cindi o'h

Thanks for the post so sorry about your mom, I know that you miss her so much. darn it anyway, what a situation. Too bad I can't help you. I am so glad that my Dad had the wisdom not to re-marry. He said," everything will go to you kids. I have had my family and she has had hers." It made her an un-honest woman, but we didn't care. Sounds like the stepF is a butt germ. (And needs to be wiped out) Good luck. Cindi

oh. did I mention Ativan? "love that Ativan!" (helps with put the spooks to bed)

A guy sees a sign in front of a house in Washington: 'Talking dog / For Sale' He rings the bell and the owner tells him that the dog is in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and sees an old black mutt just sitting there. "You talk?" he asks. "Sure do.", the dog replies. "So, what's your story?" The dog looks up and says, "Well, I discovered my gift pretty young and I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA about it, and in no time they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because, of course, no one figured a dog would be eaves- dropping. I was one of their most valuable agents for eight years running. The jetting around really tired me out though, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger, and I wanted to settle down. So, I signed up a job at the airport to do some undercover security work, mostly wandering around sniffing near suspicious characters and listening in. Man, I uncovered some incredible dealings there and was awarded a whole batch of medals. Then I got me a wife and a whole bunch of puppies, and now I am just retired." The guy is amazed. He goes back in the house and asks the owner how much he wants for the dog and the owner says: "Ten dollars." The guy asks: "But this dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?" " 'Cause he's a gol darn Liar. He never done any of that stuff."

It is interesting. My siblings and I grew up in a RR depot where we relied on an old pot-bellied stove to keep the chill off. This was in a rural area on the border of ND and Canada!! We shoveled and burned lots of coal and played in the coal bin. I have often thought that there has been a connection, somehow, on our growing-up days and the strong link to lung cancer in our family. Besides being a depot agent for the RR, Dad daylighted as a crop-duster, having his airstrip and chemicals in our backyard. Later, he realized his dream to fly and zoom about full time. However, we kids were exposed to un-Godly amounts of carcinogens. Not angry. That's just the way it was. Thanks for the heads up on this one. Cindi

Gosh...first of all welcome. Like everyone said, we all handled treatments differently. It was helpful for me to mentally approach my treatment as a Halloween fun house...I never knew what was around the corner...but I was willing to walk and see...most of the time I didn't get too spooked, which in a Halloween fun house, it's a bit of a letdown...I mean, it is SUPPOSED to be scary. H2O...great advice. Eat. Even if you don't feel like it. Anything. As much of anything. Overeat...what the heck! I want to hear how you do and if you have any spooks at all in your fun house. For me, I had and have met the coolest people because of my treatment and because of my illness...I hope that you have that same experience... Come back often, and check in Cindi o'h

oh Elaine, you are so funny, you are a ham... And poor Frank has to take so much abuse, not only on the JFL forum, but now all over... This crowd is good for me. thanks. And yes...what a tuxedo!! Fun to get all gussied up and be a VIP in someone's life on a day she will never forget. Congratulations.

Don, Sorry about the news. darnit. You and Lucie, I know have it in you to get through this disappointment, "cowboy up", and ride out the rest of the task. I think good stuff about you two often. Cindi o'h

Hi Randi, Sincerely, in my opinion, I don't think that you said anything wrong. It sounds as if your mom is going through a lot of hard stuff. For me, I was shocked at my own response to my own hairloss. I didn't think it would matter to me. I didn't think that I would be vain. For me, hair loss was something that was a visible and gigantic statement that I REALLY was sick and that I REALLY did not want to be. It crashed into my survival attempt at being in denial over the whole awful thing. Hairloss was something that I did not want to deal with on top of everything else I was going through. I do know what you mean, though. Once something is said, it cannot be taken back...even if you had the best of intentions. And it sounds to me as if you truly did. Your mom may have misunderstood your intentions. But, I think that she is probably grieving over her hair loss and the loss of her health and etc. Give her time. I will bet that once she gets used to her new "do" and comes to better terms what is going on with her life, that she may even be able to find something in her change in appearance to giggle about. It is not an easy place, to be "misunderstood". Try not to think about it. Like I said, I don't think you said anything wrong. Hang in there. I am sure that your mom really appreciates your love and support. I know that I would if I were her. Cindi o'h

Oh dang... Sorry TAnn...shoot. Wish you didn't have to go through all of this. Prayers your way. Cindi o'h

Amy, That sounds so very hopeful... Whew! Cindi o'h

Oncodoc, you Rock Cindi o'h

Kim... This is a must read... I wish I had the skill of giving you the address for the website, eventually I will learn... THE absolute best information that I have ever read about pain management can be found at (do a google) the Minnesota Board of Medicine... at the top of the page to the far right there is a bar to click on for pain management... It is so thorough and reasonable that it will knock your socks off.... No one should have to suffer from pain in this year when so many options are available... Blessings.... Cindi o'h

Hi Lori Glad you came... Yes. Knowlege is power. You need all the power you can get your hands on to overcome. Best wishes to you and your family. And welcome to this one. There is so much wisdom here...it is just amazing. Cindi o'h

Now, Beth, really if you'd only quit cher whinin' and complainin' and just take a pill or have a few good sessions, then your veins wouldn't collapse and you wouldn't be such a bother to the onco nurses when your throat closes up... I am sure it's all just nerves.... For pete's sake...it's only lung cancer+++ (we will talk) Cindi

Friends... Thank you for all of your good thoughts and prayers for those of us with BIG stuff on our plates today... I posted a short essay under Test Results... I got work to do now....phone calls etc.. WE are on a heckava ride, aren't we?? Cindi

lisa, I have no experience; healing thoughts for your husband and guidance for the team who takes care of Ahmed. Cindi

such good news. congratulations, Becky. Cindi o'h

Hi DeanCarl, I have loved ya since I laid eyes on you and heard your lovely voice. So proud of you for being able to string one glorious day after another to make the circle of a beatiful year. Wishing you many more days...all of them glorious. Blessed to know you, Dean. Cindi o'h

Well, honestly!! You little sweetheart...I just want to squeeze you for your prayers and requests for prayers.... God love ya Cindi o'h

Miss Fay A., I haven't been around here too much, but I must say, whenever I see those beautiful bright pink flowers, ( are they bouganvillias?) I just need to see what you have written.... Dearest. We all have our down days...I am so glad that you trust this group enough to let us know that you are having one.... and that you can be reminded that the world is not so ugly when you can feel your group love you back to life... hang in there....this too shall pass... your sadness is valid, but it shall pass. Cindi o'h Cindi o'h

dear Charlotte, My deepest sympathy goes out to you and to your family. May the angels hold you lightly and guide you through these difficult days... Cindi o'h

I am supposed to go in for an "interview" with the pulmonary surgeon tomorrow, and I want to know ahead of time what good questions to ask and what to expect so that I have an idea of what to expect... The oncologist described something like VATS, but he was using lay terms which I have a hard time comprehending....( I look stupid, but I ain't no dummy) So, this is going to be in the O.R. According to the onco doc, (in lay terminology) he is going to drain the pleural effusion and send the juice to pathology to be tested for cancer cells. Then he is going to put a camera in there and take a look around. But, I am thinking he is going to snip anything that looks "funny". The onco said that he was going to peek at the lymph nodes. (The hilar lymph nodes were described by the radiologist as enlarged). I think that the surgeon will wiggle his way over there and take a snip of them too... So what do all of you think...??? I am, of course, trying to figure all of this out... Last week, I just covered up my head when I read the radiology report. After I talked to the onc. with my 84 yo "adopted" mom at my side, I felt some sense of relief that the ball was going to get rolling....I like ACTION... I wish I were on the operating table yesterday...this sitting around business gets me all antsy. Blessing to you all. Cindi

Doug All I can say is WOW Honey, you are a cat with a few more than nine lives... I am sure that your Lord has you doin' zactly what HE wants you to... Welcome. Cindi o'h

loves it.

for real...that is the first time in my life that i have heard it called Hangy-down thing we got lots more names for the beast here in Minnesota, but none quite so genteel as hangy down thing.