LilyFestre-Mommy+Daddy+Baby...now on to Life!

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 04 Mar 10 - 07:52 AM

Sending waves of love....

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target
From: Janie
Date: 04 Mar 10 - 07:15 AM

Thinking of you, Michelle.

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: GUEST,Eyelander
Date: 04 Mar 10 - 05:26 AM

'I once had a very close friend...for years. Something happened between us that led to ugly words from both of us in May. She recently married a man she has known for 4 months. This morning he posted that I deserve to have cancer.
    While I understand that his wife doesn't care for me anymore, that comment......well....NO ONE deserves to have cancer. I am SO upset'.

Humph and Grr. That comment shouldn't be said to your worst enemy!!

Now you take care Michelle, Do as the docs tell you, rest when your body tells you and most of all - Posi thoughts which of course is what we all have for you.

Jillie

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Mar 10 - 05:24 AM

'I once had a very close friend...for years. Something happened between us that led to ugly words from both of us in May. She recently married a man she has known for 4 months. This morning he posted that I deserve to have cancer.
    While I understand that his wife doesn't care for me anymore, that comment......well....NO ONE deserves to have cancer. I am SO upset'.



Humph and Grr. That comment shouldn't be said to your worst enemy!!

Now you take care Michelle, Do as the docs tell you, rest when your body tells you and most of all - Posi thoughts which of course is what we all have for you.

Jillie

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Mar 10 - 09:06 PM

No word from tonight's crowd, OR the padre.... "we" know nothing.

I do have her cell number.... he may call her (or her mom) to see whassup.... when it feels right to HIM. He has a finely tuned sense for each person in the parish (or even peripherally connected to it) for that matter, on how long is *too long* for each individual to be off the radar, and he's really good at knowing where and how to run into them-- my dear mentor.

~Susan

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 03 Mar 10 - 07:26 PM

please add my good wishes to the list, susan

sandra

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Mar 10 - 02:18 PM

The annual Lenten series is in full swing here, and tonight is the second week's event, so I may get some word I could share from that.

I *think* we just are not quite up to speed on her schedule-- I recall Monday to have been said to be planned as Port Day but I wasn't thinking it also was chemo week. I'll ask around-- she's been pretty open on all this around the parish, so someone else may have heard something we haven't, or may be in touch so as to be in a position to pass along all the latest good wishes and caring thoughts here.

===

Hey, LF-- I have a new video suggestion for your spirits on the tough low-contact weeks-- what's your hill's channel lineup (link?)?

~Susan

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 03 Mar 10 - 01:55 PM

sure wish she would post.... even if to just say... ugh

sigh.

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Mar 10 - 09:02 AM

Michelle, my morning's lectionary Scripture reading included the item I had been looking for (Strength to Strength), and it's in Psalm 84.

This Psalm presents a fine example of how seeking the higher good can bring us to our goals.

I like the Amplified Bible for personal reading because ...It attempts to take both word meaning and context into account in order to accurately translate the original text from one language into another. The Amplified Bible does this through the use of explanatory alternate readings and amplifications to assist the reader in understanding what Scripture really says. Multiple English word equivalents to each key Hebrew and Greek word clarify and amplify meanings that may otherwise have been concealed by the traditional translation method.

~Susan

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: SINSULL
Date: 03 Mar 10 - 08:04 AM

Just checking in, Michelle. Healing energy and Chardonney from Maine. Micca's Port is nasty stuff. LOL
SINS

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 02:46 PM

Thanks SRS, but Jacqui has already understood and responded to my request for clarification-- for Michelle.

~Susan

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: Micca
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 02:39 PM

Michelle, Burning a candle and sending good thoughts your way since the beginning. As a further gesture of solidarity I will "install a Port" this evening probably a glass of Taylors Late Bottled 2003, and will sip it in quiet contemplation while beaming healing energy to you, The Mudcat healing energy from these sort of threads was very useful and beneficial to me (as well as to MANY others) last year.
Micca

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 02:19 PM

meeeee toooooo...

waiting and hoping it is all going as smoothly as possible.

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 01:16 PM

Not M-G, SRS. Another charmer.
I hope Michelle has met up with her chemo buddies. She seems to draw such strength and motivation from them.
Still waiting.
SINS

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 09:10 AM

I had the impression she was going to be offline for a few days with the various aspects of the port and the chemo.

SINS, I had a few dustups with Mr. M-G myself. And one remarkable apology--perhaps it should be framed? You've caught the character right. The anonymity of the Internet has allowed such insecure characters feel like they are big and powerful. Susan, a suggestion is fine, but it doesn't constrain the rest of us from examining the peculiarities of such folks or the response they received in their particular communities. And examples of individual confrontations doesn't indicate a continual attack on that particular person, or we'd be no better than they are. The sound "stop this behavior now, you little cretin!" and a flounce stage left and no further communication with them can feel rather satisfying.

SRS

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 08:42 AM

I think Michelle was getting chemo along with the port. She may be a bit under the weather today.
Patiently waiting for news.
SINS

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: maeve
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 06:19 AM

Thanks, Rowan. I have not heard anything regarding how the port insertion has gone. I trust Michelle will let us know how she is when she's ready...and when her thread returns to the light of positive support.

Still here, Michelle!

maeve

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target
From: Rowan
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 09:01 PM

Anyone heard how LF's port insertion went?

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: jacqui.c
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 07:51 PM

No one is suggesting that Michelle responds to this oaf.

SINSULL responded to an unwarranted attack on someone she loves dearly. From experience I know that bullies, if not taken to task, will just keep on going, hurting others, as was done to both Kendall and Michelle. I also know from experience that they see compassion and forgiveness as weaknesses and no reason for them to change their ways.

Whilst the person being ATTACKED may not be in a position to fight back that doesn't mean that those who care for them cannot make that effort on their behalf, in much the same way as one might attack a physical bully who was injuring another person.

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 04:52 PM

So.... I'm confused. According to the last post's example, does one battle offenders, or does one rise above them? Does one let it go and let the community evaluate/respond, or does one first mount a little warfare?

(Where's the highest positivity, such as I understand it takes to overcome cancer?)

~Susan

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 11:00 AM

Michelle,
This has been the weekend from hell for me. No power on Friday. Computer crash on Saturday - actually it works but only brings up really nasty porn sites. No computer = no phone . Then my cell phone ran out of minutes. No computer = no refill on the cell.
Very frustrating but I told myself "At least I have my hair". A recognition of how ridiculous all this crap is in comparison to your battle.
Re: your pathetic friend's husband. Imagine being married to that? Poor lady.
When a Mudcatter trying to hard to be controversial wished colon cancer on Kendall, I confronted him in the Chat. My language was less than ladylike but spot on. He squirmed that it was a joke. He whined that I should stay out of it. He complained that he was being picked on. In short, he showed what a worthless coward he actually was. From that day forward, if I went into the chat, he left. Eventually he was banned from the Cat for a multitude of offences. Like your friend's husband, a pathetic bully trying get attention. Dismiss him and his negative energy. There is no room for him in your life.
Hopefully, your package will arrive soon. With all the nonsense this weekend I managed to jam the after hours machine with your package stuck inside. If I hear from Homeland Security I will let you know. LOL
Hug your Nana and know that you are loved.
Mary

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 09:35 AM

Michelle,

I've been cogitating that man's "contribution" to your mental map, in my daily prayers. What keeps coming back to me is to ask you, what kind of energy is the most healing for you as you continue this "little battle"? Feeling hurt and angry..... or compassion and forgiveness? (I mean the energy you generate, not the energy that comes at you.)

Compassion and forgiveness don't just come automatically, of course... but they can be prayed for and, when they come to you, accepted.

Your priest no doubt will have more to share on this point, but when I think of one colleague's toughest cancer year, what I think she might have most regretted was a narrow area of hardheartedness where she did not completely achieve forgiveness. One person had asked a thoughtless question out of concern, but it struck L like a doubt about her ultimate recovery. She had the idea that ONLY positive thinking aimed her way was helpful, and no one in her immediate circle at the time quite realized that what she probably needed was a reminder that God's positivity is so much more powerful, and always there to be appropriated. I know that later she DID find her way to let it go, but in the meantime the brokenness in L's one relationship with that person multiplied out all around L, as people scrambled to compete over who was helping and who should be shut out.

So... the steps other people take in the grand dance are the steps they take, but you can choose your own, around them. Praying for (and even giving thanks for) the people who hurt us is a powerful route to healing broken relationships.

~Susan
cc: Hardi

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 11:27 PM

My Mom would have remarked on the low self-esteem of that powerlessness man, if the only way he can feel stronger is to kick someone when she's down. To be sure his words have power he attacks. And that's what he was doing--he was trying to feel like he had power, even if it was a totally negative hit.

That guy is a boil on the butt of the universe. In the Karma end of things, the man is TOAST. So don't worry about him.

Have a good week getting all of that stuff taken care of.

SRS

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: Severn
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 09:56 PM

Michelle,

I will write about baldness issues soon, but if you dredge up the Mudcat Recovery Ward 2008 thread, you can read some of my Chemo Chronicles written at the time I was going through it all.

Some great laughs from an All-Star Mud-cast as well.....

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: maeve
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 05:51 PM

My mom says, "Consider the source!"

m

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 05:49 PM

Eleanor Roosevelt also said, "A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water!" I have that on a small poster on my fridge.:-)

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 05:37 PM

what everyone said

Ever since I read a comment from Eleanor Roosevelt - No body can make you feel inferior without your consent - I've tried to live by it, tho sometimes my "natural" (ie. imposed by family members when I was growing up) stupidity/uselessness pops up, & I take a second or so (it used to be minutes or hours!) to remember that the comment made only says something about the person making it.

as you said, you day will be a good day, surrounded by loving friends & caring staff (with an occasional ouch)

sending more love & good wishes

sandra

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 05:24 PM

Say "no thanks!" to that kind of remark and be sure to delete it if you have it on your computer. Some friends we have to let go even after a very long friendship. YOU are growing by leaps and bounds through the grace and honesty with which you have dealt with your health challenge. You will continue, I am sure, to make great strides and there is no room for such negativity in your life. (Think about all of the karmic brownie points they DIDN'T just rack up!*bg*)

In your positives, please be sure to protect your heart a bit, esp. when seeing your nana and uncle. It can get a little poignant, emotional and, while it is good to let out your emotions, it is best to do so in moderation so that you don't tire out.

All will go well, tomorrow, I am sure and know that YOU ARE LOVED.

mamakat:-)

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 04:54 PM

what Susan said... someday that friend and her husband may rethink things they have said to others.

I hope they have learn and they find courage enough from the lesson to make a point to apologise and want to make things right again.

You are going to be all right Sunshine. You've got lots of love to bouy you up in the storms. And that unkind, unthinking comment was a tiny tempest. Let our love carry you over the waves big and small.

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 11:02 AM

Take the 'sniffers.....!!!!!!!!!!!!??

About that old business with your friend... people grow at different rates. You can only deal with your own rate, ya know?

~Susan

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 10:00 AM

I just can't fathom one human being saying that to another, EVER.

My friend and I had words with each other but NOT LIKE THAT.

I know I need to look beyond it and concentrate on healing....that comment just cut me to the core.

So.........looking for the positives in this day:

I am going out to lunch with my mom and husband.
I am spending the next 5 days with my mom (will be missing Pete though)
I am going to hang out with my friend today and we are going to talk cancer stuff....positives...getting through, etc.
I am going to see my nana who I haven't seen in months (she lives far away)
I am going to visit my uncle with bone cancer.
I am going to take lots and lots of pictures of my family
I am feeling (physically) good today.
I've gained a couple pounds (good since I was radically dropping weight)
Tomorrow I am getting my port...while I am NOT looking forward to the procedure, it will make chemo easier on my body and it will mean no more needles.

Ok. It's time for me to pack up the computer and go.

As always, I appreciate your love and support more than you know....

Much love,

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: jacqui.c
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 09:45 AM

I agree with Allison - that sort of remark can only come from a very poor soul, too bound up with the lower things of life to see past the muck and the mire. Pity them, but do not let them bring you down. A Mudcatter once wished colon cancer on Kendall, when he was part way through his fight with his cancer. That type of behaviour comes only from the very immature.

From all you have posted over the past few weeks you have shown an amazing spirit and, like your New York City friend, are well on the way to being an inspiration to others in similar circumstances, and who are just starting to walk the road you have gone down.

Good luck with the port - I may not post very often but I check this thread on a daily basis.

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 09:30 AM

*big breath*

Moving on because that's all I can do.

Today I am leaving to spend another night at the House of Care. Tomorrow morning at 9:00, I'll be having my port put in.

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 08:17 AM

Big huge enormous hugs- you are right- NO ONE deserves to have cancer, and you don't need that kind of toxicity right now.

People who spread that kind of negative energy are bound to have it bounce back on to them. If you can, acknowledge and then release the feelings you got from seeing that post, and do what you can to return to the joyful place of positive healing that you know so well.

YOU ARE ABUNDANTLY LOVED!

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 06:58 AM

I once had a very close friend...for years. Something happened between us that led to ugly words from both of us in May. She recently married a man she has known for 4 months. This morning he posted that I deserve to have cancer.
    While I understand that his wife doesn't care for me anymore, that comment......well....NO ONE deserves to have cancer. I am SO upset.

*SOB*

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 04:26 PM

Fun!!!!!!

I'm planning on coming tonight...I think it will be ok. I'm not going to do communion but Father Cootiesniffer is aware, so it's all good!

:) Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 01:00 PM

Hey LF--

When Lew N. was stuck at home during his chemo, we sent home a special cuddlebuddy from the kids' pew area where the wing chair now sits, so he'd know we were thinking of him every Saturday night.

Last Sat. Ed was trying to pick out one for you, and it got down to two we couldn't choose between. So-- they're small, and if you look close.... they seem to "bear" a suspicious resemblance to a couple of Cootiesniffers. :~) And I'm not sure what your immune status is, but they just came out of the dryer under nearly-sterile conditions. :~)

We'll set them on the wing chair, and if you don't make it out tonight, Lisa'll ship 'em out with the next player.

~S~

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 11:22 AM

You hook it up with the USB and then manage it like any folder in your file manager. The service recording will be the large file in the "Recorded" folder in the "Voice" subfolder. It should appear on your "My Computer" as an extra disk drive.

~S~

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 10:03 AM

Susan,

   The recorder arrived yesterday. I have no idea how to download it but am able to listen to it through my media player which is just as well. No worries about Dr. Oz! My neighbor doesn't go to Wboro much as far as I know. I'll be at church tonight (unless it snows a ton more or I get sick) and will bring the recorder and cord.

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 09:48 AM

!!!(Rowan)))!!!

Michelle, in a weak-minded moment I managed to erase the Oz recording, and I do not see the re-run coming any time soon.

BTW James debuted on playing IN the service last week, and Wade in the Water is tonight.

Your neighbor who offered help-- does s/he come to Wellsboro? Maybe expedite the delivery of recorders?

So if anyone can come up with the rest of the list Oz gave, that would be a help. I'm trying to recall what else was on the list but it's slow going.

~Susan

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target
From: Rowan
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 05:47 PM

Just to let the rest of you know about Michelle's PS to me, on Monday her time she'll be dealing with the insertion of a PortaCath. I've already got one and have been encouraging her, via PMs, with my experiences and, on Monday my time (about 14 hours ahead of hers), mine will be used for the next (5th) bit of "big chair dreaming"; five hours of sitting in the big chair followed by 46 hours of infusion from a pump I wear while I get on with life. For me it has been no big deal but, although she's doing just fine, I reckon Michelle could do with a few more hugs to help her along.

All the best, cobber!

Cheers, Rowan (who is off to register for the upcoming netball season as an umpire)

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 12:49 PM

oh you sillybilly... oh yes we all feel so unappreciated...

NOT!

girl - you gotta know that we all jump for joy at every bit of positive posting you give us

You do know it don'tcha?

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 10:47 AM

Please, PLEASE don't think for a second that the support I have received here is any less valuable....you guys have helped me more than you know in all kinds of ways....I honestly don't know what I would have done without you!!!!!!!!!!!!   

I have received love, some ass kicking PMS, some informational PMs, very helpful advice and different perspectives and the peace of mind knowing that I'm not sitting here alone, drowning...which is often what it feels like.

I'm thankful for all my Mudcat friends, VERY THANKFUL!!!!

Much love,

Michelle

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 10:41 AM

Michelle, I know what you mean. When your very life is on the line, it can be difficult to "be in the NOW." My mind went off on tangents before heart surgery (it still does, some times:-)...mostly thinking about how sad I would be if I didn't make it and missed out on my grandson growing up, missing my family, not finishing my novels, etc.

Your new friend is right, though. It is that simple. Everyone is facing death, some just know more about when that might happen. Just don't think you have to spend every minute trying to enjoy each moment...some days, as you've already found, can be real bummers. That's okay as long as we don't wallow and stay in that negative space. In fact, it can even help balance things so that when we have a great day we can remember it on those days that aren't so super. Hope this makes sense.:-)

kat

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 10:31 AM

So glad you are connecting with strong, positive women who can help you over the rough spots. Encouragement and an ass whooping from a fellow sufferer has to have more impact than loving and well meaning advice from the peanut gallery. Not underestimating the value of our support; just recognizing the value of their input.

One moe day further along your path and closer to your goal of health. Good job, lady.

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 10:23 AM

Thanks for the links to the mouth sore care. As of yet, I do not have mouth sores but I know they are a possibility and can be very painful..anything to help with that is great. I'd rather have an idea ahead of time how to deal with it rather than wait until I'm a mess.

And Susan, if you would like to tape the audio, that would be great!!! I haven't received anything in the mail but will keep an eye out!

I am beginning to meet people within the cancer care circle. At my first chemo appointment, there was this woman and her boyfriend in the waiting room....they really stood out to me as they were both dressed very well, make up done, looking alert and healthy which in an oncology department, isn't always the case. She almost radiated and I admired her from afar.

The next week I went to a Look Good Feel Better program put on by the American Cancer Society and low and behold, she walked in...still radiating and stylish. I immediately asked her if she had been at the chemo center last week on whatever day it was. She cocked her head, looked hard and me and said, "Yes I was. Why?" I told her that I had really loved her hat and how she seemed to beam. She smiled and we talked during the entire thing, she took a picture of mom and I, we exchanged addresses and phone numbers and she said she'd send the picture. Well. She called me the next day. I wasn't feeling well and wasn't taking any calls. I didn't call back for a few days but when I did, I got her machine. The same with the next day. Yesterday she called me and we talked 3 different times for a total of about 2 and half hours. She gave me a little bit of an ass kicking that was totally needed and actually appreciated...helped me pull myself together....we talked about the port I have to have put in on Monday (and am nervous about), we talked nutrition, we talked grants that assist with things associated with cancer care (and OMG, there are a TON of them), foods that sit well, the ups and downs and the how the hell am I going to get through this kinds of things. My mom and I will be going to the Care House (Ronald McDonald House for adults with cancer) to stay over Sunday night as my port goes in early on Monday and it's a 2 hour drive for us....anyway, my new friend is ALSO going to be there on Sunday....we are planning to get together, chat up a storm, play games, cook in the kitchen and hang out. I am really, REALLY looking forward to this!!!!!
    During our conversation she didn't really ask but said she had no idea what kind of cancer I had or what kind of meds I was getting so I told her. I tell everyone, it's not a secret at all...some people like more privacy about that and I totally understand but for me, I'd rather that people know. Anyway, I asked her directly what kind of cancer she had and immediately felt as though I had created a faux pa. She hesitated and then told me she has Progressive Stage IV Colon cancer. If I wasn't already in total awe of her positivity to make the best of this situation and her efforts to be who she is, this just sent me over the edge in admiration....she talks about something that is so frightening to me as though it were the weather.....so calm.
    She put things out for me in black and white and very succinctly. She said (in her very thick NYC accent), "Look honey, you have 3 choices:

    A. You can enjoy each step of the journey you are on, making the most of it.

    B. You can be miserable and resistant each step of the journey you are on.

    C. You can do nothing and die.

    What's it gonna be?

I know it's very simple but I hadn't thought of it that way before. Everyone says to concentrate on the here and now as that's all any of us have and yes, that is true but when your very core has been shaken sometimes it's really hard to focus on that....at least it is for me. I know it's all been said with the best of intentions and that they are right but for whatever reason, how T put it clicked with me.

    Anyway, she is just one of several people I have met and made contact with and I am super excited to get together and spend more time with her on Sunday afternoon. YAY!

Love to you all,

Michelle

PS. Rowan...I'll be thinking about you on Monday!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: maeve
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 05:38 AM

Michelle- This link has what looks like useful info regarding the mouth sores http://www.chemocare.com/managing/mouth_sores_due_to_chemotherapy.asp

I hope this is helpful for you.
maeve

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 10:09 PM

A post from earlier lost....

LF, the Oz showtime for your hill-- I dunno, but the rerun is coming up on our hill, and I have it set to record. I can get you the audio of that but not, alas, the video. (But his website does have some vid clips, and maybe it's on there.)

Anyhoo, lemme know if you need the audio and I can dump it onto a player like we're doing the services.

Did the first one arrive BTW?

~S~

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target
From: Rowan
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 04:54 PM

What foods support a healthy immune system?

"Fresh" and "unprocessed" is a good start, but I suspect you already knew that.

What about mouth sores...

The oncology nurses I know recommend mouth washes of sodium bicarbonate, also known as bicarb of soda and baking powder.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: LilyFestre - Cancer-Seeking Chemo Is on Target!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 04:20 PM

I remember reading on someone else's thread here a while back about something that helps with mouth sores. I'll keep my eye out for it. And a co-worker may have discussed it recently. I'll check out her facebook posts and her blog.

SRS