Joppette

I love picture 18. i'm going to google that place. It's beautiful. Judy in MI

Hi Everyone, muggy and 80 here. Looks like we're going to get some storms. Good. Not a high humidity lover. Nothing much going on here, new pup is awesome. Doc renewed pain meds without much hassle. Only worked 4 hours today as I was not sure if the bod could take anymore than that. Eric, you certainly can post to us on the 4th. Not many may respond because if the weather is nice, we'll all be out and about. I found out the 5th is the holiday, for work, so I am getting a Monday off. Yeah! We are not holding grudges, as I'm sure there are as many Scots on this side of the war as the other. Speaking of.....how about that golf game yesterday. ERic do you like golf? US Open, and an Irishman won it for the first time ever. It was awesome to see this young man, incredulous that he was beating the best golfers in the world. It was great! K, talk atcha later Judy in MI

Happy Happy Fathers day to all you guys out there. Dad's have so much influence on us. I miss mine a lot, and am smiling at memories today!!!!! Judy in MI

Very fun! LOL at the fashion comment. I agree, somewhat odd outfits but I'm sure there is a story behind them. Loved the pictures. The bottom picture is so cool! Where is that Eric? Judy in MI

Wow Bud, I so envy you. I can't imagine doing that, and yet when others post in my journal about their inabilities, it keeps things in perspective. I can do a lot of things, and I need to cherish them and not fuss about the things I can not do. Thank you. Judy in MI

*sigh* Seeing the neurologist this friday for my mystery spasms. Thought it was this week, but it's not. Frustration eats at me, s I deal with the on-going saga. The last specialist prescribed Xanax to help with the spasms, and the good news was it was really helping! It did make me groggy, and at times felt confusion, but I was keeping the dose low and trying to cope with the side effects. Then Wednesday night, I fell backwards, tripping over my new puppy. Thursday, I felt horrid, and went to the Med Center. They said I just bruised myself badly, and prescribed Vicodin. They told me to go off the Xanax, and the two really would make me tired and confused. It well until today. I've been off the Xanax since Thursday, and today I had an attack that brought me to my knees. And then the hospital called, and said they mis-diagnosed the damage from the fall, and that I fractured my sacrum, which are the bones above the tailbone in the spine. They wanted to know if I had enough pain medication to get through the weekend, and suggested I follow up with my regular doctor on Monday, as I am probably going to be in severe pain for a few weeks. Said there's nothing they can do other than have me ice it, and stay off it. Stay off it???? What am I supposed to sit on? They suggested I get a donut seat if the pain gets worse. As I started my post.....*sigh* So I hope and pray the neurologist will be able to figure out what these attacks are, and help with a solution that is something other than mind numbing drugs. Working on that attitude, the glass is half full....the glass is half full.....the glass is half full.....the glass is half full.......the glass is half full......... Yeah! Judy in MI

Ronnie, my deepest condolences just seems to sound so trite. What a journey you have been on, and I'm just so sorry for the pain you are in. What a terrible loss. Do continue to come here and write and let us support you. Write when you can, and know how very much we care! Deeply. Judy in MI

I'm am so sorry. It's good to read your comfort in knowing she is not suffering, and is at peace. My deepest condolences. Do post here as you deal with this. There are a lot of us here that have had a loved one die from this disease, and it helps to write out your feelings. Judy in MI

Deborah, my personal opinion is that this extreme pain is unusual and not typical of most lung cancers. I'm a survivor, but also have several members of my family that had lung cancer (5). The other 5 had no symptoms until the cancer metastasized to other areas in their body. We found my Mom's lung cancer when she had a Grand Mal Seizure, and found it had spread to her brain. She had no pain at that time. We found my husband's Mom's lung cancer when she kept falling down, and we finally took her to the ER to find a met to the brain. She had no pain. His brother's lung cancer was also found after it had spread to the bones, and he did have bone pain. My aunt's lung cancer was found when she had a terribly upset stomach and could not eat for several days, and it was a met to the liver causing the discomfort, but was primary lung. I could go on and on...the point being that every one is different. It is interesting about me. I had this strange tingle/pain in my left shoulder for a few years. I can remember distractedly massaging it as it was just this little nagging pain. Turns out that is exactly where my tumor was in my left upper lobe. Since they removed my lobe, the pain/tingle is gone. All I can say to you is if I were in the kind of pain you've been in, I'd go to the Emergency room. This sounds serious and could be something other than the cancer diagnosis. I'm not a physician, so I have nothing to share but my own experiences. I hope you get relief soon! Judy in MI

Staying calm is definitely a good idea. The stress does nothing for you. Glad Monday is YOUR DAY.

All this good news today! Fantastic! Judy in MI

FANTASTIC NEWS!!!!! On all fronts! It was 3 years from DX for me last week and dang it feels good! Congrats on your sons fantastic news too. Judy in MI

Good afternoon all! It's 80, heading to a gorgeous 84 today! Sun is shining, and low humidity. Perfectly lovely. New puppy is adorable. Just love, love, love her. Not sure if I uploaded this correctly, but hopefully it works. Spent yesterday at a Med center. Tripped over the new puppy, Olive, didn't see her and fell backwards. Thought my hip was really hurt. Good news: No broken bones, just a hell of a bruise. I can handle that. Bud, good luck with the race. Hope everyone has a lovely weekend. Judy in MI

Yes, I noticed my text looks huge when I type, but not when I post. I am a hurting girl. Tripped over my puppy and fell full impact on the floor, tile, on my back side. My left hip is a mess as is my lower back. X Rays say I'm good. So no complaints there. Got some Vicodin, and am going to rest and ice and hope things get back to normal soon.

This is wonderful to read. Awesome hope. When my family members got the lung cancer dx in the 90's it was gloom and doom. It's so good to see these stories of hope. thank you.

Made me smile a lot! Thanks for sharing. Judy in MI

Thanks for posting this Judy. Kim, my deepest condolences go out to you. I'm so sorry for the way he had to suffer, and that you and your family had to watch it. My heart goes out to you all. Judy in MI

The southern heat sounds horrible. I will try to never complain about the cold. It's 73 here, high predicted of 77. Partly cloudy, and maybe a little rain. Perfect! Judy, sounds like you had a fab time with family. That is awesome. I'm sure they totally enjoyed it too. Puppy is delightful but exhausting! I have not had this much exercise in years. So it's good for me. I'm in the yard playing fetch, and running, and just having a lot of fun. I sure can't wait until she learns some of the safety commands though. I worry about her not understanding that when Momma says "come" it's not a game, it could be because she is in danger. Anyway, having fun with her. Have to take her to the vet today, she came from the kennel with worms, which I guess is common, but grosses me out totally! Judy in MI

Wonderful news! I'm new here, but am so happy to read of your sister's journey. It is great news. Nice to meet you. Judy in MI

Good morning all! Just a sunny beautiful 75 degree day here! Shopped for cars all afternoon after my lunch in Ada. Went to Mazda, Audi, Mercedes, Volvo, Acura, Nissan, GM, and Oy! What work it was. I got to test drive all the vehicles, trying to find a cross-over vehicle that won't be a house payment. Now that I have all the data, I can present it to hubby and make a decision. Fell in love with this cute new cross over Mercedes, but that one, of course, is close to a housepayment. I actually liked the Nissan too, so maybe that will be the one. Much cheaper, but still a good ride. We'll have to see. Got the summer crud (poison ivy) that I get every single day. My dog runs in the woods and brings it in on his coat, and then I hug on him and inevitably get it all over me. A sure sign of summer here! Have a lovely day, Judy in MI

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! THIS IS FANTASTIC Judy in MI

Missy, I looked on line to see if there was a Gilda's Club near you and unfortunately, there just are not many in the Mid Central part of the USA. It breaks my heart, because they are such an amazing cancer and grief support system. It sounds like you so need to let it out, gushing like a river, or dripping like a stream. I'm wondering what scares you about "fully grieving"? It makes me feel like you think this would be a horrible event, one that deserves to be feared. As my Mom's health degraded, I did grieve a lot, crying long heaving sessions, angry that I was grieving a woman I loved who had not died yet. And then I switched to manic overdrive to help her with a particular challenge, back to grief, back to a myriad of other emotions. It was a gigantic roller coaster ride of emotions. When she first passed, I felt some joy because her suffering was finally over. But then I felt lost. The person that I cared for so intensely for several years was gone and I felt lost. I found I had to feel the loss, the hurt, the anger, the loss, emptiness and lonliness in order to get back to feeling some good feelings again. This process can take a long time, but it's a process we all must go through. I pray for peace for you. I pray that maybe you have sufficiently grieved, and I pray that whatever fear you are feeling about "fully grieving" goes away for there is nothing to fear. Hugs! Judy in MI

Lovely day here. Need to get the windows open and smell the flowers! The rose bushes are blasting with blossoms right now, and so beautiful! Can't wait to get out and about. Having lunch with a woman that knew my parents. I want to talk to her about Gilda's Club and the important positive role they play with anyone dealing with cancer. Am hoping to get her on board either as a volunteer or as a donor. Gilda's Club in Grand Rapids is the largest club in the USA and we need as much help as we can get. West Michigan also has one of the highest % of people with cancer in the USA too, so the need is urgent. Plus I get lunch at a really cute little place in Ada, MI. It will be fun to hear stories about my parents, and reminiscence. Enjoy this day! It's special because it's today and we are here to enjoy it. Judy in MI

Hi Don, Well, I am fairly new here and so glad I found your post. Fantastic is all I can say. I love the beginning when you have a good talk with the Lord. Me too. I know I will be here as long as he has plans for me here, and that has always given me huge peace. Nice. Great story, and I'm pleased to meet you. Judy in MI

Loved this! Loved, loved, loved it!