Andrea

Cheryl and Jack, First, I have to say Cheryl I am so happy that you have Jack. His message clearly shows how much he loves you. Way to go Jack! Second, I am so sorry what you we nt through at the convention It just is not fair. I don't know how or why some doctors act like they do. Your post made me feel really lucky that we have not encountered that yet. My mom's onc at first told her she could die during treatment, but never once put down LC, it was just putting her down for weight and not the best managed diabetes. Our oncologist is VERY positive about lung cancer and that does give me hope. He is very well known, so I hope that can also give others hope.

As I sit here worrying about what my mom calls a slight muscle strain on her side and wondering if it is more, I came across this poem from the Pity Pot website. They have neat stuff on here, I believe Snowflake once posted the link to the website. I am cutting and pasting to share b/c it just so fits what I feel and probably what others feel. Paranoia Copyright© By Linda Nielsen I know I have aches and pains, I've had them both for years. But now each brings a panic, and a fresh new set of fears. If I even feel a tiny bump no matter of its size, I feel my cancer has come back, to claim another prize. Fear is with me all the time, it haunts me night and day. To think this batch of cells gone wrong, just yet might get their way. The doctors nod when I dash in, and send me on my way. Assuring me that once again, I'm really here to stay. For in a car I could crash, or get stung by a killer bee. Maybe take a header down some stairs, this all could happen to me. I have to learn that dangers lurk, and recurrence is but one. But not worrying over trivial things, is easier said than done. Having lived through such a scare, it's hard NOT to be afraid. For if they'd only say I'm cured, I'd really have it made. I know in time this will subside, my worries should be less. Life for me will once again, be filled with happiness [/b]

Best of luck to you! My advice is to see waht the drs say and get a couple of opinions.

Well here is a way to cover o urselves. We go to a Relay for Life or a cancer event or clinic, we ask to feel prosthetic balls to see what to feel for, just like they have boobs. After that we are educated!!!!!!!!!! And really, it IS providing a public service!!!!!!! I mean the one bad thing about lung cancer, it is hard to diagnosis, you can't feel your lung. But you can feel boobies and balls!!!!

Go Cheryl, Ginny and Donna!!! So well said. And it is true, patients themselves cannot fight as hard in advocacy b/c they have to take care of themselves and this stupid disease drains their energy. However, every little stop counts. My mom agreed to do the Irvine Relay for Life and walk the survivor lap again so I can show her off. And I will have my LC poster up again. I think as a group LCSC has already grown so much. Now we have people giving out LCSC flyers everywhere! Maybe just maybe we can have like a contact activism person from each city or state to get more going. Here is somethign easy to do: buy a t-shirt from LCSC store or PM me with your address for a tote bag. It is soooo easy to promote awareness and this website thatway. It is like free advertising. When I wear my LCSC t-shirt in the mall or grocery store, I get a couple of questions about it and then i am able to tell the story, talk about awareness, etc. I love doing it. My mom doesn't, but I do. She wants to know why i feel a need to always wear the shirt on weekends. I say I like people to ask me about it and I love to talk about it. Wearing it kind of gives a "power" to talk about this disease and promtoe early awareness for all cancers. I got on my colorists case yest, she has not gone for her yearly exam and she was supposed to make the appt. I told her she better have her appt made within the next 5 weeks before I come back and we were able to laugh about it. Wearing the shirt is the next best thing to a big billboard around my body Or a megaphone----get your boobies checked girls! boys, feel your balls! look at your sk i n! are you coughing? I should try that and then get aressted for crazyness

Thanks everyone! I do apologize for the self centeredness of the post, but the thing about having a LCSC family is the need to bounce ideas I feel like a weight has been lifted off me. I am not going to resign for another few weeks or a month, I want to make 100% sure and I also want to get my "affairs" in order, like Continuing Legal Education classes I have to take. But just knowing taht there is an end and this is a decision I made is really helping me. I kind of feel like I am in a self help support group. "Hi. My name is Andrea. Yes, I worked my butt off in law school. I do admit that I can no longer handle the stress of everything. It is all too much. I have a problem" My parents are ok with it too. My dad is prettty happy that I am almost withdrwan from Prozac. It kind of proves to him that I really am serious about wanting to "better" myself. (meaning health wise b/c I am 31, overweight, on antidepressants and want to ahve a baby in the somewhat near future--time to take control). Now I am only on Xanax as needed.

Thanks Peggy. Yeah those all nighters before trial just get me and it seems to take like a month to recover from trial stress. Not worth it Unless I was the trial attorney getting a third of a 20 million dollar settlement, well then maybe. But I am not the trial atty, I am the associate, and I hate doing it, so I won't ever get to it

Gina, Wow, that poem, I have tears in my eyes. Thank you so much. And Snowflake (Becky) thank you also for your PM. It helps so much to just be able to share feelings and get feedback. I do believe things happen for a reason and perhaps this was/is my calling to take control. I don't want to do nothing with my life, I have g-d given gifts which allowed me to receive a top-notch education, I am lucky in that respect. However, I don't want to use it in the way most do with the 6 figure jobs. I applaude and commend those who want and can acheive that lifestyle. Me, I want normalcy and maybe, just maybe I can put my skills to use and do something. Don't get me wrong, I am not a goody-two shoes and wouldn't ever dream of stopping my Nordstroms addiction (my mom got two hugs today when we went ), but I don't need the lifestyle of fine wine and dining in Malibu. I really think I can balance my life and maybe make something "good" out of this all.

I just saw this randomly while reading lungcancer.org and it fit this post I am cutting and pasting << Links Specific to Lung Cancer | General Links for Support & Information >> >> Click here for ordering information 100 Questions & Answers About Lung Cancer Highlighted Questions >> How do I go about getting a second opinion? >> How do I cope with the stigma of having a “self-inflicted” disease? Should I feel guilty about my smoking? What if I never smoked- how do I cope with having a “smoker’s disease?” >> What should I tell my children about my lung cancer? What if my children are grown? >> What do caregivers need to know to best support a person with lung cancer? >> What insurance and financial concerns do I need to address following a lung cancer diagnosis? Authors’ Statement Karen Parles, MLS Joan Schiller, MD 100 Questions & Answers About Lung Cancer was written for patients and family members who have been affected by lung cancer and need straightforward answers to their questions. People diagnosed with lung cancer face extraordinary emotional, physical, and practical challenges. Although these challenges can seem overwhelming at times, they are not insurmountable - living with lung cancer can be made easier with information, support, and hope. In our book, 100 Questions & Answers About Lung Cancer, we give you the information and tools you need to cope with your diagnosis and put yourself in the best position to survive your disease. We explain lung cancer and its related issues in an understandable way, help you learn which questions to ask your doctors, and identify additional resources that you can use to extend your knowledge and locate support services. It was our privilege to work together, as a doctor and lung cancer survivor, to create a book that will help you to cope better with your disease. We hope you will find the contents of 100 Questions and Answers About Lung Cancer useful. Highlighted Question How do I go about getting a second opinion? Unless you require emergency care, you should try to get a second opinion before starting treatment. Your doctor can advise you on how long you can afford to delay treatment. In the majority of cases, a few weeks won’t make a difference to your health, and it makes sense to consider all options before making any treatment decision. There are also occasions after you have begun treatment when you may want to seek a second opinion; for example, if your disease is progressing and you are re-evaluating your treatment plan. To guarantee an independent perspective, it is a good idea to seek a second opinion from a doctor associated with a different institution than your original doctor. Many insurance companies will pay for second opinions, but it may be worth paying out of pocket for a second opinion from a particularly well-qualified specialist, even if he or she is outside your plan. Arranging for a second opinion involves some logistics. You need to gather your medical records - including all reports and scans – to bring with you for your second opinion visit. You also will need to get your pathology slides. A second pathology opinion is typically part of the second opinion process. If you are satisfied with your care but would just like to confirm your pathology, this can be done easily without an office visit. The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology is considered a leading pathology lab for second opinions. You can contact AFIP by phone at 202-782-1630, or via their website at www.afip.org. How do I cope with the stigma of having a “self-inflicted” disease? Should I feel guilty about my smoking? What if I never smoked- how do I cope with having a “smoker’s disease?” Your emotions following your lung cancer diagnosis are likely to be complicated by your feelings about smoking. If you were an active smoker, you may experience feelings of guilt. If you never smoked, or if you had stopped smoking years before, you may be shocked that you have been diagnosed with a smoking-related disease. This personal conflict over smoking is often exacerbated by the reactions of those around you and by the lack of public support for people with lung cancer. Some family members and friends may be angry with you for having caused your own disease. When acquaintances learn of your lung cancer, you may get tired of hearing the inevitable question, “Did you smoke?” And it is devastating to discover that the support services, media coverage, and fundraising events that are routine for other major cancers are rare for lung cancer. This lack of public empathy and support is demoralizing and adds additional stress to the challenges you face. It is important to let go any feelings of guilt. Guilt over smoking wastes energy that could go toward fighting your disease. Keep in mind that over 90% of smokers begin smoking as teenagers, at an age when the risks and addictive nature of nicotine cannot be fully comprehended. The tobacco companies continue to play an unconscionable role in perpetuating this deadly addiction among young people. In addition, they have specifically manufactured their cigarettes to be highly physically addictive. One productive step you can take to help de-stigmatize this disease is to use whatever opportunities you have to put a face on lung cancer. Do not be afraid to speak up and identify yourself as a lung cancer survivor. The public needs to know that lung cancer affects everyone – mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and loved ones, young and old. It is easy to ignore lung cancer when “smokers” are cited as its victims. A “smoker” is an abstract notion, not a person with a life-threatening disease, worthy of caring and support. People with lung cancer have names, faces, and families, and they deserve the same respect afforded other cancer survivors.

Hi. This is a totally self centered post, but I wonder if this happened to an yone or if I am nuts or both. I am wondering, besides Katie of course who created LCSC, has anyone changed careers or life direction after diagnosis? I sooooooo hate my job. I sooo hate being a lawyer. I have been thinking for awhile about doing something else. I don'tknow what I would like to do. I HATE the long hours. I HATE how mean lawyering can be. I thought about it, I feel like I am wasting my "talent" and "skills" on something I hate and not putting 100% into it, so I should do something else. The only thing I really have enjoyed doing and felt like I was doing something important was getting involved with Relay for Life and getting on the committee. It was hard work to be the food chair for the event, but sooooo worth it. Then I realized I wish I could do that for a living. Then I wondered why can't I? I have my JD/MBA and there are jobs for non profits where you can manage events, plan, do all sorts of stuff and while it is hard work, at least it is for a purpose and rewarding. Even legal aid. Yeah it will be a salary cut, but I would stilll be making money, getting benefits, and hopefully can control it so it is not 60 or 70 hours a week. So now I am thinking of getting out of law and doing something like this. Just wondering if anyone else did? I read in Cure magazine that things happpen to people when they are hit by cancer and perspective on life changes. I want time to be able to exercise and lose weight; go to the supermarket; be home at a normal time, etc, etc. I am not happy with the stress of litigation and wierd hours I keep now. I want to take care of myself and my husband. Plus mentally, I can't take it all. I am going nuts with every single ache and pain. My mom went to the mall with me today, looks gorgeous, but has mild pain below the rib area. Well we all know what that could mean, etc. And I just think I need to take care of myself and do something in life I can enjoy. Sometimes too much is too much and you have to take control and remember life is short and to make the most of it and take care of yourself.

I am in Southern California, I would be more than happy to talk to your friend. Maybe we can somehow hook her up to the internet? My mom is 58, Stage IIIA.

Happy Anniversary!

I am excited that it was polyps! yay! The good thing about a colonoscopy is taht it does clean you out

Becky, I hear ya, I almost quit my job yest and went to work for ACS, they have a position open in my area to run 5 Relays. $20k paycut, but how rewarding and cool would that be????? A job I like??? As my boss is screaming at me now literally on the phone and I am typing this........ Ok, she is done......now I forgot what I was going to say, hold on. Ok, now I know I am 32, not much younger than you And I have a vague memory of complaining of the smoke smell. But I still am not sure if it was as big an issue back then or more comiing into light. Sort of like my grandparents, they grew up on pastrimi and cornbeef and lived till their 90s. Never watched butter intake or anything. Then again, portions were smaller. I say write a law to smoke only in private areas, and away from children. If they are now banning tanning beds for those under 18 in California (well potentially, it is being voted on), een with parent permission, how is subjecting them to smoke any different? Hmmm:)

Oh my gosh Ginny, I am so sorry :(

They say that about my mom, she stopped 25 years ago, different debates about whether her risk was still high. Then we get.....well did she work around smokers......what was the environment like.....etc. etc. My vote is not to ban smoking, but to ban it from all public areas. Just like I will not shove a donut down someone's throat, I don't want smoke. I don't care if anyone smokes, just not in my face. And I am sooooooooooo tired of having to preface lung cancer with "well she stopped smoking 25 years ago". As if she deserved it. I have no idea if this is even true, I don't remember much of 25 years ago, but I argue that "well 25 years ago we didn't know smoking was taht bad for you anyway". STupid stigmas.

I need to think of ideas, I am going to pop by a couple of more Relays to check it out. We could do a few things, like have a theme such as "lung cancer may be only just a breath away" and either have banners, hats, t-shirts, totes, etc. I think we will need to do something so that it can fit for everyone. For instancem, some teams might want to wear their own team t-shirts and not a LCSC, but still be willing to be part of the national LCSC message by maybe a pin, hat, banner, etc. I will start brainstorming. Another thought idea today for Nov, awareness month--you know how you often times see in coffee shops and supermarkets where you write your name, donate $1 or $5? I wonder if we can do an effort here, with LCSC members in different states going to local stores and asking if we could put somethign up. It would ahve to be uniform though. Just a thought

I just got an e-mail below from my former college roommate. It made me think of LCSC and how fast it is growing: I went to a benefit on Tuesdayfor a foundation that my cousin started for Thyroid Cancer. Have i evermentioned it before? Well, she has been living with thyroid cancer for 9yrs and started this foundation shrotly after her diagnosis. the annuaklevent have been held at various donated spaces in the city but this year it was on a boat that circled the city. it was very cool but I was more impressed with what has transpired in the last year. She got together last year with Lowe partners Worldwide, a huge advertising company and they are launching a national campaign with radio, tv, and print ads and the kicker is that Rod Stewart is the spokeman! Apparetly, Thyroid Cancer is the leading cancer caused death in men and is the fasted growing cancer among women - which doesn't make sense to me since you sya lung cancer is but i won't split hairs. In any event, I am really proud and amazed at how far this organization has come and i thought it might be something you wanted to look into. The name of it is The Light of Life Foundation and there is a website under that name. Check it out if you have some time.

Renee, AWESOME WEBSITE!!!!!!!!!! You are doing sooooooo great!!!!!

Take a vacation Drive down to Florida or do something fun. Do whatever your heart desires!!!!!!!!! Do what is best for YOU. I totally love the "sitting duck" phrase b/c that is how I feel now with my mom. Everyone is different. Like Heather said, it helped her to get involved and take on cancer/nutrition and exercise (Heather, I should have you as my coach). For me personally, I like talking to everyone and anyone I can about cancer in general and I want to wear a sign asking women if they have had their boobies checked out and men if they had a testicle check b/c early detection is the key. For my mom, she does not want to talk about cancer at all. She does not read about it. She is just recovering from everything. I have talked to people and some say that it really helps them to stay involved with support groups and it inspired them to get involved. Others say any support group or involvement is too much for them and more harmful. As much as I LOVE this website, I met a woman who checked it out and who couldn't read about everyone with cancer b/c it depressed her. My friemd's mom could not handle Relay, she is a 3 year breast cancer survivor. My mom did ok. So it really just depends. We are all different. GO WITH YOUR HEART, ENJOY YOUR BABY!!!! And if you take a break from it all and don't post, please try to say hi every couple of months or so -- we need to see the picture of your beautiful baby.

Prayers coming! My mom did gemzar/carbo. She had the "normal" side effects, nothing abnormal from gemzar

Ok, I posted my warning in the subject that this could offend, so hopefully no backlash. I just wanted to share an interesting conversation I had with someone at work this morning. I gave a co-worker a tote and we were talking about diseases, etc and she brought up a point I had trouble counterarguing. Lung cancer is not the only disease with a negative stigma (smoking). She pointed out that: Heart Disease---people always ask did the person exercise? eat right? were they overweight? Totally excluding from the group people like my inlaws close family friend who died of a heart attack suddenly while running a marathon and was in great physical condition. Diabetes--was the person overweight? did they eat right? did they exercise? Making it seem less sympathetic for people who despite doing everythign right, still have issues. Unlike my mom who did not take good care of her diabetes and control her weight and sugar like she should Liver cancer--did the person drink? well, liver cancer is not just a drinker's disease. Lymphoma--here in CA a question is did you live near power lines or go to Beverly Hills High school? Skin cancer--did the person sunbathe a lot? All of this led me to believe that we just label things. And perhaps LC is associated with smoking b/c it effects sooooo many people and many people smoke. Just like heart disease is associated with weight, many are overweigh tand many have heart problems. So then we concluded that NO MATTER WHAT we do we have risk Eat a piece of cake? gotta watch the diabetes, heart, etc. Don't eat a piece of cake? you can be grouchy and moody and unhappy which effects your body negatively Get fresh air? be careful of the sun, it does damage. Also the smog andsmoke in the air Stay indoors? Not good for you, better to be outdoors. Wine? too much alcohol can lead to liver problems. but just a bit can help with your heart Morale of story we ended our conversation with: 1. Do what you enjoy to do, and try to do a bit of everything in moderation 2. Conversing about issues which there are no answer to is a lot more fun than working

Jamie, I am patient. Really. I just wanted to make sure I didn';t miss anything. Any news on your dad's biopsy? How did he feel from it?

Mo, ENJOY YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!! Ry--testicle festivle??????

So many of us did Relay this year or are going to do it soon. It is soooooo amazing. I was thinking, maybe next year, those who do Relay, we can have a common theme for our team for each Relay in our towns, like selling, displaying, wearing, giving or wahtever totes or shirts or something, and then maybe we could get press that LCSC has members at each Relay. Just a thought