bug4461

I have always hated the old cliche : God only gives you the trials he knows you are strong enough to Handel.....I AM Iron Woman! or at least he must think so. In the past year, my 9 month old granddaughter (my only grandchild) drowned in her own bathtub (one year to the day before my diagnosis), my favorite brother-in-law blew his brains out (July 17,2008) and now this...he (the powers that be) must have a whole #@$%^& of a lot more faith in me than visa versa! Iron Woman WILL persevere That which does not kill me today, makes me stronger tomarrow!

Thank you all for your understanding. I THINK I am getting my anger reassigned to a more productive utility. I have jokingly made this motto mine for years, now I guess it truely is appropriate: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO what a ride!" Need to get this on a t -shirt, coffe cup (they'll probably make me give THAt up as well, huh?) (Probably have to give up chocolate as well...looking bleak again!) Everything Good is Bad!!! My pulmonologist says not to change my schedual (don't quit college), but missing classes at the begining of the semester is really hurting my GPA. Not sure what to do about that. Thanks again, Sandy [/img]

Thank you Sandra, I guess I just needed to hear that my anger is justified; and I think I will contact those folks and let them know how dissapointed I am in how they handeled me.I don't have anything else I can direct my energies toward at this point as I am in a holding pattern until I see the oncologist. I tell it to the dog, but he's not real vocal with his opinions. I want you ALL to know how grateful I am for this place to talk to 'others', I am alone in this and sometimes may just need someone elses opinions. Sandy (bug4461)

I hear what everyone is saying about not wasting energy being angry about delayed diagnosis, BUT.... For the past eight years I have undergone MRI's, CT's( both kinds), sputum tests, x-ray assisted injections for back pain, MULTIPLE treatment for bronchitis and lung infections. I have reported constant productive cough, a growth was detected on my adrenal gland 5 yrs. ago and NOTHING was done to follow up despite me expressing my concerns. My primary DR. treated me as though I was a hypochondriac when my Pulmonologist ordered the sputum test. So YES! I am ANGRY. Now that I have a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, it has progressed beyond surgery. Why would this have not been discovered at any point over the past 8 yrs. of medical tests? The University of Michigan Hospital conducted immunology tests in 2005, they did not report any cancer findings.Of course one MUST consider the fact that I was on Michigan's disability Medicaid insurance at the time. Now, I get to try to find treatments on Medicare and Mich. Medicaid. Feel like they would prefer I roll over and die than cost the state a penny. Again I appologize, but I am flaming mad and feel as though out of the 23 doctors and specialists I have seen in the past 8 yrs., only my Pulmonologist cares.

Hello,I am 47, female, full time college student (Geology/Environmental Studies major), live alone with my Great Dane service dog, 30 year smoker , spent 6 yrs. involved in asbestos removal from public schools without adequate safegaurds and was just told the "chronic bronchitis/COPD" treated for 5 yrs is actually adenocarcinoma. I have not had a PET scan yet (unknown at this juncture) or met with the oncologist (next Tuesday).Quite frankly, I have no idea what to do, ask or expect.I am not a surgical candidate as we know it is in the lungs and lymph nodes and suspect my right adrenal gland is involved as well, could even be more widespread than that. I'm already sick of hearing the pity comments and don't know how to reply to them.