laban

Nice crappie Bud!! This is so funny. I wanted to post on the Air today (very early)and it wasn't up yet for Monday so I thought I'd better not start it as I'm not a regular poster. I went on about my day. I've been outside cleaning my car for my big trip to Wisconsin on Thursday. I've decided to become a SunBird (reverse SnoBird I think) and leave Florida for August and September because it's too hot. Well, I just came in to check to see who started the Air today and thanks to Bud I can now join in. No big news here. It's hot and humid (not as hot as Texas though) with showers expected later. I enjoy all your posts on the Air and other topics. I love all the humor and honesty. Eric's trip has been an absolute joy to watch, Bud I certainly envy your fishing excursions as Bill and I used to fish alot. KW Judy....I think of you often and miss not seeing you again. I'm missing traveling in our RV. MI Judy.....I feel like I know you. Somehow we need to meet one day. And all you other good folks, I'm just happy to be part of the family. Even though it's been over 3 years since Bill is gone, I still feel that I need to be a part of you all. Enjoy the day

What a wonderful post to wake up to Judy. You deserve a break and looks like prayers were answered. I believe very strongly in prayer and thank God daily for all the blessings in life. Glad to hear too that you have new nausea meds and that they're working. Hope your storms are over and your TV is back on. Maybe you can put your feet up today and enjoy life without that worry hanging over your head. God Bless

Thank you for this wonderful tour Eric. Love the photos

Great pictures in Boston. Looks like some of the fish were posing for you. Thanks for sharing.

Judy, I'm so sorry your 4th celebration turned sour. Sometimes those closest to us are the ones who hurt us the most. Often without even realizing it. It's simply called being taken for granted. I sometimes feel that I got mad at Bill for his "complaining" and if I could go back and change things I'd do it in a minute. I hope today brings you a better lung day. Happy 4th......you're a valiant soldier in my eyes.

My husband had limited SCLC. He had PCI which is preventative WBR and other than losing his hair, had little side effects other than more tired than usual.

Wonderful news. Thanks for the good report. God is so good.

Thank you for sharing those words with us. I can relate to much of what you said and wish I could put things on paper like you. You and your husband are very brave people. I know it's a long and difficult battle at times and that trusting in God is sometimes our only relief. Looking forward to the "14 years and counting" story too. God bless you both

Kasey and Fred So elated to hear this news. Hope your mammogram was just discomfort and nothing serious. Let us know.

I understand. Bill hated sitting and waiting. Someone would tell him he'll be seen in a minute and taking that literally should have meant a minute. He couldn't understand why his time wasn't as important as the doctors and nurses that saw him. Very frustrating for the patient and the caregivers. Sorry, that sentence just brought back some old, crappy memories.

Good Morning, Judy, the tornados were from Oklahoma to Virginia. It was awful watching the actual storms on CNN. My only wish is that there will be blessings, someday, from these tragedies. I hate to say this (for you Judy in MI) but it's warm, breezy and sunny here right now. My gardenias are in full bloom and the yard smells yummy. I also had a magnolia bloom this week. Spring came up very quickly this year and we're already into summer temperatures. To all, have a very blessed day.

This story was in the Orlando Sentinel this morning. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os- ... 8367.story

Ronnie, You're stronger than you know. People live and people die. This is just how it goes. You and Pat had something very special and you were blessed because of that. Live for the good memories. God be with you.

Thank you Kasey and Judy. I still get on the site almost daily but think I am too much of a realist to post about past experiences. I don't want to be negative. Bill was a different kind of guy. Very matter of fact. From the time he was told "you have a cloudy area on your lung" April 6, to the biopsy, April 13, he new what to expect. He was on the computer day and night reading everything he could about lung cancer. Not a pretty site. He pretty much felt that if they told him he had SCLC that wasn't good. He researched and researched and just didn't see what he wanted to see and that of course, was hope. He never got on this site, maybe if he would have he would have seen that not everyone with SCLC dies. He expected to die within 2 years and that's what he did. Bill was always a planner and he planned his last two years exactly the way he wanted to, until he couldn't any more. As sad as it was to see it all take place in our daily lives, I'll always have the utmost respect for him for doing it all the way he wanted to. He didn't complain, he just took care of business and his goodbyes. Mostly he made sure that I was going to be strong and left with nothing but wonderful memories of US. My faith has gotten so much stronger since he's gone. I'm very involved in my church and family and this is exactly where I'm supposed to be. Oh yes and I'm still traveling when I can. I have a 2 week trip to Seattle and an Alaskan cruise in June and in August I'm driving back up to Wisconsin for about 6 weeks. I think they call that "sun bird" instead of the "snow birds" who flock to Florida in the winter. Life is good and I am blessed. Kasey, I'm still in Orlando. Judy, my wonderful cruise planner lives in Michigan.

I really don't think this should be in grieving because I'm really no longer grieving. I have many, many memories of our life together. Bill's 2 years journey from diagnosis to his death is included in those memories but only vaguely. It's really amazing that, like labor pains, I don't remember so much of that time. What I do remember is all the good times. Our first meeting, the instant attraction, the giddiness of love at first sight, all the "I love you" mentioned so often, all the adventures we were on in our short almost 20 years together, the traveling in our RV, fishing/lobstering in the Keys, scalloping in the Gulf, the airboat rides on the river, our Karaoke business and the fun we had doing that. I can't tell you how very blessed we were and I am to still have all of the memories. We were very close, best friends. I've said this before and I'll always know that I am who I am today because of having Bill in my life. I will always love you Bill.

I always love to see your posts. Happy you found this site but not happy for the reason. Cancer still stinks!

Bill and I were in working in Lake Tahoe in the winter/spring of 2006. It was wonderful. We came home in March, he was diagnosed with SCLC in April and passed in April 2008. Springs are sad times and happy times for me. Very bittersweet but the memories are what carry me through life. God is so good bringing us the beauty of spring.

Ronnie, After Bill died I relished sad movies just so I could cry. I really felt that crying got rid of so much sadness and hurt and the frustration of the new life without your loved one. Crying is so very healthy. It's coming up on 3 years since Bill is gone and the crying has diminished. I pray that the day will come when you are smiling more at the wonderful memories with Pat. God bless you and good luck in your new work status.

That is awesome news. Thanks for coming back and telling us.

....just and added note. Bill had a twin brother whose name is Thom and spelled like your Thom. You don't see that spelling often. I found that interesting.

Oh Kasey and Fred, I'm so sorry. All I can offer are prayers.....

Jean, It will be three years on April 3rd. When Bill was diagnosed he immediately went into the "make sure Laurie will be OK mode." He was the strongest man I've ever known. He was diagnosed with SCLC and believed with everything he had that his two year diagnosis was what he was given and was all he was going to get. He was thankful for time to take care of business, saying goodbyes his way and just for the time given. He wrote a poem about 6 months before he died and called it: SOME PEOPLE NEVER GET THE CHANCE TO EVER SAY GOODBYE. My nephew has since put music to it and recorded it. It's a bittersweet memory that I will treasure always. The reason I mentioned all of this is the reason I am who I am today. I have become a very strong, determined and happy woman. I truly believe it's because I know that's how Bill wanted me to be. When he was alive, we did everything together. We played, traveled, cooked, entertained and just spent all of our time with each other. I miss those days very much but my life is so busy now I barely have time to worry about being lonely. I literally don't have time. I am very active in my church and volunteer two days a week. I have been remodeling our home and that takes so much planning and creating. It's fun and it keeps me young. I also travel whenever the funds allow. My faith plays a huge part of who I am today too. Without God in my life I'm not sure where I would be or even who I would be. I know I'll see Bill again and he's promised to wait for me. I wish with everything I have, that all of you who have lost their soul mates could be as happy as I am. God bless you Jean and I pray you'll soon find that life will be ok.

Great news, thank you so much for checking in. God bless you and your family.

Prayers said Judy. May Dottie and her family have the strength and courage to get through this surgery with minimal discomfort and great faith.

Don't have much to say about Florida weather other than it's HOT. I'm thinking about KW Judy today. It's scan day. Lot's of prayers and fingers crossed for good results.