Don M

I have read some very thougtful advice here. Encourage you FIL to take anti-depressants if he isn't already. Your MIL may wnat to look into it too. I took them and I think it helped, I am weaning myself from lexapro now. People have told me often that they admire my good attitude dealing with the lc. I did not feel that I was doing anything special or whatever, I just tried to be myself. I think that cracking jokes about it when ever possible helped. Don M

Hi and welcome.. ignore the statistics. They are nothing but a distraction. Your mom needs to have someone go with her to the appointments. Using the tape recorder is a good idea. Your mom should ask for copies of all medical reports and keep her own file. It could come in handy later, once she is more savvy about her lung cancer, in making treatment choices or visiting other docs, or maybe comparing notes with others on this site. As has been said, your mom, you and the rest of your family are going through the worse times now. It will get better as she garners hope and follows a plan. There is lots of hope. Don M

Gay: thankyou for showing us more of Dean. I like his "wow, what a ride!" quote. I hope your eye problem goes asway. don M

uh oh..time to babyproof the house. My grandson is getting close to the crawling stage. Don M

I am sure it must be a relief to know what the problem is and waht can be done about it. I hope your mom has a speedy recovery. Don M

May the results be good. Don M

Pat: I am sorry Brian is having such a tough time. I prefer to think that the chemo is woking. You both have my prayers. don M

Tina: I am glad to hear that the procedure went well. May the rest of them go smoothly too. Don M

Good to hear from you Fay. If it was me, I couldn't get out of there fast enough. Anyway, get well soon and may your monitor and keyboard always be in close proximity. Don M

I am glad you don't have cancer..you are a woman of good heart. Bless you in your life. Don M

Very sad.. Her family has my prayers. Don M

How very unfortunate for both of you. I just wish your mom could get past the being in the wheel chair thing.

Darci: I am gald to hear that the surgery went well. I hope your father-in law had a speedy recovery. Don M

Jorja: YAY!

My condolences to Kurt and the kids and to Beth's mom. Goodbye Beth. Don M

Welcome Karen: I hope your father-in-law's new chemo combo works and your sisters-in-law have success in their treatment. Don M

Hi Mike. Welcome to this site. I guess you would have to be an accomplished zen master to go through the ups and downs and keep your balance. I decided to use Zoloft and it helped. I remember there was a momemt after I found out I had a second cancer, that I felt overwhelmed with depression. I had never felt anything like it before. It lasted only a few minutes. Then, I lasped back to my mildly depressed state. I went on zoloft after that. I try to practice living in the moment as Cindi mentioned. I practice it when I am taking my walks. I think it helps. Don M

Good news...get well soon Fay.

to gay: you have my sincere condolences. Don M

Fay: Your surgery will go smoothly and you will be back sooner than a month. You have my prayers. Don M

Dean and Gay are in my prayers. I am relieved to read that Dean is heavily sedated and in the care of hospice at this time. Don M

Denise: I can't add any substance to what has already been said. I think Leslie gave particularly good advice. I would like to offer my hope and wishes that your dad pull out of his depression and have some enjoyment. Don M

Lars: have a good time in Thailand. I think I might like to visit some Buddhist temples if I ever got to go to Thailand. Don M

Hi Mary: I completed 4 rounds of gemzar/carboplatin July 6 of this year. I had very minimal side effects. I was told to drink lots of water since that helps alleviate much of the achiness. My treatment was intended as a followup to surgery. I had no apparent cancer during the chemo. My last ct scan showed me to be cancer free. I don't know if the chemo made a difference, but I like to think it did. Don M

Diane: I completed 4 rounds of gemzar/carboplatin last July. My oncologist told me that gemzar does not have the neuropathy that taxol does. I never experienced any numbness at all. Maybe he can switch to gemzar/carboplatin. If the chemo is working though, he may want to keep the chemo he has. Don M