Remembering Dave
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Hi all, this is Karen. Dave had his PET Scan on Monday (his every three month checkup scan) and we saw the radiologist this morning for his six month checkup. An almost perfectly clean scan! He said there was some activity in the left lung where the initial tumor had been, but it was smaller and less active than previous scans, so he's pretty sure it is scar tissue that is continuing to heal and go away!
God is so good to us and is answering our prayers.
Karen C.
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Ray, I think that's great. It was a sign from God, and yes, He is telling you that He'll always be there for you.
No matter what, you are going to be just fine, my friend.
When my cousin Cindy died of breast cancer four years ago, we were driving back from the whole long funeral weekend out of state, and I was exhausted (Dave was driving). I looked up and saw Cindy's face in the sky. At this point we were in West Virginia crossing some tall mountains, not far from her parent's (my aunt and uncle) home. I think she was telling me that she was OK. It really helped me deal with losing her.
God Bless
Karen C.
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Ok, Dean, I hope it's OK, but I laughed out loud when I read your post! Goodness! The funny thing about people like that, they are usually pretty shallow in every area including their lack of faith. That is pretty sad.
I hope you're surviving OK.
I have to say that I felt like I always had a rather strained relationship with my MIL until Dave's diagnoses. Then I asked them to come stay with us while he was in treatment, and they stayed for six months. I don't think I ever wanted to take a baseball bat to her and we ended up better friends because of it. But I'm lucky I guess.
Hang in there, good buddy!
Karen C.
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Berisa,
I LOVED looking at these pictures! Your family is so attractive! I think you look more like your Dad and your brother more like your Mom.
I am so sorry your Dad is gone but you have so many happy memories to carry with you forever. And like you said, he was a good daddy - that is so special!
Looking at these photos really made me miss China, those two weeks we spent in China were the best two weeks of my life, and I think I left a little piece of my heart there!
God Bless you and your very special family,
Karen C.
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OK jane, I just saw Karens post. Believe me when I say it was the steroids and not the PCI that got me. Me and steroids do not mix.
Tell your dad not to worry and I will be praying for him.
David C
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Jane! No, No, No, No, No. Tell him my point was not that the PCI wacked me out but that I was not any more wacked out than before I did the PCI (ignore current photo). I will not lie, there are side effects but fatigue was my biggest problem and as I think I may have said-well worth it.
David C
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Wonderful, Wonderful news!!!!!!! You tell Chick Congratulations from me. Thyat news does give you a new lease on life. Nothing will ever look the same through his eyes. My experience with PCI was rough but I figured if it gave me even one week more with the ones I love then it was well worth it. Fatigue was my biggest problem with PCI. I also tend to be not as detail oriented when I am very tired and sometimes forget peoples name but honestly it is not that much worse than my cognative ability was PC (pre cancer). Enjoy every minute.
David C
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I think that the girlfriend has got to go. When Dave was first diagnosed the oncologist told us that he HAD to have a positive attitude, a will to live, and a strong support system around him. At the very least, the girlfriend is not a strong support system. She may even drag him down, which is not good.
Also, it sounds like his sister is influencing him negativily with a bad experience from her husband, did I get that correctly? Well, everyone is different, every circumstance is different, and even chemo has improved so much just in the last few years. So everything she knows about it probably isn't even relative.
Your Dad needs to have some time by himself or just with you around, do some reading and research, look over everyone's experiences on this board, and then make his decision.
When Dave was in the hospital and the biopsy confirmed that it was lung cancer, he got very angry, and said he didn't want to see anyone but me for 24 hours (and docs and nurses, of course). He did alot of thinking and put himself in the mind frame to fight.
Hang in there, and be strong for your Dad. and don't let those women push you around.
God Bless,
Karen C. (David C's wife)
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Jane, that is GREAT news! I told you I thought he sounded alot like Dave with his diagnoses, treatment, etc. Dave was cancer free after his chemo, too. we decided to go for the PCI and really don't regret it. His doctors never flip flopped, they said at the beginning he would be getting it if he did well with his treatments. The only issue was that he responded well to the chemo and lung radiation, which of course he did. So we didn't question it too much.
I will tell you that the PCI AND the steroids (decadron) he had to take because of brain swelling from the PCI, WACKED him out big time for several months. Just did weird things to him, short term memory problems, short temper, etc. but that is all just about gone and he's all better now. Of course he is 39 and your Dad is probably older. Just keep that in mind and remember that in most cases it all goes away, just a matter of patience. We decided that those little problems were much better than the alternative (cancer cells sneaking into his brain!).
If he gets headaches, or a bad headache, after starting the PCI, that would be the brain swelling - let the radiologist know right away and they'll put him on decadron to relieve it.
I'm so glad you went to that appt. and are so involved with your Dad's treatment. It really does make a difference.
God Bless,
Karen c.
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4864060/
Dave's parents just emailed us this article, looks like they've found a way to help some folks who previously did not respond well to Iressa? I just skimmed the article.
Karen C.
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Hi, All. Just wanted to let everyone know that Dave is getting a PET Scan on Monday. It's his regular every-three-month-post-treatment scan. No problems to speak of to note here. But prayers for a clean scan are most welcome!
He is really doing good, it's amazing. He's just about to full speed at this point - still tires a bit easy, but some of that may be due to the extra weight he put on. We BOTH need to take care of that!
God Bless and thanks,
Karen C.
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Jane - yep, he's an interesting guy, to say the least!
He was "dared" by someone on the board to dress in drag in exchange for a donation to the website. This head shot is his preliminary photo. He hasn't gotten around to dressing in full drag yet. What everyone must know about David C is that nothing happens very fast with him. It's taken me eleven years to accept that fact (BeckyCW is his sister and I think she can verify this).
Please let us know how the doctor appt went!
Karen C.
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Great suggestions! Jane - don't worry, you'll be fine - this is so important you'll focus and not get emotional. That will come later - ha! I think it is wonderful your father is asking for your help. A strong support system, especially family, is very helpful in fighting cancer. And being involved will help you, too, because doesn't it always feel better to feel like you're actually doing something about it?
Am eager to hear the results of Wednesday's appt.
God Bless,
Karen C.
(p.s. this is NOT me in the photo, by the way, but Dave semi-dressed in drag!!! I'm not THAT ugly!)
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Jane - Dave and I haven't posted much lately, so I'm sorry I haven't "talked" with you before. Your Dad sounds like he's doing really really well. PET Scans are HIGHLY sensitive and if only has one little hot spot, that could be something like a lymph node fighting off an infection - NON CANCER infection, that is! Dave had a PET Scan a while back, after CT scans showed no evidence of cancer - and he had a small hot spot in his lymph node in his groin, but not two weeks before that he'd had a procedure done where they punctured a large vein in his grown to run a wire up to his portacath and lasso it back in place when it slipped out place a little. Anyway, everyone just assumed that was from the healing of that puncture wound and didn't worry about it.
Hang in there. If he's doing that well, you'll want to continue that chemo. Kill all those cancer cells!
PM or email us if you want to ask more questions, it sounds like your Dad's diagnoses is very similiar to Dave's.
God Bless,
Karen C.
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Hey, Cindy - Dave and I haven't been around too much either, but because we've just been busy - which is GOOD.
I'm glad there's no change. Stable is good. Hopefully with time the fluid will slowly go away. I'm counting on it.
By the way, I always have liked your quote about finding strength in Christ. It's something I try to remember, especially after reading it from you, and it does strengthen me!
God Bless,
Karen C.
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Jamie - this is Karen, David C's wife. I often log on with his username. He was diagnosed with SCLC in March 2003 - just a little over a year ago. His was not extensive like your Mom's (his had not spread out of lungs, although he did have a big tumor on the lymph nodes between his lungs), but take heart in hearing that he is in remission, in fact, the first CT scan after his chemo and chest radiation were over showed no evidence of cancer - just last summer. Another thing, SCLC is almost NEVER operable, so the fact that your mom's tumors have spread like spider webs really shouldn't be an issue - the chemo and radiation should get to 'em. The good news is that SCLC responds, in most cases, very very well to chemo and radiation.
Dave's oncologist told him that this type of lung cancer is almost always caused by smoking. Dave was only 38 when diagnosed and had smoked for about 20 years. But that should not matter either - I mean, it may have caused the cancer, but at this point just consider it irrelevant. I will tell you that Dave's oncologist told him that if he ever smoked again they cancer would likely return and nothing he could do for him would help. So hopefully she has quit, that will definitely maximize her treatment I believe. Needless to say, Dave hasn't touched a cigarette and I know he never will.
There are lots of survivors on this board who have or have had extensive SCLC. And there are others, like Katie's dad, who lived well past the time the doctors gave him. I also don't like the idea of giving a person a limited amount of time to live. Anything is possible, especially with a positive attitude.
Keep us posted, OK?
God Bless,
Karen c.
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Bud - I was wondering about you the other day. Great News!
Dave had the PCI and even though it "wacked" him out big time, he is starting to recover. That was last September. And I know he does not regret it, either - in our opinion, being wacked out by the PCI is better than the potential alternative.
and I like the term cesspool, especially when referring to anything cancer!
God Bless,
Karen C.
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Ginny, neither Dave nor I have been on the boards much lately, not even lurking, so I am just seeing your post, but it really grabbed my attention. Mostly because you LOOK and SOUND like the most vivacious person EVER, so this lethargic-ness must be really driving you crazy!
It sounds to me like it's the Zoloft. I've heard that anti-depressants can do this, but I've especially heard this about Zoloft. I do know that you are never supposed to go cold turkey on any anti-depressant so cutting the Duke down to half a pill is a good approach, but please please talk to whatever doctor prescribed it and get their advice. I think the plan should be to taper him down and then start him on something else, but I don't know the best way to do that. Also, I've been on Celexa for probably five years now and I've never had any problems with it. Dave's oncologist put him on Paxil when he was diagnosed but it was doing strange things to him (can't remember what exactly now, but I think it was making him anxious) so he switched to Celexa and he's doing fine. Now, Dave Chapman is the last person you'd ever imagine needing an antidepressant, even with cancer, so I doubt he takes it for long. but me, well, let's just say "better living through chemicals." I just need them.
My two cents worth. I was so happy to read down the posts and see that The Duke is getting his pep back and taking you out to eat - what fun! That must feel like a trip to Europe for you about now!
I sure hope your sister does OK. I can't imagine how hard it is to not be able to go see her right now.
God Bless,
Karen C.
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Ginny, neither Dave nor I have been on the boards much lately, not even lurking, so I am just seeing your post, but it really grabbed my attention. Mostly because you LOOK and SOUND like the most vivacious person EVER, so this lethargic-ness must be really driving you crazy!
It sounds to me like it's the Zoloft. I've heard that anti-depressants can do this, but I've especially heard this about Zoloft. I do know that you are never supposed to go cold turkey on any anti-depressant so cutting the Duke down to half a pill is a good approach, but please please talk to whatever doctor prescribed it and get their advice. I think the plan should be to taper him down and then start him on something else, but I don't know the best way to do that. Also, I've been on Celexa for probably five years now and I've never had any problems with it. Dave's oncologist put him on Paxil when he was diagnosed but it was doing strange things to him (can't remember what exactly now, but I think it was making him anxious) so he switched to Celexa and he's doing fine. Now, Dave Chapman is the last person you'd ever imagine needing an antidepressant, even with cancer, so I doubt he takes it for long. but me, well, let's just say "better living through chemicals." I just need them.
My two cents worth. I was so happy to read down the posts and see that The Duke is getting his pep back and taking you out to eat - what fun! That must feel like a trip to Europe for you about now!
I sure hope your sister does OK. I can't imagine how hard it is to not be able to go see her right now.
God Bless,
Karen C.
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Bless you, Berisa - isn't it something how you can be so much more at peace with things when you understand more of God's love and the role Jesus plays in our lives - and deaths?
I try to remember that out of everything that seems bad there is some good, and even though your father is suffering so much in his earthly form right now, at least you, and him, are finding peace through Christ.
Take care, and know we are thinking of you,
Karen C.
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Hey, nobody calls me a Chicken Butt!!! NOBODY!!
Do chickens have butts? What came first? Why did the chicken butt cross the road? There was a boy scout a chicken butt and Jesse Jackson on this plane..........
PS: more to come
David C
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Hi, Greg's Mom. I hope you are feeling better soon. It is really hard to lose a son. I have lost three cousins in the last few years - one was 38 (breast cancer) one was 43 (suicide) and one was 48 (ruptured aneursym while jogging). I am watching my beloved aunts and uncle suffer with losing children in the prime of their lives, as Greg was. He was a super duper nice guy and quickly became a real friend to my husband Dave (who is doing pretty well for the time being) as they were diagnosed about the same time and were about the same age.
Please hang in there and stay in touch with us. We love you very much.
God Bless,
Karen C. (David C's wife)
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Hi, ya'll! Not chicken butt, not shy (NOT him - he performed on stage for years as a musician!). Just tired, busy, and sick. All three of us have had a bad cold for the last week, for instance. And blame BeckyCW a little too, we had to spend a weekend out of town visiting with her . . .(sorry Becky, just trying to spread the blame a little). It seems we're either on the run or recovering from being on the run . . .
that being said, we'll make a big effort to get it done this weekend. I THINK we have all the necessary stuff!
Stay tuned . . .
Karen C.
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Berisa,
Have a beautiful day with your precious Dad.
God Bless,
Karen C.
Looking for Karen - David C.'s wife.
in SCLC GROUP
Posted
HI, Joni, Karen here. I just replied to your email then saw this post.
Yes, Dave is still in remission (see our recent post under Good News). His first CT scan after his lung radiation and chemo were done, back in July last year, showed no evidence of disease and every scan since then - which he gets every three months - alternating CT scans and PET scans - not one has showed a return of the cancer. There's always something in his left lung where the "original" tumor was, but it is shrinking so they think it is scar tissue that is healing and going away. I even feel lucky and grateful for that, because so often people will get scar tissue from the radiation and it never goes away and they have problems with pneumonia and stuff.
Anyway, check out my email and ask me anything you want. Yes, our husbands situation does sound very much the same, so anything we can do to help, I almost feel like an obligation to do. We got through this, now it is our job, our mission, to help you get through it.
God Bless,
Karen C.