Angie Daughter of Bill

Karen, You got it! Prayers on the way for your friend and the whole family. Waiting and wondering is the worst! In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie P.S. How is your Dad?? I think about him and your Mom often!

As you all know, I was really upset about Dad's bone scan. (they saw something and wanted to do x-rays) Well, the area in the pelvis that the tech thought was cause for concern seems to be the met on the iliac crest that we already knew about. However, the onc. nurse says that one is not cause for concern. She did say that the T12 met on the spine looks "different" than the last scan. It looks larger and is "posteriorly something, something". The nurse called me on my cell phone so I didn't have a chance to write it down. (I never have a pen handy when I need one ) By the time I got home, I forgot what came after "posterior" so I couldn't look it up. Sooooo, it does seem that there is progression in the T12 vertebrae. The nurse made an appointment for Tuesday of next week. We will be talking to the doctor to see what needs to be done. The nurse said that they might do a CT to look at the T12 a bit closer OR that the onc. might just go ahead and send Dad for radiation. Dad had a really rough night last night. Please keep him in your prayers. Despite all that is going on, I seem to be handling this pretty well right now. No doubt, the prayers you guys are sending are working. Love to all!!! In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Why thank you Frank! I think that they are a pretty good looking bunch. I have no idea where my oldest daughter got the blonde hair........one of those darn recessive genes coming out I supose. And yes, my daughter lives up to her blondeness!! Bless her heart........I could invent blonde jokes by using her real life experiences. Angie

Ray Prayers for you and your wife. Surely this is nothing...........they just probably need another film. In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

A boy was walking down the street when he noticed his grandpa sitting on the porch, in the rocking chair, with nothing on from the waist down. "Grandpa what are you doing?" he exclaimed. The old man looked off in the distance and did not answer him. "Grandpa, what are you doing sitting out here with nothing on below the waist?" he asked again. The old man slowly looked at him and said, "Well, last week I sat out here with no shirt on, and I got a stiff neck. This is your Grandma's idea.

Frank, you are so bad!! (although I thought it was pretty cute) Angie

Hi Lisa! We've had some folks asking how you are doing. So sorry to hear that things are rough right now. I understand. I got a bit of bad news about my Dad today. Lisa, it's so unfair and I'm so sorry. I wish that I had a magic wand...........I would wave it and make your hubby better. Since I have no such thing, I have prayers, many prayers, for you and your family. I pray that things improve. In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Fay........you are too much!!! Now THAT was funny!!! Angie

Herman, Glad you finally got a much needed diagnosis! My Dad had six rounds of carbo/taxol and had very few side effects. His biggest complaint was that when he got the taxol, it caused bone pain in his legs. Not severe, but enough to take a mild pain pill. If your Dad doesn't have any pain meds, ask for some when he gets the taxol. Dad got his treatments on Tuesday and the bone pain usually hit on Friday and was gone by Saturday night. Also, stay on top of the anti-nausea drugs. Dad took Kytril the day of his chemo, one the next morning and one that afternoon. He also took one compazine each morning. He wasn't sick a single time! Wishing you all luck! In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

As you know, I took Dad to get a bone scan today due to pain in his back. While he was getting scanned, the x-ray tech called up to the doctor's office to get an order for an x-ray. When we asked why, she said, "There is a place on your pelvis that doesn't look good at all. I thought the doctor would like to have an x-ray also." Well, that sure doesn't sound good to me. Dad has had a TON of scans and NEVER have they called to get an order for something else while he was there. (even on scans when things showed up) We also left with orders for Dad not to pick up anything heavy, no pulling and tugging on heavy things, etc. That SURE doesn't sound good! Did they tell him that because his pelvic bone is unstable right now? UGGGGGGHHHHH! I hate the waiting. I will be calling tomorrow to see if the doctor has looked at the scan and if there is a plan in place as to what we are going to do. I suspect that he is in for some radiation. I also suspect that he will have to come off of the Iressa and start traditional chemo again. (if he chooses to do that) Is it possible that the cancer in his pelvic bone has advanced too far for radiation to help him? Does that happen? Oh the thoughts that are running through my head.......... On the way home Dad was very down. He said that he "has probably seen his better days" and that "his time was drawing near, he could feel it". I wanted to cry, but I didn't. That was HIS time to talk about HIS feelings. He didn't need to be worried about me being upset. After I got home, I did have a good cry. It helped a lot. Now I just want to know what we need to do. I want a game plan right now. I'm ready to fight!! On a happier note, while Dad was getting his scan, I was as cool as a cucumber. There is no doubt that the reason I was so calm is because of your many prayers! I thank you for that. What would I do without you all? Now, may I have a few more prayers of strength to get through whatever comes next? Also, prayers for my Dad for pain relief and strength to get through whatever comes his way. Love to you all!! Angie

Oh Nina, this is WONDERFUL!!! I am soooo happy for you!! NED is a great guy, huh? Angie

Thank you all! This is my hubby's first cousin's spouse. (does that make any sense? ) And Curtis, he wasn't any relation before marriage. (believe it or not ) I do hope he decides to sign on. I know that desperate feeling in the first few weeks and days. He needs us. (whether he knows it or not!) Even if he doesn't sign on and post, I do think he will see this message. Thanks again gang! Angie

Hello gang! I just wanted us to send out a warm welcome to another member of my family. He is a first cousin by marriage. He just found out that his father has lung cancer. He was diagnosed by pain in his back as many here were. Turns out, he has mets to the spine. Primary.........small cell lung cancer. My cousin's father is in the hospital right now........partly for pain control, partly for problems with lung function. We all know how devastating this news can be and what my cousin is going through right now. I told him about LCSC. I told him of so many who are dealing with small cell lung cancer and doing great. Hopefully he will sign on and join us. I'm not using his name because I don't know if he will want to use his real name or make something up. Of course when he sees my ugly mug he will know this message is for him. Welcome~~~~ Much love~~ Angie

Now THAT is what I like to hear. I have never doubted that you would beat this darn thing. Not for a minute. You are a tough cookie. Wishing you the very best.......... In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Thank you all soooooo much!! You guys are the best. Absolutely the best!! Taking Snowflake's advice, I had a little "water therapy". (aka good warm bubble bath ) I have never been one to give up and I'm not going to start now. Whatever comes my way, I will handle it. (with God's help and direction of course) Sometimes I get overwhelmed and the beast that my Dad is fighting just knocks the breath out of me for a while. All of your prayers and well wishes are felt. I feel much better today. Thank you all so much. Love to all! In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Hold on!!! Wait a minute!!!! Debi, don't spend your money. I have chickens for you. I have about 150 chickens. Yes, they are alive. (remember, I live on a farm) Considering the cause, I would be willing to donate some chickens. You get me the addresses, I'll ship 'em out. Do you want all four of the stooges to receive chickens? That would be John, Bruce, Frank and Curtis, right? O.K.......you let me know and those birds are your, Debi. Angie P.S. I have never shipped live chickens accross the U.S. Would it be o.k. if they die during transit? How 'bout some "used to be live" chickens?

Hello all. I apologize for not being around as much to support all of you. I have been really down lately due to the pain that my Dad is experiencing. (spinal mets) I know that the pain that the caregiver experiences is nothing compared to the pain that the patient endures...........but this is really breaking my heart. My Dad lives with us which is a blessing, but it makes it so hard to see him hurt daily. I had my emotions under control until Dad started havng such pain. I just can't hardly stand it. I am back to crying while waiting in line at the grocery store and such as that. I have been unable to get Dad to admit to his doctor just how bad the pain is..........hence no tests to see what is going on. I called the office and got in touch with the "nice nurse". She and I came up with a plan. She said she would call Dad to verify that he actually did need a refill on his pain meds. At that time she would question him about the pain. Long story short, he did admit to her that the pain is pretty much unbearable. Sooooo, she talked to the doctor. Dad is scheduled for a bone scan on Tuesday morning. He will get "dosed" at 8:00a.m. His scan is at 11:00a.m. I would appreciate prayers, thoughts, good vibes........any and everything that you have. I'm so nervous about this test. It could mean progression of the disease. That would mean coming off the Iressa and going back to the old chemo regime. Plus, radiation to the spine. Also, totally non cancer related...........we have a family friend who has had a heart transplant. It is very uncertain that he is going to recover. He has thrown several blood clots........many complications. His wife is on family medical leave. (unpaid of course) They are in serious financial trouble. They are facing losing everything that they have worked so hard for. He was an engineer and she is an RN. I am planning a couple of fundraisers for this family. Please pray for our friend's recovery. Also, pray that the Good Lord above will guide me in the right direction for helping to raise money for this family. They need it sooooo desperately. Long list of prayers, huh? Thanks in advance. Much love to all! Please know that I DO think of you all daily. In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Hmmmmmm the link works for me. As far as imposing fines on me........Frank, that is a woman's job!! Ry's gonna' get you for overstepping your bounds. Man, since you became a moderator, you've just got "too big for your britches". (I used to hear that from m,y Granny all the time!) Can anyone else get to the link? Angie

Just wanted to wish all of you guys........Bruce, Frank, John...........a Happy Halloween. Please follow the link below. http://www.funnies.com/pumpkinman.htm I haven't been around here much lately............but, I'm baaaack!! Angie

Dearest Shelly~~~ I am so glad that the surgery is over and done with. I have thought about you several times today. Hang in there. Much love! In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Dean~~ I'm so glad to see a post from you!! I have really been missing you. The post was absolutely beautiful..........as always. May your path be smooth my friend. I am honored to know you~~~ In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

DonnWood is our voice of reason around here. He gave you some great advice. Being angry does no good. Was I angry when my father was first diagnosed? Yes, but not at my Dad for smoking for 40 years..........I was angry at the cancer. This is a tough road to travel. Chances are, your father in law is feeling some degree of guilt about smoking. (My Dad does) So, right now, he really needs SUPPORT from all of you guys. It took a couple of weeks for everything to sink in with us. Browse through previous posts here. You will find some wonderful stories of survival here. Also, get your hubby here. Maybe we can all help him deal with the feelings that he is having. Best wishes to your family! In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Dean, I hate that you are not feeling well. I certainly do miss seeing your posts around here. You are such an inspiration to me as well as many others here. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily. When we say our prayers at night, my youngest daughter prays for "Dean, the man that helped Mommy when Papa Bill first got sick". (My kids know about lots of my "board buddies" here) Miss you bunches!! Angie

Oh Paddy, how wonderful!!!! The whole time I was away from the boards, I wondered if Dave was able to get the Iressa that he needed. I'm so glad to hear this news. What a great family!! Hopefully Medicare will come through for you guys. (If not, I'm going to rename them to "Medi-don't-care"!) In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Thank you Paddy! You are one of the many people who have been on my mind. I hope that your hubby is doing o.k. Did he get the Iressa? That has been "bugging" me. Hope all is well!! Angie