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-Cheryl-

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Posts posted by -Cheryl-

    Happy 21st Aniversary Tomorrow!

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Thank you my dear friends for the "Anniversary Wishes." I am starting to sink into that chemo fog, or maybe its just the end of the week.

    For all of you who also have an anniversary, congratulations! Peggy, did you get my PM? I was so tired last night, I can't remember if I sent it. How embarassaing :oops: . I wanted you to know how touched, and flattered I was by your posts to me. You have the ability to make one feel so supported and comforted. I sing praises to you and all of my friends. I thank God for bringing you to me.

    Love,

    cheryl

    Happy 21st Aniversary Tomorrow!

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Hey Gang,

    Our 21st Aniversary is tomorrow!" I bought a card weeks ago, so I would not forget. I am the one who is bad about remembering dates around here.

    I I had chemo today. All my blood counts were normal. It can take up to 6 weeks for blood to build back up so I am recovering well- hope today didn't wipe me out to bad. The doctor compared scans to previous ones, all were the same. No new cancer, it is still pretty early to see progress though, only my third chemo. All plueral effusions are pretty much gone, with a little still in the pericardial area. So is going pretty good I guess. I am hoping God sees it to shrink the cancer away on future treatments. I know, stable is fine, but you think the misery of hving to endure chemo would just cure me, Ha! High Expectations you say? Nah, hopelessly optomistic maybe. Anyway, no weird side effects or anything from the chemo so far. I little neuropathy in mt big toes, which I can deal with.

    It was pretty warm here. Jack and I turned off the air because we were gone pretty much all day due to my chemo, and the temperature is dropping. The sun is setting and the coolness is now enveloping me as I sit in the recliner next to a window. I am looking outside and see miles of flat pastures and smell the exotic, peppery plants that have wildly taken over landscape. It is so peaceful and quiet. I am watching my horses fondly groom each others neck, and beat black flies off their backs with the flick of long tails. The sun takes a bow and yet another splendid day, comes and goes. Oh Thank you God for letting me feel your gentle breezes, as I marvel at yet another original sky that no one will look upon again. I can feel our lord all around me, as I see his hand in the beauty he created for us. Be comforted and not afraid, he is here with us all. Good night my friends, sleep well.

    "I a holding you by your hand-I the lord God-and I say to you, Don't be afraid; I am here to help you.

    Isaiah 41:13

    Cheryl

    Cheryl

    Update on me.

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    David,

    I love the hair! The procedure you had sure was no picnic, but sounds like you got through it like a trooper. I have you, Karen, and baby girl in my prayers. You are so courageous. Please keep us up on yor progress. Karen, I am always here girl if you need a friend. Your plate is full enough already. I also hope your parents are better.

    Cheryl

    How do you handle being told you are terminally ill?

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Ellen,

    I appreciate the support. Jack does too, and said that he was glad that somebody "understands" him. He recieved some ugly hate mail. Jack was unafraid to say what he felt, speak his mind. Some consider him an activist, He's just fighting to get those with Lung Cancer what other cancers already have. We are severly underfunded to be the most widely diagnosed cancer! 170,000 is a force to reckon with!

    Cheryl

    Chemo starts again

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Beth,

    Please don't be offended by my suggetion, but here you are in the 11 hour right before you get Taxotere. Seriously think about other possible options. I am on a trial with CT2103 (Paclitaxol/Carboplatin.) I think it is worth checking out. The side effects are fewer. I did not lose my hair (hopefully won't), nor am I as tired. Plus, I am still able to work full time still. I have experienced some nausea, but controlable with antinausea meds. It is being done around the country too. The chemo binds to the cancer, so is suppose to be more effective. I just started a 20 week serries, so will let you know. People have to explore treatment options. Don't just settle for traditional chemo, especially one with such a violent reaction and nonguaranteed results. It just is not acceptable,that researchers haven't comeup with anything better in the last 30 years. In other words,"we don't have a cure for this disease, but might can add 2 more months of life if you are lucky. Oh, but we will take you as close to death as you can be,you will wish that you were dead, Ha!" We are like cattle going to slaughter. The chemo will definately make you bald and sick- but you might see a 15% reduction in traditional cancer chemo.

    Beth, again I don't mean to discourage you, or make you already more apprehensive than you already are. Just consider your options, and you decide the treatment. Doctors offer you what they know, tradtional chemo. Best Wishes, and I will be thinking about you tomorrow.

    Cheryl

    How do you handle being told you are terminally ill?

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Hello Group,

    May I begin by saying that I am a Licenced Professional Counselor. Does that make me special? I am afraid not. It does not make me immune to cancer, or the emotional trauma that accompanies it. I have't really mentioned my profession much, because people have certain expectations for us. I like all of you, have meandered back and forth between emotions. I run the full gamet. I guess the only thing that seperates us is the fact that I went to school to help others deal with life's stresses. I try hard to see the positive in situatios. I have learned quite a bit since being diagnosed. My diagnosis, by know means makes me the resident expert of other people's feeings, but it does give me more awareness of my own. I must tell you that I have my days of doubt too. Yet, this board reminds me of the positives in my life, and I have learned a lot about my self.

    I am seeing more and more non-smokers being diagnosed. They are also at a lot younger age. Few recover from lung cancer, and often die within the first two years. We need to all become more active. I know the excuse....I used them too. Excuses like: I am fighting for my life, why worry about Joe Blow....or, "I am going to die anyway, I am too tired to fight." It is not going to change until we change perceptions. Jack, my husband has left the board. He went to "Cure" magazine to convince them to print our information in their Toolbox. After some jaw flapping, it will be out next edition. He feels that people do not get him. He may be a bit radical for some, but he is passionate about his beliefs. We need his activisim. He gets things done and for our cause. It may not be everyone's way, but few are doing anything to support Lung Cancer. We need more people like him- unafraid. Thank you Jack. I see what you are doing. Please keep fighting for us. I wll become more involved. You have made a difference. Thank you Cure for the plug. We are 1400 strong! WE must demand money for research and a Cure. We are talking about your Life, or somebody you love. We need a Cure!!! Don't wait for somebody else to Care!!!

    So how do you handle being terminally ill? You do what you have always done, and let this disease eat at you slowly while you are a breathing ,heart beating, brain functioning humane being; or, you join forces with other suffering from this malody and fight this beast.

    Cheryl

    NEW HERE....41 y/o husband, never smoked, has NSCLC

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    Lisa,

    When I was diagnosed, everyday I believed was my last. I lie in bed every morning, frozen in fear. My mind palyed out the awful scenerios of what was to come of me. I watched this dreadful disease take both my parents within 2 weeks of one another. This board really helped me through some dark days, and is still pulling me through them. There is life after diagnosis. You'll see. I wish I could give you the answers, but mine aren't for you. I can offer you suggestions, but this is a journey different for all of us. If I can be an ear, I am always here for you both.

    Cheryl

    Cheryl

    PARTY ON OCT. 23rd EVERYONE INVITED

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    Hello Survivors,

    I will be hosting a lung cancer survivors party Sat., Oct. 23rd. First of all, is that a good day for everyone? Secondly, what should we call it, and third, I need people to RSVP so I can get a head count for food & beverage purposes. I have some other great ideas, but we really need to confirm what we what we got so far. Any other ideas will be greatly appreciated.

    Cheryl

    Lucie's Second Chemo - Part III

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    Don and Lucie,

    I hope that the chemo gives you the results needed. I got so frustrated this week, because I expected to see the cancer simply vanish. It didn't, but then again, I've only had two treatments thus far. You could say I'm over ambitious! Lucie is amazing. Her determination puts all of us to shame. I am so glad she has gotten some pain relief. Give her my best,

    Cheryl

    Not impressed with stable.

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    I don't realize how tired I am till I stop. It is my new norm. Ha! Then I crash and sleep. I catch up on my rest on the weekends. I forgot what my iron is- just low. I took a shot of aranesp to boost it. The doctor called me in a script of Cipro also, to rid any possible germs that may take advantage of my compromised immune system. I am going stir crazy this long weekend! Cheryl

    Dad's CT results

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    Angie,

    My father had the worst pain in his shoulder while sick with lung cancer. His was in the bone and lymph nodes though. I hope the pain subsides. I can attest

    to my lymph nodes aching in my middle chest. My Doctor said that I shouldn't feel pain there, but I sure did. That is what brought me in to be diagnosed intially.

    Cheryl

    Not impressed with stable.

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    Hi Guys,

    You all are so right. After reading my post, I realized how easily discouraged I can become. Trust me, hearing "you're mostly stable." That took me a little off guard, and it was a nurse, not the doctor reading me the results. The questionable spot in my lung "may or may not be new?" I hate waiting for results. I am quite impatient. I hate scan time !!! Thanks for your encouragement and support. You guys keep me going.

    Cheryl

    Not impressed with stable.

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    Well folks, got my CT scans just now. I spoke to a nurse, who had a doctor review them. I wish that I could talk to the doctor, but its 4:00 p.m. Friday, and Monday is memorial day. The results showed that my plueral effusions are all gone now, but a small soft tissue mass is present, along with the nodules. I need to have one of the doctors compare the scans to the ones taken before this trial. The attending physician said he doesn't think that the mass is new, only visible since the effusions have gone away. The kidney mets are smaller. So all in all, mostlty stable is the key word here. I have my third dose of carboplatin and paclitaxol next Thursday. My blood count is low, with my white blood cell count only being 431. I can't go out in public. I am feeling a bit defeated, and no doubt plain tired. Please, anybody experience more change in continued chemo and scans. I am trying hard to stay optimistic. Plus my period is spotting. I didn't stop that or lose hair with this chemo so far. I pray it works.

    Cheryl

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