fillise

Stable is wonderful indeed! Thanks for sharing your news and it is GOOD to hear from you! Susan

Raney Leigh Fleck Raney Leigh (McCullar) Fleck, 31, lost a courageous battle against lung cancer on Thursday, April 10, 2008. She was a wonderful mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend. Raney was born to Jerry and Wanda McCullar on July 4, 1976 in Mesa, Arizona. Raney lived in Mesa her whole life, and married her high school sweet heart, Chris on May 1, 1999. Raney earned her Bachelors Degree at Arizona State University in 1998, and was a Certified Public Accountant for seven years. Shortly after the birth of her oldest son, Raney was able to fulfill her desire of being a stay at home mother for her two boys. Raney was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Frederick Grafe and Lou Eaton, as well as her grandmother, Evelyn Grafe, and her uncles Gary Grafe and Jimmy Grafe. Raney is survived by her husband Chris Fleck; her two sons, Jaren Christopher and Conor Geordan; her parents, Jerry and Wanda McCullar; her sister Riley McCullar-Speltz; her grandmother Beatrice Eaton, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Raney's love of travel allowed her to create lasting memories for her family. She was an amazingly intelligent, witty, and fun person, and everyone that knew Raney appreciated her kind ways, her selflessness, and her thoughtfulness. Raney fought her disease courageously and her legacy will continue to live on through her sons, and in all of our memories. Throughout this battle, Raney never gave up hope, and she was such an inspiration to so many lives. She will be deeply missed, and her memory will live on in our hearts forever. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at Bunker's Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona, 85201, from 6-8 p.m. Services will be Thursday, April 17, 2008, at Sun Valley Church of Christ, 1015 N. Recker Road, Gilbert, Arizona, 85234, at 10 a.m. There is a Memorial Fund in Raney's name set up at Desert Schools Federal Credit Union. Sign the Guest Book at eastvalleytribune.com Published in the East Valley Tribune on 4/15/2008.

Gracie, Between the time my mom had her first scan after starting chemo and when she got the results, she started having blurry vision and lightheadedness. Scared the life out of me (her too). She has ocular migranes (migranes with the aura but without the headance pain). Of course we forgot all about that but after she got the good news from her scan she hasn't experienced another one. So it very well could be exhauston and stress! Susan

Christy, I am so sorry you are having to deal with the anger on top of your grief. Please know that we are here for you. Susan

No. No.No.No.No.No. Damn. Thank you so much for thinking about us and taking the time to let us know that Raney has broken free. I'm trying very hard to think of it that way. I, along with many other people here, came to love Raney and to admire her for her courage and her spirit. Please know that I am keeping you and your children in my prayers with all the love I can muster. She will be remembered with love by everyone she touched here. That's a lot of people. Susan

There is nothing fair about lung cancer--or any kind of cancer for that matter. Let us know how we can help you. Susan

Gracie--My mom went through some significant denial when she was first diagnosed. First she told herself that they didn't know the primary site of her cancer. Then her radiologist showed her the tumor in her lung and then she believed there was something in her lung but thought it could be benign (they did the biopsy on the mets in her spine), then she came to grips with that and a few weeks later saw a note on a chart identifying her as Stage IV. So she absorbed her Dx in very small bits and pieces and if that is the way you or anyone else needs to do it, that is fine. Interestingly, my mom told me that the first time she felt hope after her Dx was when her oncologist told her he couldn't cure her cancer, but he thought he could control it. She told me later that that was the first time she felt like she wasn't under a death sentence. She responded very well to her radiation and chemo and has been stable and off all treatment since May 2 of 2007. She is doing better now than she was this time last year. Focus on the word "treatable" instead of "curable." Susan

Carrie, I'm so sorry for your loss. I knew your mom was a wonderful lady from all of your posts, but thank you for sharing this so that we may better understand how truly special she was. I will keep you in my prayers, Susan

I am so very sorry to hear this. You and your children will be in my thoughts and prayers. Susan

Laurie--my thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so thankful that Bill's last days were peaceful for both of you, and I will pray for comfort and strength for you. Susan

I am so sorry you are going through this now. please know that you and Andy will be in my prayers. Susan

Robbi--I am so very sorry for your loss. Susan

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Susan

Happy birthday and have some fun! Susan

You've gotten some good advice. Talk to people who have used your local hospice services to see which might be right for your family. As for how to spend these next few weeks/months--I've not been there yet, but I hear people over and over again say they want to experience "normal" again. They simply want to live their lives. Maybe that is a gift you could give him in whatever ways it is possible. Susan

Welcome Denise! I offer another story of hope for you. My mom was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer 15 months ago and she is doing very well now. She hasn't had any treatment since May and feels great. She was told at the beginning that she couldn't be cured, but the Dr. felt like he could control her disease. So far he has been right. It is very overwhelming in the beginning, but keep coming here and asking questions and reading profiles. This was the first place many of us found reason to be hopeful after diagnosis. There are many many reason here and each of them (survivors) are happy to share their knowledge. Susan

My dad gets far more relief from the nebulizer than the inhaler for his COPD. It really does help him. I hope it helps Hank too. The nebulizer isn't like carrying oxygen around all the time. You use it a couple of times a day and don't have to carry it with you all the time. Good luck! Susan

Robbi, You and your family are in my prayers. Susan

Kelly--Easter is the promise that you will see your mom and dad again. I'm glad the vigil mass brought you joy. Susan

I'm so sorry to read this. I know your mom will be with you everyday and especially on the day her grandbaby is born. I like Randy's idea of making a memory box for you and for your baby. Susan

I am so very sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences, and this ((((Hug)))). Susan

Gail, it will probably never go back to exactly the way it was before LC, but then all of the events in our lives change us in some way or another. You do develop a new routine that will seem more "routine" for you as time passes and that may help to restore some of the equilibrium you seem to have lost. We wll went through it in the early stages of the diagnosis and treatment. The trick seems to be to find the balance so you can accomodate treatment and the "new normal" but also continue to live your life. Susan

Great news and enjoy your trip to Italy! Can't wait to see your pictures. Susan

Gail, Welcome. Read my mom's profile. She was Dx 14 months ago with a primary in the lung and mets to spine and pelvis. She is doing great now. After radiation and chemo her disease is stable and she has not been on any treatment for 9, almost 10 months. I think you are wise to seek a second opinion. we will be here for you. Susan

Welcome Lisa, I'm so sorry to hear that your mom has been diagnoses with LC, but so glad you have found us. My mom was DX 14 months ago and is doing well. The people on this board have been responsible for the fact that I am still sane(well,mostly)am hopeful about the future with my mom. There are wonderful people here who will answer any question you have or let you vent when needed. We will be here for you. Susan