SJAS
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Posts posted by SJAS
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Welcome Karen,
A friend who spoke at our rally last Friday gave us several memorable moments about smokers who get lung cancer. He said he learned how to smoke when he was young and learned how to do it very well. He also said that of all he has gone thru (including WBR) his biggest miracle is that he doesn't smoke anymore. By the way, he's a 3 year squamous cell survivor - back to work and doing great.
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Welcome Tom. Love stories of remission!
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I believe there is far more to be learned about the real mechanics of what causes lung cancer. Did you know that only 2 out of 10 smokers get lung cancer. Just received fascinating report from CDC on Smoking related morbidity. Lung cancer is at the bottom of the list! Far more likely to get emphysema, chronic bronchitis and heart attack.
http://www.cdc.ggov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5235a4.htm
As far as secondhand smoke: My husband's father was a smoker, but worked afternoons and was an avid gardner and outdoorsman. My husband never smoked. He has an older brother & sister who were both heavy smokers until about two years ago. They are fine. The twist: they are adopted and he is not. Check the new family studies being done.
While I'm not saying that smoking does not play a part, there is obviously much more to the equation.
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Heather,
You're in the right place here and we will do all we can to lend some support for you and your family during this rough ride. Take care.
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Heavens Andrea, you're right. There's never a dull moment. Darn this cancer stuff. Hoping for a quick turnaround for your mom.
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Bill,
Steve has been on either Zometa or Aredia since beginning treatment in Aug '03. He has had considerable pain, but his seems to be completely from the cancer. Now that his cancer is stable (on Iressa), he has been able to completely remove himself from pain meds.
You don't mention any involvement of the liver, but if there is you might want to be careful with the Vicodin. Due to liver involvement, Steve was told that morphine (MS Contin) was a much better choice as it was not so hard on the liver.
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Kim,
You're all going through so much. I'm sending my prayers for all of you. Wish I had some answers....
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Sharon,
Once when Steve had a major turnaround, one of my friends from church (a young mother who had almost died from cancer in her leg) came by and whispered in my ear..."we DO believe in miracles, we DO believe in miracles!" So thrilled to hear of your dad's miracle.
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Faaannntaastic! So thrilled that he's on his way to recovery. My prayers for the whole family.
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Our nail biting is over for a bit. Steve's MRI and CT both came back basically STABLE! All liver functions have now returned to normal levels, and his platelets are up to the 70's. Bet you all heard our family's collective breath being let out. Too happy to even think.
Of course, the big comedian was at his finest. One of the nurses was working the last day before leaving for her baby's birth and when she walked by Steve told her, "Whuuuh - over infused!"
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Don & Lucie,
We'll all be giving thanks for Lucie's good news! Happy Thanksgiving
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Kinda like Steve said when the nurse said that the insertion of a chest tube could be "pretty uncomfortable" - He said obviously anyone who would say that had never been through it! Sounds just like what's happening here!
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TeeTaa,
Just reading your schedule is exhausting. Did you, uhhm, plan any time for yourself in all that? Might be a good idea - you've taken on a huge load. Congratulations on all the success your hard work has produced.
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Tracy,
Steve has been on Iressa since July and the only side effect has been the rash. We will know more after getting MRI and CT results this week, but I can tell you he is sooo much better. He was able to stop morphine and seems to not have all the pain he stuggled with before. We met a woman who has been on Iressa for 2 1/2 years (got it during trials under compassionate use after chemo failure), a 3 year survivor on Iressa (not sure how long on the med). Also met an 8 year survivor who is on Iressa (again not sure how long - met on the rush at our rally). She also had Gamma Knife brain surgery and WBR and is doing well! Hope Iressa is the answer for your dad too.
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Dean,
I'm so glad I got on for a few minutes tonight to see your post. I think of you both so often. You are such a remarkable man and you're absolutely right - no disease will ever beat you! Yes, indeed prayers for all.
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Katie,
You really do a great job. As a matter of fact, I did bring up LCSC during the t.v. interview and gave your web site, mentioning how helpful it was. I had sent an email to see if you had any pamphlets for me to distribute at the event and the other places I went, but maybe you didn't get it because I didn't hear anything back. I did list this web site on the program as a place to get more info (if you want a copy send me your address and I can mail one). I know how much work it is to keep this going and fight for resources and I will be glad to spread the word.
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Jean,
My husband had a perfectly clean MRI, followed by a clean CT and we thought we were cruising in the miracle category. The doc wanted to do PCI and we refused. A month later Steve had 15 brain mets. So guess those microscopic cells just hide everywhere. Steve had to start chemo again for systemic cancer after WBR, but didn't work so he went on Iressa and things are looking good! Thinking of you because I know this comes as such a shock when things feel like they're under control.
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When I was at the UCSF Thoracic Oncology Conference on Saturday, one doctor told me he treated an 18-year-old lung cancer patient! There's soooo much we still don't know about lung cancer.
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Incredible. My first thought was just like Becky's. How weird to hope someone has breast cancer. But what qualifies as good news sure gets skewed in the lung cancer business, eh. Keeping good thoughts for you.
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Wow Rick - this is really an exciting one. Good job!
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Beth,
Steve was extremely fatigued during and after WBR, and it continued probably three months after. It is a bit hard to separate tho' because he started chemo again after WBR. Steve has fairly severe numbing, particularly of both feet and three fingers of his left hand due to peripheral neuropathy from the chemo. Tell Bill to hang in there. The fatigue does eventually get better.
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Carleen,
Oh my heavens - what you've been through!! I'm glad Keith's WBR is finished. That knocked Steve out for months. You both need to get a break from all the stress. Now's the time to accept all those open offers of "if there's anything I can do..." This is no time to be independent. People really do want to help. Take care.
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Just got home late from work and popped on for a couple of minutes. Darn what a frustration. Your determination is awesome!
, and all the scans come out just fine. Prayers on the way.
Marie Foley.....became an angel 10/15/04
in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!
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Elaine,
I'm so sorry about your mother. What a gift she had in her very devoted daughter. Yes, there are certainly angels among us.