Nancy B

Hi Fay, Boy, what a tough decision. Have you gotten other opinions? I had a lung cancer specialist (oncologist) at Norris that was highly recommended. Her name is Valerie Israel. Please know that my prayers are with you and if I can do anything, please let me know. Hugs, Nancy B

Hi Karen, Welcome! Sorry you have to be here but glad that you found us. There are so many wonderful, supportive people here. I hear that MD Anderson is one of the best places to be. My prayers are with you guys, please stay in touch. Hugs, Nancy B

Hi Andrea, Sometimes it seems like we have so much thrown at us. I had my lung surgery in February and a breast biopsy the following December. Toooooooo much! Thankfully, the breast biopsy was benign. I have dense breasts also and I have another test done, it is called "Sono Cine". A doctor at Hungtington Hospital in Pasadena developed it and as yet it is not "insurance approved" but I think it is well worth the $300. I get a mammogram and then 6 months later have the SonoCine. It is a type of ultra-sound that is controlled by a computer activated scanner so that every inch of the breast is scanned. It was explained to me that a hand-held ultrasound can miss some areas. If you would like more info. on this just pm me and I can give you the Drs. name and #. Maybe your doctor could contact him. Also, I would love to talk with you about your fund raising ideas. Andrea, my prayers are with you. Take care. Nancy B

Hi, I was staged 1B (tumor was 6 cm). They removed my upper left lobe and two oncologists who are considered to be lung specialists recommended no chemo and no need to have an oncologist. I had no lymph node involvement. It is my understanding that 4 years ago that was the thinking but drs are leaning toward chemo now for early stage. I recently added an oncologist to my string of "ologists" just to make sure we are on top of everything. I am now getting an x-ray every 6 months and a ct scan once a year. I have definitely had second thoughts over the years but the further out I get I guess I made the right decision. Get several opinions and go with "gut feel". Wishing you the best and keep in touch. My prayers are with you and your family. Nancy B

Dusty, Welcome. So sorry to hear about your sister. My prayers are with you and your family. The people here are so caring - just coming here has helped me tremendously and, I am sure, countless others. Please stay in touch, we are all here for you. God Bless, Nancy B

Dean, That is just wonderful. It is making me cry and smile at the same time. You really should publish (this needs to be read by many). Sounds like you have written other poetry - I have not had the priviledge to read it. You are such a tower of wisdom, please keep the poems coming. Take care, Nancy B

Andrea, I think once your life has been touched by cancer it is only natural to become a "cancer worrywart". I also think it is necessary to become very pro-active about your health and your care. You know your own body better than anyone - listen to it. I would much rather have a test and be told "it's nothing" then to sit and worry about it. I lost my voice for 6 weeks and was checked for throat cancer - nothing. Had an on-going headache for 4 weeks and had a brain scan - nothing - well nothing bad. My doctors have become used to my insistence. You have to take care of yourself and the stress from worry can be bad for you also. Take care, Nancy B

Hi Andrea, I would love to be involved and help make this happen. I am in the Pasadena area. Please contact me and let me know how I can help. Hugs, Nancy B

Dear Kate, prayers are going up right now for your Dad and you and your family.. Miracles do happen! Hugs, Nancy

Sandy, this is so great. I would love it if many, many people could see and read this. GREAT JOB! Thanks, Nancy B

Hi All, I am four years out since surgery, no chemo or rad, and due to 3 weeks of headaches I had a brain scan this morning. Doesn't it seem like 4 years is too long to be getting brain mets now? I am hoping for a phantom sinus infection. Also, my husband just had a chest x-ray (routine physical) and they have found a spot on a lung and now he has to have a ct scan. Once again, hoping it is nothing, but I am sure glad you guys are here. Back to waiting for results. All of you are in my prayers daily. Hugs, Nancy B

Hi MO, Here's hoping it is just a cyst. I will be praying for you. I was born and raised in Missouri - still have lots of relatives there. Take care of yourself. Love and hugs, Nancy B

Howard, may God bless you and may He wrap His loving arms around you and your family and comfort you. You have touched many lives and we thank God for you. Love and hugs to you and your family. Nancy B

Becky, CONGRATULATIONS!!! It was four years ago today that I was being wheeled into surgery right about now (10:30 am in California). I woke up this morning with a myriad of feelings.....thankfulness yet a moment of dread when I thought about THAT DAY. Just keep moving onward and may you have many,many more anniversaries. Nancy B

Hi Judy, welcome. Sorry you have to be here but all the people here are wonderful. I don't have any personal experience with Cedars but have heard really great things about them. I would consider going there if the need arises again. I am in the Pasadena area and have a great oncologist that is associated with UCLA. My surgeon was associated with USC then he moved to Cedars shortly after my surgery (he is excellent). My email is momdigger799@hotmail.com if you would like to get in touch. My hope is that you will find something that works for you - prayers are going your way. Take care, Nancy B

Hi Staci Lyn, welcome. Please stay with us for the all the support you and your Dad need. My prayers are with you. Nancy B

Hi there and congratulations on your one year! February 10 will be four years for me. They took out a piece of one of my ribs (upper left lobectomy) and I still feel it sometimes (especially stretching exercises) but I can live with it. Take care of yourself and keep in touch. Nancy B

Hi Dean, So sorry to hear about your day - what a shame our vets are treated like that. My Dad is a WWII vet and I send him flowers every Veterans Day just to say thanks. I would like to thank you too. I sure hope you get that scooter soon and that you don't have to go back there any time soon. I love reading your posts, you have so much wisdom to share. My prayers are with you. Nancy

KC, Prayers going up right now for your Dad and you. Take care and God Bless. Nancy

My 2 cents have been added to pot. Nancy B

Dear Becky and Becky, Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary - just keep moving forward. I will be four years on February 10th and am expecting my husband to treat me to a steak and lobster dinner, at least. Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate!!!! Best to both of you, Nancy

Hi all, I just got home from a urologist appt. as I have blood in my urine and because of my history of cancer they wanted to check it out. He told me that smoking can cause cancer of the kidney and bladder and that I need to be followed for that. I had never heard of this before. I quit smoking 12 years before my diagnosis in 2000. Everything looks clear for now but I have just added another "ologist" to my list of docs. Has anyone heard of this before? Just curious. I don't post often but I read the board and pray for everyone on a daily basis. Hugs and prayers, Nancy

Estrea, I have seen your plea for help but just not sure what I can do. I guess I don't know what needs to be done. I do want to get involved in some way to defeat this disease. Where is the most need? Fund raising for research?...fund raising for support groups (Alcase, this site)? I am not a "leader type" but I can usually accomplish things when directed. I would like to be of some use somewhere. This site is just awesome and I would like to thank the people responsible for it. Prayers for everyone. Nancy B

Dear Norme, I'm praying for a miracle and for more good days. Nancy B

I agree, Margaret. I quit 12 years before my diagnosis. I often feel so guilty when people ask that question and then feel that I need to defend myself and my disease. Nobody deserves lung cancer! Estrea, thanks for the article. Nancy B.