Kasey

Great news AND great to see you again!!! So glad to hear it!!! WooHoo for yoou!!!1 Kasey

Congrats Tom!!!!!! Here's to MANY MANY more! Kasey

Oh Sheri, Am I so very sorry to hear of all your trials over the past several years. I do believe I remember you and even posting to you on occasion. I am glad you felt you had someplace to vent, and hopefully find some comfort in knowing that people who remember you are here to support you as much as can be done in cyberworld. You've been around here long enough to know one thing we try to do is just put one foot in front of the other and keep plodding along. I hope you can get some in person suppert where you are, but if not, at least know that one person is out here and listening. I'll be cheering you on. Kasey

Oh Janet ~ I read your post yesterday and took until today to begin to even TRY to respond. All the previous posts say tons that I could not begin to say. I've not walked in your shoes or experienced such devastating effects of treatment such as you have. So about all I can offer is cyber support/love/ comapssion with the hope that the words of your friends here can lift you just a bit to enable you to make your decisions and move forward with them. I've followed your posts since the beginning and know you as a smart, committed lady who has researched and always done what she felt was best for her. I do not see that changing in any way. You know what is the best for you. It is difficult for those we love. who have seen us do so well, and respond to treatment eventually see things take a different turn. I think it is denial for them. That denial does not help us at all, but I suppose it is the best way that they can cope. Those of us here don't go the denial route. That is why we are all saying the same thing ~ follow what YOU believe is right for you. And some days that is a very difficult thing to do. It grieves me to see you be so debilitated after being so active and involved and vibrant. Take the time you need to regroup, rethink, or whatever else you need to do. And during that time please come here and allow us the privilege of lifting you up and sharing just a wee bit of the burden you now carry. We all love and support you. Kasey

Hey Bruce........................seems we both have much reason to celebrate this week. I'll be sure to toast you with a favorite beverage later today. For now ~ I'll sip my coffee to you! We truly are among the lucky ones, Bruce. So glad to know you here and be able to celebrate one another's survivorship. Like you though, am so missing many of friends not able to be here. Enjoy, friend!!! Kasey

Hello to all you new folks I don't know and to any of my 'old' friends from years ago. I am moved to share a HUGE milestone I've reached in my life. It was exactly 8 years ago today I was diagnosed with advanced stage lung cancer ~ Pancoast tumor to be exact. I have posted 'My Story' which chronicles the tenuous journey I began all those years ago. Throughout these years I have met, in person or just in cyberspace, so many LCSC members. Some just don't come here anymore for whatever reason. Others, sad to say, are no longer with us. And some are still around here, though perhaps in the shadows, reading and cheering LCSC members on. I have experienced 8 springs full of flowers that I was told would not happen. So much has filled my life these 8 'bonus' years that I cannot even begin to be able to share with you all. But one thing I can never fail to do each anniversary date is to give a great big SHOUT OUT and MEGA THANKS to Miss Katie. Yes, it was Katie's website all those years ago that gave me the info necessary to enable me to be here today. DonnaG's response to me opened up doors that led me to my life-saving surgeon. And mhutch, not sure where she is today, led me by the hand to the most remarkable place on earth ~ to me anyhow ~ my DisneyWorld, Nathional Institutes of Health. So to those who think a website such as this is perhaps not a big deal. Let me say this ~ BIG DEAL ~ LIFE-SAVING deal. Thanks to all of you new, old, young, patients, caregivers, supporters. In one way or another you have all been part of this remarkable ride I continue to take. HOPE always. Kasey

I am SOOOO glad to hear from you!!!! I've thought about you for years and have thought the worst! I have the same issue. Not sure if it's due to radiation, but who knows. I am just over the moon to see you post, Kathy. Let's keep in touch! Kasey

Congrats many times over, Carol!!!!! So happy for you. Let's celebrate this milestone for more years than we can count!!!!! But for smoe reason I thought I was ahead of you. My surgery was 1/04/05. yours was in 2004???? Now youa re MY hero! all this time I never knew. XOXO, Kasey

I missed the celebration yesterday, Jamie. However, with news this exciting and remarkable, I am sure it is continuing today still. So I am celebrating you and your survivorship and all you have done for LC awaareness. Glad to count you among my very special friends! Kasey

Sorry to show up late for this party, Janet. This is better than GREAT news!!!! Yes, head right into summer and enjoy. You are the epitome of a true survivor. I'm thrilled for you. Kasey

Thanks, Randy. I hope you can pass my message on to Kathy for Mitchell. Dear Mitchell, You are so near and ear to my heart. You found a place there many years ago as Pewjumper when you were advocating for your dear mother. You were working on quitting smoking and I was your biggest cheerleader. You fought that battle and the one with weight and I became even more proud of you. I remain cheerleading for you now, as you deal with yet, one more obstacle standing in your way. I hae complete confidence in you, my friend. Please know that I, and legions of your friends, are here to prop you up and help get you on your way. I am sending many prayers, positive, vibes, and all good stuff I got your way. I'll be waiting to see you post yourself real soon. Remember you are not alone. Kasey

I just saw this, Ginny. Like you, thought he was just off enjoying life. He hadn't posted anything anywhere for so long - took that as a good thing. Last he ever mentioned, he was doing okay. Incredibly sad. Kasey

Thoughts and prayers for your best friend, Pat, and always prayers for a cure. Kasey

Hello Jessica, I've just read your entire blog!! Yes, believe it. I am just heartbroken you must be visiting LC sites at this stage in your life. Though I am a bit older than you, I absolutely can relate to the full range of emotions you are experiencing. Sadly, I agree with what the doctor said about luck. LC seems to be enjoying selecting young, never-smoking women as its target. You are being proactive on your own behalf, good for you. I am originally from the Philadelphia area. Now I'm not all that far away - Lancaster County. And BTW ~ one of my wishes as well, would be that all animals (domestic) have loving homes for the duration of their lives. I have felt the love of some incredible dogs. You just keep putting one foot in front of the other and I'll be your greatest cheerleader when you run of steam for yourself. Kassey

Well BIG CONGRATS to you, Muriel!!!!! Let's keep this forum going on now. You start by telling everybody just how long it's been for you!!!! Glad we're here together!!! Kasey

Wow, Judy, I hear you loud and clear. I identify with most of what you say. What I find absolutely amazing is that you are calm and less fearful than your hubby. When first diagnosed I was anything BUT that. I was sad, depressed, anything you can think of. I came here ~ LCSC ~ and found such strong people. I know what I will be facing in the future. Not right now as you are, but it's coming sometime ~ hopefully later rather than sooner. And my hope is that I deal with as much courage and dignity as the wonderful people I have met here do. I am lucky and proud to be here with YOU, Judy. My hope is for nothing but the best for you. You do much for many ~ may it come back to you a hundred fold! Kasey

Usually I am not here much, but soemhow today I felt the need to 'connect' with my LCSC friends. Seems lately my posts have been few and I can't really say why. I guess it's because I feel I don't have very much to say. And I guess the older I am the more I feel folks would rather connect with a 'younger' crowd. That sounds like I'm feeling sorry for myself. Not really, just sort of sorry in general. Christmas this year is not coming together like in other years. Our crowd will be much smaller and our table will be missing a very important member. Though at its most we only had 18, only 9 this year seems rather sad. Our son-in-law was such an integral part of our holiday celebration. He brought fun and always had games to involve kids and adults as well. He could always eat up a storm and was one who seemed to love my candied yams the most! I miss him and some how today I just can't get past it. Once again the guilt of still being here when so many young folks are not.........well....... Anyhow, just feels good to be able to be here and say whatever is on my mind. Not many places one can do that. I do hope you all can make the most of the holiday season and be thankful for what you have. I certainly am ~ and tomorrow as I start to prepare the feast for just the few of us ~ I will count my blessings and all of you will be among them. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanza, New Year.....whatever you celebrate! Kasey

Oh Janet.................I have just now ready your entire story. You, friend, are one wonderful lady. Your story and mine actually parallel one another in many ways. I agree ~ hurray for second opinions and FOURTH opinions too. I relate to your not thinking you would be here for one more Christmas. Me too! And you are correct that nobody can know the feeling we both had unless one has lived it for themselves. So for this holiday season I will toast you and hope we become forever fast friends. Thanks for the story of hope. May we both celebrate so many more Christmases 'together' that we lose count of them. Kasey

Sent you a PM, Judy!!!!

Each year I love to bring back this post from such a very special member who used to grace our boards. If you did not know DeanCarl, you missed one remarkable man. Each year it brings me comfort to read, once again, his inspirational words to all of us. When I was a kid I used to give my folks a Christmas wish list each year. We weren’t rich by any means, but some how some way a lot of what I wished for I got. So, in that spirit, here’s my “wish list” for this Christmas: My Christmas Wish List. For the newly diagnosed and those who have recently had a recurrence: May your fears be calmed, your strength renewed and your hopes be realized. For those in the midst of the battle: May your determination never falter and your days be filled with victory. For those who have lost loved ones: May your memories bring joy rather than pain and your days be filled with the spirit of those who have touched your lives. For those in remission: May your joy fill the lives of those around you and be a light for those that follow. For those who are nearing the end of the fight: May you find the courage to walk the path you are on and to see the glory in each new day. And for everyone who has so touched my life since I found this place: Whatever your situation, where ever you are may this Christmas season bring you all that your heart desires. Dean

Donna..........you were the FIRST to respond to me when I came her searching for hope and help!!! I did not even know how to navigate the site and thought I could not find you again. But you found ME! You are my hero so many times over. I've told you in the past that I want to be YOU when I grow up. 14 years ~ AMAZING. I am now at 7 as of this fall, so I am still hoping to be YOU someday. Someday, friend, I will meet you face to face to express my most sincere gratitude for what you did for me. Someday........... Much love ~ and hoping for so many more years that we cannot even count them. XXXOOO, Kasey

Yes, Katie, the Hope Summit. She and I talked about hopefully being able to attend next time. This year was bad timing due to our personal loss here and for Geri, well, she needed some time to recoup from her latest bout. Speaking of our loss this year of our son in law ~ Geri was the best friend - so supportive. Also the same with my niece, Tracy. With all Geri had going on, there was no shortage of caring and support for me in my need and loss. I know a lot of that showed through in her posts, but you just had to really KNOW her to understand how truly remarkable a person she was. Kasey

I hear you, Ronnie, and I understand. Kasey

It is with a heart heavier than I could ever imagine that I share with you that Geri passed away Tuesday evening. The hurt for me is about unbearable. We became cyber friends over 6 years ago and in person friends soon thereafter. She even came here to visit and we had more fun than any 2 cancer people should be allowed to have. Geri endured more than any one person should have to. Her infectious optimism made me think she could do anything. And she did for quite some time. First - lung cancer. Then breast cancer. Then damage to the heart caused by the brest cancer treatment. Then further damage to the good portion of her heart. I can never ever get the correct name for it - but that heart thing that Cheyney has - she had too. She again was instrumental in a very succesful Boston Walk. And she has left us on her own terms - as Geri did everything. Donations for LUNGevity, of course. Oh how I will miss my friend and our lengthy conversations. Her English accent always made the bad words sound almost acceptable!!!! Kasey

I just can't believe it's 5 years, Ellie!!! So, so sad. I so understand about it seems so long and not long at all. I lost my mother to LC, my niece to LC, my dad to cancer, my best friend to uterine cancer, and the list goes on and on. I miss each and every one of them each and every day. So sorry. Love, kasey