raneyf

Hi Barb, I don't think I got my cancer from exposure to 2nd hand smoke, because mine was never that high - never lived with anyone that smoked. But, obviously my genes are susceptible to cancer from a small amount of carcinogens. So, now I'm crazy anti-smoker lady. I've screamed, actually screamed, at my husband to stear clear of a smoker outside of a Walmart because our kids "have half my genes." So far I've been passive agressive and just moved out of the way with the kiddos. Don't get me wrong - I love a lot of people that smoke, my uncles, some friends, my BIL and SIL, I just don't want it around me or my kids. Raney

Great news!

Yes, I'm much better for the most part. A few episodes where I feel like I need to yawn per day, and maybe 5 coughs per day is where I'm at now. I started the Advair Sunday AM.

Hi Mary Colleen, I've recently had SOB with slight cough and wheeze. No WBR, though. First, they checked the cancer - it was stable to smaller, so that's not the reason. Then they checked for Pulmonary Embolism, but that was clear. They also checked the placement of my port-a-cath to make sure it hadn't migrated. Then they did and echocardiogram to look for fluid around my heart, but that was clear too. They were starting to chalk it up to anxiety, but then noticed I was wheezing a bit. Now they think it is asthma induced by the chemo, which can show up several months after you're finished with treatment. They're treating me with Advair. Since this just happened to me, thought I'd give you some ideas of what they might check for. Good luck - hope he feels better soon. Raney

I was diagnosed with bone mets and am 8 months out so far. You wouldn't know I was sick right now. I've heard of multiple people diagnosed with bone mets that are still alive 3 and 4 years out and doing o.k. So - we know this isn't easy. But I read somewhere you should assume you will do at least as well as the best person in your situation has done, not only as well as the worst. I've never asked my doctor for time, and don't plan on doing so. He doesn't know and it would only upset me, and maybe do damage as I counted down to my expiration date. Tell your husband to block it out and fight.

That's funny - my husband remembers that video game, we don't remember what it's called, where the one guy reaches into the chest of the other guy and pulls out the heart looking thing. He wants to do that to my cancer.

I'm sorry for you and your family Heidi. I just wish this cancer would die and go away forever. Tell mom to Fight, Fight, FIGHT!

Hi, Tell your mom that my quality has improved with treatment. I read your other post about the financial concerns, and know that's an issue now, but tell her treatment can help. My side effects were fairly easy and I feel better today than 8 months ago. She won't know unless she tries. Raney

Hi Tracy, I think my family is in denial too, not one of them will acknowledge that I'm not going to be o.k. somehow. BUT, they are all there in a heartbeat to do whatever needs done so I can fight. I think the difference is they acknowledge that we're in a big-time fight, but they won't acknowledge that there's any chance I won't win. I'm o.k. with that - their positivity brings me up, which I need a lot of the time. Now - my husband's family is another story. I remember right after diagnosis, I was all drugged up with painkillers and anxiety medication. We had a 7 week old baby, and my husband works full-time. I couldn't wake up with the baby, and my husband was exhausted. He called his mom to see if she would stay one night with us to take care of the baby and she wouldn't do it. Then, we thought of my grandma, but she couldn't drive all the way to our house by herself. We called his mom back to see if she would drive her over. She said she would THINK ABOUT IT and call us back. I still can't get over that. I can't figure out how some people think. But you need to do whatever it takes to give yourself a chance. I feel like we're leaning too hard on my family and our friends, with not enough of the load distributed to my husband's family, but I don't care anymore. I know the people that help me love me and want to do it, and they're part of my team. You'll have to tell us about the NIH trial when you have some time. I'm sorry you're not getting the support you need from your family. I'd get the friends and Kasey lined up for help if you think the trial is a good idea. Raney

Congrats! Good work Lilly.

Hi Twin Mom, I'm a young Stage 4 with small kids too. The hardest part so far has been the beginning. Now I'm ignoring the statistics and believing that somehow I'm going to be o.k. Keep posting and we'll try to help however we can. Raney

Hi Wondermom, I know I'm a patient and not a care-giver, but I know what you mean. My whole life, I've figured out how to get what I want. I have never faced a problem I couldn't fix before, until now. It's baffling. I spend so much time researching, etc, like the answer is here and I just can't find it - then I remember there is no answer. It's the strangest thing. Who ever heard of a problem with no solution? Just wanted to let you know I understand. You'll hear some stories of hope tomorrow at RFL, and hopefully you'll get re-inspired. Raney

Glad you're home and had a successful surgery. Hope you'll be feeling better soon. Raney

I'm not sure either. It sounds like the Alimta oncologist is moving on to 2nd line because your dad got Taxol and Carbo already and seemed to progress on those? I would ask if he was getting a full strength dose of this during radiation (I would think probably not) and if this would matter in terms of the cancer being resistant to these agents. This might be a good question for Dr. West at onctalk.com. I'm glad you have an appt. at Sloan. I would probably give their opinion considerable weight because of their reputation. Good Luck, Raney

I didn't lose all my hair on chemo, just shaved it because it was so thin on top. I've been off chemo for 6 weeks and my hair is about 1 inch long. I don't think it's as thick as it should be on top yet, but I have a lot of hair, and you couldn't tell if you didn't know me before. I also don't have to deal with the Tarceva issue. I hope her hair comes back in - it's harder than I thought it would be not to have it. Sometimes I'll see my reflection and not recognize myself! Raney

Hi Cheryl, I know nothing about this incident, but I wanted to tell you that your posts help me. I think you have a lot of valuable information and I hope you'll stick around and share it. You'd think this would all have blown over if it happened 2 years ago??? Goodness! Prayers for all of us affected by this horrible disease. Raney

Good! I'm slightly shrunken or stable via CT on Avastin only! Praying for lots more of these reports because this drug is so easy. I just feel normal. My one problem is feeling short of breath and trying to yawn - Anxiety probably. Just started 2 days ago. I'm trying to calm myself down. My doctor's positive there's no medical reason for it. Praying for us all... Raney

Hi Yirol, Stage IV's can fly, but I'm not sure if your dad can fly. It is dependent on their overall health I believe. I've been flying all over the country, but my performance status and lungs are very good. Good luck to your family. Raney

Hi Kim, I'd been wondering about you guys. Glad Mike is doing well. Raney

Congratulations on getting your surgery! I don't have any advice, but I'll be thinking of you on the 29th and will say a prayer for a fast recovery. Raney

It is absolutely unbelievable to me the things people have to go through to have a slim chance to live. I'm ashamed that I never realized it until living through it. Now I wonder what happens to people that don't have knowledge or resources to get lawyers and media attention. I'm convinced my insurance company just wants me to hurry up and die. Too bad for them, I'm a little bit contrary!

Hi Bucky, I don't know anything about WBR, but I'm happy to hear you sound so much better after your meeting with the docs. Good luck that this will be a great success. Have fun with your family in town. Raney

Prayers for babies - Good due date, by the way. I'll be turning 31 and celebrating like I've never celebrated a birthday before !

Hope this chemo works for Karen. Can someone help give you a break with anything? I can still care for the kids and my house and myself, but sometimes my mom will stop by and get the kids breakfast, or my grandma will come over and help with laundry. Maybe someone just needs to be asked? I'm sorry you have such a large load. I'm sorry if there's no one to help you. My family is so great - I don't know what we'd do without them. As far as ice cream for all meals, my son would drive me nuts because of the sugar! He'd be bouncing off the walls! Prayers for this to turn Karen around. Raney

Hi Wendy, Thank you for the info. I'll double check the Prilosec at the next appt. Seems like there's always something! Raney