Jump to content

patscan

Members
  • Posts

    83
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by patscan

  1. GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS! The CT scan shows a "decrease in size of previously noted left lower lobe mass." Did you catch that...A DECREASE!!!!! More specifically the mass has "decreased in size" and now measures "19 mm in comparison to 24 mm". That is a 5 mm decrease from only 2 rounds of Chemo!!! So we are staying on this course of treatment. Mom completed the first dose of Round 3 today. The newest challenge has a name, and it is anemia. Mom's hemoglobin is 9.9....so we started weekly injections of Procrit today. The other good news, is that she gained 1.6 lbs back! Yes, we'll take that one too! Weight gained is always better than weight lost (at least in the cancer world). Thanks for your support & prayers Candy
  2. My advice from 8 years in a blood bank looking for veins is.... ensure you are well hydrated prior to Chemo...what veins are available are much eaiser to find. Avoid caffinated products prior to Chemo as they tend to "dehydrate".
  3. Just read the posts...I know it can be frustrating. My mom recently told me she is "mourning her loss on independence" and she feels "her life is not her own". I can only imagine the pain and sadness she must be feeling. I hope your Mom finds some joy somewhere in this. May I suggest any book by author: SARK (I find it very inspirational). Candy
  4. Good news indeed....I'm praying that you may put this aside too!!! Candy
  5. My mom is having a hard time eating (and today we discovered she lost 3lbs in a week). Did anyone experience a "sensation of fullness" during Chemo? She feels bloated and "can't imagine putting anymore food in." All she had today was a milkshake and 1/2 big Mac. Today's chemo was only Gemzar, which doesn't typically cause nausea. She is just having a lot of GI discomfort (from diarrhea to constipation). Could this be how she is experiencing "nausea"? I told her to try some Pepcid and a Compazine. Any advice?
  6. Thanks for posting...the good news is music to my ears. Congrats on your pregnancy too! What a blessing for your family. Now you can count the days to delivery instead of the days to the "follow up". Candy
  7. Opps! This post was supposed to be a reply to crystleshoe's "Aaaargh" post. Sorry.
  8. My Mom and I laughed just now reading the posts...we had this very conservation on the way to Chemo today (it's one of those "I hate $^$ cancer" days.). It's true, we were "blissfully unaware"---not anymore. CANCER SEEMS TO BE INVADING OUR LIVES-today anyway. XOX
  9. I was thrilled this morning when Meredith on the Today show introduced a story on Early Screening for People at Risk for Lung Cancer. She even admitted she was a former smoker on air and a candidate for this CT screening. I sent NBC a thank you email to encourage more stoires. Please send the Today show an email at: today@nbc.com Copy of my email below: Today Show Editors & Staff- Thank you for airing a news story on Lung Cancer screening this morning on the Today Show. Lung cancer kills more people than the next six cancers COMBINED – including breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney and melanoma Can you believe that 163,510 Americans will be lost to lung cancer this year – the equivalent of 9/11 happening 53 times in a single year? My beautiful mom is 56 and was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer last month and is currently fighting for her life. This is a terrible disease that may be detected with early screening. People's loved ones are dying of this cancer and it is time it received more attention, funding and an early screening detection program (like breast, prostate, etc...). The Facts (Source: The American Cancer Society) • Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. • More people will die of lung cancer this year than of colon, breast, and prostate cancer combined. • In 2005, there will be over 170,000 new cases of lung cancer. • Over 163,000 people will die of this disease: 95,000 men and 68,000 women • The one-year survival rate (1997) for lung cancer is 41% and has not changed significantly in 10 years. • The five-year survival rate for all stages of lung cancer is 16% and has not changed significantly in many years. • For people whose cancer is found and treated early with surgery, before it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs, the average 5-year survival rate is about 48%. However, only 15% of people with lung cancer are diagnosed at this early, localized stage • 14,350 Californians will succumb to the disease in 2005 • Over 170,000 Americans will be diagnosed this year, most at a very advanced stage • Lung cancer will kill more women than breast, cervical and ovarian cancer combined • Lung cancer will kill 3 times as many men as prostate cancer • While 5-year survival rates for most other cancers have increased dramatically during the last 30 years, lung cancer has remained virtually the same at 15% for all stages combined • 50% of new lung cancer cases are in former smokers, many who stopped decades ago and 10-15% never smoked (perhaps 25,000!) Keep airing stories that save lives and change attitudes. Sincerely, Candy Judson
  10. My mom struggled to quit too...in fact her husband and son-in-law continue to smoke. I quit on the day of diagnosis (with a few slips here and there). One of the things that helped my Mom is we painted her house (what a difference)....she now lives a truly smoke free environment. She says when she did slip it was "out of anger" (maybe her husband had a smoke)...she said she was "being a rebel." Her husband is going to a quit smoking class (so he can get on the patch for free). I pray that he and your Mom are successful. I didn't realize just how evil cigarettes were (and I'm a RN)....it is too bad it took my mom's diagnosis to finally quit, but besides the occassional craving- I am enjoying my smoke free life.
  11. Normal...should subside within 24-48 hours. Candy
  12. Cheryl- Sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. My mom was diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC in September and is completing her 2nd round of Chemo (Gemzar & Carbo on Day 1, Gemzar on Day 8, then one week off). She has good days and bad days, but we have found that there are blessings following a cancer diagnosis. I pray that you will too. Stay positive and remember your husband is not a number. A positive attitude (with the help of meds if needed) goes along way. And this website is a great place to vent and to be inspired by success stories. Take Care, Candy
  13. Prayers and positive energy go out to you and your family. Candy
  14. Mom was feeling pretty good during her "week off" of Chemo. Then yesterday she started with the severe shortness of breath. This morning we saw the Onc and she started Round Two. Onc said it is typical to feel "crappy" a few days before Chemo....because it was time for Chemo. I guess the week off allows the body to rest/recover and the cancer too? Her SOB seems to be how her cancer is expressing itself because all her "labs" were normal. After reading previous posts, I requested an Albuterol inhaler, which does take the edge off (I love this site). We are hopeful that in the next 2 days, the SOB will subside as this next round kicks in. But the SOB is sure an SOB--she feels soooo bad/anxious/scared when she can't breath...I can't even imagine.
  15. Yes....you are ready for a battle, I can feel it in your words. I'm sending strength vibes your way. (I agree that LC works, Mom and I both quit on the day of diagnosis...it feels good to be living life smoke free).
  16. Dawn- Sorry you have to be here...but it is the best place to vent, get answers, do research and share. I know what you are going through--I could totally relate to your post as my beautiful Mom was recently diagnosed. But it is true, you WILL feel better once you have the cancer staged and a treatment plan in place. Until then, take it day by day--and know that you and your family will get through this. And remember, you have this place for yourself when you need it. In my prayers....Candy
  17. Thanks for all your posts. Mom's pleurodesis was "succesful" and she has been out of the hospital for 12 days. Fluid is gone, however she is having a lot of pain the left side (and today there appears to be a bruise and swelling about 8 inches below the incision site). My questions are: Is lung cancer painful or is her pain assoicated with the Chest Tube procedure or all of the above? Her SOB is still around (not as bad as when she had the fluid), but her lung is in "a state of shock" according to the oncologist...most likely still recovering from the Talc procedure. Bottom line, please send me your "chest pain" stories. Thanks!!!
  18. Got the strangest call from an old neighbor yesterday. An older couple that took my husband and I under thier wing when we bought our first home. Halfway during our "catching up" phone call (when I was debating when to tell her about my Mom), she whispered "Kenny was just diagnosed with lung cancer". I had to say "What?" I could believe what I was hearing. This cancer which I never gave a thought to for 35 years, slaps me in the face twice in a 3 week period? I hate this %*#$@! cancer. I also hate that it is not one of the "socially" acceptable cancers that gets all the media attention, research money, and a whole month dedicated to awarewness about it. I will spend the rest of my life talking about this cancer, asking people to quit smoking, donating to this cause, I refuse to whisper, in fact I plan to SHOUT!!!!! Thanks for listening to my angery rant.
  19. I am so sorry you are going through this. I can relate to your post, my Mom is only 56. I think it is wonderful she is with you in your home, just please remember to take time for yourself. Also, wanted you to know that my Mom just finished one round of Chemo (and besides some minor discomfort--constipation and mouth tenderness), she did amazingly well. I pray your Mom will too. Candy
  20. Sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. I'll be praying for him. Candy
  21. What's the story with Constipation? Is this something my Mom can continue to expect? She is taking Morphine Sulfate 15 mg ER tablets every 12 hours for the pain. We realize this can lead to constipation, but she is also taking SennaGen, a stool softner and Bisacodyl and is still feeling "bloated" "backed up" etc.... Can the Carbo or Gem cause constipation? She tried to withhold her pain med today, which was a BIG mistake. We are trying warm compresses on the belly, eating fruits and drinking lots of fluids...but she is still miserable. Any advice? Cancer=public forum about BM- who would of thought?
  22. patscan

    I'm Buyin'

    You are my hero! Thanks for sharing your wonderful news....it inspires us all. Candy
  23. patscan

    Home sweet Home

    Mom is home! Procedure successful (no more fluid in the lung)! First chemo tolerated without a hitch!
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.