cherbourg

Isisman,

I’ve been following this thread with interest. The only point I want to make is that the reason this board IS so helpful to so many is that everyone can be completely honest about their feelings, their rants, their journey and their situations.

I am so moved you were comfortable enough to share your situation with us. I’ve walked in your shoes during my Mom’s journey with this disease and I work in the medical field and see patients every day with intractable pain. There are never easy answers NOR global ones. You have raised a puzzling aspect to another face of this monster of a disease.

I hope you will continue your honesty with us and not feel you have to only post the positive.

I’m sending hugs and continuing prayers….
Pam

Hans!

Thank you so much for the update! I’ve been checking everyday since the surgery! I’m so glad Kris has you and her family there!

Please pass my best wishes, hugs and love to her and tell her to exercise her typing fingers so we can catch up when she has access to the internet!

Hugs and love to you, Kris and her family!
Pam

Hi Ironbark!

Welcome to the site….I’m sad you had to find us but very glad you did.

There are several of us here that are in the medical field. I’m a Cytologist and was the one that diagnosed my Mom at the age of 77. She was still working full time by choice and the finding of CC was an incidental finding when she had a bout of pleurisy. Her doctor had sent her to have a CT to r/o a blood clot and that’s where they saw the lung mets.

At diagnosis, she was Stage IV with mets to the lungs. All with NO indications that anything was wrong.

You can use the search function at the top of the page and you can read my story by searching for my name….. Cherbourg.

I know how hard this time is for you and it’s worse because you are in the medical field and know far more than you need to know!

You can also read and submit questions to Dr. Giles (Also at the top of the page).

You are in the beginning of the “anticipatory grief” phase of this monster. I will tell you that knowledge is power and caregiving is hard but oh so worthwhile. I would counsel you to stay as rested as possible and let things that aren’t necessary just not get done. You have so many things on your shoulders right now but I promise you will find a deep strength inside yourself that you didn’t know existed.

Your sons will be a source of great strength and help to you. My children were amazing. I was fortunate to have great support from my husband and friends and family as well.

This is the time to implement the 5 minute rule…..do five minutes… then tackle the next 5 minutes.

Please come here often for questions or just to vent. We have very broad shoulders and we are always here for you!

I’m sending lots of love, hugs and prayers your way!

Hugs!
Pam

Lainy,

Re: barking dog next door……

Depending on weight…..25 to 50 mg of good old benadryl. Stick it on a dog biscuit with some peanut butter……wait a little while….snoozy dog!

insert evil laugh….

Pam

Hi djhappytalk!

So sorry you had to find us but we are very glad you did! I’m sure everyone will be dropping in soon but I just wanted to welcome you to the site!

I too love humor. Laughter through tears is one of my favorites! I love your nephew’s humor….God didn’t want her yet…lol

Come often – we are always here for you and your family. There is also a search engine at the top of the page that you can enter “key words” and search posts. We also have Dr. Giles on board. You can submit questions or read his responses to previous questions (also at the top of the page).

Hang in there….caregiving is a very tough and demanding (and fulfilling) job.

I’m sending lots of hugs and prayers your way!

Hugs!
Pam

Michelle,

This is such a bittersweet time. I stood in your shoes in April 2009. You are giving your Dad and Mom such a loving gift….being there with and for them!

I know how difficult these coming days will be and am sending you lots of love, hugs and prayers your way.

Hugs!
Pam

Pam,

I know this is such a difficult time but try and hang in there! I’m so sorry you had problems with the bed and the hospice service.

I think switching may be the best way to handle this problem. I know how hard being a caregiver can be and having to deal with this sort of upheaval doesn’t help!

I’m sending lots of prayers and hugs to you and your Dad!

Pam

Hi Minnie!

Am sending lots of prayers and good wishes your way for tomorrow.

Let us know how things go!

Hugs!

Pam