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I'm so sorry to hear this news. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Susan

Teardrop, My mom has a lung mass that was stable but active spead in her spine and hips last summer. Her oncologist said it wasn't unheard of to have a stable primary and active mets. Mom had radiation (two doses) to her spine and hips each day. It was instrumental in helping to relieve the pain she was in. She also has a Quadramet treatment which is a radioactive isotope that binds to cancer in bone. While Mom was undergoing the radiation she did not have much appetite. She experienced a lot of nausea and dirrhea. Once the radiation was finished her appetite returned. The radiation is mostly pallative (to relieve pain), but it can also kill the tumors in the spine. Mom's last scans showed her mets to be gone. So I guess the upshot is that the radiation isn't fun while you are doing it, but it does relieve the pain and can help to control the cancer. Susan

Carole, It's great to hear that you are feeling better and reaping the benefits of having more energy. Sounds like you are a very busy woman--you go girl! Susan

Jude, Don's wife, posted this on the Grieving boad, but I thought I would post it here as well. We will miss Don and this beautiful tribute explains just how special he is--Susan Donald E. Miniken Jr., 64, died of complications from lung cancer on Monday, January 5, 2009. Don was born in Bremerton, Washington on September 3, 1944 to Don and Kathleen Miniken. He was the oldest of 13 children. He was raised in Everett, Washington where he attended Catholic and public schools, and then graduated from Cascade High School in 1962. After graduation, he attended seminary intending to enter the priesthood. His plans changed, however (he couldn’t stand the bells), and after a brief stint in the National Guard, he transferred to Washington State University where he studied forestry. In 1973 he married Judith Fox and they had four children, Josh (35), Amanda (31), Joe (30) and Sarah (24). Don attended Green River College in Auburn to pursue his degree in forestry. The family moved to Quinault, Washington in 1979 when Don went to work for the U.S. Forest Service. He worked there until retiring in 2005. He loved his job, the woods, and the wonderful people with whom he worked. Don had many hobbies and talents. He took thousands of photos over the years, of nature, of his children, and anything in which he caught a glimpse of beauty. He loved music of all kinds, but specifically classical music and rock and roll. He loved the out-of-doors and spent s lot of time camping and hiking with his children. Don had a dry humor that could catch a person off guard. He had a way of helping people to broaden their perspective by his commentary on any given situation. He had a gentle, compassionate nature that is rare. He was eclectic in his spiritual beliefs, embracing the Spirit of Holiness wherever he could find it and in places where most people forget to look. He would rather give money to the homeless in secret than to sit at the table of the pompously rich. He was particularly drawn to Shamantic expression of faith and he loved Native American drumming. He enjoyed watching movies, reading, gardening, traveling, and visiting with people whom he loved. When Don was diagnosed with lung cancer, he made a point to fight it by learning all that he could about it. In fact, more than one of his doctors who treated him over the past five years commented that he could converse with them in medical terms about his condition as though he had medical training himself. He visited a couple of cancer support groups on-line and was greatly appreciated by other cancer survivors with whom he shared his story. He was highly regarded as one who could bring hope and encouragement to those fighting the disease. He helped more than one person pursue treatment options that ultimately saved their lives. Don is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jude; his children, Josh (Tracy), Amanda (fiancé Ian), Joe (Mandie), and Sarah (boyfriend) Danny; his mother Kathleen; brothers Michael, Kevin, Dennis, Jim and Jack, sisters Mary, Cecelia, Joan, Ellen, Suzanne, and Annie; grandchildren Devin, Chloe, Keaton and soon-to-be-born Sean; and many nieces and nephews. His father, Don Sr. and a brother, Ed preceded him in death. A service to celebrate his life will be held at the Montesano Presbyterian Church on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. The family suggests remembrances be sent to the Montesano Presbyterian Church, the Union Gospel Mission or to Hospice of Grays Harbor. The family also sends out a special thanks to Robin H. and Kim of Hospice; Greg of Lincare; and the staff at Grays Harbor Community Hospital who tended to his needs during the last hours of his life. Online tributes: http://www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com/r ... rId=117824

Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to Don. You and your family will remain in my prayers. Susan

Will continue praying. . .

Seek second and third opinions--until you are confortable that your questions and being answered and your doctors are listening to you and your mother. There are many people here that have been and third and fourth lines of chemo. I have never hear of getting chemo twice and never again. www.cancergrace.org is an oncologist mediated website where you can ask questions that will be answered by specialists. It is free and it is an invaluable resource. In the meantime, hang in there. We've all been on the roller coaster. So we can help you through it. Susan

Tammy, Sending prayers that Greg is stronger soon and ready to resume his treatments. Susan

Laura, Sending prayers that those battles can be fought and won. Susan

Great news Bette! It's a symptom of how twisted this diease is when we celebrate arthritis--but no tumors in the spine is fabulous. Now onto the Jan 19th scan--I'll keep you in my prayers for a clean one! Susan

Jude, It was easy to tell that Don was special from the time he spent helping people on this board. After reading yours and Amanda's loving tributes today it is clear that you were both lucky to have him as a husband and dad--and he was lucky to have you. That love is the one thing the cancer can never take away. The LCSC was lucky to have Don too. It was just like him to want to make sure we knew he loved us. But we knew it with every single post--every single time he responded to a new member to share his story or experience--every time he celebrated with us--every time he grieved with us--every time he checked on someone or simply said "I'm thinking about you." Thank you for sharing Don's wishes, but most importantly thank you for sharing Don with us. You, Amanda and your entire family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Susan

Amanda, Thank you for thinking of us and letting us know about your Father. He was and is a great man. He devoted so much time and energy to helping people on this board that he created a lasting legacy. You know that so many of us loved your father and now we will circle you and your family with that love. Peace, Susan

Denise, I'm sorry you are having such a rough time with that stubborn man of yours. I hope you can get the blood sugar and blurry vison issue resolved soon as well as the cough. Susan

Faith, I'm so sorry this Christmas was so painful. I can't do anything by send a big cyber hug. ((((Faith)))) We are here for you, Susan

Even though shadows can mean many, many things other than LC you need to get the CT scan to be sure. Susan

I'm so sorry Connie to hear about your friend. She is right in her sentiment about cancer, it does indeed SUCK! ((((Connie)))) Susan

Creekgirl--Just wanted you to know that I an thinking about you. Sounds like you have some aggressive Drs and a good fighting plan! Susan

Bette--My mom experienced lower back pain before her Dx, but two years ago around Thanksgiving it started getting worse and deteriorating rapidly. She kept insisting that it was a different pain than her osteoporosis and they finally sent her for an mri and bone scan--and here we are. That said she has also experienced worsening of her back pain since then and it was arthritis. So just make sure you know what it is. It sounds like you have had all the tests, so I will keep you in my prayers that it is orthapedic in nature. Susan

Shelley, Thanks for that uplifting message of hope! Your mom is an inspiration and I am thrilled for you. Three Christmases ago, we too were in the process of diagnosis. We were scared out of our minds (at this point we were pretty sure it was cancer, but not what kind). The day after Christmas, I remember mom turning to me and saying "I wonder if I just celebrated my last Christmas?" The answer was no. Last week we shared a beautiful Christmas together. I was grateful for every moment of it. So for those of you who might have been just diagnosed or had a loved one diagnosed--my mom, like Shelley's mom is proof that there is hope and there is treatment. Thanks Shelley and give that amazing mom of yours our love from the LCSC! Susan

My mom has had several rounds of radiation to her spine and hips and has responded beautifully. She has NSCLC. In fact, last summer she received two doses of radiation concurrently--one to her middle spine and one to her hips for about 10 days. It was hard on her, but the two doses did the trick. Susan

Nick--I was thinking the same thing. That even though we think of spring as the renewal of the earth, the process actually started yesterday with the days starting to get longer. It is s time for celebration and I hope you and Sophie had a great time. The earth is renewing itself and your mom proved yet again that she is still with you in some very important ways. Susan

Good news indeed! Thanks for updateing us. Folks get worried when we don't hear from you. We'd rather hear from you, even if it isn't "proper posting." It is good to know that the fatigue is improving. Susan

Christine--You are in my prayers. I hope you are warm and powerful soon! Susan

I'm so sorry Dana. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Susan

AWESOME!!!!