hopeandstrength

Hi Pat, I don't know if you remember me, but I was here because of my dad the same time that Brian was fighting this disease. I was just thinking that this Feb, it will be 3 years that my dad has been gone. It is just has hard for me now, as it was then. I'm so sorry for your loss of your wonderful husband. I know it is different to lose a parent, but for me I just don't think that I will ever be as happy as I was when my dear father was alive. Yes, I'm happy and have many reasons to feel blessed with my two children, husband, mom and friends...it's just that my father was so special. Anyway, not to take this post away from you. I just wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts and I wish you all the best for 2009. love, Cathy

Yep, it is terrible. I still get mad when people ask if my dad was a smoker. Cathy

Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you! Getting my RN license was one of the best decisions I ever made! I love being a nurse. I felt that I was able to help my dad through his illness a little better with my some of my nursing background! I have been a nurse for 5 years now and I still feel like I make a difference for my patients every day! Good luck! Cathy

Very grateful that my mom's chest x-ray came back fine.

Happy Anniversary, Terri. I totally believe that those were signs. My dad has given me so many. When he was dying I played "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamawiwo`ole. It seems like when I really need my dad, I hear this song on the radio or tv. Cathy

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mom. My dad died almost two years ago and I still get a lump in my throat and teary when I think about his 9 month battle with cancer. Cathy

Thanks again to all of you! I went over to her house and told her. She was fine. I think I did pretty well to explain things in a logical way and that it is always better to be cautious about things like this. I'm sure she is nervous, as am I, but I am going to be positive. I actually feel so much better not having this on my shoulders. Thank you again... Cathy

Thank you, Stacey. I appreciate your insight with this. As, you can tell... I have been waiting for replies. I think I need to tell her by tomorrow, even before I talk to her doctor. Would you agree? It is so hard to keep this to myself and I do agree that it is not good to get worked up about things until we know we have a reason to. Like you said though..easier said than done. Thanks again Cathy

Hi everyone. Some of you may remember me,I was around here a lot during my dad's illness. He passed away almost 2 years ago. Here is my question: My mom had been sick for a couple of weeks, (actually, I had been too). She was getting better and then the other night had a bad cough and a sort of brochitis type thing going on. She also has a history of asthma. I took her to the ER and they gave her albuteral for the wheezing and a did a chest x-ray. They said it was clear before we left. I guess a radiologist looked again and said that there was some type of "squiggly" thing and told the ER doc that she should get a CT scan. I am a nurse at the same hospital and the ER doc called me to talk to me about it. He told me that about 1 in 10 in an abnormal x-ray is something serious, I think he meant cancer. He also stressed that the radiologist did not say "mass". So, I have not told my mom for fear of freaking her out until she actually has an appointment for the scan, but I am having a hard time knowing what to do. So, I actually have two questions: Do you think that there is a good chance that this is not serious, maybe scar tissue from asthma or something? And two: Should I tell my mom right away or wait until I talk to her primary doc on Monday. This is so scary for me. I'm trying not to freak, but losing my dad just two years ago from LC doesn't help. Also, I should say that my mom has been in great health. No SOB or coughing at all until this cold/bronchitis stuff. Thank you. I value all of yor opinions. I don't like keeping anything from my mom, but she has had so much anxiety since my dad's death that it is hard.

Grateful that I got some baking done today.

So grateful to watch the children coming out of school and twirling and doing flips on the grass. I had Christmas music playing in my car and they seemed to be dancing along to the music in perfect time, although they couldn't hear it. Grateful for my house being sort of clean today.

Hi there, I'm Cathy a Registered Nurse from Northern Ca. I am married to a wonderful man and have a 13 year old daughter and nine year old son who make me feel very blessed every day. We have 3 rescued dogs and two rescued cats and a fish pond full of fish! I lost my beloved father from lung cancer in 2006. This site has been a huge help to me and although I don't post much at all anymore, I visit frequently. I wish everyone the very best for 2008!

Frank was such a special man. I hope that knowing how loved and special he was to so many people brings some comfort to his family. He made a difference to many lives. Cathy

Thank you, Randy. It will be a year ago later this month that I lost my dad. It seems like yesterday. It was sweet of you to do this. love, Cathy

You really are an amazing man, Frank. Thanks for..oh, everything!!!! Cathy

Frank, You were one of the first people to respond to me when my dad was diagnosed and I have always admired you! Thank you for your wisdom, strength and support. You inspire many. I'm keeping you and your family in my thoughts. I wish I were more eloquent with my words, but I just want you to know how much to mean to so many people! love, Cathy

Tracy, I don't come here much, but truthfully..I feel the need to check on a few of you from time to time. You are one of them. Maybe it is because we are close in age and our children are close in age, but I need to tell you how much I admire you. I'm so sorry that you are having to go through this. I just want to tell you that you are always in my prayers. love, Cathy

Just sending you hugs and prayers. Cathy

Frank, you really are such a rock to all of us! Your strength, sense of humor and wisdom has always made this journey a little easier for us! I have no doubt that you will be swinging those golf clubs for a long time to come! Have a wonderful holiday with your family! Cathy

Merry Christmas, Beth. I hope you have a wondeful holiday season. The signs I have gotten from my dad help me too. Cathy

Well, this is why my nickname for this forum is hope and strength. My dad needed hope. He had the strength. I tried to keep him hopeful the whole time and I have no regrets about that. I really think it would have devastated him more having someone tell him to go home, there was nothing more they could do. Although that is only my opinion and I wasn't the patient. There is always some kind of hope, no matter what the situation. Whether it is to see your grandchildren get married, or to see the beautiful sunrise the next day. Thanks for the great information! Cathy

I'm so very, very sorry. She looked like such a nice person and she was so pretty. This disease breaks my heart. Please take care. love, Cathy

Will I be able to think about my dad without feeling the pressure of tears at the back of my eyes and a lump forming in my throat? It hurts so much that he had to suffer from this disease. He was always the picture of dignity and courage. He never got mad at being sick. He just was, and is my hero. Cathy

I understand. My dad died in February and I miss him so much every day. Cathy

Wow! You both look so beautiful!!!! The pictures are lovely! Congratulations!! Cathy