karen335 Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 Hi All, Haven't posted much lately. Been having computer problems. Can get into chat but keep getting booted. I have Exployer, Spyware, Navigator and nothing seems to work. I can type one letter at a time and then I get booted. That's why I haven't been on the chat. Also when I am able to type in chat my message in Navigator doesn't show up. I'll figure it out soon I hope... I am scheduled for 2nd opinion June 1st at the City of Hope for surgery. I will post what Dr. Grannis (surgeon) says after this visit. First opinion at UCLA said no surgery due to over radiation. Hmmmm!!!! I am also scheduled June 3rd for MRI of the brain and also CT, same day. Then on Friday, June 4th I have the Stereotactic Radiation treatment. It has been a while since surgery (April 6th) and it took a long time to get authorization from these darn doctors and insurance to get radiation treatment (No contract between Cigna and City of Hope in Duarte location.) Thank you all for your support and I'll keep you posted on what is going on. You are all in my prayers and thinking and missing all of you on chat... I tried what you said Snow and John and it didn't work. Thanks for trying to help. Blessings, prayers and hugs, Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 Karen, Good to hear from you. I have been wondering how you were. Never did find out what landed you in the hospital couple weeks back. Are you trying to get lung surgery? It's not clear to me. Well, I hope you get the treatment you deserve and need. Love to you Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 Karen,Hope all works out ok.So far as the computer goes those of us that do left side of keyboard with the left index finger and right side of keyboard with right index finger often times get booted cause we;re slow typers,specially w/ a slow dial up.You and I will talk to each other on chat 1 nite and answer each other the following week.HA HA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 Hi Karen, Just want to say my thoughts and prayers are with you for the best of results. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 Karen You need to get that chat snafu resolved or we're booting you out of the CRB club. Just kidding I think its a lifetime membership. Wishing you the very best... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Phyllis Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 I wish you all of the best. Does this happen in Comprehensive Surgery Centers? Those places where you hope there is a team of doctors from the get go that explore all options here and now and down the road so that someone says maybe you don't want more radiation than you need because it might jepardize your chances of other options down the road. For crying out loud! Hang in there Karen. We are all pulling for you. Don't give up yet. D----! doctors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted May 29, 2004 Share Posted May 29, 2004 Best wishes and prayers for you, Karen! God bless you, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted May 29, 2004 Share Posted May 29, 2004 Karen, Wishing you all the best and missing you on chat...been pretty quiet lately, Lilly's on vacation... Pretty over run by Michiganders - gee, darn. We compare road construction and flooding stories..and talk politics and world issues and other IMPORTANT life-altering things. (I hope that saves me from another of Ry's $10 fines for giving up too much chatroom information...) Glad that you are still doing well in spirit and good ol' common sense! One step at a time....pieces WILL fall into place, they have a way of doing that. Hang in there, xxoo, Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinaresholz Posted May 29, 2004 Share Posted May 29, 2004 Hi Karen, Hope you are doing okay and thank you for your encouragement on my chest x-ray. Hope everything goes okay for you. Is the City of Hope the hospital in Mexico? I hope they can give you the surgery you need. Hope you are recovering from your last surgery. Be good and have a nice holiday. Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted May 29, 2004 Share Posted May 29, 2004 Okay, Karen, I know I am old, but what surgery are you talking about? What have I missed? The snafu's with insurance companies is just unbelievable. It seems to me, that most times they end up paying, so WHY do they make it so hard. I would think the administration costs of doing all this fighting would make it more cost effective to agree to it from the get go. I hope everything goes smoothly and successfully for you. You know you are in my prayers. Ginny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted May 29, 2004 Author Share Posted May 29, 2004 Hi Becky, Ginny & Sharon and All, Thank you so much for all of you support and encouragement. I really appreciate you being here. I am so blessed... Hey Snow, I really miss chatting with you guys in the room. Ry's ready to throw me out of the club for non-attendance. I'm going to have to do some serious puter fixin here. How's it going with your new house? Sharon, Thanks for your encouragement too. City of Hope is a large cancer hospital in Duarte California. Ginny, I had a 1st opinion on surgery back in I believe June, 2003 at UCLA. The thorasic surgeon there said no way could I have surgery due to the size and location of the tumor at the time. I then had radiation and chemo and the tumor went from 17cm to now 3-4 cm. The radiation onc. at the City of Hope Dr. Munson and Dr. Pezner is who did the referral to Dr. Grannis (thorasic surgeon) at the City of Hope. I don't know if they could do it now due to the brain met. Not sure how that works, does anyone know how that would work? I'm curious to know if you can have surgery with a met (one.) How is the Duke doing on the Temedor? PM me or I'll give you a call.... Blessings, prayers and hugs to all of you, Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted May 29, 2004 Share Posted May 29, 2004 karen Awhile back, maybe a week, I started a thread about surgery and stage IV. You might want to look at it. I think that with one brain met, it can be done, if the surgeon will do it. Praying hard Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted May 29, 2004 Share Posted May 29, 2004 Karen, Earl had his upper right lobe removed AFTER he had brain surgery to remove 1 tumor and after the 14 whole brain rads. He also had the surgery after the medianoscopy?? indicated he had some lymph node involvement. Don't know if the Temodar is helping yet. He is very, very weak but his attitude and appetite are pretty good. We should know more mid June. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted May 31, 2004 Author Share Posted May 31, 2004 GinnyElaine, Thanks for the information. I go tomorrow for 2nd opinion for surgery. When I went to see the radiation onc. he was the one who reccommended getting an opinion from Dr. Grannis (thorasic surgeon). He said if I don't have any other mets, them surgery and removal of one brain met would mean I am cured. Can you believe he said cured. I was impressed, I pray he is right. When I was in the hospital a few weeks back, the docs did all the tests and they came back clean. I did read the links John had given about surgery. He said he has heard it's ok for one brain and/or adrenal mets.... Thanks for all your help... Ginny, hope the temedor works for the Duke. At least it is in pill form... Blessings, prayers and hugs, Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted May 31, 2004 Share Posted May 31, 2004 Karen, You'll be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow...as always. Blessings, Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted May 31, 2004 Share Posted May 31, 2004 Karen, I can't remember where, but there was postings on people with mets getting surgery Do you have a PPO or do you need a referral? If you can see any doctor, I highly recommend Dr. McKenna at Cedars Sinai in LA. He is one of the leading thoracic surgeons in the Country. He has patients from all over the country actually, his office has a listing of local hotels even He did my mom's surgery and was just absolutely great. He specialiazes in the minimally invasive procedure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norme Posted June 2, 2004 Share Posted June 2, 2004 Karen, gosh lady, you sure are having your troubles lately. Need to get yourself well and also need to go out on the street and find some kid who is computer wise to fix your problem. Hope and pray you will do fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted June 2, 2004 Share Posted June 2, 2004 Karen- Praying for the best and that the word "Cure" is somewhere in the mix! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted June 2, 2004 Author Share Posted June 2, 2004 Hi All, Had my appointment yesterday. Thoracic surgeon said according to wht he read on my chest CT's and the reports. Surgery would NOT be an option for me. 1. He said that I fall into the 20% bracket of not surviving the surgery due to too much radiation and that if I did survive surgery, I may not make it out of the hospital due to all the scar tissue not healing and not being able to stop bleeding. Dr. Gannis also said that if he could do surgery, it would be to remove entire lung. He said #1 if he did that and there is no active cancer or tumor, the operation would have been done in vain and not show any benefit and I would only loose breathing and lung capacity. He said the fact that broncoscopy done in October 2003, shows no tumor or cancer is great news. My CEA is .6 to .9 which is good.... 2. On the other hand there is good news. He said that according to my PET scan, the activity that he read on it, in the upper right lobe he feels that is not cancer. The CT's have been the same since last November. He said if cancer were present, that area would have gotten larger, but it continues to get smaller according to the CT's. He said the tumor and CA activity was in the middle lobe and that area shows clear. He said that the treatment that I received ( chemo and radiation) and the fact that the doctor's caught and removed the brain met, I can be considered CURED since I have nothing anywhere else (ie. adrenal, liver, and etc..) He also said stereotactic radiation is good. Just the fact that a known surgeon from The City of Hope would actually use the word Cure is exciting and good... I give glory to God and give him all the credit for my healing. These doctors cannot figure it out and can't give me a reason for the Cure. I truly believe this. He said I fall into the 17-20% survival rate. I left there feeling truly blessed and so did my husband Bob. There is always hope, so never give up. Even though one may not be able to have surgery, doesn't mean that we can't or are not cured. It is an individual situation and we must keep a positive attitude and keep the faith and believe. We are all survivors.... I hope I haven't offended or discouraged anyone. There are so many options to consider. God Bless, prayers (always) and hugs for everyone, Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addie Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 I hope I haven't offended or discouraged anyone. There are so many options to consider. Not in the least....your post is full of hope and success....something we all need to hear. I'm so happy for your great news!! Stay well and keep inspiring the rest of us to reach the same goal! That word "cure" has the sweetest sound to it...doesn't it? Sending you a big congratulatory hug! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 Karen, You've been told that you are cured.....How in the world could anyone be offended by that? I think it is pretty darn spectacular! I am so happy for you and Bob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 Wonderful news Karen. I am very happy for you and know that your faith had alot to do with your good news. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayos Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 Being pronounced cured is surely a gift from heaven Karen. Thank you for showing us "cured" is possible. Enjoy this time with your family. "Cancer has left the building..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 Karen, I have been thinking and thinking about your great news! I truly never thought a Dr would use the word "Cure" and Stage IV lung Cancer in the same sentence. You are very special and I am blessed to know you. I sure hope you can get back on chat soon. Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betplace Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 Karen, The word cure deserves a Happy Dance and you deserve a hug! ((((Karen))) I am thrilled for you. Blessings Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.