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THANK YOU, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers. I believe we will find out one way or the other what we are dealing with on the morrow. We will handle anything we have to. We hope it is not too major, but whatever it is, we will work together each day we have.

Blanik, I hope the best for you in this, your own time of trials. Blessed be.

H.

God bless both of you and remember the power of prayer.


GB2

Blanik and Husker.....I hope everything turns out to be fine. Hoping for the best.

Barb received the results of the biopsy today, and it was not good.

She has non-small cell lung cancer. We have caught it early, it is still in stage 1, and as far as we are aware of, it is only a single tumor and has not spread or metastasized.

Have to take things one day at a time, like always. Now we have a appt the day after tomorrow to figure out the next step. I would imagine she will be in surgery before the weekend.

Still hanging in there, but life can suck at times.

H.

Cancer is a evil Bastard, it's the scourge of every living creature on this earth, I went through the cancer thing with my father, a chap that was a 69 years old, he was as fit as a fiddle, it was hard to believe.

You have got to keep the faith of who or what ever you believe in, you will get through it.

Husker, Barb and Blanik,
Our prayers(my family and I) are with you all, especially during the easter break.This insidious disease seems to know no bounderies on who it strikes. We wish you all well and hope for the best.

My wish is for your tidings to get progressively better.






Not one for praying, but putting positive thoughts your way.

Am sorry to hear about that. I lost my sister to that horrid disease but she was undiagnosed. Good luck to you both my thoughts are with you.

Barb was over my shoulder reading last night (and will likely be over my shoulder b4 I hit the post button), and was touched by the nice blessings granted by all my "drunkard friends" around the world.

We are grateful to everyone who has posted, and also feel the good thoughts of people that still praying or sending healing thoughts in their own way, but not wishing to post in such a uncomfortable thread. The energies are being felt by us.

Whatever the outcome, we will get through this, in the best way possible. The ups and downs have certainly started. Barb fell apart for a few hours yesterday, she knew it, and simply stated that was her pity pot time. She ended that after a couple hours, and is again her bouncy self. I expect many more days/hours where she falls apart in my arms, but we will work through that when it comes. I can tell she is her own 'strange' self. She is going to get her head tattooed if she ends up losing her hair in chemo after the surgery. That's my barbie. However, I shot back, that I get to shave her head, if it comes to that. She has been buzzing my hair for the past few years, since I finally had it chopped off, being tired of such thinning hair.

We are praying for the best outcome, but have many things in our favor. This was found prior to any symptoms at all. She went in for other things, and in course of diagnosis of her 'heartburn' problem, this was found with a chest xray. She is very young for this, only 42, and it is very rare for cancer to be diagnosed in someone so young. Most often, someone this young does not find it, and it grows for years, to a point where a cough and pain starts, and to where it is spreading through the body. being young, she is also much stronger and able to recover from whatever they throw at us. We will make it, and be able to cherish every day that we have.

Barb has done 'Relay for Life' (cancer walk, fund raiser) for the last couple years. It will have a lot more meaning this year, I am sure. She will probably even get me out there walking all night, on the main day/night of the event.

H.

O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly beseech thee to behold, visit and relieve thy sick servant Barb for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon her with the eyes of thy mercy; comfort her with a sense of thy goodness; preserve her from the temptations of the enemy; and give her patience under her affliction. In thy good time, restore her to health, and enable her to lead the residue of her life in thy fear, and to thy glory; and grant that finally she may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Strengthen your servant Barb, O God, to do what she has to do and bear what she has to bear; that, accepting your healing gifts through the skill of surgeons and nurses, she may be restored to usefulness in your world with a thankful heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I will remember you and Barb especially at services on Friday.

Sounds like as far as that kind of thing goes she is in a good situation!
I've had several family members and friends that have had to deal with this kind of thing, some were lucky and some weren't.
But it certainly sounds like you guys have caught it early enough and are in a good position to have a good outcome!
Keep strong! Keep close to your family and friends, it's good to have help and support near by!
Good luck to you guys.

Husker like you said take it one day at a time, I lost my oldest sister about 3 yrs ago to cancer (pancratic) and now my second oldest sister has cancer and is getting treatment in Oklahoma at Cancer Center Of America ,and the outlook is good. My family and I will keep Barb and you In our prayers, here's hoping for the best.
Derrell

Blanik, Husker & Barb

I have only just discovered this thread. SO sorry to hear about your predicaments. I feel for you & send you all my very best wishes & hopes for the future.
In the limited experience I have with this sort of thing I believe the best thing is a positive attitude. Don't let ANY negative thoughts ever enter your head. Determination is a strong thing & a positive attitude is always the best outlook.

All the very best

POP

My prayers are with you folk.
I've had some experience from where you are sitting Husker. A couple of years ago surgeon drew a 9 inch circle over my wifes stomach and everything within that circle was removed.
Mate, if I can offer any advice it is to keep the faith, be positive for Barb, not always easy, and make sure the people around her are positive as well.
Just remember, every dawning is the beginning of a new day.
God bless
Mal T.

We go in for surgery on Monday. I probably will not be on the boards much for a while, at least until Barb is out.

We do have a caringbridge site set, and will be (have been) posting progress there. If anyone is interested, they can pm me.

We are hopeful for the outcome. The oncologist did say that Barb is in a group of about 1 out of 5 where the goal of treatment is cure. It appears to be a smaller single tumor, localized to one lobe (upper left), and has not, or appears to have not reached the lung lining, or chest wall. Depending upon the pathology report on the lymph nodes that get sampled, it is possible that we will not even need chemo. We will have to cross that bridge when the time comes.

H.

My favourite aunt is getting new growths on her lungs, 3 years after having serious bowel cancer. Very uncertain future for her right now.

Hope it works out well for you and Barb.

Good luck Barb and Husker. I sorta get a bit sulkly and pissed off on the odd occaision, but as everyone says that a positive attitude helps. I can't go wrong because I get positively pissed off.

blanik

The surgery was postponed until until Wednesday. The surgeon was in Paris for a med conference or something, and had a flight canceled on Sunday morning. Was kind of an up/down day yesterday for Barb, since she has put everything into being prepared for today. Even though she did pull through good, last night ended up being her once every 2 years or so to drink heavily. I think she had about a pint or so of vodka (3 16oz screwdrivers), but it has been the first time in weeks I have seen her smile and giggle like that.

Yesterday afternoon, her dad surprised everyone. He flew in from Frankfort KY, and did not tell a sole. About 4:30, he called me out of the blue, and asked if I could have a cup of coffee ready for him in 2 minutes. When Barbie got home at 5:30, she was kind of her grumpy normal (well, maybe a little more grumpy since she was still dealing with having surgery pushed out 2 days). Well, when she got up the stairs and into the kitchen, and finally saw her dad, things greatly changed (even thought the first words out of her potty mouth were 'mother fuker'). Spent a good time chatting with her father, who flew up to be with Barb, and to control Barbs younger sister, who Barb really does not want at the hospital for the first few days.

Well, today we will spend a good time with her father, who will be in until Tues evening. He will be back in KY before the surgery, but I am sure that Barb will LOVE spending the next couple of days with him.

Well, until Wed morning, we are in a holding pattern.

H.

Special prayers ascending tonight for Barb, the medical team, and your whole family...even crazy little sister...

Husker, you and yours are in my prayers.

Aidas

Thanks all for your thoughts and prayers. I am going to post a short message. I am beat, was there the last 18 hours, and want to get a little rest in a real bed, before heading back early in the morning.

The surgeon said there was no cancer in the chest wall, and visibly, the lymph nodes looked perfectly fine. He sampled about 8 of them (along with whatever was on the lung lobe). The upper left lung lobe (about 1/2) was removed. The lower lobe has re-inflated, and he said it fills the whole lung cavity (news to me).

Things are looking very good so far. She has an epidural in, and has morphine drip into her spinal column. She has a big chest tube, and this smaller JC tube (I think) with a bulb on it. Has an arterial IV, and the IV in her arm, nether of which are hooked up right now, and a cath in. Tubes everywhere, I guess. But even so, and even with the epidural, the surgeon wants her up and walking in the morning. He is talking about chest tube removal tomorrow, and possible discharge in 3 days or so. I think that might be a little optimistic, and I can tell the nursing staff really thinks that is optimistic, but I think the nursing staff is a little confused by the fact that Barb is only 42, when they are used to dealing with people in their 60's 70's or 80's, where recovery time is much more prolonged. I would love it if Barb is 'ready' and can come home by the weekend, but I want her in the hospital as long as is needed to be safe.

Thanks every1 for your thoughts/prayers. I am gonna catch up a little on reading, and get off to bed.

H.

That's good news H......... I wish her a speedy recovery

Great news

Sounds like it is going about as well as it could so far.

Hang in there.

Sounds as well as can be expected. You'll remain in my prayers.

Thats good news Husker. Get some rest.

Boy, that's wonderful news, Bro.

Yer family will stay in my prayers.

by the grace of god
treadmill inside away from all the pollens with a fan.
got to look after yourself to.

Great stuff!!!!! Sounds very hopefull!!

Husker, I would say that is really good/positive news , in early 40s body still give a good fight with cancers and win the battle,
Hang on in there, keep your chin up mate.