Liz13

My guess is that if needed there is probably a patholigist on call. When I went in I was to have my upper lobe removed. CT and PET both indicated stage 1. After opening me up they could feel (see)the cancer was larger then expected with possible lymph node involvement. They did biopsy right there. When they were confirmed cancer, they closed me back up. They knew I would have to do chemo and radiation, so why weaken me with the surgery. They don't want to do surgery unless they are really sure of getting it all. The thing you want to hear is "We took it out". It devastated me to hear they couldn't, because I knew what that meant.

Great job, Wendy. Question for you. How'd that vocal cord surgery work for you? I've had the injection done. Not real pleased with the results. Thinking about getting the permanent one done. Hugs, Liz

Sitting in the sun, daydreaming.

Way to go Bill. Never thought to cough that sucker out. Keep up the good work. Hugs, Liz

Ann, I just wanted to say thank you for making me laugh everyday. If it wasn't for you and your jokes somedays I wouldn't laugh at all. I come to this topic every few hours just to chuckle. Thank you. Hugs, Liz

I always tell folks I'm an oxymoron. "Smart Blond"

While I'm only a five month surviver so far, I have come to some amazing conclusions recently. I feel that I am very blessed to have been diginosed with this desiase. (Katie, we really need a spell check on here!!) I was driving from Tampa to West Palm this weekend and saw so many of those memorials signs on the side of the road. All I could think of was so many die and never know it's coming. I know it's coming. I don't know when, and really, I don't know how (anything could happen), but I'm ready. I've improved the relationships I wanted to improve, I got in contact with people I wanted to talk to, i forgave people that I never thought I'd forgive, I have my affairs in order, I have a talking relationship with God, and I'm at peace. Now comes the good part, I just need to live my life. Before I thought people were so rude and all exsited in their own little world. Now I walk into a store and everyone smiles at me and most say hello. Then it dawned on me. The world didn't change, I did. I must be smiling at them to make them respond to me like that. See how blessed I am. I would never have learned these lessons if I hadn't been diagnoised. I'd propbably just end up a memorial on the side of the road. Will I survive long term? I really hope so. I have a lot I'm still looking forward too. Will I feel guilty if I do? No. And if I don't survive this, I don't want any of you feeling guilty either. I have many people tell me that God will heal me. And I tell them he will, if it is his plan. And if it isn't, I'm good with that too. Hugs, Liz

I started chemo on a Wednesday and radiation the following Monday. I did radiation 5 days a week and chemo 1 day a week. I also switched chemo days midway through. Missed a week of radiation and 2 weeks of chemo because I was very sick, but made it up in the end. I felt fine for about 4 weeks of treatment, then started feeling bad. Worst was about the 6 and 7th week and lasted a few weeks past. Then I started going uphill again. No matter how sick he is, he'll feel great seeing his grandchild. I don't ever think I was so bad that I couldn't have done that. Though he may not feel well enough to travel. Hugs, Liz

I'd like to add my cousin, Toni, to the list as she got on this rollercoaster last Monday. I'm hoping she will come to this site soon. She's going in for surgury on Thursday. Hugs to all, Liz

I was testing for acid reflux when they found it.

I found this topic interesting lately. I had my surgery in Sept. and have had constant numbness all through my scar area and under the breast in the front. In the last week and a half I started going to the chiropractor to try to eliviate the muscle pain in the center of my back from inactivity for the last 4 months. Surprisingly, my insurance pays for a 30 min. massage, so I said, "let's go!!" How lucky is that? I have had 3 so far and have them scheduled at 2 a week for the next 5 weeks. After the 2nd massage, the muscles started to come alive under my scar and the numbness is going away. I can't say that the muscles are happy, in fact they're screaming mad, but I can feel them now. And I feel better everyday. I know how lucky I am to have this "benifit" but if you don't, perhaps someone in your life could start massaging your scar area. Hugs for all, Liz

Hi. I went through chemo ( last day 12/06/06) and 37 days of radiation (last day 12/13/06). I transfered to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa and saw my doctor right away. He wanted to wait 4 to 6 weeks to give the radiation and chemo a chance to finish doing their thing before he took a CAT scan. Said he would get to much influmation if he went sooner. I go in on Friday 1/19/07. They are a great facilitiy and if they say CAT, I say CAT. And if they say wait 4 weeks, I say wait 4 weeks. Plus I'm glad for the repreive. I have a port also, which makes it real easy anywhere I go. I've read they keep them in up to a year after you finish treatment, just in case. It's not something you want to keep putting in and out. Just need to get it flush every few weeks. Email me if I can be of more help to you. Hugs, Liz

Hi everyone. I'm having the same problems as Heather with trying to eat, except I've been vomiting since I stopped chemo and radiation. I've also had those "chest" pains since Nov. 10th. The last 3 days of radiation, they got so much worse. I went to a GI on Thursday and he went down with a camara. My esophagal is all ulcerated ( surprise) and full of fungus (this was a surprise, which was causing the vomiting). Seems the chemo and radiation does it and with my immune system being wacked, the fungus got out of control. He had me on meds that day and I was feeling 100% better in 12 hours. I have meds for 14 days and look forward to each day so I can take one, as I feel better everyday. The chest pains for me was my esphogous, but I read that they are very much like heart pains, so you should be sure it's not the heart. The ER checked my heart out Nov. 10th when I got them. Hugs to all, Liz

Hi Allie, Sounds a bit like me. They thought mine was confined to the left upper lobe and went in to take it out. When they got there they saw it had spread to the lower lobe and attached itself to the chest wall. That made it stage 4 and inoperable. They started me on chemo and radiation in the hopes of shrinking it enough to do surgury. I go in Friday for a CAT scan to see if it worked. Fingers are crossed. Chemo doctor said stage 4, radiation doctor said stage 3b. Either way, it's there and needs to be treated. Email with any questions. Hugs, Liz

Hi everyone. I've been gone for a little while. Still having problem, but find I get nauseated when I come here (maybe its depressed) so I've been staying away. I finished my radiation on the 13th of December and transfered to Moffitt. I went to the Doctor there on the 19th. I really liked them and the team spirit they put out. He wants me to recoup for 4 weeks and then have my CAT scan and regroup. i go in the 19th of Jan for the CAt and the 23rd for results. Problem is I'm not recouping. Pain is finally cutting down enough to start eating some things again, but I'm still vomiting. Somedays once and some days, all day. Been going on since week 4 of chemo, but I haven't done chemo in a month. Still losing weight and getting scared. I think it's related to my reflux, and am trying to get into see a GI, but no one can see me right away. Have a call into my cancer doctor right now, so hopefully something will happen. I can't start chemo again like this. Thanks for listening. Liz

Thanks evryone. Ned, I forgot to update again. They changed me back to my origional chemo because my tumer markers cut in half. The Doc has mentioned Avastin ?? for after radiation is done. No studies on its affects taken with radiation. 2 more days!! I'm so excited!!

I wanted to share with you about my cousin, Bob. Bob was dx in July with Lymphoma. He had cancer in his bone marrow, blood, bone mets to about 8 different places, brain, mass in lung, etc...bottom of Stage IV No hope. Went through chemo and just had his followup tests. CAT and PET came back negative last week and bone marrow came back negative this afternoon. Complete remission!! Celebration!!!

That is such inspiring news!! I am so happy for you and your loved ones. I want to celebrate 9 years if only to get one of those dancing bears sent to me!! Love to everyone, Liz

Hey, ya'll. Same old, same old. Yesterday was #4 without getting sick. Yeah! Started radiation up right after release from hospital and may start chemo again tomorrow. Wait and see, I guess. Though I have to admit, I'm scared I might start vomiting again. Set me back a few weeks from getting to Moffitt. Should be done radiation on 12/13 and then transfer. Thanks for the prayers, Love, Liz

Well, that was quite an extended stay. 9 days and don't feel that well either. Eating though and drinking again. Just wish they would give me a chance to recover before starting treaatment again. I'm so scared it's going to happen again. Still have difficulty swallowing, and some chest pain. Oh well, 3 more weeks then I go to Moffett. Keeping fingers crossed to stay well. Thanks for the prayers. Liz

Hi guys, Just got my computer and wanted to update you. The radiation doc sent me back to the er Sunday night with a promise to get me admitted. I'm still here. Pain is under control most of the time and had 6 spoons of broth last night. First I kept down since Wendsday. Waiting for breakfast Ha-Ha as we speak. They stopped treatment for the time being til I heal. Say I have ulcers in my esguagagus. Threw up a lot of blood last night. Getting plenty of medicine but not real happy with my people here. Nurses, doctors. My coon hasn't been by, sent his partner, radiation guy is out of town all week, sent a pa 1 day, and internist is in africa, so hospital one has been in to see me for a total of 5 minutes so far. Maybe better today. Keep praying, Love, Liz

I have chemeo on Mondays. Never had a problem until last week. Threw up Wens, Thurs, Fri. Went to ER, got hydrated up and given med and started eating Friday nigh, no proble,. I though it was a bug, cus everyone had it. This week started threwing up wends, thurs, fri, sat. Started having heavy chest pains friday night so went to er sat morning. They hydrated me up wrote px for protonix and zofran. checked my heart and did a cat for blood clots in lungs then sent me on my way. Diag esughagus burns. It's now sunday pm, i'm vomiting again, haven't eaten or drank anythin but sips of water since wensd morning. Snd the chest pains are killing me. Actually sitting here crying. It hurtsa to breat or swallow sliva. pains are about 4 fingures above sternm and radiate out about 4 inches in each direction. Help.

Dear, dear Kat, I am so sorry to hear this terrible news. I can't even fathom the pain you must be feeling. I will be sending up major prayers for God to give you strength through this very difficult time. Hugs, Liz

Hi Cindi, So glad to hear you're feeling better. So glad to hear from you. Your feeling better has nothing to do with whether the chemo is working, it has to do with your attitude changing. And that's a real good sign. Remember depression breeds illness. Remember Earnie. he went through it all feeling good. We're all different. Keep up the good work. I heard once that milk products cause a lot of mucus. Could this be the culpert? Hope the docter have your medication good now. Please keep in touch. Hugs, Liz

See, Do, Bars New word= Shake