cathyr
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Posts posted by cathyr
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This is more like the Beth we've come to know and love!
You CAN do this. You've got lots of fight still left in you girl!
I'm praying for all of us.
Hugs to you,
CathyR
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Addie,
I am so sorry to hear of this setback. But that is exactly what it is - a setback! You can still fight this and have plenty of good quality of life left!
The chemo will surely kill those "active" cells.
You have my prayers sweetie. You are not in this fight alone.
Hugs to you!
CathyR
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Bob,
I have to give you the other side because I think that's what this board is about - lots of experience.
I was on Iressa for 2 months and it did absolutely nothing for me excepts give me very harsh side affects that really inteferred with my quality of life.
I supposedly met the qualifications that most people who respond to Iressa do, but it didn't work that way. Personally, I felt it set me back at least 2 months and I got mets to both adrenal glands while taking it.
I know it works wonders for many here on the board, but for some of us it did the opposite.
I wish you luck in anything you try, Bob!
Hugs to you,
CathyR
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Thank you so much for all your blessings and prayers! I am humbled.
The clinical starts this Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. I can only hope that even if I am not helped by this clinical and I will in someway contribute to a cure in the near future. I am so tired of hearing about 20's and 30's aged people getting lung cancer. It's not fair for anybody, but espicially young adults like this. I was given no illusions of a cure or longer survival by the people running this, but like I told Dr. Wiseman "I would rather die on the operating table knowing I was doing something to help than sit back and allow this disease to just take me over."
I will keep you all informed as to the progress or steps involved. Thank you again for your understanding, compassion and prayers.
Hugs to you all,
CathyR
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Welcome to this site. Sorry you had to find us like this. This site is a tremendous source of information and inspiration. Please let us help you get through this.
Hugs to you,
CathyR
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Hi all,
Well, I finally got accepted for a clinical trial. I start this coming Monday. This is a vaccine trial where the cells can either be your own or they can use donor cells. The cells are treated with Inteferon and given to you as a vaccine. I wish it were that easy. Actually, the treatments are quite involved. There is a chemo called Cytoxan that you get 2 days before the vaccine that is used to lower the number of white blood cells which block the immune response. Then the vaccine is given. It takes 2 hours to give as it is injected into the lymph channels of the foot and/or hand. Then, for 8 days after you receive a subcutaneous injection of Leukine which is used to protect
the bone marrow from the effects of chemotherapy as it stimulates both the number and activity of certain kinds of white blood cells.
It was explained to me that both this vaccine as well as the GVAX vaccine is basically designed to boost one's immune system. Anyway, this will probably work better for me because I won't have to go through another surgery which I would on the GAVX trial.
There are still openings in this clinical trial which is in Los Angeles. The GVAX trial in Sacramento is still opened too for anyone interested.
Thank you all for your support. I didn't want to post anything about this until I knew for sure. I love you all!
Hugs,
CathyR
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Don and Lucie,
Sorry to hear about the new lesion, but it sounds like your doctor already has a good plan in mind.
Can I sneak into your suitcase for the cruise? Great idea!
Hugs to you both!
Cathy R
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Beth,
Sorry to hear about the new diagnosis, but I must tell you that there are plenty of us still around who have nodules in both lungs after 4 months and in worse shape than you. You have age on your side for one thing that some of us don't. I, for one, have had nodules in both lungs for 14 months now. I also have mets to the adrenals. Nobody knows how long we have left, but you've got to pick yourself up and start another treatment. We all know it's not easy. None of us want to suffer at the end and we all have the same fears. So, don't give up - get mad and do something about it!
Prayers are with you.
CathyR
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Karen,
I'm really worried about Margaret too. I pm'd you a couple times to see if you had heard from her. I guess not. I don't have her number or I would call. If you have her last name I can try to find her number.
CathyR
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I'm so happy for you both! What great news. I'd take STABLE anytime.
I hear the champagne bubbles already.
Hugs to you,
CathyR
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What wonderful news! I'm so happy for you both. Enjoy! Enjoy!
Hugs,
CathyR
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Barbara,
My prayers to you and your family. Condolences to you all. I'm so glad you were able to bring such joy into his last year of life with the twins. He passed with wonderful memories!
Hugs to you,
CathyR
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Count me in! I'm bringing a Chocolate Seven Layer Cake from Jerry's Famous Deli in Marina Del Rey. It's the best. Please save a couple cold Sam Adams for me too.See ya later!
CathyR
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Hi Peggy,
I'm glad you found us. This site is a terrific source of information and support. I'm so sorry your husband is sick. It's a tough battle as you apparently know. Somehow, we are getting through this together.
Welcome again to this site and please feel free to "communicate" anytime you want.
CathyR
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The truth is always the way to go. I don't believe you should ever get into trouble telling the truth or ever feel bad about telling the truth.
Just my opinion.
CathyR
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Prayers for Mikes family and friends. I really believe it's the hardest on the still living.
Hugs to you all,
CathyR
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Jim is gone
in GRIEF
Margaret,
Oh my gosh, I am so sorry for your loss. The relief comes in knowing that Jim is no longer in pain and confusion. He is in the place we will all meet at sometime in the future. I lost my husband Richard to this terrible disease 1 year before my own diagnosis. So, I can honestly say I know what you are going through.
Be kind to yourself. Allow yourself to grieve. Hang on to the special memories you two created for yourselves. And, let your friends and family help you when they can. Please know that you did everything you could to help him.
My heart and love go out to you!!!
CathyR
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Wow! What a terrific poem. I'd like to have someone read that at my memorial whenever that may be.
Thanks for sharing.
CathyR
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Oh my gosh! How cute! I have to tell you that I work for the company that makes Snickers Bars. We also make M&M's, Twix, 3 Musketeers and Mars Bars. The funny thing is that Mars also owns and manufactures Pedigree Dog Food, and Whiskas Cat food. At the Dog and Cat food plant in Vernon, Ca. we have several cats that roam around and are used to taste new foods and try out new products. They are named Snickers and Twix!
Have fun with you new babies. They are just precious!
CathyR
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Margaret,
I, for one, am very grateful that you are sharing your personal experiences with us. I pray that your strength will hold up and that Jim will find peace.
Please know that many, many prayers are being sent your way! We will all get through this together. Believe me when I say you are NOT alone.
Hugs to you doll!
CathyR
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Nina- I'm so happy it appears to be nothing more than a possible strain. What a big relief! This was a great way to start the day.
Hugs to you Nina!
CathyR
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YIPPEEEEE! Wow. That's the best news ever. Can I come over and touch you? Maybe some of your good luck will rub off on me!
Seriously though, NED and NERD are the two best words in the English language. Enjoy the 3 months off.
Hugs to You,
CathyR
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TAnn
I'm
for stable. Perhaps it will start shrinking them now. I had an appetite problem with Iressa. You basically have to force yourself to eat. Just keep fighting sweetie.
Hugs to you,
CathyR
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Wow,
What a rollercoaster ride, but I have some potentially very good news for a change. You may remember I was turned down for the GAVX clincial trial by U.C. Davis because of my pulmonary lung function test. We've (oncs. office and I)have gotten them to reconsider my case. They have decided to re-evaluate me themselves. I now have an appointment with the doctors there on Feb. 16th. I can't tell you excited that makes me. I'm not the kind of person who gives up easily and it just about killed me when I thought they were giving up on me.
I also found another vaccine clinical trial called Intralymphatic Tumor Vaccine in Los Angeles for stage 3B and 4 lung cancers with St. Vincents Medical Center. They can use either your own cells or a cell line that they have refined and treated with interferon. They also use an infusion of the drug that organ donor recipients get. They still have openings for anyone interested. I have an appointment this Thursday with a Dr. Michael Wiseman who is pioneering this trial. I feel very certain I could get into this one. I will keep you all informed.
I can't thank you all enough for your prayers and kind words. It helped me so much to keep positive and to not give up.
Hugs to you All!!!!!
CathyR
Hi I'm Greg, Melanies husband....
in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!
Posted
Hi Greg,
Sorry you guys had to find us. But, this is a group full of information and inspiration. I was diagnosed Stage llB over 3 1/2 years ago. It went to stage IV Dec. 2003. So, I've been doing okay for 14 months or so since the new staging. My advice to you is to not be afraid to get 2nd opinions and to check into clinical trials.
Please visit this site often and allow us to help.
Hugs to you,
CathyR