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Dear TAnn, I'm in here vibing alongside the best of 'em and hoping the alimta does its job. Like everyone else, I'm awed by your fighting spirit and sheer guts. I'm glad you had a break from the chemo and are ready to resume the battle -- full throttle ahead (ok, so that's a rather mixed metaphor, but who cares?). Hugs, cheers and love, Ellen

Jana and Karen, We will all be thinking of your mum and hoping that a hospital stay will get it all sorted out. And thinking of you two as well -- you've been carrying a burden for a long time now, so try to catch your breath and don't worry about not posting here! Come back when you can and let us know how your mum is doing. Ellen

Melanie, Will be thinking of and pulling for you tomorrow. But everyone's right -- it DOES suck....let's hope that this time the surgery does the trick and there's no more left to do. Keep the faith, Ellen

Let's hope the worst is over and that the rest of this will be a breeze. But maybe feeling really crummy is a sign that it's really working! Hang in there and keep us posted. Ellen

Chiming in late, as usual, but hope you had a wonderful anniversary and a great celebration yesterday. I too am looking forward to your 50th! Cindi's pub will really be rocking then! Ellen

Go for it, Elaine! You certainly have the fortitude...let us know how you make out and dam_ those who call assertiveness bi--iness. Ellen

Make Mine a Margarita, frozen of course. And let's all drink to our too many absent friends -- and to all of us who are gathering at Cindi's pub - the best joint around! Ellen[/b]

HIP...HIP...HURRAH!! GO SANDY!!! Ellen

Sounds good to me too, Cindi. Glad you're settled in and feeling better. Don't blame you a bit for just "setting back" and waiting for the next apt. I'm pulling for great results! Ellen

Dear Kathi, So glad you were able to make the earlier flight and that you will be able to have some real time with your dad. I can just imagine how difficult this must be for you, but hope that being with him will help you both. Am thinking of you! Love, Ellen

Dear Nancy, I'm so sorry that Mike has to go through all this -- it's so unfair...but that's the way this awful disease works, I'm afraid. I'm hoping that Mike is more comfortable now that he's home and that hospice is helping him -- and you -- and making it all much easier for you all. Will be thinking of you and hoping that someone will come up with a way to make him more comfortable. Love, Ellen

Thinking of you, Carol. Let us know what is decided. Ellen

Dear Carole, I'm a little late with my condolences, but they are heart-felt nonetheless. I only hope that he was spared much suffering from the cancer by his sudden death. I'm thinking of you as you go through everything at this difficult time -- stay strong by letting others lend you strength -- hope you have lots of help in that department. Let us know how you are -- Love, Ellen

A Heary "Yippee" -- a little late, but better late than..... This is just the beginning of things finally going your way -- I'm sure of it! Ellen

Put me on the long list of people thinking of you -- what's a little adrenal gland, after all....Will be looking for Snowflake's message after surgery. Meantime, hope you had a GREAT weekend and easy sliding into the OR this week. Ellen

Congratulations, Fay -- getting rid of one more reminder of treatment past. Enjoy your alien status! Or is it just alienated??? Ellen

Five years, Eileen! That's truly wonderful. You give so much encouragement to others with that news. And I am sorry about your sister == but hope that she will be encouraged to go ahead and get treatment with you as a shining example for her. They can do so much more now, even with the horrible cancer spreading to the lymph nodes. I know how you must feel, juggling your own good news with the constant bad news coming over the wire here and with friends and now your pets. It's a balancing act we all have to contend with....you have both our sympathy AND our congratulations! Ellen

So sorry to hear about Mike's "confusion" -- let's hope it's the steroids and that having him off of them will clear it up, as it did in some of the other cases. And, in my exceeding inexpert opinion, the fact that he does emerge out of it sounds hopeful. Will be thinking of you both and hoping that the doctors will be able to clear this up so he can enjoy being stable. Ellen

Dear Peggy, I too am late to this post--have been working and taking care of a five year old granddaughter who is staying with us for a week or so, all of which makes it hard to get to the computer and spend time on the board -- but I'm glad that you've found some comfort both from the counselor and the responses from these wonderful friends on the board. And carrying in those 40 pound bags are no mean feat -- I can see why you smiled! I won't reiterate the messages others have given you, just concur with them -- use us to get those feelings out and don't be afraid of tears or rage or any of those other emotions being "brave" tells you to stiffle. That's not bravery -- that's repression and repression always backfires. You have our support -- you know that! Love, Ellen

Dear Karen, Come back to us when you can but save your strength right now for all that you must go through - and helping Faith as you do so. Like the others, I am amazed at your strength and know that it will help you get through all this too, just as it helped you get through those final days with Dave who is now at peace. Lean on those friends and everyone else who rallies around you -- that way you can save some strength for later -- and for helping others as you so wonderfully want to do. Love, Ellen

Dear, dear Karen, Know that we are all thinking of you and Faith and Becky and all the Chapmans and sending out love over cyberwaves to you as you go through this terrible time. Love, Ellen

As always, I'm a little late but glad to tune in to some good news -- better late than never! So, Hip Hip Hurrah! JimBen -- it's great news and wonderfully encouraging for the rest of us. We need our little fixes of good news in the midst of everything else that's bombarding us all the time. Keep it coming! Ellen

Jana, No answers here either, but I'm thinking of you and your sister and -- of course -- your Mum. I hope you get some good answers soon. Many hugs, Ellen

Oh, Beth. So sorry for the bad news -- why doesn't it get any better? Hang in there and let's hope the avastin comes through for you. Ellen

While we all knew how sick David was, it still comes as a shock -- he was so full of life and fought the good fight right up to the end. I'm glad he's at peace now and hope that the rest of his family will find some peace now as well. My deepest condolences to the Chapman family. Ellen