EastCoastLadi

Dee, Definitely let her go get another opinion, I also had similar thought as "w." - about doing more chemo. My husband went thru WBR, and IMRT still w/ brain mets and now is on etoposide (orally) and it is helping decrease the mets. Tell her talk to someone else, because there are always options for her to try, the stage she is in, they can do more for her. Please let us know what she decides to do.. Grace

Nick, For my situation, I very much like the timeline, because my husband has gone thru so much, I feel that for me it benefits because of the excessive amount of treatment he has done and still is doing, helps me remember timelines when I am discussing everything w/ my husbands' drs. and other healthcare professionals. Also, for others who either are going thru similar circumstances themselves or their loved ones, it lets them know about how my husband has handled this disease. And without me having to go thru a very long explaination of what he has done it is easier on me. And, I want people to see my husbands' fight as one of hope and inspiriation, Nick, my husband shouldn't even be alive right now, and for some reason beyond anyones' control or explaination he is. I want people who choose to read his timeline to know that people do and can live with this devistating disease. ...just my two cents... Grace

(((Tina))), Please God, don't let it be cancer, I am praying and sending all my positive energy your way. Let us know, we're here for you. Grace

I am so sadden to hear about your mom. I know you may take little solace in knowing that she is no longer in pain and cancer can never harm her again. We are here for you, please know that, my heart and prayers go out to you and your family tonite. Grace

I'm so sorry about your mom, please know I am praying for you and your family today. Grace

Crystal, I pray for peace for your mom... Grace

Please know my prayers are going out to you and your mom and dad tonite, try to stay strong, I know it may sound like a difficult thing to do, but you are, you have been, I know what you are going thru, I went thru the same with my dad. I know he tried to hang on, but we all told him it was alright to go. Please know we are here for you. Grace

I am so sorry to hear this, please know I'm hoping and praying that your mom will be alright. Grace

Kasey, I am so very sorry about your friend Eddie and his wife Angie, it hits too close to home for me. Please know my prayers go out to both of them, and you. Grace

I thought this was very interesting, especially when looking for what foods contain what vitamins. Grace http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/foodsourforv.html

Ernie, That is wonderful news! What an awesome thing to be able to do such an invaluable service to those in need!!!! Grace

Randy, Keep on going, with knowledge comes wisdom, the more educated one is and the more info. you can pass on the better. I will tell you something, I read it all and sometimes even more, I am so analytical about things and research the "net" alot. I think sometimes my husbands' dr. thinks I want to be the dr. but I must tell you that when we saw an onc. down at one of the excellent hospitals in Boston, and I asked about all sorts of info. I knew, alot from coming here, he was impressed! , but he also admitted to me how ashamed he was of the lack of research and funding for lc, especially in sclc. So keep on doing what your doing, you are greatly appreciated!!!! Grace

(((Kim))), I wish there was something I can do to take away your pain, I know all too well what you are experiencing. I want you to know I am here for you, we all are here for you. My prayers for you and your family. Grace

Lorna, First of all Welcome! and secondly sorry that you have to come here and are going thru all you are. As you can see my husband has SCLC and has been thru much. As far as the weight loss or lack there of, all I can tell you from my husbands' experience was the less he lost, or more gained was a positive. I would probably discuss it w/ his dr. I also wanted to let you know, which you may not be aware of is that chemo seeps out of every pore someone has, my husbands' eye dr. told him it comes thru his tear ducts. I know it comes out thru urine, and sweat and I'm assuming saliva as well, as other bodily functions. I'm just guessing but perhaps the odor from his mouth may be related to the chemo and also the medications that he is taking w/ it. If you see my signature you can see all my husband has and continues to go thru and he's still here, fighting, so there is hope. Grace

Sorry --- I just have to give a little shout out to: "THE PATS!!!"

Hello Donna, I've walked in and still walking in your shoes. If you read below all about what my husband has and still is going thru, you can see he is a fighter too. I haven't even updated people as to what is happening with him since Christmas, I plan on doing that real soon, but what I can tell you is that his dr. is amazed at what he can take, what he has gone thru and that he is still fighting. Coming here you will find an incredible support team of wonderous, marvelous people, fighters in all! Grace

LG I don't know why your moms' dr. told her to go into the ER, the first thing I would ask is where in the brain are the lesions? and why the urgency in radiating. My husband had and continues to have several brain mets, new and reocurring and while it was very important to get him radiated (WBR - 1st time and IMRT for the reoccurance), there was no emergency, meaning that he was usually scheduled for rad. within a couple of days. Besides asking where and why, I would also ask what dosage of rad. they would be using, and also if there is any swelling in her brain ( my husband has that), I don't know if she is on any type of steroids, but if she isn't I would ask the dr. his/her take on that ( it is given to help any swelling).... ...I just want to let you know..that brain mets can respond very well to rad. of course everyone is different. I know you're scared, I remember when I first found out about my husbands brain mets, it was too much. But please know they can be treated. Your mom will be fine, just remember you can ask the drs. whatever, there is no thing as a stupid ?. I am wishing the best for your mom. Please update me as to how she is doing. Grace

Terry, It's great that you now have a plan. I can tell you some things my husband ( and I ) first experienced that you may not realize. it's ok to be frightened, you're going into the unknown. but can I tell you that my husband had such wonderful support at the hospital he went to, the nurses, social worker, NP, administrative staff, volunteers and of course his onc. helped more than one can imagine. Be prepared to feel like you're living at the hospital/center where you go. you'll get used to it. Heck, you may even make a pot or two of coffee .... If you feel hungry, don't worry, there will be food, and sometimes alot!, and of course hot and cold drinks. ...just a few things...but you will do just fine! Grace

Beth, I know this is so very difficult for you, I remember in my dads' final days, he would have varying degrees of responsiveness. I remember seeing him on the Friday before he died, he was alert, but did sleep alot, then by Sat. less alert and then by Sun he was totally unconscious, he passed away very early that Monday morning. I don't have any words of wisdom, everyone is different in their living and their dying. But I knew that my dad knew that we were around him, even if he couldn't communicate it to us. But he did rouse one brief time, when my mom told him she loved him, he told her he loved her back. Even today, it is still such an emotional experience. I know you are strong, and please know you have much support here for you. Grace

Sarah, I'm very sorry about your mom, my prayers to you and your family. Grace

A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to "clean up" the bird's vocabulary. Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute. Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior." John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird continued, "May I ask what the turkey did?"

(((Kasey))), Get better real soon! I'm going to send my prayers and good, positive thoughts your way... Grace

..First of all I wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year! and of course, I got to thinking about what changes could I make for 2007. We all know about the same old ones....diet, exercise, but I went thinking beyond those and talked to my husband last night about some others..... I want to try to be organized - externally - I can organize in my head, but you wouldn't know it by seeing my home! I also want to be more patient, I'm constantly rushing around and pushing others to move quickly, but this year, I'm going to try to lay back more. I'm going to make a big effort in not repeating after myself, it drives my husband and daughters crazy. ...and I'm going to try not to "micro-manage" my husbands' cancer...meaning while I'm not shutting up completely with his Onc. I am going to try to keep quiet and listen more... and with that list....whew!!!! once again --- Happy New Year!!!! Grace

I am very sorry about your dad, I know how difficult it must be for you, please know that he is now at peace. My prayers go out to you and your family. Grace

Happy Birthday Lilly! you happen to share you birthday with my beautiful youngest daughter Tianna who is 9 today!!!!! I wish you all the best! Grace