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michellep

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Posts posted by michellep

  1. Hello Carrie! My husband had non small cell so I don't know much personally about the small cell but I'm sure the other members here will be able to answer questions you might have.

    I've heard really good things about MD Anderson and the wonderful care they provide there.

    Please keep us updated on how she is doing and feel free to browse and post in our other forums if you wish.

    ((hugs))

  2. I think everyone reacts differently to chemo treatments. I'm sure others here will have more to offer.

    When my husband was taking chemo it really zapped him and he needed blood transfusions after each treatment which was weekly. It was just too hard on his system so we changed him over to the pill form of Tarceva. He never developed the dreaded rash I had heard about and it was much easier on him.

    Wishing the best and thinking of you and your mom. Please keep us updated :)

  3. Good Morning :) Nice day today. The sun is shining and temp are in the 60's. Supposed to rain later so I really should get outside and enjoy what I can huh?

    I have a couple gifts I want to pick up for Christmas and then I should be done. I just hate crowds so I need to finish soon.

    Today our puppy "Sampson" is officially 8 months old. He loves eggs so I scrambled him a couple and sang Happy Birthday to him. He just looked at me like he thought I was crazy! I suppose I am in a way :)

    I saw a couple more spam posting this morning here and have reported them. Don't understand why people do things like that.

    Well, have a good day and enjoy yourselves!

  4. Hi everyone! Diana....I just love your Christmas wish! That's a great idea :)

    Haven't thought about what to cook for Christmas dinner. I came here to Illinois from California and they don't like my cooking here. Unless it's packed with grease they don't like it and I'm not used to cooking that way. Maybe we can go out and I'll have a salad while they have a big bowl of lard? lol

    Weather here is good today with lots of sunshine and in the low 60's but I heard starting tomorrow to expect 5 days of rain :(

    Since it's a dry today we are going out to cut down some trees so we'll have enough for the winter. The house is heated with propane but we have a wood stove out in the shop. Makes it easier to work on things out there when it's warm.

    Well, have a good day everyone!

  5. Hi everyone! Hope everyone is doing well today. I think I have some kind of flu so just taking it easy and resting. The weather here today is a bit chilly and raining so I don't want to go outside anyway :)

    Not looking forward to the winter months here in Illinois. Coming from California I'm not used to the severe cold and I'm terrified to drive in the snow. Last winter was mild here and I pretty much stayed on the highways that are snow plowed and clear. Guess I'll always be a city girl in a lot of ways huh?

    I noticed the forums were packed with spam this morning so the ones I was able to delete myself I took care of and reported the others so I'm sure they'll be gone soon.

    Have a good day all.....I'm headed for a nice big cup of hot tea :)

  6. I too don't understand why they classified this as stage 4. My thoughts were the same as yours in that it needed to have spread elsewhere. Perhaps I am wrong but there are many here that will be able to help you understand.

    I'm glad your mom is getting such good care and would like to say she is a lucky woman to have a son who cares so much.

    Please visit cancergrace as others have suggested and let us know how she is doing please. ((hugs))

  7. Hello everyone! Got here late today. Last couple days we've had so many things going on. Funny how you'll have several days of just nothing and then suddenly everything hits at once huh?

    Worked on pulling the house back together today from the carper cleaning yesterday. Boy....the dirt you can find behind everything is amazing sometimes. No one saw it but me but still makes me feel like a slob!

    Deer shot gun season is still on till Sunday so we are going to the pot luck gathering again tonight. I made a big pot of chili to take over. yummmmm

    See ya all tomorrow :)

  8. I'm so sorry about your Mom but I'm glad that you are here. There are many wonderful people who can offer you information and support.

    I worry about your mom being depressed. My personal opinion is to try and have a positive attitude when riding this roller coaster of emotions. Does she have close friends or activities in her life. Living alone and too much silence isn't a good thing right now.

    I hope you can visit some of our other forums and do some reading. You'll find a lot of useful information here.

    Please let us know how your mom is doing and feel free to post.....post and post your questions or thoughts with us :)

    ((hugs))

  9. I'm late getting here today. Had someone come out to clean the carpets. No matter how many times I do it the stains just lift right back up :( If they come up this time I want to pull it all out and put down hardwood or something. This is too much for my poor old back. PLUS I can't train Russ to take his shoes off when coming into the house. The trail of where he walks stands out too!

    We have 4 days of deer season starting today. Haven't heard any gun shots yet so don't know how they are doing. We are going to a gathering tonight with the hunters and a pot luck so that should be fun. Last time, the ladies and I all drank shots. Pardon the name of the drink ( called blowjobs). It's a shotglass with Baileys, Vodka and topped with whip cream. The trick it to drink it without using your hands. You stand back and bend over picking up the shot glass with your mouth. Not supposed to spill any! rofl I guess I should put "X-Rated" in the subject line huh? lol

    Well, back to putting the house back together. Be back soon :)

  10. A Redneck buys a ticket and wins the lottery. He goes to Austin to claim it and the man verifies his ticket number. The Redneck says, "I want my $20 million."

    The man replied, "No, sir. It doesn't work that way. We give you a million today and then you'll get the rest spread out for the next 19 years."

    The Redneck said, "Oh, no. I want all my money right now! I won it and I want it."

    Again, the man explain that he would only get a million that day and the rest during the next 19 years.

    The Redneck, furious with the man, screams out, "Look, I want my money! If you're not going to give me my $20 million right now, then I want my dollar back!"

  11. Katie.....come on over. I tend to overcook anyway :) My mom owned a restaurant and that's where I learned to cook but in large quantities. Did I ever tell you that I cooked Thanksgiving dinner for 250 vets one year? Not at my house either LOL At a VFW in California. We had them all bused in from the vet hospital in Long Beach. It was a blast!

    Randy...you have no idea how much I've learned living here in Illinois. It's like a whole different world compared to California. I think the part I love the most about living here is how everyone in town will come to your rescue if you ever need anything. In California seemed that people just didn't want to know each other. Even neighbors would live across the street for years and you wouldn't even know their names :(

  12. My goodness! I'm the first one here two days in a row :) Guess everyone is out Christmas shopping?

    Weather here today in in the low 40's. Cold yes, but at least it isn't windy. I hate the wind!

    House smells really good! I have a big pot of homemade Chicken Noodle soup cooking. Something about soups...I just love them.

    Tomorrow starts the last round of deer shooting here with guns. Some friends always have a gathering at their home this time of year. We all bring food and sit around the wood stove waiting for the hunters to come in and tell us how they did. The only thing I don't like is when I actually see the dead deer. I'm still a city girl I guess and not used to that kind of thing.

    Well, hope everyone is having a great day :)

  13. I'm so grateful for this site for many reasons. Especially the ability for us to come here and share in our grief. The ability to share with others who truly understand what we live with each and everyday after losing a loved one. I have people in my life yes, but, I have no one I can share my pain and tears with...for this I am glad I can come here.

    I'm so sorry for your loss of Johnny and that your struggles get so intense during the dreaded anniversary of his passing. I wish I could just hug you and tell you everything is going to be alright. But I can't. All I can do is tell you that I understand the pain and the memories.

    So many people used to tell me that it will get easier. Well, perhaps in a few small ways it does. But in so very many ways is doesn't.

    A dear friend of mine gave me some advise a few years ago. He said when I was feeling the pain of my loss to go outside under the stars and look up. He said to open my heart and talk to my husband in heaven. I remember thinking at first.....huh? How can that help me? BUT....one night I looked into the sky and remembered his advice. So, I started talking to Donald. I talked and cried for I don't know how long. I went through so many emotions. Pain, fear, anger for him leaving me alone and I cried harder than I think I ever have. But then, I started to feel better. Suddenly memories of the years we spent together came to me and I talked about those. Before I knew it I was actually laughing. That night I slept better than I had in a very long time.

    I don't know what would help you dear one. Maybe it would be looking into the stars and talking to him like I did or perhaps something else, but I wish you peace and a soft place to share your memories.

    Please let us know how you're doing ((hugs))

  14. I am also a new moderator. My name is Michelle and I joined Lungevity in 2009 when my husband was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer.

    I came here feeling so lost not knowing anything about this awful disease and what it was doing to my husband. Everyone here welcomed me with open arms and helped me more than I can ever say.

    I know there are many who visit here and just read our posts and perhaps are hesitant to say much. Please feel free at anytime to share your experiences with us. We all care....truly we do.

    My husband passed from his cancer in October 2009 and I have been doing the best I can to re-build my life.....whatever that means I guess. It's a long and difficult process but I will be happy again....I know I will.

  15. Looks like I'm the first one up today :) Woke up expecting to see snow outside but I guess it decided to go around us. Good thing because I'm in no hurry for it. High temp today is supposed to be 39 degrees :(

    I put up a small fiber optic Christmas tree and a few other decorations yesterday. I kinda miss the great big tree and massive decorations I used to put up but times change right?

    Anyone do any Cyber Monday shopping yesterday? I did a little but all the huge sales I thought would be out there actually weren't.

    Have a good day everyone!

  16. Question: What Are the Top 5 Caregiver Stress Symptoms?

    Caregiver stress symptoms can negatively affect your physical and mental health. Even worse is when caregiver stress symptoms lead to caregiver burnout. If you are taking care of a loved one with cancer, recognizing the top 5 caregiver stress symptoms is important. Knowing these symptoms will help you get the support you need to avoid full-blown caregiver burnout.

    Answer:

    Stress Symptom #1 - Sleeplessness: When you add the responsibility of caring for a loved one to your regular responsibilities, it can lead to sleeplessness. Insomnia plagues millions of Americans who aren't caring for someone with cancer, so it's no surprise that it can affect those who are. You may toss and turn, lying awake while thinking, "How will I get it all done? Between work, the errands, the kids, and now getting John to appointments, how will I fit it in?" The worst part of sleeplessness is that it can contribute to exhaustion, making it even harder to tackle your to-do list.

    Stress Symptom #2 - Irritability and Trouble Concentrating: When stressed, it's easy to become irritable and have trouble concentrating. And if you're not sleeping well, your fuse will be even shorter. You may find yourself snapping at your loved ones when they ask a question or want your attention. If you feel more irritable than normal or you can't concentrate at work or home, you may be headed for caregiver burnout.

    Stress Symptom #3 - Anxiety and Depression: When you have a lot on your plate, it's easy to become anxious or depressed. You may be anxious that you'll fall short of meeting your loved one's needs. You may feel depressed that life will never be pleasurable for you again. And your anxiety can even have a physical cause. For example, if you aren't sleeping well, your body will produce more stress hormones, such as cortisol. This can heighten your anxiety even further.

    Stress Symptom #4 - Denial and Anger: When faced with a loved one's serious illness, it's easy to bury your head in the sand. You may be thinking, "She'll be better in no time. The treatment will be a cinch." It's also easy to find this denial leading to anger. "Why us? Why cancer? It's not fair," are common responses to a cancer diagnosis. This is completely normal, but if denial and anger linger and prevent you from addressing the situation constructively, this can be a sign of caregiver stress. For example, if you're in denial, you may not take the needed steps to take care of your loved one. You may need to line up friends and other family members to help with appointments and chores. Denial can make this seem unnecessary.

    Stress Symptom #5 - Poor Health: It's not news that your physical and mental health can suffer due to the stress of caring for someone with cancer. If you're stressed, you may not be sleeping well. You may stop exercising. Many caregivers have guilt over taking time for themselves. Even something as simple as a walk can bring on guilty feelings about all of the other things you should be doing. You may be eating poorly too. If you feel fatigued, you have lots of aches and pains, chronic headaches, or any other health issues cropping up, your caregiver stress may be pushing you toward caregiver burnout.

  17. I guess I get to be the first to post today! With it being summer I know many are busy...as I "should be" myself :mrgreen:

    In the house training of our new puppy it seems I need to shampoo the carpets due to all the accidents today. Having a hard time getting myself going though mainly because my back is still not back to normal and I know this is going to hurt.

    With all the fresh sweet corn coming out here I spent a few hours canning it yesterday. Nothing like browning it in a skillet with loads of butter. Then some fried chicken? YUMMM

    Hope everyone is doing well today and I need to get that carpet cleaner going because it won't clean itself will it?

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