Amy P

Cheers to such FABULOUS NEWS!!!!! Much Love, Amy

Just in case anyone is wondering - I called Astra Zeneca and they do not have any information on the 1/2 dose but they were VERY nice and were curious as to why the doc didn't give her a break for a week or so - which they have about 4x - but anyway the 1/2 dose seems to be doing the trick...her issues are much less now and her appetite is better and she said she feels better overall, which is probably in part due to the fact that she isn't spending as much time in the potty I guess only time and scans will tell if it is still being effective - we go back on 11/12 but probably won't have any scans until after the holidays - will be keeping my fingers crossed. Much Love, Amy

This was too cute not to share On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence. One day, two boys filled up bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts. One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me," said one boy. Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence. Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate. Sure enough, he heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me." He just knew what it was. He jumped back on his bike and rode off. Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along. "Come here quick," said the boy, "you won't believe what I heard! Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls." The man said, "Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk." When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled to the cemetery. Standing by the fence they heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me..." The old man whispered, "Boy, you've been tellin' the truth. Let's see if we can see the Lord." Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything. The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord. At last they heard, "One for you, one for me. That's all. Now let's go get those nuts by the fence and we'll be done." They say the old man made it back to town a full 5 minutes ahead of the boy on the bike.

Have any of you or your loved ones that are taking Iressa ever been told to take 1/2 doses to combat the "bathroom" problems? Mom has now taken 2 Iressa breaks to give her tummy a rest and now doc only wants her to take 1/2 pill daily...I am just wondering if it will continue to work like it has been. Sorry I haven't been around...things are FINALLY starting to settle down..taking a 4 day trip to Ft. Lauderdale with a girlfriend from Chicago this weekend and then start seeing a counselor next Tuesday, soccer season wraps up in the next couple of weeks...starting to see a light at the end tunnel and hopefully I will be back next week. As always you all are in my daily thoughts and prayers. Much Love, Amy

Don - You and Lucie are such an inspiration. I hope you took her out to celebrate - or shop both are wonderful. Congrats on defying the stats!!! Much Love, Amy

My Mom is taking Iressa and has never had "traditional" chemo or radiation - she has only had surgery - so I guess you could say that this is her first line treatment. Doc never even blinked when we asked for her to be treated with that vs chemo. My parents have medicare as their primary and then a secondary insurance - the first 2 months - medicare didn't pay anything and they had to pay a 10% co-pay (roughly $200 per month) but when they went to get it refilled the 3rd time - they didn't have to pay anything out of pocket and M&D did not have any trouble. Hope this helps! Much Love, Amy

(((((TeeTaa))))) I don't know what to say...I am so sorry that you have this pain. The love of that your family shares is so evident and I know that not having T-Bone there is hard. Hug your babies close and know that your brother is keeping his arms around you. Happy Birthday to your daughter - have some gooood cake (my oldest is 7 also - aren't they a hoot???) Much Love to you and your family! Amy P

Amy - Oh this is wonderful news. I am so happy for you!!! Keep us posted on how the surgery comes out. Will be prayers for an quick recovery. Much Love, Amy P

Sean - Thanke you for sharing such an amazing memory. My husband is a soccer coach here in the states and is taking one of his teams on a 10 day tour with 6 friendly matches interspersed - we (at least I hope I will be accompanying him ) will get to visit the Theatre of Dreams while there. I will definately be thinking of you and your Dad and that wonderful day. Much Love, Amy

My Mom sent this to me today and it really touched me. Enjoy. It was one of the hottest days of the dry season. We had not seen rain in almost a month. The crops were dying. Cows had stopped giving milk. The creeks and streams were long gone back into the earth. It was a dry season that would bankrupt several farmers before it was through. Every day, my husband and his brothers would go about the arduous process of trying to get water to the fields. Lately this process had involved taking a truck to the local water rendering plant and filling it up with water. But severe rationing had cut everyone off. If we didn't see some rain soon...we would lose everything. It was on this day that I learned the true lesson of sharing and witnessed the only miracle I have seen with my own eyes. I was in the kitchen making lunch for my husband and his brothers when I saw my six-year-old son, Billy, walking toward the woods. He wasn't walking with the usual carefree abandon of a youth but with a serious purpose. I could only see his back. He was obviously walking with a great effort ... trying to be as still as possible. Minutes after he disappeared into the woods, he came running out again, toward the house. I went back to making sandwiches; thinking that whatever task he had been doing was completed. Moments later, however, he was once again walking in that slow purposeful stride toward the woods. This activity went on for an hour: walk carefully to the woods, run back to the house. Finally I couldn't take it any longer and I crept out of the house and followed him on his journey (being very careful not to be seen...as he was obviously doing important work and didn't need his Mommy checking up on him). He was cupping both hands in front of him as he walked, being very careful not to spill the water he held in them ... maybe two or three tablespoons were held in his tiny hands. I sneaked close as he went into the woods. Branches and thorns slapped his little face, but he did not try to avoid them. He had a much higher purpose. As I leaned in to spy on him, I saw the most amazing site. Several large deer loomed in front of him. Billy walked right up to them. I almost screamed for him to get away. A huge buck with elaborate antlers was dangerously close. But the buck did not threaten him...he didn't even move as Billy knelt down. And I saw a tiny fawn laying on the ground, obviously suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion, lift its head with great effort to lap up the water cupped in my beautiful boy's hand. When the water was gone, Billy jumped up to run back to the house and I hid behind a tree. I followed him back to the house to a spigot to which we had shut off the water. Billy opened it all the way up and a small trickle began to creep out. He knelt there, letting the drip, drip slowly fill up his makeshift "cup," as the sun beat down on his little back. And it came clear to me: The trouble he had gotten into for playing with the hose the week before. The lecture he had received about the importance of not wasting water. The reason he didn't ask me to help him. It took almost twenty minutes for the drops to fill his hands. When he stood up and began the trek back, I was there in front of him. His little eyes just filled with tears. "I'm not wasting," was all he said. As he began his walk, I joined him...with a small pot of water from the kitchen. I let him tend to the fawn. I stayed away. It was his job. I stood on the edge of the woods watching the most beautiful heart I have ever known working so hard to save another life. As the tears that rolled down my face began to hit the ground, they were suddenly joined by other drops...and more drops...and more. I looked up at the sky. It was as if God, himself, was weeping with pride. Some will probably say that this was all just a huge coincidence. That miracles don't really exist. That it was bound to rain sometime. And I can't argue with that... I'm not going to try. All I can say is that the rain that came that day saved our farm...just like the actions of one little boy saved another. I don't know if anyone will read this...but I had to send it out. To honor the memory of my beautiful Billy, who was taken from me much too soon.. But not before showing me the true face of God, in a little, sunburned body. THAT'S GOD ~*

A contestant on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" had reached the final plateau. If she answered the next question correctly, she would win $1,000,000. If she answered incorrectly, she would pocket only the $32,000 milestone money. And as she suspected it would be, the million-dollar question was no pushover. It was, "Which of the following species of birds does not build its own nest, but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other birds? Is it A) the condor; the buzzard; C) the cuckoo; or D) the vulture?" The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer. And she was doubly on the spot because she had used up her 50/50 Lifeline and her Audience Poll Lifeline. All that remained was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline, and the woman had hoped against hope that she would not have to use it. Mainly because the only friend that she knew would be home happened to be a blonde. But the contestant had no alternative. She called her friend and gave her the question and the four choices. The blonde responded unhesitatingly: "That's easy. The answer is C: The cuckoo." The contestant had to make a decision and make it fast. She considered employing a reverse strategy and giving Regis any answer except the one that her friend had given her. And considering that her friend was a blonde, that would seem to be the logical thing to do. On the other hand--the blonde had responded with such confidence, such certitude, that the contestant could not help but be persuaded. "I need an answer," said Regis. Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, "C: The cuckoo." "Is that your final answer?" asked Regis. "Yes, that is my final answer." Two minutes later, Regis said, "I regret to inform you that that answer is... absolutely correct. You are now a millionaire!" Three days later, the contestant hosted a party for her family and friends--including the blonde who had helped her win the million dollars. "Jenny, I just do not know how to thank you," said the contestant. "Because of your knowing the answer to that final question, I am now a millionaire. And do you want to know something? It was the assuredness with which you answered the question that convinced me to go with your choice. By the way... how did you happen to know the right answer?" "Oh, come on," said the blonde. "Everybody knows that cuckoos don't build nests. They live in clocks.

A good ol' boy in Alabama had a flat tire. He pulled off on the side of the road and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of his pickup truck and one behind it. Then he just stood back and waited. A passerby from the city studied the scene as he drove by and was so curious he turned around and went back. He asked the fellow what the problem was. The fellow replied, "Flat tire." In response the passerby asked, "But, what's with the flowers?" The man responded, "When ya' break down they tell ya' to put flares in the front and flares in the back....... I ain't never understood it neither....."

Mine was an orange hammer - don't know where that came from???

Yeah Becky! Thanks for sharing the FANTASTIC news!!!! Are you still on cloud nine? Much Love, Amy

Ok - THAT was funny! I am sending to my husband and I am sure we will giggle like 10 yr old boys when we get a chance to talk about it! Thanks Frank - I really needed the laugh today! Much Love, Amy

Oh TAnn - I am so sorry to hear this. Glad they were caught while they were small. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and hope, like Frank, that the radiation kicks the crap out them. Hang in there! Much Love, Amy

I know I haven't been on the boards lately, but when I was checking things out on Friday, I noticed that she hasn't posted for awhile. I sent her a PM on Friday but she hasn't picked it up yet - maybe she is taking a break as well. I figure she is in touch with some of you and I wanted to see how her Dad was doing and if they got results from the CT. If anyone knows and can share, please do. I've been thinking about her. Thanks and Much Love, Amy

The MRI came back all clear - thank goodness! I went back to the hospital last night and she looked much better - her color was back and she was more alert and talkative. We were able to talk about all of the things you mentioned Peggy. Luckily, she already has a living will and a last will and testament (I insisted before she had her lung surgery in 2001). We talked about the importance of me being able to make decisions because I hear and understand what the Dr's are saying and if I don't understand I have an easier time asking questions. She was in total agreement. Here is a scary situation - My Mom actually told the ER doc that she didn't have any cancer in her right now - when in actuality she still has a tumor in her lung and one enlarged lymph node - it just reinforced the fact that I need to be heavily involved in her appointments etc. Hopefully she will be going home this afternoon or tomorrow. Thank you all for your prayers and words of support and encouragement. They mean sooooo much. And I did enjoy my shopping trip - it was much needed and did make me feel better. Much Love to you all! Amy

Charlotte - My sincerest sympathies on your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Much Love, Amy

Yesterday when the folks got here to watch the kiddos, I noticed that she was having a hard time keeping her balance and asked Dad about it and he said she had just woke up (they live an hour away) so I went to my hair appointment. The whole time I was in the chair I just knew deep down that something was wrong so when I got back she was still sleeping, I told Dad that I thought we should take her to the ER and he said he didn't think she would want to go so I said at the bare minimum she needed to call her oncologist but when she woke up a few minutes later her balance was even worse and she fell into the wall when she tried to go to the bathroom. I looked at my Dad and said we are going to ER. I thought at the least she was probably dehydrated because of the almost constant bathroom problems she has been having and at the worst she had brain mets (I didn't share that with them). While driving them to the hospital Mom's speech was starting to slur and she was clenching her right hand...got her into ER and after some blood tests and a neurologic exam they have determined that she had a small stroke. Luckily there doesn't appear to be any permanent damage (phew) and the Dr's gave them a stern lecture on if things suddenly start happening then there is probably something going on and they need to get to a hospital immediately instead of waiting for their bossy daughter to take control They are going to keep her at least until tomorrow and are doing a MRI of the brain tomorrow to make sure nothing was hiding on her head CT while they try to pin point what caused the stroke. We went up for awhile this afternoon and she looks OK - not great but OK. Needless to say it scared the pants off of me - I never dreamed it could be a stroke until she started slurring her speech and then I panicked because I didn't call for an ambulance - of course at that point we were less than 5 minutes away. My parents have agreed to give me power of attorney for my Mom - that is a scary thought for me but on the other hand I know it is up to me to make some of these decisions because my parents have always had the tendency to not take their health very seriously. If you could say a small prayer for her, I would really appreciate it! I am off to shop for new outfit for my informational interview on Tuesday! Much Love, Amy

Renee - I am sooo sorry for this being late. My thoughts and prayers are with your and your families. It is obvious through the many entries in the guest book that Scott was an amazing man with an amazing wife. Take comfort in being with him when he needed you the most and I will prayer for comfort, love and peace for you. Much Love, Amy

High Five Don! I am having a Green Apple Smirnoff Twister in your honor! Keep on trucking. Much Love, Amy

You all are wayyy to funny! Katha - I have started doing some handpainted stemware (wine glasses and such) that are holiday themed - would the HE be an appropriate place for those? If so, I would be happy to send some of my "better" ones - meaning not my first couple of tries Let me know and I will send them on. Kickin it back up! Much Love, Amy

I will send some as well. Question - can they be dedicated for other cancers as well? I have a couple of recipes that I made specifically for my MIL when she was having chemo for ovarian cancer? Just want to make sure I don't alter the theme PS. For the cat cake - we made this cake for a co-worker and warmed the tootsie rolls up in the microwave (just a couple of seconds) and strung them from the sides of the litter box - for added effect. It was awesomely gross! Much Love, Amy

Congrats Becky! I was reading the 5th Harry Potter book tonight and came across a saying that when I read it, I immediately thought of you.... Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure (appropriately contributed to Luna Lovegood - yes I am a dork ). Count me as yet another of your fans! Much Love, Amy