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Glad to hear that you're home, Tom, and healing -- and amazed to see you posting so soon! Don't overdo, now, although I have a feeling that's asking for the impossible from you. Sorry that the pain is still so bad. It is an awfully painful surgery, and the point has been made that the old scar tissue may indeed contribute to some of the pain you're feeling, but you should begin to feel it subsiding soon. Keeping every crossable thing crossed for a good outcome on the pathology. Ellen

Belated Passover Joy (I'm sitting in mounds of matzoh crumbs) and Happy Easter to everyone -- not to mention HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Maryanne! Ellen

I'm thinking of you and your dad...I hope that hospice will help in all the many different ways it can and that he will be comfortable, and comforted. Cherish the time you have with him--I know you will, however difficult it may be. You can count on us all for support! Ellen

In the latest New Yorker magazine (27 March), Calvin Trillin writes what can only be called a love letter to his wife, Alice, who was a 23 year survivor of lung cancer (a non smoker to boot). It starts on p. 44, and is entitled "Alice, Off the Page". Unfortunately, you can't access that particular article on the New Yorker web site, so if you want to read it, you'll have to buy it or go to the library. But it's worth the trip/price...very, very moving. There is, on the website, an article written by Alice herself 9 months before she died. You can find that at http://www.newyorker.com/archive/content/articles/060327fr_archive02 I highly recommend both. Ellen

I'm busy mustering the best possible vibes for Teri...let us know how the procedure goes and how she is feeling. Ellen

"I feel I shouldn't really be posting here, since it seems to me now that the Grieving forum is mainly for short term support for long term members." As others I'm sure are saying, NO, NO, NO! You articulated so well what makes the LCSC forum different from the others -- and I, too, tried several with virtually no response until some wonderful person directed me to this one. Don't feel that you shouldn't be posting here or in any section of the forum. Grieving, General, Caregiver -- you've been a caregiver, even though your time in that role was so tragically short. You ARE a member of the lung cancer support community and you belong here! Ellen

Belated condolences, Michael -- and everyone here on the Forum -- Fay will indeed be missed. Her courage still amazes me and the humour with which she faced her situation was truly remarkable. As John Donne knew so well, we are all diminished by her death -- but we are all enriched by her life. Ellen

Hurrah! Glad to hear the good news -- and a lot of us learned about the brain PET scan too! Keep us posted, Ellen

Len is still coughing -- partly pneumonitis from the radiation, partly just the blasted allergies that torment him (and me) all year long. And his radiation was over 16 months ago! He did have a bout with pneumonia as well last spring but his lungs are clear (yes, there is scarring from the radiation but other than that all seems fine), so we're just living with the constant hacking. The onc. did put him on flonase to try to reduce the allergies and, hence, the post nasal drip which adds to the whole scene. It helps a bit (I'm using it too and it helps me -- but I'm also coughing WITHOUT any LC). Ellen

Dear Nancy, Just being having you there must mean the world to him. When my mother was dying, a usually very undemonstrative woman seemed to take some real comfort from just holding my hand. Just keep being there -- and talking to him, even if he doesn't respond much. He won't miss it, even if he seems to. And there's no harm in keeping on attempts with reading and music -- I did that also, even when my mother didn't seem to care much one way or the other. And afterwards, she seemed to smile a bit more. The tv is a great escape -- it takes people away from what is surrounding them (death and wellmeaning relatives, doctors and friends) and allows them to come out when they choose to, so that is probably a reason why it is so welcome. That doesn't mean that your father wouldn't also appreciate the other things, and above all, your company and love and reassurance. I'm thinking of you as you go through this painful time; just know that your Dad must be very, very glad that you're there to go through it with him. Ellen

Becky, Amen and Amen! Ellen

Hi, Vicky - I know Delhi pretty well and think you should DEFINITELY let your parents know AND get to a doctor who will give you a thorough examination. Delhi weather can exacerbate any lung condition, and as you know, there's lots of tb around so that should definitely be investigated -- a quick look at the xray by that doctor doesn't sound too wonderful to me. And now that the real warm/dry weather is coming, if it's irritation that's causing it, it's likely to get worse, not better. You'll do so much better on your exams if you can go in to them with a clear head and relieved state of mind. So listen to all the mother hens on this board and get it checked out! Ellen

As someone whose spouse is still hanging on and doing well (touch wood), I think your idea is really great. Ellen

Sorry to hear your news -- I know our oncologist here in Connecticut consults regularly with someone from Mass Gen although our cancer center is actually affiliated with Dana Farber -- sort of gives us the best of both worlds, I suppose. I'm hoping that Tarceva will do its miracle stuff and that the pain/discomfort will remain at bay during treatment. Keep advocating for him -- as long as that's what he wants. And do think about getting your family to visit you instead of the other way around, unless he's really set on doing the visiting. It DOES make sense. Keep us posted -- we're pulling for you. Ellen

Wendy, I'm SURE you're going to lick it this time -- give those mets the K.O. they deserve and finish off Round 2 in record time. Let us know how you're doing and know we're all rooting for you! Ellen

Thanks all around! Jasper is ADORABLE -- and finally a grandchild who looks a little like our side of the family -- the other three, all beautiful, of course, are the spitting images of their father (my daughter's two) and their mother (Jasper's big sister, my son's other). Woodstock is great fun to be in, especially for two aging Bohemians like us! Ellen

Len had his checkup on Wednesday and once again, good old NED is still hanging around. CT scan was fine, no change, blood tests good, and when the onc thumped and pushed and prodded and listened, he finished with a great smile. Didn't even hear any wheezing in the lungs. HURRAH! To finish up the week in style, we became grandparents again this morning (6:04)with Jasper Liribella -- yes, it's a girl; yes, the name is Jasper...go figure (the proud parents live in Woodstock NY so I guess it's hip). SO we have a double dose of glad tidings. Means I won't be able to make it on Sunday, as I had hoped I might, to the celebration of "Addie's" life but we'll be well represented there with other LCAC members. I'll be in Woodstock with Jasper! Ellen

Welcome back, Teri -- even if you're still in the hospital. Keep your chin up, get plenty of rest, let them wait on you hand and foot and gather your strength -- so you can get home as soon as you can. Don't feel you have to post -- but we love to hear from you when you DO feel like it. Ellen

Thinking of you both and hoping to see Lucie bounce back as she invariably does -- nausea and fatigue be damned! Hope that this time it'll go easy on her. We'll all be thinking of her this Friday. Take care, Ellen

Thinking of you, Teri, and hoping that you'll bounce back soon. Ellen

Add my WELCOME HOME, FAY to those of everyone else. And thank you, Connie, for bringing us up to date. Fay, we're all thinking of you and hoping that you regain your strength and feel up to posting soon. Ellen

As another oldtimer, sorry to hear about Cheryl -- hope she gets those mets zapped and taken care of... Thinking about her, Ellen

Thinking of you, Katie - come back to us quickly! Ellen

We're on our way -- late as usual...don't know why we can't ever get anywhere on time. But we'll make up for it -- drinks on us, everyone! Len will have his whiskey with a splash, single malt please. And me? Well, I'm good for anything -- wine, beer, even one of those margaritas (maybe it'll make me think it's warm out....). So get ready, guys, we're buying! Ellen

Add me to the long long list of people sending every possible prayer/thought/vibration Leslie's way. Hope to see some good news soon Ellen