gerbil runner

Wishing you lots of success, Addie.

Mark, I am so sorry. Leslie was way too young.

I'm so very sorry. This is such an awful disease...

Larry, I know this is heartbreaking. May God's love be felt every moment of your wife's journey.

I am so very sorry...deep condolences to both families. I can't believe this.

It hurts. There's no way around that fact. I've been having dreams about my mom being with us, but not alive. Weird dreams. She's dead, and I have to tell people she's dead, but in these dreams she's with me, talking and laughing. In all of these dreams, I know she's dead. But she's acting alive so Dad and I can get used to her being gone. Sometimes, we have to tell Mom she's dead and will leave us soon. Grieving is hard work. I don't sleep well these days. But my thoughts are with you, and we will all get through these hard times of grief.

When my mom had symptoms from brain mets, they were hard to define for a long time. She had WBR, and when the brain mets came back, they were in the same places but the symptoms were different. Gamma knife is a good choice if it looks like the mets are growing back. It was hard on my mom because she was severely debilitated even before the gamma knife, but most patients have great results. Good luck to you. Any downward trend is worth investigating. Maybe your current medical team could send the info to another hospital for another point of view (my mom's onc. did this regularly, which is why we never sought a 2nd opinion). Do they have you on decadron? That should help with the swelling. Also, as you taper off the decadron, beware of amemia.

AAAHHGGG!!!! Find a happy place! Find a happy place! Find a happy place!

C'mon, everbody knows GWB has no balls, so nobody could possibly get the car

EEEWWWWW!!!!!

I'm so sorry...losing a mom hurts so much.

Wow, tough situation. As if the SOB wasn't bad enough... The Poise pads come in different sizes, from "pantiliner" size to fairly enormous. Try using the biggies for outings/rehab situations. They hold a surprising amount. Again - try physically assisting your bladder to empty. It may take a little practice. Really push with your fist until you get results, try slightly different angles. Won't cure the problem, but may make it a bit more "containable". If all else fails, surgery may be an option. Those lower muscles of ours just really take a beating .

Dosen't have the brains of a cantaloupe. Couldn't find his @ss with both hands and a flashlight. Smart like a sheep. Sharp as a marshmallow. Poster child for eugenics. His head's for decorative purposes only.

For some reason, the brain mets caused incontinence for my mom (which cleared up after WBR). I get stress incontinence when I run - after 3 kids, not uncommon. I use Poise pads when I run, unless it's early in the morning when my bladder is completely empty and I'm running a short distance. Warning - TMI possible here... When you use the bathroom, try pushing your fist into your belly to help empty your bladder completely. You have to push very low and down. You may be surprised at how much your "empty" bladder is still holding. Kegels may help, also.

Hi, Kimberly. There are factors which affect survival time, and the quality of that time, which nobody can tell you for sure. Sclc is very aggressive, but in some cases a few rounds of chemo send it whimpering into hiding for months, or even years. Some surprise everyone and are "cured". Sometimes it barely slows down. There's no way to know where your dad will fall into the spectrum. He can boost the odds by having an oncologist willing to fight as hard as your dad can take, by quitting smoking (if he hasn't already), by being a bit of a hypochondriac and pursuing all problems promptly, and getting enough to eat and drink. Supportive care can make all the difference, in quality of lofe as well as quantity. Make the most of every day. Ask the hard questions, but be a cheerleader for your dad. It's like somebody came and robbed your house, took everything of value, and left a few lottery tickets. Not fair, it stinks, but SOMEBODY is going to win the lottery, so hang on to the tickets and check the numbers.

Lori, I'd talk to a social worker in the hospital ASAP. Let him or her know about the problems your mom was facing with her husband. She may need to go to a rehab facility for a while. The social worker can help make sure your mom gets the assistance most appropriate for the reality of her home. --edited to add-- Also, just wanted to say that there are resources in many communities to help with durable medical goods. After my mom passed away, the goods which were not returnable (commode, shower chair, mattress pad for hospital bed) were donated by my dad to a local senior resource center.

OK, I'll be the one to say I'd take the "stinky" pill. After all, one year is nothing compared to forever. Ever see the movie "Groundhog Day"? Very funny, but also makes you think. That's why I'd go for immortality. I don't think I'd ever get bored - always something new to learn. Also, think of this - how many here go through torture (chemo, raditation) for just the CHANCE of a little more time? The day of Gamma Knife for my mom was something which could not be done to a criminal ("cruel and unusual", for sure), yet she was more than willing to try it. At one point, Mom was considering stem cell replacement (essentially super-chemo and then therapy with her own previously harvested stem cells to reconstruct her immune system). It would have been a horribly grueling, risky procedure which would have debilitated her for six to twelve months. Yet had she been eligible (she failed her cardio test), she would have done it without hesitation. She wanted to LIVE and LIVE LONGER! So continual runs for a year? I could do that in exchange for the promise of forever. No question. Another thing; knowing pain will end for sure helps us endure. Helped me get through 3 induced labors. I don't know if I'd gamble on the CHANCE of immortality, but with a sure bet...that's another story.

Having potty-trained 3 boys, all of varying temperaments and presenting different challenges, I say you do what works.

Oh, thank God! Hope your Mom continues to amaze you with her great recovery. Sounds like surgery was the right choice.

I'm so sorry. I know it hurts. Hug your daughter, and just keep going.

I miss my mom, too. She played Christmas music on handbells and guitar. She made crafts for us to enjoy. My dad has taken off his wedding ring, yet seems so lost sometimes. It hurts. I guess sometimes the only thing you can do is go through the hurt, and hold up the beautiful memories on the other side.

He quit smoking 30-40 years ago, and is still judged by it?! Anyone who has ever be less than "perfectly healthy" (overweight, high cholesterol. etc) should think long and hard about this.

I'm so sorry. Hold tight to what you did for your dad, and it will help. He's at peace - may you find comfort in the days ahead. I have found that having done everything we could for my mother (and her being grateful for our care) makes grieving easier. I pray you will feel the peace of knowing you have helped your dad make the best transistion posssible. He is in paradise - but you will struggle with his loss, and I pray you will feel God comforting you.

Just love your dad. Hold his hand and tell him it's ok to go. Remember what you have done to make his passing easier. Sometimes, letting go is the hardest part. God be with you.

I'm so sorry it has come to this. May your dad's passing be peaceful.