Don M

Hey YAY! Thanks for the good news. Don M

Joanie: You might try lexapro. I was on it for a year and it helped me. Keep writing. DoN m

Hi Chuck Yah ...wedge resection and chemo. that is what I would do if I got another tummor in my remaining lung. I am running at 50% now and get by. I don't think I would want to sacrifice another entire lobe. Don M

At least if he is in a study, you should not have to wait long for the results. I have heard that a platinum based drug and gemzar is a good combination for late stage disease. I hope the scan shows shrinkage. Don M

And, I would want another ct scan in 3 months.

Trish: I am glad to hear of the happy status of Jeffrey's liver. I hope you get a satisfactory answer as to why a biopsy is needed, because I would like to know. If Jeffrey feels good about it, I guess that is all that counts. Don M

I have not experienced this nor have I heard of it happening to anyone else. Hopefully they can determine it is safe to proceed and can fix this problem too. You and your husband have my prayers. Don M

Mark: Enjoy your time with your daughter. Check back with us later. Leslie was a kind and very supportive lady. Don M

Karen: I wish that it had not come to this point for you all. I hope and pray that Thursday will bring you good news and that Ken can continue with the treatment. Don M

Congratulations to your mom on her 5 year survivorship. Don M

Seahawks

Hi Trish: it is almost certain that the lung tumor is malignant based on the liver biopsy I would think. I guess they are following a protocol. They may not know about the liver tumor biopsy. Basesd on Fay's experience and because they are not very reliable, I would never do a fine needle biopsy again. I would rather have a wedge resection with margin followed by biopsy of the tumor. Of course, that would make cyberknife surgery pointless, eh?

When I was a little boy, we had an iceman come to our house and deliver ice for the cooler. He would grasp a big block of ice with some tongs and haul it in the house draped over his back. I did not want to do that when I grew up. Don M

yes

Sue: you and Mike have my prayers. Don M

Linda: it looks like to me you are well organized and off to a good start. And I think you are right to assume a coordination role and make sure that all the treatment makes sense. Don M

Welcome Trish Don M

Welcome; it sounds like your husband is off to a good start with some promising drugs. I don't know why radiation can't be added to the mix, others have done it, but if chemo is being effective maybe the problems that can come along with radiation are not worth it. If you are not satisfied with the answer the oncologist is giving you, ask him to expalin it again. I would. Don M

Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is my favorite all time author. I read his books years ago. Cat's Cradle, Slaughterhouse 5 and others. Apparently he is still alive. He must be nearly 90 years old now.

You and Joel have my prayers as you go through this difficult part of the journey. I think it is a good idea to talk to the doctor about it as Mrs Ry suggested. Don M

To Addie's family and all her friends and all her relations...please accept my condolences for your loss. Don M

Yup... I procrastinate when I plan. Don M

Trish: wow.. it is tough to have to deal with the pain and the surgery and then wait some more. Maybe they could medicate some more to manage the pain whule her hip issues are taken care of. You and your mom have my prayers. don M

Carleen: I pray that Keith will get chosen for the study in Switzerland and that it will be his miracle cure. Don M

I never had a cough problem after my first surgery where I had a upper left lobectomy. But after my second surgery, when I had the rest of my left lung removed, about 2 or 3 weeks after surgery I developed a dry nonproductive cough that would send me into spasms. It drove me nuts. My oncologist prescribed a cough suppressant for me, a narcotic, which I used for about 2 months. Eventually the cough went away and I never turned into a drug addict. My pulmonologist theorized that the mediastinal shifting was tugging on my lung tissue and caused an irritation which caused the cough. It did go away though, whatever caused it. Don M