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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

Isn't it strange, the things we do when told we are "terminal"? Taking care of my funeral arrangements was one of the very first things I did when told I had 6-9 months to live. I did however get it on a 36 month easy payment plan, which is nearly paid off now. (ha) Another thing I did was make a "who to call" list, with names, phone numbers, and directions for each to contact someone else on the list so that my husband would only have to make one or two calls when the time came. There are other small things I have done, noting dates, names, etc for the obituary or whatever. Anything to make it easier for my loved ones. I truly believe that death is much harder on those left behind. One other thing I have done is to make a tape to tell them all good bye and how very much I love them all, both friends and family. After this was all done, I got back to living and fighting and enjoying life, knowing I had made things a little easier for my loved ones when the time comes. My best to you and God Bless, Mary

Dear Janet, Just want to double what Norme says. "Way to go". Aren't kids great!!!!!! You must be quite a gal to raise such a wonderful son. God Bless and keep hanging in there. Mary

I'm sure this will make everyone on the board angry with me, but I'm going to say it anyway. Dying is the easy way out. Fighting takes guts, which you apparently don't have. In my opinion, you are being very, very selfish. What is going to happen to the 4 children ages 4-14 when you're gone? You don't want them in the public school system, how about the state welfare system? You say you are "damned", but you're still going to wait for God to cure you. Is that an oxymoron or what? Either get some backbone and start fighting or quit whining. God helps those that help themselves. You're far from being the only one in this situation. There's thousands of us out here, and thankfully, most of us have the guts to fight, no matter what the odds. Mary

Dear Norme, Thank you so very, very much for your most helpful reply. I will certainly check the toll free number and do some more investigating along those lines. I don't know if I'm simply "stupid" or if this is all somewhat confusing for everyone. Probably the prior. (ha).. Anyway, thak you again for taking the time to respond. God Bless, Mary

Hi everyone. I'm wondering if anyone out there could answer a question for me. I am on SS disability, and the ridiculous (sp) 2 year wait for medicare will be up the end of Jan. Do you think a supplemental policy is necessary when you have medicare A & B? The company I now have insurance through has a supplemental policy but the cost is $145.00 per month, and doesn't pay unless medicare pays. Just trying to figure this stuff out in time to take care of it. Thank you all so much. God Bless, Mary

I'm wondering how many of you have used Strontium 89 for pain from bone mets. I was having a great amount of pain the first part of June and radiation was considered at that time. However, we decided to try the Strontium injection, as it would travel to all the "hot spots". It worked like a miracle. Within 3 days the pain was completely gone and I have had not even a twinge since then. If you are suffering from the pain of bone mets and haven't tried the strontium, perhaps you could ask your doctor about it. I'm sending prayers for all of you and your loved ones. Hang in there!!!!! Mary

I guess this a pretty special day for me. I do remember where I was two years ago. I was in ICU recovering from my lobectomy. It has been quite a ride since then. I was diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC the following April. At that time they said I had 6-9 months left to live. (bone mets) I was given taxotere for the next 6 months. Then, in October of 2002, I started on Iressa. This worked very very well for me at the time, and I was able to go back to work (as a waitress--pretty physical work) in December of last year. I worked for the next 9 months and did very well. Then, my last series of tests showed 3 new spots in my ribs and a spread to the lymph nodes. The doctor immediately started me back on chemo (a combination of carbo/genzar), and took me off the Iressa. I had my second weekly treatment today, and so far it has not been to bad. I did dread the thought of more chemo, but know it must be done if I am to continue this fight. I just wanted to say hi to everyone and wish you all well. There is hope, as we all know and I, for one, intend to fight this darn disease to the bitter end. God blell you all, Mary