Nick C

#1 congrats...sounds great! #2 why continue to treat? My understanding, you never know when there is a rogue cell or two running around, so you throw the kitchen sink at it to get those too.

Thank you for sharing the good news, I needed some tonight!

Nice spicy!!! Glad to hear it!

Wow, Thank you all. First for openning up some real hard hitting feelings and histories you guys have. I'm sure for some typing those messages may have been very hard. And second just for making me feel more normal. I'm sorry others have these thoughts and events that have led to these thoughts, but thank you so much for saying so. And third just a general thank you to everyone here. When something gets stuck in my head or I'm just down I know you are a few key strokes away.

In grieving have you found your own mortality scaring the beegeezees out of you? I'm actually somedays more accepting of this part of life, however, I feel like my death is actually looming over me like a shadow. My mom was young, so now I am thinking I will be too. I had a dream that when mom went I wouldn't be far behind. I don't think I am jinxed...I know this whole topic is on my mind, so doesn't surprise me I'd dream about it. But does anyone else (in particular the childer of those we've lost) feel like they are far more mortal?

You are exhibiting such grace and caring and understanding from where I am sitting. Don't get me wrong, I don't feel as though anyone is doing ANYTHING wrong, but I know it must be so difficult. I just think you couldn't be a better daughter than you are being.

It is my sense that there are dozens, maybe hundreds here that felt blessed by knowing Darrell. If only all of us could touch so many lives. I'm very sorry for your loss.

My mother never had a single "lung" related symptom. If you are or feel you are at risk, tell you Doctor. He will send you for a chest x-ray which is standard stuff and covered by insurance. A low dose spiral CT scan however will show more. 85% of the time x-rays do not detect the cancer if it is there.The spiral ct does 85+ percent of the time. CT scan will be out of pocket and there is more radiation than an x-ray and there is the chance because it is more sensative than an x-ray it could see something that may not be a problem, and then you have to watch it. What they call the "false positive." Discuss all this with your doc, see what he/she thinks. And any questions, keep coming here...we all have different experiences to share.

Karen I will pray for you. I am so SO sorry. Numbness is normal. Don't rush any of the feelings. It's a lot to go through. Know that we are here.

Don't PO the nurses too much...Hang in there pal. Can all those IVs be mobile so you can achieve a compromise? Sorry, just don't know?!?

Welcome, It is encouraging to hear the care is so good in Poland. All the best to both your mom and dad and you.

And he didn't get to meet his first grandchild. This breaks me up!

Very good!!!

Very good!!!

Beth, It's so wonderful you have found strength in our Lord. I'm sorry any of this has happened. But thank you for showing us that there is strength to move forward.

Shauna, That's not feeling sorry for yourself, you have a full plate. Praying for you and your Dad.

Prayers going up for you tonight buddy.

Kim first I am SO Sorry. Is hospice involved at all? Can you get them involved? They will not only help mom but will help you. Don't feel like hospice is giving up, it's just a step to ensure the proper people are familiar with her situation for when there are crisises like you've had. And there are some very nice hospice facilities. God bless.

That was such a beautiful account. Thank you for sharing. I'm sorry you have lost your mom, and I am sorry for the rest of your family.

Very sorry to hear this. Not fair.

Hope, What an interesting and ellusive term in my life which has been smacking me in the face for the last week or so. First week of advent you light the Hope candle. What was hope for my mother who took the road less traveled to a certain extent? Hope was to her not having to worry about pain before she was in any. Hope was knowing she could live her life as she wanted tomorrow. And when tomorrow didn't allow that, she'd be comfortable. Don't get me wrong, Hope was also Thanksgiving, Christmas and Mother's Day. It pains me that she didn't get it, but she lived thinking she would. And I am so grateful for that. So she had hope. It's me who struggles with the concept today. But she had it.

Our doc encouraged second opinions for us to feel we comfortable. SO ask the doctor, if we want to consult someone for a second opinion, just for our peace of mind, who would you recommend? He may be able to point you to someone who is not far. Best of luck with all of this.

I think a trip is a fine way to honor that this holiday season is different. I've already booked a roadtrip for mother's day.

I am so sorry for this diagnosis. It's never too late to get a second opinion, as a different doc may have a thought on a treatment that may help him feel better that the other doc hasn't thought of. Doctors are human, they don't all know or think of the same things. I pray for comfort for your dad and the rest of the family.

Vent all you want. Praying for understanding finding its way to you by those around you.