Life does not end with a stage IV diagnosis (really!)

RonnieKay, I was raised on a swim team and lived in So. Cal for years so water was definitely my friend. Then about 10 years ago I broke my ankle very badly slipping on a snow hill. So when summer came the pool was my favorite spot. Warm days and swimming, I can't wait! Caryn and Kandy, I can't wait to see more baby pictures!

Lynne, thanks for sharing what a special grandson my Thomas is. I am so blessed to have him in my life. His mom and my son never married but she lets us have him every other weekend. She is a special mom. My son has many problems, in addition to fighting addiction, and does the best he can do, but she realizes that he needs a relationship with his grandparents and makes sure he gets it. She is a great role model for her children.

It is great seeing the baby pictures. I was able to see all my children today and my three granddaughters. We celebrated Mother's Day today. My husband cooked a nice dinner. The little ones called it "outdoor" chicken. Barbecued on the grill. Yummy.

I am hoping to go to the Orioles game tomorrow if we have nice weather. Is it ever going to be warm??

Happy Mother's Day to all the BCO mothers here of children and pets alike. Enjoy this day!

Hello Ladies! Happy Mothers' day, a tiny bit belated! ....Is it just me who feels a certain irony as our breasts kill us!

I clicked on this thread ("Life does not end with stage IV diagnosis!) and read some recent comments, but did not read through all 1,400+ comments, so please forgive any repeat....BUT, re: the topic...Hell Yeah! Life does not end!! In many ways it begins! I was diagnosed almost 18 months ago, and I think these may have been the best 18 months of my life! I have reprioritized my life, and am fast-tracking all of my "someday" goals. I only wish that I had this perspective earlier...BUT, so glad and grateful to have it now! So many people get hit by a bus, or fall from a heart attack, and they never get this time to sort things out and do what makes sense and is right. We do get this time...very fortunate in this regard.

To any newbies...please, please, please don't freak out!! Recalibrate, and make the most of the time you have. You might have a lot of time, you don't know. That is an agreement between the pharmaceuticals, your lifestyle, and your body.

Happiness to all! Take care, go vegan! LynnFish

Wendy, I'm so very glad for you! So many people don't understand and almost can't deal with the happiness of folks like us! I frequently find that other people feel worse about it all (i.e. my illness...) than I do, so I find myself comforting and reassuring them, which is kind of odd, right? I've said to many people "Obviously we're all dying, I'm just doing it faster!". And more consciously. While I certainly don't look forward to the really nasty stuff that will almost certainly come near the end, I suspect that even that will be OK, especially if life is lived well up to that point...AND, side note, I'm pretty certain that happiness helps our health...

Enjoy!

LynnFish

While I don't have the exact date, May 2008 was when my BC recurrence was discovered in my right lung. My sister prays for my healing. She says she wants a miracle. I feel I've had a couple of miracles. In 1987 I was given a 20% chance of surviving 5 years from my original Brest cancer. I was cancer free for 20 years. That was miracle one. Miracle two is 8 years with stage IV. While my qualify of life isn't what it was, mainly due to chemo side effects and fatigue, I am so thankful to have an oncologist and friends and family who really have stood by me. I have done my best to make these past years meaningful both for me and those who love me. It hasn't been easy and it hasn't been perfect but we do the best we can do with the hand we are dealt. That's what I strive for every day, even if that means a day I stay in bed because of low counts.

Artist, I can't imagine changing cities and homes but you sound excited. You must be way more adventurous than me!! I'm happy for you! Sounds like it worked out well for Wendy.

Still thankful, Caryn, for this thread

Thanks GatorGal for both the positive thinking on your situation and the encouragement about moving. We still waffle around and haven't made any decisions yet. We just can't decide what would be the best solution. We both have good jobs here and a wonderful home. Moving would mean starting over somewhere new, Not an easy thing at our ages (mid-50's). I hate for my DH to have to as he is very established. But trying to downsize here is nearly impossible because smaller houses get snapped up almost as soon as they list and are super expensive. Too much for my mind to think about along with everything else. Somedays I think we just JUMP, others I just want to crawl under the covers.....

Oh, hahahaha! Yes, I remember when my kids used to come up to my face very early in the morning and whisper rather loudly MOOOOOMMMMY! so as not to wake me up.........

Awww, he's so cute.

Oh, very adorable photo, exbrxgrl. I can just about smell the wonderful kissing-his-head baby scent.

beautiful!

What a sweetheart little Miles is! So handsome already! And I'm smiling at the image of your granddaughter calling you! You are very blessed!

Your trip sounds very exciting stefajoy!! I think that is awesome that you are going for it and not waiting. I hope you have a wonderful time!

Caryn, too cute for words!!!!

OMG Caryn, Miles is sooooo gorgeous...... A truly beautiful baby! Stephanie, your vacation sounds fabulous. And heck ya, why wait? When it feels right it just is. It is so great you are going as a family and will create such wonderful memories for years to come.

Stefanie, Your upcoming trip sounds like a dream vacation. What a wonderful adventure for all of you. I am glad you aren't waiting another year. It would be hard to wait. Take lots of pictures so you can post them for us.

Lynn