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Paper, Check out my dad's story! It is one I LOVE to share...though we were lucky that dad's was not extensive. However, I do know that Don from Texas had a brain met (if I remember correctly) and did cyberknife. There is just SO MUCH hope out there. Give mom my prayers, Jen

Carrie, We are now into Monday. How are the platelets? How is mom feeling? I still want you to know that if there is anything I can do, I am more than willing. How are you on meals? How is dad doing? How are your sisters? What about your kids? If you need me to watch them, let me know, so that hubby can go with you. I mean it, Carrie, anything. Prayers, Jen

Of course he was with you, silly girl! What a beautiful day! Jen

Nova, I have been through the wringer with these very same questions! I do know this...any conversation with God is better than no conversation at all. I remember being really mad at God, when dad was diagnosed, my daughter was a preemie, and then had all day every day colic....I asked a friend (a nun, by the way) why God would do this. What had I done to deserve all of this? I told her, to be honest, that I was just mad at Him. She laughed, and told me, "That's OK, God can handle it. In fact, He kind of likes it that you are mad at Him, at least then you are admitting that He is in control." Now, I don't know how far I would go with this one, but I will say that I do think that God is wanting your prayer, wanting your engagement, and therefore, those little prayers, as long as they are heartfelt, are great. Thank you for those prayers, and please know you have my own as well! Blessings, Jen

I am glad to read that you are going to try to push the issue. You just never know. It sucks though. Stay strong and when you have done your very best, and your mom and docs have done all that can be done, you either know the miracle of healing, or you know you have solace in the fact that everything was done that can be done. Again, my prayers. Jen

OK. I hate to say this and cause problems...but I wonder about making a call yourself. I just think that if this were me, I would try to push this issue. When you look at stats, you want to get at it RIGHT AWAY, as you know. I remember Katie saying to me one time, "We often have to be our own advocates." I feel like I am making a big deal out of nothing, but I do know that at my dad's first doc, they were going to put off treatment, and when we went to Mayo they told us that would have been a BAD idea. So...this is a touchy subject for me. Again, I will say a prayer. Blessings, Jen

My dad really responds to his personal humidifier. He got it at Walmart, and it sprays right at him. It is great. Vix is good too. That is what has worked best for him. Good luck. Jen

Oh Carrie, I am so, so sorry to read your post. What is the latest with mom? Where are you? Are you up there? Is she in town? Is there anything I can do? Please, let me know. You and your family are in my prayers. Jen

Betty, I am so sorry to read about the new developments with mom. I can say this...dad had a bout with bloody sputum this fall, and it turned out to be pneumonia. I am not going to lie though...the one thing that raised concern on your posting is that they found something on the lung, but won't do anything until February. We all know how aggressive SCLC is, and I wish so much you could get her in sooner. Do you have other doc options? Could you press harder for an earlier time? Maybe there is a reason for the wait? Keep us posted, and know there is so, so much hope to be found here! I will say a prayer. Jen

Corinne, Welcome to this amazing board. Please know you have come to a wonderful place where you can get so much hope, love, and support. You are NOT alone here. Post as much as you want and you will be filled with amazing infomration from amazing people. This has been my experience since day one. Don't lose your faith...there is so much hope....lung cancer is NOT a death sentence, as you said... Stay strong and know we are here. Jen

Glad to read about getting mom back! That is great news. Stay strong and know that though it may be hard, you have so many here to support you. Blessings, Jen

I see nothing wrong with asking. I think we all worry...and you know what, Katie is right...early detection is the key...unfortunately none of us is safe from this bugger, so it is a good thing to be on the safe side. Blessings for just boring old pneumonia! Jen

I too wouldn't be surprised if this is the afteraffects of the treatments. My dad was much like this. I attributed some of it to depression too...but I do remember it being very real. Keep your spirits up and keep trying...my dad loved watermelon during treatment...might be something to try! Jen

Ghita, I am thrilled to read about the NED! That is great news! I can't say I am married to a cancer survivor, but my dad is a cancer survivor, and I am my mom's best friend...so....haha! Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I still live my life (2 years later) waiting for the other shoe to drop. It sucks...but it is part of the new normal that we all have to face. Geri from this board would say, "Girl, don't waste your time with that kind of thinking. It is what it is." But man...that is SO hard! Pray, and keep coming here! We are here for each other! Jen

I know this is way late, but I wanted to add my two cents here. My dad had PCI and we are forever thankful that he did. I guess we wanted to look at it that we did EVERYTHING in our power. Dad responded well to it, and so far...2 years later, we are still in remission! With the PCI, dad lost his hair in a bad way, and it took a LONG time to grow back. I would venture to say it wasn't "normal" again for more than 6 months maybe. His eyebrows are still weird...they are like wire! Oh well...small price to pay. I do know that as a family this was our most difficult decision. We were afraid of the long term affects. We decided as a family and have never regretted it. Dad does forget some things, but I don't so far see anything too major with memory loss and such. Stay strong and pray! Blessings, Jen

Hmmm. Interesting post. I guess the first thing I thought of when I read your post was about the inner ear and balance. Could the radiation have done something there? I also wonder about the seizure idea someone had posted. I do know this...dehydration with radiation and chemo is super possible. Imagine the worst sunburn possible on the INSIDE of your body! Blah! Please know you have my prayers! Jen

I am so sorry I haven't posted until now. This journey is terrible...not really a "journey" really, as that word sounds exciting....something cancer is not. BUT...I do want you to know that there is SO MUCH HOPE out there. My dad is almost a 2 year survivor now...that feels so weird to even type, because it has been a tough two years, but we have made it, and every day we are learning about the new normal. I see that your mom started chemo. This will be hard, but it will also mean that as the hair starts to fall out, as the tummy starts to feel crummy, as the skin gets dry...that tumor is also shrinking! As many say around here...Die tumor die!! We don't want you around here anymore! Please know you are welcomed with open arms here, and there is so much to learn, everyday about what you can do to battle this booger! Please PM me if you have any questions or need an ear (eye). Your mom is so young...which means you probably are too. Don't go this alone. Blessings, Jen

Sorry everybody....I went away for the holidays and didn't check this site....came home to 6 pages of new posts, and realized I should have let someone know! Dad is great! He did catch a cold over the holidays, which makes us all get the jitters, but he otherwise feels great, and his next appointment is in three weeks....blah....that means we are in the build-up mode...nonetheless, we don't feel like we have any major concerns at this time....dad even bough us all our annual Christmas slippers again this year...for 14 that is quite a feat...but he did it! New Year's Blessings! Jen

Amy, I am so, so sorry to read your post. Eternal rest be granted unto him oh Lord, and may Your perpetual light shine upon him always. Jen

There are many of you out there, who are fighting battles that we don't know about...and yet you continue to provide prayers, support, and love for the rest of us daily. Please, accept my prayers of hope, peace, the miracle of healing, and God's Love. Jen

Val, You are a gem. Blessings to you this holiday. Jen

Welcome Jim. I am sorry you needed to find us, but I am glad that you did. Please know you have our prayers, and whatever information we can give you. Blessings, Jen

I am so sorry you need to be here. Please know you have come to an amazing place! You will get valuable information here, as well as love and support. My advice.... Learn all you can Throw stats out the window and focus on the positive Have mom keep something in her stomach during chemo...even something little just to ward off the nausea GermX and Handwashing are a must during chemo Have her drink water, water, water Show her love, support, and hope Pray - God grants the miracle of healing every day. Jen

Just thought I would let you know that today I will get a free T-Shirt from the tobacco coalition here at SDSU...in keeping with college humor this is what it says... On the Front... "I put out..." On the Back... "Cigarettes" My prayers continue for all! Jen

Charlene, I am so sorry to read your post. You most certainly have my prayers for peace, love, and hope this holiday. Eternal rest be granted unto her oh Lord, and may Your perpetual light shine upon her always. Jen