Nick C

Well, most of the time, when someone introduces themselves here, I tell them sorry they ended up here...but for you posting now two years later...well to you I say welcome and job well done. Congrats on posting here.

I'm sorry my friend. May the trip to Spain be a safe one and bring you some sense of peace.

Pat, Another milestone...prayers for you on these rough days.

Oh no Rochelle, I too am sorry this didn't turn out a different way. You won't forget her voice. I went to therapy today, and my therapist said you memory is more solid than you think. He told me some studies where children of imagrants would sing lulabys to their children and then think of the native language of their mother. That's because they are remembering being sung to... In otherwords, you memory is more airtight than you think especially when triggered by certain other senses. My prayers are with you and your brothers. And again, I am so sorry.

I had a curtain installed come to the house Tuesday. I could smell he was a smoker. I sat and worked from home while he installed the curtains, and debated do I say something about Mom...about CT screening studies. How do I say it and not be a preacher...Mom hated being preached to. I decided he was someone I'd never see again, but perhaps God made my windows an odd size so that I would need custom curtains...and brought me to that store, and made a chain of human event happen so that this installer would now be someone who I could help. So I gave him a twenty and I write down on a piece of paper the IELCAP website (which has good detection/cessation articles). And I said, "Listen, I am just sharing this website with you. My mom just passed away of lung cancer and was very big on taking care of herself and being preventative. If you are into your health just check out this website. I'm not judging or preaching, I just wouldn't feel right if I didn't share. Merry Christmas." We had chatted quite a bit while he installed the curtains. Two kids a wife, and a nice person. Is this a way to change lives? Am I out of line? Should I do this and take risks more?

Ditto.

Wishing her a very happy happy. Salute!

Hey Chris, None of us know how Christmas will be this year. I too have one of mom's mini suitcases, and that is where I add cards and other notes I receive. I have not reviewed the contents since I did all the thank yous. I think you not knowing how you feel is OK too. It takes time to process all the emotions, and they just keep coming.

Janet, Peace be with you this holiday season. I'm so sorry.

Bill you certainly continue to show your way with words.

I like that idea...a special candle. I think I'm going to steal that. Merry Christmas to you.

Joanie, Thanks for the update. You have been and will be in my prayers. Merry (whatever form that takes on this year) Christmas.

Hey Sarah, Lovely memories. I too remember the beaches in CT as a child... Thanks for reminding me.

Sarah, you have been in my prayers tonight. I hear you about those dreams.

HOLY COW!!! These cookbooks are amazing!!! I just got my order of 3 and will have to count up how many people would use and buy for them too. An amazing gift! Are there any Volume I's left? I'm a completist...

Things are confusing for kids. I remember going through my baby book at 4, seeing my birth certificate and asking if those were my adoption papers (I'm not adopted, I must have heard the term on TV or something and thought everyone had adoption papers). Don't be upset, let him work these thoughts through. He'll piece it all together properly at some point.

Mitchell, I want to skip to the bottom of your intro, should you prepare for the worst. Honestly, NO!!! Not at all!! I have had discussions where I have frankly told people to brace for the worst because of this disease(right here at work as a matter of fact) so I pull NO punches. So Trust me when I say I am not just being a cheerleader, your Mom should have great hope for survival. This is NOT brace for the worst time. I'm glad to hear there will be some follow up with the onc to do some chemo to head any possibility of spread off at the pass. It's nice to hear of your tight relationship with Mom. My mother was by far MY rock. I did, according to her, flip roles with her after diagnosis. There has been no greater honor in my life than being that for her. I know you are pissed off and upset at this turn of events, but stay positive, there is a lot of reason to be. God bless, my friend. Be positive.

I know for me, just knowing people knew was helpful. Maybe just a card. And a phone call to follow up a few weeks later.?

Jamie, wow. Happy anniversary

Christy, awesome. Hey, 98% is awesome. When I passed the CPA my scores would certainly not instill the same confidence as a 98%!!

It seems all those so called "stresses" are actually the joys that everyone else has mis-labled. Oh the stress of shopping...oh to have that "stress" for just one more Christmas to find Mom the perfect gift and have her open it in front of me. The stress of having to fit in all the family obligations...oh to have that "stress" of arriving at Mom's and her having my stocking filled because santa had been there (even at 31 Y/O). The stress of cooking and groceries...yes that terrible "stress" of sharing a meal with my wonderful mother. The stress of cards...ah yes, the "stress" to send everyone a greeting, because all is well and just wanted to say hi. I'd love to be able to just write Merry Christmas to all I know because that's all that is on my mind. The stress of another party...ah the "stress" of actually being in a mood where partying seems appropriate. I wouldn't mind a bit of that stess.

This is really awesome news. So happy to read this. Enjoy your holidays.

Stephanie, I'm sorry for the diagnosis. I know what it is like to have a future full of images which include a parent. And the day diagnosis happens, it's like those pictures of the future burn up. I was lucky enough to have my mother at my wedding, but I'll never see her hold a grandchild. And it hurts like hell. I cried every day for hours when mom was still here. I don't care if they"say" you aren't supposed to grieve the living. You just do. So don't beat yourself about that. Cancer is a negative thing, so if you find it hard to be positive, it's understandable. Don't beat yourself up about it. Mom knew I was sad. Mom also knew I was ready to sping into any action she wanted me to spring into. I cried so much the day she decided her course of treatment. It wasn't being negative...it was justbeing sad. Don't confuse the two. Sad, yes you are. Devastated. Of course. But you can still be positive. So when you feel bad, identify it with sad, not negative.

Take the time to do whatever you feel is right! I'm so sorry. I pray you begin to feel more peace as the days go by.

I;m sorry. I would haver them try to change that protocol for the comfort of others. And in doing so, maybe you'll feel better that you made a difference for others. So sorry.