mandy

I just caught my Mom sneaking a ciigarette in her room. She has NSCLC stage IIIA, is in the middle of her second round of chemo, and we are meeting today with a thoracic surgeon. She looked so guilty and said that she only smokes a couple of puffs a day when she is stressed out. I sat down with her and told her that I know it must be hard for her to quit and that I will do whatever I can to help her. I am trying to be supportive. I don't want her to feel like I am berating her or belittling her. She is my Mom! But inside I am so dissapointed and angry. I want to go in her room and toss out the smokes, but I am sure she will only buy more. Any advice?

My mom and I are meeting with a thoracic surgeon soon. I keep hearing stories about people who have surgery which causes cancer to spread. Is this a real risk? Thanks in advnce to anyone who can shed some light on this for me.

My mother and I went to the emergency room because she was having severe lower back pain.. the doctors were convinced she had kidney stones. She has a histor of blood clots but the doctors ruled out Pulminary Embolism (when a clot goes up to your lungs) because she has a filter in her vena cava. My mom was discharged and the pain only increased and spread to her back. She was then treated for a pleual infection. Finaly we raced back to the hospital when her leg was swelling and it turns out she has a HUGE clot formaion up and down her leg, and she has sufered a pulminary embolism which destroyed precious lung tissue. We have since switched oncology practices. My mom will have to stay in the hospital for a week or so, but is so lucky to be alive! Common symptoms of PE: shortness of breath, abdominal pain, back pain, edema, fever Risk Factors: carcinoma, history of DVT (blood clot)

thank you to all who replied to my last post regarding my mom's latest hospitalization for kidney stones. Here is more info: CT Scan ad Ultrasound were negative for stones. There was blood in the urine but no indictions that there were stones. I pressed the doctor for a second hypothesis on what the problem could be, he simply told me he had no other ideas! He thought she passed the stones. The didn't really treat her except with pain meds and hydration. This is supposedly one of the bst hospitals on Long island, New York! Anyway, now she has a fever and the doctor prescribed a strong antibiotic. He now suppose the she has an infection in the sac surounding the lung. If my mother doesn't respond well to the antibiotic he said that he may have to begin therapy with radiation and then do chemo. Any opinions on that option? I want her to see a pulminologist and I am thinking about switching oncology offices, but she is not in good health right now and does not like change... Advice anyone??? My mom is having severe pain in her lower back on the right side the doctor just said that it was refered pain.

One week after my mom's diagnosis on NSCLC, she was hospitalized becuase she was experiencing severe pain in her right lower back and abdomen. They treated her for kidney stones, she is still experiencing some pain a week later. All the tests were inconclusive. I am worried that it could be something else that could effect treatment. The doctors have offered no alternative explanations. Comments anyone? She is supposed to start chemo this week. Mandy

My mom was just diagnosed with NSCLC, but we don't know much yet. She just had a pet scan this morining and that should give her oncologist enough info to stage her. The more I read about this disease the less hopeful I feel... this is a devestating disease. I want to keep my positive attitude but these statisitics...welll you know. mandy

I am an only child, I just moved back to NY after living out of state for the last couple of years. My mother was just diagnosed with NSCL last week. but the doctor hasn't finished "staging" her. From the looks of things she is between IIIa and IV. I am so close to my parents, and I am terrified of loosing my mother. Both of may parents are relatively passive people, so I find myself managing my mother's healthcare with all the intensity that I used to manage my career. I am worried about my parents and about myself, my friends with healthy families can not understand... I am glad to see that this community exists. mandy