Andrea B.

Kristy, My heart breaks for you and the pain you are enduring. My mom too took a very sudden turn for the worst. Her oncologist did start her on Iressa and I pray they will do the same for your mom. I will be praying for her and you. I am here for you. Take care, Andrea

I am so sorry to hear the news. But don't give up hope. I will be sending many blessings and prayers your way. I send you a big hug.

Deb, I completely understand...I am in the same boat, feeling too overwhelmed to post much. I do hope you are feeling better. It is hard to see our loved ones suffer. Your dad knows how much you love him and I am sure this brings him much comfort. All my best and a big hug to you. Andrea

Shelly, I wish I could give you the magical answer to take away your pain and make you feel better. I have been struggling with my anger and despair over seeing my mom suffer. I decided to start journaling and one of the things I notice I keep asking, WHY?! I think I could make myself sick asking it over and over. Deep in my heart I know there is no answer. My mom has been so sick that all she can do is sit in her chair and sleep. My friend told me the other day how she was going to a Christmas show with her mom and daughters and I started to cry. How come everyone else gets to go on with their life and my mom and family are left to struggle?! I guess I am trying to say that you aren't alone in your struggle with feelings. I think it is good that you are allowing yourself to grieve finally. Because only time is going to heal wounds. I send you a big hug and know that I am here if you need anything.

Dear Fay, Sorry you have to receive more chemo treatments than expected, I know it would be so nice to get a break especially during the holidays. But I like to think of it has more opportunities to kill the awful cancer cells. Do something special for yourself. I keep you in my prayers that you will get relief in the coming months. I do hope you post the picture of the pimento photo. Blessings to you, Andrea

Dear Cheryl, I am so sorry you have to meet everyone under these circumstances. But you have found the right place. I feel so very alone (my mom is battling lung cancer) and everyone here makes me feel like I have a shoulder to lean on. Don't let any doctor tell you how long you have and never lose hope. There are so many inspirational stories of survivors here. So welcome, you have found a supportive family. I will keep you in my prayers. Blessings.

Dear Cathy, Please know I am thinking of you. The grief process can take so long and it has only been three months. I think it is so normal to look at everything and be reminded of our loved ones. Maybe it is their way of telling us they are always with us in spirit. I send you big hugs. Take care of yourself. All my best, Andrea

I am so very sad to hear about Sue. I had been wondering, because I had sent her an email a couple weeks back and never heard anything. My heart goes out to her family.

David, I will be praying that Iressa is successful for you as it is for so many others. Blessings. Andrea

Don, you and Lucie have special prayers being said now. I pray that things continue to go good for you both. All my best. Take care.

It seems like literally last week my mom was still able to battle this demon...now as I sit and type I am bawling my eyes out wondering if the end is near for her. She is not eating or drinking (hasn't for two days), she needs help to move around, she is on oxygen 24/7 and she is in pain. It seems like the symptoms go on and on and keep increasing. She started taking Iressa a couple days ago, but I feel like it is going to be a Hail Mary pass to try and help her. I am over everyday helping my dad care for her. How can this have happened so quickly? I am so angry...at God...at the world...life is so unfair. Thank you for letting me vent. I feel terribly alone and in so much agony.

Bless all of you for your replies! John, thank you so very much for your information...I appreciate it so very much. It helps knowing that you are all here for me and that I am not alone. I truly feel alone as I watch my mom and best friend suffer. I am so very angry.

We just found out today that my mom's primary tumor is growing and it has metastisized further into her right lung. We found out today that the cancer is causing her shortness of breath - it is constricting blood vessels. I can't believe how quickly my mom's health has deteriorated. She now is going to be on oxygen (about damn time they gave it to her). In addition, she is going to begin Iressa. My family is still holding on to a shred of hope. Her oncologist told us there is no chance of remission, but hopefully we can stabilize the disease. Emotionally I am a wreck. My mom started talking today about getting her house cleaned out and giving things away. I hate this damn disease! I am wondering if anyone can tell me how to find out about clinical trials in my area, Seattle, Washington. Thanks in advance.

Cheryl, I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know I am praying for you and your family as you deal with your grief. All my best to you, Andrea

Stress Diet Breakfast: * 1/2 grapefruit * 1 slice whole wheat toast * 8 oz. skim milk Lunch: * 4 oz. lean broiled chicken breast * 1 cup steamed spinach * 1 cup herb tea * 1 Oreo cookie Mid-Afternoon Snack: * The rest of Oreos in the package * 2 pints Rocky Road ice cream nuts, cherries and whipped cream * 1 jar hot fudge sauce Dinner: * 2 loaves garlic bread * 4 cans or 1 large pitcher Coke * 1 large sausage, mushroom and cheese pizza * 3 Snickers bars Late Evening News: * Entire frozen Sara Lee cheesecake (eaten directly from freezer) Rules for This Diet: * If you eat something and no one sees you eat it, it has no calories. * If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, the calories in the candy bar are canceled out by the diet soda. * When you eat with someone else, calories don't count if you do not eat more than they do. * Foods used for medicinal purposes NEVER count, such as hot chocolate, brandy, toast and Sara Lee Cheesecake. * If you fatten up everyone else around you, then you look thinner. * Movie-related foods do not have additional calories because they are part of the entertainment package and not part of one's personal fuel. Examples: Milk Duds, buttered popcorn, Junior Mints, Red Hots and Tootsie Rolls. * Cookie pieces contain no calories. * The process of breaking causes calorie leakage. * Things licked off knives and spoons have no calories if you are in the process of preparing something. * Foods that have the same color have the same number of calories. Examples are: spinach and pistachio ice cream; mushrooms and mashed potatoes. * Chocolate is a universal color and may be substituted for any other food color. * Anything consumed while standing has no calories. This is due to gravity and the density of the caloric mass. * Anything consumed from someone else's plate has no calories since the calories rightfully belong to the other person and will cling to his/her plate. (We ALL know how calories like to cling!) * REMEMBER THIS: STRESSED SPELLED BACKWARDS IS DESSERTS!!!!

A man and his wife are awakened at 3 o'clock in the morning by a loud pounding on the door. The man gets up and goes to the door where a drunken stranger standing in a pouring down rain is asking for a push. "Not a chance" says the husband -- "It's three o'clock in the morning!" He slams the door and returns to bed. "Who was it?" asks his wife. "Just a drunken stranger asking for a push" he answers. "Did you help him?" she asks. "No, I didn't -- it's three in the morning and raining like hell out there!" "Well, you've got a short memory" says his wife. "Can't you remember about three months ago when we broke down on the freeway and those two guys helped us? I think you should help him." The man does as he is told and gets dressed and goes out into the pounding rain and calls out into the dark. "Hello - are you still there?" "Yes," comes the answer. "Do you still want a push?" calls out the husband. "Yes, please!" comes the reply from the dark. "Where are you?" asks the husband. "Over here on the swing" the drunk replies.

The main side effects my mom had were difficulty in swallowing, due to a burnt esophogas. She had to take a few medications to help, but really didn't clear up for a few weeks after her treatments ended. In addition, she developed severe burns on her back that had blisters, so we needed to apply cream twice a day to that area. Radiation was a breeze compared to her chemo treatments.

What about a journal too...for her to write down her thoughts or items relating to her doctor appointments. There is also the book, Chicken Soup for the Cancer Survivors Soul (I think that is the title). And maybe a CD, if she enjoys music. One of the things I did for my mom was to ask friends and family to send me an inspiring quote and/or story. I printed them all out and made a book for my mom to look at during chemo or anytime she was having a tough time. ps. I really like your new picture!!

Cindi, Sorry you have to be here! But welcome. My advice to would be to be very pushy and insistent!!! Get copies of medical reports, bloodwork, etc. If you ever have a question, ASK. You must be your mom's advocate. My mom has told me numerous times she is too weak to research, etc, so my dad and I have taken on that role for her. If she has a symptom, I come here for questions and then I present them to her oncologist. There are several times that I bring something up and her doctor hasn't heard about it. Also, get a second opinion. Even if you are comfortable with her oncologist. This is something we did and it helped rest my mind that we were going in the right direction. I have never been the pushy type, but I tell you this awful ride has made me very pushy with my mom's doctors. It is her life at stake!! I am wishing you all the best.

Becky, So sorry to hear this cold is adding to everything else. I am hoping you get some relief soon!

Dave, It sounds like you are in great hands and getting another game plan. Don't give up hope...you are a true fighter. I admire your dedication and courage. I will continue to keep you in my prayers. All my best to you and your wife.

Cecilia, Sorry you have to be here, but it is nice to meet you. My mom too has compression fractures in her back, caused by brittle bones (she is also on prednisone which zaps calcium out of the bones). My mom's back is starting to round on top due to the fractures. The pain for her has been immense, usually has to sleep in her chair. Her oncologist told her it can take months for them to heal. I hope your mom is feeling better soon. Hang in there. Wishing you all the best.

Great picture, Fay! Next I expect to see that beautiful smile too!

Susan, I am truly truly sorry to hear about your mother's passing. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Take care.

I am so happy to hear Connie is doing well. Thanks for updating us, Donna. Give her a big hug for me. I wish her many blessings and time for herself to get well.