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michellep

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Posts posted by michellep

    H1N1 vaccine

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    I posted the same question to Dr. West a few days ago and he had no input at all. Please let us know what Dr. Pennell says. I'm concerned about my hubby as well.

    But, each and every time in the past when my husband got the shot he ended up with that flu anyway. Would you mind asking your doc about that also?

    7 Keys to Surviving Cancer

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    SURVIVING CANCER

    The dreaded curse of cancer can sometimes come on a person so quickly and unexpectedly that many times they will find themselves like a tiny fly that’s been trapped inside a gigantic spider web. The more the unfortunate individual tries to break free from this sticky snare the more they’ll discover that they are hopelessly tangled.

    Seven Keys to Defeating this Merciless Misery

    1. Never allow a dark cloud of despair to overwhelm the light of hope.

    2. Believe with all of your heart and soul that you can defeat this awful affliction.

    3. Try to maintain a positive point of view especially during moments of extreme anxiety and everyone will eagerly respond to your courage and determination. Humanity has always liked a fighter.

    4. Express true concern for others, it will have an amazing healing effect on you.

    5. In no way should you worry too much about your personal situation because if this is allowed to take place it will surely trap you in waves of despair and then put you through hopeless fits of self-pity. Instead, try to break down each difficulty into smaller manageable parts and conquer each one before you move on to the next… At first, it may appear that everything you have overcome is really nothing at all, but you must be firm in your commitments.

    6. Have no doubt about your recovery because doubt is like cancer, an infection that quickly spreads to consume a person’s mind, body, and soul.

    7. Bring under control everything that would hold you back and prevail over all things that would stand in your way. You’ll then be amazed by your progress. Strive to keep this in mind: “All things are possible if you have the fight, the fire, the will, and desire.”

    Is this from Tarceva or Zometa?

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    We ended up visiting the pcp and had a phone conversation with the onc doc last night. The pcp said the fever/chills was from the zometa. The difficulty breathing he didn't know so ordered an x-ray and prescribed levaquin. The onc doc called in the evening and said that it's doubtful any of these side effects were caused by either the Tarceva or the Zometa. Said to give him tylenol for the fever and keep a close watch on him, if the fever did not drop and if the heart rate was high then he suspected PE and to call 911.

    Well, I stayed awake all night watching and monitoring. This morning his fever/chills are gone and the heart rate is within normal. As for me......I'm just so darn tired and emotionally drained. I'm so upset having to deal with two different docs with two different opinions. I imagine we're lucky sometimes because with me in the middle, I make sure that each one knows what the other is doing, updating each on current medications, faxing tests to each one of them. I shutter to think about what would happen if I didn't because clearly these two don't talk to each other.

    I've never been the kind of person who can sleep once the sun in up. So, since this journey of ours began and I'm surviving on just a few hours of sleep daily, I'm beginning to feel the physical tole it's taking on me. It's funny sometimes because when I'm up half the night and I see hubby sleeping during the day.....I actually feel jealous. :D

    Is this from Tarceva or Zometa?

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Hubby is on day #8 of Tarceva. All has been going well (I can see rash on it's way). But yesterday he had his #1 infusion of Zometa. This morning his breathing seems labored and he has a low grade fever with chills. I'm taking him into the doc's in about an hour but wanted to send a quick question to all of you before we leave. Has anyone experienced these side effects with either the Tarceva or Zometa? According to inserts given to us from the pharmacy these are not listed. Thanks!

    looking for support

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    Joy....maybe you'll be on carbo/gemzar. My hubby took that combo and it actually showed quite a bit of improvement on his latest ct scan. He did however have a lot of fatigue and transfusions. Your docs will monitor your blood counts on a regular basis. I too love to read the "fighter words" in your post. And as all the others have told you, don't ever believe in statistics. These docs are wrong wrong wrong. Keep in touch and let us know how your doing.

    So many lows and so few highs

    in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

    Posted

    NOT! LOL Had ya all going huh? This is just too funny! Anyway, on to the doc visit update from today....I told the doc immediately upon his entrance into the office that I want several things:

    1. Bone scan- I want to know it's not just arthritis. No need to assume bone mets. AGREED

    2. Ultrasound of the abdomen- we've had pain for 2 months which is only being masked by pain meds_AGREED

    3. I want Megace for appetite-AGREED

    4. I want Cleocin T-gel for Tarceva rash - AGREED

    5. I NEVER EVER want to hear anyone mention Hospice again unless it comes from US- AGREED

    5. Let's start Zometa just in case-AGREED

    Well.....my dear friends....we sailed through this visit like a charm, but I gotta tell ya, we are so darn worn out that I think we'll sleep very well tonight. Thanks to all of you ( As always) for everything. I've told you before and I will tell you again what a blessing you have all been to me. I can truly say that without all of you I could never have made it this far.

    I'll return tomorrow....but it will be with good feelings and no stress. We've also decided to FIRE the PCP yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

    PS.....Keep that bail money fund....anyone of us might need it!

    PSS....Bud....fired Larry, Moe and Curly LOL

    So many lows and so few highs

    in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

    Posted

    Thank you everyone. Your advice is just in time too because we're meeting with the onc doc today. I have a list a mile long with questions and I intend to insist on a bone scan. We have one report from May that says arthritis and one report from July that says "possible" bone mets. Wouldn't ya think that someone would want to find out which one is right before proceeding to treat something that isn't there? If it is indeed arthritis then I agree that Zometa couldn't hurt. One of the other issues that was on the first ct scan said thrombosis of the jugular vein, right? Well, they started him on a blood thinner and I insisted we look "further". Turns out it was plaque which is common in the elderly and was told it's very minor, just re scan in a year. In the meantime he was taking these blood thinners for nothing. I'm just so darn mad right now that I could literally scream. God help these docs when I'm face to face with them huh? I'll let you know how today's meeting goes......unless of course I'm arrested for assault? :D

    So many lows and so few highs

    in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

    Posted

    I got "one of the terrifying phone calls today . The PCP says that the onc doc called "him" yesterday and said he believes my husband's lung cancer has spread to the weight bearing bones. Good God.....why call the PCP and not us? Apparently the PCP says the Onc doc has ordered Zometa for my husband. No one bothered to tell us. Ya know the bone mets were mentioned on a ct scan that did not include a comparison to his May scan. The May scan said "arthritis only". So....what is this crap about bone mets without looking any further? I am on the verge of a nervous breakdown here with all the mis communication from these doctors. Truth is....my hubby has "zero" bone pain. I just don't understand this roller coaster they keep us on. Has anyone experienced bone mets from nsclc?

    H1N1 virus (swine flu) vaccine?

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    I asked Dr. West about this subject and he says he currently does not have any recommendations regarding this. He says he will ask someone from the infectious disease dept and hopefully get back to me. When he does I will update everyone on this question.

    I had a nightmare..........

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    I have crazy dreams all the time. I always have, but even more so since my husbands dx. I don't understand it either it's just how our minds work sometimes. I used to have nice dreams too, but since the dx it's nightmares each and every night.

    The Police

    in JUST FOR FUN

    Posted

    This is the true story of George Phillips of Meridian, Mississippi, who was going to bed when his wife told him that he'd left the light on in the shed. George opened the door to go turn off the light but saw there were people in the shed in the process of stealing things.

    He immediately phoned the police, who asked "Is someone in your house?" and George said no and explained the situation. Then they explained that all patrols were busy, and that he should simply lock his door and an officer would be there when available.

    George said, "Okay," hung up, counted to 30, and phoned the police again.

    "Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people in my shed. Well, you don't have to worry about them now because I've just shot them all."

    Then he hung up. Within five minutes three squad cars, an Armed Response unit, and an ambulance showed up. Of course, the police caught the burglars red-handed.

    One of the policemen said to George: "I thought you said that you'd shot them!"

    George said, "I thought you said there was nobody available!"

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