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Hang in there Caren. It's times like these when you wish you could be cloned for all the places you need to be. It sounds like you prioritized and handled it. That's all you can do, so try not to beat yourself up for not being able to do more. I know, I know, easier said than done! Susan

Oh no! Please tell Mitch that he will certainly be in my prayers. Thanks for letting us know. Susan

JW--you have come to the right place. We will try to help you in any way we can. Susan

Caren, Given the circumstances I think you were wise to talk with the doctor so you could begin to prepare for what seems likely to come now. I agree with Ned, it is really only at the beginning that we caution folks about asking for a prognosis. As for what you are feeling, it's not right or wrong, it just is. I expect you will run the gamut over the next few months. As always, we will be here for you. ((((Caren)))) Susan

Judy, I will keep your niece in my prayers. Cancer sucks anytime for anyone, but when you have small children to worry about, it has got to make it harder on everyone involved. Stupid disease is hard enough as it is; don't need anything making it any harder. ((((Judy)))) Susan

Woo HOO! Great News!

Corey, Thanks for the update on your mom. Your mom will be getting the same chemo my mom just finished. At 78/79 she handled it well. Like Ned said, some soreness in her mouth. Sucking on ice chips during chemo can help to reduce that and a little something called "magic mouthwash" can help relieve the symptoms. Mom received chemo once every three weeks for 6 treatments. She would be fine the day of the infusion and the day after. By day three, she would start to feel very tired and achy. That would last for 2-3 days and then she would start feeling better. She experienced no nausea. The day after each infusion she would get a Neulasta shot to keep her white count up. It worked--she never had her white count go below where it needed to and she didn't get sick from infections while taking chemo. The shot does cause some achiness in joints, but some Advil was really all she needed to counter that. I don't know if your Dr. spoke about this, but the taxol will cause your mom to lose her hair. If she doesn't have one already, she should go ahead and get a wig now so she can have it cut and styled to look like her normal hair. Losing her hair was very hard on my mom psychologically. In many ways it was much harder than the physical side effects. It sounds like your mom is very lucky to have you. We are here if you have any more questions. Susan

Welcome! I see you have already gotten a lot of good advice. Unfortunately, you are already much too familiar with this disease. Let us know what you learn from the doctors. On the quality/quantity of life issue. They are not necessarily mutually exclusive. My own mom was 76 when diagnosed and is now 79 and doing well. She has responded well to treatment and has an excellent quality of life. That's not to say that treatment was fun by any means. But she discovered it was not nearly as bad as she feared. In fact, with the exception of a few days in each chemo cycle she kept to a fairly normal schedule of activities. It's different, of course, for everyone. But I just wanted you to know that treatment can dramtically improve quality of life. Let us know what you find out from the doctors. Susan

Kukla, It sounds like you have more than a full plate right now. I'm sorry to hear than Glenn is having such a rough time. But it sounds like the hospital is right where he needs to be. Dehydration is nothing to mess around with. With the treatments everything is going to hit him harder than it would normally. I hope you are able to take enough time to get some rest between hosptials (hubby and dog) and kids. I'm glad to hear that you have a good support system in place. Sometime you just need to vent and, well, that's what we are here for! ((((Kukla)))) Susan

Transfusions are not at all unusual. Mom had a platelet transfusion right before Christmas last year. If your dad has been feeling very tired and sluggish the transfusion should pick him up a bit. There are drugs they can give to keep red and white cell counts up, although I believe they are backing off on the drugs for the red cells. Susan

Caren, I'm so glad to hear that your dad is eating and drinking better. I'd be more worried about the lack of urine than the constipation since that is a side effect of the codeine. If either goes on for too long, I'd call your Dr. As for you, I hope you have some relief. Is there anyone who can come and stay for an afternoon or evening to let you get some rest? You won't do your dad any good if you collape yourself. ((((Caren)))) Susan

Hi Katy, You are right--this board and the people on it are a Godsend. Most of us came here in shock, depression, anger (or all three) and have learned that there are good treatment options and that people do survive this. Let us know what we can do to support you and your family. Susan

Paulette--Welcome! It is excellent that they were able to remove your cancer through surgery. Seeing an oncologist is an excellent move. You have an excellent chance for recovery. Don't be afraid to ask questions and be proactive in your treatment choices. Susan

Tommy--we are here for you. Let us know what we can do to help. Susan

Evalynn, So sorry to hear this news about your MIL. You and your family will be in shock for a little while. I encourage you to learn as much as you can about treatment options. The people on this board are an excellent resource. You can also go to www.cancergrace.org. That site is moderated by oncologists, radiologists and social workers who provide treatment information and will answer questions. The other thing is not to believe the stats. There are many long term LC survivors here. With the appropriate treatments there is a lot of hope for effective treatment! Susan

Sandy, It sounds like you have gotten you mom the help she needs with hospice. Now it is time to find some support for yourself. Too often caregivers forget to take care of themselves. This disease is affecting you in very real ways. First, the LCSC is here to support you. Second, the hospice social worker should be able to help you find some support and/or respite care. Let us know how you are doing. Susan

Caren, I'm glad to hear that he is getting more fluids. I've never heard of "horlicks." To this Yank it sonds like something they might serve at Hogwarts! Susan

Caren, would he suck on ice or ice chips? Swallowing may still be hard. My mom found that sucking on ice helped calm the soreness in her mouth and it gets more fluid in as well. I know sometimes there is also heightened sensitivity to cold, but it might be wroth a shot if you haven't already tried it. Susan

Sue, Welcome! I'm sorry you had to find us, but so glad that you did. It sounds like you are responding well to treatment, which is excellent. Trust me, many of us who are positive and upbeat now, weren't when we (or our loved one) was first diagnosed. My mom was diagnosed in Jan of 2007 with Stage IV NSCLC--it had spread to her spine. She wasn't a smoker either so it came out of the blue and we were all shocked. But she responded well to treatment and we learned that hope is very much alive. Today, 27 months later, she is strong and not on any treatment. You will find that there are many long time survivors here and I encourage you to read their stories and ask any question you need to ask. Susan

My mom did the magic mouthwash for mouth sores, but she didn't swallow it. Don't know how it would work for the throat. I think the yogurt is worth trying. Keep us updated! Susan

Welcome! Here's another reason not to lisen to "the stats." My mom, at 76 was diagnosed with stage IV nsclc in January, 2007. We are now at 27 months post DX and having completed her second course of chemo, she is currently not on any treatments and feeling goof. Folks here like blowing the stats to pieces. That's only one of the things that makes this board a great place to be when you need it. Susan

Hi Lee, You have come to the right place for information and to vent! You have been on an amazing journey. There are many people here who are happy to share their experiences and give you support as you begin this new chapter. So, welcome aboard the ship no one wants to be on, but a ship we are all mighty thankful to have! Susan

That's great news Caren! I hope he continues to get stronger. Susan

This is a great letter. Thank you for posting it! Susan

Gary, I am so very sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my prayers. Susan