MayFrog

Welcome, James Sorry you have to be here, but glad you found us. Hoping all goes well with your mom....the first few weeks after diagnosis can be so confusing and stressful. My two oldest were 19 & 20 when I was first diagnosed (actually, my oldest turned 21 on that day ) They were a great source of inspiration for me, and helped keep my spirits up which is so, so important. Post anytime with any question you may have......big or small.....doesn't matter.....someone will have an answer for you (more than likely, several someones ) Hope to see you often, Mary

Welcome, Dr. Joe! Thanks for your interest, and for seeing us as human beings, not as statistics. You'll find this site informative, encouraging and filled with very, very intelligent and caring people who want to learn as much as they can about their disease. Be prepared for some intelligent and thought-provoking questions and conversations! I had mentioned how I had found this site to my nurse/advocate, and that it had helped me immeasurably..... and she agreed it was one of the best (if not THE best) sites of its kind. Welcome, and thank you......look forward to "seeing" you often. Mary

wonderful news!! have a happy and healthy New Year......celebrate!! Mary

Melinda, My thoughts are with you and your family......hoping for the best, Mary

Kris, what a beautifully written eloquent letter.....thank you Mary

keeping your little sis in my thoughts, and glad that New Orleans was spared the brunt of this storm......hope you hear from her soon. My heart goes out to all affected by ivan.....especially Alabama and the Florida panhandle.......stay safe! Mary

David, Know that Doggie D** D** feeling all too well......hang tough, and know that good thoughts and prayers are coming your way. Mary

Glad to see you're home, Bruce......a hospital is absolutely the worse place to be when you're feeling sick I'll tell ya.....I think docs & nurses have their own "quota" thing going when it comes to those vials of blood.....just like cops and speeding tickets Take care, Mary

Thinking of all of y'all in Ivan's path........hoping you stay safe & sound. Good thoughts and prayers heading down south, Mary

Way to go, Deruo!! Glad your mom is where she needs to be and is getting the attention she deserves! I had the same chemo regimen, and it worked very well for me. Here's hoping your mom responds just as well.......keep us posted! Mary

Welcome, Shirl I can't add to all the wonderful advice you've been given here, but want to wish you a speedy recovery. Look forward to hearing from you........ Mary

Deruo, Waiting is such a terrible added stress to what you and your mother are currently going through. I agree, try to get on a waiting list for cancellations, and call every day (the proverbial squeaky wheel). If her coughing and breathing continue to deteriorate, run, don't walk to the nearest ER. I was "lucky" enough to have been admitted to the hospital because of severe shortness of breath when I was initially dx with SCLC, and my chemo was started within days. As said before, SCLC moves very fast but it usually responds very well to chemo. Hoping things go well for you both, keep us posted. Mary

Thanks, TeeTaa, for letting us know how Dean Carl is doing. I always look to his posts for that wonderfully uplifting perspective that is uniquely his. Now, I have your posts, too!! Thanks again, Mary

Renee, You and Scott are in my thoughts. I'm so glad he's home........ Mary

JC, Hope you're having a wonderful time......enjoy, and come back to us refreshed and serene....... Mary

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, PEGGY & DON......AND DONNA, TOO!! Best wished to you all, Mary

Shelly, Hang in there...you're sister's journey back to health is not over yet; it's just been filled with bumps and twists and detours. My thoughts go out to you both..... Mary

(((((((((David, Karen, Peggy)))))))) Ditto to all the previous posts. I don't have much to add, but I whole-heartedly agree with Snowflake: my tolerance for rudeness & meanness has hit an all-time low, no matter what the source. Know that you are all loved and appreciated here......and keep the faith! Mary

So glad to see everyone's ok......keeping fingers crossed that Ivan stays the heck away, you guys need a break!! I so hope that TeeTaa is able to kidnap Cat....she sounds absolutely miserable. My kids have been asking for her every day (they were stunned that she couldn't take her dog to the shelter with her). Keeping you all in my thoughts, Mary

David, AWESOME!! I did the crying for you (it was a good cry, too) I have recently noticed a lot of athletes wearing those yellow bands (maybe the Olympics?)....and wondered what they symbolized. Thankyou, Thank you..... Mary

Shelly, So very sorry for the loss of your mother. You'll be in my thoughts. Mary

Wow....what a horribly exhausting and scary 2 weeks this must have been for you and J. I agree with the others, 2nd opinion ASAP!! When J first started experiencing facial muscle tone loss....I am floored that you were told "nothing to worry about"....what about stroke? permanent damage from chemo?.....that's nothing to worry about??? I had the combo of Cisplatin/VP-16....luckily, I had minimal nausea/vomiting. Does your center give anti-nausea meds prior to infusion of chemo? I think that's a big help.....it's standard here. Sounds as if you need to find someone who is going to treat J as a whole person...and be there when you need him/her. The brush-offs you've been receiving are unacceptable. Sure, oncologists are busy people, but the should be busy with US, their patients!! Please post your city/area.....you need to find someone who will give you their best......... Thinking of you and J, Mary

AWESOME!!!!!!!!! Have a great weekend!! Mary

You GO Girl!!!!!!! Mary

Oh, what great news!!! Here's hoping for a speedy recovery!!! Will continue to keep Ray in my thoughts......... Mary