Debi

Thank you Maryann, for visiting and seeing my post. Just a clarification - I post in Early Stage because out of all the forums on the board, this is my home. Not just because I am a moderator here, but because this is where I feel the most comfortable expressing myself. There was a time years ago when people who were early stagers would stop in for awhile and then leave for good. At one point, traffic here virtually stopped. As a result, when there were changes made, the early stage forum was omitted from the board. Katie and Rick brought it back (a million thanks!), and Gail and I became the moderators. Because of this, as a moderator, and an early stage survivor, I (and others) realize the importance of keeping the forum active. And so when I have my anniversaries, this is where I choose to celebrate them. I know that this forum is important to those people that have early stage concerns- it is a place where they can voice them with no apologies. It also is somewhere you can go when you're fearful, and don't necessarily want to go to other parts of the board. And just like all the other forums on the board, it is also a place that needs hope. So basically, although I have posted on other forums on this board, for the most part this is where you will find me, knock on wood. I appreciate your visit and your wishes as always.

Marie, She is a doll!

I used to go to garage sales all the time, back in the day until I realized I would buy just to buy. I don't look for them now, but if I happen to drive by one, I sometimes stop for old times' sake. My latest addiction is Craigslist - I have gotten a great area rug that matches my living room set exactly for next to nothing and a solid oak entertainment center for my son's room with drawers, glass doors and sliding doors to hide the TV for $60.00.

Thanks for all the well wishes!!!! Just to clear my life up for those who are as confused as I am where I am - I'm actually finally relocating to Ohio after 7 months of living here temporarily (my 'stuff' is finally coming up from Oklahoma next week and I'm moving out of this stupid corporate apartment -yee haw!). The corporate headquarters for my job is on Long Island, so I'll be going to NY twice a year for conferences. Its a 9 hour drive from where I am in Ohio and I drove it this last time because there were major flight problems. Btw, I am driving next month to NY again - this time to see my mom (I grew up in NY) so I will actually have some free time for a change, to visit people. Again, thanks for the replies, as always.

School's Out - Alice Cooper

Congrats Carol on your 2 years!!!!!!!!!

Ain't no Sunshine - Bill Withers

This is so wierd because I just had a situation today where I went to shake someone's hand and they just stood there. SO I guess I will have to say that I'm first. However, I also think that not many people expect a woman to offer her hand for a handshake because the above has happened several times lately. Either that or the chipped nail polish scares them off...

Andrea, I had just signed on to browse quick before I went to bed and ended up mesmerized by your 78 pictures of the wee ones. They are so beautiful and it is so great seeing you and your family happy. I'm so glad to see your world so bright. Congratulations!

Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

WOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Mike!!!!

Muriel, What great news that is- Congrats on being port-less!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Barb, I saw this post a few days ago and was going to reply but didn't. I was going through one of my days where I want to light up a cigarette, and actually enjoy walking through a group of smokers and smelling the cigarette smoke. I know that sounds crazy, after all I and others have been through, but its true. I know cigarette smoke is a horrible smell and certainly not good for me to breathe, but the addiction is that strong, even 4 years after I quit. I can relate to you talking about your brother. My sister, who is 7 years younger than me, still struggles with smoking. She is one of thoes people who has quit for years, only to pick it up again, more than once. Two years ago, she flew up from Florida to help me with my Lung Cancer Awareness booth at the local arts & crafts fair, because she really wanted to do something for me. Of course every hour she had to go out in the parking lot and smoke- I told her for crissakes Lisa, make sure you walk behind the damn trees. She is my sister and I love her, and I loved that she recognized my attempts at advocacy and wanted to help too. So of course I accept the total package of her, even though I wanted to kill her for smoking at the lung cancer event. Of course, in some macabre way, it was sort of humourous and I'm sort of chuckling right now as I remember feeling like I was in some dysfunctional family sitcom. Hopefully, those that know me understand that I am able to find humour in just about anything, and irony is just about my favorite thing.. Sometimes I get frustrated Barb at her, at people at work, at my friends.. but I think its alot easier for me to separate the smoker from the person since I used to smoke too. I imagine if I were in your shoes, I would feel differently. I went to a comedy club in Manhatten recently with about 25 co-workers and watched while almost 1/2 of them had to go outside several times during the act to smoke. Gosh, I don't miss THAT and how it runs your life. And you know, all of them know my history and that hasn't yet made anyone quit, so I keep my comments to myself unless I'm really having a bad day. The one thing I have found smokers listen to is talking about the need for early detection, and I hope that maybe I can make a difference in someone's life by continuing to speak about that. Apparently I can't make them quit!

The 4th anniversary from my surgery, when my cancer was removed, was last Saturday. I was driving back from a business trip in NY (don't ask, damn planes) and remembered at about noon what day it was. That alone is a miracle - I actually FORGOT that it was my anniversary. Is that cool or what?? Anyway, it had been a long week and I was bummed that I had plane issues and had to drive to NY and back. But sometimes things happen for a reason. I had forgotten how beautiful Pennsylvania was and the green of the mountains and the blue of the sky was just awesome. Along the way, I thought about all my friends lost from here and somehow made peace with their loss through the miles. Every song on the radio sounded like it was a soundtrack picked out for the drive. It was one of those days that was just so pretty that you feel that if you go to sleep and don't wake up it will be okay, because you had that one day where you were able to slow down and notice life. So my flight being cancelled earlier in the week and my 8 hour nightmare in the airport actually became my anniversary gift. I accepted an offer for the job up here (finally!)so am permanently relocating. I have to go to a new doctor the end of July for my 6 month check up. But in the meantime, I feel good and hope that the cancer will continue to dim in my memory. Last year I got a tattoo for my 3rd anniversary, this year I got a chihuahua. That alone is growth, I actually got something that I plan on staying alive to take care of-the first 2 years I wouldnt even buy a plant. I was tempted to buy a house, but rented instead.- I'm not quite there. I'm thinking I'll save buying the house for my 5th anniversary...

Gail, I'll never forget Bobmc who was on here when I had my surgery. He had a picture of him and his family on a rope bridge in the rainforest or somewhere and it was taken like 2 weeks after his surgery. Talk about feeling like a failure - I couldn't even navigate Walmart at 2 weeks- at 3 weeks I tried and ended up panting and feeling like I was going to faint at the cash register. So don't rush yourself, take your time healing. I went back to work at 9 weeks, and I probably could have stayed out longer. I always tell everyone that I didn't feel like myself until a year was over. Not that I couldn't work, and couldn't do all I needed to but I would get winded easily. I stopped taking my painkillers after I was home a week or two since my pain was bearable. Everyone is different - take everyone's opinion and then do what you need to do for you. If your pain is bad at night, take a pill before bed and Tylenol during the day. Hope you keep posting, and don't be so hard on yourself. You are exactly where you are supposed to be in your recovery!

Just a comment- if your dad was feeling loopy- that would probably be the reason why he was laughing and smiling all day. I have to tell you, when I was recovering, I wasn't laughing too often... Your dad had major surgery. Your title of the post is "Dad having tough time recovering from surgery" but I didn't really see that. It looks like he is recovering pretty well - his pain is bearable etc. Major surgery isn't recovered from in a few weeks. You are supposed to feel tired and run down. Masking that by being high from pain pills isn't really doing anything but making everyone else feel better. Sounds like your dad is doing the right thing and that he is getting good care. And if he doesn't want to take the pain pills, sounds great to me, particularly if he doesn't react well to drugs. Welcome to the board and please keep posting!

A big WOOO HOOO to you Bill!!! SO glad to hear!!!

Don, While I understand your leaving, I have mixed feelings about it. We have had to say goodbye to so many, it hurts to have to say goodbye to someone that I didn't know was going. I wish you luck in your new endeavor and I'm going to email you when I reach 2000 posts dang it, and you're coming on here to announce it.

My sympathies Missy - you fought beside her each step of the way. I'm sorry for your pain.

Awesome Cindi!!!! You ready for a tattoo yet? Congrats on the clean scan!!!

Kelly, I saw this tonight and am totally shocked, I didn't know. I'm so sorry to hear that your mom is gone. She fought hard against this disease and I know that her family's support and love was what made her fight so hard. I'm glad to have met her and her quiet strength will be remembered. My sympathies to you and your family.

Dana, I am so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. My sympathies to you and your family-

Val, she's beautiful. Congratulations!

Pam, I know it's easy to have the bad feelings but look at it this way - if your doctor was really worried, he would have sent you for some tests rather than wait till June. I'm sure everything will be fine when he runs it again, or maybe its just elevated for no reason.. Thinking of you!

Congrats Carol!!! What a great milestone!