Connie B

Dear Sara and Ed, Hi Sara, I think you are the wonderful person that came to our Support Group last Tuesday and I missed you because I was home with a cold! Am I right that you are that Sara?? Well my dear, you are the same age as my daughter and your husband is one year younger then my son-in-law, and this is just toooooo heartbreaking for all of us. You touched all the hearts of the support group members, (so I was told)! They wanted to take you and ED and fix you both! (sigh)! Having said all that..... I was a Stage IIIA-B Adenocarcinoma as well, and 7-1/2 years later, HERE I AM!!! There are many out in this world just like me!! My dear, I am so very sorry you have the need to find us, yet, I am SOOOO Very glad that you did!! I think you even have my phone number and if you EVER wish to chat, please feel free to give me a call!!! When your up to it, please share with us where Ed is in his treatments, and how he and you are doing! The Lung Cancer Support Group members shared with me that you needed a BIG HUG last Tuesday after group! I'm sending you a HUGE HUG, (((((((((((((((((((((((((((Sara))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) Everyone know's I A HUGGER!!! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear Sandy, I am so very sorry to hear that you lost your wonderful husband Mark. My prayers are with you and your family. Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear Kathy, Just wanted to share with you that it's not uncommon for treatments to vary in each person. Some people do well the first few chemo's then get tired or sick with the last one's. Then some do will get sick right off the bat and but the last few chemo's they do very well. It's a horse a piece. And then some do well all the way through. Just the nature of the beast! Glad to hear you were well treated here in St. Paul, MN. What, you don't like our Mosquitoes? I've lived here all my life and I still can't stand the little buggers!!! I'm also glad to hear you have been reading the board. There are a lot of encouraging and hopeful stories here!! God Bless and Good luck. Keep us posted! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Kathy, I would say that being tired is a combination of a couple things. Chemo being one, stress being two. Yes chemo does add to fatigue. Did you get a book from Tim's Chemo doctor that might explain the side effects of Chemo? If they didn't give you one, I would ask for one. Also there is ALCASE. www.alcase.org You can look up and see what info they have regarding side effects of chemo's as well. They are a wonderful resource for us lung cancer patients and caregivers. I am sure his stress level is very high at this time as well. Not to mention any other med's he is taking. Rest is very important at this time. I was very lucky when I did my chemo and radiation treatments (together), for I had very few side effect. I sure wish I could pass that along to your Tim. And as for being where you are for Tim's treatments, chances are MD Anderson would off the same treatments Tim is getting right now. Most major hospitals offer the same in treatments or protocal. I would take the word of those that told you they would go to U Mass Memorial. I went to a well known hospital here in St. Paul MN when I did my treatments and they did the same with me that the Mayo would have done. So, I am sure your in good hands. Even smaller hospitals have good doctor's dedicated to lung cancer treatments for there patients. Good luck. Have you had a chance I hope to read some of the Stories here on the board? You will find much hope and comfort in reading some of these stories. I hope you can find a minute or two to do that! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Shordy, First off I think you need one HELL of a HUG (((((((((SHORDY))))))))) Next I need to say, I can't say anything else that all the rest haven't already said. They all took the words right out of my mouth. And last, I WANT TO EXPRESS that I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE US!!! I THINK YOU NEED TO STAY RIGHT HERE where we can all walk through this nightmare with you!!! I only hope you will be checking these messages and that you will notice how much we all care and understand what your going through. Yes, your dad is going through a LOT, but my dear SO ARE YOU!!!! ((((((((((((((SHORDY)))))))))))))))) Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear Kathy, I would suggest you sit back for a little while and do some reading of the board here. You will find many people that have shared stories to what it is your looking for. Please look at the different forums, such as "Late Stage" or General forum, or even Good News, & Inspirational Stories. You will be surprised what you will find. I wish you and your husband all the very best. Your in a good place for education and support. Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear Patty Ann, OH SO sorry to hear what the doctor had to say! Well for what it's worth, I'm not a doctor but I have opinions just like the doctor's do and I say: YOU CAN BEAT THIS!!! The only professional I know that can call those shots on how long we have to live is the man upstairs!! SOOOOOO! I do hope your med's will work. I have heard of this, but never knew anyone who had it! Can I ask how long you have been done with your radiation treatments? Is this something that comes weeks, months or even years after radiation treatments have been completed? Just wondering if you knew? One of my Support Group members has radiation damage to one of her lungs and it really causes her to cough a lot. But she is cancer free. (she is a Small Cell lung cancer survivor of 3 years) However, I had radiation too, and I didn't cough very much for the first year or so after treatments. and now 7+ years later and ton's of colds that I have had over the last few years, I cough more often as well! My Doc's say I am fine and not to worry about the cough. hummmm! Easy for them to say! Some days are worse the others, but I have learned to live with it! I also have shortness of breath now and then. BUT my Doc's all tell me my lung is clean and clear!! You wouldn't think so at times if you heard me cough!! OY!!! Good luck my dear, and I sure hope your back on the mend real soon! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear Candy, I just want to clarify something regarding your husbands throat cancer. I am not trying to sound like you are not welcomed here in any way shape or form, however, I also don't want you to be mislead regarding your husbands cancer treatments. What we deal with on this board with our treatments will NOT be the same as how your husband's may be treated, being that lung cancer is NOT his primary tumor. So, I wouldn't want any mishaps for your husbands treatments to be comfused with lung cancer treatments. I do with all my heart hope things work out well for you and your husband. And if you need support, please by all means feel free to stay with us. Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear Peg, I too am so very sorry to hear the Chemo Cocktail your hubby was on has not worked for him. Why it is that some chemo's work for some and not for others is baffling. I would go as far to say I'm sure the Onc. Doc's would like an answer to that as well! However, I would ask if they are considering another type of chemo reg. for him? How did your husband do on his first types of chemo? They might do a change of chemo if he did well. That's a very hard call for us to make what will or won't work for you. Lung Cancer is and can be a monster, with NO rhyme or reason's to WHY it does what it does. It's MADDENING, CONFUSING AND FRUSTRATING!!! To say the least! Being on Blood thinners also is common. Your husbands lungs are weak and it's a good thing his doctor did this. Glad to hear he is on them. I honestly wish I could give you some ray of sunshine here, but it's beyond my wildest dreams what his doctor's may suggest for him. But, like I said, they may try another Chemo. You may wish to suggest this at the next appointment. As for how fast this crud can grow and where it can go, like you it just puts me in shock at times, how one minute it can be slow going and the next it's off and running. (so to speak)! Totally Mind Blowing!!! I will keep you and your hubby in my thoughts and prayers. He still has options, so don't close the book just yet! Try hard to stay positive and keep the fight. God know's this is one HELL of a fight!! It's just another bump in the road!! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hi Faylene, WOW, yes we do have an East Side St. Paul, Minnesota!! We have St. Paul, but we have the East side of St. Paul and the West Side of St. Paul. Go figure!! How funny is that???? We learn something new all the time!! hehehe! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear Katie and Jane, Just my 2 cents regarding (smoking campains). They also don't tell you that if and when a person quits smoking they are still at risk for Lung Cancer!! Smoking is Legal and no one is breaking the law by smoking. Society has every person that smokes feeling they need to be ASHAMED of what they do or did. So sad that you need to defend your sister. (sigh)! Your right, no one deserves any kind of cancer for ANY REASON!!! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Faylene, I have been meaning to ask you who is from (East St. Paul) in your family? I grew up in Maplewood which is right next door to the East Side! Hugs

Hi Faylene, Well, with all the prayers and good thoughts maybe mom is back on the mend??!!! We can only hope!! But I am so very happy to hear she is feeling better. This may be just a matter of time. (there's that word again, TIME)! Thanks my dear for the update and do Give your mom and family my best wishes. Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear Antony, Well my dear, I am not sure where your getting your info from, but I was told that Adeno is one of the most common lung cancers in the NSC family. I have never heard of it having one of the "poorest prognosis" I had Stage IIIA-b Adenocarcinoma when I was dx.d in 1995 and many of my lung cancer support group members have had it as well. I know many survivors of Adneo. Stay away from all those stupid statisics, PLEASE!! They are SOOOO outdated, not to mention the fact that they don't tell you the ages of the patients they used on those stats. Quit looking for all the bad stuff and just stay focused on what is good and all the positive and true stories you will get right here! The down side of any cancer isn't going to do you any good in reading all that stuff, so why not stick with what is good and what has worked for so MANY??? I think that's a GOOD idea, what do you think? Stay Strong and keep us posted. Best wishes to you and your mom, let us know what her treatment plan will be. Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear Howard, I too am very sorry you had the need to find us, but you are in the right place. Sloan is a very well known Cancer Center, and people travel from all over the world to get treatments there for lung cancer. But, Judy B is right, Doctor's are not God and you need to pay attention as well. A tape recorder is a MUST! I did that as well. As for Alternative Meds, What ever you decide to do with or without them always but always tell your doctor's first before you start anything. Rule of thumb!! Best wishes to you and Neomi. Keep us posted and keep asking questions. Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hi Behappy!! Will as you can see, all these wonderful people on this board are a tough act to follow when it comes to advice. Do I have 2 cents worth I can add this your request?! You beat I do!! I have 7+ years of 2 cents worth to share with you being that I was a Stage IIIA-B as well!!! However, you are in what is called the dreaded "beginning stages" of this journey so all your fears and sadness is totally understandable and rightfully so. It SUCKS to have lung cancer and that's the bottom line. However, it is VERY BEATABLE! TADAH!!!! And you have a darn good chance of doing just that!! I was 43 when I was dx.d with Lung Cancer and now I am the BIG 50 and damn proud of it!!! Depression and cancer seem to go hand and hand, like cigarettes and booze! (oh that's right you didn't smoke)! (well turst me on that one)! Some of us do need some extra help with getting back on a positive frame of mind and Judy B is 120% right when she said, "better living through chemistry" VERY SOUND ADVICE!!! And it works too!! I also think being a part of this board will take some of the pressure you are dealing with and you will find your not in this journey alone. I faciliate a Lung Cancer Support Group here in Minnesota and the Power of each others presents is so benefical to our recovery and every day lives. You might wish to see if there is a Lung Cancer Support Group in your area as well. They claim they add years to our lives!! (what ever works)! Down days are bound to happen, but you can enjoy life as well. You have a good chance of beating this and life is GOOD, so GO LIVE IT because you CAN!!! Stay with us, we'll walk the walk with you, your not alone! Oh, by the way, don't sell yourself short, you are going through all the norm with being a lung cancer survivor. I'm pretty sure we have ALL been where you are at one time or another. Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hi Connie, Well my dear, I am soooo very happy to see you post to this wonderful board for love, support and education. Your in the right spot my friend! As caregivers we feel just as much fear at times as the patient does, and sometimes more! As you know, I have been on both sides of this fence, being a caregiver and now a survivor. Neither side of this fence is a cake walk, but it sure as heck helps to have so many wonderful people walking the walk with us as we journey this very bumpy road. I know when I was a caregiver to my dad, mom and sister, I use to say to myself, "Connie B, stop being such a baby about this, I'm not the one with cancer"! WRONG!!!!! This is a FAMILY/Freinds disease and it impacts us all and devestates us at times to no return. (we think)! And yes it is okay to be such a baby(if that's the case) about all this crap that has entered our lives. Each day will get a little, what I like to call (softer) to deal with as time goes on. And each and everyone of us needs a place to VENT, BUMP, or CRY or even just make fun of things. Your in a very safe place here and you will not be alone. Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Don and Lucie, Here's my take on Patience, "When your in the Longest Line at the Grocery Store that is Gods way of teaching us PATIENCES!" So now everytime you go the the store you will giggle to yourself! Not as serious as living with cancer, but non the less, it goes to show that we are never to old to learn and listen to what God is trying to teach us. I have NO DOUBT that Lucie is a very lucky wife to have you in her corner and at her side. I'm even glad that we are able to have you in our corner and at our sides. Your a DEAR!!! My hubby has the patiences of a SAINT as well!! BLESS HIS HUGE HEART AS WELL!! Where would be we be without our Caregivers and Loved Ones??? Bless your HUGE HEART!!! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

HERE, HERE Tiny and Dave G on your wonderful response to this article!!! I can't top either one, and I don't plan too!! Well Said! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hi Kristen, Yes I will say a prayer for you father. I'm sure his surgery will go fine! I had my left lung removed 7-1/2 years ago. Give your dad my best and tell him to stay positive. This CAN be BEAT, and he has a good chance of beating it!! God Bless and keep up posted. Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Dear Cathy, Sorry to hear your dad has the dreaded (radiation pneumontis)! I had it three months after I completed my radiation treatments. I know it's no fun to have. You might want to look on the SCLC forum because I know our friend Sam has been dealing with it was well. I was very lucky in getting mine under control right away. I am sure you will have a WONDERFUL time in Florida, I just wish I could go with!!! I'm up here in Minnesota and it's darn cold here today!! Isn't Moffet Cancer Center in Florida? hummm! I think that's the one down their? Some say it's good and some say.............!! But, then again that could be anywhere!! Have a nice safe trip and we will be looking forward to hearing how things went when you return. Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hi Don & Lucie, I am glad to hear Lucie's rash went away. I guess no one on the board had any good advice for you! humm!! I know when I did my chemo (what seems to be 50 years ago, but only 7) I broke out with little bumps all over the top of my bald head. Never did find out what they were, because my doc or the nurses didn't know either. The bumps just hurt for about 3 days then they went away!! But, none the less, I am so happy she is much better. Love to you both, Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hi All, I just wanted to drop a line and ask that everyone send hugs and support to our friend Teet. She is really having a tough time and needs lots of love and support right now. So, thank you all for lending a hand to a friend in need. Hugs Teet!!! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hi Janet, Your comment, "Many have prayed.....but most did not expect a good outcome? Where is our Faith?" Well my dear when they see you dancing around and adding to your family in time to come, THEY will be the ones to learn where Faith comes from!! Just think of it as Gods way of showing them the WAY!!! That and the fact that many people honestly are ignorant about lung cancer and it's survival rate, it's not there fault though, they just don't know any better!!! But that's okay, cause your going to give them all a new lesson in how to survive lung cancer and enjoy life along this journey!! Warm and Gentle Hugs,

Hi Ray, Glad to hear you got your ribbons. So many people are not aware of the Lung Cancer Ribbon, so it's important that we all get the word out. My support group members and myself make sure we do all we can to bring awareness to lung cancer. ALCASE works hard on behalf of Lung Cancer Patients. I have to say here in Minnesota ACS (American Cancer Society) does very little on behalf of lung cancer. They are more for Breast, Prostate and Colon Cancers. The rest of the cancers kind of fall through the cracks. Kind of sad, but oh so true here!! I use to volunteer for ACS and I have learned alot about them. I wouldn't cross the street to give them a penny. But, then again, that's ME!!! Best to you, glad to hear your wearing your ribbon!!! Warm and Gentle Hugs,