LovesLife

Fantastic news Muriel! Aren't graduations fun!!! Linda

Thank you Connor! What a wonderful idea for your 100th day of school - I know grandpa is so proud of you! Linda

Ditto all the above Patti - you are the best! Linda

Melanie - so glad you have a date and can get on with getting it out! I know you will do just fine, but the pre-surgery jitters are totally to be expected. If you want I can send you my e-mail via pm and if you have a family member let me know, I can let everyone else know how things are going for you. If you'd prefer not, that is totally understandable too. Wishing you the best and keeping you firmly in my prayers! Luv, Linda

Randy - there's no ice on your eyebrows - it can't be that cold?!? I'll admit -you've got some good snow fall, but it sure doesn't look as cold as it is here! Mmm - they say Canadians are so nice and here I am saying we're tougher than you are ! Hope you find your phone Judy! Enjoy the fishing tommorow Bud! Have a good weekend everyone. Linda

Dana - thanks for getting a further update on this issue. I am so happy to hear that we are headed in the right direction! I haven't been on GRACE in over a week so I will check out your posting. Thanks so much again. Linda

Awesome news Bruce - thanks for sharing! Wishing her a speedy recovery from her surgery. Linda

(((Barbara))) - wish I could be there to hug you and help you in person. Please know you and Bill are in my thoughts and prayers each and every day. Hugs, Linda

Cat - what wonderful news! Isn't it great when a tonsil is just a tonsil ! BTW, your sister amazes me too. Her attitude is something - I love her comment - "why would I stop now?"...indeed why! Congratulations on this great update. Linda

Many hugs coming your way Randy. Linda

Blessings to you and yours Katie. Hugs, Linda

I love it! She is definitely there with you Nick. Linda

Whew Geri - what a huge relief! I am so happy for you and Richard! Muriel - good luck on your upcoming scan and MRI - can't wait to hear the good news. Hugs, Linda

Patti - so great to hear from you! Perhaps you're right and he simply checked the incorrect box - sounds like an easy mistake to make. I am with you on the opinion it is our right to ask questions (and not get fired for it mind you ) - I wonder how your onc would have felt if that was a loved family member and the treating doctor got upset when he/she asked questions - jeez! I think you are way better off anyhow - I know I couldn't have any kind of trust in someone with those kind of control issues (I need some control myself-little bit of a freak that way ) Take care Patti, Hugs, Linda

I am ALWAYS late to the good parties but it's never too late to say CONGRATULATIONS ... you rock! Hugs, Linda

Michelle - I am so very sorry - I can't even begin to fathom the pain. Sending you many hugs, Linda

Hi Dana - no, please don't get me wrong. The whole thing with my questioning the contrast CT scan was simply because I had not been getting the contrast CT in the follow ups since surgery. I had the CT with contrast prior to surgery (which is when they diagnosed possible carcinoma); but since surgery have only had non-contrast CT's. I questioned the whole issue because it changed. Had I been having them all along I am certain I wouldn't have thought twice about it. As well, it was the radiologist who made the changes - not my surgeon. That was another red flag for me. If my surgeon had made the change he would have explained why and I'm pretty certain I would have been just fine with it because I trust him. So, I am not against whatever tests are needed - I just knew that for me it changed this time around and I wanted (and demanded) to know why. If you read all the answers from the other members Dana - almost ALL of them get CT with contrast. So please, please don't NOT get the testing because of my issue. Have a talk with your doc and ask him why you get the contrast - he should be able to explain this to your satisfaction. Keep in touch and let me know how it goes. Hugs, Linda

Debi - thanks for giving me the peace of mind that I am not hurting myself by NOT getting the dye. You're right - it's not our job to make their job easier and if it takes a few more minutes to read the scan then so be it. I don't think they are used to being questioned and I told my sister I may have quite the wait come scan day if they have a good memory and remember this ! I don't much care though - I 'll just bring a good book and smile knowing that I got my own way! Take care my friend, Linda

Nick - I remember that story all too well from when my children were little. We read that every single night for many, many months. My son would always say at the end of the book "You'll always be my mommy, but I don't think I could carry you like he carries his mommy!" Still makes me smile when I think of it. I can certainly understand why the book affected you as it did though - in very few words it takes us through a life time of love between a mother and her child. Sadly, you didn't get enough time and she didn't get to experience all the joy you had to give her - including Sophie. I hope the tears were cathartic in some way, although it would be better if it was a perfect world and you didn't have to be going through the pain of her loss at all. Take care Nick, Hugs, Linda

Oh dear Barbara - I almost missed this. I am so happy that Bill is back at home now under your loving and watchful care. I, too, would wish to be at home where things are familiar - we all know how that word "home" invokes such a peaceful feeling. I hope that things are going smoothly and that you are managing to take those moments to regenerate yourself. I will be keeping you and Bill in my prayers. Luv, Linda

Melanie - believe it or not I grew up in Thunder Bay Ontario - we moved to Edmonton, Alberta when I was 10; however, I still have many relatives there. I know Ontario is a huge province, but it still seems like a small world sometimes. I haven't been throughout all of Ontario, but the places I have lived and seen are beautiful. Much nicer lakes than Alberta, that's for sure! In 2005 we rented a house on Lake Superior (my parents, sister and her family and my family) and what a blast we had. Isn't that nice of your surgeon - see, it's that personality of yours that draws people to you. She sounds very caring - a nice trait (and sometimes a rare one) in a surgeon. I'll keep everything crossed that the surgery is earlier February rather than later February! It might be difficult to walk that way but it will be worth it if it works - sure hope that secretary calls soon though-ha ha! Luv, Linda

Susan - I am so very sorry to read about Lisa's passing. I did follow her blog and was concerned when it was posted in December that she had been admitted to the hospital. In reading her postings I was awestruck by the woman - absolutely amazing lady. I am so sorry for her family. Another beautiful soul lost to this terrible disease. My most sincere condolences to those who loved her. Linda

Wonderful news! Prayers continuing. Linda

Melanie - you are such a hoot! I'm sure I would love your Aunt Martha. You, at such a tender age, have such wisdom inside you. I certainly wasn't anywhere near as mature at your age ... your family must be so proud of you. I am trying to teach my two teens to stand up for themselves, yet to always do it with dignity (even though sometimes I really, really want to yell my head off - especially when I think someone is not listening to me!). I only hope they have it as together as you do. No word yet on the surgery I take it? Ahh, the waiting, it just sucks - no doubt about it. Where do you live in Canada (if you don't mind me being nosy - is your Aunt Martha a tad nosy too?) Anyhow, I always love reading your posts and always look forward to hearing from you. You didn't get carried away - your enthusiasm is contagious and just makes me smile! Luv, Linda

I shed many tears with this story Randy. I think every mother understands the depth of that bond and love for a child - thankfully not all of us have to face this very heartbreaking decision. What a wonderful mother/human being she is and what tremendous sacrifices she made to bring her Victoria Faith into the world. It was especially touching when her father said "I don't want to lose my baby" - joy and sadness. I wish "no baby" had been lost Linda