Ann

Well, this certainly is much better news!!! I know yocould have kicked that "dimwit" in the butt really hard to take out all of your frustrations over this unnecessary worry!

Jan, I am so very sorry you are dealing with all of this. I will be saying prayers for both you and your Dad. I think you will feel much better after you speak with Hospice. They are a great support system for most. In addition to nurses and aides, they even have volunteers who will just come in and sit with your Dad so you can get some chores done or run errands. Please don't be shy about asking or accepting help right now. Often, people will say "is there anything I can do" because they really do want to help. When they ask, let them know what you need. Often, people don't do more just because they don't know what you need and don't want to "push in." Please let us know how things are going.

Senior Moments......add some of yours and smile!!!!

Like Ginny, I would have to write each of my boys a note and remind them just how much they mean to me and how my life has been shaped by each of them. I would also write a letter to Dick and thank him for making these past months happy for me. I would also have to write my best friend, Sue, a note and tell her just how much I have always appreciated and loved her for always being there for me. Oh...I think I would also write a note for my unborn grandchild and tell that sweet little one how much their grandma loved them...even before they were born!!!

I'm so glad to hear that this is going to be Jaonie's Weekend!!! I think that's just great! I'm so glad I was able to make you smile. Actually, it was probably God and the dog that brought out the smile but I'm glad I helped! Remember...no worries this weekend...promise????

I thought it was a neat idea, Val. I love the cards, as they are all actual drawings by kids.

I found this quote and just knew it would make you smile.... "The day God made a dog, He looked at it and then just sat down and smiled."

I just love this quote from Michael Caine. I think it's so appropriate for many of us here on the MB. "Always be like a duck...calm on the surface and always paddling like the dickens underneath."

Denise, I am so sorry that today is so rough for you and your son. I will be saying prayers that you will be able to reminisse and find some very happy memories of your Dad to pass along to Dominick on this very special day. Happy Birthday Dominick!!!

This is such a nice "reunion" and it's so good to hear from some that have been away for a while. Lile Lillian said, we are a family. We have been together through one of the toughest times we will ever face in life. I just want everyone to know that you are missed and thought of often.

We should all bookmark this site, should we ever need access to this information. You can type in your home address and then see how many convicted sex offenders are living in your neighborhood. If you click on the little box on the map, you can get more information, including a picture. I know this isn't something that pertains directly to lung cancer but it is a tool that can help keep us and our children safe. http://www.familywatchdog.us/

Jack decided to go skiing with his buddy, Bob. So they loaded up Jack's minivan and headed north. After driving for a few hours, they got caught in a terrible blizzard. So they pulled into a nearby farm and asked the attractive lady who answered he door if they could spend the night. "I realize it's terrible weather out there and I have this huge house all to myself, but I'm recently widowed," she explained. "I'm afraid the neighbors will talk if I let you stay in my house." "Don't worry," Jack said. "We'll be happy to sleep in the barn. And If the weather breaks, we'll be gone at first light." The lady agreed, and the two men found their way to the barn and settled in for the night. Come morning, the weather had cleared, and they got on their way. They enjoyed a great weekend of skiing. But about nine months later, Jack got an unexpected letter from an attorney. It took him a few minutes to figure it out, but he finally determined that it was from the attorney of that attractive widow he had met on the ski weekend. He dropped in on his friend Bob and asked, "Bob, do you remember that good-looking widow from the farm we stayed at on our ski holiday up north about 9 months ago?" "Yes, I do." said Bob. "Did you, er, happen to get up in the middle of the night, go up to the house and pay her a visit?" "Well, um, yes," Bob said, a little embarrassed about being found out, "I have to admit that I did." "And did you happen to use my name instead of telling her your name?" Bob's face turned beet red and he said, "Yeah, look, I'm sorry, buddy. I'm afraid I did." "Why do you ask?" "She just died and left me everything." (And you thought the ending would be different, didn't you?... now keep that smile for the rest of the day.)

http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home.aspx You pick the card design and write a message. Xerox will print the card and then mail it to a serviceman or woman.

You're traveling on an airplane and you know the plane is about to crash. As the plane circles, trying to use all the fuel, you have time to write a few quick notes. To whom would you write and what would you say?

((((((((((((Joanie))))))))))))))) Hope a little hug sent your way will help a bit!!! Like Randy said, your don't even have to be a patient to have these days. I think we all get down when we read about a loss of one of our LCSC friends. I can't even come close to what it must be like to be a patient and have to stress and worry over every little ache and pain and body change, wondering if "IT" is back. My dear Joanie, you are so loved on this board. We don't expect your to be chirpy all the time. Personally, I have found that one of the best things on earth to cheer me up on a down day is a big, wet puppy kiss. That's Dr. Ann's remedy for a cure-all for you! So...take two puppy kisses and post again in a couple of hours!!! Love ya...Joanie!!!

Gail, you are one step ahead of the situation in even thinking about what questions to ask. I really didn't ask too many questions, jusy listened to what they had to say and read all of the great books and literature they left for me. I did inquire about visit schedules, emergency numbers, medications and such. We did talk about whether I should call 911 if things became really bad. The answer to that is, of course, something you will have to decide for yourself. Hospice workers will usually let you know that their mission is to help the patient through what is left of their life rather than use any heroic measures to extend it. Still saying prayers.

Missy...I'm remembering you and your Mom in my prayers. Just know that Mom's often don't want their children to worry about them, so they keep quiet, thinking the problem will maybe go away. Hope your Mom has a short hospital stay and is back home really soon.

(((((((((((((((Karen)))))))))))))))) I just love you to pieces and my heart goes out to you and all the pain you have endured. I know you were the apple of your Mom's eye. Such a very special daughter. I just think it is great that your Dad is carrying on a part of your Mom by picking blueberries with that precious little Faith. I hope he told her how much her grandma loved those blueberries. Have you decided what you will do on your Mom's birthday? I know this will be a hard day for you. Maybe you could tell Faith some stories about your Mom and look at photos together. Do you have any videos of your Mom that you could all watch together? I know you will find some very special way to honor your very special Mom. So very sorry you're having such a rough time right now, Karen. My heart always reaches out to you!

So great to hear from you, Rich! Hoping those blood counts get back up there really quickly. Saying prayers that all goes well for you. Please keep us posted!!!

Andrea...just a thought. In the Just For Fun Forum, we have posted a lot of household hints and tips from time to time. Maybe those could be put in the back of the cookbook? I know I always love to read those little tidbits!

Rich....I miss your posts!!! Please check in with us! Enquiring minds really do want to know!

A sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed. (hmmmmmm...) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze. (Wish I had known this for the last 40 years!) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for a few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside, and the wax will fall down. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off with little effort (elbow grease that is!). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!) Use rubbing alcohol on paper towel. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical. Now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that the scissors get 'sharpened'' this way! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time! (Now, where to put the body?) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove top. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces, and there won't be any stains. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half, and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces ......... Left over wine? What's that? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So, get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, and then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer........ Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous China. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clean a thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, and then run the hot water. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think this may have been posted but reading it again will be good for another laugh! Momma said, "Don't sit on the toilet seat!!!" (Author unknown-but everybody's momma says it!) My mother was a fanatic about public restrooms. When I was a little girl, she'd take me into the stall, show me how to wad up toilet paper and wipe the seat. Then she'd carefully lay strips of toilet paper tocover the seat. Finally, she'd instruct, "Never, NEVER sit on a public toilet seat. Then she'd demonstrate "The Stance," which consisted of balancing over the toilet in a sitting position without actually letting any of your flesh make contact with the toilet seat. That was a long time ago. Now, in my "mature" years, "The Stance" is excruciatingly difficult to maintain. When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women, so you smile politely and take your place. Once it's your turn, you check for feet under the stall doors. Every stall is occupied. Finally, a door opens and you dash in, nearly knocking down the woman leaving the stall. You get in to find the door won't latch. It doesn't matter. The dispenser for the modern "seat covers" (invented by someone's Mom, no doubt) is handy, but empty. You would hang your purse on the door hook, if there were one, but there isn't - so you carefully but quickly drape it around your neck, (Mom would turn over in her grave if you put it on the FLOOR!), yank down your pants, and assume "The Stance." In this position your aging, toneless thigh muscles begin to shake. You'd love to sit down, but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold "The Stance." To take your mind off your trembling thighs, you reach for what you discover to be the empty toilet paper dispenser. In your mind, you can hear your mother's voice saying, "Honey, if you had tried to clean the seat, you would have KNOWN there was no toilet paper!" Your thighs shake more. You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday - the one that's still in your purse. That would have to do.You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It is still smaller than your thumbnail. Someone pushes open your stall door because the latch doesn't work. The door hits your purse, which is hanging around your neck in front of your chest,and you and your purse topple backward against the tank of the toilet Occupied!" you scream, as you reach for the door, dropping your precious,tiny, crumpled tissue in a puddle on the floor, lose your footing altogether, and slide down directly onto the TOILET SEAT. It is wet of course. You bolt up, knowing all too well that it's too late.Your bare bottom has made contact with every imaginable germ and life form on the uncovered seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper - not that there was any, even if you had taken time to try. You know that your mother would be utterly appalled if she knew, because, you're certain, her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat because, frankly, dear, "You just don't KNOW what kind of diseases you could get." By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so confused that it flushes, propelling a stream of water like a firehose that somehow sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged in too. At that point, you give up. You're soaked by the spewing water and the wet toilet seat.You're exhausted. You try to wipe with a gum wrapper you found in your pocket and then slink out conspicuously to the sinks.You can't figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic sensors, so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk past the line of women, still waiting. You are no longer able to smile politely them. A kind soul at the very end of the line points out a piece of toilet paper trailing from your shoe.( Where was that when you NEEDED it??)You yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it the woman's hand and tell her warmly, "Here, you just might need this." As you exit, you spot your hubby, who has long since entered, used and left the men's restroom. Annoyed, he asks, "What took you so long, and why is your purse hanging around your neck?" . . .This is dedicated to women everywhere who deal with a public restroom (rest??? you've got to be kidding!!). It finally explains to the men what really does take us so long. It also answers their other commonly asked question about why women go to the restroom in pairs. It's so the other gal can hold the door, hang onto your purse and hand you Kleenex under the door.

Please...don't ever worry about having us hear to listen. You refer to your posts as "ramblings" but we know that your posts are really coming from your heart. This post had such a wonderful message and I am so glad you shared it with us. Often, I feel so very helpless and so want to be able to do more to help people that have lost a loved one. Then, I stop and remember how important it can be just to have someone to listen. So...I'm always here to listen!

Oh no. I am so very sorry to hear this news. Donna...thanks so much for letting us know.