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Patti, I had Gamma Knife to the brain last December to radiate two Brain met lesions. They screw a halo (metal ring) on your head first. It is fairly painless and works pretty well. Many times it is used instead of Whole Brain Radiation provided you have four or less lesions. Lilly

I just want to tell everyone that I did it. I walked in to work today without my wig. It felt really good. Some people pretended like nothing was different, others complimented my new great haircut:). And my close friends at work even wanted to touch my hair, they were excited to see that my hair had grown back. All in all, you guys are right, people are far more accepting then we expect. I had a great day...I'm soooo happy to finally get that wig off. I feel like a new person. Lilly

Lilly Born in Hartford, grew up in the most ancient town of Wethersfield and now live in Rocky Hill, CT. 41 year old (soon to be 42:)) mom of three kids. Katia (14), Alexandre ( and Marilena (2). Married to Paul (43) for 15 years. We have a 130 pound oversize Doberman named "Kiko" and a little goldfish named "oddball". I also have the best parents in the world who live five minutes away. I am employed as a Sr. Director for the Disney and ESPN networks. Been working there for 14 years and thankful every day. I'm a UCONN alum. Fighting NSCLC stage IIIA now IV since June of '06. Besides spending time with my family in my spare time I love to read, scrapbook, update my facebook page, research my family history (I have gone as far back as 1771 so far), and take pictures.

Hi all, I got my short hairs cut and cleaned up today, they were all different lengths. The last few treatments of chemo did not knock out my hair and I'm in a rest period for now. Not sure what treatment will be next so I'm trying to muster up the courage to take off my wig for work. I think I look okay with my very short boyish haircut that my hairdresser cleaned up for me today. I sooooo hate the wig and don't feel like myself but I'm afraid to shock the office folks. I just need to get the courage to walk through the door. Why do we make such a big deal about our hair...Men don't worry about stuff like this. Argghhhhhh Lilly

Connie and Maurie, I just wanted to let you know that I will be thinking about you on the 19th. I will pray for a very successful surgery for you. I'm sending you lots of Hugs from Connecticut. Lilly

Terri, Thank you for posting. I need to hear about survival as often as I can so I can remind myself that I can endure and raise my babies. Best wishes to you and your family Lilly

Patti, I guess I have been pretty lucky so far as the only one insensitive person in my life has been the same way from day one to the present so I just decided not to spend any time with that person and only have to see that person when it is a family requirement. I've basically cut her off. Everyone else in my life, friends, co-workers and family continue to offer to help although as in the beginning I take limited help as it is good for me to stay independent. My best helper besides my mom is my Aunt who comes over several mornings a week and helps me round my kids out of the house and off to school or grandma's. I don't know what I would do without her and she never seems tired of helping so I try to buy her nice gifts when I can to show how much I appreciate what she is doing. (she also makes my beds and straightens up while she's over). One thing I have done is insure I am always clear with people. I have no problem telling people, "I'm sorry but my counts could be low so I prefer you don't come over with your sick children". I don't wallow in self pity but I do not let people forget that I have advanced lung cancer and am in treatment now and probably forever and if they want to hang out with me then they should get used to it. Hugs Lilly

Chelsea, Hope your mom's Gamma Knife went well today. I had the procedure and it was fairly easy. First night I needed to rest but was fine the next day. Lilly

Don, congratulations on four years survivorship. I expect you will have many more Halloween's to celebrate. Lilly

Rochelle, My prayers are with you and your family...I was shocked to hear this news. I am so sorry. Lilly

There are very few people that did not know that I smoked therefore I rarely get asked as I started smoking at 13 and stopped at 40. I always had a cigarette in my hand even in most pictures of me. The nice thing is that I blame myself more than anyone else does. My family and friends always shut me up when I start with the "I wish I had listned to you about the smoking" dialogue. One thing that amazed me was that most people who cared about me that were smokers when I was diagnosed, quit smoking. The few that have not stopped, hide it very well. I felt like they all were trying to keep the smoke away from my lungs. Although I truly believe I may have had this disease without the cigarettes I think the tobacco companies should be shut down and stopped. Lilly

I just wanted to make sure I didn't forget and wanted to take this opportunity to thank the caregivers on this site. Hopefully, I can thank you all again next year. Especially those of you who have loved ones that have since passed, your compassion for the rest of us is amazing. Knowing that you will hopefully still be hear to comfort others after I'm gone is comforting to me. Thank you again for all that you do for your loved ones and the rest of us that were once strangers. It is soo appreciated. Lilly

Happy Belated Birthday Rich!!!. You share your day with my 8 year old son. Hope your day was wonderful Lilly

Deb, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Tony went through so much since his diagnosis. What a warrior he was. You and your family are in my thoughts. God Bless. Lilly

Jude, So far no side effects other than SOB and fatigue. Good luck with your treatment. Lilly

From July '06-September '06 I had low dose chemo weekly (paclitaxol and Carboplatin). I cut my hair short and none of it fell out. In November '06 I had one large dose of Paclitaxol and Carboplatin and all my hair fell out in clumps. It took two weeks and I had none left but my brows and lashes stayed. My hair started growing back during Gemzar treatments. Then in the spring with Abraxane my hair fell again, especially my brows and eyebrows. All began to grow back with Tarceva and now with Alimta it is still growing. But I have been truly without any significant hair since November '06 and don't expect to see much of it any time soon. You get used to it. I wear a wig for work otherwise everyone sees me in those biker bandana's with the tie in the back. Here is hoping your hair doesn't all fall out. Lilly

I just started on Alimta also. My next treatment is 10/16/07. So far I'm SOB and not sure if related to the Alimta. Lilly

Bucky, I also agree with everyone else. Enjoy every day. I get down too once in awhile but I'm trying really hard to focus on having fun as much as possible. You need to keep your mind off this disease and live your life. Hugs Lilly

heather, I'm sorry I don't have any advice on the topic to help, but I want you to know I'm thinking of you. I hope you feel better soon. Lilly

Ralph, congratulations on two years...hope you feel better soon. Lilly

Barb, congratulations on the 7 years!!! Lilly

Joe, Congratulations, here is to many many more years. Lilly

Although my diagnosis came because of a CT scan due to years of Bronchitus, leading up to diagnosis I had severe shoulder pain that would appear only when I was extremely stressed out so I thought nothing of it. I assumed I wasn't handling stress as well as I did in previous years. It was a deep pain within my shoulder.

I have been on and off chemo over the past year and I have three kids in the house. My mom watches my baby along with my brothers baby everyday while we work so my kids and my brothers kids always have colds at the same time. I keep a close eye on my counts and if they start to dip, I make sure I'm more careful around the kids. My biggest rule is no kissing on lips and no sharing drinks. I mark my water bottles in the fridge and there is hell to pay if someone drinks out of my bottle. They comply, they know mommy's life is at stake and they are careful. Lilly

Marci, I was originally diagnosed IIIA. I had same treatment, low dose weekly chemo for 6 weeks with concurrent radiation 33 treatments. then surgery, then stronger dose of chemo. Andrea is accurate that some surgeons do not like to operate after too much radiation. My surgeon actually told me he does these all the time after radiation and doesn't find it difficult. Lilly