[Sister's Progress]

Dear Mary and Sister,

Praying for the best possible outcome from the treatments. Your sister is lucky to have you in her corner. Take care of each other.

[Looks like Earl is going to get the radiation]

Dear Earl and Ginny,

Sending a prayer for you both as you start this new treatment.

[Husband has NSCLC- need a little encouragement]

Kathy,

I'm glad you found this board...it is such a vital source of communication, love, and support as you can tell from the posts that precede mine. I'm glad your husband has decided not to pay any attention to the "numbers", because, as you have discovered, they are soooo depressing and none of us can be expected to adhere to them as each case is so individualized. Saying a prayer for your beloved husband and you.

[Going to the dr. today]

Roseanne and Gianni,

Those are tense moments until we hear and assimilate the latest scan results. I'm winging up a prayer for you now. Let us know soonest.

[Surgery Tomorrow]

Kristen and dad,

Thanks for the quick update. The news sounds magnificent in spite of the circumstances. Hope you both take it slow and easy now...and will continue to include you in prayers and positive thoughts for all on this board.

[Total confustion]

Dear Ginny and Hubby-

I just hate this aspect of this blasted disease! There are seldom any black and white clear-cut answers to our many questions. Just when we think we have a bit of breathing space, something pops up again. I hope you feel better when you get more information. Praying for you too.

[reality t.v.]

Paul,

My favorite part of your message is that you feel privileged to be alive...ain't it the gospel truth??

The operation sounds fascinating, but I am one of those who can read a description, but I would be very squeamish about viewing it...glad I was "under the influence" when my lobe was removed.

So happy you are still breathing and enjoying!

[Mom just diagnosed with small cell lc.. HELP]

Hi Dave,

Nope, must have been a miscue somewhere along the line, and goodness knows it could easily have been a mistake made on my end!! I am HEADING toward 60, but that won't arrive until Nov. 8th...let's not rush it along even though I am counting on SEEING it. Is your birthday in November too? What date?

By the way, I was having so much fun at the "Wintergrass" Music Festival here in Tacoma, WA, and was so immersed in the wonderful Bluegrass music that I completely forgot about my cancer worries until my husband leaned over last Friday, Feb. 21, gave me a kiss, and congratulated me on doing so well on my one-year anniversary after my surgery. And, no, we don't play any instruments, but we play an important role by being part of an appreciative audience.

Much love and good will,

Tiny

[Surgery Tomorrow]

Kristen,

From one Stage IIer to another, a prayer for the best of all possible outcomes is on the wing right now. I had my right lower lobe removed almost exactly one year ago (Feb. 21) and so far all is going well, so take heart for your dad's situation.

[Mom just diagnosed with small cell lc.. HELP]

Dear Chris and Shane,

Just reading your post lifted my spirits, so I can imagine how you and your Mom must be feeling; you've received promising news. I'm glad you guys will have a share in obtaining information. If you haven't done so already, perhaps you could ask for hard copies of scan results, chart notes, etc., etc., to be sent to you as well as getting verbal and email reports. It's nice to be able to refer back to them as the situation changes. Best of luck to all of you!

[Octreoscan]

Teet,

I'll be praying for you and your scan results on Monday. Hopefully there will not be multiple sites. All this bouncing around and testing/retesting has to be really hard on you. Hang in there.

fondly,

Tiny

[They are out of treatment options for my dad!]

Dear Caroline,

Just want to add my thoughts of concern and support for you and your dad. I know it has to be harder for you now that he is further away and you no longer have your finger on the pulse of things. It's hard to stay positive, but there are remarkable stories of hope on this board. Take care and keep us posted.

[Help]

Sandy,

Katie B has good hope and advice to offer you. I do not have concrete experience with the situations you are encduring, but I am sending prayers and tender regards your way for you, your husband and any family members. Hang on.

Keeping the Faith,

Tiny

[Sister with stage 3B lung cancer]

Hi Mary,

Yes, it depends on where the involved lymph nodes are as to what stage the cancer is designated. My first CT scan showed no lymph-node problems, but the follow-up PET scan indicated a metabolically active lymph node "in the posterior right hilum". Because it did not show lymph-node involvement in the mediastinum, I was still a candidate for surgery. The post-op pathology report confirmed metastasis to 2/4 lymph nodes in the N-1 position. I was staged IIa (T1 N1 M0). Maybe you need yet another opinion or two. Be sure to ask for copies of scan reports, bloodwork reports, doctors' chart notes, etc., for you and your sister to keep and read and reread and refer back to. Ask for clarification of anything in them that you don't understand. Best of luck.

[change in diagnosis]

Hi John,

Thanks for the tip about brain and liver scans. They did a bone scan about 8 months ago, and it was negative. I have wondered about the "old bean" myself and now will definitely follow up on it. I hadn't even considered the liver picture (hehe). I continue to have lung scans every 2-3 months, but will ask about a brain MRI my next visit. All my best to your mom and take care of yourself; your mom needs you and is sooo lucky to have you for her son.

[change in diagnosis]

Teet,

Wow! What a rocky and scarey road to travel. Thank goodness for John and his good research and knowledge that he bravely shares with us. I'm hoping things can only improve for you now. Hang in there and keep questioning and fighting! Blessings.

[need to give dad more hope]

Marlon,

I would encourage you to NEVER, NEVER, NEVER apologize for long postings: they are full of encouragement, insights, and information that could be vital for someone and is intersting to the rest of us. When we first migrated to this board you weren't with us; I understand you were very involved with caring for your mom. I missed you. You are a wonderful advocate and son to your mom.

[Mesothelioma survivor]

Hi Jodi,

I just wanted to welcome you to the boards...good people here.

[New member who's dad has stage IV]

Karma,

How did you DO that??? Your gyrating Spiderman is such a HOOT. It makes me smile every time I see it, and we can use all the smiles we can get on this board, so you are providing a real service

I am a little old lady without many computer skills, so I REALLY am interested in how you imported Spidey and where he came from. So humorous

Cheers,

Tiny

[New member who's dad has stage IV]

Karma,

I'm so sorry you have reason to be here, but this is a great bunch of people with a lot of good information and big, caring hearts to help support you through what is ahead. Wishing the best for your dad and your family.

[just going for my check up]

tcandy and Marie,

Boy, oh, boy. The rest of the world does not know what it is like to live from scan-to-scan. As the date gets closer, then tension always seems to mount. I'm praying for positive results for both of you.

[Looking for hope...]

Junior,

You've come to the right place for support and information. It's with a sad heart that I "welcome" you, but I know that life is happier and burdens easier when shared. God bless you and your family. There is always hope.

[Renee, just wondering how your mom is doing]

Dear Renee,

What a load you are bearing! I don't know how you are doing it all by yourself. I know from experience that it can be harder watching a loved one suffer from cancer than it is to have it yourself! I hope that you can get some help from hospice (they were great) or the pastor or relatives. Remember that there is always hope, and that hospice won't change her medical treatment or prognonis, but the social worker and volunteers might help ease this difficult time for both of you, especially with controlling the pain. Prayers being sent your way.

[Tobacco Money (How much the Lawyers Made on Law Suit in MN]

EGADS, and these were supposed to be the good guys! This is an EYE-OPENING article. Thanks for sharing.

Tiny

[Possible Surgery - New Scans 2/10]

Janet,

Dave's message just about sums up the difficulties involved with the surgery, but I am THRILLED that you might have a chance to have it done. Let us know how everything goes. All digits crossed for you.