SDianneB

Sharon, I'm so sorry for the loss of your dad. At the same time, I'm so very grateful for having had the opportunity to read about his ups and downs and how you all coped with his disease. You are one terrific family, and he left his mark on you for sure. Di (also a shameless daddy's girl)

Well, dang. It's SO hard to lose our little furry friends, probably because they are the very BEST kind of friends so much of the time. I know you are grieving for him, because you loved him so much. I'm so sorry for your loss. Di

Nancy B -- I'm not exactly sure of a schedule for next year, but the Pulmonologist indicates that I'll start with a CT scan in January, and will be "followed up" every 3 months. I'll have some kind of schedule with the Oncologist too, I suppose, so will find out in January. I'll go back to my PCP in February, and see the Rad. Onc. about a month after the PCI, so I'll have a LOT of appointments to keep me busy after the first of the year! Schmaydee -- don't be a tough guy if you don't feel like it! From day 1 with this, I've done what I feel like doing. For a month or so, I left work about an hour early so I could rest, then started back with full days a few weeks after chest radiation ended. There have been a few times when I just felt icky or tired, and have gone home early. I just do what I feel like, and no more. I've also learned not to let people push me like I used to. I probably lost a "friend" over it, but she seemed to like my minivan to go shopping in, and when I wouldn't (couldn't) just take off and go to Costco when she wanted to, she took a hike. I'll miss her like a wart on the end of my nose. I have an aunt who lives in California -- in her 80s. About 35 years ago, she had lung cancer (not sure what type) and had about half of a lung removed, and is still going strong. About 20 years after her cancer, her mother got the same kind, had about the same surgery, and lived another 20 years (neither smoked). I tell her I want to be in her footsteps! Di

Hey -- sounds like we're having a heat wave -- 24 degrees here this morning - brrrrrrrrr!! Cindi, I hope for really good things from the Pulmonologist. I frankly don't know what I would have done, or what I'd still be doing, without the one I have. He is terrific. And anything to avoid the steroids -- YES!! Di

Haha -- you're too funny! I couldn't agree with you more. My inspiration is my mother. Age 91 and still going strong. Her mother lived into her last 90s, and she had an aunt who lived to be almost 101! There are times when she gets down in the dumps, and wonders why she "has to" live so long. Well, I tell her it's because of those strong genes passed down to her. And because I want her to! Realize too that this woman worked a full time job until just 2 years ago, and would probably still be working today had her boss not broken a hip and had to slow down. (The boss was older than my mother even!) Her mother, my grandmother, taught school for almost 20 years, then retired, married, and raised 6 children -- my mother is the eldest, and is one of 3 still living. The oldest, youngest, and the one in the middle are still living! She was born in 1913. Think of what she has lived through? As a little girl, she remembers men in her little town going off to WWI and coming home, she remembers the excitement over women getting to vote the first time, the depression, and on and on. What an amazing time to be living. How very had they worked to survive and make things better for us. And yes, I'm ever grateful that neither one of us is bedridden or dependent on someone else for basic necessities. I also think you're right on the inactivity we will face, at least in terms of actively being treated. Seems as though we work feverishly and aggressively just to achieve statis! Something tells me that this forum and our support systems will become more important as time goes by. At least until we figure out some way to deal with the periodic scans and checkups in some rational manner. It's a lot to deal with mentally, for sure. Di

Oh, and just one more thing. This deal about "bravery?" It just ain't so. It's determination. Bravery is when a young man or woman puts on a uniform and goes to Iraq or Afghanistan or wherever s/he is sent and does his/her job and does it well, and does it for all of us. Bravery and being a "hero" means, to me, putting your own life on the line in an immediate and direct way in order to preserve the life of another. What I'm doing here is based on determination -- the will to live as long as I can, and to make the most of it. It doesn't require bravery to do that -- just being stubborn as all get out, and I qualify highly on that point! Di

Wow. Halfway through today. YAY!! It is COLD outside too -- 24 degrees. Brrrrrrrrr! Somehow, the cold air feels invigorating to me -- under the sunshine, a brisk day. Yummy. Last night I put on the electric blanket for the first time this season. The kitties were thrilled! I forget how they stick with me so much in the winter and are so stuck up in the spring/summer! They just love me because I know how to work the electrical stuff. (pout) So, with the bleepin' mask out of the way as a major concern, I went looking for a new one, and it occurred to me that I'M ALIVE! By golly, I'M ALIVE! Had you asked me last June, I would have told you I wasn't sure I'd see another Christmas, and here it is just around the corner. It isn't always this way in my life, but I think my decision when I was diagnosed to fight this tooth & nail was a good one. Back then, I knew zilch about this disease, but I knew that when the Pulmonologist (bless him) told me I had good chances for a cure, I was in like Flint. And once I learned about PCI, it seemed like a no-brainer (no pun intended!) and fitting with my decision to go after this in a big way. This morning, I counted -- counted to 10 while each side of my head got zapped. That's how long -- or how short -- it lasts, and I figure I spend about 1 or 1 1/2 minutes in that mask. Yes, there are potential drawbacks to having this, but it seems a small price to pay for a measure of quality of life for as long as I can have it. When the treatment was done and I was waiting for the tech to come in and release me from my cranial bondage, I heard tinkling bells -- Jingle Bells. Yikes! Was this (gulp) like the lights that I see that aren't really there? No, they were real sounds -- every time a baby is born there, they play a little tune over the loud speaker. This time of year, it's a holiday tune. Ha ha. Joke's on me! (They should be ashamed -- messing with someone's mind who has her head in the toaster every day!) I had a touch of nausea last night, but wasn't sure if it was from the radiation or just in general. Probably the radiation, because I've never been prone to nausea. It was nothing to write home about though. I just had a few popsicles, cuddled up with the kitties, and all was fine. It isn't there this morning, although I did bring my magic pills with me just in case. So, that's the report from halfway through. Strange how fascinating this becomes to me when I sort of step out of myself and look at it objectively. Here is this massive machine with these smart people running it, and it is so very precise that it goes exactly where it's needed inside my head. Awesome. Di

Mouse, I don't think anyone really knows for sure just how much or how long those things will last, if they occur. My Radiation Oncologist said that I'd probably notice no difference in doing calculations or in cognitive skills. He said that the key to the short term memory is just like they tell any patient -- make lists, keep your mind busy, and do things like read, watch Jeopardy (like Addie - I bet she wins every time!) to keep all the pistons firing! As to hair loss? He said that it could range from it all coming out to it just thinning, and that usually happens about the 3rd week. The 3rd week is when I'm done, so I'm hoping it won't all come out! But even if it does, it's a small price to pay for the extra assurance I get from knowing that this is improving my survival odds dramatically. I didn't lose my hair with the chemo - I was mentally prepared for that to happen, but it didn't. I've moved past that now -- it's not something I'd want to happen, of course, but if it does, and if it's the worst thing that happens to me, I'm still in good shape! I think that with side effects, one must understand that you can fit anywhere within a range of having none to having the worst. We just don't know that going in. Fortunately, having a good health care team at the ready to help you through makes that process easier. I know that if there was anything strange going on with me, just a word to the techs and I'd be seen immediately. Whatever you decide, it will have to be the best thing for YOU. You are the one who knows how you feel, and how aggressive you want to be in fighting back this monster. It sounds like you have that well in hand. Di

I had that too -- sodium was 119 when I was hospitalized -- should have been closer to 140 (which it was by the time I left the hospital). It was accompanied by fluid retention in both feet/ankles. I also had the right lower lobe pneumonia (where the initial tumor was), but none of the typical pneumonia symptoms (no fever, not much coughing). The Pulmonologist said that was what clued him in to me probably having SCLC. I was curious too if low sodium was one of the SCLC symptoms??

Peggy, all those dots are probably in your eyes and not in his MRI. You've worried yourself to the brink, and are seeing spots! I'm waiting, and none too patiently, because it's the end of the week and brings me closer to finishing PCI, so we'll wait together, ok? We can see who can chew her nails into ragged bits fastest. Take care. And stop playing doctor, unless it's, well, you know ... Di

bacalice -- how very sweet you are. Please don't let me take all this credit though -- before me was Addie, Schmaydee is going through this, and others, and I got info from them. It's that "pass it along" theory that works so well! You're seeing this because it's been a while since we discussed PCI, so I decided I'd put up some newer messages about it for new people, and there you came! I think you should always hope -- always. You've gone a whole year before me with limited SCLC, and are an inspiration to me! My mother is 91. She's in better health than all 3 of her kids! She inspires me as well as she gets around and does for herself. And, of course, still bosses me around plenty! She wants to know everything I'm doing and going through, so I started sending emails to my brother who lives near her, and he prints them so she can read them. Once that started, it was easy to just copy what I write here to those emails and keep her up to date. You hang in there. We have a whole lot of hope, you and I, and all the others here. Di

What a nice weekend -- quiet, weather was decent (well, for most of it anyway!). Then back to the big machine this a.m. - ugh! Not too "ugh" though, as it's becoming just part of my daily habit. Honestly, I walked in their door this morning and straight into the treatment room at 8:20, walked out and on my way back to the car at 8:30. Wow. It goes SO fast. Keep in mind that part of that 10 minutes is spent walking in and out, taking off earrings and coat, positioning on table, etc., so not all under that bleepin' mask! And even the bleepin' mask isn't so daunting now that I've learned to get comfy underneath it. (Well, not exactly "comfy," but as comfy as possible given the circumstances!) Trying to keep tabs on little things so I don't forget them, but so far not a problem. Things like the level of the parking garage where I park -- I write that down every morning so I won't spend an hour walking the garage at night looking for my car! I can't tell any deficit there, but then again, I may have forgotten the things I don't want to forget! The damp weather goes away and the wheeze gets a lot better -- hardly noticeable this morning, even after my morning walk. But just so I don't get all warm and fuzzy because things are going well, my bathroom light goes out, and the bathtub drain needs to be replaced, and the phones at work are out. Oh well. Happy Monday!! Di

My wheeze came sometime near the end of chest radiation. It's a royal pain, for sure! I have an inhaler - Combivent - but don't use it too often. I mostly use it at night when I'm trying to go to sleep and the wheeze is too noisy! I can breath fine, and it's become a daily thing -- cough a few minutes and get up some crud, then it's fine for the rest of the day. It's worse when I just finish walking or exerting myself, but I'm going on the theory that that is a GOOD thing - to keep air going through there as much as possible. It doesn't impede breathing at all. The funniest is when the wheeze sounds like a whistle, and Tootsie cat is sleeping on top of me. She looks at me like "whaaaaat???" Did anyone happen to catch CBS Sunday Morning? The first segment was about cancer survivors. It seems as though since 1975 we (survivors of all types of cancer) went from 3 million to now over 10 million, and the 5 year survival has increased from about 36% to over 64% during that same period. YAY US!! Di

They have popsicles in just about every flavor you can imagine -- also sugar free! I like the cherry & grape, and have found those with banana in a box of 24. I go through a box of popsicles REALLY fast! If you have diabetes or a sugar problem, just get the sugar free -- they are great too. These became lifesavers for me when I had such an icky taste in my mouth from the chemo and radiation. They not only help with that, but are a good fluid source as well. Maybe this weekend will help you recup a bit. I was overjoyed just to get up and not have to face that mask today! Di

Thanks, teresag

Guess not.

Alice - sorry you're having such a rough time. I had a little nausea last night, but it felt more like indigestion! After a few good belches, it was all gone! Didn't want food for the rest of the evening though, but had my trusty popsicles! All is fine this morning. I actually woke up this morning feeling "normal." That mild pressure I'd been feeling isn't there. Will be nice to have the break this weekend. And yes -- week 1 is OVER!! YAY!! Full week next week, then just 3 more days the next. Whew. Hoping I can make it through this without the Decacron. Di

Yay!! What a great Christmas gift! Di

Hi Marge - and welcome. So sorry you need to be in a place such as this, but there are great people here and you'll find amazing support. We're all scared to a degree, so don't feel all alone on that count. It sounds like you are making terrific progress so far. Keep up the good work! Di

I wouldn't think of getting one anywhere other than the pound or shelter. The 2 I have now are rescues -- little Button is still so scared of everything, even after all the years I've had her. Tootsie was brought to me shortly after I lost my sweet little Siamese 2 years ago. I was supposed to just keep her a few days (yeahrightsure) until they found her a home. haha. My thought is that if I decide to do that, I can get an older animal, and hopefully will avoid the house training, and get one that has been around cats before. I'm not going to do anything for a while, but just wanted a few opinions on the matter. Thanks, Becky! Di

YAY!! The first day that I didn't consider the mask to be my worst problem of the day! Finally got these 2 techs talking, and had a funny conversation with the guy tech about the MRI tube. He hates it too! But, he was under one for over an hour once, and said he was wanting OUT. I told him the only way I could stay in there for 1 minute would be with general anesthesia! The other tech had a new haircut that was really great. I told her that if and when I had hair again, I'd like to have mine that way! Fridays are see the doc after treatment days, so I was happy to tell him that I wasn't having headaches, had taken Ibuprofin only twice since this started, and that was for what I thought might be a headache, but the Ibuprofin took care of it right away. He says that as long as the side effects from the radiation are less than they would be from steroids, we'll not do the steroids. Amen to that! I have no fatigue, and he said he didn't expect I would. The only thing I really feel is a mild pressure -- sort of like the pressure you'd feel when your ears are stopped up on an airplane, except milder. We talked a little about the wheeze, and he thinks it will just go away with time, and probably gets worse in damp weather like we're having now -- he is correct about that. I'm looking forward to the weekend, as usual. I LOVE Saturday mornings -- I snooze and watch tv and snooze a while, and just be lazy until at least 10:00 or so. Hopefully we'll see some sun this weekend. The timing with this disease was really strange -- here it is at the end of the year and I'm winding down the treatment phase, and will start off a new year having gone through all that and gone into remission. It is an open book, the future. What will happen and when is an unknown. But I'm mighty glad I'm around to face it. Di

Wanda -- good to hear you are jumping into the treatment with both feet. I'm about 1/3 done with PCI right now, and will go into the every 3 month checkup stage in January. It's not the easiest thing you'll ever do in your life, but it's proactive and SCLC reacts well to chemo/radiation combo from what I've learned. Will keep you in my thoughts -- let us know how it goes for you, ok? Di

Forget the picture - I WANT THOSE SWEET KITTIES!! I have a question -- I've read where a few people get new pets while undergoing treatment, but I've avoided doing that. When I was first diagnosed, my biggest worry was who was going to take care of my kitties if something happened to me. I had 3 then, and lost Boopy right after I got out of the hospital. Now there are 2, and I've often thought about getting a small dog or another cat, because Tootsie (on the left in the picture) is SO rambunctious and Button won't play with her . The last thing I want to do is to take in a pet and then get sick and have to worry about finding good homes for them. OTOH, I want to NOT be sick as long as possible, and there are so many strays out there, that I can't help but think that taking one in no matter what would be a good thing to do. Opinions? Di

Sharyn, you are all in my prayers for sure. Take care of yourself during this difficult time. Di

You just hijack away. Geesh. That's the way I feel about the imaging center that the Oncologist own and always want to send me too -- dirty. Ick. The one and only time I was there, the base of the scanner looked like someone had thrown up on it ages ago, and it had just been left there. Eeeuuu. When I got the reports from all my scans, almost all of them reported a small cyst on my left ovary and a healing cracked rib. That was news to me -- no one mentioned it before. And, the Oncologist wanted to send me to an Endocrinologist to check out the cysts on my thyroid, but the Pulmonologist and my PCP say that since they are stable on 2 ultrasounds, to just leave them alone and check with ultrasound in a few months. I'm with you -- I'd just walk out, and they can either figure out what to do or leave me alone! Of course, you are right about the PCI being really fast. If it weren't fast, I'd be in the funny farm about now, I think! You know me -- I'm the one who will NOT go into the tube for an MRI either!!! Di