bware21

Oh yeah ... good luck to everyone and STAY STRONG !!

I had intended to write a substantial piece about why it's important to think before posting, but I've decided against it for three reasons. First and foremost, I don't think it'll do any good -- if I did then I would. Secondly, my wife has conviced me that more information is better than no information, even if the data is suspect. And lastly, but no less important, I'm presently not in the right frame of mind to write anything worthwhile. But here's the joke -- you would think I'm not in the best of mental health because things aren't going well. Fact is, my treatment couldn't be going better, and we've had nothing but good news thus far. So why the mood? Well, it was sparked by something that was rather lazily copied and pasted on this Web site from another source. Now, that in itself didn't bring me down -- it was what I searched for in response to the posting that did it for me. All I would suggest (and this is already longer than I wanted), is for people to THINK when they're dumping information here, and to never forget who may end up reading it. That's all. Bill

Lilly, You're certainly not invisible to me. If my earlier response was somewhat curt it was simply because I'm getting just a little tired of seeing posts that are of no help to anyone except to the person posting -- to gratify their need to dump information on the rest of us. Let's face it, we're all capable of finding this stuff out for ourselves. But back to you. Keep up the fight and take care not to allow silly tid-bits of redundant information to compromise your strength. Personally, I'm done with the *information* machine. You CAN beat this. Bill

You'll need a mature news service to do that, not a tabloid, which is all CNN is. Bill

What did you expect? It's not a perfect world -- I thought you knew that. Bill

Snowflake -- I love it !!! Just make sure you're not crossing the road when that beer truck makes its appearance -- remember, at 98 your eyesight and hearing won't be what it was (at least that's what the *statistics* say). When I was much younger I was employed by a company in London on a temporary 6 week basis. My job was to sort through about 100,000 polls -- returns from customers of petrol (gas). The company I worked for were charging 50,000 British pounds (a lot of money back in the 70's) to a particular oil company for the information that we gathered. At the end of my assignment I presented the results to my manager. In a nutshell, I was told that the statistics were useless because the oil company would not be happy with the results (guess the customers didn't like their petrol or something). Anyway, the results were finally sold to the oil company ... but the data that was sold bore no resemblence to the data I came up with. Heck of a business, huh? I mean, why bother employing an analyst when you can just make the stuff up? Bill

RandyW, I forgot to mention, it wasn't you And I do appreciate your understanding of what I'm trying to say. I'm certainly not advocating the omission of information -- it's critical that people remain informed. But sometimes, lurking within an article, there may be opinions that are better left unsaid. Bill

Not an attack on anyone specifically -- just a suggestion. I could provide a good example but that would merely put the very thing I'm talking about right in the face of those who I know have no desire to read it. The emotional battle is as hard, if not harder, than the physical one ... and possibly a lot more important. Thanks for everyone's understanding. And for those that don't understand ... you will eventually. Bill

While I'm sure everyone appreciates information about new and/or experimental treatments, may I suggest that rather than simply cutting and pasting articles on the message board some thought goes into the process. In other words, please take the time to thoroughly read the article and remove any references within it that are clearly not helpful to the reader. Keep the salient technical points, by all means, but use common sense when it comes to the commentary. It isn't rocket science, and I hope you can understand why I posted this. Happy Days Bill

Hey Barbara, Sometimes you've just gotta crash out and take some time for yourself ... but don't allow those negative emotions to get the better of you. Heck, I just read the latest post in the SCLC section that some nitwit just posted -- and trust me, if you've got SCLC it's not a great read. The fact is, Barbara, the biggest battle with all of this is the battle that rages in the mind. It doesn't matter if you've got SCLC, NSCLC, Stage I, Stage IV or Stage MCXIX -- the emotional battle is nonetheless brutal. But isn't that what makes you special? I mean, you've already shown that you're a survivor ... and you'll jolly well continue to survive because that's who you are. I send a beam of brilliant light your way. Bill

Also Kim, You should provide some details about your Dad's condition. This will enable the people on this site to help you. Bill

Kim, The best advice I can give you is to be strong for him and your mother, and to understand and BELIEVE that cancer is not a harbinger of death. In other words, shake off the popular belief and show your parents that there is indeed an action plan you guys can take to ensure that your Dad gets the most appropriate treatment that will lead to his recovery. Finding this board is a great start. Bill

Family is too important to ignore. Bill

Hmmm, looks from people? Now where have I seen those looks before I could comment but rather I'll defer back to Oscar Wilde who had this to say about personal choice: "There are moments when one has to choose between living one's life, fully, entirely, completely -- or dragging out some false, shallow, degrading existence that the world in its hypocrisy demands." The next time the urge to have a cigarette comes upon you (which I suspect is every hour or so), go outside and look up. Find a cloud, take a deep breath, then imagine yourself in that cloud looking down. Who do you see? Now smile. Bill

Mary Colleen, I'm ashamed to say that there hasn't been much effort on my part -- just a lot of broken promises to myself. But never say never. Bill

Well Barbara, Luckily I'm the only one in my immediate family that smokes. My children have never smoked and my sister -- who happens to be named Barbara -- quit years ago. So it's just me, which is a blessing as far as I'm concerned. My desire to quit doesn't come from a fear of cancer -- a bit late in the day for that -- but it would be nice to get rid of this demon of mine before I die. Stick with the fight and you'll win for sure, but only after you've won will you fully reap the rewards. In the meantime just accept the fact that it's going to be a hard struggle. You know you can do it ... SO DO IT !!! And your sister's fight can also be won. Bill

Hey "Bobby," I've been smoking for 41 years. Now, although I was told that the type of cancer I have is "normally not associated with smoking" I'm pretty darn sure that it is. However, I stand by my argument that smoking has become an obvious scapegoat for the oil companies and all other entities that are responsible for polluting the environment. For example, here in Los Angeles it is hard to ignore the health effects of so many tailpipes pumping out noxious gases. I would be very interested to see the results of a comparative study between urban/rural living and lung cancer. But that aside, I do think smoking is a major factor -- how could it not be? Anyway, from your posts I see that you're at that critical point -- the first 48 hours. All you've got to remember is that once those initial 48 hours have passed it only gets easier. I'll check back and see how you're doing. I do think it's very important that you do this for yourself and not as a panic response to your sister's condition. Although I wouldn't know, I can imagine that a life without cigarettes is much more enjoyable than a life with them. It is an insidious habit that not only rots the body but eats away at the mind and spirit. I'm still struggling with my battle to quit and I can fully appreciate what you're going through at the moment. Try to hang in there. It's worth it. My best wishes to you and your sister. Bill

Barb, Me thinks you deserve a break !!! Nice to see that you had the strength to battle through all that. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I expect to see the reward of success for all that you've endured. Bill

Val, Not only did you see your daughter marry (unless she called it off ) but you'll get to see your grandchildren too !!!!!!!! Quite the battle you had and congratulations to you for maintaining your strength throughout this ordeal. You *will* the war. Bill

Cindy, Your profile is an inspiration to me. Have a wonderful 2007 and keep up the good work. Bill

Hey Rob, It's not your responsibility to figure out how people would react to you passing on information (like this site). Just share what you know and they'll take it from there (or not, as the case may be). Better to make a "mistake" than to do nothing.

I have to agree with Peggy -- some just find it harder than others. But try not to judge them. Instead, understand that they are dealing with things in their own way. It's just so damn hard on everyone. Kudos to you for stepping up to the plate, and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Bill

Terry, Good luck with your treatment -- it will be successful. We'll be praying for you on this end. Bill

Hey Lilly, You *WILL* be celebrating next Christmas and many more to come. The war against cancer is tough on every level but each battle is a separate battle and each one can be won. Stay strong ... and BELIEVE Bill

Any good news you get ... MILK IT FOR ALL IT'S WORTH