LovesLife

I just realized today how the smallest things make the biggest impact sometimes. I posted earlier about all the places we were going and the things we were going to do this summer. Today after we attended my daughter's year end assembly at school she was going to spend the night at her friends house, so that left my 13 year old son and I to our own devices. We went and had lunch with my hubby, ran a few errands and then headed home. We did some planting together and mowed the lawn, then played a bit of basketball together, threw the baseball around. Nothing really special ... but my son said to me just before we came in that he loved today as he really laughed alot with me today and because I shared some things about myself over the course of the day that it was a really special day. Made me teary. It also made me realize that it is the everyday, ordinary stuff that has an impact and that it is the people I am with and not the location. I just needed to be reminded of that today and he did it brilliantly. a mom with a glow around her heart, Linda

Hi Shedevil - sounds like things are all moving in the right direction. As a recent member of the GERD club (quite a popular one by the sounds of it) I am hoping that your symptoms can all be attributed to that. I just had a conversation with a friend today who mentioned that the cough was her only symptom of GERD. At least after July 7th you can put this nodule in the back of your mind after you get a clear PET scan. Let us know the results so we can celebrate your good news with you. Linda

Hi Jennifer - welcome. That is such awesome news about the shrinkage after just one treatment! Keep us posted as to how both you and your mom and doing. Linda

- thanks for the morning laugh Patti! Have a great day! Linda

Waahhh - I missed the party! Again, congratulations Muriel - wishing you many more anniversaries! Warm regards, Linda

Sandra - you always come up with such great topic questions. I, like you, am doing a fair bit of camping this year. Next weekend, with the kids finally out of school (today is last day for daughter) we are going camping at Gull Lake for four days. The weather is supposed to be hot, which is great when you're on a lake! Then we are going to your fair province, as you know, in July for a week. I am so looking forward to that as it is a beautiful resort and we just relax and enjoy ourselves. Then it is a big camping trip (last 2 weeks of August) to Pembina River - close to home. Throw in a family reunion and a couple of jaunts to the city and we will call it a summer! I love this time of year when I get to spend so much more time with the kids. We are planning to do some day jaunts to different areas surrounding us which should be interesting. I have some friends who dread their kids being home all summer; however, my kids don't fight like theirs, so perhaps that makes the difference . I wish you and your beautiful family many happy memory making days this summer Sandra. Wishing everyone on the boards a great summer too! Best always, Linda

CONGRATULATIONS Muriel! Just what the doctor ordered - five beers - count me in! Linda

Gail - wishing you many more enjoyable days at home together. Thanks so much for the update - I was thinking about you both. Way to go Hank!!!!! Linda

Maryea - there can be many other reasons for back pain as well - disc issues, etc. You may want to consider asking Dr. West at www.cancergrace.org and I imagine he can give you more information on this. Good luck in getting the answer to your question. Linda

Judy - we've missed you too. I have a feeling that somehow/someway you will find a way to communicate with us over the next 5 weeks - you are determined and know we need to hear from you (maybe we can't go cold turkey from you!) So, thanks for letting us know where you are at and that things are good on the road. Sorry Randy - couldn't make it to chat - I find as my husband gets home from work at 6 we are sitting down to eat supper then so I likely won't make it too often (if at all). Anyhow, it sounds like you guys have fun and that's so great. Take care, Linda

Lillee - I am so happy for you that your dad was able to walk you down the aisle. On top of that he is eating - whoo hoo! I hope you had a nice honeymoon. Take care and keep us posted, Linda

Denise - hope the appointment goes well - I am sure happy that you are getting this looked into. As to getting the x-ray ... say whatever you have to - sometimes they just have to be bullied a bit to get things done! Keep us posted, Linda

Dar - your mom was beautiful - inside and out. What a wonderful tribute to her and what a wonderful daughter you are. Hugs, Linda

Dave - HOT DAMN is right! I am so happy for you and the great results. I sure don't need to tell you to enjoy your day! Linda

Lily - praying for rain and no lightning. Stay safe. Linda

Such good news! Prayers will continue. Linda

Just wondering how her surgery went? I was thinking about her. Linda

Gail - I am glad that the morphine worked at relaxing his chest muscles so that he can breathe better. Having difficulty breathing is no fun at all . I think if you help yourself they might notice if the morphine missing...just run fast!!! I sure hope that Hank can get out of that hospital and get home where he will be so much more comfortable. I'll be keeping my fingers and toes crossed for that. Anything can happen with this disease - he certainly could rebound and have more quality time that you think. I too, have faith in God, but I certainly am not of the belief that if I ask for it I will get it. Otherwise, we would all be praying and no one would be dying ... ever! Hopefully Hank's sisters will use their faith to help them deal with what is to come. As to whether there is or isn't a God - who the heck knows. I may be surprised at the end of the day. God or no God, I live my life with honesty, respect and love - that is to my benefit. Take care Gail and keep us posted as to when he "breaks out". Linda

Lily - like you said, time to stay in and catch up on some projects. I hope that everyone in the affected areas get to safety. Keep us posted. Linda

Ken - what fantastic news! Whoever thought we'd be so happy for bacterial infection?!? Wishing you the same excellent report in September, but for now, enjoy your summer. Linda

Dave - there is no rhyme or reason to "scanaxiety" and I know I had gone over and over in my head how I was going to react when/if the results came back not so good. I think we all have those monsters return before testing. So, yes, I sure do get those feelings, as I am sure many others do. Looking forward to reading your results in the Good News section Dave. Do you have to wait for the results or do you know them immediately? Your partner in paranoia, Linda

Poor little thing! I absolutely will pray for a successful procedure tomorrow. My best to her family. Linda

Debi - girl, I have a tough act to follow! I really feel a kindred spirit with you - we may have never "met" but I consider you a friend. I haven't had time yet to go back and read all your posts (yikes-there are a few to get through), but when I do I know I am going to look for the one you posted about the "CT scan experience" - when I first read that over a year ago (?) I was laughing so hard my husband thought I was drinking! (so what if I was - it was still funny!) Anyhow, the grasshopper is learning from the master in that I am working hard to live for today and let the fear go. I took your words to heart not to let 5 years go by worrying. This is the time to move away from the cancer and look to the future - even start planning for the future - how wonderful is that! Denise - you are always there rooting everyone on and it is so appreciated. Thanks for the well wishes. Rich - my man, I am so-o-o happy to see you posting around the board. Your presence is so missed when you are not here. Speaking of giving people hope - you do that each and every day - you are one of a kind! Carole - you can tell me not to admire you all you want - I just DO! You are the most balanced person I know. You live with hope and in reality and it is inspiring. Your kind heart does not go unnoticed - it is larger than life itself. You make me remember to "dance in the streets" (yep, I watched the video). Last, but not least, Sandra - thanks for helping me with my purpose. I thought long and hard about that question when it was posed to me - darned if I could come up with a reason! I don't gamble so I couldn't say "luck of the draw". I'm certainly nowhere close to a saint, so that wasn't it. I think I'll go with helping others and keep trying to discover the rest as it unfolds. No doubt about it though - I get more back from everyone here than I give. You are such a sweetheart and I sure appreciated your kind words. Finally ending this with a huge thanks to you all for the support. Hugs, Linda

This is so very, very sad. I read the obituary and tears were streaming down my face because of the unfairness of it all. I know she is with God; however, my heart still aches for her family. Linda

Linda - welcome to a group of very wonderful, supportive people. I am happy to hear that your dad is responding so well to treatment and pray that he will continue to do so. Linda