TAnn

Gina, I did not have the talc procedure. My doctor says that it doesn't always work. Instead they put in what's called a Denver Catheter. I'm going to be honest, I hated it, but it solved my effusion issue for over a year now. Basically they insert a drainage tube into your pleural space and you have to drain it yourself every day until no more fluid drains. It only takes about an hour to have the tube put in. No hospital stays, no invasive surgery. This process creates some friction between the lung and the pleural lining and causes it to become sealed. I had the tube in for 5 1/2 weeks, then had it removed and haven't had to have any more drainings on the lung. Some people only have to have it in for a few days, some a couple of months, it just depends how fast you are accumulating fluid. I developed fluid quite rapidly, like you, before having the catheter I had 4 draining procedures. Feel free to pm me and I'll give you more info. I think you should ask your doc about this option if you don't want to go through the surgery and hospital stay. TAnn

My PCP offered me anti-depressants. Said I was just a stressed working mom. I was too young (at age 40!) for anything serious. AND THIS WAS A WOMAN DOC! I kept going back to her, about once every other week until she finally referred me to a pulmonologist who immediately sent me for a ct scan and found my tumor. I wasted 3 months with that PCP!. Tell your friend to either insist on a referral or find another doc. TAnn

Carleen, Welcome back. I was so glad to see your post and so happy to see that Keith is still in the battle. I think we were all worried that it was bad news and that's why we didn't hear from you. Sounds like you needed us as much as we needed to hear from you. The feelings and emotions you feeling are what is to be expected considering all you've been through. This is no cake-walk, that's for sure. You are only human, and it's my personal opinion that maybe not God, but life in general can definately give us more than we can handle. I know you probably feel that you can not take one more thing being thrown at you right now. I feel the same way everyday. I fake my way through each day, trying to be upbeat, non-complaining and strong. It's the only way to get through it. But you must know Carleen that we can not ALWAYS be all things for all people. We must be able to be weak at times, let our guard down and reach out for comfort from our loved ones and friends and then restore and re-energize for the next battle. Come back as much as you can. Glad you're back. TAnn

Did y'all know that today is National Cancer Survivor's Day??? I didn't. There was a small article in the Houston paper today written by a local columnist who is also a colon cancer survivor. This includes all of us who are fighting the battle every day, whether we are stable, active disease or NED, we are SURVIVORS!!!! Let's celebrate our survivorship together!!!! TAnn

Elaine!!! I was so glad to see you are back. You have been through tooo much. You are right, you shouldn't have to fight the medical community AND cancer. I hope you get the answers you are looking for. We are here for you and you can post your fears and concerns and updates no matter how long they are. I also lost my beloved dog in December. He was 15 years old and we too had been through so much together. He had cancer. I miss him sooo much, but we have a new puppy (got him in February) and he is such a sweet dog. He brings me smiles and happiness. Take care Elaine and keep in touch. TAnn

Nina, What wonderful news!!! Glad to see some good news!!! TAnn

Joanie, Have a wonderful vacation. Enjoy! TAnn

Bill, I couldn't agree with you more. TAnn

Peggy, Sounds like getting the pain under control is top priority. Hopefully the radiation will help like it did w/Lucie and he can regain some strength before they start the chemo. Praying for you both... TAnn

Karen and Dave, You are in my prayers. This is just so unfair. This beast called cancer.....I hate it. Karen, you have such strength and fortitude and hope that I know it will help Dave get through these really painful days. You have tons of support from all of us here and I hope that our prayers help in Dave's comfort and your strength. Know that we are all here for you, whenever you need us, good or bad, ALWAYS! TAnn

FayA, Wow! 6 years! You are such a wonderful person and a huge source of support and information to me and all of us. Thank you for being part of our family. TAnn

Cindi, Sounds like the procedure wasn't too bad. I'm glad to know that your breathing is better and you are able to walk that new apartment better. You must stay positive about the results. Most effusions are not cancerous and can be caused by previous radiation, infection or cancer in our lungs. But, remember I was diagnosed 2 years ago with a malignant pleural effusion, I'm still here fighting . CharlieD's effusion resolved after starting Alimta. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you, your nurses sound like they were wonderful. Much better experience than I had...... Get some rest, Teri

Frank, You've got my vote on the Tarceva. Why not try it, you already know what the chemo is going to do to your body. There are options for us and our doctors have a responsibility to try each and every one of them. Stay strong my friend. TAnn

David, You really need some good news. Praying that they can zap everything away. You are in my prayers my fellow warrior! TAnn

Maryanne, You are right, more and more of us never-smoked "young ones" are being diagnosed every day. And because we "never smoked" and are "young" we are almost ALWAYS diagnosed at a late stage (IIIB for me). Our symptoms are dismissed as stress, a cold, an infection and we are told to go home, get some rest and we will be fine. I was even offered an anti-depressant. I had to practically demand that something else be done, I knew something wasn't right. As for what causes it, it must be a combination of things, I know I didn't inherit it, I'm the first one in my whole family line to be diagnosed with lung cancer. Environment plays a huge part, I am sure, and I truly believe that some of us are just going to get it. They are now finding that the cancer in young never smokers responds differently to treatment than smokers, which means to me that we have something in our dna that must be an open link for cancer. We are more suseptible for some reason and our bodies can't fight off the cancer. The first question I asked my oncologist is "Is this hereditary?" I was concerned for my son. He said, "no, absolutely not, there is no study that links lung cancer in families. Well our board has proved that wrong. What if his "make-up" is like mine. Couldn't he then "inherit" my "mutant gene" or whatever it is that made me become a cancer victim??? Sorry that I've gone on and on, thank you all for letting me "think out loud". Thanks Maryanne for this thread. TAnn

I'm curious too about why your doc doesn't want to try Tarceva. I've been on it for 5 months, I am stage IV with primary tumor in my right lung, malignant pleural effusion, nodules in the left lung, and mets to the brain. Tarceva may not have shrunk anything, but it has kept me stable for 5 months, and I'll take stable all day long..... Have you started the Alimta yet? Maybe you just haven't had enough treatments to show how you're doing yet.? Let us know. TAnn

Prayers for Wednesday, Nina! TAnn

Cindi, You are well on your way for your procedure by now, but I wanted to wish you no mets, no fluid, no pain and no mets, no mets! Good idea to stay w/Joe and his wife if it is that far of a drive for you. Better to get a fresh start in the morning. You are in my prayers, TAnn

Charlie looks great, and Rachel is beautiful. You must both be extremely proud. It's sad and exciting when our children enter this next phase of their lives. I'm sure it is bittersweet for Charlie. TAnn

I am so sad to read about our Betty. She was always a positive and loving support for us and always had nice things to say and good wishes for all. She will be missed. TAnn

Loved the pictures, your mom looks so proud! Your daughter is absolutely beautiful, those big beautiful eyes!!!! TAnn

CharlieD, As usual, you have given me a great "pick-me-up" with your positive post. Glad you are done with Alimta for a while, hoping the ct shows even more shrinkage. Are the fish biting????? It's those darn steroids that aren't letting you sleep and giving you those chocolate cravings. Hopefully you will be able to wean off them and feel more normal. Enjoy your "happy hourS" TAnn

Brian and Pat, Take the time to enjoy this long weekend together. I had 2 different chemo regimines that I could not finish due to low blood counts, my doc also said the maximum benefit is usually received in the first 4 treatments, so he was never worried that I couldn't make it to 6. My prayers are with you both. TAnn

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday Katie! Celebrate!!!!! TAnn

Cindi, Ok, good. I'm glad to hear they are doing the draining first. Hopefully you will have no problems with the procedure, most people don't. Take it easy until you get it done, you will feel so much better and have more energy when it's done. TAnn