carrie

Carrie L. Ridley 1963 - 2005 My dear sweet angel Carrie passed away July 30, 2005. Carrie had been diagnosed on February 4, 2004. She battled Non-Small Cell Adenocarcinoma Lung Cancer for 18 months, she was the strongest fighter I have ever seen. Carrie was a absolutely beautiful woman both inside and outside. She cared about everyone and would give a stranger the shirt off her back to help them. Her goal during this illness was to beat it so she could go around to schools and speak to kids about the dangers of smoking in an effort to get them to never start smoking. Unfortunately she couldn't get quite well enough to achieve that goal, though I do imagine she is trying to make it happen from heaven. Carrie's love of God never wavered during her battle. She never one time complained about the grueling surgeries (lung and brain), chemotherapy or radiation treatments (lung radiation, two rounds of whole brain radiation and two rounds of stereo tactic radiation surgery), and she never asked "Why me" or blamed God. Instead, Carrie fully believed that God had a higher purpose for her. She was incredibly couragious. Carrie got a great deal of information and comfort from all on this website. She spent many hours researching other people's situations and side effects as well as giving suggestions of solutions she had found to work and words of encouragement. I myself spent many hours on here researching for her as well. I can never thank all of you enough for the help, inspiration and just words when in need you have giving to us both. I will continue to think of you all and pray for you and your loved ones that you may beat this horrid disease. Carrie to me..was my everything. I will miss Carrie every minute of every day until the good Lord sees fit for us to be together again. Sherrie Cameron

Shelly, I am so sorry. That is way to o much to have to go through with this beast. I will be praying for you, your husband and your family. I will pray that God gives you the strength you will need through this - and I am sure he will. God Bless, Carrie

Sandy, Thanks for showing us this picture, your hair is beautiful. I am at the point where I was wondering if I would ever have "normal" hair again. This gives me hope. (I am on steroids so mine is coming in what I consider pretty fast). God Bless, Carrie

1). Picturing my daughters face when she receives her Easter pkg in the mail (which she is not expecting). 2). My partners parents who live across the parking lot and call me everyday to ask if I need or want to go anywhere (as I cannot drive). 3). My sprituality and faith that are so strong. 4). Waking up everyday and being able to function. 5). Strangers that walk up to me and ask me about my cancer and tell me their story, gives me hope! God Bless, Carrie

1). The wonderful day spent with my family. 2). The Ressurection (sp) and the Easter holiday. 3). My wonderful partner who is so accomodating. 4). My Life 5). The support of so many people through this illness.

Congratulations Joanie------CELEBRATE!!!! Carrie

1). This beautiful warm spring day 2). God's Grace 3). Spending Easter Sunday with my mom and family 4). Sending my daughter an Easter package and imagining the surprise on her face when she receives it. 5). my Health Happy Easter Everyone! Carrie

Thanks for the responses guys. Karen I will be glad to pass along any info or ideas I get or input. I am in the very early stages of it and not knowing what I am doing slows me down even more. I have contacted ALCASE and will let you know if they give me any ideas. I will keep you posted. Take Care, Carrie

Thankful for today------ 1). Sherrie - who takes care of me, listens to me and loves me. 2). The first day of Spring 3). Talking to my uncle who just found out he may have cancer of the esophogus and his daughter (who just had a baby). 4). The inspiration I get from so many people on this site. 5). God's Grace Carrie

Bruce, Thank you for the wonderful post, you are such an inspiration. Also, congratulations on your 2 years survivorship - I know you will have many more. Take Care, Carrie

Dear Rosemary, I am so sorry. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and definately in my prayers. I know God will give you the strength you need to get through this. Take Care, Carrie

She is beautiful, thank you for sharing her with us. Carrie

You all are CRACKIN me up! Marlon Brando hits it on the head - there should be a contest for celebrity look a likes for people who are taking steroids, bet there would be some funny pictures. LOL,LOL,LOL Carrie

Donation on its way! Will send more when I can. Andrea, this is a wonderful thing you are doing - Thank You! Carrie

Hi Brian, I am so sorry about your dad and what your family is going through. However, you have come to a very good place. Just as everyone has said stats are only numbers just like in any other disease. We are humans not numbers. I would like to add to something to the encouragement the others have given you - I was diagnosed in Feb 2004 Stage iiia - in Oct 2004 I had mets to the brain had surgery and whole brain radiation and after all of that had two more tumors to the brain, just had Gamma Knife surgery two weeks ago. I feel great, my new normal. I attribute this to the many prayers I have received and my faith. Without faith I can honestly tell you I would not have made it through. Just wanted to share that with you. Your dad and family are in my prayers and keep us posted on his progress. Take Care, Carrie

Yeaaa!!!!!! Happy Birthday Tann, you are an inspiration to us all. Take Care Carrie

Summer, I am so sorry you all are going through this. I will keep you in my prayers that God turns this around for you all. Take Care, Carrie

Hi Linus, I agree with everyone else, I would have scans every 3 mos. Has your mom had a PET Scan? If not I would suggest she have one as soon as possible. Take Care, Carrie

Whooo-Hooo Charlie, GREAT NEWS!!! Carrie

Hi Everyone, I want to thank you all for your prayers, I made it through the Gamma Knife without the claustrophobia bothering me and I know it was prayer that got me through it and I thank you. Seems everything went well, really no side effects except fatigue. I will have an MRI in 6 weeks to see if it worked - I pray that it did and ask again for your prayers. I really appreciate you all and this site, it is such a support. Carrie

Hi Everyone, I am in the process of looking into starting up a cancer support group in my area as there is not one for probably 20 miles and I live in a heavily populated area. I have never done anything like this so I am going to wing it. I contacted the American Cancer Society and they had no information on starting one up the lady on the other end of the phone just gave me some pointers, but said she had never done anything like it either. I have not had very good response from the ACS as this is about the third time I have contacted them about differnt things. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions I would greatly appreciate it, I guess the first thing I will do is find a place to hold it and then print flyers. Again, any suggestions and ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Carrie

Thanks for the website - printing the form and ordering now. Carrie

Hey Beth - I say just go with it. If you feel great take advantage of it. Just as you have been doing you will deal with what comes along - good or bad. You are a strong person. Take Care Carrie

Hi Autumn - How do they know that "her brain looks fine" a PET does not pick up the brain, did they do CT scan of her brain? If not I would have them immediately have them do a brain MRI. My father was an alcoholic and he did not have memory loss, he liked to sometimes act like he didn''t remember a specific night but that wasn;t the same. I have Brain mets and have alot of short term memory loss. Keep us posted on how she is doing. Carrie

Welcome Jenn, Tell your father to keep up the positive attitude and great spirit and he will go far and have a better time on the way. You will find some very good support on this site - Welcome. Carrie