Could use any good thought you can send my way

[maddhatter]

I get to go see my new Cancer specialist today. I hope today will be the day we go from just dealing with the pain to doing something to start killing my Cancer. I woke up at 12 and again at 3:30 just screaming in the worst pain of my life I hope after seeing this dude things might start getting better. Today's a new day and the first one of the rest of my life and I am more then ready to start fighting!

Like the title says I can use any good thoughts you can send mine and Shelly way.

[redcj3a]

I hope you have a beneficial appointment with your new physician today. I'll keep you in mind and will say a prayer for you.

John

[94Dodge Truggy]

I talked to my brother who is a radiation oncologist for the west chester location and also travels to other locations in his rounds. He said if you wanted to get any questions answered to hit him up. You may be able to choose your doc. also. I will keep you and your family in my and my familys prayers. Good luck! Kick butt! And get well! :)

[blazerbrad]

Sounds like you have the right attitude which always help, so keep it up. Figthing cancer can be a long and hard road.

About 3 years ago (at the age of 31 and a 1 y.o. boy) I was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and rushed to the hospital, finding myself in pre-op a matter of hours after the diagnosis. While some people may think this was a tramatic experience the only thought going through my mind was "I've been sick for months, but now they finally know what is going on and will make it better"...so I know exactly the position you are in.

If I ever started feeling down or sorry for myself, I always reminded myself that it could be worse.

[maddhatter]

Sounds like you have the right attitude which always help, so keep it up. Figthing cancer can be a long and hard road.

About 3 years ago (at the age of 31 and a 1 y.o. boy) I was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and rushed to the hospital, finding myself in pre-op a matter of hours after the diagnosis. While some people may think this was a tramatic experience the only thought going through my mind was "I've been sick for months, but now they finally know what is going on and will make it better"...so I know exactly the position you are in.

If I ever started feeling down or sorry for myself, I always reminded myself that it could be worse.


Yea, Not knowing what to do is the worst part other then seeing the pain in my wife's and mothers eyes. All the tests are done so I hope by the end of the day we will at least have a game plan. As bad as the pain has been "by far the worst I have ever had" My wife seeing me in that pain hurt even worse.

[maddhatter]

Hey All. This is Shelly, Maddhatter's wife. Just wanted to give you all an update on Hank's condition. He has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Non Small Cell Lung Cancer. The prognosis was the worst thing I think I have ever had to sit through in my life. They said if he does nothing (treatment wise) he'll be lucky to be here at year's end. With treatment he will have a 50% chance being with us in 2 years and a 5% chance in 5 years. I think the room was silent for no less than 5 minutes when this was said. This cancer is inoperable due to it has spread, is wrapping the rib cage and is in the bone. He has also developed another tumor on his right temple which has grown pretty rapidly. We are going through scans and mri's and you name it to find where all the cancer has spread and are looking at options for treatment now. The sad thing about all this is that he is unable to get any type of chemo until he has 13 bad teeth removed. They are afraid of infection to these teeth, seeing how chemo tends to lower immunity. So this is the first hill we have to climb before the real battle against this invasive disease can begin. Medical bills and pharmacy bills are unbelievable so we are looking into charities and funding to help us with our utilities and outrageous co-pays. If you have any suggestions for any type of help in these areas, please let us know. We have received some nice donations through my work and other groups so that has been a blessing to us for sure. But please keep Hank in your prayers to combat this thing and prayers for me to stay strong to help him through this. I've never had to deal with anything like this before and just the paperwork, research and the unknowing is so very overwhelming. Keep him in your thoughts and hopefully he will be feeling better soon enough to get back on here for himself.

[94Dodge Truggy]

Shelly,

Thanks for the updated information. If you need any yard work or things done around the home please let me know. God Bless!

[TomH]

Good luck to you and the family.

[tjjeepjeep]

Shelly/Hank -- My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours as you deal with this.

[GPER]

Shelly/Hank -- My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours as you deal with this.

X2
We are finding out what you are going through since my father in law has been diagnosed with it in his throat glands and the testing is continuing.

[tjjeepjeep]

I can't imagine. I lost my stepfather to mouth cancer. The support system is critical to everyone. There's never enough time to keep everything running smoothly.

Shelly/Hank -- If I can help please let me know. Shelly if you need someone to clean the house or anything like that to allow you to be with him; please, please feel free to call me. 513 266 5883. Name's Lisa.

[maddhatter]

hey all, it's me, Shelly, again. Thank you all for your cares and thoughts. Lisa, thank you for the offer, I'll let you know if it gets out of hand here. So far, things have been going rather slow with the progress. Hank did have his first chemo treatment yesterday and is doing well as could be expected. His nausea has set in this evening, but not a real bad case of it. Just enough to make him have no appetite. His sister is going to start making juices of veggies and fruits for him with the ideas we have been discussing dealing with natural remedies for immunity and healing. I have been doing a whole lot of research over the last month looking into natural healings and I'm thinking that these juices mixed with the chemo should help in his recovery. Hopefully he'll be able to stomach them enough to keep them down. I will keep you in the loop on his progress and if you want to check with the updates on his Care-Page, I try to keep it updated for friends and family every few days. Thank You Rich for all the help you have given us around here and for being there for him. He really values your friendship. The link to his Care-Page is http://www.carepages.com/carepages/knabe . Hope to bring you better news here soon. Until then, take care and please be sure to give your loved ones many hugs and kisses and cherish every moment you have with them.

[GPER]

Thanks for keeping us updated, he'll be wheeling again before he knows it. Is he taking anything for his nausea????? They started my father in law on something to help with the nausea the same day he started chemo.

[maddhatter]

Thanks for keeping us updated, he'll be wheeling again before he knows it. Is he taking anything for his nausea????? They started my father in law on something to help with the nausea the same day he started chemo.

They started him on Emend, an anti nausea pill the day of chemo and one each day for two days after, and they also started him on another the day before, day of and 3 days after (2 a day). It seems to help somewhat. The also added steroids in the treatment which is supposed to boost the effect of the nausea medicine. He did have an Ensure, some chicken noodle soup, some jello and he did try some juice his sister made for him but that was a little too tart. We made up apple/carrot juice, grape juice, and asparagus juice. I thought the apple/carrot and grape were pretty good, haven't got past the looks of the asparagus to know yet though...lol. All in all he seems to be alright outside of sleeping most of the last two days .

[tjjeepjeep]

We're definitely thinking about all of you....Please keep us posted. Also I signed onto carepages yesterday as well.

[tjjeepjeep]

Anyone interested in sending something to Hank & Shelly. I have their address. PM or email me for it.

[GPER]

PM sent, oh wait it was sent on the TS board.:D

[tjjeepjeep]

PM sent, oh wait it was sent on the TS board.:D

Replied...on TS board :D

[GPER]

Thanks, Lisa.

[tjjeepjeep]

Some of the guys at zukikrawlers have made up stickers to show your support for Hank. All the money raised will go to Hank and Shelly.

http://www.zukikrawlers.com/showthread.php?t=25523