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When Christmas comes around remind me to tell you the legend of the "Martha Balls." Susan

Bonanza? "Hey, Hey we're the. . . ."

Is the Pub open on Sunday night? I've got a big blender of peach dacqueries to share. Mmmmmm, they are good too! Susan

Thank you for sharing your mom's GREAT story!!! Susan

Mike--welcome. Your positive attitude will do as much for you both as the best medicine for your wife. if fact, your attitudes will be the best ally for that medicine. One more excellent resouce is www.onctalk.com. It is maintained by Dr. West, an oncologist in Seattle who specializes in LC and you will find much good information about different treatment options. If you register, he will also answer your questions. He is good about looking in on us here too. Susan

Ray, If you will fill out a profile and tell us about your wife's diagnosis we can help you find information on treatment options. There are many long term survivors on this board. if your wife has a doctor telling her that treatment is not an option, I suggest that you find a new doctor ASAP! It doesn't ever hurt to get a second opinion. Susan

A beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman. May you feel her beauty and strength in your heart forever. Susan

Mom started her chemo in February and her hair began falling out two weeks later. When I saw her Easter weekend (First of April) she still had eyelashes and eyebrows, but they were gone when I saw her in late May. She used eyebrow pencil to draw them on and unless you looked closely you couldn't tell they were any different. Mom and Dad are going on a dinner cruse tonight. I'll let you know if she has any problems with her wig and the wind. She hasn't had chemo since May 2, so she now has about a 1/2 inch of new hair on her head, otherwise she would try Sharon's anti-persperant tip. This was very hard for my mom too. She would tell me that she would look in the mirror and cry because she didn't look like herself anymore. That's the most helpless I've felt. I can help her with questions to ask the doctor or give her pep talks when she is scared, but there isn't anything I can do to help her feel like the self she was before the cancer. I hope the cruise will give your mom something fun to focus on and maybe that will help. Susan

Wow. Bee stings, bridges falling down, lung cancer (cancer of any kind, really). . . none of it makes any sense. Susan

((((Kate)))) I'm so sorry to heat this, but so thankful that you both were supported so lovingly in her last few days. Remember that we will continue that loving support for as long as you need us. Susan

I'm so sorry for your loss. You will be in prayers. Susan

((((Jane)))) Praying for you both. . Susan

Shelley, Mom's scalp was tender when her hair was falling out. Someone told her to put conditioner on her scalp to keep it from getting dry and that helped. After the hair fell out her scalp was much less tender. And she complains about how hot her wig is all the time! As soon as she comes into the house she takes it off. Out in the yard she will wear a hat, but if she goes anywhere she insists on the wig rather than a scarf or hat. It was a shock when I saw her completely bald for the first time, but then you get used to it. Psychologically she has had a harder time with the hair loss than with the physical aspects of her treatment. Of course she didn't lose her sense of humor. If my hair got messed up she'd tell me, :If I had hair, I'd comb it!" Or if someone complemented her on her hair she'll say "Thanks, I'll let you wear it sometime!" I hope getting her hair shaved will help with the tenderness in your mom's scalp. Susan

Dina, At first you do go into shock. Once that wears off and you learn as much as you can about the treatment options, you can begin to feel more hopeful. There are effective treatments as many of the survivors on this board will attest to. Hang in there and ask for help when you need it. Susan

Welcome Janice, My mom was diagnosed in January with stage IV NSCLC with mets to her spine. In fact, it was the pain in her back that led them to find the cancer in her lung. In my mom's case they did 15 radiation treatments to her spine before she began chemo and that brought about pretty quick pain pain relief. I'm not sure what chemo your dad is on, but mom's chemo and the neulasta shot also brought on bone pain for 3-4 days after each treatment. Her chemo was carbo/taxol. I'm glad you found this website. It's a great resource and everyone has been very supportive. Susan

Cheryl--best of luck on the trial. I'm rooting for you@ Susan

Every now and then, just for fun.

Frozen peach daqueries made with fresh southern peaches. ummmm. Perhaps a blueberry cobbler as well. . . See you this weekend! Susan

Don't apologize. I lost my sweet kitten Miss Belle last December and still grieve her loss. Even though there is now a new cat in the house, it is still not Miss Belle and I shall miss her forever. Each living creature that we love and that loves us in return, whether human or not, feeds a special place in our souls. When they leave us that part of our soul always misses that love. And even as we continue to love others, no other living being can touch that one special place. ((((Hugs)))) Susan

God Bless you. I'm glad you got your mom to a safe and caring environment. We are here for you. Susan

You have my deepest condolences. When you are ready, please tell your wife's story. Information you provide may help someone else. In the meantime, I will keep you in my thought and prayers. Susan

Keeping your mom in my prayers. . . Susan

Mom loves her port. She got it after the first treatment and it made a huge difference!

I don't know anything about it, except that I like the word "benign." Susan

Welcome to the LCSC! Randy gave you a great list of questions. Remember that it is important to trust all of your physicians. If you don't like this surgeon, trust your instinct and searh for another one. The decisions you will be helping your father make are critical. Your father's cancer was caught early, so if he is otherwise healthy don't be afraid to ask for aggressive treatment. Please ask questions. Someone here will likely had the same questions in the past or had experience with the issue. We love to help! Susan