Andrea

We just have lots of smokey air where we are. Outdoor school activities cancelled, etc. My mom was extra extra tired this week and we think it was the smoke. My surrogate's parents live in Lake Arrowhead and are waiting for word on whether their house was saved. They had to evacuate. Thanks for checking in on us.

There are still lots of cookbooks left if anyone wants to buy for the holidays! Just tonight I made a delicious chicken and rice dish from the cookbok. It is a great book b/c the recipes are from real people and many are EASY enough for cooking dummies like myself to make!

Both of my parents had Vats surgery and did great!

My mom had gemzar/carbo and she said it definately was not as bad as she expected. She also only lost partial hair, never had to wear a wig. I hope this treatment works for you!

I am so sorry You have been through way too much.

I am so sorry for your loss It is so unfair

I am so sorry Sending prayers of comfort your way.

I have been missing in action for a few days but I totally agree with what you said. This is THE place to whine, vent, express feelings, etc. Actuallly you are being SELFLESS to share how you feel b/c odds are there are others reading it who feel the same way and are so glad to know they are not alone.

Maybe a combination of thyroid and anxiety? I remember years ago during law school days I was too high strung and my hair came out in clumps and I went to a dermatologist and he said extreme stress can cause hair los

I am a believer in signs like those

Sending hugs. Anger is justified

My mom is IIIA. She had chemo to shrink tumor, then surgery, then radiation. One thing to be careful about is radiation before surgery, they usually like to do surgery first. Keep us posted!

I just saw this now too. Marc is smiling down at what a wonderful friend he has in you. I think the music internship is such a beautiful idea. Thinking of you my friend.

Such good news!

YAYAYAAYAYAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am very sorry for your loss. Cheryl was a special lady.

I am so sorry for your loss :(

Glad he is doing better!!

I am anxiously awaiting good news. I think your nerves are fully understandable. You have other stressors in your life which means that things are someone getting into a new normal routine, and then these tests come up.

My dad hasn't gotten to the positive side yet, but mom always says: 1. Her early retirement from work 2. Easier parking with her handicap placard (we are a family who laughs at ourselves b/c laughter covers the tears at times) 3. The kindness of others. When someone does something for her, in her honor, etc, the feeling is undescribable for all of us actually. 4. Her team of drs, and in particular her oncologist. We love and adore and worship her oncologist and his phyisican assistant. 5. Not worrying about the small stuff.

My MRI was negative. Yay! She recommends me get genetic testing b/c there is family history of ovarian cancer, so I will do that. Hope others keep up with those exams. Still on the fence about when to do chest scan, got so many different opinions on it. I did have one 5 years ago. Had an infiltrate that went away. Hugs to all.

I am so sorry for your loss I wish I had words to take away some pain. Sending love and prayers.

sending good thoughts and prayers

I remember you. I am so sorry for your loss

I was not sure where to post this, but I had to post it somewhere out of supersticion. I am getting a breast MRI on Friday b/c of high risk. The breast surgeon I see for screening recommends it, insurance company says no, so $1,625 it is. Besides history with grandmothers, there are studies about the link with the hormones from over 4 rounds of fertility treatments and I only did 13 rounds total Anyway this is a great time for me to nag (I am so good at that, ask my family) all family members/caregivers not to neglect themselves and not to skip their own annual check ups b/c the last thing you ever want to hear a dr say is "you should have come in sooner". Also remember to bug the one you are caring for not to neglect other body parts b/c things can happen to those areas too. My mom says I am a pain in the butt. I told her I am not the colonoscopy I want her to get!!! She claims she had one 5 years ago and that is good enough. Mental note to ask her onc at the next visit PS--You'd think that being as neurotic as I am I'd give up cake and ice cream, but nope. As Rich says, life is too short, eat a cookie!