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Aaron, You know that I take a lot of supplements. I can’t say which may help. I had Taxol my first round back in 2005. I have had Taxol going on this time into my 6th month. I do stop some supplements within 24 hours of chemo. I also started acupuncture once a week. The neuropathy has not increased much since then. I think both MD Anderson and Mayo have done some acupuncture along with chemo. I am only bothered with neuropathy in my left hand and my right foot especially the little finger, but it is just numbness and is not much trouble at all. B-6 and B-12 are two of the supplements that I take. Stay positive, Ernie

Bucky, Welcome back. Stay positive, Ernie

Terri, That's gret. I am going to send you the names of some of the Chinmese eds that I have started to take. Stay positive, Ernie

Gaylee, Welcome, I agree with Don. Before they start treatment they would probably want to do a biopsy. If it is too small to do a biopsy then waiting for the PET scan might make since. They would be able to see if it is getting bigger. I would ask them how big the nodule is. If it is only a few millimeters then it is too small to do a biopsy. If you have questions about why he is waiting, ask him. He should be willing to tell you. Keep us posted. Stay positive, Ernie

Kelli, Sorry to hear about your mom. I think one has to understand that you can live with cancer as well as being cured. I decided that I wanted to live either with the cancer or without. Cancer is such a catch 22. Having cancer and feeling positive about it is hard to do. I realized that stress can cause disease and it can hinder your healing. This is a medical fact. So one of the first things I had to do was get a positive attitude. If you become too stressed out worrying about your cancer then it will not help with your treatment. There is a verse that I think of when ever I may have a problem staying positive, it is: MATHEW 6:27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? What this tells me is that if you worry enough, you can actually shorten your life. Maybe if your mom would read some of the stories on this web site she would become a little more positive. Keep us posted. Stay positive, Ernie

Jackie, Welcome to the site. You will find lots of support here. If you have questions, just ask. Keep us posted. Stay positive, Ernie

Corrin, Welcome to the site.I think most have follow up chemo or radiation if the patient can take it. I only had chemo and it never made me sick and my quality of life did not change at all. Your mom may not have any reaction to chemo, it may be worth trying. Keep us posted. Stay positive, Ernie

Nick, Welcome to the site. Until you get a biopsy you will not know for sure that it is cancer. Let’s pray that it isn’t. If it is it seems like you may have caught it very early. Randy has given you some good web sites. I will research my files and see if I can come up with more. I do believe in complementary forms of therapy. I will send you some of that. If you like I can add you to a list that I send some reports that I have done on the supplements that I take. Let me know if you would like that. I have been through chemo then 18 months of remission and now again chemo and have added radiation. I have only had three sessions of radiation, but so far over the last 2 years, four months I have not had a sick day. I think it may have to do with some of the things that I take and do. Keep us posted. You might try to fill out your profile, and then it will show up on each of your post if you want it to. Stay positive, Ernie

Thursday, November 22, 2007 Standing with Others Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) From the beginning of time, God made it clear that it is not good for His people to be alone (Gen. 2:18). God designed us to cooperate. Throughout the Scriptures He speaks of His people as a community that accomplishes more together than separately. God did not create us as isolated individuals, each seeking to achieve our own goals. Rather, the success of our endeavors depends upon our interdependence. This is why He established the Church and released His Holy Spirit to empower the community of believers to spread the gospel. We are to be a kingdom of priests (1 Pet. 2:9). During difficult times it is critical that we are walking in fellowship with other Christians. When a crisis hits, it is overwhelming to face it alone. But if we have cultivated supportive friendships, we will find strength in the comfort and encouragement of those who care about us. Interdependence is also a safeguard for us when we are lured by temptation. The consistent testimony of those who have fallen to temptation is that they isolated themselves from other believers and were not held accountable by Christian friends. If you are not a part of a caring community of believers, you are missing out on what God designed you for. You are also in danger of falling into sin. You must link your life with others who are seeking God’s will. Seek to be a person who willingly joins others in carrying out God’s assignments. Strive to be the source of support and encouragement that those around you need. By Henry Blackaby I don't think that I would be here now if I had to rely on myself only. Stay positive, Ernie

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL. The dark meat of the turkey is better for you. Have a drum stick on me. It's better for you with no skin, but I think that may be too much to ask for. Stay positive, Ernie

Frank, I am no expert, but an SUV of 2.5 is low for cancer. I was told concern came when it is above at least 4 SUV. After you get your report on the 26th you will know more. Sit down and write down all the questions that you want answered also I recommend that you take someone with you. Four ears hear more than two. Then after you get all the info I would then consider a second opinion. At some point a biopsy should be done. Keep us posted. Stay positive, Ernie

I will be praying for good results for Liz. Stay positive, Ernie

Lorie, Welcome to the site. Keep us posted on your treatment. Stay positive, Ernie

Christine, Welcome to the site. Maybe you could give us a little more information by filling out your profile. What kind of chemo are you getting? Stay positive, Ernie

Paul, Welcome to the site. There is a lot of new treatment coming out every day. I had stage IV and I am now in my third year. I feel you just have to treat it as a chronic disease. If it comes back then you just hit it again. Stay positive, Ernie

Jeannie, Welcome to the site. It’s good news that the brain tumors are gone. I am stage IV and chemo has done real well with me. I am about to start some radiation for a spot that is still showing up. What CTCA said about getting the treatment at home is true. I went to Sloan Kettering and they told me the same thing. If you are getting chemo it can be the same no matter where you get it. I think it is better to get it at home where you have a lot of support. Keep us posted. Stay positive, Ernie

Amanda, Welcome to the site. I was also diagnosed a little over two years ago. You just have to do what you are doing. That is to do what ever it takes to control or knock it down. Keep us posted. Stay positive, Ernie

Jen, I would try not to be worried. When they do more test at Mayo you will know a lot more. I will pray that it is something else. Stay positive, Ernie

Welcome to the site, When they are finished testing you should know more about your dad’s cancer. I don’t think that they would remove the mass without complete diagnoses. Keep us posted. Stay positive, Ernie

Jasmine, I read your post in the NSCLC forum. You need to try to fill out a profile on your dad. It will then appear on all of you post if you check the box. From the runaround that you have been getting, I would recommend a second opinion at a major cancer center. Your doctors should be able to give you the information you need. To be told that there are tumors somewhere else and they are 3 cm but they don’t know where they are is not acceptable. All cancer is treatable. There is too much time going by without complete diagnoses and beginning of treatment. Keep us posted. Stay positive, Ernie

Dick, We all go through a certain amount of the things that you have asked about. It did not take me long to figure out that everything you have mentioned causes stress and stress is one of our biggest enemies with disease. I decided that I had to get rid of all of them and the sooner the better. Depression – once you work your way into a positive attitude and believe that you will beat this, and then depression will not be the problem. Anger – anger hurts the person that is angry the most, so that is a waste of time and energy. Fear- fear will also be less when you get a positive attitude. Friends- they may be afraid to call because they don’t know what to say. You might try calling them. I never had that problem. There are also a lot of people here that you can call your friend. Not knowing what is in the future- It really is not that much different than before I was diagnosed. There is no guarantee that I will be here tomorrow. I could be run over by a truck. Not really getting definitive answers from doctors as to a finite prognosis- They really aren’t sure. Everything they say is based on history and not what may happen in the future. I really don’t believe there predictions, since they said 18 months. A verse that I like that addresses worry is: MATHEW 6:27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Stay positive, Ernie

Jerry, I am planning on doing one in January. My goal is to finish standing up. Stay positive, Ernie

Suzy, I have been doing acupunture for about 6 months. It is suppose to help with side effects. I do anything that may help as long as there is no down side. I think the acupunture does help. I don't have any bad side effects, so somthing is working. Stay positive, Ernie

Nova, The statistics include anyone that was ever a heavy smoker. I quit over 35 years ago and according to some your lungs get back to normal over that period of time. I was considered a heavy smoker. I think that some one that has not smoked for over 25 years may have another reason for their cancer. Stay positive, Ernie

Dick, Welcome to the site. I had similar lung cancer. Mine was IIIb/ IV. I was diagnosed in July 2005. I have done very well so far and look at it as a chronic disease. Keep us posted. We will try to answer any questions we can. Stay positive, Ernie