Amy P
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Posts posted by Amy P
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Gail - I borrowed the part about this website from one of your e-mails, I hope you don't mind.
Laura Bauer wrote a column about Lung Cancer today and while I am glad that LC is finally getting some attention the article contradicted itself.
The very first statement reads "Despite stereotype, 25,000 nonsmokers are diagnosed with lung cancer yearly" which is very true and my Mother is one of those individuals. Later in the article there is a sentence that reads "It’s the one cancer that’s preventable, physicians say, yet people still smoke" That statement contradicts the opening line.
Even if everyone quit smoking tomorrow, there would still be Lung Cancer because there ARE other causes than just smoking.
My Mother was diagnosed over 4 years ago and is currently beating all the statistics, but in all those years whenever I tell someone that she has Lung Cancer the first question I get asked is "Did she smoke?" My reply, does it matter? She is battling one of the most deadly cancers, the cancer that kills almost as many people yearly that are diagnosed and the cancer that is one of the most underfunded. The true irony of my Mother having Lung Cancer is that my Father was the smoker in our family and he is relatively healthy.
I appreciate the all of the long over due media attention that is currently being given to Lung Cancer but it is very unfortunate that it took the death of Mr. Jennings and the revelation from Mrs. Reeves to get the much needed attention. My hope is that The Kansas Ctiy Star will step up to the plate and help keep focus on increasing funding for research to find new treatment methods and hopefully a cure.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, I would like to see some significant press dedicated to increasing the awareness and erasing the stigma of Lung Cancer.
If you would like to see first hand the toll Lung Cancer takes on patients, family members etc. please visit an online LUNG CANCER support group, the Lung Cancer Support Community which can be found at www.lchelp.org. We have 2,187 members worldwide, both patients and caregivers. We are young and old, male and female, smokers and former smokers. We have many on our site with lung cancer who have never smoked, and still face this dreaded disease on a daily basis.
Sincerely,
Amy Pritchett
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I don't agree with everything in this article but it did make some good points. However, I am e-mailing the reporter as there was a comment that this is the one cancer that is preventable even though the statement below states that 25k nonsmokers are diagnosed annually.
There’s no smoking gun
Despite stereotype, 25,000 nonsmokers are diagnosed with lung cancer yearly
By LAURA BAUER
The Kansas City Star
“We’re making baby steps in treatment; we’re not curing patients. But instead of living 1 year (after late stage diagnosis) they’re living 1½ to 2 years.”
Stephen Williamson
Lung cancer became national news this week.
Not because of any advancements in early diagnosis or treatment, nor news of significant declines in death rates, but because of two celebrities’ personal stories. ABC news anchor Peter Jennings died Sunday, just four months after he announced he was diagnosed with the disease.
“When you consider who it was who died and how soon after the diagnosis, it’s pretty shocking for people,” said Stephen Williamson, medical director of the Cancer Center at the University of Kansas Hospital. “People begin to realize how lethal the disease is.”
And many also are beginning to realize that lung cancer’s stigma as “the smoker’s disease” doesn’t always ring true. After Jennings’ death, Dana Reeve, widow of actor Christopher Reeve and a nonsmoker, announced that she also has lung cancer. Each year about 25,000 nonsmokers are diagnosed with the disease.
But as these news stories fade, advocates and physicians fear so will the spotlight on what appears to be the forgotten cancer. A cancer that not only isn’t widely talked about, whose victims’ stories aren’t heralded as inspirational, but one that seems to lag behind the others when it comes to advances in treatment, prevention success and early detection.
It’s the one cancer that’s preventable, physicians say, yet people still smoke.
“I think people hear the message, and there are a lot of messages out there,” said Renee Kelley, director of public relations with the American Cancer Society Heartland Division. “I think people are generally aware that if you smoke, chances are high you will get cancer in your lifetime, and it won’t be treatable.
“The problem is tobacco is so addictive. It’s not enough for people to quit smoking.”
Victims of other cancers speak out and lead educational campaigns, while many lung cancer patients remain private.
“When it comes to breast cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer, the enemy is the cancer,” said Jan Schwarz, senior regional programs director for the American Lung Association in Kansas City. “When you look at lung cancer, the cause is smoking, and then it’s an industry enemy, not a disease enemy.”
And with lung cancer, there’s the biggest obstacle of all when it comes to fighting the nation’s most deadly cancer. It’s the thing that stands in the way of saving more lives.
“There’s no proven tool for early detection,” Williamson said.
Because of that, in more than 60 percent of lung cancer cases, patients are diagnosed after the disease has spread outside the chest. By that point, the intensity of the symptoms — the persistent cough, blood in the mucus, chest pains and recurring pneumonia — help diagnose the disease.
Sometimes an early diagnosis can come accidentally, physicians say, when a person is scanned or X-rayed for another reason and the cancer is detected.
Early detection is found in only about 16 percent of lung cancer cases, statistics show.
There has been some improvement in the survival rate. The one-year relative survival rate for lung cancer increased from 37 percent in 1975 to 42 percent in 2000. Physicians attribute that to improvements in surgical techniques and combined therapies.
Fen Wang, a radiation oncologist at the University of Kansas Hospital, said advances in treatment allow physicians to apply more intense radiation targeted at a localized area.
Williamson added, “We’re making baby steps in treatment; we’re not curing patients. But instead of living 1 year (after late stage diagnosis) they’re living 1½ to 2 years.”
Smokers
About 9 of 10 men who develop lung cancer are smokers. Even men who manage to kick the habit are at risk. ABC News
anchor Peter Jennings quit, but then resumed. He died of the disease Sunday at 67.
Nonsmokers
Adults who never light up still run a risk of lung cancer. Dana Reeve, 44, disclosed Tuesday that she is being treated for the disease. She and about 1 in 5 women who develop lung cancer never smoked.
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My response is Does it matter?
For the first time in the over 4 1/2 years since my Mom was diagnosed I did not get asked the question a couple of weeks ago when someone inquired about the significance of my Breathdeep bracelet. The very nice man said I am so sorry and how is she doing. I nearly hugged him!!!!
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Also try http://www.crossingthecreek.com/ - it has very helpful information regarding end of life stages and when my Mother-in-Law passed from Ovarian Cancer, she followed the process almost to a T. Best of luck to you.
Much Love,
Amy
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Peggy -
I have tried all day to find the right words and they just won't come - my heart is aching for you. I will keep you and your boys in my thoughts and prayers, and in my heart! There are thousands of miracles out there - I just know that one will land on your doorstep.
(((((Peggy and the boys)))))))
Much Love,
Amy
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Oh Shelley - I hope you are OK and I am right there with you although not in nearly as bad a shape, daughters convinced me to ride my bike with them tonight - I haven't ridden in 15 yrs, I turned around to make sure we could cross the street, lost my balance and went flying over the bike, cut my foot and skinned my knee and elbow while they were laying on the ground laughing
couple that with bruised tail from an earlier mishap and I am hobbling around like I am 100.You are in amazingly good spirits, keep it up!!!!
Much Love,
Amy
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I have to give it to you on that one Frank!!! That was FUNNY!!!!!!!
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Mom is gone
in GRIEF
Melissa -
I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. Wishing your and yours peace and strenght through the coming days.
Much Love,
Amy
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Sorry I am late - but I hope you both had a wonderful day!!!!
Much Love,
Amy
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((((Peggy)))))
I don't have any words of wisdom but please know that I am thinking of you and your boys. I hope you get things cleared up tomorrow and have more confidence in the plan.
Much Love,
Amy
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Kathi -
Please accept my sincerest sympathies. I am glad that you got home to be with him. I wish you peace and strength in the coming weeks.
Much Love,
Amy
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Tina -
So sorry to hear about Charlie's progression. I hope you can get the approval to get the avastin - until then, I will keep you and your family in my prayers although I wish I could help more - you were such a big help when I thought Mom had a PE and was absolutely panicked. Know that I am thinking of you!
Much Love,
Amy
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THAT is a good one!
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This is so incredibly sad, my heart goes out to all of the Chapmans.
May you all find strength within each other to get through the coming days and peace knowing David is no longer suffering. Heaven got one heck of an angel yesterday!
(((((Chapman Clan)))))))
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I am sure Frank, Bruce, Connie or Don M will be along to give you their first hand experience but I will tell that my Mom's surgery to remove her lung went well. She was in ICU for 3-4 days and then went home after 9 days. She was pretty sore for several months especially when she had to cough but overall her surgeon was VERY pleased. She is now 4 1/2 yrs out and is doing great!
From my perspective, it was a very scary surgery - I mean they are removing an entire major organ after all. She was at my house the day before the surgery after she had all her pre-op work done and when she left I cried until I almost puked, I was so upset. I wish I had known about this site then, I could have handled it much better having first hand accounts and the education.
Hang in there - it is scary but lots of people have had it done and have recovered nicely. PM me if you need to, I will help however I can!
Much Love to you!
Amy
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A city dweller was determined to start a small business on some rural acreage, so he went to a live poultry supplier to buy chickens.
“I’m going to start a chicken farm,â€
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Thank you Peggy and Becky - I really struggled with this post as my mother-in-law died from Ovarian Cancer (my Mom and my MIL were dx'd within 3 months of each other), it was caught way too late. As Donna stated, it is a disease just as sneaky as LC and almost as deadly and it really needs some attention as well because I really don't want to see my kids or my sister-in-law and niece (or anyone else for that matter)to be diagnosed since they are now genetically disposed.
I don't disagree with needing more $$ and attention on LC and by all means tell Spike about LC and ask him if he will donate a portion of next years fundraiser to LC (great idea Becky).
Much Love,
Amy
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I just ordered 10 as well but have a feeling I will be back for more once my Mom gets hers - and one of my co-workers is going to wear one when he plays in the World Series of poker - I told him it would bring him good luck and then he would have to donate a portion of his winnings
Thanks for doing this Katie!
Much Love,
Amy
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Peggy -
Hope the radiation gives some relief and he can gain some strenth back. Keeping you and yours in my thoughts and prayers!
Much Love,
Amy
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Frank -
Can't add anything new but wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and I have a whole bunch of jokes in coffers just waiting to unleash them on you
You inspire me - thank you!!
Much Love,
Amy
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(((((The ENTIRE Chapman Family)))))
You all are in my prayers - I wish you well.
Much Love,
Amy
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I am so sad - I will miss her big beautiful smile. Heaven has gained one beautiful angel. We miss you Betty!
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During a good manners and etiquette class, the teacher says to her students :"If you were courting a well educated young girl from a prominent family and during a dinner for two you needed to go to the toilet, what would you say to her?"
Mike replies: "Wait a minute, I gotta go pee."
The teacher says: "That would be very rude and improper on your part."
Johnny replied: "I'm sorry I need to go to the toilet, I'll be back in a minute."
The teacher says: That's much better but to mention the word "toilet" during a meal, is unpleasant.
And Charlie says: "My dear, please excuse me for a moment. I have to go shake hands with a personal friend, whom I hope to be able to introduce to you after dinner."
The teacher passed out.
couple that with bruised tail from an earlier mishap and I am hobbling around like I am 100.
Cervuical cancer to Lung cancer
in GENERAL
Posted
Actually my mother was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1997 and had a historectomy in early 1998 and then was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in 2001. The LC was found during a routine follow up check for the cervical cancer. Her oncologist did not seem to think that the two were related but as you stated below they have no way of knowing for sure.
If you want to talk specifics, please feel free to PM me.
Much Love,
Amy