SJAS

Boy- it almost makes you grateful for the heart attack! NOT! Just thrilled to hear that NED is back. Now that is surely the right buddy to take with you to the hospital! Congrats to your Pops!

So sorry to hear about the heart attack. Just doesn't seem fair. Lung cancer is more than enough for anyone's share Hoping for a quick and full recovery.

Welcome Rob, Your dad is fortunate to have you on his team - you're already being so helpful by networking with other LC patients and families. Role models are such a great part of the fight. Hang in there - there are breaks in the clouds when the sun comes shining through.

Steve had the Caro/Taxol combo for his original chemo, and no allergic reaction. He has had neuropathy in both feet and three fingers of his left hand as a result. The combo did make an incredible dent in the cancer though.

Barbara, My sympathy to you and your family on this devastating loss. May your warm memories help to fill the void you are so deeply experiencing.

Well darn it all; this is the pits. Hopefully, things will turn around quickly. You certainly have enough to deal with Karen. Sending good thoughts for Dave and your mom.

You are an amazing woman Peggy! Thanks for being so helpful for me all along this journey.

Sure hope your dad will be much better and out of there soon. Just keep telling him that Spring is on the way!

Such wonderful news for you all. Becky must be absolutely beaming and I bet she would want you to accept that degree for her knowing that you played a vital role in it too. Congratulations

Steve's father died of lc. There is cancer on both of his parents' sides. Steve never smoked and has it, yet he has an older brother and sister who smoked constantly until a couple of years ago and they don't have lc. The kicker is that his brother and sister are both adopted and he is not. Seems like a pretty strong case for a genetic connection to me.

Hi Peggy, Sorry I haven't checked in much lately. Steve has some cramps, but mostly in his toes and feet. Guess he has had so much else going on we haven't bothered to try to deal with that one yet. I am concerned about the vision loss. Please get it checked immediately. It probably is not radiation retinopathy, but if it is, quick treatment is vital. By the time Steve had his opthamologist check his vision, much damage had already occurred. His opthamologist literally called a retinal specialist while we sat in the room. Laser surgeries and steroids seem to have stemmed further damage at this point, but we're playing one heck of a game of "catch up" trying to deal with the damage already done. Please let me know how things come out. Saying a prayer for you both!

Ginny, Just want to wish you luck that everything goes smoothly with the move to your beautiful new home. Bet that as you pack and move, reminders of so many wonderful moments with Earl will pop up like so many hidden treasures, so that you can savor each one. You are right that Earl is not in one place; he is everywhere you are.

Yes!! I like the phone call idea. I'll be calling them tomorrow and think I will also mention that I have contacted the Lance Armstrong Foundation and am posting it on national websites. Now if only we could get some people to pay attention to this Maybe when Marlboro decides to get in on the action and have some printed up...maybe then it will finally push enough of the right buttons!!

While I wish that the wrist bands had remained solely identified with cancer, I really don't have major issues with other NON-PROFITS using them. For the bands to be symbolic of one's concern for a specific cause seems to be a whole lot different than for them to be used for a commercial enterprise solely to generate a profit. That totally trivializes and devalues the bands and I'm sure will bring a much expedited end to their use as a symbol of support for the various causes benefitting from them. I still believe that if enough negative publicity is focused on their actions, we can effect change. It's just getting more people to care enough to take a few minutes to let these enterprises know that their greed is not passing unnoticed. I am telling everyone I see with the bands about it and asking them to contact Office Depot. I really do appreciate the time you are taking to be involved on this one, as I know how valuable your time is. p.s. Cary - I just sent a hot e-mail to the froogle site. Just a few comments like "what's next? Crosses with the Nike slogan "Just Do It, menorahs with a Heineken label, or maybe millions of bands for Marlboro?" I may not be able to stop them, but I sure plan on letting them know that they are deeply offending a lot of people.

Sorry to just pop in so quick to post. Work, Steve's health issues, etc. have really limited my time. I do want to reach those of you who may not get time to go to the Activism section. Office Depot is advertising the wrist bands (in ANY color) to be used as promotional products - eg. advertise your company logo, etc. Please take the time to read my post in the Activism section. If we are going to make a dent in a big corporation, it's going to take a lot of us.

Ooops, yes, that would be helpful, wouldn't it. I actually faxed the CEO, Neil Austrian, and of course now I can't find that number. However, the response I received was from Beth Maita, Executive customer Relations Assistant. Her e-mail is bmaita@officedepot.com. Sure hope we can get this stopped. Thanks for helping

Hello All, Sorry to just pop in so seldom these days and so short. We have been dealing with more health issues. Steve had a trip to the E.R. and some home care for a nasty infection, but is doing well now. Not much improvement in the radiation retinopathy though. Will be getting some special training soon to perhaps help him make out more of what he sees. Even though life is crazy... there are some things I feel I just have to follow up on. There has been something bothering me about a big company using the wrist bands for commercial advertisement. If you have a moment, please take a look at my post in the Activism section. Thanks!

When leaving Office Depot recently, I was given a glossy flyer of their "promotional products." I was appalled to see them advertising the wrist bands, the "hottest new trend," available in any color to be custom printed with whatever you want. They recommended them for things like your company logo, events...! I sent an angry protest letter to the CEO and also contacted the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Unfortunately, the LAF's hands are tied because the only thing they can protect is their trademarked LiveStrong. I am sickened that a major company would take advantage of the popularity of something that has been symbolic of an outpouring of public support for cancer patients to be used for their own gain. Don't they realize that if the bands become merely another advertising gimmick, they will quickly loose their popularity and a huge source of funding and public awareness will be lost? Are the lives of thousands of people worth a few more dollars on their bottom line? Their response to me was basically "thanks for writing - we will use it for future reference" - i.e. thanks, but no thanks. Please join me in sending e-mails and protests to Office Depot and any other for-profit corporation taking advantage of the sentiments which have propelled the bands to such heights. If we can generate enough public outrage, perhaps we can preserve the meaning and usefulness of the bands a while longer.

Beth, Just thinking of you and hoping for all good results. Maybe just close your eyes and imagine taking a sledge hammer to that MRI machine - kinda like I do with my computer when it crashes on me (hey, you're talking to the woman who invented the term "compucide" - visualize a bleary-eyed graduate student who's lax about saving her work regularly, suddenly getting the blue screen of death at about 3 a.m. while working on a paper due that day . An airtight case for "justified compucide" if you ask me ) Humm, this MRI visualization experience could be just the thing to get rid of a bit of hostility - don't you think!

Boy oh boy oh boy! This has been one awesome day for some good news on test results for JimBen, Lucie completing chemo, Ginny getting a new dream home and now Dr. Joe is back Thank you - thank you Dr. Joe for hanging in there for all of us.

Ginny, I got the biggest lump in my throat when I read your post. I'm so thrilled for you and, at the same time, sad with you as I know what you are leaving behind. My sister's husband was killed by a doctor's mistake three years ago (she was 50) and she had to give up their big house in the country. It was so, so hard for her to do, but it has been a good thing. She even paid to have a large tree which her husband had planted about 15 years ago transplanted to his parents' house, so she could go and "visit" it. I went to "visit" your new home and can certainly see why you fell in love with it. I wish you much peace and happiness there.

Whew Cheryl, that was quite an introduction to WBR. Sure hope things turn around for you soon.

Don, I'm glad Lucie is finished with the radiation. Those treatments are sure no "walk in the park." That fatigue may last awhile - it really took Steve some time to get back on his feet after it. Just tell her to hang in there - her energy will eventually get back to what it was. Sending lots of prayers for you both

Wowie Jim! If you hear reports of an earthquake in no. Calif. don't be alarmed. It's just me jumping up and down with excitement at your good news ! (I was listening with the onc. gave Steve that same advice, but unfortunately, I was the one that gained the weight ) Your news sure made my day too

They always say the best presents come in small packages !! So thrilled to hear your good news. What a terrific way to begin the new year. Now that's a real "Extreme Makeover"