Gina D.

lenr8 ~ I was curious too, so I looked it up in the glossary (link is up there, very useful) prophylactic cranial irradiation - Radiation therapy to the head to reduce the risk that cancer will spread to the brain.

MMMMMMM Cookies! and Morphine too..yum! And think, it's all legal too! These "healthy" folks have it SOOO bad...

in the name of humour to annoy your nurses and docs as a release or just because you are a wacko and ain't letting all this serious cancer stuff get you too far away from one of the most important things in life: Laughter. Hospital story, chemo session antics? While I was in the hospital after my lobectomy, I had a laptop computer with me. I kept it on my tray table. I would put a different LARGE scrolling text screensaver on every nite and pointed it towards the open room door with things like "Alright, which nurse stole my last beer?" and "Morphine. Not just for breakfast anymore". If I didn't change it, the nurses would ask where thier message was! My mother brought me a set of bunny ears on Easter.. I wore them all day. I put some less than fresh flowers in the commode after I used it. When asked what that was all about, I told the nurse that "tonites salad went right through me". I had a leak in my lung at one of the staples. (My lobes had grown together in a couple places and they had to cut and staple) By pushing air OUT of my chest, I could make a specific gurgle in the chest tube. They were not amused that I taught myself to play Old McDonald. (Tho my surgeon was impressed at my control, he told me to not do that anymore What did you do?

Dave, I want you to go grab your teddy and lie down, relax, and indulge yourself in you. Let others do the work, worry not and concetrate only on whacking that ball! I wish I had some chemo advise for you. My only experience with it is with my stepdad, who had bone cancer, and I can't remember what he did during times like this. Wish I did, he pulled thru like a champ and beat it. YOU WILL TOO!!!!!!

Thats wonderful! I am so happy for her and you! Here is to continued good progress! *Gina holds up a glass of champagne*.

Debi ~ It too easy to use the "I feel good" excuse. I was asymptomatic at DX. I went into the doc for something unrelated and came out with something I hadn't ordered I FELT good when I heard those evil words "You have lung Cancer". Just think of how you felt the split second after you heard those words and then ask youself if you are willing to hear "It's back". Thats enough motivation to keep me quit

I don't know if this is it or not, but I broked a finger and thumb in a skiing accident in my 20s, and I experience pain and discomfort at the healed breaks when it is damp and COLD. (I live in the mountains, lots of snow in the winter) I haven't wintered through my surgery yet, so I can't tell yet if the ribs will do this. I hope you find a way to relieve this pain! My GP gave me celbrex for this, but my HMO doesn't cover it and it is way too expensive for me to buy right now. The tons of samples she gave me worked great tho. Back to tylenol for me

Fay A ~ 3???????? Oh my gawd! You win the tough award! 1 was enough for me, thanks I'd do it again if I have to..but boy, thats a scary thought. I am glad you did ok, it keeps you here with us! EILEEN ~ No, I believe this is the usual procedure he does. He "pioneered" it according to the articles I have read, and the snooping I did on him before surgery (Hey, I check up on them too As far as the tube, I only had 1, I see some folks here have had 2, wierd. I had had a tube about 10 years ago for a spontanious pnuemo thorax of the same lung they operated on, and it didn't hurt when they removed the tube then either. It was SCARY, but it didn't hurt. cathy ~ the numbing meds were injected on the table while I was still open. He explained the areas he would numb and that it took 5 different injections to achieve this.

Done.

David A ~ I actually DID that to a friends husband last weekend on a camping trip. At her request, actaully..she wants him to quit so bad, and especially after all this, she is scared for him. I don't think it gave him a cheap thrill, and he did try my inhalers as he forget to bring cigs and had forgotten he wasn't going to be able to bum them from me anymore! He agreed to try them for awhile, I gave him a couple packs and a holder. He is still using them I hear. JudyB ~ I hear you and mentioned this to him. His concern was that I am a very small person to start with, and he feels it may cause more damage than good at this point. Under normal circumstances, I hover around 105, and I am 5 ft 1. I am down to (or I should say back UP to 100lbs now tho) I wonder how kids stand it tho?

Donna, I can't answer if it feels different, it's all I know It is hard to tell if there is any nerve damage yet. My surgeon offered my a long term nerve block that he claims lasts 6 mos. to a year. It feels just like the way novicaine feels on your face and cheeks when the dentist goes overboard. I am still numb, and trust me, I am grateful! I wouldn't be bothered at all if it was numb for life, it's really no big deal. Just different. The numbness is different in different areas, the breast is actually sore to the touch, and the lower areas, around my belly, are starting to "wake up", so using the dental analogy again, it is kind of sensitive in that area. The area of the incision is deader than dead, you could slice it with a knife and I wouldn't have a clue. It goes pretty deep, the numbness, but oddly, on the surface, it doesn't stop my skin from itching! wierd, huh? A nurse told me that there were different types of nerve receptors, and the itch one probably isn't effected by this. Anyway, my surgeon teaches this procedure at UC Irvine in California, appearantly he developed it. I do and did not have the arm movement problems usually associated with this either, tho I carry my right arm as if it was in a sling sometimes. I think that is a habit hold over from when it was more comfortable to do that, right after surgery. I never had any difficulty with full motion of it. I was really worried I would have to get rid of my car, which I LOVE, after all of this. It's a clutch and I was suprised I could handle it easily. PHEW!!!!

I am glad to hear you are coming along smoothly! Tain't the first thing I would choose to do on a sunny afternoon, but it doesn't seem nearly as bad as you thought it was going to be, is it? I know what you mean about the sleeping thing, I did it too. Napped all the time, I would just drop what I was doing when I felt the need and layed down. I still do, but it isn't nearly as frequent Do it, don't feel guilty..yes, it is your old bones telling you to stop and regenerate now. The smoking thing. You are not alone, I haven't had one in 4 months and I still want one every day. BUT.. the urge goes away immediately as soon as I mentally "feel" all that hot and sticky smoke hitting my battered, cut and bruised lung! OUCH!!!! I was in the hospital with folks that had the same or worse that were actual STILL smoking, right after surgery, they would hobble outside with thier IVs and drainage tubes and bags in tow. I could not believe it! I would feel SO guilty, not to mention horrible physically! I had to go out there in the courtyard to get my sanity and a change of scenery, not to mention it was the only place I could use my cell phone. It was making me gag! I am still hooked on the 'tine, I use the inhaler, it seems it is my permanent friend now, but I am cutting down. It definately takes the craving away with the same satisfaction as a smoke does. I wish more docs knew about them, understood how they worked and offered them to patients who want to quit. My ONCOLOGIST, who specializes in lung cancer had never seen or heard of one until I showed up last week. I had emptied my pockets when they weighed me, and he saw the inhaler and immediately yelled "I thought you told me you QUIT smoking!' I laffed and told him I did, I showed it to him and oddly, he had very little interest in it. Sad. He apologised for yelling, but that was it. He suggested I get off it too, which I will. Good luck with that demon, I can relate. I had drug "issues" in my 20s, and yep..they were much easier to dump than the smokes.

Hi karen335 ~ I had a PET at Loma Linda, that was the definative test that made them say those evil words to me. I have every intention of getting then on a regualar basis, I will pay for them myself. To me it seems money well spent. It lit up a .8cm nodule on me, and from what I have heard, that is not possible..but it happened. Maybe the machine and staff at Loma Linda is exceptional. You are closer to there anyway..can you get it moved to there?

I cannot help you with the chemo effects, as I have not had chemo, but you go whine loud and clear! We all get a turn! Today is yours!

I have been reading all the posts here where folks share thier personal info on thier surgeries. I am very grateful you post it, it is very helpful for comparison and guaging my recovery. Thanks! BUT..I seem to have had a unique invasion here. I was wondering if anyone else had the same thing I did, or thier surgeon used the same method, I should say. It seems you all have had the lobe or lung removed from your BACK. My was removed from the front. My incision is from about the middle of my armpit and follows the lower crease of my right breast to the center of my chest. No cuts on the back at all. I just switched GPs, and she was shocked on her first exam of me, she was expecting the huge smiley on the back, and I was pleasantly suprised when she had to ASK where it was. Now, as a woman, this is not the first place I would ask for a scar, but I have never been well endowed there anyway, so it isn't that big a loss LOL Anyone else here have the incision in front?

email the picture to me and I will post it on my server for everyone to see!

Hey Jodi! No, you are not alone, really. I know how deeply you would like to have the special support of a special person during this time tho. And I know about the angst of wanting/debating about finding a new romance. Do you do it? Is it fair to seek another when you have doubts about your own existance/abilities? Is it fair to impose that on them? Tough one. I have realized that this situation is no different than a "normal" single persons. If it happens, it happens. I will not deny it if it does. My special friend of 20 years high tailed it as far away as he could get when I was DX'ed. Pretty low and unexpected, and it cut deeper than the surgeons knife at the time. But you know what? I am grateful..I don't have to worry about him or how this is effecting him, his feelings or needs etc, and I can now concentrate on ME and the task at hand. It's a legal selfishness we all need to assert at this time. Do it and don't feel any guilt. I am sure I am not the only one here that has had this happen either. Some life long friends have difficulty in understanding what is happening to you, and they withdraw due to the unjustified assumption that you are going to die. That hurts, but you have to reach out and educate them. If they don't/won't learn..leave them be. You don't need them anyway. Folks you thought of as casual aquaintences or just buddies come to your side and never leave.. it's hard to tell how it effects others. I had a buddy and former boss and his wife and family turn into the most special friends in my life over this. He came RUNNING from 1000 miles on an instants notice when he learned my SO would not be there for me. He gave up a whole month of his life to take care of me, with his wifes blessings, and another month of having me live in thier house and invade thier family life. We called him my "rental husband". They asked NOTHING in return, they just did it because it was the right thing to do. I could have never guessed that would be the scene a week earlier. It is amazing how this brings out the good and bad in folks. I was very uncomfortable at this idea at first, but I had no choice, I needed the help. DON'T deny it, even if it seems odd. You have just made a new and special relationship if you do. Stronger and better than past ones. Your life has indeed changed and will never be like it was, no matter how cured you are or how good you feel. That is just part of this. You have to go wth the flow. When people ask how this effects me, I tell them that every aspect of my life has changed, can't say for the better, but I am going to make it that way. And you will too. It's that positive strength that will bring someone else along that is even more special than the last one, becuase they will have a special thing in them that will allow them to deal with what you have on your plate, and gladly too. You have many friends here you haven't met yet. Do not be afraid to PM anyone when you need to! Gina D.

Hey Jay! Your picture is FINE..I am a single gal, and if it wasn't for that cradle robbing thing, I'd purr at you in an instant ! I know what you mean about that aging thing, but look at it as a bonus. You are one of the lucky few that truely are living what us old codgers wish we could have lived when we say "If we only knew then what we know now" It's a good thing. It will enhance the rest of your long life. Trust me. You are leaving lots of weaker less knowledgable kids in the dust. Go forward with it full bore! BTW ~ I think you are VERY lucky to get to go to Canada! It beautiful! I am from the Pacific Northwest, and was about to go home for good when I was diagnosed. I can't leave So. Cal now, a place I dislike very much, due to the medical insurance issues. I have no doubt you will enjoy it there..lucky dog! Good luck to you in your journey!

Ada, I hope I have 1/2 as much strength as you while dealing with this. Good luck to you and I am sure you will have a good recovery from this. Gina D.

DaveG!!! I did the EXACTLY same thing with a Teddy bear! You are just as wierd as I am I have that bear on my china cabinet, and I won't let him get out of my site! OK..onto Marcia Hi Marcia! You'll do great. Pardon my cut and paste, I just wrote this out for another post a few days ago, it answers some of your questions tho. My surgery was on 4-3-03. As of today, I hardly feel like it happened at all..well..compared to the time leading up to it and immediately after I also saw my surgeon for the "almost" last time today for the follow ups. He still wants to check in with me next October. Right after surgery, you will feel like a fleet of trucks has hit you, but each day, the # of trucks in the fleet will diminish It will be natural for you to think you abilty to live normally physically it is all over..and going from what seems to be perfectly healthy to the dehabilitaed literally in hours is hard to bear. It gets better quickly tho. Just remember that. and USE THAT BUTTON! Pain meds are your friend. I am on month # 3 and what a difference from the immediate time after surgery! I had some comlications with the surgery itself and had an unusually long hospital stay (14 days) and was even sent home with a chest tube and drainage bag. That remained for a month after surgery. The first weeks, I was pretty much out of it, and was limited in movement because of the tube, but I managed to actually go out in public for a bit, toting the tube along! In answer to what the tube feels like, well, it doesn't hurt really, it is more like a pressure in your side. Most folks don't have them in for long tho, you probably will think it's the least of the aches, actually. No, it doesn't hurt when they remove it. Mine was in TOO long tho, and I had to take the 1000 dollar cab ride to emergency when I started experiencing excruciating pain with it. My lung had expanded so much, so quickly, that it pressed the tube against my ribs and it took shots of dilaudid to take the pain away. Surgeon removed the tube the next day. Once the tube was removed, it seemed like you could measure my improvement by the hour. I was up and around, walking quite a bit, able to acheive small chores around the house and could bath myself. I was doing laundry on my own within two days of tube removal. A week later, I was able to withstand a 1000 mile road trip in the comfort of a motorhome from LA to Portland Oregon, where I was taken in by kind friends who supported me and took care of things for me while I rested up. I was driving within 5 weeks post surgery (auto tranny, but a BIG pick up truck) and working on my computers and doing social things within 5 1/2 weeks. After 4 weeks in Portland, and I drove MYSELF and my two dogs back to southern California. I took it easy, spreading the drive out to 3 days. I was in a rental with an auto tranny, but quite easily jumped into my own car, a 5 speed and could handle it pain free, no problems. My lobectomy was on my right side..gearshift country! The only ill effects I feel right now are lots of rib soreness and shortness of breath in the heat and after certain types of exertions. I am sure both will go away with time. I got a bike and ride it every day, I even went camping with it last weekend and rode 20 miles on saturday..no biggie! What they do to your ribs is not pretty, and I am sure you have researched this. No way to sugar coat it. You WILL be sore, but it is tolerable after a short while. I used a heating pad, and valerian as a natural muscle relaxer to make it almost a presence, and not really a "pain". Lots of pillows, as mentioned, helps a ton. I had a long term nerve block that my surgeon offered as an option. My right chest wall and the area of the incision is still quite numb. It is exactly like what your face feel like when the dentist gives you the BIG shot of novicaine. It feels odd, but I was gratefull to get it. I don't understand why anyone would not opt to have it. The block does nothing for the rib pain however. You might note that the pic of me here was taken on week 6, post surgery. Doesn't look like anything was wrong at all. Good luck to you on this! I hope it all comes out well for you! I have no kids, so I am no help there, nor have I had chemo, but a "few" folks around here have. I think you'll get some good help from them.

Thank you everyone. I think I like this forum the best I read in here most often, actually, and show it to some folks in my life that are scared and don't understand how this works. It's not a death sentence! okdebi..glad you are healing up OK and are in good spirits. Was I (and eveyone else) right? It seems like it gets better by the minute, doesn't it? Tell us how you are doing TODAY.

You are so lucky to have each other! Best wishes to you and here is to many many more! Gina D.

Greetings renet! I have not had chemo, so I can not offer a lot of advise there. But I did want to welcome you! Folks here are kind, knowledgable and informative! Gina D.

I FINALLY saw an oncologist yesterday after much boo foos with an incompetent GP and HMO problems. Not bad..it's only been 3 mos since surgery anyway, he explained my pathology report a little clearer than the surgeon. My nodule was only .8cm! (t1, n0,m0) and a PET caught it. He doesn't think chemo would benefit me, nor radiation, but I got a follow up schedule. I see him and have bloodwork every 2 mos, and get ct scans every 6 mos. The good news besides that..my films are clean and so is my blood work. I am finally off on my journey toward that 5 year mark! (Hope I don't get a flat!)

bobmc ~ YAY YAY YAY YAY! Good on ya, and have a great time! "Forgetaboutit" for now!