niececola

This is great Andrea! I too was thinking of coming out that way, to support you and to finally meet one of my sisters...Maybe we can get Nat to come up to LA for the weekend too... Love, Denise

Dear Rich, HOORAY! I was just thinking of you and praying for good results! So happy to hear that Iressa is doing the trick. Denise

Hi, I finally got in touch with someone at the foundation and gave them my name in the hopes of being able to volunteer. I spoke with a woman named Angie who is going to pass my name along to MSKCC and New York Road Runners, who are apparently managing the volunteers. I know a few people on-line have mentioned they are going to participate that day, Daggiesmom, Melinda, Christina, not sure who else. I told her I might have a few others that are interested in volunteering or that may walk/run on the day. So, hopefully I will hear from someone at MSKCC/NYRR very soon. I will pass along any information as soon as I get it. If you are interested in volunteering, please let me know. Or if you have already spoken with someone at the foundation about volunteering, please let us know what you found out. And if you are planning on walking/running that day, maybe we can arrange to meet up afterwards. Thanks, Denise

Dear Curtis, I am so saddened to hear of Becky's passing. It is just unbelievable. I pray that God will watch over you and your daughter in the days and weeks to come. Your wife was an inspiration to us all and we will miss her dearly. Denise

Hello Friends, I have a question please. As some of you may know, my mom is on a clinical trial right now. On her last set of scans, her onc saw a small amount of fluid, so small that he was not planning on doing anything about it and if the drug company forced him to do so, he was not going to b/c the amount to be retrieved was so small, he said he could not even be guaranteed to get any out. Well, my mom went today and asked if the cancer could be cancerous. He said yes. So, my question to all of you is this, is all fluid cancerous? Why does fluid appear in the lungs? What should we watch out for? I have read here that sometimes the fluid just disappears? Is this true for cancerous and non-cancerous fluid, if there is such a thing? Thank you! Denise

Hi Becky, Enjoy your time off! You will be missed! Denise

Hi Dean, As always, thank you for sharing and enriching our lives each day! Denise

hi mj, prayers going up right now. tell your mom we are all rooting for her! denise

Hi Don, Thanks for sharing such a great story! I am so happy to hear Lucie had a great time! Denise

Hi Erin, I am so happy to hear this GREAT news. Prayers being said for a speedy recovery. Denise

Hi Melinda, From your post, it appears that you have known for about 2 weeks of your future MIL's LC. That is really no time at all for the shock of diagnosis to sink in. The past 7 months have been a rollercoaster for our family, but the first few weeks were the absolute worst. I know everyone is different, but I think that Geoff will adjust in the weeks to come. I think everyone just needs time to absorb all the information and that can take a while. He is so lucky to have you, supporting the family and doing research. How did your mom's surgery go? Please let us know how Geoff's mom makes out today. Did you learn any more of the walk at the end of April? I left a message for them yesterday. Blessings, Denise

Steph, I am so sorry you are going through this. My heart is breaking for you. Please tell your mother we are praying for her, for all of you. Love, Denise

Hi, So sorry to hear that Rochelle is in the hospital. Prayers being said for a speedy recovery. Denise

Hi Melinda, Prayers going up right now! Denise

Hi John, I am sorry that you have to be here, but very glad that you found us. The first few weeks and months can be completely overwhelming when learning of a LC diagnosis. My mom is Stage IV, currently doing well on a clinical trial, so we are very hopeful at the moment. Like your mom, my mom did not and still does not ask a lot of questions about her treatment. Her onc never discussed in detail her prognosis and my mom never asked. I think if she had pushed it, his answer would have been pretty direct, that is just the feeling I get. And there is no way my mom could have handled that information. But I was concerned b/c maybe she should know what the prognosis is or what the medical journals are saying, maybe she would do things differently if she had that information. My mom also did not seek a second opinion and pretty much left it to me to guide her. She still asks me what chemo she is taking. And I agonized about the second opinion, but for her, getting a second opinion was too much to deal with and she just wanted to proceed with treatment. So, basically I do all the research and come here often to make sure I have not missed anything. I still wonder why her onc will not do chemo and radiation at the same time, but have learned here that some get both together, some don't and for now, I do not push the point. Reality has slowly set in and we are slowly starting to talk about life issues, etc., which we never did in the beginning. It took a while to get to that point, but I think most eventually do, it has to be part of the journey. If the day should come that she is not responding to treatment and I feel her onc is not working his hardest for my mom, then the time will come to discuss other options and second opinions, but I think my mom would be ready for that now, where as 7 months ago she would never even consider it. I am sorry for rambling on. We have been through so many changes in the last 7 months, ones that I would never want anyone else to face. But you are and you can get through it. If your mom is like mine, there is probably no point in fighting her about the second opinion, but if your mom is not going to ask the questions, someone has to. I asked my mom to let her onc know I was going to be calling regularly and I do. My mom also let him know up front she didn't want to hear any time frames, etc. and he has respected those wishes and has told me when and if the time comes, he will be very direct with my mom. And after months of worrying about doing the right thing, I am at peace with her "lack" of in-depth knowledge of her disease. For some, researching and being well informed are their way of taking their lives back and taking control of the disease, for my mom, it would be too much to take in, she knows she is in for a fight, even if she didn't say so in the beginning. And while not knowing what the stats are, which if you have not heard already, they are CRAP, outdated and incorrect, then she never has to push those nasty numbers out of her head and she can just focus on getting better and fighting. If you are not comfortable with her doctor, than find another. Some have very different bedside manners, but at the very least what you can expect is an informed, thorough explanation from her doctor. If you ever need to talk or have any questions, please feel free to PM me anytime. Blessings, Denise

Hi Melinda and Christina, I have been off the boards for a few days, spent the morning trying to find Christina's original post, but couldn't, must be the jetlag! I would LOVE to volunteer, so please pass along any information you get, hopefully someone will call you back soon Melinda. I think it will be a wonderful thing to do together and will be a great day to finally meet some of our LCS4C family members. Denise

Hi Christina, I live in NYC and was interested in walking. What is the date of the walk? Denise

Dear Andrea, My heart is breaking for you. You and your family are in my prayers, it is never too late for a miracle. Love, Denise

Hi Mo, Prayers coming. Please let us know what the doctor says. Denise

Dear Deanna, I am so sorry to hearing of your mother's passing. My heart aches for you. Prayers are being said for you and your family. Love, Denise

Hi and welcome. I am sorry that your family is going through this. My mom's LC cancer diagnosis took months and looking back, it is still very frustrating that she suffered like she did, it seems so obvious to me now that the docs should have checked for LC a lot sooner, but they didn't. And sometimes I wish docs would just report the facts, but most feel compelled to share their assumptions before the test results come back. It can be very upsetting to a family, b/c I know I just want to hear the facts and not what the doc is assuming to be happening with my mom. But what is important in the long run, like Jen said above, is getting an accurate and complete dx. This website is a wonderful resource for information, there are many stories to read here and when it comes to gathering some very real and practical information, this website is invaluable. It is important to be very proactive in your uncle's care and to learn as much as you can. There is much hope and there are lots of options, so while the first few days and weeks of the initial dx are very upsetting and your emotions are all over the place, it will get easier and then you can get onto a plan of attack. Lastly, don't listen any stats re: how much time you uncle has. The stats are outdated and no one knows how much time we have left. Best to use your energy on getting a game plan in place, eating right and staying positive. Good Luck, Denise

Dear Peg, I was very happy to hear that insurance approved the new drugs. I will say extra prayers this evening that Bill starts to feel better soon and that treatment can begin again. Blessings to you and your daughter. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you, I pray that God will watch over you both and grant you renewed strength during this difficult time. Denise

Hi Melinda, I am very sorry you had to find us, but welcome to our family. As you can see from my bio below, my mom was diagnosed last September with Stage IV, but had symptoms since April 2003, so in my opinion she is coming up on one year of survival! And while the emotional rollercoaster has been one heck of a journey and chemo can be tough on your body, she has not experienced any additional symptoms of the cancer. She is currently on a clinical trial and we found out last week that her tumor has shrunk 25%! Please come here often, there is lots to learn! The first few days and weeks are the hardest, so hang in there! We are neighbors, I am in NYC too. Denise

Dear Linda, I am so sorry for all that is going on with your Dad. I pray that Iressa will do the trick and that your Dad starts to regain his strength. Blessings, Denise

Hi Mo, I am glad you got the answer to all the pain! Hope you feel better soon! Denise