dianew

I'm mostly one of the "lurkers", and am still awaiting my first scan results since end of treatment (won't know anything until May 12), but am so happy to see so many more survivors than I thought were here --- made my day. Thank you. Diane Medford, Oregon

Dawn is right and it could be humidity. It could also be dust, pollen, anything in the air. The last time it happened to me I was simply retaining fluid for some reason I still don't know. Tom is right, not being able to breathe does suck. If it isn't better by tomorrow, you might want to call the doctor as there might be something the doctor could give him that would help.

My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

I am new here, but Carole's story had made such an impression and I was in awe of her love for life and positive outlook. My heartfelt sympathies go out to Carole's family and friends. What a marvelous person she was.

Since I'm nearing the end of my chemo, I thought I would be having my port removed also but my onc. recommended leaving it in. She warned I would have to have it flushed once a month, but I will be seeing her for follow-up anyway, and having it flushed to me is not as big a deal as having to have it put back in. I had previously had a lung removed so my organs had shifted and for whatever reason the surgeon had a tough time implanting the port -- I was black and blue and very sore for several weeks. I will sure be happy to see the last of it, one day, but for now would rather keep it than take the chance I'd need to have it put back in. Also, since I end up paying a portion of each of these "short stay" procedures, that would be possibly two more bills (one to take it out and one to put it back in) that I could do without. Diane

Happy, happy birthday to your Mom. What an inspiration!! My excuses for not using my treadmill seem kind of weak in light of your Mom's determination. Diane

Thanks so much for the responses. The cancergrace.org site is really great - thanks for passing it along. I know I've said it before, but I am so grateful to have this group this time around. Diane

I am hoping that someone has had experience with something similar to my situation, and can give me some information on their recovery. I had my left lung removed in 1998, and fortunately my pulmonary function remained very good even with just the one remaining lung. (I never did plan to climb Mt. Everest anyway). I just finished 7 weeks of radiation for the tumor in my right lung, and was not at all prepared for the breathing difficulties I've encountered. The doctor tells me they treated 30-40% of the right lung. When I've asked if any of the pulmonary function will return, they basically say they don't know. Of course, I knew there would be some damage done from the radiation, but didn't envision anything close to this much difficulty. Although I haven't posted much on this site as yet, I do want everyone to know how much support this group has been. I only wish I had found something like this in 1998. Thank you. Diane

Thank you for getting back to me. It helps to just have some idea - haven't talked to a nurse or dr. Hopefully I'll be able to tomorrow. I have not been driinking water, and will also cut back on the anti nausea pills. Thank you again. Diane

Just started chemo and radiation a week ago. Had Cisplatin in the hospital on Mon, the rest of the week Etoposide and radiation, then back into the hospital for Cisplatin again tomorrow, and Neulasta on Tues. Xmas was probably not the best time to start all of this and hasn't seemed to come with any "instructions". The biggest problem I'm having is bad stomach ache / muscle spasms. It just doesn't stop, and is very wearing. I have several prescriptions for nausea, but this isn't nausea -- just pain. Don't know if the prescriptions are helping or hurting. Has anyone else had this -- any suggestions as to what I might try. Kids are leaving tomorrow and it seems like I've been out of it since they arrived. Sorry - don't know if this has made much sense. Thanks for any help. Diane

I am new to this site myself, having NSCLC for the second time. I do not know very much about sclc, but I did want to tell you that I know someone who had oat cell (which I believe is a type of small cell) in 1990. Was staged 111b, inoperable. She had extensive chemo and radiation, very aggressive, and is still cancer free after 18 years. There is so much good information here, and so many knowledgeable and caring people, and the one thing I've noticed over and over is the advice to get second, third or even fourth opinions if need be. Diane

I am new here, having posted just one time before under "Introduce Yourself". I have now had a PET scan and CT biopsy, and have my first appointment with an oncologist tomorrow. I've noticed several people referring to bone scans. Is that a completely separate test from a PET scan? Or does the PET scan serve the same purpose? Because I had my left lung removed almost 11 years ago, I was told that they wanted to do the PET scan in hopes of finding cancer outside of my remaining lung to biopsy. Nothing showed up on the PET scan, so they went ahead a did a needle biopsy of one of the two spots in my right lung, and all went fine. However, I know that this does not mean that the cancer has not traveled outside the lung, and wonder if I should be having a bone scan. The information everyone has shared about questions to ask your oncologist has been so helpful. Thank you so much. Diane

I am brand new to this site, but am so glad I found it. In 1998, at age 50, I was diagnosed with nsclc, stage 11a. At that time it did not show up on an x-ray or CT scan, but was found during a bronchoscopy. It is worth noting that I had been complaining for several months to my family doctor that I felt something was wrong. He sent me for a couple of x-rays, and then told me he didn't want to hear anymore about it and there was nothing wrong with me that quitting smoking would not cure. He would not refer me to a pulmonary specialist. I finally switched doctors, and found one who would refer me. Within 2 weeks I was in surgery and had my left lung removed. No lumph node involvement. I was told I was Stage 11a because of the location of the cancer. I wondered about follow-up chemo or radiation, but was told it was not recommended. No further treatment other than a yearly chest x-ray for the first 5 years. I live in a small valley, and we have had a lot of smoke this past summer from local wildfires and the fires in California. I had been having trouble breathing (more than usual), and decided to see the pulmonary doctor. Took almost 8 weeks to get in. Had a chest x-ray, which showed a spot. CT scan confirmed two tumors in remaining lung. Finally have a PET scan scheduled for next week (getting that scheduled has been an experience in itself) and then will have a needle biopsy. Surgery is not an option this time. At this point I am not sure where this is all going to lead, and am more concerned for my family than myself. Initially I was feeling pretty hopeless, but after reading many of the posts I am feeling much more hopeful and positive. I just want to thank all those who shared their stories. You are all amazing and I hope I can do as well. Diane