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TAnn

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Posts posted by TAnn

    SEARCHING

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Well, this thread is getting longer and longer. I'll try to keep my response short. I am getting treated at MD Anderson and also participated in the survey that Snowflake talked about. I also volunteered for this to be an ongoing study, as they will randomly take blood from me while being treated there. I hope they can come up with some common factors with these surveys, but the truth is does anyone really know what causes ANY type of cancer. How many times do you watch the news and hear new theories, "eat the crust of the bread, it can prevent cancer", "drink coffee", "don't drink coffee" ..........

    I think one of the most asked questions to me when I tell someone that I have lung cancer (after "do you smoke") is HOW? I tell them that we will never know, environmental, mutant genes, hormones, the list goes on and on. It seems to me that some people have the "make up" to get it and some do not. No one in my family, as far back as we can trace, has had lung cancer. I am the first.

    Well, it turned out to be a longer post than I thought. Thanks for listening.

    TAnn

    Dad just diagnosed

    in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

    Posted

    Xena,

    Welcome! You will find an enormous amount of support and information here. I am so sorry that your dad has been diagnosed with this dreaded disease. When he has the bronchoscopy, they will be able to tell you what type of lung cancer he has. Once you know all the details, you will be able to better determine the course of action. Never give up hope. And remember that 2nd opinions are always a good thing.

    TAnn

    NEVER KNOW WHO IS NEXT

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Marion,

    I have been on Iressa since May. I have been extremely fatigued. Seems this is a common side effect for several of us on the boards. Like Elaine, I was wondering if you are still on Iressa. I can't imagine that they would put you on it for only 1 month and then take you off, unless you were having severe side effects or progression?

    TAnn

    Been away for a few days..

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    Nell,

    How horrible! I am so glad you are ok and that noone else was involved. Boy, someone was sure looking out for you! Hope your wrist feels better soon and that the SUV doesn't require too much repair. Glad to have you back, but rest that wrist!

    TAnn

    melaniemom back again

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    Melanie,

    I'm so glad you found us. Welcome. Boy oh boy can I relate to so much of what you had to say. First of all, let me tell you that I had a catheter put into my pleural cavity in order to drain the pleural effusion at home. I had the tube in about 5 1/2 weeks. It was terribly painful to have put in and was terribly painful while it was in, but my doctors gave me a local anesthetic and also something to "relax" me so I actually did not feel anything when they removed the tube. I was so glad to have that darn thing out! Make sure to ask the dr. for something to relax you, it WILL help.

    I know what you mean about the reaction from friends and relatives. I experienced the same thing. I was totally surprised by the people who actually did step up and offer help, comfort and support and those that did not. Like Ry said, it is so hard to have to "ask" for help. It was truly a blessing from those that said, "I'm sending over dinner tomorrow night". Not, "Let me know if I can do anything". Also, my only son was 17 when I was diagnosed. He had to go through a really tough time, and his senior year I was unable to be involved at all due to chemo. His world was totally turned upside down, I felt horrible that we couldn't do anything special for his 18th birthday, but once again I was sick from chemo.

    Anyway, please know that we are here for you and glad to hear that your surgery was a success. I look forward to your updates.

    TAnn

    JustAKid is in the hospital

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    Beth,

    Thank you for bringing a smile to my face today. I am so glad you are home with your husband and kids again and glad you are feeling better. I hope your next treatment goes without a "hitch". :wink:

    Now you will know what it feels like to be a man, just jump in the shower, dry off with a towel, and YOU'RE DONE!!!

    TAnn

    Looking for thoughts on receiving diagnosis

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Joe,

    My first oncology visit was with a private practice oncologist. Of course I was still reeling from the fact that I had lung cancer and really didn't know ANYTHING about it at this point. He asked me a ton of questions about my history, had a hard time believing that I had lung cancer and was a never smoker, and said that there was "not much" he could do for me due to the malignant pleural effusion. I at that time did not know what stage I was, and asked "aren't you going to do surgery?" His response was just sort of a mumbled "no, no surgery". He did not go into statistics and we did not ask, instead asked for a referral to MD Anderson which he was kind enough to give us.

    The experience at MD Anderson was COMPLETELY different. My new onc. gave us our options, answered all of our questions, (by that time my husband had done a ton of research on the net), said there was ALWAYS hope, explained the staging, but still did not talk about statistics. I don't think my husband wanted to know, but I did, so I asked. He made sure to explain HOW the statistics were arrived at and that I was young and the statistics were old and not to put "alot" into them. It was still a shock, but the way he explained it lessened the impact.

    That was my experience, hope it helps. I personally think you were right to tell the family if they asked. Cancer affects the whole family, and it helps if everyone is educated. (this coming from the patient :wink: )

    TAnn

    test results

    in MEMBER UPDATES

    Posted

    Lisa,

    How terrible that you had to wait so long for news like this! I'm a bit confused, did your dr. originally tell you were stable and then you had to point out the progression in the nodules to HIM??? If so, how does he explain this.

    Hopefully, you will be able to remain on the Iressa and continue a somewhat "normal" life, but if they decide to change the treatment, ask about ALL the options, Tarceva, Alitma, and anything that is not so devastating to your body!

    I'm sorry that you have to worry about this over the weekend. I'm sure the doc will have a plan next week. Please keep us posted.

    TAnn

    Let me off this roller coaster- Joe Help too!

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Cheryl,

    Thanks for asking about the brain MRI. It went well. I'm not clostraphobic, so it didn't bother me, the worst part is the ear plugs. They aren't too comfortable. AND my appointment was early in the morning, so I was very sleepy. Just laid there and relaxed, pretended I was on a LOUD boat with LOUD music and a good "beat"! HA! (you have to make the best of it!)

    Don't worry, you will do just fine and hoping for good results on your blood test on Tuesday.

    TAnn

    Would I be welcome here?

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    Dr. Joe,

    I also would like to thank you with all my heart for taking the time to visit our site and offer us your wisdom and knowledge. As you can see, we are really very supportive and forthcoming with personal experience for all who visit. I hope you can learn as much from us as we definately will learn from you.

    You are a wonderful person to offer up your time to all of us. We all know how busy our oncologist is, and for you to add to your "load" is truly remarkable. THANK YOU!!!!!!

    TAnn

    JustAKid is in the hospital

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    Beth,

    I am so sorry to hear that you are still having such a hard time. You take care of yourself and get better soon. We miss you here! So glad you mom is with you and thanks to David and Karen for keeping us updated. You have had WAY more than your share.

    Sending prayers your way!

    TAnn

    Let me off this roller coaster- Joe Help too!

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Cheryl,

    I agree with Snowflake, it is probably the effects of chemo on your body. Don't forget that the toxins in your body are filtered by the liver and this could cause the liver function to be elevated. I know that while I was on chemo, they always checked the liver function along with the blood sugars. I'm not totally sure about this, but don't spend alot of time worrying about it.

    I'm going tomorrow for a brain MRI because of headaches that I've been having. I could be going crazy with worry, but chose not to because my new philosophy is that worrying just wastes my energy that I need to keep me going. I'll worry when I know FOR SURE what's going on, until then, I'll just keep thinking it's hormones, and for you, I'll keep thinking it's the chemo doing it's job!

    TAnn

    nagging thoughts

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Joe,

    It is so great to hear from a doctor! Thank you for your input. I have learned so much from this board and we really appreciate it when we hear from the medical community.

    I am going for a brain MRI tomorrow as I have been having dull headaches for about 3 weeks now. I think it is hormones, but glad I am armed with all this information. Hoping for admittance to the "empty head" club!

    TAnn

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