Nick C

Oh Lily...what a tough day for sure. My thoughts are with you.

Kim, send it to ntc31974@yahoo.com...I'll get it up here in 24 hours (and I'll shrink it).

Randy's reply is MONEY!!! I prefer splitting wood to eggs, but you get the point...healthy outlet. Michelle, you take it easy on yourself. You are doing great.

I am so sorry about your mom. It sounds like you took good care of her and that you loved her very much. We'll certainly be here.

I second Katie...beautiful that you see the blessing...so sorry for the sadness you are feeling.

This just sucks...just someone yoou expected would be around here always...

What an interesting look back.

This might seem wierd, but does he have a computer? It is a great wway to connect with a broader range of folks. And I know whhen I felt lonely without my mom, it felt good to connect with folks here. It isn't a proxy for real life relationships, but it is SOMETHING that might help him not be dependent on the wrong real liffe relationship. There is also the singles scene on line...yes that has its...issues...potentially, but its a possibility. I get the 700 people town thing, but what more "bustling" area is within driving distance? Look there for events, groups, a big church... I don't know...just brain storming.

Val, Times like thiss really drudge up the other stuff we've been through. I get that. I hope everything works out OK.

I have to give you a lot of credit!!!! You are doing great. I know it doesn't feel like it, but, you went out...you prepping for thanksgiving, you are getting the helpp you need right noww. Michelle, you are doing great, I think we're all proud of you!! Keep hanging in...

I do remember. You are looking for survivors, which I am not, but I am happpy to help iin anyway...feel free to message me.

Susan, can you point me at where you heard that this is a China and Russia populatin!?!?! That must make a huge difference.

Val...I wish you could be celebrating 5 years of survival as well.

I have been a big detection of lung cancer advocate. Many of the studies our fundation has funded has been in the area of detection (we contributed to a detection study Lungevity was doing last year). Whether it will be CT, sputum, blood marker...I don't really care which one ends up working. But if it can be proven that Lung Cancer can be detected early, then more surgeries will happen...more surgeries more survivors yadda yadda. However with the recent news of decreasing detection efforts for breast cancer, I'm extremely troubled. My mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the age of 45...she never had a recurrence because she caught it so early. That's 5 years before this panel recommendation says start mamograms...and then only every two years?!?!?! Seriously? I think we all hate all kinds of cancers, but for the first time I saw a real need for solidarity...what happens to one will effect the other. A rising tide raises all ships...the pap smear was at one time not standard, the mamogram was at one time not standard, the colonoscopy, the PSA test on and on...one day our ship will rise with these other cancers and we will have detection...not soon enough...but in time we will...as long as these accomplishments aren't sunk. If mamograms are made less relevant...the argument to make Lung Cancer screening relevant will become a much harder fight. I have written a friend at Lung Cancer Alliance and noted we need a statement from them about this. I am also writing our contact at I-ELCAP to encourage a press release from them as well. We need to contact all of our respectuive LC orgs which we have close ties to and get them to speak out for the cause of breast cancer screenings, one because it has saved lives (what would I have done without those 10 extra years I got with my mom?!?!?!) and it will help our cause.

Lily, I went in and fixed, but I see Ned did as well (once I made an img limk)... These are great pics.

Michelle, I'm usually not an advice person. But you asked. And I am incredibly understanding about grief and the need for time etc...but I am going to tell you what I think you are looking to hear. You CAN pick the phone up and you CAN go to dinner. It may be unpleasant...it may actually be pleasant. But you can. You can see a cousellor...maybe it is anotheer pill...but maybe it will turn out to be something more than that...you don't know. You have been through the worst...and so I think you are currently expecting the worst. I get it...but what is the worst thing that happens? There were things I couldn't imagine DOING when I lost mom...but I did them. Folks here may remember, how could I do Thanksgiving without my mom? Well I did it...tears a plenty...but I did. Christmas...ugh, that was bruttal...but I pushed through it to proved I could. And how many times did I type here that I didn't know how I would be a parent without my mom around...but I did that too. Not because I am strong ... but because what else was I going to do? Michelle, what else are you gonna do? Take the call...make an appt...go to the store...the apples won't judge you...you CAN do it. And the beautiful thing Michelle, maybe the experiencce of doing won't be pleasant...but you'll know we'll listen...and we'll understand.

I was pleased to see "most likely treatable" I hope so.

This was very sweet, very touching.

Gail, you did what you could and your heart was in the right place...the problem is cancer puts all of us in a place that is unpredictible and doesn't allow us to have outcomes we want. I am very sorry, but please don't be hard on yourself.

This is a stock I own, and when I read this come across my screen, I think my eyes popped out of my head like a cartoon. I just don't normally see LUNG CANCER so prominently referenced.

Sheri, you certainly did everything One could expect...you were faced with a complicated situation. I hope everything went well today and I am very sorry for your loss.

Karen, I am so sorry. I am sad to read this but amazed at the fighter your mom was.

I will always feel it was an honor to be my mother's caregiver. I came into this world completely in her care, she left the world under mine. I wouldn't have had it any other way. A very neat thought Lily.

That's extremely cool. Isn't it?

Oh gosh...this made me so sad.