cindi o'h

Hi Terrye ... Everything sounds reasonable to me. Only one thing caught my eye that I would like more information if it can be helpful to you. Where exactly is this unknown fluid collecting? I would want to know before the surgery if at all possible what it is and what is causing it. If they can do a thoracentesis prn to drain it and put it through Cytology, that would give you some peace of mind if the cells are infectious or cancerous. If the cells are cancerous, that may change the whole treatment plan. I have heard the statistic though, that 50% of the time, the cytology test will reveal a false negative. (in other words, there still may be cancer cells left udetected. However, if they are there, there is also that 50% chance of identifying them.) I would want to rule these two things out before submitting to surgery and then chemo and radiation. Hope this is a help and not stirring the pot. Cindi o'h

Hi Barb, I anwerered your post through a "pm" regarding Tarceva. Check your mailbox. Welcome! Cindi o'h

oh my, honey! Another Cindi! (I love you already! ) Definitely antidepressant. Many have good luck with lexapro, it helps to take the angst out of the deal and you can see your way to clearer skies. Hang in there. You just have to do the best you can do for the moment, the hour or the day. Lotsa water. For sure. And anything yummy and creamy and naughty that goes down the pipe is a hit on the chemo parade. love, Cindi o'h

I know~ That one got to me tooo.. yuck. I loved celery. I don't know if I will be able to do celery for awhile now... (I am such a sensitive thing) Cindi o'h

Joanie!!! (Cindi screams excitedly) Glad you are wrapped up at home and comfy. Stay put, now. Brian was a peach for us while you were away again. Get well, girl! love, Cindi o'h

well, Don. Got me to nod a compassionate grin at cha. I have been known to say a couple of times (when I have had it up to here!) ...she points above her eyebrows with a military slash.... "I just want my shiddy old life back!" And then I laugh at my own joke.... Gotta get it off the chest every so often. Makes you feel better, you know? Then back to the ring to fight. I'm betting on YOU to win, Don! Cindi o'h

lung cancer is a man's disease.

Everybody loves Darrell. You go, girl! Cindi o'h

Truth be told, we have had members here who had "personality changes" while going through brain tx. Also, sentences were disjointed..spellings and caps that were unusual from the previous meticulous posts. If I remember right, they all resumed their former pre-change posts after awhile. This may be a temporary thing. Prednisone can also change the way one speaks, writes, and perceives the world. Hang in there! Cindi o'h

okay, Nancy. Was wondering how things were going for you. You have been a strong minded and busy girl. So proud of you for hunkering down for this one too. 'Course I haven't an idea of what comes ahead for you, but I am here to wish you the best outcome with the least amount of discomfort. Go Nancy! Go! (that's a hot car!) love, Cindi o'h

I have really been struggling for the breath the past what? 2 weeks already? Finally called the pulmonologist. He rx pred. 40mg on the phone. Tried that. Still no good. Called my good and kind Dr. Cash and he up'ed the pred. to 60mg and gave an Rx for yet a third inhaler. Checked edema on my stinky feet. Poor Dr. Cash. He says, "oh, don't worry, if that's the worse thing I smell all day, then I have had a good day." And guys, they really stunk! This should do the trick. And if it doesn't, then ER here I come. Really. I am almost totally immobilized. Just lying down comfortably and I am sob. (sux to be me, sometimes) But, we'll get through this one too, right? All part of the deal. Thanks for your good compassion understanding and ribbing. All necessary to carry on. Cindi o'h

maddernhell. just so sorry. Cindi o'h

I brought my bottle with me to the infusion room and had them hang it between the taxol and carbo... out like a light. Cindi o'h

I was hospitalized on Thurs. and Friday. My general practioner came by my room in the morning. Sometime during the night the nurses had put me on oxygen. He said that they reported that my O2 was down to 80%. He said that sometimes people's O2 falls during the night, that it can be considered within normal limits. I wasn't struggling for a breath. I will have a sleep study done eventually to further investigate this, I suppose. Hope the chemo makes her feel like she can breathe better. For sure, report this episode to the doc. Cindi o'h

Barb, My veins are fer shi_ too. (is that MN/WI talk?) All black and blue and a mess of a time getting in there these last couple of times. 50#!!! Girl. How are you possibly surviving without cheese curds? Cindi o'h

depends on the doctor. First one wanted scans every 3 months. At 2 years out, he up'ed it to 4 months. Next doctor wanted them every 6 months. (that was not acceptable to me) This doctor I see now agrees every 3 months for me. Also, if I am symptomatic, I get a scan, Including brain MRI. The doc will alternate chest, abdomen, pelvis with Chest alone. All with contrast as per my request and also high resolution, again, at my request. Most doctors will give lc pts. anything within reason. That has been my experience. Cindi o'h

Hi Tracey, I appreciate what torment you are going through. I agree with you. It doesn't seem fair at all to give out information that isn't founded. The one very positive flip in this is that I can see some very valuable hope in which to cling. The fact that there are doctors (pleural) that are disagreeing with the first gives me pause that there may not be lc there at all. I am glad that you feel comforted coming here for support. If you can try to push this out of your mind and be successful without medication ie anti-anxiety meds, more power to you. Otherwise, I don't think it's unreasonable to ask your family doctor for some help along these lines. Hang in there. Cindi o'h

Brian, Joanie has remained in my daily thoughts and prayers. Get well again, Joanie! Cindi o'h

I figured out what was going on with me. Asthma! I couldn't breathe again when I got home. I sprayed for fruit flies and it knocked me down again. All that for fruit flies! Damn things. Fruit flies on the cherries, lemons, limes and olives at the pub. Cindi o'h

Home again home again, jiggety jig. Piece o'cake. Doctor used a "Perclose" technique so that I didn't have to lie there immobilized all day with that weight on the femoral artery. He didn't find any significant blockages. He said I have lung disease and have had lots of chemo and radiation to that whole area. Maybe that is what is causing my symptoms. I am glad the arteries are looking okay. Already stopped by KFC on my way home. Cindi o'h

But, oh Miss Cindi loves her original breast meal. Doctor says he wants to see my heart ateries in the morning, so I will let him. I have been having heart symptoms again.. (pain in left arm and now swelling in calves and feet, more shortness of breath) yikes. If it's not one thing, it's another! I did have a margarita day before yesterday though, so that was a very good thing! Who will man the pub while I am gone. Geez I hope he doesn't have to crack my chest. If he does, I'll ask him to lift the girls just a wee bit as long as he's there. They need a pick me up. love, Cindi o'h

Such great news, Tracey! Hoping you will get the break you are seeking. You have earned it. Cindi o'h

She is a precious little thing, Don. She takes after you in her picture. Enjoy this little blessing. love, Cindi o'h

Hi Greg, My friend's sister has neuroendocrine lc. She is being treated with a monthly pill of some kind. That is all I know. Her cancer was advanced when discovered, however, according to my friend, it was a slower-growing cancer. Cindi o'h

SECOND OPINION. My brother presented to the ER with bad pneumonia. He soon went into a coma and was intubated. His cancer was very advanced and he was on the brink of death, but with some chemo treatments, he had 4 more wonderful months that he (and I!!!) were blessed with. Cindi o'h