The Official I Survived Cancer Thread

**alnamvet68** · 06-16-2012, 04:52 PM

How can I start this thread??? Yesterday, at about 3PM, I suddenly, and without warning or any previous episodes of this type, started coughing up bright red blood.

A trip to the ER, and 7 hours later, I was officially diagnosed with lung CA....I have a mass in my upper right lobe, and I was asked by the young EVMS physician to be admitted to the medicine floor for further tests, to include a biopsy and a oncology consult to discuss my options. I left AMA after 8.5 hours, with no admitting physician arriving to do his thing to officially admit me, and I told the ER doc that I would call a oncologist Monday. I know that no specialists would be seeing me over the weekend, so I saw no need to take up space or a bed for a couple of days waiting to see a specialist and racking up a nice billing charge for the hospital.

So, as I feel tremendously sorry for myself, I want to know if we have cancer survivors here on Crackberry, and if so, I am in dire need of some help and info at the moment.

My apologies in advance if this thread is way too much for some here.

**antheauxny** · 06-16-2012, 06:14 PM

Wow, so sorry to here that.
I hope everything goes good for you on Monday & that your health gets better!

It'd be interesting to see if others on here have it or have survived it.
Best of luck to you!

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**BergerKing** · 06-16-2012, 08:43 PM

13 year survivor here, posted my story, and I've linked it if you wanna read. No need to apologize, either, you didn't choose cancer, and sharing a tough time is better than going it alone.

The Big C: Cancer and a Milestone passes....

I'm sure you're having a combination of things going thru your head right now, the biggest of them being WTF??? It hits you like a truck in the night, and is terrifying for most people. Maybe I was too crazy to feel the fear, I dunno, I think as much as anything, I felt fury. I also felt determination, and a host of other things.

So, for now, know you have people in the community that can stand with you, crazier days are yet to come.

**madman0141** · 06-17-2012, 06:20 PM

Dude I am f@?king sorry as to hear this. My mom, God rest her soul, survived cancer of the breast and in her leg. She had the mass removed and went through chemo both times. Then 26 years later she passed from heart attack. This can be beat and I am sure with what you've already been through in service to this country you can handle a little bug. Look this bug in it's eye and kick its azz. Never quit fighting you can beat this. If you smoke stop. Do what the doctors say but also get second opinions if the first doctor doesn't give you good information. You can and will fu@!ing beat this Almenvet.

**sputneek** · 06-18-2012, 06:39 PM

Why does this happen to the good guys all the time? Al, i can't say anymore then what Madman said, he's right, it's Romp and stomp time again, the guy up there is testin' you one more time.

I hope you get some better news when you talk to the specialists, very best of luck to you Al.

**Ponyboy24** · 06-19-2012, 06:36 AM

Al, so sorry to hear that and I'll keep you in my prayers! I know it's already been said before - Beat this thing and stay positive my friend; we all know you can get through this!!

**Chrisy** · 06-20-2012, 08:45 AM

Hope everything goes ok. My husband has Stage IV NHL. He was diagnosed 10 years ago.

**Denise in Los Angeles** · 06-20-2012, 10:55 AM

Al, I will be praying for you!!

**pkcable** · 06-20-2012, 11:08 AM

I'm not personally a survivor, BUT there has been cancer in my family. My late Aunt survived her first bout and lived for an additional 10 years before passing after her 2nd bout with lung cancer. My father is currently surviving bladder cancer and has been cancer free for about 4 years. I do have what's called a Barrett's esophagus, which can often lead to esophagus cancer, BUT currently, I'm ok. I'm over do for it being checked thou.

**kbz1960** · 06-20-2012, 11:13 AM

Sorry Al. Attack it like you would the enemy and winning is the only answer. Good luck and prayers are with you.

**BergerKing** · 06-20-2012, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by pkcable

I'm not personally a survivor, BUT there has been cancer in my family. My late Aunt survived her first bout and lived for an additional 10 years before passing after her 2nd bout with lung cancer. My father is currently surviving bladder cancer and has been cancer free for about 4 years. I do have what's called a Barrett's esophagus, which can often lead to esophagus cancer, BUT currently, I'm ok. I'm over do for it being checked thou.

Don't let it lag, it's nothing to muck with.

**sleepngbear** · 06-21-2012, 07:27 AM

Al, I've got no personal experiences to share other than knowing a few people who have survived various forms of it. And the only encouragement I can offer is to stay strong, stay positive, and know that we're all here with you and for you. Saying a prayer for ya, bro. Let us know how you're doing, and come in and lean whenever you need to.

**Septembersrain912** · 06-26-2012, 07:49 AM

I have no personal experience myself but all of the women 4 generations back on my mom's side, Died of ovarian cancer.

My mom has beat it three times so far.

I can only imagine how tough that must be knowing you've got the fight of your life ahead of you....

«~*Boost Mobile/Virgin Mobile*~»

**alnamvet68** · 06-28-2012, 05:34 PM

I'd like to thank those most thoughtful and blessed folks who took the time to e-mail and PM me...thanks so much.

Anyway, saw my Pulmonologist, had a major physical exam, reviewed the CT and CXR's, and have planned a course of action. Tuesday I'll have a PET scan and more lab work. Next Friday (7/6/12), I'm scheduled for a bronchoscopy, and with a little luck, my pulmo should also be able to get enough of a tissue sample to make a definitive diagnosis; if not, then a biopsy which puts one at risk for an embolus or worse. Anyhoo, I'm keeping busy living, and that's the way it's going to be, so again, thanks to a bunch of good guys and gals we have here on CB.

**Denise in Los Angeles** · 06-28-2012, 05:44 PM

Good luck Al.

I'm in for driving a best friend for her radiation treatments/doctor appointments. Not fun but we are fighting it here too.

**BlackStormRising** · 07-22-2012, 11:14 AM

Wow, somehow I missed this thread friend. Good luck to you and keep up the good fight. Hope to see you back here posting again very soon.

**Toodeurep** · 07-22-2012, 01:12 PM

Me too. So sad to hear this news. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and then in 2009 colon cancer. She has battled both into remission but you can tell it aged her. If I have one piece of advice I say ...keep your head up and stay positive.

**maddie1128** · 07-22-2012, 05:25 PM

Al- my neighbor was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer 18 years ago. He was told to go home and get his house in order. Stubborn and not liking what he was told, he went to see another oncologist who decided it was worth a try to at least slow his cancer and proceeded to put him on a chemo and radiation regimen. That was 18 years ago. Other than 2 bouts of pnemonia and a few colds- he had been doing great!
I pray that all works out great for you as well. Keep the fight!

**jafobabe** · 07-22-2012, 06:40 PM

Al, Sorry I missed this thread and to have heard of this news today.

My thoughts are with you and your family to have a good recovery, and at least get it in remission.

I have this thread bookmarked so when you are able to post again, I will be a little faster on replies.

Take care my friend, I know you can overcome this.

**glassofpinot** · 07-24-2012, 01:34 AM

I just read this tonight and you have quite a challenge going. My prayers are with you. I have been around some family and firends who have fought and won, and some who were not so fortunate. Sorry that it visited on you.
My advice is ask the docs all the questions that you have about options and likely outcomes, and don't hesitate to ask for their personal recommendation on a specialist who may be more familiar with a particular situation of treatment. Sometimes they are better at answering quetoins than they are at offering things up. Seek the most experienced docs with a good record.

**bitek** · 07-24-2012, 03:54 AM

Originally Posted by alnamvet68

How can I start this thread??? Yesterday, at about 3PM, I suddenly, and without warning or any previous episodes of this type, started coughing up bright red blood.

A trip to the ER, and 7 hours later, I was officially diagnosed with lung CA....I have a mass in my upper right lobe, and I was asked by the young EVMS physician to be admitted to the medicine floor for further tests, to include a biopsy and a oncology consult to discuss my options. I left AMA after 8.5 hours, with no admitting physician arriving to do his thing to officially admit me, and I told the ER doc that I would call a oncologist Monday. I know that no specialists would be seeing me over the weekend, so I saw no need to take up space or a bed for a couple of days waiting to see a specialist and racking up a nice billing charge for the hospital.

So, as I feel tremendously sorry for myself, I want to know if we have cancer survivors here on Crackberry, and if so, I am in dire need of some help and info at the moment.

My apologies in advance if this thread is way too much for some here.

Keep up good spirit. you will go through this.

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