SDianneB

Sending you best wishes and prayers, and more fingernails if you need them! Let us know how it goes ... Di

Andrea -- when you're done punching them, send them over here so I can kick 'em in the teeth! You and Ry are absolutely right. But what a bummer of a day. Bright and sunny and warm where I am. A good day to enjoy if I could. Di

What a day. Yesterday - Beth and Addie. And others. Not good news. Super people, bad news. Hand wringing time. NOT good. Did NOT want this to happen to ANYONE on this forum. HEAR THAT? NO ONE. So, I'm busy having my pity party yesterday because menopause just will NOT come and stay at my house, and look what happens to others we care about so much. Good grief. God, I'll give up menopause if you'll just take back yesterday and all the bad news, and the day before that and its bad news, and the one before that, and before that, and on and on. Sweet Alice, how are you? I saw a Schmaydee post come through recently, so I know he's still hanging in there. I just want everyone to do well -- to hold their own. To not have more BAD. I want good things to happen. These are good people. I want them to feel better. I need them. We need them. But most of all, they have families and loved ones who need them. The world needs them. Di

On my last visit to the Oncologist, she said she'd see me in 6 weeks and that I'd have a chest x-ray. I saw the Pulmonologist the next week and told this to him. He laughed, and then told me what would happen. They'd do the chest xray, see the radiation scarring, think it was pneumonia or "whatever" just like they always do, and order a chest CT anyway. Of course, he's right -- he always is. He told me too that I would have a LOT of scans in my future, so just get ready for them! Periodic chest x-rays aren't a bad thing, IMO -- I think they can show improvement in the fuzzy areas where I have the scarring and damage, but the Pulmonologist says they won't be relying on them exclusively at all for follow-up. That will take CT scans regularly, and probably at least one PET scan a year, and maybe other things. We'll know that as we go along. They have their use, but I'm with everyone else -- I think I'd want more than an x-ray. Di

Addie, Addie, Addie. Oh my. I think we need to reach our inner Buffy and slay this beast. Grrrrr. I'm sure you're in shock, and so am I. What a slap in the face, huh? You're a fighter. I know you'll give it your best shot and then some. And then more if necessary. We're with ya, doll face. Ya know that, huh? Sending lots of hugs and kisses your way. Di

Pammie, that's great!! I agree with Becky -- NEW SHOES! But with as much rain as you guys have had there, don't wear 'em until it dries out! Di

I'm with Sue. I just don't know quite what to say. I can only imagine what you're feeling right now. Your mom is a jewel. Glad she's there with you. I don't have a clue about trials, but these other folks sure do, and there just may be one out there with your name on it. I can only be trite, and hand out cliches right now, but that's about all I know to do -- take care, hang in there -- that kinda stuff. But, I do mean it. Di

Becky, that's just amazing. Two years is a real coup! That's a real hurdle. It's the goal I'm working toward right now. I'm so happy for you!! Di

Don, please give Lucie a big hug from me, and you both know you'll be in my prayers, no matter what. Cruise sounds fun! Restful. Healing. I'm ready! Di

Well, sorry to say that at the time when you most want to do something, there isn't much you can do. Just be there for you dad and love and support him. His body has hard work to do, and it will get much needed help from the measures they are taking at the hospital. Your love for your dad shines through your posts, and he's in good hands. Try some relaxation techniques for yourself, and take care. Di

Ooooohhhh... White knuckle time. Dontcha just hate that? Can't wait to hear -- sending prayers that it's the BEST possible report. Di

90%??? NINETY PER CENT????? WOW! Hawaii? Ry, do NOT give her a pass unless she promises to take us all with her! (Whine/pout) Oh, go on and go to Hawaii, you. THIS IS GREAT!!!! Di

Well, damn. Damn. Damn. Damn. I'm so sorry about this news, Beth, but will think of you and send many good vibes and prayers your way while you continue to fight this beast. Di

Jorja -- I finished chest radiation Sept. 9, 2004. The wheeze started about halfway through the radiation -- I didn't have any of that prior to diagnosis, just pain on my right side from the pneumonia and tumor. Mine wasn't quite that size, but I don't recall the exact dimensions. His docs will be better able to guage how long this will last, probably based in part on what his chest films and scans look like. The stuff they see in mine gets better every time, and it always looks like pneumonia, but it isn't - not since the initial bout of pneumonia I had from the tumor when I was first diagnosed which cleared up really fast once I was treated. The best advice I could give would be to just get the regular follow-ups, ask lots of questions, and keep an eye on things. I think sometimes one of the mistakes we make is that we think that when the cancer is found and treated with success and we go into remission, that we will be "normal" at some point after the heavy duty chemo and radiation treatments are over. That isn't necessarily the way it goes. Chemo and radiation are killing cells, and don't discriminate between the "good" ones and the "bad" ones. The body goes through a lot - it's only natural that it will change once it undergoes such drastic treatments. And radiation doesn't just stop when the machine goes off -- it continues for a while, as does the chemo once it's in your system. This stuff is just way different from having an infection and taking antibiotics for a few weeks, feeling all better, and then it's over. Keeping an eye on changes in the body is a good thing -- report them all to the docs -- make lists if necessary. Make 'em earn their money! Di

Hi, Jorja - and welcome to the place none of us want to be, but glad we are! Yay for your dad! Sounds like he's giving this cancer beast a run for its money. I had 34 chest radiation treatments last summer, and developed the post-radiation wheeze and cough that some get. The wheeze was awful for a while, but is MUCH better now. If the weather is damp, it's more noticeable, but the Radiation Oncologist said that was a good thing as the dampness helps the tissue heal and regenerate down in there. He even suggested that I sleep with a humidifier in the room to keep moisture in the air. When I first got it, it would keep me awake at night, so they gave me a little inhaler (Combivent) that took care of that. As to the cough, I really don't have one unless the wheeze gets going, and then I just cough a few times and get a little crud out, then it stops. My chest has been clear as well in my last several exams, although the wheeze and "noise" in there wasn't good last October, and was about to make me a crazy woman while the docs were all wringing their hands over it! At any rate, it all turned out fine, it's much better, and they say I'll probably have this wheeze a while, maybe even forever, but it doesn't impede breathing at all, and I only know its there when it's damp, or if I over exert myself. Radiation can't tell "good" cells from "bad" cells -- it just zaps everything in its path. The good part is that the "good" cells come back and regenerate, but it just takes time. I have consumed massive amounts of popsicles over the last 6 months -- they help with the bad taste in my mouth when I was having chemo, and were a good source of fluids. I learned to drink lots of water, and turned into one of those people I used to make fun of - the ones who walk around with a bottle of water all day! Sounds like your dad is being checked regularly, so they should be able to keep an eye and ear on things. Best wishes to you both! Di

When I was diagnosed, I was hospitalized for 5 days. I was off a few days the next week during round 1 of chemo, but was feeling SO much better without the pneumonia and pain I'd had, that I got bored laying around the house and went back to work. Through the chemo and when they started radiation with the 3rd round, I worked almost full days -- I'd come home around 4:00 or so -- had to rest. After I'd rest an hour or so, I was good to go for a few more hours in the evening. Without that rest stop every day, it just about did me in, so I learned to listen when my body said "I'm tired - STOP!" I had the last chemo in Aug. 04, the last chest radiation in early Sept. 04, and about the end of Sept., I started staying at work full days -- feeling really good. When I started PCI and during that treatment, I had to leave a little early a few times -- I'd feel "droopy." After the holidays were over, I came back with a full time schedule, and haven't missed work except for the occasional appointment with the doc, scans, etc. Keep in mind that I did NOT have any surgery, and did NOT have many side effects from the chemo and/or the radiation. I wasn't feeling 100% much of the time, but I truly wasn't sick either, so working was a great way for me to keep my mind off things. And so many people I know made a point to come in and see how I was doing -- and they still do - that I can't miss out on seeing them! Going into this, the pulmologist told me my chances were improved drastically because I didn't have to battle diabetes, heart disease, emphysema, or any of countless other medical problems that can affect the way I'd feel while being treated. He was SO right. I've been able to concentrate strictly on treating the cancer. One of the better lessons I've learned through all of this is like I said before -- listening to my body, and when it tells me it needs rest, that's what I do. A lot of what I do at work I can do at home if need be, but I'm not going there unless I absolutely have to. YMMV. Di

28 years old. Damn this disease. Welcome to the forum -- you'll find wonderful people here who can help you both through this. It's scary as it can be, and also uplifting to hear from others who go through the same things. My cancer is different, and doesn't typically involve surgery, so I can't address that, but just wanted to say hello and welcome, and give you my best wishes. Di

So, if he starts acting strange - he'll be corny. With peas and lima beans and corn, you get succotash. Thufferin thuccotath, as our cartoon buddies would say. Doesn't sound like bad awful news to me, although I'm sure you hear it with different ears! Hang in there, Dave. Ok, I'm leaving. And taking my dumb jokes with me. Di

I have to face selling my "home" soon too -- the only one I remember as "home" -- the one I grew up in. My dad couldn't put 2 sticks together to save his neck, but I have the greatest memories of him puttering around trying to keep things together as he worked himself half to death tending patients from 6 or 7 counties all around us. I'm sorry this move will hurt a bit, but I'm so happy that you have a new place, will be making a new start, and you have your Earl so firmly implanted within your heart and soul that even if you moved into a cardboard box under the interstate, you'd still have that warmth from him. As to the Eagles, well ... I'm a Cowboy fan, so it didn't really matter to me one way or another. They sure made it a good game though. Di

Oopsie.

Ok, now I have it. Just from reading "Cocoa Puffs & vodka." Yipes! Addie, I hope you aren't too miserable, but this is the pits. Truly. I think I have some of that stomach upset now and then, but nothing constant like you've had. It was on my list to ask the PCP about when I see him the end of the month. I'll keep the thyroid in mind too, since I know I have 2 nodules on one gland that I have checked by ultrasound periodically. Boy, if we're not learning strange things about our bodies now that we've gone through chemo and radiation and all the other stuff ... sheesh. Like a friend of mine would say, "If it ain't cockroaches, it's p*ssants." Get better, ok? Di

My condolences to you and your family, Margaret. Take care of yourself during this difficult time. Di

What a bummer. Last summer, my a/c went kaput, and I called the guy who comes around twice a year to service the unit. I was just out of the hospital, NOT needing a/c troubles at all, but there ya go. The guy that works on it is barely pushing 40, and was diagnosed with colon cancer just before I found out about my cancer. Double bummer. He had no insurance, and had to sell just about everything he had to pay for his chemo. The "not for profit" place he goes here wouldn't give him the chemo without the money up front, so he was having to work like a demon while having chemo, just to keep up. He and his wife have 2 young children, and it broke my heart that he has to fight cancer at such a young age, and right in the middle of his life too. Now, with 8 months under my belt, I know that it doesn't matter what age you are when stricken with cancer - it's a scourge and a beast no matter what. My mom is 91 -- tell your mom that my mom would consider her a young sprout! My very best to your mom while she fights this awful disease. Di

If Cindi hadn't chimed in for this one, I think I'd have sent the cavalry up there for her! TOO cute! Of course at this stage, I'd have to take mama and the siblings too, and will NOT do that, but she sure is a cutie! I'm a sucker for kitties, at whatever age. Thanks for sharing that great picture! Di

Nina - that's wonderful news for sure. I always hope for the best for you, and you've not disappointed yet! Di