Rose1953

Muriel, I loved reading your post!! Thanks Judy, I look at every day as a gift. Sure, some days are not as good as others but all in all I feel as if I can beat the "beast". I just have to super vigilant in observing/checking my body and its responses. For the past 2 1/2 years I've been a hospice volunteer visiting a patient who was given up to 6 months. "My Lady", as I like to call her, is still eating Ben & Jerry's ice cream for lunch and wiggling her big toe to the beat of the music. She turned 81 last July. In my "Living with Cancer" Group we have a member who is 80 years old.....she's had lung cancer twice, breast cancer twice (second time in her scar) and colon cancer. I aim to be like her. Keep your spirits high and your fighting resolve strong. Love and Peace

I am happy to report in as a 5-year survivor of lung cancer (February) and a 3-year survivor of throat cancer (June) Life is good, one day at a time

Congratulations Jamie! You've come a long way

I am a 3-year survivor of NSLC as of Feb 17 and a 10-month survivor of Laryngeal Cancer (last rad June 3, 2007)

Had thoracotomy 2.9 years ago for non-small lung cancer; left upper lobe was removed and I am a survivor. Got last Friday's PET results today - NED Thoracotomy site was painful for a while and I had to learn to take pain meds as needed and not let it get too bad. Took Neurontin to help with neuropathy and also had physical therapy (heat, scar massages etc) to aid healing. Prayers are with you........ Rose

Best of luck Connie! It sounds like you'll be in good hands. You'll be good as new before you know it. Rose

Your feelings are so much like mine and I am waiting for the day that they are not so confusing - like the morning I woke realizing that my lobectomy site wasn't that painful anymore. I applied for Social Security Disability this past March and was denied. My doctors told me to hire an atty and fight it. So I did. But will I live long enough to see the administrative law judge in 2 years?? As part of this I went for psychological help and have a script for Prozac. I hope to better be able to stomach the "my, your throat must be sore to sound like this" or the " oh, but you are looking so good" comments without giving a nasty reply. There are days where it takes my all to just get out of bed and get dressed. Thank God for my husband. I can share most of my feelings with him but, like you, not all....One of us needs to be fearless.... Hang in there, share your fears, we'll listen and respond and validate them. Like John Wayne said: "Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway" Rose

Northern Michigan survivor of nslc for 2.9 years and survivor of laryngeal cancer for 8 months.

I had a feeding tube while getting rad treatments to throat. I opted for the drip all night because when I used the syringe feeding method during the day I wasn't hungry to drink shakes. It worked for me. The procedure is painless and if you tape down the tube it's not too much of a bother. After all, it's only temporary. Do you like chocolate? If so mix chocolate ice cream with a bit of milk and add chocolate protein powder...best shake ever. Good luck with your treatment. Rose

Hi Snowflake: .........and my husband wonders why I don't like pancakes. I do agree with you about self exams, because one month one lump is here and a few days later it's gone etc. However, I think regular exams to detect athlete's foot should be mandatory I will start radiation treatments for esophageal cancer Wednesday and wonder if it's a stray from the lung cancer 2 years ago......they say no, but who knows. So, take care and keep that great attitude of yours going! Rose

Kathy, see if you can find more info at http://cancer-pain.org/ I found it while looking for info for my own mess. Rose

Hallo Kathy: I was in pain after my lobectomy for about 8 months, and then one morning I realized it was much less. I can still feel it at times and think that certain movements might aggrevate the site even now, 2 years later. It does get better though. Rose

THANK YOU all for responding - I am taking Prilosec but have to try another med because even water during the day will make it much worse. I do lay on my left side and it's ok at night. Thank you again......Rose

Hi to all.....Everybody pretty much described how I feel and deal with this beast except.....does anyone have a good remedy for heartburn? I am tired of taking meds for this and that and would like to take care of this annoyance "the old fashioned way", if there is one. Thank you all for your postings. Every one of you has helped me in my recovery Rose

Hi - Sorry you had to find us. John C. Ruckdeschel, M.D., Prof of Oncology & Medicine & Director of H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute at the University of South Florida in Tampa published a booklet that explains LC and Staging/Treatment very well. He has some articles out but try and go to "Treatment of Stage IIIA Non-Small LC"..and just look around. You will have to sign in at some point, so you become a "resident" LOL...Good Luck Rose