Bev'sSister

Done!

My sister doesn't want to hear about what may happen to her..she has this faith that God is going to take it away. I have faith also, I know that God can take it away..I am just not sure that he will. I have tried to tell her things but she doesn't want to know, so I respect that. I think if your Dad wants to know, he will ask. I just tell my sister to tell me what is going on so that I can tell her to call her doctor. Does your Dad keep you informed of all of his aches and pains?

Yes. She is on her 2nd round of Chemo. She goes Mon. thru Thurs. I don't really know what kind of Chemo it is, but I do know that the lump that was on her thyroid has shrunk. She had a PET before she started Chemo and it did not show where it had spread any further. Are y'all saying that it probably has spread, but just is not showing up?

I just love new babies. I can almost smell the baby powder. Enjoy her now..because around the corner are the teenage years.

If my sister's cancer only spread to her thyroid, are her chances better than if it had spread to more places..or to a different place? I know that sounds ridiculous..since it spread at all...but I haven't seen too many posts where the cancer had spread to the thyroid.

This is so hard for everyone. We are a large family, 9 children..very Catholic..2 of my sisters are Nuns..and my Brother is a Priest.My parents are both still living..late seventies. My sister, Beverly, used to always tell people (when they would ask why she didn't become a nun too) ..that she was a some..Nuns get none..but she gets some. I guess that is a little vulgar to some, and I am sorry, but it was always funny to me. She is a very funny person. People ask her how old she is and she tells them she is in her F's. I love her so much..and this disease is hateful. Please know that you have been a great source of relief for me. I am going to see my sister this weekend and cook her a pot of Gumbo and watch the LSU game with her.

Jen..I just want to let you know that I look for your posts everyday. I know this may sound awful, but I always hope that you only have good news. Your Dad is a survivor and that gives me such high hopes for my sister. I don't want to seem selfish, but we who are still trying to learn about this disease and at the same time, have faith..well, frankly, we need you to continue to post.

My sister also smoked for about 30years and really had a dificult time qitting. But she did. She has been off of them for about 2 weeks now, and it has been difficult for her. She wants one really bad, but has to force herself not to have one. One day, one hour, one minute at a time. I don't believe there is a sure way of doing it. She uses tootsie roll lollipops and jolly ranchers, with an occasional stick of gum. It is working so far. It absolutely has to be something she wants to do..not just HAS TO DO.[/u]

Thanks Carleen. I appreciate how difficult it is for you to read a post like mine, then respond positively to it. I have moments of great hope and then despair. This is so hard to go through. My parents, both in their late 70's, are really having a hard time with this. I hope one day they find a cure for this awful, awful cancer.

Thank you so much. Posts like that are good for me to read. I just talked to my sister, and she and my Mom and another sister are out Christmas shopping now. She is also looking for scarves and wigs, but seems to be in good spirits. She has her ups and downs. I will pray for you and your Mom. I really belive that prayer works. Thanks again for the uplifting post.

My sister went for her second round of chemo, but was told by her dr. that her white count was too low and he would try again next monday. Is this normal? Are there things she can do to make her counts go up? Natural or RX's?

What a sweet reply. Thank you. Actually, I live about 225 miles away from her. She will get her chemo on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The first round of chemo, she was ok til around Friday night..then the nausea and tiredness came. So I will probably go there Friday and stay the weekend with her. She does love ice cream..so I will buy her some boost and see how that goes. Thanks for a great idea.

Thank you all for your replies. I am still trying to get her to get on here and talk with everyone, but she said it scares her right now, I hope I can convince her by telling her how wonderful you all are.

Thanks Joanie.that is good to hear. She does drink a lot of fluids and in between nausea bouts she eats several small meals. I think her doctor gave her a pre-chemo medicine that starts with a Z..can't think of the name of it..and of course she has the Phennegrin(have no idea how to spell that) I have never heard of Emend, but I will remember that name..just in case

On Monday the 16th, my sister will start her 2nd Chemo round. I have been told that each round of chemo gets a little worse for the patient. Is this true? Are there "tricks" that people to do to be better prepared? I know that eating fruits and vegetable are good to bring the immune system up. Also this time, she has medication to take for the nausea, before she actually gets chemo. I am just wondering if it will be worse on her this time or pretty much the same as the 1st.

Thank you Katie for your response. It is so nice to be able to type a question and get an answer from someone so quickly. I am trying to learn all about sclc, even though my time is limited. I hope I don't begin to get on anyone's nerves. Thanks again. Bobby

From reading this board, I am just assuming that "mets" means "spread"..My sister's sclc spread to her thyroid. Is the severity of the cancer dependent on where the cancer spreads? For instance, Above the Lung or Below the Lung? I am not very good at putting into words what I am trying to say, at least not lately, but I just want to know does it matter where the cancer spreads or is it all bad no matter where it spreads.

Thank you Peggy. I am sorry for your loss. Your words meant a lot to me. I hope I can be as strong as you. My sister Beverly, really hasn't had any major problems with treatment so far. Alittle nausea and being tired, but from what I can see on this board with the postings..it gets harder with each treatment. I will continue to pray and believe and support whatever she does. This is so hard, but words from you and everyone else really helps me get through this. I have tried to get her to get on, but she said she just can't right now.

Thanks to all for your replies. Beverly worked for a Nursing Home in Oak Grove, LA., for 20 years. She did the accounting there and is unable to handle the stress right now. Her sick leave and vacation has been depleted; she only got 10 days of each and they didn't roll over. (use them or lose them). She is having to pay for her own insurance now, at least she is able to do that through the nursing home. The SS office told her when she does get it, it will not be retroactive. She has savings, so she is unable to qualify for welfare or food stamps. I just think it is shameful for our government not to help take care of the sick any better than this.

My Sister was told that she would not qualify for disability for another 6 months and they also told her this is the law. We live in Louisiana, but does anyone know if their state laws are similar to this. It seems so cruel. It is like they hope she dies before the 6 months is up, so they dont have to pay her. How are people supposed to live with this? She can't work anymore.

Thanks so much for your replies. My head is on straight now I believe. It is so hard to stay focused on the prize, I think, because I am so scared of seeing her suffer. But you are absolutely right..it is such a waste of time and energy worrying about that. I talked to her last night and she is feeling pretty good right now. Her next chemo starts on Oct. 16 (2nd round). I was able to get her son home, with the help of the Red Cross, from the Arabian Sea, and she is very happy about that. Keep posting the good thoughts, some of us read more than write, but it is good to know that when we write, someone is there to read. Ok..that doesn't make a lot of sense, but you get my point, I hope. Thanks to all again.

Thank you all for your wonderful replies. It means so much to me. Please..MORE..MORE..MORE.

That is good to hear..Maybe I am not looking in the right places. Thanks for telling me.

Thank you so much for your reply. I was really hoping someone would find words to make me feel that all this is worth it and you just did. Congratulations on beating the odds.

Thank you for your responses. I know in my heart how I am supposed to feel. My sister has such tremendous FAITH. I just hate thinking about all the suffering she will have to endure to survive it. She is only 50 years old..and I love her so much. She bought me a house. I owe her so much and yet have so little to give. I have never, nor will I ever, let her give up on this fight. I know some have survived it, and I pray she will be one of them. I guess I just have to keep encouraging her to fight and do a lot of praying. Please keep her in your prayers as well. Thanks for a forum to vent in.