Shelley (MLC)

I'm so very sorry to hear about your dad and MIL. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Shelley

I'm so happy to hear that your mom did well with her first chemo. You DO laugh again and while the fear never goes away, it can be put in it's place so that life can continue. My mom has felt better during the year on chemo than she felt the year before diagnosis. She gets out, stays busy with friends and family and we have been able to share some extra special monments with her this year that I believe are even more special now. I wish your mom the very best with her treatment and hope that she has great news with her Chest xray report. Shelley

It's wonderful to hear that Diana is doing well and looking great! I'm glad you were able to spend time together. Best wishes for all good things in the New Year. Shelley

Aaron, thank you for taking time to fill us in. I'm so sorry things are not going well right now and I hope they turn around for you soon. You have quite a few people praying for you here. I'm hoping that things can change for the better in 2008. Shelley

My mom has stage 4 squamous cell cancer as well. She was diagnosed about a year ago and has been on chemo most of the time since then. (radiation was not an option for her due to the size of the tumors) Anyway, she was pretty tired after her first couple chemo treatments with Carbo/Gemzar. A usual side effect of this is that your bloods counts can fall causing fatigue. Mom received Aranesp several times throughout her chemo and did much better and had much more energy. You might want to check with the Dr. and see if her red count is holding ok and if they think they think that could be causing the fatigue. Good luck. Shelley

I would like to echo Susan's thanks....I am also very grateful for this site. My mom was also diagnosed about a year ago and if I hadn't found all of you, I'm not sure how much hope I would have had. Susan, I am so happy that your mom is doing well! Shelley

My mom has had trouble sleeping for several years now (pre chemo too) Her onc has her taking a prescription sleep med every night, so apparently that hasn't been an issue with her chemo. Always check with the onc first though. Good luck! Shelley

Hi Marci, thanks for checking in. Sending out prayers for great scan results! Shelley

I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I hope they can do something to ease her pain. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your mom and family. Shelley

Hi Stephanie and Jackie, As Welthy said, there are many more treatments options out there. I hope the Docs can come up with a better plan to manage your mom's pain (I'm sure we have members out there that have some suggestions) Next, they need to try a new Chemo/treatment....Stay positive! Good luck... Shelley

Welcome Cori....so sorry you need to be here, but you have found a wonderful place filled with amazing people that will help you along this new path. Please keep reading the stories here. You will find so much help and hope. Please let us know what we can do for you. Shelley

Hi Rich, thanks so much for taking the time to post and remind us all that statistics don't me a thing to the individual. I love reading your posts and have sent this one to my mom. She isn't ready to join us here, but I love passing on the positive messages that I read. Have a wonderful New Year! Shelley

Oh Teri....You WILL be with Bill again.... and he is definitely with you tonight. Sending lots of hugs your way...Shelley

I am so sorry to hear that the cancer is back. PLEASE don't believe that you have a given amount of time. As others have stated, the Drs can just guess...Keep a positive attitude, hang in there and fight! We're all here for you. Shelley

I have had suspicious looking moles removed in the past and will continue to do so. If either of my boys had one, it would be removed ASAP. You did the right thing! Shelley

I am so sorry that you are facing Christmas without your mom. I can't imagine how very difficult it must be for you. Please know that I am thinking of you and sending my wishes that you can find some peace tonight. Talk to her, write to her and know she is watching over you tonight. Shelley

Jackie, I am so very sorry for your loss. I wish there was something I could do to ease your pain. My prayers go out to you and your family. Shelley

Hi Phil, welcome to the boards. I'm happy to hear that you are stable and can't tell you how much I appreciate you getting the word out about this terrible disease. I wish you the very best with your treatment. Please keep us posted. Shelley

Welcome Val, so sorry for all that you have been going through this year. You have a wonderful attitude and you can beat this. Please let us know how we can help, what questions we can answer, or just come here for support. Everyone needs that. Shelley

Welcome Michele, so sorry to hear about your dad but you have found the right place for support and answers. It does get a little easier once you start understanding all the new terms and treatments your dad is having. Pleased keep us posted and let us know what we can do to help. Shelley

Wonderful news Max! I couldn't be happier for you. Wishing you a quick recovery so you can go out there and enjoy life! Shelley

Welcome Kathy! I'm glad to hear that you are doing well with your treatment. I wish you the very best results as you continue. Please keep us posted. Shelley

Very special thoughts, prayers and hugs being sent out. Shelley

Hi, I am so sorry to hear about your dad but am happy that you can come here to ask questions and vent. I am a little late into this thread, but as I have posted in the past, I have been asked the same question about my mom. Never once did I feel it was being asked maliciously. I usually respond that she did smoke for about 40 years, quit 7 years befoire being diagnosed and still was diagnosed with cancer. After that, I use the opening to let people know that at least 15% of lung cancer is diagnosed in never smokers. There are so many horrible diseases out there. I really believe that MOST people are trying to assure themselves that since they don't smoke, lung cancer is one disease they don't have to worry about. They are NOT trying to blame my mom for her diagnosis, they are just hoping that they won't get it. Unfortunately, after I fill them in, they realize that they are not safe from the diagnosis at all. I realize that this response is a bit different from many above. Because I feel that no one has ever asked me this question maliciously, I could never turn it back on them with "why do you ask" I'd rather explain it the way I stated above. My mother has asked me to use her diagnosis to educate others about lung cancer. She will be the first to tell people that HER cancer was caused by smoking. Since being diagnosed, 2 of my aunts and several cousins have all quit smoking. When my mom is trying to make some sense of this disease, she thinks about that. I wish your dad the very best with his treatment. This is a terrible disease that no one deserves to get. Shelley

Welcome Jim! I wish you the best with your surgery. I know that you are very scared right now, but the fact that they ARE able to do surgery is definitely in your favor. Shelley