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masspa

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Everything posted by masspa

  1. SAJR, Sorry I'm a little late in responding to your post. First - welcome Next, My Mom also had staage III squamous cell LC. She responded very well to Carbo/VP-16. Best wishes for similar results for your Mom. Try not to take timelines and grim predictions to heart. My experience with my Mom is that attitude is a huge part of the battle, so keep the faith, there IS hope Jen
  2. I don't know that I have a lot to add. I tried to be at as many appointments as possible, and Mom definately appreciated my interpretation of the information as well as the company. I also agree with Missy, 'cause Mom is definately not one to ask for help, but would take it if I was there to offer. Keep the faith Jen
  3. masspa

    Hi

    Welcome home! It must be nice to be away from the beeps, IV's, blood draws and early morning blood pressure checks. My Mom just got home after her surgery (pretty minor compared to yours) and continues to improve daily, so I'm sure you'll do the same. Here's to a speedy and uneventful recovery. Jen
  4. Hi Rod and Aubree, I'm pretty late in welcoming you to the board. But I'm glad you found the place. Your attitude sounds pretty darn healthy considering all you're going through - this'll be a tremendous asset. My Mom's attitude was similar, and she sailed through treatment and had a great response. SHe was also treated at Dana Farber and We have nothing but good things to say about her care. Please PM if you have any questions about anything. I'm glad you've been getting such good news - here's to getting more!! Jen
  5. Heidi, I'm so sorry to hear the news. But remember, your Mom beat this oce - she can do it again! - especially with you for support - I'm sure your hugs are helping! Jen
  6. thanks to all for your positive thoughts, prayers and encouragement. Mom's surgery was a success - the surgeon was able to isolate the mass and remove it with a relatively small incision. Mom's tired, but comfortable and very relieved to have the procedure finished. She's giving every indication that she's gonna be one of those feisty 80 year olds. I think they just made 'em tougher back then Thanks again to everyone Jen
  7. masspa

    surgery

    Thanks everyone for all your positive energy Jen
  8. masspa

    surgery

    Thanks everyone for all your positive energy Jen
  9. welcome, sorry you have to be here. My Mom was also diagnosed with stage III squamous cell cancer - she had 6 weeks of daily radiation, 4 rounds of chemo (carbo and etoposide) and had such a good response that she's now a candidate for surgery to remove what's left of the tumor - so, there's hope. You'll hear from others about some amazing responses treatment, as well as get wonderful support and good advice. good luck to you and your mom Jen
  10. masspa

    surgery

    Sorry it's been awhile - I've been away. Mom decided to go ahead with the surgery. To re-cap, she finished her chemo and radiation, had considerable shrinkage of her tumor, and the PET showed no activity. Her Onc spoke with a surgeon who said that mom's a candidate for a wedge resection. She tormented herself for 3-4 weeks, but finally decided that it would put her mind at ease to have whatever is left taken out. She's definately been given a gift - the chance to remove the nasty little bugger, but it's pretty scarey to think of my 83 y/o mom going under the knife. Her surgery is scheduled for Monday morning, so please send some positive thoughts her way. I'll let you know how she does thanks for everything Jen
  11. masspa

    I did it

    You go girl!! Jen
  12. Welcome Graham, I'm sorry to hear about your wife - and I agree that the word terminal doesn't hold a lot of meaning around here. No one can (or in my mind, should) tell anyone also how long they can expect to be around. Mom's presenting and most troubling complaint was her cough. Treatment improved it tremendously!!! She still coughs not and then, but it's no where near as bad. This improvement began after her first chemo treatment. Best of luck! Jen
  13. Sorry I can't hep with much info about the wedge resection. I asked a similar question because Mom (83 y/o) is facing a decision about surgery after her chemo/radiation. Maryann replied with the following: My husband had the wedge section. If she decides to go with it see if they could give her a VATS (video assisted) which is less advasive then normal surgery(only two small incisions) and a faster recovery. As long as they don't spread her ribs as that could prove to be painful. But that would happen in regular surgery also. If I learn any more, I'll certainly let you know Jen
  14. Kelly, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom's struggle. I hope things get easier for y'all Jen
  15. Hi, Mom was fortunate to have a pretty smooth chemo ride, but I remember her doc saying that if she was nauseated and couldn't eat, that meant something needed to be changed. Hopefully this hospital stay will be a time to get her re-hydrated and stronger again as well as to tweak her medications so they're working better for her. I'm sure it's terrible for you to be so far away, but I'm sure knowing that you're there for her will help her get through it. Best of luck to you and 'sis Jen
  16. Shelly, I don't have much info on second line treatments, 'cause Mom is still on her first treatment regimen. She has squamous cell stage III. because of her advanced age. she was going to have just chemo, but her radiation oncologist recommended both. Originally she was gonna have carbo/taxol, but she had a reaction to the taxol. there was then talk of Gemzar/carbo, but when the radiation decision was made, they went with carbe/etopside. That seemed to work very well for her. everything has shrunk considerably, and her most recent pet shows NED. THey're thinkng about surgery to remove whatever remains potential vibrant in the tumor, but the jury's still out on that one. Feel free to email any time if you need more info. Jen
  17. Mike, I'm glad to hear your Mom is doing well with her treatment. My 83 year old mother just went through the same routine. I think the old galz are a tough breed - good for her for getting through it so well. I hope treatment continues to go well and that your Mom responds well to it. Jen
  18. That's great news, Ned. Jen
  19. masspa

    Welcome back...

    Rich, Glad to hear you're feeling better. Hey, maybe I'll see ya' at the boston walk/run on 11/3 Jen
  20. Yeehaw!!! Well done. Jen
  21. My mom's oncologist had a great analogy - she said the radiation basically gives the patient a sunburn inside - that helped my mom realize why she had some of her discomfort, as well as to help her understand why she was getting dehydrated. congrats to mom on finishing her radiation!!!! Jen
  22. Mom found that the carafate helped, but she also took a mix of 1:1:1 Lidocaine:benadryl:maalox. She also used prilosec 'cause she had an element of GERD, but she has a hiatal hernia (although No GERD symptons until radiation began) good luck, Jen
  23. I went with Mom for her 2 week follow up after her last chemo treatment. Her onc had presented her case to a surgeon, who thinks that surgery would be a good option for Mom. Her PET showed that there is still a lesion, but that it isn't taking up any dye. However, as our onc explained it, the PET isn't completely sensitive or specific, so there could be some cancer cells remaining in the primary tumor that could rear their ugly heads down the road. THe surgery would be a wedge resection, so less radical than some other options. I guess I wonder about the logic - I know there could be cells "hiding" in the primary tumor, but couldn't there also be cells "hiding" in her nodes, too? In which case she's undergone surgery only to have the cancer come back from somewhere else. I guess I'm thinking (and Mom agrees) that lung surgery is a pretty big deal for an 83 year old. She did so well throughout chemo and radiation, it would be a shame to go throug surgery and have some complication. I don't know - any insight?? How traumatic is a wedge resection?? Our oncologist said she didn't have any hard evidence that the surgery would benefit mom's survival, none to argue against it, either. We have an appointment in 2 weeks with the surgeon which will be helpful, but in the meantime I thought I'd get some of your opinions thanks for listening Jen
  24. sorry to hear about your mom. I don't know that I have much to add to the words of wisdom already posted. It just goes to show what a wealth of information and support this site can provide. I agree with Ned that it's inexcusable for a practitioner to give someone a timeline. I read an article in Time Magazine today (waiting for Mom's oncologist, as a matter of fact) that quoted a medical onc that this is one of the best times in history to have cancer because of all the new developments in cancer treatment, and the change in attitude that has the medical world starting to see cancer as a chonic disease that can be managed in such a way that it improves both quality and quantity of life. There are some amazing stories of survival (many with stage IV disease) so keep the faith. Jen
  25. Great News!!!! Congratulations Jen
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