Ann

Beth & Bill...My thoughts and prayers are with you. Hospice will be a very big help for both of you. Remember that we are thinking of you and sending lots of positive thoughts and hugs your way!

What beautiful thoughts! Thanks you so much for sharing them with us. Isn't it so true about us feeling that the world should stop with us when we lose someone we love? I felt the exact same way and was often a bit upset when friends would just continue on with their lives like nothing had ever happened. I felt as if my world had ended and couldn't understand why everyone around me could still be living. Like you, I have come to understand that life is for the living and we must go on. I hope your life becomes easier for you. I got such a nice image of your dad playing that sax for all Gods' angels to enjoy! My Dennis loved jazz and blues...maybe he's listening!

GAMES FOR WHEN WE ARE... OLDER: 1. Sag, you're It. 2. Hide and go pee. 3. 20 questions shouted into your good ear. 4. Kick the bucket 5. Red Rover, Red Rover, the nurse says Bend Over. 6. Musical recliners. 7. Simon says something incoherent. 8. Pin the Toupee on the bald guy SIGNS OF MENOPAUSE: 1. You sell your home heating system at a yard sale. 2 You have to write post-it notes with your kids' names on them. 3. You change your underwear after a sneeze. OLD IS WHEN: 1. Going bra-less pulls all the wrinkles out of your face. 2. You don't care where your spouse goes, just as long as you don't have to go along! . 3. Getting a little action means I don't need fiber today. 4. Getting lucky means you find your car in the parking lot. 5. An all-nighter means not getting up to pee! Thoughts for the weekend #1: I signed up for an exercise class and was told to wear loose-fitting clothing. If I HAD any loose-fitting clothing , I wouldn't have signed up in the first place! #2: When I was young we used to go "skinny dipping," now I just "chunky dunk." #3: Wouldn't it be nice if whenever we messed up our life we could simply press 'Ctrl Alt Delete' and start all over? #4: Stress is when you wake up screaming and then you realize you haven't fallen asleep yet.

Thanks for posting this update, although it isn't the kind of news we were hoping to hear. Pat...you and Brian are so special and are in our thoughts and prayers!

1. P *ss M y Shotgun 2. Psychotic Mood S hift 3. Perpetual M unching S pree 4. Puffy M id-S ection 5. P eople M ake me Sick 6. ProvideMe with S weets 7. Pardon M y Sobbing 8. P imples May S urface 9. Pass M y S weatpants 10. P issy M ood Syndrome 11. Plainly; Men S uck 12. Pack M y S tuff ......and my favorite one.. 13.Potential Murder S uspect

Kathi, I am so sorry to hear about your cat. Of course this is a very painful thing for you. Anyone who really loves animals knows that they become a member of your family. After 17 years, this cat probably knew more about you than most people do. My cats are so intuitive and can pick up on most of my moods and feelings. When I am sick, they're right there beside me, giving me understanding looks. When I'm sad, they seem to know and start acting silly, as if to cheer me up. You have been through so much and I know your heart is broken. Just remember what a great life you and your dad gave the cat for all those years!

I just wanted to jump in and say that this sounds lile really good news to me!!!

Uncle Doug, it is so great to be reading your posts once again. You have such a way with writing. Although I had been with my husband many times when he received radiation, your description of the process made it seem as if I was reading about it for the very first time. I just can't wait to read of your adventures in Alaska. My Dennis used to go salmon fishing every year in the Kenai Peninsula. This was truly his piece of heaven her on earth.

So sorry to hear that things are not going well for your mom right now. I can tell you that cancer and and will change people. Cancer not only affects the patient but also family members and friends. Maybe it's the mets that have changed your moms attitude and maybe there are other issues. Maybe it is easier for her to be distant right now. She may feel that by distancing herself from the family will spare them unnecessary pain. I think it is good that you had a chance to talk this over with your dad. Is he able to convince your mom that she needs Hospice? They would be a really big help to your mom and dad right now. I'm sending good thoughts your way and hoping your mom will soon accept help!

No experience with this specific problem but I am sending lots of hugs to Deb and saying lots of prayers.

When I think of lazy, laid back afternoons,it must be Fall. It's beautiful outside, sunny skies, cool temperatures but I still would be indoors most of the time. I would cook up my favorite comfort food...either a big pot of soup or Pats Macaroni & Cheese. Fall...football...food!!! I would probably wear my jammies all day and just watch football. Oh...maybe NASCAR if racing season is still going.

Ok guys...it's a lazy, laid back Sunday afternoon. There's nothing pressing that you have to do or anyplace you have to be. So...how are you spending this beautiful afternoon?

Pat...add me to this ever growing prayer list for Brian. I'm so glad that the doctor has been able to control his pain. That will make things so much easier for you and Brian. I just know that doctor of yours will find plenty of "wiggle space." I'm glad to hear you are taking some time from work. I know how hard it is to be a caregiver and hold a full time job. Pat, give Brian our best and tell him we're all saying prayers.

I am so very sorry for the loss of your mom. I know the pain you are experiencing. I do believe that it's fairly common for a patient to seem to be recovering just a few days before the end. I think that is one of the things Hospice warned me about to avoid getting my hopes up at the end. I guess the old phrase "Better Late Than Never" applies to you and this board. I wish you would have found us sooner but I am so glad you are here now. As for fund raising ideas...our Katie is the best to talk to for ideas. She is so creative and has a ton of great ideas!

Kelly, sure hope you can talk your mom into calling the doctor. Often, there are so many secondary things that can be so easily fixed to make one feel better. In the mean time, I'm sending good thoughts and prayers your moms way!!!

Lil...Although I am so sorry to hear that you had a bad week, I am relieved to know that I'm not the only one that seems to have those things happen to me. I guess this is like the old saying...one step forward and two steps back. You have come so far since Johnny died and have made us all so proud of you. I know that whatever obstacles you are now meeting will soon be history. You're a strong and wonderful person. Anyone that has you for a caregiver is so lucky!!! Just have faith and keep keeping on!!!

Great information Don. So nice of you to share it with all of us. I'm glad Katie made this one a sticky!

Don, thanks so much for sharing this wonderful news with us. Inspiration like this is something that we need more of around here. Your story will mean so much to so very many !

Pat, I hope the doctor can find out what is causing Brians pain and do something to relieve it. I remember both of you in prayers every day but will certainly say a few extra today. Please let us know what you find, as we will be thinking of you.

Trish, this sounds wonderful. I am so happy for you, Jeff and your family!

Millie, I am so verry sorry. I'm sending hugs your way! ((((((((((((((((Millie))))))))))))))))

This is wonderful! Out of the mouth of babes! It's often amazing what children can see and pick up on that adults sometimes just can't seem to get! I'm so proud of your daughter, too!!!

Ooh, Cindy! Ooey-Gooey homemade popcorn balls! I haven't had one of those for years but could really eat one right now...even if it is 9:00 in the morning. You, know I still love Tootsie Rolls. I used to keep a dish of then in my office but found I couldn't keep my hands away from them. It was really depressing to see how many of those little wrappers would accumulate by the end of the day!

Have a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

OK...let's imagine that we're all going to go Trick-or-Treating in a couple of weeks. What kind of candy do you most want to find in your bucket? Guys...you gotta play along with me on this one. Just asking what your favorite candy is would have been way too easy!