A Great 2014 Lung Run

Team DL Brunch at Ann Sathers

We walk to fund research,

We run for our friend,

As Team DL we gather,

So lung cancer will end!

- written by Susan Meismer, multi-year Team DL participant
 

This past Saturday, September 13th, was the 10th annual Chicago Lung Run.  It was also the 5th year that Team DL has participated.

Although team members come and go throughout the years as they have other commitments and activities, some are there every year.  In either case, the support is felt from all of them every year.  And the donations are always generous and numerous.  A big THANK YOU to all of you who have given your time, your money and your support to this wonderful cause over the past five years. 

And just what is that cause?  The money goes to Uniting Against Lung Cancer. UALC is dedicated to funding innovative research and raising awareness to find a cure for lung cancer.


Hopefully, we can continue this tradition for years to come or until they discover a cure, whichever comes first.  And we can also continue having a brunch at Ann Sathers afterward!  :)

Better News Today

I received informal MRI results from my oncologist over the phone this morning.  The very good news is that there is no sign of ANY cancer in the meningeal lining of the brain - this is where I had the swelling that sent me to the hospital in July.  Dr. Bonomi is very happy about this development.  It is clear the Tarceva is working.  Yay! 

There is a little gray cloud in this otherwise blue sky report.  There is a new tiny lesion (we're talking millimeters) in the right occipital lobe that we need to keep an eye on (pun intended - the occipital lobe governs eyesight).

The doctor is not at all worried about it and says if it grows we can just zap it with focused radiation. I'm not feeling quite as cavalier about it, but I can't do much about it so will do my best not to let it worry me.  I suggest we all take that path.

I should have the radiologist's formal report on the MRI by tomorrow but will only post something if there are any more details that are worth sharing.

A Frustrating and Sad Day

I don't have any news on my progress from the MRI today because my first appointment of the day was over an hour late and caused me to miss my scheduled MRI appointment that followed it. The radiology dept. could not fit me in until 5 pm so I didn't leave the hospital until after 6:00 p.m. after being there since 9:45 a.m. and not eating or drinking anything because of the MRI. Today was even more waiting around than usual with a lot of uncertainty of when and if all the procedures originally scheduled for today would get done. They ultimately were, but I won't get the results of the MRI until tomorrow or Wed.

While waiting, I received the tragically sad news that Doug's 24 year old cousin who had just recently completed her treatment for lymphoma died from related complications today.

When I worked on sending out messages this evening, I began to have computer issues as well.

It has been a very hard day.