recce101

Good show, Jamie! Since I'm a little slow posting, now it's 3 years and a week!! Aloha, Ned

Connie, you'll do great, no question about it! I'll be sending lots of positive vibes your way on the 19th -- and every other day for that matter, just a little extra on Tuesday. Looking forward to Katie's updates. Aloha, Ned

Hi, Stacia, welcome to the group. I don't believe anyone has mentioned the OncTalk website. So if you haven't already, I strongly suggest you visit onctalk.com. There's a wealth of information there, primarily on lung cancer, constantly updated by a Seattle oncologist who is an internationally-recognized expert on lung cancer and who gives high priority to promptly answering questions from people like you and me. A lot of us have "dual citizenship" so to speak, and use the same usernames there as here. Best wishes to you and your mom. Aloha, Ned

Hey, Tom, that's great! Aloha, Ned

Actually, I like Nick's answer better than the one I gave. Maybe with a slight modification to cause the rusty gears to turn a bit more: "It doesn't really matter these days." Aloha, Ned

Ditto for what Connie said. And double ditto for posting the reversal of bleeding question for Dr. West at onctalk.com. He normally answers within 24 hours -- will probably do it tonight. What a guy. Best wishes and Aloha, Ned

Hi, Dawn: Yes, it's possible, although docs don't normally start using that term until 5 cancer-free years have passed without recurrence. But even before that milestone, say at 4 or even 3 years, recurrence is rather unlikely. If you're worried about being overly optimistic (I'm the same way), set your sights slightly lower and substitute "remission" for "cure." If it comes back somewhere down the road, you and your mom will be mentally prepared to deal with it again without as much shock and anguish. On the other hand, a remission is open-ended and could last the rest of her life! Congratulations and Aloha, Ned

Hey Jim, you owe a Christmas present to whoever noticed that little spot on your chest x-ray. These are sometimes missed! Aloha, Ned

Karen: I'm glad you got some better, more hopeful news during your last appointment. This "inoperable" thing doesn't necessarily mean what many people assume it means. Surgery might still be technically possible, and could remove all detectable traces of cancer from the immediate vicinity, but if there's a chance the cancer may have escaped into the bloodstream (indicated by suspicious areas elsewhere or by a malignant pleural effusion), surgery could not be done with "curative intent" and chemo (sometimes combined with targeted radiation) is needed instead. This would be the case with stages IIIB and IV. In some cases surgery is feasible AFTER completion of chemo. Best wishes and Aloha, Ned

That's a running joke (the sick kind) in my wife's caregivers' support group. The shell-shocked family member with zero caregiving experience is in the hospital room with the relative who's out of immediate danger but still quite helpless, then the nurse comes in and with a big smile says "you can take him home now!" "Huh?" That's when the real fun begins -- right, KG? Aloha, Ned

Sometimes the question is asked in a non-judgmental way, though perhaps awkwardly, and more out of curiosity than from "he did it to himself" hostility. You can usually tell which is which, but not always. A response something like this might cover both possibilities: "You know, I used to have the same question myself. But now that I know something about lung cancer, I realize..." etc. etc. Of course if all else fails, a silent stare can do wonders! Aloha, Ned

Kyle: I deeply appreciate your post and the photo of Cy and his ever-loyal partner. I hope the full-honors police funeral is properly covered by your local paper and that you can send us a link to the article after publication. My condolences and Aloha, Ned

Good for you, Jussi! You have what it takes to come out on the winning side of this -- vigorous general health, great attitude, good response to treatment, minimal side effects. Happy Holidays and Aloha, Ned

That's great, Max! But I hope you won't leave us completely -- we can sure use your sunny disposition and cheerful face around here!! Aloha, Ned

As far as I know (and cat127 or someone will correct me if I'm wrong) the delay applies mainly, perhaps exclusively, to PET scans. That's because PET measures metabolic activity in the organs/tissues, which can be caused by things other than cancer, such as inflammation from radiation treatment or infection or heavy exertion or whatever. So you want all those types of things at a minimum to avoid too many false positives. A CT scan very accurately displays the size, shape, and density of the various body parts but not their activity. Some newer machines can give a CT and PET in the same session and the images are overlaid for viewing, the best of both worlds, so a combination CT/PET might be delayed for the same reasons as above. But if, as in your case, the size/shape/density of the tumor and nodes are to be measured to determine response, that would probably be done on a regular CT machine and no delay would be needed. Aloha, Ned

Martha, I think losing a pet is no less traumatic than losing a human member of the family, and anyone who doesn't understand just doesn't love them the way we do. It's especially hard if the decision to have them put to sleep is ours alone to make -- at that point their lives are totally in our hands. We've lost three in that way, most recently our precious golden retriever Hannah (in the photo) this past February. So far I've mustered up the courage to be there with them when the vet administers the injection. Without exception they've gazed deep into my eyes as if to say, "I'm not exactly sure what's about to happen, but I completely trust you to do the right thing." I make certain to take care of any fees in advance, because I know that as soon as it's over I'll be heading out to the car unable to see through the tears. My condolences and Aloha, Ned

I would also add that you don't know and you may never know if smoking is what caused your mom's cancer. A lot of people smoke like a chimney their entire lives and never get sick. Many others (way too many, and we don't really know why) have never touched a cigarette, have had very little second-hand smoke exposure, haven't worked around carcinogenic materials, have little or no history of cancer in their families, yet get lung cancer in their twenties. Add to that the fact that quitting smoking is relatively easy for some, essentially impossible for others, and somewhere in between for the rest. And I don't think willpower, appeals from loved ones, or knowledge of tobacco's harmful effects make much difference. It's an addiction, sometimes an extremely strong addiction. For me to tell someone that I quit smoking 44 years ago (which is true), then go on to say that they should be able to quit too, is less than helpful and I simply don't do it. Your mom needs all the love and understanding you can give her right now. My Aloha, Ned

Welcome to the group! You're overwhelmed, distraught, and faced with an immensely complex subject with all sorts of strange terms that you've never dealt with before. Then you read some of our posts and see how we toss those same terms around like we've been doing it all of our lives and feel even more inadequate. Believe me, that feeling will pass faster than you think possible! We've all been in your position, many of us very recently. There's plenty of information on the web, some of great and some of it trash. For initial education stick to reputable sites like those of the major cancer centers -- www.mdanderson.org or www.mskcc.org, for example. Next, I suggest you visit onctalk.com. There's a wealth of information there, primarily on lung cancer, constantly updated by a Seattle oncologist who is an internationally-recognized expert on lung cancer and who gives high priority to promptly answering questions from people like you and me. A lot of us have "dual citizenship" so to speak, and use the same usernames there as here. Please give us more information on your mom's symptoms, specific tests done, and any more details on the diagnosis and planned treatment. There may be lots more tests coming up soon -- CT (perhaps already done), brain MRI, bone scan, PET scan, etc. Use the profile feature (what you see at the bottom of our messages) to avoid a lot of retyping every time you post. Here's how to start your (your mom's) profile: Click on My Profile above, scroll down to the Signature block, enter/update your information, scroll down further, ensure Always attach my signature is marked Yes, and click Submit at the very bottom. Then ask questions, as many and as often as you like. That's what we're here for! And believe it or not, before long you'll be answering questions for new arrivals too. Aloha, Ned

Hi, Jim, welcome! Be sure to give us an update as soon as you can get back to the computer. Aloha, Ned

Hi, Sally. Wow, with all that it's no wonder you're feeling down. I hope your onc and chemo nurse are giving you some ideas to cope with the Alimta side effects. I haven't had Alimta, but a number of members have -- some had a rough time (especially with fatigue), and others breezed through. Hoping for better days ahead! As you know, we're the same age, so we've seen various events from a similar perspective as far as age is concerned. Like we were both 6 when Pearl Harbor was attacked, etc. Remember some of those Christmas stories we used to read or have read to us? The ones where Christmas was approaching but something bad had happened to the family -- sickness, out of work and no money, or some other misfortune -- and it looked as if Christmas would be a sad time that year? But someone would come up with a novel idea, substitute simple things from the heart for those store-bought gifts and fancy decorations, and Christmas would be very different from those in the past but special as well. That's probably too idealistic for your current family situation, but maybe something could be taken from it. Everyone in your family is stressed by one thing or another, and you have the additional burden of trying to make Christmas like it's been in the past without getting much help from anyone else. Could be it's time for a new approach, to have a little family chat so everyone can understand and appreciate the problems that all of you have this year, and use the energy that would otherwise be expended in hectic shopping/wrapping/decorating to mend frayed nerves and calm the waters. My best wishes and Aloha, Ned

Angela: In my other post I forgot to recommend the OncTalk website. Here's what I told another new member earlier today: If you haven't already, please visit onctalk.com. There's a wealth of information there, primarily on lung cancer, constantly updated by a Seattle oncologist who is an internationally-recognized expert on lung cancer and who gives high priority to promptly answering questions from people like you and me. A lot of us have "dual citizenship" so to speak, and use the same usernames there as here. Aloha, Ned

Hi, Lori: I agree with Rochelle and Muriel, and would just add this: Since the rest of your CT scan was quite good, and especially since there's no pleural effusion to cause your shortness of breath, I find it hard to believe that a few little nodules could be causing the symptoms you're having. Unless you have an earlier CT scan for comparison, it's possible they've been there for years. We have a number of "nodule watchers" in the group, and some of them may chime in soon. I hope the pulmonologist can narrow this down and ensure that you're on the best treatment for whatever it is that you have. Aloha, Ned

Andy: Congrats on getting an onc who is positive -- THAT'S A BIGGIE!! Although brain mets "sound" really bad, they're often easier to handle than the cancer sites elsewhere. Most people have a good bit of fatigue from WBR, so don't be surprised and overly concerned if and when that happens. But once the WBR is finished, there's a good chance there won't be any further brain involvement. If you haven't already, please visit onctalk.com. There's a wealth of information there, primarily on lung cancer, constantly updated by a Seattle oncologist who is an internationally-recognized expert on lung cancer and who gives high priority to promptly answering questions from people like you and me. A lot of us have "dual citizenship" so to speak, and use the same usernames there as here. My very best to you and your dad with Aloha, Ned

Hi, Angela, welcome to the group! Your dad is doubly fortunate -- to have a fine medical team at hand, AND to have you as his advocate. I hope he makes a speedy recovery from the bad chemo experience and finds something that helps a lot more than it hurts. Maybe Tarceva will be the one. Aloha, Ned

Never a dull minute for you, right? My best to your dad, and to you -- who, like my wife, can change lemons to lemonaide without ever breaking stride! Aloha, Ned