haven't talked to my mother in a few weeks.she went to the ER this weekend and my sister says they think they might've seen spots in an x-ray.gotta go back thursday for more tests.my mom lives alone which is scary.she is 56 years old but won't quit smoking as she smokes 3 or 4 packs of cigs a day.she has had these doctors warning her here the last couple years.she is already suppose to be on oxygen.you probably know more than me at this point but once you get this cancer in the lungs do they do chemo or try to take out parts of the lung? what things has your wife had to do? glad your wife is is doing better now.....

Glad to hear she had a decent day.

Thank you emilyg...

LOTTOMIKE - What I know is this; If the cancer is confined to the lung and has not spread to the bronchial area, they can surgically remove the entire lung succesfully. If the cancer has merged into the bronchial area the lung can not be removed surgically because the bronchial has to remain to breathe. In this sinario, the cancer is normally treated with a combination of chemo thearpy and radiation treatment. I don't think it's possible to surgically remove only a portion of the lung. If chemo and radiation is used, 5 years recovery is considered a long remission time. Not very incouraging! My wife is a young 65, but she has smoked since she was 23, 42 years. She averaged a pack a day. She is a beautiful intellegent person who made an unfortunate decision to keep smoking knowing what the consequences could be. She hasen't received any oncology treatment yet, we will be offered some choices possibly as soon as Monday after she is released from the heart team.

Joy will require chemotherapy and radiation treatment for the cancer. She still has the drainage from her heart and until this gets to an acceptable level, the cancer treatment will have to wait.

Samples from the fluid draining from the heart cavity show positive for cancer stats. We are waiting for results from tissue samples from the heart lining. If it indicates cancer is present there, then it will compound the problems concerning her treatment.

Joy is feeling better and able to eat and move around some. There were five doctors in to see her today, (Monday). We are hoping they can remove the drainage tubes tomorrow. If this is possible they will be able to begin cancer treatment soon.

This is where we are as of Monday. The future really doesn’t look real bright for Joy right now.

We ask for your prayers…

Howard

They removed the drainage tube from her right lung today, but the tube from her heart cavity remains. Hopefully the remaining tube can be removed by Thursday or Friday. The Doctors are optimistic for Thursday. Great news today! The biopsy from her heart cavity returned negative for cancer. This gives us more to work with concerning the radiation treatment. More good news! As soon as the remaining tube is removed she will be elligable to come home! Then, chemo therapy treatment can begin sometime next week.

I just hope and pray I can have her home for Christmas...