<p>LTS, in rereading your statement from 9/28/07 quoted above, I am amazed at the thoughtfulness you expressed while still adjusting to your new reality. I do, however, have to take issue with your claim
So much of what you have shared these past two months very much parallels the approach Randy Pausch has taken. You each have sought out the most promising treatments for your conditions and are amazingly proactive in positive ways. You both also realize that there is still a life to be lived every day and are focused on making the most of that. I am very impressed with the grace and class YOU have displayed during this time.</p>
<p>Just in case you have not seen the latest, here is a link to Randy’s blog about his treatment: [url=<a href=“http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html]RandyPauschInformation[/url”>RandyPauschInformation]RandyPauschInformation[/url</a>]
I am so glad that his palliative chemo is working so well for him and hope that he continues to be in the category of patients who beat the expectations for them. I am further delighted to learn that a book based on his talk is in development. He is a hero to me but so are YOU!</p>
<p>^^^ Not solved yet, but our tech guy is working on the original thread issue. All (non-techie) I did was the workaround. But thanks for the thanks!</p>
<p>Epistrophy, ROTFL, that is exactly what my daughter told everyone my response would be to my diagnosis. She said, “my mother is going to be, like, F*** this disease, I’ll kick it’s…(etc.)” well you can imagine the rest. LOL. </p>
<p>I have scans Monday and chemo #5 next week, and perhaps a radiation decision. I am not nervous; just wanting to get on with the business of solving this. I spoke with the five year survivor in Texas at length last night; I have been using that term rather loosely as he just had his five year scans yesterday. I have assumed all along he is going to be just fine but we are both waiting for his results and hoping that we are going to be celebrating as you can imagine. </p>
<p>JEM, thank you for fixing this, and thank you for reposting the link to Randy Pausch. For those who have not had the experience, the organization of and operational aspects of cancer treatment is NOT a simple thing. While it’s true that first and second line care are more or less standardized around the country, when you get into more challenging situations it takes a lot of time and work to find the answers. Oncologists are too busy swimming to build boats it seems. They do not have time to drill around for customized treatment plans for their patients because there are so many new patients coming through the doors - or - at least that is my impression. I am glad that Randy is making some progress and has some options still. One of the drugs he is having added - Avastin - I have in queue if things turn out that way. It’s used in non small cell lung cancer and if I am not mistaken it is experimental in small cell. </p>
<p>I don’t want to be overly negative, but wish to share a story to send the message to take nothing for granted, and to value every day as a gift, regardless of current health. There is a 30 year old man, never smoker, parents never smoked, no cancer history in family, diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer just this August. His cancer is so aggressive that he is already out of options and he has been sent home with hospice. None of the chemo combinations worked for him and it spread so quickly that surgery and radiation were not options. He and his wife just had their first child in October. </p>
<p>We all just have today. We can reasonably expect tomorrow but it’s not a guarantee. There seems to be a trend of more and more young people ending up with aggressive cancers. I don’t have any firm science on it but I think we have to think seriously about environmental issues, and how to fix a lot of the damage that’s been done - or - at a minimum, stop doing the damage. </p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for your kindness, I appreciate it very much.</p>
<p>I will echo JEM in affirming that your ‘grace and class’ in dealing with this situation are second to none. </p>
<p>Hopefully the old thread will be fixed, as the organizational and ethical issues in your story, as well as others dealing with cancer, are fascinating and instructive.</p>
<p>When I had to face this truth, I tried to sort out my priorities. I felt so much better able to face the future after doing so. It was 16 years ago. I hope to hear from you 16 years hence–though not through CC!</p>
<p>Only posting so I get a little star next to the thread , because this is one of the first threads I look for when I sign on. Think of you often, LTS, cheering from the sidelines, with prayers and admiration and hope.</p>
<p>(And thanks to JEM and all the moderators, for their very human compassion on a site where sometimes it’s easy to loose sight of the humanity.)</p>
<p>Binx, LOL I had to do the same thing. And many thanks for the prayers, and cheers. :)</p>
<p>Marite, I also hope you hear from me in 16 years, perhaps in another time and place. I also very seriously hope that Randy Pausch IS on CC in 16 years, scoping out the college admissions process for his three children, perhaps playing a bit in the cafe, and addicted like everyone else here. </p>
<p>I just received email from the five year survivor; his scan reports are back and all are clean!!! His wife is the person who was told - twice - he would not live through the night, when he was diagnosed with small cell extensive lung cancer with svc syndrome, in the hospital, January, 2003. I am very grateful to cancer survivors who take the time to communicate with the newly diagnosed.</p>
<p>Me too! You had been waiting to hear back, and now comes this is a great piece of news. So heartening. </p>
<p>As fpr me, I feel grateful also for cancer warriors who take the time to communicate with the newly educated.</p>
<p>Rock on.</p>
<p>P.S. I just read post 536 on the “get it off your chest” thread, describing protests in pj’s from family members filling waiting rooms, to call attention to individual cancer patients. Had you heard of this? It was another eye-opener for me. Doesn’t sound like your approach, however.</p>
<p>LATETOSCHOOL - I have been away from the board for a while - unable to get on until very recently - but I have read the postings in your support and just want to say that I wish you well - you are a fighter - and from your own posts - you have shown amazing strength and grace in how you are facing all of this.</p>
<p>Just wanted to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you - keep up the battle girl!! :D</p>
<p>Just checking in and hoping for an update. Epistrophy, those sites look great! The internet has certainly been a boon to those with health problems.</p>
But thanks for the thanks!</p>
, because this is one of the first threads I look for when I sign on. Think of you often, LTS, cheering from the sidelines, with prayers and admiration and hope.</p>