Marmar

Hi everyone, This is (marmar) Linda's sister. She had her oncologist appt. last wednesday. He said all of the cancer had shrunk considerably,(Ext. Sclc) her blood count is good, the only downside to the visit was, they found a very very small spot now on her left lung (wasn't any in left lung previously). So, Linda is taking this as a "stable" diagnosis, and taking two weeks and going to the beach by herself. She has her cell phone and records with her, we can keep in close contact with her. She doesn't have a computer at the beach with her, so I'm updating for her. Thank you for all the warm welcomes and prayers for her. Her Sister Mary (Marmar)

muaaaah! I love you sis. I know we talked on the phone this morning, but just wanted to welcome you here to this great group!! (I told you they are all terrific). I hope the Dr. has good news for you today, but remember, if you don't understand or like his answers, we'll find a Dr. that better suits your wants and needs. I wish I were closer to you, I would be sitting beside you, but I'm there in thought and will talk to you this evening. Please don't be afraid to ask this group anything. This is where I've read all the information that I've been giving you to pass along to the Dr's. Love, MarMar & your bratty sister

I'm so sorry this is happening. I pray for peace for your Mom and your family. My mother in law was on strong pain meds her last few weeks, I "assumed" that it meant she was pain free. Speak to hospice. They truly understand everything you're going through. Prayers for all. Mary

I drive a school van for learning disabled school students. ANYTIME that we are later then 15 mins. of their scheduled arrival time, we notify the parents. I call my dispatcher, they call the parents. Sometimes if I have my cell with me, and I'm at another students house, I will call the other parents myself. You had every right to feel the way you did. If the Principal and the secretary can't understand your feelings, then they need to check out their bus policies. Stand your ground!

What an upbeat message to relay to my sister with sclc. Thank you so much. I'm very very happy for you. Congrats to you!!!

Jen, My Aunt who claims to be a non believer was having surgery for her lung cancer, and my Mom told her everything would be fine, because she had prayed to the man above. My Aunt chuckled. However, after her surgery she told my mother that she apparently knows people in higher places. My Mom told her "yes indeed" and he still loves you, no matter what your beliefs are. So pray on!!! Everyone here could use a good prayer. Mary

Approx. 6 so far. I belong to a MSN craft group and asked other members for recipes. I'm hoping to submit many more!! p.s. I have to ask others for recipes, my microwave won't print out my recipes Mary

Lori, I'm so sorry to hear about the news with your son. Hopefully you will find great Dr.'s that will help him through this. As for your Mom, we had my mil living with us through her cancer, and when she was on the very strong pain meds., we put her in our bedroom because she got very confused with all the different conversations going on. Yes, hubby & I took up on the sofa...wasn't very comfortable, but better for mil to be in her own room. I really don't have an answer for you, as to tell her or not. I think that is something you will think about yourself, and then in the long run, decide with your heart, and I'm sure you'll be doing the right thing. Please take some time for yourself. You have a double whammy leaning on you! Love and prayers to you and your family. Mary

Thank You for the warm welcome everyone. My sister has been back to see her oncologist and has had catscan and MRI in the last few weeks. It shows some shrinkage of the lung mass and no signs of the cells that were on her liver. However, after that Dr. visit, she had to go in for a transfusion. Her level was down to 7?? I don't understand what the #7 means. Just this morning I talked to her and she had blood work done yesterday and her levels are down to 8. Dr. say's if it goes any lower, another transfusion. Is there something she can be doing or not doing to help with these low numbers? I do know she recieves a shot to keep her levels up, ( sorry, don't know the name of the med). This is all still new and confusing to my sister, so when we talked today, I suggested she take our oldest sister in as her advocate, and have her take notes for her. We all love her very much and want to help her in anyway possible. She is Not recieving radiation, Dr. say's thats not an option with her. Her current stats on on my first post.

Hello, I found this wonderful group in June while doing hours and hours of internet research on Lung Cancer. When I found this group, I was really elated, due to all of the knowledge that is available here. My sister was dx in May with extensive sclc to the middle lobe and it is inoperable. She started etoposide and carboplatin, and I believe to date she has had four rounds. I am mainly here to support her and anyone else that I can, fight this beast. She will be joining the group in a few days, and I'm sure she will put all of her stats in her profile. We live 2-1/2 hours away from each other, but we talk on the phone frequently, and she even spent a pleasant week here with myself and my mother in June. I guess I just wanted to come out and introduce myself instead of being a lurker, my heart goes out to all on this board. My sisters name is Linda, but I think she will be signing on as Cacgrammy. Cancer is not new to our family. I have an Aunt that just had part of her lung removed due to the beast, and two other cousins that had to have radical mastectomies due to it. I was the primary caregiver to my mother in law in 1992 when she was dx with cancer to the liver,spread to lungs and brain. With the help of Hospice, we were able to take care of her here in our home. I'm sorry, I feel like I'm rambling on now. I'll be here to support anyone that needs it. Sincerely, Mary (MarMar)

Maybe he just needs some time to process it himself. Just hang in there for him, and when he wants to talk about it, he will probably open up to you. I wish peace for his Mom and everyone concerned.

Theresa, Start a personal journal. Get angry in that journal, or with your girlfriends. But, please don't convey those feelings to your mother. You need her right now, and she also needs you. Please don't rob yourself of the time you could be spending with your mother to get closer to each other. If you feel you need to vent, feel free to PM me.

Jan, I'm a new member and haven't introduced myself yet, as I don't have all of the stats. on my sisters SCLC. But I was a primary caregiver for my mother in law, who had to move in with hubby & I after they found out she had cancer of the liver, and spread to the bones and brain. Hospice was a very big help. Please, please talk to them. In our area Hospice has a social worker, when she came to the house, I wasn't aware that I needed anymore help, especially for myself, until after we were done talking, I was able to let go of my emotions and cry for a good while. When I calmed down, I told her how good she was doing her job. They basically told me to ask for help when I needed it. Yes caregivers do deserve a break, and yes someone else is capable of giving the parent the needed medication. All in all, they were telling me to reach out and get the help needed so I could continue to take care of my mother in law until her final journey. Please take care of yourself! I pray for peace for everyone involved.