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Ginny- I am so sorry to hear that Earl fell. I have thought of both of you often over the last week or so. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. Amy

Well, yesterday was a long tedious day for my mom, but in the end they were able to zap 6 of the tumors. She says she feels better already today! Although, I don't think this procedure has that quick of a reaction. I thought from the last time that it takes awhile for the tumors to shrink down. But mental is how much of the battle? If she thinks it's made a difference, who am I, or anyone else, to say any thing else. Now on to the what to do about the remaining 14 question. Amy

all the best retroactive and current prayer sent your way! Amy

Ditto what Becky CW said... happy tears. Congratulations! Amy

Thanks everybody. SRS is stereotactic radiosurgery a non-invasive procedure (and that's all I know). Except that my mom had it last year and it blasted (my mom's word) the tumors! I agree that we need to get all the facts in order. I don't think my mom wants to do the radiation at this point but I think we're not to that thought yet. First this procedure on Tues and then we'll see. Thanks so much everyone. Amy

I went to my Mom's appointment on Monday morning with the SRS doctor. And he let out the bad news that there are actually 20 new lesions in my mom's brain. This is since the last scan in April. Really not good news. The four she was told about last week are the ones that they are going to be able to get with the SRS. And they may be able to get a fifth but it's in the brain stem(?) The remaining 15 are too small to use this procedure on. But he said it's not worth doing really unless we look at what to do about the other 15. Maybe a second course of whole brain radiation? But that's pretty risky. It's been five years since the last one so it gets better and better he said as time goes by but we could end up with a stroke situation as the worst case scenario. Doesn't sound like much of an option to me. They are still going ahead with the SRS next Tuesday. Please send prayers and good thoughts. We sure could use some! Thanks. Amy

Sending lots and lots of positive energy your way! Amy

But she is still seeking treatment, right? That's a positive sign. She can't have given up altogether if she's seeking treatment. Does she have family living with her? What do they say? Sorry if I missed this info. Amy

They found four more tumors in Mom's brain yesterday. Darn! And she was free of them for almost a year. Last year's procedure was done on 7/25, I remember it exactly because it was my 5 year anniversary. They're working on scheduling the procedure now. It might be next week. We're hopeful that zapping these tumors will cause her to regain some of the balance she's been missing. That would be great news indeed! Amy

I'm sorry to hear about your brother. You have my thoughts and prayers. Amy

You've been given lots of great advice here already. I just wanted to say again, please take care of yourself. Amy

For me, I love to give experience gifts-- a hot air balloon ride, tickets to a theater production etc. I like it to be about the time we spend together! Good luck finding the perfect thing! Amy

I don't have any knowledge of Am Cancer Soc but I just wanted to say congrats on quitting your job. How exciting! Here's to moving on to a more fulfilling work life Amy

AWESOME!! Congratulations, and here's a prayer for NERD! Amy

I'm so sorry to hear this. Minnesota will certainly miss you! Amy

I'm so glad you said something. How inconsiderate! And uncomfortable for everyone else in the room. If you're up for it, I do hope you'll report it. Amy

I've really been missing the Mom I used to have. She's still here and many days and many instances I still have the full her. But increasingly lately, I don't. And that makes me sad. Sad for her because of her failing health. And sad for me, that I don't have her the same way I once did. I suppose most everyone goes through this at some point with a parent as they age. I think we've reached a point where I'm looking out for her, more than she's looking out for me. Does that make sense? I'm not her primary caregiver but it's in our relationship. And I guess I don't mean physically looking out for. Emotionally more. She used to be the person I could turn to with everything in my life. And she'd offer some encouragement or advice. But that's mostly gone and it's really hard to realize that it's gone. I realized this week that talking with her is no longer something I always look forward to. Instead, it's something I should do. I was very saddened to discover that I had come to this realization. I'm crying as I write. I wish I thought this was going to get better but part of the problem is the realization that things probably won't. It feels like she's slowing slipping away and I hate that. Thanks for listening. Amy

I'm so excited for you Andrea. This post, after reading so many messages from you, really seems like the "ah ha" moment for you. You are going to make such an impact on whatever it is you choose! Amazing. Amy

Hi! I'm not a member of the Wives club-- but thought I might respond. Is Dave ok with you giving the Dr further info? If so, I say keep doing it. And if the Dr protests, tell him/her that if he's going to take "I'm feeling fine" as an answer and not question any further then you have no choice but to speak up. In my Mom's case, she's so tired of having peripheral problems that sometimes it's just easier to say "I'm fine" rather than have one more test or be sent to one more specialist. As long as Dave's ok with it, I say keep on persisting. Amy

I'm so sorry you have to be here. But "here" is a great place as you have already experienced. I'm not much of a talker but I have gathered a lot of encouragement and strength from reading others posts. But I wanted to give you my mom's story. She is stage IV NSCLC diagnosed Feb of 1999. She just reached her five year mark. She had mets to the brain. So it's not quite the same. But good to know it's possible. Again, I'm sorry that you have to be here but glad that you have found this wonderful place. Amy

What's Irish and sits on the lawn? Paddy O'Furniture

Welcome. I'm not really new but I don't do a lot of posting. Just a lot of reading. And this is a very upbeat place. There are a lot of wonderful people here. I just wanted to say that my mom has stage IV nsclc diagnosed in 1999. She just passed her 5 year mark on February 9th! She has mets to the brain. It's a battle but there is definitely a lot of hope! It's great that you have a positive attitude--that can do nothing but help! Amy

It's been awhile since I've been here. It's difficult for me to be here much. I tend to do a lot of crying while I'm reading. And I have a hard time responding to many posts. So I tend to be a lurker more than anything. Mom is now on a new chemo because the last scans showed growth of existing tumors and new tumors in both lungs. This one is 2 weeks on and then 1 week off. Don't know the name but it's causing ringing in the ears. She went to an ear dr, who told her she has moderate to severe hearing loss already. Her spirits are really failing. Her unbalance has resumed. She was led to believe that the surgery to reduce the brain tumors would alleviate this problem and it really hasn't. So she's disappointed. She falls more often and is more easily and quickly fatigued lately. This frustrates her. Meanwhile my father has got to be in denial. He's gone hunting the last three weekends in a row. Twice he left the day she was getting chemo. Is this weird or what? I understand it, I think he just needs the outlet but I still think it's a bit weird. Meanwhile, my job has stepped up into high gear and will be that way until Christmas time. I'll be so glad when I can spend more time with her. More and more it feels like we might be reaching the end. I know my mom will die fighting this horrible disease. But I really would like her to have at least a small amount of time without the pain of the treatments. This is so hard to watch. Amy

Just call me Dinky Bubblehead! Amy

God I hate this disease. I'm so sorry for your loss. Amy