EastCoastLadi

Don, I am just reading this, I too can not believe this is happening to Lucie! Please, please know that my prayers go out to Lucie and you and your children. Grace

Terrye, I remember after my husbands' first day of chemo, which btw is the same as what your mom is taking. I was so petrified that he was going to get violently ill. So that night, I watched him like a hawk, knowing he would have to go thru 2 more days that week of chemo. Guess what, it wasn't as horrible as I had expected. Yes, he had the diarrhea, and had to drink and drink to flush the chemo out, but no throwing up, no aches, pains. I'm not going to say it got easier, but he took it all in stride. The cumulative effects that what got him, but he did it! Your mom will too. Make sure she tries to eat, have some Ensure, and I know the nurses gave you a list of things to look out for. But I know she will do just fine..... Grace

Charlie D, I'm sending my prayers your way..... Grace

(((Lori))), Prayers of peace to your mom. We are here for you. Grace

Shirley, I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to write to you sooner, my husband is having some serious problems of his own. You know I'm sending prayers your way for your dad to get better. It's unfortunate that he isn't responding to the antibiotics, like Sharon said about antibiotic resistant germs like MRSA, they can be real pains in the u - know - what. My dad had MRSA and when he came home, you have to be in as sterile as an environment as possible. What is your dads' onc. saying? or it this being dealt w/ by his pcp? I know you're worried about this doing him in, but I'm very hopeful that the drs. will get this under control. I think the fact that with cancer, just makes it a more difficult situation to handle. I'm here if you need to PM me. Please take care of yourself..... Grace.... btw- which hospital is he in? I only ask because you know because of my brother.....

Don, My prayers go out to Lucie, for a very speedy recovery.... Grace

(((Kelli))) My condolences and prayers go out to you and your family at this difficult time. Your mom may she rest in peace. Grace

Sharon, I am so appalled at your employer!!! and how hyprocritical, with them being a hospital!!!!! Some pieces of advice I would give, and I don't know if this would help or not. Is your position a union position? because if it is talk to your union rep. If it isn't, hey consult w/ a attorney that deal w/ medical disabilities. Because I agree with you, you are covered with the AWDA. I totally understand, we are in a somewhat similar boat, but just slightly, but not much better off, my husband works for a medical school and it's either come back to work 40hrs (which is impossible) or don't at all. The one saving grace for us, is that he did pay into long-term disability. But it is only 50% of his pay, so he can't qualify for SSDI. On top of that this LTD is taxable, and we have to pay for our portion of health insurance and life insurance for my husband. I'm trying to work, but it is so difficult with my husband, I will try to go back to doing taxes full-time, if I'm able this year. I have to ask, do you get any ss benefits for your sons, or grandsons? and yourself as a widow? Other pieces of advice I can give, if your already haven't tried are calling your utility companies and request for a low income rate, you probably have to fill out paper work and perhaps need a note from your dr., but it isn't difficult. Also look now into, if PA has it fuel assistance, the earlier the better. If you have any credit card(s), call the company and try to get a lower rate. It doesn't hurt to ask. Also in MASS we have a problem call WIC ( women, infant, children)... I believe it's a nat'l program, your grandchildren are young enough you can get vouchers for free milk, cereal, juice, cheese. And if you haven't done so, please apply for food stamps, I can't see why you wouldn't be able to get something. Also come tax time, you probably qualify for free income tax preparation, just check where your at. When tax time is about to come, I can give some advice as to what to do when you file this year. I hate what cancer does, it not only robs one physically, but mentally and financially!!!!! I hope some of this advice helps you a little. Grace

Tracy, I am so happy for you!!!!! Grace

Marco Jo, I'm all too familar with Kytril, it did a terrible job on my husband when he had to take it. I'm glad they made the change for her. Also FYI, which is something I never realized, until my husbands' optomologist and his NP told him, that chemo, beside the usual way, also comes out, thru your tears, and sweat....and he was also told to wash his clothes separate from all others because of the chemo getting into his clothes. Another piece of info. I can tell you from personal experience, is that the platium based chemos, can be very effective, but they can also cause problems like neuropathy ( numbness/tingling ) in the extremities. And some people have also experienced ringing in ears and some have hearing loss. Of course, everyone experiences chemo differently, and I hope you sis gets thru her chemo with no serious problems. Grace

First I'm glad you found us, but so sorry about your mom. My husband had that chemo combo. for this first treatment of chemo. Like Carleen said, it can definitely take its' toll. But the dr. and nurses will be monitoring your mom closely, expect the weekly blood tests, her blood cell and/or platlette counts may drop, so that may warrant shots of something like aransep, or neulstra, or if real low transfusions, which are not uncommon. I totally understand about how overwhelmed you are. I hope I didn't scare you. That isn't my intent. But the one thing I can tell you and I've said before and I know alot of people here will agree to, is that everyone is different, and can react differently, what my husband may have experienced, may not be the case for your mom at all. But that combo, and I don't know what type of LC your mom has, but my husband has Small Cell, and that chemo combo is the "gold standard" and has helped shrink tumors. I would also tell you, mom is going to be tired, and food may taste different, so you may want to get some Boost or Ensure for her, I know it helped my husband... I'm sure where she is going for treatment will have some for her to try. All I really can tell you is that, the best you can do is to take one step at a time. I know all to well how overwhelmed you can get, hell I still do myself. But I can say if LCSC wasn't here for me, I would be a total wreck. Please know people here do care and we do listen and understand. Grace

That poor kitty!!!!!!!!!

One of my new favorite smells, is this candle my youngest and i bought the other day, it smells just like a delicious lemon cake!!!!! and has sprinkles in it too. Every time I light it, I just want to go out and get me some lemon cake with thick vanilla frosting!!!!!! I also luv those pine air freshners for your car Grace

Welthy, Tell Tony I said .."congrats" and tell him whatever he's been doing to keep on doing it!!!!! Grace

Nancy, Please never, never feel you are "whining" just want to make sure you're ok....I know about the fatigue...my husband is downstairs on the couch passed out from exhaustion, and it doesn't take much anymore for him to get that way. I hate seeing the crummy side effects that this does....can I say it ...it SUCKS! ...just try to take care of yourself the best you can ...and you know if there is anything we can do.....and u know people here really mean it!!! Grace

(((Lori))), Your mom is such an incredible example of inner strength! I am glad too that she is not in pain, and from what you have written, perhaps and I hope that your mom has found some inner peace. I pray that she has. Lori, I know it is difficult, but please make sure you take care of yourself. I hope you have at least a moment or two.....for you We're here for you... Grace

Debbie, Boy do I know what you are going thru. You have to take it one moment at a time. That is how I am trying to get thru all of this. Make sure you keep the lines of communication open w/ your husbands' dr/drs., and if there is anything you don't understand ask, ask, ask! And also please come here and ask....we've all been thru alot, and perhaps in some of our "moments" we can help each other out! Grace

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/pet/203878137.html

Kathleen, I am so sorry about your mom, please know I am sending out prayers to you and your family at this difficult time. Grace

http://www.pharmalive.com/News/index.cf ... egoryid=15 Grace

This may explain why some resistance occurs. Very interesting http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/ ... 090506.php Grace

The doctor called today, I knew it wasn't going to be good. He called on a holiday. It is not good, it is bad. His 3rd line of treatment isn't working, his 2nd didn't work, but this time, I can't even think straight!!! His tumors are growning, all of them, but the major one, in his lung has almost doubled in size. I love my husbands' oncologist, he is so caring and passionate about my husbands' fight. But I knew in the sound of his voice, it isn't good. He wants to confer w/ a couple of other onc. to see what they can come up with. Sure there are other options, but nothing has really worked, only the pci for his brain mets. Oh god are they going to come back again. Is this that corner that I so loathe turning? I'm so selfish, I'm crying because how bad I feel. But, my husband is devistated, i can see it in his eyes. He's getting more tired. It's getting difficult for him to do things. But he is trying, he tells me there is too much to do in this house. He's not going back to work. He's trying to spend more time with the girls, teaching them life lessons, showing and showering them with his love. I hate the fact I know why. God I've prayed enough, my mother has prayed everyday all year, do you exist, do you even hear? i can't believe i have to type this i can't believe this is happening what is going to happen now? i can't take this much longer i can't hide the pain, sorrow and fear i can't have faith in God, when i/we have been let down so much i'm losing it, and i can't, my children need me, i have to be the rock. how can i not look at my husband and know the enevitible? time is running out, i don't know how much, i will fight, even if my husband ends up hating me with avengance, it doesn't matter. If i can find him a way to be around longer, for however that may be... i have to find it.... UPDATE***** Doc. called this after, confered w/ thor. onc in Boston, my husband is going on oral etoposide for anywhere from 2 - 3 weeks. Looking into insurance info. Dr. wants me to monitor my husband for any unusual activities, in the area of mental...such as is he slurring on words, not comprehending things. He wants to do another brain MRI soon. Thank you all for your prayers and support, they truly do mean alot to me..... Grace

Peggy, I too only want the best for your son...it isn't fair!...you know my heart is going out to you tonite, I have told people before, I can deal w/ adults being sick, ( my dad, husband ), but when it comes to my children, I panick and get besides myself. So I feel that pain as one mother to another. But your son is young, that is a very good thing in his favor. I know his drs. will try everything they can. Peggy, I'm praying for you and your son tonite.....I'm here for you... Grace

Melinda, I am so very sorry, praying for you and your mom.... Grace

Lori, my dad did the same exact thing as well....when he came home for hospice ( it was on a Fri. ) the drs. said he wouldn't last the weekend. He had no IV's, wasn't eating, and of course the morphine pump w/ other meds. To much of everyones' suprise, he came home, starting eating, I even made him some filet migeon!, and drinking, he even tried to walk, but at least we could get him to sit up....he enjoyed his grandchildren and my mom and us "kids" ---- he lasted almost 2 months. I was so greatful that he got his last wish to be at home with his family. I know he didn't want to leave us, I think that is what made him stay with us for so long. I'm saying prayers for your mom, she's got many people wishing the best for her! Grace