<p>Epistrophy, re that article, which is otherwise excellent, I stopped counting the breast cancer representatives at TWENTY SEVEN (27). But yet not even one person with lung cancer. Given the numbers of diagosis per year, I find that troubling. I know that my DEA friend is often very frustrated that his daughter’s type of cancer, soft cell carcinoma, gets very little notice. But this cancer sees about 200 new cases per year (according to him), lung cancer diagnosis = 200,000 new cases per year.</p>
<p>I was thinking hard about this while turtling my way home from the Metro Friday night - as I have posted before, it’s critical to raise awareness about lung cancer, but, those of us afflicted don’t want to be publically associated with it, and, the majority of persons with lung cancer don’t live long enough or are too sick to advocate for themselves. </p>
<p>Mythmom, best wishes with your novel, it sounds interesting…and thank you for attempting to educate on this issue. Re my profession, I work on counterterrorism and narcoterrorism stuff…also some fraud…</p>
<p>LTS: I would never presume to suggest how you or anyone else in your situation should conduct themselves. And I certainly wouldn’t try to push someone such as yourself into “going public” with health-related issues or anything else. </p>
<p>All of that said, however, I’m not sure how it’s possible to “raise awareness” about lung cancer unless more of the afflicted do “go public.” How else is there to put a face - indeed, a sympathetic face - on this lethal disease? How else to raise concerns about possible environmental causes for it?</p>
<p>While it may now seem like a very long time ago, it wasn’t all that long ago that anyone with cancer was likely to feel stigmatized and ashamed by virtue of the disease. If spoken about at all, cancer was something that was talked about only in hushed tones of dread. And this goes for those forms of the disease that now seem to have won the public-relations battle - like breast cancer - as well those (like lung cancer) that haven’t, at least not yet.</p>
<p>With AIDs, too, there was a similar process of, over time, gradually removing the stigma by humanizing the illness and the individuals who have it.</p>
<p>Again, I’m not trying to tell you - or anyone else - what to do. But it seems to me that unless more people with lung cancer are willing to step out of the shadows, that may well be where they - and this disease - remain.</p>
<p>Lung cancer, unfortunately, has been associated almost exclusively with smoking for so long that many of us are surprised when a non-smoker gets it. We are being educated rapidly, I think, as the population of smokers falls and people nevertheless get lung diseases such as cancer and emphysema. </p>
<p>So thank you to all the brave people with the disease, and the caring and activist friends of such people, for enlightening us.</p>
<p>LTS- your writing, strength and honesty are so inspiring, I hope you know how much you are giving to all of us just sharing your experience. While I came to this board with the mission of a mother helping her first D navigate the college process you have put a new perspective on it all. This is where I check in in the morning and at night with all good thoughts for you and your daughter.</p>
<p>wishing you a good night and great tomorrow:)
4Giggles</p>
<p>My experience is actually the opposite of what people used to think…everyone I know with lung cancer in the last 20 years…never smoked. One gal died within months of her first symptoms…lots of coughing for about a month, and then coughing up blood…and about 2-3 months later she had died…</p>
<p>and another older gentleman, who was diagnosed, did major leading edge treatment at Dana Farber in Boston and lived a very good quality of life for over 9 years…until about 3 - 4 mos ago when it came back with a vengence and he told his wife he was too tired to mount another fight. </p>
<p>I really don’t know anyone who smokes regularly anymore. Maine has been in the forefront of eliminating smoking indoors pretty much everywhere. I do not have a single friend or acquaintance who smokes… so I think there is something in the air or genetic marker that is the trigger. </p>
<p>Prostate cancer seems to be on the increase up here… either that or folks are getting screened earlier and as a result diagnosed earlier.</p>
<p>maineparent–I don’t personally know anyone who smokes, either, tho I see them on street corners around town. And I don’t know anyone with lung cancer (personally.) Prostate, pancreatic, and breast, we have plenty of, however.</p>
<p>My father has prostate cancer, but he’s 85. His doc said he’ll die with it, not from it, and that pretty much every man who lives long enough will get it. That and Parkinson’s. And Alzheimer’s. I’m beginning to think living to a ripe old age is overrated.</p>
<p>Cheers to late to school…and hoping that the chemo round will be kinder to you this time. Obviously…we are all thinking of you and hoping you are in expert hands.</p>
<p>Faline, everyone, thanks for your kind thoughts; I have been in the hospital Monday and all day yesterday; had emergency surgery yesterday afternoon to install a stent in a kidney that was being partially blocked by a cancerous lymph node. I maniputated a discharge out of them shortly thereafter; I am back in my office working today, and will resume chemotherapy tomorrow. I was admitted early Monday morning; the abridged version is that I had scheduled my PET scan at 6:45 a.m. in order to try to salvage as much of my “normal” day as possible; pain caused them to admit me immediately (they were thinking spinal column mets and the potential for paralysis); and as it turns out the pain is related to a herniated disk, not anything do to with cancer. </p>
<p>On Monday I had one PET scan, three MRIs, and one CT scan, and an ultrasound. I wonder if you can imagine having tests beginning at 7:00 in the morning and at 10:00 p.m. you’re laying on yet another table…</p>
<p>PET scan shows continued progression of the cancer however, my oncologist is changing chemo combos. </p>
<p>The worst news is that there are also now three brain mets - so, I had a consult with radiation oncology and we are going to do cyberknife, so more scans next week to address that. Oh, and the primary cancer site has doubled in size in the last six weeks. </p>
<p>But some good news - no really serious new sites, just progression in existing sites and a couple of non-dire new sites (except for whatever is the abdominal mass that is causing pressure on the kidney to cause the blockage). MRIs of thoracic and lumber spine are clear. Blood counts are happily normal. CT and brain MRI don’t have the reports yet. Hospital staff, including several doctors - you wouldn’t believe how many - remarked to me at various times today how they just couldn’t believe how fantastic I look, and how incredibly, enviably healthy I am. Oddly, even my kidney function tests have always been normal, according to my amazed oncologist. I just hope that means something in this battle…hopefully it translates in some way to a direct benefit.</p>
<p>I also Monday had my first ever dose of a narcotic pain medication; it caused me to get very ill and to express that illness several times, if you read my meaning. So I have downgraded to over the counter stuff to fix the continuing pain from the herniated disk. Oh and I have some patches for that too. </p>
<p>This is a very, very tough battle. It takes some serious mental moxie to fight this.</p>
<p>You are an angel to fill us in, with the lucid prose and strong heart we have come to admire on display. The emergency surgery and mythically long day on tables for tests and you are back at work, no doubt fielding calls from those who know you best! You are a warrior with enviable moxey to burn. As your fellow parent(s) here… of a wonderful young adult raised well…we all know how much more living you have to do and how much you matter.<br>
so sorry for the extra indignity of the rejection of the narcotic and nausea…hate that!<br>
I am picturing your medical team taking stock of you and fully engaged in this battle with you now…glad you are also settled in one location…keep sending missives to us</p>
<p>LatetoSchool…I am sorry for all you have had to go through. However, I truly admire you. You endure a lot and take up the challenge and fight and hold your head up. I’m in awe. Try to keep the faith and hope and take it a day at a time as you get through this battle. It’s a very difficult battle but if anyone is up to it, you are!</p>
<p>LTS,
Your courage is astounding. I am so thankful your health care team is supportiung you and encouraging you through this battle. Their visualizations of you as vital and healthy are something to hold on to. </p>
<p>Please let your D know that if she wants to come here to vent or is in need of support, we are here for her as well.</p>
<p>LTS, you are in our hearts and our prayers…all we can do is be with you in spirit and love…and we are constantly with you and your daughter. Lorelei</p>
<p>I am so sorry to her of all this bad news piling up on you – but your medical teams sounds very smart and proactive. You did a great job in finding them. </p>
<p>Here in the Seattle area, the early plum trees are starting to bloom on this crisp sunny day. I imagine you walking under the cherry trees in Washington in just a few weeks – and you can visit your Second Life garden anytime. Continue to keep spring and renewal in your heart.</p>