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That's GREAT news Tammy! I'm so glad. Susan

Lisa, Welcome to our corner of the internet! I hope you will find it to be a place of support, love and HOPE! My mom was dx with Stage IV NSCLC 30 months ago. She also had mets to the spine and it was her back pain that lead to the discovery of the lung tumor. The median prognosis for her would have been the same as your dad's, but its 30 months later and she is still here. Not only that we all just traveled to attend a family wedding this weekend and she had a ball. So DON"T buy into the prognosis timeline. Everyone responds a little differently. The radiation should help to relieve his back pain. I agree that you should get a second opinion about further treatment options. His other medica codnitions may ake that more difficult, but I'm a big believer in getting ALL the info possible before making the treatment/no treatment decision. It's easy to be overwhelmed right after the Dx. We all were. Take a deep breath and take it one day it a time. It's all you can do. Susan

She sounds like quite a lady. Stupid cancer. Susan

Tammy--Hoping to hear soon that all is well! Susan

Prayers for your mom! My mom handled her chemo very well so I'm hoping yours does too! Susan

Hi Madie! I can't agree enough that a vicit to Cancergrace.org would be helpful. Glad you found us. The people on this board are tremendous and willing to share all experiences and information. Susan

Nothing about this, or any other cancer is fair. I understand your fears. Right after my mom was diagnosed, I had several dreams where I was also diagnosed with lung cancer and felt like I had to hide it from her so she wouldn't get upset. I haven't had one of those in a very long time. After awhile you get accustomed to the "new normal" and things won't seem quite as scary. As for the pallative care, Ellen is right. My mom was stage IV from the beginning so her care has always been pallative. That doesn't mean no treatment (at least it doesn't in the States) and it doesn't mean they have given up. Her oncologist told her that his goal was to control rather than cure. So far, he's done just that. Susan

Welcome! I agree that prognosis information is not very useful. We didn't ask at the beginning and I'm glad. Mom never felt she had an expiration date. She prefers to set positive goals. The first was to make a church retreat 10 months after he dx. Now she has set a goal of seeing her grandaughters graduate from high school and college next June. The fact that your mom is in relatively good health should serve her well during treatment. Mom found her treatmetns not to be as bad as she feard--especially the chemo. Hang in there and keep us updated so we can keep sending good thoughts for your mom and for you! Susan

I'm sorry I missed this yesterday, but this is for you today. ((((Caren)))) Susan

Bruce--sending prayers that you are *only* still recovering from pneumonia. Enjoy the beach. To me, there is nothing more restorative than listensing to the waves and feeling the sun on my face and the sand beneath my toes. Susan

That is terrific news! I'm so happy for your sister and for you too! Susan

Kasey, I've read your post several times and wanted to reply, but couldn't find the words. Your pain is so raw and so deep that I don't have a response. I mean, what is there to be said that will heal this hurt? Just know that I accept your challenge. You have done more than your share of advocacy and comforting and if you need to lay that down for a little while to grieve for your dear niece and all the others lost to this vicious disease, I will help to pick up the load. Love, Susan

Hello Friends, I'm up early this morning to work on an obituary for a friend who died far too young. Her name was Debbie and she and her huband and son attend the same church I do. On July 9th she had surgery to remove her gallbladder, but when they opened her up they discovered that she was full of tumors. She was sent to the Cancer Center at UAB where they did more surgery and confirmed that she had signet cell carcinoma, but they weren't exactly sure where it came from. Her liver was heavily compromised, however so they wanted to start chemo right away. She had her first treatment last Friday and was admitted to the hospital that night for a blood transfusion. She never left. I visited with her several times over the last week. A week ago Thursday we discussed her upcoming chemo treatment and what to expect. It seemed to comfort her when I told her that mom had found chemo not to be nearly as bad as she had feared. Unfortunately her chemo never got a chance to work. I saw her in the hospital Wednesday night and then sat with her for a few hours on Thursday so her husband and family could have dinner together at the church. She passed away a few hours later. She was only 44 and leaves a 4 year-old son and husband. She had a beautiful singing voice and was active in our choir and several other choirs in the area. As someone who lives in cancer world, I've becomed accustomed to the ups and downs of the roller coaster. We knew from the outset that Debbie's cancer was extensive and was probably terminal, but she didn't even get a chance to fight it. Six months or even a year would have made such a difference to how much her son would remember her. Even if she had been sick, she would have still been there with him. She's only 44 and now I'm writing her obituary. I HATE THIS DISEASE! Susan ps--I knew y'all would understand. Thanks.

((((Bunny)))) Susan

I'm sorry you are feeling overwhelmed and angry. It is certainly an understandable response and you never need to apologize around here for being angry, confused and/or scared. I wonder if you can use some of this time with your mom to make a book or some videos with her motherly advice for you as you raise your son. It might give you a little more security knowing she is leaving you something that will help you in the years to come. The other thing I found that helped tremendously after my mom's dx was to stop thinking about how little time we might have left. I began to think of everyday we had with her as a gift--something to be thankful for. There will be plenty of time to grieve, but for now I'm grateful for everyday I can pick up the phone and hear her voice or for every visit I can enjoy with her. Susan

Kasey, I am still stunned by this news. Tracy was so brave and I learned a lot from her about fight and about never giving up. Please make sure her husband and children know how special Tracy was to this community and how much we will miss her. You and they will be in my prayers. Susan

Your visit was probably the best medicine your dad could have. He probably wanted to be strong for you. The refusal to give in to the disease will help him in many ways. Susan

Oh Kasey--I didn't make the connection before that our Tracy was your niece. I'm just heartbroken for you and Fred and for her husband and children and the rest of your family. I will keep you all in my prayers in the coming days. Kasey, you know we will do what we can to help. Love, Susan

((((Randy))))

Kasey, My thoughts and prayers are always with you and now with Tracy. Susan

Barb--I'm so sorry to learn of your friend's death. Susan

Hi Annette! I hope you are recovering well. Will be keeping my fingers and otes crossed that there is no cancer on the other side. Let us know what you find out. Susan

Hi and Welcome! It is easy to feel overwhelmed and frightened--especially in the beginning. We will help you in any way we can. We've all walked that path of the initial shock and fear, so we understand and are ready to help. Susan

Thinking of you Deb. Susan

Good news is always welcome! Let's hope it is the first of many good reports. Susan