[Cancer is in remission!]

Wow! I'm really happy for you. Now go do some celebrating.

Joan

[Suki's test tomorrow]

Hi Bunny,

Suki certainly has my prayers.

How's the wedding coming.

Joan

[spine mets- your experience]

Mary,

I too have mets to my spine. I've been on Zometa, for 17 months now, given introveneously, every other month. Its given to strengten bones. Maybe this would help.

Joan

[nervous wreck today]

Wishing your mom the very best.

Joan

[2ND CHEMO QUESTION]

For me, each time was pretty much the same, except for my last treatment, when I was expecting the worst, it was actually my easiest treatment. Go figure??

Please make sure she drinks plenty of water. Its very easy to get dehydrated, which I found out. Drink, drink, drink. Whatever liquids she can get down, including soups, ensure, etc.

The antinausea meds should really help a lot. I took Emend which was a lifesaver.

Joan

[Sad news from Angel of Charlie]

My sincere condolences to Shirley and her family.

[Joels operation????/updated 10/13/06]

Just unbelievable.

Hoping for two 1As, no chemo and for Joel to be feeling well real soon.

Joan

[Introduction]

Just would like to add my Hi and welcome.

Joan

[NSCLC Adenocarcenoma Stage IIB or IIIA]

HI Nina,

I'm very sorry to hear about your mother. You did come to a good place though.

I was on Avastin from the start of my treatments for 15 months. At that time I had slight progression, so they stopped my Avastin. I had relatively no side effects from this chemo. Hopefully your mom will do well on it.

Joan

[I am getting an abdominal ct scan today...10/18 update]

Andrea,

you've certainly got my best wishes.

Joan

[Lost my Mom]

I'm just so sorry. Just so fast. I would love to have met your mom. What a fighter she was.

Joan

[Lost Member]

I do remember her. When someone so young gets sick, it makes me even more angry that more isn't being done to fight this horrible disease.

I'm so sorry to hear this news. It makes me so sad.

Joan

[Darrell update..]

My very best wishes to Darrell. I was just thinking of him and wondering how he was doing.

Joan

[Husband just diagnosed with stage 4 small cell lung cancer..]

Hi Tracey,

I'm sorry to have to welcome you, but want you to know that I'm here to help however I can.

Joan

[Applying for Disabillity]

I'm kind of surprised that the nursing home doesn't at least provide short term disability. In New York it seems that most companies provide that with no cost to the employee. It would be long term d.i. that an employee would have had to pay for.

Has she checked that out?

Joan

[Caring for a VERY independent parent]

Nick,

My sincere condolences.

Joan

[Joel's operation on Monday]

Maryann,

Just sending my very best wishes to you and Joel for good results.

Joan

[Mom Went Back to Work]

I just love to hear such good news.

Thanks for sharing.

Joan

[I have to wonder...what is the point?]

Bobby,

Every day I'm here is worth it. I saw my first grandchild born 5 months ago and will attend my daughter's wedding in a few weeks. Even the regular non special days are worth it though. Just seeing the sun come up is special to me. Everyone should be able to appreciate life as much as you do when you're in danger of losing it.

Wishing your sister the best.

Joan

[Again UPDATE 10/6 Update on the update!]

Best wishes to you both. Hope surgery goes well and your home in no time.

Joan

[Stage 4 - Radiation Question]

Hi Jill,

At the very beginning, my pain was helped tremendously by oxycontin, long acting. I still take it, once in the morning and once at night.

I would also not listen to the stats. As you read more of our stories, you'll see that lots and lots of times we outlive the doctor's predictions.

I also feel that chemo helped me very much. Not a piece of cake, but not anywhere as bad as i thought it would be. I personally feel that having gone through chemo has given me a better quality of life.

Good luck. We're here to help.

Joan

[Joels doctors visit.]

Maryann,

Sending my best wishes to Joel. hopefully the next 6 weeks will fly.

Joan

[I'm Buyin']

Kasey,

I'm just soooooooooooo happy to hear your news. I'll take a vodka martini if you please.

Good luck with Fred's surgery next week.

Joan

[Had a Good Day after All]

I'm very happy for you both. Stable is music to my ears.

Joan

[New, Scared and Confused]

Hi,

Don't know too much about SCLC, as I have NSCLC, but I would like to welcome you. I can help once your sister has started chemo because symptoms are pretty similar and there are certain things we should all do. An example would be to make sure she drinks plenty of water.

Anyway, just know we are certainly here for you whatever we can do or help you with.

Joan