[Last radiation treatment today]

Hi T-Bone,

I am replying to you on the day you are at MDA. I've been there 3 times this week myself. They definately can get all your tests done today. You will be exhausted by the time you are back in your hotel room. MDA is a 24/7 hospital. I've been there myself until 2 or 3AM for chemo treatments.

I am hoping and praying that the news is all good. Let me know if I can be of any help or if you have any questions about MD Anderson. I talk to people there all the time who are from different states and countries. Alot of them tell me they come to Houston for their monthly assessments, CT scans and such and they work with the doctors in your hometown for your treatments. It will be overwhelming, you will do alot of waiting, but the people there are all great.

Waiting to hear from you,

TAnn

[Arghh!]

Becky,

I too am new to the boards. I agree that increasing your pain medication is not the answer. Why not find out what the problem is instead of just covering it up. I too have rib pain, however mine is due to the pleural effusion. Have they checked for fluid? Just a thought.

Hope you find some relief.

[Introducing Myself - Finally]

Thanks to all for the warm welcome.

T-Bone,

I try not to think about how I got this horrible disease, I've got it and I have to fight it with all I can. It was hard at first, but when I knew that I would never have the answer to that question, I knew I had to move on.

I too had a rough day today. It's raining and dreary in Houston, so maybe it's just the weather. We have to let ourselves feel, get it out of our systems and then we can pick ourselves up and get the fight back in us!

I really appreciate your kind welcome and will keep you and the others in my prayers.

Hope you have a better tomorrow!

[Introducing Myself - Finally]

Thank you Snowflake for your welcome.

Houston's not a bad town at all, and Dave & Busters is a fun place. My husband & I used to take my son there all the time. (He is now 18 and doesn't go out w/mom & dad too much!) Anyway, about the never smoker comment... I get very annoyed when I tell someone about my disease and the FIRST question they ask is "do you smoke?" No one deserves this horrible disease.

I'm reading more statistics that non-smokers make up a growing (if not greater) percentage of lung cancer patients. It IS NOT a smokers disease.

Take care and God Bless.

[Introducing Myself - Finally]

Hello...

I have been viewing this website since being diagnosed in April '03 and finally decided to participate. I guess I am finally comfortable with my disease and hope I can be of comfort to someone out there as you all have been to me over the past months..

I am a 41 y/o never smoker dx'd April '03 with NSCLC Adenocarcinoma of the upper right lung with a malignant pleural effusion, Stage IIIB/IV.

I live in Houston, TX and have the blessing of having one of the best cancer facilities in the nation...MD Anderson. I know some of you have visited and did not have good experiences, but I cannot say enough good things about it. I have been through 5 out of 6 treatments (my blood counts wouldn't come back up for the 6th) of Carbo/Taxol and am now participating in a clinical trial of ZD-6474 with Taxotere. I have completed 4 of 6 treatments and hope to find out if I've been getting the drug at the end of the trial. (It's a double blind trial, which bites!)

I have not seen many posts from people with malignant pleural effusions and was wondering if anyone has any personal information on the subject. It is not a good complication to have (duh!) and I'd like to know what to expect.

Thanks for this website and I look forward to getting to know you all.