Remembering Dave

Ah!! Post PCI.........That does sound like good news. Congrats!!!

My Doctors said I had probably had my cancer growing for several years before it was diagnosed. I think I could really start to tell something was wrong back in the Fall or maybe late summer of 02. Hope this helps. David C

Thanks for keeping us posted. The Chapman family will keep your Mom in our prayers. God Bless, Karen C.

Ok, we ARE among friends here, aren't we? I have to say that Dave SOAKED the mattress. We had to buy a new one. The good part of that is that we've had our old set since getting married 10 years ago and it wasn't the best quality to begin with, so we were due and wouldn't have spent the money right now unless we had to. The bad news it that we had to spend the money right now ($1,200). Oh well. I'm not too concerned about it, I think it was the steriods - they whack Dave out in many ways, more than alot of folks - he always gets a little "psycho" on them and to me that plays into what Fay was describing in her post. But I am going to encourage him to get a prostrate exam - thanks for suggesting that Sam - and when we see his oncologst next week I'm going to bring it up if he doesn't. Wish us a good night's sleep tonight on our brand new, very comfy bed (protected this time by a waterproof mattress pad!) Best to all, Karen C.

Sam, God Bless you, our Brother, you are indeed having a difficult time. Dave and I will say a special prayer for you, and I hope that one day you can return to your practice, I have a feeling that you are a compassionate physician and we need as many of those as we can get in this world. Karen C. as always, thanks for your advice and support to Dave.

Wow!! What a post! Great outlook and news. Thanks!! Get some rest and recouperate. Feel better everyday. David C

OK, OK, I figure what the heck, we are ll among freinds here.......right? This is a little embarasing but I feel like I need depends underwear!!! Has anybody who has recvd PCI and been put on Decadron ( steroid ) had any incontinance problems. Seems like I am having a hard time controling myself when I sleep. I sure will be glad when this next week and 1/2 are over with. This PCI seems to be doing some wacky things to me although it is probably the steroids. Guess I just need to wrap myself in plastic while I sleep, ha,ha. David C

Snowflake, remember your own post--Courage is being scared to death - and saddling up anyway. ~John Wayne!!!!!!!! Saddle on up and get to that doctor, I have a feeling this is normal for all us survivors, or at least should be. I hope I become one of those hypachondriacs which will enable the docs to catch WHATEVER MAY BE WRONG in time to KILL, KILL, KILL, KILL whatever bad things there may be. Hang in there! David C

Sounds like good news to me. Congrats!!!! David C

Our prayers are with you for your speedy recovery. David C

Rest Earl!!! Sounds like you may need it. WOW! What a surprise. Keep us all informed!! Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! David C

Dave, hang in there bud. Sounds like a few of us are waiting on our scans and/or results!!! I will be getting my results next week. Lets all meet in the GOOD NEWS FORUM NEXT !!!!!!!! PS Good luck with your dad. David C

I am going in today, this morning, for my Chest CT scan to see how my treatment is progressing. I have had mixed reviews with the mass in my lung with my previous tests- first shrinking and then growing which they thought was pneumonia. I have finished my Chemo and am now recvng PCI which is a little strain but OK-only 7 more days of that to go. I find out the results from the Chest CT on Wed. or Thursday, not exctly sure at this moment. I had a chest xray done yesterday in which the Pulmonologist did not seem too concerned about the results but still If the Chest CT from this morning is abnormal then we will be doing a PET Scan. Please keep me and my family in your prayers, remember God cannot answer any prayers he does not hear!!! You are all in my prayers. David C

Rinksgal--PCI--in laymans terms-- is preventative brain radiation. It is a low dosage of radiation which is administered to patients who have had a good response to the other treatments. It was explained to me that they administer PCI due to the fact that the Chemo. drugs go everywhere in the body but it has a hard time breaking the blood brain bariers. The radiation helps prevent the cancer from returnin in the brain. Sounds like our rounds are the same as you series. Sounds like you partner is doing pretty good with good shrinkage. Keep us updated, we are here for you. David C. Berisa, I was also told that 6 rounds of chemo is the maximum your body can tolerate. The Brain MRI is also standard before PCI from what I understand. DavidC

Congratulations!! I love weddings, believe it or not, and the dogs sound like they were priceless. David C

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing. What appropriate lyrics. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. David C

Yippee!!!!!! Congratulations!!!! Enjoy the Mouintain Beauty!!

Well I do remember he was just delaying treatments but when you are only given 3 months, statistics or not, It seems as if delaying is almost the same as denying treatment at that point. My stance is that I have to be as aggressive as possible in my treatments and any kind of delay is not being aggressive. We have not picked up his last CD yet but will be doing so soon and am looking forward very much to hearing it. I would love to hear some of the interviews you are speaking of Ry. David C

Nobody seems to have agreed with you, at least not in words here. I DO AGREE--it is amazing what hope a fresh morning can bring? Hope all is well with you and your family. David C

Glad treatments have started. You get on those doctors, push them if they need it. Lord help my doctors if they start dragging their feet with me--my wife will lay into them in a flash if she thinks they are not moving fast enough. My thoughts and prayers are with you and you're family. Keep us updated. David C

Hello Hebbie, yes you are correct, he did opt. not to have any treatments. I really cannot fathom that kind of decision but as I have said before--everybody handles this differently and there is no absolute correct decisions. Karen and I saw the special on VH-1 and it seemed as if he was pretty doped up on pain pills and morphine the entire time he was being interviewed.

Berisa, great article. And good questions you ask, I'd like to know the answers to those as well. It would be good to increase any foods that contain that enzyme.

Just saw it on the foxnews.com website. We had a discussion on him which Gina started a few weeks ago when his documentary was on VH-1. Just thought I'd post the news. Karen C.

Hello Mandy, welcome aboard. Norme is corect, there is no way to truely prepare yourself for this road. Everybody reacts differently and all you can do is hold on and use your best instints and wisdom and ask a lot of questions. SCLC is very responsive to treatment so keep your Faith. The side effects from the chemo are edifferent for everybody as well. I have experienced severe fatigue and had a bloody nose and needed 1 blood transfusion because of low blood counts but just remember it is all a symptom of the cure, not the disease. I just keep telleing myself that the treatments will be over soon enough. There are a lot of people with cancer as well as a lot of caregivers such as yourself to talk with here so come on back and keep us all informed. We are all here for you even if everybody does not respond to a post all the time. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. David C

Sandy, you go girl!!!!! Congrats!!! Never feel bad for being a survivor. I feel so happy for you. Keep sending the good news. It is what keeps a lot of people going. David C