Treebywater

((((Michelle))))) I know it is hard just to breathe right now. I have a friend who when times get tough his mantra is, "Inhale, exhale, repeat." I know it doesn't feel like you can do this, but you ARE doing it. It hurts. It's hell. It's not fair. But you're doing it.

Angel Food Cake Mama's apple pie (Which is in a Taste of Hope Volume 2 ) Cheesecake German Chocolate Cake Ooey Looking Brownies

Oh my... This was one of my biggest fears when my Dad started dating. I don't have any advice... I don't. Except that as much as we want to fix things for our parents, we can't. He just needs you to be there. You can support him, you can listen, but you can't fix it. Keep encouraging him to be involved in different things. In our small town--lots of older men would kind of congregate at Hardee's in the mornings every day. Is there some kind of meeting ground where he could maybe just be around other people? It's so hard to be a daughter, and see your Dad with this emptiness and know that you can't fix it. And know that you aren't the one that he wants. Most of all ((((hugs)))) to you. I know you must feel so helpless. I hope things ease for your Dad soon.

My Aunt was diagnosed with Breast Cancer this last week. It looks like they caught it early, but that's not confirmed yet. She meets with the oncologist this week. This was the very same week that my Mom was diagnosed. My Aunt is one of my 'strong women' role models. One of the women in my life that I have always known to be powerful, and incredible. I'm actually named after her (middle name not first), which is an extra connection. She's on my Dad's side. My Mom's side of the family has had 4 of 7 siblings diagnosed with 5 different types of cancers. Now it's on Dad's side too. Just looking at the genetic crap shoot I have ahead of me too. But mostly I just want cancer to leave my family--either side of it--the hell alone. On top of that, I've just missed Mom so much the last few days. There was the diagnosis day and a Thanksgiving meal and that brought back a lot of memories about the year she was diagnosed--that was the first Thanksgiving I hosted and she was there. The last holiday we had together as I didn't make it home for Christmas that year. Plus, a girl should be able to call her mama when she hosts a Thanksgiving meal for 21 people incredibly successfully. I've been mad that she isn't here this week anyway, so add this is and... Yeah. Sucky news. I hope her prognosis is good. Please pray for her. I know in LC world 'breast cancer' stuff is kind of our pet peeve, but still... It's no less serious or awful for those who are dealing with it. Done now.

Need a little smile? Just call the Nestle Crunch Hotline at 1-800-295-0051. When you are asked if you want to continue in English or Spanish, just wait quietly for about 10 seconds... and you will smile. Promise!" And make sure you choose some options after the waiting... You've gotta do it. It's too fun.

It was five years ago today that my Mom was diagnosed with Lung Cancer. Five years ago my world changed. Five years ago I found you guys. And in the darkest seasons of my life, you all helped give me hope. I wish I could be here celebrating my Mom's 5 year survival today but I can't be. Instead I'll celebrate my own survival, and resilience. I'll celebrate the beauty of who my Mom was. I'll celebrate the hope that LCSC and LUNGevity are bringing. And I'll celebrate so many of you who have become my friends. Love to you all, Val

I'm so sorry you're to this point, Tova. I'm praying for you and your Mama.

Did you all know that November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month too? I was surprised to learn that!! It's of course a terribly deadly and under-funded and under-represented cancer as well. I had no idea that our month was theirs too.

I'm so sorry, Kristi.

I'm so sorry, Sheri.

I miss Fay A. every time I log on here. She was so courageous and tenacious. When she called you a 'dear one,' you knew your were indeed loved by an incredible woman. She called it like she saw it, spoke her mind, but always, always did so with grace and love. I miss her very, very much.

Lily--I was actually thinking the same thing! Great minds think alike, eh?

I'm praying!!!

(((((Tova))))) Your post brought back so many memories for me. I resonate with so much of what you said. I'm praying for you. I'm praying for your Mama. I'm so sorry you are both going through this.

I'm so sorry, Michelle. You loved him so very deeply and so very well. Thank you for sharing a little bit of him with us.

Christy I'm so sorry. We started our journey's kind of close together if I remember. Know I'm still here, walking it with you.

((((Lori))))) I don't even know what to say, but I care so much.

You're right Becky... She probably got to hug Patrick already... That is just NOT fair.

I am so glad for you Kasey. And *I* am going to celebrate. I'm SO GLAD that your doctors were SO INCREDIBLY WRONG. And I'm so glad for the opportunity to get to know such an amazing and incredible woman as you.

I don't know where else to process this or who else would even get it without rolling their eyes. I don't get into celebrity news. I just don't. And celebrity deaths bug me because I always, think, Why do we care more about them than the 'nameless' loved ones that pass away each and every day. But this week, the news about Patric Swayze's death, Kathryn Joosten's recurrence, and now Mary Travers death has absolutely undone me. I just heard about Mary Travers and I burst into tears. I don't do that about people I don't know in person I just don't. But all three of those people are pieces of my Mom. Mom and I LOVED Patrick Swayze. We'd watch his movies together. He was just so much fun and seemed to be a real person who wasn't all celebrity weird. Kathryn Joosten is our Mrs. Landingham. Mom and I LOVED to watch West Wing. But Peter, Paul, and Mary... Well I fell in love with them growing up. Mom and I would watch the PBS specials of their performances. It was something we did together and we'd sing and sound awful together. I LOVED their music. I LOVED the person of Mary Travers and how passionate and outspoken she was. I loved that her voice wasn't like anyone else's but that you could so listen to it. And the news this week... It has just torn me up. As much because I will miss the presence of Patrick Swayze and Mary Travers (and because I just hate that Kathryn Joosten is sick again), but also because these are connections to my Mom. And I can't stand to have those connections threatened or gone.

(((((Debbie))))) I'm sure it just feels like too much. I'm praying for him and for you.

Ned, you gotta watch West Wing! It's my ALL TIME FAVORITE!!! If you want to see Kathryn Joosten you must watch the first 2 seasons. She's fabulous. Her part is small, but she is unforgettable in it. I'm praying that she triumphs over this recurrence. I was so upset to hear about it yesterday.

I'm so sorry to read this.

Michelle--That just sounds frustrating. You guys need to catch a break soon. I'm praying for a stretch of really good days for both of you.

I'm praying for your sister, and for you, Eileen. I hope the cyberknife does it for your sister and you don't have to worry about the beast ever again.