SharKats

Hi, I am so sorry to have to welcome you here but please know you are among very supportive, caring and knowledgable people who have fought or are fighting this disease. We understand your fears and anxiety. I think once a plan of action is decided upon, you will feel better and more in control. God bless you and your Mom.

Dan, I would like to get in line to slap your surgeon and your onc. Geez, what arrogance and disregard for a patient's feelings and concerns. I mean it's only your life that's at stake. Arrrggghhhhh...... I haven't been here long but I've enjoyed reading all your posts. I am hoping and praying that you are feeling much better soon and that "someone" will remove the darn drain. I also hope you prove them wrong and are here years from now, still posting. (I also hope I'm here to read them You are in my prayers.

Hello, I have to ditto what the others said, so sorry you had to find us. It sounds as if your Dad is being dianosed at a very early stage - that is great! There are so many favorable options for him. I am wishing the very best for all of you. God Bless.

Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your husband. I can't say I know how you feel though others on this Board have walked in your shoes. God Bless you and give you strength to get through this time of grief. Hugs,

Hello Michele, I'm so very sorry to hear about your husband. I am sorry you had to find this Message Board but you will be glad you did. My heart goes out to you and your family. God bless you and yours.

That's great news! Bob is very fortunate to have such caring friends. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

Hi Heather, She's a general oncologist who founded the NW Cancer Center in 1990. It's a small center but it makes it very convenient for those of us in North Harris County. We are many, many miles, not to mention horrendous traffic from the famed Medical Center. There are four other doctors in this practice - I assume they're associates rather than partners. She is not a lung cancer specialist - I'm not sure there is one in my part of Houston but I'm going to certainly be checking around. Of course I have to take out my "in network" insurance book when making a decision. I have another month to go so I'll see what happens after I make my frustrations known to her. If she feels I'm being unreasonable then............ Thanks so much for you input!

Thanks everyone! I think I'm getting short-changed here and being told that the doctor would be "too busy to call me regarding the scans the day she returned to the office" didn't sit well. There is never an offer to have another doctor call me - I'm just told that I need to wait for my appointment time or wait until my doctor is back in the office; there is no scheduling of appointments near the scan times, and since 1/15, I have only spoken to my onc once by phone. All my questions are routed to her "assistant" and she calls with an answer that of course often leads to more questions which her "assistant" cannot answer. It's like a merry-go-round and becomes very frustrating. I cannot imagine an onc not understanding how apprehensive and anxious all of us are regarding the results of our scans. So, if I don't receive a phone call from mine by Friday, I'm definitely going to find a different doctor after my 6th round which is end of April.

I had lung, liver and bone scans done last Friday. (I recently finished w/4th round of chemo). I called my onc's office Monday and her "nurse" finally called me back. She said the doctor left her a note to call and tell me that kidney, liver, panceras, was negative and they only saw a couple non-specific nodules on my lung. Well, what does that mean? Were these nodules there before on previous scans, how big were they? Of course the "nurse" doesn't know. Then I call back today asking about the bone scan. The "nurse" says ummmm....... it says there's increased uptake and of course your scolosis. I ask what "increased uptake" means - she doesn't know. So I asked to have my onc call me when she gets back in town which is Thursday. Well, she's going to be too busy to call me Thursday so I asked to please have her call me Friday or Monday at the latest. Then the "nurse" wants to know when my next office visit is scheduled and I said 4/16 and no, I am NOT willing to wait that long before talking to my doctor. If she cannot find time to speak to me regarding scan results in-between office visits (that are a month apart or longer)then I'm going to have to make other arrangements. (bluffing, I have 2 more rounds to go before it would be feasible to find another onc). But it made me angry that it's so darn difficult to speak to my oncologist on the phone. Does anyone else have or had this problem, or am I just extremely lucky? PS. I put "nurse" in quotes because I don't think she's an RN.

Hello - and welcome. Wishing you the very best!

Hi, I am so very sorry to hear about the death of your sister. Please accept my deepest condolences. I hope you will visit often - in spite of the subject matter, it's still a great place filled with warm and caring people. God Bless!

I agree = it is an excellent idea. I think when you're new to a Board you don't realize all the different forums allocated for various subject matter.

I know how your Dad is feeling right now - I felt that way for a little while also. I felt that cancer defined me. I was no longer the same person - just a bunch of cancer cells walking around and knowing those cells were going to kill me after I went through God knows what in an attempt to live. I know my anti-depressants, anti-anxiety meds in addition to a loving, supportive family have made me realize that I do have a chance, however small, of beating this thing and even if I don't, I do want to experience all the joy and happiness that life as to offer for as long as I can. Self-pity is normal with cancer but you have to eventually make it take back seat to learning about your cancer, getting 2nd opinions, asking for meds for depression, joining a support group of some sort and being grateful that there are options and that sometimes if one door closes another will open. It's wonderful you care so much and are trying so hard to help your Dad. I hope he'll soon begin to count his blessings (hard as they seem at this time) and get on with his life. It's changed forever, but he's young and so much can be done to bring about positive results. Wishing you and your Dad the best. God bless.

My deepest condolances on the loss of your father. May God bless you and your family.

Hi Karen, Just wanted to say hello and welcome. I'm so sorry about your Dad and I'm praying things will go well for him. It's also nice to meet another "cat mom". I was afraid I was the only one.

So sorry to hear about your hospital stay but that is wonderful news on the liver scan. My hem was at 9 last Friday and I had to start the "A" shots and B12 and she told me to take Iron 3 times a day. I could only find 50mg tabs tho and one is supposedly 277% of your daily requirement. I'm not sure about taking 3 a day. Has it been suggested you take Iron supplements? Anyway, take good care of yourself - glad you're feeling better!!

Hi Billie, Just wanted to add a quick welcome to the Board. I was a little nervous about posting also. It's sort of like walking into a room full of people who know each other and here you are, the stranger to the neighborhood. But everyone was so warm and welcoming that I was sorry I didn't "enter" sooner. Wishing you all the best!!

And a very happy St. Patty's Day to you also!! PS. I forgot to wear green to chemo today. I did ask and they said absolutely no green beer the day of chemo so......................(they didn't say anything about a margarita tho). Just kidding.

Thanks again everyone. You are all so kind - guess you mnow how much a heartfelt greeting warms the heart and the soul. God bless you one and all for your kindness and thewonderful hospitality offered to all newcomers.

Hi Cindi, I just wanted you to know that I'm praying for you - that you will feel better soon and also to welcome you to the Board. I'm new here also and have found warmth and comfort already. I am so sorry about your siblings attitude - it's very difficult for me to understand how they can treat you that way after all you've gone and are going through. I am so fortunate that I have the full support of my siblings - I truly count my blessings, especially when I hear of a situation such as yours. Take care - wishing you all the best. Hugs, Hugs

Oh wow - what a sorry excuse for a doctor. Forgive me but that type behavior is inexcusable. I hope you're able to find an onc that will listen and give you answers to your questions rather than dismiss everything as "that's just the way it is" type response. Wishing you speedy results in finding a caring, compassionate doctor. BTW Don, since you also live in Houston, would you mind telling me if you and your wife are/were treated at MD Anderson or somewhere in the Medical Center?

Hi Lindalu, Just wanted to welcome you to this group of really great people. They've certainly made me feel welcome and you will feel the same. (I have a sister named Linda Louise and many years ago I nicknamed her Lindalu). I wish you the very best - I know how difficult fighting this (or any) cancer can be - your entire life is turned upside down in a matter of moments or hours. We lived in Sacramento for 11 years prior to moving to Houston. I can't remember what part of the state Taft is located in. Again, welcome - and God Bless each and everyone of us.

Thanks Joanie. I have extensive stage but even in extensive stage it states that more than 6 rounds doesn't have any benefits. I'm so glad you are doing so well!!! That's wonderful. And thanks for your response. PS. That's a cute photo of your dog going after the balloon!

Hi Everyone, I don't know if this has been discussed previously but if so, maybe you wouldn't mind answering again.? When I originally saw/met my onc, she stated I would be getting "eight rounds of chemo". However, my 2nd opinion onc said I should receive 6 rounds and the ACS states in their literature regarding SCLC that it has not been shown to be beneficial to receive more than 4 to 6 rounds. Has anyone here received more than 6 rounds on their first time of receiving chemo? Thank you.

I will remember your Dad in my prayers. Wishing you and your family the very best.