[Prayers Please]

You guys are the BEST MOST WONDERFUL people I know. I say that truely from my heart. I am BLESSED to have found you all. THank you for your words of encouragement, and you prayers. I think they worked, because she was doing much better after chemo yesterday then last time. I mean ALOT Better.

THey are FINALLY going to spot treat the Met on her head (under the skin, it looks like a giant golf ball on top of her forehead) with radiation. FINALLY!!! We have been waiting for that forever. As of yesterday morning too, her hair is officially falling out by the handfulls, (Hair must have gotten scared of the next treatment too ). I know this sounds bad of me to say, but it seems to me, the last chemo she had, her hair didn't fall out, and she got sick very very little, and the cancer spread. This one, her hair is falling out and she isn't feeling well, maybe its working better this time. (I HOPE SO!!) The Dr. says that chemo kills fast growing cells, and hair is a fast growing cell too, so maybe the first round of chemo didn't do anything, including kill her hair cells? MAKE SENSE? I hope so.

Friends, I feel I can truely call all of you that. THANK YOU! I can't go through this alone anymore, and I am truely glad I found you. My husband is working all the time, and I feel SO ALone, until you guys.

Okay enough stroking, and complaining, (ALL IN ONE< I am truely amazing....)

Hugs to all , and know too, I am praying for each and everyone of you and your families, to my new friends.

Rana

[Prayers Please]

Hi everyone,

I am asking a special prayer for my mom, as she goes through here second Taxotere treatment today. Some of you know that she had a really really rough time with it last time. Last night she couldn't eat or anything, I don't know if it was nerves or what. I am really concerned for her right now. She also had a brain scan done, and I am SO praying theres nothing there.

I know we all are going through this he** ride together, and it helps to talk and vent. I just feel I can't take it anymore. I am the mom of 5 kids and I work fulltime, and I'm trying to help my mom by going over there cleaning her house once a week and grocery shopping, and just making sure she is okay when my dad is at work. (He works the swing shift). My house and family are falling apart. My nerves are shot, and I yell at my family all the time.

WOW!! Listen to me ramble. There really is no reason for me to complain, i am not the one who is sick and going throught this living He**!!! Thank you for listening.

Rana

[More good news....]

Shannon

I look so forward to reading your posts, its so UPLIFTING I know the good news will continue, your in a place where all they want is what is best for the patient, and not the wallet. Keep up the good work.

Rana

[Mike has his epidural pain pump!]

I have been following your story since I have posted to this board. You are giving me such hope for my mom, she is considering going to the CTCA, we have all the information, and now just waiting on what she wants. (She is afraid to leave my dad, and my dad is afraid to be without my mom)..etc...

I am so happy Mike is doing better. Woman you are a ROCK!!!! Keep up the good work, and see that you get rest. We like hearing from you so please please keep us posted, with info about that HOPEFUL place in TULSA!!!

Thank you so much.

Rana

[count is good!!!!]

Ronna,

Isn't it a small world my name is Rana, its pronounced Ronna, though, like Donna with an "R". Anyway, SO SORRY YOU HAVE TO BE HERE, but its a great group, the people here are SO WONDERFUL, I will be praying for you and hope you find success with the new protocol. Lots of new prayers will be said for you now that you have found this board. ITS WONDERFUL.

Rana

[Together or Apart?]

Definately closer together. We all say I love you more than ever, and hug and kiss each other hello and goodbye. Its nice...even my big brother tells me he loves me now, so I guess thats one good thing about this stupid disease. Love is back and no petty bickering.

Rana

[Mom is having a transfusion today]

Well, things can sure happen quickly in the battle against this stupid disease. My mom all of sudden started feeling really tired, and punky, still in great spirits though!!

She went to the Dr. yesterday for her procrit and she had a 7 count on her hemoglobin...(SP?) So, they are giving her a transfusion today, they say it really helps with energy.

Does anyone know why the hemoglobin gets low, is she bleeding somewhere or is it just from Chemo, cancer etc...? I'm so confused. Any response would be greatly appreciated. PRAYERS FOR ALL and lots of new love. Thanks.

Rana

[I got Good news Today]

Dave-

Congrats on the good news. You deserve it. I pray that it continues on.

Rana

[My mom is doing much better]

Well, its been a week and a half since my mom had her Taxotere treatment, and she is much better. She had a really rough week. She is eating, and spirits are so UP!!!!

The met on her head is shrinking and the pain in the shoulder has subsided. I am so thrilled. She will be having another treatment next week though. So we'll have to get ready to ride the roller coaster again. I know she can beat this. Or live many many years with it. I just need to keep her spirits up when she is down.

Thank you all for listening to me. I hope everyone is doing well, and I have been praying for all my new friends.

Rana

[New and not sure what to do]

Brandy-

My mother, also my best friend in the world, was dx with stage 4 NSCLC, 12-02, it had spread to her skin and her kidney...she is doing great right now. Her treatments were a little hard on her. But she made it through. Like the others said, don't go freak yourself out reading statistics, because they are statistics. This forum has helped me, and given me advice to pass on to my mom.

Your emotions are completely normal, I can't even think of my life without my mom. I don't think that is selfish, I think it gives us the drive to help in any way possible. It is possible to live a long while with LC, there are MANY survivors in this forum. Keep talking to them, and writing, because it really does help to get the emotions out of your system. Everybody here will understand what your feeling.

Know that you have many friends now, and a very large prayer group. Keep posting and talking, (IT REALLY HELPS)!!!

Rana

[Update on dad]

Never give up. There is always something to be done. Keep researching. I will be praying for you and your dad.

[Hello all]

Sorry that you have to be here, but these people are a very stong bunch with alot of great insights. They are a great source of encouragement also. I will be praying for you also. God is great and does work miracles. Hang in there.

[Taxotere]

Thank you very much Janine, It helps just to hear some advice or something....this is a rollercoaster ride and I'm not likein it. She drinks TONS and TONS of water, do you think dehydration can still be a factor? She eats pediapops which is supposed to help with that too. She goes to the Dr. for shot of Procrit on Monday, and I'm sure they'll be able to tell if she is dehydrated Right? does blood work show dehydration? Just curious. I just love my mom SOOOOOOO much.

Thanks for the advice

[Taxotere]

The Taxotere is kicking my moms bootie quite a bit. She has 1 treatment for 3 hours every 3 weeks, and it just seems that this is really getting her down. She is too weak to even get up. Does it get any better or worse as you get more treatments. Thanks to you all again for responding to my questions. God Bless us all.

My name is actually Rana, Fresca was my doggies name and I always use her as a handle, I just wanted to identify myself. Thank yoou.

[swallowing problems - anyone got any ideas.]

My mom had that same exact problem, doesn't hurt when you swallow, its down by the stomach, and it radiated to her back, and ached for a while after a swallow. The thing she did, ate small frequently, NO SPICES of any sort, she grinded things up, and then she ate ALOT of Popsicles. It felt good, and after she ate a popsicle, she could get food down. Also, she would take Mylanta right before she ate, and that sometimes coated it so she could eat. Another good thing is the PediaPops, they're frozen Pedialyte pops, they get you electrolytes back on balance, and they give you a little energy, especially when your not able to eat. I hope this helps and I will pray for you.

[HOPE?]

Fresca,

Sorry that you have had to enter this bewildering world of lung cancer. You can expect to feel all emotions in your journey with your mother. We've been there, done that. See Inspiration for some stories of "miracles."

There are some promising trials going on and Iressa has just been OK'd. So, try to keep your emotions up.

Remember: The power of positive thinking can change your world! JudyB

Btw, where in AZ are you?

I am in Mesa, Gilbert...my mom lives in Mesa, I live in Gilbert (only about 7 minutes apart from one another, you know how Maricopa County is.)

[Taxotere]

Thank you all for your experiences, it really helps to know what others are going through. I wish and pray for all of you too. Thank you.

[HOPE?]

Fresca, my wife was diagnosed in October, so she is 7 months out. She is presently undegoing chemo after a radiation/chemo combo earlier. At this point, we are winning. So, yes, there is always hope. Hang in there. You sould like a good support for your mother. Don

Thank you so much. That is very VERY encouraging. I appreciate it.

[Taxotere]

Sorta new to the board, so I hope I am doing this right. Has anyone had Taxotere? This is my moms second round of Chemo. The first round had no results except that her skin met (on her shoulder) dried up and most of it fell off. So, we're optimistic. The only problem is that they found a new met in her kidney. They said it was spreading and now have started her on the taxotere. She was sick last night. Just wanted some info about the Taxotere, I read about it, and it sounds like its pretty strong, I don't want her to have side affects, but if it kicks the crap out of this crud, the better? Am I right? Does anyone know about good nutritional stuff? Something tastey, yet very nutritious for this kind of Cancer? Adenocarcinoma, I hope I am spelling that right. Any information would be GREATLY APPRECIATED. Thank you.

Fresca

[HOPE?]

Thank you!!! You made me cry I've been doing a TON of research for my mom too. She's down emotionally, but physically not doing horrible. Emotionally though shes down. So, I probably will be back tomorrow sharing more. I have do email at work, because I have no computer at home. THanks again.

[HOPE?]

Thank you for your reply. We need all the prayers we can get. I have alot of faith, but sadly I'm ashamed to say...I feel I'm losing it. Has anyone been on the Taxotere? Does it work? My mom shoulder met-fell off...it was under the surface of the skin and her last chemo dried it up to a scab and it fell off???? I hope thats good. My dad says its new tissue underneath. Has anyone hear of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America? Lots of questions, and feeling like running out of time..ya know?I want my mom to go to the Tulsa clinic, as I have heard great results. Thank you for reading all my many questions.

[Father has Stage IV LC]

When my mom started she got really fatigued too. Unfortunately this lasts a while. At least my moms did. The radiation tiredness stops usually about 2 weeks after the END of treatment. (At least that is what i have read.) Good luck. Don't let your mom get to you...she is scared and worried. Keep your patience with her. My father is responding the same way. I just keep making my suggestions, and thats all you can do and PRAY ALOT!

Good luck

I'll send some prayers up for you.

[HOPE?]

I am new to this board. I have been reading for a while. My mom, my best friend, my strength has been diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma Stage IV. I just need some hope. We found out about a new kidney mass, and its all very overwhelming. She is only 54, beautiful, and kind. Can't describe what I feel at the moment, just looking for someone to talk to about it.