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Thanks for all of the replies! It was a rough weekend. They're having trouble getting on top of the pain. Sounds like she finally got some sleep last night but is still pretty uncomfortable. The chest tube is still putting a lot out, apparently they need to wait until it's less than 200cc's a day before they can do the talc procedure. She also has an air leak in her lung which needs to heal. Dad is meeting with her oncologist today -- hope to get some answers on the why, what does this mean, what if's. Thanks again for all of the prayers and input-I really appreciate it.

Shellie, My dad did mention something about the talc...something about then the lung can adhere to the cavity or SOMETHING, I don't know!! Sometimes getting information from the doctor through my dad is like a game of "telephone.." the info always seems to be a bit altered by the time it gets to me!! Thanks, I'll do some investigating tonight and see if that has been or will be done.

Oh I hope your mom starts feeling better very soon. I am about 8 hours away from my folks too-I hate when the phone rings at work and it's my dad, it's never good news when he calls me here. And then I spend the whole day wishing I was there! It's a tough thing. Anyway, I am praying for you, your mom, and your family. take care Ris

Hello everyone, It's starting to seem like this is a neverending battle. We've had another set back. Last week my mom had to have two thoracenteses and removed 1600cc's from around her lung. Well last night she was up all night throwing up and having a lot of pain, so dad took her in. They admitted her and took her to surgery for a chest tube, which immediately returned 1600cc's. She'll be in the hospital for several days. Does anyone have experience with this whole fluid thing? As of a few months ago, the cancer in her lungs was gone-so I'm having a hard time understanding, medically, why does this happen? I know that there is always a chance that the cancer is back again....but I'm praying it's not so if it isn't, I just don't understand why fluid would collect there so fast if at all. AAH! What does this mean!?!?! I guess I'm just getting really scared because the fluid was actually how we found out she had sclc back in February. FEBRUARY. I can't believe we've been doing this for 8 months already. Anyway.... I guess I'm just feeling so frustrated because we're dealing with the brain and spine mets and now treatment is on hold because of this madness. It just sucks. That's all. Any of your thoughts would be greatly appreciated-will be interested to hear what oncodoc thinks.... Take care! Ris

Welcome Patrice! This is a wonderful place to be...(although I'm sorry you had to find us!) Glad to hear treatment is going "smoothly." Hope that continues for you, and keep us posted on your progress!

Hi there, After spending the weekend with my mom we noticed that she was getting increasingly short of breath with exertion...My dad finally called the onc today and he had her come right in. She's getting a thorocentisis right now (draining the fluid). I don't understand why this keeps happening (she's had a few) because there isn't cancer in her lungs right now. Her onc said something about her lungs being so compromised from the chemo and the cancer that it's hard to get the fluid off? (This all coming from my dad, it's a like a game of "telephone.") I, along with the others, suggest you give your doc a call. Being short of breath is a scary, exhausting feeling and you don't need to feel that way! Hope you feel better soon!

So sorry to hear this news. My mom started WBR about two weeks ago for brain mets. So far she said the only side effect has been extreme fatigue (she naps a lot during the day). The actual WBR itself only takes about 5 minutes so she is in and out of the clinic and back to her reclinder! Her onc plans on doing 25-30 treatments. I'll be thinking about you!

I was literally holding my breath when I read your post, and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that wonderful word. Congratulations!!!

Congrats on the one year anniversary! I find myself always checking to see if you have posted, so thanks for letting us all know how you are doing. You are truly an inspiration Dean!

Charlotte, I am so very sorry. I am thinking of you.

So sorry you have to be here, but this is a good place to be-everyone here is wonderful. I know the first days/weeks/months after diagnosis can be overwhelming, and there are a lot of great people here who can help you through all of the emotions. Hang in there.

Your mom sounds like an incredibly strong woman! The unknown is always so scary to think about-one of the hardest parts about this disease is the whole, "what will happen next?" I'm glad you were able to spend time with her and she felt so well for your visit.

I am SO SO sorry for the loss of your mother. God bless you and your family.

Looks like the other posts covered a lot of your questions but I just wanted to add my 2 cents about one thing: When my mom was first diagnosed I think the questions that I struggled with-and I mean STRUGGLED with-were 1. Why her? 2. Why me? 3. Why God, WHY? As I was going through the information-hungry stage, I found myself at Borders looking for anything to help me get through this. I found the book "when bad things happen to good people." Prior to reading this book I had thought that God DOES things to people and GIVES things to people. This book taught me to look at it from a different perspective....God isn't in control of everything. And I know that somewhere, wherever He is, he is standing there with his head in his hands asking the same question, "Why is this happening to her?" All I can do is draw strength from that and from Him. Otherwise what kind of a God is He? It turns into the good person/bad person, deserve/not deserve argument. I choose to believe He is a loving God and would never GIVE this to anyone, faithful or not. Take Care-I wish you the best.

I'm sorry you not feeling well. My mom is on the same (both) chemo and has completed 5 rounds. She's feeling the same way, and they told her it is just the cumulative effects of the chemo. I'll be thinking about you-hope you will feel better soon!