dianew

Randy - thanks so much!! I'm going to see if I can find a link to this on line and forward it to my local newspaper. Last November I wrote to the local paper here admonishing them for not once acknowledging lung cancer awareness month - and they responded that they would run an article about lung cancer when there was some new and exciting treatment. Needless to say, I wrote them back -- but they never responded. I would like for them to see the kind of article a "real" newspaper prints! Maybe they can do better this year. Diane

Wow Eric - thanks for all the geneology information!! I knew nothing really, but thought maybe I'd do some research after I retired. It is fascinating stuff. What I think is really interesting is apparently, if you go back far enough, so many of us are related in some way, even if distantly. I will print out the info you sent to give me a starting point. Will definitely check out the "Grannies" . . . I love old photos. Thanks again Eric. Diane

5 years is just fantastic. Gives all of us hope. Congratulations!

Loved the pictures, thanks for sharing. I think my ancestry is Scot (McComas - that's Scottish, right?). but have never been there. Looks like everyone was having a great time! Diane

You're right - I was in Seattle the weekend of 6/26 - and did get one glimpse of the mountain and it is indeed "glorious"!! Will be there again in a couple weeks and I hope it is out again. I lived in Portland for years and love Mt. Hood - but must admit your mountain is the most magnificent.

They say it is going to be 102 here in So. Oregon today - I'm hoping they are wrong! We don't have the humidity the east coast does though, so it is a little more bearable and always cools down at night. We were supposed to be camping this week, but got too busy at work. Can't say I'm sorry - I agree with Bud in that camping isn't quite as much fun as it was when I was 30 (we don't have an RV), and at least I get to work in AC. Wouldn't mind being over on the coast though where it stays around 70 - or up on the river fishing would be nice too. But work calls . . . and am just grateful to have work right now. Diane

Heather - I really don't know anything about a chemo pill, but did want to welcome you to the group none of us wanted to belong to, and to wish your Dad all the best with his treatment. I would not pay attention to any time limit your Dad's doctors may have given him. No one knows how any of us will respond to treatment, and many people that were not expected to have done very well. Don't lose hope, take care of yourself and let us know how your Dad is doing. Diane

Daily prayers for Deborah! Diane

This is good news. Thanks for posting this.

Hi - I also had both chemo and concurrent radiation. I remain stable after 14 months since last treatment. Keep us posted on how you are doing. Diane

Deborah: I just wanted to take a minute to welcome you also. While I don't post as often as some of the members here, this is a wonderful place to come for support and answers. I know we are all hoping that your biopsy will turn out to be good news (and please let us know). And as Ned has said so well - no point in guilt or anger (unless of course you want to be angry at the tobacco companies who manage to addict so many people to their product) - but there are many other reasons today that cause cancer. I don't really know too much about medical care options other than what others have already mentioned. I see you're from Texas, and it seems to me Texas has good cancer centers, and I would hope that their finance or oncology departments would be up on all of the options available. I have had friends with cancer who did get all of their medications free from the drug companies. I am just sorry that you have to worry about this issue at the same time you are trying to deal with this possible diagnosis. Facing even a possible cancer dx is scarey enough, without all of the added worry. Oregon, where I live, has a state health plan that covers some people who are eligible - perhaps Texas might have something similar. I will be keeping you in my thoughts. Please let us hear how you are doing. Diane

Weather here in So. Oregon is beautiful - finally! We too have some of the sports bars getting into the World Cup excitement. I think that is fairly new here - don't remember noticing it before anyway. TS - I sure hope I get to see Mt. Rainier next time I come up to Seattle (in two weeks) - it's always been hiding. Usually we arrive in the dark, and then at 7 am the next morning I have my treatment, and we head home - I always look, but it's never been clear enough. We did get to see Mt. St. Helens on one trip up. So am keeping my fingers crossed for this next trip. I love what I've gotten to know of your city - which is mostly the downtown area of course and the Lake Union area - and I've become addicted to the clam chowder and sourdough bread at Duke's. Not good for my diet - but it's the one treat I look forward to.

Awesome, wonderful news!!! Gives us all hope.

This is wonderful news, I especially liked the fact that they said... [*]"Our scientific advisory board believed [lung cancer] had the biggest need. It's the biggest cancer killer by miles, and there's nothing else," Very refreshing. Diane

Fantastic news!! And how wonderful to be bumped up to 6 months. Congratulations and thanks for sharing the good news. Diane

I know I never post here, but thought I could try to hold up my end for a change. Brunch sounds wonderful! We thought about making plans for the weekend, but the powers that be in Seattle scheduled my next CT scan for Tues. AM, so leave first thing in the morning to drive up, along with lots of other people heading home from the holiday too no doubt. Spent Easter Sunday doing the same. I think someone at the cancer center in Seattle has a weird sense of humor!! We do get to stop in Portland and see our oldest son which is nice. In fact checked in here because I'm waiting for a cake I'm baking to take to him to come out of the oven - then I just have to figure a way to keep his father from eating most of it before we get it there. Our weather is beautiful - finally - actually hit the mid-70s. The snow on the mountains looks very pretty, but really really tired of that cold weather and am ready for summer. Took some flowers to the cemetary where my folks are buried and they had all the flags out - looked really nice. I hope everyone is having a very happy and safe holiday weekend. Diane

Thanks for posting the pictures, they are great! I've only been to Waikiki once - met my husband at Ft. DeRussy for R&R in the 60s - stayed at the Princess Kaiulani and had such a great time. I know you're having lots more fun than the termites! Diane

Michelle: I haven't been on the board too much lately, so was glad I didn't miss your post - I'd been wondering how you were doing. It sounds like you are doing OK considering the short amount of time that has gone by. I just wanted to add my "two cents" to what LilyJohn said - if renting your house out is an option, it might be something to consider. I was an only child, and when my parents died (within a few months of each other), I moved into their home. Lived there almost a year and could not handle the memories. Sold it when I was still way to emotional, and regret it to this day. Renting it out would not have been so final and I could have changed my mind. Whatever you decide to do, I am wishing you the best and keeping you in my prayers. Diane

Will be sending prayers for great results and speedy recovery. Diane

No apologies for your English needed -- it's the only language I speak, and I don't do as well! I have to admit I have not heard of this either, but as someone mentioned, I would encourage you to go to www.cancergrace.org and ask Dr. West. It may be that it is one of those things that is available in Europe, but not yet available here. Sometimes we seem to be very slow with new things. All the best, Diane

Hi - I enjoyed your blog also. Sounds like you have a great attitude - always a good thing to have. Let us know when you have your treatment plan in place, which I hope is very soon. Diane

Katie & Rick -- will be keeping you in my prayers everyday for a the best news possible and a speedy recovery. Diane

I have been gone and just saw this - I am so very sorry to hear of Bill's passing and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Bill's story (and yours) was such an inspiration to me, and obviously so many others. Diane

Am so sorry to hear of the worry about your father-in-law -- saying a prayer that it is nothing serious. Diane

This is really interesting. I hope they are able to get enough participants. Did I miss it, or did it not state whether or not it was a double blind study? I did note that they said it was " . . . the first investigational therapeutic cancer vaccine to enter Phase 3 clinical testing for stage III non-small cell lung cancer", which I believe is incorrect. I may be wrong, but I believe both the Stimuvax and Lucanix trials would also fall into that category and both are Ph 3. I know that the Lucanix trial is having a hard time getting enough participants - lots of applicants, but very few seem to actually qualify. Perhaps the Stimuvax trial is having better luck. Diane