GrammyJones

Hi Jenifer... I'm continuing to keep you both in my prayers. Your mom's chemo treatments sound just like mine... 3 days a week every 3rd week. I have 4 series and then ct-scans... then usually 2 additional series and then yet another ct-scan. Lke your mom, my lung also collapsed during my biopsy. ALSO... TODAY IS MY 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY AS A SURVIVOR!!! It was one year ago today that I was given very little hope and here I am Every day is a blessing... and tonite I'm going out to dinner to celebrate! Tell your mom to stay positive.

Hi LeAnn. First let me say that I am so very sorry that you have to go through this with your uncle. I understand your feelings since most of my family lives in NY and I live in NC. Distance is so difficult for family members when you feel a need to be in 2 places at the same time. The main question to ask is whether he has non-small cell or small cell cancer since they are different. My cancer is Small Cell. I'm hoping that my recent experience may help you and your uncle to find the courage to fight your terrible battle. Last Aug., just 3 days before my 50th birthday, I was diagnosed with Extensive SCLC Stage IV. It had spread to both lungs, liver, lymph nodes and bones. Doctors refused to give me any false hope, and during a 2nd opinion appt out-of-state I was told to go home, gets my things in order, and enjoy any days I had left... I would not see another Christmas, the birth of my newest grandson, nor my 51st birthday. Not very encouraging! Well, I must say, I've survived 2 out of 3, and I'm soon to celebrate my next birthday! I believe that I went through every available emotion, especially fear and anger and wanting to place blame, until finally coming to terms with my given condition. I finally decided to be a "survivor" and not a "victim." I live with the daily thought that I have the cancer and the cancer doesn't have me! That was the day I chose to keep a positive attitute, though some days were harder than others, but I planned to conquer the biggest fight of my life. Since surgery and radiation was not an option due to its being so wide-spread, my only option was chemo treatments. I've been on these chemo treatments 8 out the last 12 months and I truly believe that I feel the best that I have in well over a year or more. I'm not saying that I don't have bad days, I do but I cope with them, telling myself that tomorrow will be a new day! I continue to cope with terrific back pain due to the cancer eating "holes" in my spine and fatigue but I refuse to allow it to keep me down. I am now within weeks of my 1 year anniversary of being diagnosed and, also, my next birthday. I recently had another ct-scan and the results were excellent!!! The results revealed that my cancer is limited to a very small area (naked to the human eye) in my liver. Now, I'm planning to do a few more series of chemo and then another scan in Sept. If all goes well, there is a possibility that I will be prescribed a "chemo pill" and hopefully I'll no longer need the treatments. I can only wait and pray. Although this type of cancer is incurible, it's not untreatable. My doctors now tell me that they believe I'm a miracle in the works. My best suggestion to you and your uncle is to stay positive and keep your faith. Prayers are so very powerful. I, as well as others, have been so blessed!!! In closing, please know that your uncle and you will remain in my daily prayers... WE still have our hopes and dreams!!! God Bless!!! Vicki

Hi Jennifer. First let me say that I am so very sorry that you have to go through this with your mom. I understand your feelings since most of my family lives in NY and I live in NC. Distance is so difficult for family members when you feel a need to be in 2 places at the same time. I'm hoping that my recent experience may help you and your mom to find the courage to fight your terrible battle. Last Aug., just 3 days before my 50th birthday, I was diagnosed with Extensive SCLC Stage IV. It had spread to both lungs, liver, lymph nodes and bones. Doctors refused to give me any false hope, and during a 2nd opinion appt out-of-state I was told to go home, gets my things in order, and enjoy any days I had left... I would not see another Christmas, the birth of my newest grandson, nor my 51st birthday. Not very encouraging! Well, I must say, I've survived 2 out of 3, and I'm soon to celebrate my next birthday! I believe that I went through every available emotion, especially fear and anger just as you, until finally coming to terms with my given condition. I finally decided to be a "survivor" and not a "victim." I live with the daily thought that I have the cancer and the cancer doesn't have me! That was the day I chose to keep a positive attitute, though some days were harder than others, but I planned to conquer the biggest fight of my life. Since surgery and radiation was not an option due to its being so wide-spread, my only option was chemo treatments. I've been on these chemo treatments 8 out the last 12 months and I truly believe that I feel the best that I have in well over a year or more. I'm not saying that I don't have bad days, I do but I cope with them, telling myself that tomorrow will be a new day! I continue to cope with terrific back pain due to the cancer eating "holes" in my spine and fatigue but I refuse to allow it to keep me down. I am now within weeks of my 1 year anniversary of being diagnosed and, also, my next birthday. I recently had another ct-scan and the results were excellent!!! The results revealed that my cancer is limited to a very small area (naked to the human eye) in my liver. Now, I'm planning to do a few more series of chemo and then another scan in Sept. If all goes well, there is a possibility that I will be prescribed a "chemo pill" and hopefully I'll no longer need the treatments. I can only wait and pray. Although this type of cancer is incurible, it's not untreatable. My doctors now tell me that they believe I'm a miracle in the works. My best suggestion to you and your mom is to stay positive and keep your faith. Prayers are so very powerful. I have been so blessed!!! In closing, please know that your mom and you will remain in my daily prayers... WE still have our hopes and dreams!!! God Bless!!! Vicki

Hi All. I am new here and would like to introduce myself. Last Aug., just 3 days before my 50th birthday, I was diagnosed with Extensive SCLC Stage IV. It had spread to both my lungs, liver, lymph nodes and bones. Doctors refused to give me any false hope, and during a 2nd opinion appt out-of-stae I was told to go home, gets things in order, and enjoy the days I had left... I would not see another Christmas, the birth of my newest grandson, nor my 51st birthday. Not very encouraging! Well, I must say, I've survived 2 out of 3, and I'm soon to celebrate my next birthday! I believe that I went through every available emotion until finally coming to terms with my given condition. I finally decided to be a "survivor" and not a "victim." That was the day I chose to keep a positive attitute, though some days I fought negativity, but I planned to conquer the biggest fight of my life. Since surgery and radiation was not an option due to its being so wide-spread, my only option was chemo treatments. I've been on these chemo treatments 8 of the 12 months and feel the best that I have in well over a year. I'm not saying that there's not bad days but I cope with them, telling myself tomorrow will be a new day! I continue to cope with back pain due to the cancer eating "holes" in my spine but I refuse to allow it to keep me down. I am now within weeks of my 1 year anniversary of being diagnosed and my next birthday. I recently had another ct-scan and the results were excellent!!! The results revealed that my cancer is limited to a very small area (naked to the human eye) in my liver. Now, I'm planning to do a few more series of chemo and then another scan in Sept. If all goes well, there is a possibility that I will be prescribed a "chemo pill" and no longer need the treatments. I can only wait and pray. Although the cancer is incurible, it's not untreatable. My doctors now tell me that they believe I'm a miracle in the works. My best suggestion to others is to stay positive and keep your faith. Prayers are so very powerful. I have been so blessed!!! In closing, please know that every one of you are in my daily prayers... WE still have our hope and dreams!!!