Don Wood

Prayers comin'.

Karen, I'm glad you made this post. Thanks. Don

Well, we celebrated with a Frostie, had a meal out, and we are so looking forward to the cruise next month. Lucie is mending well. Thanks so much for your good wishes and prayers and helping us to celebrate in such a special way. You people are special to us. We are thankful for you. Blessings! Don

Of course, you feel like an orphan. Age does not matter when you have lost both parents. I am glad you had the vision of them -- it is a gift to remind you that their spirits are ever present with you. When I was 63, during a meditation, I saw my parents in a vision, and they said to me, "We are proud of you". It blew me away, but brought me joy and peace. I lost them in 1958 and 1959. Hold on to the memories. Don

Prayers for your dad, you and family.

Shelly, you have had a lot of grief these past few years. It takes time to heal. I lost both parents within a year when I was 24-25. As long as you want things to go back to the way they were, I doubt that you will feel joy. For me, it was accepting what is and moving on to a different life without them, but definitely worth it because I had much to give and much to receive. Simple joy will come when you are ready to move on. I wish you well. Don

A "cereal" killer!

Sounds good, Melanie. Best ot you. Don

It is cancer that has metastasized )moved out) to other parts of the body from the original source. For example, my wife has had bone mets of lung cancer. It is cancer in the bones that is not bone cancer, but lung cancer that has moved there. Don

Hi, Carrie, and welcome. First, yes, it is normal to have mood swings with cancer, and through treatments for cancer. Second, the prognosis is statistical, and each person is different -- my wife was given 9 months and she is still around after 28 months. I wish you, your mom and family well through this. This forum has much support and info, so avail yourself, and keep us posted. Don

Hi, Dave! Glad the pain has subsided. Hang in there, buddy. Don

Appreciate the update, Little Mo. Wishing for you a treatment that works well for you. Don

Go, Alimta!

Addie, glad the first cycle is over and you are doing fine. Don

Prayers continue.

She could have an inner ear episode. She could be dehydrated (is she drinking enough fluids?) It could be many things. I would vote for calling the onc and letting him know. Any symptoms should not be ignored, even if one is tired of seeing doctors (we know that feeling). Don

Hi, J! The chemo is cumulative so it is not unusual to feel worse at the end. The body has taken quite an onslaught and now is trying to heal from it. He should improve with time. Don

Benign! Benign! How that word sounds so beautiful! The lesion on Lucie's liver is benign! Not cancer of any kind -- benign! So, no surgery needed -- no hospital stay needed. The scans indicated "cancer" but the biopsy said, "No! No!". We are just ecstatic. Lucie is home recouping nicely. Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and support. It worked! We are truly blessed! Don

Nell, so sorry you have lost your friend. You have been a great friend to him and his wife. My heartfelt sympathies. Don

Prayers comin'.

Your husband is probably at "burn out" from all the demands of life right now. But he can recover. As I have said, caregivers of cancer patients or any other life-threatening illness, all of a sudden find themselves having to run a three-ring circus: (1) caring for and being an advocate for the patient, (2) doing all the things he/she would normally do and (3) now doing things the patient used to do but can't now. We all need support in this. Things I have done to prevent going crazy: Have someone I can talk with one-on-one on a regular basis, where I can safely sound off in confidentiality. Have a support group to go to on a regular basis. Take breaks for myself (walk in the park, workout at the gym, crossword puzzles, eating out alone or with a friend, etc.). Being here on this website and participating regularly. Going on a small trip and doing some fun things. The caregiver has to learn to take care of him/herself as well as the care receiver. If the heart is to do its job of pumping blood to the whole body, it must first take care of itself by pumping blood to itself. Hang in there. Love, hope and faith can get you through. Don

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and good wishes. Your support has helped tremendously. See report under "Good News".

Normally, the protocol for a particular chemo calls for a finite number of rounds. And a break, I think, is a good thing between chemos to give the body a rest. It just depends on the aggressiveness of the cancer and the individual's response to a particular chemo. Don

Sounds like good news, Carole! So glad to hear it. And the plan ahead sounds good. Don

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and positive thoughts. See my post under "Good News". You people are super! Don