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Wow, that's wonderful -- for you and for all the patients you'll be helping!

Hi Max, You found the best site -- lots of experience, support, and understanding. Wishing your husband all the best in his treatment.

That's actually a really good idea! Or a 60 Minutes broadcast. Because I too was stunned. I think most people are. It's not something I ever thought of before it touched me personally. Like most of you, I've given money to cancer research, supported a friend on a breast cancer fundraising walk, but never knew there was such disparity for funding among the different types of cancer. So, where do I write Oprah?!

Hi everyone, I was just packaging up my second set of 5 beautiful cookbooks to send over to our family in England and Spain. (I know they'll love receiving them!) I was thinking about why lung cancer is so under-funded. I wondered, is it the same in Canada, or the U.K., or Japan? Anyone know? Just curious...

Hi Kasey, So sorry to hear you're not well. You'll be in my prayers. Feel better soon!!!

Hi Alicia, I'm sorry to hear about your father. You'll find a lot of support and experience here!

Welcome! I'm glad you found the site, and I wish your dad all the best with his treatment.

Hi Danielle, Welcome to the site. You'll find a lot of support and inspiration here! I'm not sure what I'd do without a place like this to come. I wish your mom and your family all the best.

Hi Tanner, You found the best place for support and useful information. It's a horrible shock to the system when that diagnosis comes. I'm so sorry for you family having to go through this. I wish you all the best. Every time I look on this message board, I find an inspiring story. I'm sure you will too!

I know everyone has different side effects with the chemo, but my hubby has done very well with the type of chemo your hubby is having. I was SO scared of him being extremely ill with it. The first cycle, he said the hardest thing was feeling total exhaustion. The second cycle, he felt a bit less tired. The third cycle he had 3 or 4 days of feeling quite sick. Other than that, he's felt good -- particularly the past few weeks. He's used the Emend each cycle, and has taken maybe 10 Zofran pills the entire time. Put it this way, if I didn't know he was sick, I wouldn't guess it. All the best to you both! I'm glad treatment is starting soon.

That's fantastic! I just sent your "timeline" to my hubby to read -- it's so inspiring. Thanks for sharing. Happy 2007 to you!!!

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. I don't have specific questions for your onc, but my suggestion is this. Ask him to take the time to explain the type of cancer your husband has to you, the standard treatments, how the treatments will be measured, how the cancer typically behaves, etc. The idea being that you come away from the meeting with a solid grasp on what you're dealing with. We were a bit shell shocked at first and didn't ask enough questions, and have been playing catch-up as far as information seeking goes. Your husband is set to have the same chemo as mine -- he just had his first PET/CT since starting treatment and has had great results! I pray that your husband will too. All the best to you.

Good for you, Lilly! I can't wait to hear your Christmas story next year! We've already made our Christmas 2007 plans -- and there's no "if" or "hopefully" about them! So sorry to hear about your husband's accident. Yikes. Hope he feels better soon. All the best to you in 2007!

I'm so sorry for your loss. As others have said, I hope the trip to say goodbye brings some peace.

Hi Valerie, You say you've received a lot of hope and encouragement from this site. Well, I just received a TON of it from your post. THANK YOU. Wishing you a happy healthy 2007!

Hi Flo, Welcome. I was absolutely terrified of how the chemo would affect my husband. As it turned out, he's handled it amazingly well. He's had three cycles so far, and each has brought a different physical response. I know all of the chemicals are different and people seem to have varying side effects, but the anti-nausea drugs really make a difference. I understand about the disbelief too -- I feel that everyday. But, you just take the steps you need to take at the moment and move forward.

Hi Karla, I was so happy to find this site too -- for the same reasons you say. People are hopeful, positive, and living proof that miracles exist! All the best to you.

Dr. West, Thank you so much for your thorough reply. It's been nagging at us. Also, a general "thanks" for all the work you're doing for the people on this site. It's a real comfort being able to ask a question.

Thanks everyone for the info. I have posted on Onctalk and I'll let you all know what Dr. West has to say. Honestly, I had never heard or read it anywhere either -- except when my step-daughter mentioned it. I have read the general precautions about physical contact, live viruses vaccines, etc. That all makes perfect sense. My niece is having contractions as I write this, so I imagine our great-nephew will be on his way into our world shortly! Lilly, you're in a tough spot with the little ones at home. I trust your docs will stear you in the right direction about the vaccines. I wish you the best.

Hi everyone. When Bill first started to receive chemotherapy treatments, our daughter (who lives in England) told us that when she gave birth to our granddaughter, the doctors told her that the baby should not be around people who are having chemotherapy. Fast forward to today. Our niece, who lives close by and who we see regularly, is about to give birth to her second baby today (yeah!). Obviously, we'll pose the question to the doctors too, but has anyone else been told to stay away from newborns during chemotherapy? Bill's using Neulasta and hasn't been told to stay out of crowds since his levels dropped after the first cycle. Thanks and Merry Christmas to you all.

Rochelle, I'm so sorry for the loss of your mother. I am certain that she was so grateful to have you there with her when she passed. You sound like a wonderful daughter. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hi Joan, I just want to add my well wishes for you too. I'll keep you in my prayers. You have a lot of people sending those prayers and positive vibes your way!

Hello Frank, I so agree with the sentiment expressed so far – attitude is everything. And so is taking control for yourself. From the posts I’ve read, your attitude is unbeatable. You’ll enjoy that golf game. I’m sure you’re probably aware of the humorist Art Buchwald, who decided to stop his dialysis treatments nearly a year ago and check into hospice. He said a funny thing happened – he started to get better. For anyone interested, here’s a link to an article he wrote in March of this year that’s bound to bring a smile: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=5524921. Wishing you the best.

Hi Ernie, Thanks so much for taking the time to post that story. It's what we all need to believe can happen -- and yes, I'm with Katie, I do believe. Merry Christmas!

I'm so sorry for your loss. You will be in my prayers tonight.