palves

Hi - my dad was doing real well - came through chemo (3 drug trial) and radiation (30 rounds) pretty well - limited side effects. BUT NOW ... I've heard that the side effects after could be tragic and I'm getting pretty concerned. Now he has dry coughing fits that go on for him that seems like hours (but I don't think its really hours). He sounds like he is straining to talk, almost like he has a sore throat. He is not too exhausted yet, but I have a feeling that is coming. Are these all normal after effects? what else should I be looking for? I have seen people post about radiation pneumonis (sp?), but I'm not sure what that is. Can anyone advise? I'm also nervous thtat I don't know whats next. As I see it now, there is no plan until we get the results of the next catscan scheduled for 2 weeks from now. His general onc has moved somewhere else and a new dr is scheduled to start in July. He is seeing his radiation onc. They are not considering surgery to be possible (because they say they treated him aggressively w/ chemo/radiation, don't know if the surgery really is possible, think that the effects from chemo/radiation could potentially cause surgical problems, etc). Thanks in advance for your help. Paula Dad, 62, NSCLC Adenocarcinoma, Chemo and then radiation. Waiting to see results of next cat scan

Curtis I often come here to see how you and Katie are doing. My daughter will also be 4 in another month, so I guess I feel connected somehow. (plus the teaching connection thing I felt w/ Becky). Anyhow, glad to hear that Katie is doing pretty good, having some moments, but dealing. Its definitely been a lot of change for her in the last 2 months . Keeping the memories will be of big importance for her. Does she have a picture of Becky and her in her room near her bed? Well, I'd liike to send Katie a present from my Ashleigh. Could you pm a message w/ your address? My email is palves@optonline.net. Thanks Paula Dad Stage IIIb NSCLC Adenocarcinoma - dx 9/03 - 12 weeks chemo, 30 rounds of radiation - waiting for new catscan

and I'm posting under my moms id. I'm 9 and I'm in 3rd grade. My grandpa has stage 3b Lung Cancer. We found out in September. 2003. I was not sure what this meant. My mom explained it to me. He had chemo. The chemo did not not make him too sick, but he lost his hair (not all of it though). The tumor shrunk from 11 cm to a little over 3 cm. Now he is having radiation to try to shrink it some more and stop it from growing. After this my grandpa might see if he can have an operation. Did any of your fathers or grandfathers have an operation? It sounds scary. Alex - do you play any sports? I play baseball, but I like to watch and follow football. My dad and me love the NY Giants. Do you have any pets? I have a fish named Rusty. I want to have a dog, but my mom is scared and says it is a lot of work. Ryan (happy because my mom found a place where I can talk about my grandpa and stuff)

Curtis - lots of plans and lots of changes. Good luck with it all. I'm sure in a sense you will be glad to have something else to focus on right now. I'm glad that you and Becky had time to discuss and plan for some of this. You are right, she really was looking out for you. You 2 had a very special relationship. I am very saddened to hear about what happened, and wish only for the best for you and Katie now. I had just emailed not too long ago w/ Becky regarding teaching. Its good that you and becky were able to put together a plan so that you will be able to be there for Katie. Kids are so precious (I have 2 little ones at home) and making time for them is so important. If I can provide any help to you regarding questions to ask re daycares, etc, please let me know .. Paula

Curtiis Thanks for sharing that beautiful tribute. You all look so happy in the video. My thoughts are with you and your beautiful daughter now. Paula

Thanks for posting .... As a side note, all my credentials are in place to each HS / mid-school math. When you said you taught in grad school, did you TA undergrad math or did you teach in an elementary school? You can PM me at palves@optonline.net if you would like. Paula

Thinking about your mom ... heres hoping for an easy tiem for her. Paula

I'm glad to hear it was a special and joyful day. Lots of luck and happiness in your future. Paula Dad with NSCLC/Adenocarcinoma/Stage 3B

Don't know if I can provide you with many positive tips myself as I'm having a very hard time myself dealing w/ my dad's situation. But for my parents I try to stay focused on the future and making plans for things to look forward to - your wedding included. I guess the best advice for us right now is to take it one day at a time, no regrets .... Paula

Debbie I'm so sorry to hear that your mom is feeling so down. We have tried to set some goals and things for my dad to look forward to - to live for his grandkids. I keep reminding him its all about living not for us (his childrent), but for them. Bringing them around puts a smile on his face, gives him something else to focus on for a while. I'm in NJ too, if there is something I can do, even just a shoulder to lean on, please let me know. My DH grew up in Rahway and currently works in Rahway so we are close by ... Paula

Under a trial my dad will get Carbo, something else and Gemzar. Its 2 drugs on day 1, 1 on day 2, then 2 on day 8, 2 on day 15 and then a rest week. And then the cycle starts over. He just started yesterday Paula Dad w/ Stage IIIb nslc adenocarcinoma and diabetic, saw some minor pleural effusion

I haven't actually seen my dad's port w/o the covering. Wondering though about the numbing cream - thats because the port is under the skin? So you still get pricked? I'm confused. Dad starts chemo tomorrow so I guess will know more then. Paula

I believe he is out of Cornell. Let me know if anyone wants name, etc. Paula

Hi Candee Wow, what a merry go round you have been on. I'm so very glad to hear about the "remission" side of this. My dad has recently been dx w/ Stage III b too adenocarcinoma right lung, chest, lymph nodes on both sides of lung. He is being considered for a Stage II trial also using Gemcitabine, Paclitaxel and Carboplatin. Sounds though like you are just getting Gemzar now though. Am I correct about that? My dad's cat scan is being rerun tomorrow to see about the pleural effusion. I have also heard that no radiation if you have pleural effusion. But maybe thats from what I read here and not from the Drs. If its not too nosy to ask where / what part of NJ are you being treated in? We are in Central NJ. You can privately emial me if you want. I can't get Private messages through this board though. Good luck to you .... Thanks Paula

Thanks for all your suggestions. We are in NJ. We had our initial consult w/ the Onc who ordered PET scan, brain MRI and bone scan. It is at least stage 3 - non-operable is what we were told. We hope its Stage 3 so we can try to shrink it and operate later. I did em w/ someone from thie board who lives very close to me. So I have an idea of where she has gone and whom she has seen. Wish us luck. Paula

I'm not sure how to proceed with this. Do we start whatever the 1st Dr suggests and then go for a 2nd, or do you hold off and get the 2nd opinion first. Will the work w/ Dr 1 invalidate anything Dr 2 can do ? Just scared that it will take more time to get the 2nd opinion and don't want to wait to start treatments. The tumor is already 11 cm big and into the chest wall and nodes. We have a meeting w/ the 1st Dr tomorrow to discuss PET scan results, staging and treatment. From what I kow brain and bone scans were clear. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks Paula

Diane - don't have any information for you on your situation, but I am thinking about your dad and hoping for a turnaround for him. Question for you though, why was he restaged. Seems like a pretty big turnaround in staging ... Thanks Paula

Hi I'm new to this forum and to LC. My dad was recently dx with NSCL, adenocarcinoma. We are waiting the results from the PET scan and a 2nd meeting w/ the onc. to determine stage and treatment. His bone scan and brain MRI came back clear - thankfully .. Just waiting on pins and needles, trying to deal with every day life, and trying to learn as much as I can before our next appt. What initially sent him to the Dr was a "feeling of faintness" at times, low blood pressure, high pulse rate. They first thought it was pneumonia and my mother thought it was diabetic neuropathy. He has also lost about 20 lbs. He looks VERY thin ... He says he is having shortness of breath now as well and his leg is bothering him which maybe from a pinched nerve or something like that. An u/s this week showed no blood clots. Wondering too if he will be denied participating in any clincial trials due to his (insulin dependent) diabetes. Does anyone know anything about that? Warm hugs to you all. Paula

The main page will not let me log in , keeps failing my login. But I can go to the boards themselves and login. I'm logged in right now. I've tried 2 different browsers and 2 different computers ... I also tried a link last night, same deal Paula

and he lives off of Tpke 8. Just dx, so I'm not sure he is ready yet to meet others, or my mom yet too. But I'd love to keep it in mind for the future. And Barbara L ... I live right near you, in Marlboro. Pass you every day on my way home from work. If there is something I can do for you, please let me know (also I sent another post to you on your post .. looking good .. would like to talk w/ you about onc.). I'm just startiing w/ my folks in this journey ... Paula

Hi Barb - nice to "see" you. You look great with your wig. I'm from Central NJ too. My dad has just been dx and also went to NJ Cancer Institute (RWJ) at Hamilton . Glad you liked the onc. and were comfortable there. We see the onc there again next week for staging and treatment ideas. He is at least in stage 3. We want a 2nd opinion too, just trying to figure out where to go. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks Paula

Hi Andrea . I'm new here too.. I'm glad to hear though that treatment has been tolerable . My dad has just been dx - this week brain MRI, bone scan and PET to determine if spread and defined stage 3 or stage 4. Dr said "at least stage 3". I waffle between there are lots of people who survive a long time and how much time does he have. His tumor, unlike so many I've read about, is large - 11 cm and into his chest wall. Someone mentioned Wed night chat. How do I get there? Thanks in advance. Paula