dadstimeon

Beautiful!!

Living with Lung Cancer does not mean one’s life stops and everyone else’s around them does also. It means a start of a new journey, a new normal and yes has forever changed and will never be the same. One can still do things, enjoy things and still have a life. How many members here who where given a poor prognosis yet lived many (with treatments) many many years later-- still able to do things and enjoy life to the fullest. How many members here have been cured of lung cancer and jump back into society with both feet? So the answer lies in each and every one of us as to how we view things, how we do things, how we choose to survive and live life. They have come a long way with (new ones since I was first diagnosed) treatments and side effects are much more manageable. Organizations (there are others) like the LUNGevity (which fund the most promising, innovative, and impactful medical research into diagnosis, treatment, and cure of lung cancer and Provide emotional support for lung cancer survivors and their loved ones by creating community) Foundation are in the fore front. Yes there is HOPE and yes things are happening to benefit those who have been diagnosed with Lung Cancer. But we have a long way to go and can get there faster with the Lung Cancer Community as a whole stepping up to the plate no matter how big or how small to lead the way. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! There is no magic bullet, right or wrong way, its Lung Cancer 101-- you learn as you go along. Everyone is different, reacts differently and views things differently. Just because we are diagnosed with a serious disease does not mean we have to go into funeral mode or read statics and feel that there is no hope. There is always hope as long as there is life and great communities like LCSC providing priceless support, sharing and caring. So what does living with lung (and please don’t get me wrong it is not all fun and games) cancer mean to you? To me it means life is whatever I make it out to be. I still for the most part am (by no means the same way or as much / have slowed down, very limited/ not LC related) able to do/see things and accomplish things. I still have my hopes/dreams that I try to for fill. I’m closer now to my wife, daughter, best friend and family/friends then I ever was. I appreciate them more and life more. Lung Cancer did not take that away from me but it could have if I chosen to do nothing about it. No one knows what the future lays and what is in store for us. So why not take the bull by the horns and go for the ride of our life and at the end of our journey we can look back and say (all the doctors appointments, hospital visits, test, procedures, treatments, side effects, sleepless nights and on and on) that it was worth it because it bought me so much valuable time to be with our families/friends and still have a meaningful life with them. I do hope this gives others hope/food for thought and I hope to hear from (person with cancer, caregiver, family, and friends, whoever) others there (positive) thoughts and feelings. I believe what gives people hope/inspiration are the members here whose experiences, stories and journey’s have gone against all statistics/odds and proven everyone wrong. Take Care Everyone, Rich

Congratulations Tom and Denise! That's so great to hear and an inspiration to so many! Keep it up and keep the ball rolling! Enjoy the day and celebration! Rich

Congratulations Patti that's Wonderful, Fantastic news and a remarkable milestone! You certainly have walked the walk and you are an inspiration to many. So glad you are feeling well and and going about living life to the fullest. Enjoy the day and celebration! Rich

Hi Barb, I have Sleep Apena and have to sleep at night with a CPAP (does make a difference) Machine. Sometimes I will at times even stop breathing when I'm sleeping. If your doctor thinks it might be that you might want to get a sleep study to determine if you have it. It''s pretty straight forward. My study (depending on the study, can be done at home also) involved staying over (test involves monitoring brain waves, muscle tension, eye movement, respiration, oxygen level in the blood and audio monitoring) night. Insurance should cover it. Also not everyone who has Sleep Apena snores. Hope this helps. Good Luck. Rich

Hi Linda, We have the same problem only it's electrical cords. You can get vinyl tubing at any Hardware Store, Home Depot etc. Comes in different diameters and you can get as many feet as you need. Just take a sharp utility knife and slit it (the length) open then you can put the tubing in it. Below is a website that shows what it looks like. Hope this helps. Good Luck. http://plumbing.hardwarestore.com/52-30 ... mpaign=rkgis a website PS: Also there is Flexible Nylon Convolute Wire Loom. It is more expensive. http://cableorganizer.com/nylon-wireloom/ Rich

Welcome, Glad you found us. Rich

Welcome, Glad you found us. Rich

Welcome, Glad you found us. Rich

As long as there is life there is hope.

Welcome, Glad you found us. Rich

I worked 8 months after I was (did not start treatment until 6 months after my diagnosis) diagnosed and could no longer do it. My job was not hard at all but it was 12 hour shifts,weekly overtime and on call 24/7 so was hard to keep up that schedule. I took it in steps first working as long as I could, going on short term disability then long term disability and then finnally realized I had to retire on SSD. I had 35 years into the system and being Stage IV is automatic so no problem there. I felt that it was not fair to go to work, collect a paycheck, benefits etc when I could no longer perform my tasks and not fair to expect my co-workers to do it for me. It's lung cancer 101 and you learn as you go along. Your right it is important to keep busy and have as much a normal life as possible. There are other things I did, joined this message board, got together with other members here and started the Boston Walk, do things around the house/yard when I can and do things with my family/friends when I can. Also keep in mind you will find people are long on talk and short on walk, what they say to ones face and what they say behind ones back is two different things. You have to do what you think is best in your (if you have company benefits work with your Boss/HR Department and have them advise you on what steps you need to take that best helps your situation as well your employer) situation and what you think is the right thing to do. It's a full time job battling lung cancer/other health issues, staying alive and then add on everyday life so one should not feel guilty if one cannot do things the same way or keep up with everyone/everything. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

Welcome Mary, Sounds like you are putting the cart before the horse. Your doctor is taking the right steps by keeping and eye on it with regular scans. Could turn out to be nothing. Try not to add to your stress, just because you smoked or you know someone who has lung cancer does not mean you have it. Wait until you cross that (if you do) bridge. Have you tried exercising (walk, ride a stationary bike) to release stress, that really helps and makes a difference. I know it's hard to wait, the best thing to do is keep busy and get on with life. Hang in there, keep us posted and take care. Rich

Welcome-- Glad you found us. I had good results with (see my profile) Tarceva. Good luck with it and keep us posted. Rich

So glad to hear things turned out for the best Murial! Rich

I would write about the people in my life that have made a differences as I went along from childhood to adulthood. The Title would be "Life Has Been Good To Me-- Thanks For The Memories".

Welcome to the board, Let us know more about your mom and why she opted out for treatment. Lung Cancer is not a death sentence and one can live with it for many years and still have a life. They have come a long way in treatments and meds to offset side effects. As long as there is life there is hope! Again welcome. Rich

Welcome Carol-- I'm glad you found us. Rich

Welcome Deb, Rich

Welcome Kneesaa, Glad you found us. Rich

Welcome Gina, Glad you found us. Here is a list that might be of help in your search. Rich NCI Designated Cancer Centers / Cancer Centers List http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_ ... -list.html The U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals / Best Hospitals: Cancer http://www.usnews.com/directories/hospi ... y+IHQCANC/

That's great to hear about Mom!

Prayers foir the best Carole. Hang in there. Rich

Hi Barbara, When I was on Tarceva my rash only lasted (if memory serves me right) about 2 or 3 months and went away on it's own and never came back. I did have severe diarrhea and had the dosage lowered from 150MG to 100MG, stayed on the lower dosage and still had great results. My understanding talking to my doctor that lowering the dosage does not effect the out (can still get good results) come, of course everyone is different. If nothing is working for Bill might want to ask your doctor about lowering the dosage to get some relief. There also is a number you can call Genentech to ask questions, see below. 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 Hope this helps, Rich

Congratulations Gina and Joe! Rich