Ry

How nice for you both, it will be great. South Carolina is our favorite vacation spot. Don't worry about the drive, I think you'll find it's not as long as you think. We usually stop in Kentucky when we make the drive and we do it much faster than 11 hours. Are you staying on the ocean? There is nothing better than listening to the ocean at night.

Praying for a big scar in your future!

And we thought you missed chat cause you were out with Estelle Hope you're around real soon and back to your old self.

Get your paper and figure out from reading medical articles who the medical reporter is. In our paper, they have their e-mail address with their by-line. If it's a smaller paper, contact the editor or someone via e-mail and inform them Nov is lung cancer month and you hope they will prepare a story, yada yada.

If the ants are sweet ants (attracted to sugar) the best thing I have found is called "Terro". It comes in a little bottle, looks like Karo syrup. You place drops of it on cardboard and put it where you've seen the ants, they take it back to the others and BOOM dead. For some reason, this is hard to find but it will work.

Thinking of you and wishing you a fast recovery from your surgery. Take it slow, let everyone take care of you for a change.

I would suggest that you do both. Go to the local hospital and find out what their treatment plan will be, then go to U of M for a second opinion to make sure they concur. You will need to take copies of all his scans, etc. Dr Kalemkarian at the U of M lung cancer clinic is excellent. Your dad's case will be reviewed by the entire discipinary team, not just him. This way, your dad is close to home for chemo treatments etc. and not running to Ann Arbor for everything, and you have the peace of mind knowing he's getting the correct treatment. This is what we did and it worked out well. Our local cancer clinic was very interested in U of M's opinion.

So sorry about your mom.

Think I found it for you! Check under "grieving" the author is Fresca and the title of the post is "God saw you were tired".

Oh Cathy, I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. I know you loved him very much. You were so wonderful to him through all of this.

Sally, I believe Jay is 19. Hopefully he will see your post and answer. it would be wonderful to put the two of them together as e-mail buddies.

Well hell, by the time I post this you'll already be at the doctor! Let me know what happens. First, the Americans with Disabilities Act would I believe come in to play if they fired you so they would have to be incredibly stupid to even be thinking in that direction. If you are put on restrictions, they need to do everything they can to meet those restictions. You would have such a lawsuit if they terminated you. You may as Katie is hinting already have a lawsuit.

Oh Cathy, my heart breaks for you. I am so sorry your dad is doing poorly. I know how hard this is for you.

Well it takes a while for the check to come through, but you will get back pay. I know for some it seems to go right through, maybe it depends on the state you're in and how busy the office is. It was probably 6-8 weeks before we heard anything. You will get a letter telling you how much you can earn monthly and still be eligible.

Oh my luc, the danger of infection and flushing should have been explained to your brother. I can't believe no one has asked him at his appointments when he was last flushed. You have to be careful that you don't swim etc due to the risk of infection. I know a woman whose young son has a terrible infection from his port (he has leukemia) because he went swimming.

So sorry you have become a member of the "wives club" here. Carleen was right, the beginning is the worse part of this ride. I thought I'd never stop crying. You do have something to be thankful for and that is that he is able to have surgery and hopefully remove it all. One thing I did immediately after my husband's diagnosis was cut as much stuff out of my life as possible. I served on the board of a hospice and my lake association and I immediately sent letters of resignation. I had to cut my work hours to attend appointments, etc. I let everyone know I didn't have time for anything other than my family. People were wonderful, they sent dinners, etc. and offered to watch the kids. Please let us know how he is after the surgery. We will all be wondering.

Here's my blackout story: I am on my way to the store to pick up my husband's Iressa just as the power goes out with all 3 kids. I get there and they are not letting anyone in. I explain to the kid at the door I need to get into the pharmacy for a perscription my husband has to have (he was out). He says the pharmacy staff just left. So I start to leave and I think I've got to have this, who knows when they'll open up again. So I go to the next door, ask a kid to get me a manager that I have a perscription all ready, I just need to pick it up. He walks me in with a flashlight (lucky them their generator failed and it was pitch dark) to the pharmacy area and there are all the pharmacy people still there! Got the medication! I think my husband will remember to order his Iressa sooner from now on.

So so happy for you! What an ordeal! I am glad he will be home, it will be so nice for both of you. Keep us posted.

Veronica, It is the cruelest thing about cancer, that it seems to pick the kindest, most gentle, most undeserving people. Look at all the wonderful people here that come and support others through their own treatments and worry about their families more than themselves. Keep posting and let us know how you're doing. We're all here for you whenever you need to come and vent.

So sorry to read that your husband has passed away. Please know we're all here to support you, will think of you.

Welcome to the club no one wants to belong too! I am curious where you are in Michigan and wonder if you have thought of getting a 3rd opinion at the Lung Cancer Clinic at U of M? We went there for a 2nd opinion and were quite impressed with Dr. Kalemkarian. I know how horrible the rash is with Iressa, my husband is stuggling with it also. I wish you all the best. Keep posting and join us in the chat room on Wednesday. We could use more Michiganders.

So sorry to hear Lucie is in the hospital. I hope she's out soon and feeling better.

When we had the helpful hints section (are you listening Sponge Bob) there were some great suggestions. One was for a powder (I believe it was powder anyway, may have been a liquid). Anyway, I believe it was called Weight Gainer or something like that. It really helped put on weight as it has so many calories. It is available at Health Food Stores. Maybe somebody that's used it will put on the exact info. When he can tolerate more, Carnation Instant Breakfast will help also. And then there's my Grandma's favorite homemade eggnog.

So glad to hear his family is being more supportive and helpful. It must be great to have him home.

I am so sorry for your loss. I had been wondering how you were. I don't often read the Grieving forum as it is so painful so I missed the first post. I am glad you will be taking advantage of the grief counseling. I love the picture you posted, and the wonderful tribute to your wife.