gail

Good news for sure. Your profile looks like mine! Non smoker for 17 years when diagnosed with BAC stage 1A. That was 7 years ago!!! You keep on keeping on!!! gail

Wonderful news for sure!! Remind us of the due date please!!! gail

Outstanding for sure!!! Hope you did something fun! You know my motto gail

My oncologist is at Pennsylvania Hospital. Dr Bernard Mason. gail

I agree with snowflake--get copies of all your scans and go get another oncologist. cancer is a tricky disease as we all know. After my first breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, I was told I had a 94% cure rate. 4 years laster I was back in her office with a NEW primary in the same breast. Asked her why and she told me 7-10% of the time a new cancer would show. That's when I stopped listening to statistics and just dealt with what was. I also became VERY discriminating with doctors. If I felt they did not have my personal best interests in mind I was out of there. You don't state where you are from. A lot of people here know some very good cancer centers. gail

I hear you loud and clear, both as a mother and a teacher. My son, now 22, was 7 with my first diagnosis. We really tried to hide him from the word cancer. Not the best of choices, but we were pretty much in shock at that time. Second time he was 12. the second call I made after hearing the diagnosis was to his school counselor. Bless her heart, she really watched out for him through the 3 years in middle school. I had chemo that time and lost my hair. He saw me bald around the house all the time, and only one time asked me to put my hat on when outside. Third diagnosis (lung cancer) he was 15 and in the 9th grade. Again, the guidance counselor became my best friend. She did constant check ups with him. I remember asking her point blank if he was going to see this cancer as the final one. She told me he sees me as a cancer survivor. I said to her "but what if?" and realized that everyone has a what if. There are therapists out there for kids. I've seen some grief therapists do wonderful things for kids. I also, after my third cancer, put myself in therapy, with a specialized counselor who only deals with womens' cancers. She helped me so much that I was able to put my fears aside and deal with mothering a teenager. gail

Thank you Maryanne for sharing. I was there in spirit yesterday. I did make it to the cemetary last night. And I looked for the deer today. They didn't come today. gail

Just woke up and remembered that Heather is being buried today. While I can't make the funeral, I will be able to stop at the cemetery later. that helped. What also helped was the three deer standing in the woods on the other side of the my yard. Never ever have seen this. And they were all standing quiet and still. They stood there a while, turned quietly, and left. God just keeps talking to me. Rest well Heather gail

Heather's spirit was amazing. She jumped head on into the LC Walk, and I could not even get myself to a meeting ( ) I watched her at the first walk, and was amazed at her energy. I think I took that picture of her and Tyler at the first walk. I took a lot of pictures that day. I admired her strength, her courage, and her love for her family. When I was having trouble dealing with my own diagnosis, she was putting herself out there for all to see. When I wanted to forget my cancers, she made sure people heard her. We talked on the phone during those early years on the board. I'm sorry to say that it was almost 2 years since I spoke with her. I was waiting for the train to take me into Phila to get the biopsy report on my thyroid. I starting panicking and called her. She filled me in on her boy, her husband, and her new food plan. She was very excited about the cooking classes she was taking. (macrobiotics I think?). Did you know she was on a cooking cruise? And she went somewhere in NY for classes? Found her first post dated March 31, 2003. She married Brad while here. They got married on a cruise, and her avatar at that time showed the 3 of them very happy. I hate cancer. Heather, you will not be forgotten. gail

I even looked! gail

Heather's death and my waiting for the doctor's appointment were too close together. Much too close. Borderline panic attack. Yesterday my news was good, but Heather . . . Today I returned to school, and for the first time this year, a goldfinch was at the feeder. Big and bright and yellow. Just sitting there. I knew God had sent him, to tell me I'm okay, and that Heather is okay too.

Background--report from CAT reported a nodule on the adrenal gland, not a cyst. 9mm and it had shown on the last scan, no change. That had the red flags flapping. Saw the urologist who said the kidneys were good, and the other issue from the scan was probably scar tissue from a long ago surgery. Recommended scanning in a year and then an office visit. I asked him about the adrenal gland and he called it a benign something something,(he had the name) , and wasn't worried about it. I got out of dodge quickly!!! gail

I searched and found the link to the article about her in Reader's Digest. http://www.rd.com/lung-cancer-in-a-nonsmoker/article27536.html I remember her telling me she was unhappy they used her ex married name, not Sailer. gail

I just know your mother is with you. Stay well. gail

Sending you a PM with my cell phone number. I work in Vincentown! gail

I'm so glad you called. I'm watching the last minute of the Flyers, but can't stop thinking of her. Please let me know if you go. gail

We've all been there. It took me until my 3rd cancer that I sought therapy. And I haven't developed a tumor in 7 years! that's the longest I've gone since 1993! I highly recommend it. gail

So very sorry for you and your family. gail

One step at a time and remember to breathe!!! The panic is normal--we've all been there. My 22 year old was 7 when I had my first cancer diagnosis, and I could not stop crying. Rally your troops around you and let yourself be supported. gail

When my hair came back after the chemo I wasn't crazy either. Once it started growing and I could style it I loved the ease of wash, fluff, and go. I never had curly hair in my life and yes, the straight hair returned. gail

Not sure where Beechwood is. I am in burlington County--the shore isn't THAT far away! gail

My last one was after my first chemo treatment-Nov 97-at the age of 41. They never returned, but for the first year blood tests showed I was NOT in menopause. The hot flashes initially were quite severe, but as quick as they started they disappeared. I didn't take anything for them. The loss of estrogen does cause some "intimate" issues, but there are great products for that too!!! And now they are on commercials! gail

I had chemo with the 2nd breast cancer. I teach school, and went back to work 6 weeks after the mastectomy. I had one treatment before returning to work. An elementary school teacher does not have much down time during the day and I came home exhausted. I was in bed by 7pm. And I had a a 12 year old at home. I was sacrificing my time with him to spend it with other people's children. God interceded and sent me an obstacle which caused me to take leave and stay home for 3 months. I was able to pace myself through the day and we had pretty much a normal family life. Everyone's experiences are different. You have to do what works best for you and your family. I just wanted to share mine. gail

I remember you too!! Both of us from NJ and all. glad to see you again! gail

Hi mary, sorry for your loss. gail