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raneyf

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Posts posted by raneyf

    Can't get away from Smokers

    in LC SURVIVORS

    Posted

    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

    Cough, SOB with WBR?

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    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

    Confirmed: It's still there, and bigger, and stronger :(

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    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.

    What would you do to cancer?

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    "Welthy"]

    I asked him, "Don't you just want to reach into your chest and tear that cancer out with your bare hands????".

    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.

    PET Scan Results

    in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

    Posted

    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

    update

    in MEMBER UPDATES

    Posted

    Hi Aaron,

    Glad to see you're doing o.k. I've been checking in to where's my p53 too to keep tabs on you.

    I've been meaning to tell you that my son got his first baseball from Billy Wagner at a D-Backs/Mets game this year. He was talking to him the whole game - our seats were right next to the visitor's bullpen. It was my son's Favorite Game Ever.

    Good luck today at the hearing - I think you'll pass with flying colors.

    Raney

    They say I'm in denial

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    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

    Introduction

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    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

    I want to fix it.

    in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

    Posted

    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

    Need chemo help with my dad, 3B

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    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

    Hair Growth After Chemo

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    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

    I was grieving, but your responses have helped...thanks

    in GRIEF

    Posted

    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

    Unsure

    in MEMBER UPDATES

    Posted

    I'm sorry - I didn't reply when I read your post because I didn't know what a sed rate was. Keeping you in my prayers for cancer cells dying, though. Hope you find out it's nothing to worry about. Sorry I'm not more help.

    Raney

    It's official ... progression

    in MEMBER UPDATES

    Posted

    Sorry about the progression, but way to "move-on". Glad you can feel the cancer dying - I love that feeling! I'm thankful the Alimta seems easy so far. Hope it continues that way for you. Have a great weekend and let those cancer cells die!

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