hof411

Hi, Sorry you had to come to this site but glad your here. My dad was dx with nsclc in July. Like your mom, my dads pain was unbearable. The pain was caused by the tumor "eating" away at his bone (vertebra) and it was pushing against nerves coming out of the formina (spine). We went through several different types of pain meds. Nothing worked. FINALLY, the radiation onco wrote a script for a pain patch (Fenytal- not sure of spelling). Dad first tried a 50 microgram patch, it didn't work. The doc upped it to 100 micrograms and that did the trick. He changes his patch every 3 days and takes percocit for breakthrough pain. My dad did have radiation but I'm not convinced it helped with the pain from the tumor. The radiation was initially aimed at his neck. It did cause horrific pain in his esophagus. I can't describe the pain he went through with radiation. I've never seen my dad not be able to handle pain, but this...trying to swallow put him on the floor. Depending on where your moms tumor is, hopefully she won't receive radiation to her neck. I'm not trying to scare you my no means. Just be aware that the radition might cause swallowing difficulties. Your in my thoughts. Take care. Diane

Hi Guy, I am so sorry for what you are going through. I feel your pain. I/we are going through a very similar situation with my dad. The pain I feel is sometimes unbearable, as I'm sure you know all too well. I'm sorry I can't answer your question about the topotecan. You have come to the right place for answers and support. Everyone here is great. Hang in there and never give up. I just told my dad yesterday, "This is going to be the fight of your life." We are going to do everything humanly possible to beat this thing. Take care, Diane

Hi aholler, I am also a newbie and just in the fews days I've been here, I found it is a great place to be. This site is a plethora of information and the people here are wonderful. It sounds like your not totally comfortable with your oncoman. I would strongly suggesting getting a second opinion. Actually, I would suggest getting as many as it takes for you to find what your looking for (a onco with a positive attitude). I am currently in that process right now with my dad. I have read many inspiring stories of people who have had only chemo with great results. Keep us posted. Diane

Hi Randy, I read something on cellular liquid zeolite and it almost seemed too good to be true. I went to the link you provided and it is no longer available. Do you know of anyone who has taken zeolite and if so, what was the outcome. Thanks, Diane

I started my dad on acidopholis a couple of days ago. I was talking with someone at the health food store and she recommended it for my dad. I have taken acidopholis for years and know it works to improve your immune system. My question is...did I jump the gun on this. Is it ok to give it to him when the substance itself is actual live bacteria? I did ask his oncologist yesterday if that was ok and he said yes. I'm also having dad drink green juice everyday, which has cancer fighting properties. Any advice...? Thanks, Diane

Thank you to all of you. I feel very fortunate to have found this site. You are all such wonderful inspirations. I am amazed at the number of responses I received and how quickly I received them. What a God send. I will keep you all posted on dads mission. Thank you, Diane

Hi everyone, I just happened to stubble across this website last night. I've been using CSN and this seems to be a much more active board. In am in desparate need of some encouragement. My dad's profile is listed below. We are so discouraged and mad right now. Dad feels that all the pain and suffering he just went through was for nothing. We're looking forward to our appointment this week at The James. I'm not quite sure what to expect, but I'm ready to ditch his current oncologist. I have a question about 2nd, 3rd, even 4th opinions. I told my dad last night, we'll just keep going until we find a doctor that tells us what we want to hear. We want the tumor resected. I realize it needs to shrink, but our current dr. says no way, no how. If we aren't pleased with what The James has to say, what do we do next? Dad is supposed to started 2nd round of chemo 9/27 (carbo/gemzar) with current doc. If we are happy with the James, we'll start his treatment there. I'm not sure what to do as far as getting 3rd and 4th opinions (if needed) while dad is in treatment. I don't want to stop treatment, so what do I do? I may be jumping the gun, but does anyone have any further suggestions on where to go? I've read about Sloan-Kettering, Cancer Centers of America, Cleveland Clinic, MD Anderson. They all sound great. How do you choose? Thank you for any advice and encouragement. PS: I'm figuring out how to use this site as I go. Please forgive me if I post in the wrong place.