SandraL

Enjoy...I sure did and couldn't resist posting here 1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night. 2. Don't worry about what people think, they don't do it very often. 3. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car. 4. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity. 5. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before. 6. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance. 7. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious. 8. A person who is nice to you but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person. 9. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program. 10. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip. 11. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks. 12. A conscience is what hurts when all of your other parts feel so good. 13. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway. 14. Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it. 15. No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes. 16. A balanced diet is a muffin in each hand. 17 Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places. 18. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming. 19. Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it. 20. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on. 21. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again. 22. By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends. 23. Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator. 24. Someone who thinks logically provides nice contrast to the real world. 25. It ain't the jeans that make your butt look fat. 26. If you had to identify in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved it's full potential, that word would be 'meetings.' 27. There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness.' 28. People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them. 29. You should not confuse your career with your life. 30. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. 31. Never lick a steak knife. 32. The most destructive force in the universe is gossip. 33. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time. 34. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment 35. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that deep down inside we ALL believe we are good drivers. 36. Your friends love you anyway. -

Thank you for having the courage to post at this time. I have two young children and can't quite imagine guiding them through this. I pray that your friends, family and god will help you during this time. Celebrate his life. I am sure he was an awesome husband and and dad. I am at a complete loss at what to say to you other than you will get through this and take it one day at a time. Accept all the help I know that others will offer. God bless

Hi Linda. As far as I know the only thing not covered is anti-nausea drugs that go along with chemo. That is all I have paid for so far. But they can be expensive without extended health. Even trips to Vancouver for PET scans are covered. Hope that helps. Take care Sandra

Hi Chris. You and your family will be okay. The waiting period is just simply awful. But once they find out exactly what is going on and what they are going to do to treat it, you will feel much better. Having young children is very hard to deal with in this situation. I wish you all the best and courage during this trying time. Take care Sandra

Hey Brandy. I had one done and had 3 litres of fluid drained. I was a bit apprehensive about the procedure but with local freezing it really was not that bad. I had tube hooked up for a number of days as I was in hospital. That was a bit of a pain. After was a bit sore of course. And you have to tape up for a bit when in shower (get some tape from the hospital before you leave)so dressing doesn't get wet. Compared to other procedures I had done, this one really wasn't so bad. In hindsight!! take care Sandra

Great news. I admire your pursuit of getting the drug funded. There are similar challenges in Canada re Tarceva. Too many rules about who can have it and who can't based on previous treatment, different treatment protocols in different provinces etc. I know of some who have paid for on their own...but they are doing well so worth it. So good for you...continued best wishes.

Hi Hunter and welcome. Many of us have heard the words "inoperable" but that does not mean it is not treatable. Please know there is always hope. There are many great people here who will answer any question you have. Take care

And what a year it has been. YEAH!!! Congratulations and keep up the good fight. Take care

Diana. I am so sorry for what you and your family are going through. And you still found the strength to share some of your lessons with us. My prayers are with you at this time. Sandra

Hi there Donna from a fellow Canadian. The waiting at the beginning is terrible. I waited I think at least a month from my biopsies/diagnosis before my initial consultation with oncologists. They are prioritized somehow (and I am guessing we do not really want to know how.) There are simply not enough resources available to keep up with the demand. The good news is though that I don't think that wait impacted me in a negative way. I had good results from first line treatment. See my medical history below. Have you been told what stage your mother is at? Where do you live? Feel free to send me a PM (private message) with any questions you might have. The waiting is so hard...just have faith that a treatment plan will be put in place and your mom will feel better than she does now. I wish somebody had told me this when I was waiting so you have come to the right place. Take care Sandra

Hi Renate. Your start on this journey sounds similar to mine. See my profile below. Take care and hang in there. Once you get on a treatment plan you will feel better. Please feel free to ask any questions here. Sandra

Hi Margot. I am a 3B, a few months past treatment and feeling pretty good, even back at work. There are lots of stage 3 survivors here. Look at a post I made in NSCLC asking for 3a's and b's, there is a good list there. Take care

Welcome to this site Fran. You will find lots of support and information. Best wishes

ooops...I did a repeat Let's try Knock Three Times (on the ceiling if you love me...twice on the pipes, if the answer is no)

Well that's an inspiring story and you sound so positive. Thanks for sharing. I am a 3B as well. I hope you stay on here. It's a great place for support and sharing. Take care

50 Ways to Leave Your Lover

Hi Lisa. Yes nightmare is a good word for it at the beginning. But it sounds like they got to treatment very fast. It does get better. Chemo can be cumulative but everyone's experience is different. Make sure he drinks lots of water. Take care, you have come to the right place for support and information. Sandra

Hey ladies. I was inspired by a lady in the chemo room today...boy you meet the nicest people in there. Her hair was just coming back but it was the nicest color. Well she promptly informed me that she had died it! I never even thought of that...haven't done that since my crazy early adult years. My hair is coming back salt and pepperish and I am WAY too young for that. So hey I think I might just go to the drugstore and pick a nice color. Hopefully I don't make too big of a mess applying it. Wish me luck.

hey there Linda. Good Monday morning to you. I like the idea of a pity party...get it all out and get on with it. And I agree the 'mental" part is the toughest. Guess that's why it is so great to have all the supportive folks here on our side. I find "gratitude" helps. Gratitude for all the people in my life and how kind they have been to me before, during and ongoing in my journey. And thanks for each day that we have. I also know my outlook improves with something to look forward to...like a trip, outing, etc. Keeps me focused on something else. Take care and I hope your week improves. Hey maybe find the song "I don't like Monday's" and listen to it today. And maybe Tuesday will be better. Take care Sandra

Well I am with you on this one Lilly. I hated being bald and now that it is starting to grow back I hate that to. But you are right...better than the alternative. The fuzz I am getting right now is NOT the same color as my old hair...and I fear will be quite a poof ball as well. Oh well, will need to find a crazy hairdresser to help me along with it. I have heard though in time (like a few years) that it does eventually go back to the way it was. God willing!

Hi Robbi and welcome. Your dad is lucky to have you. Glad you joined in as you will benefit greatly from all the kind people here. Take care

Hi there and welcome. Please know there is always hope. You will see there are lots of Stage IV survivors here to be inspired by.

Hey there fellow Canadian and welcome. You will find lots of good information here and even more kind supportive people. Hope to hear more about where you are at with this darn disease. Take care

Hello all. I received the maximum blast, 30 doses (curative dose) of radiation. I was done radiation at the end of November 2007. Going through it, I felt great and really didn't feel a thing. At the time I was worried it was doing a darn thing! Well I am now NED because of it, so believe me I am not complaining. Starting in January though I sure did start to feel it's effects. And it is still really bothering me. Sitting for any length of time is not good (not good for a gal with a desk job!). My one lung is fried for sure. And I am not back to 100% energy level which is frustrating. Looking for any others out there who have similar radiation treatment and any information on how long this pain/discomfort will continue? Thanks in advance for your help.

Welcome Denise. There is absolutely always hope. There are all sorts of inspirational stories here of people who are living with and beating this nasty thing successfully. Hope you continue to get positive results.