Patti B

Lynn- You have gotten such good advice already (esp. from Dawn) that I really just want to welcome you to the site and remind you that you can come here for anything - advice, help, or just to vent. Also - I want to stress to you to not listen to stats - my first once gave me 12 months top - I am now at 38 1/2 months!!!! And I still drive, and do everything I did before albeit sometimes slower. You dad is a person, not a stat. Please keep us posted on how the both of you are doing. Hugs - Patti B.

(((((Kim))))) I am so sorry I missed this post earlier - I have been off the site for about a week. Words alone cannot express how sorry I am for you for the loss of your mom - its not fair and I hate cancer!!!! Thank you for telling her about me and I do believe that she is looking down on all of us - and especially you. Not all daughters and mothers have the relationship you did with yours. She was so lucky to have you - and vice versa. I wish you strength and peace. Hugs - Patti B.

(((((Tova))))) I am so terribly sorry to hear about your mom. I too cried my eyes out when I read your post - such a wonderful loving relationship you had with her. I am sure she is smiling down on you. Hugs - Patti B.

Hope you had a GREAT birthday!!!!! Hugs - Patti B.

I am stunned. I guess I too thought he would be here forever. He was such a rock and tremendous supporter to all of us. We will all miss him dearly. Sympathies to his family and friends - heaven just got another angel. Hugs - Patti B.

(((((Bruce))))) I am so sorry Bruce. Hugs - Patti B.

I saw the cover of Enquirer and it just said Obama scare with LC. Says he has been coughing a lot and has lst 25 pounds sine election. I never read anything else because its the Enquirer and I wouldn't trust anything they say. If any of this was true, I would think there would be something on the news about it. Hugs - Patti B.

I guess I agree and I guess I would rather walk backward than die from the piggy flu!!!! Hugs - Patti B.

and to make things worse..........theres an article on the internet about a 26 year old girl who got the H1N1 shot and now can only walk backwards or sideways!!! It did something to her neurologically!!!!! Makes these decision either harder, doesn't it!!!! Hugs - Patti B.

Hey Pam- I am struggling with the decision, too, since this is so new and was manufactured so quickly. My onc at the Cleveland Clinic HAS recommended I get one when its available for patients. The one he stressed that if I decide to get it elsewhere - DO NOT GET THE NASAL SPRAY!!! That one is a live virus!!! So I probably will get one and have to talk to Nicks doc if he should get one or not. Both of us always get the seasonal flu shot - Nick does not want the H1N1 shot but when he was younger, he had that viral induced asthma. Hasn't had an attack in years but I still worry. I wish this decision was easier for all of us. Hugs Patti B.

((((((Tova)))))) You know I feel like a kindred spirit to your mom since we both underwent WBR at the same time. I am so terribly sorry that all this is happening. When you said they might try her on an Alzheimers pill, do you know if it was Memantine???? I am presently on a linical trial using that to see if it helps after WBR. Tova - if you need anything or need to talk - just PM me PLEASE. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your mom and your entire family. Hugs - Patti B

Denise- Thoughts and prayers coming your way!!! Ned - a good friend of mine said that if he had that "problem" for a long time, he certainly wasn't gonna do anything if "things" lasted too long LOL! Hugs - Patti

Great post, Barb!!! Hugs - Patti B.

((((((((Sue))))))) Thinking of you. Hugs - Patti B.

So when you see these heartbreaking stories about little babies having leukemia and other terrible horrible diseases - THEY BROUGHT IT ON THEMSELVES!!!! What a %%$$# quack!!!!!! Hugs - Patti B.

Mariola- Welcome to the boards - sorry you have he need to be here. The others are correct - different people have different reactions to chemo. I have had 63 chemo infusion and have never once gotten sick. So there is hope that they can find one that your dad will do well on. There is also meds to help with his nausea and to help him develop more of an appetite - but you need to ask for them. Someone (probably you) must become his advocate and make sure that the docs know everything going on with him. Don't be afraid to ask questions to his medical team and certainly don't hesitate to get another opinion if you feel the need. Please keep us posted on how all of you are doing. Hugs - Patti B.

Hi Cafe- Welcome to this forum. Hope you find a lot of information here. I don't understand why they can't do radiation "because noone checked with the insurance in time". Sounds to me like a second opinion with a doc and hospital that knows what they are doing would be a good idea. This is nothing to take slightly and if your BIL (or anyone in the family) feels the least bit uncomfortable with the medical team, RUN, don't walk to a second opinion. PLEASE keep us posted. Hugs - Patti B.

Denise - You crack me up!!!! Kinda like I love to hear that I have had shrinkage - not too many guys want to hear that LOL!!!! Hugs - Patti B

(((((Denise))))) Hope all goes well. You really need to catch a break!!!! Hugs - Patti B

Yes, this is an emotional roller coaster to say the least. Comes with the territory I guess. I am a survivor and some days I am floating on cloud nine after a good scan and then before the next scan, I suffer from terrible scanxiety. Please let us know more about your husband and keep us posted on how BOTH of you are doing. Hugs - Patti B.

Hi Deb- I have no information re: surgery as I was never a candidate for that but just wanted to welcome you to the site. Keep is posted on your progress and when your surgery will be. Hugs - Patti B.

(((((((Michelle)))))) What a wonderful thing you did. I am sure your husband is so proud. And all those cops and the hugging.......welll....... Hugs - Patti B.

Michelle- I have never been in your place but I think face to face groups are good. If you feel uncomfortable with being asked something, just tell that you are and need to wait until you feel comfortable enough to share that information. I would think that many of the people there had the same feelings like you are having when they first started. The one thing about bringing someone with you is that if they are not in the same position that you are in, it might make people uncomfortable talking in front of them. I just formed a face to face lung cancer support group, and that was one of the rules - no family members - just surviviors. That way everyone can speak freely and not feel like someone is listening who hasn't "been there". As far as men prowling - I KNOW you can take care of yourself!!! Hope you got to go - please let us know how it went. Remember - PM me if you ever want to talk!! Hugs - Patti B.

Katy- I just discussed this with my PA yesterday - not that I need one right now but was looking down the road. She said Phase 3 and 4 won't want me - not fresh meat - but I might be able to get into a Phase 1 or 2. Phase 1 scares me but she told me that my onc will look at the way the drug works. She says I am lucky because 50% of his time is spent on reasearch so he has a better understanding of how they work. And my Dr. is Dr. Pennel over at cancergrace so maybe when you find out the name of the trial you might want to run it past him and get an opinion. Good luck to the both of you Hus - Patti B.

Eileen- So glad to hear that your sister is doing well. She is also so lucky to have you. Keep us posted. Hugs - Patti B.