Terrie

Well, all is good on the oncologist front. My CT scans of the chest and abdomen are clean and my liver function is good. Doc is waiting for several other results to come back, but feels confident that there will be nothing remarkable. WHEW!!! He thinks I may have had a reaction to cutting back on one of my meds - kind of like a withdrawal. Go figure. I guess I am free once again to make some plans. I believe I will start the job search soon. Just something VERY part time at first, I think. Thank you all for being so understanding - you're the best! Terrie

Ray- Add my birthday wishes as well!! Terrie

Sandy- Prayers going up right now- Terrie

I meet with the oncologist this afternoon to get my test results from last week. I am a nervous wreck - again. I realize I am in a better place than a lot of cancer patients, but I am still scared. As I told the ER doc a few weeks ago - I am just not ready to deal with this all again (but, then again, when would I be??). I am asking for prayers or good vibes - anything - you can spare. Till I return - Terrie

Sophia- Sending up prayers right now for you - God will surely hear our prayers. Terrie

Cheryl- I am sure you will do great! Ginny is right - it offers the best chance of cure. Extra prayers are coming your way as you wait for this new "opportunity"!!!! Terrie

RayA- Amen. Terrie

berisa- Great to see your picture! I don't have a clue how to go about it either. Just the same it is always nice to put a face to the name! Lovely! Terrie

Just wanted to share- My 16 year old daughter went about 3 weeks ago and had her beautiful, curly, thick long brown hair lopped off for Locks of Love. I was so proud of her - she came to this decision last year and has been waiting for the appropriate time to make the donation. The day she got it cut (I was out of town) and she bawled like a baby, called me in the mountains and said "Mom, what was I thinking?" Wah, Wah, Wah. Then we talked about the kids that would benefit from that mass of curls and she remembered why she had been growing it and waiting for the last two years. I will mail it this a.m. and I am so proud of her. It was just hair, but a lot of love will be mailed with that parcel. Terrie

Hey everyone- Boy, am I glad to read this info this a.m. Now I know I am (somewhat) normal! I have those sensations, too - and lots of numbness! I did attempt a mamogram at my PC's request to stay up-to-date - and to tell you the truth - it was a piece of cake! I had no feeling, the tech was a nervous wreck - she kept apologizing if she was hurting me! I told her squish away - I couldn't feel a thing! My problem is with shaving my underarm - I keep cutting myself, because I can't feel it - it ends up bleeding everywhere. I have to be really careful! Ain't womanhood grand????? Terrie

Cathy- I am so sorry. While my computer was down I must have missed the news about your Dad. Please accept my sympathies on your loss - I lost my Dad 17 years ago last May. I know how difficult it is. God bless. Terrie

Estelle- So glad to hear from you - even with the not-so-good news! I'm glad you had a wonderful summer to enjoy - now you are rested and ready for battle! Will gladly keep you in my prayers for your upcoming chemo! Terrie

Connie- So glad to read your post today! Welcome home and back to us! I have been thinking of you and was just telling my hubby about you this evening - you are one REMARKABLE lady! Continued prayers for you each and every day- Terrie

Kathy- Sorry I'm coming in so late - but prayers, prayers, prayers for you and Tim! Terrie

Kristy- Welcome. I, too, found chemo to be very tolerable. You will be amazed that just taking that "one step at a time" approach will make this ride so much more bearable. I have two teenage girls, also (not to leave out my oldest and my youngest). They are aged 16 and 14. I have talked to them both and as I wrote before - they would be glad to email your sisters if they need someone to vent to. They have been through that shock - we told them right up front what we were dealing with. We were VERY fortunate to have a WONDERFUL support system with local churches and friends and family. Perhaps there are those for your Mom, too, that will help out with the pressure - and, of course, I think most of us here will agree that antidepressants help a good deal to get through. I will keep your Mom and your family in my prayers as I do all the members of this board. God bless. Terrie

Johnny- I also wanted to welcome you here. We are all glad to help any way you can! I have four children ages 17, 16, 14, and 8. They have had a heck of a year - I was diagnosed last July at the age of 44. I know boys aren't big on sharing, but if they want to email my kids, maybe one of them could help. They have done a lot of growing up this year - but we have become a stronger unit - I have been blessed with great kids! I know they are more computer knowledgeable than I! I will pray for your wife - and your family. This is a crazy ride - but we pretty much all hang in there together! Terrie

Joanie- Please accept my sympathies, also. I can only imagine your pain. God bless you. Terrie

Cindy- WOW-WHAT GREAT NEWS!! You just made my morning!! (Well, that and this cup of coffee I'm having right now!) God bless you with continued good health, my friend! Terrie

Oh David- I am so proud of you I could just burst!!! You are my hero!! Good luck and God bless! Terrie

Diane - So sorry to read about your Mom and Dad going through this. I think you have come to the right place - for encourgement the folks on this board can't be beat!! Maybe you could print out some of the posts and show them to your parents - there are so many survivors out there with inspiring examples of the will to live. Your Dad is a healthy 60 years young and you are right to want him to have every chance for survival. I will keep them as well as you in my prayers. Terrie

Thanks everyone - I had a little melt down "pitty party" this a.m. I think it was a combination of the jittters and kids starting school today - I'm not used to having all this peace and quiet!! In the meantime I picked up the paper and read of a horrible local accident that killed three people - you know that AHA moment when you realize a silly test is just a test??!! Then I read a letter from a woman who lost her 10 year old son from cancer and all of the wonderful support she received - I can relate to the support part. So I am off to visit my friendly CT scanner person and, as my daughter's volleyball coach tells them - "suck it up!" I will be repeating my favorite verse, Karen - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - as well as the one you mentioned! I said that many, many times this past year and it hasn't failed me yet! Thank you all - till later! Terrie

Please keep me in your prayers tomorrow as I will be undergoing more tests - had a little episode last Friday that ended up in the ER. I haven't been able to post much as my computer is acting up, but I keep you all in my prayers daily. I am so scared. They are running more tests, different tests. HELP!! It seems like - you know - here we go again. God bless you all. Terrie

Michelle- I am having a little trouble typing through the tears. I am so sorry for your loss - your husband sounds like a wonderful man. Please accept my sympathies for your loss. - Terrie

I will be heading to the mountains of PA this weekend for some "quiet time" with my family. My best friend, Lynn, has invited us to her camp that sits right beside the most beautiful stream in the Allegheny mountains. Lynn was right there beside me last year through all of my ups and downs - she scheduled months of meals and fund raisers. She is just the best. We always share lots of silliness and giggles. Our hubbies will join us on Friday night - tonight is just "us girls"!! We now have learned that a friend of hers has been diagnosed with a massive brain tumor. Dad of four, very sucessful in his business. I will certainly spend some heart-to-heart time in prayer for him and his family, as well as all of you, my dear friends. I feel even closer to God in nature and I look forward to reading your posts when I return. May God keep you in his care....... Terrie

Will pray for your mom today on my way to the mntns. of PA. God bless. Terrie