chloesmom

Yay Bruce! Congratulations! Cindy

Hi Kasey, Eight years! Wow! I am so happy to know that you are doing fine. What an incredible turnaround from the first prognosis you got and yes, thanks to LCSC for the info that got you there. This board has been a huge help to a lot of us thoughout our travels in the world of lung cancer. Congratulations on your survivorship and I hope you have many many more healthy years ahead! Cindy

so sorry for your loss. Cindy

Hi there- So sorry for what you are going through. We all make choices in life and of course we want those people we care about to make the changes that will help preserve their health, but like others have said, it's their life, and we cannot force any adult to do anything. From the outside looking in, I can see all the reasons in the world for not drinking during or after treatment for an extremely serious health condition, but like they say, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." All the talk and reasoning in the world doesn't work with some people. It's as hard for me to deal with as much as it is for you, but I think we need to accept it and move on to more productive ways to cope with the illness of people we care about. Take care, I know your heart is in the right place. Cindy

Hi George, Certainly the beginning time of this walk is very unnerving and confusing, and confidence in what you are doing comes from getting a lot of information and making informed choices. People on this message board have a lot of personal experience, and a second opinion is always a good idea. Ask away to both us and the professionals until you get the information you need. We are all here to help each other. I have no personal experience with MD Andersen because it's not in my area, but I would not hesitate to be a patient there. Please stay in touch with us and let us know how you are doing. Cindy

Great news! There's no such thing as oversharing-I am so happy for you! Cindy

Congratulations on your one year anniversary! If you are anything like me, it's easier to look at that day last year in the rear view mirror-may it get farther and farther in the past! Cindy

Hi there, I just wanted to say that the beginning of a lung cancer diagnosis is so very scary. But, as days and weeks go by, things become clearer and once a treatment plan is in place, it has seemed so much easier to cope for so many of us. Just know you are not alone with your fears and uncertainty. We've all been there with this and are here to help. Good luck and stay in touch, Cindy

Susan, Hoping that you have really great results with your upcoming tests-and you stay feeling well for a really long time. I think cancer survivors (any everyone else actually!) need to keep trying not to let fear and anxiety take charge of their lives. It's so hard-believe me, if you could have been around me during scan time, you would have seen anxiety to the extreme. And then, after it's all done, I look back and wish I hadn't wasted all that life and energy on worry. I think you are doing great and continue to have good times with family and friends. Cindy

Hi there Positivity! Although you are relatively new to the lung cancer world, you've already learned that it's an up and down type of lifestyle. I'm happy that you got good news for your mom. Here's hoping it keeps going in that direction! Cindy

I crushed on him too! Sad. Cindy

Sorry I can't help you with that, but I think the best thing to do would be get it checked out. Sinus infections can cause all kinds of strange pain, and I mine never went away unless I got some antibiotics. I know strange pain causes us all kinds of worry, but most of the time, it's something else. Let us know how you are doing. Cindy

Sue, I enjoy reading your perspectives and I truly admire your approach. Cancer or not, no one is guaranteed tomorrow. I know that's said all the time, but you are right, we do need to balance living for the day with hope for the future. How sad if we miss today because we were so worried about what's gonna happen next. It seems like you are working on a good balance. And keep sharing your thoughts. Cindy

Happy second birthday! That's pretty cool! Cindy

Wishes for a successful surgery full of benign-ness! Cindy

You are so right Nick!

Fantastic news! When you toast the 10th in Paris, I will be here toasting your sister as well!

The day I happened upon the LCSC was the best day I had in my journey through lung cancer. It was that day that I found hope that I could get through the diagnosis and treatment with success because I found others who had gone before me and succeeded. I saw people who were successful and getting back to their lives before cancer-changed for sure, but getting back and that made me think it was possible for me as well. I saw people who were not as fortunate as I in terms of regaining their health, and I stood in awe of their courage and grace, and felt better for having 'known' them, if only online. Caregivers gave everything they had, and sometimes it was still not enough to bring their loved one through, and yet they stayed here to help all of the rest of us with our battles. Things change, and I don't come here nearly as often as I used to-life gets in the way and other things can quickly divert your attention. My mom is sick-not cancer related at all, but very serious and her status can change on a dime at any time-and has, several times over the past year. My sister, who has been my mom's most direct caregiver, is moving to another state in a few weeks, and I am truly at a loss. Not only is she my mom's best advocate, she's my best friend. She's the person who's known me longest besides my mom, and I find this all very upsetting that she's leaving. I attended the HOPE Summit 2012 a few weeks ago as a panelist/survivor and I can't quit thinking about it. Last year, I attended, and I met some amazing new people and reconnected with some old friends. This year, it was the same thing, but much much more. Without the LCSC I would have never been exposed to this network of fantastic people. June 20 will mark my 9th anniversary of my lung cancer surgery. Coincidently, it is also the day of my annual visit to my lung surgeon. I have had a lot of anxiety issues with these visits in the past and while they get better as time passes, they still can get my head spinning. So, long story short, I am here today because I find comfort and hope here, just the same as I found it in 2003 when I was facing the scariest time in my life.

I had my upper left lobe removed 9 years ago for stage 1B adeno. Pain was an issue for a time, but it did disappear eventually, and now all I feel is some numbness at the incision site. I did have chemo. At the time, studies showed some benefit to having chemo after surgery to improve survivial. Now, that benefit is in doubt for my particulars but I still have no regrets. It was a few months, and I thought that would be a small sacrifice to increase the chance of a cure. I also think that one of the keys to success is to access the best possible care available to you. MD Andersen has an excellent reputation, and, if you are close, and can get in, I would advise you go see what they have to say. I hope you are feeling better now, and please let us know how you are doing. Cindy

I certainly think there is something to this-exercise is a known stress reducer and if you believe stress is a causative factor in cancer (I do!) then exercise should reduce your risk. Definitely exercise improves quality of life, and I was told that if I could exercise even lightly during chemo, the side effects would be less. One thing for sure-exercise never is a bad thing! Cindy

Hi Donna, I am so sorry to hear that your husband might have to deal with lung cancer. But he can take a lot of hope from knowing your success story. Just kind of stinks that you both have to go thru this all over again! Keep us posted, Cindy

Wow-long time no see! Happy for you everything is going ok for you! Congratulations on your 8 years! Cindy

Fantastic news Fred! Hugs to Kasey! Cindy

Excellent news Carol! Cindy

Seven years! I am so happy for you! Cindy