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My prayers for Lucie and you, Don, that the treatments take care of the problem.

Cost of 6 chemo-therapy treatments: >$120,000.00 Not having to buy shampoo or conditioner for 7 months: Save $ 30.00 No shaving cream and only needing to use one razor for 7 months: Save $12.00 Time saved needing only a washcloth to wash your skull and drying with a swipe of a towel : 15 hours No haircuts for 7 months : Save $48.00 .................................. Having eyebrows again and being able to part your hair : PRICELESS

Cindi: Wanted to go look for your mojo, but couldn't get the danged electric cart turned around. One thing about mojo though; it always comes back. As yours will. Prayers comin' at ya.

Prayers for Suki and you through this ordeal. I know how not fun pneumonia and pleural efflusion is.

Welcome home and wishes for a speedy recovery

Way to go! That is great, great news. And hopes and prayers for many more years to come.

Prayers for Charlie, and for all of you.

Happy Birthday Connie. And here's to many more.

Happy belated birthday, Shirley. Happy birthday, Connie.

Peggy: I am so very sorry. I am saddened beyond words for the loss of Don. My prayers to all.

YIPPEEEEE!!!!!! Happy Birthday Donna and many, many more.

Well said.

Beth: Thank you for your post. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Hang in there.

Good news, Teri. Glad you are back on track.

Shar: Happy anniversary and wishes for many, many more.

My prayers are with the both of you through this ordeal.

Barb: Congratulations on your 1 yr. From one florida cracker to another. Wishing you many, many more.

I became a cancer survivor the moment I quit being a 'victim.' When first told that I had lung cancer, I was stunned, shocked, and speechless; unable to think anything other than 'I'm a dead man.' That lasted a few days. Then I got angry. I watched both parents die from cancer. I promised my son; I will not lie down for this disease. Becky put it so well ... Life goes on. And I'm going to be a part of Life. Cancer can be a wake up call, if I will, to focus on parts of my life that are truly important to me. My family and friends, my spiritual health, my eating habits have changed immensely. And my career became just a means to pay for greens fees. (my picture is me standing on the 18th tee at Pebble Beach) Only One knows the day and time of my coming home ... and until that day and time arrives, I do more than survive; I live!

Beth: My prayers are with you.

Great news, Cindy. Thank God and keep sheduling those fall classes.

Praying for the both of you to negotiate this latest hurdle.

Carol: As Dorothy told us all: "there's no place like home" Glad you're home and that everything is on the mend.

Thank you everyone for your replies. After posting my query, I had a brilliant idea. Why not google COBRA? As a few had already said: if I'm disabled, I get an 11 month extension. And if I die, my spouse and dependents get an 18 month extension. I'm not ready for the disabled route just yet. I'm still working (and boy, is it ever hot here in Orlando!) And I sure as heck am not ready to die!! That's not an option as I have no spouse or dependents to insure anyway. I found out the name of the federal mandate that the insurance man was telling me about. HIPPA It allows people who have been insured without a break in insurance of more than 90 days to get health insurance without the pre-existing condition exclusion. It's pricey, though. Thank you Charlie and Frank for the VA information. I really need to take the time to pursue this avenue. I stopped in at the VA Hospital here when I first got out of the hospital last Sept. They told me then that there were appeal processes I could pursue. I then started back to work, and with work, treatment, etc, the VA went on the back burner. Time to move it to the front burner. Thanks again.

In March, 2004, I changed employers. My new employer didn't offer health insurance, so I carried the health insurance from my ex-employer via COBRA. This insurance is due to expire on September 15th. As this date approaches, my anxiety level rises. I'm starting to feel panic. I've talked to an insurance salesman who can insure me through some federally mandated program. The cost is more than double (about $600/month) I'm meeting with him on Tuesday to go over the plan; spending caps, pre-existing conditions, etc. As long as I'm working, I can handle the premium. But, of course, my fear is telling me that if and when I'm no longer able to work, I'm uninsured. Can anyone help me with the options available concerning health insurance for people diagnosed with cancer? Both my parents died from cancer, but they were old enough to qualify for Medicare. My Dad was treated throught the VA. Unfortunately, the VA doesn't take ALL vets anymore. When I applied for VA care, I was declined because I made too much money. Apparently, if you make more than $4.25 / hour, you're rich by VA standards. I appreciate any feedback you can give me.

Hoping and praying Don's treatments continue to help and for a speedy return home. Don't sell the MC just yet; ya never know .....