Rocco

Radiation- The gist that keeps on giving! My onc told me that it can takes years for the side effects from radiation to go away. I'm 8 months removed from radiation and generally feel pretty good. The best thing for the burn is 'silvadine' cream available by prescription. They gace me many lotions, but this worked far beter than the others. Good luck and remember that this treatment is a necessary evil to control an even bigger evil. Rocco

Marlon, Jane and Natalie's posts make a lot of sense. Re-read them. Try calling social services, they may be able to get some help on the health insurance issue. Also, if mom leaves your stepdad, she may be able to convert to her own policy fairly inexpensively. At 25, you've had much to deal with already, but don't be so bitter. At 28, I held my fathers hand as he took his last breath. All of my trials went in to making me the person I am now. Nothing happens by coincidence. Every single thing that is happening to you needs to happen. Some day, many years from now, you will look back and see how everything has gone into shaping who you will have become. One cannot know good witbout also knowing bad-everything is relative. Learn that the bad times will only make you more appreciative of the good times. Good luck and be well. Rocco

Shannon- I know there are no words which will take away your loss. Just know that everything has a natural course. Nothing happens by chance. I can sense your faith in your posts and know that you're ok. That you will get through this. God Bless. Rocco

Karen- I was stage IIIa and had chemo every Monday for 7 weeks, and 28x rads every weekday, much like Judy. The radiation was 5100Cgy +/- total. Then, I had to wait a few weeks before surgery. they told me the chemo and radiation kept working for weeks after the last treatments. They delayed surgery a few weeks to give the treatments more time to shrink the tumor. After surgery, I had one adjuvant chemo of taxotere and carbo. They suggested this to 'clean up' anything left behind from the previous treatments. As of now, I'm NED. It may serve you well to get a second opinion, as it appears your drs. aren't too adept at communication. My onc told me that even without surgery, a cure is still possible, and there are many on this board who are living proof. Keep a positive attitude and be proactive. God Bless. Rocco

Deb- never give up hope. If you ave not goten a second opinion on treatment/diagnosis/prognosis, please do so. My first onc wasn't nerly as aggressive as Fox Chase was. After my second opinion there, it was a no brainer as to where I wold get my treatments. So far, I'm NED. It's all about attitude. I understand that it's hard to be positive, and I know you dread going for one more test, but, it's important that they know esxactly what they're dealing with in order to correctly treat Dino's particular cancer. Know that everything happens for a reason and that you'll have much love and support on ths board. There are many of us here that are survivors. God Bless! Rocco

Tim's Kathy- I'm sorry that I'm not aware of your situaiton, but have you gone to a lung cancer specialist for a second opinion on surgery? It can't hurt. God Bless! Rocco

Great post, BessB. When I was in treatment, each family member would call nightly to see how I was. Friends dropped over and I got emails by the score. I appreciated all of this very much. My wife instinctively knew that if I needed her to do something, I would ask her. If I felt something wrong, I would tell her. And I did. Somedays, I wuld have her get the phone/door and tell them I was resting. I just got tired of talking about cancer and wanted to be as normal as possible. When I was ready to talk about it, it was in a positive way to reassure people, even if I din;t feel so hot. Caregivers, we know you love us and care very deeply. I understand how frustrating it is for you to not be able to wave a magic wand and make us better, but we are going through this for a reason. We love you for loving us, but we just want to be as normal as possible. God Bless! Rocco

I'm very sorry to hear about your complications. If something good can come out of this, it should be that cancer patients need to learn to insist on complete diagnosis and information from their doctors. They also need to seek second opinions in a timely fashion. I know the diffeerence between my first onc and the specialist I saw was like night and day. I doubt I would be NED today had I not gotten a second opinion from a specialist. A second opinion can never hurt. Good luck. Rocco

Hi Kelly- I guess I'm a bit late with this post, but I haven't been online much lately. Like Donna, I'm also a pancoast tumor survivor. Taxol/carbo and 28 rads. It was at least a few weeks before I felt any real relief, and I have a few less years than your dad. The weight gain is crucial as is attitude. Add extra anything whenever you can. Wheat germ was a good way to add some extra calories as well as the Mega shakes you mentioned. Also, have him eat small amounts of ice cream during the day....keep some next to him so he can take a spoonful every so often if he can. Plenty of juice and water is essential as well. And ATTITUDE ATTITUDE ATTITUDE. Be well. Rocco

Hello Mscyn- I had my surgery on 12/6/02. It's definitely a delicate surgery, but your husband should come through it fine. His overall health is a factor as well. If he's in good shape otherwise, not only will his recovery go quicker, but he'll feel less beaten up. I was in ICU for 2 days and in the hospital for 5 more. I actually could have gone home in 5 days, but they kept me just to be sure. My surgeon told me they would not know anything for sure until they were inside my chest. After surgery, they came out and spoke to my family first. After I woke up, they put me right in ICU on a liquid diet for the first day. I had pain until a few weeks ago, but it was well controlled with meds. Tell him no to be a martyr, use the pain meds. It will help. Good luck. Rocco

Bucky- Good advice here. You need to be procative about your treatments. I think that at a minimum, you need a second opinion. I can't imagine why any Dr. would opt for an Xray instead of a CT or PET scan unles there is some medical reason. I would insist on knowing why and confirm that with another opinion. If the ins. co goves you a hard time, keep after them, contact your senator for assistance. This is your life and you are in the lead role in your treatment. Good luck! Rocco

Now let's continue this with other good news. Everyone is pulling for everyone else and everyone who posts good news gives everyone else hope. Cancer is no longer a death sentence and all of us are living proof. Kellyu- I was from South Philly, now a suburbanite. I live in Phoenixville. Ginny- I go back to FCCC on 6/19 just to talk to the onc, but he emailed me today and confirmed that the report looks good. Rocco

just got my CT scan report back. I don't see my onc for two more weeks, but the report reads no change from the last one in March. Whew! Still NED! Don't ever give up hope. Rocco

Debi- Tomorrow I have my follow up CT scan and Friday will be 9 months since my last cigarette. I still want to smoke so bad it's unbelieveable. Had I not gotten cancer, I wuld never have been able to quit- so don't beat yourself up about it. Do the best you can and know that when we started, no one knew what they know now. I will tell you that if the news announced an asteroid about to hit Earth, I will leave skid marks in my carpet getting to the store for a pack of smokes...heh heh In the interim before surgery, mediatation and focusing on my cancer leaving my body helped get me through the anxious times. Best to you. Rocco

Lenny- Good to meet you but so sorry it had to be here. You have the right attitude and believe me, attitude is everything! My tumor was also 4cm near the clavicle- a Pancoast tumor. Getting properly staged is crucial to selecting the right treatment. Fox Chase did chemo and radiation at the same time. Perhaps this is also an option for you. The first place I went said nothing about a pancoast tumor and told me chemo and rads would be too mcu for my body to handle. I got a 2nd opinion at a cancer center and told them to pin their ears back and let me have it. Together, we kicked cancers butt! I'm glad to see you use visulization. That really helped me. It kept me calm and clear headed and was a great help in heling myself. Also, I needed no anti depressents to due the mediatation. Good luck, there is a wonderful group of people herre. We're all survivors. Rocco

Debbie- I had the top lobe of my right lung removed, along with 21 lymph nodes and portions of three ribs. They went in through my back and side and it does hurt, but it's more uncomfortable than anything. Like you, I am in my 40's. I also have small kids, so I know what you're feeling. As long as you feel comfortable with your surgeon, that is the most important thing. Be sure he has experience in this particular type of surgery. Having said that, the rest is a piece of cake. You'll get prepped, then they will wheel you into OR. They were very talkative and I actually felt relieved to know that they were going to cut this tumor out of my body and make me well. The last thing I remember was the anesthetist telling me "you'll feel a little stick"- hahaha- next thing I knew I was in recovery 6 hours later. I'm told there is a 97% survival rate for this type of operation and I believe mine was more complicated than yours- so your odds should be even better. My surgeon told me that usually the only people who don't make it through this surgery are older folks and those with significant other problems. Try to relax, try some meditation- chakra alignment, prayer, whatever works for you. Know that you are exactly where you are supposed to be. Let those who know do their job and cleanse you. Best to you and yours, Rocco

Eileen- What you have is a legitimate concern, not whining. Even Stage Ia is still cancer, and very serious. I know exactly what you mean about your fears. I have my scan on 6/5 and see the onc on 6/19. I, too, am scared, but I know that nothing happens by coincidence. If my cancer returns, that's what I need to experience at this particular time in my life. My biggest fear is that my three kids 9,7, & 6 will grow up without me, but i also know that if that happens, God must already have made plans. He must now something I don't to allow that to happen. In the meantime, I decided that i refuse to live from scan to scan. We're leaving for Spain on 6/26 whether the scan is clean or not. We're making plans for remortgaging, next year's vacation, all of the things 'normal' people do. Remember that we attract that which we fear. hard as it may be, use your inner healing to calm your fears and cleanse your body and soul. Don't picture your body wracked with cancer- picture it clean and healthy. Feel free to email me offlist if you would like some links which have helped me. Regards, Rocco

Bart- No need to apologize for your feelings. I did quite the same thing. I pre arranged my funeral, living will, advanced directives, etc...just in case. I thorougly expected to beat this and I did, but to not have done this would have left my family facing decisions I could have spared them. Funny how you say something supernatural came over you. I felt the same way the night before my first CT scan. After the biopsy, I just accepted that my time had come much earlier than I ever thought it would . I didn't know that lc could be cured. When I met the onc and he said it may be curable-I had the crack of daylight I needed to run through. Good luck to you and God bless. Rocco

Berisa, I didn't even get a CT scan until after 7 rounds of chemo. I began to feel results after the third or fourth round. Don;t be discouraged at all. I think it's way too soon to expect results yet. Rocco

Way to go Cherry! I remember having my brain MRI and how I felt on hearing the good news myself. I saw that as the crack of daylight I needed to beat cancer. What terrific news! Sending positive thoughts and healing angels your way. Rocco

Hi Ali- I has stage IIIa with mediastinum and hilar nodes involved. I did taxol/carbo x 7 tand 28 rads. They took out rt lobe upper, 21 nodes and 3 ribs. It still hurts like hell, but I'm here and NED. You can beat it, but attitude is everything. I decided at the outset that I was going to kick cancer's butt and kick it good. Good luck. there is plenty of support and information here. Rocco

Cherry- Most lung cancers are not found until stage IIIb or IV, so this is not unusual. there are many of us out here who are survivors that you can draw from. Statistics don't take everything into account. Your age, for one thing; my onc told me that beng so young was a tremendous advantage. Also, being asympomatic other than pain is a very good sign. I would tell you to be sure that you are at a facility which specializes in cancer and that yuour onc is a lung cancer specialist. if you are uncomfortable in any way with your onc-get a second opnion. They expect it, it is your illness and you have a right to the best treatment possible. I had carbo/taxol and had very few side effects....it's a mental thing-don't allow the side effects to interefere with your life. Good luck. Rocco

Thanks, all, for the welcome. I only wish it could be under better circumstances for everyone. I'm looking forward to informative discussions. Rocco

Hello- I'm Rocco. 43, married with three kids 9, 7 and 6. Dx 9/02 with a pancoast tumor chemo/rads and surgery at Fox Chase Cancer center in Philly. 1x adjuvant chemo and they tell me I'm NED. Still take the occassional percocet for pain, but in the past month, the pain has finally subsided somewhat. Still numb, tingling in arm from neuropahy, but I survived. Raised Catholic, I'm more spiritual than anything and believe in self healing, attitude and determination. I'm kind of a ChristianKabbalistBuddhist now which explains the self healing beliefs. Seems like a wonderful board and I'm looking forward to informative and supportive discussions. Rocco