jamie

I second the idea for the new forum. Maybe it is different for the caregivers than those dealing with it personally, but I believe that while some info or comments can be painful for some, its also important for people to vent, rage, and hate on this disease. Jamie

T-Bone, So glad to hear that you've had no side effects this far. Always good to hear that. Hope it keeps up!!! Glad your feeling better everyday, that radiation can be a b*tch!!! Jamie

Just want to say thanks to everyone for their input and info. My Dad has officially decided on University for the surgery. He meets with the surgeon tommorow, and were all real excited. I know its crazy, I never thought we'd be EXCITED for surgery, by any means, but this is a big step for us. n Again thanks for everything, and if you guys can think of anything we should ask the surgeon for tomorow, please post. My dad's oncologist told us to have our questions ready, but we really dont know what we should be asking about!!!! Thanks again Jamie

Your doing what you can. My dad wont come on either. He thinks chat rooms and message boards are for crazy people, although, he dosent mind getting the info through me. Anything I find helpful, I print out and he reads. Thats all I can do. And all you can do too. My Dad asks me to ask a question on-line, and I just laugh, cause I guess he thinks Im a "crazy person" too... Keep us posted Jamie

Hi Kelly, My dad was recently dx'd, and as a percaution, his regular doctor, who is also mine, my husbands, and my childrens, told me that because I was a smoker for more than a few years, that when Im thirty he would like me to start getting periodical chest x rays. Im not sure if thats the norm or not. My family all goes to him, so we know him really really well. Dont know if he gives that advice to everyone or not. Hope this helps a little. Jamie

Hi Addie, You have found the right place to be. Everyone here can help you along this bumpy bumpy road. I just wanted to say welcome, and wish you the best. We also have a mut that is like one of my own kids, only she outweighs all three of my kids put together!!! Best of Luck, Keep in touch Jamie

Hi there.... First things first... IGNORE THE STATISITCS!!!! They dont mean anything. Your Mom is not a statistic, but a person, going through her own battle, and everyone's case is different. It does sound like your mom is a stage 4, but seeing that your not sure, you need to press the doctors for info. Keep in mind that sometimes you need to ask, ask and ask again. A game plan would be nice. I would think your doctors would want to take an aggressive approach to this. My Dad's doctors did, and my Dads outcome is pretty good thus far. My daughter is also "gifted", and knows full well whats going on with my Dad. Smart kids can grasp whats going on, and my daughter seems to be adjusting well enough. Like your daughter, she LOVES LOVES LOVES her PaPa, and the news was hard, but not hopeless. (Her Words). Keep your head up, inform yourself and your Mom, and make sure those doctors are kept in line Keep us posted, we will always be here for your questions... Welcome, Jamie

Hi Karen, Sorry that I dont have any answers for you. My dad has NSCLC, but I dont know his specifics with meds, chemo or radiation. Just wanted to say Hi, and wish you and your husband the best of luck, you will probably get a million posts back for insight with your question. Jamie

Hi Geoff I too just wanted to welcome you to the board. The best of luck to you and your Mom. Melinda is a GREAT friend! jamie

Jane, So sorry about your brother, the best to you and your family. keep us all posted Jamie

Happy Mothers Day TOO!!!!!

another to tell at my Family's Mothers Day BBQ tomorow, thanks jamie

OK snowflake, You got me, im the idiot who just tried to lick my elbow!!!! And guess what , tommorow is Mothers Day, and Im gonna get my whole idiotic family to try to lick theirs too!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for making me feel stupid. just joking! jamie

Andrea & Snowflake, I read both of your posts, and I know what the problem is.... Andrea, I love your "real" humor,...maybe its because thats the kind of family I was raised in. When my Dad found out that he had cancer, his first joke was about suing the tobacco companies, not because he had a valid argument, but becuause, he feels like being rich!!! Your true to yourself and others, keep being you Snowfalke, I get it too. As much as Andrea is brutally honest, shes being herself. You know shes not trying to offend anyone, but I see your side too. The truth is that this disease IS Ugly, and it does take lives, and Andrea clearly hates it. I for one know its hard to look past statistics, but when done on a humerous note, it makes it seem easier. ....Whats worse, knowing the statistics, and beating them? Or knowing the statistics, and beating them while laughing??? I admire you both, and neither of you should change the way you post. I read your stuff all the time... Lets call a truce???? o.k??? Jamie

Oh Ginny! What a full plate you have...and the similarities to my life are almost breathtaking! We buried my Grandfather last Sat., he also like your dear friend suffered from ALS, but only made it 18 months. It sounds like shes a fighter to me! Hopefully all will go well with that. My grandpa also lost the use of his voice, which was very hard on him, cause he LOVED to boss us all around , That disease is absolutly horrible. I cant imagine having ALS and ANYTHING else... so sorry About your sister too, everything will have to turn up for you and Duke, things cant go wrong forever right.... Best of luck to you, "Duke of Earl" your family, and friends Sincerely hurt for you Jamie

Debi, im so sorry to hear about your sister. It must be so hard for her. I myself, have been with my husband since I was sixteen, and WOW that must be rough. It's like growing up with someone. Please tell your sister, were all very sorry for her loss, death is always rough, but to be with someone so long, and to lose him so young... its heartbreaking. I hope her heart can be mended soon. Jamie

Andrea, You really are someone to listen to!!!! No matter what you always seem upbeat and optimistic. I look at your virtues, and wish I had more of you in me You are an inspiration! Sorry your trial could have been better, but you cant win 'em all right. Just thought Id let ya know that reading your posts kindof brighten me up Thanks Jamie

margaret, I dont have any answers about the med's, but just want to wish both you and your Mom the best. When my Dad was first dx'd, I surfed the web, even before we knew what stage he was, and the statistics were devastating. This site has helped me to see, that the statistics are SOOOO wrong. As Im sure you will hear from plenty of people on this site, every one is different. According to statistics and doctors, my Dad's cancer was supposto be incurable, and inoperable... not the case, my dad is going in for surgery at the end of this month, and they seemed to have cleared up his cancer everywhere else too.... (we hope). So remember that no doctor can say for sure how long someone will live or die... Everyone is different. Stick with this site, theres wonderful people here for support. They also seem to know EVERYTHING I dont about Cancer The best of luck to you guys, Jamie

I know how you feel. I never feel anything either. But in my heart, I know that signs from people are rare, and maybe its not that were not getting any, maybe were just not looking hard enough. Or maybe, our loved ones feel that we dont need any. Just know he is there, all around you, and keep hoping for that sign!

you are so lucky to be getting these signs! Sounds pretty convincing to me!! Enjoy them, its really special Jamie

beautiful Jamie

WAY TO GO Wishing you many, MANY more Congrats Jamie

Diane, No answers, just writing to say I hope it all goes away. It will. Thinking of you and your Dad Jamie

Diane, No answers, just writing to say I hope it all goes away. It will. Thinking of you and your Dad Jamie

Fay, if anyone can pull off the violets its you - definitly not me... my plants are all real sick. Good luck, and we wanna see those! jamie