Shelley (MLC)

Pretty contemporary here. Granite and Stainless Steel. No real theme at all. Shelley

Wonderful news!!! Shelley

My mom (stage IV) presented with a very large tumor in her right lung (over 7cm) I believe the Dr. felt this was too large an area to radiate as it could cause too much damage to the tissue around the tumor. She has only had chemo (so far) Shelley

Such very sad news about Liz. My prayers go out to her family and friends. Shelley

Hi Roberta, welcome! I'm so sorry you need to be here, but you'll find some wonderful people here that can help quide you along this new road. You'll find answers, support and friendship here. I wish you and your brother the very best. Please let us know how we can help. Shelley

Carrie, I am so very sorry. It's so difficult to watch our loved ones suffer and not be able to help. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Shelley

Hi Betty and welcome...so sorry that your mom may be going through this again, but please read the posts and you'll find there are many survivors here. I agree with Jen....you know what they say about the squeeky wheel....I was that wheel when my mom was diagnosed. By the way, although I am out here in Reno, my mom lives near you....Oswego, NY (you know, the place that gets all the snow)! Good luck with your mom. Shelley

Hi Mike, My mom has had two Alimta treatments so far. No side effects, but too early to tell how well it's working. I think they'll do at least one more cycle before doing a CT. Good luck to you. Shelley

Linda, I am so happy that you are going to try and do this! My mom smoked for over 40 years. She was able to quit about 8 years ago with the help of a little plastic inhaler that you put cartridges in. Sorry, I don't know exactly what this was, but someone out there will. She was able to quit very quickly AND her SIL and 2 cousins were also able to stop smoking using the same thing. Again, sorry I don't know exactly what it was. She carried the little plastic thing around in her purse for awhile and would pull it out occasionally, but no cigs! I really wish you the best! It must be extra hard if most of your friends smoke. Shelley

Thanks Judy....I sent you a PM. Shelley

Hi Colleen, welcome to this wonderful place full of hope, help and lots of caring people. I wish you the best with your treatment. You have a very special family and I know they are helping you fight this! Keep checking in and let us know how we can help. Shelley

She had the radiation for laryngeal cancer back in 2002, so perhaps the damage covered both sides. Of course, maybe the problems had nothing at all to do with the scar tissue and that's just the story I am getting. My sister hasn't even told me what side they put the port on...Much more of this and I'll have to hop on a plane and see everything for myself. Of course, that's what I did last year when mom was first diagnosed, and I ended up stranded there for an extra week due to a major snowstorm. Anyway, she sounds much better this afternoon. Keep your fingers crossed that she does better the next time they try and clamp the tube! Shelley

Welthy and Ned, Thanks for your responses. I believe that mom went in assuming the procedure would be as both of you described, but unfortunately that didn't happen. (Yes, the scar tissure would have been from the radiation back in 2002) My sister called last night with answers to a few of my questions. It turns out that they DID put in a chest tube (the larger of the two options) and that is connected to suction. The plan was to clamp the tub this morning and take her to xray to see how the lung was. A second sister happened to call my mom's room after the tube was clamped, but before the xray, and mom was very SOB. My mom wasn't going to call the nurses as "they said they'd be right back"...well, my sister called the desk anyway and made sure someone got in there. Apparently now, (3 hours later) mom sounds better and the chest tube is reconnected to suction. I am going to call her room shortly. I know she was hoping to go home today, but I'm sure it will be a few more days at least. It's very frustrating that all I can do from out here is worry. Overall, mom has done so well this past year with chemo...very few side effects. I wish this had gone as well for her. Thanks for being there for me. Shelley

Hi, just looking for a little info here. My mom had a port placed today. There was some difficulty due to scar tissue in the area from her previous radiation treatments. ANYWAY, they got the port in but ended up causing a pneumo. I heard 3rd hand and 3000 miles away that they brought her back to the procedure room and placed a Heimlich catheter to help reinflate the lung. They are going to keep her in the hospital for a couple days and then send her home. My questions are: 1) She seems to be having a great deal of pain at the port site. Is this normal? I believe she's on demerol for this. 2) Does the Heimlich catheter usually do the job or is it likely she'll need chest tubes (much larger and more invasive) Finally 3) When can she expect to feel better, breathing wise from the pneumo and pain wise from the port. Any answers are greatly appreciated. At this pioint, I'm a little sorry I encouraged her to get the port. Thanks! Shelley

Stephanie, I am so very sorry to read your sad news. Your mom was a very special person and I can't imagine how difficult this is for you. Sending prayers out to you and your family. Shelley

I have them, but AAA would be my first call. Shelley

I think I've sold about 2000 items on ebay. It was a little hobbie for me a couple years ago. We actually BOUGHT 2 new cars from ebay sellers as well...Shelley

Stephanie, I am so sorry to read your news. Please look into a second opinion as far as your mom's liver and chemo options. As long as everyone wants to keep fighting, I say give it everything you have. My prayers go out to your mom and family. Shelley

Ghita, I am so sorry to hear your very sad news. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Shelley

Praying for Angela! Shelley

I'm so very sorry for your loss. This is such a horrible disease and I wish I could understand how such an awful thing can happen to so many wonderful people. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Shelley

Great News! I'm so happy for you! Shelley

Welcome Linda...Congratulations on 18 months! Shelley

I'm a big Nora Roberts fan....I can finish one of her books easily in a day and they always have a happy ending...Sometimes you need that! Shelley

Hi Kathy, I am so sorry that you are dealing with this monster, but Chemo is definitely the right way to go. I'd like to echo what the others have said and tell you that my mom has done quite well with chemo for the past year. The sugar thing is definitely a myth and my mom would be in big trouble if it were fact, as she is quite the candy junky! If that's all she feels like eating, I'm all for it! I wish you the very best and please consider a second opinion if you are not comfortable with your current Dr. Shelley