Janet B

Good morning everyone - it is so good to be back! I am trying to catch up on all of you and what is going on in your lives - but I will just have to start fresh - like trying to jump in to a TV series halfway through the season! First - I want to say - Annette - I don't know quite what is going on with "the Kid" but I wanted to let you know that a few years ago we thought we had lost my niece to drugs. She ended up in ICU for 2 weeks on a respirator - and then as soon as she got out of the hospital started using again, ending up on the streets. Now she is raising a beautiful daughter, working hard, putting herself through school to be a radiology tech. We couldn't be more happy, and proud - there is hope! Judy in KW - OMG I would be SO excited to have you come to CT. I am dying to meet you in person. (I could meet you in Jersey sometime when you are there also - I have friends and family there) It is too bad the farm at the prison isn't great. Maybe there is somewhere else with animals you can visit? Right now I have two of the farm guinea pigs at my house - they are just babies and needed some extra love. Turns out that one of them is a male - and the other 15 on the farm are females - so I get to keep him!! I adore him and am so excited! We are now anxiously awaiting the birth of a new horse any minute. I am not allowed to drive for the time being - I had a seizure and my double vision is back - so getting to the farm has been tough - but luckily my son is home for the summer and he is a great chauffeur! Judy in MI - Bridgeport has improved, but it there is still a lot of poverty there. I have never been - just driven through, but my husband does some work there. I hear that the zoo has gone from horrible to wonderful and my son likes to go to a music festival at Seaside Park. Two of my best friends grew up in Bridgeport. I have been dying to go to the Barnum Museum but it is closed due to tornado damage. Eric - I so wish I could have met up with you. I live halfway between NYC and Boston and I have daughters in each of those cities. Plus you said you were going to stop in New Haven - which is where all my doctors are - so it would have been easy to meet you there. Unfortunately I have not been doing so well this summer and just was not up to traveling, walking, talking, ha ha I guess I have not been up to much! I am so glad you are having such a good time - you are seeing much more of America than most Americans! And, the people are being so friendly because we American's can't resist an accent! Today I have an MRI - some advanced imaging kind - I used to take good notes and would know exactly what it was called - but I guess I am getting complacent. All I know is they said it would take 2 hours - wow - that is a long time to be in a coffin like device! Also today my favorite little boy is coming to visit. A good friend who has 3 children the same ages about as my 3 (20's) has a 4 year old now. He is the closest thing I have to a grandchild - and I adore him. They live in Brooklyn but are coming to spend a few days at the beach with me. I am afraid I don't have the same energy I had when he was here in June - so I hope it all goes ok. It has been a rough summer for me health wise - but an amazing summer weather wise. Today 81 and sunny. I love it! Peace - Janet

Judy in MI - where in Ct did you live? I live in Old Saybrook - (where the Ct river meets the sound). We have been here for 27 years. CT wouldn't have been my first choice of places to end up - but you can't beat the smell of the salt water to make you feel good on a down day! Thanks for the welcome guys!

Hi guys - I have been wanting to start back up in "the air" for some time - I used to be here daily ( I stopped because I got a bit too addicted!) - but it kept feeling awkward to just jump in to the conversation! So today I promised myself I would just do it! I miss the "air" friendships. Anyway - so I just wanted to pop in and say hi - and I will try to stop by daily - to see how you are all doing - Weather check in CT - perfect - 83 and sunny. I live 1/4 mile from the Long Island Sound - so it is probably a beach day - every day is a beach day! Looking forward to getting to know the new friends and reconnecting with the old! peace - Janet

Geri - My daughter just told me that she has signed up to be on the planning committee. (I am so proud of her!) God willing I will be at the walk again this year - last year I was too shy to bother you with a hello - this year I won't be!! Thank you for all the work you do - peace - Janet

Stephanie - I love this news - stable is awesome! peace - Janet

Jason - I can't help you with your event, as I live on the other side of the country! But I just wanted to say welcome to this site. I was really moved by your post because my children are about the same age as you were when you lost your dad. I know it is hard, but speaking as a parent I just want to tell you that you should try not to feel guilty about being far away when your dad was ill. You said you know he was thrilled that you were living a new adventure and I am sure that knowing you were happy and doing well was a huge comfort to him. One of my biggest fears is that as I get sicker my children will disrupt their lives to be close to me. I would hate that, their happiness is what makes me happy and having them put that on hold would only cause me stress. What you are doing with your walk is a wonderful tribute - I am sure your father is very proud. Take care of yourself - peace - Janet

This news makes me very very happy - another beautiful spring!

I hate this news Ned - but I KNOW you can beat those stupid mets!! You are in my prayers - always - Janet

seashorE

let the dog out? Maybe there will be

Rebncor - My heart is breaking for you- but you are getting some good advice, and that is the great thing about this site, people are so willing to give support. I just wanted to second what Fillise said about talking- In my case, I am the one with lung cancer, and yes, some days I am very scared. My husband doesn't ever want to talk about it - maybe because of his fears, maybe because he doesn't want to upset me - but I would LOVE to be able to talk openly with him about my fears, concerns, and hopes. It would give me an outlet to let the fears go. It might be just what you both need. peace Janet

I am so glad that Ned responded to you! He said it perfectly. I just wanted to let you know that I am also stage 4 with mets to the bone. I had Mets to 3 spots on my spine that had become so painful that I couldn't lift my leg, sleep, or get up from a sitting position. I was given a prognosis of a few months to a year - but that was 4 years ago. I am living a very full life, pain free. The radiation shrunk the tumors, which relieved the pain and the chemo drug I am on has kept the cancer cells from progressing. So, no, at stage 4 I won't be cured, but I CAN keep on living. You asked about medication to help the bones - I get infusions of Zometa - which is a calcium supplement to help strengthen my bones. Prayers for you and your Dad- peace - Janet

What great news!!! I am so happy for you both!

Judy - you and your sister are in my prayers - peace

What great news!!!!!!

WOW !!!! WOW!!!! WOW!!!! AWESOME!!!! You give us all hope!!! prayers for many many more years!!!

Ursol hasn't been on the site for quite a while (either have I) but she was one of my first "friends" here. I was so happy to get a chance to meet her in person a few months ago. She leaves behind 3 young children. I HATE this disease. http://www.legacy.com/funerals/brooklaw ... =146712119 VIEIRA, Lillian (Urso) Lillian (Urso) Vieira of Rocky Hill, CT passed away on Friday (November 19, 2010), after a courageous battle with Lung Cancer. Born in Hartford, on December 29, 1965, daughter of Joseph A. Urso and Maria Urso (Ossino). Lillian worked at ESPN in Bristol, CT for the past 15 years most recently heading the Affiliate Business Operations group. Prior she worked at The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation in Meriden, CT and before that at Sage Allen & Co in West Hartford. Lillian lived most of her life in Wethersfield moving to Rocky Hill in 1993. She was a graduate of Wethersfield High School and received her Bachelors Degree from the University of Connecticut in 1988. Lillian is a member of the Corpus Christi Women's Club, She is a member of CTAM and Women in Cable Television (WICT) and a graduate and Alumnae of Class 21 of Betsy Magness Leadership Institute (BMLI). Lillian was a devoted wife and mother married in 1992. Besides her parents she leaves behind her husband Paulo Vieira and her adoring children Katia, Alexandre and Marilena Vieira of Rocky Hill. Additionally she is survived by her brother Salvatore Urso and his wife Kelley and their children Angela, Joey, and Jeffrey Urso all of Wethersfield. She also leaves behind an extended family she adored including her Aunts and Uncles that meant so much to her, Umberto and Isabel Ossino of Rocky Hill, Salvatore and Liliana Campailla of West Hartford, Francesca Pelosi of Wethersfield, Jochino and Ninette Urso of Wethersfield, Tommy and Kathy Urso of Newington, Ninette Coppolla of Ocean Bluff, MA, her Uncle and godfather Sebastian Urso of China, Maine and her Godmother Valerie Urso of Newington. She also leaves behind many cousins that she loved very much both in the United States and abroad in Italy, France, London, Argentina and Venezuela. She was predeceased by her grandparents Francesco and Angela Ossino (Tagliaverga) as well as her step grandmother Josephine Urso (Stella) and most recently her Uncle Jack Urso of Rocky Hill. Her family would like to thank everyone at ESPN for all the support given to her throughout her battle with cancer, and to her friends who were always there to help Lillian and her family. A special thanks to the professionalism and compassion from her Doctors and Nurses at Yale-New Haven Cancer Center. Funeral services will be a Tuesday at 9 a.m. from the Giuliano-Sagarino Funeral Home at Brooklawn, 511 Brook Street, Rocky Hill, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Corpus Christi Church, Wethersfield, CT at 10 a.m. Interment to follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford, CT. Friends are invited to the funeral home Monday from 4-8 p.m. Donations can be made in Lillian's memory to a scholarship fund set up through "Lillian Urso-Vieira Children's fund" c/o Webster Bank 797 Pine Street Forestville, CT. 06010.

Wow - I was so surprised to read these posts! I have had horrible ringing in my ears for the most part of the year. The ENT and my oncologist haven't been able to figure it out - although I do seem to have Tarceva sores in my ear canal. I have lost about 30% of my hearing which is bothersome, but not as bothersome as the very loud ringing! And Kasey - I hear music too! I walk from room to room to see if there is a radio on - but no - it is just my head - so glad to know I am not alone!

So happy that things are going so well!!! Prayers that the Tarceva will keep kicking the cancer's butt for a long long time and your wife has many more years of teaching!! (Although teaching 5th grade science sounds like torture to me!!) She will be in my prayers! peace - janet

I hope this helps!! Anxious to hear how it goes. Back in November my scalp had gotten so bad my Dr. finally convinced me to go from 150mg to 100. So far it is still working its wonders - and although I have flair ups - nothing as bad as it was. I totally understand how hard the decision is to rock the boat - but sometimes so necessary to live with any comfort! Take care - you are always in my prayers! janet

Welcome - you will find a lot of hope and help on this site. I don't have time to read your whole blog right now but I skimmed it - and so far: 1. I had a cat that looked JUST like yours. He died this summer, but his best trick was to walk across my eyeballs at night! 2. When I was in the hospital for a week - forget bad food - I got NO food! It became the family joke - they would take my order and then decide they were going to do surgery so I couldn't eat, they would change their mind about the surgery, take my order, then decide to do a different surgery. All week long all I kept asking for was a cheeseburger, and I am not kidding, they never fed me! Of course I got billed for meals! 3. LOL I ALWAYS get an itch on my nose the SECOND I go into the PET scan! I am sure I am going to enjoy the rest of your blog - just wish you were writing it for a happier reason Keep us posted! peace - Janet

Hi Susie - Glad you found us! I am a 3+ year survivor, stage IV. I have been on Tarceva for 3 years. This site has been a godsend for support, an amazing cheering section,and a source of wonderful new friendships. peace Janet

Welcome Joppette! I am so glad you found us! peace - janet

It is 63 here today and the sun is shining!!!! It is a beautiful day!. We got a lot - a LOT - of rain this week in New England, record amounts and a lot of flooding. My backyard looks like a lake! On Tuesday I did my volunteer stint at the farm. We kept the kids inside and I ran back and forth to the animals pens to bring the animals in to the kids - I have never been so wet (and muddy) in my life! Today the farm was like a different world, all the animals were so happy and basking in the sunshine! On top of that my nephew and his wife came to see the farm today I loved showing them around. I was supposed to have my PET scan on Thursday. Of course, once again, like clockwork, the call came Wednesday late afternoon to tell me it was canceled because the insurance company denied it. It seems to have become a game with them. They deny it, my doctor tries for days to reach an actual person, once he does they reverse their decision and the PET is scheduled. However, what they don't realize is that my stress level goes through the roof every time! I hope everyone that celebrates Easter has a wonderful day!!!! My kids are all coming in tomorrow - we hope, the trains from Boston are not all running because of the flooding. One more aside - My husband always complains that I cook too much food. This year I asked him to order the Ham, I didn't tell him a size, because I wanted and 8-10 pounder and I figured he would complain that was too much, so I left it up to him. He ordered a WHOLE HAM. 17 - 22 pounds! It is only the 5 of us!! HaHa!

good afternoon! Today is Palm Sunday, at our church that means a BIG breakfast made by the youth and then the reading of the Passion, I narrate the reading each year, I like that, it forces me to pay attention! Now I have to clean the house - the kids were all home last weekend (which makes a mess - a happy mess but a mess!) and I have been too busy to clean since. Now tomorrow my BEST friend, since I was 11, is coming to visit from California for a night - so the day will be spent dusting and sweeping and changing sheets. I already told Charlie he is in charge of dinner. it is gray and a chilly 39 outside, but they say 79 by the end of the week. I am hoping for a beautiful Easter day! peace - Janet