Anniemac
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Posts posted by Anniemac
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Thanks, everybody for all the advice to help Tim stop smoking. I think Katie's advice-make him plan his funeral-was the one that did it. This is his 4th day with no cigs. He's not as congested and doesn't cough as much--big suprise there!
Now he is not acting like a child and trying to hide his smoking and "get away with something". Or maybe it didn't count if I couldn't see him smoking. Instead of thinking of me as the enemy trying to catch him, he's thinking of me as a partner to help him quit. Quite a difference in attitude.
I feel much more hopeful now. That was the worst part--having my hope for a cure taken away. Thanks again, guys.
Annie
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Rana, Happy Birthday!! Your mom will be watching over you, always. I lost my mom when I was 13 and I still feel here around me. Firsts are always hard; first birthday, first Christmas. It gets easier with time, but it takes a long time. Just feel her sitting on your shoulder; she's always with you.
Annie
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Boy, when it rains, it pours. Prayers are going up for your mom and for Darrell and some for you too. I'm not suprised your stomach is messed up with all the stress your under. Are you taking any medications? I took something for arthritis that did the same thing to me. I've since changed medication, but it was awful for a while.
Try bland foods and small meals several times a day until you have time for the doctor. Hope this helps.
Annie
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Welcome Jennifer. I'm sorry to hear about your dad. The only suggestion I have, and I have learned this by reading posts from others here, is when you have a dx of cancer, go to the best cancer hospital you can find near you and see an oncologist. This is not a disease that should be treated by general doctors. The best treatment available should be started as soon as possible.
Don't dispair. Many things can be done to treat lung cancer, if that is the dx. Cure is possible and you must have hope that this will happen.
Good luck to you and your family and keep posting. We will all be pulling for your dad.
Annie
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Oh, Shelly. What a hugh burden you have on your shoulders. It sure does look like everything is going bad. Thank goodness we have the good news post or it would seem like it's all bad. I'm so sorry your mom is going through all this, but I agree with you that they wouldn't put her through it if they didn't think she had a chance of getting better.
You and your mom are in my thoughts today...all day.
Annie
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Ray, bummer news, brother.
But I know you are a fighter and there is so much that can be done with brain mets. I know you will come out on top because you have all these wonderful people pulling for you. Know that we are right beside you in your fight.
Annie
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Norme
Happy anniversary to your Buddy!! I hope this will be the first of many. I agree with the rest; your posts always warm my heart.
Annie
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David-sorry to hear that the trial didn't work out, but glad your starting to feel better. We have missed you and your posts while you were feeling too fatigued. Rest up and get ready for the next step!!
Annie
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Thanks everybody. I was a smoker for 20 years and quit about 10 years ago. I know it's hard...I had to be hypnotized and have patches too. But I did it. Tim did stop smoking in the house, but would still smoke in the car--well he used to, he won't do it now.
The doctor has talked to him. He's still smoking about 4 cigarettes a day (or that's what he will admit to). When he does, he get congested and coughs for a while. The doctor has given him Zyban, tranqulizers, and nicotine inhalers. He has gum and patches here to use. What more can I do.
Now he has started to lie to me when I ask him if he has smoked. I guess he figures I can't smell it on him!! I try not to nag and we only talk about this a couple of times a week. I feel that he's an adult and can choose to live or die. Do I have to watch him do it??? This is driving me crazy.
Annie
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I, to am so sorry to hear of Gene's passing. My heart goes out to you and your family. You are all in our prayers.
Annie & Tim
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Boy, I sure can understand your being angry. I'd be the same way in your shoes. Tiny's suggestion of taking a note pad or recorder is a great idea. I do that and ask for all the pathology reports, scan results, lab test reports and anything else I can get my hands on. You never know what will come in handy and it's better to read these when your home and can look up terms and come up with your list of questions for the next doc visit. It's all very confusing and we don't have medical degrees...although I think I on my way to earning one!! Your doctors should be willing to take the time to explain the things you want to know. Tim doesn't seem to absorb everything at a visit and is always surprised when I bring something up the doc said. Sometimes I think he hears what he can deal with and blocks the rest out. Maybe it's easier in small chunks.
Keep your chin up. This is an impossible thing to deal with. We all just muddle our way through with the help of each other.
Annie
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Good luck on the scan and know that we are thinking of you too.
Annie
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We love to hear about long term surviors, so keep posting.....and you're never, never alone, you have all of us.
Annie
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Becky, so glad to hear your feeling a little better. Don't jump into the housework, it's just no good for you!
Hope the Iressa is your magic bullet.Annie
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Oh, you guys!!! I am sooo happy. Lucie has been on my mind all week and this is just great news!!!
Annie
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Oh Shelly, how terrible it must be so have to see your wonderful mom so ill. I know that you must be a great comfort to her and she's blessed to have you and not to have to do this alone. Our prayers are with you for strength and for you mom for improved health.
Annie
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Tim started new chemo on Thurs. Now he's getting Carbo and Gemzar and will receive it for 12 weeks. He had a baseline CT-the 1st since his lung surgery-and it showed several "indistinct opacities" and a 6 MM nodule in his right lung". The report stated that they could be related to previous surgery and radiation, although early metastasis cannot be excluded. How's scary is that!
The onc says that he would get the chemo anyway, no matter what the CT showed, so not to worry too much about the report. The next CT is more important and will show if anything has grown or shrunk.
So, I don't know what to think. All I can do is make sure Tim is eating well and getting his rest. I have to leave the rest to the chemo and to God and the onc.
I'll let you know how things progress. He's not having too many problems with the chem, and I hope that continues.
Annie
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Margret, welcome and as with everyone else--sorry you have to be here. These are wonderful people and very supportive and knowledgable.
Annie
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Welcome, June. I'm so sorry to hear about your father. It must be hard being so far from each other during this illness. It's a good sign that his head met is responding to the chemo. I hope his chest scans comes back wtih good news too. Keep in touch and let us know how he does.
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Tracy, are they giving your Dad meds for nausea? They have such good meds now that Tim didn't throw up once during his chem.
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Cathie-my husband had his entire left lung removed in June. He had to pass a pulmunary function test before they would agree to operate. He had one test right when he was diagnosed and another after chemo and rad.--just before the scheduled surgery. Our doc said that he would only operate if Tim could have a lung removed and still have enough function left to live without oxygen. I don't know if that's the criteria for every doctor or just ours. I'm sorry they couldn't operate, but maybe meds can shrink things up enough. I'll be praying that that is the case.
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Don & Lucie-we are both praying hard for Lucie and for your surgery too!! I want to see your next post on the Good News section
Annie & Tim
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Katie-that's just exactly what I have been telling myself-suck it up!! But last weekend I took for myself and spent a girls night out-dinner and maragaritas and had a slumber party with my sister-in-law and niece. Had a great time and was able to moan and complain a bit and then forget about all this for a while and just have fun. I recommend this to all the caregivers. You must escape for a while, even if just a few hours, and come back refreshed. Do it for your own health!!
Annie
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We are praying as hard as we can and keeping you both in our thoughts!!
Hope the Iressa is your magic bullet.
The suffering is over
in GENERAL
Posted
Rayroy
We were so very sorry to hear about the death of your father. Our thoughts and prayres are with you and your family and we look forward to someday reading the story you want to write about him. He must have been a very special dad.
Annie & Tim