Nova

"(4) If you're a caregiver to a lung cancer patient and you smoke around them, you might as well stop the caregiving, buy a gun and shoot them because you're killing them". Whoa! Hang on a second ......... I was going to keep my opinion to myself about this thread, BUT, let's put it all on the table in an honest fashion, although it apparently isn't a very popular topic. When my husband was given the diagnosis of small cell lung cancer, he was, at that moment, handed a death sentence. Yes, there are people that survive for quite some time. Most don't, as hard as that is to accept. To say that if my husband was exposed to cigarette smoke by other's, (which he wasn't, but he kept smoking himself), that I should just get a gun and shoot him, is a little much, don't you think? I don't think most caregiver's appreciate that thought...... We spend 24 hours a day, doing the best we can, for those we love. You can't sterilize the entire world. As Welthy stated, you would have to avoid food, water, air, the contaminated soil that we walk on, the chemicals in the furniture we sit on, etc., etc. When I smoke, I do it outside, away from everyone. I'm not rude, nor am I selfish to the feelings of others. Am I harming my body?- probably. Just like the person that eats too many donuts, drinks too much alcohol, abuses drugs, or has a nasty disposition. <(Stroke and heart attack potential). From the time we, as newborns, take our first breath, we're on the road to dying. Blaming this, that and the other thing, is useless. Saying that someone who has lung cancer should be shot by their caregiver, because they might possibly be exposed to more toxins, is too much. Should we keep them from getting chemo because it's toxic? Oh well, I'm done. Just wanted to state the fact that I don't think Harry would have appreciated me using him as target practice with our shotgun, regardless of whether someone was smoking near him or not.

Holding your hand, long distance. Email me any time, if there's anything at all I can do for you. Love, Nova

It's sweet of you to be able to do that for your mom. A lady likes her hair "just right". God Bless you and your family. Isn't it nice to have people bringing in food? They did the same for us. It all tasted like sawdust to me, and I'll never look at ham in the same way, but the kindness that everyone showed to us, made me cry. Don't be surprised if you feel dis-connected for a while -- like it's not real. I'm still suffering from that myself, and from what I've been told, it's normal. -- Your brain's way of protecting your heart. Please know I'm thinking of you. Love, Nova

I'm so very sorry. I know you were a wonderful daughter to her.. She was blessed . (And I'm sure she knew that). Praying that the Lord will watch over you and your family. Nova

Thank you all, so much. I appreciate your kind words, thoughts and prayers. All of the "out of town" company left today, so it's gotten quiet here. Don't know that I care for quiet. Harry's service turned out nice. The 2 songs fit perfectly. He wanted "My Wish", by Rascal Flatts, played as a dedication to Jacob. He also loved "When I get where I'm going", by Brad Paisley (sp?), with Dolly Parton. Both very pretty songs. I miss him so much. Thanks again, Nova

Harry passed away at 1:05 Am, Saturday. He had been taken to the Hospice Care Center a few hours before, due to difficulty breathing. Thank you for the support you've given to me for the past year and a half. I appreciate you all. Nova

I'm sorry.... I haven't had much time to be on the computer lately, but I've thought about you guys often. Thanks for asking about us. Harry continues to worsen. He can't walk for more then a few steps at a time now, without having to sit down. He can't get up unless I help him. He sleeps about 23 out of 24 hours. He was confused today, and kept repeating what I was telling him to do. (When I handed him his medication, he would say "Do you want me to take this"?, etc.) He weighs about 130 pounds now. I hate to post , because I don't want to drag everyone down into the pits with me, and I sure don't have anything good to report any more. Harry has fought this cancer like a trooper, but he's not winning the battle. I appreciate the prayers and good thoughts. I'll try to check in more often. I do worry about you all. Love, Nova

I just said a prayer for your dad, and hope his tinkering with mowers continues for many, many more years. Take care, Nova

Been thiniking about you often. Praying for the healing time to pass quickly. Take care, Nova

Best wishes for you, and lot's of prayers being said . Love, Nova

We'll miss you Grandpa Bill. Laurie, you're an inspiration. Lord be with you, Love, Nova

I'm so sorry for you, but understand it , as I feel the same. I try to have faith and hope, but the "human" me flops around with the whole thing, because of anger, sadness, feeling scared, and like Debi said, giving up control. Take one minute at a time if you have to. The Lord knows what is in your heart, and I'm sure he honors the fact that you're still praying to him. I've finally come to the conclusion, that what is going to be, is going to be, no matter how much faith I have or how much of it I lack. Doesn't mean I'm giving up, because I'll never do that, as long as Harry wants to keep trying to get well. I'm sorry. Cancer is horrible for all involved. Take care, Nova

I'm glad you have your license for another 4 years. Sometime's mistakes turn into blessings! Thankful today for friends that make me smile.

I'm so very sorry. Nova

Here's the Guestbook for Liz, in case anyone wants to sign it. Might mean something to her family. http://www.legacy.com/SPTimes/GB/Guestb ... =103241787

I've never posted here, except to try and make someone else feel better, which I'm not very good at doing. When I found out this morning, about Liz, I wanted to throw myself on the floor, kicking and screaming at how completely and totally unfair her passing away is. It's just NOT right. She was so unselfish. She was fun. I didn't ever talk to her when she wasn't trying to be upbeat. She took time out of her day to go visit my husband when he was sick. She invited us to lunch. She was looking forward to the picnic we were planning. WHY HER???? Why not some "bad" person? Lord knows there are plenty of them to choose from. I don't get it, and it makes me very angry. I can't think of her without my eyes welling up with tears. It's so unfair.

Elizabeth L. "Liz" Leone LEONE, Elizabeth L. "Liz" 47, of St. Petersburg, died Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, at Hospice House Woodside, Pinellas Park. She was born in Philadelphia, PA, and was raised in South Jersey. She pursued her career as a construction engineer in California, Utah, and Florida. She moved to the St. Petersburg area in 2006. She was a member of First Alliance Church, where she came to the Lord with a very strong faith. She enjoyed rollerblade hockey and coached several young teams with great success. She was a very active pool player where she had many friends in Florida. She is survived by 1 daughter, Reanna R. Houde; 1 son, David E. Houde, both of St. Petersburg; her parents, William J. and Betty S. Obst, of Rotonda West, FL; 1 brother, Bill Obst, of Memphis, TN; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was predeceased by her grandparents, Teresa and Fred Obst, and Rudy and Rosemary Szewczak. She was supported during her illness by her family, church members, numerous friends, St. Anthony's Hospital, and Hospice for which she was so appreciative. A memorial service at First Alliance Church will be announced in the near future. The family requests memorials to First Alliance Church 5000-10 St. N. St. Petersburg, FL 33703 or Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd. Clearwater, FL 33760 in lieu of flowers. Online memorial and guestbook at: www.gunterfuneralhome.com. E. Dale Gunter Funeral Home St. Petersburg/727-528-2880

She was my friend. From the minute I first spoke with her on the phone, we were friends. God Bless her family. I miss you Liz.

Jackie, I love today's quote. Mark Twain, (aka Samuel Clemmon's), is my G-G-G+ cousin somewhere in my ancestory, so he's always been a favorite of mine. Today I'm grateful for a couple of very special ladies that I met here on the Board. They've shown me that they are true friends.

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to YOU, Happ-pee Birrrrrrth-day, Dear Jaaaack-ie, HAPPY BiRRRRRth-dayyyy to YOU-ewwwww, And many mooooooore" I hope you have the very best day ever. Love, Nova

Thank you Jackie. I appreciate you.

Thank you all for posting your thoughts and beliefs. I guess I'm just going over a speed bump right now. It's an old habit with me, that when I see anything beautiful, (beautiful to me anyway), that I automatically say; "Thank you for sharing that with me, Lord"! Like Laurie, the things that sometimes take my breath away, are the wild birds at the feeder, the big cranes that come to steal fish out of my pond, a mushroom in the yard that makes me think that Fairies absolutely have to live under it, , an unexpected hug from one of my grandbabie's, etc. There are so many GOOD things. I just have to keep reminding myself of that. Thank you, everyone. Nova

I find myself saying little prayers all day long. Sometimes just "one liners", or when a person pops into my head, I ask the Lord to watch over them, things like that. When Harry first got dx'd, I prayed he would be cured. When that didn't happen, I prayed for more time. Then I prayed he wouldn't be so sick from the chemo, then I prayed that whatever chemo he was on at the time, would at least "contain" the cancer to one area, etc., etc. Then I started getting frustrated, and started praying for more of my prayers to be answered! I've often wondered what the best prayer is?.... I hate to say "Lord, Your Will be Done", because if it's his will to take Harry away from me for some unknown reason,I'll be darned if I'm going to pray that! Nope, nope, and absolutely not. Just wondered what you guys think about it? Ever find yourself outright begging for things? (I do!) I wasn't raised that way though. I was taught that the Lord is a loving God, not someone you have to beg and plead things to, over and over. Just curious about your thoughts. Take care All, Nova

I've been thinking about you today. Made my heart ache. Sounds as if Bill managed to get a good long distance company in Heaven, to let you know how much he loves you . You guys were a very special couple. Thanks for sharing with us. Nova

I wonder how long it will take for them to get going with that? I wish they would hurry..... It almost sounds like the same treatment that the Burzinsky (sp?) clinic, in Texas offers. If so, there aren't as many bad side effects, because it's made with your own DNA/Cells. (You can tell I'm not a doctor). Thanks for the article.