onelunger

Thank you so much. I really appreciate the help. Mary

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me if Medicare covers the cost of Pet scans. Thank you in advance for your help..God Bless, Mary

Hi Grix..please ask doctor about "Strontium 89"..I have mentioned it before on this board, but no one seems to know much about it but myself...I certainly believe in it....am praying for your mom...Mary

I want to thank all of you for responding. I really, really appreciate the input and will try my best to follow your advise. Up to this point, things are fine. I am just one of those that likes to plan things in advance and be ready for whatever comes up, which at this point is not to promising. I just want to be prepared for what the cards deal me and for it to be as easy as possible on my loving, supportive husband. We do communicate very well and do share all our feelings, etc. I was just afraid there was something else I should be doing that I'm not. Best of life to all of you, and thanks again. May God Bless all of you and your loved ones, Mary

I'm just wondering what I (the patient) can do to ease my husband's (the caregiver) mental pain and anguish at having to watch me go through this blasted disease. I try my best to keep an upbeat, positive attitude, and do pretty well most of the time, but I do have bad days along the way, as I'm sure most of us do. Is there anything any of you can think of that I can do to help him get through this as easily as possible? I actually worry about him more than myself. I absolutely HATE putting him through this. Any input you may have would be MOST appreciated. Thank you all and God Bless, Mary

Hi Ray, This probably won't help in the least, but thought I would mention it. When i was 21 years old, I had a tubal pregnancy and didn't know it. I had been going to a doctor who misdiagnosed me, just put me on birth control pills for six weeks. Well, needless to say, the tube ruptured and peritonitis set in. I have always been very thankful my regular doctor (at that time) wasn't available when I went to the office that day. A nurse took one look at me, took my blood pressure and vitals and sent me immediately to the hospital. The on call doctor did exploratory surgery on me after which he told my mother I had a 2% chance of surviving. That was 36 years ago, and from that time on, I have had no fear of death because I know that if I hadn't woken up from the surgery, I wouldn't have known it. I do dread the pain and helpless feelings that I know are in my future, but they do not scare me. What I hate is having my loved ones have to go through this. If only there were some way to ease their mental pain and suffering, that's what I pray for each and every day. I too am fighting with every ounce of strengh I have, but try not to be afraid, ok......God Bless you Ray...hang in there and keep up the good fight. Mary ps...like I said, this message probably won't help at all, but the right thoughts are with you

Just curious to know if you talked to the doctor about the Strontiium 89. Best of luck and God Bless, Mary

Hi...I agree with the others, Iressa is not usually the first drug used. I was on Taxotere for 6 months, then put on Iressa for a year, during which time I was able to return to work full time and had no side effects worth mentioning. Such an easy treatment, simply take a pill each day. It did stop working after a years time however and I am now back on the chemo regimen. I might also mention that here in Oregon a one months supply is $2,000.00, so if you don't have insurance for prescriptions, you might want to take a look at that, tho I do understand that the drug company, Astra Zeneca will sometimes help those in lower income brackets. Best of luck to your sister, Mary

I certainly wasn't told the strontium was a "last ditch effort". I just know that it worked GREAT for me. As a matter of fact, I was back to work within three days, after being unable to get out of bed. Yes, they did check my blood count weekly, but I had absolutely no problems, unlike the chemo that I am now on. I realize that everyone is different and what works for one may not work for another, but when you're in such terrible pain, as I was, most anything is worth a try in my opinion. It sure wouldn't hurt to ask the doctor about.. God Bless, Mary

Hi Debaroo, I would suggest you ask the doctor about the Strontium 89 injection. I have mentioned it before on this board, but have had no comments on it as yet. Have any of the rest of you had any experience with the Strontium? Best of luck and I'm saying a prayer for your dad. Being in pain is sure no fun !!!!!!! God Bless, Mary

Hi Tami, It was seven months from the time of my surgery to the time my bone mets were discovered. They showed up on the bone scan. Nothing had shown on the MRI that was done after 3 months. Hope this is some help to you. God Bless, Mary

Hi Natalie.....I don't know what type of books your mom might be interested in, but I have really enjoyed a whole series of books by Diane Mott Davidson. They are what you would call "culinary mysteries". They contain some wonderful recipes and have good plots as well. I simply go on-line and order them from Noble Books and they are delivered right to my door. You might just check out their website to get some other ideas as well. I also enjoyed Maeve Binchy's books a great deal, especially Tara Road. Just a couple hints. (I also read all the Harry Potter books this summer). Best of luck to you and your mom and God Bless, Mary

Hi Nancy... I have bone mets in seven different spots, ribs, spine, and hip. I went for a very long time before feeling any pain at all, but when the paid did begin it sure did a good job of it. The onc suggested we start the radiation at that time (this was in June), but gave me the option of trying the Strontium 89 injection if I would rather. He explained that the strontium would go throughout my skeletal system to hit all the cancerous sites, unlike the radiation, which would only be a specified area at a time. I elected to try the Strontium 89 and am very, very glad I did. Within 2 days the pain was gone and as yet has not recurred. For those of you experiencing the pain of bone mets, I would sure suggest you discuss this with your doctor. Best of luck to all of you and God Bless, Mary

I LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guess I better watch that show so I'll know what you look like huh???? Just kiddin......hang in there, Mary

I think this is beautiful and want to share it with you. Hope you don't mind. I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend He refered to to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning to the end he noted that first came her date of birth and spoke the date with tears but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years for that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth and now only those that loved her know what that little line is worth for it matters not how much we own the cars-the house-the cash what matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash so think about this long and hard are there things you'd like to change for you never know how much time is left that can still be re-arranged if we could just slow down enough to consider whats true and real and always try to understand how other people feel and be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before if we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile remembering that this special dash may last only a little while so when your eulogy's being read with your lifes actions to rehash would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash