LynneH

Lovely Pat, I am sitting here beneath you holding you up so your nose stays above the water. While I'm doing this, take a few moments and take some really deep, slow, breaths................. Peggy made alot of sense. I know it is so painful to watch Brian while he tries to fight and has nothing left over to give anyone else. I'm truly amazed that he can still do his "5". That is encouraging and something positive to focus on. Jim's neuropathy in his feet was really bad too. They were so sensitive but he had always loved foot rubs. I just changed the technique. If I started rubbing them very softly until his feetsies got used to the touch, then I could apply some pressure and it felt good to him. Probably didn't help him walk any better, but he said it did. Everyone's neuropathy is different, so don't attack Brian's feet without checking with him or I will hear him cussing down here in Oklahoma. You know I stock the soft fuzzy towels and I have loaned them to others when they needed them. Peggy needed them once to put over her head so she couldn't see Don performing daring deeds. Perhaps I can lay one across your shoulders right now and you just lean in to it and feel the warmth..... My heart is with you and Brian. Lynne

YES!!!! Just the news I was waiting for! Thanks for the "big smiles" update, Lynne

I've been saying Ginny's exact phrase lately, "it is what it is". Don't know that I am very accepting of it yet, but I'm working on it. Just when I think I've moved past the guilt of "what ifs", I break into giant sobs in the shower thinking of something that I should have told him that last week that he probably wanted to know but just couldn't verbalize......etc, etc...I realize afterwards that it was a passing moment. I know that every one of us in this small group loved our husbands with all of our hearts and we really did take good care of them and they knew they were so loved. Someone told me recently that "I was lucky". Sometimes we don't feel so lucky, do we? But, in some ways, we really are. After all, it wouldn't hurt so bad if it hadn't been so good. Okay, boots on, one more day to tackle. Lynne (Peggy, happy to see you posting.)

Hi Tina, I will be thinking special thoughts for you and Charlie all week. I hope he will be able to eat something special on his birthday. Remember that Jim and Charlie share the same birthday so when I sing Happy Birthday on Wed., I will sing an extra verse to Charlie! (Jim would have been 55 so Charlie is the younger twin!) Thinking of you both during this busy week, Lynne

Thank you Cindi. I can't think of anything to say. Lynne

Jana, It's such a hard time for you, your sister and your Dad. You know, I know that I loved Jim with all my heart and helped him fight this terrible disease to the best of my ability. But, I still have those moments, totally out of the blue, where I start thinking about all the things I didn't do for him, or should have researched further, etc. I don't know if we will ever be completely rid of those moments. I am thrilled that you have the CD!!!! I spent last Friday night with a girlfriend that lost her brother to Lung cancer at age 46, in 1996. She played a video tape that her son had taken during the family's last Christmas together. She cried but she was reliving such wonderful memories at the same time. Cherish that CD and try to think of all of her wonderfullness as you listen to it. She would like that. Take care, Lynne

This is such horrible news. Beth, may you be comforted and at peace. Kurt and family, my thoughts are with you at this very painful and difficult time. Thank you so much for letting us know Cindi. Lynne

Gay, I am so sorry to hear about Dean. I loved reading his posts because there was such a warmth in his heart. My thoughts are with you, Lynne

Born in Long Beach,CA. Moved to Dallas, Texas @ 9 mos of age. Age 15, moved to France. Lubbock, Texas (the only thing good about Lubbock is that I met Jim there while he was in town working on a construction job.) A whole bunch of little towns in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas when I travelled and worked with Jim on the water tanks. Finally landed in Oklahoma City where we have lived since 1983. (Jim was born and raised in Washington State and didn't have much good to say about the Southwest. Always wanted to move back to the Oregon coast one day but we didn't make it. Crum!) Lynne

Funny list Maryanne! I'm only 46 but apparently my body didn't pay attention to my birth year because it has already hit 50+! Funny! Lynne

Lucie, I'm so happy you are already feeling some relief as that is always a good sign. Be sure to remind Don that he is supposed to spoil you rotten and treat you like a Queen. (I think that is somewhere in the marriage vows...) Thinking of you both, Lynne

Cindi, hurry back! I think we are all a little more sedate with you gone, even ADDIE! So happy to hear your good news! Lynne

Bunny, Everyone has offered up the Perfect Words to encourage you to enjoy a carefree vacation. I second them all. A renewed Bunny brings a lot of energy back to be shared with Suki. And I can't wait to hear most (not all!) of the details from the biker journey! (I love your moniker "Bunny" because that was my nickname for Jim (he got used to it).) He had the cutest buns I'd ever layed eyes on and somewhere in the 27 years it became Bunny. In the hospital when he couldn't open his eyes but he could hear sometimes, while the nurses would try to get his attention with "Jim, Jim", I would step over and say "Bunny" and his eyebrows would lift really high! So, I can't call you Amie now because I love your special name. Sorry for the long detour here...) Hit the road girl! Lynne

Don and Lucie, You have been an inspiration to me (and by default, Jim) since the first day I found this site. Your unique blend of compassion, humor, and practicality always makes me smile. Very similar to my husband's style. Thanks for being here, Lynne

Trish, I loved reading this news! This is the type of Poster Boy you would want Jeffrey to be - Continues to Amaze Doctors with his Phenomenal Success! This is wonderful news. Celebrate! Lynne

We've had some wonderful news posted this week and I'm feeling a little happy. Although this is somewhat embarrassing, I thought you might get a chuckle at my expense. Anne posed the question this morning as to our first thought upon waking this morning. My thought was “Why did I join a fitness center?” as today was my initial evaluation. I actually paid a lot of money to have someone measure my big fat arms and thighs, my non-existent flexibility, my “over” weight, my high heart rate, my borderline high blood pressure, and my muscle strength. The good news is that the results were immediate. No waiting. In all categories but one, I scored a resounding WELL BELOW AVERAGE. Not just below average, but WELL BELOW average. However, I choose to focus on the one category where I excelled and rated ABOVE AVERAGE – the muscle strength in my hands. So, while all the other hardbodies strut their washboard abs and carved biceps around the gym, you are going to find me flaunting my strong HANDS. They’ll have nothin’ on me! Okay, be honest. Has anyone else paid to have your fat measured by 22-year old strangers and faced such public humiliation? I would love to hear I have company in my out-of-shape boat. (Debi, I think I still own “The Most Unfit Person in Oklahoma” crown.) Lynne

All Right Debi!!!! Great News!! Lynne

This is the BEST NEWS Don!!!! Thanks for posting it! Lynne

POEM! POEM! POEM! POEM!.......Addie, do you hear them out chanting in the streets? It's stunning. You better get busy and deliver before they get rowdier! Lynne

Why did I join that fitness place? I go for my initial evaluation today so they can document that I am the most unfit person in Oklahoma. On a more positive note, that means Jim was my second thought and didn't take first billing this morning. Worry/Anxiety won out this morning! Good question, Lynne

Andrea, as you are trying to decide how many to start with, I'll also be placing an order for 20. I think this might just end up on the New York Bestseller list this year! Thanks for the hard work. I'm excited! Just a sidenote: I absolutely hate to cook, but I love to read cookbooks. Strange. Lynne

Leslie! I didn't sign on last night and missed this AMAZING NEWS!!!!! Looks like it's going to be a good day now. Celebrate! Lynne

Sounds very reasonable to me too. And what inexpensive holiday gifts they will make! Thanks Andrea! Lynne

Cindi, Oliver is right. I rechecked my pre-surgery manuals and I didn't realize the sentence carried over to the next page. Pre surgery dining is NOT only chocolate. It says ONLY Chocolate Margaritas! Oliver and I will be tending bar by your hospital bedside when you wake up and we'll have those little puppies chilled and ready to sip! In the meantime, enjoy the meds. Lynne

Now that's my kinda news! Wonderful report Oliver! Lynne