Nick C

This must be very tough, I don't have a similar experience, but I have just prayed that there is peace and positivity around this awful situation. And that healing happens, both physically and emotionally.

I am so very sorry.

Alynn, I certainly experienced personality changes with my mom. She got tougher and more insistant. I attributed this to the steroids..as she hadn't started radiation right away. My mother also got very fatigued...but I am still not clear what was the radiation and what was the pneumonia...everything kinda happened at once. But that said, the literature I read said the radiation can be VERY fatiguing!!! And Katie has a point, I get sick, I digress to being like 8!!! Best wishes though for a positive outcome!!

I get it Cathy...haven't hit and event or milestone yet...but I'm sure it's rough. God Bless, Nick

j's girl...I was thinking of the same suggestion!!! I had a buddy in the military years ago who did his wedding and did the reception on his 1 year anniversary...because of the complexities of timing. Teresa, you could throw on your dress, walk the isle, dance your dance, get pics...all that stuff. And then, with Dad, plan the big party. He could very well be there for the party too. And then you get the possibility of the blessing of celebrating not once but twice with Dad. I hope all this works as well as it can for you.

Sounds great...

Aimee, I am so sorry. I'm sure these types of milestones are tough, we're here to listen.

First off I am so sorry. I'm sure after 3 years, this news is tough. Secondly, I understand the sadness that comes with a life event that you now fear may not be shared with your parent. And a lot of people have A LOT to say about it. And sometimes terribly insensitively. Thirdly, I've just prayed that Dad makes your wedding and beyond whatever you decide. I don't really have advice on what to do...we'd all do something different.

That's Awesome!

Hey Congrats!! What a wonderful day I'm sure!

I am so sorry. He is with you and you WILL see him again. God bless you and your family (and especially your little ones).

Pat #1, I ache for you!!! I truly do. #2 Don't scold yourself. THis is hard, you aren't wrong for saying one single thing that your said (wrote). #3 a lot of your other points I get as well in some way shape or form. planning for a future that didn't come. Watching life move but my wheels spin in place. Being lonely (just waiting for that phone to ring!). I so get it. #4 I've just prayed that all other things life is throwing at you right now...work...your son...the season. I've prayed that God is present with you and gives you the strength and help you need at this time.

Oh Dar, so sorry. Have you called hospice? I know they not only are there to assist the patient, but also the families. We never had the opportunity to call in hospice, but we had talked to Mom about it, and she knew it was a good thing. The day we made the call to start the ball rolling was actually within her final 24 hours. So I am not speaking from experience, just what I believe hospice could do for your entire family. Here is an idea though just to boost your mom's spirits...is there a time of year she loves? Something she loves to do. My mom loved thanksgiving (our holiday) I would have "bumped it up" and say we're doing regular thanks giving too, but let's live every day exactly how we'd like. Mom also loved spring, I would have bought some bulbs, planted some winter indoor bulbs so she could do her "springtime thing". Just an idea...again, not personal experience, but if I were face with the challenge, that's what I would have tried. All the best to you. Nick

I'm so sorry. I know it hurts. God bless you, your family, and that new child...

Sarah. I am SO sorry. My mother was diagnosed Sept 5 and left us October 5th. She was 56, my biggest fan, my rock and my buddy. I have struggled with feelings of "nah, can't be, she can't be gone" yet I am not in denial...I know she is. And then I realize, 2 months ago, we thought everything was peachy! We haven't adjusted to any of it yet. You were only beginning to deal with this in july...that isn't a long time at all. I hope these times find you having faith that she is experiencing the greatest joys now, and that you will see her again. I have just prayed for both of us...that we find comfort in this time of loss and for the faith to know that we are only temporarily parted from our mothers.

I'm all for increased funding...but is lung cancer high on the NCI's list of priorities? I'm not poopooing or anything, but thus far in talking with people, I get the idea the NCI and the ACS don't seem to prioritize Lung Cancer at or near the top of the list even though it is the leading killer. Maybe this is a discussion for a different thread...

Yeah, you think those false positives are bad...those false negatives on the x-rays can kill ya.

That's a BRAVE woman!!! It's brave to fight!! And it is brave to welcome the next chapter in our "being". And it is REALLY amazing to show you can do both! Quite a lady! God bless her and you.

As far as "making peace" remember, where we are going there is only peace, there is only love, no sadness or suffering. If she doesn't "make peace" here, I think we all find it there.

This particular scan (as I understand it) is a 20 second scan...low dose radiation spiral CT. Maybe it's cheaper than a full scan. Or maybe the 300 is a study subsidized number. I can write Dr Henschke with the question. I am writing her this weekend anyway.

In fairness to the study and what they said...the CT scan is not in this case for EVERY AMERICAN. The doctors at the conference are saying that the target group is really the ones at risk. 30 pack years of smoking. I now have a "family history", but I would not be someone that this study says to get an annual CT. The kid who smoked in high school and quit, not the person for the scan. The person who smoked two packs a day for 15 years, quit at 35 and is now approaching 50. This person (according to the target group stats) is a person who should get the scan. How many smokers/former smokers with 30 pack years in their life are there? That's who the insurance cos' should pay for (or the tax money on cigarettes, but that is a political discussion for another thread). But I will still go for a CT chest scan (I've never even smoked a ham much less a cigarette) when I turn 45 and again at 50 just because...better safe than sorry.

net admin, I am so sorry. I hope you and your family find all the peace you can at this time of loss.

Awesome. Just awesome. God is so awesome to give us this great gift of eternal life.

I went to the conference for the IELCAP and also have purchased the article in the New England Journal of Madicine. I have also met with Dr. Claudia Henschke. I have heard form people at the Lung Cancer Aliance. I have also heard from those who are saying "not yet" and "wait". Surprisingly, those people were from the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute. I listened to both sides of the arguement with a genuinely open mind say there wasn't one good reason given to wait to be perfectly honest. The Pap Smear was never put through randomized trials, never scrutinized that it might not be the right thing. And consequently, people DON'T DIE of cervical cancer if detected and treated!!!

My e-mail: Thank you for airing the segment on early detection of Lung Cancer. My mother passed away 3 weeks ago today from Lung Cancer. And what frustrated her most was the current tests (x-rays and tumor markers), which she did every year, did not detect her cancer. The CT scan would have. I have met the lead doctor doing this research, Dr. Claudia Henschke. She is a wonderful and bright person who has devoted herself and her work to making detection that WILL save lives the standard test for all those at risk. I would love to see you have her on your program. So many people die each year (approx. 170,000). No one "deserves" lung cancer. Before you know it, you are too sick to be treated. I hope to see several more segments during Novemeber as it is Lung Cancer awareness month. Perhaps you should invite Dr. Henschke to your program for a segment. Best regards, Nicholas T. Cappiello III, CPA Director of Financial Reporting USI Holdings Corporation (P) (914) 749-8566 (F) (610) 537-2492