Annette

I'm not so sure about even the sports bra for a good long while - I had VATS and even though I tried doing the bra thing I am back to teeshirts under regular shirts. Recover at your own pace - and look back on "yesterday" and you will say "wow - I really do feel better today". Most importantly we are all there with you in spirit and support. Annette

I know how scared you must be right now - but with your attitude you will do great. I can't wait to see your posts after surgery - you keep us updated at how fast you get to feeling better!!! Annette

I'm with Randy on the tequila - but I'm glad I read this post - I can't wait to go home and see how much stuff I need to finish..... Annette

I had two surgeries with the epidural and catheter (Both VATS - one on each side). Painful but doable with the medication - don't let the pain take over - let the painkillers do their stuff at first so you can heal without the pain. Thankfully (if there is a thankful) - you are young and ready to fight the battle. The new stuff can be so overwhelming - be sure you ask if you need to ask - ask your doctor - ask here - just don't be afraid to ask questions - you need to know all the answers to fight this thing. Best of luck - can't wait to see surgery and recovery and NED posts from you as you get further into this. Annette

I think that everyone is anxious to hear from you Melanie.... I sincerely hope all went well - let us hear from you so we can be there to help you and you can be there to help us! Annette

We had a light dusting of snow last night - and I was dreaming of Florida but ladies it may even be too cold down there. Cold will be alright for the weekend - it is after all the first play off weekend - can't wait to wear my "star" shirt tomorrow night. Here's hoping the weather turns warm soon!! Annette

Hope everything goes your way - can't wait to hear the news after your appointment!!! Stay strong and positive - Annette

Snowflake - I'm betting the bus has special air vents to prevent cold/flu germs from jumping from one partier to another - wouldn't have it any other way! Annette

I can't miss this trip - look like a few of us will be waiting by I-95 - I can be at any exit you want in Richmond - since this appears to be a long trip I'll bring along a cooler of Miller Lite that I will gladly share. I suppose I could stop by 5 Guys and pick up 5 Guys - wait I meant some hamburgers for everyone..... Cheers! Annette

Like others said - that's the perfect Christmas present - I think we'd all like one similar! Annette

Can't wait til every survivor copies you and hits double digits. A big congratulations - looking forward to seeing many more! Annette

It is cool and VERY rainy here in Richmond. I have been noticing that I am not the only one addicted to FB games. I could use neighbors on Cafe Town, Farmville and Farm Town if anyone is interested give me a shout. Annette

As an early staged survivor it means that early detection works - maybe it means that someone else will get a good PA or PCP that says - yes let's get a chest x-ray too..... which will lead to more good news and more good news. Be sure you do what I will be doing from now on - every time I see my PA and/or PCP - remind them that survival depends on them ordering that first xray - not just for me but for the next person as well. Good news - good news - good news - let the good news tree continue to grow. Annette

I guess technically I'm an almost 2 month survivor if they count from the surgery. I had my 1st surgery in June and my second in August and was staged 1A in both cases so no further therapy was requested. I am still however recovering from the surgery - the nerves are not happy yet on my left side so I am still hurting. I don't know how long it will be before I "believe" my oncologist who said "This just doesn't happen - we don't get lucky like this - two stage 1 tumors - come back in December for your first scan." So now I live with a cramp in my toe being toe cancer, a stress headache at work being brain cancer and even hip cancer when my behind gets to hurting. Maybe in December I'll get lucky and start feeling better between scans. I love reading everyone's story of STRENGTH - I know I have gotten a ton from everyone here. It may be hard to believe but I even think the bad news things are important - including the crying that goes with it. I know a good cry always makes thinks look more manageable. There have got to be a lot more early stagers out there - I wonder how long it really takes for the pain to go away from VATS. I wonder which doctor I should go to to get that scanxiety prescription for xanax. I wonder which doctor I should go to for a lot of things. Guess I'm still too new at this to be a early stager.... Annette

From "The Jungle Book" "I wanna be like you u u u !!!!!" Congratulations. Annette

I so agree - I said "Bet next month there won't be anything said about lung cancer." Everything is pink - it is definitely hard to take when I'm still so new to this I have anxiety constantly. Annette

Happy Days Are Here Again!!! Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (or any of the others you would like to see)

Army Archerd, whose breezy column for the entertainment trade publication Daily Variety kept tabs on various Hollywood doings for more than a half-century, has died. He was 87. Archerd's wife, Selma, said he died Tuesday at UCLA Medical Center of mesothelioma, a cancer of the lungs strongly tied to asbestos exposure. She said the cancer was the result of his time spent in shipyards while serving in the Navy during World War II. She said he had become very ill over the last two years, especially in the last two weeks.

As I mentioned in the chat room they were different NSCLCs. Annette

Well I hurried back to the office to get on the chat now find that it is central time - no need to hurry. I'm still too scared to post in good news for fear of jinxing things so I'm sticking with general. I had my second lobectomy on August 17th and just came from my second followup with the surgeon. 99% good news. He said that my RML and my LUL were two different cancers so for now they are classifying me as 1A and 1A and he's pretty darn sure that means that the oncologist will say no chemo required. He did say that there was some iffy pathology on the removed lobe - some dysplasia which they said was noncancerous but not normal cells. I think fine it's in the lobe they took out right. So he says that we will follow things closely to watch for and catch recurrences early so I am lucky to have vigilent doctors watching for just in cases - even though for now they are comfortable saying NED!!! I wish it was NED without pain - but since my second surgery was on August 17th I'm entitled to a little pain. Just wish I had taken one more week off work - thank goodness this is a long weekend and tomorrow is Friday. I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend. Annette

I had my RML taken out June 15th and it was clear margins with no lymph node involvement and my oncologist said that at that stage no chemo/radiation was even considered. Hopefully that will be the case for you as well. I'm glad you are doing well after your surgery as it relieves me since I am going back in Monday for a repeat surgery on my left side. I am sure you will be followed up with various scans at intervals to ensure that you remain disease free - which of course is what we all wish for everyone on this site! Continued good recovery wishes going your way, Annette

A very happy birthday to a fellow Leo - - and keep those years coming for those of us just starting on this journey to admire and aspire too!! Annette

Ned and Patti B. - Thanks so much for your quick response - one of the many reasons I am addicted to this site. I am hoping that Patti is on the right track... Annette

The more you learn - or hear the more dangerous you are.... My surgeon has asked for another CT scan before going in and taking out part of my right lung (already took out right middle lobe - clear borders and non lymph involved). He said something about the PET markers or update being well above 9 on the right side tumor and only a 2.something on the left - so he is wanting to make sure it's cancer. Does anyone have any experience with a hot spot coming back with a 2.something marker and not being cancer? Appreciate any thoughts.... Annette

Shirley - even though I have had one surgery I am still waiting for work on another tumor on my left side so I understand the "scared" you are going thru. I am in Richmond, VA as well. Who are your doctors - if you would like to communicate in person send me a pm and I'll get you my phone number. Annette