s_meksvanh

Bucky, hi. That is an excellent question and a valid concern for anyone diagnosed with lung cancer. First, let me welcome you to the board. Wish we had met a different way nevertheless you are here and that is all that matters. Second, being scared is perfectly understandable - you and others on thsi board are faced with a very serious and potentially fatal disease - I have found that the more I know about the disease, the less fearful I became - it did not however lessen the gravity of the situation. As to your question, there is unfortunately not a simple answer. A person can be diagnosed with Stage 1B, get treated, get regular check-ups, never have a recurrence of the cancer and die of old age or some other disease. Another can be diagnosed with Stage 1B, get treated, have regular check-ups and nonetheless their cancer spirals out of control, spreading to every part of their body ending up by killing them. Yet another person can have a similar diagnosis, have their cancer progress to a more serious stage, obtain treatment for the second, or third or fourth recurrence and be fine for the rest of their lives. Survival and progression of the disease are determined by a number of factors. First and foremost - your genetic makeup hence predisposition to certain types of cancer. Second, the type of cancer that you are dealing with - cell type, differentiated or undifferentiated, aggressiveness, presence of pleural fluid or any other complications associated with the cancer. Third, complications other than from the cancer itself - this can range from age, to other factors such as high blood pressure, cardiac problems, etc. Fourth, type and frequency of treatment proposed - note that I stress the term "proposed" - I believe that you and your doctors must evaluate, agree on and decide the course of your treatment. It's their knowledge and skills but your body, your quality of life and ultimately your survival that stands in the balance. Fifth, your attitude towards life in general - survivors come in all sizes, shapes and ages but they all share common traits - resilience (they roll with the punches), positive outlook (they all get down, but they also get right back up), stubbornness (they do not accept "no" for an answer), and deep seated faith (belief in a greater power than themselves) - they also possess other qualities - too many to list here - but you get the picture. Survivors employ a number of tactics to stay alive and live fulfilling lives - not the least of which is humor, support groups (reaching out to others online and/or in person), participating fully in their treatment, staying abreast of developments in cancer research, etc. You have already taken a giant step by coming here, asking questions and reaching for answers - that in itself is the hallmark of a lung cancer survivor. Remain vigilant with respect to the cancer but go out and enjoy your grandchild and all that follows. Cancer can rob you of life but it cannot rob you of who you are or the love around you. God willing, you will be there for your 10th grandchild and your 90th birthday.

Rick, I am a dad - just like you. I have lung cancer - just like you. I have felt like crap physically, emotionally and spiritually - just like you. I was told by my doctors that I had weeks to live - just like you. I wanted to scream, to shout, to cry, to beg, to deny - just like you. But, just like me, you can choose to live. Just like me, you can discover that it is how you have lived and not how you died that matters. And in the end, just like me, you will come to realize that only God decides who lives and who dies and whether your work in this world was faithfully accomplished. You have yet much to do. Do not squander the moments that could be. Choose to live, to laugh, and to reach beyond yourself - to those who love you. Know that God will never give you more this day than you can bear. God loves you - He always have - and He always will.

Eddie, Eddie, Eddie... Every time I cross a street in the Washington metropolitan area, I have a 1 in 10 chance of being hit by a car. During rush hour traffic - my odds increase to 1 in 5. On a Friday and/or a Saturday night at just a little after midnight, the odds are 1 in 2 that I'll be hit by a drunk driver. Do you suppose that I should stop crossing streets? As a cancer survivor myself I'd urge you to stop looking at statistics (sadistics) and focus on living life. I also think that if all these years you've allowed your wife to do your laundry (and presumably your undies), that it may be appropriate for you to tell her about your potential condition. Fair is fair. Think positive and you might just live to see another day...

Dear BLT - our circumstances are similar yet very different. First let me say that I am sorry that you have to go through this. I was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in 1997 at age 38 - some 30 years earlier than your first diagnosis at age 68. 4.5 years into remission, I too was diagnosed with a second primary - metachronous bronchoalveolar adenocarcinoma. I lived through 2 thoracotomies, 2 lobectomies, a tracheostomy and plenty of complications - including Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome that landed me in the ICU on a respirator for 38 days. I know how frightening this all is - but do try to hang in there. Reaching out to others as you have done here is a wonderful outlet. The people in here are a source of strength and inspiration. I am going through my third bout with cancer now. I maintain my sanity and balance by staying positive, by accepting my condition and circumstances, by submitting to treatment, and more importantly by acknowledging that God is in charge - and that my only job is to show up for life. I cherish every moment that I am given and I am quick to forget the heartaches. Wonderful thing about cancer is that it has given me crystal clear vision as to what is important and what isn't. Fact is that all men die - few really live - so choose to really live - no matter how long of a time that may be.

Dean - as a veteran myself, permit me to remind you of a couple of things: Pay close attention to the highlighted parts The Code of Conduct I I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense. II I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command I will never surrender my men while they still have the means to resist. III If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy. IV If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way. V When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause. VI I will never forget that I am an American fighting man, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America. Some other quotes you might find helpful" a/ Damn the torpedoes! Full steam ahead! (Navy Admiral) b/ Pain is good - it only means that you are still alive (Navy Corpsman) c/ Pain is weakness leaving the body (USMC) d/ Old soldiers never die - they just fade away (Douglas McArthur) e/ When the going gets tough - the tough get going (Joseph P. Kennedy) Get my drift there trooper? You're thinking "I've been dealt bad cards" - I say "play it out". Fact is that in poker - 2 two's can win.

There are in fact a number of initiatives that are beginning to address the funding, the stigma and the need for treatment alternatives. ALCASE ( http://www.alcase.org ) and the Global Lung Cancer Coalition ( http://www.lungcancercoalition.org ) are example of advocacy groups working to change the manner in which we are treated. The 10th world conference on lung cancer addressed these issues to some length. 11th August 2003 - GLCC reports: "Organisers of the 10th World Congress on Lung Cancer have taken the unprecedented step of inviting representatives from lung cancer patient organisations around the globe to speak out to an expected 3,000 international lung cancer experts attending the congress this week about the many issues facing lung cancer patients today." >>> What really pisses me off (pardon my French) is that it took to the 10th (yes - 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10th!!!!) world conference before these issues were addressed and the first time that advocacy group were permitted to speak on our behalf in front of this panel of 3,000 lung cancer experts!!! 21st October 2002 - GLCC goes on to report: " The Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC) is therefore delighted that the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has become more patient-focused. For the first time at one of the Society’s prestigious meetings, a whole day was dedicated to general public and patient education on critical aspects of cancer research and care." MORE PATIENT-FOCUSED? A WHOLE DAY? WOW - CAN"T WAIT TILL THE NEXT CONFERENCE - THEY MIGHT EVEN CLIMB DOWN FROM THEIR IVORY TOWER LONG ENOUGH TO REALIZE THAT PEOPLE ARE DYING OF THIS DISEASE.

WHOA!!! DIDN'T MEAN TO START A FIRE STORM OR A DEBATE ON THE FINER POINTS OF THE TOBACCO CONTROVERSY. MY ONLY INTEREST IS TO GET MORE PEOPLE AFFLICTED WITH LUNG CANCER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS SO THAT FUNDING IS MADE AVAILABLE FOR EDUCATION, PREVENTION, TREATMENT AND RESEARCH TO COMBAT THE DREADFUL DISEASE KNOWN AS LUNG CANCER - IRRESPECTIVE OF THE CAUSE(S). MY FIGHT IS NOT WITH THE TOBACCO COMPANIES, STATE'S TOBACCO REVENUES, TOBACCO SETTLEMENT OR ANY ONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER!!! I AM ONLY SUGGESTING THAT WE DILIGENTLY WORK TO GAIN THE ATTENTION OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO CONTROL THE PURSE STRINGS - NOTABLY THOSE IN THE WHITE HOUSE, THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, AND STATE HOUSES AND THAT WE USE THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY'S GOV'T RELATIONS COMMITTEE AS A VENUE. THERE ARE OTHER VENUES. THE TOBACCO ISSUE AMOUNTS TO NOTHING MORE THAN A DISTRACTION - THE FOCUS NEEDS TO BE ON THE HARDSHIP, THE COSTS, THE MORTALITY, AND THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL DOLLARS TO COMBAT THIS DISEASE. HOPE THAT CLEARED UP SOME OF THE CONFUSION.

Interesting how these things work... I too was fired within 3 months of returning to work - and for performance or lack thereof - or so they said. Interesting twist to my story was that they had given me a $15,000 bonus for performance and a $25,000 retention bonus if I stayed on after the acquisition (by a larger company) - all of it, one month prior to my diagnosis. Not one to lay down and cry - I filed a complaint with the EEOC and after the investigation was permitted to sue the company - I won - they paid - I laughed all the way to the bank. The suit had zero impact on my career nor did my next employer care. I found a great job and stayed employed until my second bout with cancer. Due to the severity of my condition (lung cancer, ARDS, asthma), I am now on 100% disability but comfortably retired on 60% of my former salary.

Overcoming the stigma is priority 1 on every advocacy groups' agenda. Lung cancer is a disease - plain and simple. Though tobacco contributes a disproportionate amount to the overall incidence rate and mortality, it is not the only cause of lung cancer. It does however make sense to impress upon the general population the importance of preventing the disease in the first place. If you never smoked, don't start. If you are smoking now, seek assistance to quit. If you are quit, stay quit and have routine annual chest x-rays as a precaution - lung cancer is potentially curable if caught early. I have my own opinion as to whether tobacco companies are at fault and as to whether they should compensate victims but I would rather focus my limited energy to convincing legislators to fund education, prevention, research, and treatment. Lung cancer is just about where AIDS was in the 80's. It was assumed that if you had AIDS - you were gay. Just as it is now assumed that if you have lung cancer - you are therefore a smoker or former smoker. Blaming the victim is all too convenient. Contributing to this notion is our own silence, sense of powerlessness, and inaction. We conveniently die quietly and far away from the public's eye. We - you, me, family members, advocates, and others - must work to educate the public as to what lung cancer is if there is to be any hope of turning the tide against this disease. While you still have breath in your lungs - speak out. Me - I choose to not die quietly.

Interesting turn of events... Having lots of time on my hands, decided to offer my services as a volunteer. Contacted the local American Cancer Society chapter and spoke to the Sr. VP for volunteerism (Mid-Atlantic Region). Told her that I was a 2 times lung cancer survivor and was interested in helping in any way that I could. She placed a few calls and got back to me within 2 weeks. I was called by the American Cancer Society's Government Relations Manager for Maryland and invited to join the Public Policy Committee. I was asked to testify on matters of local interest at the next legislative session in Annapolis, Maryland on behalf of lung cancer victims. I was also asked if I would be willing to testify on Capitol Hill on matters of national importance. I agreed to both. For those interested in shaping public policy, click on the following link to read the American Cancer Society's "How Do You Measure Up?" - a progress report on State Legislative Activity to reduce cancer incidence and mortality. There are interesting facts and figures on Tobacco for each of the 50 states. http://www.cancer.org/downloads/GI/How% ... e%20Up.pdf Sadly, it would appear as though I am the ONLY lung cancer survivor on the American Cancer Society's Public Policy Committee in Maryland. This raises a more disturbing question: am I the only lung cancer survivor to sit on Public Policy Committees nationwide? For our sake, I hope not. Fellow survivors, patients and/or family members: If we are going to change the course of history and thus this disease, I appeal to all those on this message board who are able-bodied to call their American Cancer Society Government Relations contact in their home state and volunteer their services. The contact info is at the back of the document listed above. We cannot afford to sit idly by while every 3.5 minutes another one of us dies. These activities should not consume an inordinate amount of your time but will have far reaching implications on lung cancer. When testifying in your State's chambers, let your legislators know that they should not to confuse you with the facts (those presented by the American Cancer Society) and you as a living, breathing person afflicted with, or by cancer. The impact of live testimony of a cancer survivor or family member on those present in the chambers is tremendous. When testifying, speak not of facts, but of personal experience, pain, and courage in the face of personal adversity. I did so back in 1998 on Capitol Hill - the lady U.S. senator to whom I spoke, had a daughter who had regrettably been diagnosed with lung cancer the morning of our session. She LISTENED. And so will others, but we need to be there to be heard. I challenge message board members, that by the end of this year, we have a lung cancer survivor or family member sit on the Public Policy Committee in each of the 50 states of the Union to represent our interests at the state and national legislative level. I'll shut up now.

13 lbs!?!?!? Wow!!!! I feel so inadequate I know I'll sprout another tumor in my ear so there!!!! All jokes aside - glad you're here. We're practically neighbors.

Yes - there is - go to http://www.lungcanceronline.org - and look for the section on BAC. Karen Parles, the executive director for Lung Cancer Online is herself a lung cancer survivor (2 bouts). She is/was a librarian and has done an incredible job of categorizing the information. It's not only informative but also potentially life saving. Take the time to inform yourself because BAC - though Non Small Cell Lung Cancer - behaves very differently than other lung cancers in terms of cause (exposure to turberculosis, radon or other radioactive substances), diagnotic results (particularly PET - appears as smoldering infection), presentation (multi-focal), disease progression (very slow), recurrence (frequent and metachronous), metastasis (through blood, lymphatic system and airway), treatment options (typically surgery and in some cases adjuvant chemo), survival (longer than most other lung cancers), response to Alternative Treatments (particularly lung cancer vaccines, and newer chemo agents), and last but not least - lung transplantations in late or end stage disease (post transplant survival rates recorded at 80+ months).

Welcome to the web site. Can't answer your question but sure glad you're here.

Great Groovy Super Woohoo

Hate to have to meet you this way - but welcome nevertheless. Being given a cancer diagnosis is just about the worse thing that can happen to anyone - especially if the person handing down the diagnosis lacks the wherewithal, the compassion and the bed side manner required in these particular circumstances. What you felt and are feeling is a perfectly normal reaction to an extraordinary and catastrophic event. I am sorry that you had to hear it the way you did and that you have to wait until you see your oncologist - I know all too well what that feels like... an eternity. It's not much consolation but I am glad that you found this support group. If you take a look around, you will see that there is well in excess of 500 of us - patients, survivors, family and friends of persons afflicted with lung cancer. Lung cancer is a grave illness - it kills - but more importantly, it is survivable as attested to by the hundreds of postings you will see on this web site. From the time you were told you had lung cancer, you became a survivor. No matter what you go through over the course of the next few hours, days, weeks, months or years - no one can take that away from you. Survivors are by nature: stubborn, resilient, brimming with hope, realistic, and willing to endure just about any pain because they know (a deep conviction) that all will be well. Choose then to live - to laugh - to cry - to do whatever pleases you. Life is not a dress rehearsal - it's the real deal. You have more in you and to you than meets the eye. Look not only to outside of yourself, but inside for strength and courage, and to God for grace. We will be here for you. I will keep you in my prayers.