Debi

I have posted before about the soreness I still have and mirror the others above me. Sometimes I am okay, other times, the pain is always present and it is just something I deal with. I guess the question would be how bad your friend's pain is. I couldn't wear as much as a sports bra for 6 months and then slowly, it started to improve. Are there times when the pain lessens? It could be the numbness is wearing off and she is feeling more pain. I'm assuming she had a bone scan to make sure there are no fractures, etc? Either way, I'm not a doctor, but I don't think a surgeon would recommend removing a rib (of course I could be wrong, I have been before ). Whatever they do, I hope your friend is feeling better soon...

Dawn, I agree with all the above also. One thing I have found after being sick for the first time really in my life, is that the "Doctors know best" approach is a dangerous one. While I certainly do not want to disrespect the medical profession and many of their doctors, there are doctors out there that are ignorant of this disease and what we need as patients. IF something doesn't "feel" right, it usually isn't, no matter what area of your life it is in. If you surf around this site, you will find many topics that will help you with your research for your brother. In addition, I would suggest that you click on "Ask the Experts" up above, tell them what is going on with your brother, and ask THEM for their opinion on the road of treatment your brother's Oncologist has suggested. Good luck and welcome to the board, although of course, we wish you didn't have to be here...

I have nothing really to add Curtis. I just wanted to let you know that I will take time to think of Becky on Monday, and you and Katie as well...

uhhhh Frank?? Didn't you used to be a car salesman? We aren't talking about a true story here are we?

1. How Do You Catch a Unique Rabbit? Unique Up On It. 2. How Do You Catch a Tame Rabbit? Tame Way, Unique Up On It. 3. How Do Crazy People Go Through The Forest? They Take The Psycho Path 4. How Do You Get Holy Water? You Boil The Hell Out Of It. 5. What Do Fish Say When They Hit a Concrete Wall? Dam! 6. What Do Eskimos Get From Sitting On The Ice too Long? Polaroid's 7. What Do You Call a Boomerang That Doesn't work? A Stick 8.. What Do You Call Cheese That Isn't Yours? Nacho Cheese. 9.. What Do You Call Santa's Helpers? Subordinate Clauses. 10. What Do You Call Four Bullfighters In Quicksand? Quattro Sinko.. 11. What Do You Get From a Pampered Cow? Spoiled Milk. 12. What Do You Get When You Cross a Snowman With a Vampire? Frostbite. 13. What Lies At The Bottom Of The Ocean And Twitches? A Nervous Wreck. 14. What's The Difference Between Roast Beef And Pea Soup? Anyone Can Roast Beef. 15. Where Do You Find a Dog With No Legs? Right Where You Left Him. 16. Why Do Gorillas Have Big Nostrils? Because They Have Big Fingers. 17. Why Don't Blind People Like To Sky Dive? Because It Scares The Dog. 18. What Kind Of Coffee Was Served On The Titanic? Sanka. 19. What Is The Difference Between a Harley And a Hoover? The Location Of The Dirt Bag. (no offense to our Harley riders!) 20. Why Did Pilgrims' Pants Always Fall Down? Because They Wore Their Belt Buckle On Their Hat. 21. What's The Difference Between a Bad Golfer And a Bad Skydiver? A Bad Golfer Goes, Whack, Dang! A Bad Skydiver Goes Dang! Whack. 22. How Are a Texas Tornado And a Tennessee Divorce The Same? Somebody's Gonna Lose A Trailer

Sorry I almost missed your birthday... Hope you had a great one!!!

Bruce, Don't get me started on the beach, I almost put that in my original post but spared you. The RY family can travel to the Carolinas from MICHIGAN to go to the ocean, but you still cannot make the 5 hour drive to the beach. THAT is going to be your assignment this year...make the RIGHT hand turn out of the driveway pointed away from Dollywood and drive to the beach so you can actually, for the first time in your LIFE, see the ocean. I will be expecting you to mail me a seashell for proof...

Bruce, What a sincere and gracious post .... You are one of those people that I always check the board to keep an eye on your health, and I am always glad to see that you are doing okay. We had alot of fun in chat, back in the day , with some of those people that are no longer with us. Between Bobmc and his bird, and DavidA cutting up, and us women harassing the men at any opportunity, I would just sit here at my computer laughing. And lets not forget you with friggin Dollywood. I can't help smiling just typing about it all. I'm glad your still here Bruce, we need constants here, even if sometimes we all need a breather. It is comforting to see you around, even if neither one of us really has the heart to chat like we used to, I know your still here. And that helps me sleep a little bit better... Congratulations on your 2 years and I wish you many, many more....

Billy Bob and Luther were talking one afternoon when Billy Bob tells Luther, "Ya know, I reckon I'm 'bout ready for a vacation. Only this year I'm gonna do it a little different! The last few years, I took your advice about where to go. Three years ago you said to go to Hawaii. I went to Hawaii and Earline got pregnant. Then two years ago, you told me to go to the Bahamas, and Earline got pregnant again. Last year you suggested Tahiti and darned if Earline didn't get pregnant again." Luther asks Billy Bob, "So, what you gonna do this year that's different?" Billy Bob says, "This year I'm taking Earline with me."

Tiny, Congrats on the three plus years and thanks for sticking around on the board!! You help to show that there IS life after cancer.....

Frank - Frank - Frank This coming from the man who proclaimed February Children Joke month. Welcome back Frank!

Words Women Use FINE This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up and shut up quick. FIVE MINUTES If she is getting dressed, this is half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just graciously been given 5 more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house. NOTHING This is the calm before the storm. This means "something" and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with "nothing" usually end in "fine". GO AHEAD This is a dare, not permission, WHATEVER it is, DON'T DO IT! LOUD SIGH Although not actually a word, the loud sigh is often misunderstood by men. A "loud sigh" means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you over "nothing". THAT'S OKAY This is one of the most dangerous statements that woman can make to a man. "That's Okay" means that she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake. THANKS This is the least used of all words in the female vocabulary. If a woman is thanking you do not question it, just say you're welcome and back out of the room slowly.

Frank, Well, for crying out loud, its about time you got back ! Just take your sweet time and leave us all sitting around here waiting for you.... Missed you and glad you're back with us Frank!

Yeah John, I actually was looking for something funny It took me 3 times to realize that I had already read the punch line.

GRRRRROOOOOAAAAANNNNN I had to read that 3 times before I finally "got" it. I'm with you Ry, I never would have thought that Frank actually raises the bar here, but go figure!

Jen, Thinking of you and your mom and sending out positive thoughts....

Thanks everyone for your kindness as always.. I got my MRI results back on my leg. There is fluid that has collected between the tissues separating my bone and my muscle in my lower leg, but the Specialist is sure it is not connected at all to cancer. Its something he wants me to take an antiflammatory for and to keep my leg wrapped for awhile to compress the tissue. Anyway, I was glad someTHING showed up so I know its not in my damn head. I told this doctor that I feel like a friggin hypochondriac and he replied that with my history, I NEED to be a hypochondriac. I feel better now ....

Kevin, Its always so good to hear good news!!! Sorry you had to go through what you did to be able to get the good news and share it with us.... What a relief, huh?

Bet, I am so sorry that you are feeling so poorly. My thoughts will be there with you girlfriend until you start doing your happy dance again (even a short one!) Bunches of good wishes going out to you Bet..

I feel like I need to post something, but can't think of anything to say. I just know I'm not going to rest well until Frank comes back home, both to his house and the board...

Jesus Frank.... I can't believe all this is going on with you... Lissen..if you want me to drive on up there and help you and Connie slap any of those doctors around, you let me know, okay? In the meantime, do what you need to do to get better and for crying out loud, keep us posted. And listen to Ry and CALL her if we need to know anything. PLEASE!!! I'm not worried about you Frank, I KNOW you will be okay...

Well, I haven't posted enough the last month or so but I have been busy at work and then have had "stuff" to take care of. I had a bone scan due to various pains I have been having and the bone scan came back negative (WOOOO HOOOOO). Now I am waiting for the results of an MRI on my left leg, I have been having soreness & swelling forever in my left shin, to the left of the bone that runs down the front of your leg. I also have been having an ongoing problem with a pain under my right breast since surgery and it seems to be increasing. About once a month or so, if I bend over a certain way, there is a sharp pain under my breast, almost like a pinching that lasts about 10 seconds and then slowly goes away. It almost feels like something actually is "rolling" back into place..sometimes I could swear I hear a "pop". The pain is like a charlie horse in your diaghram, it takes your breath away and there is nothing you can do but wait for it to stop. The last month, it has been happening more, and not just when I bend down. Several people had mentioned gall bladder but when I went to my doctor, he said that he didn't think so. He pressed against my ribs/ribcage and in one area, on my side, I almost jumped off the table in pain. He seems to think that I may have a nerve twisted around my ribs and that since I am becoming less and less numb, am feeling the results of my nerve damage more. He gave me a shot of both a steroid and an anti-inflammatory and it actually has worked, I went from having this "popping" daily to not at all, the last week. Anyway, I guess I will go with the "nerve damage" theory unless I hear otherwise. I thought I would throw this out there and see if anyone else in the "new normal" has had this sensation (I know of one other person, didn't know if there were more). All said and done, I never forget that I am "lucky" that this all that I have to worry about ... My gratitude that I am "okay", even if for just today, is overwhelming sometimes these days...

Okay, they were all funny, but I think the Vincent Price one is my favorite..

Well..I haven't been on that much but I must have missed a whole lot more than I thought I did.. Sorry to hear about John's mom..is she staying with you? I am glad that John's doc says the bleeding is okay, and that it has stopped. That has got to be one of the scarier things! I hope things will right themselves soon and both John and his mom will be on the upswing.. and I hope that you are doing okay.