Thank you, Colleen, for the link. - S

Hi Susan-
My heart goes out to you and your family! Lung cancer needs to be extinguished from our society!
My wife is now stage IV with NON SMALL CELL lung cancer. Her journey started in 2014 with repeated pneumonias and a diagnosis by our local doc that she had a "lung abscess"...
In May 2015 after non conclusive findings from an incompetent pulmonologist, we packed up her records and sent to Mayo...within 4 days they confirmed an adenacarcinoma...and asked that we get her there (Rochester) ASAP. Within a week she had a bilobectomy and was told she was stage 3A.
After 4 rounds of cisplatin chemo (debilitating) she was told she was okay...then in July, 2016 she was told her cancer had metastasized and was put on Opdivo...no response to it so they ordered a molecular study, from which they FINALLY determined she had a HERR2 mutation commonly found in breast cancer (not lung cancer) patients!
She is now being treated for that mutation...not approved by the FDA for lung cancer! We pray that this therapy is the right one.
Bottom line...to those with nonconclusive findings, insist upon a genomics study! They need to treat the mutation-NOT THE ORGAN!

<br><br><br><br><br>Thank you Susan for your kind words for my friends. I have been praying day <br>and night for a miracle for them. I like 'Windwalker' too. Especially now <br>that there are several Terris on the blog. It can be hard to keep us <br>straight.  -Terri M.    That is why I also add an M. after <br>my name.<br> <br><br>

Thanks so much - I wish we had pushed harder to pin down a cause for that A.R.D.S. episode four years prior to her cancer diagnosis. Also, I'm not certain my sister was given much information regarding the A.R.D.S. We were just relieved she lived through that, and tried to do all we could for her afterward by way of support. I will always believe her cancer diagnosis was related somehow to the A.R.D.S. My sister's cancer was also NON-SMALL Cell Adenocarcinoma. It's certainly easy to confuse the two types.

I'm very sorry about your wife's diagnosis; it sounds like they might have diagnosed it earlier if not for the holdups before you got to Mayo. I do hope and pray for your wife's prognosis and a good outcome. Miracles still happen.

My sister's insurance wasn't very good by the time she received her cancer diagnosis. I also don't know what types of studies were done to determine mutations. Since she was a medical professional, we presumed she knew the right questions to ask. Prior to her diagnosis, one of the medical schools in our area announced they would no longer accept her medical insurance at it's affiliated hospital(s). No reason was given. I thought at the time, and still believe it was the height of arrogance. Once she received her cancer diagnosis, this limited the facilities available to her and many other people for treatment. As I've said before, none of this hindsight will bring her back.

Best wishes to you and your wife; I hope you'll keep me informed of her progress. God Bless You. - Susan

<br><br><br><br><br>Hello. I can tell this is still very painful for you. If I could reach <br>through this computer and hug you, I would.<br> <br><br>

Dear Cheris:
Your sister is fortunate to have your love and support. I can understand her fear. I looked death in the face and could not breath. My husband stood by my bed after lung cancer vats surgery and said breath breath for 5 hours. When we went home I thought could not walk up stairs to our bedroom! My husband said, you can do this!" So I did so ever slowly!
I will never forget the nurse les call from Mayo Oncology who mailed me a research study work book, Paced Breathing DVD (now an app) and called every FR for 3 months. I listened to this 15 minute voice on the DVD 4 hours in the morning, afternoon and middle of night ...even though it hurt to move & breath.
I hope you google Dr Amit Sood and share a couple of his short and fun videos. And think
About googling his amazing TED Talk. I am no longer afraid. I have kearn d how to train my brain to better help me catch my breath and pace breath through my day! I have been empowered...but it took a lot of time. Ya know, it was my life saver!
Let me know if this helps your sister ...and you?
You d serve the biggest cyber hug!!!
Linda

Thank you Linda, my sister was not a candidate for surgery but did receive 6 sessions of chemo. Last week her scans showed that clear except for one spot on a lung that looked like scar tissue. She has been very sick and weak. We are going to go on vacation next week for 10 days and so very glad we can spend this time together. The day she gets back they are doing two weeks of radiation to her brain, although the scan was clear this is a preventive measure because small cell likes to move to the brain. She will also get two weeks radiation to the small scar looking area on her lung just to be safe. Although she has received good news and looks like she is in remission her spirits are very low. I am hoping that 10 days at the beach will help. Also going to check out the historical plantations and gardens of Charleston,SC. She will bring a wheelchair since she gets very tired. She did get a wig and she is happy to have hair again.

I will certainly have her look up Dr. Sood and see if this is something she would like to look into. Thank you.

Cheri

Hi Cheri:
Sounds like you are doing everything to be helpful. I understand that being week from cancer and treatment can take it out of the body and it does take time to recover.

This vacation will be good for the body, mind & spirit. My husband drug me on a vacation but it helped me get a new perspective on everything. I soon enjoyed each day... one day at a time.

I have a feeling your vacation time away will be very helpful! Bless you. Tell your sister she is not alone & stay connected, ok?
You both deserve a big cyber hug!
All my best,
Linda