flabet

Shirley, that is beautiful. Thank you. I'm afraid after two months I am still very raw, but I know I will smooth out some day. I do pray daily for strength, peace and love and I know God answers all prayers in his own way. Thank you again for your soothing words. Betty

My husband's oncologist was alays very positive and upbeat and never once came out with a prognosis. He just kept trying and refused to give up. However, his primary care doctor was another matter. She did talk a lot about hospice and we needed to call the family in, etc. I did have to speak with her in the hall on one occasion and call her office on another occasion to let her know we wanted only positive comments around Doug and that we would appreciate it if she would refrain from any negative comments while in the same room with him. I told her it was okay to talk to me and the family about what she thought we should do, but not to Doug. Only hope and prayer and positive thinking can get a patient through this and only God knows when they have had enough and are ready to go. Please ask your doctor not to talk about negative aspects around your husband and if he continues to do so, find another doctor.

Laura, please tell your mom, or hopefully she's browsing and will see this herself. I'm getting really hard of hearing that, too. I know everyone means well and they don't know what else to say, but I know, and your mom knows, that time doesn't necessarily heal all wounds. We will get through this somehow and someday we may feel a little less raw, but the pain will be with us for a very long time. I can only pray for peace, strength and love for all of us and believe that God has a purpose for us and will show us the way out of this. My hope and prayers are with you and your mom. Betty

Hi, Florida ladies..I'm just a little futher down the road. I'm in Hollywood. Laura, I'm so sorry you are having nightmares. Hopefully, they will turn into good dreams soon. My dream, and Ann's and Grix's and J.C.'s were such wonderful happy times. I know I didn't want mine to end, but it did and I woke up feeling so peaceful. I hope you can have those dreams, too. But if your dreams are of your mom, whom I know is very sad right now, it may take a while to remember the good times and share them in your dreams. Are you Dr. Sam's step-daughter? If so, you must know how much all of us loved him and miss his wise counsel. I do hope for you happy dreams in the future. And I hope I have many more. Best wishes and happy dreams to all of us who have lost a loved one. Betty

Yes, Ann, I too have had 1 dream so far with Doug. It was wonderful and so realistic. I know what you mean. I loved spending the time with him and keep hoping he'll come back. Somehow, I think he will. For me, and for you, and for all of us, may we always have our dreams. Betty

I understand so much of how all of you are feeling. I miss Doug so much it is still very painful. Everytime someone asks me how I'm doing I choke up. I told my daughter and my friend that I know I am somewhat depressed, but if I died tomorrow I wouldn't really mind, because then I would be with Doug and nothing could be better than that. I live my life a day at a time and have no plans for any different future. I believe life will probably be long and lonely for me until I am with Doug again. I can only hope things will look brighter someday for all of us.

Gerbil Runner, I was not in anyway disagreeing with you. I agree with you that every single symptom or change in condition must be checked immediately. My point is that even though it may be aggressively treated immediately, it's still very difficult to control this disease. As a matter of fact, Doug did have a very good response to his first round of chemo, shrinkage of tumors and very close to remission, but unfortunately when the chemo quit working, there wasn't enough time for the new chemo to work before the tumors were out of control. I think liver metastasis is the toughest thing to deal with and I pray your mother doesn't have to fight it. Greg (bart ziggie) is an example of the devastation that occurs with liver metastasis. Please insist that your mother be vigilant and stay on top of any and all changes in her condition. This disease takes everything anyone has to fight it. My prayers are with you.

J.C., I am a 1-yr. breast cancer survivor. Believe me I know how you feel. I had a mastectomy in Dec., 02 and started reconstruction with a tissue expander implanted during my surgery. After going in for the requisite number of fills and being just about ready for the exchange surgey to have the implant placed, Doug was diagnosed with SCLC. All went on hold while we dealt with his illness. Yesterday, I finally went back to the plastic surgeon to see about moving on with my reconstruction, only to completely fall apart in his office. He was very kind and comforting, but I think it really scared him a little bit that perhaps I am not emotionally stable enough to proceed. Anyway, he has suggested that I give it another month and then we will schedule my surgery. I hope I will be able to control my emotions enough to convince him I am stable enough to do it then. I would really like to get this over with. Best of luck to you. I will be praying for you and know that you are not alone in this. We all must do our best to take it a day at a time, sometimes a minute at a time. Take a deep breath, relax, now---go for it!! God be with you. Flabet

While I agree with you that you have to watch SCLC very carefully and get every symptom checked ASAP, I think from what happened with my husband and what we are seeing here with other members of the SCLC board, Small Cell is just so aggressive that it is sometimes impossible to stay ahead of it. For a while, you are doing great and within a couple of weeks your condition deteriorates so rapidly that there's just not much that can be done and the end comes very quickly. This is certainly not always the case, but seems to ba a common occurance. Please do all you can and stay on top of every new symptom and best of luck to you and your mom. Flabet

I'm so sorry to report that my husband, Doug, died on 11/22/03. He did so well for a while, but his cancer spread very rapidly when his chemo stopped working. He never really had a chance with the new chemo. His oncologist said the liver tumor was massive. I don't know how much good I will be on here for a while, because I don't feel like I have much to offer anyone at the present time. I do appreciate all the support I received from this board and hope I can contribute more in the future. Thank you all for being a good sounding board. Flabet

Ginny, I understand how you feel. I appear to be handling everything very well on the surface, but inside I'm terribly sad. I refuse to let my honey see me sad, because that will only upset and scare him, but it is very hard to stay upbeat all the time. The only time I fall apart is when someone does something incredibly kind for us or when someone gives me a hug. I tend to keep myself to myself at work and at chuch because I know if I accept too much tenderness or affection from my friends or co-workers I will simply lose it. I have Doug with me to hold and love and enjoy right now and I won't do anything to upset him. Hang in there, Ginny, and together we'll all make it through. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

My husband's oncologist just keeps on trying new things with him and I can't imagine an oncoogist saying he will not be seeing the patient again. No matter what her condition. I think perhaps you need to find a new doctor.

Dean, either Ensure or Boost Shakes-mix 8-oz can Boost or Ensure with 1/2 cup of your favorite flavor of ice cream. I use vanilla Hi-Protein Boost, vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup for my husband. He loves it and gets around 250 calories this way. Try it.

My husband also extensive SCLC. His chem of carbo/VP-16 stopped working and last week he was switched to Topotecan. So far this week he does seem better. You might ask your oncologist about topotecan or CPT-11 for your mom.

That is my understanding also. My husband was told he could have a pneumonia vaccine while undergoing chemo, but no flu shot.

Thanks to all of you. Jonathan, I truly appreciate your knowledgeable responses. You have so much good info for all of us. Greg, I am praying for you and Debbie, for your mom, also. Thanks again, and I will keep on praying for a miracle for all of us. Flabet

I'd really like to hear some success stories about Topotecan used as 2nd line chemo against SCLC. My husband has just been switched over from Carbo/VP-16, since that chemo was no longer working. What can anybody out there tell me about Topotecan. Thanks Flabet

My husband has completed six rounds of Carbo and Etoposide. He also has Mets to liver. He had a ct scan after four rounds and while some shrinkage was noted, it was determined to continue with the Chemo he was receiving. His seventh round of chemo is scheduled for next week and then we'll see what happens. My guess is another CT scan.

I am so sorry for your loss. I feel so deeply for you. I am the caregiver for my husband, lover, best friend and I dread the day when I have to say goodbye. I also don't post often, but I have gained so much strength from the wonderful folks on this board. Please come here often for support and strength. I wish you peace and may God be with you as you journey forward from this point. My thoughts are with you and all of us as we battle this dreadful disease. Betty

I'm really scared tonight. Doug has been getting weaker and weaker for the past week. Thank God, we're seeing the oncologist tomorrow for his regular chemo session. He was feeling great a week ago, but now he is so weak he just wants to sleep all the time. His appetite is nothing and it's all I can do to get him to eat. He is complaining of pain in his stomach and has diarreah. I knw he has had a staph infection, but he won't take his latest antibiotic, Clindamycin, because he believes that this is what is causing his stomach problems. He only took 4 tablets, the last 1 week ago and hasn't taken any since, but since he was feeling pretty good before the took it, he believes this caused all his problems. I'm afraid it isn't the meds, but maybe his cancer has come back stronger. I know I'm just reaching out tonight, and hopefully tomorrow the Onc will be able to allay some of my fears, but right now I just feel so scared. Anyone out there, please help!!

Thank you so much Lynn. You have really lifted my spirits. Doug is feeling pretty good right now. Has been on strong antibiotics for a staph infection and they seem to be working and his Procrit has been increased by 50% and he seems to be feeling stronger. He said this past week-end that now he is beginning to believe he can beat this. His Dr. is very positive and I don't allow negative thoughts in our house. Only time will tell, but we are going to continue to fight as long as we can and your inspirational story helps so much. If God is willing, I'll have my best friend and love of my life for a very long time. Your support means so much. I will print this story out for Doug for inspiration. Thanks again, Flabet

Heather that is wonderful news. My husband and your mom were diagnosed at almost the same time with the same disease. Your news is more good news to boost my spirits. I'll be praying for your mom and hoping we are as blessed. Flabet

Lynn, in your profile you mentioned your dad was diagnosed with SCLC w/mets to liver in 1983 and passed away this year. Am I reading that correctly? If that's true, it is wonderful news to me as my husband received the same news in June of this year. I am truly saddened by your dad's pasing this year, but what a wonderful gift to have had him for 20 years after such a tragic diagnosis. Please let me know more. flabet

Okay!! the news is good. The CT Scan shows very good results. His tumors are shrinking and his liver is normal sized. He does have a nasty staph infection in his toe, but strong prescription to penicillin should clear that up. Dr. said his weakness is due to combination of chemo related anemia and the infection. What's next is continue the chemo, continue the Procrit, but probably larger dose and take his penicillin. Thanks for all the support from this board and if anyone out their doubts it, prayer does work.

My mistake! My husband is getting carboplatin and Etoposide. The nurses referred to it as VP-16 and I confused it with Vincristine. Anyway, glad to hear some of his tummy pain is to be expected and glad to hear he is on the first-line chemo. We found out today that he has a staph infection which may be contributing to his not feeling so hot. Hopefully, we are on the right track and we'll get good news tomorrow. Thanks to you both for the good information.