Tiny
-
Posts
2,068 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Downloads
Store
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Blogs
Events
Posts posted by Tiny
-
-
Diana,
Dave G. addressed your concerns very thoroughly and supportively, as always. I can't add to his advice, really, but want to assure you of your welcome to this board and reiterate that this is a great place to find support, vent, laugh, cry, sound off, share information, and offer help to others as you feel able. Sending positive vibes your way to help you and your loving husband cope.
-
Hi Hebbie,
I, like you, was bitterly disappointed when the path report came back after my surgery and 2 lymph nodes in the hilar region were involved. I was restaged at IIa and informed that my chances for non-reoccurrence were now about 40-50% as opposed to 80%. Bummer! Nonetheless, my oncologist leaned toward no chemo unless a great-sounding Phase III chemical trial could be found. Same advice came from the 2nd-opinion onc in Seattle. Unfortunately, there weren't any neato-keen trials available for my stage and condition before the "window-of-opportunity" for joining a trial following surgery closed (usually about 2-3 months). Radiation was never mentioned, but I am staged differently from you.
The following is a quote from the book Lung Cancer: Myths, Facts, Choices--and Hope by Claudia I. Henschke & P. McCarthy, 2002:
Radiation therapy is used frequently at stage III, often with other treaments. When NSCLC has moved beyond the lung but is still on one side of the chest (stage IIIA), treatment may begin with surgery; afterward, radiation, chemotherapy, or both are given to kill any remaining cancer cells....p. 213I think John's advice is vital: namely, that your first step should be a 2nd and maybe 3rd opinion. And, as John said, be sure to identify the "Grade" of your cancer, which is an indication of how aggressive your cancer is...tumor cells usually are graded on a scale of 1 to 4, with a higher number reflecting greater abnormality and hence aggressiveness. The sooner the better. There may be great immunotherapy trials or other avenues open that could be used concurrently with the radiation to enhance your situation. Best of luck to you and please keep us posted.
-
JudyB,
I'm so excited for you! Way to go! It's those little milestones like being able to get scanned every 4 months instead of every "3" that take on uncanny significance in our lives as survivors. I'm looking forward to those days myself! I'm sure your positive attitude and great sense of humor are some of your best weapons in this battle.
-
Great News!
in HOPE
Estelle,
Yessssss! Your upbeat news was a smiley point in my day. Thanks and keep it coming!
-
Peggy H,
Yes, thanks a lot for the VERY interesting post! I had just received the same information from a BAC-only group I belong to and was going to list the URL, but you had already done so! Approaches such as this offer a lot of HOPE, and I am eager that they be available to help us SOON!
You, John, Marlon, Cary, and others have posted some very provoking web addresses for new, unusual or some would perhaps say contoversial approaches to cancer treatment that "think-outside-the-box". I wonder if we can somehow get them all listed in one place. Right now, they are all over the board and unless one knows a key word or a "key" person (for example, John's posts sometimes just state the URL and don't have a subject with them) it can be hard to access them. Not criticizing here, folks, just thinking out loud. Anyone else interested or have suggestions?
-
Minnie,
I know you are on constant pins and needles about your mom. So glad she is doing better and hope she can avoid any more allergic reactions to further treatment. Hang in there.
-
Yes, John, very interesting. Thanks.
Tiny
-
Karma,
There's no place like home. So glad your dad was well enough to get out of the hospital. It's too bad the scans had to be postponed, but hopefully things will work out for him. Wishing him the best.
-
Faylene,
Keeping your mom in my prayers as they continue to do scans and look for ways to alleviate her troubles. Take care.
-
Stacie-
Prayers are on the wing for you and Rod. I admire the way you are hanging in there with him and not giving up. It doesn't seem as if the specialist has thrown in the towel either! Things sound hectic for you; remember to take care of yourself, too. Post when you can.
-
Dear Laurie,
Loved your post. I know you will adapt and hope you get to join in on some of the fun stuff your parents are planning. Isn't it marvelous that they have this opportunity?!! You are a special daughter.
-
Renee,
You've had your hands full and your heart stressed what with caring for your mom and your own family. Hopefully a night's rest for you and some time in the hospital for your mom will result in a brighter picture for you all. Saying a prayer.
-
Relyag,
I looked at your profile, but didn't find where you are from. A colleague of a good friend was diagnosed with a Pancoast Tumor in November, 2002. I had never heard of it, so asked for clarification.
About a week ago he had a lobectomy of the upper portion of his left lung for his pancoast tumor at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. His surgeon was Dr. Doug Wood, Chief Thorasic surgeon at the UWMC. After diagnosis and before surgery, he underwent both chemo and radiation. In his case, a PET scan following the chemo and rad showed no other involvement at that time, so he was eligible for the surgery. Reports are that he is doing very well!
He provided me the following additional information on Pancoast Tumor, and it might be of help to someone out there:
The "pancoast tumor", is very typically linked to smokers. Even though I quit over 5 years ago, it appears it was a case of "too little too late". Pancoast tumors normally appear in the Upper Lung area, near the spine. They are usually diagnosed with patients experiencing pain in their necks or "tingling sensations" in arms and hands. Sometimes it also shows itself via "Horners Syndrome", which is one of the early detectable signs that my GP was able to evaluate. Horners Syndrome normally affects the muscles in or around your eyes. Mine in particular appeared as a "lazy eye-lid" with reduced pupil dilation in the left eye.Best of luck to you in your search. Keep us updated if you can.
[/u] -
Lee-Anne,
Welcome and thanks for sharing your dad's story with us. It sounds like you are out there supporting him and fighting for him in every way you can. As you already know, Marlon is a good resource for you regarding the course your dad's disease seems to be taking, and the rest of the gang here are invaluable for love and back-up assistance.
-
Sanjo,
Welcome and keep the good news coming! Hope you stay with us and let us share as you continue your recovery. I'm excited for you too!!!
-
Fran,
I don't have good advice for you as my limited experience is with NSCLC, but just wanted to say "hi" and that I'm glad you found this message board even though the circumstances are not the best. Welcome!
-
Karma,
Thanks a "bunch" for the banana laugh! These laughs are sooo important and precious as a counterbalance to the tears, fears, and anger inherent with cancer. I love your animations, jokes, and positivism that you manage to interweave into your messages. Praying for dad!
-
Estelle,
Love your name, because it was my mom's middle name and the one she preferred to use.
Your attitude in the face of your problems is truly remarkable! Your post about the pain in the leg turning out to be blood clots could be a real heads-up for the rest of us. I'm praying that things go well for you from here on in. Write again.
-
Karma,
Oh, boy. When I read your first post my heart went up into my mouth, but your succeeding messages were more reassuring. You can definitely tell that you and your feisty dad are related. A little candy with a wine chaser sounds good to me! Hang in there.
-
Cathy,
It's great to hear you sounding upbeat in spite of some blips on the screen. So glad to have you back. Hoping your news continues to improve.
-
Dear Peggy,
I read you Private Message to me before accessing this board, so you answered some of my questions in your well-written introduction of yourself and your sister. Thanks again for the web site...very useful. Please be welcome and visit often...your research could touch many lives here and perhaps we can offer moral support and encouragement for you and sis...or maybe you guys can offer them to US as you both sound pretty amazing.
-
Dear Mary,
So sorry to learn of your sister's cancer but want to welcome you here. We definitely understand about that "edginess" that cancer engenders. I hope we can be of help to you and your sister as she faces the future as one of us SURVIVORS.
-
Dear Spazzums,
I'm sorry I am not as familiar with SCLC as many other members of the board who will, I don't doubt, have more detailed information for you, but I would really suggest seeing other doctors for second or even third opinions on your F-I-L's treatment ASAP. Praying for you all.
(BTW, way cool signature!
) -
Dear Karma,
Hold on to your own hope and keep being positive. Having your sister joins us would be great, for her sake and ours! Forgive your dear auntie her fear and misguided admonitions and look forward. I remember obsessing on the statistics myself and still have to give myself a good swift kick in the rear once in a while. I'm lucky to have my husband, the eternal optimist there at times like those. I'm praying that you and your family receive the support needed to weather these tough times.
[/u]
)
CT results are in !!
in SCLC GROUP
Posted
Stupendous news, Hopeful2! That kind of news keeps our hearts rejoicing, our chins up, and our eyes looking to the future!