tess

My husband had the same thing, but why only 10 treatments of radiation? Most people get at leat 20 to 30? It works though, it will kill the cancer and releive the pain a lot. Hope he can get the 3D, it is easier to take and won't hit other vital organs. Good Luck! Tess

It is so hard to see our husbands (or wives) go thru this horrible disease. It does make me wish there was more I could do for him. He says I do plenty, but I don't feel like I am sometimes. All the emotions that go with this are wearing me out too. I am so sad you have such a young son to go thru this too. We don't have any kids,(my second marriage and his 1st) I have grandkids who are here a lot (5 & 7). They love grandpa and sometimes don't know what to say to him. He just assures them he loves them and they love him too. I just wish we all could just wake up from the nightmare and say, "It was only a bad dream." Unfortunately we can't. Somehow God gives us the strength to go on...... and on ...... and on.... You are not alone.. We are all here for each other. Take care, Tess

My husband started out just the way you did. He thought he had a bad disc too. It had spread to the bones, and he was is so much pain. Sounds like you will need radiation on your bones too. If you can, opt for the 3D radiation, it only radiates where the cancer is. It will be a lot easier on you. It also will make you very tired... Good Luck and we hope the best for you. Don't listen to the Dr's, their initials are not G.O.D. Tess

Has he had a bone scan lately? My husband had mets to his hip, excruciating pain. It didn't even show up on the bone scan. Once it got radiated, within 3 days the pain was gone! Still no more pain there. Hope you find out soon and get it treated. The sooner the better. Tess

My husband did the Taxotere, Paraplatin (same as carbo??) and it didn't work for him. He has done the Gemzar Navelbine now for 4 weeks. Its some wicked stuff. His body aches bad, I just hope the cancer is being destroyed!! You might see if he can take Celebrex or Vioxx with this chemo. It does help some. My husband's blood counts have also gone down. White and red BC. We won't know if its going to work until the next CTscan on June 7th! Praying that it works, and praying for your dad too. Wish you all the best.. Tess

Oh well.........

Never mind....

Dave, Have you ever heard of glyconutritonal supplements? Plant sugars? Scientists have discovered that are cells have these attached to them. They believe that if we have enough of these nutrients in our system that we can heal ourselves. The product is called Mannatech and it is becoming well known. . My husband has been doing good since taking large doses of these plant sugars, (saccarides) pantent pending as "Ambrotose" If you want more information here is an article: Five years ago, Jim Holton received a death sentence. The Coon Rapids man who once offered hope and hilarity, laughter and light-hearted moments to the sick and dying, visiting patients as the clown character, Dr. P.P. Potts, was sick. After suffering months of fatigue, unexplained aches and pains and enduring a battery of tests, Holton was diagnosed with cancer. Treatment was recommended, medications were prescribed, a prognosis was forecast and surgical procedures were scheduled. The future, as described by specialists and oncologists on Holton’s case, was black as night. And death seemed as near as the setting sun. Then a friend introduced Holton to Mannatech, a research and development firm studying glycobiology. Holton began taking the suggested Mannatech glyconutrients and within weeks doctors were dumfounded when tests and procedures failed to perceive a single cell of cancerous tissue. Holton was declared cancer-free and today, he is racing toward a glistening future full of life and bursting with energy that defies his 81 years. Equipped with his own life-saving testimony, Holton and his wife Bernice became Mannatech associates, sharing his story with others and promoting the use of the glyconutrients to loved ones, friends, neighbors, colleagues and acquaintances. Last month, the Holtons traveled to Dallas, Texas, where they attended the 10th annual Mannatech International convention. There they were recognized for having achieved national directorship, a designation describing the depth and breadth of the Holtons’ testimony and the resulting lives changed and renewed. According to Holton, four recent Nobel prizes have been awarded in the field of glycobiology, and Mannatech has patents or patents-pending in more than 100 countries. “Mannatech is already contributing to the health and wellness of thousands of people in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Great Britain, Canada, and the U.S. and is currently preparing to expand operations to Korea,” Holton said. Holton describes Mannatech as being “on the cutting edge of glycobiology,” he said. Mannatech has been recognized for outstanding achievements in educating the public on the use of glyconutrients to achieve optimum health and wellness, Holton said. Mannatech’s Web site, glycoscience.com, has been awarded the silver medal (second only to the Mayo Clinic Web site) for “outstanding world class reporting of scientific studies showing the result of glyconutrients on the health and well-being of thousands of patients.” “Mannatech makes it clear that its products are not used to diagnose, treat or heal disease,” Holton said. Anyone who is interested, I will get you in touch with them! Tess

My husband was weak for a good month after. The radiation depletes your bone marrow and so it has to replenish itself and that makes one very tired. Also makes yur white count very low. She needs to be careful about going out to places where she could pick up a bug. Her immune system is weak right now. Tell her to take it easy for a while and she will start feeling better soon! Tess

Thank you for the prayers. He woke up yesterday with a glow to his face. He hasn't looked this good in quite a while. Also, he is not having much pain! We think God is hearing our prayers. I will write again and keep posting on his progress. God Bless, Tess

Hi, I just wanted to say that just by chance, we heard in Church a while back that Benny Hinn had healed a former member of our church. He came and told us about how God had healed him through Benny Hinn. So when I got home that day, I got on the internet and looked him up. I never really knew who he was. Anyway, I found out that he will be in Portland Oregon this Friday night. And then he is going back east, then to Europe for a long time. So, I thought, this is our chance! I sent for tickets, and they sent me them over the internet free! We will be leaving Friday morning right after Rob's chemo. We live about 2.5 hours from Portland. Wouldn't it be great to be healed? I am praying hard!! We both are excited. My sister and her husband are going with us. Some people say, I don't know about Benny Hinn... Well we are not going for Benny, we are going because God can heal people through other people and we know for a fact that Benny Hinn is a true healer. So what the heck? God knows our hearts and if its his will, Rob will be healed. We can't pass this up. We will let you know what happens. Tess

Connie B., God does hear our prayers! And he sure has blessed you. Here's to you Connie! Tess

Sounds like you need to keep an eye on what the Dr subscribes, they are over-medicating him for sure. Read up on everything he's taking because we are (and our families.) the only ones who are our own advocates Good luck and praying for your family.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi all, I don't know what to do. Rob started gemzar and navelbine chemo a couple of weeks ago, it was right after finishing radiation (15 days) on his rib. He got really down, and no energy at all. The second time for chemo his WBC went down just below the borderline to where they won't give him the chemo. They just gave him a half dose and he seemed to start feeling a little better. Then the next day or two Rob noticed that his arm was all red and hard and swollen. Back to the Dr. and they said it must be cellulitus from the chemo leaking in his vein, or phlebitus (Spelled wrong?) So they said his WBC was up enough for a few antibotics. Its better now. Then last Friday, I took him in to see the Dr again. His WBC was really low, I think she said down to 4500 (?) enough to cancel the chemo. I thought since he didn't get the chemo that he would start feeling better this week. He's not. He seems to be getting weaker and all he is doing is lying on the couch and sleeping. I can hardly get him to eat anything either. He fell asleep the other night before dinner, and then woke up to come and eat. He sat at the table, and said he felt cold. Then all of a sudden, he got up and ran to the sink and threw up for about 2 min. straight. This is the first time since he was diagnosed that he did this. This was really strange, what does it mean? It it because of the WBC being so low? He also tells me that is is really weak, and he feels like he's got a weight on his chest. I know that with more tumors now in both lungs, its probably growing more since he can't do the chemo. From what I've been reading, the gemzar is really wicked stuff. I don't know if he should really continue to do this chemo. What kind of quality of life is he living here? We won't know for another month after the CT scan if this stuff is even working. He also needs to consider getting a port for the chemo because all of his veins are going flat. Its so hard to watch my husband go through all this! Dear God, Please show us the way we should go with this horrible disease. I don't want him to suffer, but I don't want him to give up either! Any advice would be helpful here. Thanks, Tess Rob's red blood count is good and he is taking supplements. Does the procrit and other stuff like it help the white cell counts at all? Thanks to you all for being here for each and everyone of us! _________________ Husband Rob 48,has NSCLC stage IV. 9/25/03 Mets to T12 vertebre, left hip, two ribs Chemo Taxotere & paraplatin, Zometa, radiation Last CTscan shows shrinkage of lung tumor from 5cm to 4.2cm. Using supplements, Mannatech. Still has his hair! & tolerating Chemo well. April 2, 2004 update: Chemo stopped working, now more tumors found in both lungs. Going to see lung cancer specialist to figure out what we should try next. We are not giving up! April 7, specialist says Gemzar and Navelbine, new chemo starts

Hi all, I don't know what to do. Rob started gemzar and navelbine chemo a couple of weeks ago, it was right after finishing radiation (15 days) on his rib. He got really down, and no energy at all. The second time for chemo his WBC went down just below the borderline to where they won't give him the chemo. They just gave him a half dose and he seemed to start feeling a little better. Then the next day or two Rob noticed that his arm was all red and hard and swollen. Back to the Dr. and they said it must be cellulitus from the chemo leaking in his vein, or phlebitus (Spelled wrong?) So they said his WBC was up enough for a few antibotics. Its better now. Then last Friday, I took him in to see the Dr again. His WBC was really low, I think she said down to 4500 (?) enough to cancel the chemo. I thought since he didn't get the chemo that he would start feeling better this week. He's not. He seems to be getting weaker and all he is doing is lying on the couch and sleeping. I can hardly get him to eat anything either. He fell asleep the other night before dinner, and then woke up to come and eat. He sat at the table, and said he felt cold. Then all of a sudden, he got up and ran to the sink and threw up for about 2 min. straight. This is the first time since he was diagnosed that he did this. This was really strange, what does it mean? It it because of the WBC being so low? He also tells me that is is really weak, and he feels like he's got a weight on his chest. I know that with more tumors now in both lungs, its probably growing more since he can't do the chemo. From what I've been reading, the gemzar is really wicked stuff. I don't know if he should really continue to do this chemo. What kind of quality of life is he living here? We won't know for another month after the CT scan if this stuff is even working. He also needs to consider getting a port for the chemo because all of his veins are going flat. Its so hard to watch my husband go through all this! Dear God, Please show us the way we should go with this horrible disease. I don't want him to suffer, but I don't want him to give up either! Any advice would be helpful here. Thanks, Tess

We were told the pain would be from the swelling of the radiated area. It should get better soon...(IHOPE!) Hang in there, T-Bone. The steroids would help the Dextra whatever it is... Sending prayers for you too, my husband hurt so bad, he just finished his radiation to his #6 right rib, it took a couple weeks, but he's much better now.. Tess

Well my husband's Dr says its ok for him to take Mannatech supplements, they are plant sugars, (ambrotose) high grade multi-vitamins, amino acids, and phyto-aloe, (a green food containing broccoli,cabbage,aloe vera, carrots, etc). They seem to help with the side effects of chemo. We have seen some videos of people who have been cured of cancer taking the ambrotose plant sugars. (LUNG CANCER INCLUDED!) They call this new thing "glycoscience" and "glycobiology". Rob is taking large doses of the ambrotose now since the cancer has grown. We will let everyone know if this works! Tess

My husband tells me that he's sorry that I have to go thru this. I said, "you are the one going thru it, I am just here for you." He was here for me when I went thru some really personal tough times in my life. I told him that he took care of me, and now its my turn to take care of him, and that's why God brought us together. He will never be a burden to me, I love him and will do anything for him. I wouldn't have it any other way. This is what real love is all about. Aren't you so glad that you have it? Not everyone has it and we do so that's one thing to be so thankful for. God Bless all the caregivers, and God please let our loved ones know that we love them and will always be here for them.

It took a few times for my husband with radiation till he felt better. He also had it in his hip, he was so happy to function again. I pray it works fast for you!! Rob is also thinking about a port, his veins are flat and he got cellulitous last week. Maybe he should get one too..... Tess

Hi Bruce, Sounds like you've been through a lot! Sorry you have to be here like the rest of us, but we all have each other. It really helps to talk to others going thru the same things. Welcome Tess

My husbands Dr says that Zometa makes the bones slippery (like teflon) so the cancer cells won't adhere to the bone, and also strengthens them.

My husband has has Zometa not the other. He gets achy from it for a couple of days.

If you believe in God at all, believe in his promises. YOU will be with your husband again someday in heaven. (if you believe) We don't understand why things happen the way they do, but someday we will. Time will help heal your broken heart. Your husband is still here with you too. Just believe it! He wants you to go on and be happy again. We all have to die, we don't have any control over when or why. My husband is getting worse each day. I know it will happen some day... but I really do know he will have no more pain or sorrow, and I really want that for him. He is suffering here, so I can't be selfish and want him to stay here with me. I know my heart will be broken too. God will decide when to take him (and all of us) and all we can to is learn to accept it and go on. You will go on, you might not think so now, but you will. I am so sorry that you are so greif stricken. May God comfort you in your time of need.

Its so hard for all of us here, caregivers and those with cancer. Your dad sounds like a wonderful and brave man. I lost my dad 8 years ago and I still miss him so bad. Our dad's are our first heros in life. Its hard to see them get sick when we always thought of them as strong and fearless protectors. I am so sorry for your children too. Just give them as many good time with grandpa as you can. God bless and take care of your children's mom!

My husband had some nausea and loss of appetite. He also said food tasted bad, and that he was so tired from it. He never had a cough before or after the radiation though. I imagine that would depend on the location of the tumor in the lung.? Make sure she drinks a lot of water!