recce101

Guys don't need help, or guys don't clean?? Ned

Hi, Melanie, welcome to LCSC! Several members have suggested that you visit cancergrace.org (GRACE — Global Resource for Advancing Cancer Education). To get you started, here's a post on a number of the less common lung cancer subtypes: http://cancergrace.org/lung/2007/03/22/lcnec-tumors/ The article gets rather involved, and when I read it I kept trying to confuse "carcinoid" with "carcinoma" (they're NOT the same), so I've extracted the most pertinent passage for your situation: Let us know what plan your doctors come up with. Lung surgery sounds drastic, I know, but believe me, for someone who is eligible, it's the surest route to a cure! Best wishes and Aloha, Ned

Hi, Christie. I second Donna's suggestion to get a port. Repeated chemo has an adverse effect on veins, and if they're bad now, they'll most likely be worse after a few infusions. I did a Google on "Hickman line" and see that it has connectors which extend outside of the body, similar to a PICC line in the arm. An alternative (if it's available to you) is the type of port that's completely under the skin and accessed with a special needle as needed. This is much more convenient for the patient and removes the concern for keeping the area dry and bandaged. Mine is a Bard PowerPort, which can be used for blood draws and CT scan dye injections in addition to chemo. I've heard that scar tissue from a previous surgery can make it difficult or inadvisable to have future surgery in the same area. Best wishes and Aloha, Ned

A couple of days for me, starting the day after the injection. Mine was more like deep muscle aches rather than what I would call bone pain. The first time seemed to be the worst, and on subsequent cycles the Neulasta effect merged with the general fatigue caused by the Taxol/Carbo — not aches as much as that "I need a nap right now" feeling. Ned

Hey, Judy, when you play, you pay! I thought you knew that. Merry Christmas, all. Ned

Randy is absolutely right. The best guidance right now is "eat what you want, when you want." Don't worry about that ideal balanced diet for a while. It's more important to put on some pounds. At one point early in my cancer career I needed to drink three of the high-calorie Ensure, Boost, or Walmart clone "plus" beverages every day in addition to whatever else I could get down. Cancer puts out byproducts that cause calories to be burned faster than normal, so you need more calories than normal to have any chance of maintaining weight. My favorite was the packets of Carnation Instant Breakfast mix stirred in milk (soy or dairy). The variety pack has several very appealing flavors, much better than Ensure/Boost/etc. Let us know what chemo your dad will be receiving so we can give you a heads-up on side effects — also the specific subtype of lung cancer if you have that information. Best wishes and Aloha, Ned

Before getting embroiled in the back-and-forth, please read this: http://cancergrace.org/forums/index.php ... 7#msg13657 Ned

Michelle, I think it's safe to say that for many, including some here, it's largely an act. Their grief is further in the past, and they've had time to practice that happy face defense. I do believe helping others is the key, and that can take different forms. Giving money, canned goods, etc. to an organization probably won't cut it — it needs to be a lot more personal. We have a large homeless population here in Central Oahu, and relatively few of them are homeless by choice. I have a friend (now back on the mainland) who received tremendous satisfaction from organizing help crews to visit those living under a nearby bridge, improve their living conditions there, and assist them in moving to a bona fide shelter when possible. Ned

Randy, what are those little figures on the hood and in front of the car — penguins?? Ned

Good show, Mike — have a great holiday season! Aloha, Ned

Hi, Christie in the UK! Yes, stage II is curable, generally defined as 5 consecutive years with no further evidence of disease. Actually, after just 3 or 4 years, anything else that shows up is more likely to be something new than a return of the old cancer, and that expands treatment options considerably. But for now, let's plan on your getting that cure!! Aloha, Ned

Hey, Mitch, what a treat hearing from you! Sounds like things are shaping up to be a terrific holiday season at your place! Aloha, Ned

Way to go, Judy! Aloha, Ned

Thanks for the video, Barb. I can see I need to spend some time at the NCI site (www.cancer.gov). Aloha, Ned

Great news, Ken — congratulations! Ned

Hi, David, it's good to hear from you. I've heard a couple of other stories like yours. These powerful pain meds are certainly not a panacea — many people don't handle them as intelligently as you have and end up being harmed as much as helped by some of these drugs. From the link I see you're back on carbo+gem, the same combo you were given back in 2004, and it seems to be working once again (stable is good!). Maybe alimta will again be effective somewhere down the road. Take care and keep us updated. Aloha, Ned

Something practical, although most people might consider the same item frivolous. Want some suggestions? Ned

Happy Birthday, Jamie! Contrary to some people's apprehensions (a la Jack Benny), turning 40 is a very good thing. It was my best decade in several ways. Turning 50 I didn't care for — just didn't like the sound of it — but that decade came out all right too. My 60s were good for the most part, and so far my 70s have been fine except for one minor issue, but never mind that today. Hugs??? That's not what my friends and cousins gave me on my birthdays! Aloha, Ned

They're referring to the side effects (fatigue, etc.) lasting 3-4 weeks. The benefits are usually much longer, even permanent in some cases. I saw your similar question on GRACE (yes, the site was up and down yesterday), and here is Dr. West's response, in case you haven't seen it (others might be interested too): http://cancergrace.org/forums/index.php ... 2#msg17622 It's terrific that you were able to move your dad into the rehab/long-term care facility. I'm sure that's a BIG relief to you. Aloha, Ned

Tova, I don't think I've ever read anything so moving, so beautiful. One thing I know for sure — your girls will be FINE. My deepest condolences and Aloha, Ned

Wow, a dozen years! Probably not many of us can recall what we were doing on 12/03/1997 — seems an eternity ago, long before 9/11 became part of our everyday vocabulary. I hope one of these days we'll have some more "dozen yearers" in the group. Have a great celebration, Donna! Ned

Hi, Lyn: It's impossible to compete with Dawn's absolutely marvelous response, so I'll just add my welcome and second the suggestion to visit cancergrace.org (GRACE, Global Resource for Advancing Cancer Education). Let us know what chemo agents your dad is receiving, and we can give you some good tips on dealing with side effects as they occur. Best wishes and Aloha, Ned

Hey, Bud, you're looking GOOD — no question about it!! Ned

Michelle, maybe you need one of those cheap disposable cell phones until you get the job and/or your regular phone is fixed! Ned

That's terrific, Kathleen! And thanks for the bump, Judy. I'd missed this one. Ned