ginnyde

Earl is a very smart man. Now the story. Some may remember, that in late September, Earl went outside about 10:30 at night. I don't know why he went out and I was asleep on the couch and trust me I am a deep sleeper. The short version, he feel face first on the driveway, it started to rain, it took him 1-1/2 hours to crawl back into the house. He was a bloody mess and lost most of the skin on his face. Did he learn a lesson. Nope. Yesterday, I was out running errands. Earl decided he was feeling better than he had in 6 months so he went out to retrieve a bird feeder that had fallen. Now the feeder was lying on a steep hill and, oh, the hill was a solid sheet of ice. Remember, Earl has great difficulty with balance and walks with a cane. Yep, he fell. Yep, it took him 45 minutes to crawl into the garage which is where he had gotten to when I got home. Broken fibula. Casted from toes to knees. Not allowed to put weight on it. Hope to get appt with orthopedist Monday and get walking cast. He is trying to use a walker but it is interesting. Had to get our son here to get him in the house from the hospital. He slept on the couch in the family room, I slept on the floor. Thank goodness, I stole the p-- bottle from the hospital. Yep, I am mad, he really should have known better and life has been interesting enough without this. I also feel very sad for him. He was just beginning to feel better and thinking he maybe could do some things and WHAM! We are going to practice going up and down steps on butt today. He is so weak it may not work. I will keep you updated. Love to you all, Ginny

Hi Cheri, Welcome. This board is amazing. The care, support and love is overwhelming. But, in some ways, more important is the information about treatments and drugs and hospitals etc., etc. Post a question and you will have an answer pronto. Wish you didn't have to be here, but since you do, here is a wonderful place. Ginny

Oh my God! Look at the after effects of cancer treatments. Scary!!!!! Hide this picture from Faith. HaHa David, needed a laugh. Ginny

Carleen, I am a little late posting, but you know that you and your adorable Keith are in my prayers daily. May the Big Easy be the answer to your prayers. Ginny

I also told our onc. about Celebrex and he agreed to have Earl take it when he started on the Carbo/Taxol chemo. He started at 200mg 2x a day and then since he seemed to tolerate it he was increased to 400mg 2x a day. He stopped the chemo about 10 days ago and is now on Iressa but the onc. has him continuing the Celebrex. Says there does appear to be some good news with the Celebrex. Ginny

WOW! It just emphasises how important it is for our group to be active. To educate our family and friends and our doctors, if they will listen. Awareness, advocacy, eduation and fund raising - they are key.

David, Just saw the post. Hope you're back from the Dr. and have posted in good news, haven't gotten there yet. Ginny

Pat, My husband had 28 radiation treatments. Side effects were primarily fatigue and a metallic taste in his mouth. I ABSOLUTELY recommend that you get an RX for Carafat. We kept a bottle at the hospital and one at home. At the hospital he took it mixed in juice right before and right after each treatment. He took it at home on the weekends, once in the am and once in the pm. I believe that this kept him from getting any esophagial problems. Just my opinion, but the Carafat can't hurt. Ginny

Welcome Mayo, Early diagnosis is our mission here and clean scans are our goal. BTW, there are many caring and knowledgable people here to help us all on this journey. Stay posted. Ginn

Happy, happy birthday. Make Dean cook dinner and do the dishes. It is your day. Ginny

Looking good.

I want to emphasize the PILLOW OR TEDDY BEAR. Hold this against your incision when coughing, riding in the car etc. My husband become very attached to his pillow. My husband had his surgery at Fox Chase with Dr. Melvyn Goldberg. We were very happy with the care there. Good luck. Ginny

Yep Dean, we want pictures. Do you have to wear a helmet? Can your wife ride on your lap? Do you have a seat belt? Here's to many happy miles scootering. Ginny

Natalie, My sister, who does NOT have lung cancer had fluid drained from her chest 2 times. Both times it was red, the second she said it looked like tomato soup. They tested for LC. No cancer. Then they did the surgery to put in the talc. She has had no fluid since. Prayers for your Mom. Ginny

Oh my God, Shellie, I just can't find the words to convey how sad I am about this news. Try and stay tough for your Dad, he will need you. And hopefully this was caught early, early, early. Ginny

Dear Becky, Call me silly, but I just believe that being in treatment makes us feel better. Earl always says 'Easy for you to say" and he is right. I so hope that this chemo combo does the trick for you. You are ready for some good news. Ginny

Dear Nancy, We were all wondering where your David was, he hadn't posted for awhile and he was missed. We will always miss him and pray for him and his family. Please accept my sincerest sympathy. Ginny

Dam- dam- dam- Fay, We all need a great big gun to shoot ED. However, you have an amazing spirit and strength and if anyone can overcome a minor setback, it is you kiddo. Keep us posted. Love, Ginny

Thank you, Fay. Going to go look at that site when I get home from work. Ginny

Hooray for bronchitis. May all your scares be minor. Ginny

Mo, This is just wonderful news. Now, what do you charge per load of laundry? I always have said that I would love to find a pair of underpants in my drawer (before I am in a an old age home) that I didn't wash, dry, fold and put back in my drawer. I hope your results are just a good. Ginny

Dear Connie, I love good news, I love good news, I love good news. We need the LONG term survivors to get this story out. Ginny

Dave, You home yet? Or did you have to wait forever because the ER is like a traffic jam with all the flu cases. Hope they gave you something to make you feel better. Ginny

I have no idea why your SO would want to undermine your quitting smoking. My only advice is anytime he gives you any grief, I would say - Shut up, I want to live. How can anyone argue that. I quit 19 months and 4 days and 2 hours ago (but who is counting). I knew that I only had one quit - so no matter how much I may want a cigarette, I just won't do it - I never want to have to go thru quitting again. Good luck. Remember - keep yourself first. Ginny

Ry, I often think about the people that have disappeared from this site. Hopefully, they are doing well and may not want to think about LC for awhile. What I think each of use should do, in addition to sending you our phone numbers, is to teach someone else in our family or circle of friends how to post on here. That way if for some reason (hopefully a good reason) one of our dear friends is among the land of 'no post for awhile' - the designated poster can update us. My daughter called just now and I told here I want her to learn how to do this. Ginny