Connie B

Hey Judy Buddy, WOW, GREAT NEWS GIRLFRIEND!! WAY TO GO!! HIP HIP HOORAY!!! 4 months of jumping for joy!! How AWESOME! I like good news too! I'm with you, this should be a good news day!! Even Lucie and Don got some sorta good news! And in this battle sorta is pretty darn good too! As well as Shannon and Mike heading to Mayo. What a GOOD NEWS DAY THIS IS!! However, we here in Minnesota are getting hit with SNOW, they said 6 inches. I hope they are wrong!! OH WELL! Life is good and today is GOOD NEWS DAY!! Warm and Gentle Hugs, With a HUGE PAT ON THE BACK!!!

Hi Faylene, (By the way, I just LOVE your name FAYLENE!) So nice!!! I was thinking about you all day today and your mom, and then I look on the board and low and behold there you are!!! Well, at least your getting SOME good news about mom's tumors. Sure wish they could find out what is causing her to be so tired and sick like. Darn!!! But, I hope you know your all in my thoughts and prays. But, lets hope it is something that can be treated with a couple pills or so. Thinking of you and your family often. Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hey Tim'sKathy, No I don't live near Duluth, I live 28 miles north of the Twin Ciites, St. Paul, Minneapolis area. Duluth is about 140 miles north of us. Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear Jellytine, Well, first off I would find a NEW DOCTOR!!! Just my humble opinion! I have a very dear friend how was a stage IV SCLC patient and her cancer also had traveled to her liver. Well, her first doctor gave her doom and gloom messages as well, so she fired him and went and got another doctor. Well, I'm here to tell you that she is now a 3+ years LUNG CANCER SURVIVOR with NO Cancer in her system. Her chemo's were VP-16 and Cisplatin. Same as what I had. So, before you go writing her off I would go get a second and even third opinon if NEED BE! Small Cell Lung Cancer response very well to chemo's. (so I've been told)! Good luck and God Bless, Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Sandy S. Sending you POSITIVE VIBES for GOOD NEWS!!! Along with a HUG (((((((((((((((Sandy S.))))))))))))))) Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hi Shannon and Mike. Way to go Shannon!! This sure sounds HOPEFUL to me!!! I'm so happy for you both!!! Make sure you give a wave toward Northern Minnesota when you pass through, and I'll wave back to you both!! I'll also give the thumbs up as you pass through!!! Wishing you both wonderful results!!! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear Ideawizard, Well, it sounds to me like you have all your ducks in a row and have a lot of wonderful support sites in order. I know that Ada mentioned ALCASE and I agree with her on checking out there website and checking into the phone buddy system. ALCASE deals with Lung Cancer patients and they are a wonderful resource of imformation for family/friends and patients. Also they will have several sites listed that you may wish to check out as well. I will also add, that living with lung cancer doesn't always mean that a patient wants to deal with this on a daily basis. Meaning getting her away from this issue is also a good thing for patients and caregivers. It is very overwhelming to a patient and taking a break from it is very helpful and important to our well being! Support Groups are also very helpful to patients/caregivers. I would suggest looking in your area for either a Cancer Support Group or a Lung Cancer Support Group, however, there aren't that many lung cancer support groups around (sigh)! I have talked with many people that have attended Cancer Support Groups verses Lung Cancer Support Groups and they have all shared that they get more understanding and support from a Lung Cancer Support Group, those that have lung cancer that is! I know when I was dx.d, the last thing I felt like doing was reading all the ins and outs of lung cancer issues. Some times to much of a good thing, really isn't good! You will find a lot of the imformation you are looking for right here on this board in past messages. I know it takes time reading all the messages, but I can't help but think you will find a lot of what your looking for right here! And I might add, stay AWAY from the dreaded STATISTICS!!! MOST if not ALL of the statistics are OUTDATED!! Not to mention, very depressing! Humor, laughter, stop and smell the roses is very important to a Lung Cancer Survivors recovery. Good luck and Best wishes on your journey! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hi Deanna & Mom! Just wanted to drop you a short line and say I am so happy to hear mom's tumors are shrinking!! HOORAY MOM!!! I sure wish I knew how to reach that lady I met this Fall that had her cancer return 5 times and beat it each time it returned!! She was such a neat lady too!!! I kind of had to many things going on that day to get her phone number,but I did introduce her to a few of my Support Group members that are also SCLC survivors. She sure was a JOY to meet! But, none the less she gave all of us a lot of hope!! Good news for you and mom, and I will continue to say a prayer that this will all GO AWAY soon!!! It sure sounds to me like she is doing GREAT!!! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear DCastle, Okay, that explains it. I guess I didn't have all the facts from your first message. I know how this can be soooo confusing at times!! And yet, I hear things like one person has had this and yet they won't do it for someone else, with the same dx.s, so that adds to our confussion!! Good luck and I'm glad the Onc explained all this. Far be it for ME to try and make sense out of this journey we are all thrown into!! Just when I think I have things figured out, something pops up and changes the game plan!!! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear Spunkystuff, I am sorry you have the need for us, but you came to the right place. Also, it doesn't matter to us if your mom smoked or not, as you will find this isn't just a smokers disease! As for how long does your mom have???? God only knows!!!! However, I am concerned to WHY she won't do chemo! They have come out with so many new chemo's and anti-nausea drugs sense she last did her's in 1984. However, now that she has breathing problems due to emphysema, that may be a problem with having chemo now. As for coughing up blood. I have heard of people doing this for months on end before they pass away. My cousin's husband had lung cancer and he coughed up blood for 9 months before he passed away this last October. So, again, it's so hard to say. Everyone is so different in this journey! Your poor mother has some serious problems with the emphysema, along with the lung cancer. Emphysema along can cause many problems as well. (sigh)! I wouldn't try to second guess how long she has, however, I would suggest you spend time and give her lots of TLC during this time. When my mom was dx.d with lung cancer, they gave her 6 weeks to live. Well, low and behold she lived for 3 months and 8 days after being dx.d. I hated the fact that they had said that, because all my family did was count the minutes to when she would die. And it just added so much STRESS onto all of us. And I might add that my mom was just fine up until the last 5 days before she did pass away. I lost 3 family members to lung cancer, and NONE of them were the same in the ending days. So, I would suggest NOT trying to put a date to this, as it will only add to your anxiety. Enjoying the time that is left (LIFE) is so much more important then wondering and worring about when she may pass. Take each day ONE DAY at a TIME, and sometimes you may even have to take it ONE MINUTE at a TIME!! It is SO hard to try and prepare people for the ending stages of our lives, because like I said, no two are alike! Wishing you all the best, and please know you and your mom are in my thoughts and prayers. Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Steve's pulmonologist said that he would have chemo & radiation. After all the reading here and elsewhere, I see that radiation is only possible if there are no mets. Makes me wonder whythe pulmonologist didn't know/say that. Hi DCastle, I'm concerned about your comment regarding radiation treatments. When you meet with the Radiation doctor they will explain Steve's treatment to you both, however, it is NOT true that they don't offer radiation if the cancer has spread. My lung cancer had spread to two lymph nodes and I had Chemo and Radiation as well. I just wanted to share with you that it's not uncommon to have both radiation and chemo when lung cancer HAS spread! Best wishes to you and Steve. I wish you both the best and I am sure he will do very well with his treatments. POSITIVE ATTITUDE really helps!! Good luck and keep up posted. Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear MomOTwins, Well, let me see if I can answer that question!! hummmm! First is there a possibility that you are a canidate for surgery now? I would suggest reading Judy B's messages and look and what she wrote in the Inspiration Forum. I did NOT have pleural effusion however, I was a stage IIIA when I went into surgery and when I came out I was a IIIB. Reason being I had 2 lymph nodes that were cancerous. They removed them along with a few extras as well as my left lung and here I am 7 years and 8 months later, (but who's counting)?! hehehe! As for will you be a survivor? You already are!! Will you live another 5, 10, 15, 20 years, I don't think anyone can answer that for you!!! But, you do have a good chance of beating this, just like so many others have. Read over some of these messages and get educated so when you talk to your doctor, you know what your talking about!! It honestly does help to have the power of KNOWLEDGE!!! Good luck my friend, and hang in there!! You are and can be a long term SURVIVOR!!! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear Minnie, Thank God your wonderful mom is on the mend!! I know your heart has been very busy skipping a beat or two now and then. I hope she will continue to get stronger as time goes on! Good news!! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear Sonjo, You really are an INSPIRATION!!! David P said it best when he said it would be great to hear your entire story, from before dx.s to now. Please consider sharing your story on the Inspiration Forum. It's people like you, David P. Dave G. Judy B and even me, and many many more that give hope to those that thought there was NO HOPE! I am So Very Happy for you! Congratulations!!! And Continued Good Health to You! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hi Paul, Some how I missed this message you wrote and I just now got to reading it. HOW INTERESTING!! WOW!! I don't know if I could watch it being done either, only because I have a weak tummy for major surgery things. But, I think I might have given this a shot being I had my Left lung removed. Thanks for sharing this, and like you, I to am privileged to be alive! Like our buddy David P puts it, our Badge of Honor!! Oh how true!! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hi All, As if we don't have ENOUGH to deal with and worry about, we now have a NEW Respiratory Illness to be concerned with. I just wanted to say, LUNG CANCER SURVIVORS/CAREGIVERS be AWARE!!! The World Health Organization warned Saturday that a contagious and deadly pneumonia-like illness of unknown cause is fast becoming a worldwide health treatment. SYMPTOMS, facts * Sudden fever higher than 38 Celsius (100.4F) * Cough, shortness of breath, difficutly breathing * Headache, muscular stiffness, loss of appetite * Incubation period of 2 to 7 days * Unknown pathogen, non specific antibiotic or anti-viral drug yet recommened. This is just a HEADS UP message. I am sure you have all heard about this on the news and read this in the papers. So, to all, please be AWARE!! Please try not to hit the PANIC button just yet, but do be aware of this problem. However, most of us lung cancer patients have a LOT of these symptoms as side effects of our cancer. Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hi Faylene, Just wanted to send POSITIVE THOUGHTS your way and let you know your all in my prayers. Hope mom is feeling better soon!!! Keep us posted dear!! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear Teet, I guess in my opinion, IF there really was a CURE for cancers, I really think someone would have brought it to everyone's attention by now. Even Doctor's, Research People, Politician, etc... have SOMEONE in there families that have dealt with some kind of cancer, and I can't help to think they sure would want it brought to the attention of the world!!! And I also know that a LOT of those so called CURED Cancer books are a dime doz. It makes me sick to think that there are SICK people out there that PREY on cancer victums. But they do!!! I keep thinking of that lady (MOTHER) who told everyone her little daugther had cancer so she could collect money, when in all honesty her daughter never did have cancer. So, you do need to BE AWARE!!! You also need to keep in mind that what works for breast, colon, or other cancers may NOT work for lung cancer. That could be applies and oranges!! God Bless, Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hi Jodi, (Sunshine)! So glad to see you share your story with everyone. Your the sunshine in many people lives! And of course you give HOPE to those that never thought there was any! And of course you know I hole you near and dear to my heart!! But also keep in mind, we're here for you too!! I know you haven't had the easiest time the last year, so, remember we are here to walk with you too!!! You know I am just thrilled by your 3 year survival and I am blessed to have you a part of our very own Support Group here in Minnesota, not to mention in my life!! Jodi has GREAT knowledge when it comes to Mesothelioma. She will be a wonderful asset to this wonderful group. Love with Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Sending Positive Hugs to you and your family Honey Bun!!! (((((((((((((((Karma & Family)))))))))))))))) We'll be waiting to hear from you that all is FINE with Dad!! Hang in there!!! We're here for you!! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

THANKS KARMA, Karma, I just had to thank you for sharing that article on that vaccine. About 4 weeks ago I heard something on our nightly news regarding a Lung Cancer Vaccine. Well, low and behold I got on the internet and looked all over the place and couldn't find a thing on it. Then I thought, well...... maybe I was hearing things and wishful thinking!! Then about 2 weeks after I heard about the Lung Cancer Vaccine, they came on the news again and said they had a promising vaccine for colon cancer. Again, I couldn't find anything. SOOOO THANK YOU for helping me to know I wasn't hearing things!! Thank you thank you!! God knows I need all the help I can get sometimes!!! Just ask Dave G, he'll tell ya!! hehehee! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear Gabriel, I am sorry to hear your mother has lung cancer. However she on the road to becoming a SURVIVOR of lung cancer!!!! I am NOT a doom and gloom person when it comes to the fight for our life living and dealing with lung cancer, however, you had asked if another tumor could appear, and from my understanding being a lung cancer survivor myself, the answer is YES!!! We are really never out of the woods as far as being 100% cured!! But, that's not to say she doesn't have a GOOD chance of beating this. It sounds like her doctor's are covering all the bases and the fact that she is getting chemo is a good thing as well! Better to be safe then sorry!! I wish you and your mom all the best as she travels through her chemo. Try and keep a positive attitude and a stiff upper lip. It helps to get through the rough spots. Keep us up to date on how your mom and YOU are doing! This is beatable and I am living proof of that!!! As are so many others!!! Take care. Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hi Estelle, BUMMER!!!!!!! Sorry to hear you had/have a blood clot!! BIG BUMMER!! However they do seem to be one of the pit falls of having lung cancer. BUT, the GOOD NEWS IS, they are fixable!!! HOORAY!!!!! Just one more bump in the road to being a SURVIVOR!!! THIS TO SHALL PASS!!! Take Care my Friend, and keep us up to date on how your doing. I sooooo enjoyed our talk the other day!! Your a trooper and a SURVIVOR. God be with you! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hey Shordy, And they lived happily ever after!!! Oh I am so glad to hear you and your daddy made amends!! Bless you BOTH!!! Two broken hearts are now ONE!! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hey Laurie, WOW, I am sooo happy you had such a great time with your mom!!! WOW!! how COOL IS THAT??? I have to tell you, that I too just love your bear picture. Way to cute!! But, I have to say, your message about being at the Zoo really put a smile on my face. Good for you ALL!!! Warm and Gentle Hugs,