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mary colleen

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Everything posted by mary colleen

  1. Thanks for asking - - we are doing well. Vic is NED right now, though we struggle with certain deficits relaed to his brain tumor, surgery and WBR. It's all ok though, since his scans are clean. I kind of came out of the woodwork tonight to honor Don M, whom I consider to be a hero to so many here. I read daiily, and especially follow your progress as a near neighbor! Feel free to PM me! Take care - - - - MC
  2. Jude and Amanda - I read nearly daily, but virtually never post. I have to make an exception here....Don was a kind, gentle, intelligent man. He replied to me on many occasions when I needed a word or two. I appreciated it all the more because I understood what he was going through himself. Consider yourselves blessed for having had him in you lives. He was graceful, which says a lot. Mary Colleen
  3. Christina Marie, I am very sorry to hear of your troubles. Please do understand that that this disease is becoming ever more manageable, and that "inoperable" and even "incurable" do not necessarily mean "terminal". Many conditions are essentially incurable, but are highly treatable and many people do very well for long periods. LC is moving in that general direction for many. I would guess that the drugs you are referring to are Cisplatin and Gemcitabine, commonly known as Gemzar. This is a very common first line regimen. My husband had it as well. From Dr. Jack West's Cancer Grace site: My research at that time and after incicated that it was about the same in study effectiveness as Carboplatin/Taxol, another very common first line regimen. As for cisplatin/gemcitabine vs. cisplatin/vinorelbine, nearly all experts in lung cancer consider the platinum-based doublets to be nearly identical in activity, with main differences in tolerability. The three doublets that are included as "gold standard" choices in our large post-op chemo trial (with or without avastin) are cisplatin/navelbine (vinorelbine), cisplatin/gemzar (gemcitabine), and cisplatin/taxotere (docetaxel). I would consider any of these to be completely acceptable options. Cancer Grace is at www.cancergrace.org, and is filled with useful information that you may find helpful. Mary
  4. Ned, I think I know what you mean about the weight feeling good against your back. I'm sure that if you thought you had a problem, you'd be going to the onc to mention it. For now, I would almost certainly blame Rosie, who looks like pure trouble:)
  5. Ned, The only think I can say here is that some of the medical sites mention that the pain of mets may tend to become worse at night - I have done my share of surfing due to pain my husband has. On the other hand, a good share of pain of all causes becomes worse at night....if it didn't, Tylenol PM wouldn't exist. MC
  6. Teri, you are in my thoughts today. MC
  7. Wishing tremendous peace for you.
  8. mary colleen

    Mustang P51

    A very special thought for Ernie. God Bless!
  9. My husband had WBR about one year ago. Studies indicate that it greatly decreases the risk of future brain mets. As mentioned, we are one year out with no recurrence. The treatment was rather difficult, but manageable. From about the middle of the treatments onward, he had very significant fatigue. There are also ore superficial effects, such as hair loss, ear and scalp burns (like a sunburn), and some miscellaneous effects such as fluid buildup in the inner ears. One thing to understand about WBR is that it can take several months to recover from. My husband's neurological status (appetite, sensory perceptions, energy) became markedly worse 2 months after treatment ended before it began to improve. He still has minor memory issues. I still occasionally debate inwardly whether it was worth doing, and the answer I always come to is that it was. The negative impact it has had is minor in relation to the fact that he has not had any new brain mets. Hope this helps.
  10. mary colleen

    great news!!!

    I'm soooo happy for you Bucky!
  11. mary colleen

    Hiccups

    My husband had them too. We were told that it is a semi-common side effect. They were self-limiting.
  12. Bucky, my friend - we need you and your wonderful spirit here in full force. Please do everything that you need to do to look after this problem and overcome it. I do understand it - I have had my own internal struggles and bleakness since my husband's diagnosis. It's a tough problem. I am with you in spirit as you work through this! Mary Colleen
  13. I consider it a perfectly viable option; if it helps, use it. MC
  14. Teri, I have thought about this post since you wrote it. Not sure why. I did not intend to post in response, because I don't feel I doubt I can add anything important to the discussion. For some reason, you and the post remained on my mind today, and here I am. I can only say that I agree with Ann's post. Let it simply 'be', and say or do whatever feels natural. You're the right person, if you feel up to it yourself. I know you still miss Bill acutely. There is nothing wrong with sharing that - look at this as an exchange, not as you only providing the support. I just sense that it is not possible for you to do or say the wrong thing in this situation. Don't over think it, and take a hug from me with you. MC
  15. mary colleen

    Stable

    So happy for you Joe.
  16. Me too - cystic ovaries. They come and go. Some hang around forever. MC
  17. mary colleen

    pet

    Bill, I'll be praying for you. MC
  18. Both are gorgeous. That sweet doggie deserves lot of fun toys. MC
  19. Hi Mary, My name is also Mary:) Welcome. I'm very sorry for what you've been through, and can only imagine how sad you must feel. You're very young to be in this situation. Though those friends may not know quite what to do or say, I'm sure they care deeply for you and want to help. Stick with them and let them help you through this if only by just being there. Stick with us too - we all care and want to help. Please stay in touch and ask/tell/vent about anything you like. Mary
  20. If you have any of these issues ever come up, let me know - I've worked my way through the insurance and disability loopholes and would be happy to give you the knowledge I picked up that has helped. MC
  21. My husband ultimately lost his job. He was off for a few weeks for his thoracotomy recovery in October '06; went back to work and worked steadily through about 7 weeks of chemo; took off a few weeks to finish chemo when the blood counts began to bottom out and side effects became overwhelming; resumed work again for about 9 weeks; stopped to have brain surgery and WBR and recover from that; went back to discuss resuming work in September '07 and was told they really had no further jobs he could do due to his physical limitations. On top of that, and probably more importantly, they gave me one day's notice that his health coverage was discontinuing....it was all very traumatic. He was devastated personally, amd I was scrambling frantically to ensure he and our daughter had continued insurance coverage. I am STILL struggling almost weekly with our new insurance coverage and various other aspects of his losing all benefits with no notice - how to continue his employer held life insurance, dental, 401K, etc etc. I haven't even looked yet at whether his termination was legal. Well, I guess you triggered in me some need to vent! I keep this all away from my husband, but I am still bitter and angry about this.
  22. Pup, I have been thinking of you - so good to hear from you. Sounds like you are dealing well and getting the right care. Please stay in touch with us! Mary Colleen
  23. Glad it went ok for you. Keep us posted!
  24. mary colleen

    MRI

    Bill, you need those results. You will deal, regardless, right? I'll bet you've dealt with other things in your life, and you'll manage this one, too. It will feel better to have a game plan. Mary
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