bobmc

Hi Linda; I'll also put your favorite dad on my prayer list ; God bless and be well Bobmc - NSCLC- stage IIB - left pneumonectomy - 5/2/01 " absolutely insist onenjoying life today!"

Way to go DAVE!!, Glad to hear your feeling better and your game is good! God bless, feel well, and hit em straight & keep em on the short grass; Someday, it might stop raining here in the northeast so I can play Bobmc - NSCLC - stage IIB - left pneumonectomy - 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

Hey Rocco; That's FANTASTIC!!! ; may you have many, many, more!! Now, go out and Celebrate !! God bless and be well Bobmc - NSCLC -stage IIB - left pneumonectomy - 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

Ohh Peg, so, so, sorry to hear the news. I'll be praying real hard for the both of you. God bless, be well and hang in there !! Bobmc - NSCLC - stageIIB - left pneumonectomy - 5/2/01 " absolutelu insist on enjoying life today!"

Thanks John, Have also read the above, my onc. plots my CEA readings every 3 months, although because they are rising ( 2.5 to 7 and the last @ 13 ) we are now checking every 8 weeks. However, important to note is that CEA levels can also rise due to lung infections ( bronchitis etc. ) , bowel disorders - IBS, and a few other disorders that I can't remember. I go next week for additional blood work, thanks again for the inf. God bless and be well Bobmc - NSCLC - stage IIB - left pneumonectomy - 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

OHH, Shordy, I'm so sorry to hears this news, my prayers go with you and your dad. I know your dads been through so much, but maybe its time for second opinon, again wishing you well and praying real hard. God bless and be well Bobmc NSCLC - stage IIB - left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

FANTASTIC !!!! YES, The " DUKE March's on ", Ginny & Earl, enjoy your summer!!!, soooo happy for ya!!! Gog bless and be well Bobmc - NSCLC - stage IIB - left pneumonectomy- 5/02/01 " absolutelu insist on enjoying life today!"

Dear Rana; You say what ever you need to !!, wanna vent, then vent!! ; It's OK, as Don put it, cancer affects the family, know your not alone, My thoughts and prayers will be with you, your mom and family. God bless and be well Bobmc - NSCLC- stage IIB- left pneumonectomy - 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

Shannon; YOU TWO ARE WONDERFUL!! Keep up the faith, praying for more good days and happy moments for you and Mike. it all sounds sooooo good!! ; I'm happy for ya. God bless you and Mike Bobmc - NSCLC - stage IIB - left pneumonectomy - 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today !"

Hello again Gina, sent you a welcome note on the newcomers board Anyway, just wanted to echo what Gail had said; I've also found it real important to be seen by an oncologist at regular intervals. Cancer, can be a real sneaky beast, microscopic cells can be carried by blood or lymphatic fluids and start the whole nightmare over again. Don't want to be an alarmist, but thats pretty much what my surgeon told me. ; Although, with a stage I the likelyhood is small but still there. I'm checked at 3 to 4 month intervals, with ct scans of the brain, chest and abdomen done every 6 months ( they were done every 4 months for the first year ) along with bloodwork and x-rays. At the other 3 month interval I just have bloodwork and x-rays taken. Now, I was a stage IIB,( squamous type) and had the left lung removed so a bit more advanced. I think your right to seek a second opinion and to see an oncologist. Let us know how you make out. God bless and be well Bobmc - NSCLC- stage IIB - left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

Hi Gina; My very best to you and a great big WELCOME!! I too am very grateful to a persistent radiologist, and a thorough GP who was aware of my smoking history. I was dx.'ed stage IIB and had my left lung removed. That was over 2 years ago. Real good to be a SURVIVOR today. Hang a bit and ask your questions were all here for one another. Again welcome, you'll find this board to be a real special place with wonderful caring people. God bless and be well Bobmc - NSCLC- stage IIB - left pneumonectomy 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

YUPP, THE DUKE MARCHES CONGRATS and keep the good news comin Love your humor Don!! God bless & be well Bobmc - NSCLC-stageIIB- left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

Hello Debi; Welcome, glad you found us, no one has to go through this alone. First, I'll hope and pray for no cancer!!, but if it is then it sounds like it was caught early which is a very good thing. I had my left lung removed just over two years ago and like you the waiting and wondering terrified me. And, I will tell you I made it allot worse in my head than it really was, at least for me anyway. I was 50 years old at the time and in pretty good shape. I was up and walking the next day after surgury, on pain meds of course, but still up and about. I went home 4 days later with no complications, yes there was some discomfort and pain, but really not much. I had oxygen at home for about a month, I used it mostly at night to help sleep. I was on pain meds for about 6 weeks, back playing golf at 3 months and back to work in 5 months. So, hope that helps, but we are all different, and some times complications do happen. Also, I would make sure I had a good thoracic surgeon, meaning one that has performed many of these type surguries and don't hesitate to get second opinions I know you will find much support, good info. and wonderfull people on these boards. So hang in there and keep showing up. Ohh, and the family pic. is me ,my wife and son. We are 150 feet above a gorge on a rope bridge in the rainforests of Costa Rica, That Was 8 WEEKS AFTER SURGURY. It was'nt easy but was doable. God bless and be well, you will be in my prayers Bobmc - NSCLC- stage IIB - left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

Hello Becky, Welcome and sorry you had such a rough time of it!! Sounds like you got yourself a cuttie for a daughter!!! ; 3 years old is such a great age. Like you, I had a mediastinoscopy, except it went well, and no nodes were affected. The surgeon rolled me over and removed my left lung and got it all. I was dx.ed a stage IIB. So , I'll be hoping and praying that they can do the same for you. You will find much support, good information and most important, SURVIVORS here, again welcome, and you will be in my prayers. God bless and be well Bobmc - NSCLC- stage IIB- left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

Hello Carol, welcome, my very best to you and your husband; Glad you found us, I agree a second opinion would be the thing to get, also treatment at a cancer center by doc's that specialize in it. I was dx.'ed stage IIB, squamous type NSCLC. That was over two years ago and although my left lung was removed I'm doing fine today. There is always hope and on this board you will find much of it along with many SURVIVORS! So again, welcome, and tell us a bit more about yourself, where you live, how the cancer was dx.'ed, what type, etc. God bless and be well; you and your husband will be in my prayers. Bobmc - NSCLC- stageIIB - left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

Hi Ronna; Thanks for the update and so glad you found us; ; I 100% agree with you about God giving us a wake-up call and being able to appreciate the things that we have. I try to stay grateful each and every day. Also, glad your feeling better and again welcome!! God bless and be well Bobmc - NSCLC- stageIIB - left pneumonectomy - 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

OUTSTANDING News !!!! Dave !!!! You certainly deserved some, Now go out and duff a few and laugh about it!! God is good !! Hey, what's " Palpate " anyway??? God bless and be well - Bobmc - NSCLC - stageIIB - left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

Hi Steve; my very best to you, sorry you have to be here, but you will find support, knowledge about the disease and most important SURVIVORS. So welcome and glad you found us. I know exactly what you mean about thinking" I had all the answers and then having my world turned upside down". I was 50 years old when I was dx.'ed with stageIIB NSCLC. I was one of the lucky ones and had my left lung removed over 2 years ago. I'm learning how to become real spiritual, I've found out that God has the control, not me, and it's my faith that many times provided the strength I needed to get through each day. I'm also a firm believer in getting second opinions and would recommend it, along with getting treatment at a cancer center if at all possible. I also found that it is a good idea to bring a friend or family member with me to take notes and write down questions when I saw the Dr. (too many things get missed due to the anxiety level). Stage IV disease is a battle but it is winable, you will find survivors here and you absolutely do not have to go through this alone, so again welcome. God bless and be well & feel free to write anytime Bobmc - NSCLC- stage IIB- left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

Hey Donna; JUST DON'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THAT !!!!! Congrats and big time celebration!!!!!!!!! God Bless and you are an inspiration!! Bobmc - NSCLC - stage IIB - left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

Hi Bonnie; Add my name to the list, praying for clean scans for Howard and patiance and tolerance for all of us, I know, the waiting stinks. God bless and be well Bobmc - NSCLC- stage IIB- left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

Yes Ginny; What Wonderful news!!! Earl's brain is empty ; love your style, be praying for you and Earl. God bless & be well Bobmc - NSCLC- stage IIB - left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

Don't know if I should've done this, but these people got me real pieved ; I read an article in the local paper of how the Republican members of the New Jersey Health and Welfare committee have blocked a proposal to ban smoking in restaurants and bars which is very similar to what NYC has implemented. They talked about the rights of bar and restaurant owners!!! I sent everyone of the schmucks a note letting em know whats it's like to be diagnosed with lung cancer. ; I also invited them to view the boards, so if ya see any notes from politicians, give it to em!! Yes, no one deserves lung cancer, and everyone deserves clean air and if your gonna talk the talk then you should walk the walk. excuse me, it's election time and my voice will be heard !!! God bless and be well Bobmc - NSCLC-stage IIB - left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

Hello Len; my very best to you and sorry you have to go through this. But, welcome all the same; You will find a wealth of knowledge as well as much comfort and understanding on the board. But most important of all you will find SURVIVORS! , People can and do recover from this dreaded disease so keep your chin up and yes it will be a battle, but you have your age and energy on your side. Good luck with your insurance co., give em hell!! God bless, be well and again welcome, your in the right place! Bobmc - NSCLC- stageIIB - left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"

Dear Shelly, After reading you post , I'm reminded of " Footprints", hope this helps.. One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonged to him and the other to the LORD. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and sadest times of his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it. " Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I noticed that during the most troublesome times in life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me". The LORD replied, " My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you." God bless and be well Bobmc - NSCLC - stage IIB - left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today !"

OH Shannon; sooooooo HAPPY for you and Mike, You bring tears to my eyes !!! ; May God continue to do for us what we can't do for ourselves, Your so right He's in control. Your faith is very healing, Will continue to keep you two in my prayers. God bless and be well Bobmc - NSCLC - stage IIB- left pneumonectomy - 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!"