peebygeeby

Hi Denise, Hank has also been having problems with bone pain after Nulasta. The doctor prescribed Percoset after his last treatment, and he had no problems with pain this time. You might want to talk to your Doc about it, that is if Mr Tough Guy will agree to it. All the best, Gail

Yea!!!!! Rich! just keep on going! Gail

Hi everybody, Back in 2002 Hank had a quadruple bypass. He is seen regularly by his cardiologist. Also, he spent eight days in the hospital from May 26-24th recently, wearing a halter monitor, and seen by a cardiologist during that period. There apparently is no issue with his heart at this time. Thanks for bringing this up though. Thanks, Gail

Hi everyone, Well, we really don't know for sure what the dramatic increase in SOB is due to. Since Hanks release from the hospital on April 24th he has been prescribed prednisone (for his breathing issues), in gradually decreasing amounts. For the past few days he has been on only 10mg. daily, as opposed to the 40mg. daily that he was taking just after getting out of the hospital. Today, the doctor put him back on 50mg. daily with a gradual reduction to follow. The doctor says that we should see a dramatic improvement over the next couple of days, if not, Hank will have to go back into the hospital to be evaluated for any other complicating factors. His blood counts are all good today, including PT reading for Coumadin levels, so the doctor does not think that we are dealing with another blood clot. (That's the good news!!!) Stay tuned for further developments!! All the best, Gail

Hi David, Welcome. You have found a great place here. Don't hesitate to come here and post your feelings, and ask your questions. You will always find support here. A GREAT bunch of people. All the best, Gail

Hi, I'm so sorry this is happening, and so soon. It's hard to know what to say. My personal experience with losing my Dad to Cancer happened a couple of years ago. It was almost a surreal experience. He was my best friend and the greatest love of my life. I knew it was coming, and although I could'nt imagine letting him go, I think what I wanted more than anything was for him just not to be suffering with a quality of life that was no longer livable for him. When the time came, I was surprised at my reaction. I went into autopilot mode. I functioned, and did what I had to do. I never imagined that would be the case. When I thought about what my reaction to his death would be, I thought I would just fall apart. I did'nt, I don't think you will either. Our minds have a funny way of sort of numbing down a bit in times like that. It's self protection, and it's a good thing. I miss my Dad every day, I always will. But, it's a funny thing, even though he's not here in a physical sense, it's like he never left. It's so hard to explain. I wish you as easy a time as can be had with this, it's going to be alright. All the best, Gail

Hi guys, Well, I have spoken with the on call doctor. Since Hank is up and moving around, no fever or chills etc. he told us that we should come in to the office tomorrow. No need for an emergency room visit at least! Thanks for your replies, Gail

Hi everybody, Happy Mother's Day. I have been wonderingi if chemo itself (Carbo/Taxotere) can by itself increase shortness of breath. After Hanks second treatment he developed a blood clot which landed him in the hospital. We found out he had the blood clot because in the days following that treatment his shortness of breath increased and I contacted the doctor. Since his release from the hospital following that episode he has been taking coumadin to prevent clotting problems. We are more than a week passed his third treatment now, and it seems as though is breathing problems are again increased despite oxygen usage. We have an appointment to see his pulmonologist on Wednesday, but I am now wondering if there may be something significantly wrong which was brought on by the third chemo treatment, or if the chemo itself might be what is causing the increased SOB. Anybody have any first hand knowledge about this that might be of help? Thanks, Gail

Hi everybody, Hav'nt been posting much in recent days. Just don't have much to say right now I guess. We are one week passed third chemo treatment. Basically went pretty smoothly. Adding the Percoset after the Nulasta injection really helped this time. About the only new issue is some tongue soreness. Not enough to affect appetite though. Stiill, and even more so, the big issue here is extreme shortness of breath. Using home oxygen, nebulizer treatments, and if anything, breathing is getting worse. This has us both very concerned, and depressed. Hank is not nearly as concerned about the cancer as he his about his breathing decline. We have an appointment with his pulmonologist scheduled for Wednesday. I do hope that there is something more that we can do to rehabilitate him to a good extent. All the best, Gail

So great Alisa! May the good news just keep coming! Gail

Great news Sharon!!!!! keep on keeping on! Gail

I am so sorry about the loss of your Dad, it's very hard I know, I hope that you will soon begin healing, and begin to feel better. As for the support, or lack of it that you received from your family, all I can do is reiterate what's already been said. It is very difficult to face the decline of a loved one head on. I know that when my folks were both ill I would have rather not had to deal with it at all. My first impulse was that I wanted to be as far removed from it as possible. That is the way I am feeling now as well, dealing with Hank's illness. But of course I would never do that. The circumstances won't allow me to do that, and neither will my heart. Who knows why your Dad's siblings have behaved as they have. You may find in the future that the reason is that it was simply to painful for them to face it, and being that they were not part of your immediate household they could remove themselves from the situation. Sort of "out of sight, our of mind" If you feel that you can forgive them for their behavior you will be better off in the long run. Feel better soon, Gail

Hi Missy, Thanks for your very thoughtful post. I guess we're going to work through this in our own way as it naturally unfolds. On the one hand, I remain ever hopeful that Hank will somehow find a way through this, at least for a good long while. On the other hand, I know the odds are stacked against us. I guess you're right, it's good that at least the gorilla is still in the room. Thanks for your kind thoughts, Gail

Hi Shelli, So sorry for your loss. Time will lessen your grief, and you will see that although your Dad is no longer around in a physical sense, you will feel that somehow he never left and will always be with you. I can't explain it any better than that, but that is what my experience has been. Peace, Gail

Thanks for your replies guys. All the best, Gail

Hi guys, I'm going to try and explain this as plainly as possible, hope you understand what I'm talking about. It has occured to me lately that suddenly Hank and I are really not sure about how to relate to each other. It's like, suddenly there's a 10,000 lb. gorilla in the room. I refuse to talk about the possibility that this might not turn out well, but I'm sure that my outward demeanor tells him that I'm not absolutely convinced that he will be alright. Anytime I talk to him about what I think is going to happen I am always saying that we have great doctors, and I think it's going to be alright, but in my head, much of the time, I am so worried that it won't, I'm sure it shows. As for Hank, he's not talking about it much at all. It's so hard to just go about everyday as if theres no real problem here, and yet, we need to just go about our daily lives as normally as we can in order to not get wrapped up in fear and worry. Anyway, I hope what I just tried to explain came out in an understandable way, and I look forward to your thoughts. Thanx, Gail

Yes!!!! Glad it turned out ok Susan. All the best, Gail

Hi Debbie, Sorry to hear about your Dad. You have come to a great place here. There are many people here dealing with lung cancer successfully, and you have every reason to be hopeful that there is treatment out there that can manage your Dad's cancer. I also am in New Jersey, and we are seeing a great group of doctor's in East Brunswick. My guy Hank is stage lV, but we are treating it as a chronic disease, and hoping for management and Lungevity! Don't give up hope Debbie, try to stay as positive as you can. Come here for support and answers to your questions. You will find what you need here. I wish you all the best, Gail

LOOK OUT ERNIE! HERE COMES TONS OF POSITIVE THOUGHTS!!!! Gail

Hi Arnie, Glad to meet you, and glad you're doing so well! Gail

Hi Johnny, I know exactly what you are feeling. My guy Hank received a stage 1V diagnosis just about six weeks ago. You have definately come to the right place here. There are so many wonderful, supportive, informed people here. When we first heard this diagnosis, we also thought, there is no hope. That is completely untrue. Something that was told to me by a wonderful lady named Barbara here on this board, was that her husbands oncologist is treating his cancer as a chronic condition. No, it can't be cured, at least not right now, but there are treatments available that can manage it, and hopefully manage it until something better becomes available. That's how I am now looking at this situation. We are going to manage it. Do not give up hope. Find your Mom the best care that can be had, and fight! I wish you and your Mom all the best in this journey, remember, you are not alone. Gail

Thanks for your dedication in following this research Barbara, you're one busy lady! Hope Bill's treatment goes well today. Love, Gail PS: Love the pic of you and Bill, a good looking couple for sure!

Hi Jackie, Nice to meet you. Thank you for being here and offering your very kind and generous support. I'm sure that you may be able to be of great help to some of us here, and thanks so much for being a great advocate. All the best, Gail

Hi Susan, Sorry to hear about this, hopefully it's nothing. Try and stay positive and occupied today, tomorrow will be here before you know it and you'll have more info. Wishing you and Mom all the best, Gail

Hi Rick, Good to me you, but sorry you have to be here. My guy Hank was diagnosed stage 1V last month. It's scary, and traumatic, especially at first, but we did find that once you begin treatment and are in action against the disease, it does get easier to deal with. Hank has had 2 chemo treatments at this point, and there is already significant shrinkage of his tumor, so we are remaining positive and mentally, in fighting mode. As for any other alternative treatment, all we are doing is making sure he's well hydrated, well fed, well rested, and getting as much exercise as he can tolerate. I wish you great success in your journey. Always the best, Gail