[Support Group Question]

My mom went to a number of LC support group meetings sponsored by Gilda's Club. It's a cancer support network started in the name of Gilda Radner, comedienne who died of ovarian ca. If there is not a Club in your area, check with the nearest one and see if you can talk to the facilitator and also see if they can send you any materials.

~Karen

[He's Here!]

Congratulations! Hope all of you are home very soon.

~Karen

[RED hair....]

Consider yourself "world wise" rather than an oddity!

When we were in Russia, we saw lots of professional career women with deep shades of hair color--orange, deep red, majenta, etc.

However, if you decide to pierce your eyebrow and lip, then maybe you would deserve a few second glances!

Have fun with it!

Karen

[Open For Business!!!!]

Shoot! I was lucky to find a parking space. Lucky for me, my monster truck fon't take no crap from some COW standin' in the last parking spot!

Uh-oh. Sorry Randy!

Can someone fire up the grill? It's time for steaks!

~Karen

[How about a New Mate Question!!]

I can't answer that question, Larry, as I still have my spouse by my side. And sometimes love finds YOU, even when you aren't looking.

So, never say never...

~Karen

[Difficulty swallowing]

Do call the onc and discuss this new change. She may or may not require a GI workup.

[My mother's death has helped me to live again]

Yep. I know. The loss is so deep, and it changes you so profoundly. Life is not the same any more...but not always in a bad way.

You never stop missing them...

~Karen

[Goodbye Beautiful]

Much sympathy to you and your family.

~Karen

[Now Good-Bye...]

Kate, please accept my heart-felt sympathies. But I am so, so glad you found the residential hospice. I am sure it contributed to the peace your mom felt.

You did it all right. You honored her. Never, never doubt that.

~Karen

[Soon Ready!!!!]

We could name the pub "The Watering Hole!" The name works for man and beast.

I am bringing homemade salsa and restaurant tortilla chips. Hope you all LOVE garlic. But worry not; I make both mild and hot salsas!

~Karen

[Anyone else had this on a death certificate?]

My mom's death cert stated cause of death as lung cancer, but the box next to "Was this death related to smoking?" was checked "probably" even though her onc had told her that her prior remote history of smoking probably did NOT cause the lung ca. So, somewhere, she's a statistic in the incorrect column. But my brothers and I have not bothered to change it.

Frustrating, isn't it? Like you don't have enough to deal with?

~Karen

[not LC, but heavy grief 7/31 update]

So sorry, Gail. We lost our "fur-baby" 4 years ago. I remember well the pain of the loss of such a faithful companion.

~Karen

[Rotten results for Harry's scan too......]

Do warn Harry that he will likely lose his hair with the Taxol treatment.

Have the doctors mentioned or tired Tarceva? It has worked very well for some people here, and it is very gentle (as chemos go) on the body, aside from the rash.

Best wishes that this one works!

~Karen

[I have babies!!!! (updated with link to pics)]

WOW! Best wishes to all of you!

~Karen

[Not again -- thrush in the mouth is back (updated 7/7)]

Regarding the nasty taste: call your pharmacist and ask if they will add flavoring to the nystatin. They do this for children all the time, though they may charge extra for the flavor.

~Karen

[Stress is causing me to fight with husband]

Any chance your dad would be willing to move in with you?

[6/22/07]

My deepest condolences to you and your family in the midst of this tremendous loss.

~Karen

[Still NED]

Congratulations on the good report! Go celebrate!

[My father passed away]

I am so sorry for your loss.

[Barbara Leona Smith: 1936-2007]

Deepest sympathies to you in your loss.

~Karen

[Tests, Scheduling, Insurance, Doctors, ETC..................]

Tell your Dad that from now on, he is to forward all insurance issues to you, and you will handle it for him. No need for him to worry about it at all; just let him pass it on to you.

This is one of the ways you can help. These annoyances are the things that throw caregivers over the edge! You will truly be taking a load off him by doing this. If he's reluctant to "lay it on you" (parents are like that, you know), just make sure he knows that this is how you want and need to help.

Best wishes,

~Karen

[He's Present With the Lord Now]

Please accept my deepest sympathies in the loss of your dear father.

Karen

[The Struggle]

All the best to you, Don. Your down to earth honesty and candor have been a great help to mane. I will miss you.

~Karen

[Will Everyone Join Me in Wishing]

Have an extra slice of birthday cake for me, will you?

Happy wishes,

Karen

[Going to be an uncle again!]

Well, we can't control the situation, but we sure can be happy when the little ones arrive!

Congratulations to you, Uncle Mitchell!