Libby

Hi everyone. Beautiful day today in Green Bay temp right now is 84 degrees. Green Bay Packer pre-season game tonight. Wish I would have went out on the boat today, oh well maybe next week. Eric, congrats on being selected to help other lung cancer patients. In answer to your question on Friday regarding conflict of obligations. This is a tough decision. You need to decide which is more important to you personally. I think with the training ending at 3pm and your meeting 20 min away at 3 pm you could probably get away with excusing yourself 30 min early and tell them why, it is for a good cause. But how important is the opening of your new college. I did read it was being opened by Scotland First Minister, could be a honor for you to be there. I think you probably could leave the head of your department as the welcoming committee or will that upset anyone, by you not being there. Again I think you need to base it on what you feel is the most important and which one could be cancelled without it being a problem. Boy you are keeping yourself busy now, summer off, crazy rest of year Well that's my two cents! Libby

Donny, Good morning, almost afternoon. I usually leave too early for work to post in the morning. Off today, Yeah! Sounds like you had a perfect birthday. I could picture just sitting on bench and listening to the creek. How relaxing. It is nice to hear you are beginning to enjoy retirement life. I hope one day I will be able to do the same it sounds fantastic. I also have issues from the radiation. I have permanent inflamation due to the damage, but there is no way around it we need the treatment so we take the risk. I sure hope that your lung tissue heals quickly. Taking it easy is not so bad, sounds like you found ways to enjoy it Have a great weekend. I am going to lollygag around the house this weekend, no running up north to the cottage. Libby

Hi Everyone, Just got back from our cottage up north went up on Thursday night. Was very nice and relaxing. Went on the speed boat two days in a row, my body is killing me from all the bumps and giggling around. Ugghh think I need a more comfortable boat, neck cant handle taking the kids tubing an hitting all those wakes in the water. Hope everyone had a nice weekend. Eric, good luck going back to work in the morning. First day back is always the hardest. Judy, I sure hope you have a good visit with the kids. I hope you will be able to sleep better soon. Those steriods help in so many different ways, but they sure know how to keep you up at night! Hope that goes better for you soon. Regards, Libby

Judy, I get muscle spasms in my feet and leg calves all the time. I always have, but it seems much more since the Chemo. I also get spasms in the area of the surgery (i was told this could happen and may be forever) I have not found any conncection with food. I hope you find out why. Maybe you are dehydrated drink more water and eat one bananna a day (thats what I have been told). Sounds like you have severe case of spasms. I get cramps in legs so bad I want to scream. Go to your regular Doctor see what they say Libby

Rich, Great topic. We all tend to focus on the negative, especially me. But I have learned a lot through this journey and there are some positives. I have become much closer to my daughter and the people who matter. I realized how important those special moments are. I take nothing for granted. I have way more empathy for other people and will do whatever it takes to help anyone in need. My compassion for human life grows everyday. Thank you for keeping me in check Libby

Hi Mary, Having surgery is you best option. Stage 1 is very curable. I had stage 3a and did not have the VATS surgery, I had the regular surgery. I had my left upper lobe removed at age 43. I was back at work 3 weeks after surgery, against doctor order of course! The first couple of days are hard, but I think you will bounce back fine. It is very frightening going in for the surgery, but it was not as bad as I thought it would be. I work, exercise and do everything I did before the cancer and lung removal. I actually am more physically fit now then before. Good luck to you, I will pray for your speedy recovery.

Bud, I never heard of a whirl wind, I am guessing it is like a tunnel of wind. Glad you did not get hurt. I think it is great you are a cycle nut!! 103 degrees, dry air I hope or is it humid in Texas? I do like The Air, helps to focus on positive things. I really need to try and log on earlier. Had a 50th birthday party for my husband today, everyone just left. I am wiped. Need to work tomorrow, tired….. Becky. “some assembly required” usually means buyer beware, bet it was made in China. I usually get my razor blade knife out. You are so funny when you talk about the Amish Judy, I would imagine unemployment is very high, considering the loss of the vehicle manufacturers. Where we live unemployment is also very high. Eric, six weeks off does go fast, I bet you will be happy to get back to lecturing at school. What a great job

Good evening everyone. Guess I am a little late. Worked all day, ran around after picking up b-day presents and cake. Now tired and crabby, eating ice cream. I guess ice cream makes everyone feel better. Boy I am tired, but now feeling guilty about being tired after reading about the 58 miles that Bud did yesterday on his bicycle. Becky (snowflake), I loved the dog video. How crazy. I wonder what they were thinking. Becky I too feel like I hate other people’s kids, when they are being brats!! I just thank god they are not mine Well nighty night everyone. Now that I figured out there is a daily chat, I would love to join in. I leave for work early so I might be an afternoon evening chatter. Oh yeah 87 degrees here. KatieB, 109 degrees WOW! I use to like in Venice, Florida, but I don’t remember it being that hot. Libby

My deepest sympathy goes to Bernie and his family. May friends and family comfort them during this difficult time. Regard, Libby

Thank you Katie and thank you Annette. I think this support group has more power then I thought! It is so true about slightest cough or knee ache and I am planning the funeral (how crazy our minds are) I hope in the future that Doctors will take a more active role in helping the patient understand after treatment that they will need support and life will not be the same. I really must have been a fool to assume my life would not be changed forever. Silly me! You guys and gals are great, the support has already helped in so many ways. I am sticking around:D Libby

Denise, I will pray for Michelle. Hopefully Bernie will find comfort from his friends and support group. Sincerely, Libby

I did it I came out of my shell yesterday and stopped up at Lungevity office in Chicago. Big step for me. I am actually looking forward to getttng home and looking for a local support group (that is not judging of course!) along with staying on the forum. You all have helped me more then you can imagine already. Snowflake. I am so sorry that you had to go through divorce, job loss and insurance loss. Life is very unfair. I am not sure how I could have handled cancer and then all that. You are a very strong person. Boy I do relate to the monsters under the bed. Somedays they are very hard to beat up! Maybe I need a bigger stick

Oh the "guilt". It never goes away for me I just try to learn to live with it. I keep trying to tell myself that I deserve to live just as much as anyone else. We all need to try and remember that we did not ask for this path in life. It seems to have been chosen for us. So easy for me to get on the "shut the world down and hide in my shell wagon." Libby

Thank your Randy and thank you Judy. Atleast in Chicago I can get the Internet. I am feel very welcomed and actually feel honored that so many strangers would lend a hand. Thank you so much.

Bud, I am so glad to here that you are cancer free also. I think you are correct lung cancer patients tend to stay to themselves and I know first hand this is not good. I am hoping I can change that for this area I live in. You are so lucky to have meetings to go to that you are conformtable with. Leaving for Chicago this morning, so I should keep my worried mind busy. I am hoping to stop at the main office on LaSalle St. PS: My perspective on things have certainly changed, for the good! My compassion for other people (complete strangers) is unbelievable. Libby

Snowflake, Thank you for the welcome and the time you have taken to respond to me. We have a lot in common. Congratulations on your sons’ recent graduation. One goal I have is to see my daughter graduate from High School (3 more years). So with that being said I guess I am planning a little. I am very apprehensive about planning! I love your sons picture. I appreciate all your suggestions and I have considered doing counseling also. I think finding someone who has been there will help. I do know a therapist that leased in the building where I worked and she was a little younger then me and had breast cancer couple of years before me. Maybe I need to be calling her. We became friends once she found out I was sick and she always talked to me in the building whenever she seen me, now she moved and is leasing at a different building, that would really do some good. I think I will look her up. I will also call ACS to get a couple of references of counselors who have actually experienced the feeling that I am going through. Otherwise they will probably think I am “NUTS”. I agree there are some very dark emotional feelings that need to be dealt with. I am an emotional wreck, I just hide it well. I appreciate the recommendations. I too have that little pill and a glass of water when I need to rest and can’t. I would like to deal with life without them one day. I like what you said about stepping back into my life again, it is very frightening but I know I can do it. I have wasted 2 years also dwelling and worrying. I need to live and leave it in god’s hands. Boy I wish I lived by everyone! I never realized it would be this difficult after treatment. Thanks again.

Ned, Thank you for the warm welcome. It is very true that the mind works in strange ways. I am finally realizing that I need help to move forward. Strange but true 3 years later and I am still afraid to make any long term plans. Scary!! I am a going to look around for a local support group that can over look the stigma and finger pointing and move on with life. I should say my new life. I love your Golden Retriever. I have a Black Lab and Cocker spaniel, they are my babies, such an unconditional love with them. Thanks again.

Judy (now I have your name right), Yes, I need to work on accepting my new life. Although I lost left upper lobe I actually feel "better physically". I walk and exercise, something I never did when I smoked. It is the mental acceptance that i need to work on. I have so much to be thankful for. I think speaking with other people who have been through the same journey and have experienced the same feelings will help me find a happier ground. I have a difficult time asking for help, that is a downfall for me and I need to let go and move forward. After looking at myself I can not say how important it is to have a good support group. I hope other survivors don't make the same mistake I did and ignore joining some kind of support group whether it be via Internet or local meetings. Thank your for your support.

Thank all of you Soooooooo much for your help. Jopette I will research the Gilda’s Club in Green bay. There are a lot of support groups here, but not specifically for lung cancer. I guess I am so worried about the stigma that comes along with it; I keep talking myself out of going. They opened a new center here called Triumph Center and I did contribute to their fund raising event. Before they opened I actually help another lung cancer patient that was recently diagnosed over the phone several times. Now the center opened and I have not stopped up for any of the meeting or activities. I guess it is fear of rejection. Eric I think you are right. Everyone must experience the same fears. It is what you do with it and not allowing your self time to dwell on it. My daughter, husband and mom are very supportive and I know I must be driving them crazy at this point. I need to find a way to move on. I have finally been upgraded to 1 year CT scans, I should be happy about that. Eric your story is very motivating. Why would anyone have to deal with two cancers? Life is so unfair! You have a great attitude and I admire you. I did work through my whole treatment plan even went back to work early after the lung surgery, but I need to fill in the after work gaps with something positive. I did better during treatment then now! I agree I need to keep my mind busy and on more positive activities other then dwelling on fear. I actually feel better right now typing this. I will checkout Roy Castle website. Thank you. Ts thank you also. It is a huge burden to carry around for 3 years and I know now that I do need support and friends. It is just the fear of acceptance. I feel cancer is cancer no matter what type no one should judged, but they are. The main goal for everyone should be to find a cure for all cancers. “Living with Cancer” is exactly the type of group I would love to find. I will research the hospital again and call the new center here I think they have a group like that. I will stay on Lungevity forum because this place has helped me the most along my journey. I feel like everyone here is accepted for whom they are. I may even try to sponsor an event in this area and see how it goes. I would love to be able to contribute to this organization. (I bet there are a lot of lung cancer survivors in this area just need to find them). Thank you all for your support. I leave for Chicago in the morning, can’t wait, that will keep my mind busy.

Hi (this is my first post), Throughout my 3 year journey with lung cancer I have not tried to receive any help from support groups, although I would love to get support now from other people who have experienced lung cancer. I have my husband and daughter who is now 15 at home, but I feel like I am an outcast, I don't feel like I fit in anywhere, home, work, etc. My life has been turned upside down and I struggle daily with coping with the worries of re-occurrence. I have never posted on this site but spent a lot of time here during my treatments. I received more information/help from this forum then I did from the doctors. I am grateful for the 3 years I have gained since my diagnosis. The prognosis was not good and I consider myself very lucky! Does anyone know of any lung cancer support groups that meet? Or is it more generally just on the forum. I live in Green Bay, WI and there are support groups but mainly for breast cancer. Lung Cancer patients are treated differently sometimes because people feel it is your problem if you smoked. I constantly feel like I am hiding from the truth. Cancer runs in my family. I lost my grandmother to lung cancer and my Dad to esophagus cancer few years before my diagnosis. I am going to Chicago Sun-Wed and staying only a few blocks from the main office. I plan on stopping in and saying hi. I feel like I need a support group and I feel strongly about bringing support to other lung cancer patients in my area. It is very frightening and lonely without support. Extremely hard to cope! Well enough of me babbling any info on support groups or how I can connect with other lung cancer survivors would be appreciated. I just don’t know where to start and I am still frightened about the whole experience.