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jane

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  1. Sounds like things are really going well for you! I love to hear when people really make headway against this disease! Even though you have more to go through, it seems that you are heading toward a great result.
  2. Adam, Best of luck to your dad. Hopefully this treatment plan will make things improve. You sound like a great son... Jane
  3. Becky, sorry about the frustrations at MD Anderson. My sister is treated there and sometimes I'm not really sure that the best care is offered in such a bureaucracy..... they have so many "policies" etc.... although we really do like my sister's oncologist, and she is very positive. The rfa there sounds promising for the rib, hope that works for you. And keep searching for clinical trials.... something is bound to be out there that will help you..... Jane
  4. I understand the shock and grief that you feel at this time. My 47 year old sister was diagnosed in July 02 with Stage 4 NSCLC and given a very poor prognosis. She decided to fight, and that she has done. It is now far, far beyond what her projected lifespan was by the "experts". It hasn't always been easy nor pleasant, but she has opted to participate in the treatments deemed appropriate throughout her ordeal, and by and large, has responded well. None have been the "cure", but we sure keep praying and trying the next treatment. Most of her days of the 19 months since diagnosis have been good, and she aims for many, many more. A disease such as cancer changes each person it touches. I don't know what it feels like to have cancer, only what I feel like as I hurt for my beautiful sister (in so many ways) and her husband, son, and my parents. In my opinion, one must become very educated about the disease (as scary as that education becomes), and then make choices that one can LIVE with....no matter how long that may be. And we, as family, must respect those decisions. I cannot judge another's choices until I've walked in their shoes. I wish you and your mother the best of luck and the best results of treatment, if that is what she chooses. Take care, and keep posting.
  5. Hang in there, you obviously SHOULD be living this long and longer!!! My sister's first oncologist "gave" her a projected lifespan, and she has FAR outlived it, and nicely the vast majority of the time. Notice I said "first" oncologist. She quickly got another who has a much more positive attitude. We are also very interested in rfa, and are communicating with three places, including the one in Jackson MS. Shane (my sister) has had her ups and downs, as you all know so well. But each time she has gotten not-so-good news, another plan of attack comes along and things turn upward. So, like everyone else says, keep yourself thinking positive. I wish you the best.....
  6. I guess I am really late, but happy belated birthday! I was wondering if you had heard anything from the RFA Dr. Nielson in San Antonio. My sister is looking into that one also (as well as rfa in Jackson MS and GulfShores AL). You had responded to my rfa email, and I told you that my sister lives in the Conroe TX area (rather close to where you live) and that she also is a patient at MD Anderson. They are kind, caring, and knowledgable, but beware of its size! Because it is so large, sometimes you can feel like a "number" (and you are, literally, a patient #). Be persistent and make yourself known...... a couple of the front people in the thoracic dept know us (especially my mother)! The wrath of moms, beware. Anyway, best of luck. I think you'll like MDA (considering...). Here's to many more birthdays! Hope the cake was good..... Jane
  7. My sister is 48 and a nonsmoker diagnosed in July of 2002 with Stage 4 NSCLC. She is an inspiration. Everyone is right about attitude and perseverence. She refuses to "listen" to statistics and puts her faith in God. She has had a variety of treatments, and has responded positively to each one. It has been 18 months since her diagnosis, and except for her very short hair (which is different "look" than her usual), a stranger would never know that she has cancer. Shane has tried very hard to eat healthy, exercise when possible, and takes a variety of minerals and supplements. I feel in my heart that those choices have also helped her endure the side effects of the treatments. Recently, the news has become grimmer than it has been in quite a while, but we have the faith that changing her treatment yet again will change that to the good. I'm so sorry that you and your family are having to grapple with such a serious disease. My heart goes out to you, and to your children. Jane
  8. jane

    Info on RFA

    Becky, So sorry to hear your news. My sister has been at MD Anderson since her diagnosis and since you have been referred there, I'd like to recommend a particular thoracic oncologist (there are quite a few, as I recall 17 or so....maybe more). Her name is Dr. Pisters. Shane had a different oncologist at first, but the "chemistry" was lacking. As everyone knows, the doctor-patient relationship is so very important. As for the RFA info, please keep me posted. We are beginning our "search" for the appropriate facility as well as finding out if she is a candidate for the procedure... we will be checking into the San Antonio clinic. I hope that you are a candidate for the procedure, as it seems very state-of-the-art and offers a chance at knocking out your cancer. My sister Shane is 48 and also is a non-smoker. She lives in the Conroe area, so you and she are "neighbors", so to speak. Please keep in touch, and email me privately if you wish. I will add you to my prayers. Jane
  9. jane

    Info on RFA

    Hi. I haven't posted in "eons", well actually months. Many of your names are new to me. I have spent the last week or so catching up on all of your events, rejoicing in your good news, and grieving the not-so-good news. For those of you that have joined within the last several months, I have a sister, Shane, who was diagnosed late July of 2002 with Stage 4 NSCLC, and she and our family have been on this journey for almost 18 months now. All in all, she has had many many more good days than not. She had brain surgery, radiation, chemo (cisplatin and gemcitabine), took a three month break, then was on Iressa for seven months. Now she will start a new chemo round.... As you all can relate to, lung cancer (well actually the fight against it) has dominated our family since the diagnosis. When she got on the Iressa last May and responded so well so quickly, I have to say that our family was lulled into a new sense of normalcy and we all (especially Shane) focused more on day to day life than on the illness -- a good lesson overall I know. Two days before Christmas, we were faced with the news that the cancer had begun to grow again. Thus, we are looking again for treatment options. She is very interested in radio frequency ablation. I have read many posts here about the procedure and found good information online. I am looking for anyone who has actually had the procedure done.... We live in Texas but are willing and able to travel anywhere for a consultation/procedure. Shane has asked me to do her "leg work" for her this week, as she is undergoing gamma knife for two small brain mets day after tomorrow. Any information anyone is willing to share would be so appreciated. I welcome the message board posts or a personal email. I can be reached at either janedickerson@cox-internet.com or at jdickerson@mwisd.esc11.net Thanks so much and God bless and keep you all.
  10. I admire your dedication to your goal(s)! Of course, you live in one of the most outdoor-activity inspiring places on earth! I am getting through 100 degree days here in North Texas, but I have been to Vancouver and to Whistler in July (twice, 10 years ago and 8 years ago). Best of luck to you, you are not only an inspiration to folks on this board, but I know to all who know you or hear your story..... so keep on telling it! Jane
  11. So sorry for your loss, so thankful the end was peaceful for him. Cancer cannot touch your love for your husband, nor the wealth of the memories. Jane
  12. jane

    The News!!

    The news is GREAT! It really couldn't be much better! I feel sure that the remaining brain tumor will continue to shrink until it disappears (we were told that the radiation "keeps on working" for six months or more). I hope the next round of tests goes well..... jane
  13. jane

    whole brain radiation

    My sister had whole brain radiation (10 treatments) late August of '02. She is currently doing very well on Iressa. As far as side effects of the radiation 11 months later, there are very few. I would say that yes, her short-term memory is slightly affected..... sometimes she doesn't remember telling us something.... like she may forget where she placed something or forget to relay a phone message.... but she kind-of was a spacy "blond" to begin with. So, I'd say that the difference in her memory is very very slight. Only those closest to her detect it at all. The only other difference I notice is that she requires somewhat more sleep than before. Now, she rarely naps (she did for some time), but seems to need about 10 hours sleep per night..... a couple more on the average than before her diagnosis (although whether that is due to radiation could be questionable.....) Hope this helps. Jane
  14. jane

    Iressa

    After six weeks on Iressa, my sister (48 years old) has had no noticable side effects. She uses completely organic (natural, whatever) cleansing products (soaps, shampoo, toothpaste, lotions, etc) and has for some time. She has become a chemical "freak" (she calls herself that.....), and that started way before the Iressa prescription. But I do think that maybe that has helped keep a rash from developing..... jane
  15. All good news for you, congrats! And also for the new addition to the family..... pups are wonderful and loyal. Jane
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