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My Dad started dating pretty quick after my Mom passed away. They had been married for 34 years. He remarried about 16 months later - he really did not want to be alone. He was with wife two for about 20 years, loved having 3 grand kids through her children, and highly improved the lives of a second family. I only wish he had not been secretive about her - we only found out a month before the wedding. He is so lonely these days - she passed away about 5 years ago and coming up on 90, he isn't exactly getting out and about.

I had some chemo scalp - red bumps that really hurt. Not too too bad. But I tried Bumble and Bumble Hair Tonic - sprayed on. It contains tea tree oil and other herbal elixers. It gave me almost immediate relief. I'm not sure I would use it on open sores. I think it is only available at hair places. On a different note - I decided to apply for a Disability Insurance claim due to the fatigue and mental functioning issues. Got a call today that my eligibility period began 3 weeks after my ER visit and they will probably rule this to be a pre-existing condition! I wasn't sure I would qualify, but this is a huge disappointment. I mean, the pre-existing condition started when? It was found after I started this job, but I am betting I am S.O.L.

A bit over 200. The oldest is probably one I bought for my Mom "The Fireside Cookbook" by James Beard, published 1949. It has great illustrations by Alice and Martin Provensen. I also inherited her copy of "Cooking for Company" by Ruth Miils Teague, published in 1950. The photos would make you gag, especially the chicken mousses and timbales. With the blended library, there are three (3!) on cooking bugs.

You might try posting on the CancerGrace site where a real live doctor will respond with amazing speed. What you have presented here is way over our heads, at least mine. http://cancergrace.org/ Best of luck - and do respect your Dad's wishes, hard as they might be.

My SO only tried to deal with the toilet stoppage - I called the plumber! That's embarrassing with stranger. You'd be surprised what your girls would be able to do (I speak from experience there too.)

very merry congratulations.

Woke up to new snow! This should be it for the year, I'm thinking. Don't expect it to stick around. The cat was howling too.

It's a pretty discrete port, but not something I wish to keep if unneeded. The lobectomy surgery scar is far more significant. I'm not one for off the shoulder attire anyway. I guess I need more info as to what the port might be used for if it is left in. Unfortunately, my onc is moving so I will have a new one by mid-March. Another set of opinions to weigh. I'm close to the hospital here, so access is pretty easy, except the psychological toll.

I can't imagine keeping the port for months on end just in case. Funny though, I had a fill in onc last week who suggested keeping it for awhile, but my primary onc says not to. I'm still a bit confused about that. I guess I will see her Friday and ask again about where things might go. It has not been easy. A second surgery sounds very scary, I am glad it worked out well for you. I know I still have a spot in another lobe of my lung that we haven't dealt with, unless chemo did...it leaves me unsettled to say the least.

25 1/2 years ago for me. I still miss my Mom. Wonder what she would say to all this? Disbelief mostly... Recall the best of days, let go of the anger, and enjoy your life as much as possible. Living well is a good way to honor what she would want for you.

So, this is new. Based on the first 3 rounds, I should be down for the count today. Instead, I got up early, have been pacing all day, cleaning binge, walked to the post office and back (uphill in the rain) and am still energized! This is the last cycle - short infusion on Friday and the port comes out next week. Also meeting the radiologist next week to plan the next phase. That will come soon enough. Never predictable is it?

I couldn't digest that, but I am brewing some green tea right now.

Welcome - amazing you found the site so early - lots of experience around here. We are not doctors, but I think most would agree that having an experienced surgeon with lots of lung cancer experience is key (not a general surgeon who does one lung surgery every now and then). It is great if the surgeon has plenty of VATS experience and offers that as a plan - the recovery seems much easier. However, as many have found, once they begin the surgery, the game plan may change depending on what is discovered. This is why you want someone with plenty of experience, that you feel comfortable with, and have the ability to trust and communicate with. You might want to look at Cancer Grace and see if Dr. West has more to add: http://cancergrace.org/ Any other diagnostics being performed prior to surgery? That is a pretty small nodule - if that is all there is, very early detection! Best wishes to you and your father. Plesae let us know how things go.

Thank you all for your kind words and stories. I'm not really comparing my treatment to anyone else's, I thought I was figuring mine out just in time for chemo to end. Two cycles were fairly predictable and the 3rd started out likewise. It took me by surprise that the fatigue was so much worse after cycle 3 than 2. Why that was surprising, I don't know. Cycle 4 starts Friday. Last one - I've already scheduled the port removal. It's that "new normal" thing I am still adjusting to. Right now, about 1-1/2 hours of activity is my limit (that is as light as going out for dinner, or sitting and waiting for the car to be serviced, not actual activity!) and then I want to be home. Sounds like my 89 year old father actually. So, I am not working while this treatment is happening, and will wait and see about radiation. I've applied for some DI benefits - that would ease the situation some. Unfortunately (?) no one at work has ever used the policy, so there is no help there. I think I should qualify, and my onc does too, at least for a few months. I am also working with someone on some PT work to get my body back functioning / moving properly. One thing she asks is that I focus on my happy place while working out - something as simple as a place I've hiked to, or a food I like to eat. It's really interesting how much more range of motion I have when I do this! I think it works well for other things as well - like when I woke with a headache this morning, I tried this and the headache went away with no drugs other than eating a banana (maybe I needed the fruit?) Hooray for happy places.

I've got a pan of ginger chocolate chip bars in the oven for my sweetie (and me.) We met 7 years ago tomorrow (but don't tell anyone we met on V-day, we are too cool for that!) Randy - a pastry chef? My favorite!

Hi all, I've been doing really well on the side effects from treatment so far - I still have my hair and taste-buds! I have fatigue, but went to work part time for a couple of weeks before taking last week after the 3rd round infusion. I expected to go to work half time this week and next, then take a week off after my 4th infusion and then see what was up for the month prior to and the 5-6 weeks of radiation. I haven't worked since surgery except those two weeks - it makes me feel like a slacker. I did not make it in on Monday and 4 hours yesterday wiped me out (sleep, felt sick, got all emotional - that happens when I get overtired.) I woke feeling fluish this morning, and while I feel okay now, my stomach is not great and I just don't think I have the reserves to work even part time. I think I have given myself permission to not work until chemo is completed and then see what it takes from there. I haven't had a clear discussion with my employer about this yet. My onc says rest now and I will recover better down the road. I'm really concerned about the 5x a week radiation - she says it easier than chemo, but just knowing that it is coming makes me anxious. I think I was going to work to have some mental stimulation and be around healthy people with something else on their minds (not to mention a little concern about keeping employed in today's lovely economy.) I think I might be better off getting together with friends in no stress situations? My turn to ramble a bit - I'd appreciate hearing how you decided when too much was too much and what I might expect from radiation (I think it will be concentrated on the area on the trachea where the hot lymph nodes were removed.) Thank you all.

I'm crying, I am laughing so hard. Did you really make that up on the spot? Bad Target...

oh sweetie, that's what we are here for. I can't answer your questions, but some of the caregivers will drop by soon with great information and lots of hugs. Take care of yourself, as well as your sister.

and maybe a consult with an attorney, if it isn't too stressful. Best to you and your Mom.

I use oral Decadron for 4 days each cycle - no hiccups, thankfully. But I hate the crash the two days after. Thanks again for pointing out the culprit. Good wishes.

I'm on the Cis/Gem doublet - the nausea is well managed by the anti nausea drugs. My onc said the one 100% stat she could give me was that this would cause nausea, so just take the prescribed meds as directed (quite the cocktail.) 3 of 4 cycles down, no vomiting for me. Best to you and Glenn.

Judy - you were no doubt at the Pike Place Market - the granddaddy. This was a neighborhood market set up just on Sundays. year round. It's just local (WA) produce and stuff. There are a few that run year round, then they bloom from May thru October in almost every neighborhood. Just lovely.

Went to a farmer's market and out to brunch today! They were selling potatoes, onions, garlic, kale, root vegetables, cabbages, and apples. Rounded out with bakers, butchers, cheesemakers, candymakers, soapers, and jewelers, not to mention the stands selling hot food such as gourmet hot dogs, crepes, soup, and tamales. It was cold for here, but no rain. Nice way to support local business.

25 years ago for me. Still are days that I miss her or wish she could meet someone or see something or taste something. I went on a light Rx for a short while and some counseling. Took myself off both pretty quickly. The best therapy I got was a giant family reunion a couple of months after she died. All her side of the family, a lot she knew who could tell me stories from her youth. That was a blessing in the form of uncommon acceptance and love. I hope you have great memories. Hugs.

quiet and overcast, 37 degrees. Wonder what the ground hog news will be tomorrow? Day 3 of my 3rd cycle, not feeling too bad yet - we even walked to a movie and dinner last night. Came home and slept 3 or 4 hours on the couch before going to bed for another 7 or 8.