chloesmom

Nothing on mangosteen juice but I do drink pomengranite juice sometime. I don't like it very much, so I use it to flavor some seltzer water. Pom juice is also high in calories, so that gives me some benefit from the juice, but I don't have to take such a big hit with the calories. Cindy

I would be impatient at that schedule. In my case, I went from preliminary x-ray to ct to pet to surgery in 31 days, and even that wasn't quick enough for me. BUT, when my surgeon called to give me the results of the PET scan, he had a full surgical calendar and told me that although he wanted to get to surgery without delay, these things don't change for about 90 days. That always confused me though, because how did we know that we weren't on day 89 when we talked???? I do have the luxury of living within an easy driving distance of several major teaching hospitals in Chicago, and I think that they manage things a little differently in urban areas. Can you possibly get to a comprehensive cancer center in an urban area to get through things more quickly? That waiting would make me crazy. Best wishes and welcome to this wonderful site. Cindy

Frank, Your tenacity and candid commentary is amazing. I wish you well and consider you a friend. Cindy

Surgery scared me like I've never been scared before too. It was tough, but recovery was steady and truly, in a couple of months it was ok again. Now, almost 4 years later, it's just a bad memory for me with no physical side effects to speak of. Good luck to you. You can do this. Cindy

Ernie, Congratulations on your great finish! That inspires me.....hmmmmm, could I really run? Cindy

Connie, thank you for the update. And Katie, you and your family are first and foremost in my thoughts at this time. I feel lucky to know you all, and especially lucky to have met your dear mom last summer. Take care of yourself, Cindy

Ernie, That's a great article and a great story. Good luck with your run! Cindy

I think that a CT is appropriate, and I also believe that they can see everything they need to see in a CT of the chest. The liver and adrenals show up in a chest CT. PET scans are extremely expensive, and as somebody else mentioned, probably at this point insurance would not pay for it unless something in the CT showed up that warrants further study. A PET is also about a half day procedure, where a CT is just minutes, so the comfort of the patient is also an issue. They are going to be looking for changes by comparing films to previous CT scans, so based on what I've experienced, this is appropriate. Regular follow up studies to be alert for changes is what we're looking for in post treatment situations. Cindy

It was important for me to work during treatment. It made me feel more like a 'normal'person rather than a 'sick' person. I think you should work if it makes you feel better and you are able. Cindy

Hi Tina, I know you don't want to go thru all of this all over again, but don't get ahead of yourself here. There's the biopsy, and then the results, and then, if necessary, treatment, which, by the way, could be curative. I'll keep you and your mom in my thoughts. Cindy

Well, look at you!!!!! Congratulations Kasey, this makes me really happy! Cindy

Heather, Yes, my hands hurt and my veins were sore and felt bruised throughout the whole chemo experience. I even felt soreness if I touched a vein on my forearm where the chemo traveled up my arm. It went away as soon as I recovered from the chemo treatments, but I would also recommend to you to get a port. My veins are shot now, and we (especially you!) are too young to be having difficulty with our veins. Cindy

Muriel, Congratulations on your 'perfectness'! That's just fantastic! Cindy

Terrie, Congratulations on hitting the big 4 year mark! That is fantastic and I'm very, very happy for you! Cindy

Hi Gina, It's good to see you here again, and I'm very happy to know that you're doing well. We kind of have the same time frame, so I always felt you were one of my 'sisters' in all this. I don't know anything about Kaiser. I just wanted to say that I'm so glad you're doing well. Cindy

Congratulations Fred. I'm bettin' they're gonna stay that way. Please convey my best wishes to Kasey for next week. It's awful when it's time for tests! Cindy

Carol, Two years is great! Congratulations! Cindy

Barb, In 2001, when I was getting ready for 33 radiation treatments for breast cancer, the radiation oncologist went over the possible side effects of radiation to my chest and one of them was an increased chance of lung cancer. At the time, I knew that my best chances of not getting breast cancer again laid with my getting radiation, so I did the radiation. Two years later, guess what? Lung cancer--directly behind the breast cancer site. From the chemo I got for the lung cancer (which I was told would help my chances of survival from 5-15%), I have a noticible hearing loss. I hate that, but I would take that risk all over again for those extra percentage points. I sure do understand your frustration, but I think this is the new thing that researchers need to work on.....managing the long term side effects of treatment for cancer. It used to be that they didn't seem to concern themselves about long term side effects because there weren't many long term survivors. I'd do it all over again for the chance to survive, and I think most of us would too. I hope your problems ease up for you. Cindy

Hi Kasey, I feel terrible that you're having some problems right now. I hope the docs get you back on the feeling good path really quick. We need you around here. Good Luck, Cindy

Ok, so here's my question....I had an ER+ breast tumor in 2001, had it removed, took radiation and also took tamoxifen (a drug that blocks estrogen receptors, at least in breast tissue). In 2003, the lung tumor was discovered and removed. It was an adeno tumor, but to my knowledge, was never tested for ER+ or ER-. Tamoxifen is normally given for 5 years and then discontinued as it's effectiveness is supposed to be lasting another 10-15 years. My question, and I do have one, is would it be wise for someone like me to continue with the tamoxifen indefinately? Cindy

Valerie, I just read your profile and I have to say that's quite a story. You've been through a lot and I'm glad to see you're recovering and healthy. Your determination to stay alive is admirable and an inspiration to me. Keep staying well. Cindy

I think it's natural to be apprehensive about chemo, but it really will be just fine. You will have nurses watching you all the time, and as suggested, take a book or a CD or something to help pass the time. I tried to visualize chemo poisoning the cancer cells in my body and making sure they were gone for good. I think it helped me to look at it as a positive thing instead of misery. Time will pass quickly and your course of treatments will be over. During this time though, take really good care of yourself by trying to get good food to eat, some light exercise when you feel good, drink lots of water, and get a lot of rest. Also, take the anti-nausea meds whether you think you will need them or not. It's hard to stop nausea once it starts, but sometimes by taking the anti-nausea meds regularly, you can prevent it. I took mine for three days after my chemo whether I needed them or not and I really didn't get much of an upset stomach. Cindy

In my case, I had follow-up visits with my surgeon every three months for the first two years, and then annually ever since. At these appointments, I always had a chest xray first, which he viewed before seeing me, so I got my results right away. The x-rays have now changed to CT scans, which is just a result in change of protocol for the facility. Oncology wanted to see me every 6 months, and now, they want to see me once a year. I got bloodwork done there every visit, which consisted of CBC, blood chemistry, and CEA. I never did have a pulmonologist. Cindy

Hi Debi, It's great to hear from you. When I was checking the board this morning, I was planning to send you a PM, but I know how busy you've been, plus it's Christmastime, so I figured you were otherwise occupied. I am SO VERY glad to hear that all these positive things are happening for you career wise, and health wise. Of course those of us who know you aren't surprised at the good things happening with the work, and I'm thrilled that you're coming up on a four year anniversary of your diagnosis. You're the best, keep in touch, and keep after them in the corporate world! Cindy

Hi, The same thing happened to me. I had an incidental finding on a chest xray that was just a routine thing, and then ended up with an upper left lobectomy. My advice to you would be to go to the very best cancer treatment hospital you can get to, follow their recommendations, and get that mass out of there. I also was a stage 1B, which, by the way, for you, won't be definite until after surgery and lymph node dissection, and had the adjuvant chemo. I do not regret that decision at all. If you want more details about what happened with me, PM me. I also was 47 years old when this happened, was never that much of a drinker, but smoked about the same length and amount as you did. Cindy