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maryleelou

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    reading, pets, walking, prayer
  1. Another thanks to those of you who responded to my Christmas post. I'm reminded of that Swedish proverb: “Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow” May you find joy in your day today. Mary Lou
  2. Thank you to all who responded so empathically to my post about the death of my friend Gwenny. I knew I came to the right place when I visited this site last night. May God bless all of you wonderful people. Mary Lou
  3. Hello - I'm here because it's Christmas and I'm knocking around my apartment and I don't know where else to go or what else to do right now. I figured I'd come to a place where people would understand the sadness of this day. I found out today that my best friend in Alaska, Gwenny, died on Christmas Eve. She would have turned 71 in a few weeks and celebrated 23 years of sobriety shortly thereafter. I met her in AA 22-1/2 years ago when I first got clean and sober. We had a wonderful and supportive friendship for all those years. At the end of 1999 I moved to MA to take care of my mother so had not seen Gwenny since then, but we stayed close through snail mail, email and phone calls. Gwenny never talked much about the disease, it's progression or her decline. She would report on her most recent scans and the next recommended treatment. She never talked about lung cancer as a terminal diagnosis or the fact that it would take her life. She didn't talk with her family about it either. Gwenny spent her last weeks in a nursing home, using O2 24/7, suffering from memory loss, cognitive delays and severe pain, but still talking about the PT she expected to start so she could get strength back in her legs and walk again. After a valiant 6-1/2 year battle with lung cancer with mets to brain and bones, I am relieved to know Gwenny's suffering has ended. She endured multiple rounds of chemo, xrt and surgeries. Her faith sustained her throughout the years since she was first diagnosed and she maintained a positive outlook 90% of the time. I admired her strength and courage. She believed she would go to a better place and now she is with her Lord at last. I'm happy for her. My heart just aches for the loss of my friend. I lost my mother 3 years ago and I still miss her, but the pain has lessened over time. I know the pain of this loss will ease over time as well, but it hurts like hell right now. I cried a lot earlier in the day and then started thinking about all the good, not so good, sad, angry and wonderful times spent with my friend. We went through a lot together and separately, but always as loving friends. Life will never be the same without her, but I have been so blessed to have known her. I feel better for writing in this forum. Thanks for listening. Mary Lou
  4. Thanks, Kel, for posting Peter Jennings' obituary. I've cried for him like I knew him personally. I still remember first tuning in to him on TV years ago. I have to admit I developed a huge crush on him. His face and voice mesmerized me. It did not take long before he became so much more than a "pretty" face. He was a trusted news reporter and my choice for learning about what was happening in the world. He will be missed. Mary Lou best friend Gwen diagnosed again with LC
  5. Hi All - After just losing Peter Jennings to LC, I read on the Internet that Dana Reeve was diagnosed with LC. Quotes from the article: "Based on the imminent release of a tabloid article regarding my personal health, my family and I have decided to release our own statement," Dana Reeve said Tuesday. "I have recently been diagnosed with lung cancer and am currently undergoing treatment. I have an excellent team of physicians and we are optimistic about my prognosis." "I hope before too long to be sharing news of my good health and recovery," Dana Reeve also said her statement. "Now, more than ever, I feel Chris with me as I face this challenge. As always, I look to him as the ultimate example of defying the odds with strength, courage, and hope in the face of life's adversities." Kathy Lewis, president and CEO of the Christopher Reeve Foundation, issued a separate statement in support of the advocate. "The thoughts and prayers of the entire Christopher Reeve Foundation team are with Dana and her loved ones during this difficult time," said Lewis. "We are certain that Dana will tackle this challenge with the grace, courage and determination that have become her hallmark." I pray for Dana and her family. From a disease I heard so little about until my best friend was diagnosed last year and re-diagnosed again this year, news of LC now seems to hit me from everywhere. Hopefully, the media coverage will help finance more research and an eventual cure. hugs to all, Mary Lou
  6. Such awesome news! I'm happy for both of you. Mary Lou Best friend with LC
  7. My God, this news is so, so sad. My best friend was recently diagnosed with LC in her left lung after losing part of her right lung and undergoing treatment last year. She's already feeling pessimistic and the news about Peter Jennings isn't going to help. She did visit this site, at my suggestion, but only saw the loss and not the hope. Hate this disease. Hate it, hate it, hate. Mary Lou Massachusetts
  8. Thanks so much to Kasey, Amie, Don M, Gail, David P, Fay A, Barb, Trish, Dee, Maryanne, Kelly and Leslie for your kind and thoughtful responses to my first post. I appreciate that I not only heard from friends and family but also people who are surviving cancer themselves. There are some wonderful success stories and so much hope! Your words helped me a lot. I will write again when I have updates on my friend or just to say "hi" and let you know I'm thinking of you. Can someone please tell me what some of the abbreviations mean at the end of people's posts? I understand the most important one -- NED -- Not sure of the others. God bless each and every one of you awesome people. Mary Lou
  9. Hello Everyone - My name is Mary Lou. My best friend had the lower part of her right lung removed last year and then underwent both chemotherapy and radiation. She recovered fairly quickly, she had less and less trouble breathing and the residual pain eventually cleared. Her checkups were normal for a while. Last week she learned that she now has cancer in her left lung. She started Tarceva a couple of days ago and is already experiencing sensitivity and soreness in her mouth. Fortunately, her insurance covers all but $50 of the monthly $2506.75 cost for the meds. I've researched Tarceva on the Internet and it sounds like a very powerful drug. I am writing for a couple of reasons. First, I want to know how best to support my dear friend. She lives in Alaska and I live now in Massachusetts, a half a world away. I haven't seen her since I moved back here 5-1/2 years ago to care for my mother. Last year I called my friend frequently during her hospitalization and convalescence, prayed for her all the time, sent her relaxing music to listen to while she recovered, books to read, cards, etc. I will surely do the same now, but it all seems so inadequate. I should be there with her and I'm devastated because I can't afford to go and see her. I'd move back and be with her if I could. I want to hug her, hold her hand, cry with her, laugh with her, pray with her. Which brings me to another reason for writing to you. Learning my friend has lung cancer again and that she likely has cancer in some other as yet unfound spot in her body (according to her doctor), has me all twisted up inside. Last year I felt so optimistic that she would survive the cancer. Today I feel like the horrible cancer has only been hiding somewhere in her body, waiting to find a place to grow and take over. I need your help in finding that optimism again. My friend believes that she will again fight this disease and win. I've been with her through many hard times, including other serious medical problems, and she has indeed fought and won every time. Her faith in God is huge and is a huge strength for her. Please help me. Help me know how best to support her this time. Help me to be strong so I can be there for her in every way I can. I love her so much and I want her to live. She has a wonderful husband, many children and grandchildren. She's planning to retire in January so she and her husband can travel and enjoy themselves. I want everything good for her. But right now I have to admit I'm feeling terribly selfish because I don't want her to be sick again, I don't want her to have to put those chemicals in her body again, I don't want her to have to suffer any more side effects, any more pain. I don't want to lose her. I'm so glad you all are here. I know my friend from A.A. We met there 19 years ago when I first got sober. I know the beauty and closeness and honesty of self-help groups. I trust I will find that here as well. Thank you so much, Mary Lou P.S. I don't have a picture of my friend and I or even of myself alone, so I've posted a picture of my little buddies, Tansy and Cabot. They are a daily blessing.
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