fillise

From the time my mom had her first tests until firm dx was about a month. So I think your process is taking too long--although I have heard of many folks having a long dx process. I'm glad you pushed and got your appointments. Susan

Welcome Celie--I'm glad you and Joe found us. We will be here to help you in your fight! Susan

Hi Joe--I love your attitude and your faith! Let us know how the treatment is going and don't be bashful about asking questions. Someone on this board usually has good information. Susan

You are so lucky to have had Jack and he may have saved your life by helping you to know something was wrong long before you would have otherwise. I know Jack was lucky to have had you. Our fur babies are so important. I lost my cat to feline renal disease last December. She had been diagnosed the March before and I was so sad until it dawned on me that instead of looking at how little time we were going to have together, I should look at each day I got to spend with her as a gift--something added rather than something that was going to be taken away. Little did I know what she was getting me ready to deal with my mom's LC. After the shock wore off from the disgnosis, I thought I will be grateful fo everyday she is here and healthy because it is a beautiful gift. Yes--our pets can teach us so much about love and about life. God Bless You, Susan

Ken, In some ways the waiting is worse than the actual knowing. I'll be praying that your news is the best--no cancer. But if it goes the other way know that we will be here for you. There are plenty of good treatment options and we will stand with you through the fight. Susan

Nova, I'm sending prayers your way for a great scan AND for a solutions to the insurance problem. Susan

Dana, Doing a search one day I came across the post your mother wrote about your wedding. She was so excited and so thrilled and I remember her writing that every treatment, every pill and every shot she had taken was worth it to be with you on your wedding day. Her complete joy was in her face in that beautiful photo that was on the bottom of her posts, and I know she would want it to be in you on your anniversary. I hope you can remember the joy she felt and let that be your guide for celebrating all the anniversaries to come. Susan

I went to visit my mom this past weekend. More than a year ago she had asked me to be the main speaker for a retreat for the women of her church (the church I grew up in). Right after she was diagnosed in January, she told me "I hope I can live long enough to make it to the retreat in October." Well, it was this weekend, and we had a marvelous time. She feels good, is strong, and if you didn't know she was sick you wouldn't know she was sick. We got the rare gift this weekend of enjoying some time together with each other and with friends. We sat on rocking chairs and looked out over the ocean and talked about books, memories, friends, family, but we didn't talk about cancer. We laughed, we went out to dinner and watched a football game together and it was like it was before we heard those awful words. It was, dare I say it? Normal. Except that I am now profoundly grateful for this past weekend in a way I wouldn't have been a year ago. I cherished every minute of it and understand that the ability to experience the simple joy of life is a precious gift. I'm declaring victory because of this weekend. I know we are not done with this fight yet, but we got to live life this weekend and that counts as the best victory we've had so far. I am very grateful. Susan

My mom has seen a pain management specialist, but only because the mets to her spine aggrevated her arthritis there. It wasn't for pain related to the primary tumor. Regardless of who it is, I think your mom needs to see someone about her pain. Perhaps the pallitive care specialist steph mentioned would be good. And don't get scared by the word "pallative." It denotes comfort care and does not mean anyone has given up (some people think that). Best of luck to you, let us know how it goes. Susan

Here's hoping for good scan results! Susan

Welcome--I second Shelley's advice to have some paper to write down what the drs say on Friday. On the day my mom was diagnosed she went into shock as soon as she heard the words "lung cancer" (well, that and 10 minutes before she heard those words she got a phone call telling she that her sister had just died unexpectedly). Anyway, that night when she called my brother and I listened to what she told him, then she gave the phone to me and I said "let me tell you what the drs really said. . . " Tell your dad to take a tape recorder if he needs to. We'll be here for you, Susan

Take a deep breath. It is so easy to let the terror overwhelm you in the beginning. Once you know what you are dealing with and have a plan of action, it becomes a little easier. Once you know the type of cancer and the treatment plan, be sure to come back and ask any question you need to. Don't be afraid to get a second or even a third opinion if you need to. Your mother will need an advocate during this process, someone who can ask questions and help her with things she may be too overwhelmed or too tired to deal with. We'll be here to help you through this. Susan

Welcome Connie! We need everyone to help tell the world that we need to focus more $ on lung cancer research. There's no one better than someone who has been touched by the disease. I'm sorry that you fall into that category, but I suspect your husband would be proud that you want to make a difference. Susan

Welcome! Don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion. Just because a tumor is inoperable that doesn't mean that it is untreatable. Frequently they won't operate because of the size or location of the tumor, or after it has spread to other parts of the body. If size is the problem, sometimes they can operate after they shrink it with chemo and radiation. There are plenty to other treatments out there, so keep an open mind. If you have questions, be sure to ask. Susan

Welcome! Your sister is lucky to have you as her advocate. Dr. West IS a Godsend to all of us. He does for us what you do for your sister. So that's how we know how lucky your sister is to have you! Susan

Welcome and thanks for sharing your story. We love to hear long-term survivors tell their stories! Susan

Karen, I'm so sorry to read that you lost your Dad. I can't do anything to make it better other than to tell you that we will be here for you in the coming days to help you through. Susan

I'm so sorry to read this sad news. Please know that you are in my prayers. Your love for your sister was amazing. Susan

I'm rooting for the Valley Fever! But it sounds encouraging on all fronts! Susan

Good luck today. Be sure to let us know what you find out and let us try to answer any questions you might have. Susan

Debi--Tony is certainly special. I can imagine this is difficult. You both fought so hard and have inspired so many in their own fight. I will continue to hold you in my prayers. Susan

Mom hated her Neulasta shots worse than the chemo. She spent two days tired and her bones and joints hurt badly. She would get the treatment on Friday and be miserable Sat and Sun, but start to feel better on Monday. So her misery was short lived as far as the Neulasta went and her white count has been excellent through her treatment. Susan

I'll be thinking about you and your mom. I can't imagine how difficult this is for you. ((((hugs)))) Susan

That's great news! Susan ps--btw, my mom refused to believe she even had a tumor in her lung until her radiologist took her into his office and pulled up her CT scan on his computer. She called me that evening and said "I don't know if I should have seen that." In the long run I think it helped her to have to move out of the denial stage, but it was a jolt (one in a long line of many, many jolts).

Terry, My mom got a port in her arm and it made the chemo so much easier. After her first round she called the surgeon and said "let's do the port." She's been very glad to have it. Others might have other experiences, but that is hers. Good luck with your chemo. You know we will be here for you! Susan