cathyr

Mo So many prayers are being sent to you! You are an inspiration and role model for us all. We love you and consider you an important part of this family. GET WELL SOON! Cathy

Fay, If anybody could do it, you could!!! Five years and still counting. Way to go!! You give all of us hope, encouragement, and inspiration to keep fighting the fight even when the stats, the docs., society, and the system tells us our days are numbered. Your courage and fortitude speak volumes. We love you, we support you, we will always be here for you!!!! Hugs to you. CathyR

You're going to be better than ever, Nancy. We will all be thinking of you and praying for you. You are in our hearts! Blessings to you. CathyR

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR KATIE. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! I hope you imagined me singing that to you. Or maybe you better choose not to. Thinking of you on your special day! Hugs, CathyR

Hey T-Bone, Tomorrow I go for my 3rd cycle of Taxotere. I am scheduled for 6 rounds altogether. I also take it alone without any other chemo. I have it done 1 week and then I have 3 weeks off. I started on Gemzar and Cisplatin but it was not working so hence, the Taxotere. I am having no problems with it. I get very fatigued 3 days after the infusiion for about 3 or 4 days. Other than that, nothing. They will give you Dexamethasone to take for a few days and probably Kytril for the naseau. I am not taking anything else. I wish you the best of luck and I am very sure you will do well! Please let me know if you have any other questions. Ray A. is also taking Taxotere by itself. Take care, T-Bone! My prayers and thoughts are with you. CathyR

Karen, I am sending you much love and prayer! Get better soon. We all miss you. I will be waiting to hear good news about you, sweetheart. Hugs, CathyR

Peg, I don't know what to say. I am so sorry this has happened. You can be assured, though, that you have a guardian angel watching over you now who is free from pain and the horrors of cancer. I, too, lost my beloved 4 years ago to lung cancer and am now fighting for my own life with this same disease. Be strong. Focus on the good memories, know that his love is always there for you and know that someday you will be together again. Sincerely, CathyR

PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED! CONGRATULATIONS, LUCIE AND DON!!!!! CathyR We'll look forward to a full trip report

Billie, I, too, have applied for the GAVX trials. I spoke to them last week and they said I passed the first criteria and are sending me written forms now. I am also stage 4 with adrenal gland involvement. I am on my second bout of chemo with Taxotere since Cisplatin and Gemzar did not work. Please keep us informed and I will do the same. I do believe this gives us some hope!!! CathyR

We are all praying for you both Peggy and Bill. Please get better soon~

Ray, It looks like you and I have a very similar course. I just completed my 2nd cycle of Taxotere after Cisplatin and Gemzar did not work for me. The tumors have gone to my adrenal glands as well. I have not yet gotten into remission, but certainly hope to with the Taxotere. The only side affect, other than hair loss is fatigue about 3 days after treatment that last a few days. I have had a little joint ache as well. Nothing serious. Hang in there. We'll get through this together. I've got a lot to live for too and at 53 years old, I still have much to do. Feel free to e-mail me PM if you have any questions about the Taxotere. Take care my friend!!! CathyR

Welcome home, David It always feels better at home! Just keep getting stronger and stronger. Your team is here behind you. CathyR

Whoooppeeeee! Thank you Rich for sharing such good news with us. After this week, it gives us hope again! May you continue to have only the best news!!!!! CathyR

What an incredible experience to share with your son. They say the best thing you can give somebody is a memory that they will have 10, 20,30 years from now. You have given your son a memory like that. Thank you for your prayers, Ray. I been thinking about you and wondering how you were doing. CathyR

Hi all, Had the first treatment of taxotere today. It went fine. I'm getting used to the idea that I have to start this chemo thing all over again. But, at least it's available. Your comments and advice was so helpful and considerate. But of course, that's family for you. I say my prayers every night for all of us. None of us deserve this and we all stand a chance for remission and/or cure. Blessing to you all and my sincere thanks for all of you being there! You make me stronger. Cathy R

Hi all, Well, I just got the results from the ct-scan after 3 cycles of cisplatin and gemzar and the news was not favorable. I have nodules in the mediasteinal area that are growing larger. They are still small at this point, but larger than three cycles ago. The nodules in the right lung are a bit smaller or status quo. Anyway, the oncologist gave me a choice of taxotere (start over with 6 cycles) or Iressa. She said it doesn't do any good taking them both as they seem to cancel out the effects of one another if taken at the same time. She suggested I go with the taxotere and save the Iressa in case we need it later. She said while I am still strong and able to tolerate taxotere, I should probably consider that first. I must say that I am so disappointed that this first treatment has not worked. Has anyone else here been through Gemzar and Cisplatin and then moved to Taxotere? What has been your result? God, I need some good news just once. Sorry if I sound whiney, but I let myself think that this might actually work (the chemo) and when I was told it hasn't worked, it's just devastates my hopefulness. When does the hair start falling out? I did not lose my hair with the current treatment, but was told I definetly would with taxotere. Thanks for all the support! I love you all. CathyR

Mo, Bless your heart! You are such a fiesty, wonderful, positive lady. I'm so pleased that you are feeling so much better now. What a day! We are all loving that you came through this so well. Our prayers continue to be with you. Cathy Rudy

Peg, My heart aches for you and Bill. My prayers are with you both. Thank you for keeping us informed as to Bill's progress. We are family here and we send you strength and hope. CathyR

Norme, I don't know what to say except that you and Buddy have been such an inspiration for me. It's been awhile a couple weeks since I've logged on and I am just devastated to hear this news. In addition to having lc myself, I lost my husband to this dreaded disease 4 years ago. I share your pain and pray for a cure for us all. My deepest sympathies CathyR

Hi Fay, Sorry if I worried you. I had a bad cold for over a week and had to have chemo delayed. The coughing drove me crazy. My poor rib cage is still sore. Anyway, it's not all bad. One of my best friends flew in to see me last Mon.,Tues, and Wed. We did lots of shopping therapy. I did lots better with the last chemo. My doctor switched me to an anti-nausea med called Emend (not sure of the spelling). It was fantastic. No side affects at all. My energy level was good and I have already gained back the 8 lbs. I lost the first week of chemo. I am very excited to be going back to L.A. for 3 weeks. I'm going to have my 3rd session in L.A. The oncologist from San Diego and Los Angeles have coordinated it so I could do this. I miss my home a lot and am really looking forward to going home. The other exciting thing is that I got tickets to go to the Oprah Winfrey After the Oscar show in L.A. on March 1st. It's going to be live from the Kodak theater where the Oscars will be handed out the night before. I adore Oprah and think she's a gift to human kind. Anyway, I still check the boards when I can to keep up with things. I have thought about you and say my prayers all the time for a complete recovery for us all! CathyR

Excellent job, Sandy! I am so impressed with what you did. I will certainly check around and try to use whatever brain power I have left to try to come up with an idea to nationalize your web page. You also have my permission to use my picture if you want. CathyR

Hi family, Just a quick note to thank you all for the many cards I've received wishing me well through my first chemo round. I felt so much better the second and third week. Tomorrow I start round 2 (Cisplatin and Gemzar). At least I know now that it gets better as the days go on. My spirit is good and I still am in fighting mode. It sure helps knowing that I am not alone and that you all know what I'm going through and care enough to let me know. Thank you again. I don't know what I would do without each and everyone of you! CathyR

Dear Norme, I am so sorry to hear of Buddy's turn for the worse. My heart goes out to you. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers every single day. I wish there were something more I could do for you. CathyR

Annie, My heart goes out to you. I am so sorry for your loss. Tim was a lucky man to have you with him through all of this. I can only hope that you chose to focus on the wonderful memories the two of you have made together rathan than the illness that has separated you. A special prayer for you tonight! CathyR

Hi Judy, I just started Monday on Gemzar and Cisplatin. This is my first chemo ever and so far the week has gone alright. I have been very fatiqued but never have felt nausea until today for the first time. Actually, the lunch I ate was probably too heavy. On Tuesday, I get just the Gemzar and then a week off. Let's keep in touch and "compare notes." Hopefully, it will go better for you than what has been. How many more treatments do you have left? Also, my onc. told me most people do not lose their hair on Gemzar so I wonder if it's the other chemo that's doing it? She said Gemzar had less side effects than Taxol. I wonder if they really know anything! My thoughts, prayers, and love are with you, Judy. CathyR