Nick C

Larry, I'm definitely "less fun" and "more serious" these days. I've actually been called out by a coworker one day. "It's so much more quiet around here, somedays I don't even know you are here". No kidding Sherlock Holmes. I'm a changed man. I don't think my changes are the same as yours, but there have been changes. I equate my increased seriousness and heightened sensativity to the feelings of others to the fact that I'm no longer a child (my mother is gone) and I have now seen we're mortal and here for a relatively short time. Oh, and I'm 32...so it's not age.

An interesting article was posted here about the carcinogens from stir frying foods. I'm not being stereotypical, just stating an experience. I had an asian friend I would help with taxes. Every time I went there, her mom was in the kitchen stir frying EVERYTHING. The house smelled fryed. Could it be the ethnic cooking is contributing to these patient's condition. Maybe a little informal inquisition of these patients?

Kathleen, I hope you are finding some OK days in the midst of all of this. I understand the what ifs. But the way I put those to bed...and it doesn't mean one day they won't get back out of bed and slap me around a bit...but today I've put those to bed by saying the cancer did it...it wasn't the doctors, the technology, the er tech, me, God...it was the cancer. If certain circumstances would have played out differently might we have had more time? Sure. Less? Possibly. We received the time we received. Every moment we got was a blessing. I hope you feel and work through your what ifs, but don't feel pain over them. It's not what our loved ones wished for us.

I'd just ask the doctor how success will differ when you do treatment later rather than earlier. It was my impression when Mom was diagnosed that they really wanted to start right away. That said, she didn't, she started when she was ready. Just want you to make an informed decision. And the impact on success is a question worth asking. All the best to you!

Hi Gerald, Welcome and really hoping the second opinion is helpful!

Paulette, I had not seen your posts before. I'm so sorry for all you are dealing with and you'll be in my prayers.

Seems like a lot going on here. It may not hurt to reach out to another doctor as well. This way you have a lot of opinions/views and then plenty of people familiar with the situation which you can turn to. I'll pray for you and your husband.

MRI definitely for brain in my experience with Mom. And definitely go see another doc/hospital. A different doctor may have a thought. I'm sorry you had occassion to find the site, but since you did, welcome.

VERY COOL!

Julie, So sorry about your mom. You had some special times it sounds. Hold onto those memories. Again, I am so sorry.

That's very good news!

I have absolutely no words. I'm just so sorry.

Also, just be concious that it could run down your immunity too. So if you feel more than just fatigue, don't hesitate to go to the Doctor.

We can't afford to ever get weary in bringing this issue to the forefront! Nicely done!

I'm veryu sorry about your dad. And only here at the LCSC can brain surgery yield such a happy response. But it is truly a blessing that there was no cancer in what was removed! That truly is wonderful.

Mom didn't run the full course unfortunately, but it did make her very tired after about 3-4 treatments. That's all I can offer, wish I had more. Best of luck to you.

Thank you for the update. I'm sure this is very confusing and frustrating. Try to have faith.

Ellie, this really breaks my heart...I was really rooting for you and your sister. My deepest condolences.

My mom was not a candidate for Gamma Knife as she had multiple brain mets. So I would think you mom's is less than that, which I would think less is good. When I was researching, it seemed as though GZamma knife had less side effects and less colateral damage. As far as the ASAP thing, I think the general feeling on this is the earlier the treatment, the better the results?? Again, not medical, and you are certainly entitled to ask the dr all these things, it's just what I recall about it. I'll pray it goes well.

That sounds like an awesome idea!!!!

I watched this surgery. Truly amazing. The shame is has to be done early stage. I challenged the doctor I spoke to who performs these surgeries to encourage CT scans at his hospital so that he'd be able to do more of these surgeries.

I'm so sorry. Time still finds us missing our loved ones, your memories you've written here are a really nice tribute.

That is SO great that you said that about the quilt. A girl I work with mentioned they did that with her Grandfather's shirts. Keri is going to take mom's sewing machine, learn to quilt, and do that with all her "comfy" stuff. Her suits will go to Dress for success...she never liked dressing up for work. Thanks for the affirmation on the quilt idea. We're running with it.

Kim, This saddens me SO much. I can't imagine. But I know you can gain comfort knowing they are together eternally. Experiencing great love together. God bless you.

Thanks everyone. You all brought up a few points I had never thought of. #1, my kids might actually get a kick one day out of my stuff...my report card, a picture I drew. And #2 I really should just wait...I don't know what exactly came over me... ZThanks ya'll. I don't know what I'd do without this place to sound off when sad.