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You, go, girl! Am thinking of you and hoping for a great plan! Ellen

Dear Peggy, Like everyone else, I've been thinking of you and hoping that you were coping with everything you have to go through...and you sound as if you're doing just that beautifully. As others have said, take it all slowly -- the paper work will get done, as will everything else that seems to demand instant attention -- and Mike will make a gradual adjustment, with your help, I know. You have to take good care of yourself, first and foremost, so that you can be there for Mike when the "things" become less entrancing and the loss becomes more real to him. I'm glad that the service was so moving and meaningful, and I agree with Jane that you do, indeed, still have him, Babe.... Come back and let us know how you are when you feel up to it! Ellen

About time! Ellen

I can do some as well. Sent you a pm! Ellen

Thanks, Cindi, for posting, and Beth, hope you have a relatively peaceful weekend at home and that next week will provide more answers for you. You're in my thoughts and prayers and I know you'll hang in there until they figure out what's going on and how to fix it! Ellen

Dam_, Dam_, Dam_, Dam-, Dam_..... Stupid cancer--but you'll outfox it yet! I'm glad the doctors are working on the options for you and I bet they'll come up with something that will knock the stuffings out of each of those little mets and do 'em in for good. We should start a pool on how quickly they can get rid of them! I'll just have to have a bloody mary myself to toast you and your rapid recovery and your addie-tude! Ellen

So sorry Suki's had yet another reverse, but they can probably take care of it expeditiously and get her out of hospital in record time. In the meantime, crack a lobster claw for me and do your da___dst to keep her cheery on her birthday! Sending all the vibes I have to you and her, Ellen

Let's hear it for MOJO's and POLISH DOCTORS and CINDI!! I'm so glad things are looking up -- keep us posted.... ellen

Five Years!!! OUT A SIGHT! That just rocks -- it's so good to hear good news like that, particularly after the depressing (but badly needed)media blitz we've had over the past few days, not to mention the plight of so many of our good friends here. I'll hoist one to you over at Cindi's. Ellen

Welcome home--and make them take good care of you, waiting on you hand and foot and getting you all sorts of wonderful NONDIET stuff to eat-- ice cream, baked alaska, whatever! Ellen

Cindi, we love you and are pulling for you! Come back when you can -- in the meantime we'll pour libations for you and propitiate whatever deities are lurking out there to get you back to yourself quick, quick,quick....let us know what else we can do..... ellen

Dean Carl, Hope you enjoy hearing from us -- you were just about the first person to respond to me when I came onto the board after Len's diagnosis and your encouragement meant a lot to me. I hope that your daughter's visit gives you a lift and that you enjoy your time with her (and she hers with you). Keep your eyes on those birds! Hope the new pain meds help... Hugs, Ellen

Dear Elaine, I am SO sorry that all this is happening to you, who didn't need anything more, right? But the good news is really good,and I know that they do wonders with brain surgery. My niece had exactly the same thing when she was 15, recovered in no time flat, and now is the happy mother of a bumptious 11 year old, (I think she's happy -- that is when Zach is behaving himself!). Keep in touch and feel better yourself. You know you have all our love, and you have fortitude aplenty to go around! Ellen

When I opened up my AOL tonight, the link to this story was on the welcome screen http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article ... 0109990016 Nothing about funding but some well chosen thoughts on the smoking issue....

Dear Beth, As another member of your cheering section, I'm sending cyberhugs and cybervibes to you to keep you going. It's ok to let it all out and to wallow in it all -- you have an awful lot of stuff to wallow in with all that's been happening to you and no one, however stiff an upper lip, would be able to keep on going forever without a plunge or two into the abyss. Let the meds do their stuff, come back to the board when you're ready to, when you're beginning to feel better. In the meantime know that there are a whole lot of folk out there who are rooting for you! Ellen

Kim, I'm sure no one was offended by what you said -- I said very much the same thing in my post. And I'm sure we're all, somewhat guiltily, having the same feelings -- at last someone who may be able to bring LC to everyone's attention. That thought doesn'tlessen, in the least, our sorrow that she has it or that anyone has it, for that matter -- sorrow AND anger! I know that several news programmes were doing spots on lung cancer after this but haven't had a chance to watch any of them. It would be nice if someone could give us a run down on what he/she's seen. Ellen

YAY, Lisa -- you're great! Ellen

I've been following, in a desultory sort of way, the reports on the various tv news media on Dana Reeves and the sad fact is that it takes a confluence of this sort, Peter Jennings + Dana Reeves to get any sort of comprehensive coverage of the disease. I finally heard the words "lack of funding" and the suggestion that Dana Reeves was just the person to take on that particular challenge. Seems like a lot to ask of someone who is just taking on THIS challenge - beating the dam_ thing - but perhaps it is true. In our celebrity-driven culture, celebrity seems to be the only key that unlocks the doors to power and funding, and perhaps Dana Reeves will be the person to finally put a face on lung cancer and give it the attention it sorely needs. I'd like to some some coverage given to the horror stories so many of you on the board have shared about doctors, even oncologists, who have just thrown up their hands in horror at the diagnosis and dismissed their hapless patients as lost causes. I am so grateful that my husband's doctors have not been of that ilk, but I would love to see the public in general become more aware of the stumbling blocks that so often seem stacked up in the path of lung cancer patients, quite unnecessarily. A little hope, a little encouragement, inventive treatment and lots more money -- that's what we need.... Ellen (whose husband goes for another CT scan tomorrow)

Dear Shirley, Thank you for posting--in the midst of all the bad news with which we've been deluged, it was good to be reminded that life does go on. I'm so glad you've found someone to share your life with and that you're able to come back to us and buck us all up as well. Keep in touch! Ellen

Dear Peggy, Like everyone else, I'm in shock that this has happened so quickly. I am so, so sorry. I know how hard it will be for you to get through the next few days, but glad to hear that your friends, family and colleagues are all there for you. Lean on them and let them take care of you for a change. We all hope that you'll be able to come back to us after a while and that we can help you as you return to "regular" life, such as it is. You and Don have helped so many others with your courage and your fighting spirit. We all need to pay some of it back to you. Ellen

Well, that just you-know-what's. I'm so sorry but it's just a lymph node. Take care of it with the chemo and get back to nerd-dom! Are they going to do any radiation? Let us know how the chemo goes.... Ellen

Dear Karen, I've been thinking of you a great deal -- so it was great to see your post and to hear your "voice" loud and clear. Your new house sounds wonderful and I'm sure Faith will get adjusted to it -- so many changes in her little life. Glad your friends and family are there for you and that your life will continue to be full. It's good that you have some time for yourself as well. Keep in touch with us all -- we miss you! Ellen

I too can view either one -- whatever is easiest! ellen

I didn't even realise that the date had been posted! Well, life has been hectic....\ Add me to the list for the chain -- I'd really like to see it! And if anyone hears about a rebroadcast, let us all know. Ellen

Peggy, Thinking of you and Don today -- hoping all is going well and that this will finally clear up what's been happening. Take care of yourself -- this is such stressful times for you. And ICU's, scary though they are, are also comforting because they take such good care of you there. Let us know how things are going... Ellen