SandraL

Hi Deb. I am sorry to read about your mom and your need to be here. The beginning is so very scary but things will move along and a treatment plan will be put in place. Then the focus can be on that. I was diagnosed at Stage 3B in September 2007. So please know that a lung cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. Do not listen to the statistics. None of us are a statistic and there are many of us here who have beat them. HOPE is the most important thing. It is not an easy ride but it can be done. And with the help of family members such as yourself, the journey can be much more bearable. Please keep us posted on how you and your mom are doing. And ask any and all questions. There are many kind knowledgable people here who have been there done that and are happy to help. Take good care Sandra

Happy Birthday Leslie! I don' t think we have heard from you in awhile. So, hopefully you are well and have found something fun to do on your special day. Many many more Sandra

Of course we knew you were joking Mike! I personally have read too many of your posts to think otherwise! And of course you are invited.....in fact I am encouraging you to hop on board as a few more men would be greatly appreciated! Right ladies!

Hi Lisa. I am so sorry to hear about your dear mom. There are many others here who have unfortunately walked in your shoes so hopefully you will find much needed support here. I am sending prayers that your mom is as comfortable as possible and that there is still joy in every day. Sandra

That's great Rob. It is nice to have some good news after the set back you experienced. I am glad you can take a big sigh of relief and look forward to your summer. Continued best wishes Sandra

Hi there. It seems there are more than a few of us either currently receiving or about to start navalbine chemotherapy. So I thought it would be a good idea for others to share their experiences on this treatment. How long does the infusion take, how long have you been on it, side effects, etc. I've got the "sheet" on possible side effects but have always found it more useful to hear directly from patients who have been there done that. Thanks in advance for sharing your "navalbine" experiences. Sandra

Hi there and welcome to the site. I am so sorry to read about your dear mom. There are many here who have walked in your shoes and can hopefully be of some comfort to you. Take care Sandra

Hi Kristi. I am sorry your dad has had such a rough go of it. Absolutely amazing then that he still has his sense of humour....good for him! I am sending many prayers your way that he starts to feel better and that the treatments are doing their job. Take care Sandra

May your dear Pop-Pop rest in peace. He sure sounded special. May your memories of him bring you joy. Take care Sandra

Hello again Sandy. I responded to your post in the intro section. I just wanted to add my prayers for you and your mom. That she can be as pain free as possible, that you are able to share good moments, and that she will gradually accept the help that hospice can provide. Many here have shared their positive experiences with hospice. Please don't forget to look after yourself in all of this as well. As a caregiver you can only do what you can do. The rest is up to the patient. Take care Sandra

Well, on all accounts that sounds like a very good report. It is nice to hear when treatments are helping like they should. And better yet that your husband is feeling pretty good. Continued best wishes Sandra

Hi Sandy. So sorry to hear about your mom but glad you found this site. You are blessed to be able to spend this time with her however difficult it might be. Just take it one day at a time and enjoy your time together. And please come here as often as you need with any questions or just for support. We understand what you and your mom are going through. Take care Sandra

Hi Beth. Your love for your mom, aunt and your daughter shine through your words. I am glad your daughter is feeling better and that your mom helped with that in her own way. I hope your day passe gently with fond memories. Sandra

May your day be filled with fond memories of your dear friend Chris. Take care Sandra

My heart goes out to you and your family. May pop-pop rest in peace. God bless Sandra

Well Judy, I am not sure what you are intimating with your high up mental health contacts! But, with the crazies that will be on board that bus, I am sure they could be put to good use and perhaps help us out of any tricky situations. We are a bunch though, they may have met their match!

Hi there and welcome to the board. I am sorry to hear about your husband though and your need to be here. It is so hard to watch a loved one go through all of this and stay positive all the time. You just need to take it one day at t time. It's a tough road but one better spent being positive and hopeful. Thank goodness your husband has you to support him. I hope he gets well enough to start radiation. And then that he starts feeling better and enjoying his days. Take care please and keep us posted on how you and your husband are doing. The people on this board totally get what you are going through. Sandra

Very cute Anne! Where do you find all this good stuff? Whatever you do, just keep on doing it. Happy Keester to you and your family! Sandra

Yes indeed. It wouldn't be Easter without coloring hard boiled eggs! We have fun doing it and my 14 year old daughter is still very keen. Trouble is though I am the only one who likes hard boiled eggs and egg salad sandwiches. So we will try our best to focus on quality versus quantity! Happy egg dipping everyone!

Hi there. I was on decadron during chemotherapy as well. And yes, you sure do get irritable and grouchy, not much fun to be around at all. Getting off the decadron can be even worse. So if he is on decardon it is probably very much the culprit. Tell your mom that this too will pass. I found it best if people just left me alone during my grouchy period. Take care. Sandra

How frustrating and scary for you Caren. I hope you can convince him to go seek some medical advice. Maybe some painkillers would help when he goes for a CT scan. I always take a few extra before going to radiation because laying on my back is a killer. It helps some. Remember that you can only do what you can do. The rest is up to your dad and he is stubborn, like many of us, including myself. But eventually we do come to our senses! Wishing you a Happy Easter! Sandra ps What is a bevvy?

No, but many years ago my mom brought me and my 2 sisters to the drive in theatre (many years ago....we were probably pre-teens at the time). Blazing Saddles was showing and my mom took great exception to the goings on in that movie and we peeled out of there pretty quick! Too bad because my sisters and I were having a good laugh!

Yes Bruce, I think you and I are going to have to tread carefully in the good old USA. We can just sort of hang back a bit and let the rest of them do the storming! And then if it looks safe, we can join in quietly. So if we are going to be inconspicuous, you will need to dress and act appropriately! Once we are back on the bus of course, all heck can break loose!

Well in this case Denise, normal is good! Glad to hear it. I bet you are relieved after waiting for so long. Take care Sandra

Hi Mike. I am so sorry for what you are going through. I am glad there are people out there like you who will never give up. I hope your days and weeks get better but as I can see from others who post here that grief is a very long process. Take care Sandra