[I've been lurking....]

Kathleen,

I can relate somewhat to your situation. For the past 4 years my family has been totally focusing on my father situation. We thought it was Alzheimer's, but as it turns out it is frontal lobe degeneration. It presents symptions like Alzheimers. I had done tons of research on it and it is now finally becoming real apparent that he has a problem. In March, my mom was diagnosed with Stage IV SCLC. We have been able to get her treatments, but in the meantime, we slacked on any of dad's medical problems. It is really hard to have to try and focus on both parents at once. You're probably feeling guilty for not recognizing your mothers health issues. But you mother was probably so busy trying to care for your father, that she didn't take time for herself. It has to be hard on you, but your mother is in a better place and is not longer suffering. I'm sorry for you loss and I hope things go well with your father. Both diseases are very hard to deal with.

Take care,

Jennifer

[New to board - Mom has Extensive SCLC]

Candy,

Glad to hear your husband has responded so well to the treatments. His case certainly sounds idential to my mothers. The cancer in her spine is on the first vertibre and they zapped 10 days with radiation, and her back is no longer bothering her. I'm hoping the Chemo is doing it's job as well. We did have additional C/T scans done last Friday 5/30, because she has blood in her sputum. Haven't compared them to the originally scans, but maybe we'll know something at our next onc. appointment. But I'm not really concerned because we are doing everything we can to try and beat this thing.

Hope you husband keeps fighting this battle and wins. It sounds like he's on the right path. Take care!

[New to board - Mom has Extensive SCLC]

Thank you everyone for your support. I have researched this disease extensively. I think that is they key, that way there are no surprises. I have a wonderful support system. Lots of friends and family offering to help, so I don't have to do this alone. My brother just moved back to town and has helped out a lot. I don't feel that I have to do everything by myself any more. I go to all of my mom's doctors appointments. I'm still not good at asking all the right questions, but I don't feel like I'm in the dark.

I love this board because it also gives me more support and I don't feel like I'm the only one going through this. Thanks again.

[New to board - Mom has Extensive SCLC]

Hi all,

I have been lurking around this board for quite a while now. I finally decided to join and share my story. You all are such an inspiration and give me hope in fighting this ugly disease. My mother is 61 and has smoked my entire life (33 years). She was diagnosed with extensive SCLC on March. She is a true fighter. She is concentrating all of her energy on beating this thing. As you all know, you take it one day at a time and you learn as you go along. She is currently having her third round of Chemo and is in the middle of 10 days for radiation to her chest. She usually does pretty good on the Chemo, but the radiation takes a toll on her. She quit working (on S/T disability from her job) in April because she just doesn't have the energy to do it anymore.

On top of the situation with my mother. My father has been battling short term memory problems for the past 3 years (62 years old). My mother has been the primary care giver, so that is added stress. We finally got my father into a day program, to give my mom a break from him. We were totally focused on my father until mom got sick. Now we are spending all of our energy on her.

Anyway, I just wanted to post my story. I feel like I already know a lot of you and are a wonderful bunch. I hate that we have to meet under these circumstances.