Okay, so life was good the other day, glad I wrote about it .... Time for whining..

My company is giving me an opportunity where I am going to Ohio for a week, possibly longer, the airline ticket is open-ended. I am leaving next weekend. Although there is no monetary reward right now, there is a possibility at least doubling my salary in the future if things turn out well. This is something that I have wanted, and that at times have been prevented from for various reasons, the last 7 years.

So now I am an absolute wreck. The last 2 nights I barely slept because of my fears. I woke this morning with a pain in my midriff, most likely from sleeping 'wrong', but immediately it was cancer in my mind. It started me wondering how I could go out of state alone, what if something happens to me, what if I wake up in the hotel coughing up blood and I end up being admitted to a strange hospital in a different state knowing no one? What if it comes back, or has been here all along, and it kills me in 3 weeks like it sometimes does and I can't get back home to my son? What if I have something in me that will implode when the cabin pressure on the plane increases??

How can I leave my son here while I go there? I was diagnosed when he was THREE, and now he is 7 1/2. Every single day that I have had with him has been a gift to me, and I am always so aware of that. And now I'm throwing 7 of those days, maybe more, away. Only those of us in the cancer world know how important days are, we know how percentages change, how 7 days out of a lifetime seems so little, but then the equation changes and a lifetime isn't as much as we thought it once was- and 7 days take on a whole new meaning.

Then of course, there's the fear of flying that those of you who have seen me travel before, know about. Why is it when you ask corporate travel agents to book you a certain way, they go out of their way to make the longest, most inconvenient arrangements? I gave her 2 airport choices and she said there were no direct flights... I am flying cross country to get there, 2 planes, over 4 1/2 hours of flying time. Meanwhile, today I look on EXPEDIA, and there are 2 direct flights from the other airport I gave her, with flying time of 2 hours 15 minutes on ONE plane, count em Corporate Travel Agent, NOT TWO!! Either way I still am terrified, but halving my terror would've been nice.

Finally, all this insecurity has managed to nibble away at the one place where I DO feel secure, my professional abilities. Now I'm thinking to myself, am I crazy? I can't do this- the whole company will know I'm a failure, I won't be able to pull this off. Everyone will find me out, maybe they are setting me up to fail. I'm starting to feel like Carrie at the prom, with the bucket of pig blood above her.

I know that this will all pass, well, all except the fear of flying. I know that in 9 days I will shove my neuropathy burning feet into my pumps and suck it up, put my prom dress on, pretend I can feel my hands and that my bra isn't killing me and do all I can to wow them up there. But right now I just feel scared, and inadequate. I think in the back of my mind I feel that if something good happens, it will be followed by something bad. Sometimes, its just hard to accept that life can be good.

_________________
Debi
50 years old
Stage 1a-nsclc,1.3 centimeter, adenocarcinoma
Surgery June 16, 2003-upper & mid lobe removed
17 lymph nodes removed - all clear
No chemo or radiation

You are so right, it is hard to accept that life can be good. Always worrying about the other shoe dropping.

I wish I could take away your fears. I am sure the 7 days will go fast and if it can advance your career and double your salary, you will be doing so much good for your son.

I want to make you laugh, so I am telling you a story here. I always think of your story with the pen at your scans.

I had my abdominal MRI ono Thurs and the man asked "have you had lymph node surgery" in the middle of the scan, when he was about to do contrast. I said "no". Then I said "Why do you ask? Is it something you saw?". He laughed and said "no, it is b/c if you are missing lymphs under your arms, we can't do the die. Boy, you read into everything."

My first thought to myself was I had to tell Debi this story b/c we are both paranoid at times

_________________
[size=84]Mom diagnosed 11/03; age 58; NSCLC IIIA
Carboplatin/Gemzar
3/4/04--lobectomy
5/04--completed radiation
5/05--coiling for brain anyerusm found on routine brain MRI
8/05--triple bypass
10/06--PET, brain MRI, CT clear
8/07--NED
Currently in remission/NED
2/12--Stage IV squamous cell, a new beast
4/9/12--My mom passed away

Dad diagnosed 9/06; age 65 (asymptomatic); adenocarcinoma with BAC features
9/06--Wedge resection of 1.4cm tumor
Lots of little nodules remain and a small thing on brain maybe
11/06--Stable
5/18/10--Dx with Macroglobenemia (indolent lymphoma) & nodule growth
6/10--IT'S BACK! Tarceva time
[/size]

It's always scary at first, but I've spoken with you, and I know the payoff thats going to come of all of this. We all sacrifice alittle bit of ourselves at times to make things better "later"....and I think because of lung cancer- thinking of "later" is alittle scary and uncertain.

You will do fine, you will be fine, you will miss your boy like crazy but that will only make you work harder to get back to him -or get him up to you. And those hugs and kisses will be even sweeter.

You are one of the toughest chics I know and you will hit this one out of the ball park!

Now, as far as WHERE you are going.....my 2 cents were for Dallas....but I am completely bias and just want you closer to me, NOT further away!!! LOL.

Will be sending loads of positive thoughts to you in the upcoming weeks. I know you will be busy busy but don't forget to keep in touch and let me know how things are going.

Hugs,

_________________
- Katie Brown, Co-Founder and Director of LCSC-

15 yr cancer survivor.

"Any of us who have experienced the cancer journey- and survived it-
have an obligation to make the path clearer and aid those that come after us."
- Lance Armstrong

In memory of Jessee Dewey, SCLC
December 29, 1938 - September 6, 2003
Lisa Dewey- Jan. 22, 2007
my parents are together in heaven


facebook www.facebook.com/lungevity

I have all the confidence in the world in you, Debi! But just so you know.................if you need someone ~ I am a SHORT state away and can be there lickety-split....REALLY!

You need to take the advice we always give to all the newbies............step back and take some deep breaths. In the meantime, practice walking in those pumps and check to be sure that prom dress fits properly !

Will be rooting you on!

Kasey

_________________
Kasey ~ 8 year survivor ~ Stage IIIb 'inoperable' (yea, right!) lung cancer
9/20/04 Dx lc
9/24/04 Bronchoscopy
10/08/04 CT guided needle biopsy
10/14/04 Dx Pancoast tumor - NSCLC 111a(?) - inoperable - incurable
11/02/04 2nd opinion - Sloan-Kettering - concurs with local dx and tx
11/03/04-12/02/04 Radiation x22 chemo x5 taxol/carboplatin
11/04 - 3rd opinion - FoxChase -turned away
11/04 FOUND LCSC & HOPE
11/04 4th opinion NIH - surgery possible
1/04/05 Successful surgery - RU lobectomy - all margins, nodes, and path reports are NEGATIVE
2/05 chemo x2 taxol/carboplatin
3/05 Esophagus stretched twice
4/06/05 bloodwork, chest x-ray, CT scan, PET scan, NED
5/05 2 more esophagus stretches
7/13/05 bloodwork, chest x-ray, CT scan, PET scan, brain MRI, NED
10/05/05 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, NED
1/11/06 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
4/05/06 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, NED
6/10/06 emergency appendectomy
7/12/06 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
9/26/06 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, NED
1/10/07 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, CT, PET/CT scan, arm CT, brain MRI, NED
7/11/07 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
1/9/08 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, CT w/contrast.....mm 'spot' lower right lobe - watch and wait 3 months
4/8/08 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, NED
10/14/08 bloodwork, urinaysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
4/15/09 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
10/13/09 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, CT/contrast, NED
4/13-4/15/10 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, CT/contrast, PFT, echocardiogram, EKG, stress test, NED
4/11-4/13/2011 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET scan, CT scan w/contrast, brain MRI, NED
4/16-4/18/2012 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET scan, CT scan w/contrast, brain MRI, NED

Just think what you can do on double the salary-- keep the prize in mind. You'll be ok...and if not- I am only one state away with a new Jeep. Kasey and I can take turns visiting.

_________________
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.
John Lennon

"Never, never, never give up." Winston Churchill

"I rang for ice, but this is ridiculous." -Madeline Talmadge-Astor, as she was being helped off the Titanic

"Losing love is like a window in your heart, everybody sees you're blown apart, everybody sees the wind blow". Paul Simon

Husband John has NSCLC-Vena Cava Syndrome Stage 3B, Dx 6/02
Carbo/Taxol,Radiation
Taxotere
Gemzar
Iressa started 3/03
10/03 Stable CT scan
1/04 CT Still stable.
3/04 PET Scan, Still stable.
7/04 Still stable
1/05 Still stable
1/30/05 Iressa discontinued Started Tarceva, still stable 7/05
1/06 Slight increase in tumor, stopping Tarceva.
1/27/06 Started Alimta
5/5/06 Avastin added to Alimta
6/14/06 Stable, continue w/ Avastin
1/29/07 Shrinkage! Continue w/ Avasin.
7/07- Something new on the CT scan, doing a bronc 7/25/07 to see what it is. 8/21/07 begins brachytherapy. Next treatment postponed until 9/6/7 due to an infection which is making him too ill for the procedure. 9/13/07 Diagnosed with Aspergillus. Has brachytherapy 9/20/07. Developed a pericardial effusion, 10/30/07 has a pericardial window to drain the fluid. Procedure goes well but he passes away 10/31/07 due to a pulmonary hemorrhage.
Pic is me and daughter Jillian aka The Jillinator.
Visit Walk the Walk:
www.michiganlungcancerwalk.org

Debbi,
I too am part of corporate America and I am sure your company selected you to represent them because they have confidence in you. If this 7 day trip turns out to increase your paycheck, the small sacrifice in time will have been worth it, when you consider how much more you will be able to do for your son with that extra income.

_________________
[size=9]51 yr old former smoker
Married to Macrina May 11th 1980
Blessed with 2 children
12/2/05 Coughed up Blood
12/13/05 Dx NSCLC, Poorly Differentiated Adenocarcinoma
12/16/05 Thoracotomey removed Upper right lobe with 12 lymph nodes
12/21/05 Pathology reports 3.4 CM tumor with margins clear and all nodes benign. Staged 1B
1/20/06 New PET scan shows 2 lymph nodes near R. mediastinum are hypermetabolic
2/3/06 "Revised" Pathology report now states 1 lymph node taken during surgery was cancerous
2/6/06 Restaged 3A
4/3/06 Completed 8 weekly rounds of Taxol/Carbo
4/5/06 Completed 33 rounds of daily radiation
4/3/06 - 5/1/06 Chemo Break
6/5/06 Completed 6 more weekly rounds of Taxol/Carbo
6/28/06 PET Scan, 7/5/06 MRI and 7/10/06 CT all show 2 liver lesions with "Activity"
7/19/06 liver lesions were biopsied via laparoscopic surgery
7/21/06 Pathology reports both lesions were benign. My Onc says NED!
10/10/06 Chest Xray, Liver MRI and PET/CT, NED!
12/11/06 Chest Xray, still NED.
2/12/07 CT Scan, NED
4/12/07 CT Scan & Xray,NED
6/6/07 Chest Xray, NED
8/20/07 PET/CT, NED
2/6/08 PET/CT & Brain MRI NED
5/29/08 Chest Xray, NED
11/5/08 PET/CT, NED

Hi Debi,

Hey, you need to do this. This is all about getting on with life and those are the things everyone wants and expects survivors to do. It's 7 days, and sounds like a great opportunity for you.

I've traveled for work a couple of times a year since all this craziness happened with us, and it's fine. IF you did get sick, you would just seek out medical people in that city, get treated, and come home, just like anybody else would. Heck, if something does happen, CALL ME, I'm not that far away. I'll come over there and be your advocate and caregiver!!!!! Then, you'd really be sunk! Ok, now I'm reading the other replies to your posts, and I see that Kasey and Ry are ready to swoop in from the East if need be, well, I'm standing ready from the West, so we've got you surrounded...see, you'll be fine!!!

Seriously though, I know you'll be fine when the time comes, and this is some jitters coming on. Kick butt in Ohio, I know you can do this! And your little guy, it's not that long. I know you'll miss him, but keep your eye on your goal, which is giving the two of you a good life....

Keep us posted about all this, ok?

Cindy

_________________
age 56
surgery 6/20/03, stage 1B, upper left lobectomy
started adjuvant chemo on 08/14/03
3 cycles--cisplatin/gemzar
finished chemo 11/6/03
now 9 years post-lobectomy, annual x-ray and follow-up with surgeon
follow-up with oncologist every year/bloodwork and clinical exam

2001 early stage breast cancer/surgery and radiation only, no chemo needed. Mammograms once a year,

Just passed 11 year mark for the breast cancer and 9 year mark for the lung

Debi,
Sounds like a great opportunity! As to all your fears, look at it this way: You are a lean, mean cancer fighting machine! You have stared death in the face and have came out a winner! You can do this!!! I know you can! Best of luck to you in your endeavour. I know you will do an exceptional job!
God Bless,
Sharon

_________________

Picture is me and my big brother Tommy who also has lung cancer.(June 2006)
Sadly, Tommy was called home 6/29/2008. May he rest in peace.


12/28/05: Admitted to hospital for L pleural effusion.
12/29/05:1400cc's drained from L lung, biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma. CT, MRI, ultrasound, and bone scan revealed multiple small pleural lesions bilateraly, several small liver lesions, and 1 small lesion on lumbar spine. Largest lesion is approximately 2 cm (on spine), all lung lesions are mm's.
1/23/06:Second opinion at Fox Chase Cancer Center - agrees with initial diagnosis Stage lV NSCLC Adenocarcinoma
1/24/06:Pet scan confirms findings on CT & MRI
1/27/06:CT directed needle biopsy of liver confirms original diagnosis of Adenocarcinoma.
2/6/06:Started Carbo/Taxol/Avastin every 21 days for 6 cycles.
2/9/06:Portacath placement for chemotherapy.
3/3/06:Started IV Vitamin C 3times/week.
3/21/06:CT revealed lung nodules are shrinking.
4/28/06:CT revealed improvement in both the lung and liver.
5/23/06:Last round of Carbo/Taxol/Avastin.
6/7/06:CT revealed 2 small spots that do not appear to be cancer in the lungs, and 2 spots left on liver that are too small to be measured.
6/13/06:Started tx with just Avastin every 21 days.
6/14/06:Reduced lV Vitamin C to 2 times/week.
8/7/06:CT still shows small spots in lung, no change in size - may not be cancer. Liver clean!!!
10/10/06:CT and Bone Scan. No change on CT, Bone Scan clean. Doc says looks like remission!!!!! Yay!!!!
1/29/07:CT shows stable pulmonary nodules with new liver mets noted.
2/19/07: Started trial with Alimta and Cetuximab.
3/27/07:CT shows disease progression in lung and liver.
4/30/07: Started Taxotere every 21 days.
6/4/07: CT shows disease is stable - Yes!
7/16/07: CT shows shrinkage in all tumors - Yes, yes, yes! Will continue with Taxotere for as long as tolerated. Am still receiving IV Vitamin C once a week and am taking numerous supplements.
8/28/2007: CT is stable, possibly slight shrinkage! Will continue Taxotere.
12/10/2007: CT still stable!
2/19/2008: CT shows multiple hypodense lesions within the liver are now larger in size; lung nodules stable. Gemzar started (2 weeks on, 1 week off)
4/28/2008: CT shows slight shrinkage in 3 of 4 liver lesions. YAY!!!
7/2/2008: CT shows all lesions stable! Yesssss!!!!!!! Will continue with Gemzar.

Five years from now if you don't look into it you will will wish you did. You'll be fine, your son will be fine. Go to Ohio and find out all the pros and cons and decide if it is a good fit for you or not. Time to take the skeletons out of the closet, bury them and get on with life. You deserve it. Good Luck!

_________________
TO READ ABOUT MY PROFILE (MY JOURNEY WITH LUNG CANCER - AS THE CHEMO DRIPS!) WITH STAGE IV LUNG (BAC) CANCER, DIAGNOSED MAY, 2002 / PROGNOSES TWO YEARS AND MY STORY PLEASE CLICK LINK BELOW.
http://lungevity.org/l_community/viewto ... 2155#72155

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR / HELPFUL LINKS:
http://lungevity.org/l_community/viewto ... 585#163585

You must, on your own, make the commitment that you will do everything in your power to fight your disease. -Advanced stage lung cancer survivor RA Block-

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.
-Buddhist Quote On Gratitude-

It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth -- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up, we will then begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had.
-Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross-

We have no right to ask when sorrow comes, "Why did this happen to me?" unless we ask the same question for every moment of happiness that comes our way. -Author Unknown-

Top Ten Reasons Why I’m A Lung Cancer Survivor

10. Not going into funeral mode the day I was diagnosed. I never once thought this was it, that life was over or why bother. Lung Cancer is not a death sentence and one can be cured of it or still have a life living with it for many years.
9. Not dwelling on it. How I got it, why me, what if I did this/that or the blame game etc. It’s counter productive and wasted energy.
8. RESEARCH, RESEARCH and more RESEARCH. Knowledge is the key! The more one knows the better one can make decision with their doctor and better fight. Keeping it simple, does not really matter to me every little word on a report. Try to get down to the chase of what is going on and what needs to be done.
7. Living life to the fullest by making the best of it every day and by keeping busy. Life is short enough so why let a day go by.
6. I appreciate everything my family/friends do for me. I let them (especially Kathy and Tina) know how much it means to me and how much I love them.
5. Not making my disease about me. It affects my family/friends just as much if not more. My life has changed and I have to learn to adjust to the new normal. If I can’t do things or go places does not mean they can’t. It’s very important they have a life and go about it.
4. Keeping an open mind about treatments. Don’t know unless you try. Laughter, it’s the best medicine, does not have to be all doom and gloom. Exercise, it’s good for overall health and a great stress reliever. Healthy (common sense) diet, this one I need to improve on. I can eat in a coma.
3. Staying positive and having a good attitude. YES it does make a difference regardless of what adversity one faces. Have my days like anyone else but they are few and far in between.
2. All my doctors/nurses. I’m very blessed/fortunate to have a great medical team and great health coverage.
1. My wife.my daughter and my closest friend I love them the most and they mean the most to me. I owe it to them, there the ones who have stood by my no matter what and showed me the true meaning of family, life and love is all about. You can lead a horse to water but can’t get it to drink. Bottom line it’s up to me to be pro-active, to keep trying and to never never never give up!

Debi, I'm sorry you have a bad case of "what if's" -- and I hope it goes away soon and that you'll remember what an awesome, confident, can-do woman you are. You know, it seems like some of the most incredibly capable people go through times of insecurity worse than anything that INcapable people go through. Why is that? No matter, we all know you can get through this (yes, even the flights), and your son will be proud of you for it, and you'll knock the socks off them at work, too.
Hang in there, and remember who you are!
BeckyCW

_________________
David C's big sister

Photo: with David about 2 months after diagnosis. Went to heaven June 15, 2005.

I know where you are coming from, Debi. I am always thinking of the "what if's" when it comes to change. It would be a pretty dull world if we stayed put for life and didn't step out on the limb of chance once in a while.

Do this for yourself Debi and like others have said, look at this a a away to further help your son.

_________________
Bruce
-------

03/03 CT Scan showed a 7 cm mass on left lung as well as a spot less than 1cm on 2 lymph nodes. Biopsy was done and was Dx with NSCLC Squamous Type.
03/03 Bone, PET, Pelvis and CT of Brain showed no Mets outside of Left Lung (except on the lymph nodes).Surgeon said he did not know if he could get it once he got in there. After 25 Radiation treaments and 5 weeks of Carbo/Taxol. Surgeon took another look at CT and was well pleased with results. I was never given a Stage
6/03 Complete Pneumonectomy of left lung.
CT and Chest x-ray ever 3 months (rotated each 3 months).
12/03 CT showed small cysts on liver. Onc is not worried about them.
3/04 CT shows cysts are the same. Also a hiatel hernia. Onc is very pleased with my progress.
12/04 to Present
Scans continue to show show NED.
11/05 PFT shows some improvement as compared to 12/04 PFT
1/06 Small nodule (1 mm) on right lung
5/06 Nodule is gone from CT
8/06 Still NED
12/06 Still NED
12/07 Still NED. Doctor says he will discharge me in 6 months if I remain clear
6/2008 Doctor released me and said he considers me cured
6/2009 Pneumonia. WBC elevated
7/2009 Dx with Chronic Leukemia (CLL)

Debi,

Jump at it, no fly to it,
you have the right to look
ahead and you will make it
for you and your son.

Love
Jackie

_________________
Husband *Mike*
dx'd nsclc Stage IIIA, inoperable, May 21st 2002
On October 13th 2003, he died at home as he
wanted, very peacefully during his sleep.
I miss you so much Mike.
Jackie

You rule girl!!!! I know you will do fine.

Breath Deep!! take deep breaths and know the you are a fighter and suvivor you will prevail. I am sure of it!

You certainly have faced adversity before with a demon that is the worse and you beat the hell out of him. This is a great opportunity for you and your family.

And you also know how fast time is, so before you know you will be home with your boy. With good news!!

Your are great.... no problem you will do fine.

Let me tell you something that happened to me. I had this BIG presentation for Proctor and Gamble I was working on for a week, I was to present it too the Marketing Manager of Walmart and he had 13 of his store managers in attendence. Then Joel had that emergency surgury that Monday. The meeting was Thurs, and there was no way I was going to miss it as I worked so hard. It was also early enough at 8:30 in the morning. Anyway I was on a rollercoaster ride all week. I was terrified as this was important and I never spoke in front of strangers before.

Well anyway, I got there on time and met my boss and we went over my presentation. Well, when we went to the meeting room it was empty! I found out that the meeting was the day before. You could imagine how I felt. Talk about your tale between you legs. All I had to do was call to confirm and I would have realized it was Wed and not Thurs. But I was so wrapped up with everything I did not call.

Anyway, I emailed that particular Market Manager with a letter which (actually Joel wrote, as he is good at that) and I received a response from him. He understood what I was going through with my week being turned upside down. So he promised me he will let me know when the next meeting is.

I have one coming up this Tues. with another Market Manager, but I am completely prepared and got it in writing the exact time and date. This time I called Friday to confirm.

But still I never want to go through something like that again. Between that and Joel it was a devestating day.

But yours will be nothing like that. I just wanted you to know that I know the fear of having to do something out of the norm.

Break a leg girl ( you know I don't mean that literally) and keep us posted.

Will be thinking of you and sending good vibes.

Maryanne

_________________
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take...but by the moments that takes our breath away"
[size=75]
Husband Joel, 58 dx 10/18/04 Smoker since age 15 stopped when diagnosed
Adenocarcinoma- stage 1B
Lobectomy Left upper lobe on 12/15/04
biopsy on lymph nodes - negative NED
1/13/04 Oncologist appt.to see about preventive Chemo.
Cancelled due to chronic fatigue
1/12 fentynal patch for pain
1/14 discontinued Fentynal patch bad reaction
1/15 Blood test showed high T levels
2/1 Endoconrinologist visit diagnosed over-active thyroid
2/8/05 took Radioactive Iodine to kill thyroid
2/16/05 appetite back, fatigue leaving
2/24/05 visit with Pulmonary Doc. Breathing at 96% capacity,
Next visit 3 mos.
3/9/05 Endocrinologist visit -T levels went from 25 down to 5.
3/30 started Synthoid(thyroid med)
3/31 Oncologist. appt. CT results NED...
4/14 starting adjunctive Chemo (carbo/taxol) 4 treatments
3 weeks apart.
6/15/05 Joel finished chemo, chest X-ray clear, Next CT in August
9/01/05 1st CT since Chemo.. NED
11/17/05 CT - small nodule found 4 or 5 mil. in his good lung
1/10/06 CT - nodule Stable
7/2006 CT/ Nodule stable
10/2006 CT Nodule seem to have grown from 4 to 7 mil.
10/2006 Pet- showed some uptake
10/2006- operation- wedge section right upper lobe turned out to be cancerous 2 nodules next to each other. 2 different types of cancer. 1 squamous cell carcinoma (new primary)2- adenocarcinoma-(not sure if new primary or metastasis)
May be restaged to IIIB
11/07/2006 will start 4 rounds of taxotere. 3 weeks apart. Will take Decadron before, day of and day after. Will get a shot of Leunesta the day after. Here we go again.. Joel's attitude.... great as usual
Horrible reaction to the neulasta shots. One night(New Years eve) went to ER. Spent 3 days in hosptal.
Feb 2007 finished chemo.
March 2007 had his CT .. as expected right now all is clear.
June 2007 NED!!!
Sept 07- CT- small nodule 3.5 mm
Going to do another CT in 6 weeks.
October 07- CT done, results STABLE...YEA
Jan. 2008... STABLE!!!
April 2008 little growth but still called stable
July 17 208 nodule doubled in size to 9mm. Needs Pet Scan, tests, hopefully cyberknife...
July 29 met with his surgeon... said Cyberknife is the way to go.
August 1- Cyberknife visit... Joel is a canidate, its a go...Happy B-day Joel...
Sept 22, 2008 finshed up the last of 3 cyberknife procedures
Nov. had CT scan
Nov. 9th results of CT from Cyberknife..... Tumor completely gone... right now NED!!!
Feb. 09- Pet/CT results. . . NEd!!!
May 09 Pet/CT results. . . NED!!!
Sept. 09 Pet/CT results.....NED!!
Jan. 2010--- NED!! Pet now will be every 6 months.
June 8,2010 Pet scan on our Anniversary... hope thats a good sign..
June 17, NED!!!
Dec. 30,2010... NED!!!
June 20,2011... NED!!!
March 2012....NED!!!

pic of Joel and our daughter Nicole at walk NOV. 07

[img]http://www.freewebs.com/beansprouts2005/nik_and_dad_1LC_walk.jpg[/img]

http://www.babababies.com

One of our members has the wonderful saying on her profile about the proverbial "other shoe" - "So if we're waiting for the other shoe to drop, does that mean when it finally does, we have a matched pair?"

Gotta love that!!! Go get 'em Debi! You can DO this!!! As for the flying thing....I like my feet on terra firma, too! I think I would have to take a Xanax...then I'd probably miss my flight, or try to get on the wrong one, or....

Congrats, and good luck!!

~ Stacey

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In Loving Memory of my Dad, "Eddie" Jan. 26, 1940 - June 8, 1996. Gone fishin' and holding my pole 'til I get there...
Adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Father in Law dx'd Sept. 04 Stage IIIb Squamous Cell LC...May 31, 2006 - On to Heaven, and the BEST cup of coffee...Love you, Pappy!

I'm a 41 year old married mom of five beautiful kids. Lost my Dad, Grandma, Great-Uncle, FIL, and many others to LC. Quit smoking in 2002 when a 5mm nodule in R lung was seen on Xray.
1/2005: Follow-up xray shows NO nodules, but...
2/2005: CT scan shows new/changed lobulated, non-calcified nodule in L lung (only 7mm x 10mm), three tiny (3-5mm), non-calcified nodules in R lung and nodular pleural thickening in both lungs...still too small for biopsy. We wait & watch w/ CT scans every 3 mos...next one in Aug.
May 05 - Dx'd w/moderate to severe asthma.
CT Scan Aug. 05 - "Essentially stable". L lung nodule grew to 11mm. R lung nodules are unchanged. No new nodules. Scan again in Feb.
8/05: Consult with Mayo Clinic Scottsdale. Mayo wants to rescan in Nov. 05.
11/05: CT shows "some" new noncalcified nodules in the R lower lobe, (now they are in all three lobes of the R lung...what a bummer) all tiny (<5mm) and some mild pericardial thickening (??). Otherwise, all other nodules are unchanged. No new ones in the L lung. Hmmm...now what...?? Still too small for biopsy - Next scans in Feb. 06.
Feb. 06 - CT shows a new subpleural nodule in L upper lobe, <5mm. Dominant nodule is relatively unchanged. The count appears to be 4 in the R, 2 in the L - now "it" is in all lobes.
May 06 - On to Mayo Clinic. New scans, labs, PFT's scheduled for June 2nd. The current nodule count is 7.
June 06 - Insurance denies Mayo claim, "not one of their providers" and "their" pulmonologist refuses to see me anymore because I went to Mayo!!! Sends me a certified letter to that effect.
Aug. 06 - 43 years old!! New doc orders CT. Nodules stable (yeah!!!)
Sept. 06: Pulmonologist wants another PET scan since I've had slight progression over the past year.
October 06 - PET/CT scheduled ~ results show new teeny spiculated nodule in RLL, as well as enlarged axillary nodes, but NO significant uptake except in the throat area (I talk too much...heehee) Scan again 1st week of January '07.
Jan. 07 - Nodules, mediastinal & axillary nodes stable!! Rescan in March.
Mar. 07 - EEEK!! Another new nodule!!! 4mm in LUL... 3 months fever of unknown orgin, and very high CRP levels...all else is stable.
4/07 - US and CT show enlarged liver & biliary duct dilatation. 2 lymph nodes in neck - one in armpit.
6/07 - Oncologist ordering a bone marrow biopsy, another PET/CT, and more liver/abdominal imaging. Maybe lymphoma...???
8/07 - 44 years old!! WOOHOO!!! Bone marrow biopsy shows no metastatic lymphoma, but shows iron depletion, and abnormal red calls... PET/CT shows another new nodule in LUL. Neck/axillary nodes increase. Neck dissection scheduled. Still thinking lymphoma...
10/07 - 3 enlarged nodes removed from neck. Prelim. shows no lymphoma present. Re-scan lungs this month to check on new nodule.
CT shows numerous blebs in left apex, but NO NEW nodules!!
12/07: Breast MRI for armpit/axillary node - negative
2/08: 3 years since this began. Mayo for follow-up CT. Doc is only concerned with 4 of the nodules and has finally graduated me to CT annually with xray at 6 months, barring any new symptoms/complications!!! YAY!! Started on pulmo. rehab. for COPD

A CANDLE FOR A CURE!!! 25% of proceeds will be donated to LUNGevity!!! Visit: http://www.candle4acure.com/


Pictured: Cassidy & Mommy ~ My youngest of five! May, 2008

Understand the butterflies feeling...but like u say...its about ur great abilities...one day at a time, Deb...youll be fine and have more great days...Rich B.

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06/28...Broncoscopy Mon....suspicious mass in left lung per ct scan...wish me luck...much anxiety, and yes, fear.
06/30...Needle biopsy, due to bronch. being inconclusive
07/02...dx is adenocarcinmoma...NSCLC

07/15...Surgery, entire left lung removed, No lymph node involvement or metasis yet discovered, so...hopeful prognosis
07/21 Home after sufficient recovery in hosp., slow recuperation, awaiting appt. with oncologist to determine if any additional treatment, screening, etc..
08/17/04 Oncologist appt....recomends more scans, CT bone, MRI, Pet etc. Also recomends one round of chemo...

9/17/o4 Good news, scans are all clear..NO evidence of disease detected...hopeful it remains that way. Remaining cautious tho, one more MRI to go and some adjuvant chemo....so waiting, healing, still doing med. appts for awhile. Then regular xrays ea. 3 mos.

Whoops...detour, the MRI/spine turned up a small lesion of unknown type. Off to the orthopedic specs. to investigate, get options. Chemo delayed briefly pending opinion from ortho guys.

Opinion is "not cancer" on spine...apparently just my arthritic joints...so, becomes a pain management issue..appt. made. On to adjuvant chemo on Monday. Finally.

Mon./10/27...o4 started adjuvant chemo finally; Taxotere first , then Cisplatin, I think...fatigued knocked me flat the 3rd day after...dozing, trying to catch my breath every time I move...sigh
Fri...emergency room, oxygen...Pneumonia-like inflammation of remaining lung...week of IV antibios and steroids...finally recovering, but...chemo ceased...end of that notion. Bad react. to taxotere. Now on to just screening scans for future. Continuing pain management consultations for back and surg. pain.

10/10/05 CT and PET scans; NED, clear, normal..1yr. out from treatment...cool.

2 yr. scans clear...wheww! SOB and easily fatigued tho, continues. Perm. I guess.