Don M

Karen: Please accept my condolences. It looks like you are set to move on. I always enjoyed Dave's posts for those few times when he posted. I lost my brother to lc 5 years ago. I still think of him and sometimes talk to him in my head. When I was diagnosed with early stage lc, my pcp said "someone up there must be watching out for you". I immediately thought of my brother when she said that. It was just a accident that I found out about it. I hope you and Faith enjoy your new house and find a lot of joy. Don M

Debi: Congratulations on your 2 year mark. I really liked your post. You are such a good writer. I hope you have many many more anniveraries to come. Don M

Jana: I am sorry your mom's oncologist is being such a downer. I know others have had liver mets removed and continued with treatment. I hope you find doctors who will help your mom. I have heard good things about the RAF. I have heard that avastin in combination with standard chemo drugs is very promising. You all have my prayers. Don M

NancyI hope Mike gets some comfort. Don M

Hi Bunny: I’m late too. I had an upper left lobectomy in Jan 2004. In Feb 2005, I had the rest of my left lung removed..a pneumectomy. Recovery from the lobectomy was not too bad, so I thought I knew what to expect when I had the pneumectomy. But, I was surprised at how easily I got out of breath after the pneumectomy. When I sat up on the edge of the bed for the first time the day after surgery, I was out of breath. I never had this happen after my lobectomy. I was on oxygen for 3 weeks after the day of my pneumectony. I had an epidural for pain. The anesthesiologist urged me to use the epidural. He told me that there are indications that those who use an epidural have fewer post op pain problems in the future. The epidural stays on for 3 days or so. Pain really wasn’t much of a problem for me as I recall. It was managed well. When I went home I took oxycontin until the pills were gone, and did not need any more after that. Now, at nearly 4 months after my penumectomy, I have no pain at my incision except for a sore spot where an old suture is working its way out. One problem with the pain meds is constipation and not being able to urinate. I knew more what to expect the second time, so I asked for laxatives early. At the first operation, I had to wear a catheter home. I found out that I had a staph infection in my urinary tract. I went to an urologist and had it cleared up within a week. At the second operation, I had the catheter removed after the epidural was removed, about the third day. I still could not urinate, and I had to have the catheter reinserted (big ouch) to void my bladder. It was just a temporary insertion. After, my bladder was emptied, the catheter came out. Fortunately, after that, I was able to urinate on my own. I was most happy about that. I remember carrying containers full of urine to the bathroom and would brag to the nurses about how much I had peed. So, after my second operation, the only thing I still had attached to me when I went home was oxygen. I have a little stiffness, but my range of motion is good. I did physical therapy after my lobectomy, but I did not do it this time. I don’t think I need it. When I got home, I got used to sleeping on my good side. I just used a regular bed. I was able to do light housework in 2 weeks. I went back to work in 4 weeks. I rototilled the garden and mowed the lawn at 3 months. Today, I split a little wood. It is real important to cough the gunk up from day one and to use the spirometer thingy. I started walking as soon as I could. At first it was hard for me, because I would get out of breath. When I got home, I walked every day, around the block, carrying my oxygen with me. After I got rid of the oxygen, I started walking a half-mile and soon was up to a mile a day. I still walk a mile a day. I can walk a mile comfortably in 17 minutes. I can do it in 15 minutes if I make my little short legs go as fast as they possibley can. I can go up and down a flight of stairs over and over again. I was disappointed a couple of weeks ago, when I went out in the woods and discovered that I could not walk uphill on very steep ground without stopping after 10 feet. I am still on chemo. I have one more round to go, and will finish at the end of June. My oncologist says that I should be able to do better out in the woods after I regain my stamina. He says it takes up to 8 months after chemo before you get all of your stamina back. I was very grateful that I was able to have the operation. I am cancer free now, and did the chemo just to make sure. I did not do it after my first operation. I was stage 1 both times. I still have a slight urge to dry cough. It is more pronounced when I bend over. It was really bad about a month ago, but is mostly gone now and manageable. I have been told that a pneumectomy is the most major surgery you can have….piece of cake!, Well, doable at least.

You have my prayers Carol. Don M

Hi again Teddie and Amy: I responded to your other post too. I had an afterthought that Nancy might talk to her oncologist about adding avastin to the chemo cocktail. It is a new combo and has had good results. Incidentally, I come from a large family too. I am the oldest of 13. Don M

Hi Teddie: I wish Nacny the best in her treatment. It sounds like the biopsy will be a mediastinal endoscopy to check for cancerous lymph nodes at her mediastinum. Here is a link that describes the process: http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/003864.htm

Carole: Please accept my condolences. Don M

Traveler's mercys for you all

Jen: I hope you beat the cancer back again and can feel good. Don m

I'm sorry Beth. I hope you get the avastin. Don M

It was good to hear from you Dean. Go with God. Don M

Hi Neil. I am sorry to hear about you and your son. But, welcome. I had surgery last Feb to remove the rest of my left lung. The PET scan showed uptake at my chest wall, and it was thought that I might have mets to the chest wall. At surgery, my chest wall turned out to be cancer free. The surgeon had told me that if it had gotten to my chest wall, that it would be inoperable. There are other surgeons who would operate though. If it can be shown to be local, it may be operable. At least one person that I know of on this board has had chest wall surgery. Her user name is mhutch1366. I am sure she would be willing to share her experience with you. You can do a search in the member list and pm her from there. I think she has been cancer free for 5 years or so. For my part, I had a strong feeling that the only cancer would be in my new nodule and that was the way it worked out. So, I stayed with the surgeon who would have aborted surgery if my chest wall was cancerous. You and your son have my best wishes and concern. Don M

Hi Margie: I am glad to see you are doing chemo. I didn't do it with my first cancer and probably should have. I decided to do it after my second cancer. I have one more round to go. Welcome Don M

Rochelle: May you and John have many more years of survivorship. Don M

Well, a "6" is better thatn "10+". I hope that David's pain m continues to be less. You all have my prayers. DonM

I can't answer your question re the cancer spreading to his hip. you might run it by "ask the experts". I can see how it is especially tough for you if your brother does not wnat to talk to the doctor about it. I suppose they would to a bone scan if he went in and do radiation on the bone, but dunno for sure. Your brother, you and your family have my prayers. Don M

Great news Kim: I like to imagine that the chemo and avastin is madly doing the "tumor stomp" inside of your husband's lung. I hope there is nothing left at the end of chemo. don M

Barb and Jang and others: I tried antiacid stuff, protonix, for a week, but it did not have an effect. Over time the cough has subsided so that I hardly notice it, even when bending over. I think Fay was right, that it had to do with my mediastinum shifting to the left and caused an irritiation which causes the cough. Anyway, ok now. Don M

I hope your husband naw a speedy recovery now. DonM

David has my prayers that his pain can be managed. Don M

Kitkathi: I hope your dad has a speedy recovery. Don M

Good deal Rachel! Don M

I am glad to see you are done Ken. I have just one more round to go. Don M