Kasey

I am still here ~ and it is a comfort to see you too!!! I am so happy your life is back together. I will never forget that Christmas shopping trip when Bill bought you the necklace, if I recall correctly. Poignant. Congrats on all that is good. You are still as beautiful as i recall from when we met at Katie's. Kasey

Somehow, Nina, I have missed this until now!!!! A BIG congrats to you! I am thrilled to hear from you and know that you are enjoying life and grandchildren. Like you, I too wonder 'why me' often. I have a friend who tells me I am not done yet with what I am here to do. Sure wish I knew what that was, however!!!! Hope you come back and update us a little more often. We'd all love to hear what you're up to!! Kasey

Colleen was one of our lunch bunch from the Philadelphia area. She was the most courageous young woman I have ever known. I hope those who donated to the LUNGevity walk this Saturday in my name will understand the reason why I am not walking this year. I will be in attendance at Colleen's service. I HATE LC Kasey

Congrats, Bruce...................I've missed you. So glad you checked in!!!! Kasey

I have no words of wisdom or answers for you, Judy. However, in some small way, I do know how you feel. I am a 7 year advanced stage survivor and have met some (not in the same way as you) who look to me for answers. These folks are not doing well and most likely will not be doing well. I have no answers for them In fact, it only makes me feel guilty that I am still here. I deal with that emotion almost daily. I think the fact that you are physically present and they can look you in the eye is comforting to them without you saying one word. For some reason this is your purpose at this moment in time. They can look in the eyes of a survivor and that alone is hope to them. You offer what nobody can offer them right now ~ even if it doesn't seem that way to you. So, Judy, just keep doing what you are doing. I'm not sure it will help you sleep any better though. So in that regard ~ just come here and tell us who understand. Hugs to you, you wonderful lady. Kasey

I'm still here, Melinda, and I DO remember you. I am so-so sorry you have to take this journey once again. I am sure all you learned those years ago will be most beneficial to your whole family this time around. Keep us posted, and I am sure that I speak for everyone here when I say you will be in our thoughts and prayers. Wish your beautiful picture would show up for all the new folks - so they could see how radiant you are! Kasey

I would have told him that I was sorry the golf tourney didn't make enough money to fix his 'stupid' !!!!!! Wow! Kasey

I just can hardly believe tht it's 5 years, Nick. I'm so glad she is right there in the back seat with you. I think mine is in my back seat too. You are taking her on the ride of her life with Keri and those 2 adorable kids. Kasey

I HATE this damn disease too . I agree.............cancer SUCKS . I don't know how to find happiness again after such a loss, Jean . I hear you.....I 'heart' you.....I hug you. Kasey

Hello to all you new folks I do not know and to those still around I do. thought I would stop by today just to mention..................it was 7 years ago today I was dx'd with advanced stage LC. If not familiar with my story, read my story in the My Story forum to see the journey I've been on. There IS hope for us all. I have lots of tips and info, so if anyone is interested ~ please let me know. And like ALWAYS this time every year ~ a BIG thank you to Katie, Donna, and mhutch for all these years. You 3 are MY angels ~ not Charlie's, but Kasey's Angels. XXXOOO, Kasey

.....................so sorry for the heartache, Judy. Kasey

Hugs again, Jean. That's all I got. Kasey

Hugs, hugs, hugs to you ~ Laurie, Jean, and Randy. Kasey

How wonderful, Judy!!!! As much as we may hate the watch and wait ~ sometimes those words are actually music to our ears. So glad you got to have a celebratory dinner. I lift my morning coffee to you and later today may be lifting something different!!!! Way to go. Kasey

Wow ~ sorry all. That vent is really long, but I feel so much better!!! Kasey

Hey Nick ~ I agree with the others and all they had to say. I have some ~ no MANY ~ friends and close ones who contributed to the walk I did the first year. One actually said to me, as she donated her $10.oo, that she hoped this wasnt going to be a yearly thing. I assured her that it would be. Then there are others ~ not real close friends ~ who contribute EVERY year ~ more than $10.00 too. The first year I walked I raised $3500: the second year ~ $3000: the third it was $2500: and the last 2 years it was under the $2000 mark. Close friends, who are not struggling to put food on their tables and such, just are disinterested. I am (or supposedly am) a Good friend. Sure makes me feel I am not very important to them. I also cannot talk about LC or my checkups or scares or anything with them because I am tuned out. When I actually confronted one of these ladies, she denied knowing what I was talking about . So..............I put them in the category of 'good times friends' ~ meaning as long as we are having a good time and I don't mention LC or bring attention to the fact that I cannot do all the things I did before things are okay. All these people I keep in a separate box and now think of them much differently than I did before. Long story to vent here, Nick. Thanks for the opportunity. Bottom line is this ~ it's not important to them in their life at this time, so don't bother them with it. But here is one last issue. I asked the gal who had done my hair since 1979 to donate to the first walk I did. Keep in mind that she is the shop owner and I tipped her GENEROUSLY ALL those years. She said her kids ~ all adults and out on their own with good jobs, etc., etc., ~ were her charity. Now 6 years later her son has ~ guess what? ~ lung issues. I get him sent to NIH to my doctor and he gets all fixed up Turns out it was not LC but my guy helped him. All of a sudden, When is your walk??? I want to contribute. I say HOGWASH!!!! There, now I am done! Love you, Nick, all all who continue caring! Kasey

Great pics, Eric. Should I know who Kathleen is??? Just wondering. Kasey ~ yeah ~ Fred too!!

Wonerful news, guys. I missed this until now. I cetainly hope it is not too late to celebrate with you!!! What a feeling, huh? I sure get it. I think both of you are just incredible people and am so happy to be part of this journey - all together - with you. Hugs to you both. Love, Kasey

Hi Christine - I've seen your updates on FB and, believe it or not, I planned to send you a message today. I must have missed someting because I did not know Patti was having any trouble lately. Then I saw your postings. Did I miss a post or something??? Patti and I connected years ago when she posted here. Then not so much though I always followed her story when I was on FB. Guess I should be on FB more as that seems to be where the news is. Anyhow - so sad to hear this. She was a wonderful lady. Kasey

So good to hear from you and thanks for the update. Rooting here for good 'stuff' coming up!!! Kasey

Hi Alan, I am a pancoast tumor survivor too. I was dx'd in Sept. '04. I'm doing pretty darn good! I must point out, however, that the reason I am here is becasue of Donna G who posted a bit ago. I found this website and she set me on the right path for treatment. Up until that moment the docs here told me I'd be gone in less than 6 months! HA to them. And thanks again to Donna. Welcome to our club!!! Kasey

I don't usually have a thing to say here in the 'air' of the day. We must be just plain old boring people. But when I saw the salary of the ACS's CEO posted by Bud ~ I just had to say - NO WAY ACS!!! Spend some of that - MOST of that - for research!!!! And please include LUNG cancer! Kasey

I rememeber ~ I joined over a year after you, but recall reading all your posts as I, too, was dx'd 3B. Congrats to you both. I so understand the anxious feeling of not being checked out anymore. I now am on yearly visits and that makes me feel less than confident. I am going to send you a PM as I THINK perhaps I have you in my email buddy list. Not sure, but will check it out. So........for this moment I am toasting you both with a nice glass of merlot!!!! Kasey

- sorry, Becky. Can only imagine the emotions you felt seeing that. I remember BeckyG. Kasey

Cheering from PA, Carol. It was 6 years since my surgery this past January. I leave Monday to head to Bethesda, MD for my checkup Tuesday and Wednesday at NIH. Yes........a bit anxious here. When I return you and I will have a proper celebration ~ at least I'm hoping that will be the case. Kasey