MsC1210

Oh Shirley OUCH to the root canal. But at least the worst is over now. The crown should be a breeze. So glad Kenny was as awesome as always. Did you run off and get married?? lol Sorry I could not resist Not much exciting here. Meg has been in and out of the ER and Dr office with some tummy issue. It appears now she has an ulcer? UGH! Aaron is still here, not much of a vacation for him I'm afraid but he claims he is just happy to be here with us. I hope so! We MAY try the mall tomorrow depending on how Meg is feeling. Pray and cross your fingers!!!! Catch up to you soon, I promise. It should get quieter here by the end of the week.... Hugs Chris

One more thought.. My mother in law was the local librarian and was always able to contact the larger libraries throughout the state to locate books for patrons. Perhaps your local library has the same type of inter~library loan program? A great concept indeed! Chris

Aurora06 I just did a quick search on Ebay and it lists several books by Louis LaGrand. Hopefully that helps? I have been following both your post and Lillians here in the grieving section and thought it might be worth mentioning a book I tried but was unable to get through due to my own emotional issues, still. The book is Sacred Dying by Megory Anderson and in the first chapters I was moved to tears but found it intriguing enough that I left it on my bedside table in hopes of finding the strenght to delve into it again one of these days. This grieving is tough stuff.. Hugs and love, Chris

Hey Shirley Well it certainly would not hurt to phone the dr and run it past him/her. This still could be residual effects of the chemo and all the other drugs and I still have to wonder if this humidity and heat is playing havoc with him. Even being inside with both a/c units on round the clock the sticky, uncomfortable feeling is just unavoidable. It HAS to be worse for people like your dad with the cancer to contend with as well. Just my thoughts of course. I would still run it by his doctor. How is your toothache and how was Kenny?????? hugs Chris

Thank you Katie!!!

Hello Marco Jo and welcome, I am sorry to hear about your sisters diagnosis. It does sound like she has a lot working in her favour though. As the others have pointed out this is a great place to get answers and information. We are all here for you any time you have questions or just need to vent. Keeping you and your family in my prayers, Chris

Jay, Thanks for the update. Keep us posted. You and your mom are in my thoughts and prayers.... Chris

Although I have no answers to your questions I did want to say hello. This is such a tough situation. I have been following your and your husbands posts since you joined us here and it is just such a sad situation for your FIl with the pain issues etc. I am very glad that your husband is looking to have him moved to a cancer center. I think that is absolutely the best thing right now. Let them re-evaluate the situation and get the pain in control and a comprehensive treatment plan in place. Do not give up hope. My prayers and thoughts are with you all Chris

I agree. Early detection is the key to more survivors not only for lung cancer, but hopefully it will be a lead to the end of ALL cancers. I pray for that every day and night. Hugs Chris

3-D Imaging That Flies "through" And "around" Lung And Colon Cancer: Coming Soon 16 Jul 2006 Stanford University researchers demonstrated for the first time the ability to create 3-D positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) images for "fly-through" and "fly-around viewing" of cancer in the lungs and colon, according to a study in the July issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. This powerful ability to meld functional data with accurate anatomical information of possible cancerous tumors--from inside the body--provides a visual navigation of organs oftentimes portrayed on television crime shows like "CSI." Such visualization "may be used to detect and characterize cancer, spare someone from more invasive medical procedures, lead to better disease detection rates of colon cancer, provide surgical guidance and detect which tumors may be easier to biopsy," detailed Andrew Quon, clinical assistant professor of radiology/diagnostic radiology at California's Stanford University. "Three-dimensional fusion provides unique views of the body that internal organs typically impede," said Quon. "Our new imaging and processing protocol can peel away the organs, highlight tumors and detect cancerous 'hot spots'--providing an omnipotent perspective of the body," he indicated. Stanford's 3-D fusion imaging "appears to have potential for presurgical visualization, particularly in guiding biopsies," explained the co-author of "'Flying Through'" and 'Flying Around' a PET/CT Scan: Pilot Study and Development of 3-D Integrated 18F-FDG PET/CT for Virtual Bronchoscopy and Colonoscopy." This imaging technique "may add important diagnostic information that may herald new applications for the use of PET/CT," he noted. In addition, its diagnostic value was demonstrated in one case in which it revealed a cancer lesion that had not been detected by PET, CT or PET/CT imaging. "This one case shows the potential synergistic enhancement of both PET and CT when rendered into three dimensions," said Quon. PET and CT are standard imaging tools that can be used to pinpoint the location of cancer within the body. When PET is used to image cancer, a radiopharmaceutical (such as fluorodeoxyglucose or FDG, which includes both a sugar and a radionuclide) is injected into a patient. Cancer cells metabolize sugar at higher rates than normal cells, and the radiopharmaceutical is drawn in higher concentrations to cancerous areas. The highly sensitive PET scan picks up the metabolic signal of actively growing cancer cells. The CT scan generates a detailed picture of internal anatomy, locating and revealing the size and shape of abnormal cancer growths. When these two results are fused together, the functional data from the PET imaging is correlated with anatomy on the CT images to provide a single detailed and informative image. Standard 2-D PET and PET/CT images (with FDG) are accurate for evaluating lung and colorectal cancer; however, they lack the anatomic information that can be provided by 3-D images from a multidetector CT scan. Even so, with 3-D CT scans, small and flat lesions in the lungs and colon are difficult to see or characterize, said Quon. "Our study takes this to another level," he noted, indicating that fused PET/CT images with 3-D volume rendering may provide additional beneficial information for image interpretation and create new areas of clinical application. While this technology may become standard over the next three to five years, "it could have exciting applications in cardiovascular imaging, providing 3-D views of blood vessels and possibly identifying individuals at risk for heart disease," he predicted. In the case of a patient with colorectal cancer--a term used to refer to cancer that develops in the colon or rectum and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States--the current standard of care is a colonoscopy, a procedure where a long, flexible, lighted tube is inserted into the rectum and guided slowly into the colon. The tube or scope transmits an image of the inside of the colon onto a video screen so its lining can be examined. While the initial findings are exciting, the researchers proved the concept rather than validated the technique. Future validation studies will be conducted and software tools need additional development, said Quon, who indicated that the technique might be expanded to include other tracers and anatomic regions besides the chest and colon. "'Flying Through'" and 'Flying Around' a PET/CT Scan: Pilot Study and Development of 3-D Integrated 18F-FDG PET/CT for Virtual Bronchoscopy and Colonoscopy," appears in the July issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine, which is published by SNM. Besides Quon, co-authors include Sandy Napel, Christopher F. Beaulieu and Sanjiv Sam Gambhir, all with the radiology and bioengineering departments, Molecular Imaging Program, Stanford, University, Stanford, Calif. ### Links to videos of Stanford University's "fly through" and "flying around" PET/CT scans may be viewed on SNM's Web site for the Journal of Nuclear Medicine at http://jnm.snmjournals.org/cgi/content/ ... 7/1081/DC3. About SNM--Advancing Molecular Imaging and Therapy SNM is an international scientific and professional organization of more than 16,000 members dedicated to promoting the science, technology and practical applications of molecular and nuclear imaging to diagnose, manage and treat diseases in women, men and children. Founded more than 50 years ago, SNM continues to provide essential resources for health care practitioners and patients; publish the most prominent peer-reviewed resource in the field; sponsor research grants, fellowships and awards; host the premier annual meeting for medical imaging; and train physicians, technologists, scientists, physicists, chemists and radiopharmacists in state-of-the-art imaging procedures and advances. SNM members have introduced--and continue to explore--biological and technological innovations in medicine that noninvasively investigate the molecular basis of diseases, benefiting countless generations of patients. SNM is based in Reston, Va.; additional information can be found online at http://www.snm.org/. Contact: Maryann Verrillo Society of Nuclear Medicine Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medical ... wsid=47184

Protecting Against Serious Chemotherapy Side Effect 16 Jul 2006 Every year, Over one million cancer patients in the u.s. receive chemotherapy. One serious side effect of chemotherapy is neutropenia, a shortage of infection-fighting white blood cells. Complications associated with neutropenia can delay a patient's chemotherapy or keep them from getting a full dose. Dr. Michael rader, assistant professor columbia university medical center: "With sufficient white blood cells, patients have a better chance of adhering to their chemotherapy schedule, giving them the best chance for successful treatment. Using Neulasta, a medication that increases white blood cell count, from the start of chemotherapy can help protect patients from neutropenia." Neulasta helps protect patients against chemotherapy related Complications and significantly reduces the risk of infection and incidence of hospitalization related to neutropenia. Rare cases of splenic rupture and allergic reactions, including Anaphylaxis, have been reported in postmarketing experience. Rarely, these allergic reactions recurred within days after discontinuing anti-allergic treatment. For more information, visit http://www.neulasta.com or speak to your healthcare professional. AMGEN http://www.neulasta.com Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medical ... wsid=47220 Save time! Get the latest medical news headlines for your specialist area, in a weekly newsletter e-mail. See http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/newsletters.php for details.

I just came across a similar piece.... Blood Test Predicts Detects Lung Cancer Years Before CT Scan Main Category: Lung Cancer News Article Date: 16 Jul 2006 - 6:00am (PDT) A new blood test is able to correctly predict non-small-cell lung cancer in patients years before any CT scan can detect it, say researchers from the University of Kentucky, USA. The test identifies human immune response to tumors. Non-small-cell lung cancer patients have a 40% chance of living for five years or more after diagnosis. 50% of patients die within the first year. It is the most common lung cancer. If further studies confirm its reliability, this will become the first blood test to predict cancer since the PSA (prostate specific antigen) test. You can read about this research in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology. Lung cancer kills more people around the world than any other cancer. 10 million new lung cancer diagnoses are made each year. Over three quarters of all lung-cancer patients are/were long-term regular smokers. At the moment the most common way of diagnosing lung-cancer is with a CT Scan (computed tomography). However, CT scans are not completely accurate and patients often have to have a piece of the lump in their lung extracted for further tests - they have to have a biopsy. Biopsies for lung cancer can be painful. It is common for the biopsy test to find there was no cancer at all. The biggest problem with lung cancer survival is that many patients are diagnosed when the cancer is well advanced. This new blood test has an accuracy rate of at least 90% among people who have lung cancer and an extremely low false positive rate, say the researchers. In other words, unlike CT scans, this blood test does not commonly indicate lung cancer when it is not there. In this study the researchers used blood samples from lung cancer patients years before they had been diagnosed. The tests was surprisingly accurate in predicting lung cancer. According to Dr. Zhong, lead researcher, and team, lung cancer can be present three to five years before reaching the conventional size limits of radiographic detection. As with most cancers, the earlier it can be detected, the easier it is to cure the patient. Journal of Thoracic Oncology: Volume 1(6) July 2006 pp 513-519 ”Profiling Tumor-Associated Antibodies for Early Detection of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer” Zhong, Li PhD; Coe, Sarah P. BS; Stromberg, Arnold J. PhD; Khattar, Nada H. PhD; Jett, James R. MD; Hirschowitz, Edward A. MD Link To Original Article Written by: Christian Nordqvist Editor: Medical News Today http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthn ... &nfid=crss

I am sorry to hear this latest news~ It can certainly be overwhelming at times but it will get easier. We are here for you, just let us know how we can help? Feel free to vent, yell, scream, cry.. there is always a shoulder to lean on here Sending prayers and positive thoughts to you and your family Chris

Hey Shirley! Oh YAY for Kenny Chesney day! I am jealous! Hopefully it will not be toooooooooooo hot and humid there. Have a grrrrrrrrrrreat time and don't forget you promised me tickets after you marry him! lol OUCH for the toothache. Oh those are nasty deals. Hope that gets better and QUICK~~ Anbesol or Orajel.. Get the baby kind, it works quicker and tastes better! Let us know how the concert is! Hugs Chris

Don and Lucie, WONDERFUL news! I am so very happy for you both Hugs Chris

Hello and welcome I am so very sorry to hear about all this pain that your father in law is having to endure. It sounds like an absolute nightmare. It seems to me that a 2nd opinion is very much in order, if for nothing else than to get him on some kind of treatment plan that will attack the pain and allow him to gain some strength back in order to begin this new fight. This board is a wonderful place to get information, answers and maybe most importantly, support. There are many very knowledgeable folks here that will be along and offer up some wonderful advice. Please keep us posted and know that we are all pulling for you and your father in law Sending prayers, Chris

Hello Karen I am very sorry to hear about your dad. Please know that we are all here for you and will do whatever we can to help you. Bruce said it so very well.. you can ask any questions you have, feel free to come and tell us what is on your mind as we all know how much it helps to talk about it, and of course we are always here just for you to lean on if you need us. Prayers for you and your dad, Chris

Hiya Shirley No news is sometimes the best news! Sounds like things are going smoothly for you at the moment, so stop worrying for a day or 2 and relax. Nimi sounds like a sweetie. So nice for you, in light of everything else you have been through. No plans here for the weekend, how about you??? Hugs Chris

Kasey Wonderful news!!! Congratulations! Chris

Hello Jay and welcome~ I am glad you posted here. This is the best group of people you could possibly find to help you out with information and support. I must agree with the others who like the 2nd opinion option. My feeling is that when fighting this disease you need to investigate every potential option as well as have the 2nd and even more opinions. There is a saying around here, one that I have used in the past with my personal dealings with this disease and that is Knowledge is Power. The more you can learn the better prepared you will be in the overall big picture Continue to post here, give us some more information about your mom's cancer type, etc and ask any questions you have. I promise you will get replies and you will find all the support you need here, too. Sending prayers and positive thoughts to you, your mom and your family, Chris

Darrell, Sending you nothing but positive thoughts, prayers and love.. WE WILL DO THIS! I will talk to you tomorrow. Hugs Love ya Chris

Shirley.. WOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO~~~~ This is so great to hear. I am so glad that things are falling into place finally! I told you it would all work out! Hugs Chris

Prayers for Barbara. She sounds like a fiesty, amazing lady! Chris

Carleen Sending you prayers for strength and peace. I do understand. Love, Chris

Lori You and your mom will remain in my prayers. Hoping that the shoulder is just an isolated met and that this will be cleared up in short order! Hugs and prayers and positive thoughts, Chris