marion

Yep, just keep on with the restaurants. You surely have a plenty to select from in Richmond. I am so sorry that you have such awful side effects but we are all rooting for you. marion

As the others stated, more than likely just something to scare you; but if not, I have a 81 year old sister that had breast cancer when she was 38 and had no more recurrances of any kind. We will all pray for you.Marion

I took Gemzar and Carboplatin from Nov. 03 until Aug. 04 and did have a thinning of the hair. In August of 04, started up with iressa and still have a thinning of hair. But as I said it is a thinning and my head is still covered nicely with hair. The bang area is the thinnest. But it seems to be growing back at the same time. I have had no experience with the other product. Marion

I guess I had what you are talking about. They put a needle into the lung and got something and then told me later about the cancer I had. I already knew I had cancer but they added in the other details. It didn't take long and I don't remember any pain. My lung did collapse some and the pulmonary doctor checked me into the hospital in case anything went wrong from that. He is a very cautious doctor and didn't want to add anything else on top of what I had. Got out on Sunday or Monday and started chemo that Wed. before Thanksgiving. Marion

I have been taking Iressa since August 2004. As of last month, it was still working for me. Go this week to see if it still is working. I do have the bad side effects but am coping with them. I guess sometimes, you just don't know which way to go. What works for one just does not always work for the other. By the way, I am not Asian. Marion.

I just don't see how you do it. I want to reopen my craft and gift shop but know that I can't handle the time that is involved in being at a mall and even if I hire some people; you still have the store responsibility and being open hanging over you. Now, I am 64 and on Iressa and it takes very little to take me down. Then I will have a pretty perky day and think I can do all sorts of things and when i start moving at a higher rate of speed; I say NO NO can't do that. It takes very little to wear me out. I do wish I could eat better. I know that would help a lot. Marion

I don't know if I am going to use the correct terminology or not, but got a question to ask. Might have to read between the WORDS to get what I am asking. I am on Iressa. Have been since August 2004. Did anyone's (I guess) intestinal tract get sore? I also take Immodium and a diahrea medicine my doctor perscribed. Sometimes, its like between the hips, other times, from the stomach down. sometimes all. Not what you would call unbearable but still painful. It even hurts if I hic up. Also, did anyone have any trouble with drinking milk when taking this medicine.? Marion

Great Great Great. Marion

GREAT GREAT GREAT. Marion

I have been on Iressa since August 2004 and as far as I know, am still in remission. Will see the doctor on Jan. 19 amd will request some type of x ray other than chest x ray to make sure I am still alright. I have had the rash, dry skin and diaharrea. Sometimes my appetite isn't as good as other times but can't say for sure the reason for that. I do feel tired easily but considering my alternatives; I keep on swallowing the pills until told otherwise. I do take 5 1/2 pills a week. Hope things work out fine for you'll. marion

I don't mean that I want others to be cold, but I am glad to hear that I am not the only one who does this. especially after I have done too much. I have a electric throw also; plus my two feline friends who serve as heating pads. Does anyone else have problems with the skin around their toe and fingernails cracking real bad. Other places also, but the nails seem to be the worse. marion

We are all holding your hands and backing you 100%. LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED FOR I CAN DO ALL THINGS THRU CHRIST JESUS WHO STRENGTHENS ME. Marion

I am so sorry for you and your children's loss. Peace be with each of you . Marion

I want to thank all of you for your kind responses about my loss of Baby. My son in law buried her yesterday in the back yard. As a lot of you stated; your four legged friends stand by you thru thick and thin and never blame you for anything. No sass either. Thanks to all of you again. marion

I want to thank all of you for your kind responses about my loss of Baby. My son in law buried her yesterday in the back yard. As a lot of you stated; your four legged friends stand by you thru thick and thin and never blame you for anything. No sass either. Thanks to all of you again. marion

Last week TAnn was writing about her pet, Cesar and tonite I am writing about Baby. She would always sit in my lap while I was at the computer and sleep on my arms at night. She has always had a upper respiratory problem and I never could get rid of it. each fall I would get Zithromax for her and it would help but not clear it up. I have been giving it to her for about a week and tonite, I notice she was doing some real deep breathing. Was taking her to the vet and she died in my arms. They said that cats didn't usually have heart attacks (for I thought that was what had happened for she was frighten). She was a little old scrawny thing but the most loving kitty you ever met. What a way to celebrate my 32 anniversary. marion

I guess there most be something wrong with me. I want people to ask me about how I am feeling. I admit I don't want our entire conversation to be about cancer but I just don't mind them asking. In fact, there is a person that I know pretty well, and last Christmas I wrote what had happened to me on the Christmas card and this year I get a card from her stating that she hoped I was doing better and had heard nothing from her all this year. Now that bothered me. We live 30 miles apart. I think it is more of my immediate family who doesn't want to talk about it that much. Maybe that is why when someone asks me; I give them the whole story and then if they really don't want to hear about it, they won't ask me again. I guess I am using these folks as my outlet since there are so many people who don't want to talk about it at all. I have a friend whose husband has cancer of the pancreas, liver and other places and has 3 to 6 weeks and I can't make myself go over there. Can you believe it? So now, what is wrong with me. Don't be too honest. Marion

Just as soon as I begin to relax a little about this MESS; something else comes up. I have been on it since August 2004 and everything is suppose to be o.k. Guess I will have to look on the positive side and maybe the new drug is even better and will work on us. marion

I am so sorry that this has happened to you and your son, Tariq. Peace be with each of you. marion

TAnn: I know exactly how you feel. July a year ago, we had to put Perdita to sleep for she had cancer in her right front leg. We discussed amputation but her right rear hip had been fractured from being hit by a car and she also had arthritis and we and the vet thought that her rear leg would not be strong enough. She was a Black Lab mixed with Dalmatian. Her chest was white and had black dots down her front. I didn't know it at the time, but I also had cancer and found out about mine 3 months later. I miss her terribly as I know you do yours but I think you and I did the right thing. Sometimes we have to do things that are very hard to do but they seem to understand everything else so I know they are grateful for no more suffering. Sometimes, it does seem to pile up, doesn't it. Marion

Yep, a hear ago on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, I started my chemo. As of the last x rays; I am in remission and am on Iressa to keep me that way. Hope it works. At that time, I was thinking along the lines of my last Holiday with family also. I sure was fooled and hope I get to see many more. My only grandchild will be three this December and as most of you know; this is a great stage. We have a lot to be thankful for. I hope everyone has a MOST HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY and will eat your fill. Marion

Angie, Prayers to you and your father and pray that things will work out fine. Marion

When I read your letter; it was like "Hey someone else is copying me". I had a bone scan today for pain in the lower back. About 25 years ago, I hurt my back and every so often it acts up if I lift something too heavy or the wrong way. This has been going on for about 3 weeks (not unusual for my back problem) and it has really had me worried. I told the doctor about it week before last and he said if it kept up to call him last week. I put it off until this week. I asked the technicians if they would tell me anything but they wouldn't. Most of the pain is on the left side and i did have some places on my left hip when I started out with this mess. I know how your pop feels. I hope the BEST for the BOTH of us. And to top it off, today is my birthday. What a present. If the scan turns out o.k. than that would be the best present in the world. Marion

I know you are feeling rotten but try and keep the old chin up. You can do it. Marion

Great Great. Ring those bells. Here in Lynchburg, Va. there is an Awareness Garden that was started by a doctors wife here who had cancer. She had gone to Norfolk and had seen one there and got this one going. It has a long walk with blocks that have been donated by different people. Survivors and non survivors with their names and dates. Has benches (that had to be bolted down for someone stole one. as Rodney D. says "No Respect.") that youcan rest and contemplate or whatever. Also has a dinner bell that is to be rung 3 times if you are a survivor or has family that are survivors. A really neat place. Flowers and all. I told the friend that I went with to the garden that I was going to place a brick and have "Cat Lady" written on it. Love my kitties. A great comfort to me. Marion P,S. I wrote this earlier but I never could find it. I must have done something wrong.