Mendy

I am so sad to share that another friend from LCSC is gone. Rachel died on June 6, 2008. Here is her obit: http://www.legacy.com/GJSentinel/Obitua ... =111173942 She was a lovely woman. Mendy

Lilly, Thanks for the smile. Boy did you hit Katie's button! That is the most I have seen here write in one posting. I wasn't sure I was going to survive my daughter either. She is going to be five in a couple of weeks and her behavior has improved significantly. We used to battle over snacks (me saying no...dinner is in ten minutes) and shopping used to be bad when I would tell her no (we left halfway through the weekly shopping a couple of times and then sat in the car for 15 minutes while she had a meltdown...couldn't get her into the carseat). My daughter is an absolute delight now and so loving. It does get better. If you can get a friend or family member to take her for a few hours on the weekend so you can rest, I recommend you do it. Hang in there. Mendy

Mitch, I am proud of you. It takes a lot of courage to undergo an elective surgery. Best of luck and I hope you have great results. Mendy

We are fine. We live about 40 miles north of Atlanta. Sat. was pretty scary in northern Georgia. One storm after another. There was a tornado producing storm that went right by the library I work at...fortunatley everyone was ok. The hail from that storm was almost 3 inch hail and just skirted by our house. I did have our kids in the closet for a few minutes. The storms in Maryland were not quite this scary. I hope everyone around Atlanta are ok. Mendy

What a wonderful report! You sound like you have the nicest gp. How fortunate for you. Congratulations! Mendy

What exciting reports! I hope you are able to relax and enjoy life with your family. Congrats! Mendy

My husband has asked me post this query. 1. Has anyone lost their job due to cancer related issues? 2. If you lost your job, did you face discrimination in trying to obtain employment? 3. If you were discriminated against, how did you overcome it? TIA Mendy

Nick, Congratulations! Welcome to parenthood. I love your daughter's name. She sounds perfect. Mendy

MM, I was in your shoes not too long ago and told my husband I would support him no matter what he decided. He was lucky to be a surgical candidate. I reminded him that his best shot at beating it and being around to help raise our children was surgery. My husband has COPD and quite a bit of lung damage but his pulmonary function was good enough to withstand losing a lobe. He recently had surgery on his other lung (yes another thoracotomy-matching scars) and it has been challanging but he is doing ok. He did have radiation and chemo after his surgery. The good news is that this June will be 2 years from the original diagnosis and his last scans in Oct. were clean. I know this is a difficult position to be in. He needs to trust his doctor (especially the surgeon). They won't operate if they think it will make him worse. They want to give him the best chance for a cure. Feel free to pm me if you need to talk. Mendy

Barb, My husband saw this show and like it enough to tell me that I needed to watch it as well. Mendy

Randy, Thanks for sharing your post from the past. Deb was such a lucky woman to have you. I am glad you have stayed her to help guide the rest of us following a similar path. Mendy

Barb, I didn't see the show but wanted to share that my husband got a juicer last fall during his chemo treatments. There are certain vegetables like brocoli that he can't eat (bad childhood memories) but he can juice it with carrots and apples and has no trouble drinking it. Juicing can be a much easier way to get those much needed nutrients. We also make smoothies for the kids. A little bit of icecream and they don't realize they are drinking fruits that we often can't get them to eat. Glad you discovered how much fun a smoothie can be. Mendy

What a relief to read this good news! Thank you for keeping us updated. Connie is an amazing woman! Mendy

I strongly support your decision. If there is a chance that cancer cells could be floating around, it is better to be safe and have no regrets. Mendy

Ann, I will say a prayer for you. Being out of work is very hard. My husband is in the same position and it is frustrating when there are not an abundance of jobs being advertised. I wish you great success in your search. Mendy

What a great story Mitchell! I can just imagine how overwhelmed you were last year and I remember how scared. I am so happy for you that your mom is doing so great! Mendy

That is wonderful. There truly are angles amongst us. I too had similar experiences last year when I was wondering if we could afford a Christmas tree or could I pay a bill or not. People are amazing! Mendy

Shirley, I am so sorry that Jack is gone. Please accept my condolences. Mendy

Oh Jen, That has to be frightening! Don't worry until there is something to definitely worry about. I hope you get reassuring news. Mendy

Welthy, I am so sorry for your loss. It was obvious how much you loved Tony. Mendy

I am so sorry to read that John is gone. I am as shocked as everyone else. You are an inspiration and I know you will stay strong for your children. Mendy

I don't know about the Avastin but my husband did have 4 round of carbo/taxol. He had a reaction to the first round and that was a bit scary but not everyone has a reaction. Make sure you take your anti-nausau meds and drink plenty of water. He did have a couple of days of being tired once the steroid wore off. His appetite was not affected. There are others here who have had trouble with their appetite. Everyone always stresses the importance of staying ahead of the nausau by taking the meds the doctor prescribes and drinking lots of water. My husband did not need me to stay home with him during the chemo phase of treatment but I went with him for the treatments just to keep him company. Good luck and I pray you get great results. Mendy

How aweful for Mitchell and his mom! Thanks for the update. I will say a prayer for healing for his family. Mendy

Leslie, I feel your pain and am so sorry you have to watch one of the most important people in your life suffer. I feel the same about my parents. I will say a prayer for your dad to find relief and to find the right treatment to work. Hugs, Mendy

Rachel, Let me add my positive wishes to all who posted before me. I truely hope you have great results. I know what you mean about it being a fast year. May you continue to count them up. Hugs, Mendy