MM Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 I am so new. I was up in Michigan taking care of my twin sister who is dieing from breast cancer (she's been given two weeks to two months to live)when my husband called and said that his cat scan shows a large mass in his left lung and he has an appointment now at the cancer center in our town. Because of his job, he can't go to the center for another 13 days. We have to wait to till then to find out anything. I flew home right away and now my emotions range from a positive "we're going to fight this" to a gut-wrenching fear. He has had chronic bronchitis all his life, and other than that, there's been no symptoms at all. Anyway, I found this forum and will be reading. Just wanted to introduce myself, and thanks all for being there. My husband and I plan on being survivors. This is not "his" disease, it's "our" disease. We've been married just over 16 years now. I hope that feeling (of it being our disease) is right for him and I. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Welcome MM. Firt let me say how very sorry I am about your sister. That is enough for you to be dealing with ~ bar any LC problems with you dear hubby. I sure wish you didn't have to wait all those days for your appointment. It's a bit unclear, but hopefully you will be able to take some deep breaths and get through the wait time. When you have some additional info, post a profile. That is what you see under all our names. It helps people know about your dx and tx and it saves you lots of time so you don't have to explain over and over and over. You will find lots of support and information here. Take one step at a time and let us walk this walk with you. Many here are long term survivors. You guys will be too. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted October 5, 2007 Author Share Posted October 5, 2007 Thank you Kasey. I don't even know what Dx and Tx stands for. I just wish I didn't have to learn, but I do and will! DH is with homeland security and he has to qualify on the pistol and rifle range once a year or he doesn't have a job! It just happens that next Wednesday he will be day firing and night firing the rifle. The qualifying dates can't be changed. Sorry I wasn't clearer on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 DX is diagnosis and TX is treatment usually the Plan for this Fight. Sorry you have to be here, but it is a great place to be under the circumstances. We ahve so many members leading normal productive long lives here.Don't let Lung cancer run your lives.. When you get a chance read throught the Good news and Inspiration Forums. THese will give you some willpower boost and help beat the Initial fears of this disease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mary colleen Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Welcome. I am so sorry about your twin sister. How very difficult for you. You stay tough and keep us posted - this is a good and helpful place. Mary Colleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendyr Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Welcome MM What devastating news for you coming at this time. While there is no 'good time' for cancer, this is especially tough right now and it is indeed your (plural) disease. You have come to the right place for support, help and information. The folks here are all too willing to help and support you as you start this journey. Where do you live? Are you near a major cancer center? Please let us see your hubby's profile when you get around to it, and continue to post and let us know how we can help you. Good Luck & God Bless wendyr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dollfinn Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Dear MM~ I/We are so sorry to learn about your sister, wishing her comfort and peace. The next 13 days will pass fast, just enough time to get a note book, and begin to gather more strength. Knowledge is strength. Dates, names , phone numbers, contatcs, us ( your password) keep them all in one place. Keep those questions commming, keep us posted. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Welcome MM. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Welcome to the board. I am hoping the mass they see is scaring from years of bronchitis. Please let us know how everything goes at your appointment. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trish2418 Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Welcome. So sorry to hear about your sister and your husband. Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlemike Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Hi MM,Im so sorry about all you are going thru right now.I hope you keep coming here for info and support and my prayers go out for you and your family.Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted October 5, 2007 Author Share Posted October 5, 2007 Thank you all so very, very much for welcoming me and giving me the already needed support. I spent (still haven't even unpacked from my Michigan trip) the morning discussing this with DH. He's going to go through every thing he needs to and I'm going to be doing all the research and making sure I'm with him through it all. It's "our" disease. I've already called our insurance company to get the co-pay's and have them send out a new benefits book. I'm calling now to get our home (we have two homes...both small, one in Georgia and one in Ohio) in Ohio transferred in my name alone and one of our trucks (the one paid off) transferred in my name so if we are hit with unexpected finances we won't lose everything. This alone is making us feel a little safer. I've also wrote on my grocery list "notebooks and file folders" so I can keep track of everything. Now I just have to learn how to start adding to our profile. Thank you for letting me know what Dx and Tx are...I've a lot to learn. Is it OK for me to be the one writing all of this? He won't even get on a computer. The MM in our name is his initials. Again, thank you all so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Welcome -- your husband is very fortunate to have you as his advocate. You asked about the profile. Yes, it's very appropriate for you to do the profile on behalf of your DH. In fact, as you look through the many posts on the site, I believe you'll find that family members posting messages and updating profiles for their loved ones considerably outnumber those of us with cancer doing our own posting and updating. I'm in the second group. And I don't mind being in the minority here as long as I'm on the minority side of the statistics charts as well! Here's a step-by-step for doing the profile: Click on "My Profile" at the top of the screen, scroll down to "Signature," enter/update your information (if you want, you can use the same formatting codes as in the "Post a reply" window I'm using right now), scroll down further, ensure "Always attach my signature" is marked "Yes," and click "Submit" at the very bottom. Best wishes and Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted October 5, 2007 Author Share Posted October 5, 2007 Thanks so much Ned. I think I have a start on it. I'll know as soon as I see this reply. If not, I'll go back and do it. I'm getting info and websites that help the cancer patient and patient's family keep detailed records with regard to treatments, med's, doctors, etc. I'm so, so grateful I found this forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted October 6, 2007 Share Posted October 6, 2007 Hi, it's me again. You need to close your font size tag by putting [/size] at the very end of your profile. Then the desired size will actually take effect and the 2 tags will disappear. Good start! Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted October 6, 2007 Share Posted October 6, 2007 Welcome and glad you found us. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted October 6, 2007 Author Share Posted October 6, 2007 Thank you. Thought I had added the [/size] at the end, guess not. Appreciate the help here!! Ned, I just read through your signature line (first one I've read thus far) and I can't tell you how comforting it was. If DH has any symptoms from meds and treatments, I'll come here and read the different signature lines and see what may match. I feel so fortunate to have found this group! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley (MLC) Posted October 6, 2007 Share Posted October 6, 2007 Welcome to the boards. I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. I am hoping for the best news for your husband after all the tests are in. Please keep us posted and let us know if there is anything we can help you with. Shelley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy-OK Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Welcome to a great support family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbara5452 Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 MM, I can already tell your hubby is a lucky man, you go girl....Keep in touch.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted October 17, 2007 Author Share Posted October 17, 2007 Well, In about 2 1/2 hours DH and I will leave for our first appointment at the cancer center. For the last 2 weeks we've been able to put aside the fear of the possibility of hearing that he has lung cancer. We've concentrated on the possibility the x-ray and ct scan showed scar tissue rather than cancer. Perhaps today we'll find out if that really is a strong possibility....or not. Today I'm scared. The cancer center called and did a medical history over the phone. She asked me if we knew what to expect from the visit and I explained to her that we don't even know yet if DH has lung cancer, and no, we don't know what to expect. She told me we'd be there between 2 to 3 hours, possibility longer. We'll see a number of doctors today...didn't sound to promising. Just needed to write and say "I'm scared". Thanks for listening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Good luck today. Be sure to let us know what you find out and let us try to answer any questions you might have. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dollfinn Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Sharon~ Your doing great and yes, today is a very long day. Let us know how Mike makes out. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Yah, good luck today. You may find that after your consultations you will both feel better because at lest you know what you will be dealing with and should have a plan in hand. Don m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted October 17, 2007 Author Share Posted October 17, 2007 Thank you. I'll post this evening if I'm able. Should be able to. Since I found this site a couple of weeks ago, I feel a strong sense of support from people who know. I'm so glad you're here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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