SDianneB

This probably isn't what you're looking for, but as far as I know, the only *known* side effects of second hand smoke are that it gets the walls and curtains really icky and dirty, and if someone lights up and lets the smoke waft around the computer, it soon turns yellow and it takes a Q-tip to get the icky stuff out from between the keys. (eeeeuuu) Di

John sez: "TTF is thyroid transcription factor and the CD7 and CD20 are antigens. They are protiens on the surface of cells. They are Immunohistochemical stains. Immunohistochemical staining is used to determine the type of cancer. Also some antigens are used as targets for therapy. Like CD20 is the target of the drug Rituxan Quote: TTF-1 staining is now routinely used to distinguish a primary lung cancer from a lung metastasis " Well boy, I sure know a LOT more about this than I did before! (pullin' yer leg, yanno!!!) Di

Hey -- I resemble that post! Di

It's so good to hear from you again. I think we've all been wondering how it went in New Orleans, and it sounds as though there is promise. Great! (One thing though -- couldn't they give him suppositories when he was so sick? Geez.) God bless you both. Sounds like you're running every which way -- take care of yourself. Di

Here are a few articles that may be of interest: http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking ... -5550r.htm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3992669.stm http://www.innovations-report.com/html/ ... 35641.html http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medical ... wsid=16130

Cindi, I think it's WAY too cold up there for us southerners! He should be cloned so that everyone can have a doc like him, IMO. I realize we all have different experiences, but I think my initial mistake was that I didn't ask enough questions of the oncologists, and failed to find out their knowledge/expertise with lung cancer. Since then, I think this practice is more geared toward breast cancer and research, and even though they have lung cancer patients, I'm not convinced they are as up-to-date with LC as they are breast cancer. I suspect that when I see the lung cancer specialist (Oncologist) on the 30th, what he will have to say will more closely align with the Pulmonologist than the other Oncologists. We'll see. Di

Man, oh man. Where do I start. The Pulmonologist I go to literally saved my skin when I was first diagnosed. My PCP was out of town (Memorial Day holiday) and the ER doc hooked me up with this Pulmonologist who knew that something other than "just pneumonia" was going on given my low sodium, lack of symptoms, no fever, etc. All through this, he has been spectacular. If I'm ever confused about something, I just call him. I can talk to his nurse just as well as I can talk to him, and she intervenes for me if needed. When the oncologist was going to withhold chest radiation because he thought I was a goner, I told the Pulmonologist my concerns, so he just gave the guy a call and told him we'd like to have the radiation, and to be treated as if I was limited stage. Of course, I was limited stage, had been from the start, but the oncologist (Dr. Gloom & Doom) thought that he somehow had a higher vision than any other doctor, or what showed on the tests, because he was putting cancer where there was none. With this latest go-round of equivocation and run around that I'm accustomed to from these oncologists, the Pulmonologist again makes sense of it all, and actually tells me what he thinks is going on. He doesn't sit around wringing his hands and ordering scan after scan, waiting for something to pop out and smack him in the face. He actually looks at the films and doesn't just rely on a written report. I didn't realize how significant that was until I found out that the oncologists weren't ever looking at them. I know that if I ever have a problem, he's there, and will always come to the rescue if needed. The best thing so far has been his willingness to just pick up the phone to another doc and tell them what he thinks. He doesn't just sit there and try to defend/justify what is clearly wrong. He'll either get it clarified from the other doc, or he'll say what he'd like to have done, and if that doesn't work, we'll go somewhere else. He told me right off that he would make me feel much better while I was in the hospital, and he did. He told me he wants to be seeing me for a LONG time, and believes we can work for a cure. He looks me in the eye and tells me exactly what's happening -- good or bad. Of the 3 specialists I've seen this all started, he and the Rad. Oncologist are the only 2 who have even mentioned anything long term -- rather telling about the Oncologists, I'd say. This Pulmonologist talks to me with reference to the future. When we talked about PCI, he wanted me to make sure that I knew what the potential side effects might be 10-20 years down the line. THUD. 20 years? Yes, he said, 20 years. He says he doesn't do what he does to lose patients, so he assumes we'll all be around for a long, long time. And besides all that, he's a nice guy. Di

You mean the one I like or the one I don't like? I have a really good idea of something for the one I don't like, but he's already outta there. (KIDDING!!!!!) My sister did this for her cardiologist, and I'm thinking of doing the same thing for my pulmonologist. She filled a handmade basket with Life Savers. I'm thinking of a tin or something, but will probably use the Life Saver idea with him, because he truly did save my life. Di

COBRA is a continuation of the coverage a person has with an employer. If covered by an employer's group plan, you are eligible for COBRA continuation when you have a "qualifying event" -- such as leaving employment. There are time limits to elect COBRA coverage; it isn't automatic. An employer is under no obligation to pay premiums. Generally, they charge the full premium rate while during employment, the employer may have paid part of your premium for you. They can also charge a 2% admininstrative fee on top of the premium. The maximum amount of time you can continue coverage under COBRA is 18 months; longer if disabled. After 18 months, if continued during the additional 11 months disability period, they can charge 100% of the premiums plus an additional 50%. Spouses & dependents can qualify for 36 months of coverage under some circumstances. Again, it will depend on if the employer's plan is self-funded (ERISA plan) or if they pay premiums only as to how it effects their bottom line. Either way, employers sometimes want to get risky people off of their plans to keep premium costs in line. Obviously if they have sick people and have an ERISA plan where they are paying claims, they want them off to save the high claims $$. While on COBRA, you have the same plan -- but not life insurance, disability, etc -- only medical/dental/vision coverage. It costs the employer the same if you are active or on COBRA, except that if you are on COBRA paying premiums, the employer gets his money back from you. If it's a self-funded plan, you are just paying premiums and the employer still has to pay your claims plus whatever fees they pay to have claims processed. While on COBRA, you have to be offered the same coverage as active employees, including any periods in which you can choose to change your coverage. Here is a URL where you can get more info about COBRA and what your rights are under continuation coverage: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaa/hipaa1/cobra/default.asp Qualified ERISA plans are exempt from most state laws governing medical coverage, so if you have issues with coverage you believe covered by a state law, your employer's plan may be an ERISA plan and exempt from that law. One example is mammography -- many states have adopted laws mandating insurance coverage for routine mammograms. Since state laws don't have jurisdiction over ERISA plans, those plans aren't obligated to provide coverage for mammograms. If it's an HMO, my guess is that it probably isn't an ERISA plan, as there are very few self-insured HMO's out there. It may be an HMO as part of a larger ERISA plan, but that is also not too common. ERISA only matters if you have a self-insured plan (it also covers retirement plans), and pertains mostly to coverage. COBRA continuation applies to plans whether they are ERISA plans or not, but only covers employers with 20 employees or more. It's a confusing mess, but you do have rights with COBRA. Di

Jen, this is GREAT NEWS!! WOW!!! Well done!! I don't know about more chemo either, but I committed to treatment early on, so I guess that means whatever they recommend for my best survival chances, I will do it! My radiation cough/wheeze is actually improving this week. I'm hoping the trend continues so that it's all gone when I go back on the 29th and 30th! I actually don't have a cough, just a few times a day that loosens the crud from the scarring. Since last weekend, most of my days have been wheeze free!!! NED is a wonderful thing. Make the decision that is best for you. Take care, Di

And I want a map to Natalie's house so I can come swipe that adorable Harry cat.

Normally, if it's an ERISA plan, the employer won't be paying premiums to an insurance company -- they pay the actual $$ amount of claims, plus an administrative fee to an insurance company or other business for handling/processing claims. If it's not an ERISA plan, they may be paying a premium based on the overall risk pool -- the number of covered employees, dependents, etc. Either way, they will want to minimize their outlay of $$. If it is an ERISA plan, they want to minimize the amount of time you are on their plan, so by forcing you into FML, they start the clock on how much longer you can be covered. If you take the COBRA continuation, there is a limit on how long you can keep that, but while you're covered, the employer is still paying your claims. If it isn't an ERISA plan, they still want the clock started, because (depending on when they renew their contract with the insuror) they want to avoid paying higher premiums for you. What they *should have done* (famous last words! ) was to have sat down with you when this started, and worked out a schedule and plan for your benefit time, told you what all your options were, and then followed along with you -- being helpful and supportive, not vindictive. Why they don't get it that people won't sue them if they try to do the right thing is beyond me. This way, you can bet they've already spent some money with their attorneys just figuring out a way to hold you back since you've now let them know you aren't going to take this sitting down. Go get 'em! Di

Golly. Wow. I am impressed. Truly. Elaine, please send some of your wonderful grit & gumption this way, ok? I need to borrow some while going through the maze of opinions and 2nd opinions I'm in right now! I am in awe and have great respect for what you are doing, and how you are doing it. Di

Another thought -- contact the American Cancer Society near you. They might know of places who offer such housing.

Sometimes clinics and hospitals where you are treated have places like Ronald McDonald houses where people can stay. You might check with some of them. Also, some of the hotels might give a break on price if they know the circumstances. I would gladly let someone stay with me if they came here for treatment, but I have a really small house, so at the most, I could accommodate 1 female guest comfortably. I also have 2 strictly indoor cats, so a person would have to leave their allergies at home!

I don't have a clue about the treatment regiment, but just want to send your dad my good thoughts & some prayers that this time around knocks out the scourge. Take care. Di

"He is currently awaiting deployment to the Middle East after the 1st of the year, right now he says Kuwait (I sure hope it stays that way), but it could be Iraq." Mary, please send him my best wishes, and a big ol' cyber hug! Let him know how appreciative we are of what he is doing for us, ok? Thanks so much to you both -- you for having such a great kid, and him for doing such a great job. Di

Amen, Pamela. Here's what I wonder, and what can be so freekin' frustrating about this, IMO. Here are people with lung cancer -- a pretty much automatic diagnosis that will get you SS disability. Those of us who can still work are doing that -- we are putting ourselves out there every day in the work force, contributing to the economy. Others are doing that, raising families, and trying to care for a striken family member with lung cancer. Others are doing what they can to support each other. We aren't slacking here. We aren't sponging off the system, draining benefits where they aren't deserved. And then employers treat people like this? Grrrrrrr ... Di (crawling off soapbox; the sounds you hear are her creaky knees)

Sad, but true. None of us count on having to lose everything just to survive without health insurance, do we. I'd still caution on the ERISA knowledge, because even the AA baggage carriers (as with union benefit plans) are covered by ERISA in a totally different way than are private employer ERISA plans. It's relatively easy to find out if it's an ERISA plan or not -- just ask them for plan documents, and if they are a qualified plan under ERISA regs. At least 1 or 2 of them will probably fall back in their chair thinking you'd even know that!

Every year at this time, I remember my childhood friend -- Paul. Paul taught me how to ride a "grownup" bike, carried me running to the house when I fell and cut my ankle, and of course, wouldn't have a thing to do with me when we were around his buddies. When he went to Vietnam, he was a young husband and father. When he came back, it was in a small box. Paul, we have all missed you SO much over the years. You would be so very proud of your son, who has followed in your footsteps and made a career out of military service. He looks so much like you it's startling at times to see him walk up -- we all think it's you! And your grandchildren? Wow. What great kids they are. We love you. We miss you. We are ever grateful for what you did for us.

Cheryl -- this sounds like a great start. I'm SO glad you faced them down. So often it's the other way around, and they will intimidate people. Guess they don't realize the tiger they get by the tail with a cancer patient, huh! ERISA 510 is about retaliation, but only covers ERISA plans. (It's a really confusing federal law that regulates, among other things, self-insured benefit plans, and exempts them from most state laws governing insurance. If your employer's plan isn't a qualified plan under ERISA, then that reg won't apply to you under ERISA, but there may be a state law that is the same.) If it is an ERISA plan, then I'd put a bug in the ear of your attorney if s/he isn't familiar with ERISA to find or consult someone who is. All too many times, attorneys will waste your money and time for over a year, only to get into state court and have it through out because it's an ERISA claim and the state has no jurisdiction, or to file a claim in federal court and by the time it comes around, have it thrown out because it isn't an ERISA claim, and remanded to state court. Ugh! ERISA is a specialized field in law, and there aren't many attorneys in the country who know that much about it. Whatever it turns out to be, here's hoping they stand up and pay attention, and then do the right thing. Di

Elaine -- you're a stitch! Not to be confused with Elaine Stritch who is an actress, but I digress. Here is a handly little link for you to read about COBRA --- there are limits on how long you can keep it, so you may want to start looking around for a replacement policy if you're near the end of the continuation period. http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html So, to Elaine Stritch, break a leg. To you, don't break anything, unless it's the record for the best patient they've seen there all year. Di

"This scanning thing is a hell of thing. The anxiety is horrible, Even if everything is NED and I am finished, I am so freaked out about recurrance. As we all know SCLC likes to come back, we have seen so many people on this board complete all the TX's and then boom, they get hit again. I know attitude is important, but on this post I thought I would be honest about how I feel instead of working at saying the right thing and looking brilliant. I feel very fortunate and very threatened at the same time. I don't think I could do it all again. " Boy, oh boy do you have THAT right. I no longer dread laying on the table and having the actual scan done, it's now just the mental part. I want the results to be flashed up on the ceiling while I'm in the scanner! For a while, I got so dadgummed hung up on whether I was still going to be here in 10 years, that I forgot something. In order to be here 10 years, I have to be here 1 year first -- 10 times. In order to be here one year, I have to be here 1 month first -- 12 times. While I'm doing that thing called "life," the time passes and all of a sudden I look back in amazement and realize how far I've come. I'm so glad you are getting through it, and the NED is just terrific news for you. YAY!!! Di

In late August, about the time I was halfway through with radiation therapy, I took a 5 pound (no kidding!) Hershey bar to the therapists. They couldn't believe it! It was huge. I think it took them weeks to get rid of it! One of them calculated how many calories were in the whole thing - yikes!

Ray, you go for it, and post a picture when it's done, ok?