Andrea

I have heard that not much goes to lung cancer research, so I don't give or get as involved as I used to. That said, I do support people who participate and I do attend them sometimes and help out when I can. When I am there I do my best to wear lung cancer t-shirts and let people know about LCSC. Usually they are great events and so emotional. The year my mom was first diagnosed I felt helpless and went all out being on the event committees and being in charge of a few things for two Relays for Life. It was A LOT of work. If I had to do it all over, I would prefer to spend my time on an event where all the money goes to research, so I don't do a fundraiser or get on committees for Relay for Life anymore. Bottom line, I like the Relays for Life, they are fun, I would defintely go and donate to friends who do them. However I save asking for money for things that go direclty to research.

Katie you beat me to it. I was about to write that in part, the success is due to the hard work of everyone here!!! I also wanted to say GO KATIE b/c you do soooooo much for all of us and I KNOW that your efforts play such a huge roll in the sucess.

I have much less tolerance!!!! I used to be a major doormat. I still am somewhat of a doormat, but I also surprise myself by being so much more vocal about certain things. My mom's diagnosis changed me over night, all tolerance vanished. It is really interesting to read how that has happened to a lot of other people too.

My mom was on gemzar/carbo. Gemzar was given to her b/c it typically has milder side effects. She had a little nausea, weakness at the end, typical chemo I guess. Overall she said it was not as bad as she expected. She did have to have a few hydration IVs. And she lost only half her hair.

Like Joe said, it sounds like BAC. My dad has BAC and once they knew it was BAC from the biopsy, they didn't bother to remove the entire lobe, just a wedgee. For my dad, it was no chemo or radiation, it is wait and see if and other nodules grow, he will go on Tarceva.BAC is very slow growing, so t hey dont do much at first unless it is needed. My mom on th eother hand was a high grade fast growing adenocarcinoma, so they were agressive.

What an amazing milestone!!!! Congrats!!! And continued monitoring is always good

Such good news!!! Can't wait to see pictures

I stickied it. Ry this is a great post. It is a shame in this crazy world that one has to struggle after losing a loved one putting affairs in order. I will never forget hearing my boss scream on the phone to someone that her husband passed, he cannot verify that it is ok to talk to her. Keep the information coming everyone!

Thinking of you Hebbie! Joe, please keep us updated. Connie thank you for letting us know. Heather is in my thoughts so often.

My mom is IIIA

My mom was diabetic before her diagnosis and it was not under the best control....I think the cancer made her see more docs and get it under control and realize the importance. I will be honest, she doesn't really follow a diabetic diet or she would starve. I am not advocating cake and cookies for diabetics, I am just saying in my mom's case, 4 years NED, it hasn't played a part. She would get so nauseous and still does, she does better with carby products. She does monitor and take her meds and sees her endocronologist. Whether her diabetes or chemo or both played a part in her needing a triple bypass, we stil think it was more chemo b/c her heart was thoroughly tested before chemo started and it was good.

I would be mad. Just reading what she wrote makes me mad and offended and I am blessed to have my mom. My reaction is how dare she judge and my other reaction is feeling sorry for her, maybe she is not that close to her mom b/c if she was, she wouldn't be able to "move on" so casually within two years. I understand the need to continue living and t h ere are many definitions of movign on, but I can understand how the pain must still be fresh.

Happy birthday and many many more!

We have had members here who have had surgery for IIIB after chemo and radiation shrunk the tumor enough. As Ry said, too much radiation can prevent the surgery, so it is best to keep asking about that. Keep us posted!

Peggy, You look beautiful in the photos. I am so sorry to hear about your stroke I am very glad though to hear how strong you are. You are one tough cookie!!! I have been thinking about you. I hope to hear only good things from now on.

My mom was moved back to the vent for one of her surgery for 24 hours and then taken off again. Keep us posted.

You can take my stories too from the My Story forum. I have two, one for each parent.

If you randomly donate a few dollars here and there to LUNGevity during the year, whether it be for someone's walk or event; in honor or in memory of someone; or just because you feel blessed about some good news, at tax time your dollars here and there add up and you can receive an instant high as you calculte what you get to deduct from your taxes!!! :) It will make you proud to think that you did something for lung cancer. And then you can add up your doctor and prescription copays and medical bills and get all grumpy Do I really spend that much on prescriptions? Did I really go to the doctor that much? How can I even owe taxes with that much to deduct

I have been thinking of you a lot. It is so good to see you post and hear how you are. Please keep us updated.

Your mom is watching and smiling. You will see lots of signs along the way. We saw a few signs that my grandmother was watching down over our babies.

I have been thinking about so many of our members who haven't posted in awhile. I was just wondering if anyone had any updates from our old friends. Thanks

I was hesitant to post this, but so many of you have been such a support and inspiration and friend through the major highs and lows of my life. (The "old timers" have seen me through my wedding, my mom's many medical malodies, my fertility woes, my medical scares, miscarriages, my dad's lung cancer, and then my surrogate journey.) Once again I am calling upon you for good thoughts, even thought I feel guilty asking for prayers b/c I have been so blessed. At his 6 month visit the pediatrician expressed concern that Jacob fell off the growth charts He was small since birth, but consistently was 5% for height and 15% weight. At the last visit he fell off the chart for height and was below 1%, yet maintained the 15% weight. If he does not get back on the chart by February we have to see an endocronologist. I decided to do my own research and of course got worked up tonight. Elizabeth on the other hand is a lazy chunk like her mommy. She is 85% weight, 40% height, and prefers to be held and refuses to scoot around. Jacob, maybe b/c he is a lightweight, scoots all over the floor. Thanks everyone!

Kasy, You are a hero and always make me smile. I am honored to "know" you.

When my mom was diagnosed with IIIA she was told that IIIA is a "potentially curable disease". Hold onto what the positive doctor said! Another surgeon told my mom that she had a 50% chance, either she will make it or not and not to consider statisticcs.

Such sad news Karen was such a nice lady