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LouT got a reaction from Tom Galli in Twenty Years of Life
Beautifully done Tom. Another blog I'll be offering to newbies to the LUNGevity site. Thanks for the contribution.
Lou
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LouT got a reaction from laurie2020 in Eighteen Years but No Toes
Tom,
CONGRATULATIONS!!! This is indeed a great thing to celebrate!
You service to our country, battle with cancer is inspiring for so many of us who came here for help. But, what continues to amaze me even more than your Army years or even your difficult treatment is how many others you are helping out each and every day. The first thing I give to almost all newcomers is your "10 Steps..." and I often after reading your responses to complex questions I wonder, "where the hell did he learn all this?!". Then I realize you've fortified your personal experience with an acquisition of a lot of knowledge so that you could help people today to navigate their journey through this disease.
You have my deep respect and you're a great role-model for the rest of us. Thank you for all the time, effort and caring you've put into this support effort. No doubt you've saved lives and reduced grief and pain for many.
Congratulations again on your 18th Anniversary of Life.
Lou
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LouT reacted to Oceanna in Hospice For Sale
Read that report; it was excellent. And, for me, the timing was perfect. As a stage IV NSCLC, I was taken by total surprise recently while having 3 tumors at back in abdomen radiated: severe unbearable searing stabbing debilitating bone pain (turned out there was more cancer at L-4 that no one knew about). I digress. My younger sister came to the rescue (I'd been driving myself but suddenly could not move). While doing her research, I noticed something interesting. VNS (visiting nurses), my primary care doc, and a few others were pushing my sister to use hospice (rather than some other in-home care groups, private or non-profit), saying it's not for the dying anymore.
I was shocked. It was like they were parroting a new ad campaign. "They've bought into it," I told her later, noting the NYorker cover story that I'd asked her to read. Still having not read the report, my sis asked my current med onc re: using hospice. My onc nurse looked at me, then back to her, horrified, and told my sister that, as it has been for many years, hospice is for those who are dying.
Or is it?
It is so disappointing to see these sorts of things happen. It nhappens everywhere and, I suppose, I am not surprised, but as someone above mentioned, I have looked forward to that organization help me transition into the next stage of life. I pray they will still be there, as I remember them. I used hospice for one week for the end of my Dad's life at home (he was 94; dementia) and they were caring, reliable, and everything I expected. But I see things are changing -- and changing fast. I think we're OK so far out where I am away from the cities, but I do feel we have an obligation to put this info out there, as the NYorker and you, now, have done.
Thanks fo sharing, Trish in CT
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LouT reacted to LUNGevityKristi in Hospice For Sale
Yes, concerning indeed! Thank you for sharing, Tom.
In my experience, most hospice companies provide high quality, compassionate care for patients nearing the end of life. Absolutely do your homework should you or someone you know consider transitioning to comfort care. Our team is available for support and can assist in vetting any provider that may be in question.
Please don't hesitate to reach out as needed, mobile 312.639.4529 or KGriffith@Lungevity.org.
kmr
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LouT reacted to Roz in Hospice For Sale
Everyone should be made aware that these scammers are out there. We should let everyone know to do the necessary checks prior to picking a hospice for your loved one (like Lou has done). How can any entity even consider trying to take advantage of a family that is seeking end of like care. It's criminal!!
Thanks for alerting us all to this Tom!!
Best,
Ro
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LouT got a reaction from Karen_L in Hospice For Sale
Tom,
Discouraging to read this. As someone whose wife is presently in hospice it can give you chills. In my case the care has been wonderful and the company checked out well before they were brought in (recommended by other Alzheimer's Caregivers). The care has been excellent and support to the family the same. I'm lucky, but I can only imagine what some families must go through with these "sham companies". This can be the hardest period of a family's life and to learn that so many scammers and charlatans are taking advantage of it is really disheartening and it pisses me off.
Thanks for sharing.
Lou
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LouT got a reaction from Tom Galli in Hospice For Sale
Tom,
Discouraging to read this. As someone whose wife is presently in hospice it can give you chills. In my case the care has been wonderful and the company checked out well before they were brought in (recommended by other Alzheimer's Caregivers). The care has been excellent and support to the family the same. I'm lucky, but I can only imagine what some families must go through with these "sham companies". This can be the hardest period of a family's life and to learn that so many scammers and charlatans are taking advantage of it is really disheartening and it pisses me off.
Thanks for sharing.
Lou
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LouT got a reaction from Lahalsa in 10 Steps to Surviving Lung Cancer from a Survivor
Tom,
This is so good. Simple, crisp advice. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Lou
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LouT got a reaction from Shercares in 10 Steps to Surviving Lung Cancer from a Survivor
Tom,
This is so good. Simple, crisp advice. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Lou
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LouT got a reaction from LA NYC in Contributors to cure
What wonderful people you've had in your life. It's hard to call someone who went through what you went through "blessed", but if you were going through something this existential and frightening you couldn't have asked for more blessings around you. What an inspiring essay!
Lou
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LouT got a reaction from Tom Galli in Contributors to cure
What wonderful people you've had in your life. It's hard to call someone who went through what you went through "blessed", but if you were going through something this existential and frightening you couldn't have asked for more blessings around you. What an inspiring essay!
Lou
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LouT reacted to Susanrae in LexieCat, Esquire Rests Her Case
A great eulogy for Teri. Thank you Tom. I did not know her, but really appreciated all of her input and bravado. May she rest in peace.
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LouT reacted to hillham in LexieCat, Esquire Rests Her Case
Thanks for writing that. She was very admirable indeed, and even though I didn't know her, I always scanned this forum for her name. ❤️
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LouT reacted to ColleenRae in LexieCat, Esquire Rests Her Case
This was just lovely, Tom. I loved seeing her enlarged photo as well! Teri was very helpful in sharing her experience with VATS Lobectomy prior to my own in October 2018. She was amazing in all that she contributed here on this forum. I am not on the forum often (I'd like to be more), so I was not on top of her condition and learned later that she had been dx'd again. It really hurts to lose someone like her. Amazing gifts she gave during her lifetime. I know I will never be able to respond as fast, rattle info off so quickly or deal with cancer as gracefully as she did, but she is really a beacon to follow. Thank you for posting this, Tom.❤️
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LouT reacted to Pstar in LexieCat, Esquire Rests Her Case
So very sorry to hear of her passing. I am so new here that I didn’t know her, but she sounded like a wonderful and compassionate woman. Very nice tribute Tom.
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LouT reacted to Lisa Haines in LexieCat, Esquire Rests Her Case
Tom,
This is very endearing and so well written ! ❤️ Thanks for sharing with us all! May Teri now forever be free and at peace!
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LouT reacted to LUNGevityKristin in LexieCat, Esquire Rests Her Case
A beautiful tribute to Teri. She will be so missed.
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LouT got a reaction from catlady91 in LexieCat, Esquire Rests Her Case
Teri was one of the first people to welcome me to LUNGevity and I am eternally grateful for her clear-minded thinking, approach, and empathy for all who came to LCSC. She was one of a kind and sorely missed.
Lou
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LouT reacted to catlady91 in LexieCat, Esquire Rests Her Case
RIP Teri. I'm so sad and shocked to hear that she passed. She was such a positive person who had a huge presence on this forum.
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LouT reacted to Roz in LexieCat, Esquire Rests Her Case
Teri and I connected on the forums after my diagnosis in August, 2017. I always looked forward to her intelligent and thoughtful responses, as well as the humor she paired with her postings. She will be missed by so many and I am proud that I got to attend many zooms with her. May her memory be a blessing to all!
Ro
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LouT got a reaction from Susan Cornett in 6 years
Susan,
So glad that you're here and doing well. Number 7, 8, and 9 are just around the corner. I hope to celebrate each one with you.
Lou
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LouT reacted to BridgetO in Eighteen Years but No Toes
Congratulations, Tom! i second everything Lisa, Lennie and Lou have said! Yay for you!