kamataca

(((Lori))) I hardly know what to say. This must have felt like a bolt of lightning. I pray that you guys will be struck with inspiration instead. Take care of yourself. Kelly

That's really rough. I'm so sorry you guys are facing this. You'll be in my prayers. Kelly

I missed this on Friday, but I'm celebrating with you today. Can I get abig sigh of relief? 1, 2, 3.... SSSSHHHHHEEEEEWWWWW! Kelly

I honestly don't know. I know Mom was considered palliative form day 1, and her tx left her stable for quite some time. Hopefully someone smarter will come along to answer your question better! Kelly

SOOOO glad that she is feeling a bit more spry after such a hideous night. I pray she get get more sleep and gather some strength. Kelly

What a cool idea. She was such a special lady. Kelly

It was odd, whenever Mom had symptoms that appeared to point to brain mets, her scans came back clear. When she had her first mets, (discovered when she was symptom-free) they were easily dealt with through Gamma. After her last ones were discovered, she was just too tired of the process to keep going, though her radiation onc. said it could have a favorable outcome. I have a friend whose husband has survived 8 years after a nasty brain met. There are amazing strides in tx. Hope everything turns out to be hunky-dorey. Kelly

Hope she is feeling better soon. Those headaches can range from pesky to downright intolerable. Glad they have a plan for her. Kelly

Mom had it in her hip, which was painful when sitting for very long. Like others have said, radiation provided great relief. It seems that otherwise she used over the counter pain relief, like Tylenol (or whichever one she was able to take) to help take the edge off. Hope she is feeling better very soon! Kelly

Mom didn't have it on her fingers, but it sounds like that might be a common thing. Hoping it goes well. Kelly

Wow. I'm inspired, too. As my 10-year old son would say, "You rock!" Kelly

((((Missy)))) I can't imagine what you are going through. It's so hard to be sad at what should be (and WILL be, I guarantee) such a happy time. It seems our grief colors everything right now. We have to work hard that is doesn't overshadow everything, but we can not deny that it is there. My brother and his wife are expecting their first child in Nov...would have been just Mom's third grandchild. We were worried for so long that they wouldn't be able to have a child. Thankfully they told Mom as soon as they knew, so she at least knew it was coming. She started an afghan for the baby that a friend of hers is finishing for me. I'm afraid of my own reaction when the baby is born--I can't imagine how much stronger yours may be. We "know" so much with our heads (they are in a better place, they can see our babies now and while they grow up) but all we "feel" in our hearts is how much we miss them. Maybe we should just schedule a good group cry! Kelly

So glad you posted an update for us! I've been wondering...knew it was 'soon', but now I've got the date fixed in my mind. You do all the hard work, so we can sit back and ooh-and ahh- and make other appropriate vowel sounds about the beautiful baby pictures. Kelly

I would never stop smiling if I had that pretty face near me. Kelly

My first thought was a political one, but I don't want to upset the apple cart in a fun forum... I'd say my husband's soon-to-be-former boss. DH is changing jobs, and his boss is quite unhappy about it. Too much to go into here, but he is working hard to make these last two weeks miserable. It's a shame...DH invested many years in that company, and hoped to leave on good terms. Kelly

You just never know what will set it off, do you? My 'baby' turned 10 yesterday, and I missed Mom so much. I admire you, that you let yourself cry when you needed to. Your kids also know that it is OK to cry when you are sad. What a gift. Kelly

I'm just so sorry that you STILL have to fight. After everything we go through as caregivers, you would think we were done with that part... Prayers for you that this gets resolved very sooon. Kelly

Thanks, Randy. He was one cool cat. I'm glad we got to know him. Kelly

Some people need to go to the cemetary, others find different ways to remember their loved ones. My mom (and dad) are buried 4 hours from where I live, in the small town they began their life together. I haven't been back yet since Mom's funeral. I know her high school friend, and my cousins there are 'looking out' for her. I just found out our hospice here has a garden in our Botanical garden, and it has a tree with special leaves hanging with the names of those they have cared for engraved on them. I think that will be my special place to go and 'be' with Mom. You didn't let her down. Kelly

Hugs going out your way from OK. Kelly

Another endorsement for the cookbook, guys. It's a great, eclectic group of recipes from all over the country. PLUS, they are real recipes, submitted by real people...no bizzare "that looks good, but who could make it?" recipes here. Kelly

How could you NOT smile with that face around? She's a hoot! Kelly

I love maki rolls---had it for dinner last night, actually. You don't HAVE to eat raw fish if you don't want to. There are many veggie or cooked rolls as well, if you ever end up with a group of friends who want sushi. I don't do the slab of raw fish kind, though. Tried it--didn't like it--don't order it anymore. Kelly

We go as a family Sunday right after church. So do a lot of our friends, so if we didn't get to chat after Mass, we see everyone in the aisles. It's more of a social thing, and less of a drag that way. Kelly

Thanks for sharing what you've learned, Shauna. I'm not sure I've learned anything yet, but it makes me hope that at some point I will, too. I'm glad you've been able to find some peace. Kelly