Geri

4 years ago I was very happily enjoying my life, my daughter had finally graduated from university (she was on the 4 year plus, plan!), she had started a new career and life was good. I had graduated from being a mother hen and we were now on a new level. In November 2001 I was dx with sclc but not for a moment did it occur to me that I wasn't going to make it (Pollyanna I think, is in fact my real name), I came through the battle with the usual side effects but am now back to my "new normal" and life is good. Last Saturday I had the honor of being the mother of the bride at a magical wedding ceremony, the backdrop for this was Pleasant Bay, Cape Cod. I stood at the water's edge watching my beautiful daughter and my very proud husband walk down the lawn toward me and her waiting groom and realized how very lucky I was that I had survived the awful beast that we have all faced. This was a very sobering moment for me, it finally struck home that I could have been missing this - when I was dx she hadn't met this young man (in fact she only met him last February)and this scene would have been a whole lot different without me. My mother had been dead for 7 years when I married and the void was huge on that day. I don't really know why I'm writing this except I guess, that this is probably the only place I know where people will really understand this rambling. My husband would make the appropriate noises but he wouldn't really get it........and I hope he never will have to find out about the patient side of cancer. Thank you for listening to the things going around in my head, everyone here is in bed and the house is silent. I'm coming down to earth after a truly perfect weekend and realizing just how lucky I am to be alive. Now......I'll look forward to grandchildren! Take care everyone, Geri

Wonderful news! Geri

I was mother of the bride on Saturday and this email made me very pleased that I was my husband's first wife! Geri

I feel overwhelmed by all the news and I don't have to decide what's going to happen to my body. I wish I had the right words to help you through this, just know that I'm thinking of you and hoping for a speedy resolution to this setback. Take care Geri

My lucks in, I get the publican!! As a true Brit I recognize what a contribution pubs make to the civilized world and I must say that Cindi's is one of the best. Cindi, you're always there for everyone no matter what you're going through yourself.......you are truly one of a kind and I'm so glad you're back from your trip to keep these boozers in line once more. I'm raising my glass to you, Geri

Hi Jen, my daughter and I have used chiros for years with great success. My husband is a 'resister' who will not concede control to the doc and subsequently went on suffering. Glad to hear that you at least have found out what the problem is, sometimes it takes a few visits for relief so hang in there. Geri

What an inspiration you are, congratulations - what an aniversary to celebrate! I'm planning on following you all the way down the same path......you've got a 6 year start but I'm gonna keep up. Your new shadow, Geri

I'm still figuring out the pay-back for my daughter's teenage years!! Good thing was, the carpet in her room was just like new when we moved after 6 years (it had never been walked on). Geri

Welcome, I am an almost 4 year surivor of limited sclc. I had the usual chemo and chest radiation but chose to forgo the PCI. The only changes to my lifestyle involved the actual treatments and subsequent lack of energy. Once my energy levels went up my life was back to normal and I have been doing all the usual things. To be honest the only time I really give much thought to having had cancer (I have never dignifed the word with a capital c) is when I log onto this site and when I am waiting for tests and results (which are now going to be yearly!) Hopefully the journey will be the same for you and Kathy as it was for me and my family. Geri

Hi Frances, welcome to the site. Please forget the statistics, they really don't tell the whole story. Most numbers are out of date by the time they are published, BUT the main reason to ignore them is that your dad may well help make up the numbers (whatever that may be) that survive! Stay with that thought please, I've survived for almost 4 years and the odds weren't good when I started this journey either. Take care Geri

Rich you've said it all. You have put into words what a lot of us live and feel everyday. My way of dealing with cancer was very matter of fact with a lot of very black humor. When the onc told me that I would lose my hair (my first meeting after dx) he almost choked when I told my husband that at least I would stand out on the Christmas pictures this year......the flash would reflect off my head! Most people cried when I spoke to them for the first time after dx and my reaction was that this is your only kick at the cat, next time you cry I'm hanging up. This worked very well for me and the hand wringing stopped. My passage through cancer was much easier than most that I read here, no hair, a new best friend called john, pneumonitis and a few other side effects that became quite vague memories when john was replaced by NED (very much like childbirth). I'm almost 4 years from dx and my in your face attitude is still working, I've had my share of pity parties and tests still worry me but on the whole I'm having a ball. For those reading this who are still waging the battle.....take heart that I'm not unique, there are plenty of us out there, we're busy catching up with life and are not always as supportive as we should be. Yours in survivorship Geri

What a trip! Have you thought of ordering a wheelchair........I had to go to Texas during my tx and couldn't have gotten around the airport on my very shakey pins, we ordered a wheelchair and presto I was whisked from check-in to gate to baggage claim (he even found my luggage!) to curb. It was great. We've been doing it for years when my m-i-l comes from England......even before she really HAD to have it as it made her trip so much easier. If you order one they'll likely check your walker and you'll get it with your bags. Go, enjoy! Geri

I'm another success story that will not allow anyone to make me a statistic. I wear my lcsc tee shirt - I am not a statistic - with great pride and have seen a number of people wait for me to pass to read the back too. I didn't read any of the cancer numbers while I was sick and none of my drs ever brought up my chances of survival......I was, and still am, thankful to wake up every morning! I have planned to not wake up one day when I'm VERY old........there is still payback for my daughters teenage years to collect on!!! My best to you and your husband Geri

So sorry that you've come to this turn in the road, maybe the H will give you time to just "be" with your mom instead of taking care of her. Enjoy whatever time you have with her, it could be a lot longer than either than you think. Always remember what a wonderful relationship you have and how much your mom loves you and appreciates what you do for her. Take care Geri

1. I woke up again today 2. My daughter is getting married in an awsome Cape Cod setting (we checked it out this weekend and it's breathtaking). 3. I just love my son-in-law-to-be. 4. The sun is shining in Vermont this morning. 5. My friends from Toronto arrive in 3 days for a visit.

I agree with Jen, contact the Bar Association and see what recourse you have without the agony of a lawsuit. He messed up big time and maybe they have some influence in this kind of instance. It's so comforting to know that hospital administrators are such a compassionate group.........no wonder they chose a profession that takes care of people!!! Take care Geri

Maybe it's a good sign that you're so ticked off about your tooth........I found that when I was 'over' the cancer and tx's I started to be upset about the normal little things in life again. I even got upset with a bad hair day after vowing that when my hair grew back I would NEVER complain about it again!!! Happy drilling Geri

I left England with a regional accent that only the people in my area could really understand, I moved to Montreal where there were two accents to get used to and they really didn't understand me at all. Eventually things got better and then we criss crossed Canada with exactly the same result. From Toronto we moved to Texas and then the real excitement began! My English/Canadian english was now being tested by Texans that I couldn't understand either. My first request on the phone for directions resulted in my asking the man how to spell the street name.........C-A-R-S-O-N.......he thought I had two heads (or maybe no brain). When all these differences are met in person it's a lot different than the written word would imply, I guess we all should count to ten and re-read things before we react. Very good food for thought Geri

my feeling exactly! Geri

1. As always, my first.....I woke up again today. 2. My daughter has finally ordered a wedding dress (only 4 weeks left until the wedding!) 3. I've just had lunch with a very good friend. 4. My friend in TX is recovering well from pneumonia and a collapsed lung. Her surgery went well and it's not cancer!! 5.The humidity is supposed to drop tonight.

I too am 3.5 year survivor, had I known what my offical chances had been I may not have been quite so optomistic. Always remember that they're just numbers which are usually way out of date, statistics have to a few years old otherwise there would be no comparision. Just ignore all the maybe's and what if's.....would've, could've, should've will play mind games and drive you nuts. Remember all the people on this site who are making it through the treatments and surviving. There's every reason to believe that your mom can be one us who beat it. Take care Geri

Happy aniversary, I shall break out a bottle for a toast. Geri

Frank's "remedies" are not so far fetched - my friend's husband was a star player in all of the senarios listed, so much so that she refused to go to the store with him. Just be consoled Uncle Doug that you are not alone in suffering this side effect, I'd forgotten about it until I read your post and then it all came flooding back and I can't stop laughing about it. The look on my then 26 year old daughter's face was a picture when the music started on my side of the room!! Thanks for lightening my evening, good luck on your test results. Geri

Don't know what to drink for sinus problems Tina but whatever you drink have enough of it and you won't care about anything! Personally I'm going to have some Baileys and get a good nights sleep. Thanks for the hug, good night Geri

Sorry you have to deal with all this. I was diagnosed 3.5 years ago and have beaten all the odds and am back to a normal lifestyle. If indeed your mom is a lung cancer patient she will have good days and bad and may or may not have side effects from the treatments - whatever happens she has a very good chance of long term survival. There are a lot of us out there despite the statistics (which should be ignored from this moment on). Just think of cancer as a chronic disease to be handled over the long term if necessary. I shall be thinking positive for good news for your mom, Geri