Melinda

I was so extremely sorry to read your post, Stephanie. I am so thankful that you were there with her, though--and that she went peacefully. I have not been on this board long--but it was clear both from your posts and the reponses that were written by others who had come to know her over time that she was a special person. Our thoughts are with you and your family at this time; please accept our sincere condolences. Please take care of yourself, have a safe move, and stay in touch. Melinda

I went to go clean/do laundry/organize my fiancee's parents house for them yesterday morning (while they took Anna to treatments--she'd been beside herself at what a mess the house was and she CAN'T waste her energy worrying about that) and sorted through all the papers with her husband in order to set up a filing system for him to deal with bills, diagnostic reports, general information, research, etc. (not to mention the general paying of household bills and all the other things his wife usually took care of) when they returned. Then off to get a second opinion. And back to more cleaning/organizing. I just got back to my home tonight at 11pm. Thus, I was on hand with them to SEE her films (which they had b/c they were heading to get a second opinion) and READ her diagnostic reports (that had been sent to the onc.). They asked me to come with them to the second opinion--my fiancee and I had a long talk with the onc. (w/o his mom and dad in the room). All of her comments were based on a) what the family had told her during the consultation and the diagnostic reports that we had obtained copies of from the first onc. in NYC. I don't think Geoff and his family had read the diagnostic reports--in fact, I don't think there is any way they could have without realizing that her cancer was far more widespread than they had told me (I was not present for their meetings with the other onc. but he has alwasy been extremely thorough, kind, and honest with my mom--we ALWAYS knew EXACTLY what had happened and where we stood (even when another doctor's labs "lost" my mom's tumor before testing/analysis after her lumpectomy 12 years ago during her first 'bout with cancer). I don't understand how they could have met with the onc. several times, talked with him on the phone repeatedly over the last couple of weeks, and been so off... It's ALL in the reports that he gave them copies of!!! Even the the pulmonologist's preliminary report (dated 3/4/04) essentailly stated what was confirmed later in the CT and PET scan diagnostic reports (3/18/04)... I'm just depressed, dispirited, and confused. I know that denial and fear are powerful things--and that everyone reacts differently to scary (terrifying?) situations. I also know that I am prone to "finding" and "analyzing" data--I want to understand. I may not have an MD, and am no rocket scientist, but I want to understand exactly what is going on to the best of my ability. I know that not everyone is like this. But they had convinced me that they were... Yet they had not read the reports and are now in SHOCK that her cancer is so widespread. I feel like a deflated baloon after reading those reports (because I thought I "knew" what they/we were dealing with)--and that is not going to help anyone. And I am a) in shock at the "new but not new" dx in shock that they had this information, but I guess were afraid to/unable to process it and c) am bone tired from trying to stay on top of two "moms'" cancers, cleaning/organizing like a mad-woman, and trying to find a way to emotionally support people. And I am feeling so torn between helping different people (I'm letting down whomever I'm not with at the current moment). And Geoff's mom is the sicker of the two---and needs more help--but my mom is MY mom and I am worried to death about her (even though I am not telling him this). And my father (my parents are divorced) and my sister (she's sick, too--but that is a whole 12 year saga unto itself)--are feeling neglected b/c my energy is being spent elsewhere. HAS ANYONE FIGURED OUT HOW TO CLONE THEMSELVES YET? I'm not sleeping, I'm "forgetting to eat" (a problem I usually could only WISH I had), and feeling like every minute I have 6 tasks to accomplish. I feel guilty for "wasting" time on this board! Oh--and then there's the stuff I have to do for work... What on earth would I feel like if I did not happen (thank, God!) to "be on vacation" this week (I'm a fifth grade teacher--I go back to school on Monday)???; if I had children??? (instead of the cat that I "inherited" from my mother when she got sick and has felt extremely neglected these last few days)??? And I'm not even the one who is sick! I don't know how so many of you do it. Thanks for "listening" to all of my negativity. Melinda

Stephanie, I am so very sorry to read your post. I am just so glad that you are on your way to see your mom--that will help her in and of itself. Our thoughts are with you, your family, and of course, your mother. Melinda

Hi, all-- Although we've JUST started treatment (Zometa last week and chemo and raidiation this week) my fiancee's mother is experiencing swelling in her feet, ankles, and legs (even though we're trying to get her to keep them up--she's a compulsive cleaner and her other son is... well, let's just say, he's not). Is this a common side effect of lung cancer? I think I read something something about blood clots before being related to this--but found nothing on the web. We are already monitoring her sodium intake... My fiancee is already really worried about it (he's one big ball of terrified anxiety) -- so I sent him to bed and have done a bunch of research on the net to arm him and his dad with questions when they go to see the onc. tom morning. Much of what I have seen on the web states that these symptoms are common signs of congestive heart failure, pericardical effusion, and plueral effusion. Also possibly mets to the liver (please, no!). I know he's going to see these terms and FREAK--but I figure it's better to have the onc. rule them out, right? It's such a fine line betwen trying to inform him and not scare him unecessarily. Her recent CT scans and PET scans did not show any sign of mets to the liver... Also something called Sarcoidosis--has anyone ever heard of that? Any advice from those that have reseached this and/or lived it? One a side note--I'm scared that if he is such a wreak this early in our LC odyssey--that's he's going to melt down when things get rougher... But that's an entirely different problem... Thanks. Melinda

What a roller-coaster you have been on!!! I am so extremely THRILLED to hear that the "whatever" it was on your mom's spine was NOT cancerous. Keep us posted on how she is doing after surgery. Our thoughts are with you. Melinda

Keep me posted about walk in New Jersey--we are located in New York City, so we could easily make it. Thanks. Melinda

WONDERFUL news!!! Melinda

A belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LUCIE!!! Melinda

STABLE!!! Horray! Wishing you both continuous "good news" and much happiness (esp. with his new increased mobility!). Melinda

SPLENDID!!! Melinda

A delayed "hip, hip. horray!". Melinda

Carla, Horray for chocolate ice cream and no mets!!! Melinda

What a WONDERFUL post!!! The two of you both give us strength and hope in so many ways. THANK YOU. Melinda

Thanks for that post, John. Melinda

Dear Paddy and Dave, I'm so extremely sorry to hear the latest news. I simply pray that the Taxotere works as well for Dave as it has for others who have posted good results above. May you follow in their footsteps to a positive result!!! You are both in our thoughts, Melinda

Leslie, I am so sorry to hear about your mom. There are no words... Please know that our thoughts are with you and we are "here" in case you need to talk through these difficult times. Sincerely, Melinda

Dear Mr. Ry, I'm SO glad that your wife was not only smart anough to self-diagnose (and had a doctor who listened!) but that she took the time and energy to listen to her own body and get herself checked out!!! She just taught all of us who are "caregivers" another really good lesson (although I am new to the board, she has taught me a great deal already via both her recent and past posts). You, she, adn your adorable family are in our thoughts. Please keep us posted on her progress. Melinda

Cheryl, I am sorry you are not a candidate--but am most appraciative for all the information you posted. We have just started on this LC odyssey--and do not know where it may take us. Your information may help us ask just the right questions somewhere down the road. Thank you and best wishes, Melinda

I am so truly sorry to hear about the loss of your sister. Please know that our thoughts are with you... Melinda

Thanks for the post. I have not heard of this clinical trial--but have passed the information along. Wishing you all the best, Melinda

Thanks for that post, Sandy. It helped me understand what a lot of people with mets to the brain were talking about. Melinda

Dear all, Please make sure that you have read Mark's post above. I did not post this link to *discourage* anyone--simply to let people see what is being "published", as we all have to educate ourselves about this disease and its many twists and turns. I, like many of you, am doing my darndest to learn as much as I can as quickly as I can--and ya'll have helped me a ton!!! I, too, found the article to be interesting b/c before I had read it--I had read about many people on this board who were of BOTH genders and with different forms of the cancer who are doing very well on Iressa. So, if you are so inclined, please read the article, but take it only for what it is. Even the "more certain" things in life occurr in a bell-shaped distribution, and as we all know FAR too well, the medical community (despite the best efforts of many dedicated professionals out there) is still playing "pin the tail on the donkey" with this disease. Thanks, Melinda

You and your mom are in our thoughts. Melinda

Dear all, If any of you are so inclined, please send a prayer or a thought out for my fiancee's mother (Anna) who gets the results of her brain scan tom., as well as starting both chemo and radiation at 7:15am (EST). Also, my mother (Linda), goes in for her second surgery for breast cancer at 3pm (EST) now that her terrible staph infection has cleared up (4 mos. later!). Thanks so much. Melinda

Anyone in the NYC TRi-State area want to volunteer/participate with me? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas G. Labrecque Foundation About Us The foundation was founded in 2002 by the Labrecque family in honor of Tom’s memory. At the age of 62 the former Chairman of Chase, a non-smoker, died from lung cancer. Tom’s family and friends initiated the Thomas G. Labrecque Classic, “Run as One” event, with the hopes of raising lung cancer awareness and vital research dollars to find a cure. We Pledge To spread awareness that anyone, at any age, can suffer from lung cancer. To support lung cancer research by funding the development of new treatments and better screening tools. To justly focus media and grassroots attention on lung cancer, since it is the #1 cancer killer in the US To continue the fight… Race Information and Registration Who’s participating so far? More than 6,000 adults and children are expected to participate this year. Participants include Tom’s family and personal friends; Tom’s “extended family” at JP Morgan Chase; members of New York Road Runners Club; physicians, nurses, staff and patients from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and hundreds of other caring individuals. Activities for children of all ages will follow the race. The funds raised will go towards research and lung cancer awareness, with all research dollars going to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Corporate Sponsers: JP MorganChase Pfizer Verizon Bloomberg Wyeth Time Warner Prudential Financial March and McLennon Incorporated Citigroup 850 Third Avenue, 21st Floor NY, NY 10022, USA phone 212-331-6855 | fax 212-331-6608 www.tglclassic.com