Max L

I was a member approx 3 years ago and I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Lung Cancer and since have I had my upper left lung removed and that is doing well. I am 81 and a survivor of prostate cancer, two bypasses, Diabetis, Myodysplasia Anemia and now mild Heart Failure and Stage 4 Lung Cancer. PET Scan shows no cancer in lung or anywhere else other that in L4 bone, which gave me great back pain, but that is gone since I have been taking radiation. My problem appears to be that the anemia may stop me from taking any kind of Chemo as the Chem may affect the blood and I will be in much more difficulty. This is not a certainty, but at the moment I am still not certain what is the best way to go. May just wait to see where the cancer cells show up again and treat them with radiation if possible. This is where I am at. I know from all my past experience that it is important to stay positive, never, never give up, keep fighting and be your own advocate which I highly reommend to others, but this viscious disease has got me stumped. The outlook of 6 months to a year is glum, but I do not see an expiration date stamped anywhere on my body, so I hope to cope with this one day at a time. We are all living on borrowed time. Would appreciate any ideas that are out there and the support which is so necessary. I am a very lucky man to have made it this far and I am even luckier to have such a fantistic and loving wife, children, friends and family. Wish everyone the best of health. Do not give up.

Congratulations to you on your upcoming one year anniversary. Keep up the good work, and keep fighting. I have a little further experience with cancer, as I also celebrated my 5 year anniversary after being diagnosed with prostate cancer and my PSA is now 0.03. Much better than 12.5. You just have to keep looking forward. Have a great holiday.

Words seem so inadequate, but they are all we have, so Inez and I thankyou all again for your fantastic, sincere and heartfelt responses. Our love to you all. Keep fighting and never give up.

Just a short note to say that the 7th of December was one year since I had the VAT procedure to remove the upper left portion of my lung and at this point I am doing extremely well. Still have a little cough at times but that seems to be getting better. Consider myself a very lucky man, particularly with the support I have received from my wife, Inez, family, friends and this wonderful support group. Inez and I want to wish all a very happy, healthy holiday and new year. There are a lot of problems out there to solve in this world, but if you do not give up, keep fighting and in particular, be your own advocate and share the good and the bad with others you will be just fine. Thankyou all for the love and support you have shown us.

Please allow Inez and I to express our sincere condolences to you losing your wonderful dad. We have lost our parents and realize how tough this loss can be. Words are never enough, but we will keep you and him in our thoughts and prayers.

Mary, I just found the PM and have sent you an email.

Mary I had no problem with or after the surgery. Everything went really well. Stayed in hospital 4 or 5 days and other than the terrible food, was never really in any great pain or discomfort. Of course, they do make certain to give you a lot of pain pills if you need them. Gave me prescription for 60 percocet or percodan (Do not recall which) and I did use all but 2 or 3. Even then the pains were really more annoying than bad. I still feel a bite or a twinge now and then, but Dr Mican says this is normal. Think we are all different in how we handle the recuperation and I think a lot is due to your other health problems. I am also fighting anemia and heart disease, plus due to the prostate cancer treatement have very little tetesterone and I think when you put this all together, particularly with all the meds I take, it does affect your healing. The anemia probably does play a role in the problem of shortness of breath. Not certain about any of it really, so we just go along trying to be positive and make it through each day. Am fortunate to have Inez as she makes my life so much easier. Anyway, when you are able will be very happy to meet you both for lunch and talk about happy things. Talk to you again. Take care and do not give up and stay as positive as you can.

Hi Mary....After I came home from the hospital, I did go back to see Dr Mican and never have gone back since. The same thing happened after I had a bypass. Surgeon said there was no need to see him again. Guess the same applys for Dr Mican. My new pulmnologist is accross the street from Lincoln Hospital. Everyone I have spoken to thinks very highly of him. After meeting him, he is very laid back, seems willing to listen and to answer any questions you may have. He gave me some inhalers and is scheduling me for a breathing test in a week or so which will give him more information. So far, so good. His name is Dr Stephen Nathan, 9100 N.2nd St, Ste 221, Phx. Tel: 602 943-9494. Will let you know more after the tests. If you and your husband would like to meet for lunch one day give us a call. * PM me for my phone number ** Since we are now back in the Antique business we work Wednesday through Saturday, 11AM-4PM. You can also reach me by email. Take care, keep fighting and never never give up.

Hi Mary Glad you liked Dr Mican. Inez and I think she is great. Did you happen to mention my name? She did not really tell me how long it would be before I felt really great. I am feeling a lot better, but still get a little short of breath at times. Will talk to Dr Nathan Monday about taking some sort of pulmonary breathing therapy, which the other pulmonologist said she would set up, and, of course, her assistant never did. Mary, hope everything works out well. At this point in my life, every morning I wake up is a wonderful morning. Stay well and never, never give up.

You are absolutely right Ned. Maybe Inez and I should come to Hawaii and lay out and rest. It may not help but it surely cannot hurt. Stay well friend and keep fighting.

Hi everyone. Just had a stress test at my cardiologist and results were excellent. Heart doing well. The shortness of breath I have been experiencing along with a little swelling in ankles (am now on a diuretic daily) is not the cause of a heart problem which is actually a good thing. Going to pulmonologist next week and see what he has to say. Guess having my upper left lobe removed takes longer to heal than I thought. Well that is it for now. Everyone stay well and never never give up.

Thankyou Christine for your best wishes to Inez and I. I think we will get to the bottom of this SOB as my cardiologist has me scheduled for a stress test next Monday and I will be seeing the pulmonologist May 4 and hopefully between them we might get an answer. Always nice to hear from you Christine. This support group is not only necessary, but is also a wonderful and thoughtful bunch.

Mary this really is a small world. I also must add that this support group has been an exceptionally big help as has the support group that I attend for prostate cancer. There really are some wonderful people around who are there when you need them the most. Yes, Drs Rottering and Mican are excellent. I would recommend Dr Mican to anyone,and I do not recommend doctors easily. My oncologist is in Marina Del Rey, California, so you see, I go wherever I feel I get the best treatment. Will take you advice and go slow.Good luck to your husband, he is in good hands. Do pay Inez and I a visit at our store. We would love to talk. Have a good evening, never give up and always stay as positive as you can.

Hi Mary...Nice to know we are neighbors. Stop by to see us. Inez and I own and operate an antique and collectible store called Second Debut, 59th Ave & Palmaire, 2 blocks north of Glendale Ave, across from the Spicery Tea Room. Open Wed - Sat 11-4. Anyway, thankyou for your input. Had to drop my pulmonologist Dr Rottering, as her assistant and office staff were negligent, rude and uncaring. They were supposed to set me up for Pulminary Rehab but never did. Will be seeing a new pulmonologist, Dr Steve Nathan in a few weeks and maybe he will do just that. You are right the air in Glendale and downtown Phoenix has not been too good and this is probably one of the reasons I have had difficulty breathing. Had my operation at Banner Thunderbird by Dr Camilla Mican who I would highly recommend. Thankyou again for your caring. Please do stop by and say hello.

Hi Judy Even though it is supposed to be dry in Arizona there is still a certain amount of humidity, plus the night air, at least to me, seems heavier. Am going to my cardiologist tomorrow, and the pulmonologist in a few weeks. Am sure we will figure something out between all of us. Inez is taking great care of me, so am not too worried. Hope things are well with you. Thankyou for your concern. Keep fighting and never give up.