Hi, Everyone - I've been lurking for a little bit and have finally screwed up the courage to tell my story. First, thanks to you all for being here, and for listening. My family and I lost my 70-year-old father, Ron, to nsclc this past February 19th. It was a blessing, really, in that he was probably spared of a lot of suffering, but he went downhill so quickly it was a shock to us all. He'd had a section of lung removed back in '03 for a single cancerous nodule, had no follow-up treatment, and the cancer came back with a vengeance this past December. I was holding his hand when he took his last breath, and although I thought I'd be relieved he was no longer in pain, I instead felt like I'd been punched in the stomach. Nearly three months later the pain isn't as sharp, but I miss him with all my heart. He and my mom were married for 46 years.
Not even two months later, my mother, Peggy (also 70) found out by CT scan that her nsclc had recurred. She is a nearly nine-year stage IIIB survivor, and her doctors call her a walking miracle. As you can imagine, we are just devastated, especially after watching the hell my father just endured. She has seen her hometown onc and we took her for a second opinion yesterday to Georgetown's Lombardi Cancer Center. She started Alimta on Tuesday and will receive treatment every three weeks for the next several months. Scans will be taken in mid-June to monitor the cancer and gage the effectiveness of the Alimta. She has several nodules in both the left and right lung and some activity in the mediastinal area.
Anyway, that's my (our) story. I would appreciate any input on the effectiveness of Alimta/advice/prayers/positive vibes. I am a 40-year-old married mother of two young girls, but I will never stop needing my own mom. She means the world to me. Again, thanks for your time, and for just being here. My best to you all.
Amy Lee
Northern Virginia
