Boysmom

Don, I just read your post. I am praying that your son is done with the Dr. and all is well. Please keep us posted. I will be thinking of you both. Leah

Glad to hear you will be home for the weekend rather than in the hospital. Take it easy and I hope you have a good weather weekend to enjoy it! Leah

Joanie, when my dad ws going thru radiation, There was a CD packet at the cancer office that went over some of these concerns. There were 6 CD's each covered two topics. On a few of my six hour drives I listened to them then passed them on to my step brother and his wife. They were put out by ACS and I remember a part being about employment and cancer. I even remember them talking about what to look for when changing jobs and what to say. But as my dads job being secure and enjoyable I didn't focus in on the details. I'm sure you could get a copy from your local Dr. office or contact ACS for one. I believe it was called Cancer Survival Toolbox. PM me if you can't find it and I can get more info for you. Best of luck Leah

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CINDI! Hope your day has been as great as you are! Wishes for many more!! Leah

My dad's cancer returned in Feb, since then I have had two friends parents diagnosed one with pancreas and another with lung. I also read a local obituary for a 21 year old boy who died after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Also within this time my cousin in law (and best friend) mother died due to complications with MS and surgery, my husbands cousins son 19 died autopsy being done, and my stepfather had triple bypass open heart surgery and ended up back in the hospital 4 days after coming home from initial surgery to be in ICU for a week and total time in hospital 2 weeks and the doctors saying to call the family in twice within the first day. I just can't believe all that has happened in this short amount of time and the large amount of cancer affecting all of us. Naive would be the way to describe me prior to Feb this year. Since then I have learned so much about cancer. Prayers for a cure!!!! PLEASE GOD!! Leah

Beth and Pat, First off do ask your step daughters for help. If they are like me (also a step daughter), they do want to help, but don't want to intrude. I have intruded a lot this year to make sure I was there to help, but I also worry about being in the way. As I do come along with three little boys (5, 2 and 8mos). So at times (getting dad to radiation, running errands or just having someone with him through the dad) it has been very helpful, but they also have me and these three little guys in their space all the time (I have to stay with them as I live 6 hours away). This is what I worry about when I am there. Are the kids behaving well enough? Are they driving them (dad and my wonderful stepmother) as crazy as they are driving me? Are we making too much of a mess? (We come with a lot especially since the youngest needs bottles, baby food, diapers, etc.) Then I start to worry if our help is as much help as our inconvience of always being there. They say they love having us there, but you know everyone likes a little space too. I too am so glad that my dad has my stepmom. I am so glad that I have her too. This is my dads third wife. #1 my mom whom I am also very close to (they divorced when I was 12) #2 his second wife, whom I was close to, but she didn't try to keep a relationship after their divorce and now #3 who is definetly his soul mate. They should have met first. They work so well together. If my dad did not have his wife, someone would be helping him. Probably one of his sister's (my wonderful aunts) or possibly myself if I could move him to my home. With the distance of six hours it is so hard. I know it is hard to ask for help, I am guilty of that everyday. But do ask. I can't imagine that they wouldn't want to help. Also please do not take this as I am defending them, but just as I say ask. I do try to ask my stepmom how she is too, because we all know the question is always asked about dad. Prayers for all to get a little help from each other. Leah

I too am so frustrated with the whole smoking situation. Luckily somehow something affected me that I never even tried smoking once. I just wish I knew why? I have three very young boys and worry about how to keep them from ever even trying it. When my dad was first diagnosed, my doctor had me see the local onc. to assess my risk factor as there is also other family members that have had breast cancer. The dr didn't feel that I would be at any greater of a risk. So how does that explain how some families have been so affected through generations by this horrible disease? Is there more heriditary factors than the doctors say? And what role does second hand smoke play? I am not worried about myself today, but I did live with second hand smoke for about the first 20 years of my life. It would be naive of me to think I couldn't get it. If they would quit selling cigarettes and work for earlier detection, so many future worries would be gone. Leah

Curtis, I loved your post about your wonderfully sweet daughter. You should print it up to save for her. It would be a story that she would enjoy in her adulthood and if she so choose to have children, they would love to hear too. Thanks for sharing your story. It made me smile. Leah

Welcome Uncle Doug! I am glad you have found this site as helpful as I have. It really seems to help to talk with others in the same boat verses just the Dr. mumbo jumbo all the time. My dad recently got out of the hospital after a 5 day stay with pneumia (sp?) and his mother (my wonderful grandmother, age 85) was going to stay with him. I told him it would be good to have her there, moms and dads always make things better. She didn't have to get her license back, since she never gave it up, but they should consider taking it from her. Well anyways take care of yourself, I will be praying for you. Leah p.s. Cindi you are too funny. Your post made my day!!

OH Melanie, I am so sad to hear of your most recent problems. Please know I am thinking and praying for you and Greg. It sure has been an unbelievable year for me too and I can't bear the thought that it is really still just the beginning. I have been to three funerals, my dads cancer has returned and one of my best friends just called to let me know that her mom has inoperable cancer (pancreas, lung and other spots to yet all be looked into with scans this week). So when Pat and Brian say "piling on" I sure can relate. I wish I could rewind and freeze time to when we weren't looking at such horrible things for all of us. Hugs and prayers to you, Leah

Happy Belated Birthday TAnn!

Lisa, I'm so so very sorry. Love, Leah

Has anyone ever had Xcytrin for brain mets? I have been reading some info about it and never recalled hearing of it before. Thanks to all! Leah

Jen, My dad just completed 15 WBR treatments 1 week ago. This last week he has started to feel better and not having any of the symptoms that he had prior to diag. of mets. Just be sure to get a 2nd opinion on further treatment if the drs say there is nothing else to do. That is what they told my dad and his 2nd opinion said they think gamma knife could be done. My dad has 7 mets. Hopefully 0 after the WBR. I will be praying for your family and hoping that the WBR zaps them all gone. Love and Hugs, Leah

That is so AWESOME (as my five year old would say)!! Keep up the celebration everyday! Hugs to you both, Leah