Don Wood

Lisa, I am saddened by the news. My heart is with you. Don

Hi, Sandra! Welcome. Glad you're aboard, Don

So very sorry for your loss. My heartfelt sympathies. Don

Good to hear from you, Rich. Sorry about the blahs. Don

Prayers comin'.

Hi, Nick, and welcome! Glad you decided to post. Keep us up on your testing and such. Don

Amy, my heartfelt condolensces at the loss of your mom. She gave a six-year fight and that is hope for us all. May you have peace with time. Don

Heather, my heartfelt sympathies at the loss of your mom. May you find peace and healing with time. Don

Welcome back, Sandy! So glad you had a good time in Florida. Prayers comin'. Don

As I understand it, grade is a measure of the cancer aggressiveness and stage is a measure of how far the cancer has spread from the source. They are independent measures. Grade, depending on the type of cancer, is usually on a scale of 1-4 or 1-5, with the higher numbers being the most aggressive. Stage is usually on a scale of 1-4, with 1-2 contains in the source, and 3-4 outside the source. You need to clarify all this with the oncologist. Don

Welcome, Marge! Congratulations on your good results. Keep us posted, and let us know how we may support you. Don

Clean is good! Congratulations. Don

Glad you are getting Alimta. Lucie's onc said that would probably be the next on the list for her, if needed. Best to you both. Don

TAnn, do try and relax, and have a great Christmas! Don

Sharon, I am so sorry, and you do have my prayers. Your dad has survived 4 years with this disease, and that is a milestone. Blessings. Don

Prayers comin'. Don

I personally use "remission" as defined in Bo's post for complete remission. It, for me, is equivalent to NED. No disease evident, but always a chance for recurrence down the line. Don

My mom was Irish. I have always liked that wish. I truly feel Lucie and I are in the palm of God's hand, and it is very comforting. Don

Alriiiiiiiiiiiiight, Elaine! So glad you have a doc you feel connected to. About time! Don

Your dad has already survived almost 2 1/2 years, so he has beaten the odds. There are treatments available and more on the way. Hang onto the hope. Don

Kate, you certainly have my support. I can't advise you on what to do, just pray that you will be guided to do the right thing for yourself. Don

Cheryl, this is a serious sign. Get Jack to a cardiologist right away. As one who has had heart history, I know that one of the signs of a heart or circulation problem is swelling in the ankles. You are in my prayers. Don

Welcome, David. I'm in a similar position, with a wife who was diagnosed with NSCLC, Stage IV, except she had many bone mets from the lung cancer. She is now in her 27th month since diagnosis, so hang in there and hang onto your hope. There are many survivors on this website. Your wife's memory problems can be due to the major stress that comes with knowing you have cancer. Cancer is a family disease -- all suffer -- and all get weird from time to time. All part of this journey on a road we didn't want to be on. But, we are on it, and the main thing is how we handle the journey. We are here for you and your wife, so take full advantage of the family here. Best to you both. Don

Great news!

Congratulations on one year survivorship. May you have many, many more. Don