twodogs

That's it. They're in the bakery department with the jelly rolls and maple bars and all the rest of the good stuff. For me they went down easy and were full of calories and all the things other people avoid but crave. John

The one they took from me wasn't from my lung it was from Squamous Cell Skin Cancer on my leg, (kind of a secondary issue). It came from my inner thigh area and it was the ugliest looking hunk of tissue I ever saw. I certainly wouldn't want it for anything. The area I could see from the skin side was about the size of a quarter but the hidden portion was big and nasty. "...the only important thing was to put as much distance between my body and it as possible, and I was lucky to be able to do so."...Thanks Debi John

Hi again 2weimies, I had to look back to see where you're from because your doctor sounded so much like mine. And that's a good thing. I think we all wish we'd have gotten the news with a bigger dose of sugar but it hardly ever comes that way. I believe the best caregivers want us to know what's really going on as soon as possible. We need to be able to deal with the reality of this stuff as soon as we can. I'm reiterating a bit but certainly second the opinion that surgery is a good option. Knowing that and the fact that your doctor is so caring and dedicated should give you a pretty fair balance point for going ahead. You have our prayers and support and we're here to help with your concerns and questions. Stay strong and keep the faith. John

Hi Barb, As you've already read here, you are going through some pretty common symptoms. I started my treatment in the summer when our local Dairy Queen was open,(they close in the winter up here). One of the few things I could get down was their Hot Fudge sundaes and I lived through the summer and most of the fall on them. Somewhere along the line I found out I could get down cream filled, chocolate covered Bismark's so they became my new favorite food. I supplemented them with puddings and ice cream for at least a year. I did eat real food when I could but, it was not fun most of the time. The secret is to chew tiny portions of things until they reach a liquid state and to always have liquid with your food. Water was my favorite. I went a long time before things got mostly back to normal but now I'm actually gaining weight. You will be too, so keep up your spirits high and follow the advice of these experts. John

Lisa, So sorry to hear this about your Mom. Our prayers for her and for you and your family. John

In the midst of all my other activities I was also treated for Squamous Cell Skin Cancer. During this surgery they sent the samples out while I waited for the results. Good deal, as I needed additional surgery to remove all the tumor and got it all done in one day. This was done out-patient at a clinic in SD. I know they had a path lab nearby at the regional hospital. They did the same thing while my daughter was undergoing BC surgery in Seattle. My guess is that they use this procedure whenever they are actually doing cancer surgery as opposed to exploratory,(?), biopsies. If that makes any sense. John

Lily, Please try to follow up on the advice from "2weimies" about getting someone to front for you at Sloan. Try your local American Cancer Society, your oncologists or surgeons and even your insurance company. Use family or faith connections too, if you have anyone near there. You deserve help from all of them so you don't get this kind of treatment again. I've been lucky in many regards, being in a small community. I've had everyone and everything I need close at hand, including an insurance "care counsellor", making sure I was happy or, at least, fairly happy. I'm on Social Security now but everyone here still looks out for me and often go out of their way to help. Stay strong and keep fighting. Best wishes and prayers to you. John

Barb, if it's any comfort to you, I have had aches, pains, hitches, glitches and soreness in every joint, bone, muscle, follicle and organ in and on my body. I've also had diarrhea I thought would do me in followed by constipation I would have paid to trade for having the diarrhea back. My esophagus was so dilated from the radiation scarring they had to use the tiniest tool they had in the shop just to open up a hole big enough to get their tiniest scope in. I still have to take itty-bitty bites of food and chew them until they're near liquid just to get them down. I've had dreams that would be Oscar winners if I could have remembered any of the scripts and nightmares that would scare Dracula. I've had hallucinations like a special effects movie and seen colors and shapes I can't describe. I've done the vertigo, the coughing up blood and/or tumor specimens, Shortness of Breath, (SOB), perpetual weariness and optical migraines. I've had white hair, no hair, dark hair and now, mousy brown thinning hair. My memory is shot and I think most of my organs are too. What few teeth I had left are now memories and I can get tired out planning a trip to the mailbox. And I can tell how well my Epogen and blood counts are doing by how long it takes me to get to that mailbox and back It has taken a few years for my taste buds and appetite to come back but they have. The money I used to blow on cigarettes easily pays the freight for a couple Filet Mignon's every week or so and I've even sunken to buying wine by the box just so I don't run out. But, I still do a couple radio spots each week doing local news , gossip and PSA's. On occasion, I also fill in doing general interest columns for the local newspaper. And I recently volunteered to work as road and street committee chairman supporting the town council. I still enjoy shooting and hunting and those sorts of things although we've really slowed down in that arena. We sold our boat because it got to be a pain but, eventually, everybody figures that out, boats are a pain in the butt. However, given my sad story, you should keep in mind that I'm still here and I'm still telling it. This trip ain't easy and it ain't fun but it is an adventure. Be strong and have faith. John

Bobby, I pretty much lived on ice cream, pudding and cream filled chocolate Bismark's for a year or more. I still have to be careful with what I try to consume. I have to cut things very small and chew them until they liquefy but I'm doing it and finally gaining weight. Maybe even getting a little chunky again. Of course that may have something to do with having a beer or more once in a while too. I couldn't get that down for a couple years either. The advice I got was the same as most. Eat as much as you can of whatever you can whenever you can. John

Bobby, My advice is to think positive and hope for the best. After my radiation series had been completed I was still doing chemo for a month or so. During that period my CAT scans were showing indications like you describe, which seriously concerned my Chemo Doc. My Radiation Doc kept telling me to relax because it looked like scar tissue to her, but I was caught in the middle and going nuts because I trusted both of them. As things worked out it appears it was scar tissue. I understand it is very common but I'd rather have them concerned than unconcerned. John

The only words I can think of are, "well fought, well done". The closest source must have been from the album "Against the Odds", although I don't remember ever hearing it. Frank, "Well done my child, Your race is over You have fought the fight and you've kept the faith Enter into the joy of the Lord Well done my child, your crown is waiting Here is your robe of white your mansion is just in sight Come into the city of light Well done my child." John

Bobby, When I was diagnosed with SCLC I had also developed what they call SVC Syndrome which kind of gives an additional immediacy to requiring treatment. They started me on radiation immediately and on chemo the day following my biopsy results. (I'd been on blood thinners prior to diagnosis so had to wait a couple weeks for the biopsy). I was on Chemo and radiation together until my treatment was complete. Total time was from the end of June to just prior to Christmas 2003. John

Pattie, You, Frank and your family have the prayers and support of all of us here who have become acquainted with his battle and his courage. John

mom, One of the sad facts you will encounter is that so many people are just ignorant of what cancer really is and what it does or doesn't do. Best thing you can do is try to remain calm and understanding with your loved ones while dealing with their concerns. It will weigh on you as you already know but, they are mostly sincere and afraid to go elsewhere to ask. I, for one, was about as ignorant as a stick about the disease and still am no expert. Generally we only know about what we have to deal with. While I was undergoing treatment my wife was doing all the research so she was and is more an authority on most things than me. I actually had a guy come up to me once and proclaim that I must have the "good" lung cancer because I was not hospitalized. That was right after I'd first been diagnosed and my prognosis was very dismal, to say the least. Since he was neither dear to me nor a relative I dumped on him like a cement truck. I don't think he'll be so presumptuous in the future. On the other hand, when dealing with my mom and kids, I am as honest as I feel they need me to be. Mom has a tendency to forget things quickly but the kids do their own research so they're not being fooled. Also, our daughter has breast cancer and is undergoing treatment for that so we're both still learning. Be patient with those who need it. Do what you want with the rest. Best wishes for you and your mom. All of us here will be praying for you both.

Loretta, When I first took Decadron it was given to me concurrent with my chemo treatment. My schedule was every Friday afternoon and I'd go home afterward and pretty much just zonk out on the couch. After a couple hours things would then be pretty normal until sometime after midnight and then I'd be totally buzzed. Thankfully my treatment was in the summer because I'd be out working on the lawn or in the garden when the sun came up, (4:00 AM was normal). I'd have frozen in the winter on that schedule. The fatigue is common and ongoing. Right now I probably have more energy than any time since diagnosis and that still requires a lot of rest and supplemental injections. From my experience I'd say your husband's reaction is typical. Just remember to write down all your concerns and ask the doctors to be sure. Good luck on this journey and best wishes to you both. John

Frank, I'm what is probably considered a 'hit and runner' here. I'll visit for a while and leave for a while. I've always found your posts to be uplifting and inspirational and if anyone belongs on the survivor forum you are certainly one of them. You have my prayers and my utmost honor, respect and support in your ongoing battle. John

Jen, It's kind of flippant, "Been There, Done That". Probably not appropriate for a geezer pushing 70. I meant to add, how cold is it over there? We've been doing like minus 10 to minus 15 over here. That's overnight.

Hi Jen, It's been a while since I posted to you and your dad. For whatever it's worth, I know that pit-in-the-gut feeling that comes with the worry. Mine, like yours, isn't for myself, it's for my daughter. She was diagnosed with breast cancer over a year ago and we've been very involved and concerned with her treatment since then. In my own case things are going greater than I have the right to expect. I'm still here and I'll be 67 next month. Not long ago reaching 64 seemed out of reach. I still drive too fast and drink a little on occasion even though I've slowed down about 90% from my old pace. I've taken on the job as chairman of our local streets and roads committee, do radio spots twice a week and write an occasional column for our local newspaper. I still have all the typical symptoms like SOB, weird pains and fatigue. BTDT on being bald, periodic total memory and brain function loss and vertigo. But at this point my biggest concerns are still for my daughter. Some of us are born worriers. We can't help it. As many others here have said, all we know we have is the moment. Please make the best of it. Best wishes and prayers to both of you. John

Hi Karen, We all handle this stuff differently although most symptoms are common. The difference is mostly in degrees. During my treatment I had no problems at all for the first couple weeks. After that it got to be the fatigue and no energy stage. Also about then I started having throat pain and difficulty swallowing. I'd guess your dad may be experiencing any of those symptoms and it would be normal. About the only thing I recall was that I was extremely grumpy any time I was trying to get food down and at times I was so fatigued I just told everyone to get away from me and leave me alone. If you get any of that response just take it with a grain of salt. It's not meanness, just a reaction to all that's going on. Hope all goes well for him and for you and your family.

Frank, there's little I can add to what all your other friends have already said. I've found your spirit, your attitude and your philosophy on dealing with this to be positive and inspirational. Your participation on this board along with your coaching and counselling have been invaluable and have made life more bearable for many of us. I know you have the will and heart for this latest turn. And you know you have the prayers and wishes and support of all of us. JL

Hello, Your minds are probably so full of questions and concerns that they're running into and over each other. They're probably hitting you like a hail storm right about now. We've been at this for a while now and still have occasional questions. Way back when this all began we started writing down all our spontaneous questions wherever we were and whoever asked. Sometimes we used napkins and other times a pocket notebook which we still use. Later on we'd refine them and ask the doc's when next we saw them. Things pop up and then flee from our minds and keeping notes worked for us then and still does Good luck on your visit. We will all be pulling for you.

That's fantastic news. There is nothing more encouraging than early and significant improvement.

Hi there, Great to hear you're back, you're here with us and you're doing well. Those weddings are stressful on everyone so take the time to kick back, unwind and RELAX. Best wishes for the New Year and many more to come. You are an inspiration to all of us.

Good Lord, You've had a rough time. Here's hoping that this new regimen of treatment will give you some relief and improvement in the coming year. Best wishes.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You have the thoughts and prayers of our family with you and your brothers at this most difficult time.