MsC1210

Hi Linda My step dad had a very similar issue with the cough. His doctor actually recommended Mucinex and it did help some. My other suggestion would be Robitussin CF. Not sure how well that will work but could be worth a try.. Keep us posted and know I am sending thoughts and prayers for the appointment tomorrow.. Hugs Christine

Hello Linda and welcome to the family I am so sorry you had reason to be here but glad you have joined us. You came to the very best place for support as I am sure you can see by the responses you've gotten! It's been mentioned already about taking notes and having copies of all tests, scans, blood work etc. I just want to underscore that point. Don't be afraid to ask questions and if you are not clear, ask the doctor to explain it in terms that make sense to you. We are not all "rocket scientists" and it is perfectly fine to ask for simpler terms. This is such an overwhelming time for you and your husband. Pick up a small notebook or an organizer to keep track of appointments, medications, tests, etc but also to write down any and all questions you think of between now and the appointment. Also do not be afraid to ask us anything here. This is such a warm and caring group of people! Keep us posted and know that we are here for you, Warmly Christine

(((((Shelli))))) Sending lots of warm hugs and loving thoughts. Christine

Denise, I am so sorry to read this. My thoughts and prayers are with you as well as Natalie's family. Hugs Christine

Kelly Hello and welcome to the "family". I am so very sorry about the loss of your Dad. Please accept my condolences. So very, very sorry you are, again, dealing with the cancer beast. I am so glad you found this board though as you will find so much support, advice and HOPE here! It sounds like your Mom is responding well to the latest chemo. That is wonderful news. When you are up to it, if you could take a minute and fill in your profile and give us some more information about what your Mom has been through and is currently having treatment wise, it will enable the members here to offer you much more in the way of information and support. Just click on "profile" at the top of the page and fill in the info. Please keep us posted on Mom and let us know how we can help you both. Warmly Christine

((((Christy)))) I am so very sorry. Please accept my sincere sympathies and condolences on the loss of you Mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Warmly Christine

Connie mentioned the one thing I was thinking. A notebook or small organizer to keep notes in, keep track of tests and procedures, test results, etc. I don't know if this is even remotely possible, but if one of the manufacturers of Boost or Ensure would kick in some coupons toward their products that would be awesome too as we know how important the whole calorie intake issue is. Maybe some recpies for high calorie milkshakes/smoothies? Good luck with the fundraiser! It sounds AWESOME!! Chris

Sharon I am so glad you are home and resting! I've been thinking of you and sending many prayers your way. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND DO AS THE DOCTOR ORDERED!! Much love and lots of hugs, Chris

Hello and welcome to the "family" I am so sorry you had reason to find a site like this but glad you have posted and joined us. I cannot give you much as far as advice, but it seems as though you should mention this indigestion/heartburn to Mom's doctors. I am sure they must have something they can give herto ease that. In the meantime, if you can get her to drink Boost or Ensure to get some calories into her that will help as well as lots of water. I am sure the others will be along soon with much more advice. Please keep posting and know that we are here for you! Warmly Christine

I posted this last year and with thought it would be a good reminder again now. Thoughts and prayers to ALL of our members in the paths of these storms. Christine.... Tips for Cancer Patients: How to Prepare for Hurricane Season Preparing for Disaster When You Have Cancer By Lisa Fayed, About.com Updated: June 19, 2007 About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board If you live on the east coast of the United States, you know that June 1st officially begins hurricane season. This time of year the public hurries to prepare for the worst by stocking up on canned goods, batteries, and bottled water. Cancer patients are no different, however they must take several extra precautions when preparing for the hurricane season. Before Disaster Strikes Talk to Your Doctor. If you live in an area affected by the hurricane season, talk to your doctor about the course of action you should take if you need to evacuate your home. Your doctor may be able to advise you of local hurricane shelters that are able to adequately able to provide care to cancer patients. Keep a Brief Record of Your Medical History Ask your doctor to write down a brief medical history or do so yourself. Include information like current medications you take and the dosage. Keep it in a waterproof bag like plastic zip bag and keep it on hand. Also be sure to include any over the counter medications you take. Keep a record of your doctors and their contact information. Write down the name of your doctor, the office address, phone numbers, and if possible, the doctor your doctor recommends when he is not available. Store this with your medical history. Obtain copies of your prescriptions. Your doctor may be able to give you copies of prescriptions that can be filled in emergent situations. In some cases, extra medication can be dispensed to the patient. If you are evacuated to a different city, a local hospital or retail pharmacy should be able to fill the prescription. Gather documentation stating that all leased and owned medical equipment belongs to you. Having written verification can make it easier for emergency health care providers to verify your equipment. You can do this by making copies of the lease agreement, bill of sale, or prescription by the doctor. If your equipment has been lost and located, you will need this documentation to claim it. Also be sure to clearly label all your equipment with your contact information. Find the numbers to the local American Cancer Society offices in your area and also for the city you are evacuating to. The American Cancer Society1 can be your ultimate resource for finding help. These numbers can be found in your telephone book or online. Keep these numbers with your medical records for quick reference. Verify insurance coverage in other areas beforehand. Call your insurance agency to find out what coverage you have in other areas and what doctors or hospitals you are available to use. This is especially helpful if you know what city you may evacuate to. Keep all medicines with you in a waterproof container. Store medications in a large, gallon-sized freezer bag that can be sealed. Label the bag with your name, current address, and phone number. If you know the address or phone number to where you are evacuating to, add that information to the label. Place a copy of your medical history in the bag. Your medicine bag should be kept with other medical history documents at all times.

Sandy Of course your anger is justified! I am angry for you, as well. It is just inexcusable that this went so long without being diagnosed. As Carol said, now is time to focus that anger into fighting this disease. Now is the time to be learning as much as you can about the best way to treat this and then giving it hell! We weill be here for you, as I said before. Just scream and rant and vent all you need to and know we are going to be here to help you through. Warmly Christine

Hello Bug and welcome. I, too, am sorry you had need to find a site like this but am so glad you have joined us. The beginning of this is so overwhelming and confusing. So much to absorb and so much to remember. Get a small notebook or an organizer and jot down any and all questions you have as you think of them. Take the book with you to all of your Dr appointments and take notes on what you learn. Ask for and obtain copies of any and all test results, including lab work, MRI and CT scans, etc. If you decide to go for a second or third opinion you will have everything with you and save the hassle of having to run around getting copies later on. Don't be afraid to ask questions and if you do not understand the answers, ask for clarification. You are your own best advocate and knowledge IS power. We wil be here for you, don't be afraid to ask us anything and lean on us when and if you need to. This is a great and caring group of people. Warmly Christine

Amber I am so saddened to read this. Please accept my heartfelt condolences and sympathies. We will continue to be here for you. Please lean on us. Warmly Christine

(((((Lynn))))) You ARE living and you are coping and learning to handle life with all of the changes you've endured and continue to endure. Please remember this, and I think it is something many of us lose sight of along the way. We all have our own unique way of grieving and there is NO right or wrong to it. Just take things as they come. As for Nick? I am very, very proud of him AND you. It must be such a wonderful feeling for you to see the values you and Larry have instilled in him shining through. I am the parent of a child who was harassed and bullied so badly at one point that she tried to take her own life. There were no Nick's to stand up for her back then. To read this post from you about Nick doing the right thing makes me smile and warms my heart. You should be so very proud. Please give him a hug for me.... Much love and many hugs to you both, Christine

Hello Net and welcome I can't add much to the wonderful posts you've already received but wanted to welcome you to the "family". Please keep us posted~ Warmly Christine

Susan I was hospitalized last fall after my gall bladder surgery, for severe dehydration among other issues. I had THE WORST muscle aches and cramps in my calves from the dehydration. Maybe getting some additional fluids into Mom as well as the support hose would be beneficial. Sending lots of positive thoughts.. Warmly Christine

Hello Gootus and welcome I am glad you found us and have joined the "family" Warmly Christine

Hello Shrimp and welcome I am so sorry for what you and your dad have been going through! Just too much! Please know we are all here for you and we will help you as much as we can. If you could fill out a profile, it will give us all a better idea of what has been going on with your Dad as far as treatments, etc. Click on the button at the top of the page that says Profile and just fill it in when you have a moment. Sending postive thoughts, hugs and prayers to you and Dad, Christine

Patti, I think this is a LOT to do with it.. Mom went from her parents to making a home and life with my Dad. Then they divorced and I was still at home with her for the most part. I moved out and started my life, but by that time, Mom had been on her own so to speak, long enough to appreciate having the house to herself. Then she and Jerry got together and she spent 17+ years with someone in her life again only to go back to the empty nest thingy. It's only been 2 months and the way she has handled the majority of the stress is beyond admirable! It is just those moments I guess when she is feeling alone and vulnerable that she finds so hard to cope with. Of course she reaches out to me and if, for whatever reason, I am not there, it compounds her stress and fear. I want to clarify one thing. Mom is in no way, shape or form a burden to me. I love her dearly as I am sure you all know. I just get so frustrated having all of this on my shoulders some days. I have 3 kids, 4 furry kids, my web site and other charitable work(s) that I do. It's a great life and I would not change one single bit of it, even if, as Nick says, I always seem to have so much on my plate. It's the way things go for lots of people I am sure. My home and family are my greatest joys, and Mom is my family, so together we will get through this. I know this will get easier, I really just needed to lean on someone for a bit and thank you all for being here to support me. Hugs Chris

Hi Friends I have not posted any updates in a while about Mom, and for the most part she has been doing fairly well coping with the adjustment to her "new life". We've had continuing issues with the step siblings but Mom has decided, with a minimal amount of coaxing from yours truly, to just stand back and let them continue on their present course and let the courts sort it out in the end. They KNOW they are wrong and yet persist in having "estate sales" each weekend and selling off everything that is not nailed down, even though it is in black and white from the lawyers that they CANNOT do that until the estate has been probated. Sighhhhhhhhhhhhh... You just cannot fix stupid and greed. There is much, much more to that whole nightmare but it is not even worth getting into. My latest concern with Mom is her paranoia. I am an only child so all of this has fallen on me. Lately, and this has happened on more than one occasion, if she calls me and I am not able to get to the phone or I am out on the motorcycle, in a no service area, out in the yard without the cell, etc, and she gets the voicemail, she FREAKS OUT! I mean total melt down, hysteria, it is absurd! She leaves me messages saying OH MY GOD!! WHERE ARE YOU? WHY ARE YOU NOT ANSWERING THE PHONE?? I JUST KNOW SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED! Yesterday I was at the mall with my daughter when the latest episode happened. I did not have good signal, I could hear her but I was all broken up and she could not understand me. Needless to say she was on the other end ranting and raving and being sure something had happened to me. I don't know why we do this but when we know the reception is bad and the person is not hearing us because the call is broken up we YELL, thinking that will make it clearer.. So, I am yelling at her, in the middle of Target, "MOTHER, STOP THIS NONSENSE NOW!!!" (how to get yourself noticed, eh? ugh..) I ended up going out of the store and calling her back and trying to CALMLY explain to her that I was fine, everything is fine I was simply at the mall doing some errands. I am really just needing to vent. I understand her neediness and I am there for her as close to 24/7 as I can be, I love her dearly, but now and then I do need a few hours to get away from everything. I feel guilty when she has a melt down but I just can't be there constantly. Let me add that I called her today and it is as if yesterdays episode never happened! She was off to cut the grass and do some gardening. Go figure! Thanks for listening. I feel better having been able to "talk" to someone about it and I know that there is most likely someone here who understands this. Love and Hugs Chris

Hello Caren and welcome to the "family" Warmly Christine

Hello Christina and welcome. I am very glad you have joined us. Please let us know how we can hep you and know that we are always here to offer support. Warm hugs Christine

Tarek My condolences and sympathies to you and your family. I am so sorry. Christine

Hello Gabby and welcome to LCSC Warmly Christine

Janette I am so sorry. Please accept my sincere condolences. Warmly Christine