ginnyde

Dear God, Please let Sandy's appt go excellently. Thank you God.

Well my dear friends, we just got back from Fox Chase. We took the films from the CT scan Earl had on Wed. They had said that they would only continue with the Carbo/Taxol if it was working. Yep, it's working. The onc. said it looks like some of the smaller tumors have disappeared and that the couple of larger ones are filling in (His terminology) (These are liver tumors) Ok, that is the good news. The bad news is that the poor Duke is dragging. He is very tired and weak. When we got home I changed him from a cane to a walker. But I don't feel this is a back step, just the side effects from the wonderful chemo that is shrinking his tumors. His appetite is humongous and he is gaining weight. The bad news is that so am I gaining weight right along with him. Wishing you all well and wishing you all good news. Ginny

Dear Kristy, What a shock. It happened so quickly. Please accept my sincerest sympathy. I am so sorry. Ginny

Dear Ellen, I am so sorry about your sister. Run, don't walk, to get a second opinion. An oncologist should be the lead doctor and be managing her care. I think Dr. Sam is near Atlanta and may be able to give you a name. Find his member profile and email or pm him. Good luck. Ginny

I, too, walked away feeling more optimistic than when I got there. A couple of things: 1. There were quite a few 5, 6 and 7 year survivors, including one woman who is a 7.5 year SCLC survivor. 2. Sounds like at least 2-3 new drugs about to hit the market. 3. The Dr. said that the statistics are not reliable, but that if you look at the mortality chart it is going down for both sexes. 4. While he said, he is not sure about a cure for LC, he thinks we are moving closer to it being treated like a chronic disease. I was particularly impressed with the guy that had his tumor tested as Heather wrote. I don't know why that isn't done immediately. Seems like it would be cost effective, eliminating all the drugs that are not going to work. And, by the way, Heather is a cute, or maybe cuter in person then her picture. Ginny

Hey Greg, The hospital would not be my first choice for Tday dinner, but the good news is it sounds like you are on the road to recovery. Stay the course Greg and know we are all thinking about and praying for you. Ginny

Hooray for good news. So many of us have reason to be thankful this Thanksgiving. Eat hearty. Ginny

Or if it is a capsule, you could open it up.

Oh, Francine, what rotten news. But treatments can and do work. Went to a meeting on LC on Sat and the Dr. said there are many new drugs just about to come out and that they are really working on making LC a chronic disease. You stay strong and fight this darn disease. Ginny

Cindy, This is fantastic, terrific, down right wonderful news. Now all you have to worry about is getting everything done for the holidays. And these are wonderful worries. Ginny

Judy, The port is the best thing that happened to Earl. He is getting a CT scan on Wed and they can't do that thru the port, so we have to make sure to get an IV nurse. He has no veins. Good luck with the chemo. Ginny

Dear Cathy, I will pray for a successful surgery and for a speedy, pain free recovery. Ginny

Dear Don and Lucie, This is absolutely wonderful news. Sit back, relax and eat tons of turkey. Ginny

ATM, Age is only one factor. Also, stage and type of disease, overall health of patient etc. etc. etc. Hope your grandmother does well. Ginny

Dear Kristy, Bad scans are devasting. But I believe that as long as your Mother is receiving treatment, there is hope. Stay strong for her. I will include you both in my prayers. Ginny

Dear Fay, You are a guiding spirit and a mountain of courage for us here. I know my husband is not a 'happy camper' on chemo. But there is a part of me that believes that some good is coming from each treatment. You've got to believe these last two treatments will kill every last one of those rotten little cells. And while a new hairdo can't perk you up right now, how about a manicure and a pedicure. Hang tight Fay. Ginny

Add my prayers. Ginny

Sally, I had the same problem. I figure eventually I will have a 20 character name. HaHa Ginny

I think English is probably the hardest language to learn. For example: Pronounce - cough tough dough And I have a friend whose last name is Hough - pronounced How Go figure. Ginny

Dear Shauna, I am so worry you need to be here, but welcome. There is such a wealth of knowledge and an overabundance of caring here. Ginny

Dear Sam, Please pass on my sympathy to the family. I was just about to post a query to Sue to see what the radiation onc. had to say. She was a fighter. I wish her family peace and comfort during this most difficult time. Ginny

Here's a prayer that Iressa is your magic pill. Have been hearing a lot of good about it and a lot of drs. are prescribing it. Good luck David. Ginny

Wow David, Happy you are now a member of the 'Empty Headed' Club. Good luck with your new treatments. I just know there is some pointy headed sneaker clad scientist in a lab somewhere that is just about to say Eureka - I have the cure for LC. We all just have to hang in for a little while. Prayers to you. Ginny

Dear Karen, I am so happy that darling Faith is just having a little nip and tuck. Coping, I don't know what I am doing. It seems the last few days Earl has been testing my 'wait on me hand and foot' attitude. I know he his very sick but I think he is having a major league pity party and it breaks my heart to see him so down. Except he was not even a little bit down when the Eagles won yesterday. Karen, yell, cry or go shopping. Being a caregiver is tough work. Fondly, Ginny

Vadis, Get to another Dr. ASAP. There are many, many treatments out there for Lung Cancer. Have you been properly staged? Research this site for similar cases and take that information to your NEW doctor. Don't give up. There are over 700 wonderful people here routing and praying for you. Ginny