Melinda

Yup--a persistant cough that would NOT go away was her symptom--and she had it (and saw doctors about it) for months and months and MONTHS before she was dx'd with LC. The fact that she was a never-smoker may have made the doctors discount the symptom. We had the same ignorant bias--we certainly did not ever think LC. If we had ever seen one TV ad, read one article, etc. re: symptoms of LC... In the spirit of full disclosure, it would also have helped had we not been brainwashed by what little information there is out there to think that LC only struck smokers (or past smokers). Our collective ignorance about LC hurt Geoff's mom, and that is what really galls me. Melinda

Sorry--deleted post--I made a mistake. (did not do poll, yet, though, so I did not mess up your stats.)

Elaine-- Geoff's mom was seen by multiple doctors (multiple times) before one ordered an x-ray. (Since she was never a smoker, they may have discounted her symptom--which was a persistant cough [and eventually hoarseness from said cough] that did not go away.). She saw doctors of various types for over four months before an x-ray was ordered (and she has really good insurance!). I want to say that she saw doctors for over six months, but I'd have to check with her husband to be sure. First they thought it was allergies (for a LONG time), then the flu (since it was flu season and it was going around, it had to be the flu), then walking pneumonia (hit her with an anti-biotic), then full-blown pneumonia (hospitalize her with IV aniti-biotics). Then and ONLY then, while she was in that hospital, did a young, female doctor think something was odd and looked into the matter more deeply. It was determined that she had never had pneumonia--but LC (Stage IV, by now) in March 2004. So--she had to be hospitalized for something she did not have to get an x-ray and be properly dx'd. THE DOCTORS SIMPLY WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE SYMPTOMS OF LC. They did not mean to hurt her, but their lack of awareness did. To be perfectly fair--we were not familiar with the symptoms of LC, either (and thought of it sub-consciously as a smokers' disease, as when it IS mentioned in the media, that is how it is inaccurately and unfairly framed). Our awareness was as poor as that of the doctors. Melinda

Prayers for all. Melinda

Betty-- Sorry about the tree but glad that YOU are okay. Thanks for letting us know... Melinda

YIIPPPEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Melinda

Thanks, TeeTaa-- Angie-- Thinking of you and your dad! Melinda

Jane, Have a lovely trip and celebrate this great event! Melinda

David, I am at a loss for words... I love it! Melinda

(((BETH))) May that darn poison melt every single cancer cell!!! Thinking of you... Melinda

Lisa- You are in our thoughts and prayers--esp. today. Melinda and Geoff

OK-- On the cookbook front: As my father keeps telling me I was was too well educated--and didn't learn a darn thing that was practical! I can't even boil water properly (I pay bills, organize, clean, etc. very well, though--thank you!). HOWEVER: I have inherited my grandmother's receipe box (including ones from my great-grandmother). That's the Southern side of my family--so that shouldn't be a problem down there, right, Teetaa? Also--Geoff's mom's side of the family is Italian, so they MUST have a receipe or two... On the Holiday Ex. front: I have taken up needlepoint again. My grandmother taught me to sew, knit, crochet, needlepoint, and to begin to quilt -- all of which I promptly gave up or "forgot" when I hit my teens and spent less time "down south". Long hours in the hospital recently have brought me back to needlepoint, again (although I could certainly use pointers from you, Ginny! ). Maybe some needlepointed Christmas tree ornaments? The practical part of me wants to know, though, what tends to sell well?!?!? I'll continue to rack my three brain cells on this front... Love to you all, Melinda

Snowflake--what would I do without your posts to brighten up my day?

Elaine and Lisa--Thanks for the links. Lisa--"cautiously optimistic" sounds GREAT to me. I hope you are given reasons to delete the first of those two words soon. Melinda

Jane, Geoff's mom just started Iressa the other day--so we're in the same "cross your fingers" boat as you are ! Please keep us posted about how yuo are feeling. And there truly is a wealth of information on the board under "search" if you start to develop rashes, etc. All the best, Melinda

Amy-- Your parents obviously raised you well. I, too, am glad you followed your gut. You and your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Melinda

Like Joyce and her husband Steve, the only way that we knew that Geoff's mom had brain mets was from the scans (that were done soon after her dx.). She didn't appear to have any symptoms from the mets IN her brain, itself. And the WBR worked really well on her 12+ mets. I guess each person is different--Lord knows I'm no doctor, but my uneduacted 2 cents is that if you or someone you love is dx'd with systemic disease (stage IV)--request a brain MRI aqs part of the standard work-up (just so you know if you do have mets there) and can treat any mets sooner rather than later. And if you don't have mets there--you can post immediately in the GOOD NEWS section without having to wait until after treatment! Melinda

Elaine-- Great idea! I've never smoked--but from so many of my friends I have heard how hard it is to quit. I'm sure when work is stressful, it is even harder... Melinda

Dear all, I do not have any idea, either, as to what happened. I'm hoping it was a misunderstanding or a mountain made out of a molehill, whatever it was. We're all human--but can whatever it was be viewed as "water under the bridge?" I DO know, however, that Geoff and I need ALL of you. I've got quite the edge to my personality--so if y'all can put up with me, then you'd welcome ANYONE else with open arms, I'm sure. Bo--If you are lurking--please come back--or at least PM someone so we know how you are doing and can support you. I know you and I don't "know" each other (even in a "cyber kinda way"), but we're all in the same boat fighting this beast together. Melinda

Fay-- Geoff and I will see what we can find out from our docs. Geoff's mom had a really good (thoughtful and competant) radiation oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering. We both thought quite highly of him; he treated patients as people bucking an assembly-line institutional trend. I'll put in a call and see what he has to say. I hope we can get some information for you. You are in our thoughts, as always. Melinda

Charlotte, I am so sorry to hear about your dear Rich. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Melinda and Geoff

Dean, Congratulations to you and Gay on your one year anniversary. Just reading one of your posts always makes my day; you are always in my thoughts--whether you post or not. Thank you just seems inadequate... Fondly, Melinda

I'm a city chick--so know nothing about lawns--but if you're happy (amd taking care of yourself) then I'm THRILLED!!!! Melinda

Carleen and Keith-- I am so glad that you both had such a wonderful day; your happiness and love came through your post loud and clear. Melinda

Heebie-- Now that I'm the one that can't sleep these days... I saw the same informercial (which prompted me to look into the product further--and post a query about it). I haven't yet talked to Geoff about it. (He's a tad overwhelmed about everything going on...) But, NO CHEMICALS!!!! You and I are on the same bandwagon...