I was diagonsed in January - Had gone to my Doctor for over a year with EVERY classic symptom of the disease....she did not listen..I told her I could not breathe...one listen to my back and she diagnosed me with emphysema, ehich my Dad had died of a few weeks before, (so that was March 09) - Put me on inhalers - did nothing - I gained over 40 lbs...I lost that and about 10 more - she told me I was lucky...I went back for more weight gain.....FINALLY when I looked about 11 months pregnant and had 3.5 litres of fluid on my chest she gave me an internal exam and DAMN I had STAGE 3 CANCER...Had full hysterectomy and 3 tumors plus removed in February 2010 - they were not able to get 2 small lobes of cancer as were on my diaphragm so that stayed - I have had chemo every 3 weeks since March and just finished 3 weeks ago - Will have a cat scan next week to see whether the cancer is gone, back, there, somewhere else....I also have problems with my feet - this has gotten worse..I did fall and sprained my ankle, badly, so have been in physical therapy for that but I mean HURT - by bedtime I cannot stand the burning of my feet that goes all the way up my leg, to my upper legs, and rubbing ang rubbing does no good...for my sprained ankle I have found that doing my excercises under the bathtub tap, starting with coolish water and going to COLD feels great....because it numbs everything - I now do it to both feet and upper legs right before bed..I also have the heater on in my bed, even ehen it is 80 degrees outside!! and since it only covers 1/2 the bed I can move to warmth and cool all night....I have been VERY positive since the beginning of this whole mess....I had told my sister, years ago, that by the time I was 32 I would have this cancer, so I kind of feel like I have always had it.....strange but true, so my reaction, when my DR. told me was, "I'm not surprised....I have learned that ALL I NEED TO DO is get dressed and show up..the get dressed part ONLY VALID if leaving the house, otherwise, I just need to "show up" That helps your mind alot, I think..I have 2 daughters and a hubby, My hubby has shut down on me and I am very much alone in this whole thing...to get him to help I literally have to be in tears..very frustrating and very sad...although his work pressures are many, I was #1 when I first came home and now I am barely on his list of priorities, or sure feels that way...feel free to connect with me - ANYTIME!!! Hugs to you, I understand......Believe me - Oh, BTW I live in the USA in Vermont - a little teeny state in the northern part of the US....Hugs....

Hi Ladies

Dot- I can understand where your coming from with friends for me however I'm single and therefore my freinds are all nurses and while they found it difficult, not one walked away! As I say they each have there own strengths some can't cope with the dying subject some can, some want to wrap me in cotton wool while others have me out exploring for exercise - I need each of them! The most difficult one is my friend that I share a house with, she has been a total godsend but is not the best talker, having supported me through everything she went down big time and ended up with depression. We have ended up in a difficult position as she needs to talk about it but I'm probably not the best person for her to talk to but she's not good at talking to the others. Vicious circle, but we'll get there.

Kathym - Yep no problems at the time and still have fingers loosely crossed about the clots. This was only my first (but 2nd time round) so in big trouble if clots kick in this quick, been very naughty have increased my Asperin for the last few days as my injection sites haven't been bruising lol. Decided the odds were much higher with me clotting than bleeding. Help or hinder, buth I think it helps when things get complicated and you have to 'remind' Drs and think ahead for yourself but it hinders when the thought process is distrubted by chemo and the Drs don't realise it! My Drs have a habit of forgetting I'm a patient and at times a lot of what they say goes over my head as this is not my field of nursing. I don't get any aches or pains either, am coming to the conclusion that as others are not complaining bitterely about the taste that my smoking my have a lot to do with it! No fluid on my lungs.........yet!

Eileen - yes it was just like the way people treat pregnant ladies! Think you need to speak to your nurse or someone - why would you need a colostomy if there is no sign of the tumour (not only on scan but nothing on rectal either)? What is upper pelvis (mine was throughout the abdo which I think is outside the pelvic area therefore had spread further than the pelvis, it didn't stop them operating). My Surgeon left a small tumour on the bowel which he said the 3 remaining doses of chemo would sort (interestinly that one ain't come back!). I think you need to press a bit - if they say they can't really say, ask them what further information they need to be able to say. Don't get me wrong they cannot guarentee anything but they usually give advice on which way is best to go (often helped by, if it was you what would you do!) You don't have to take the advice but it should give you some options to consider.

Hi VermontMum, welcome to our group. My first 6 doses of chemo caused on end of problems with my feet, over the last 8 months it has slowly improved and now I just have a little numbness in the toes on the left foot. On Doxil/carbo this time and so far no numbness in feet or hands!

Take care all.

Jackie xxx

Hi Eileen,

sleep evades me too, that is what I loved after the op I was always tired lol...now I am up anywhere from 4am on.

My first reaction was not to have the chemo but my husband and kids broke down and wanted me to try. I will do as they say and have the other two chemo's, I did note that the prof said......... if it has grown.... he didn't say shrunk!! If it has grown I might have a bronchoscopy then handed to the lung team, my mind tells me not to put my family through all that, but I can't trust my reactions at the moment.

It is best that I take one day at a time, there is no way of knowing how this will progress, I have read some horror stories.......... I want quality of life not quantity.

It is nice that you and your friends have me in your thoughts, and the rest of the ladies on here.

I have everything crossed for you Eileen, keep well!!

Love to all Dot xxxxxxx

Well Dot.

My email is biff-o56@hotmail.co.uk so if you want to use that I can send you my Mobile number and we can text or chat. Its up to you anyway as I know your full of all sorts at the moment going through your mind. But in future if your in Hospital its nice to get texts from people as its a long day.

Love Eileen xxxxx!www.cancerchat.org.uk/.../love.gif!

PS that goes for all the ladies' as well xxxx

Hi Ladies

Unlike you lot I haven't got the night owl syndrome! Glad to hear chemo went ahead as planned Eileen, I know you wanted to wait an extra week but now as least your a week ahead and one week nearer being finished. Hopefully you will manage to avoid admission this time.

Dot I'm glad to hear you sounding better, time has a great way of making the unthinkable bearable, even so you sound as if your getting there quickly! I fully understand your comments about quality and not quantity, but be careful when making treatment choices as sometimes these do affect quality. Both chemo and radiotherapy can be used for symptom refief so please don't just discount them on grounds of quantity. Take my case for example - without the chemo I would rapidly end up wheelchair bound with little arm strength, as I don't find chemo symptoms difficult it equals quality for me. This is your first chemo and after a week or two you will be better positioned to judge how it affects you, then after you've had all 3 and the scans you need to be prepared to ask the tough questions (if there needed which I hope there not) of the consultant. Is the proffessor you talk about an oncologist? Sorry but I do get a tad confused! I'm used to everything going through my oncologist and even if (?when) i develop secondaries I woun't be expecting to be referred to a different specialist, it still cancer and he's the expert on cancer so I just don't see what throwing another consultant into the mix can bring - apart from confusion and even more communication difficulties! sorry very negative about multiple consultants but that comes from years of experience!!!!!

I wouldn't put to much store byt the fact he said nothing about it shrinking, prior to this chemo my Onc was very negative - no hope negative- actually dragged me down for a least 2 hours! When I saw him last Fri he was back to his normal self. The only thing that was different was that I'd had chemo and he could see that my movement was better hence the chemo was working. The negativity was purely in case it didn't and this may be the same in your case. At this point they have no way of knowing if its doing anything which is what the scan is all about.

Glad you happy with your wig. I have one from last time but never wore it, while it was comfortable when I had hair I found it very uncomfortable without! I'm afraid I prefer bald but usually give in and wear bandama's when I'm out! Amazing how different you get treated in shops!!!!!!!!

Try and keep your spirits up, good luck to all.

If you think I can help in any other way my e-mail is jacinta.oneill@virgin.net. I am also happy to give my mobile for texts but not overley keen on talking Strange But I hate talking on telephones!!!!

Jackie xxxx

Hi everyone,

Eileen hope you are ok, thought about you all day!!

Jackie the prof is an oncologist, but his work is in the ovarian field, the hospital I go to only treats cancer, the prof said that there is another chemo for lung cancer and he would speak with the team to see how to progress once I have the ctscan. We have two hospitals in my area both of which deal with cancer only, my local hospital has a dedicated cancer wing, but I wasn't allowed to be dealt with by them as they can't deal with certain cancers. They are widely respected, erm well they were to me once lol.

I will just take it day by day and not discount anything until I have fully researched my options. I still have this ache in the right side of my rib cage and back, no wheezes or groans, which keeps my mind zoned in, I try to think it has to be the chemo but of course I think it could be something else. The prof pressed my side and rib cage and more or less dismissed it, sent me for bloods and urine test, all were clear. It feels as though I am wearing my bra too tight lol.

I am taking paracetamol and tramadol, that is what they gave me when I had my op.

Paranoia was never one of my things, but it looks like it visits me regularly now.

Love to all, Dot xxxxxxx

Hi Dot,

Please excuse me trying to diagnose you but I hate you worrying if I can possibly give you some positive info.As you know my secondary is in the lymph glands in neck and chest and I am still fighting fit 2 years on .I get pain on my right side and like you think it has spread but it really does feel as if bra is too tight,even when i havent got a bra on! It has a lot to do with the lymph trying to wash out the baddies and the glands swell .and press on nerves.

Roll on your actual results and you can plan.

Everything crossed for you

Rose xxx

Thank you Rose you are as thoughtful as ever xxx and you are so strong it does help me.

Hope everyone else is well....

Dot xxxx

Hi Dot,

Just read Kentmums post on symptoms diagnosis site.

Will stop nagging you now .Goodnight lovely girl xxxx

Rose you weren't nagging, I just read kentmums post, what a very strong brave lady, my prayers are with her.

Hope everyone is doing ok

Love Dot xxxxxxx

Hi Ladies',

Hope everyone is doing ok and, Dot you sound alot more focused and I hope your pain will soon go. You will have to go without your bra and see how you feel. I am afraid my symptoms have kicked in earlier this time and have been in bed all day with aching legs,, light headed and generally lethargic. I am hoping I manage to stay out of Hospital this time but not sure. If you don't hear from me over next few day's you will know where I am .... Love as alway's Eileen. xxxxxxxx

Hi all, hope you are doing ok!!

Eileen that is miserable for you, hopefully you can stay out of hospital this time.

I am feeling more positive now, no point in sitting worrying so I am taking each day as it comes!!

I hope to see you post again over the next few days so I know that you are ok xxx

Love to all, it is quiet on here, hoping you are all hanging in there.

Love Dot xxxxxxx

Hi all, hope you are doing ok!!

Eileen that is miserable for you, hopefully you can stay out of hospital this time.

I am feeling more positive now, no point in sitting worrying so I am taking each day as it comes!!

I hope to see you post again over the next few days so I know that you are ok xxx

Love to all, it is quiet on here, hoping you are all hanging in there.

Love Dot xxxxxxx

Well done Dot.Thats the spirit.We are all rooting for you and if love can make you better then you will certainly get better.

Have a good weekend.

Rose xxx