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Welcome Ella. Grandchildren are the best!

Funny, my son just arrived at the same conclusion as you yesterday about his father and now he feels so much better. Sometimes our friends who mean well cause us to think in a manner that causes us unncessary low feelings. Thank God for this board! Cyndy

Charolette, my hubbie suffered with hiccups/spasms for a while and it even prevented him from eating sometimes. He was given pills for it which did help, but made him sleepy. If you do a search on this site under hiccups you will find more information on it too. Best wishes, Cyndy

Was just told they found mets in my husbands small intestine where he had his bowl obstruction, as well as two on the liver. Anyone else go through that, and if so, could you share your treatment with me? He has been doing so well and found to be stable in the lung while using Iressa, that this is a big shock to us both. He is still in the hospital recovering from his operation on the intestine.

Deruo, I want to let you know we went through much the same thing. My husband had two bronchoscopies that both showed no cancer, but our radiologist knew better based on my husbands symptoms and then ordered a needle biopsy into the the tumor which was right outside his lung. I live on the very northern border of NYS, just below you, and we too wondered about our treatment at first. You can read his bio at the bottom and see how he is doing. So hang in there, enjoy the beautiful day we seem to be having today - looks like fall is coming, doesn't it? Cyndy

I needed a laugh today. Thank you for sharing

I can relate to the rheumatoid factors - have it myself. Yet it's less of a problem then my hubbie's cancer worries. I'm so happy you are doing well in that department. Keep up the good work there!

Hubbie had an emergency operation last night for small intestine obstruction which Dr. thinks is unrelated to his cancer. He came through fine, but the Dr. told me he found some mets to the liver. Being new to this I don't know how this affects him, I have read on this board several others also have mets to the liver and seem to be doing well. I sure hope so. Life sure is full of surprises, and thank God for this board!

Sharyn- you are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you and your family. Hopefully all the replies you have received here will help give you strength. We are all in this together.

I believe it and think it's wonderful.

Welcome Sean! It is a pleasure to meet you!

My hubbie had fluid bags under his eyes for 5 months and also what is sometimes called "stokes collar", before he was finally diagnosed. His whole face looked swollen. The diagnosis was superior vena cava syndrome which was releaved after he had his radiation treatments. Today his face looks absolutely wonderful and he remains stable while on iressa.

My hubbie is on Iressa and has to have procrit shots and extra iron as he became very anemic which made him tired. He gets a shot every two weeks and his last blood test showed his anemia is under control.

My hubbie craves sweet/sour coleslaw and three bean salad (a portion of each on his plate) about three times a day. I find myself making fresh batches for him every two days to keep in the refrig. Anyone else have strange food cravings? He is currently labeled at 'stable' while still on Iressa. I can't help but wonder if these two cravings are helping him to stay stable. Anyway, it's worth it to see him enjoying it so.

Abby, Happy Birthday to you! The closest I can get right now to how you feel is how after my mom left me I realized I would no longer be receiving my annual birthday flowers from her. But you know, I talk to her everyday, and the more I do the more I feel she is right here with me. She is with me always and it is actually comforting to me. I bet if you try it you'll see what I mean. Love, Cyndy

I feel so very sad right now ,and you have made this to be as a non-fiction story. Makes me wonder what is ahead for many of us. You are very special and I wish you the best.

David, it's good you can vent. I agree with Cat - we all get scared and sometimes over-react. It's all just "thinking" and most of our thoughts are not always accurate. You're going to be just fine. We'll all be here thinking of you tomorrow.

Boy Terry, you scared the heck out of me when I read your posts here. I'm glad things are better now and I sure hope it's on the up and up from here on. I remember when I thought my hubbie should be in the hospital because he was so weak and felt so miserable. The emergency room Dr. advised against it because of staff infection possibility and sent us home. That was when he was at his worst, but he is much better now. I'm thinking of you!

My hubbie started Iressa June 6th and has very minimal side effects. He has a slight rash on his chest which is diminishing and the strangest part is the skin is peeling from his fingers and hands (like peeling from a sunburn). He uses skin lotion and is not at all bothered by it. His doctor thinks the Iressa is working and is keeping him on it for now. We have our fingers crossed.

That part of yours and Jerrye's life is now over, may God watch over you and give you peace. You have been through a lot. C.H.

Wow Terry. I am so I am so impressed with what you are doing! We also live in the Northeast (almost on the Canadian Border) and have decided to stay with the doctors in our own region. It was a difficult decision because one of our kids kept insisting that we check out Burlington, VT which is where everyone up here goes for serious things. I really didn't want to make my husband travel unless it was truly necessary. I do think that wherever you decided to be it is important that you can gain good trust and faith in your doctors or you will always be wondering. For us, being close to home has been wonderful for my husband. I too have discovered by carefully reading this board that my husband IS being treated similarly to others who have the same as he does. I am truly thankful that we have the advantage of some excellent doctors way up here "in the boondocks". My best to you and your husband from the North Country!

Just wanted to add that my husband started Iressa three weeks ago and had absolutely no symptoms until yesterday. The skin is peeling on some of his fingers (similar to peeling sunburn) and we just noticed a rash starting on his chest. These cause him no problem and he is doing very well otherwise. C.

Now that I'm on vacation I've had more time to investigate this most impressive site. There is so much to research here and I am learning so much. Although I don't post too often, I check in regularly and got a little nervous when the site was 'down', as I didn't know what was happening. I will be sending in a small donation via PayPal today - and thank you Jane Rejda for the wonderful gift you gave. Your banner is beautiful at the top of the page! Cyndy

My husband lost over 30 pounds during his worst time and he really disliked the ensure and other drink products we tried. His doctor put him on Megestrol - 40 mg tabs (4 taken at once) each day and amazingly his appetite did increase and he has gained back much of what he lost. Now we're wondering how to slow down his appetite because he is eating constantly. He has been reduced to two tabs a day. Wishing you and your Dad the best.

Am pleased to share that hubby's iressa treatment is going well so far. No side effects during the two weeks he's been on it and he is more "up and around" now - even driving his truck up to 10 miles away. He was found to be slightly anemic and is getting shots plus iron pills to help with his shortness of breath. I hope he's not in the 1% on Iressa who may get interstitial lung as a side effect. Anyone have knowledge of that happening? C.H.