[Important questions...]

I know nothing about CTs/PETs/MRIs (actually if anyone could tell me which does what that would be great) but I do know that Claire didn't start chemo for a couple of weeks after initial diagnosis so they could do all the extra tests.

[Chicago 5K Lung Run]

Hello Lisa. I'm sorry about your Mum - this is so very hard to deal with isn't it?

Congrats on organising the run. It's a little out of my way, so I won't be there, but I'm sure you'll have a great turnout. Hope you'r Mum's ongoing treatment is as easy on her as possible and hope to see more of you here.

Dee.

[Hello from Burlington,Vermont]

Hello Mr Lord - What shall we call you? I recommend you think of something otherwise (as you can see from my first post below) they'll pick something for you which you may or may not like

I am new here too and the people have been great. Loads of helpful pms and stuff. If you're after support and a few laughs then I think you're going to find them here. Are you able to share any more about yourself?

Dee

[Speeding Pope.]

The Pope was visiting England - the first time for a pontiff since the 1980s. At Heathrow airport he was greeted by the usual bullet proof stretch limo and chauffeur etc.

The chauffeur was an experienced older man who was thrilled with the gravity of the assignment. However, he was a little shocked when the Pope asked if he could drive. The chauffeur established that the Pope didn't have a licence or insurance and hadn't driven a car since the war. Understandably the chauffeur advised the Pope against it. The Pope however was not to be denied and begged and begged until the kindly old chauffeur relented.

So off they set with the Pope driving and the chauffeur in the back seat rather enjoying the occasion. The Pope is terribly excited to get behind the wheel of a car after all this time and puts his foot down. The limo screeches onto the road outside the airport and the Pope has soon reached 70 in a 40 mph zone.

Hidden behind a handy tree is a police car driven by a bored police sergeant and his young police constable. At first the sergeant debates as to whether he's seen the car at all as it's only 5 minutes till the end of his shift. Public duty gets the better of him and after a blue lights chase he pulls the limo over.

The serg decides to send his PC over and settles down for a quick kip. After a few minutes the young PC comes back, looking rather pale. The sergeant asks him if everything's OK and whether there was a VIP in the big posh limo.

"Well let's put it this way", says the PC "I can't be absolutelysure 'cause I've never seen a picture but his driver's the Pope.

[Onco Visit]

Kasey - I know I'm late on this one. You're already special to me 'cause you were the first person to post a reply to me. Before that I can tell you that your story (in the My Story forum) had me blubbing over my keyboard and in a good way! This post didn't have me blubbing but I had a smile pinned to my face for a long time after reading it!

Dee

[The pain is over]

I am so very sorry. May I echo others in hoping that you find peace soon,

[Finally posting]

Rich I have no intention of ever using those silly emoticons :roll . I've no idea what they're for and they seem pointless so I'm not joining in with that milarkey

Maryanne, I suspect you're taking the mickey out of me but I'm not sure (if I were to use emoticons this would be a good place for it). If you really don't know what haggis is let me know and I'll tell you. Suffice it to say that should only ever consider eating it if you're shipwrecked and it's that or cannibalism

Dee.

[Mom has Died]

I am so extremely sorry about the loss of your Mum. My thoughts are with you,

Dee.

[Dad is now in peace with our Lord]

I am so very sorry.

[Diagnosis..Small cell]

Hi. This is a desperate shock I know. Do you know if he's been diagnosed with limited or extensive stage? As I understand it small cell is generally more aggressive than non small cell BUT it responds extremely well to chemotherapy. My friend (the reason I'm here) has limited stage and she has been "clear" since October 2004. There are others here who are living with SCLC and know a lot more than I do - Daggiesmom, Addie and CindyRN spring to mind. Post this is the SCLC section as well. I'm sure you'll get lots of responses soon.

I am so sorry but given what I've seen this is the right place to be.

Dee

[Finally posting]

Afternoon Cindi (it's 4:30 pm in "sunny" England).

You forget that I have a head start on you all 'cause I've been reading and laughing along with your "nonsense" for over a year now and I know that you especially have to be watched!

I'm just glad I wasn't eating haggis when I signed in - stupid name that would have been...

Dee

[hello]

Hi Jennie. I too am from England and I remember your daughter's post for that very reason. I'm here because of a friend with small cell so I don't know much about non small cell. Although my gran had non small cell it was a long time ago and I was pretty young.

I've decided to jump in with both feet - the worst that can happen is they can boot us off for being cheeky! Good luck to you,

Dee

[Stable Is Very Good News]

I know I'm new but I've lurked here forever. Yours is a story I've followed because your quiet determination has been such an inspiration. I'm really pleased for you, this is great news.

Dee.

[Husband with Stage IV NSCLC]

Hi. I can't help you with any of your questions but I wanted to welcome you. It's astonished me how many people are afflicted with this disease as such a young age. Best wishes for your whole family and it sounds as though you've found a really great doc.

Dee

[Finally posting]

Thanks so much for all the replies - nicknames as well, I feel so welcome!

My sign in name was chosen because I happened to be eating a doughnut at the time I was trying to think of a a name. My nickname has been Dee for longer than I can remember.

Thank you so much for your welcome and I'll let you know about the results on 10th June. It's a Bank Holiday here in the UK this weekend and I'm off to stay with Claire for some of it so hopefully I'll find her in better spirits.

Dee.

[No Longer Empty Headed]

You won't have a clue who I am as I've only just signed up. I've followed your story since I started lurking because of the similarity in age and diagnosis between you and my friend. Now that I have finally signed up I can at last send my thoughts and prayers.

[another new poster]

I'm new too and just wanted to say hello. Today seems to be the day that friends are signing up! If I've done it right then please see the end of my post for the information on my grandmother. If not then I've said about her in my reply to Kim's friend's post.

[HOW DO I HELP MY BEST FRIEND?]

Hi -as you can see from my own post I too am new and am here because of a friend who's only 39. Claire had SCLC but I thought I'd reply to your post to let you know that my grandmother lived for nearly 8 years with stage iv NSCLC before dying of something else entirely. The doctors said she'd die within months. When my Dad had a go at the docs later they admitted that this disease constantly surprises them and that they could never offer anything other than educated "guesses". Remember, a prognosis is just a guess. I guessed the lottery numbers at the weekend, didn't make me right!

[A long update on me and the plan]

Hi Jen. I'm that English person with the friend who won't come to the board - thanks so much for offering to help out with her direct. I'm so glad to see you posting, I was worried. I'm sorry that I can't help with your question.

[Finally posting]

Hello all. I am not a patient nor a prime carer, just a very concerned friend. I have been lurking here since March 2004 and have read regularly. It's weird because I feel that I know so much about you all.

My good friend Claire was diagnosed with SCLC limited stage in March 2004 and I was very fortunate to find this site almost immediately. She is a single woman aged 39.

I held off on posting for a long time because Claire did not want to come to this site and I felt that in some way I would be betraying her if I did. I've passed on a lot of information that I've learned here and she's been appreciative but she still won't come here. I finally dragged out of her that the reason is that she is still smoking and she is ashamed of that. I have told her that she won't be judged here, I've printed out relevant threads for her (such as Uncle Doug's one recently) but still she won't come here. I can't make her obviously but I'm sad because it's such a great place and if anyone has any suggestions I'd be grateful. I even contacted a member here directly who kindly offered to correspond with Claire but she still wouldn't.

Anyway, it's come to the point where I need support myself. Although Claire has had NED for some time she is feeling ill again and thinks the cancer has returned. Her next tests are on 10th June.

Sorry that this was so long and thank you all for being here - it's a really fantastic site and has helped me no end over the last year.