Elaine

It was a good show, I thought (Larry King). The woman (actress) who was on that had the two friends who died and the sister who survives lc tried to talk about the stigma but she was kind of cut off, as Larry King sometimes does when he interrupts people. I saw the segment that Paula Zahn did on her show and I was so mad at the way she talked and even her facial expressions showed that she was judgemental and sickened by the "smoker's disease"--not exactly her words but you get what I am saying, I think..... I am going to find her show and email her. Anyone else see her show? Just wanting to know if anyone else got the impression I did from her. Jennings said in his statement on World News tonight that he quit smoking 20 years ago and that he was "weak" during 9/11 and smoked then--but on larry King (I think), Larry King made it sound like he continured to smoke since 9/11, but that is NOT what Jennings said. I still wonder if Tammy Faye really has/had Lc or if it was mets from her other cancer. elaine

Pls let Frank know that I think of him often and I am sending extra good wishes his way. love and fortitude elaine

Peggy, This sounds extremely encouraging! elaine

Frank My thoughts and best wishes for an easier time go out to you. I pray you can feel the love pouring from all of us to you. love and fortitude elaine

Angie, Your daughter is obviously a testament to the love that surrounds her, and the enrichment of her relationship with her grandfather. What a wonderful writer and beautiful soul your daughter is. love and fortitude elaine

Peggy I am so sorry to hear that you are struggling right now. I think of you all the time. I think it is a wise decision to give Tarceva a try. I know how important it is to have time that isn't filled with Drs and side effects that get in the way. I know what you mean about not wanting to talk about it. Let us know what we can do and remember that we are here when you need us. love and fortitdue elaine

Sorry I am late, but I am sending lots of best wishes for many more birthdays. elaine

Thinking of you and hoping all goes well. I know it's hard, but you are strong. love and fortitude elaine

Count me in!

There is a new test called a pet/CT fusion scan. It looks like the script was written correctly. The fusion is an assumed part of the name--ie the scans are "fused". It's basically a full body scan that combines the features of both. elaine

LOl, Beth!! Well, before reading Beth's post, I was about to say this: She is a beautiful child and looks so much like both of you! I just love it when kids look like both parents!! (I truly think she does!). I think that means that when Ry and John grow old they will look like each other, the way some couples do! However, upon closer look, the dog DOES look a bit like John! elaine

Lazy kitties make better lovers, lol! I think she may be the cutest kitty I ever saw, but don't tell my ugly guys!!! elaine

Great news! It sounds nice and warm! love and fortitude elaine

Beth, Glad to hear of your plans. I have an idea for you! Why don't we call your stage, Stage IIIb and a half--I mean, look at it this way, it's not out of your lungs, soooooooo-- think of it as not quite stage IV and then it sounds much more beatable as I am certain you can do! I think of you often. Especially in the middle of the night when I am fighting my demons. If you want, you can send some of your demons my way, and i will fight them too. Might as well fight more than just mine, while I am at at it! love and fortitude elaine

Frank I had no idea you even applied for a hall pass and here you are back! Seriously, I am sooooooo happy to hear you have a plan and that you are home safe! You are a hero! love and fortitude elaine

I am so sorry. The loss of a mother is one of the hardest. May you fnd peace in the coming days. love and fortutde elaine

Laurie Give your mom a few hundred hugs from all of us! Enjoy! elaine

Betty I hope you don't get too many blisters from all that dancing! I am so happy for you. Keep up the good fight. love and fortitude elaine

Diane, That sounds just ducky! Been missing your intellegent posts, so get back here soon! I truly hope it's something uncomplicated and easily fixed. love and fortitude elaine

Oat cell is the same thing as what is now called small cell lung cancer. It used to be referred to as oat cell--don't know why and I don't know why "they" stopped calling it that. elaine

Oh Angie, I am so sorry. May you and your family find peace in the days ahead. love and fortitude elaine

First, I am sorry you have had to go through all of this. It's mind boggling and I am sure that it is hard on you both, I dont really understand though how they can be sure it's not TB or fungus if they haven't done a tissue biopsy. What are they basing that on? I hope you get some answers sooner rather than later. love and fortitude elaine

Bill. I am glad your wife is feeling better, and it sounds like a lot better! I thought you posted a month or so ago that your wife had more than 200 lung nodules! I am wrong? Or was it a typo? 20? Well whatever the number, it sure sounds like she has many less now! Doctors do not want to be wrong. I don't even think that many of them even consider that they MAY be wrong. The ironic thing is that of all professions, they are the most likely to BE wrong--many, many more times than any other. Think about it. And because medicine isn't all science, Drs are bound to be wrong, I realize that. But the part that gets me is that too many of them act as if they couldn't possibly be wrong--and worse they act like the patient is pretty much always wrong--. Of all the things that have happened to me, I have yet to hear a Dr. admit wrong or to even say "I'm sorry." Even to the point that when it is obcious that someone WAS wrong, current Doctors will always make an excuse for previous Doctors. Oh, it really burns me! Don't get me st arted, lol. I am glad your wife got the Tarceva. And for some reason someone seems to have misread your post because it wasn't ER Docs that were ignorant it was PCP and Oncs. Oh well, my new Doctgor, the good one, is going on an exteneded sabbatical in a month, which means she probably will never return to medicine. So once again, I am in search of a new Doctor. I can't believe I am again at the mercy of fate... elaine

Cindi That's pretty cool--is there anything else you can perform disappearing acts on??? !! Sorry about the SOB--lol and any other SOBs you may need sorrys for, lol. When they did the O2 test, did your sats drop below 90? Mine did not, and I was told that my SOB is more than likely a combination of factors--overweight, out of shape (indicated by my pulse rate rising to 140) and only slightly by my emphysema. Now, of course, I don't believe half of what my dumb Drs tell me, but that's what they told me. Didn't they do CT scan--and wouldn't that tell if there was pnemonia? Makes no sense, but hey what does!? love and fortitude elaine

Dave, Sounds like you are in good hands. My best to you and prayers that the Docs get you back on the right track. love and fortitude elaine