Debaroo

Seeing her picture for the first time I remember thinking-what a beautiful lady-then I'd read her posts and my thought was confirmed-then I read the letter and it showed again-she was a beautiful lady through and through. She will be so missed, but, man, is heaven lucky or WHAT? Deb

Gay and Dean, I can't express enough how much respect that I have for the both of you. You are both in my prayers. Deb

I could be wrong, but from what I found out when my dad had brain mets two years ago, RFA would be used on soft tissue mets (ie. liver mets). My dad had Gamma Knife for his brain mets. I posted a long, detailed post about it a long time ago-it is a very specific procedure, directs high doses of radiation to the mets themselves, leaves the healthy brain tissue undamaged, limited side effects. My dads procedure was very successful. The tumors are killed on the spot, then they are reabsorbed back into the brain at the same rate at which they grew. My dad was very happy with the procedure, and his insurance covered it 100%. It is becoming more and more available, I would ask the onc. about it, maybe they could refer you to a neurologist that does it, it is usually in a hospital, because the equipment is so large, and you need a neurosurgeon, radiologist and, believe it or not, a nuclear physisist to map out each procedure. My dads neurosurgeon said that they can do up to 4 or even 5 mets at a time (each is done individually, but during ONE session), and have done mets up to the size of, if I remember correctly 4 cm. If the mets are the right shape, not wrapping or winding in the brain, the position dosn't matter as far as where they are in the brain. If they are too big, they may even suggest traditional radiation to shrink them and THEN do Gamma Knife. Also, they ususally reccomend Whole brain radiation (WBR) after the procedure, to help break the blood-brain barrior that the brain develops to protect itself from the chemo-then the chemo would be able to do its job on the brain, too. Hope this was of some help. Take care, Deb ps. You can try a search on Yahoo or something punch in Gamma Knife-and maybe your state even, to get a list of places that offer the procedure.

I just posted a post to the site Katie referenced above=username Debarooo (three o's, Debaroo was already taken). There were SO many messages to Mr. Jennings. I hope that it helps, in some way, however small. Deb

I was just in my car when they announced on it, like a news break, "This just in Peter Jennings of ABC news has been diagnosed with lung cancer. He is to start chemo immediatly." that was it. I expected them to say he had died suddenly the way they did it, but then they said he had lung cancer and it just made me so sad. Then I thought of what a great bunch of people are here, and thought the same thing-if he wanted to come here, if he wanted to take on a role as a lung cancer advocate (like Katie Couric did for prostate cancer after her husband was diagnosed and sadly, subsequently died). I just hope that he knows how much support is out there-even with the fame and money thing, lets face it, lung cancer is not the type of thing that many people can relate to-and being able to relate is so important when you're dealing with illness. My thoughts and prayers go out to him, and the others who are out there and were diagnosed, too....You are not alone. Take care, Deb

David, Karen and Faith (what a beautiful name)- I'm so sorry for all that you are going through right now. Man, you guys have a HUGE following, it took me so long to scroll down far enough so that I could click on the post reply button!!! Please know that you are in my prayers, too. I wish I could do more, but my prayers will be sent, and I hope that knowing how much support that you have here helps. Please take care, you guys, Deb

Stephanie, Let me begin by wishing you a happy belated birthday. I am so sorry that you have been feeling so alone. It might sound weird, but I miss your mom, too. I think I've posted before about how much JudyB meant to me. I realize now, as a mother myself, that your birthday is not only your celebration, but it is a celebration for your mother. She brought you into this world, and that immediate, unconditional love that is so overwhelming is created-and I just want you to know that I believe that you should think of yourself as that extention of your mother-you are so much a part of her-she lives on through you. I hope that your move to AZ is a smooth one. Sometimes trying to keep busy works against you. You're trying to subdue some pretty intense feelings-and you should let yourself feel them. Sometimes a good cry and talking outloud to my dad makes me feel closer to him. I actually talk to him alot, when the kids do something that I know he'll get a kick out of, and I know he knows. Just like your Mom does. I really believe that. She'll be with you when you move. When she creeps into your thoughts, she's probably nearby. Please take care, and remember we're here. Deb

Sharon, GREAT NEWS! By chance, to you drink alot of coffee or ingest alot of caffine? My Doc. told me years ago-I was about 20, and developing cysts on my breast, too. It turned out that I was drinking way too much coffee and tea, and the caffine was the cause of the cysts (some people are more prone to this than others.) So I switched and have been making part decaf, part reg. ever since, and no longer have this problem. Just thought I'd share, if I could help you avoid another scare-not knowing is torture. In any case, I am REALLY, REALLY, happy for you. Take care, Deb

See, Norme, Sharon and I thought of you at the SAME time, we were probably posting to you at the same time-I guess it is a case of great minds thinking thinking alike about a great lady. Deb

Ginny, I consider you family, too-although I don't come around as much as I used to, I think of my LCSC family every day, and say a little prayer. All I can say is that a marraige like you and the Duke had were a great example of what it is all about-your relationship is STILL strong-and I know that Earl is loving you right now as much as you are loving him. Take care, my friend, Deb

Norme, I just wanted to post this to let you know that I continue to think about you and your Buddy, and that you are in my prayers...I miss ya, Norme, and I hope you are doing well. No need to reply, just know that someones thinking of you, and sending love your way. Deb

Fay, I havn't been around in a while, but when I checked in and saw your invite, I was so glad I didn't check in too late. I'll supply the rice crispy treats (HOME MADE, not the packaged stuff) and will be sporting my, literally, Holey sweats and bugs bunny slippers (the ORIG. BUGS, NOT THE NEWLY RE-MADE that I saw on the news the other morning-it quite disturbed me). I'll also bring some somber music, too-lets see-I've got the Smiths (an 80's band that pretty much wore itself out-record form-remember records? The Smiths were the band of choice for the depressed, pitty partiers-man, there were periods where I could pitty party anyone under a table.) And maybe some poetry I wrote in High School-now THATS DEPRESSING... Oh, Fay, I couldn't think of anyone that I'd rather meet and be able to party with-even if its a pitty party-YOU RULE!!!!!!!!!!!! Deb

Fay, Please include me in the prayer chain... I hope that you will have some answers soon. I can't imagine how excruciating it is for you to have to watch your son going through this-you are both in my prayers. Deb

I am a huge Jack Klugman fan, he had cancer of the throat, and is doing quite well. I also know that on a Dr.Phil show, he mentioned to a guest who's wife was trying to get him to kick the smoking habit that his mother (Dr. Phils) has lung cancer. No mention of it since, that I know of, though..

Shelly, have a Merry Christmas-and I hope that the New Year brings you happiness and laughter. Enjoy the house-you're parents are probably so happy that you will be living there. Try not to be scared, enjoy. Deb

Ginny, I am glad that you are able to keep busy-but it really just temporarily takes your mind off things, I guess. I can't imagine how it must feel to loose such an important part of you...You will always be The Dukes Dutchess. If you have any tips on how to have love last and stay strong for so long, I-for one-would love to hear them. You and Earl were so lucky to have one another, and that you spoke of your love of one another is so important-so very important. He'll always be with you, Ginny, and I am saying a special prayer for you to receive a sign from The Duke-just as a little nudge to let you know that he is still with you. In the meantime, you are very loved here, too. Please know that. Deb

Fay, please know that your son, Philip, and you are in my prayers, too. I will be checking in to see how things are going. In the meantime, hang in there...Take care, Deb

I just wanted to wish you ALL a very happy holiday. I know that I havn't been around much, but you are in my thoughts often. My wish for everyone is that your holidays are happy and that the New Year brings you each much: hope, joy, love and laughter. I love you guys. Deb

Sharyn, I just wanted to say how uplifting your post was-as I am sorry about your dads death, I am so glad that you are in such a content place. That you were comforted by your dad at the time that you needed it is a beautiful thing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family-your daddy is alright, now, and he feels your love as much as you feel his. Take care, my friend, Deb

Sharyn, I was so sorry when I saw your post. Your father and you and your family are all in my prayers. God is with you and your family. I hope that you feel that, although it is hard. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers. It has been a long, hard battle, my friend...I am sending my love and prayers-please PM me if you need to talk. Deb

Laurie, Let me begin by saying that I'm so sorry that you havn't been feeling well. My sister was diagnosed with fibromyalgia four years ago, and was so relieved when she was-she thought she had lupus. As my sister told me: "fibromyalgia is not fatal- but when you have a flair up it sure feels like it is." From what she told me, it is very hereditary (so far I have been lucky and it seems to have skipped me-but my great-grandmother had it, and my mother and sister both have been diagnosed with it. Common treatment of fibromyalgia is the use of anti-depressants-prozac and the like-sounds weird, but it works. In fact, many people in the past with "F" didn't even know they had it-as it is VERY HARD to diagnose. You see, stress brings on flair ups (good stress-ie:weddings and the like and bad stress can bring it on). So their doctors would perscribe anti-depressants-the patient would feel better-but not because they were depressed, but because the medication actually treats the disease-so it was thought that these folks suffered from depression and that the depression brought on the physical pain and exaustion...weird huh? The really confusing part is this: the flair ups happen AFTER the stress has gone away-weird, yes, but that is how it works. My sister had a flair up a few months after the stress of my dads diagnosis, although he was doing really well and we were able to relax and enjoy ourselves a bit-the flair up came out during the 'easier' times, and after the really stressful time. Go figure. So, flair ups will come and go, you don't have to go the medication route, but seeing as though you have a bad neck injury on top of the fibromyalgia, you want to do whatever will get you feeling better. Of course there are varying degress of the disease, again not fatal, but it can be somewhat dibilitating-so your questions regarding disability are definently warrented, even if you only need it temporarily. I will ask my mom about it this evening, she retired from Social Security two years ago. In the meantime, I hope you feel better. And remember, it isn't fatal, it just can feel that way during flair ups. I hope this was of some help to you. Take care, Deb

So, I'm walking through the supermarket the other day, and on the display stand at the end of the aisle I see them-Mallowmars...now, you must understand that mallowmars do not go on sale here until September-to me it has always signified the official end of summer (to heck with the calandar-mallowmars melt easily and so they are not sold during the spring and summer months)-remember the time of year when you find yourself waking up one morning and feeling a chill in the air and you are clutching at the blankets not wanting to give up their warmth? Then you walk into the supermarket and there they are...MALLOWMARS. Now, realize, that until this very year I never noticed when they appeared, or when they disappeard from the shelves (although I do love them). Until this year I would walk into my parents house, open the bread drawer...and there they'd be...mallowmars. Two or three boxes of them. Daddys favorite cookies. They won't be in my parents bread drawer this year, or ever again, I guess...who'd have thought that the sight of a bunch of cookie boxes on a shelf in the grocery store would bring me to tears. Soon Entemmans will be stocking shelves with Blackout cake, Daddys favorite cake-it always sells out right away, so finding a box is actually like winning lotto-my husband would somehow always find one, though, just for my dad-and bring it over-his expression resembeling that of a proud dog bringing its master the newspaper (minus the wagging tale). In honor of my dad I will be buying a few boxes of mallowmars for my own house. But I'd better find a sale, as the price has skyrocketed and Daddy would want me to get a deal on them . Tomorrow, while the kids are at school, I plan on opening a box, getting 2 or 3 out with a big glass of milk, setting Daddys picture on the table, and having some milk and mallowmars with my Dad. He'd want it that way. Deb

Carleen and Keith, sorry that I am late in joining the celebration-but I just wanted to chime in and tell you both: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lOVE DEB

Charlene, there are no words that I can say that can take away your pain-I wish there were...I hope it helps that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted on how you are doing, and how your brother is doing, as well. Deb

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D Deb