dadstimeon

Hi and Welcome Corey-- I'm sorry to here about the passing of your sister and your Mom's diagnoses but glad you found us. Very understandable on how you feel. No don't go it (you have a full plate) alone, we all need support along this journey and this is a great place for it. Below is a link that has "Questions To Ask The Doctor" that you might find helpful. You have the right approach in one day at a time and glad you have a great support system with your friends. Stay with us and keep us posted, ask away chances are someone as been there/done that. Prayers for the best and again welcome. Rich http://lungevity.org/l_community/viewto ... 585#163585

Congratulations Shelly/Mom on the great news and it gives so many inspiration and hope! Way to go Mom and keep it up! Rich

Congratulations on the great news!

Hi Evalynn, Sorry to hear about you MIL but glad you found us. There are many members here who have survived, lived or are living many many years after their diagnoses/prognoses. I'm a firm believer in as long as there is life there is hope. Lung Cancer is not a death sentence, one can still have lung cancer and still have a life. Looks like your MIL's doctors are on top of things and getting a treatment plan in motion. Take it one step and one day at a time. Research as much as you can-- knowledge is the key. Stay with us and keep us posted. Hope this helps. Prayers for the best. Rich

Welcome Katy, I'm sorry you have to be here but glad you found us never the less. Stay with us and keep us posted. Rich

Hi Deb-- I have had numerous (blood, platelets) transfusions over the years and as mentioned it is not uncommon while undergoing chemotherapy treatments. It is a safe, common procedure and takes about 1 - 4 hours give or take depending on how much blood one needs. It is pretty straight forward and uneventful. Tell mom to bring something to read. Hope this helps to ease your mind. Rich

Welcome Paulette, I'm glad you found us and so glad yours was found early. Understandable being scared. Stay with us and keep us posted on how you are doing. Rich

Welcome Sue, Sorry you have to be here but glad you found us. I never smoked a day in my life either. I'm also Stage (been stable since Dec06) IV and this month marks seven years since my diagnoses. Right now lung cancer is the least of my problems and for the most part have had only a few problems with it all things considered. There's a lot to take in at the beginning and takes time getting used to the new normal. We all have our days and of course being scared is part of the territory. I'm so glad your treatments are working and you continue to work etc. Take it one step and one day at a time. I also believe a positive attitude does help when dealing with any type of adversity and no one can possibly be that way 24X7, we all have our down moments. Just be yourself and deal with things as they come down the pike-- it's Lung Cancer 101. Research as much as you can-- knowledge is the key. Stay with us and keep us posted. Don't go it alone, join a support group-- helps to be around people who have been there/done that, or get a phone buddy. Hope this helps. Prayers for the best. As long as there is life there is hope! Rich

Caren, Not sure if this is what you are (see link below) looking for. Gives you some ideas for when someone has trouble eating (as well fluids) for different reasons. Also has you father tried (comes in liquid form if I remember right) Megace? --helps when someone has a lack of appetite. Of course always run it by your doctor. Rich http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/chem ... age8#food2 (Chemotherapy and You: Support for People With Cancer)

Please Delete. Put in twice by mistake. Thanks, Rich

Hi Barb, Great Article! --I'm a big believer in exercising regardless if one is sick/healthy. I love walking and have been doing it (an hour) daily for the most part since Jr. High and only stopped about 2 years ago give or take because of other health issues and instead ride a stationary bike (an hour, ten minutes at a time) daily for the most part. It's also a great way to release stress. It can be done, it's a mind set and of course not everyone can for any number of reasons but I'm talking about in general. Every time I'm in the hospital they encourage you to get up and walk even after major surgery. Like you mentioned it does not have to be done all at once or even strenuous for that matter but it does help greatly. I would say like the article mentioned I have had relatively few problems with my lung cancer because I exercise. I might not read/respond to every post any more because of poor health put I always try to read your posts every time I go to the board because they are very informative and I believe knowledge is the key. Thanks for taking the time to do the research. Rich

Hi Jean, I had the Gemzar/Carpo (6 rnds) combo and if memory serves me well I only had to have a platelet (I also have ITP, a blood disorder) transfusion. Other then that I don't remember any problems. Good Luck! Rich

I'm with Kasey and Judy-- never saw the fascination (or love affair) with cars. Have a limo company at my beckoning. Home James or Joanne!

Hi Barb, I'm sorry for your loss. I wish you as well Good Luck! Rich

Hi Amy, I'm so very sorry to hear that while you are pregnant you were diagnosed with lung cancer. I’m glad your doctor feels there is a 50/50 chance he can heal you. There’s a lot to take in at first and it can be overwhelming for sure. Take it one step and one day at a time. Research as much as you can—knowledge is the key. It’s Lung Cancer 101, you learn as you go along. Below is a link that I hope might be of help to you. There are members here who have been cured, lived many many years after there prognoses or are living many many years after there prognoses. Read other members profiles and the My Story Forum for inspirition. Stay with us and ask away, chances are someone has been there/done that. Hope this helps. Prayers for the best. Rich http://lungevity.org/l_community/viewto ... 585#163585 (Helpful Links / Questions to ask your Doctor)

Tina, My condolences to you and your family. Rich

Congratulations!

Hi Nancy, Eating is not one of my problems. Nothing stops me, I can eat in a coma. But seriously-- as mentioned by Randy it is important that Mon eats. Here is a link (if you have not already seen it) below that you might find helpful. Hope this helps. Rich http://chemocare.com/eatingwell/

HI and Welcome, Sorry to hear about your dad but glad you found us. That's (I think) me Dana is talking about. I also have mets to my adrenal glands that we have been keeping an eye on since day one and now was diagnose recently with adrenal deficiency and taking meds. Right now my Lung (stable since dec06) Cancer is the least of my troubles, go figure. As mentioned by Dana your Dad is not a statistic, we have many members here who have been cured or have lived many many years with it. Below are some links to do some research to help you, it is overwhelming at the beginning and a lot to take in. Also go to the Tarceva Website for more info and there is a toll free number you can call them to ask questions. Take in one day and one step at a time. RESEARCH as much as you can-- KNOWLEDGE is the key! Also get your Dad into some type of support group if possible, don't go it alone. PM anytime if I can be of help. Might not get to it for a day or two but I always respond to my Pm's. Stay with us and let us know how things go, someone has ben there/done that. Hope this helps and prayers for the best. Rich http://www.tarceva.com http://www.tarceva.com/patient/index.jsp http://www.tarceva.com/patient/caregiver/index.jsp http://lungevity.org/l_community/viewto ... 585#163585 (Helpful Links / Questions to ask your Doctor) http://www.tarceva.com/patient/contact.jsp Contact Us Clinical Trial Information Support Line For inquiries about our pipeline products and clinical trials, please submit a request through our information request form or call (888) 662-6728. Tarceva Access Solutions Tarceva Access Solutions provides coverage and reimbursement support, patient assistance and informational resources for both health care providers and their patients. Phone: (888) 249-4918 Fax: (888) 249-4970 Hours Available (Pacific Time): 6AM-5PM M-F Web: www.TarcevaAccessSolutions.com Drug Safety / Adverse Events Contact the Drug Safety Department at OSI Pharmaceuticals at (877) 827-2382 to report any adverse events experienced by patients receiving Tarceva. Hours Available (Pacific Time): 7:30AM-4:00PM M-F Voice Mail available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Genentech Corporate Headquarters Phone: (650) 225-1000 Fax: (650) 225-6000 Mail: Genentech, Inc. 1 DNA Way South San Francisco, CA 94080-4990 Additional Genentech Contact Information is available at: www.gene.com/gene/contact/inquiries-info.html OSI Pharmaceuticals Corporate Headquarters Phone: (631) 962-2000 Fax: (631) 752-3880 Mail: OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 41 Pinelawn Road Melville, NY 11747 Additional OSI Pharmaceuticals Contact Information is available at: www.osip.com/contact

Thanks everyone for the kind words. Take care and enjoy the week. Rich

Welcome Pixie, Yes it is scary at the beginning with so much to take in and learn. Learn as much as you can-- KNOWLEDGE is the key. I'm so glad you have a great support group in family/friends. No one can go it alone. Take it one day and one step at a time. There are many here who who are survivors or who have lived many years with lung cancer. It is often treated like a chronic disease, like in my case. You will fine someone here who has been there/done that so ask away. Stay with us and keep us posted. Hope this helps and prayers for the best. Rich

Congratulations Randy keep it up! Rich

Welcome Lee, Sorry to hear you might be dealing with a double edge sword. Don't know the answer, can I live a good quality of life without two upper lobes--perhaps someone else will come along to shed some light and point you in the right direction. The fact you are pro-active in researching is a plus, your right knowledge is power. The wait game is the hardest and hopefully you will have a game plan soon so you can get on with it. Stay with us and keep us posted. Good Luck, Rich

Congratulations Kasey thats wonderful to hear! Keep it up it gives so many hope and inspiration. And the answer to your question on my post of course I remember meeting you in 05. Hopefully I'll see you at the Boston Walk. I looked for you last year but could not find you. BTW Fred you left one thing out in the (4/15/09 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED) report a wonderful person! Rich

Congratulation Hedi to Mom that's WONDERFUL to hear-- don't be a stranger people need to hear the other side of the coin it gives everyone so much hope and inspiration! Your MOM Rocks for sure!!!!!! Rich