Andrea B.

I am so sorry you have to be here, but you have found a great place for support. My mom was diagnosed last March, stage IIIB. The doctors have never given her a "time". They told her most likely she wouldn't be cured, but that didn't mean should couldn't survive and live with this disease. Most recently my mom was in the hospital with a pulmonary embolism. The callous doctor walked in and told my mom she would die in the hospital. My mom looked at her and fought with all her might. I am happy to say that she is home and doing better. I also know two other people, one who was diagnosed and had a lung removed, found out it had spread to some lymph nodes, underwent chemo and radiation, and is surviving still 9 years later. In addition, a former neighbor was diagnosed and given merely months to live, that was 8 years ago. Never ever underestimate the power of the human spirit. This battle is an awful emotional roller coaster ride, so make sure you lean on everyone here. Take care of yourself and blessings to you, your mother and your whole family.

Your precious Faith will be in my prayers. God bless all of you.

Dear Sandy, You will be in my prayers!!

Dear Becky, A belated happy birthday to you...and I am wishing you many, many more birthdays. I hope you enjoyed your cake with your family. All my best, Andrea

Dear Shelly, I am so very sorry for all the pain you have had to endure. I wish I could take it away for you. I am praying your dad's tests come back clear. I am also wishing you some peace during this trying time of waiting. Take care, Andrea

Dear Joe, My mom's white blood cell counts dropped very low (I think her lowest was .7) and her platelet count dropped very low as well (needed transfusions) when she was taking Taxotere. She took the Neuproen shots and it helped to bring her counts back up. Just a warning that the shots draw from your bone marrow, so sometimes can cause bone pain. This only happened with my mom's first shot. Keep inside surrounded by your loving family until your counts go up. All my best to you.

Beautiful little girl!!! Congratulations on your new addition. So happy for you!!!

Dearest Peg, I am so sorry to hear that you didn't get the news you were hoping for and more sorry that one doctor can make you feel so down. Remember that with this awful disease there are dark days and there are bright days. Don't let any doctor discourage you and make you lose hope. My mom was told two weeks ago that she would die in the hospital by a very thoughtless doctor. The first time any doctor has told her anything negative. It made my mom so depressed, but she continued to fight and is continuing now and making great strides. If you are not happy with that radiation oncologist then visit another. When there is life there is hope. Many blessings and a big hug to you. You are both in my prayers. Andrea

Norme, Prayers for you and Buddy and that Iressa is very successful! Many blessings to you both. Remember we are all here for you...so lean on us.

Dear Shelly, Please know I am here for you. Dean is right...no masses is a good thing. I continue to keep your father and you in my prayers. Hugs to you. Andrea

Dear Cheryl, I will be praying you receive good news and nodules are nothing. PMS never helps anything, in my opinion! Hang in there. Hugs to you. Andrea

Well obviously I hadn't read the rest of the messages before my prior post. What wonderful wonderful news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for letting us know, Dave!

Dave is always and will continue to be in my prayers. Thanks for letting us know!

Dear Shelly, I am so sorry for the loss of your cousin. I pray 2004 brings you more brighter days. You are always in my thoughts. Hugs to you. Andrea

Ray, great to see you back! Love the new picture!!! I am wishing you many blessings and much success with Iressa in 2004 and beyond. All my best, Andrea

Dear Becky, Sorry I am late in posting, but I want you to know I am thinking about you and praying for you. All my best to you and sending you hugs. Andrea

Great news, thanks for sharing!!! Enjoy your trip and the warm weather. Many continued blessings to you in the new year. Andrea

Oh Dear Shelly, First I want you to know I am sending you a big big hug! I wish I could tell you not to worry, but I know it is inevitable when waiting for something so monumental...we are only human how can we not worry. But I am going to continue to hold onto positive thoughts for you that your stepfather does not have lung cancer. Please know I am here for you. I wish I could take it all away for you. Blessings, Andrea

Berisa, I am so very sorry to hear about your father. But know that there are a lot of people here who have had success in treating brain mets. I will hold your dear father in my prayers. And I am wishing you much comfort. All my best, Andrea

Oh how all your prayers, kind words and support are what I need during the dark times. Well, the power of prayer and the strength my mom has always possessed has helped her defy the odds and hopefully be on her way to proving the doctors wrong...that she wouldn't make it out of the hospital. It is still a wait and see period, but at least my mom is out of ICU. She has been in the hospital for two weeks and is still battling blood clots and shortness of breath. No blood thinners work for my mom so she had a "screen" implanted today to help trap any loose blood clots. I have never experienced more darkness and sadness in my life than I have over the past two weeks. To see a loved one suffer and be absolutely helpless is torture for me. My mom has had to spend all of the holidays in the hospital. She told me on Christmas day that she would love nothing more than to hop in my car and go home with me. It broke my heart. I wanted to scoop her up and make her feel safe and make all the pains and anxieties disappear. Unfortunately I am only human. Knowing I have each of you to help guide and support me means so very much. I continue to hope deep in my heart that one day life will hold some joy again. In the meantime I find the strength to somehow face the day and put on a brave face. I pray that this message finds you each doing well. I think of you often. Many blessings to you and much happiness in the new year.

Peg, Sorry I don't have any answers for you. I just wanted to let you know I was happy to see the update and even happier to read about the shrinkage of the lung tumor. Many blessings to you, Bill and your family this holiday season. You always remain in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you. Andrea

Teri, I think that is so wonderful of you to help make your mom feel better. The hospital where my mom received her treatments actually had a wig shop available to all cancer patients. You could come in and borrow wigs at no cost. My mom's hairdresser went with her to match color and style. My mom ended up using mostly turbans and bandanas. She too found the wigs too hot. Best of luck to you.

Oh Deb...first and foremost I send you hugs and love. I was so shocked to read this. I am so very very sorry. Your message was so poignantly written and I think expresses your love and strength. Please know I am here if you ever need someone to lean on...blessings to you. I am so sad.

Oh Norme, big hugs to you! I am on that horrible horrible roller coaster ride right now too. I pray that Buddy regains some strength and is able to resume treatment or hopefully the Iressa brings him much success. I will be thinking of you both. Blessings to you both during the holiday season.

Dear Linda, Prayers are being said that your dad gets good news on his bone scan, making for a wonderful Christmas gift. I also send you hugs. Blessings to you. Andrea