SDianneB

The way it was explained to me by the Rad. Onc. was that in children being treated for leukemia, they found that they had many cases in remission, only to relapse a year or so down the road, and the cause was that "bad" cells were "hiding out" in the brain, then coming back down into the body and causing havoc. The Rad. Onc. profession thought that preventive radiation to the brain might catch stray cancer and keep that from happening, so they started some independent trials and got good results. After some time, the Oncology profession in general picked up on it, and some better studies were done, and there are still some ongoing. The bottom line was that in many cases, this appeared to give a better long term result. The Rad. Onc. where I was treated said that their experience was that a 50% chance of brain mets from SCLC was reduced to less than 10% with PCI. I recall seeing some articles here and there about expanding the use of PCI for other cancers as well. You may be able to find some of that with an internet search. (Keep in mind this is a WAY oversimplified explanation -- but one I could at least understand at the time!) Di

I think we all want to have treatment, then a scan that says we're all clear. The reality is often quite different. I've learned that these drugs and radiation work over time, and that when we have scans showing clearing, stability, or whatever, it isn't necessarily a bad thing. When I was first diagnosed, I wanted to have the chemo and radiation, and have it be done with - over. Cured. That just isn't always realistic, although it's something to hope for. At this stage, things are scary largely because of the unknown. IMO, educating yourself and helping your mom to understand this disease better will be a big help. You both have my best wishes. Di

I agree with the rest - these are decisions for your mom to make, even though they may be difficult to accept. I've had to learn this year that my 92 year old mother will do the same thing, stubborn as she is! Seriously though, you might present hospice care to her as something that will help you all. She may be looking at it as something for her that will be too much trouble for the rest of you, when in truth, it can be a big help to you all. You have my prayers and best wishes. Di

The ones that really made me laugh - out loud! MASH Third Rock from the Sun I've sort of sworn off sitcoms for a few years, but "Two and a Half Men" is a good one that I watch now and then. Di

Great to hear from you again! Glad the Topo seems to be working for you. The study for oral Topo that I've been in has been an amazing blessing. It's not only improving things in my liver, but decreasing and eliminating all the tiny "spots" they first detected. I'll start cycle #8 of the oral Topo next week -- 25mg. over 5 days of pills, and then will wait a few weeks and have another CT scan to see how things look. My first chemo was Carboplatin and Etoposide (oral) -- so I've only had 4 IV's since all this started, and have been fortunate to have most of the drugs in pill form. I've had really good luck with them, as have others, and I hope you do well too. Di

There isn't a whole lot of music I don't like, so it's easier to just list that! I'm not crazy about Lawrence Welk type music, but will admit that when I was little, we adored the Lennon sisters! I often joke that I haven't bought any new music since 1975, but that's real close to the truth. I love Bette Midler, some of Celine Dion's songs (as long as I don't have to watch her!), but my all time fav has to be Barbra Streisand. What awesome talent this woman has. I'd ride with Addie any old day and listen to oldies. Just this weekend listened to a 50s pop music show on PBS that was grand -- McGuire sisters sang "Lollipop" and "Sugartime" -- what a hoot! Di

Last year, there just weren't any available in this entire city. My last hope was the health department, and their parking garage was full of people in line - hacking/coughing people. No thanks. I could have had one in January, but ... why bother? This year -- I saw a sign at Walgreen's (across the street from where I work) that they would have flu shots the next Monday, I showed up, and 10 minutes later walked out after having a flu shot. Go figure. The lady checking people in kept giving me a hard time about being "high risk," so I finally blurted out "I have lung cancer, ok? Is that high risk enough for you?" Sheesh! One of the ladies who works there saw and heard this, and she was about to lose it laughing! Oh well. I digress. I hope everyone can find a shot -- and soon. It isn't like we don't already have enough on our plates to catch the flu too. Di

I hate to hear this kind of news, but thanks so much for the update. Brian & Pat -- hang in there. You are both in my thoughts and prayers. Di

Pat/Brian - I hope this turns out to be "fixable." Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Di

Just think -- if he'd never smoked, he might have lived to be 95. I know, not funny, but so many people think you get LC and you might as well bend over and kiss it goodbye. Living to be age 92 is the best revenge, I'd say. This was a funny man. I remember him best as Sonny Drysdale on the Beverly Hillbillies -- too funny! May he rest in peace. Di

Several of us with SCLC had PCI (prophylactic cranial irradiation). I wrote about mine every day in the SCLC forum last December. It wasn't bad, except for the bleepin' mask I had to wear - I am WAY claustrophobic! I learned a lot about it getting articles searching on Goggle. Some choose to have it, some don't. Having brain radiation when there is nothing there is a strange concept, I must admit. Whatever you decide, my best to you. Di

I do NOT envy you! Just one bit of advice -- get a nice dog or cat, or both, instead of kids - ha! How they ever make it out into the world sometimes is beyond me. You are all to be commended for what you do raising these young ones. Di

Popsicles!! They are good, nice and cold and felt really good to me going down, and they are good for fluids. The radiation oncologist told me they were excellent for fluids after the radiation, because it wasn't like drinking water -- it was a slow infusion of liquid which helps with healing. My chest radiation was over about a year ago, and every time I have a chest CT, they report continued improvement (meaning more healing, but slow!) in that spot, with minimal scarring. The radiation techs also recommended sipping on Mylanta, but I didn't get to that point, as the popsicles worked really well for me. My best to you! Di

Awww Addie. How sweet! And what a beautiful lady to go with that beautiful personality. I'll kiss that head, any ol' time if I get near it! Can I rub it too? Maybe it's good luck like those little Buddha belly thingies they used to sell? Thanks for sharing that picture. It's a keeper!! Di

I'm an old West Texas country gal ... love a cold beer on a hot day. If I'm drinking the "hard stuff" (!) I do love Amaretto Sours on the rocks. Yum! Di

Kim, I'm so glad your mother finally has a "clear" day! But what a mess having to deal with all the other stuff. Hope you are keeping journals with dates, times, names, and descriptions of everything that is going on. Might help to write it all up in narrative form and start sending copies around to various authorities. My own mother is 92 -- not battling cancer, but has some manageable medical issues. They try shuffling her around all the time too, and thankfully she's there with my niece who is an RN and knows what to ask and can help when she needs it. There is just no excuse for this kind of treatment -- NONE. My best to you, and hopes that you will soon be able to work with a competent and caring medical team, and not have to fight so hard just for the basics. Di

VERY funny, Snowflake. NOT! The really strange this is to look at the graph they do on my lab work now and then -- it's almost a flat line! It will go down ever so slightly about a week after I finish a cycle of Topo, then comes right back up. Strange. Go figure. Di

We noticed that same thing here in downtown Nashville this past spring, and figured we see more on the streets because they are being run out of buildings to smoke! Maybe there are more taking up the habit, but some of the buildings down here that had smoking areas no longer have them, so the people go outside. One of the local stations did a story about state employees spending a lot of time outside, off the job, on "smoking breaks." If you're in or around Oregon, you'll know that your state now allows public sex acts in bars. You can't smoke in them, but you can, uh, you know ... What a country! Di

Yay Charlie! I like that stable stuff, and improvement too? Wow! This is good. No, this is great! Hang in there! Di

Wow, Jim. This is GREAT news! I'm so glad they can really hit this with the big guns. You take care, ok? My best wishes that this works, doesn't give you too many side effects, and kicks the rear end of all the nasty cancer cells! Di

When I went into the Cancer Center this morning for my bloodwork, they had a counter full of brochures and pink breast cancer pins. I asked if they had them coming for next month too -- the receptionist wanted to know why! So, of course I told her! I will probably order some of the clear wrist bands and send them to the morning news crew that I think might give this some attention, and then to my own cancer center! Admittedly, this center was formed to focus on breast cancer, but since they take on all kinds, and have patients from all over come there for their clinical trials, they could at least give some attention elsewhere, IMO. Di

This is one of those "Well, besides that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?" things, I guess. Except for that, uh, cancer thing, I'm darn close to being "normal." Had blood counts done today after the Topo last week, and except for the WBC count, everything was within normal range! WBC is *this close*!! For those who don't know, I'm in a study for oral Topotecan. I take 5 mg. a day for 5 days (total of 25mg) then off 2 weeks, then another week of pills, off 2 weeks, then a scan. Am in cycle 7 & 8 now -- just finished #7, and will have off this week and next, then begin #8, 2 weeks off, then a scan. Whew. This is SO much better than having to go in and sit with a needle in a vein or a port, and I'm tolerating this drug very well so far. I hope the FDA gets on it and gets this approved FAST so that others can take advantage of it. Di

I haven't had anything like that, but will keep you and your brother in my thoughts. Take care. Di

YAY!! This is the kind of news we like best! Di

Eppie, you and your dad are in my thoughts and prayers that the WBR zaps the mets quickly and thoroughly. Tell him to keep up with the kicking a$$! Di (another native Texan transplanted to another state!)