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Char81062

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  1. Your Mom is going through some difficult emotions and I was told when my Mom was dx with lung cancer that only someone who was going through or who had been through the same thing could truly understand all that she is feeling. I as a daughter can understand how you feel though. You are scared and angry. Angry at her because of what you possibly feel may be a self-inflicting disease. I tell you now that you cannot blame. Your Mom may be saying the same thing to herself and it is productive for no one. Take charge of this disease and the care of your Mother in as much as you can. This requires support from the entire family. This site also brings great comfort in being able to talk about your feelings and a wonderful source of information about lung cancer. You will see the people here are wonderful. It will bring you comfort and peace in your battle as this is a battle, make no mistake about that. My prayers and good thoughts come your way. Char
  2. Dear Everyone, I wanted to write this letter to tell you what a wonderful group of people are on this website. My Mother was diagnosed with sclc in April 06 and I started writing on this website and asking for advice, guidance and sometimes just a venue to vent. Don was even on the phone to me talking to me about everything just as if I was a friend. I never did put all the treatments that everyone else updated on their site. Basically after she was diagnosed she started Chemo, and did fairly well with that. She had radiation in Sept and again all was well. Then later she had a breakthrough and the tumors in her lung were gone. I wrote here that even if I could say The Cancer is Gone for a day, a week, a month I could still at that moment say it was GONE!! Well she got back her strength, she was doing more and more things that she had done before and my Sister and Brother and I took her to Atlantic City for a day of 000 this past October. We were even planning another day trip on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Our whole world changed Wednesday Nov 21st when my Mother was too weak to get out of bed and her speech was at times incoherent or inappropriate. She was admitted to the hospital and they took 2 MRI's between Wed and Fri. Saturday her Dr. told us the bad news that she had multiple lesions in her brain and he thought she would have a couple of weeks at best. She slept most of the time and was only awake for short periods but on one of those she told me she was scared to die. I told her I was scared too. We took her home on Monday and there she rested and was visited by everyone who cared about her. Her Husband Sisters, nieces, children and grandchildren were all there to say goodbye to a truly extraordinary woman. I say extraordinary because everyone loved my Mother. Shortly after 2am on Thursday November 29th my wonderful beautiful Mother passed from this world and into God's arms. People would say to me in the next days that she's in a better place and it was all a part of God's plan. I said to one of them, Well I wished He had a different plan. We had a lot of quality time between the last time I wrote you all and told you of her great news. When everything was so new to me I could come here to this site and read about other people and talk. You will never know how very comforting it was then and in writing this letter now it helps just a little with the grieving process. I've cried a lot but because it was so painful, I decided in the last several days that I just wasn't going to think about it. Writing this has helped and thank you tremendously for the great support you give. Always believe in a cure, even if it is for a short time or a long time. My prayers go out to all who are still fighting the fight and those who support them. Love and Grattitude for you all, Charlene
  3. Bobby, My Mom was dx w/sclc extensive stage in May 2006. She started Chemo and had 3 treatments. Each one almost killed her because of all the unbearable symptoms. She was ready to include radiation into the mix and had a CAT scan and an MRI done. You know what. The Dr. said NO more tumors. She is right now cancer free and feeling more like her old self with each new day. She and I went to Denny's for the first time in 6 months (she hasn't been out of the house other than Dr's appts in all that time) and she had a ball. She ate like a little piggie. You would NEVER have believed that possible just 8wks earlier when we thought she might die from her treatment. It can and does happen that people get well from this disease. I am sending you and your sis gentle hugs and lots of prayers. -Char
  4. Terrye I know the frustration of uncertainty. Just take it one day at a time and try not to think the worst. You don't know what the elevated white blood count means until your Mom has tests. Look at all the good progress you made and focus on that. I am saying prayers for you and your entire family. -Char
  5. Shannon, I totally agree with Chris, Do not pay attention to statistics. They are abysmal. I can understand that your entire family is in shock over all of this and yes everyone deals with the news in an entirely different way. I think if the Dr has said he has 4-5 years that you ought to take that as a terrific sign that this can be beat and for much longer. Give your Step-Dad time. It is what he needs to come to terms with this. Don from this site told me I had no idea what was going through my Mom's mind who was dx with sclc earlier this year. He said that as much as I could be there for her that she was the patient facing the dx. I understand now that my need for my Mom to fight and get up and live each day was MY wish and need, it wasn't hers. I had to give her time and space to come to terms with everything. Oh and by the way, the Dr. gave my Mother a most grim prognosis and guess what? She has no more tumors and is doing pretty darn good. The Dr's as good as they are don't know everything!!! People defy the odds every single day and I'm praying for your Step Dad to be one of them. -Char
  6. Kim, Fantastic, Fabulous news!!!! Yahoo for you!!!! -Char
  7. Char81062

    about my dad

    Jodi, My Mom was dx with sclc earlier this year with a brain met. She had 3 Chemo treatments, once every 21 days which was really rough on her BUT she got the news that all the tumors were gone. Your father is going through the same thing that My Mom went through and it is a terrible depression that no one could seem to pull her out of. When you get this news everyone is in shock and you can't seem to wrap your arms around it. We seemed to be in crisis mode constantly. I agree with the posts that say get a 2nd opinion. Please keep us posted and as Don says let us know how we may help you through this difficult time. -Char
  8. Terrye, I understand where you're coming from. My Mom was dx with sclc earlier this year and the chemo was extremely rough on her. If I learned one thing from the great people here on this site, it is this. Yes this is a horrible situation that the entire family is fighting but you have to let yourself vent. Cry, scream, talk to friends. Talking about it to my friends A LOT especially at the beginning really helped me. Just saying words, getting it out was theraputic. Also finding this site was a God send to me. You would think reading some of the stories would actually make you feel even more depressed and disheartened BUT it does not. It actually does the opposite. In reading and answering posts from other people, it somehow empowers you. It gives you strength to help your family member fight this disease. I have always felt more at peace after I have come to this site to share my updates or read and reply to others. I'm sending you every good thought and best wish for you and your family. -Char
  9. Hello Everyone, My Mom who was dx w/Stage 4 (extended) sclc in June has had so many problems with her Chemo, I can't even keep count or begin to list them. She was hospitalized 3 times in 3 months and each time we thought we might lose her. Now comes the good part!! My Mom had a consultation with a radiologist because of the brain met. She told us an MRI and CAT Scan showed NO, I repeat NO signs of tumors anywhere. Not in her lung, not in her brain, Nowhere!!! She did caution us that tumors can recur and they will be giving her whole head radiation for 3 wks (15 min each day) as a precaution. My sister had said to the Dr. "My Mom was dx with sclc in June" the Dr. replied, "Not anymore". She said she knew that the Chemo was really rough and just about killed my Mom, BUT the Chemo was even worse on the tumors. So for all of you out there who get a dx that you don't think you can turn around.....THINK AGAIN!!!! We were all in shock and a little afraid to believe, did we actually get this lucky? Many thanks to all who helped me and continue to help by posting. I will keep you posted on the outcome of the radiation. Mom is a little scared. The Dr says she will lose all her hair with radiation. Can you believe she didn't lose it during Chemo?!! I say tough noogies on the hair thing, My Mom beat cancer, even if I can only say it for a day, a week, a month or however long, right now everything is groovy. -Char
  10. Melinda, There are no words, I'm just so so sad for you. -Char
  11. Grace, I've read all the posts from the wonderful people on this forum and one thing rings through..... that we are all sending love, hugs, prayers and above all strength to get through whatever may lay ahead. No one knows what God's plan is, or when he has decided to call someone home but I have to believe there is a reason and a purpose for everything. I feel for you because when I found out my Mom had sclc I cried for days and I just can't imagine the depth of all that you feel in these days. I want my Mom here just like you want your husband there. That does not make us selfish, it makes us human. Please accept my good thoughts and prayers for you and your entire family. -Char
  12. Lori, I've read your posts and the love you feel for your Mom comes through loud and clear. I feel sad for you and would just like to say you are one beautiful person. With all you have been through I don't know how you're getting by but know that good thoughts and prayers are coming your way for you and your entire family. -Char
  13. Thanks to everyone who took time out of their busy lives to answer me. A lot of this makes sense now and at least gives me some peace of mind that other people have experienced like symptoms. Mom has had an MRI this past Friday and has an appointment with a Radiation Oncologist tomorrow so we should have a good idea of what we are dealing with at that point. What this forum really helps with are the questions that I will have my Sis and Pop ask the Dr about what is going on. Many thanks for your continued good thoughts and prayers. -Char
  14. Hello Everyone, My Mom was dx with sclc in May and has undergone 3 treatments of Chemo. She postponed the 4th because she was very weak and will resume next week. She has an appt with a radiology oncologist (for a brain met)to start a course of radiation next Wednesday. She has started to experience not being able to comprehend what you are saying. In other words, she will hear what you said and can repeat it if the sentence is not too long, but if you talked at a normal rate of speed she might take 20 seconds to be able to understand what you just said. She said it has happened more in the last few days and it has scared her. The Dr said it could be caused by a number of different things, her medication, she might be having a mini seizure or the tumor in the brain. Has anyone had experience with this? It is really freaking me and my Mom out!! Thanks for your help. God Bless this message Board!!! -Char
  15. Jen, Fabulous news for you and your entire family. My good thoughts and prayers for your Dad's continued remission. I always need to hear stories like your Dad's to know there is hope. I thank you for posting his update. -Char
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