Nick C

Such an incredible story. Really amazing.

Hang in there Sue.

So sad to read your situation. He was too young, it is so understandable that you are grieving still. I am so sorry. I hope you have days where the feeling of the weight on your shoulders is less.

There is one Vaccine that is being developed at the U of Miami by by Dr. Eckhard Podack...is this the one? This vaccine utilizes lung tumor cell secretions that facilitate the generation of killer cells. Specfically this is a NSCLC treatment. Our foundation has helped fund this research through the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy.

Some of you might remember the story of mom's morning glory. That same neighbor, whose son mom loved like a grandchild, wrote me an e-mail a couple of years back. I was just cleaning out my e-mail and came across it and it brought tears to my eyes: It was great to see you, Nick. After you left, I realized I forgot to tell you about something. About a month ago, Johnny and I both had similar dreams about your mom within days of each other. I didn’t tell him about mine so when he told me about his in great detail, it made me feel so happy. In both, she showed us where she was, in a beautiful, sunny, warm, grassy place with blue skies and birds chirping. In my dream, she pointed to the scene and said, you see? And that was it. In Johnny’s she showed him the same thing and then went on to take him bowling and play games with him. I know she was telling us she is ok. Of course, she was smiling and happy. I hope this brings you some comfort. It did to us.

The business of our loved ones dying seems out of place considering how the emotion of loss seems primary, but you will deal with it..you have to...you won't like it....and you'll be pissed you aren't just being left to grieve. I had read a book called grieving the death of a mother...obviously pertinent to my situation and not so much to yours...but there was a story of a sister who while at the funeral got a call thhat the othehr sister was at the house cleaning out her mothers belongings. I think there have been other such stories here where family hasn't acted QUITE like anyone thought or hoped they would. You aren't alone, but I also know that doesn't make this any easier either. I'm really sorry family doesn't rally like you would hope at times like this...I'm also sorry that there isn't a grace period before the phone starts ringing for business reasons, but we'll be here to understand...because we have all in little ways taken at least a step or two in your shoes. Hang in there.

Maybe it's an opportunity to remind the folks at AOL next month that they did a good thing running this story...now here is their chance to repeat the good thing and run a story on a couple fighting lung cancer.

Michelle, first, I am sorry. Second, please tell us more about your wonderful husband. No one here knew my mom...but I feel like a lot of folks here now know her and it makes me feel good that they do. Third...cancer is a &*^%. And if you want to throw out the stuff that makes you think of it do so. And don't ever look at yourself to blame for what cancer took from you... We'll be here...your husband did good...so did you.

I've read that this can happen a couple of months later and then maybe impprove after that...at least that is what I recall reading.

I am so sorry. The "lonley" comment struck me. When I feel lonely without my mom, I found that doing what she loved to...in mom's case garden...I feel close to her. It's hard to explain. It just makes me feel a little less alone. The hurt doesn't go away...I don't imagine it will, but you will reestablish the order in your life...I can't explain how it happens...it just does.

I had anxiety too...you have a little track record, so that is good...you'll get that bump at the end. Hope it goes well.

Church bulletins? For my golf event last year that got me 5 golfers. This year only one...but for me, I consider it a healing ministry annd so the churches are happy put the info in the bulletin. Also, remember...who says you have to compete of "be big" Just be great and even if you raise $10...YOU WERE obedient to the call... Also, fliers just don't cut it...I never get a single golfer from fliers...it's working the phones...tapping your network. I don't have a lot of details about your planning, your history in doing this etc. But last year I was scrambling and it was my first...I LEARNED what to do different...when to start things etc. Learn, know you are doing good...and good is good. Good luck

Patti, I'm very sorry to hear this this morninjg. I am sorry for you and for her family. Prayers for all of you today.

The Randy Cappiello Foundation 2nd annual golf tourney...and the total is Drum roll please Looks like $12,500 raised for research...Half will go to Lungevity. I think it was worth it. Happy birthday Mom.

Thank you for sharing every word you did. I am sorry for your loss.

Kristi, I am so sorry for you and your family. We'll be here.

Lori, I know... There are so many days when all I want is my mom. You aren't "officially a mess"> We only get one mom and she is our universe and the one who gives us life as children and continue for many to be central to our lives as long as we have them. Who can blame us for continuing to grieve.

I see the latest...I would recommend a second opinion...totally diff doc, if possible at a different facility. Also, CAT scans are typically WAY better indicators than an x=ray, and if she got a cat, I would have that image sent over to a new doc and have him/her take a look. Finally, breathing, although sometimes an indication of Lung Cancer, can be a whole host of other things too. And LC often is there with no breathing problems. But one step at a time, see if you can have those CAT results shipped to another doc and go from there. GL.

I'll bet Kasey is 150% right.

Lilyjohn, I love it! We have to accept with both joy and pain.

I understand. I needed more time and conversation with mom than I get. We did talk about her dying...and I did in her last minutes tell her she did a good job and she could go...I'd be OK. But I still needed more. WE ALL have something we could feel guilt or regret over. But remember, you didn't put your mom or you or your family in the situation...the cancer did...and it is a no win situation.

Patti B...I will grill my pineapple...its so tasty!!! and I will do that with a piece of chicken and a salad of kale in the food processor combined with some rasins sunflower seeds lemon juice sea salt and olive oil...better than you'd think. Calintay...I started right after easter...so about 5 1/2 months? So its been slow. But it's supposed to be. But it is definitely not a diet. This is the eating now...had a burger at a cook out on Sunday, but when there is free bagels at work...I don't bite..If i'm gonna take in the calories, thier going to be REALLY good. The way to make it work is to find tasty veggie recipes. Look up vegtetable giambotta for example (it's a rachael ray recipe) I had it tonight. It's delish! Oh and Patti, if you are coming off the decadron, I'm sure your appetite will normalize (you're super hungry right?) and i'm also guessing yo might be retaining a little fluid, and that will go away too...so you won't have to go to the extremes of Kale.

I'm not dieting, this has been a change for health purposes. The weightloss is a byproduct. It's actually been easier than I thought. 5 meals a day at least (sometime 6) 5 servings of fruits and veg a day (and expanding into veg I never thought I'd eat like kale). 3 servings of whole grains (and avoid refined as much as possible) no more than 2 servings of red meat per week No more than 1 serving of processed meat (ham bacon pepperoni) per week. No more than 7 drinks a week. (I usually shake out around 6) No empty calories (soda out, high cal starbucks out) If I want Chinese or pizza, its OK, I do it...but I don't eat like it is my last meal. I can have one slice and a salad (not half the pie like I used to)...or one entre and one app split with Keri...not the whole thing myself. Night time, I drink tea...keeps me from binging for some reason. Finally, I am trying to stay away from anything from the middle of the grocery store...especially anything in a box...(excpt whole wheat pasta). And I do 20 min cardio and 20 minutes weights 4-5 times a week. (and I mow my lawn and garden, so that helps too). That's it. When you eat all the fruit veg and whole grains...there isn't much room for other stuff...I find without all the red meats and white bread I don't crave as much cheese either...weird.

Some things hit close to home...who is to judge? And we connect with images and events and music...it makes sense. BTW, Mary Travers lived in the next town over from me.

I seem to have misplaced 40 lbs.