Susan

I think you did just what you needed to do ! I was recently in a similar situation :My brother- in-law had an abdominal CT Scan last month- his doctors (general surgeon) office (the nurse) called and told him the abdominal scan was fine but they did see a spot in the lower lobe of his right lung and they would like to re-scan him in 3 months......click......It toatlly freaked him out-he called the office back the next day with questions for the docotor-no return call...I suggested he go back to his PC who had referred him to the general surgeon (for abdominal pain)and talk to him- he did and was sent immediately to a pulmonologist- Who by the way says that the spot that the lesion is in is not a place where he has ever seen a malignancy so they will rescan him next month just ot compare size..... With everything I read on this site and given what Racehl went through the past two years I will ALWAYS encourage people to seek out a second opinion when dealing with anything supsicious on thier lungs!!!! More info than you wanted- sorry for being so long winded!!!

Sue- so sorry that you ahd to be in the hospital- I can't believe that November being LCA Month seems to be one of the "best kept secrets"- I have been watching the Today show hoping that since Al Rokar's mom is a survivor that it might get mentioned.....nothing yet unless I missed it....so very disappointing! I have had several friends who have had or currently have breast cancer and am happy for them that there is so much publicity out there for thier plight but have to confess, If I see one more pink ribbon I will scream! I went in to Old Navy a few weeks ago and they were selling pajama bottoms covered with pink ribbons (not to mention all of the other items that can be purchased at most department stores with the pink ribbon logo)!!! Please do not mistake what I am saying- I do believe that it is important that the research be done but I guess I am feeling a bit cynical due to the fact that the disease the members of this list are dealing with is not getting any (or very little)publicity.... It is a sad statement that an oncology ward doesn't even realize it is lung cancer awareness month !!! Thank you for educating them! Ok- I have vented-

along with all of th e other key ingredients already mentioned- unconditional love......

Hi Debra! Welcome- You have come to the right place!

Welcome! I am sorry that you have to be here but very happy that you found us- You will find so much help and support here as I have- I know that you are scared right now- Cancer is a scary beast and it is hard for us to deal with when we can't have the answers "yesterday"- hang in there honey- and use us for support- Don't hesitate to get yourself a little micro- recorder to record visits with the oncologist and other physicians that caring for your dad. You will find being able to "rewind" so useful as you will no doubt get information overload!! Write down questions as they come to you before going to the appointments- it is easy to get overwhelmed during an appointment causing us to forget those questions...... I have all my fingers crossed for the results today- Your dad is a lucky man to have such a caring daughter-

Marie- positive thoughts heading your way- you will do great !!!!

Hi Jen ! I hope you are making the best of the weekend- I know how hard it is waiting for the results but I agree with Addie in that they are keeping a close eye on you which is better than being one who "falls through the cracks" Would you be able to get results quicker if they were being done on a weekday- if so maybe your doc could order them so that you get your results faster and don't have to be on pins and needles for two days.....You are in my thoughts and prayers miss Jen-

Hi Jana, My dearest friend in the world passed away August 25th and in some ways it seems like so long ago and other ways it seems like it still isn't real. I too find that others just seem go on like nothing has happened and I am still thinking..."What just happened????" I still feel and will most likely continue to feel a big empty hole in my heart- and like Sandy stated there is no timetable for grief- I think that people are often uncomfortable with death and how to react to it. Our society has not been prepared as well as others for death and therefore have a hard time talking about it and reacting to it. I, like you and others that have responded find myself talking about Rachel much more than those around me and find that it "eases" that little bit of uncomfortableness that they may have. Rachel will always be an important part of my life as your mum will be in yours- Hold her close to your heart and talk to her and about her whenever you need or want to ! Our lives have been touched by a sadness that will have an everlasting effect on us but we will go on and it will become our norm- not necessarily in a sad way, just our norm......I could go on and on with this as today is one of "those" days for me......but I won't.......Hang in there sweetie!

Pat, Your post brings tears to my eyes- Your Brian is surely an incredible person as are you- my prayers are with you both at this time.

Oh Peggy, it brings tears to my eyes too! What a wonderful thing !!!

Prayers to Mikes family - Thank you Don for posting this info.

Thank you my friend- you have put big smiles on many faces- can't wait for part 2!!!

Welcome Nikki-You will find so much support as well as many answers here-

Jen, I am so sorry that this is so confusing- Please take a deep breath-breath in , breath out......As are everyone elses, my prayers and thoughts are with you-I really do not know what else to say but please, hang in there- positive thougths going your way !!!!

hmmm....I don't know...so many to choose from!!!There are two that I just love to see interviewed....Tom Hanks and John Travolta- they seem so "down to earth" but then there is Robert Redford......and Duvaul (Cindy- did you se the movie he made with Meryl Streep- Falling in LOve?....GREAT !!!!) and I have been enjoying Ann Curie on the Today show......oh so many!!!!!

I don't have a husband but do have a "significant other" or to make me feel younger...."boyfriend"..... I bought a house 4 years ago and he was the owner...... I had not met him previously but Rachel had as he bought thier first boat. When he put his house on the market Rachel kept telling me I should look at it- Without realizing it, the realtor took me out to look at the house and when I described the house to Rach she said, "that's the house!!" the second time I looked at it John was there and I thought- "how come I never meet a guy like this...nice, handsome etc, etc...." two years later I wwas at Rachel's for dinner and so was John.......the rest as they say ...is history!

Any kind of pie......especially strawberry-rhubarb Cherry Garcia icecream (not with the pie- none of this alamode stuff.....pie straight up- icecream straight up...)

Jen- Prayers and positive thoughts going your way- This group is here to support one another and to get support for yourself, don't feel that you can't post unless you have "positive" thoughts- we are here for you!!!! Let us help you get through this. Good luck !

I am so sorry- so very, very sorry-

Pat- you both continue to be in my prayers- I am so happy that things got moved up but know this will be a LOOOOOOONG weekend for you- hang in there- try to make the best of it.....

Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services: Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at Calvary Methodist. Come hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa. ------------------------------- The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals. ------------------------------- The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus." --------------------------------------------- Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King. ---------------------------- Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands. ---------------------------- The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict. --------------------------- Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you. ----------------------------------- Don't let worry kill you off -- let the Church help. ---------------------------------- Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation. ----------------------- For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs. ---------------------- Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get. ----------------------- Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons. ---------------------------------- The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing: "Break Forth Into Joy." -------------------------------- Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on Oct. 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days. ------------------------------- A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow. ----------------------------- At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice. ---------------------------- Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones. -------------------------- Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children. ------------------------ Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered. ------------------------ The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility. ---------------------- Potluck supper Sunday at 5 p.m. -- prayer and medication to follow. --------------------- The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon. -------------------- This evening at 7 p.m. there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin. ------------------ Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 a.m. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done. ----------------- The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday. --------------- Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. Please use the back door. ------------- The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 p.m. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy. ------------- Weight Watchers will meet at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance. -------------- The associate minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge -- Up Yours."

Loved it !

Carleen- that is great news- continued prayers to you both! I think waiting for the @&$* test results is the most overwhelming, anxiety provoking part of this disease- Here is to MORE stable scans !!!!!

I am so glad that you found this site- Someone suggested that your mom have someone go to appts with her- great idea- whenwe took Rachel, my friend w/lung cancer, we also took along a micro recorder and recorded the appts. This allowed us to play back what the Doctor said later when we felt so overwhelmed.....it really helped-and if you can't be there, you can "hear" what the doctor has to say- You will find so much support here as I have- Our prayers are with you and your family-

Your friend sounds so wonderful-so compassionate and full of love for you- have you thought of giving her something personal-something that belongs to you- a piece of jewlry- a favorite cookbook-maybe a vase- Or maybe there is a photograph of the two of you that you could put in a nice frame and give her- Rachel gave me a few of her things that I cherish-the sentiment so meaningful- She expects nothing- she is doing this from the heart- and enjoying every minute of it- I am so happy that you have her-