jess

Debi, I don't post here often however I have been reading this board daily ever since my aunt was diagnosed with LC. I just had to give some input because I have never found anybody that has this strange pain under the right breast before!!!! I have exactly what you are describing. At first they thought I had a hernia and they actually did surgery on it. About 2 months after the surgery I continued having the pain though. It's not constant but it feels like a charlie horse right underneath the right breast. It's bad enough to take my breath away until it goes away. Sometimes it's so bad the muscle will hurt the next day. Anyway, Im convinced it's my gall bladder. I had a sonogram done before my hernia surgery just to rule out anything else. I'm a cancer survivor myself. Well, the only thing they found was a "contracted gall bladder". They said that it shouldn't bother me but I'm sure that's what it is. There is no other explanation and it's in the right spot for the gall bladder. That's just my input . Like I said, I don't post much but I couldn't pass this one up. Let me know if they end up diagnosing you with something! Jessica

I would love to help you. I've been visiting this site since the end of November when my special, wonderful aunt was diagnosed. I live in the San Diego area but would be more than happy to travel north if needed to help you. I'm logged in as guest right now because I'm having trouble logging in for some reason. Jess

Hi! I just had to write you. I've only been on this forum for about a month or so since my aunt was diagnosed with NSCLC. I have seen many postings from you and keep up on you and Buddy. I just read your posting to Sammy regarding what to expect in the end. You are such a strong, amazing person!!! I can't believe your life has been touched so many times by this disease. I was reading and reading and not believing my eyes that you have had all of these family members go through this and now your Buddy too. Definitely a reason why the two of you are together. What a wonderful support you are for him. Lots of prayers for you and Buddy. Jess

Pam, I'm fairly new to this site but I just read your post and had to reply. The comment about your son just broke my heart. It's probably what everybody is thinking inside. I'm sure this must be a tough,tough time of year. Lean on the people here for support. They are wonderful as you know. Prayers for you and your family ..... Jess

Hi! Just wanted to tell you that you are in the right place!! I am fairly new to this site as well but I can tell you that the people on this site are amazing,caring,supportive, awesome people. You'll find tons of good information here. 39 is so young. My aunt is going through this and she is in her middle 40's. It is so scary but you'll find lots of support here. I'll be saying a prayer for you and your son. Jess

Dean Thanks for your reply!! I'm telling you, this is one of the most supportive sites I've ever seen. I agree with everything you said. Now, the thing is getting my aunt to agree. She is so lost with all of this and so much has happened in the last month. She is in good health otherwise. And as I said before her only symptoms were from the brain mets and those were mild symptoms at that. Her dr said that if she chose chemo it would just make her sick and she would probably be sick until she started exhibiting symptoms from the lung tumor itself. Almost seems to me like they are just blowing her off since the cancer is extensive and has spread. How can they expect people to be strong and want to fight when they are shown that type of treatmen?? Thanks again for your support and prayers Jess

Karen and Rich, thanks for the input! She has had all the scans/tests done. She is being cared for at a cancer center in a big city. She has at least 10 brain mets. NSCLC and a non-smoker for life. 46 years old with 3 children. She is having no symptoms at all from her lung tumor. She was having dizziness and headaches and that led to the brain mets. The lung tumor was found after that. I believe she is stage IV. I know that it's tough to treat what she has but how she can be expected to want to fight when she had drs that are so negative. I'm not looking for false hope but at least encouragement and information from those that we rely on to care for us (doctors). I am a cancer survivor and I know how hard it is but I don't want her to feel like this is it. Like the world ended yesterday. We are in the process of getting 2nd/3rd opinions. I have another family member that works at a big hospital and the drs she has talked to have pretty much said the same thing. I see so much hope and positive thinking on this website and I'm so thankful to have found it. Even though I've only posted twice I log on and read up on all of you everyday. It helps so much. Thanks in advance for any info you all have. Jess

Hi all This is only my second time posting. My aunt was diagonosed at the end of November. She has brain mets also. They did 2 weeks of whole brain radiation and said 2 weeks later chemo would start. Now, all of a sudden, her onc tells her "there is nothing else we can do for you...i can't cure you". Just 2 weeks before everything seemed so much more encouraging. I feel like my family has given up hope. Everybody is so devastated and frustrated. My little cousins still need their mom!!!! And my poor grandma is having the worst time. I can't imagine watching my child go through this. Does anybody have any ideas or suggestions on anything to help us? We are not new to cancer but definitely new to lung cancer. Thanks Jess

Jay, I'm am new to this forum and posted for the first time about a week ago. I just logged on to read updates on a few people and saw your post. I wish I could reach right through the computer and hug you!!! I myself was diagnosed with cancer (thyroid) when I was barely 23. I couldn't believe it was happening to me. I felt many of the feelings that you are going through as a young person. I'm 28 now and have been cancer free for 4 years. I started on this forum after my aunt was diagnosed with lung cancer (brain mets) 1 month ago. Everybody is so wonderful and supportive here. This is a good group for you to have to support you!!! Just want you to know that I am thinking of you and sending prayers your way. Jess

Thanks again to all have responded!! I have felt so much support in the few days that I have been visiting this website. It's wonderful. Mo, Bobmc and Maryann...thanks for your recent input I do appreciate it. My aunt is being treated at a nearby cancer center. The more research I do the more it seems like they are treating her appropriately. She will finish whole brain radiation this week. After Christmas she will start chemo for the lung tumor. I can't remember the size of the tumor off the top of my head now and I still haven't gotten the 'exact' diagnosis of her lung cancer. Small cell or Non-small cell I'm not sure. From everything I have read my guess is that it's non-small cell. We are all trying to stay positive and encouraging and supportive. I want to tell all of you that read this that I am so amazed by all of you. I read your stories and tears come to my eyes. Tears of amazement that we are surrounded by such strong people! Even during the tough times people can manage to stay positive and focus on moving forward. I know myself how hard that can be when dealing with cancer and everyday you don't necessarily feel like moving forward but you people are great!!! I keep telling myself that we HAVE to focus on today. If my aunt is having a good day today then today is a good day. We can't think about yesterday or tomorrow or next week because you never know what might happen. Be happy that today is a good day and enjoy it!! Thanks again! Jess

Rich!!! Thank you for the links to the other websites. I'll be visiting them shortly. I myself am a Christian and I've been praying about this constantly. I have faith that The Lord will see us through this and make us stronger. I will be strong and encouraging and do whatever I can do to help my aunt beat this! Thank you and God Bless you!! Jess

Thanks to all who have responded so quicky!!! I have been using a forum similar to this for thyroid cancer for the last 4 years and have never had people answer so quickly or compassionately!! I very much appreciate this. My family is devastated over this news about my aunt. She is in her late 40's and has 3 kids. Most of my family seems to focus on the statistics and I am trying to focus on fighting this and keeping the stats in the back of my head for future reference. I don't want my aunt or my family to just give up!!! I want to make them see that we all need to help and encourage my aunt to fight this!!! This is the 5th person in our family to get cancer in the last 6 years and it's getting very hard. I'm thankful for this board and all the things I've learned from it already. I think my biggest concern at this point is that they are choosing to treat the brain mets and not the lung cancer right now. Everything I've read so far says that whole brain radiation is most effective when the primary tumor is being treated also and hers isn't. I've had a horrible time with doctors when treating my own cancer and I have trouble trusting them now and I fear they aren't doing the best they can for my aunt. Thanks again for all of your input. Jess

Hi All! I am new to this forum. My aunt was just diagnosed with lung cancer. I don't have all the specifics but the doctors are saying that the lung tumor is too big to operate on. Its spread to the brain and they say that she has at least 10 tumors on the brain. Originally they told us she only had 2 tumors in the brain and then within 1 week changed it to 10! They aren't even treating the lung tumor. They are doing whole brain radiation now. From what I've read on the internet this has a very poor outcome but being a cancer survivor myself I know that even the poorest odds can be beat!!! Anybody have any advice,suggestions, experience etc????? Anything would be very much appreciated. I am really struggling with this and want to do anything I can to help Thanks, Jess