shineladysue

Happy Second Birthday , Carol! May you have many many more to come! Hugs, Sue

Donna, I just want you and your husband to know that you can count on my prayers. Cistplatin and Gemzar is a powerful combination, from what I have heard. Will be praying that this treatment will have great results. Please keep us updated. Hugs, Sue

Hi Ronnie, Hard to believe it has been two years since you lost Pat. I understand what you say about the scarring. It has been nearly 6 1/2 years for me and my husband will always live on in my heart. Triggered memories and anniversary dates can be rough sometimes. Glad you have someone who is caring enough to understand and help you through those times. Take care , Ronnie. It's good to hear from you again. Hugs, Sue

(((Donna))), I'm so sorry it's lung cancer. Was sure hoping for inflammation . Please keep us updated and we will keep the prayers coming. Hugs, Sue

Glad you asked, Randy! Nearly 8 years ago ( will be on the 26th) , I Googled lung cancer support and found this site. My husband Mike had just been diagnosed with a recurrence of his lung cancer and we were devastated. It was stage IV this time and the prognosis from the doctors was not good. Finding this site was what put hope into the picture for us. It's one thing to get a clinical diagnosis and another to actually read what other cancer patients and caregivers are saying. The knowledge that I gained from reading and participating here made me feel that we had some control in the situation. I can't begin to tell you how many times the members here wrote to me on and off the board to share their opinions or experiences which in turn was shared with Mike and then his doctors. We went to appointments armed with knowledge and were able to ask intelligent questions. I don't know what I would have done without the caring members we met here. And now, my mom has lung cancer which is currently NED.. for this we give thanks to Joel and Maryanne for sharing Joel's cyberknife treatment with us. My mom is a 5 year cancer survivor, at 83 years old, and the last 2 1/2 years she has been NED since she had her cyberknife. Yes, many times over the years, my family and I have been thankful for all the caring people who share on this site and first and foremost, to Katie Brown for creating such a wonderful haven for us all . I try to help when I think what I have to say may help or I just want to give a big ole hug to someone who is struggling as my family and I have. God Bless you all! This place will always hold a part of my heart. Hugs, Sue

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Nick! Beautifully said! Hugs, Sue

(((Susan))), Your post just made me want to reach out and give you a big huge hug. First of all, your family is blessed to have you. You obviously love them so very much that you are putting their happiness and needs ahead of your own. I'm not the cancer patient, but I think I can understand what you are saying. You said it best, ya know... "I did not choose cancer, it chose me".. If you chose this for yourself, THEN, you might have reason to feel guilt, but you did not. Susan, we never know what roads we may have to travel in life. People lose jobs, they suffer from illnesses, they live with tragedies like tornadoes, earthquakes etc.. all kinds of things just happen.. $#!* happens and it alters our lives, but it's how we handle the detours that is important. I'd say that from where I sit, you are doing exactly what you should do.. you are thinking out loud and trying to figure out how to make the best of this situation. I know that you will come to terms with your circumstances, factor in the limitations physically and financially and find a way to make the best of what you are given right now. I hope some other cancer patients will come along and share how they work through the thought processes that you are going through because I know I can't understand until I have walked in similar shoes. My best to you. Hugs, Sue

Dani, I just want you to know that my prayers are with you. Randy and Janet have given good advice . Be sure to ask for all your options and hopefully they will quickly get you settled into a treatment plan that is just right for your situation. Please keep us updated and know that we are out here pulling for you. Getting in sooner rather than later is a good thing . Hugs, Sue

This is so sad. My condolences to her family and friends. Sue

(((Bill))), it was 6 years ago in March that I lost my husband so I know how hard it still can be. The passage from the tribute you shared is just beautiful. I hope that it gives you comfort to know how much your wife was cared for by others. Thank you for sharing and know that many of us here understand what you are going through. Hugs, Sue

Donna, saying prayers here that the PET SCAN doesn't light up . Hugs, Sue

Tears here! Such a beautiful gift indeed! Hugs, Sue

I'm so sorry, Bruce! My condolences to all of Bryan's family and friends. Hugs, Sue

(((Susan))), I've been reading your posts and I haven't introduced myself to you yet, but I already feel I have met you. I'm not a cancer patient, but lung cancer has changed my life for the past 11 years. I was caregiver to my husband until he passed (6 years ago) and my mom is now a 5 year lung cancer survivor ( currently NED). I've read a lot of posts from lung cancer survivors and I find yours to be very inspiring. You obviously want to get on with your life and not let cancer define who you are or to put limitations on what you can do, but just like any other medical conditions we may have, we have to learn our limits. I sure hope your appointment with the doctor goes as you hope and that your limitations will be few. You have a wonderful attitude and I enjoy reading you. I know you will find your "new normal" and will make the best of each and every day because that is the kind of person you are. Keep us posted and keep writing because you help others when you share. Hugs, Sue

(((Donna)))), I'm so sorry to read this. I know this must be a very scary time for you and your husband. Just want you to know that I will be keeping both of you in my prayers. Praying for him to have the same success that you have had in beating yours. Keep us updated. Hugs, Sue

Good to see you Nonni! Thanks for letting us know your wonderful status of "NED" continues.. 8 years is AWESOME! Your status gives hope to many ! May God Bless you with many many more years of "NED" to come. Hugs, Sue

Yep, Nick, a sign for sure! This gave me chills, what a great story. Mom still has her eye on you. Hugs, Sue

((((Barb)))), I understand and I get it. Sending hugs because I know how much you still need them 4 years later , I know at 6 years that I still do. And yes, I have had many people act like I should be "over it" and moving ahead with my life. Health issues, lack of money etc. etc. have made it extra difficult for me, but even if I had all the money in the world and my health, I would still be grieving.. I miss my husband so much and I really resent anyone thinking they can put a timeline on my grief. Just know that you are not alone and don't let anyone try to tell you how your heart should feel at any given point in time. For our own selves, I think we should be doing our best to focus on positives in our lives, but we shouldn't have to apologize for our tears of grief either. Just my two cents.. Hugs, Sue

UPDATE ON OUR MOM (GWEN JONES): Bonnie and I are THRILLED and THANKFUL to report that mom's scan results show that she is NED , once again! She is now a 5 yr. lung cancer survivor and has graduated to once a year scans.. I'd like to add that this is nearly two and a half years since her cyberknife and the results are still great. WOO WOO for cyberknife! Thank you everyone for your positive vibes and prayers!!! Love to all from my mom and our family. Sue

(((Susan))), my heart goes out to you and all members who are celebrating Mother's Day without their mother's this year. Everyone has to find their own way to cope after losing loved ones and it sounds like you have found the way that will work best for you. I hope the day will pass gently and with many beautiful memories of the good times. Love, Sue

Wonderful news, Diane! I love this forum and all the hope and inspiration it gives to all. Hope you have a wonderful summer! Hugs, Sue

Thanks for opening the air today , Judy! You've been in my thoughts and prayers a lot lately. I'm so sorry you are having such a rough time. Sure wish we could get some good news from "our" Judys. This "just for fun" forum just hasn't been much fun lately. I don't post in this forum often, not sure why, but I read here and try to keep up with everyone . I'm out here praying for everyone , doing happy dances when things are good and oftentimes crying when things are not. I feel a special bond with all who come here, to this place where we all " get it". Just a brief description of the air here in Norfolk, Virginia on this lovely day. It's just perfectly beautiful , sunny and mid 60's. So, on that note, I think I will log out and go do something useful. Love, Sue

The air in "JUST FOR FUN" hasn't been much fun since Judy KW became so ill. I know that she would want it to go on , even in her absence. I just pray that she will be back here again very soon telling us how she is feeling much better. Janet, I can see you in the YELLOW Beetle and I know the very thought of it would put a big smile on the face of Judy KW, just as it does all of us. When I met my hubby, he had a shiny black Beetle. He was just out of the Marines and had saved to buy that little car and he never loved another car as much as that one. Good to see you all here. I never know what to say on these airs. The air was lovely today in Norfolk , Virginia, a sunny day in the upper 70's. It's nearly time for a new day and a new air, so I will say good night. Headed to bed and saying extra prayers for our Judy in KW. Sue

Denise, I've been looking for this update and even wrote you on Facebook. I'm so glad to know that Tom is still NED!!! YAY!!! On the other hand, I'm sorry he is struggling with his COPD. Sure hope the new meds will help him to breathe better and get him feeling more " energized" again very soon! Hugs , Sue

Judy, I don't usually post to the "airs", but I do check in and read quite often. I just want you to know that I am saying lots of prayers for you. Hope you will be feeling much better real soon. Really do appreciate you finding Judy KW's son and establishing a line of communication so you can at least convey our love and prayers for him to pass on to our dear Judy KW. I know she has a daughter, Wendy and her grandson Dominick on FB also, but from what I can tell her daughter isn't very active on there and her grandson is mostly cutting up with friends.. Anyway, I do hope she knows how much she is missed and loved by the lcsc family. Guess, I will jump out of here before it's a new day . Hugs to all, Sue