I had a hard time lying still on the proton machine. So they gave me a fentanyl lollipop just before treatment treatment and it helped a lot. I was already on pain meds but the lollipop was necessary. Hopefully you won't need it but thought you might want to know just in case.

I've been dreading hearing this
I always read her postings first. They were so informative, well written, and straightforward. I wish I could thank her for educating me and undoubtably many others. May her death be easy and pain free, as she wished it.

I asked my onc about pretreating erbitux with antibiotics. He said there was no point in using an antibiotic unneccesarily and to wait to see if I got the rash. He added that only 20% of people got the rash. He also said there was no point seeing a dermatologist until I had the rash. I have extremel...

Try methadone. It's the only narcotic known to specifically treat nerve pain. It was amazing changing from morphine to methadone. My pain scale on morphine was 5 or 6 on an average day. Now it's 1 to 2 most days.
Good luck!

I really like my Timberland hybrid sneaker/hiking shoe. I know the name of one model is Lionhead. There are similar models. The are very breathable, supportive, absolutely waterproof. not too pricey, I think about $70

I just got my PET scan results. Everything is worse : lungs, pelvic wall, uterus. No new areas, at least. They're already planning proton therapy to the uterus. Any suggestions for treatment? I've already had xeloda, oxali, irinotcan, aavastan. I'm kras ras wild but have been avoiding erbitux due to...

Ive had a tumor on my pelvic sidewall for years. The first surgery could not locate it. The second found it hidden behind a mat of blood.vessels and lymph nodes, too dangerous for removal. But I had Proton therapy which seems to have been effective. If theres a Proton center near you its definitely ...

I am so Sorry. You have been such a source of warmth and strength on this board. I hope you can feel all the love and strong wishes. Somehow you will have to figure out what's best for YOU. As others have said, a counselor might help you to work things out.

I stopped having my period in 2007, when I was 44 and first diagnosed. No symptoms other than the end of periods. Ok, fast forward to today. My horrible pelvic lymph node decided that squashing my left sciatic nerve, paralyzing my foot and causing all sorts of fun pain, wasn't enough. Now its crawli...

All of the onc people (med onc, rad. Onc, surgeons (!) , nurses, p.a.'s. ) at the U of Pa are superlative, very, very patient oriented. They remember your name, make appt, always call/email back, AND listen to what you say and are even open to learning from you. But then there's the urology dept. Ve...

Many, many thanks! I've been a little down thinking this might be my last birthday (the 'lost' four months during a clinical trial allowed a lotion tumor progression, including new ones in my uterus and vagina.) But then both cats snuggled against me. They don't like each other so this was a rare bi...

I am so sorry. I cannot imagine your grief, but I hope are comforted by memories of your warrior daughter.

The refrigerator shots gave me a much needed laugh, thanks! They are beautiful. I always had Orange cats in the past, I love them but have 2 adopted greys now. And my brother lives for his Siamese. It really helps being greeted by them when I come home, it would be so sad and lonely if they weren't ...

I am writing this with my cat Tuva holding my hand in her paws as she snuggles and purrs. When I have my blood pressure checked, I think of when I use her as a pillow and get surround sound purrs. My husband's cat Feynman is an amazing nurse cat. When one of us is sick, he sticks to us like velcro. ...

Hindsight is terrible. I wish I hadn't entered the trial. I think it was just 4 months of letting my cancer grow unchecked. Before my proton therapy my cea was 120, then it went down to 75 and now it's 136! So CAT scan today. I'm so afraid of what it will find. Is it back in the pelvis? I think so b...