Debi

Welcome back Francine!!! Glad to see you are doing better! We have missed you!!!

Umm David??? Don't quit your day job!!!!

Hebbie, If you are going crazy, then perhaps we need to start a crazy club because I'm sure this board is full of potential members. In another post, Gina mentioned how she hasn't started her 401k plan back up, and neither have I. I hate my job but don't want to leave because I don't want to lose the life insurance for my children. A friend of mine just told me yesterday that I need to get my hair cut.. I realize I haven't had it cut since the surgery because I live in fear that my test will come back positive and I will lose it from chemo. I'm not sure if I want to hold on to all the hair I can or if I just don't want to waste the money. I keep telling myself after the next negative scan, I will get it cut. My class reunion is in July...I need to pay for the ticket by the end of March, I am waiting till AFTER my tests to send the money off. Every pain or ache I have, strikes a chord of fear in me. However, all that said, I am getting better...in small steps. For awhile, after surgery, I wouldn't even buy new clothes for myself...I didn't want to waste the money or maybe I was just superstitious. I now buy myself stuff and actually have fun doing it ( I am healed! ) I'm making plans to leave my job, hopefully in the fall. Our lives have been turned upside down and its going to take longer than a year to put it to rest. Just satisfy yourself with baby steps Hebbie, and look at how far you have come. The rest will fall into place for all of us one day! Or at least, that's what they tell me!

Becky, Okay, that's wierd even by our standards. I couldn't stop.... something about actually being able to control a man's movements was odd..... yet so calming......

Gina, Congratulations on your year Gina..you were one of the first people to respond to me when I came here... and I appreciated it. I am not quite at the place where you are right now...but I don't think that I am too far behind. Recently it ocurred to me, I have been waiting for a time to start my life again, for someone to tell me that I was okay, that things would be okay. Problem is, I am okay now...i have been standing here looking forward to some magical place, when meanwhile, I am actually there right now. Who knew?? I am trying to learn how to live again and have at least learned how to sleep through the night, most nights. I keep trying NOT to get complacent because I feel like that is the time this is going to sneak up and grab me. I want to be prepared for it but the truth be told, if I worry every night about it, I still could never be prepared. I am beginning to make plans for the future again and am taking my life off of hold so to speak, slowly but surely. After my tests in 2 weeks, I will probably be a bit stronger and better prepared at going forward. Right now I'm at the superstitious part...not wanting to jinx myself so I'm kind of in a holding pattern! Wishing you lots of luck and glad that you are doing well.....

What a great topic Jen and some great ideas... How about shock value, to promote early detection... Lung Cancer- its only a breath away I like the Cancer Sucks ones also (call me crazy ) and really anything that denotes a Lung Cancer Survivor. I think that its important to get the word out that there are actually people alive that have this disease. As crazy as it sounds, I never knew that!!!

Or to sum it all up Dave.... Batter up!!!!

Okay Becky, we have hit a new low. I actually couldn't stop doing it.

Tiny, You weren't supposed to do THAT!!!! You will be missed. I hope that you are not in too much pain. I've always said that we were intended to be skiers, we would have longer feet. Hope it all works out the best way possible for you!!!!

NEW STUDY JUST OUT A study conducted by UCLA's Department of Psychiatry has revealed that the kind of male face a woman finds attractive can differ depending on where she is in her menstrual cycle. For instance, if she is ovulating, she tends to be attracted to men with rugged and masculine features. However, if she is menstruating or menopausal, she is more prone to be attracted to a man with scissors lodged in his temple and a bat jammed up his a** while he is on fire.

Hi Allison... What to expect post surgery... First of all, don't be upset right after the surgery...your husband will have all sorts of things hooked up to him. My daughter told me also that I looked like a prizefighter, my eyes were swollen shut and my face was all swollen up from the anesthesia. So as far as your concerned, just try to expect it and know that it is normal. Every day after my surgery I felt a little better. By the second day out I was demanding real food instead of tea and jello and all that crap! I was operated on a Monday, and by Thursday my catheter, epidural and chest tubes were removed. I went home on Saturday. Everyone is different of course. Buy your husband lots of pillows because I had about 8 pillows on my bed so that I was comfortable. About 2 weeks after the surgery, I could go to the grocery store but I built up a sweat doing so. I went back to work about 10 weeks after the surgery...some people have gone back before 10 weeks, others it has taken longer. Recovery is uncomfortable but it is doable. I, for one, am the world's biggest crybaby and I did it! I now go for scans every 3 months and so far, all is well. I am back to operating normally...the only thing that bothers me is that if I talk alot, I get breathless. Otherwise, I am up and running around work like a crazy person as normal and doing everything I did before. I still have numbness in my diaghram area which is caused by the incision (it causes nerve damage) but its a small price to pay. Hope I have addressed your concerns Allison. It sucks having cancer and it is a big shock. You sound like you are doing the right things and have already discovered that you and your husband have to be the advocates for his health care. Take it one step at a time and keep coming here to ask your questions!!! Good luck to both of you...

Francine, I haven't been on the board much lately, but not a day goes by when I don't think of you. I am sorry that you are feeling so poorly and hope that you start feeling better soon. Just try to get those liquids down, we don't want a repeat of your last adventure! Take care of yourself Francine and feel better soon, okay??

But the big question is ... Fay, would you hug his dog????

David, How awesome!! Thought about you this morning and wondered how it went. I am really happy for you...and SO glad to see your post in the Good News section!!!'' You go with your big bad self!!!!

Norme, I can't add anything different than all those above me have said... I am so sorry that you have lost Buddy, that we all have lost Buddy and I hope that knowing how many people here care about you will help to ease your pain, if just a little bit. Wish I could be there for you......

Eileen, Happy 39 days smoke free!!!! It is SO hard to do, especially when you are living your every day life!! You go girlfriend!!!

Wow Becky...one year.... that's definitely a milestone!! Congratulations to you and to all the other February survivors..

One of your better ones David!!!

David, You took the words RIGHT out of my mouth!!! Welcome Kim

Those are so funny, and I don't think I've ever heard them before!! Thanks for making me laugh Lisa!!!

Not sure if this has been posted here or not before, so forgive if it has... PET DIARIES UNCOVERED AS SEEN IN A DOG'S DIARY: 8am - Oh Boy! Dog Food! My Favorite! 9am - Oh Boy! A car ride! My Favorite! 10am - Oh Boy! A walk! My Favorite! 11am - Oh Boy! A car ride! My Favorite! Noon - Oh Boy! The kids! My Favorite! 1pm - Oh Boy! The yard! My Favorite! 3pm - Oh Boy! The kids! My Favorite! 4pm - Oh Boy! Dog food! My Favorite! 5pm - Oh Boy! Mom! My Favorite! 7pm - Oh Boy! Playing Ball! My Favorite! 9pm - Oh boy! Sleeping in master's bed! My Favorite! AS SEEN IN A CAT'S DIARY: Day 183 of my captivity... My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another house plant. Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded - must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair I must try this on their bed. Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body in an attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was. Hmmmm, not working according to plan. There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the food. More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage. I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and may be snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird on the other hand has got to be an informant, and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room, his safety is assured. but I can wait, it is only a matter of time...

Dammit David!!! I wasted my time doing the whole thing!! Don't you have better things to do like make fun of Dave's dog?

David, I know I'm a little late but I had to join the group. Please keep us updated on everything. I think about you all the time, even when I am not on the Message board. Lots of love and hugs (and chickens ) heading up to Michigan!!

A story with a moral....... A woman and a man were involved in a car accident; a bad one. Both of their cars were totally demolished but amazingly neither of them were hurt. After they crawled out of their cars, the woman said; "So you're a man. That's interesting. I'm a woman. Wow, just look at our cars! There's nothing left, but we're unhurt. This must be a sign from God that we should meet and be friends, have sex and live together for the rest of our days." Flattered, the man replied; "Oh yes, I agree with you completely!" "This must be a sign from God!" The woman continued, "and look at this, here's another miracle. My car is completely demolished but this bottle of wine didn't break. Surely God wants us to drink this wine and celebrate our good fortune." Then she handed the bottle to the man. The man nodded in agreement opened it, drank half the bottle and then handed it back to the woman. The woman took the bottle, put the cap back on, and handed it back to the man. The man asked; "Aren't you having any?" The woman replied; "No. I think I'll just wait for the police." MORAL OF THE STORY: Women are clever. Don't mess with them.

Judy, If I'm not mistaken, the Cancer Treatment Center of America is located there, which is where I had my surgery. Let me know if that is the one and same. Feel free to PM, post or email me your specific concerns, and I will be glad to answer any questions you may have.