-Cheryl-

Girl, You got to go back to work to tahe a vacation! I hope the radiation is effective and relieves your Dad of pain. This time with your Dad is precious. I am so glad they you have it. You are a good daughter. Cheryl

Fay, They are starting a vacinne here named TGF Beta2, made with other people's cancerous tumors. The one here probably won't start till Jan. sometime. Sorry to hear about the Gvax tial. Cheryl

Carleen, So glad to see this post. I think many of here were worried about you. Thanks for updating us! I have kept you and keith in my prayers, and will continue to ask God to watch over you both. You two are amazing people. Keith is still working even. How has his job been about treatment? Mine has not been to understanding to say the least. You guys drop us a line when you can. WE will be thinking of you. Much Love, Cheryl

Hi Tee Tee, I also had chemo, and radiation to shrink the tumor down before surgery. Chemo may kill micromets scattered throughout the body. Cheryl

Dean Carl we miss your posts. We miss your well thought words and beautiful view on life. I sure hope that Keith and Carleen are alright too. I haven't heard anything since I read Carleen's post of Keith being diagnosed with brain mets. Know that you guys are in my prayers. Cheryl

Hey Folks, I echo Debi's sentiments. Despite the rain and cold, it was a heart warming event. Katie is absolutely adorable, and she and Rick are awsome people. They worked so hard on this event, the live band was excellent! The clown had a huge a**, like Shanainai (Sp). Thanks to Katie's brothers for all their help too. The candle light ceremony filled my eyes with tears as Katie listed all those who have passed away from this board due to this dreaded disease. Debi added some humor relief, as she is even twice as funny in person. She kept me in stitches. What a real deal she is. Again, I want to thank Katie and Rick. I hope that you all can find room in your hearts to donate what you can to help find a cure for lung cancer. Cheryl

My German Shepherd had blood in his urine. The vet said it is a kidney infection or stones. He was give antibiotics and it went away. Please don't think I'm comparing you to a dog! Ha! ( Even though that would actually be a compliment from me, mine are my children ) However, treatments are pretty much the same considering the illness. I would think you would be jaundice if it were more serioius. My sister-in-law also gets kidney infections and urinates blood. Keep us posted. Cheryl

Kit, WE will be sad for you too. Tomorrow is a new day. I heard someone say "I didn't die today, and I probably won't die tomorrow." I like that. All we have really is today, thank you lord for every day is a blessing. You have a wonderful attitude kit. God be with You. Cheryl

Carry, You are in all of our thoughts. Prayers for your Pop. May God take away his pain and comfort you all. Cheryl

Beth, I am so glad you have a new onc. Always get a second opinion. The chemo I was on also treated ovarian cancer, which several tumors have been seen in my ovaries. They are believed to be benign, yet reacted to chemo. I am not going to "borrow trouble" and go along with "benign cysts theory." I pray that it isn't cancer. Breast cancer has a 85% cure rate. Good luck Beth! Keep us posted. Cheryl

Thanks folks for the encouragement. I do have short term disability, but it wouldn't be enough money to make ends meet. I actually enjoy work. Somehow it makes me feel vital as a human being. I still feel well enough to work. I have my bad days, but work helps me to forget about cancer for a while. I feel like I can still contribute. My employers see me as a costly liability. I am not sure, but perhaps it causes a rise in insurance rates. I quit wearing a mask, because I "make people think I am "contagious" and feel uncomfortable." I had one kid ask me if I was "a doctor"! Ha! Everyone wants to look like they are "doing their job." As the MH Director said "this is our company policy." The lawyer asked me "What is going on over there? I have gotten quite a few calls from employes who worked for these agencies?" So I can see that I am not the first employee to seek legal advice who works for my company. Elaine, I never left work. That is the problem. They want me out on FMLA while undergoing treatment. I am afaid of possibly getting sicker one day and needing the 12 weeks. I personally don't think a day off per week qualifies as eligible for leave. FMLA is suppose to be designed for the employee, and not to use it against them. I am not opposed to taking the leave, but don't feel it fair to count retroactive days already missed into the 12 weeks when told by my boss to "take the time that you need", then tell me "you have to count that as FMLA" out of the blue by our HR Dept. Not to mention that this is the second notice of it, when never getting a first notice. I will get off of my soap box too! Thanks for listening. Cheryl

Our lawyer handled the American Airlines Baggage Carriers strike a few years ago and specializes in the field. Though he is well versed in the laws, there is a lot of "grey areas" to contend with. Whether you have been gainfully employed or not, your benefits are legislated to end in about three months. The message... die of a sudden illness and you have beat them. Have a chronic illness and you are in trouble. I contacted our US Senator, Kay Bailey Hutchison, and they showed a lot of interest, even setting us up with an Investigator from D.C. I know when they returned my phone calls, it showed up on the caller ID as US Government! Maybe it will shock the employer as much as it did me when they are contacted. Our investments will carry us through from now on, horses, house and dogs included. We may end up not having 300 satellite channels, cell phones and all of the credit cards but we will survive. The health benefits issue, we weren't prepared for. It's a shame we have to fight lawyers, doctors, employers and Ins. companies while fighting this disease. We are definatley outnumbered. The system is broke. Jack

Nancy, I appreciate the thoughts. I have been thinking about you too. How are you feeling? I hope that you are healing o.k. from the surgery and treatments. God Bless you, Cheryl

Hey guys, Met with an attorney, who primarily deals with buisness law. According to the FMLA, you cannot retroactively count days off for FMLA. However, one case in 2002 proved prejudice, and was allowed to count back missed days.(Not quite sure what that means?) My employers sent me a letter telling me that I basically am being forced to take FMLA, beginning August the 23rd ( I took pretty much only one day per week for treatment, and three for a cold once.) Also, that this was the second notice of him telling me to take FMLA. The HR Director is covering his butt for never sending the first notice. I met with the MH Directors over my center and over all the agencies today. They started out very condescending and tried to set the pace of our conversation, as if they were empathetic to my disease. I will spare you the boring details, but lets just say I "put them on notice" They stand to violate not only the FMLA, but the ADA, and something called Erisa 510. All I want is to do is work as long as I can, I have to for economic reasons. I give my job 100%, and really care about my clients. I feel discriminated against, because of my cancer. I think they see me as a liability to them some how! I know God will provide for my husband and I, but I would be devastated to have to move and sell my horses. Worst yet, be denied treatmnet, due to lack of insurance. Praying for us all, Cheryl

Melanie, So glad you decided to fight for those four kids! You can and will beat this disease! We are here every step of the way with you, lean on us! Cheryl

Linus, I have learned something new today from you and Don. I never knew this about Luci, Don. How facinating! Linus, I pray that the find your Mother's primary soon. God Bless, Cheryl

Paula, Congrtuations! You made it througha very scarey and tough procedure. That was the easy part. Now is the tough part, not to be full of doubt and fear of the unknown. You are a step ahead of the class, because you seem to have a great attitude! This board helped me through some pretty dark times, and it will help you too. I had chemo before surgery 6 days on for 3 weeks to shrink the tumor and mediastinal lymph nodes. 14 months later, I embarked on a chemo trial following a pericardial window, which was put in to relieve the fluid build up caused by more tumors. The rounds of chemo are 3 weeks apart for 5 months. It can vary, but typicaly chemo is done every 3 weeks. God be with you throughout this journey! Cheryl

Jean, Yes, please stay optimistic. TAnn and Karen are just a few of our brain met survivors, and are remarkable ladies! We are glad to have you back. Prayers for your husband and you. Cheryl

Kadaru, Is radiation an option? I had it on mediastinal lymph nodes and r. mid lobe. Your Dad is in my prayers. Cheryl

TAnn, You have been through some tough times and beaten this monster into submission. WBR is not for for the weak, but neither was the plueral efussions you endured. I am proud of you and always here to vent when needed. It will take some time to get over this, and can only imagine the frustration you must feel. I am cheering you on! Much Love, Cheryl

Debi, You probably had an allergic reaction to both the mold and latex. The masks are only good for only a few hours. Then you must wear a fresh one. I had to wear them at work, which displeased my boss. He wanted me to stay home. Yeah, who can afford it! No sick time left. Go to the hospital, and they will sell you some, that they use in surgery. Hope you fell better. Cheryl

Sandy, What a heart felt, passionate speech. I think you should present it to Washington! You stay strog and healthy....We need you in this fight. Your voice roars for all lung cancer survivors. God be with you!! Cheryl

Yes, the request was in writing and the reason being for the days missed in Aug (2)..Sept (4) and Oct (....The 2 days in Aug is a joke, the 4 in Sept is probably close to the average, which leaves the 8 days in Oct. The only problem they have their is, her boss (the facility Director) told me on the phone and Cheryl in person to take what time we needed. I have contacted an Attorney and my State Representative... My best friend owns a radio station and anchors the news every morning. He would jump all over this. Add the fact that I have been known to write some brow raising "Letters to the Editor" and it is a given, this will be a public relations nightmare. The fact that this HR Manager called Cheryl 3 days before her lung surgery last year and was basically telling her that she only had a few number of FEML days left before she would be automatically terminated, has left a bad taste in my mouth that won't go away. Yes,it's gotten personal. I had a little Man to Man talk with her Director last night on the phone... He wasn't the cocky person I was told to expect... I guess he only talks that way to his female employees. I know this, he understands where I am coming from, you can BYAOT! Jack

Geoff and Melinda, I am so saddened by this news, and know how you will miss her. Geoff, your Mother fought a brave battle. What an impressive lady! The pain she endured will be no more, as she is released from the earthly shell that contained her soul. She will be with our Lord, Jesus Christ. May God help you through this loss. Cheryl

Hello All, I have enough to worry about having to fight this disease, that I don't need to fight my employer to keep my job. The HR Director calls me up out of the blue on Fri., and tells me I have to take FMLA and it will be back dated to Aug 23 rd. I only had 2 days in off in Aug., 4 in Sept., and 8 days in Oct.. Not too bad, since I have been on chemo for going on 4 months now. I had up to a month of paid leave in July when the pericardial window was put into the lining of my heart. I returned to work immediately after my surgery. Despite this, my program has produced the highest revenue, as have I personaly as a program leader. I called the MH Director who resides over all of the agencies after my conversation with the HR Director, he was non-compasionate and rude to say the least. He said, "Don't you have a memory problem due to the drugs you are taking?" I got so pissed off, I called my boss who admitted to meeting with him a couple of times to discuss me working while on chemo. Prejudice, uninformed bunch of cusses. I am not taking meds while working, and the chemo does not pass through the blood brain barrier. I am mentally sound as I have ever been, albeit tired of course. I need this job for the insurance and to pay my bills. What is wrong with them? They are forcing me to take FMLA. What if I get sicker and run out of time cause I am on FMLA. Then they can fire me. I know a lot of people who have missed more than 14 days over 4 months! It is like I am some kind of a libility to them and they want me out! I am sick with worry and hurt. I have held the same position for ten years and every year lost sick time from never taking it. I got a threatening letter from the HR Director today, spelling out how I have to take FMLA and my insurance must be paid by me weekly to continue it. I will contact a lawyer Mon. I will try not to take off, but have to for treatment atleast once a week. I am stage iv now, and feel like I am worthless, not viable any longer. I would like to live my live as I have always done....but sometimes this da** disease gets in the way. I am doing my best to take each day as it comes, but lately, my days are filled with nothing but challenges. I pray to God for redemption and salvation. God Bless you all and I pray too for your struggles, Cheryl