jamie

Cindy, The most important thing I read in this post was how brave and strong you mom was. I know that you have inherited those traits, and THATS what will see you through this. Its tough, but so are you... take a note from your mom. This thing wouldnt beat your mom, and it wont beat you either. Best wishes that the pain eases Jamie

Just another silly question, I guess mostly directed to anyone who has had or still has a labor job. My dad is a railroad carman. He usually walks about 2-5 miles a night (quickly), and has to bend down under the trains to connect and disconnect hoses. He works in the frigid cold (Were in Chicago-brutal winters), and also in the blazing heat (again-we have extreem high and lows). He had to go on short term disability when dx'd because he just couldnt do it for now. He would be so short of breath, and go into coughing fits and end up throwing up. My question is... What now? Has anyone here had a lobectomy and went back to doing a labor job?? The dr. said after recovery my dad should be able to breathe better than before because he removed dead lung and also scraped the scar tissue from radiation, making it easier to breathe. Also, the railroad will be waiting to hear from him because in the books it says 6-8 week recovery time for surgery, and they want to know if he will be coming back or filing for long term disability. I know everyone is different, but how long did it take before you went back, if at all??? Jamie

I think you guys are right. I can understand why my dad needs some time. I dont feel bad in the least that he dosent want us to come... he never really was one for alot of attention or company. Thanks for replying...AGAIN, I feel so dumb half of the time because im so unedjucated when it comes to all of this... Becky, you know what? I was thinking the same thing about the duct tape! What the heck is gonna fall out next??? Jamie

Hi, Im sorry that i dont have any answers for you, but just wanted to say that I am so sorry that you are having such a rough road right now. I agree that you should first find out what is going on. Go to the doctor as it may not be LC. I wish you the very best, and keep us posted Jamie

They did give my dad that thing. He did really bad with it the first day because it hurt so bad to take a deep breath without any pain meds. He used it all yesterday, but after the chest drain ordeal today, he was too scared. He said hed start again tommorow. I wont let him forget for a second how important it is. I know the more he does it... the speedier the recovery! Jamie

Hope things start turning up for you. My best wishes comin your way Jamie

Remember to give yourself a break too. You have SOOOO much going on that you dont want to get burned out. Remember you have to be healthy to help yourself and those you love. Hope things calm down for you soon... Jamie

Peggy, Im right here with ya. I know that since finding out my dad has cancer in general, I seem to neglect alot of things... including my house. Come back when you feel its time. We could all use a break now and then. We'll miss ya, and we'll be waiting for your return! Jamie

Andrea, Now I know weve had this conversation in our PM's, but I just wanted to tell you that every little bit does count. I do Tae Bo 3 days a week, (Used to do it 6 days and got burned out), walk and bike ride 4 days a week (that dosent even feel like a workout since I have a buddy) and I also do single exercises. I spend about 5 hours a week on exercise only, and have lost 10 pounds since Jan. I only have 10 to go, and I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but if I lose that final 10, I will be where I was before having the 3 kids. Its really working. Try doing a little bit here and there. Its working for me!!! Jamie

Hi again! Just a quick update... My dad got up and walked the halls today. He said that he cant just sit there anymore. That was the good part of the day.... Later on in the morning, his chest drain disconnected! He said the pain was worse than right after surgery. The nurse and doctor fixed it within a few minutes, but they had to put it on a suction to get the air out... because they said that was what was causing all of the pain. After all the panic was over and the hose was reconnected the dr. said "What did you do?..Move?" My dad was like "Yea!" Geese!!! God forbid he moved! Luckly everything was back to normal after that, and he is feeling better day by day. He asked us not to come up and see him tommorow. Says he needs a "day off". I guess we have been kindof suffocating him. Me, my mom, my brother, his mom, his brothers, and 4 nieces and nephews at any given time are always popping up there. He says hes tired of "entertaining" and PLEASE stay away...just for tommorow. I dont think he likes the big fuss over him. I could use the day off anyway. Its just been brought to my attention that I havent cleaned my house or did a load of laundry since last Fri. (My husband seems to be keeping track ). So it really isnt a day off, just a day to catch up. More tommorow, and again, thanks guys... Jamie

Tami- Congratulations!!! Jamie

Hi everyone, My dad is feeling pretty good today, but nervous about having to get up. He wants to, just scared I guess. He already wants to go home and is glad that he only has 3 days left...if everything keeps going as well as it has been. I am curious though, why is everyone against morphine? Is it the addiction thing??? Jamie

Well girls, Ive never heard of this, then again ive never been on morphine, but I will be sure to tell my Dad... when you guys were on... did you forget EVERYTHING??? I know my dad is loopy, but he forgets things now that happened BEFORE he went into surgery. Like everything he told me the morning of. I dont know but thought it was kindof weird. You guys are kindof weird with your spiders, so thought Id ask you! Just kidding!!! Jamie

My dad is supposto be getting up and walking tommorow. I hope that he can... hes a little "loopy" from the morphine. All in all, hes feeling 100% better now that his pain is under control... I will keep everyone updated! Thanks! Jamie

Shelly, Brighter days are comin your way... believe it... its true. Keep us posted on your sis... Jamie

Hi everyone, I promised to give the details about my dads surgery so here it goes... Before surgery my dad had an all out panic attack. The called his name to go in, and he couldnt move, felt faint, face went white as a ghost, and literally couldnt walk. After a few minutes and some drugs, he was ok. Just scared to death. The surgery lasted a little over 4 hours, and according to the dr., went really well. The only problem was a ventricle that wouldnt stop bleeding, but they got that under control. They ended up taking only 1/3 lobe instead of 1/2 (i dont know why, but presume its a good thing). They did scrape alot of scar tissue from radiation though. Also took some lymph.'s that the dr. said looked cancer free, how he knew that I have no idea. Hes testing everything though just to make sure... The recovery so far has been absolutly awful, for a good reason. My dads epidural fell out after surgery, and noone noticed. My dad kept complaining of pain so bad that he couldnt move at all yesterday, but everyone kept telling him it was part of it. Last night, my dads O2 levels dropped so low that he set of his monitor alarm. They asked him to do some breathing and realized that the pain was keeping him from taking a deep enough breath and then found that he was getting NO pain medication because of the epidural. They were going to reinsert it for him, but he refused and asked for that "morphine button". They gave it to him and he's SO much more comfortable now. He said he never expected it to be THIS painful, but is feeling SO lucky to have the surgery done. They expect him to be out of the hospital on the 3rd. Thanks everyone for wonderin, and prayin, and carin... I appreciate it more than you know. Jamie

Donna, So Sorry... Jamie

ok, I just ran home from the hospital, going back in a minute. Just heard that my dad's surgery went well, all is good, some bleeding but nothing to be concerned about, took only 1/3 lung,... thats all i know. Just thought id let everyone in . Im gonna post later when i get some real details! Jamie

Prayers for a speedy recovery T-bone!!!! Jamie

kelly, So sorry for your loss... Jamie

Berisa, I believe in John Edward. Alot of these guys are fakes, but theres something about him.... Jamie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY T-BONE!!!! Jamie

Peggy, Words are not enough... So sorry for you, Keep your head up kid... were here for you... Jamie

Julie, Your doing the BEST job with your Mom. Keep it up, cause it sounds like she needs someone like you around... Best wishes and health to both her and you!!! Jamie

You mean everyone had problems???? I was swearing at my internet service... thought I was the only one!!! What happened????? Jamie