EastCoastLadi

Nick, I had two drs. tell me and my husband he can't drive. Have I taken away the keys, no.... because I've told him if he does he'll be busted..... But tell your mom, if her dr. doesn't want her to drive, he/she can also be liable and she could get her dr. in big trouble if something happens while she is driving. Have her dr. talk to her, she shouldn't be driving, period! I know she has to hate that loss of freedom and having to depend upon others.....but unfortunately the treatment she is going thru can and does have side effects, not to mention the brain tumors themselves, that can seriously impair her... Grace

...oh look at those cheeks!!!!!!

(((Lori))), We're here for you...... Grace

I don't know any specifics, but you should probably talk to your MIL social worker at the hospital where she is going and see what they can do.... I'm sorry I can't help you out more... Grace

Heather, I'm very sorry about your StepMom. Please read my profile, you will see all my husband has gone thru. I also question, who told her there was absolutely nothing to do??? Even though it has spread, SCLC reacts well to chemo and radiation. And I take it that she hasn't had any of these treatments before. Talk to your dad and Stepmom, and if they haven't already, get another opinion! Have the hosp. where your SM is at and tell them you want one...... Also where ever your SM is going, ask to talk to their Social worker, she needs support - that's their job!!!! SCLC does spread quickly, but with treatment, it can be held in it's place.... Also with your daughter, I know my girls reacted differently, when their grandfather dying of bladder cancer. My youngest who was 7, was afraid to go near or talk to "grampy", it's ok. Sometimes if they're scared, a child may regress, my youngest is going thru some of that now with her daddys' cancer. Just let her be her, she knows you're there w/ her. Also if you can, can you tell me more, where are you located, what dr/hospital told your SM and dad that info. What other tests have been done..... Please also know, this is a wonderful place to go for support and advice and to vent!!! Grace

Steven, I don't know why I haven't caught your story before, but unfortunately I'm not suprised by it, and that is very sad in of itself. My dad had bladder cancer, had his entire bladder removed and was told by the surgeon " he got all the cancer" .......my dad died of extensive bladder cancer Aug. 2005. But Steven, keep on keepin on, you're doing a great service by spreading the word on your situation. Please know that you got alot of supporters here.... Grace

.....that our lives changed forever .....he's still fighting .....all we can do is take one moment at a time I've learned alot these past 365 days, I've seen that sparkle that was in my husbands' eyes slowly fade away....but there's still a little left... We know what will happen sooner or later, my biggest hope is that it will be much, much later ......But - he still fighting Grace

Rana, I'm very sorry about your mom. I know what it is like to see someone you love in agonizing pain. I know that the drs. will be able to control her pain. As far as the cause of this pain, I couldn't tell you if it is chemo related. Everyone is different in their reactions to chemo. But like Tina said, it's best that she get some further tests..MRI, or CT to rule out or see if there is anything going on. I pray that your mom will come thru this ok. Grace

That is wonderful news Tina!!! Grace

Guy, I'm very sorry about your finacee, ex SCLC is such a difficult cancer. As you can see by my husbands' profile, hes' been thru alot. As for topotecan, my husband didn't have any good response to it. That is not to mean that Debbie wouldn't. I have found that everyone is different and responds differently. As far as clinical trials go, in our situation, we haven't exhausted other options. But definitely discuss w/ her dr. I also want to ask are they considerating Whole Brain Radiation ( WBR or PCI ) for preventative measures. SCLC is know to go to the brain, that is what happened in my husbands' case. But his first time w/ radiation he did well. I also see that there are young children, so I know it is so so very difficult, I know Debbie must be exhausted. And probably depressed, including yourself. Please try to take advantage of the social worker at her hosp. to try to help both of you. Please feel free to email/pm me any time...... Grace

Get the best out of life..... After a while You learn the subtle difference between Holding a hand and chaining a soul, And you learn That love doesn't mean leaning and Presents aren't promises. And you begin To accept your defeats with your head up And your eyes open, With the grace of an adult, Not the grief of a child. And you learn To build all your roads on today because Tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans. After a while You learn that even sunshine burns a little if You get too much. To plant your own garden And decorate your own soul, instead of Waiting for someone to bring you flowers. And you learn That you really can endure..., That you really are strong, And you really do have worth. Author Unknown,

We're so fortunate to live in New England, Fall is so beautiful here. One of our favorite things to do this time of year is to go apple picking, some of the farms here have great things for the kids to do, tractor rides, farm animals, ice cream... and of course in a couple of weeks....pumpkin picking!!!! I love going right to the pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkins..... Grace

Gwen, I can so relate to you!!!! I've been having crushing chest and heart pains....of course what am I doing about it....well taking a half of an asprin, also some ativan.....of course, who am I? not a dr. but you like myself are under an incredible amount of stress!!!!! What are we going to do Gwen? ...... I'm so sick and tired of one awful thing after another......and for me it's been a long time...dad death, husbands' cancer ( all the ups and downs) spreading now brain tumors, my sister loses her baby at 7 months of being pregnant...and there is one thing that is the worse is going to a funeral of a baby......now my mom isn't well, she almost colasped 2x at the funeral and she has nodes in her throat...one came back negative...now there another they want to do a needle biopsy on. Never mind the financial strain..... I don't know how to pay the bills....and of course.....our children......God bless you......but then again.....I don't have much faith in God now a days......... I know this isn't a peeing' contest...but I unfortunately know and I hate the fact that I have to live thru all of this too.... I hope you call your dr. and tell her/him what is going on......if you haven't already by now.... stress definitely takes it physical toll....heck I took that real age test yesterday and I know that all this stress puts 10 extra years on me!!!! I can tell you more things, give you advice....my mind is racing........sometimes I just stop in my tracks, take a deep breath....come on the computer......I'm here for you....PM me if you want to..... Grace

Delilah ---- Tom Jones Sandy ---- John Travolta ( from Grease ) Beth ---- Kiss

(((Gwen))), I know it's so difficult....you're a very good daughter.. Grace

Melissa, I know it is a tough balancing act. But don't beat up on yourself. No one can live in a bubble. Heck, you know even with a "little" cold can be such a big thing. I would say you're doing the right thing, we never know when our kids get sick. But make sure your moms' dr. or np or nurses at her hosp. know, even if your dad is hesistant to do so, you could make a phone call to just let them know. Grace

Chrissy, I'm sorry about your mom. Please know this is a wonderful place to come to for support and information... Grace

Kasey, You've been thru alot and have shared much and have helped many in your journey! I'm so glad you got away and had time for YOU!!! Grace

Bobby, First I'm glad you found us!, second I am so sorry you had to find us. As you can see my husband has extensive sclc. I'm not going to sugar coat stuff. He's still with us, but his cancer has spread into his brain again. What I can tell you about the treatment for sclc, is that yes, when treatment works, it works very well! It sounds like from what you say that it probably is dx as extensive if it has spread. Do you know what type of chemo she is having? Because many will be able to tell you their own personal experiences or the experiences of those they love going thru this. One thing I'm sure many will say about chemo, is that each person is different in their response to it. My husband did just fine in his first go around. But know there are many meds that can combat the side effects, such as nausea, diaherra, low blood cell or platlette counts. She may or may not have an appetite, but it is very important that she keep her nutrition up. Drinks like Ensure, Boost, also shakes, and not too spicy or fatty foods are good. Also has she been given the option of PCI ( profilactive cranial irriation) or WBR ( whole brain radiation ), same thing, first term is preventative, second is brain tumors are present. I'm saying this because sclc can spread to the brain ( like my husbands') Probably one of the most important thing is her attitude, so so very important in this fight. Also good support, whether it be the hospital, drs. nurses, social workers, but of course, family and friends. I hope you will let her know about us. If you have any more ?'s don't be shy just ask away! Grace

Eric, I am so sadden by this news. Antoinette was a wonderful person. Please know that my prayers are with you and your family today. Please know if there is anything.... we are here... Grace

Jill, I am very sorry about your mom. I can tell you my husbands' experience w/ radiation and what I have learned. There are different types of radiation given, you definitely may want to research some or ask your moms' dr. Of course the location/s and type of lc your mom has may or may not limit her options. With the "typical" external radiation, the rule of thumb is once your radiate one spot that's it, you really can't go back, unless she is given a small amount of radiation. In terms of rounds/weeks/days, unless she is eligible for treatment such as "cyberknife". Typically it is an every day 5x's week for x number of weeks. I know it can be difficult because of where she lives. Keep on pressing her dr. to get her pain under control. I know that pain management is a trial and error sort of thing. There are other options besides morphine or other medications that can be given w/ morphine. Also is she going to get chemo? can she? and if she is find out as much as you can. What I can tell you is that any treatment is going to take so much out of her. Also radiation and chemo. treatments accumulate, and radiation never forgets, which I take to mean it stays w/ you . Make sure your mom gets as much nutrients as possible, Ensure, Boost are good. also small meals as much as she can. She is going to need as much strenght as she can muster up.... I'm sorry you have to go thru this, I know how extremely difficult it is. But you will find many people here, with alot of info. and experiences... Grace

Ernie, I think you will enjoy this article.... Grace http://cancerguide.org/median_not_msg.html

(((Don))), God bless Lucie. Heaven truly has a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul... Grace

Tracy, I know how difficult it is, you feel like with everything that happens to you, you worry. I definitely would get your throat checked out. Even something like a strep throat or even a cold you should check out. Your immune system has been compromised with your treatment. Grace