Patti B

Hey Dawn- Glad to hear from you!!! Sounds like things are going fairly well for you. I just finished 15 treatments of WBR and they wouldn't let me cut off my hair until it was over because of the mask. So I finished Friday and went home and got rid of it all!!! It had been disgusting it falling out all over the place!!! I can't wear a wig - they scratch too much so I wear scarves. I wore them the first time around and had no problem with them. I too wear a sleep cap!! We can be the BALD AND BEAUTIFUL SISTERS!!!! Hugs - Patti B.

Joy- Randy is sooooo right!!!!! We can take care of that guy for you. ALWAYS be with a doctor you can feel comfortable with - I had some bad luck with my second onc who actually fired me before I could fire him lol!!! But I just adore the one I have now. Also, tell your doc you don't want to hear statistics. You are NOT a statistic, you are an individual!! My first doc gave me 12 months tops - next month is my three year mark!!! Its hard to believe, but you truly will feel more comfortable once a treatment plan is in place. Then you know exactly what is going to happen and you are fighting this beast. Please keep us posted. Hugs - Patti B.

WOW - what an inspirational story you have!!!! I am so thrilled for you and your entire family. You go, girl and live your life and NEVER apologize to anyone for that - especially not us!!! So happy your daughter was able to go to Vegas - how wonderful that she put her life on hold to see you through this. Wishing you continued good luck and please, check in once and a while!!! Hugs - Patti B.

((((Susan)))) I am so sorry your mom is having a hard time on Alimta. I was on it for about 7 - 8 months and the fatigue and SOB (which never got TOO bad) did not start until about 4 - 5 months into it. But then, everyone is different. Is she taking the daily folic acid and getting the Vit B12 shots?? Hope things begin to turn around for her soon. Hugs - Patti B.

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

((((Renate))) I am so sorry that I have not emailed you in a while. Kind of ashamed of myself but life has had its up and a lot of downs lately. I am so glad that your neuropathy has gotten better - I remember how bad that was for you. As far as the radiation to your lungs - I cannot answer that. I am just finishing up whole brain radiation but the side effects will be much different for you. Others will come along soon who have had lung radiation and will let you know. Its so good to hear from you. I have thought of you often. Hugs - Patti B.

Michelle- We didn't do it, Michelle - YOU DID IT!!! We gave you some suggestions and you took the bull by the horns and busted down all the doors!!!! YOU ROCK, GIRLFRIEND!!!!!! Hugs - Patti B.

You got it, Denise!!!! Hugs - Patti B.

Michelle- You ROCK!!!! You're my new hero!!!! Hugs - Patti B.

Barb- Gee, what the heck did they do to him??? Every test ever invented??? I have been having blood work for almost three years and I think my pre-chemo blood work comes to around $300.00, including a coumadin level. I agree that you should find out item by item what you are being charged for. Good luck!!! Hugs - Patti B.

Michelle- I am so happy that things are finally going your way!!! Hugs - Patti B.

Oh, Marci I am so terribly sorry to hear this. But I always have enough prayers to add another family!!! Hugs - Patti B.

Tova- Well, I end this Friday and get to ring the bell - they have a big ships bell on the wall and when you graduate you get to clang it!!!!! My side effects have been virtually null - and I hope they don't start now!!!! I am like your mom - I hate to have anyone have to drive me - 30 minutes there, 40 seconds at radiation, then 30 minutes back home. My son wants to bring me Friday to take pics of me ringing the bell. I hope your mom continues to do well. I feel fortunate for both of us that we are coming away with this in pretty good shape!!! Hugs - Patti B.

Marie- Congrats - you rock, girl!!!!!! Kaseys right - we need more good news around here!!! Please keep in touch and let us know how things go!! Hugs - Patti B.

Tova- What an amazing weekend that sounded like. I wish there were more of those events for lung cancer!!! Sounds like your mom is doing great with her WBR - shes a few days ahead of me - is she done yet??? I will be done with my 15 on Friday and I have to say - no side effects at all except for the dreaded hair loss. Hope she is doing just fine, too altho it sounds like she is. Please keep us posted - give mom a big hug from me!!! Hugs - Patti B.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!! AND TO HUBBY, TOO!!!! WISHING YOU MANY, MANY, MANY,MANY MORE!!!! Hugs - Patti B.

YEAH!!!! MICHELLE!!!! This sounds GREAT!!!!! Let us know how it works out!! Hugs - Patti B.

Michelle- I know you said that you don't think your husband would let a stranger stay with him. I also know that your adult son is disabled but can he just sit with him for an hour or two???? Getting out would certainly revive you, I'm sure. I second or third the idea of the MRI of the brain. Please keep us posted - I think of you A LOT!!!! Hugs - Patti B.

(((((Paula)))) I am just so sorry. Hugs - Patti B.

Hey R&R- I use Hycodan tabs - they help a lot!!! Since my cough is a lot from the amount of sinus drainage I have, they also put me on a nasal spray called Antivert. That really helps, too. That cough can become so annoying at times - and there are times when nothing helps that much. I hope you can find something that will help. Hugs - Patti B.

Michelle- I am so sorry you are going through this. Sue took the words right out of my mouth - is your husband on steroids??? When I had my hip radiated they gave me decadron for the inflammation and after a while, I called my doc and asked to be taken off because I couldn't stand myself, so I can only imagine what my son and hubby were thinking of me. Do you have any other relatives or close family friends that could possible come and babysit him for a few hours once or twice a week. Then maybe you could get some sleep or get out of the house and do something for yourself periodically. I am sure that will re-energize you. Hope things get better soon. Please keep us posted. Hugs - Patti B.

(((((((Barb))))))) I am so sorry. I am thinking of you. Hugs - Patti B.

Annette- When I had my original PET, one of my rt ribs showed up as a 2.something. Never showed as being a met on a CAT scan. When I asked about it, they told me that they don't consider checking on it being cancerous unless its at least a 3.0. That was almost three years ago, and the rib is still showing clean on all of my CAT scans. Good luck. Hugs - Patti B.

Kim- So sorry - I can understand how scary this must be with her so far away. Hope she feels better soom. Please keep us updated. Hugs - Patti B.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOM AND CONGRATS!!!!! Hugs, Patti B.