you had perfect words for Marlon. Marlon, you have answered my posts too with information and I appreciate your support and now I'd like to reciprocate. Please email me anytime.

We should be hearing more about cancer research next week. The 2003 American Association for Cancer Research Seminar is July 11 - 15. Here's the website... http://www.aacr.org/2003AM/2003AM.asp I'm crossing my fingers that there are some new positive developments with LC!!! There's also the 10th Annual World Conference on Lung Cancer Coming up in August www.2003worldlungcancer.org

Thanks!

I forgot to mention. My husband has insurance on his own (his company doesn't provide it and my insurance is way too expensive to add him on). He pays $157.00/month through Blue Cross. Maybe you can look into it for your mom if she wants independance from your step-dad. Also, I know you feel tied to the house, but interest rates are so good now that they might find that they can finance a house at a great rate, spread it out over a longer term and have more money a month. I'm trying my best to find words to relieve you from your stress, I hope it's working!

Marlon- I understand your sense of responsibility for your mom as I'm going through the same feelings of responsibility. I'm trying to maintain my own life though and still take care of my mom. You can do both. I don't agree with everything my Dad is doing and feel he should be doing certain things for my mom, but I can't change him or the situation. I just have to learn how to react to it. My life has changed dramatically, but I'm still trying to go do the things I enjoy doing. Lately, I've been stressed about their finances but then I remind myself that the financial situation is their situation to deal with and I've got to stay out of it for my own sanity. Our parents have lived longer than us and have been through things too. They once lived life without us in it helping them, they were okay then...I have to remind myself that. If I were you, I'd stress over being a little broke and move into my own place...most people in their 20's and straight out of college are in debt..it kind of goes with the nostalgia of being in your 20's and comes with the territory. I'm still paying of student loans but I laugh at how I ate mac and cheese and top ramen for dinner back then. You can have roomates that can help get your mind off of things. Pick a place close to where your mother is so you can visit every day and be involved in her medical life. Marlon, you may miss out on the opportunity of starting your own life and family if you don't move out. 25 is an important age and I'm sure your mom doesn't want you to miss out on certain things. Don't forget to take care of you sometimes.

Don, I'm so sorry to hear about you and Lucy feeling down today. You are always so optomistic and such a comforting person on this website. Hang in there. I will say a special prayer for you tonight.

Hi Everyone- Can anyone recommend a reputable website to buy nutritional supplements on-line?

Hi Carey- I would ask the doctor about IMRT treatment. I read an article about it in the paper a month ago. It is a radiation treatment that can be done multiple times. As I understand it, once there is a whole brain radiation, you can't do radiation again, but with the IMRT, you can radiate over and over again if needed and it seems to protect the healthy brain cells. There is also stereostatic surgery. Also, I think some chemotherapy breaks the blood brain barrier so the brain gets some treatment when the lungs are getting treated. I had one doctor say it did and another that said it didn't...so I can't be too sure. I would also ask them about treating the whole brain. They may opt to treat just that one lesion, but there could small lesions that are there that are too small to show up on the scans, so I would inquire the doctor about treating the whole brain too vs. spot treat. Here's some info on IMRT I found on the web... Now, technology is taking another huge leap forward. This time it is in cancer treatment. Not since the arrival of the powerful linear accelerators in the 1970s has there been such significant advancement in radiation therapy for cancer. lNTENSITY MODULE RADIATION THERAPY (IMPT): IMRT is the most sophisticated form of computer-delivered radiation therapy currently available. This innovative, three-dimensional conformal radiation treatment delivers highly focused radiation with minimal impact to surrounding tissues. Historically, the maximal dose that could be delivered to a tumor site has been restricted by the tolerance of nearby tissues. The precision of IMPT technology allows for more finite definition of the target zone, enabling a higher dose of radiation at the turner site with decreased probability of normal tissue toxicity. The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Is the only facility to provide IMRT in this region and was one of only six clinical sites in the world selected to develop this cutting-edge technology. This newly FDA-cleared technology promises enhanced outcomes and substantial coat savings compared to related technology. The Western Pennsylvania Hospital's Division of Radiation Oncology of the Department of Radiology together with The Western Pennsylvania Hospital's Center for Neuro-Oncology have participated In numerous IMRT studies that have resulted in significant advancements in the treatment of brain tumors. THE IMRT SYSTEM: The IMRT system consists of a computer planning technology that enables clinicians to precisely match a palliative radiation dose to the shape of a tumor target with minimal damage to sensitive structures around it. A rnultileaf intensity modulating collimator enables radiation oncologists to deliver the radiation beam exactly to the tumor sire. In the Division of Radiation Oncology at West Penn Hospital, the Peacock System is used as the IMPT delivery system. HISTORY Of IMRT: The Peacock System is the invention of Mark P. Carol, M.D., an expert in stereotactic neurosurgery and intensity modulated radiation therapy. Dr. Carol holds eight patents in neurosurgery, radiation therapy and cardiology. Although he developed the initial idea for the Peacock System in 1975, computer technology could not meet the needs of the idea at that time. Dr. Carol revisited the idea again in 1991, and in 1992 began working on a prototype. The FDA provided final clearance for the hardware system in 1996. In April 1996 the FDA approved the planning software. HOW IMRT WORKS: Conforma1 treatments are delivered rotationally in contiguous transverse slices. During rotation, the field shape and intensity of the beam are continuously varied. IMPT has the ability to shape the radiation beam to the target and modulate the intensity of radiation across the target. The process for the actual planning lakes several days, yet treatment takes no longer than it does for conventional radiotherapy. For planning, a series of 40 to 80 imaging studies are done on a CT scan. These are input into the Emend planning computer. The computer goes through the anatomy, marking as many targets and sensitive structures as necessary. Traditional forms of conventional radiotherapy require that the operator assign the weight of the beam, identify the target zone and then input the information into a computer system for calculation of the radiation dosages. With IMRT clinicians determine and input the optimal dosage for the tumor site into their system. The software simulates the radiation physics and then establishes the optimal treatment plan, including provision of the treatment parameters. During simulation, the planning computer calculates a series of up to 5,000 separate plans, The system is capable of automatically creating and implementing an optimized treatment plan that can target cancerous tissue in almost any size or shape at almost any anatomical location. It can also concurrently plan for and treat multiple targets with the same dose or can give each target a different dose, if desired. Once the optimal plan is selected the data are transferred onto a floppy disk that is inserted into the IMRT controller on the accelerator and delivers the treatment plan. During treatment, as the IMRT moves around the patient it keeps measuring the angle and adjusts the small vanes that shape the beam. USES OF IMRT: IMRT is particularly valuable for intracranial lesions. Because there is no limit to the size of tumor that can treated, IMRT may be used to treat large malignant tumors. It can also be used to treat multiple tumors, such as metastatic lesions, with a single treatment plan. IMRT is especially valuable for treatment of benign tumors, such as meningiomas end acoustic neuromas when the tumor is adjacent to a functional cranial nerve. Because IMRT conforms a high dose to the tumor and a lower dose to sensitive structures, IMRT therapy may also benefit patients who have already received the maximal allowable dose with conventional radiation therapy. Types Of Tumors Eligible for Treatment: Since 1994, patients have received treatments at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital for tumors of the brain, head and neck. Future applications will include treatment to the lower spine as well. Improvements in clinical conditions have been achieved without side effects that would have been expected with conventional radiation. These potential side effects include a compromise of visual function, mucositis, spinal cord dysfunction, and xerosomia (Dry mouth resulting from damage to the saliva-producing parotid glands). Many of the patients who have been treated had recurrent cancers or inoperable tumors and had already received the maximal amount of radiation deliverable by conventional means The use of IMRT, as delivered by PEACOCK, allows patients to receive additional radiation safely, in some cases prolonging survival and improving the quality of life. Patient Selection Criteria: Any patient with a radiation-sensitive tumor occurring anywhere in the central and peripheral nervous system may be a candidate for IMRT: The patient's age, the type of tumor, and the patient's prior history of radiation, eligibility for surgery, and general medical condition must also be considered Based on these factors, the decision is made on a case-by-case basis as to whether or not IMRT would benefit a patient.

Ditto Marsha!!! i hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

Oh Marsha! I'm so sorry! The last thing I want to do is depress anyone! I tried to put the trial there as a positive thing! I hate reading statistics too and try to avoid knowing them at all costs, but that's the highest statistics I've seen so far in a trial and was happy to hear that its being researched, so I thought it was a good thing! It's in its first phases and that's good news to know that they are having good results! I never meant to depress anyone and therefore put the disclaimer there in the beginning of my post. I think statistics are hogwash too, but they give me an indication of how well a trial might be doing...so that's when I pay attention. Please know that I'm positive and believe they are close to finding a cure. Knowing that you are in remission is wonderful!!! Congratulations! That's better news than this darn trial!

Shellie- I'll be praying for you. Remember, there is always Gamma Knife and IMRT (less invasive procedures)...but your mom won't need that because her scan is going to come in clean! Thinking of you

I thought this sounded promising. Warning, if you don't want to know existing statistics, please do not read this... Program in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women. During 2001, it is estimated that more than 170,000 new cases of lung cancer have been diagnosed. In addition, lung cancer will account for 14 percent of all new cancers. While the one-year survival rate for lung cancer has increased in recent years to about 41 percent, the average five-year survival for all lung cancer combined is only 14 percent (and less than five percent for late-stage). NSCLC accounts for about 80 percent of all lung cancers. Current approaches to treating NSCLC include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. While cisplatin-based chemotherapy may provide short-term relief, this treatment provides only a small survival advantage, according to the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) CancerNet. The NCI also suggests that, due to the lack of satisfactory treatment outcomes for all but a subset of patients, eligible patients should be considered for clinical trials. Clearly, new treatments for this disease are needed. A controlled clinical trial undertaken in Russia indicated a superior survival advantage compared to standard chemotherapy. 63 percent of patients receiving BAM-002 and chemotherapy survived for more than one year, compared to only 17 percent of patients receiving chemotherapy alone. Data from this study indicate that the addition of BAM-002 to standard chemotherapy regimens resulted in increased tolerance of the chemotherapeutic agent. Importantly, patients receiving BAM-002 had a faster time to normalization of immunological and hematological parameters, a key factor in mediating the side effects associated with chemotherapy. This prevents treatment-related complications and allows the patients to receive additional courses of chemotherapy. Enrollment has been completed for a US Phase I/II clinical study in NSCLC.

Hi Jay- I've been reading your posts and I find you to be so courageous and strong. I'm confident that you are going to beat this. My Dad has withdrawn from me and my mom since my mom was diagnosed. He sits outside and thinks a lot. I think our Dad's are just hurting a lot and have their own way of coping. My Dad has an "old school" way of thinking where he thinks he doesn't need a counselor, support group, therapist or anyone to talk to about it. I keep telling him to talk to people who are going through this, but he isn't that way. Jay, I feel so awful for your loss. I can't imagine what you are feeling right now. Please know that you are in an inspiration to me and my prayers are with you. I hope you can find comfort knowing that your mom is looking down on you and giving you the strength you need to beat this disease.

Ada- You are so strong and I'm positive that you'll see results with the new recipe they put together. I'm thinking of you and will have you in my prayers.

Deb- I will place you and your dad in my prayers. Keep positive and hang in there.

Shannon- I am so terribly sorry. You are truly a positive and supportive person. Mike was lucky to have you by his side. Your post was extremely touching and I'm glad to know that he passed peacefully. You are in my thoughts and prayers. You and Mike are an inspiration. You take care of yourself now.

Hi Marlon, I considered putting my mom on my healthcare too, so I had asked my human resource manager a couple of weeks ago. She mentioned that I could have my mom on my insurance plan IF my mom was dependant and living with me. I'm in California so it may differ in your state. I would definitely ask your human resource manager at work or your insurance representative. You might just be able to add her on! I wish you the best of luck!

Shelly- I'm hoping your mom is just having a "down" day. It's such a roller coaster ride of emotions. I agree with everything everyone has posted...such great words of advise and compassion. Hang in there...don't throw in the towel just yet...maybe if it comes to where she doesn't want treatment anymore, you can try the alternative medicine route. There are people who have beat this without the conventional methods.

Carol-my best thoughts and wishes are with you and your family. I am going to say a prayer for you guys right now.

That is great news Linda! We should get the results from my mom's bone scan today. Boy, am I anxious. I hope I will be posting Good News tonight! I know this is short notice everyone, but if you could please say just one quick prayer for my mom, I would appreciate it! Thank you!

Carleen, Jon and Shelly- Thanks for the feedback! Jon, you are the most resourceful person! I admire and respect your dedication to helping us all out! Thank you so much.

Here I am asking about supplements again... Who is taking Noni Juice now and how do you take it? The instructions say to take 2 tablespoons a day, but I read about powering up on Noni Juice where you drink 8 ounces a day for a week??? Can anyone give me info on it? Thank you!!!

Carleen- My thoughts and prayers are with you. Easier said than done...but keep yourself busy for the next six days with gardening, cleaning, whatever works for you. If your husband is feeling up to it, maybe you can get away for a couple of days?