richinsdakota
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Posts posted by richinsdakota
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Sorry to hear of your trying times. Tho I dont have a really close experience with a family member seriously ill, I know it must be very tough ...and would like to add my support and best wishes. Rich
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They tell me Im stage 1 and onc. is recomending only one round of chemo (3 trmts) at this point....unless, of course scheduled scans turn up reason to restage me, I assume. Hoping...
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Thanks Curtisg...yea, Ive realized its really academic at this point..we gotta do what we gotta do, and wear a hat, I guess. Im probably luckier than some to be a stage 1 (so far).
So sorry to hear of your loss...hang in there.
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Hi, thx for posting that....think Im about to find out too...start scans and chemo next month. I was worried about my hair too, guess some lose it and some dont. dunno... good luck to ya
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Yea, guess Im gonna stop worryin about the little things, when faced with the alternative, I do what I gotta do...as we all do. Thanks for the encouragement, and the lighter side of it. Come to think of it, might not be so bad if I didnt have to shave so much. (Wink)
5 weeks since thoracotomy, pain is down a little, but Drs. are stingy with pain meds...trying to cut me off completely. Tell me to bite the bullet...sheesh. First they tell ya to stay on top of the pain so you can walk and stay active, then they cut off the pain meds, so you cant do much.
I think Drs. are too busy chasin their priority, the greenbacks, to stop and explain or consider your point of view or concerns. Think Im getting a little, no, a lot depressed over the whole nightmare. Oh well, world aint what it used to be anymore...sigh. More scans and chemo next month, if insurance approves...another hassle Im sure many have had.
Still havent paid any on anesthesia, guess they prefer we bite on a .19 cent piece of wood..clothespin or something.
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Onc. is recomending one round of 3 treatments of chemo, Carbo/Cis + Iressa, I think he said, after my pneumonectomy. Anyone know if Ill lose my hair and other side effects from one round?
I guess Ill have to go with it anyway, the consensus of studies show increased survival with adjuvant chemo after surgery...just not thrilled, as the darn surgeon lead me to believe Id be cured, suggested Icould go home and forget the nightmare, as I heard him. Oh, well...still relatively fortunate , I know..
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Hi all...Have you seen the news story about new blood test technology? May be developed for many diff. cancers, including lung cancer...may take a long time though, of course.
I found it on CBS.com/Early show/Health watch. If interested.
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Thanks John...but what is a KI-76 stain? Havent heard of that yet.
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Very interesting...looks like a very helpful and informative site for getting understandable pathology interpretation, etc. Thanx for posting the link...
Im getting lab report soon, and Ill be checking it out just to make sure I understand all I can about my condition, prognosis, etc. Ill try to post results when I get em....Rich
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Sorry to hear anyone has to be hospitalized...I just got home couple weeks ago after surgery, so I know its no fun there...hoping he gets better and home soon...take care and best wishes to you both.
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Wow! ... All your support and encouragement is great to hear...thanx for taking the time. Ihope I can be as generous as you all when I get back to posting more. Youre all great here...thx again.
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Hi...Im finally back home, having undergone the major surgery. Entire left lung removed. Im afraid I havent posted or read posts for over a month, being either too miserable recovering, or preoccupied with family here for support, etc.
Just wanted to check in briefly...will be posting and reading more in days to come. The good news is they think they got it all out...hope their right. Bad news is...recovery is painful and slow, sigh. Anyway, hope to get back to posting now.
Take care all, and thanks for all your support before my surgery.
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Terri...thx so much for your knowledgable and thoughtful reply to my RFA inquiries. Its very convincing and logical, but may I ask if u could link me to any source of science or govt. approval of the effectiveness of this procedure in recectable mass cases...mine is slightly over 4cm/adenocarcinoma. Unsure of stage yet. Very anxious about surgery and if there is a medical consensus about the effictiveness of RFA out there, Id sure like to find it, to consider my options here.
Im afraid my choice has to be soon...scheduled for lobectomy on Thurs. july 15th. So have very little time to decide..
Thanx for anything you or others might be able to offer regarding RFA..
Rich
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Hi Valerie, welcome...look forward to sharing with you and all..
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Welcome Pip...look forward to sharing and supporting with you and all here..
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Welcome Greg....as a newbie myself, is hopeful to hear of your sucess so far. Thx for posting. I dont have much in the way of knowledge to offer anyone yet, but glad were supporting each other in this great community board. Rich
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Thanx for links Cat...helpful. and your reply.
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Think Ive just learned that RFA is not routinely used in lieu of surgery; only recommended for non-operable tumors, if I understand the FDA discussion correctly...still not sure which category I am till Tues....
Can anyone confirm this? Or point to info that would? thx again.
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New here, just dx with adenocarcinoma....smoked for 45 yrs....even after xray, ct scan, bronchoscopy, needle biop...wasnt 20 ft. outside the hosp. door, lit up...sigh...even after the dreaded Dr. call, confirming cancer...still cant stop sneaking 6-10 a day, on top of nicotine patches...Its one damn powerful addiction, Im finding, as you are.
I dont beat on myself, I know Im not stupid...just seriously hooked on the habit...Just keep tryin...like Im doing....might work tomorrow, if not today...its all we can do...good luck. Rich
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Thanks for the info from all; I go for surgeons diag/options opinion ...consultation tues. Gonna ask for more screening scans...yes, Ive had severe back pain for years...always told it was degenerative joint arthritis....no tests, just prescribe vioxx and such . Wonder how they know its D. joint arthritis, huh....
Ok, Ill take your cues and run...still learnin lot...thx
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Hi all; thx so much for all your encouragement and info...
Can u help me again with 2nd opinion info? Is it worthwhile...are more options sometimes included?
Ive seen your references to MD Andersen, and Bloch...is this where a 2nd opinion can be obtained? whats involved...traveling there, or forwarding path and films? or..? Afraid I dont know diddely about this stuff yet...thx for any advice.
Also, has anyone had RF ablation of lung mass, in lieu of surgery? Ive seen data suggesting its just as effective as tumor removal, and is a lot less invasive..? dunno...jus exploring options all I can...thx for any info....Rich
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Hi all; My first post here...moving over from intro board, since the dx is in...NSCLC (adenocarcinoma). Consultation with Dr. Tues. for options..
If I may; could I ask the burning questions that I suppose we all have, and you have all had...?
Before going into surgery, which Im sure will be urged, is there a quick way to get a 2nd opinion, without repeating tests, and traveling afar?
Has anyone opted out of surgery, in favor of alternative treatment...like RFA, Thalidomide trial, or anything else?
The stats Im seeing on adenocarcinoma suggest survival rates beyond 10/12 months are very low....are folks beating these odds by any long term survivals these days?
I know this is depressing subject, and sorry if my questions adversely affect anyone....myself, I want to know all the straight facts, and welcome anything you wonderful folks can offer to me., as some have already done on the into board.
I look forward to sharing/caring with you all....thx.
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Thanx to all for the help, guidance, support, and kind words upon my newbie post here. I already learned a lot from you....
Unfortunately, I have qualified for membership, if u will have me, in the NSCLC group, (diag. of adenocarcinoma), so I will move there for my next post. Hope to keep in contact with you all there, you are great. Cya there....
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Hi all; Has anyone elected to forego surgery, seek an alternative treatment, against Drs. advice? I find surgery a very traumatic option, along with the long recovery time and pain/disability, etc...
Im getting ahead of things, jus getting bronchoscopy Mon, 06/28/04, but indicators are diag. will not be good, and there will be little time to choose a treatment option, as they already are saying surgery is the path to take, if diag. confirms.
Appreciate anything u might be able to offer in this regard....thx much.
The Nicotine Monkey is back...
in NSCLC GROUP
Posted
Was it debbie who once asked if anyone else was still smoking after diagnosis? Anyway I replied that I had, and in fact smoked right up to the hosp. door the morning of my pneumonectomy. Well, thats one thing...this is another...
I came home from hospital, one lung gone...no spares if the other gets diseased...and started smoking again!! Phased down the ;nicotine patch doses and now the craving is back big time. Dr. and relatives just shaking their heads in disbelief. Am I crazy, or is the addiction just so powerful., dunno...
Well, Im single, live alone...family was here supporting during surgery, (I was able to hide my cig nibbling from them)...and cigs were, I guess, my only companion for 46 yrs. Tougher than I thought to say no to the habit, even after the nightmare of surgery/hospitalization/pain, etc.
Anyone have a similar smoking addiction and beat it?? HOW?? Would appreciate any tips, advice. My brother related how he quit with hypnosis for 9 months...as he puffed on a cig. Seems it wasnt very permanent...sigh Dunno if I can get this monkey off my back, and I can no longer afford to play russian roulette with my lungs...another thing there's no magic bullet for, Im sure...anyone go thru this same dilemna?