Alan

Hi Kathy and welcome. I've only found this site a year ago too. I was dxd with stage IV lung cancer in June '09. After a long summer of chemo and radiation, I was told there would be no surgery. The damage to my spine made it too risky. I thought that my days were numbered. A little more specialized radiation and another chemo drug were used. It all worked great and I'm in remission aiming at 3 years and figure on alot more than that. I was never given an expiration date. ,I've only been given hope and that options abound. The fine folks here and other survivors I meet only give me more hope. Plus, never underestimate the power of prayer.--- a few pain meds can't hurt either when needed. stay in the fight, Alan

Hi you guys, Welcome back Judy, I knew you wouldn't be gone long, Missed your posts. We went to a Light the night walk last weekend downtown. It was for the Lymphoma and lukemia assoc. We lost my best friend a couple of years ago and we walked in his honor. It was awesome. There were hundreds if not thousands of us there. It was a little different than other walks I've done. At the beginning, each participant stepped up to the mike and said the name of the person and their relation to that person. It was the biggest tearjerker ever. The lady holding the mike, well, that had to be very hard. There were so many candles. I am still welling up when I think about it. They had lit balloons for every one to carry. There were hundreds. I'm sorry , this is the just for fun forum. my bad. Way too many are lost to all varieties of this awful disease. I simply hate it. I'd love to be able to walk away from it and never look back, get on with my life and all that. I can't, this is my life. Anyway, the last of the leaves are blowing down and around. I love that maple yellow color and the cold front today. Thanks all of you for your humor, I needed that. Again, welcome back Judy, I saw your u-tube story that Katie posted along with the others the other day, no more hall passes for you. We all need the inspiration you deliver.

Amazing. I love all this groundbreaking technology. Also check out IORT offerred at CTCA in Phila. Combine those two and lookout lung cancer.

Sorry Steph, I was being sarcastic. No offence intended. I'm just as sick of the question as I can be. Tobacco products don't only cause lung cancer. And I thought I was done here. Should I shutup forever?

Jimmy Valvano's famous speach at the espy awards included a piece I'll always keep with me. He said that to cry and to laugh makes a full day.

Seems like all of us at 50 or so with LC smoked, right? When we were young, smoking was ok. well, ok, it was never a "good" thing. All my aunts and uncles smoked. My grandfather smoked a pipe and cigars. All the cool movie stars and tv show people smoked. All the commercials were tobacco, all the sports were sponsered by tobacco. Maybe we are in a generation gap here. Not maybe at all. I quit smoking long before I was diagnosed and now I can't stand to be anywhere near it. I can't even beleive I had that nasty habit. I know all of you feel the same way. Noone can smoke on any hospital campus anymore. I've seen patients walk across the street to the bus stop and smoke. Actually saw a guy wheeling his chemo pole and pump over there. I think I saw it all when I watched a lady smoking through her trach hole. I always get the "Oh, you must have been a smoker" question. I'm not responding to this conversation anymore.

I'm very sorry to read this. Annette was so giving of herself. I'll remember the humor she maintained in tough times. Her last few posts left me worrying about her. My condolences to her family and friends.

The insurance co. should have a patient advocate on board. Make calls, pester people.

Hi you guys, I mean girls. Ann, that's a beautiful kid. I know it happens all the time, but it still seems like a miracle to me. We never had kids. Oh well, not for the lack of effort, just didn't happen. And ,no, I don't know anything about eyebrow wax or much else on that front. But, I do enjoy pheasant roasted slowly with all the fall stuff along side. A hunting or fishing trip with some friends would be alot of fun right about now. Like I said before, cancer ate my wallet, it'll have to wait. We're heading off to Chicago again this week. It should be a bunch cooler than here. We can't wait to walk around downtown and see as much as we can in a short time. I hope to get a pic in that glass thing that sticks out of that tall building. And that Marilyn Monroe statue that Eric shot. So much there, we'll have to go back again. Checked out the menu at Ditka's on line. that looks good, see about that. Well enough outa me, check in later.

I hear you on the 5 year outlook. That is simply a reference that's been in place for a long time to develop statistics. My advice is to ignore that system. It doesn't pertain to your mom's prognosis at all. On the other side of that chart are many longtime survivors, a bunch right here. I'm a stage IV survivor at almost 3 years and counting. All you can do is stay in the fight.

Greatest news, we all want to hear

Dear Gina, Have faith and stay strong and optimistic. There are plenty of cancer survivors on this site and others who were diagnosed as stage IV. There are so many treatment options available today so there's every reason to have all the hope in the world.

Over a month and no biopsy results? No return calls from her Drs? It's a large cancer center in Houston? None of this sounds right, get her to the other large cancer center in Houston for another opinion. Sending her to hospice without some further evaluation doesn't seem right to me.

Hi you guys, Ok, now I'm a regular lurker. Yes Ginny, Phila. not a pleasant sports town right now. Did Howard stink or what? Don't even say no. 7's name for the birds to me. I'll be back in Phila. next month, I hope all my friends aren't too sad. Oh well, It's just a diversion, can't get wrapped up in it so much. We've been battling our stink bug infestaion, anyone else? I hate those little bastards. They're not as bad this fall as last, but still hate them. (another fine asian import) no offence to anyone, just the bugs. I think they only are here in the northeast. I read that they got started in Allentown area. On another subject, smoking, I got that question so many times, I've learned to expect it. I say "no, it was the paint fumes and dust mixed with radon and a multitude of other crap that we all have to breathe. It's all irrelevant anyway as we should look forward not back. It doesn't matter how we got in this pickle, it's where we go now and how do we fix it and move on. Well, I still have the Tigers to route for, Here come the Flyers, Steelers rebounded nicely. Back to my diversion. Yeah, I don't want to talk about their money either. I wish I could have been rich playing a game, but not. see you guys later.

Hi you guys,Haven't been here much lately. caught up looking back at posts. Randy, I'm so sorry for the loss of your dad. So Judy in MI., where are the guys you ask. Well, for me, I'm watching a bunch of sports. It's the best time of year for sure. The Phils have a chance, The Eagles don't.( that's ok with me, I'm in Steelers country plus no.7 of the Eagles is not my favorite player or person, I love dogs.) Hockey is underway, well, you see where I'm at. Oh and plus all the winterizing at this ranch each fall. yeah right, ranch. It does take some doing but I still enjoy it especially with the great weather. Oh yeah Eric, It's about that young cutie you've been hangin with. How the H do you get away with that my friend? I'd be out on the street picking up my belongings and booted into the next county. What a sweet and nice wife your Sally must be. Stop me now before I get in trouble. Sounds like a slippery slope but who am I to say? Ok, so enough outa me, you guys all take it easy and enjoy this great weather. sorry about the stormy forecast in Fla. Judy, you can grin at all us when we're snowbound and frozen in a month or so. Maybe you'll get some visitors who want that corona moment on the beach. I'd love that, especially after some of that great fishing you have. Ok, now I'm totally jealous. Gotta go watch sportscenter now. Phils tonight. let's go boys.

Everyone here is just trying to help and want the best for your dad. I hope you're not completely confused by us. We're trying. CTCA accepts all kinds of insurance. don't be misled. The phone call is free. second opinions are a necessity. If for one minute, you're oncomfortable with a prospective dr., you may want to listen to that voice in your head and move on. I know you'll get it right.

I've looked at Proton Therapy. My understanding is that it can be used on many types of tumors. It is especially useful in not harming adjacent tissue. It's energy is released at the center of the tumor and in the shape of the tumor. There is no through radiation or "exit wound rash" It has been effective for prostate radiation causing no unwanted side effects such as ED.,urinary problems etc. The number of sessions are less than IMRT which is what I had done. Two years ago, I also had Cyberknife treatments. At that time, IMRT and Cyberknife were state of the art and still are. Proton Therapy is another step in the evolvement of cancer treatment. We need to always welcome any new method as we would a new less invasive chemo drug. Randy, thanks for bringing this subject to these forums in the way you did. People will look at it and understand that maybe it will be useful for themselves or someone they love. Surgery wasn't an option for me and this treatment is one that in cases like mine and many more can be a life saver. I commend any institution willing to put out the dollars to build these facilities. Obviously, cancer treatment is big business. I hear people say that this hospital or that hospital are" only in it for the money." That subject can only be guaged by the quality of care and the results they provide.

Hi you guys, I'm sick of hearing about belly fat. Why don't we get a groupon for liposuction? Bud's method is the only one that works and we all know that. Sorry to also hear the sadness creep in. Then there's Kasey's great post to cheer people up. Heading off to Chicago to a CTCA sponsored gathering. Can't wait to see what it's all about and visit the hospital there. Not much happening around here, hangin in there, hope you all have a good day.,especially you workers.

Congrats to you Kasey, I only hope I can join you there someday.Pancoast Shramcoast, I'll be there even without surgery. Good for you.

Everyone has to go over to Cancer Survovors Network and read the threads from mrsptsu. It's astonishing. I wish her all the best in a battle that is beyond belief. If any of you have any answers, please help her. The site is at American Cancer Society.

Hi you guys, Yeah Mi Judy, fall is coming. It was hot yesterday probably for the last time. Not turning the heat on here yet. The new neighbors next door were in their pool last night. The water is really cold in my pool. I covered ours for the winter a couple days ago. I think they are alot younger than us, no grey hair and oh yeah, I could hear beer bottles hitting the trash can over there. what fun. Anyhow, this saturday is apple cider pressing and bbqing on a friends deck. It's an annual thing he does. Maybe some beer bottles there too. Who am I to complain? Apple cider, beer and pulled pork? Sounds like a recipe for disaster. Think I'll skip the beer. Well enough of this already. Have happy and safe days all. Alan

Hi you guys, Got a lttle late today. Covered the pool finally. It was an emotional weekend here too. 9-11 was so devistating. Seeing parts of it over again brought it all back again. Now we need to get to NYC again and see that memorial in person. When we saw the Viet Nam memorial up close, It was so much more meaningful. Shenksville is open now too Eric, you are truly funny. I'm glad you had someone show you which receptacle to plug your music thing into your new car. The cars radio or some cd is all I need. My car has all that stuff too. It's all I can do just to drive the thing. The Yoga is a good idea. We should all be doing it. It's reccomended for survivors all the time. Must releive alot of stress at the same time. I would like to go back to work too Judy. I tried but my nueropathy wouldn't let me. The physical labor I was used to is too tough now. I need too many breaks, just wouldn't be a money maker. I'd have to do something totally different. That's why volunteering seems like a good alternative. I'm just getting started with that in earnest so I'll see how it goes. I do stay busy and I always remind myself that I gave the career 40 good years and have this retirement to finally do what I want. I never expected to be blindsided by LC, but life goes on. Hi to Steph Diane Randy and Katie, please give yorself a break.You are truly appreciated and loved here. Annette, where are you? KW Judy, where are you? Kim, You have been through so much, I'm happy to read your posts, you are a bright light. Where is Sara R? OK , I'm done, catch up later ... Alan

It could also be inflamation caused by cisplatin and the effects of radiation. Make sure you ask all the Docs about those things. Cisplatin is very heavy duty. Your body takes time to heal from that. I doubt that it's a new cancer with all that treatment so recently. Can you try to get all those Docs on the same page?

Hi Judy and the rest of you guys, Yeah, it's a great day and I had a ton of yard work to catch up on. Seems like it rained for a month. Grass was really tall. ,thought I might have to cut it twice. Plus, the highway finally opened up after the flood water went down., Had to go grocery getting and sightseeing. Some man tried to drive through a flooded road near us. He got swept away along with the car. They just found it submeged way downstream. Unfortunately, he's gone. It was just a feeder stream but it comes out of a 30 mile valley. It turned into a raging river. We had almost 14 inches of rain. Whew, what a deal. Penn State is playing Alabama right now so I guess I should go watch. I really don't care but well you know, I have to have some sporty knowledge when the subject comes up. I'm still into my Phillies now anyway. Another possible sweep at the Brewers tonight. I have to call my "buddy" later to see how he fared with his chemo on Friday. I wish he would get himself on here so you all could meet him. A real nice man. I guess there are alot of people that look at all this and never want to dive in. I guess it's not for everyone, OK, I'm outa here, have good and safe weekend you guys. Alan

Hi you guys, Just got back from Phila. Wow! The game was awesome. It fit right into a nonrainy time slot and they got it in. It was tied at 2 in the bottom of the 9th. Our guys got a walk, then a single, then a game winning single down the 1st base line. It was an exciting finish. I managed to catch a train out this morning at 10. Highways are closed here for some history making flooding. I'm sure you'll all see it on the news. It is huge. The river is going to crest at just under 30 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. We are high and dry on our hill but thousands are not. Truly catastrophic. On a lighter note, my scan shows no changes. Calling it stable and still in remission. I'm making arrangements to have my port removed. I don't get checked again for 4 months so I don't want it anymore. It's one of the things that is a constant reminder, It hurts when it gets bumped and blah blah blah. Goodbye to it. Met some great new people too and expanding the volunteer effort. Mi Judy, what a great thing you have there with the game and the fundraiser. Sounds really cool. Good for you. What fun. KW judy, have safe travel back home, I hope your trip was good for you. I also just found out that my cousin's brain tumor is going to be terminal after a long and arduous fight. Still fighting and adjusting to the facts. It's hard and so so sad. I wonder how you are doing too, Bud? What about the fires? It's so strange to see 3 million acres burn and our area under water. Wish some of it had fallen on you. Well, that's all the blabber from me for now. See yins later. Yins is Pittsburgh for you guys. Eric, Lilly, Steph, Paullette, Annette, Ann, Randy, and all, Take care and be safe. Alan