jamie

sharon, Just thinking of you and your Dad, hope everything is ok, let us know, were all here. im sure its probably nothing. jamie

Please accept my belated condolences. I dont go into the sclc section very much, just read your post today. Stay strong Jamie

Hi- Im just looking for some Hospital, operation advice from anyone who might have been reffered to a doctor/surgeon in Chicago, or near. My dad's oncologist is in Berwin, Illinois, through MacNeil hospital, and I was surprised when he said his surgery will be done elsewhere! They told him MacNeil is NOT the place for Lung surgery. (Makes me kindof nervous) They told him to pick from either Loyola University Hospital, or University of Chicago. Both of my sons were born at Loyola, and I love that hospital. They also have the Cardinal Bernidine Cancer research center there, but University is supposto be one of the top tech. hospitals. Any advice from anyone would be greatly appreciated. My Dad is leaning toward University. Does anyone know if it really makes a big difference where he goes??? Is'nt it really all the same surgery? P.S. This is going to sound stupid... but they are thinking that they will be removing half of the lung... what is that called? Are there any questions we should be asking????

Cant believe this is against the law!!!! I know saftey comes first, but still, this could be saving lives!!! Just cant believe something hasnt been done. Hopefully this thing posted will get a ball rollin jamie

Beth, Worrying is of course part of waiting, but dont worry to much. Bob may just be having side effects. Be happy that Bob's doctors are being so cautious by giving the test, alot of doctors slack in that department. Early detection of a problem is the fist and best treatment too, remember that. Send Bob all of our best wishes, were pulling for him. Also don't forget to post those results!!! Jamie

Joni, My Dad has some doctors that you really have to push around. He sees the nurses more than his oncologist. Not to lessen the importance of nurses, but aren't the doctors paid the big bucks to answer your questions??? I second the idea of pushing the doctors for tests. I think sometimes doctors forget that every patient is an individual, and everything should be checked individually...by a doctor...and actully checked!!! Be sure you have open lines of communication with your doctors. My dad was put into a "group" at his office, where they really just gave everyone the same advice, and treatment because they had SIMILAR stages and dx's. My Dad went in there kicking and screaming, and he actully stood in the waiting room yelling that he's about to "fire all of you b*st*rd doctors", if he couldn't talk to one now! (He went in with a question for his doc. who was in the office, and the receptionist told him its not Wed., and the doc. only sees patients on Wed!!!) After he flipped, he gets in there right away. Wether or not they like it, it has changed the way they deal with him. He also had to push for a second PET scan they werent going to give him. They were just going to start him on another round of chemo, but he pushed and pushed. Guess What??? They found out that the cancer was out of his lymph. and he is going in for surgery at the end of the month! Doctors are not perfect, and that is why you need to question everything... Hope this has helped Best of Luck Jamie

Just want to say thanks to everyone for all their kind words. Re-reading my post from yesterday, I feel kind of foolish for putting more weight than nessessary on everyone. I feel much better today, yesterday I guess I was in a funk. Agian, thanks for listening to my blah, blah, blah. Its nice to know people care enough to post back to my blubbering. Jamie

Ven, Hi. Welcome to the board. My dad had direct radiation to his throat, as a percaution, and his pain was unbearable at times. His throat felt like it had a sunburn, and he couldn't eat or drink almost anything. He tried alot of things for pain, but nothing really seemed to work. I dont know what to say except that once the radiation was over it took about 4 or 5 days after he was done, but now hes absolutly back to normal. There is a light at the end of this dark painfull tunnel. Everyone who posted back to you had some answers, maybe try one of their solutions. Best of luck, and I hope you find your answer soon. Jamie

Denise, We understand, and I know that you know that we will all be here if and when you need us. Please keep us updated on your Mom, Good Luck and remember... Were all here for you Jamie

Im with you. I feel sick everytime I start thinking of everything going on. I just remember that no matter how sick i am of dealing with all of this, talking about all of this, and living and breathing all this, it is minimal in comparison to what my Dad is feeling. I feel like sometimes I worry more about his health than he does! But Im thankfull to do it. The fact that you get sick worrying about everything is evident in all you care about. Everything else aside, be good to yourself, your a needed advocate. Take a break if you need it., I know I need it sometimes.

Hope the best for you guys. Stick with this board, you will be glad you did. Everyone really cares here. If you ever have any questions... dont hesitate. Welcome again. Jamie

I think your best bet would be to call and talk with someone. There are so many complicated things that go along with all that, you would be better off calling. I know that my great grandma collected both her husbands pension, and social security, but had to go through alot of paperwork. If he can though it will probably be worth your time. Good luck, I hope it works out! Jamie

Hi everyone. This post is SO not about cancer... but about life in general. Anyone familiar with my posts knows that my Dad was dx in Feb. with NSCLC, but is doing fairly well... (currently meeting with surgeons for op, on lung, and the chemo and radiation seem to be working really well). Besides that though, our family has had some rough times latley. My father in law died very young (46), last Dec. from "who knows what for sure", they think he caught a rare virus, and died suddenly with no warning. My soul companion, my favorite person ever, my great grandma died 3 months later. My grandpa was dx with Lou Gherrigs disease 2 months after that, and died last Saturday. My husbands grandmother was found lying on the kithcen floor last week, went in for hip replacement surgery Sat, and never came out of the anestheia. She is now in a coma, and they are taking her off all the machines as we speak. How much can one person bear? My kids are so used to the idea of people dying that they dont even blink and eye anymore when I tell them that someone is sick or dying in my family (which, is sort of a blessing though) My husbands family is down to him, his Mom, and his grandma who probably will die today. Thats it. I on the other hand have handfulls of family everywhere. I feel so sorrowfull for him, because he loves his family, and their all gone. I dont know what exactly Im looking for here, no advice needed, guess I just need to vent. Is this fair? When my Daughter was born, she had 11 grandparents living, now she's down to 6, and one is about to be gone. I know they are extreemly lucky to have everyone they have had, but everyone seems to be dying. I just realized that Im rambling, Im sorry, I guess Im just down. Life isnt fair.

Peg So sorry. I know your heart is broke, be brave. jamie

Andrea, the best of luck, Im sure you'll be fine!

RAY- YOUR NOT CRAZY...YOU'VE BEEN BLESSED. Now you know that no matter what happens, good or bad, your "team" is on your side. And what a team to have. Im so glad you've had this expeirence... I know you must be beaming!!!!

GREAT WONDERFUL NEWS!!!! Dave, think you may be beating this thing Continue to do it, cause I LOVE GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!! Congrats, and keep up the good work Jamie

MO- no advice, just letting you know Im listening. Good luck... Im sure it will subside... Jamie

Dean Good luck you sound like you will need it!!! PS My MIL is CRAZY too.... Just laugh... Jamie

Berisa- I too did not hear about your Dad's passing, please accept my belated condolences. You have a beautiful family, and your Dad seemed like a really fun loving guy. Hope you and your family are doing good. jamie PS. Your chinese gown is SOOO beautiful

I too want to congratulate you... WAY TO GO... Love great news, keep it coming Jamie

Jane... Keep looking forward, this could turn out allright. Hope your brother is in good spirits, and feeling positive. I know its hard right now, but I have faith in positive thinking. Best of Luck to your brother. Jamie

Pamela, Boy is your Dad a fighter! Sounds like HE knows what he wants, and he sure makes statistics, and doctors look foolish. You, your family, and most of all your Dad should continue to follow your hearts, and intuition. Seems like that is what got him this far... Best of luck Jamie

TAnn, Sorry to hear about your "little" stebacks, but your still better than before, Im sure that this has been a bumpy road for you. Keep thinking positive, and Im sure Iressa will help. My dad has not had it, but it seems to be working for alot of people here. The best of luck to you... things will start to turn up.... Jamie

So sorry to hear about Dean. Celebrate his life, through his memories. Congrats to your daughter, Im sure dean will be watching ... keep coming back ... Jamie