Betts

Don't be afraid to post because your mom lost her fight with this disease. When I first came to this board I read all of the profiles. It has really helped me a lot. I was able to get an idea of what my dad was going to be going through and a little of what to expect. After you read a few, you realize that everybody is a little different in the treatment they receive, the reactions that they have, and of course the outcome. Even with the sad endings, those detailed lists really do help those of us who are new to lung cancer. I know you must be so proud of your mom for fighting the way she did and even though she is gone, she can still help others, through you, with her story.

My dad is also getting the Cisplatin/Gemcitabine combo. He was given several different types of anti-nausea meds. He takes Emend and they give him Decadron on the Cisplatin/Gemcitabine day. He was also given Reglan and Ativan to take as needed. On the day he receives the Cisplatin, he also gets two hours of IV fluids before and after. It makes for a very long day. They want you to continue drinking lots of water for several days after the infusion because of the possible effects on the kidneys. The Gemcitabine has been hard on his veins and he had quite a bit of irritation from it on the first infusion arm. After that, they slowed down the rate and added fluids to help dilute it going in - a saline solution I think. Fatigue, nausea, some hair loss, and low blood counts have been his main side effects. I think his sense of taste and smell have also changed. (He used to eat just about everything, but now he has become pretty picky!) I hope everything goes well for your mom and that she experiences very little of the side effects.

http://lchelp.org/l_community/viewtopic.php?t=29042

I saw that awhile back, and here's a little warning to any who have not seen it - it's tough to watch and not cry!

What a beautiful baby!!!

I'm so sorry that your dad is having these problems. It sounds like he's a real fighter and I hope he can get past this very soon. This cancer stuff sucks and I just hate it! I wish that no one had to go through this.

Hi Amy, I'm so sorry that you lost your father and are having to deal with this again. Your mom being a nine year survivor of IIIB is very impressive. I hope she does well on her new treatment and continues to be a walking miracle.

Ann I have been checking in on these eagles every day since you posted this. It has been really interesting. If you haven't looked lately, you won't believe how they have grown. It won't be long now and they will be flying!

Hi Colt, The only thing I can come up with is "not/knot". (But I guess that would depend on what type of shoe they are talking about. ) This is just a guess though!!

Sue, how is your mom doing? I thought about her all day Wednesday and continue to think about her. It was a tough few days after my dad had his surgery and I know you must be really busy at the hospital. I hope all is going well. Please update us when you get a little time.

This sounds exactly like what happened to my dad! They did the wedge resection first, tested the tumor and found it to be cancer, then continued to remove the entire lobe it was located on and broke a rib in the process. He was put into a regular room that night, but then transferred to ICU when his blood sugar got terribly out of control. They do a much better job of monitoring the blood sugar in the ICU. (He is diabetic also.) I hope everything goes well for your mom and that it is not cancer. She will be in my thoughts.

Welcome Jim, I'm fairly new here too. My dad was recently diagnosed with NSCLC as well. I have found it comforting to read through the posts here - there are a lot of caring people who go above and beyond to help those of us who are new to this awful experience. Wishing the best for you.

I'm laughing because it is me already. I'm 47 and I scare myself sometimes. Don't know what I'll be like several years down the road. I'll have to let my husband read this - he's the same way.

Darn, I wish I hadn't watched that video just before I have to go out - I know my eyes are red now! They did a nice job of showing what a great thing you are doing to help others.

My dad has completed his first cycle of chemo; day 1 of cisplatin and gencitabine and then day 8 of the gencitabine only. He has had quite an array of side effects, but is doing okay so far. This being our first experience with any type of cancer, I did not know what to expect when we got to the cancer center's infusion area. It was just emotionally overwhelming. There were so many people there to receive chemotherapy, some of them in pretty bad shape, and I just felt so bad for every one of them. I can only imagine what they are going through - it's just heartbreaking to see so many. To those of you who are going through this battle - you most definitely have my respect!

That is so cool. I just watched the mom come in and feed them, and two of them even pooped. One scooted his fanny toward the edge of the nest and the other just raised his up in the air and let it go. Too cute!

Great news Ned!

Very good news!!

Glad that you are back and feeling better. I just read your profile and all you've been through - it seems your grandmother was right! Keep getting better!

You have my thoughts and prayers too. I hope he is back on track very soon.

That is definitely great news!

Lynne, It's great to get this update and to hear everything went well!!! I was thinking about you. It is a good thing you went for that second opinion! You said the scar will be minimal - did they use the VATS procedure on you?

Hi Barb, What I read on the lab report about the tumor was that it was a well differentiated adenocarcinoma with papillary features and that it had invaded the visceral pleura. I'm not familiar with the term BAC...yet. And thank you for the link, I know I've checked it out before, but I've been reading so many things from so many sites that I can't remember what I read where! The doctor described this as adjuvant chemotherapy, to do like you said, mop-up any left over cells floating around. It was an all day process, but it went well. (I ended up going too - it was a family affair.) He was feeling fine until this morning and now the nausea is making an appearance. My mom said he took the medication the doctor prescribed to help with that and he's sleeping now. He's still in good spirits and thinking positive! And drinking lots of water.

Yes Ann, some very good advice and I am paying attention to all of it. There is a big difference between hearing it from people who have experienced it and just reading about it in a booklet. Blaze, they did get all of the tumor out, but the lining around the lung and at least one lymph node was also affected so the chemo is to try to make sure they get anything that might be left behind. My brother will be with him tomorrow and I'll let him know to keep a close eye on things when they get started. Thanks for the info on the neuropathy - that's something that diabetics have to worry about even without chemo. I'll also tell him to be sure to drink lots of water and keep a record of side effects and when they occur. Ned, my Dad has been upbeat through this whole process. He just wants to get this started and over with and not have to deal with any more cancer, but I know he has to be worried. He's not really the hugging type either, but that has changed a little bit since this all happened. Thanks again to everyone for your help!

I went with my Dad to his appointment last week and talked about the treatment options with the doctor. There was very little choice actually - he has had the surgery to remove the right middle lobe of his lung where the tumor was located, so it's chemo or no chemo. He decided to go with the chemo. They will be using Gencitabine (Gemzar) and Cisplatin (Platinol). The first day with the combo, following week with just gemzar, and 15 days off. (I think I've got that straight.) I didn't think to ask the doctor at the time, but does anyone know why they choose the drugs that they do? Do they have certain chemo drugs for the different types of lung cancer or the stage you are in or your overall health and what they think you can handle....? I am so nervous about this, with all of the possible side-effects and just the unknown. My Dad is also diabetic and wears an insulin pump full-time. I'm worried about any complications from this as well. I still can't believe this is really happening.