Judy-OK

Hi Bam you will probably get much better answers than mine because like your mom it is hard to explain. I completed my radiation in August of 2006. I still have discomfort, as your mom says, on the inside. PET scans show stable. I have reasoned in my mind if the radiation burned the outside of my skin the way it did then I do NOT really even want to know what it did on the inside!!! It is like there is a thickening of the tissue or skin. It is not a dibilating pain but is a constant nuisance at this point. When it gets bad enough I take a pain pill. Hope you mom is better soon.

So sorry ((Muffy)) her is hoping you find the peace you so deserve after caring for your wonderful mom.

Flowegirlie my deepest and greatest prayer is that you find the comfort you need. I know you are a very strong person that has been through so much while battling the beast with your husband. (( ))) You are in the the thoughts of many!!!!

Thoughts and prayers for you and your family and prayers for a successful surgery. It is always nice to be able to come to this site and seek support and understanding from others. (((hugs))))

((((Amanda)))) so sorry dear. Lots of hugs and prayers for you and your family.

And [/b]NOW we know why folks are told to not discuss religion or politics. ROFL

Hi Mike. My nsclc was also inoperable due to percentage of lung function. I underwent 35 radiation treatments and receive chemo of carbo/taxol once a week for 6 weeks. I say if your mom is in fairly good health otherwise and it sounds like she is since she lives alone and takes care of herself the battle the beast!!!! Please let her maintain what independence she can unless of course like me she is to stubborn to ask for help when she knows she needs it.

Ativan worked wonders for me. I still take it on occasion for anxiety or sleeplessness but only as needed. Anti-Depressant take some time to get in your system and start working

Nothing to add about the Arensap but I have always had low blood pressure. During my pulmonary rehab class whenever any of us would have a drop in blood pressure the therapist would set us down and have us drink about 12 ounces of water. Lo and behold the pressure came back to where it should be ... not sure why but it worked. I guess water truly is miracle!!!!

I am taking some B complex vitamins and it is helping me ... or at least I think it is and the mind is a weird thing. As long as it won't hurt me I am up for pretty much trying anything. Wish they could find something to relieve the discomfort and tightness left behind by the radiation.

(((Missy))) So sorry for you and your family and will say extra prayers. I have to say that you do indeed have a way with words and I look forward to your posts not only for what you type but your "snowbunny" picture just makes your face shine and eyes sparkle. Makes me think you were most likely a handful growing up but what a wonderful loving daughter you are when mom needs you the most. We are all here if you need us.

Hi and welcome to a wonderful place on the internet. I received chemo and radiation all at the same time. My cancer was deemed inoperable. Since treatment I have had 2 PET scans and the word I have received is "stable" which is a good thing. I did not have to go for a second opinion because this was their plan from the get-go. Go to Onc-Talk as suggested above and ask Dr. West. Good luck and keep us informed.

Barb check with the folks that are administering your radiation treatments. They had two or three different types of lotion that they provided for my crispy critter skin and when it got really bad they had some kind of a gel patch that you could put in the frig and then apply to the area which gave GREAT relief for awhile. Good luck, hand in there and drink lots and lots and lots of water.

I have read and wondered and asked and still can not figure it out. However after reading what Dr. West had to say in last nights chat my mind is at ease. I received 35 radiation treatments and chemo of carbo/taxol once a week for six weeks. Surgery was not an option. Since then I have had to PET scans and the term is "stable". I was wondering why my doctor was not giving me something else since other folks are receiving preventative types of treatment. I am sure if a scan ever shows it is no longer "stable" then my oncologist will attack it again. So I guess not receiving a second line of therapy while it is stable just leaves more lines we can choose from should we need them in the future. Boy I hope this makes more sense typed than it does with I type it. LOL

Actually since your husband has COPD it could well be the Pulmonologist that will make the determination as to whether surgery is an option. If his lung function is already greatly compromised by COPD then removal of a lobe may not be a good way for him to go. Radiation and chemo therapy have worked well for many folks. I think if you like your doctors and truly trust them then the second opinion is up to you or your husband. Let us know what they find out.

Okay I give up what is "test time section"????

Whether you are currently battling, surviving or providing care for someone with lung cancer take the time to pamper yourself. I went for my first ever one hour long body massage this afternoon and I think I am addicted. I was apprehensive at first that some of the pains I have would be aggravted but I found out quite the contrary. I came home feeling like a warm pool of liquid. By the time I left I had decided I was so worth this investment that I scheduled me another one for next Thursday. Once we get all the kinks our of my shoulders, etc. I will probably go once a month for the rest of my like. I did not go to fancy place but to a small room in a woman's house that lives in my small town. She was very kind and made me feel comfortable with the situation. I have already decided that I need to save my pennies and give massages as birthday or xmas gift because many people will not be that self indulgent. I can not think of person more deserving than those of us that write on this message board.

(((Grace))) I pray for peace for you and your wonderful girls.

RosLock ... I know you said you had some friends that you could unload on or express your fears and frustrations to. Does he have someone besides yourself that he can open up with and let everything out? I live alone so I do not have to worry about offending many people but have found that I do spend a lot of time talking to my dog rather than calling someone that would really not understand. I have another girl I worked with that is also battling lung cancer right now and in 3D life she is the ONLY one I think that really gets me when I am down or doubting.

Aaron the pain you are describing is identical to what I felt when I found out I had a ruptured disk. It was TOTALLY debilitating. I was receiving steroid injections for relief of the problem and that treatment was sidetracked when lung cancer was discovered. At the present time the ruptured disk is being fairly quiet which is in part probably due to the fact that the chemo and radiation slowed me down a bit. Like my PCP said let's deal with the most threatening thing first. Do you get any relief from the pain in the lie with one leg bent and maybe propped up against the back of a couch or something like that???

I weighed in at 101 upon diagnosis and at the insistence of my Oncologist ended treatment at 125. I do not think anyone should be forced to eat. I would just keep foods that she might choose to snack on close to where ever she spends the most time. There were times during my treatment that I only drank malts because living alone they were easy to make and easy to drink. I used Ensure, which I did not like, but I doctored it up with malt powder, vanilla, chocolate syrup, vanilla bean ice cream and sometimes would add a little carmel sauce to the blender. I think the malt powder over rode the Ensure flavor that I did not like.

I did attend Pulmonary Rehab and found it very helpful. I experience a lot of SOB and during rehab they determined that when I am excercising I need to utilize oxygen to keep my saturation levels up. I have been out of rehab for about 6 weeks and am still going to the gym and utilizing the treadmill 3 times a week and am up to doing 2 miles. I am not sure the excersie is increasing my lung function but am trying to convince myself that it will enable me to retain what I have left. I also believe it helps to keep ones immunes system up and I did not get a cold this winter for the first time in years.

Upon seeing this post I had to read it. My cancer was deemed "inoperable" so I received 35 radiations and chemo. I was beginning to worry before my last PET scan that the beast had returned because of numbness/tingling/pain that is basically constant from my right axillary and my right breast. My onc said that it could be caused by the radiation treatments and the nerves and muscles on the inside that were damaged. So even though I did not undergo surgery I still deal with the discomfort. I also can not find a bra that is comfortable becuase it cuts right across the most sensitive area. I went to Wal-Mart yeterday and bought some undershirts like the ones my dad used to wear and I will wear that under my tshirts etc. so far it is working fine and the arm hole is loose enough to not cut into me. I love this forum.

Connie glad you posted he was and will reamin one of my Heroes. Let us help you if there is anyway that we can. We have a lots of ears, big hearts and strong shoulders.

Nothing I can say that has not already been said Grace. I despised finding this post under this forum. Take care of you and the girls and know that Carlton is in a much better place.