karenl

Well done, Sandy - how clever of you!! ENJOY! Karen

Dean What a bummer!!! Hope it all gets sorted. Karen

Amy I have recently joined this board following my mum's diagnosis with stage IV NSCLC. We are fortunate in that she is otherwise well and feels healthy, but the reality of this disease is that that may not always be so, so we can't help but imagine what it would be like if things do not go well for us. My heart breaks for you, and I hope you can find some comfort on this site to help you through the dark days. Karen

Wonderful news!! Enjoy! Karen

Hi Andrea I jotted down some points under your question in the new research and treatments section, if you are interested to have a look there. (I find it quite bizarre, and concerning, that your doc was recommending fries and burgers for your dad. High fat foods are difficult to digest and tax the detoxifying organs of the body. Do your own research and come up with a good dietary plan that your dad can stick to without feeling that he's missing out on too much!! I can dig around and find the research that I did, if you would like some more info from me, but it will take a bit of time as I have a toddler and a new baby who are quite demanding, as you can imagine! Cheers, Karen.

Hi Andrea I have done some research into diet, and if you browse the web, you will find loads and loads of information, and your local bookstore will probably have some relevant literature as well. From what I have gathered, it is important to avoid sugar and salt (even fruit should be taken in moderation because of its sugar content). Very little meat of any kind. Very little fat (cold pressed flax seed oil is recommended). As much in the way of raw vegetables as you can eat. If you are able to get access to organic food, even better. Avoid preservatives and refined foods and artificial colours, flavours etc. Sounds very limiting, I know!! But once you get used to it, its not that difficult (according to my mum, who actually feels and looks fabulous!). Hope this information has given you a starting point. All the best Karen

HI First, I must thank you all once again for the good wishes sent our way. I'm sure you know how much it means. My parents were nowhere near as excited about the scan results as I was. Apparently, up to 10% shrinkage is considered somewhat borderline (although obviously preferable to growth!). Mum's concern is that if she is to continue with chemo, she requires a mediport put in, as the chemo has buggered up the veins in both arms. She is not at all keen on this, as is worried about what will happen to the veins the mediport goes into. I think that if she had had a major shrinkage, then she would go ahead with more chemo, no questions asked; but this borderline result has made her apprehensive. She has had two cycles of chemo (cisplatin and gemcitabine), and I guess my question is has anyone found that they get increased shrinkage as the chemo goes on, or is the most pronounced result usually in the initial cycles??? I know this is probably one of those questions that is difficult to answer as everyone responds differently, but I would appreciate hearing about your experiences if anyone had more pronounced shrinkage as their treatment progressed (with the same drugs). Once again, thanks for your time and kind thoughts. Karen (still feeling pretty happy nonetheless!!)

Sandy Hoping for a fantastic result for you. PS - it is about 35 degrees Celsius here in Australia!! All the best Karen ______________ Mother diagnosed with stage IV in August 2003

Elaine I don't really have anything to add, although I do recommend looking at your diet. A good anti-cancer diet includes no sugar, no salt, little fat, mostly raw vegetables and fruit. There is loads of information online about good diets for cancer patients. My mum really feels it has made a difference for her. I also want to encourage you to keep coming to this board for support and advice. The people here are wonderful and know just what you are going through. All the best Karen _____________ Mother diagnosed with stage IV in August 2003

Hi all Just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who said a prayer or thought a positive thought for my mum today. She has just called and told me that there was a 10% shrinkage in the primary tumour!!! Not huge, I know, but soooooo much better than the other way around!! It was so lovely to read your replies while I was waiting to get news - it really makes it easier knowing that there are people (on the other side of the world even! We are in Australia) thinking of us during these difficult times. And Hi to my little sister Jana who also posted a reply - YAY!!!!!!! Hoping today is a good day for all of you. Happy Karen!

Hi everyone I know that you are all busy praying for and thinking of others, but I just wanted to ask you to add my mother to your list today. She is seeing the Oncologist this morning to get the results of her first scan since starting chemo. We are all scared and anxious, but optimistic of course!! Please think a positive thought for us. Thanks, Karen _______________ Mother diagnosed with stage IV in August 2003

Hi Jick Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but glad you are feeling so well. My mother is in basically the same boat. She was diagnosed 6 months ago, but still feels fine! I think the choice about treatment is so individual. My mum (67 years)has just completed her second cycle of chemo and tolerated it very well - has had hardly any side effects at all. So for her, it is worthwhile giving the treatment a chance (we find out tomorrow if it is doing any good!). Other people, particularly if they are already debilitated when they get their diagnosis, may not relish the prospect of treatment which may make them feel even worse. Your question is a very difficult one, and I can only speak from our experience which is to give it a shot if you are feeling well enough. If you find the chemo has undesirable side-effects, you can always stop, and if you peruse previous posts and the web in general, you will find loads of advice about things you can do to help lessen the unpleasant side-effects. Ultimately though, only you know the decision that is right for you. Hope this ambiguous response has helped (!), and wishing you all the best. Karen ______________________________ Mother diagnosed with stage IV in August 2003

That last reply was from me. Forgot to log in (oops!) Karen. ______________________ Mother diagnosed with stage IV in August 2003

I have just laughed out loud for the first time in days, as we wait for my mum's scan results following her first two cycles of chemo. What a whacky bunch of people you are!! Thanks for the chuckle. Karen ______________ Mother diagnosed with stage IV in August 2003.

Dean Just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you. You give so much to so many people on this site - I hope you are able to find some peace and comfort of your own. Karen _____________ -Mother diagnosed with stage IV August 2003.

Hi! My mum was diagnosed in August with stage IV, so I think I know what you're going through. I hope you can find some comfort here. I know I do. Karen

Thanks for sharing. Will look into it a bit further, and Mum and Dad are going to discuss it with the Onc next week. Mum is having a scan tomorrow to determine whether the chemo is having any effect. Crossing all our fingers and toes, and hoping that all of you having tests get the results you are praying for too. Karen

Hi I have looked briefly at this, and you're right, it does sound too good to be true! I tend to think though, that, as with orthodox medicine, certain people respond to certain therapies and treatments, and so it would probably have some merit for some people. I also noted that it was horribly expensive!!!! Good luck with your research. Karen

I've just come across the previous postings regarding this topic, so unless anyone has anything new to add, please ignore my last request for info!!! What a dope! Karen

Hi I have been doing some research into using celebrex in conjunction with chemo, and there seem to be some promising results. (My mother has stage IV) I was wondering whether any of you have any info/experience you'd like to share, and whether there are any side effects. Thanks for taking the time! Karen

Thanks again for sharing your experiences and information. I have been on a huge fact-finding mission for the last 6 months, and alot of useful stuff has come from this site. Here's hoping everyone has a great day today. Karen

Thanks for the info, will look into it. We are trying everything we can find that might have some merit, so will keep you all posted - something has to work!! Love to all Karen

Hi again Thanks for taking the time to respond. I have done a bit of reading on RFA, and thought that perhaps my mum could be a candidate for debulking of the primary tumour, although she has involvement of the mediastinal lymph node, for which I presume that RFA is not an option. Just wanted to touch base and see what experience or information you might have on the subject. I am writing from Australia, and have not been able to find anywhere local that practices RFA, so it would likely require travelling to the US anyway!! We are trying alot of complementary/alternative treatments in our efforts to beat this thing, including nutrition, supplements, meditation, removal of geopathic stress (an interesting area that some of you might like to look into!!!), and as much positive thinking as we can muster. Thanks again for your replies, and I look forward to getting to know you. My thoughts are with you all, Karen

Hi to everyone Just wanted to introduce myself and ask a question regarding treatment. I have been eavesdropping on this site for the last few months, since my mother was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Reading your posts has helped me tremendously in my efforts to remain positive and focused on a good outcome for her. She remains asymptomatic (the condition was picked up during a routine chest x-ray), and has just completed her second cycle of chemo, which she is tolerating well. My question is regarding radio frequency ablation. It seems to be getting some great results, and I am wondering what you all think of it. I look forward to hearing your opinions, and wish you and your loved ones continued strength in your battle with this terrible disease. Thanks Karen

Hi all. I have been 'eavesdropping' on this site for several months now, since my mother was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. You seem to be a wonderfully caring group of people, and my heart goes out to all of you and your loved ones as we all battle this demon. My mother is currently asymptomatic (tumour picked up in a routine chest x-ray) and has started chemo, which she is tolerating well. My question is regarding radio frequency ablation. The recent stats I have seen with this technique look very promising, so why isn't everyone rushing out to have it done?? I look forward to your input. Thanks for listening (reading??!!) Karen