recce101

Jean, when I read your post, I was about to skip over it, because I've never lost a spouse — or a child. So how could I truly know what you're feeling, and how could I possibly say anything that could help? But yes, there is something, and a couple of the other responses reminded me of it. In the past, I've seen it suggested mainly to people who have lost limbs or the use of some facuty central to "who they are," but it can be applied to any loss, and it's this: Find someone whose problems and losses are greater even than your own, and help that person. I know it sounds simplistic, and it takes a shift in your thinking to wrap your head around the idea, but it works. My Aloha, Ned

Eric, I'll bet you're read John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley. Speaking of travelogues, nobody's done it better IMHO. But maybe I'll change my mind after I read yours! You ought to come through Hawaii, then when you're finished here (unless you decide to stay ) you can just keep heading west and return to Scotland through the back door... Ned

Hi, Cathy, welcome to LCSC! You didn't say what island you're on, but if it's Oahu, so am I, in Mililani. My oncologist is Melvin Palalay, and I go to the OnCare clinic in the Bank of Hawaii building next to Pearlridge Center. If you don't want to put specifics in a forum post, you can send me a PM (private message) by clicking the PM button at the bottom of this message. Hope to be hearing from you. Aloha, Ned

That's terrific, Don, and thanks for posting! Have a great 2011. Aloha, Ned

Thanks, Bud, I will. Every life has a few flights above the clouds and a few train wrecks and a whole lot in between. An unfortunate event may be far from funny at the time, but if we can't make light of it later, we've made the rest of our life a lot harder than it needs to be. Aloha, Ned

Bud, now I'm even more impressed! I figured you'd copied it from somewhere too, but then there aren't very many people in the world who have the requisite combination of lung cancer experience, unusual [or supply your own adjective] sense of humor, and technical skill to bring it all together or even come up with the idea. I have a program that's supposed to do a nice job of constructing animated GIFs, but I've never tried it. Do you mind if I post yours at GRACE? Ned

What a neat little graphic, Bud! KW Judy, I hope the Photobucket experts have you on the right track (not the one in the graphic) and we can see those pics! Aloha, Ned

I was going to suggest the same thing MI Judy said. I'm going to be tied up (sort of) for a couple of hours, but I'll try to figure out something later today. Ned

After a rainy end of December we once again have gorgeous weather. The tradewinds are back, so that's cleared away all the volcano pollutants drifting up from the Big Island, and it was a pleasure driving down to Pearl City and back for my Navelbine treatment. Picked up a couple of taco supremes from Taco Bell on the return, which is becoming sort of a ritual. But I can tell it's going to be nap time very soon. So I'd better finish this before I bang my forehead on the keyboard. Aloha, Ned

ALLLRRRRIGHT!!! Ned

Positive vibes headed her way, Judy. Aloha, Ned

Hi, Barbara. There used to be a chat room here, but it might have disappeared after the last software modification. But you can use the forums almost like chat (look at the bottom of your screen to see who else is currently on a particular forum). I was diagnosed IIIB almost 4-1/2 years ago, and still doing okay. Click on the link in my signature area for more than you ever wanted to know. Aloha, Ned

That's terrific, Mike, really happy to hear it! Aloha, Ned

Actually, they're spelled differently. Your version has the second "i" and ours doesn't. And you just gave another example — favourite vs. favorite. This list could be endless! Ned

American spelling does save time, wear and tear on the keyboard, and who knows what else. Let's start a list: snowplough vs. snowplow colour vs. color whilst vs. while tumour vs. tumor (from Mandy's post) I just finished Tony Blair's autobiography, so I know there are plenty more. Contributions, anyone? Ned

Bud, did it come with a rear view mirror, or would that make the ride too scary? Ned

Some great ones there! Ned

Hi, Mandy, welcome, and thanks for the story on your dad. Looking forward to your updates. I just finished Tony Blair's autobiography, A Journey — checked it out electronically from our public library to read on my Sony device. Fascinating and definitely worth reading, regardless of what one may think about some of the controversies surrounding him. Plenty of those British "turns of phrase" that many of us over here find so entertaining. Best wishes and Aloha, Ned

Well then, I won't ruin it for you, so just hoping everyone had a terrific Thanksgiving! Aloha, Ned

Anyone see a resemblance to Bud's new avatar?

Jassen, go for a drive by yourself, roll up the windows and turn on the radio, then scream and curse and yell and say all the stuff you'd never want anyone else to hear. When you get home put on your running shoes and get rid of some of that tension physically. Then spend some time with your dog, or maybe a neighbor's dog if you don't have one. You must must must take care of yourself. Please keep this in mind: Brain radiation can be a real bear for many people, but the brain met is your mom's most immediate challenge, and that needs to be dealt with before the lung cancer can be systemically treated with chemo. And until we see how her cancer responds to chemo, there's no way to tell or even guess what course the disease will take. So I hope you can get that 6-to-12-months nonsense out of your head and instead rely on something like this quote from Dr. Jared Weiss, a lung cancer expert who has frequently posted on GRACE (Global Resource for Advancing Cancer Education - http://cancergrace.org): My best wishes and Aloha, Ned

According to the most recent data I've seen, there is some correlation between the degree of skin rash and the effectiveness of Tarceva, but it's not an ironclad correlation, and there are frequent exceptions. Some people with a horrible rash receive no benefit at all, and others with little or no rash receive significant and long-lasting benefit. The reason for the lubrication and other countermeasures is to reduce the severity of the rash, so success on that front should not be a cause for worry! Aloha, Ned

Hey, Judy, welcome to "my world"! I just got back from Tennessee late Sunday. Glad you survived the 10-hour flight without a spasm. Unfortunately, flying is no longer the pleasurable experience that it used to be, unless one can fork over the dough for first class. An aisle seat is now a MUST for any future flights by this kid! Aloha, Ned

Thanks for the wonderful success story — looking forward to that 7 year anniversary! Aloha, Ned

It was a great trip, perfect weather the entire week. Got home Sunday night, chemo today. Aloha, Ned