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IAAM

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  1. Thank you all for your posts, and Katie, it's never too late! Didn't find out Monday like I had hoped, but still had a nice New Year's Eve. Barb, I was hoping that it was just the radiologists read, but I talked to my Dr. today. He looked at the CT films and PET. The PET showed the same "hot spots"/nodules/enlarged lymphs as the CT. I see him tomorrow and may have a biopsy, but I may not be a candidate for the biopsy because I only have 1 lung. I'll know more tomorrow. I think he thinks that probably it is back, actually, he thought these cells have been there (just too small to appear) since my surgery, since I had lymph node involvement, and might have gotten past the chemo and radiation. Said they usually appear between 1 & 2 yrs. from surgery, I'm right there. They are little buggers, aren't they! I may have to go thru some chemo and radiation again. I'll let everyone know. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, -Elyse
  2. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I will let you know.
  3. Just needed to post, to vent a little. Had my first change in a CT scan in 21 months. Dr. on vacation, but thankfully still read my report and sent me for a PET scan, Friday. He will be back tomorrow and I will hear the results. The waiting and not knowing is very hard. I'm a bit scared right now. The little ____ might be back, I thought I had gotten rid of it! You all have been very encouraging and I thank you. After I find out what's up, I'll be back here! Last year we had a wonderful New Year's Eve, hope tomorrow night we'll be celebrating a little bit. Hope everyone is having a great holiday season and have a very happy new year! -Elyse
  4. IAAM

    The Battle

    Thank you all for your responses. I'm not very good at putting my feelings into words, so many of you are. I really enjoy reading your posts. You are all incredibly strong, encouraging, inspirational, positive Survivors, and I'm glad to be a part of this! My nephew (8 yr) once said to me, "Daddy (my brother-in-law) said you're Wonderwoman because you "beat" cancer!" I think of this often. Thank you all, -Elyse
  5. One of the positive things that has happened is I've realized how strong I could be. I think I might have "kicked *ss"!!!! It's not always easy, but I try to appreciate everyday, some of the little things. I read a book that said to try and appreciate certain things like washing dishes. I think I'm doing good on that one. 2 days in a row last week I sat in traffic for about 2 hours. I generally think I've become less patient since my cancer, which may not be positive, but... sitting in that traffic I thought to myself... I am HERE, tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I have water and crackers in the car, my cellphone battery was very low, but I have music, so what if my leg is getting tired on the clutch (I have a stick-shift)... I am HERE! -Elyse
  6. IAAM

    The Battle

    Yesterday my father's internist asked how I was doing. My dad said he always asks about me. I thought that was nice. His Dr. then asked how my battle was going. My reply to my dad was, "I'm done with my battle", but then said, "maybe the battle is never finished", and my dad agreed. Just curious about your thoughts, thanks. Hope you are all doing well. -Elyse
  7. Sally, Thoughts and prayers are going out to you. Please keep us posted. -Elyse
  8. Eileen, Connie and Pam, thank you for your posts, I love what you wrote. I've had some similar experiences and got good advice also from these posts. I had my right lung removed 1 yr. and 8 months ago. I am still numb and figured I might always be. I cough, and am SOB sometimes, but do think of this all as the "new norm". I do get tightness in my chest, mainly in the lung that is still there. It happens with high humidity or very cold weather. Last Fall I was still going through radiation, so I can't compare to now. This is my first Fall, so I think of it as a baseline of how it will be in the future. (kind of like a baseline mammogram, I guess) I do feel that I HAD lung cancer, but think that it's natural to feel scared at every ache & pain. Maybe that always stays with us. I don't like to be a hypochondriac (I have a girlfriend that tells me I should be) , but I think it's better to be safe than sorry, and have it checked out. Eileen, Good luck and please post to let us know. -Elyse
  9. Hi Christine, I was diagnosed stage IIIb after my surgery, but my Dr. said it was only for treatment purposes. When I researched it online, it sounded horrible, was almost like a "death sentence". I can understand your feeling discouraged after what your Dr. said. There are many people on this board who are stage IV and are truly an inspiration. Glad you stumbled on this site. As I have, you will find a lot of support here. -Elyse
  10. Congrats Geri! Here's to many more! -Elyse
  11. Hi Joe! Sounds like you have a great attitude! Wishing you the best. You will find great support here!
  12. When I was first diagnosed, I went online. I read that Stage IIIb was like a "death sentence". After that, for a while I stopped looking online. I eventually started looking again. Now, being a survivor for over a year and a half, I have found this site and others that give tremendous positive support. I've learned there are so many Stage IV survivors! I know it's hard to stop reading the negatives, but I think that a positive attitude, and being "hopeful" makes a huge difference! I agree with everyone else here, try not to read that stuff! That YouTube video was amazing, thank you, Connie. -Elyse [/i]
  13. Hi Cathy, Welcome! You will find much support here. Sorry about your husband. Thoughts are with you. -Elyse
  14. IAAM

    NEDS ?

    Hi Marci, Welcome. I asked the same question in my first post and thought it was great that it's also Ned's nickname! There are a couple of acronyms that I still don't know, I need to post. Looking forward to hearing your story, sorry you have to be here though. -Elyse
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