Hi

Hi I feel alone. My family is supportive but they don't know what I'm going through. Please, I need someone who knows and is going through the same thing I am to talk to...Lorraine

Lorraine - Can you be more specific as to what you are going through? I would certainly be willing to visit with you and I am sure others who post here would too. dotdot

I just had surgury June 26th. To remove two node. From my left lung. The doctor said he is not sure if he got it all. Now I have to see a cancer doctor. I feel alone. My family is great but I don't think they understand. I guess I need someone that know how I feel...thanks for responding...lorraine

Lorraine - I think I know how you feel. I am sure you are still in pain from your surgery. I had one lobe removed and a wedge resection of another lobe in my right lung in February 2002. The doctor couldn't remove the second lobe and expect me to be able to breathe again so the wedge resection. My oncologist told me that there is more of a chance of a return of the cancer with a wedge resection than with a total removal of the lobe. My surgeon also told me he thought he got it all but he definately wanted me to do chemotherapy. The oncologist wasn't so sure that was appropriate but went with me on it because my surgeon scared the bejeezus out of me. I got pneumonia after my first 2 chemo treatments and was hospitalized; from that point on I have been on oxygen 24/7. I completed the recommended 4 chemo sessions in July 2002 and all was good until May 2004 when I had to start chemotherapy again because my CEA was elevated. I completed that regimine in October 2004 and had lower CEA's (tumor markers) but they began to rise again so I started taking Tarceva on the first of May 2005. I will find out at the end of the month if the Tarceva is working; if not, I will have to start chemotherapy again. Do you work outside the home? I didn't and applied for and received SS Disability but I am completely homebound. I get out with my husband on weekends but we have to take the oxygen with us because I am still on it. It is not the best life to have but I am thrilled to still be on this earth. No one can understand the fear we live with on a daily basis. Is this the month the tumor will show up again? Is this medicine working? But, I feel good for the most part so I just take it one day at a time. I know that none of us are promised tomorrow. My advice? Find a good oncologist, one you feel comfortable with. That will make a big difference. I think they are honest with patients nowdays and when my doctor feels he has done all he can do for me he will tell me that. Right now, he is still encouraged and talks about "treatments for the long term" which makes me think I still have some time left. Enjoy each day. Find something positive about it. One thing I asked from my family was not to baby me too much. I don't want to feel like an invalid. I rest when I need to and go out with friends when I feel like it. Of course I would like my life to be cancer free but since I am in this situation I just try to make the most of each day. I think you will feel much better once you talk to an oncologist and when you feel better from the surgery itself. Hope this helps. I will be watching the board to hear from you again. dotdot

Thank you for responding. No I don't work out side the home. I'm a day care provider. I had to put that on hold. I go to the cancer doctor this friday to see what treatment they're going to use. My family history isn't that great. My sister died of lung cancer at 56. My brother died of lung cancer at 57. I also have heart problems guess you can say I'm battling a 1000. You seem to have it worst then me. Thank you so much for responding to me. You are great. Hope to here for you again...god bless

Hi, I know what you’re both going through. I had part of a lung removed in 2002 and last year a reoccurrence of a tumor- but this time in the limp nodes, I spent seven months last year in chemo and had 7 weeks of radiation. The radiation appears to have shrunk the tumor. So now, I sit and WAIT. According to my doctor, there's an 80% chance or reoccurrence within the first year. I am hoping to be part of that other --- 20% group. Somebody has to be. I'll tell you how I cope..maybe it will help you. I pretend it's not happening. Sounds crazy, but it works for me. "Head down and move forward”. I continue to work, enjoy my family and grandkids. I am very lucky to have so many to support me. The doctor also told me it would take as long to get back to normal as it did to go through treatment. He was so right. I'm 90% back to normal, it's wonderful. So do not despair - remember -HEAD DOWN, MOVE FORWARD. There's always that chance that we'll make it. And if it doesn't work out - well at least we were fortunate enough to see it coming .. so just keep going and live every day as if it were your last. Please do not despair! Take care.

Rainy54g - My family history sounds like yours. A half-brother who died of lung cancer at age 56, and my twin sister who died of lung cancer at 46. She only lived 2 days short of 6 months from the date she was diagnosed and went through surgery for nothing. That was back in September 1996. We lost our father in June 1996 and had lost our mother in 1980. I am the only one left of my birth family. When I think of how bad it was for my sister, I feel so lucky. Thanks 10232002 (I can't remember your screen name for the life of me but I think I am close) for your input as well. My latest pet scan showed lymph node involvement for me but my oncologist won't do radiation because the node is located behind my diaphragm and too close to the stomach - I guess the radiation would have serious adverse effects on my stomach. I just take one day at a time and enjoy each day as much as I can. Really, can we ask for anything more? dotdot