AdaW

Dear Shannon, I've heard such great things about Cancer Treatment Centers of America. I am very happy that your insurance will cover their costs. Good Luck to you and Mike. Ada

Dear Carleen, I am praying for you and your husband this morning. I am also praying for your husband's doctor to find the right words to ease your anxiety. I am looking forward to your post this afternoon. Take care. Ada

Dear Fresca, I had Taxotere--once a week every three weeks for a total of three infusions. It worked really well for me. It shrank my tumor. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but then there is no one therapy that works the same for everyone. I did have side effects. I lost my hair, had fungal infections, exhaustion, and muscle and bone pain. I can't remember all of the side effects, but I was able to get through the discomfort, because like I have said on the board before, I was always more afraid of the cancer than any side effect or treatment. As far as food goes, I always liked very plain and simple food when I was on chemo. On another post I mentioned soft boiled eggs, plain toast, but I also liked chicken broth or chicken noodle soup. Some food tastes awful when you are taking treatments. Your Mom's doctor may be able to refer you to a nutritionist for help in this area. I am thinking of you and your Mom and hope she is able to do well on the Taxotere. Ada

Dear Steph, After an x-ray and a CT scan, my cancer was confirmed by a bronchoscopy. Then I had a PET scan in order to stage the disease. If your nodule is larger than 1cm (I believe) you should ask for a PET scan. I think you should ask the pulmonologist about getting more specific scans. I wouldn't feel comfortable about watching and waiting unless your nodule is too small to analyze. How big is the nodule? Good luck, Ada

Dear Ali, I was also diagnosed at Stage IIIA 22 months ago. I was always told the tumor was inoperable, but finally was able to have surgery this past January. They removed my tumor and 2 lymph nodes. I had Taxol/Carboplatin with concurrent radiation in the fall of 2001. I was able to manage the side effects of the treatments. If you have questions, you can ask them here. It sounds like your Father is on a good treatment course. Let us know how he is doing. Ada

Dear Connie, Carleen, and Katie, Thank you so much for your prayers. Today I learned that my cancer has spread to that small cyst in my abdomin. The good news is that it is not in the lymph nodes, liver, adrenals or other vital organs. They are watching a rib where I've had some pain since surgery. All in all, it could have been worse news. I'm sad of course and very disappointed, but I feel so much stronger and healthier than I have been feeling since the surgery in January, that I thank God for my blessings everyday. I'll be going on IRESSA in 2 weeks. Maybe there's a miracle out there for me yet. I pray for all of us each and every day. Ada

Dear Friends, Out of the blue, a hard and painful lump about the size of a dime appeared right underneath the skin on my upper abdomin last week. I went to the oncologist who ordered a fine needle biopsy, a CT scan and a Bone scan. I am praying that the lump in a benign cyst. I will find out today at 1:00 whether or not the cancer is spreading. I am asking for your prayers please as I keep all of you in my prayers. Thank you, Ada

Hi Carol, I posted an answer to your question in General. Basically I gave you a web address for the MD Anderson Information Line. It follows: http://www.mdanderson.org/departments/infoline/ Ada

Dear Jonathan, A friend of mine who was diagnosed with cancer had no health insurance. She was treated at a Catholic hospital here in Atlanta. I believe she eventually qualified for federal assistance. From what I could tell, she received very high quality care despite her limited resources. There should be someone on the oncologist's staff, a social worker or counselor, who would be able to offer suggestions and guidance on community/state or other resources for your uncle. Good luck to you and your uncle, Ada

Dear Karma and Dad, At one point I was going to go on IRESSA. I asked the same question that you are asking. Will I be able to still have chemo after the IRESSA? My oncologist said, "Yes." Ada

Chris, Here is a good place to start your research on IRESSA: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/i ... ssaQ&A.htm Ada

Dear Friend, I've been following your story by reading Karma's posts. You have a wonderful, loving daughter in Karma. I want to wish you the best in your fight against lung cancer. I can certainly relate to the frustrations of going through all of the treatments--it's not fun. Early on in my treatments I vowed that I would do everything I could to get well again. Sometimes I feel like a pin cushion because I've been poked and prodded and stuck for almost two years. For the most part, I've been able to tolerate the chemo treatments. I just cut myself a lot of slack and try not to expect too much except to handle the side effects each day. Some days, when I feel down-hearted, I remind myself of my vow. I am in this for the long haul and I will do what the doctors tell me to do (I trust my doctors very much) while keeping up with the lastest information. I hope you have a good appointment with your doctor today. I will be thinking of you. Ada

Beth, I need to correct my last statement--I meant, I don't know how anyone could get through this WITHOUT an anti-depressant. Ada

Dear Beth, I don't have too much to add as far as food goes. When I was on chemo, I tried to keep it simple--soft boiled eggs, plain toast, a little cheese--nothing fancy and nothing too far out. We were living with my sister during a course my chemo treatments and since she is an artist (or a little controlling) she never understood the concept of "plain food." Hamburgers with soy sauce and eggs with asparagus just don't cut it when you are not feeling well. I never said much to her because I was grateful for her generous spirit. I look back on it now and chuckle. My advice to you would be: try to eat because you do need good nutrition to help your body heal from all the different types of treatments. Your doctor may be able to refer you to a nutritionist. By the way Beth, when I was first diagnosed, I wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out. I had such feelings of fear, sadness and grief. My loving husband, family and friends have slowly pulled me out of the hole, but I must admit I retreat there sometimes. It will be 22 months on May 27 since I was diagnosed and things seem more normal now. I'm on a good anti-depressant which has helped me a great deal. If you are not taking one, ask your doctor about one. I don't know how anybody could get through this with an anti-depressant. Welcome to the board. You'll find many loving friends here. Ada

Dear Linda, It sounds like your Mother is really comfortable and that you have everything under control. I was thinking about your Mom's hair and have a few suggestions. When I first started losing my hair, it came out in hunks--everywhere. I woke up with lots of hair on the pillow and even in my mouth! I immediately had my head shaved. I didn't have any problem with losing my "crowning glory" if it meant that I had a chance to get well. If your Mom is agreeable to having her head shaved or even getting a very short bob, you might be able to find a hairdresser to come to your home to do this for her. Maybe you could arrange a manicure too and she could have a day of beauty, depending on how she feels. My second suggestion would be to get a sleeping cap for your Mom. If she keeps her hair, this will catch the hair that is falling out. If she has her head shaved, this will keep her head warm. I bought a very soft and cute sleeping cap in the hospital Women's boutique where I bought my scarves. Let your Mom make the decision, if possible. Losing your hair can be a shock. Eventhough I didn't mind losing my hair, it was a reminder of my situation everytime I looked in the mirror. Take care and please wish your Mother a beautiful Mother's Day for me. Ada

Dear Sister, I don't know if this is a side effect of her chemotherapy, but I would have her call the oncology nurse immediately. Let us know how she is doing. Ada

Dear Renee, When my father-in-law last visited, it took 4 of us to take care of him and I realized that we needed more help. Sometimes we just have to face that we can no longer care for our elderly, fragile parents the way they need to be cared for. It sounds like you have made a very loving decision with your Mother's best interests in your heart. You have placed her in a safe environment with professionals who know how to care for people at this stage of life. I encourage you not to waste any of your precious time feeling guilty about your decision. Instead put all your energy into visiting your Mother and your boyfriend and taking care of your children. I'm a Mom with lung cancer and this is the advice I would give my daughter. I am thinking about you Renee. Ada

Dear Friend, Did you know that your sister is considered a cancer survivor and has been a survivor since the day of her diagnosis? There are many wonderful and caring lung cancer survivors and their loved ones on this website and you will get a lot of information and support here. There are also wonderful lung cancer survivors' stories at the following website: www.alcase.org Good luck to you and your sister. I am thinking of you. Ada

Dear Libby, This book has lots of good information in it including a chapter on nutrition: The Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Survival Guide by Judith McKay, R.N., O.C.N. and Nancee Hirano, R.N., M.S., A.O.C.N. ISBN 1-57224-070-9. Ada

Dear Peggy, I've been thinking of you and your sister since I read and responded to your post last night. I don't really know what to say except that I admire you very much for helping your sister throughout her ordeal. That means so much to the person with cancer and keeps them alive longer, I believe. My family can't do enough for me and I feel very, very blessed-- eventhough I have this dreaded disease. If your sister is a spiritual person, she may benefit from talking to a priest or minister right now. I know when I get very low emotionally, I remind myself that I am never truly alone in this because God has me in his loving care. That has given me such comfort during some very frightening times. I want you to know that I will be saying special prayers for you and your sister. I am thinking of you. Ada

Dear Peggy, What about Iressa? My information may be outdated because I was going to start Iressa late last fall but had surgery instead--crazy. Anyway, it was my understanding at that time that the clinical trials for Iressa were over and it was now available through a compassionate use program. My oncologist here in GA was not accepting any new patients in the program but my oncologist in Pittsburgh was going to put me on it. Forgive me for not having more detailed and up-to-date information for you, but I think you should ask the oncologist about the possibility of having your sister take this drug, if it is still available. It is manufactured by Astra-Zeneca-I know they have a website. Good luck to you and your sister. She sounds like she's an amazing person to still be driving etc.! Wishing you the best. Ada

Dear Sam, I am so happy to read your good news, that's terrific. I'm sure it was wonderful to return to work. Take care. I am thinking of you. Ada

Dear Shamrock, I had a port inserted towards the end of my last chemotherapy treatments. I wish I had had the port the whole time. I started out with very good veins and they deteriorated after so much chemo. It's not pleasant being stuck over and over and over again in your hands, arms,wrists etc. The port was inserted by a vascular surgeon. It was done on an outpatient basis. Because the hospital was busy that day, it took all day for me to have this procedure done--waiting for the surgery, the procedure and then the recovery room. I was given a light anesthetic during the surgery. I had pain pills when I came home. I was a little uncomfortable for awhile, but it wasn't awful. Please ask the oncologist for a prescription for EMLA which is a cream that numbs the port site (applied 45 minutes before treatment). This really helps to lessen pain. I would highly recommend the port. I still have mine, eventhough I am technically through with chemo right now. Some oncologists recommend flushing ports once a month, but my doctor prescribed a blood thinner for me. There is a chance of blood clots, but I have never had any trouble. Take care and good luck, Ada

Dear Dawn, I was always told I could not have surgery but after 1 1/2 years of treatment, I became a candidate for surgery. I was thrilled because I vowed early on that I would do everything possible to get well. I had the surgery on January 10, 2003. I had complications. I had to have 4 blood transfusions during the surgery and I was in Intensive Care for 5 days and in the hospital for a total of 11 days. I believe the reason I had complications was the location of my tumor which was very close to the vena cava. This major blood vessel was knicked during the surgery. I also always keep in mind that I endured a lot of chemo and radiation treatments prior to the surgery. It's a painful recovery, especially when you have to cough constantly to clear your lungs. When I went home, I was on oxygen and had visiting nurses for about a month. I have been on the mend since January. I just got off oxygen a week ago because I had a bad bout of bronchitis since the surgery. I feel better every day and my life is slowly returning to normal. Right now I can do everything I did before but I just have to pace myself. Eventhough this surgery was a huge challenge, I am very strong. At 54, frankly I am amazed that I am as resiliant as I am. As soon as they told me that they thought they could operate, I did everything I could to make that happen. I was not afraid of the surgery one bit. I wanted every chance I could get to get well. I would go through all of this again if I knew that it would help me get better. Questions you should be asking--what are the credentials of the surgeons you are talking to? What are their experiences? Have they performed operations on people with similar problems? Are they thoracic surgeons who specialize in operating on people with lung cancer? Everyone is an individual case. I wish you and your Mom the best of luck in making this decision. Ada

Dear Tom, Cancer really is a family disease. If you find yourself getting more depressed and not being able to sleep, please ask your doctor for an anti-depressant. That will help you get back on track. The beginning stages, right after diagnosis, were the worst time for me. It wasn't until I started treatments that I felt like I was sort of getting on top of my lung cancer. Then later I had a complete response to one of my chemo medications and I started to feel stronger emotionally. Give this some time, you and your partner will start to piece together a life with cancer. There will be ups and downs, but believe it or not there will be happy times ahead in addition to the challenging times. Although I wish I had never gotten this disease, it has taught me some very valuable and beautiful lessons. I am thinking of you Tom. Take care, Ada