kitkathi

Hi Jen, I know you are probably a nervous wreck but imagine all of us holding your hand while you are going through your treatment. My pops didn't have any reaction to the combo of chemo drugs but did have a reaction to his pain killer oxycotin. One reason why his reaction to the oxycotin was so severe was because he was very dehydrated! I think that a lot of people on this board will agree with me when I say that keeping hydrated is extremely important. I know pops didn't take it that seriously until he started having weird effects from being dehyrated (altered level of consciousness etc). So a piece of advice I can give you is drink lot's of fluids that are hydrating. You really need the water to keep your kidneys functioning since the chemo drugs are so powerful. I just know you will do well! If you do have problems make sure you contact your oncologist right away so vthey can adjust your chemo (if need be). You need to be able to speak up and no be afraid to talk to him/her about any concerns. If you don't feel comfortable with your oncologist, then you need to get a new one. Good luck! My pops was diagnosed last summer with limited SCLC and is doing pretty well NED (no evidence of disease). Sorry you have to be here but welcome aboard. Embrace the people here as the are a wealth of information. Let us know how everything goes! Kathi

Hi Everyone, It has been awhile since I have posted. I used to be under the name of "daviskathi" but I have had (a lot) of problems logging in so I have gotten of my duff and have re-named myself "kitkathi". I have been doing a lot of lurking on the boards. I have been saddened by all the passings. I have also been dealing with my father-in-law's lung cancer in addition to my fathers. For those of you who don't remember me, my dad was DX SCLC last summer. He did the chemo/radiation/PCI. The members on this board helped in guiding me to ask the right questions to my dad's oncologist. My dad got very sick from the chemo and radiation but pressed on. Although he is still somewhat weak (treatement ended in Jan) and still doesn't have his appetite back, he is alive. His most recent scan (last week) is still clear and has NED! I want to thank everyone on this board. Although I haven't been active on the posts, I read everyone's posts everyday. The people on this board are amazing! I have never met a more caring group ever! So I am back from "no man's land" and promise to not lurk anymore. I just wanted to post and pass on words of encouragement to everyone and especially the new people who are just starting off in dealing with lung cancer. I do have a question though, is it normal to still not have an appetite? My dad's treatment (PCI) ended in January (end) and he still says that everthing tastes really bad. He hasn't gained any of the weight back that he had lost. The only thing that tastes good to him is licorice! Anyway, it will be an emotional weekend for my family. They are all flying down to California from N. Dakota this thursday. I am graduating from college on Saturday and my dad will be in the audience. He told me that he is so happy that he can see me graduate because he never thought he would still be alive. When I found out that he had cancer, I wanted to PELP (leave from school) to take care of him but he wouldn't let me. I will post a picture of me and my dad at my graduation ceremony. Sorry for rambling on but I have missed you all! Kathi