Haven't been on the board lately, it's been a rough couple of weeks.  I'm asking for prayers for my best friend and my mother-in-law.

My best friend, who is more a sister than a friend, is a 20 yr breast cancer survivor.  After bout of bronchitis, a chest x-ray, followed by a cat-scan revealed a 4 cm tumor on her lung that drs are pretty certain is cancer.  She goes in tomorrow for a pet-scan and a biopsy Monday.  This is a woman like no other you will ever meet.  Truly an angel on earth who has been my rock for years.  She is the kindest, sweetest person who gives and gives and asks nothing in return.  Her mission and career has been devoted to helping others.  I've never met anyone like her.  She is one of those people you naturally gravitate to and love.  She's only 55.

My mother-in-law beat the odds of stage 4 ovarian cancer by surviving the past 10 yrs when drs. gave her 1.   Her cancer has now returned for the 3rd time and undergoes surgery 1st week of Dec. to see if chemo is an option or if all avenues have been exhausted.

I'm coming to my other "family" and asking for prayers for these two special women in my life.  Thank you to all.

Wishing you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving.

[smiley=hug.gif]  Sending my prayers your way....

They're both on my list and won't come off till you say so ;)

-Dennis-

My prayers are yours and theirs!   [smiley=hug.gif]

Prayers on the way from Canada for your friend and your mother in law.

Carol

Coming your way from our house to yours. [smiley=hug.gif]

Joe

Praying as I type.
[smiley=hug.gif]
Jerry

And from MA, too! As I type. Blessings. lance

Thank you all.  Isn't it funny how people come into our lives?  My friend is 10 yrs older than me and we are complete opposites.  She's your all american girl next door with nothing stronger than chocolate milk running thru her veins, and me...well let's just say 1979 - 1989 are a little blurry  ;) ...I LOVE Bon Jovi  [smiley=headbanger.gif]...she listens to the Letterman  :-? , I've never heard her swear, and my language and sense of humor can be a little "salty" and the list of differences goes on....but from the day we met we became fast friends that soon turned into a sisterhood that is stronger than any friendship bond two people can share. 

Kind of like our family...the diversity here is brought together by a common bond.  Thanks again for the prayers and positive vibes...her faith and positive outlook are an inspiration and she will appreciate your thoughts and prayers very much.  Wishing my CH family a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.

My prayers are with you, your friend and your mother-in-law, his wife.

good thoughts heading your way from Texas!

Thank you Mel & Lauren and to everyone sending well wishes..much appreciated.

Prayers for you all.

Thoughts and prayers from here too.

Charlie

Update:  After 2 biopsies, my friend's lung mass came back cancerous.  It appears to be a reoccurence of breast cancer rather than a primary lung cancer, which we thought was good news as docs said they could treat that better.  She goes Mon for CT scans & MRI of brain, then she'll meet with her doc on Tues.  But, here's the thing...they already are asking her to participate in a clinical study and have sent her all the information.  Worse case scenario comes to mind when I think clinical study, last resort.  And I don't understand why they're suggesting this already when they don't know if it's spread to her brain or bones.  Anyway, she's asking for my input, so I'm researching clinical studies tonight....some say it's an opportunity rather than a last resort.  I'm scared and confused.

Question:  has anyone had any experience with clinical studies?  Thanks for any feedback.

Not for cancer, but we were involved in a 5 year cardiac study.  It was called the Courage programme and was jointly done in Canada and the USA.

To be honest, I believe Bill had the best care during that 5 year span.  He was monitored so very closely.

I say "we" because it was important that spouses commit to this as well.  It was a drug trial study, along with dietary and lifestyle changes due to his massive heart attack.

I have no idea how it would work for your friend with a cancer trial but it might just mean the very best of the very newest drugs and I expect she too would be closely watched and perhaps given more opportunity than through the normal channels.

Just my two cents worth which most times isn't worth a whole lot.

Wishing the very best for your friend and for you.

Carol

I can't say for you, but as Carol said, those in the study get very carefully monitored care.  If it were me I would sign up for it if for no other reason than what we face with CH.  Somebody has to participate in the studies for them to work.  Just my $.02 (which is less than it used to be.)

I'll be praying for you both that you will advise her rightly and that she will make the best decision for her and for her recovery.

Jerry

Thank you Carol & Jerry for your input and prayers (and your 2 cents is worth a million bucks imo). 

She's going to one of the best cancer centers (she has the same doc as Stephanie Spielman had....for those who may know who she was...a huge inspiration in these parts... so pretty confident with him, but he may not be involved in this.  I may have had some preconceived misconceptions about clinical studies. 

She knows all of you are praying for her and appreciates it so very much.  Her faith in God's plan is second to none.

Thanks again.

A website you might want to share with her is stillinthestorm.com  It is a site put up by my boss for Melissa Huizinga, a young mother of I think 34 who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  She has a blog on there in which she is sharing what she is learning through the experience and how she has found comfort in her faith in God's goodness and faithfulness.  Take a look at it and pass it along if you think it helpful.  I've known Melissa for several years, and you won't find a more caring person anywhere.

Jerry

Thank you Jerry, I will pass the along.

Dear Wife...

Both have been on my Prayer List @ Church since you first advised when I posted about Shanna..

I will continue to keep them uplifted in Prayers as well as keep you up lifted also..

Peace & Blessing
Lady Luv

Thank you Ruthie.  She appreciates it so very much as do I.  She knows how much my CH family means to me and is amazed so many people she doesn't know are praying for her and wishing her well.  She knows the power of prayer.

My mother-in-law is schedule to start chemo later this month.  This will be her third round.

I hope Shanna is recovering well too.

I feel so close to so many people here, and everybody has been so wonderfully supportive no matter what the issue...maybe I better start using my name instead of "his wife"?   ;D  Although I'd prefer to use my middle name on the public forum as I'm still creeped out about a bad experience by a internet lurker (not here)...so please call me Lynae'  (pronounced like Renee)

Thanks again Ruthie.   [smiley=hug.gif]

Continuing with the prayers and positive thoughts....

Prayers for you all!

Thank you so much Jackie & Bill.  Everybody here is so wonderful!

Edit:  Dumb blonde move...said "Go Bucks" to Gator Bill (confused him with CoachBill who I know is a Buckeye Fan)...Gator Bill...sorry if you saw that, being "Gator" it dawned on me that you probably aren't cheering for the bucks.. ;D

I just got off the phone with my friend and after many different opinions and lots of prayer, she has decided to try the clinical trial and will have her first treatment tomorrow morning.  She asked if I would ask the CH family for prayers for her as she starts her treatment journey.  Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. 

She's got them from me sweetie. 

Prayers on the way!

Carol

Working on it!

Charlie

Never let up on the Prayers since you first advised us of her condition...

As far as you two being completely opposite; remember opposite attract.l.. But more special  than that, it's a friendship of the heart.. and from what you have posted, they are the same; caring, concerned and thoughtful..

[smiley=hug.gif] LadyLuv

Still praying.


Jerry

Thanks everybody for your prayers and kind words.  It really means alot to her and me too.  The doctors feel this clinical study is her best shot.  I truly appreciate your continued support and prayers.   [smiley=heart.gif]