Raindog

"Normal" has always been a subjective term cancer or no cancer My addition to your vent is this: CANCER SUCKS!

Hi and welcome Deb, I hope things go very well for your friend. My very best thoughts and wishes to you both, -Rod

Hi and welcome again cindi I got my Dad on the boost program. He uses it on days when he just can't eat. His weight has remained very good through out his chemo treatments. I don't think your smoking is a "death wish" I think it's just an old friend that helps you though stressful times. I think you should quit when you are ready, or when your Doctor(s) tell you to. I hope you can relax a little and remain strong and willing with your treatments. My Dad has stage IV and the chemo has done wonders !! He feels lousy as heck from the treatments, but when you consider it's doing it's job , it makes it all worth while! I wish you peace from fear, and strength for battle. My very best to you, -Rod

A BIG heartfelt welcome to you ! I think your positive attitude will work wonders durring your recovery! Warmest regards, -Rod

Yay Lillian !!

Well said !

Hi and welcome Paulette, So sorry for all that you are going through. I see that you have already received some solid and inspiring advice from both care givers and survivors! I beleive that 90% of the battle is mental. If your husband beleives he will get better, then I beleive he will too! he is young, and he is not a number! Don't ever let anyone tell you how much time he has. Each day everyone of us gets out of bed it's 50-50 if we live or die. No exceptions! Get as many opinions as it takes to find a Doctor who is a fighter and up to date on new treatments and drugs. Wishing the very best to you and your family, -Rod

Welcome, I hope you find great inspiration and advice on this board to help you on your journey. It certainly helps me every single day. Warmest regards, -Rod

Hi and welcome Flowergirlie, I am so sorry for all that you and your family are going through. I don't think there is a single person on this board that can't relate to the emotional gamut this shi##y desease takes on all involved. My limited understanding is sclc is the most responsive to chemotherapy. Being that your husband is so young I think he has a GREAT chance of beating this thing! Like Chris said: If you don't like what your Doctor(s) are saying...get a second or third opinion. You need a fighter in your corner. Try and stay positive and take it one day at a time. My very best wishes to you and your family, -Rod

Hi and welcome Crystal, I'm so very sorry for all that you are going through. This desease is so terrible in it's ability to consume and effect all in it's path. I wish the very best for you and your family. I hope you are able to find peace and strength to get you through the tough spots. Warmest regards, -Rod

((((RANDY)))) You are a great inspiration and a great beacon of hope and advice to all of us that share this terrible thing called cancer. Thanks for sharing the spirit of your beloved wife through all the amazing work you do for others affected by this shi##y desease. Warmest thoughts and prayers to you Randy, -Rod

Hi and welcome Cheryl, So sorry for your husbands DX ,and all that your family is going though. 1.) The number game means nothing. They are based on massive groups of people and are very much out of date. Information on the internet for the most part is only as good as the person who posted it. My Dad has stage IV LC. When our first Doctor started throwing numbers around, I told him " Doc, it's 50-50 for all of us everyday! Healthy, wealthy, sick or whatever! You either live today, or you die, there is no middle ground" Your husband is not a number !! The only good thing that came out of the internet for me was this community. These folks are survivors and caregivers for all stages and types of lung cancer. They will give you advice, inspiration and lend ear, or in this case, eyes, to lean on 24 hrs a day. 2.) Depression and fear are perfectly normal. I mean, lets face it - cancer has never exactly been an uplifting experience. Ask your Doctor about anti depressants. My Dad got some and they have helped him greatly. 3.) Cancer is NOT a death sentence, not even stage IV ! There are MANY survivors on this board to support that fact! The treatment your Husband is receiving is very similar to my Dads. Once My Dad started his treatment and started showing response, all of our anxiety lessened and we all became MUCH more positive. As long as there is hope, there is EVERYTHING! Not only can chemotherapy shrink tumors, it can manage this terrible disease successfuly for MANY years ! A lot of people even get a N.E.D report (No evidence of desease!) So please let your husband know that this is by NO means the end, not even close! Chemo can have some unpleasant side effects but they are well managed by new and wonderful medications. 4.) If you are not happy with your Doctor(s) move on and get a second, third or 900th opinion if needed! You need a fighter in your corner if you are to have success. 5.)Read this article, it gave my family and My Dad great inspiration: http://cancerguide.org/median_not_msg.html Read the stories on this board of the MANY survivors. Read them to your husband, they will bring you great peace and inspiration and hope. I wish the very best for you and your entire family. Try and relax and take things one day at a time. Warmest Regards, -Rod

HI and welcome Sarah, I'm so very sorry about your Moms DX. It's important to understand that Doctors do not know all. If your Mom has chosen to fight this S.O.B then I like her chances! Attitude is everything. Miracles happen everyday. There are many long term stage IV survivors on this board. Read their stories to your Mom, they will help inspire both of you to fight! Cancer is not a death sentence, numbers mean nothing and if you don't like what one Doctor is telling you or your Mom, move on and get a second or third opinion. There are MANY new options for treatment available, if one doesn't work, try others, try clinical trials, pray, research nutrition for cancer patients, research and read, knowledge is power! With each day your Mom fights and is alive... New treatments and drugs are being approved and implemented for Lung Cancer. My very best thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Warmest Regards, -Rod

Hi and welcome dawn79, So sorry for all that you are going through. You have found a wonderful place for advice, inspiration from many survivors and good old fashioned venting. When this started with my Dad I had the very same feelings you are experiencing. I was told i would feel better once Dad had a solid treatment plan and you know what? I did and I do ! Don't feel any guilt. Your Mom has a better than good chance of being at your wedding and watching her Grand Children grow up. Cancer is NOT a death sentence! There are many, MANY people on this board to support this fact. I wish the very best for you and your family, and remember.... No matter what, your Mom would always want you to be happy! Stay strong, stay positive, relax, and lean on your faith, the Doctors and the great people on this message board. Warmest regards, -Rod

Hi and welcome Liz13, So sorry for all that you are going through. You have come to a wonderful place for support, advice and good old fashioned venting ! I love your attitude, it will serve you well durring your treatment. You are young, determined, so... kick the crap out of this b*stard !! Sending you and yours my very best, -Rod

Hi Chris, Thanks for the update. Please send my very best wishes and prayers to Darrell. Best, -Rod

HI and welcome Valorie, So sorry for all that you are going through. Take a deep breath for now. Even if it's L.C you have a excellent chance of surviving it. Read around this board and take inspiration from the MANY survivors. This is much more than just a message board, it's a family that is here 24hrs a day to listen and lend advice. I will hope and pray that your results are benign. please keep us updated. Best wishes to you and your family, -Rod

Congratulations Randy! Thanks for all the wonderful work you do on this board. Your advice and humor have carried me through many a dark time. My very best to you, -Rod

Hi and welcome Roberta, Thanks for sharing your story, Every bit of inspiration from survivors helps so much. Thank you for coming here to share your travels. Best wishes to you and your family, -Rod

HI Donna, I think everyday we live and prosper with our loved ones and manage to dodge all the possible things that could result in a prolonged absence of breath is surviving! Each day of life is a wonderful gift! There is not doubt your Dad is a survivor! continued success and many more years of surviving and happiness to you all, -Rod

Hi beat it and welcome, So sorry that you and your family are facing the possibility of lung cancer. I have very little in the way of advice, but I am certain many others will be along shortly with a wealth of information to help you out. Please read around the good news forum. There are many survivors and care givers stories that will give you great inspiration, hope and information. My very best you to you and your family, -Rod

Happy Birthday Cindy! You are a great inspiration to everyone, thank you so much for all that you do! Congratulations on NED. Looking forward to posting this message again on your 100th !! Enjoy your day, -Rod

Hi Dar, To my limited understanding: Small cell lung Cancer typicaly responds best to chemotherapy. More so than Non Small Cell. Try and relax. I know from my experience as many here pointed out to me. You will feel better once your Mom is in a solid treatment plan. As far as time lines go? I firmly believe that it's 50 - 50 for all of us healthy or not everyday. You either live through today, or you don't. Thats the only number game I subscribe to Warmest regards and positive thoughts to you all, -Rod

Dear eppie, THAT APPLAUSE PICTURE IS THE BEST THING EVER !!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Dar and welcome, So sorry about your Mom. As you can see this is a great place for support, advice and inspiration from MANY survivors! I wish your Mom a very successful treatment and recovery. The chemo side effects can be well controlled with medication these days. To be honest... a lot of people don't even get side effects! I will hope and pray that this is the case for your Mom. My very best to you and your family, -Rod