hockeyma Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Hi My name is Heather. I have been surfing various websites for the last two monthes and for some reason did not locate this one until a few days ago. Thank God! My husband Gerald has been diagnosed with nscl cancer - squamous cell carcinoma. It was discovered to be on October 2nd and by October 6th he had the biopsy results and oncologist examination. Gerald is 42, we have two children - 16 and 12. He has not been staged per say by the doctors but from what I can read into it he is either stage 3b or stage 4. He has numerous lesions on one lung. A 14 cm mass on his chest that blocks total catscan view of the other as well as mets to the kidney, liver and lymph. He has a suspicious lesion on frontal lobe of brain also. He was put on chemo the week following diagnosis - so I must say it has all been quick - but so is the spread of the cancer. I wanted to make myself known to you all as I have been checking the messages for the last few days and find this group of people and this website just what I have been looking for. Stories and ideas instead of doom and gloom are a plus. Next week we have an appointment at Sunnybrook to see a radiologist. We had considered traveling to the states however Gerald also has thrombosis to his superior vena cava and his juglar as there was another mass from the nodes pushing on that..and mass wrapped around his pulminary artery..(could it get any better!!!!),so long drives or flying would have been a risk. He is positive and has great support from family and friends - all of his siblings are out of province,,,Newfoundland - PEI and Alberta - and they are all going to be up over the next few monthes to spend time with him which is awesome. So that is the jest of our story and I wanted you to know who I was if you started to see posts from me. Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ma's kid Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Hi Heather and welcome to the family! Sorry you have a need to be here but really glad you've found us. You will find lots of support here as well as a wealth of information. Please keep us updated on your husband's treatment and please let us know how we may be of help. It is awesome that you and your husband have a solid support system and just add *us* to that group! Prayers for you both and Heather, please take care of YOU too...this disease affects everyone. Love, Libby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Hey, Heather! Welcome here! Glad to see you posting. Keep us up on what's going on and let us know how we may support you. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Welcome to the site. My husband also has Superior Vena Cava Syndrome and got excellent success with radiation. I am glad they moved quickly to get Gerald into treatment. I am glad you found our site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Hi, Heather -- I'm really glad you found us! What chemo combination and schedule is your husband on? A good way to share this sort of information is with a chronological profile of treatments, side effects, test results, etc. like you see at the bottom of most of our messages. Click the "My Profile" link at the top of the screen, scroll down to the "Signature" block, enter your data and periodic updates, make sure that "Always attach my signature" is marked "Yes," add a photo in the "Avatar" section if you like, then "Submit." All of your messages that have a profile attached will automatically update. It also relieves you of the need to give background information every time you post -- just plunge into the subject at hand. It's great that you both have a positive attitude and good family support. That's a BIG plus in this battle! Best wishes and Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernrol Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Welcome Heather, It sounds like there is some more test to determine the stage. What type of chemo is your husband getting? Do you know what the 14cm mass is it tumor or fluid? There are some good newer drugs like Avastin and Tarceva that have had some great results with cancer that has spread. We will give you lots of support here. Keep us posted Stay positive, Ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Welcome Heather! Welthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Welcome Heather, I know that you will get much encouragement here. Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marym Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Hi Heather and welcome. Hope we can offer some help as you start the fight. Best. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick C Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 HI heather welcome. Sorry for the diagnosis. Good luck in the fight against this disease. Glad to hear he is in good spirits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelepal Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Welcome Heather, Sorry about your Husband! I'm sure your going to find alot of info and encouragement here.. Michele Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trish2418 Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Welcome, Heather. So sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. You and your family are in my prayers. Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ztweb Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Heather, Welcome to LCSC! We are so glad to be here for you, but not glad you need to be here. May you be blessed with strength, hope, and peace. Cancer is a roller coaster ride, but the people here are amazing. They truly are a family. God bless, Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 Hi Heather, I am sorry for your husbands diagnosis. I know how scared you are. But I am glad that he has a good attitude, that is so important. Once he starts treatment he you both will feel so much better. This is so new to you right now and I know your head is spinning. Please know the LC no matter what stage is not necessarily a death sentence. So many people on here have been staged at III or IV and are doing fine years later. We are always here for you for questions, as we are a very knowledgeable group, or for support and prayers. Keep us posted on his progress. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enyaw061032 Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 Hi, Heather: Welcome to this family of lung cancer survivors and their loved ones and caretakers. Just as any family does, we support one another in any way possible, give our best advice in hopes of shedding some light on worries, and we cry, laugh, cheer, and support each and every member. We make no judgments, so you can vent, weep, or seek help whenever you need. I am deeply sorry that your young husband has been diagnosed with this savage beast cancer, and I know how worried you must be. But check several members' profiles and posts, and you will see that WE NEVER GIVE UP. Yes, we worry, we cry, we vent, we share, but we never give up the fight to put the monster back in its cage where it belongs. Lung cancer is vicious and the plan of attack must be aggressive. One of the important aspects of surviving lung cancer, as any other type cancer, is to be positive, as the mind has a great deal of control over our bodies, and a positive approach is helpful. It sounds like your husband has a big fight on his hands, but with his attitude and treatments, it is my sincere hope that he will start to feel better once some of the cancer has shrunk from the treatments. We are all here for you. I, of all people, am ashamed to say that I have some real weepy days myself, and I am not as strong emotionally at times as I would like to be, but nevertheless, I know what a positive attitude can do, and I am trying hard to overcome my own demons. Love and prayers to you, your husband, and entire family. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 Welcome Heather. Glad you found us but not glad you had the need to look for us. Adding your profile will save you alot of time each time you post. Most questions you have can be answered here by someone that has been there..done that. So ask away. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mary colleen Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 Welcome Heather - my heart goes out to you. I can only imagine how all of this feels to you. Keep us posted and lean as needed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyma Posted December 16, 2006 Author Share Posted December 16, 2006 Thanks for all of the support - I have added my husbands symptoms, tests and results to the site as a few asked. If I did it right it should show up here now on this message Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mary colleen Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 It's showing up fine, Heather! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted December 17, 2006 Share Posted December 17, 2006 Hi Heather, welcome. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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