How are you doing?? How is everything going? Are you able to get to your treatments okay?

I do so hope that you are doing well and seeing some progress...

I think about you...
I am sorry that I am not here often... I stop by sometimes to read....it is just hard to relate to treatments etc anymore.....

It has been tough getting used to being back at work...I had surgery 3 weeks ago (hysterectomy....I posted on that board a few times)...life around here is much different now...there is a big void... it is too unreal sometimes

((((Faith)))))

Hi Snoopy
Sorry for delay in respoding. I was admitted to the hospital on Thursday and didn't get set free till Saturday. Just been catch-up ever since!
I'm fine really. I feel good anyway. Still have some rib/back pain so they wanted to get that under control and get an MRI of my spine, but I went thru the ER as instructed by my doctor, and they admitted me!!!! All I wanted was something stronger than advil so I could sleep!
ANyway, according to all the ct scans, and mri of my spine the chemo (alimta) isn't working. All the tumors have grown and I have new lesions in my spine.
The ER also thought I had pneumonia because I had a fever of 102F when I went there. Seems my church was praying fervantly for me at the same time. THe next morning I had no fever and my pain was 80% better! ANd I had no infections or pneumonia either. My PCP walked into my room while I was sitting cross-legged on the bed reading. He said, "Well you look a lot better than your chart says you should!"
So although I am now looking at a chemo change and possible radiation to the spine (need to find out as its in different areas) and I have a brain MRI tomorrow because they think I have more lesions in there too. So other than all that, I feel pretty darn good!
I'm sorry you have such an emptiness. I've found my peace and comfort from the Lord, and I get a lot of great hugs in church too. So although I am alone and still taking the bus to the dr appts, and am getting sicker & sicker, I feel so happy inside sometimes, I think my heart will burst from it. THe Lord has given me so much lately, I'm filled to overflowing. I only wish everyone felt His love the way I do.
Snoopy, you take care and find those hugs. I swear if I ever get thru this alive, I'm starting a hug ministry for cancer patients. Be Blessed Snoopy.
ANd I hope you have recovered from the surgery. Remember love doesn't end when life does. THe love you had with Chris (hope I rememberd that right), will always be there for you, just not in the physical form. But it IS there.
God Bless you Snoopy.
Faith

I am glad I checked in here again today...I was starting to get worried....
sorry you ended up in the hospital and it soundls like you got discouraging news... but that is wonderful you are still upbeat and have a lot of support at your church...

hugs are a good thing :D

I will be thinking of you and praying that the Dr. will find a better treatment for you ...you are certainly an inspiration to many!

I have had a rough few days.... I miss him quite a bit..and think weekend have had too much time to think about it.... but I know he is not in pain and not suffering and I need to take comfort in that....selfishly I just miss him here.....(BTW Chris is right!)

take care and please keep us updated... I dont post a lot here but I sitll check in....

Hi Again
You know, I think of you& Stan, Kim & Stan, and Conan & Patsy every time I come on here, and sometimes just when cancer invades my thoughts. I hate that it has taken so much from so many people. I think I'm glad that I never got married or had children, at this point. Because if this thing takes me too,
and I'm NOT giving up yet, I wouldn't want a husband or kids to hurt like so many others already have.
I found out today the brain MRI now shows FIVE new lesions in my brain. So Thursday is chemo day, and the chemo will be changed (so, I'm hearing), and in a month I get another brain MRI and probably whole brain radiation then. First they need to try and do something with the cancer in the rest of the body.....according to them, and they can't do both together because radiation plus chemo at the same time can cause more tissue damage in the radiated part. At least, that's what they are telling me.
THey are quite confident one month delay on the WBR will be ok as the lesions are quite small.
Sheesh! When it rains it pours doesn't it? But I'll do what I have to for as long as I can.
I pray you will have better days with less feelings of loss, and many days with smiles ahead. I'm sure Chris is so happy with a brand new painfree, sickfree body, in Heaven. Boy, I bet that will be glorious! I'm looking forward to the day without a body that falls apart all the time! (I was just hoping for another 20 or so down here! LOL!)
Many Hugs and Blessing to You,
Faith

My Dear Faith,
Oh how I keep you close to my heart and in my prayers even though I don't visit the board too often. I have been so overwhelmed taking care of everything that got set aside for 2 years! I was saddened to read the results of your test, but you are a fighter Faith and you have all the love and support from your church and your friends here so you rally back and give that cancer a scare out of your body! I know 5 lesions seems like so many in your brain, but Stan had over 100 plus and actually they quit counting as time went by. You always made me see the positive side of life as I watch you battle this disease and continue to smile and give other people so much inspiration! You have been truly blessed with a very contagious, loving nature that really pushes me hard. There are days when I get so frustrated raising these two boys by myself and I always think of you and wonder why I am even getting frustrated as it could be so much worse! I embrace you with a big hug and I thank you for all your support even while you battle this disease.
I miss Stan dearly and always will! The boys are doing quite well, but both very challenging for me right now. They are both at tough ages...18 and 11.
Thanks again for always putting a smile on my face and giving me FAITH!
Hugs,
Kim

Hi Kim
It's so good to see you here, you have no idea! I've been having such a hard week. THey put me on Gemzar and it's made me terribly sick and weak feeling. I hardly eat or drink. And I know I have to....but boy it's hard. Boost just makes me want to throw up (the smell)!
I thought I could fight this a whole lot longer, but now it isn't looking that way. I have plenty of support from my church friends and the Pastor, but being alone at home all the time is hard. ANd taking the bus (for disabled people) to and from chemo treatments is getting to be so very hard.
I am glad you are getting your life back on track and taking care of all those things that cancer got in the way of before. NO one ever realizes what cancer really does to a person or a family. The losses are innumerable. You take care of those boys Kim. I know they will grow up to be great young men.
Mnay hugs
Faith