teriw

Good suggestion, Randy. I just PMed her to let her know we were thinking of her.

Hi Loretta, I'm so sorry to hear about the progression in your husband's cancer. Don't give up hope. There are second line treatments. I'm wondering if he's only had 3 cycles, perhaps they might try another type of combination chemo. Of course, you might also ask about clinical trials. I would say, if you don't like what you hear from the doctor, go somewhere else.

Lisa, I am so sorry about the loss of your wonderful mom. How proud you must be to know how many people she touched in her life.

Great news about your mom's progress! Thanks for sharing that.

Lisa, Thanks for sharing your wonderful news!!!!

That's awesome Ernie. Thank you for being an inspiration to all of us!

Hi Rhonda, I'm sorry to hear about your mother's diagnosis. She's fortunate to be living with you and to have your practical and emotional support. There is hope and you will certainly find a lot of it here. Connie B has told of us of several long-term sclc survivors in her in-person lung cancer support group. One survivor of 16 years! That's the statistic my husband and I hold onto. If you can help your mom see the reasons for hope, you'll do a lot for her.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I don't have any practical advice -- I just wanted you to know I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

I read it too. Hopefully something will come of it that isn't too cost-prohibitive to have an impact. I have to say, what I found more interesting than the breath test was that the dogs smelled the cancer 99% of the time. That's amazing.

Grace, My heart has broken for you and your family with each post I read. You have been in my thoughts so much through this time. I can't begin to know what you're going through, but I know there are many kind souls here who know it all too well. Although your posts were filled with devastating news, the grace and strength with which you handled it shone through. You know what I remember most? When you relayed the story that your neighbor told you about Carlton leaving so early for work so he could be home to spend time with his girls. Seeing his picture and hearing that simple story said so much about him and your family. I'm so sorry. May God grant you peace and comfort.

It's a tricky situation. I personally think you need to agree with your hubby about what you ask the doctor and when, if that is how you've been approaching it thus far. My hubby was the same at first -- didn't really want to know any details at all. At first, the agreement was that the doctors would discuss anything "bad" with me. He changed his mind along the way and wants to know the details about what he's dealing with -- but only specific to himself (not statistics). We still have an agreement with our doctors that we don't talk about prognoses. And we usually discuss between ourselves what we're going to talk about with the doctor at each appointment. Make sure you know the next steps and the plan, and that the doctor knows where you and your husband stand as far as wanting to take an aggressive approach, etc. Hope this helps. I do understand how difficult it is.

LAURIE -- I'm absolutely ashamed of myself. I should have said "don't count out remission or CURE," because trust me -- that's my hopes lie.

Hi everyone, Just wanted to say thanks again for your thoughts. Each time I log on I'm surprised to find another reply. It's so sweet. I've let Bill know you've all been giving your support. He appreciates it, of course. At least for the moment, he's found that it works better for him if he avoids exposing himself to any more lung cancer information than is necessary. I can't argue with that. It's all part of his fight. He's feeling quite good -- he's downstairs painting the living room right now! Liz, thanks for the laugh. We were with our friends last night and I told them about your reply. We were absolutely hysterical saying, "revolutionary new lung cancer cure -- forget chemo and radiation -- just cough that sucker out!" Laurie, don't count out remission for your hubby. There are so many people on this board who have proved their doctors wrong time and again.

I'm on a mailing list for an e-newsletter published by Nexcura. I generally find it useless, but this article was interesting. It's stating the findings of a study that was done to determine the percentages of lung cancer in never-smokers, and the disparity in percentages between women and men. Here's the link: http://www.nexcura.com/Newsletter/eNews ... ewsId=2130

I've been looking for an update from you. Your story has always touched me since I came on the board. Our hubbies were diagnosed around the same time. I'm sorry that you didn't get the results you hoped for. You've all been through so much. But I can hear the strength in your words -- you stay strong and know there are lots of people out here thinking of you all the time. For what it's worth, I think your hubby has the right attitude.

Hi Randy, I'm so sorry to hear your news. You and your family will be in my prayers.

Wow, thanks for sharing that. In the couple months after Bill was diagnosed, I was ready to quit my job, sell the house, move to England (Bill's home country) and basically have us start on early retirement. But Bill wasn't. He was ready to continue living for the long-term, albeit with a new reality following us around. I quickly saw the light and realized that my initial response was tantamount to calling it quits. No way. Let me just say, that was a humbling experience. Spicy, I'm with Kasey -- I can so see that magazine cover! Or an interview on Larry King, by which time he'll be about 120 years old!

I'm so sorry for the heartbreak and pain you're going through, and for your kids. I have not been where you are now, but I can't agree more with what everyone says about finding support for all of you. It doesn't surprise me that it would hit you so hard six months later. With kids at home, I imagine you have been very focused on their grief and staying strong for them. I had one practical idea. You said your husband was not able to write letters to the kids. I'm wondering if you might be able to write them for him? Perhaps sharing memories of the kids and their dad when they were young -- things they might not remember? Maybe sharing some of your own fondest memories. Perhaps with pictures in a scrapbook for each of them? I don't know -- it's just a thought. Maybe allowing the good memories to come in and writing them down might help in some small way.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts, prayers, vibes and well wishes. It really does make a difference to know that there are people out there thinking about you who truly understand. Well, the CT scan showed nothing unexpected. The blood has stopped. Our doc seems to think it's quite possibly the tumor breaking down, because it's been cyclic in nature and generally lasts only two or three days. We suspected something like that, but got concerned this time because it was more than it had been (maybe that's a good thing -- that's how we're looking at it anyway). We're both relieved and pleased that we had it seen to. That's the scoop. Thanks again!

Called the doc this morning. Bill had a CT scan this afternoon, so hopefully that will tell us what's going on. Other than the blood, he's feeling just fine. Thanks everyone for your replies and prayers. They're much appreciated. Dr. West, thank you for taking the time to address the post as well.

Hi everyone, I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if it sounds "normal". A few days after each cycle of chemo ends (5 so far), hubby coughs up blood for three days or so. Seems to build up, then trail off. The amount is more with each cycle. Thanks.

I'm sending my prayers right now...

Hope you can feel our love and prayers...they're with you all the time.

Any special requests?

Dear Grace, You are in my thoughts and prayers continually. I wish so much to be able to say something of comfort, but I'm hopelessly lost for words. You have been loving your Carlton fully and faithfully and selflessly. I pray that you will come to know that deep in your heart. LOVE NEVER FAILS. Teri ___________________________________ Love is patient, Love is kind, It does not envy, it does not boast, It is not proud, It is not rude, It is not self-seeking, It is not easily angered, It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. L o v e N e v e r F a i l s. 1st Corinthians 13:4-8.