Kasey

Don't you EVER hesitate posting GOOOOOOD news here, Heidi. Give that mother of yours a 'gentle' slap on the back and a high-five for me, okay??? Love to you both as you celebrate this milestone. I just celebrated my own b-day less than a month ago. How wonderful to grow old!!!!! Oh..............not that you mom is old ~ I meant me !!!!! Love, Kasey

We're hoping for the best, Mike. Please be sure to let us know ASAP. Fred has had 'spots' shopw up now for several years. Apparently no problem. May it be the same for your sister. Kasey

Hi Jill!! I DO remember you and your story and your beautiful mom. I have no advice - just wanted you to know there is someone here who 'knows' you and can lend an ear. I'm certain you all did the right thing concerning this other woman. If only dad could hold onto the hope that there IS someone out there for him. He just needs to get out there and give it a try. It would be much too easy to fall into the trap of comfort with this lady he has known for so long. I know you'll be offering him much support and comfort and compassion. Wish you knew of a lovely lady you could introduce him to. Try networking your friends and family. There are lots of nice gals hoping for a chance with a great guy like your dad. It's wonderful to 'see' you again. Let me know how things progress. Too bad we are so far apart ~ I've a couple great friends who would LOVE your dad!!! Kasey

It seems so many 'oldtimers' just aren't here posting for one reason or another. They were the ones who 6 years ago supported and rallied round me upon my dx. So...........for the many new folks who do not know my story, you can find it in the 'My Story' forum - Kasey's Story viewtopic.php?f=47&t=15264 Knowing some background will enable you to understand my profound joy and gratefulness that it has been 6 years today since I was officially dx'd with LC. I would say there has been plenty of 'light at the end of my tunnel' as opposed to what the docs here told me. This website literally saved my life. I hope my survival can bring hope to those of you feeling hopeless and lost. And not an anniversary can go by without SHOUTING to dear Miss Katie for this wonderful place and Donna and mhutch for leading me in the right direction. Love to all of you - old and new. Kasey

Great to 'see' you, Ellen. Offer my congrats to Henk. And guess what??? 6 years ago on the 20th I was dx'd - and was not supposed to see the flowers bloom the following spring. WooHoo for us both!!! Kasey

Hi Leslie, I've been waiting to see if you'd post an update. Have wanted to call or email to check on your mom's status ~ but didn't want to be intrusive. Just wondering ~ is it Dr. Schrump you are speaking about or your local doctor? I stopped radiation after 22 or 23 sessions. I think that was around 2400 whatever they call it. Not certain, but it is close. And who is tellilng you surgery only increases chances for a cure so little? Are they saying that the tumor cannot be shrunk enough away from the esophagus? Seems you need some questions answered in order to make an informed decision. You have my # if you want to call - or your dad or mother. Hope you know I've been thinking of all of you this whole time and hoping for the best. Kasey

Well hi, Frank! I posted a few times to you on the other board and never heard from you. This is the board I call 'home' though. Again, I offer any help I can give. Kasey

Hi to you, Millie's girl!!! I am so glad mom is doing well. I am certain you did a great job for her. Let's take one step at a time here. The scan may show what dad has is very likely something else. My own husband has had nodules for many years that show up and there they are - just there - doing nothing. I'll keep all my 'stuff' crossed along with you. Be sure to let us know as soon as you do. Sorry just doesn't seem sufficient here - but sorry I am. Kasey

Welcome, Krisitn!!! I, too, am im the Phila. area ~ well just a little more west ~ but grew up there some years ago. I was dx 3B or 3A depending upon which doctor you ask. In just a few short weeks I will be a 6 year survivor. Be sure to tell your dad that! Let me know how I may help you and your family. I'd be interested in where your dad is being treated and where you are planning to get additonal opinions. I am more than willing to offer some insight. Kasey

Hi Carol, I'm so glad we are both doing so well years later!!! It will be 6 for me in just a few weeks. As to the ringing in the ears ~ I don't have that BUT, get this, I can hear music way inside my head. It started while on chemo and has improved some, but often I think our neighbors have outside music on or the kid down the street is practicing with his band in their garage. It is annoying. I can't even tell exactly what music it is ~ hard to describe. I'm not sure just what to do about it. Maybe Muriel's advice is the way to go. Hope you are enjoying not having to go to school. I know each fall, I get real happy! Take care. Kasey

No advice here, Judy. I'm around reading here all the time - just have not much to post about. I've read ALL your posts and all I can say is how badly I feel for you. I am frustrated for you. I am mad for you. I thought I knew what having multiple maladies was like as I suffer from many myself. But you, dear girl, have me beat hands down. You are so right about not wanting to talk about it or wanting any responses. It is just important to get it all out there and look at it. I cannot imagine trying to cope with these issues you have on a daily basis. It just makes one wonder what the he#@ these doctors are doing - seems nothing at all. So............no answers or even suggestions becuase it seems you've gone down every road possible to resolve some/any of it all. But I've heard you and hear you pain and frustration. So if it helps at all, I am frustrated and mad too. Maybe having someone help carry all the rage you must feel in some way will help. Glad you said it all out loud. Know that you will be in my thoughts and please keep us updated. I'll try to remain hopeful that something can be done about something. Just really sorry. Kasey

sorry . Kasey

Ready with the umbrella drink, Snow. It's a MULTI-colored umbrella. I ALMOST made it pink, but then I thought......... I will have to get the drink-making book ready again. I forget how to make them!!!! Maybe for this trip everyone can just make their own!!! I'm strapped in and Teddy has his window all fogged up. Here we go!!!!!!!! Kasey

I am WAY later than a day and WAY more than a dollar short. Missed all these going-ons ~ or is it goings-on? I used to know such useless bits of grammar. Don't care much anymore, though!!!! You know I'm in. Maybe a portable PUB could be tucked in the back. The Pub has cobwebs and Fred, Teddy, and I are usually all hung over with nobody but us here to drink up the inventory!!!!!! I'm just catching up with the news on you, friend ~ the good, the bad, and the ugly too. But you are a true survivor and will come out smelling like a whole bouquet of roses before long. Now you want to talk about the Amish?!?!? Yep - I am here in Lancaster County where the horses are just about as comon as motor vehicles. Amish farms border us almost on all sides. I'll have to get out my camera as well and we can swap stories to boot. Glad to see you back along with all the others posting here. And Becky - could you explain the Pub to all the newcomers. Drum up some business, will ya!!!! I'm in my seat and ready to roll! Kasey

Oh Val, I'm so sorry I missed responding yesterday. I'm not around quite as much as I should be and missed your post. The loss of a wonderful mother such as yours has a profound impact on the rest of one's life - I still miss and need my own mother 25 years later . You have so much 'stuff' - medical as well as happy pregnancy news that absolutely warrant a mother's hug and words of comfort. Try to imagine them. You've been told by many in the past what a remarkable young woman you are - and you are. You are your mother's daughter. Love to all of you, Kasey

Shame on me, Carol. Someow I totally missed this ~ so sorry . You know I am no less than over the top with joy hearing your news . We are twins, so to speak, ya know. Hope you had a grand celebration. Perhaps you even have it still going on. If not, come join me as I'm just starting on your behalf. Here's to so many more reports of the same kind. Kasey

Thanks for the update and GREAT news, Ellen. I think of you and Henk from time to time and have wondered how each of you have been doing. So.............sounds as if all is going well. Give Henk a pat on the back and an 'atta boy' from me, will you? Kasey

I have NO idea how I ever missed this, Jamie!!!! You gotta know how over the top thrilled I am about your news. Mega apologies for showing up so late to your party! News like this needs to celebrated over and over again. So I'm off to do just that. XOXO, Kasey

Judy, I don't think we've been properly introduced. I've read ALL your posts and can only offer my caring and support. I have MANY issues that nobody is getting to the bottom of - or should I say to which nobody is getting to the bottom. Be vigilant and your own best advoate. I am sick and tired of having to do that, but what else to do????? Hope somebody listens and gets you fixed up. In the meantime, I guess you just stand up all the time!!!!!! Isn't that the pits??? Kasey

Welcome, Dave! I had both chemo and radiation as well ~ chemo once a week for 5 weeks and 22 rad treatments. Has it been discussed if you may be operable at some time in the future? If so, be careful of how much radiation you receive. There is such a thing as having received too much radiation if one is to ever be eligible for surgery. Just forewarning. Sorry you must be here, but hope the folks here can be of some support and source of info for you. Kasey

Cindy, I am all smiles reading your post. I SO identify with the anxiety ALWAYS with us. I remember you telling us how you would have to take off work a week before your scans due to it. I have walked in those very same shoes. How remarkable you are here today (or yesterday, as it was) that you are a LONG time survivor of not one, but TWO cancers. Kudos to you. I'm so glad I got to actually meet you at Katie's in texas and then see you again in Chicago. Sure would like to toast you in person. Maybe some day again, huh? Kasey

News to make me smile this afternoon, Sue. I just had a feeling that all would be well. I'm so glad NED is spreading himself around. Ya gotta love him. Give mom an 'atta girl' from me and wish her all the best. Glad you checked in here to let us know. I don't keep up with FB. Love, Kasey

(((Judy))) ~ oh I hear you loud and clear, friend. I haven't found the 'off' switch for the worry machine, so I can't help you there. It's easy for folks to tell you to just relax and wait and see. Yea, right!!!! Watch THEM do it, I say! A very wise member who used to post here (and is now off enjoying life) used to say this ~ don't put the cart before the horse. In other words, don't borrow trouble. Easier said than done though. I've had several 'concerns' these past 2 years. I worried my a$$ off ( wish I meant that literally) all for nothing. So, Judy, just let us here do all the worry for you and hold your hand. Take several deep breaths and maybe even have a glass of wine. Another good friend of mine here would offer this advice ~ I'll hold your pork chop. Please know we are all here help you through this tenuous time. Just try your best to hold onto hope that there are many other things that could be going on other than cancer. Kasey

Happy Happy Birthday, Katie!. You deserve the BEST! L&T, Kasey (oh yea ~ Fred too)

Don't beat yourself up, Caro, about feeling badly and being angry too. We have all been there. This LC journey finds us on roads full of twists and turns. I used to miss my 'old' life too. but I've come to cherish the 'new' one I have now. You will too. You just need to give yourself enough time and get some of this behind you. I'm here for you anytime you need. Kasey