rainbow

Hi there and so sorry to hear about your mother. Just wanted to let you know I was diagnosed in Oct. 07 with NSC Lung Cancer Stage IV. Matter of fact I lost touch with this fantastic group because we moved to Houston to be near our daughter & 1 grandson...... and will all the treatments, doctors, traveling it just didn't happen. Johnny I read some of the replies and they have very good advice. I also have not had time to upday my profile, and I will do that tomorrow, but will give you a little history. I am 51 and also smoked. They found a small tumor in upper right lobe and a lymth node in my armpit which was biopsied. That was the first part of my journey. I was diagnosed with NSC lung cancer. Maybe I put the real name in my profile also. Then it spread to behind my left retna, my left tibia, femur, hip and a very small unclassifieable spot on my liver. No movement to brain. After undergoing over 100 rounds of radiation, another round of Chemo, and now I am on avastin and tarceva the results have been absolutely amazing! The tumor behind the retna is GONE! (special camera for eyes proved this, plus I can see better in that eye than I have in a long time). The small tumor in my upper right lung is GONE. The pain in my bones is tolerable with only Advil and 1 femoral patch every 2-3 days. I have never had to have morphine or any pain killer through my port, I have not had to be hospitilized through any of it so far. My oncologist put me on avastin as a chemo instead of an add on, because I toleralte Chemo very well. I am on Zolmetta to strenghten my bones and tarceva as a chemo not maintenance. The reason I am only on that regimen is because my platlets tend to go real low from the radiation treatments. They have never gotten low enough for a transfusion and they continue to rise. The point I am trying to make Johnny, is don't ever ever give up. Don't let your mother give up. Take extra notice to her main caregiver as they also go through many ups & downs too with their feelings. Your whole family will. I have also been blessed in that way as my husband of 30 years has been my primary caregiver since we moved back to Houston via Baton Rouge. Now he is finally feeling the effects of being a caregiver. I cannot stress the importance of a positive attitude! Our minds play an extroidinary role in the healing process as does a good diet, plenty of rest & exercise And last but not least very good doctors that you trust. If you ever need to talk, I am here for you. Keep the faith and I will be praying for her as well as the whole family, Denise

I have had 4 treatments with all 3 of the medicines. I feel very blessed, as the only side effects I have had is my hair falling out. I am a little tired for about 3 days but that's it. They give me premeds of course, so I don't get side effects. I hope you get as lucky as I have been. Keep us posted! Denise

Your news is wonderful! Looks like we both have alot to be thankful for. Have a wonderful xmas and keep us posted. Blessings, Denise

Welcome Jim! I'm so glad they found the cancer earlier, if it is cancer. Hope your surgery goes well. Keep us posted. Blessings, Denise

Gosh, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. I can hardly believe he went so fast. My thoughts and continued prayers are with you and your family. Blessings, Denise

Hi Christine, Sorry about your diagnosis. I know you are scarred but this is a great place for info, comfort and support. You just can't find any people better than here. I have stage 4 adenocarcinoma too. After only 2 treatments of taxol,carboplatin and avastin, my tumor is almost 50% smaller, so if they find the right meds you'll do just find. If one doesn't work another one will. Keep a positive attitude and never give up hope. We are all here for you. Please keep us posted. I will be praying for you, Denise

Hi and welcome to the board, I am so glad he has new docs, that always makes a difference if you trust your doc and they have a positive attitude. Never listen to statistics. There are many stage 4 survivors. Also, if he gets depressed have the docs try an antidepressant. This will also improve his appetite. You can always come here for lots of info and advices from others that have been where you are. I know it is very scarry, but do not give up hope. Ask and you shall receive. Many blessings and I will be praying for you both, Denise

Hi Max and welcome, I am so glad to hear that you caught this early, that is so important. Good luck on your surgery and please keep us posted. Your positive attitude is awesome! Many Blessings and Happy Holidays. I will be praying for you, Denise

Hi Pearl and welcome, I'm so glad you got him to go to another doctor. Sounds like the doctor is trying to build a good trusting relationship. This is important with people that have a hard time going to doctors. With his family history a chest xray should definitely be done, and also a cat scan if you can talk him into it. Eary detection to any disease is of utmost importance. Not saying he has anything, but if he does he could get treatment started. You are strong, so be a positive thinker and between you and the new doc maybe he will get the tests he needs. I will be praying for you both, Denise

Hi and welcome, I know all this is new and scarry, but this board has truly been a godsend for me. First find a treatment center and a doctor you like. Get treatment started as soon as possible. Pick the most aggressive treatment available. Keep a positive attitude and never give up hope! We are all here and praying that the lord will guide you to the right doctor and treatments. Please keep us posted. Blessings, Denise

I am truly sorry to hear about your mom. Glad she went doing something she loved, with the people she loved. You and your family are in my prayers. Blessings, Denise

Hi, Welcome to the board! The people and advice are wonderful here. Depression meds sometimes take up to 6 weeks to work unforutunately. Keep trying new meds until you find one that works. I'm sure her feeling the way scarry for her too. Support groups are great. Most cities have these and it might help her to be around and talk to other people that are in the same boat. Just know that my thoughts and prayers are with you both, and if you need to talk to someone person to person just let me know and we can hook up by phone. Many Blessings, Denise

Welcome Celie, glad you have found this forum as it helps to talk to others that understand what we all go through. You have a great attitued. Don't ever give up hope. Keep us posted. I will be praying for you and your family. Denise

Cy, Congrats on the baby! Please don't ever give up as it helps tremendously to have a positive attitude. They will keep trying different meds until they find something that works. I will be praying for you and your family. Denise

Hi and welcome, I know the waiting is hard but I'm glad the PET scan was moved up. By all means have the biopsy if it is big enough to do this. They need to know the type cancer their dealing with so it can be treated properly. Keep us posted, and we will be praying for you and your family. Denise

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mother. Finding this site was a blessing for me and I hope it will help you too. We're all here for you. Denise

Welcome Terri, It's always good to hear wonderful outcomes. I hope you continue on your current path and keep the great positive attitude. Blessings and Happy Holidays. Denise

Hi Christine, Sorry about your diagnosis. I have the same thing and have had 2 treatments so far. Same medicines as you. It really is wonderful to talk to people that have the same thing. If you ever want to talk via phone, just let me know. I'll be praying for you, Denise

Thanks Bobby, I didn't get your email though.

Glad you found us. There are so many caring and wonderful people here, I'm sure you'll feel right at home. If there's anything I can do, just let me know. You are not alone. God Bless, Denise

So sorry about your diagnosis, but you have come to the right place for love, support and some very caring people. We're all in this together. Keep us posted. May God Bless, Denise

Welcome back Chelsea, So sorry to hear about your mother. I am 51 and facing this too. You can always come here to vent or just talk. We all want to support you. Thoughts & prayers are with you, Denise

Welcome Carolyn, I am new here also, but finding the people helpful and caring. Glad his first treatment went well. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God Bless, Denise

I am new here but I have already found that this is a wonderful placing with many loving and caring people. Anytime you need to vent, just go ahead, we're all here for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Denise

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I will also be praying for each and every one of you. May God Bless, Denise