kamataca

OK...if I'm out camping and see the North Stat, then I'm okay. Most of the time I barely know WHO I am, much less WHERE I am! , Kelly

Sky High...at the drive in! We have a really cute little drive in nearby that has been a staple in the area for generations. Our kids just love it! Kelly

Lori, I know how hard this is on both you and your mom. There may come a time when she is ready to go out, even if it means in a wheelchair. For a while my mom didn't like to be seen with her oxygen, and getting places is tought for her too. I am happy to announce that she did get to a place where she would go to sporting events, even if it meant we had to help her, or carry her O2 for her. How good of you to not make her feel bad for her decision to stay back. This really is a baby step process sometimes, and then other times progress is made by leaps and bounds. At least it is with my mom. Good luck to you this week! Kelly

Let me echo Don's sentiment: Sometimes it is a rgeat gift to "let" someone take care of you. I know that when my mom was diagnosed. everyone wanted to know what they could do to help. Finally we started to let other people help, and trust them. Suddenly we had dozens of people to drive mom to radiation, dr. appointments, folks fixed her meals, or just stopped by to chat. The 'helpers' couldn't thank us enough for letting them help. Odd, huh? So if you feel the need to extend something tangible, a gift card would be fine. Even better would be a heartfelt letter written to make sure your friend knows how much you appreciate her. , Kelly

I've answered this question a bunch on this site, mostly because Tarceva has so far been wonder drug for my mom. She has had the side effects (rash, dry skin, diarrhea, mouth sores--though not all at the same time), but her tumors have not grown since she was on it. Her dr. has said it will probably be a life-long med for her, but she can live with that. Remember that everyone reacts differently. Soon you will have your own story to add to all of ours! Good luck with it, and let us know how she is doing. Kelly

Kerry, What a frustrating time for you and your Mom! I know this is tough. I echo everyone's sentiments on getting everything checked out. My mom has a pretty complex medical history, but we've been so focused on the canncer part of it for the last 6 months that we sometimes forget there is more to her physically. She's lucky to have you advocating for her and pushing for answers. I hope you find some soon. Let us know how it works out. Kelly

I've only lived in 2, but as best as I can figure I've visited about 13. I've completely missed out on the whole New England and Northwest states. Plus, poor me has never been to Alaska ( I could live with that) or Hawaii (too sad for words). Kelly

I've spent most of my life in Oklahoma, in the heart of tornado alley, and I LOVE storms. Now, I certainly don't want to wish destruction on anyone, but seeing the sky alive with lightning, hearing the thunder roll, seeing sheets of rain blow in out of the blue...it really gets my blood pumping. Our years in MN, with only one or two 'good' thunderstorms a spring just felt flat to me. Jimmy Buffett says that, "The sound of the weather is heaven's ragtime band." I love that! Kelly

Karen, It seems like your family has really had to carry more that its fair share of burdens. I hope you can find some relief soon. My soul has been calmed many times by what I have read at this site, so I hope you can find some comfort her as well. Take care of yourself, and let us know how your FIL is progressing. Kelly

You got it! Kelly

Wow! I lived in MN for 10 years (Bloomington, Eden Prarie, and Brooklyn Park), but the commute from OK would be too much for this event. Glad to see the Northerners "going good", though. Excellent work! Kelly

Finish my Master's degree...before all of those old credits go to waste. Kelly

Sky blue...because turquoise is so hard to spell. Kelly

Denise, My mom went through a heavy bout of depression this summer that lasted about 3 weeks. It was tough on all of us, including her. I can tell you that she has rebounded quite nicely. She is volunteering at my kids' school every day that she can, and her energy levels are up. Does your dad have a reason to go to bed every night and get up? When school started again, my mom had a schedule again, and had to take care of herself so she could be a part of the school (and her friends there). She is also able to see that, even though she is sick, she still has a lot to offer the world. I don't know if any of this helps, but I will keep you in my prayers. Kelly

Hey Jenny! You'll find a lot of us "taking care of Mum" kind of people here. Everyone here has given me so much support, in all the ins and outs of this crazy little thing called cancer. I hope you can find the same support here. Spend any time here, and you will be amazed by the positive energy of this board. Take that with you throughout the day. There are so many who want to doom and gloom us with statistice, but the truth lies in every success, no matter how small they seem. My mom is learning to live her new life in style, and I hope your does, too. Kelly

Wow! Sounds like a wild ride, but I'm glad you're back in the saddle again. Hope you can get comfortable and get some sleep soon. Kelly

Mary, I wish I had specific info to give you, but it's out of my league. I hope this course works for you.Check out some of the Survivor stories to see the miracles that take place every day. Good luck to ya! Kelly

I hope that both the vacation and the meds do the trick for you! My husband has been the Thailand twice, but never made it out of Bancock. Hope you get to see more of the beautiful country. I'll keep praying for you while you're gone. Kelly

We will continue to pray for you. I hope they are able to identify the problem and get you some help soon! Keep in touch. Kelly

I don't mean to minimize any of the suffering that has occurred because of this disaster, but is there any way we can focus on the positive? Instead of wasting so much negative energy of finding blame and pointing fingers, let's celebrate the power of the human spirit. People all over the country, and indeed all over the world, are coming together to help and send prayers. That includes the countries that don't like us very much. We need to focus on the face of the survivors, and ask, "What's next? What can I do to help? What am I willing to do to help?" I know that, way over here in OK, my children's school is taking in 5 studetns staring Tuesday (private school, but tuition is, of course, waived for these kids). I'm sure we will see people all over my town and yours who are relocating and need help. If the student enrollment in my classes exceeds what we normally deem as acceptable, I'll find a way to deal with that. I'm not burying my head in the sand, but I don't want to get bogged down in what I can't change. I come to this board every day to be inspired by survivors and the good hearts of everyone here. Those are the stories that I would like to hear more about in the media right now. Now I need to climb off my soapbox. I'm sure if I fall off of it, I could always blame Bush. Kelly

I think it is great that you have each other to lean on, and you need to give yourself "permission" to break down every now and then. Honestly, he may have been glad to have the opportunity to comfort you for once. Prayers for you. You'll get through this. Kelly

Darlene, Sorry you didn't get better news. Once the shock wears off I know you will keep moving forward. You can read story after story here about folks who are living miracles. Don't let the numbers get you down. Kelly

I hope you both know how much you mean to all of us, and that you are in my prayers. You sure show us how to live with this mess with grace, dignity, humor,and caring. I hope that all the good you send out will come right back to you. Kelly

I was the cashier at Wendy's ($3.15/hr.) I was 15 and couldn't drive, so I had to find a place close enough to walk to. That left me with Wendy's (blue polyester uniforms) or Taco Bueno (brown, orange, and yellow flowered uniforms). It was no contest. Kelly

Thanks for the info! I know that normally they would have mysteriously upped the price for Labor Day weekend, but they are really taking advantage of a horrible situation. Kelly