Angie

Oh, Don, that is such wonderful news. I am so happy for your family.

Bill, Before my dad was diagnosed with LC, he had a hard time breathing and eventually could hardly talk. He was taken to the hospital and 9 lbs. of fluid was drained from his lungs!!!! It was malignant pleural effusion. He worried about it coming back, but it never really did. He did have some scaring of the lungs from Gemzar that caused a little shortness of breath, but nothing major. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this awful disease. God bless you and your family. Angie

Wonderful news!!! So glad to hear it! Just what you needed to lift your spirits!

From one Angie to another...I am so sorry for what you are going thru. It is SO DIFFICULT to see a loved one suffer. You should feel so good about all the love and support you are giving your dad. I'm so glad you posted. I have been thinking of you. It's so difficult during this time of the year thinking of future holidays. Enjoy this year together. I'll be keeping you and your family in my prayers. Angie

Don, I am so sorry to hear your latest news BUT there are so many on this site who have beaten brain mets...especially if there's only one. I will certainly be keeping your family in my prayers. Angie

Oh, Don, you have so much to be thankful for! I'm so glad Lucie is doing so well. I'll be looking for your next post of "Good News". Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Angie

I can totally relate to you!!! I was extremely close to my dad, but when he passed away, (which was 10/15/04), I was okay. I did a lot of grieveing in the early stages as you did. I remember not sleeping for days!!! I needed anxiety meds to help for awhile. I miss my dad a lot, but I feel "protected" some how from the pain. Since my dad was diagnosed May 03, we've had time together to say the things we needed to say and had dinner every Sunday and talked every day. I have two sisters and we are an EXTREMELY close family. I too played a major part in my dad's last weeks at home. With hospice we were able to care for him at my parents' house. He was not able to walk, talk much, needed Depends and we fed him. He didn't know who we were most of the time since the cancer spread to the brain. And seeing him like that was awful, so I really think I was able to accept his death better. He wasn't living any kind of quality of life. I have no regrets...I was there during appointments, chemo and until the end. I said everthing I wanted to say. The cancer had spread to the liver, bones and brain. He should have been in so much pain, but with the spreading to the brain, the center for pain was affected (thank goodness!), so he didn't suffer. I am so thankful for that. I too am waiting for the big cry, but I was blessed with a wonderful dad and am thankful for all the time we did have together. Please PM me if you'd like. Thank you for your post. I can't tell you enough how much I feel what you are feeling!!

I am so sorry for your loss. My dad passed away three weeks ago, so I know how you feel. I'm glad your mom was with him when he passed as my mom was. Please take care of yourself and I will be keeping you in my prayers.

Don, I'm so glad to hear the good news. Lucie is certainly an inspiration to so many on this site! God bless! Angie

Pam, I'm am so sorry for your saddness. My dad passed away two weeks ago so I understand. I remember reading your post last year knowing that my time was coming. I hear it gets easier with time, and I too feel cheated with my kids (ages 6 and 12) that they will not get to spend the time they deserve with their grandpa. My sister is pregnant with her second child due in March. I know this will be a bitter sweet time for her. I will keep you in my prayers.

Angie - I'm glad you're doing well. God gives us strength when we need it most. I have discoved this as my dad's illness progressed and his recent death. I'm sorry your dad had a rough night. I will be keeping your family in my prayers. What a beautiful picture of your family!

I will be saying a prayer for your dad and your family. How wonderful that you are able to take care of your dad. I can understand how heartbreaking it is for you to see your dad in pain. I'm glad he has tests scheduled next week. Hopefully "they" can get the pain under control. Like Curtis said, take care of yourself too!

This morning at 8:35 my Dad passed away. My Mom was fortunate enough to be there during his last breath. My sister was stopping by to visit and help my Mom and arrived within a minute (or less) of his passing. I'm also so thankful she was there for my Mom. Today has just been a whirlwind, as you can imagine. We have so many wonderful friends and family stopping by with food and offering us comfort. My Dad hasn't been himself for a good six weeks, since the cancer has spread to the brain. He didn't know us often, but I knew he felt our love. I'm so thankful that we were able to take care of him at home. He didn't have any pain because of where the cancer was at in the brain - a true blessing! This site has been such a wonderful source of information and support these past 17 months. THANK YOU!! There is so much more I want to say but I'm exhausted, so I'm sure I'll be posting more later....probably in the "Grieving" section!!!!

How wonderful!! I'm very happy Lucie has exceeded the doctor's "expectations". Everyone loves that news! Celebrate life is right!!! P.S. Thank you, Don, for the support you have given so many of us.

Cancer is such an awful disease and like all of you, I have experienced cancer with a loved one....my dad. Approximately a year and a half ago my world changed forever.....my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer. I was devistated and couldn't sleep for days. I then regained my strength and knew I needed to enjoy every moment with my dad while he was feeling well. I was able to do that. I wrote my dad a three page letter telling him about what a wonderful childhood I had and appreciated all the great times we had together. When I was growing up, my dad would take my sisters and I out to lunch every Saturday...something to look forward to. My dad was the one I would go to when I needed someone on MY side. He was awesome. Since I've moved back to Iowa 10 years ago, my family (parents, sisters and families) have enjoyed Sunday dinner together almost every Sunday....we call it "pizza night". I will always treasure those memories. So when my dad's cancer spread to the brain and he became like an Alzheimer's patient it was devistating. My mom, sisters and I have been helping with feeding, "changing" and caring for him. Also, Hospice has been wonderful. I feel so fortunate that I live close enough where I can help. During this awful time I have felt completely loved, taken care of and at peace. My dad is 67 years old. Certainly too young to die in my eyes, but he has seen me grow up, graduate from college, get married and see my wonderful children. I feel completely bleessed with all those around me...my wonderul husband of 15 years and my two loving daughters, two great sisters, and a great mom. I am also surrounded by wonderful friends, neighbors and coworkers. Everyone has made this difficult time so much easier on me....and this SUPPORTIVE SITE. I have found so much support and comfort here. THANK YOU!! My dad MAYBE has three months at the most and it's difficult that he doesn't even know me anymore, but I truly feel I have been blessed. God has given me the strength when I need it the most and I am truly thankful. I have no regrets with my dad. I was there through the doctor and chemo appointments and shared many stories from here. My dad knows how very much I love him and I am at peace. I just felt like sharing thoughts from my heart tonight. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and God bless you all!