Mr Ry

Three blondes were walking through the desert when they found a magic genie's lamp. After rubbing the lamp to make the genie appear, he said, "I will grant three wishes, one for each of you." The first said, "I wish I were smarter." So, she became a redhead. The second blonde said, "I wish I were smarter than she is." She became a brunette. The third blond ordered, "I wish I were smarter than both of them!" So, she became a man.

Denise, I do not remember which chemo I had that put dents in my finger nails. I had a dent for every round of the chemo that caused the dents. John M

When I was on steroids my blood sugar went up over 200. I was dx with type 2 Diabetes several years ago. Sweating was one of my symptoms. Also neuropathy of my feet. Maybe your brother should have his blood sugar checked. John M

Two blondes are on opposite sides of a lake. One blonde yells to the other, "How do you get to the other side?" "You are on the other side," the other blonde yells back.

Bad Day Blondie How do you know a blonde's having a bad day? Her tampon's behind her ear and she can't find her pencil.

Nushka, I had trouble last year with coughing. I was told by someone that swallowing during scans will prevent you from coughing. During the day I chew gum, which keeps me swallowing slavia, which washes away what ever is making me cough. During the night I use phenergan with codeine. It not only helped the cough, but it helped me sleep at night. When my cough was real bad I kept the cough syrup by my bed. It is only good for 4 hours. Take care John.

Fay, I had the whole banana. They radiated the right lung and mediastinum along with cabo/taxol. The tumor in the mediastinum was the most life threating. I was told near the end that I was considered an emergeny case. It was causing and still does put pressure on the vena cava. I am not sure but I believe this caused the most damage to the cancer in both areas. With the whole banana there is a point where they have to stop if you want to be evaluated for surgery. This is based on the number of rads you have had. Once you have the maximum number of rads, the area will not heal for surgery. They continued radiation on me because surgery was not an option. I now have slight heart damage. I have mitral valve prolapse(leaking valve). Also a small amount of fluid around the heart. Good luck with whatever you decide. Side effects were a sore throat, fatigue and in my case a perrmanent loss of hair to that area. For some people that can be a good thing. John

Anais, Rochelle beat me to posting on this subject. I would like to add that if she has the rash in her hair to use a mild shampoo and a moisturizing conditoner. John

Stephanie, I can tell by your post your mom was a wonderful person. It would take a great person to raise someone to write such great things about their mother. You and your mother’s love for each other will help to carry you through this rough time. I am sure you have lots of fond memories to also carry you through. Take care of your self and family. John M.

Deanna, I when had low counts I gave my self injections at home. The one drug was procrit. I can not remember the drug I used for the red count. I hate needles. I can not even watch people on TV get shots. It is amazing the things you can do to save your life. It is not really to hard at all. I used very fine needles that do not hurt. Call your doctor if he gets any fever at all. I did not and ended up in the hospital for four days. Later tonight I'll ask Ry what that drug was I used for increasing red blood cells.

Everyone on the board, Thank you everyone for your well wishes and concern. I read them all to Ry tonight. I told her that of all my "new posting since my last visit" that the one about her got the most replies and the most viewers. Thanks again and take care John

Her doctor told her that sometimes the patient is smarter than the doctor. Rochelle told him that she had endocarditis. He did not believe her until the blood work came back today. Endocarditis is an infection of the heart valve. Anyway, she will be in the hospital for awhile and then come home with a pic line with antibiotics. I’ll let you know how it goes. John

When I die, I want to die like my grandfather--who died peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming like all the passengers in his car." --Author Unknown Advice for the day: If you have a lot of tension and you get a headache, do what it says on the aspirin bottle: "Take two aspirin" and "Keep away from children" --Author Unknown Do you know why they call it "PMS"? Because "Mad Cow Disease" was already taken. --Unknown, presumed deceased "What do people mean when they say the computer went down on him?" --Marilyn Pittman Women complain about premenstrual syndrome, but I think of it as the only time of the month that I can be myself." --Roseanne

Tbone, I used ice cream. It was easy on my stomach.

Kelly, The Iressa has worked very well for me. The hope is maybe the Iressa will stop the cancer growth, so your dad can get healthy enough to withstand the standard treatments. I have learned through all this that no one person reacts thae same to the various treatments. Take care and good luck John M.

A horse goes in to a bar. The bartender says why the long face? John M

May your beer glass never be empty.

Rochelle already covered everthing I do to treat the rash. The rash is worst some days more than others. My rash is the worst in my hair. My onc gave stuff for oily skin that really did not help me. I'll let my teenage kids use it. I look at the rash as the way the lung cancer cells are carried out of my body. I always try to make a positive out of a negative. Take care John M.

Jamie, My dx is very similar to your dad's. I am 52 and have survived 2 years this June. My health continues to get better. Welcome to the board. You will find lots of information and great support here. The people on this board are the best. My best to you and your dad. John M

Rochelle told me the women on this board like to use 2X4's. Your attitude is better than any size 2X4 on Ed. John

First I would find another oncologist. My dx took two days. I had a windowed ct scan. Then a CT-guided needle biopsy of my lung. all before my dx. No one ever gave me a time limit. I did not ask for one. I know I have out lived my family doctor's expectations. I will have survived 2 years June 13th. Everyone is different on how you react to treatments. I have always hated time limits. Too much stress. Good luck to your uncle in his battle against this monster. John

Christy, I have been on Iressa for a year. There are two things that work for me. One is a moisturizer lotion for my face. The brand I use is St Ives Whipped Silk. It seems to keep the bumps down. It does keep the dry skin confortable. I use it twice a day after washing my face. I have a lot of bumps in my hair and dry scalp. For that area I use a cream rinse. I am not sure about the brand name. Knowing me it is probably the cheapest one on the shelf. My latest PET shows that Iressa is working well for me. I wish your dad the same luck I have had. John

Jerrye, I was a programmer when I was dx. For the longest time after I left work I thought getting back to work would return me back to normal. My life since lung cancer has and will never be normal again. I went from short term disability to long term disability to permanent disability from Social Security. When I filled out the forms for SS disability it was hard to give up normal. My family responsibilities became the top priority. Ry and I have three children, 16, 12, and 5. It became easy to get normal from my family. Also one more similarity is I am artist. Your art maybe a good way back to a new normal. Good luck with all your choices. Take care, John