Kaffie

This is just GREAT We have some new posters here who could do well reading this post kathy

Karen, Welcome, thanks for posting, I'm happy to read that we have been helpful to you by just reading posts. There is much to be learned here and lots of support, also. I hope you choose to keep posting and keep us informed of what's going on with your mother and yourself. Kathy

You sound like you have a really positive attitude and a determination to beat this nasty stuff. As long as you feel you can keep up, I say go for it. Rich is a perfect example of why Kathy

Beth, It is good to see you post but I'm so sorry you are so down and out emotionally. I know the loss of a spouse can only be truly understood by someone who has gone through the experience but please know that my thoughts are with you. I hope the surgery was a complete success and you will be up and abut in no time. Kathy

Welcome ben, All I can say is to please take the advice that has been given regarding at least one other opinion and never give up hope. When my father was diagnosed we could not give him treatment, but he was too weak from a stroke he had a year earlier and would not have survived even one round of chemo. Our whole family knew this to be true. His case was the exception to the rule Please think again about your options and do a lot of reading here to see the wonderful success stories of stage 4 survivors. Good luck in your decision and please keep us posted Kathy

Congrats on your two years As for guilt, I am very grateful that I have NED in my life so far and pray every day that I stay that way. If I had one wish for these wonderful people it would be that we could all go in for scans and all have NED in our lives forever. I am also very aware of the fact that there are no guarantees for any of us so I try to appreciate every day I have cancer free. Good to see you post Kathy

Carleen and Keith, You are both heavy in my thoughts this morning, praying hard for Keith's successful surgery and Carleen's strength. Bless you both, what a beautiful couple you are Kathy

((((Debi)))) I'm so sorry I missed this post I want to add how happy I am about your ongoing romance with NED. Hey, with him you don't need to bother with a you know what, anyway Kathy

I can understand your feelings of panic, makes me want to panic just thinking about it. As Andrea said, sometimes they can get an idea by the texture, you could go into the emergency room at night. That's how my father found out. If they think it's an infection they could give you strong antibiotics and it would start to go down in size fairly quickly. Realistically speaking, I would place a bet that it's an infection but I would be upset if I had to wait like you. I miss those innocent days of not jumping into a panic over everything. Good luck Kathy

Welcome Lisa, It sounds like this is taking it's toll on your whole family. Your father is young enough to be able to tolerate the treatments, that's very important. I think showing your parents some of the positives on this board is an excellent idea, so is the possibility of your mother going on antidepressants. Good luck to your family and keep up us to date on how things are going Kathy

Welcome Megan, There are a few others here who have had breast cancer and lung cancer and are still going strong, cured even. Good luck in your journey, keep us posted and don't give up Kathy

Welcome to our family,'I hope your trip to MD Anderson proves to be beneficial if finding some answers and getting a plan in place Kathy

Too precious

More prayers on the way Will be praying extra hard tomorrow Kathy

Wow, just look at the responses, can you tell how important you are to all of us? I'm tipping my glass to many many more years of health for you and support for us Kathy

Bless your heart for starting this thread, Connie. I'm in Portland, Oregon and this July will be my two year anniversary since my surgery This board has helped me tremendously, don't know if I'd have made it without all of you Kathy

Thank you all, it IS a good feeling but it would feel sooo much better if there were a way to get us ALL in good with NED. Kathy I dent care if it's early, I'll still take that Margarita

I've never lost a sibling so I can't relate like Cindi can but I can offer you my heartfelt sympathies that you are suffering like this, I would be completely devastated if I lost my brother so I can only imagine Please take care of yourself and let the good memories guide you through this awful time in your life. Kathy

NED is still very much a part of my life. Prayers for us all Kathy

Sheesh,

Diet coke Milk salsa for my son

I'm so very sorry for this latest set back, yes this is one heck of a roller coaster ride no one is ever prepared for. You and your family are in my prayers Kathy

Don pretty much hit the nail on the head. My doctor told me that once it spreads from the original site it has entered the blood stream and there fore it is considered late stage. I'm sorry to read this about your friend. Kathy

Lori, Most of us understand the stress and anxiety of having to wait for our tests, it can be excruciating at times. When our doctors schedule our appointments what is "only" a week to them is like Kasey said, six months to us. Let your doctor know how high your anxiety level is getting, it's my understanding if your doctor happens to work at the facility you will have your tests at, he can speed up both the test and the length of time you have to wait for the results but a doctor ordering from his office to another facility waits longer. That's just been my experience, my doctor does not work in the hospital where my tests are done so I'm a waiter at test time. I wish you the best and hope you can get in there earlier. Kathy

Wow, what a lesson to learn the hard way. Glad you are doing OK now, take care of yourself, but don't forget to continue enjoying your life. Sounds like you had fun Kathy