Mary

I feel compelled to relate that you can have the most vocal advocates and never leave your loved one unattended and not have a favorable outcome. Much regards, Mary

Ry, Just wanted to wish you a welcome back. Mary

Stephanie, So sorry to hear about your mom. This disease just never seems fair especially when it takes someone as special as your mom. Mary

Curtis, I respected Becky greatly and am shocked as well at her passing. I can offer little comfort other than she touched people deeply. Mary

This topic is very interesting because it has been my experience that some doctors are more interested in covering their ---, then in trying something unorthodox. I think this is because they are afraid of being sued. I think this holds research and longevity for cancer patients back. Best Wishes, Mary

Hi, I know I haven't posted much but I do lurk and pray for everyone here. I wanted to share something that happened today at school. I teach seniors and I overheard two girls I teach talking in the hall about smoking. I started to walk by and stopped instead to confront them. I guess you could say I "snapped" went on a rampage, and applied some scared straight tactics. One student was very receptive and has signed up for the stop smoking program at our school. The other had the typical attitude that she was invinsable. It felt so incredibly gooooooooood, I just might make it a point to snap more often. Best Wishes, Mary

Bob, Praying for your speedy recovery. I have a sister that has had a feeding tube for about two years. The procedure to put it in place was outpatient and not very painful. At first the family was hesitant about getting one for her but we are now so happy we did. He health has improved since she's had it. I've talked to healthcare people who have seen lots of people recover enough to get the tube removed. When you first get the tube you need to make sure to keep the skin area around it clean. We use Hydrocortizone(SP) because it has antibiotics in it. My sister has never had an infection nor has her tube slipped out. However, she has had to have the tube replaced because it just wears out. Best Wishes, Mary

Peg, Thinking of your family and praying that Bill continues to improve. (((((hugs)))) Mary

Great article! Thanks for sharing, Mary

The poem is by Robert Frost. He was my mother's favoritte poet. I once thought his poems were simplistic but now I understand that's part of the charm of his work. To me the peom is about choices and not having regrets. Mary

Becky, I'm so glad you are feeling better at home. My experience on grading papers is that the pile never dwindles until June. Good luck and your daughter is absolutly beautiful. Blessings, Mary

Jim, Ada struck me as one of those people who posseses more than their share of grace and charm. She was always so comforting and eloquent in her posts. Lossing people like her is what makes this disease so shi --y! By moving forward and staying the person Ada loved, you are beating this horrible disease. Warm regards, Mary

Norme, May be a silly question, but did they ever biopsy any of the supposed lung cancer mets? Warm regards, Mary

Neicecola, I am not an M.D., this is just my personal opinion about what I would do. If I was not a candidate for surgery, I would try to get R.F.A. If I was not a candidate for that procedure, I would go to Staton Island University Hospital and get body radiosurgery. I attempted (almost got my sister there) ,however; another sister was pushing for Sloan and questioned the validity of body radiosurgery so she didn't go anywhere. Best of Luck, Mary

Dave, Great news about the NED and Isabel. I'm in Va Bch and we did O.K. Mostly alot of tree damage but my house wasn't hit. The area where I live has tons of trees so most of my neighbors had some damage. Funny thing was 95 % of people in the beach were without electricity by Friday but not my nephews who never lost power even when most of their neighborhood did. It reminded me that I had asked my sister for a sign to do with lights. Then I started wondering why I was the last person in my family to get the power back on. Best Wishes, Mary

Cathy, I do know why I keep coming back to this site. It is because I care about what happens to the people here, and I want to see someone kick cancers a___. I do not post but I follow people's stories and I understand what a positive outlet this website is for people. God's blessings to you all, Mary

Ray, Your father sounded like such a wonderful man. From your posts I can tell you are alot alike. Wishing you comfort in this time of sorrow. Blessings, Mary

I am so sorry to hear this sad news. Praying for comfort and peace for you and your family. Mary

Shelly, I am so so for your loss. I know your mother had a rough time medically. That the put her through a lot of procedures. My sister's struggle was the same way and I felt such utter despair that someone so good could have such a rough death. Please take comfort in the fact that you were there for your mom and she knew it. Blessings, Mary

Rana, Sending prayers your way. Mary

Christina, I am so sorry for your loss. Everything seemed to happen so fast. Take some time just for you. If you know that your mom is difficult to deal with, then distance yourself from her until you can regain your strength. You seem worried about falling under her "control" again. I know you are very strong because of the way you stood by your husband's side and watched what this horrible disease can do. Build on that strength to live your own life. Regards, Mary

Norme, Both treatments are very similiar. They use focused radiation delivered to the site of the met. The difference lies in how the radiation gets delivered. Radiosurgery uses intersecting archs and Gamma Knife uses a focused beam. Gamma Knife is the name of the machine. Gamma Knife worked very well for my sister. It was really the one positive aspect of her treatments. Mary

Okay I need your help. I have resorted to smoking the nasty buds again. I can think of alot of excuses but that is what they are excuses. Anyone have suggestions on how to quit. The patch worked the first time but it gave me a very nasty skin rash that itched horribly. (Took my mind of smoking though) Thanks, Mary

Thank you everyone who offered your sympathy for my sister's passing. The memorial service was on Friday and the church was packed. The service was very nice; however, I could have done without the organ music. My whole family is tone deaf so I suggested to my husband when its my turn he needs to hire a professional singer. My brother-in-law delivered the eulogy which I wrote. There is no way I could have done it. My neice read a very moving poem. Charlotte's boys are holding their own. Her youngest son, Kevin, broke down so I took him for a walk. Basically, I told him that this was going to be the hardest day of his life and every day after would get a little easier. Mary

Mark, I started reading the replies to your original message and couldn't understand what hit a nerve with some people so I re-read your post. I still did not find anything offensive in it. Welcome to you Mark. Mary