Donna G

SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE!!! This only takes a minute and its fun. Please don't be a bore and ruin it. Send it onto everyone you know including the person that sent it to you. Sometimes when you have a stressful day or week, you need some silliness to break up the day. Here is your dose.... Follow the instructions to find your new name. The following is an excerpt from a children's book, "Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants" by Dave Pilkey: The evil Professor forces everyone to assume new names... Use the third letter of your first name to determine your new first name: a = poopsie b = lumpy c = buttercup d = gidget e = crusty f = greasy g = fluffy h = cheeseball i = chim-chim j = stinky k = flunky l = boobie m = pinky n = zippy o = goober p = doofus q = slimy r = loopy s = snotty t = tootie u = dorkey v = squeezit w = oprah x = skipper y = dinky z = zsa-zsa Use the second letter of your last name to determine the first half of your new last name: a = apple b = toilet c = giggle d = burger e = girdle f = barf g = lizard h = waffle i = cootie j = monkey k = potty l = liver m = banana n = rhino o = bubble p = hamster q = toad r = gizzard s = pizza t = gerbil u = chicken v = pickle w = chuckle x = tofu y = gorilla z = stinker Use the fourth letter of your last name to determine the second half of your new last name: a = head b = mouth c = face d = nose e = tush f = breath g = pants h = shorts i = lips j = honker k = butt l = brain m = tushie n = chunks o = hiney p = biscuits q = toes r = buns s = fanny t = sniffer u = sprinkles v = kisser w = squirt x = humperdinck y = brains z = juice Thus, for example, George W. Bush's new name is Goober Chickenshorts. Now when you SEND THIS ON... use your new name as the subject. And remember that children laugh an average of 146 times a day, adults laugh an average of 4 times.

HOw did you get so much going when you felt so punk? You are a better women than I. Hope you are better today. Donna G

Let's celebrate! That is great news.... Donna G

Prayers going up that it is osteoporosis. Keep us posted. Donna G

Jay, so sorry . You say they saw something in your brain on the scan, this is still do able. Let us know what is the doctors plan. When are you seeing a doctor regarding treatment? Please keep us posted. Donna G

OK, you got it. Prayers for peace of mind and an empty head.

Welcome I sure hope someone can help you. I took Cisplatin, I got neuropathy from it but never got an itch or rash. Not sure about the other drug you are taking. Have you looked at http://www.chemocare.com perhaps they have info that would help. Keep us posted . Donna G..... PS Now we have at least 3 Donna G's

Tina welcome back, glad to hear how you are doing. Did you hear about the wall that Rick is making in memory of our loved ones. Perhaps you would like to participate. Donna G

SUCCESS: At age 4 success is . . . not peeing in your pants. At age 12 success is . . . having friends. At age 16 success is . . . having a drivers license. At age 20 success is . . . going all the way. At age 35 success is . . . having money. At age 50 success is . . . having money. At age 60 success is . . . going all the way. At age 70 success is . . . having a drivers license. At age 75 success is . . . having friends. At age 80 success is . . . not peeing in your pants. Pass this on to someone who could use a laugh. Always remember to forget the troubles that pass your way BUT never forget to remember the blessings that come each day.

Berisa, thanks for sharing the wonderful news, now we all can celebrate his good health. Keep it coming. Donna G

I have neuropathy in my extremities from the Cisplatin I took. My feet look just fine , they feel weird also I have some residual weakness in my ankles. My feet definitely like shoes on, no going barefoot anymore, and they prefer the same shoes all the time, they don't like having to get used to different shoes. If my shoes are off and I am sitting in my recliner they wiggle, wiggle wiggle, the doctor says it is there way of searching for information. I don't fall down anymore though. Actually this is minor compared to the "appliance." Donna G

Yes Chemo does lower your blood counts. This lowering of white blood cells you ordinarily use to fight infections makes it difficult to ward infection off. Sounds like he has a cellulitis ( infection of the skin) it is a good thing to get IV antibiotics for it. Hope all gets cleared up and he will be home soon. Donna G

Wow, you really have had a tough year. I hope the test comes out with good news, you really need some. Donna G

Your wish is my command , prayers going up during this difficult time of waiting. Donna G

Kathy , I am so sorry. Your loss is so painful. I pray that in the coming months you find peace and comfort. What a wonderful generous idea to work on the waiting room. I have relatives in Worcester, the Murphys. Please take care of yourself, this is a very hard time. Sincerely Donna G

Keep trying! You definitely need follow up. Here in the states they are recommending chemo for all Stage I because about 40 % have the cancer return . I worked in Quebec in 91' and I experienced first hand your socialized medicine , I am an RN and worked in a hospital there. It is great as long as you don't get sick but you can work with it so don't give up. How about some of you Canadians, do you have any hints? Please keep us posted on your progress. Also I had back pain for a long time, finally was sent to a back pain specialist and he found I had lots of trigger points, I bet it was from the surgery. Good luck Donna G

I was reading the recent Cure magazine today. They say to mark our calenders for the First National Patient & Survivor Forum sponsored by Cure Magazine. Registration details in the Winter issue of Cure. Wouldn't it be great if all 648 of us showed up with lung cancer survivor shirts on!! Donna G ALERT SEE NEW DATES MAY 22 and 23. New info posted Tues Dec 16

Go to http://www.chemocare.com information there or look at the top of the message board and click on search, fill in CPT-11 and click on search , it has been posted here before. Donna G

On TV they were talking that Arnolds wife would not be the typical governors wife. Then they were predicting she would go for the typical Kennedy cause, mentally chalenged - Special Olympics. Wouldn't shock all if she championed lung cancer!!!. You go girl!!!!. Donna G

I went shopping today at Catherine's. It is a store for the "full figured". I know I look petite, but I'm not. Well they were having a great sale , 50 % off for the second purchase etc. I asked the saleswomen " Per chance do you have any bra's that don't bind around the chest? " She answered do you have to have support?" I replyed " No, just no binding" She replyed "Have you tryed pasties?" Then the other clerk yelled " Male alert, Man in the store!!" I am still giggling, the thought of him picturing these full figured women with pasties.

The CT is part of the journey, but don't get too uptight . You really don't know what it is until they decide to biopsy it. Sounds like if it is Cancer that it is early which means they can make a plan for you. Hope it is a scar or if you have had a flu lately maybe even just a lymph node. Let us know how the CT comes out and if further testing is warranted. Donna G

I am so sorry you have had such a difficult journey and have lost Rob. He was so fortunate to have had you take the journey with him . I pray that you find peace and comfort. Donna G

Golly, Don, thanks, I forgot to mention after they find a "tumor" by scan , o yes they have to biopsie to see what it is for sure. Donna G

Not yet. The tests he ordered can reflect the results of cancer, they follow blood counts, platelets, calcium levels. etc. At the University of Minnesota they are doing research to detect micrometastasis. They are testing lymph nodes and blood but it is in the research stage and they are hoping that they will be able to more accurately detect who of Stage 1 needs chemo . Now pathology looks negative and about 40 % come up with a new tumor the first year due to "micrometastasis " that can not be detected by the pathologist with the current technology. This is why they are currently recommending chemo to Stage 1 post op and they will until they get a better test . The problem as I see it is if the lung cancer is in your blood that would mean it has spread from the lung, not an early diagnostic tool for sure so the best still is the CT or PET Scan for looking for tumors. Anybody have any other new news on this? Donna G

Welcome Sue. Is your Mom diabetic? ( You said she had to have her leg amputated. ) What kind of treatment are they giving her for the lung cancer? Does she live alone? Sounds like a lot for her to cope with. Is she on an antidepressent? Now that you are here , please keep us posted on how she is doing. Donna G