Maryanne

Tell Val, we said CONGRATULAIONS... WELCOME TO THIS WONDERFUL WORLD CAROLYN HELEN!!!! Your mom must be thrilled. This should boost her spirits... I know I didn't win the baby pool as I had the 5th. Whoever was the closest will make the 1st toast for the new baby, at Cindi's pub, My toast is "Carolyn have a healthy life full of many many womderful memories." Make sure mommy and daddy get enough sleep!! Drinks on the house.... right Cind.... Cheers!!!!!!!!!! Love good news and what is better than a new life... Enjoy, Maryanne PS, have to change your picture now from your big belly to your newest addition.

Hi Bill, My husband had none of the LC signs. He was just going for a routine physical and asked for a chest Xray as he is a smoker. The chest Xray showed a mass on his left lung. We were baffled by this news, caught completely off guard and was so scared. He wae feeling so good, how could this happen? We then went to a pulmonary doctor who set up a Ct and Pet scan. When he got the results of that, the doctor felt he is was cancereous. Now he had to have the biospys to see if it was. First he had a bronchoscopy, which was inconclusive. The doctor took tissue but had to stop because of bleeding. He was not sure if he got enough tissue for a correct reading. It actually came back negative.(yea, but that was short lived) He then had to have a needle biospy. The needle is inserted though the back into the lung. Then they take a certain amount of tissue from the infected area to be tested. Sometimes they can puncture a lung doing this test, so they have to be careful. If that happens, I think you then have to stay overnight and then get Xrays until the bleeding stops. Joel had no problems and he went home. It is a long day, so be prepared for that. Joel had high anxiety about a needle going into his back. This did not hurt at all. So don't worry about pain, they take care of that. His test came back positive. It was operable and he then had to see a Thoractic Surgeon to have a portion of his lung or a portion of his lung removed. We went to a wonderful doctor at Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ. He preformed the operation and instead of taking out the whole left lung, he was able to take out just the upper lobe. He did have some complication during surgery, but that is a whole other story. Everything came out fine. His doctor said that according to the margin around the tumor, they got it all and only had to take the upper lobe and not the whole lung. The operation was prefomed on Dec. 15. During the operation they also take tissue from certain areas of the lymph nodes. If any one comes back positive then that will determine if the new stageing. In other words Joel was first diagnoised with 1b, they tested I think 4 nodes. If one came back positive it would be changed to II A, if 2 came back IIB etc. His all came back negative. So we were so incredibly glad for that. Waiting for results to come is the most stressful time as I am sure you know. He is doing really well and has to go back soon for his 1st 3 month CT. We pray everything is clear. He is also opting to go for preventive chemo, which increases percentage rate about another 5%. Right now I think he is at 65% survival rate and that will increase to 70% with the preventive chemo. That is great odds to us. I am not exactly sure about that percentage rate, I think that is right. Everything went well. Joel has made a full recovery from the operation, but developed a thyroid problem which knocked him through a loop. That was finally taken care of and his is back to himself, doing wonderfully. It is wonderful to have this message board. I would have been so lost without it. I was so scared and felt so alone and didn't know who to turn to . I was so surprised to see this whole world here. Their support has been overwheming. You do not have to go through this alone, we are here for you and each other. Please take care, try not to worry too much. Take one day at a time and keep us informed of your progress. Maryanne

Hi Traci, So sorry to hear about you mom. But they will find something that will work for her. I am sending out strength to her as she seems to need that right now. Keep us posted, there will be lots of prayers going out to her from all over. Maryanne

Best of luck with your mom. If you can somehow keep us posted of how things are going for her. She will have many prayers sent to her. Maryanne

Great news that Dave is home. That is where he belongs, home with his family not in a hospital. Sending prayers for Dave and wish him a speedy recovery. Be strong as he will need all his strength to fight this. Thinking of you, and welcome home big guy. Maryanne

Hi all, I have a fast question. Can you go to the dentist during Chemo? Or do you have to go before. Joel is having problems with a tooth which Iam sure will have to be root canal and crowned (or hopefully filled) I heard that you cannot do this during chemo. So I am wondering if he should go now before the Chemo. We still do not have a new appointment with the Oncologist yet as we are finishing with the endocrinologist hopefully the week. So we figured that when we are finished with the thyroid thing that he will go back to the Oncologist and start the chemo. If we can't do both (dentist and chemo) then the Chemo will be put off, until this tooth is taken care of. He will be having carbo/taxal. thanks Maryanne

Patty, Iam so sorry for all that your mom and your family is going through. I pray for you and your dad to get through this difficult time. You are a wonderful daughter to have been there for her. She valued the time you spent with her. You mom will be in a better place, when she gets rid of that sick heavy, diseased body and her spirit crosses over to a wonderful place, free of pain. She will feel wonderful and will be with loved ones who passed before her. Just like she will be there for you when your time comes. Her spirit will always live on. Always hold those beautiful, precious memories of her in your heart of hearts. I pray for strength for you and your dad. Maryanne

First of all Lori, my condolences on the loss of your dad. You shared a very special moment with him. I am so glad his passing work out the way you wanted it too. You asked a question about the transition. I will share my belief with you as I have with so many others. I hope this gives you some comfort. Yes, I definetely believe that your dad is in a better place and that he was somehow comminicating with his mother and brother before he left his physical body. I posted the following to Kerry yesterday, who is losing her father. Iam sorry I did not see you post before today. However, I wanted to share what I wrote. Just picture in your minds eye, when his spirit finally leaves that sick, deseased physical body behind, picture him floating, then flying in the air, whooping it up because he is free and the pain is all gone. It must feel wonderful. His mom and his relatives who passed before him will be there to bring help him cross over. The transisition will be the most beautiful moment for him. If you are there when his spirit leaves look up, not down as his spirt is now floating up, not staying down in that deceased body. His sick body is gone but his spirit lives on. Just like all the memories of all your love ones who have gone are living on through you. We are the ones who are left to grieve. But know that one day way, way, way down the road, you will see all your beloved father again. And he will help you with your transition. Lori, he knew what you wanted and he passed at that convenient moment that was your last wish. He will be with you always and will watch over you. He did that for you. That was his way of giving back to you. You dad loved you so much. You shared so many private thoughts when you alone caring for him. You are a wonderful daughter. He was so relieved and will be eternitally greatful that you were there for him. I pray for strength for you to get by the difficult days ahead. You are fortunate to have Eric by your side. He was there for you and will be your rock. Get through that grieving process and hold all those precious memories of him which will always be in your heart. Peace be with you. Maryanne

Kerry, I think your FIL does need a break, but that time is up to the man upstairs. It is amazing what the body can endure. He has more than his share. I wish for him peace now. I pray they make him pain free and as comfortable as possible, during what time he has left. Kerry, your story is so heartwrenching. To have 1 Lung cancer victim in ones immediate family is somewhat uncommon, but 4 certainly is, this must be unbearable for you. My advice is for you Kerry, isto hold up, You can it !!! You are stronger than you realize.even though at times you break down and feel like everything is falling apart. You have been through this too many times before, and you came through it. You can do it again. Get yourself through the much needed greiving prgress, then just move on. You still have a family here, who needs you and loves you. Have peace in knowing that. Just love your Father in law and know he will be in a better place than he is right now. you are a wonderful daughter in law or daughter to him. Just picture in your minds eye, when his spirt finally leaves that sick, deseased physical body behind, picture him floating, then flying in the air, whooping it up because he is free and the pain is all gone. It must feel wonderful. His wife will be there to bring help him cross over. Ithe transisition will be the most beautiful moment for him. If you are there when his spirit leaves look up, not down as his spirt is now floating up, not staying down in that deceased body. His sick body is gone but his spirit lives on. Just like all the memories of all your love ones are living on through you. We are the ones who are left to grieve. But know that one day way, way, way down the road, you will see all your loved ones again. Kerry, you still have quite a hull ahead of you. You husband will need you to be his strength. I am sending healthy meditation thoughts full of strength to you. And peace to your Father in law. Know that we are here always for you. Thinking about you and hoping you are coping just fine. Try to keep us infomed about his condition. Peace be with you. Maryanne

Hi Pat & Brian, Welcome Path & Brian, you have come to the right place. We are hear to listen, give advice and help in anyway we can. Please let us know what is going on presently with Brian. If we know more, we can help you cope better. Maryanne

Hi Elaine, I don't know you yet, as I am fairly new here, but it certainly seems like you have tons of friends who really care about you here. I just want to say that I pray to give you strength to carry all this burden you personally have been going through. I don't have to tell you that we are here for you, because you know that. Please don't be put off letting us know what is going on with you as if we know than we could try to help. You know that is what this board is here for. Don't shut us out, share, so we could be here to help. Prayers to you Elaine, Maryanne

Thanks Wendy, I am taking my angel dust and spreading it all around for our members to grab hold of. G-d knows there are so many set backs lately, that we can use these little angles throwing dust all around this board!! Heres hoping it lands on our friends here who need it most. Maryanne

Hi Frank, So sorry to hear about your delimma. Seems like bad news is coming from all over. But Iam confident that this laser thing will work, and you will be fine. take care please, you are a very special man, and there are many prayers going out to you from all over. Hang in there. It will all turn out alright. Maryanne

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am posting this again, as this was posted in General, but it kinda got lost there. I feel this is important for you to know. So I copied it and put it back in this subject matter. Hi All, I heard from Rosemary (Rosemac) by email, and she told me that it is ok for me to update you about Fred's condition. Below is what she wrote: I haven't written anything because I have been too busy with the hospital and working, that was when it had come back again in the spine I didn't want to upset people cause everytime it went away it came back somewhere. Fred now has pneumonia radiation pnematosis and a partial collapsed lung. and his blood counts all bottomed out because of the radiation to the spine and chemo. He has had two transfusions one of the packed red cells and one for platelets and his counts seem to be coming back up. We are trying to make arrangements for him to come home he will need oxygen and a bed. My goal is to get him back to the way he was before this infection. He can't even get out of the bed to go to the commode right now he is so short of breath even with the oxygen. Just please make sure if Joel gets chemo he has a port put in that is so important, they have ruined Freds veins he is having so much trouble even getting a blood draw because of it, it just breaks my heart. His veins are all hard now and when they go to stick him they blow. I just broke down the other night because they kept sticking and trying. So please please get a port. Rosemary (Roseymac) Keep those prayers and positive thoughts going for them. Maryanne (below is my profile, not Rosemary's)

Sue, I did post the update from Rosemary, I put it in the General area, but it kinda got lost there. So I copied it to here, so you can read the update. Hi All, I heard from Rosemary (Rosemac) by email, and she told me that it is ok for me to update you about Fred's condition. Below is what she wrote: I haven't written anything because I have been too busy with the hospital and working, that was when it had come back again in the spine I didn't want to upset people cause everytime it went away it came back somewhere. Fred now has pneumonia radiation pnematosis and a partial collapsed lung. and his blood counts all bottomed out because of the radiation to the spine and chemo. He has had two transfusions one of the packed red cells and one for platelets and his counts seem to be coming back up. We are trying to make arrangements for him to come home he will need oxygen and a bed. My goal is to get him back to the way he was before this infection. He can't even get out of the bed to go to the commode right now he is so short of breath even with the oxygen. Just please make sure if Joel gets chemo he has a port put in that is so important, they have ruined Freds veins he is having so much trouble even getting a blood draw because of it, it just breaks my heart. His veins are all hard now and when they go to stick him they blow. I just broke down the other night because they kept sticking and trying. So please please get a port. Rosemary (Rosemac) Keep those prayers and positive thoughts going... Maryanne

Hi Wendy, Happy 1st year Anniversary. My you have many, many more happy Anniversaries, Its so great to hear good news. Maryanne

Hi Bill So sorry for all the pain and heartache. Sending prayers your way. Hoping like Ginny said for some kind of miracle. Maryanne

Hi Angie, Poor guy he is going through too much. I am so glad that you are there with him. You are a wonderful daughter. Just show him all the love you can. Praying for healing for him, and strength for you. Maryanne

thnking about you and sending prayers your way. Hang in there. Everything will turn our alright. Maryanne

Well..... YOU GOTTA BELEIVE!!!!! Keeping my fingers and toes crossed, it is just an infection. Sending good vibes your way. Maryanne

Hi All, I heard from Rosemary (Rosemac) by email, and she told me that it is ok for me to update you about Fred's condition. Below is what she wrote: I haven't written anything because I have been too busy with the hospital and working, that was when it had come back again in the spine I didn't want to upset people cause everytime it went away it came back somewhere. Fred now has pneumonia radiation pnematosis and a partial collapsed lung. and his blood counts all bottomed out because of the radiation to the spine and chemo. He has had two transfusions one of the packed red cells and one for platelets and his counts seem to be coming back up. We are trying to make arrangements for him to come home he will need oxygen and a bed. My goal is to get him back to the way he was before this infection. He can't even get out of the bed to go to the commode right now he is so short of breath even with the oxygen. Just please make sure if Joel gets chemo he has a port put in that is so important, they have ruined Freds veins he is having so much trouble even getting a blood draw because of it, it just breaks my heart. His veins are all hard now and when they go to stick him they blow. I just broke down the other night because they kept sticking and trying. So please please get a port. Rosemary (Rosemac) Keep those prayers and positive thoughts going... Maryanne

Hi, I was going to say the same thing that Andrea said, I also heard good things about them, but did not have to go that route as I found great doctors here. I believe he saved my husbands life by doing a 7 1/2 operation to remove his upper left lobe removed. The tumor was on top of his aorta, but thank G-d not attched. He had to take all his time and had to be presiced as to not nick the arota. It would have been life threatening if that happened. Anyway, he had that much confidence in his skill. Instead of the whole lung, Joel only lost a lobe. and didnt even damage a rib. Let us know where you live and you will get responses from that. Also do a profile on him, so we will know what stage he is in, is it SCLC or NSCLC, so we could help you. I know things are going to work out for him. Just hang in there. We hear you and are here from you. Maryanne

Hi All, I am sending this to people on the board to send prayers to Fred, husband of Rosemary (Roseymac). She has not posted what is going on with Fred because she does not want to scare the new diagnoised people. I told her I feel she needs support and prayers sent and she should post. She has been a member of this board since Nov. 2003. I have to respect her wishes and not update on Freds condition, that is up to her. But please send prayers to him and her, as they are really needed. Rosemary, if you read this, please let your friends on here help you. Maryanne

Hi Randi, Just want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during such a difficult time in your and your dads life. Be there for you dad as you will need each other comfort. Peace be with you. I pray she is comfortable and pain free. Maryanne

Oh my G-d, I hate to tell you what I would come as, maybe a Hershey bar as I had a hemorrhoid operation!!! Talking about clearing out a place.... Cind..... give me a bloody Mary with Stolie vodka.... Bottoms Up!! Maryanne