I need your help.....

If we have ever connected.....If I wrote to you or you wrote to me.....if we shared advice, fear, ideas, hope, kindness, resources, encouragement, humanity, may I ask you to please, please say a prayer for my handsome Harry?

Although we believe his LC was surgically cured, he was dx with a new primary cancer last Thursday. Unfortunately, this new tumor is an equally virulent and aggressive cancer. How many times can one man dig deep and find the courage and resolve to battle cancer? He's very dispirited, especially since he thought he had been so brave and beaten the LC.

If there's any positive news, it's this: yesterday, he had a full body Pet/CT, and there is no sign of any mets. of the LC and no mets. of this new cancer....just this new primary which is treatable and curable if he's fortunate. So, he's having surgery tomorrow....from dx to surgery in six days. We wasted time with the LC; we're not wasting any time with this dx. With the LC, after two questionable CTs, in total denial and ignorance, we went to Europe for a month and then came home to tackle the situation.....I always wonder if that wasted month was the difference between a dx of Stage 1 A and his dx Stage 1 B? This time, we rushed.

Also, Harry battled LC alone except for me....the dx, the surgery, the pulmonary embolism, the chemo......we just retreated into our own little world. Harry never told one friend, never told one neighbor, never told one colleague, never even told one relative. I don't necessarily agree with this approach, but I respect it. It was his secret little pride.

So, Harry needs prayers, and the only friends that I beckon for help are my Cyber friends here .....So, please, pray for Harry to find the courage and beat this new cancer.

Oddly, Harry looks and feels terrific.....not a single symptom.....it's positively bizarre and was just an incidental finding. But, I think it was discovered for a reason; I truly believe a higher power was guiding us to this check up, and then the chain of events fell together in 48 hrs. I believe he is destined to beat this, but I need to those prayers coming from around the US and the world.

Thank you for any prayers you send his way. I can only promise that whenever I visit the board, I always answer any call for prayers.

With affection, one very sad wife....

By janetrn
Posted March 11, 2008 at 6:43 pm

I wish you and Harry the best and I say prayers your way. My husband is not doing feel well at this time so please send some my way. George has stage 4 and the oncologist called me yesterday with fears that it may have grown again. We are both scared and sad. Its a long and tiring journey.
My best to you
Janet

By sktoma
Posted March 11, 2008 at 7:21 pm

I will say a special prayer for you guys and ask that the healing hands guide them as they do there surgery. I know everything will be ok for you guys. Just stay strong because I believe like you that this all happened fast for a reason. Hang in there.

Love-Kathy

By kosby
Posted March 12, 2008 at 8:37 am

D -

The courage and determination Harry has showed in his battle and with your loving dedication and all of our prayers, you will see this battle through. My heartfelt prayers, thoughts and best wishes to each of you in the coming fight.

Stay strong and believe in miracles & blessings . . .

Kathy

By pattyp1
Posted March 12, 2008 at 8:48 am

D and Harry,
Sending prayers and hugs your way!
Our oncologist said that having cancer is like being on a road - sometimes the road is smooth, sometimes it has speedbumps. Sounds like you've found a pothole, and I hope it's not too deep!
Remember that we're here for you!
Pat

By Barbara-Ellen
Posted March 12, 2008 at 8:59 am

Dear D,

You have suffered so much. Mostly, I believe, it has been even more difficult because you have been carrying this alone in your world.

This Cyberworld has helped you, I am sure, and their prayers are very powerful, of course. This is an absolutely wonderful, wonderful community.

However, in my case, Bill and I could never have kept this a secret. It wouldn't have helped any other person in our family, friends or associates. Our crew needs to know that these things can occur and how to fight them - if and when they do.

We are less burdened when we unload, vent, and have others in our lives who can benefit from our experiences. Shared concerns become a bit lighter, or at least, helpful to others.

You have been very brave, D, you and Harry, but it might help if you guys didn't hold everything so secretive. After all, "No man is an island.....". Though, you know more than anyone what is best for you both. That is a given.

Love and blessings wished so very much for you both. You will remain in my daily prayers,
Barbara

By JackFaughn
Posted March 12, 2008 at 9:06 am

My prayers are with you and your husband. Give thanks, that he knows about it, so he knows to fight hard again. Jackie (JackFaughn)

By DTB
Posted March 12, 2008 at 9:27 am

D and Harry,
I know how sad and anxious you are--but how fortunate that this was found incidentally. I agree with you, it wasn't found by accident BUT incidentally. You are equipped with the best help and expertise and I believe this along with your advocacy-- Harry will do well. The best words I read within your comments were "treatable and CURABLE"-- how we all pray for this for ourselves and Harry. And the wonderful news of the Pet/ct is more than encouraging.
Good Luck, stay stong and God , hear our prayers.
Fondly,
Diane

By Bette_Tx
Posted March 12, 2008 at 10:17 am

Dear D,

You know I'm praying for Harry and hope all goes well. We will keep those cyber prayers and thoughts going. You take care of yourself too .. I can only imagine how exhausting this is for you.

Hugs,

Bette

By stage4survivor
Posted March 12, 2008 at 10:23 am

Hello D,

You'll both continue to be in my prayers. If you like, contact me and I could come visit Harry and provide encouragement. I believe you have my phone number or send me a private message.

I'm curious where he's being treated for this new cancer?

Fight the good fight,

George

By Roger1
Posted March 12, 2008 at 12:25 pm

In August of this year, my wife became aware of a second recurrence too, in her left adrenal gland. This was 9 months after her initial pneumonectomy. She needed to, and did, undergo an adrenalectomy this past October at MS-K and returned to Hawaii only a few weeks ago. Today she is NED.

Part of what I think enabled her outcome was the human factor.

We were driving around together yesterday, listiening to NPR when I heard the word "cancer". Bringing up the volume, we learned that this was an hour-long program on humor's effect on cancer outcomes including commentary by some MS-K doctors. It was called "Humor and Health" and is available here:

http://www.humanmedia.org/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=21 &products_id=230

As I've always believed "depression is sure to downgrade your physical condition, the inverse must certainly be true." We also relied on a book of affirmations and I recited them to her each night before bed:

Cancer Guided Imagery Program for Radiation, Chemotherapy, Surgery and Recover by Steve Murray.

With this resource and the multi-religious payers of friends, we all felt we had stacked the deck squarely in her favor. My wife had a strong sense of this secondary effort going on while the "mechanics" were hard at work and I believe it made a big difference in her outcome.

Again, prayers and best wishes for you two from us. Be good soldiers; we are all behind you 110%.

Mahalo,
Roger

By Angie-in-SC
Posted March 12, 2008 at 1:44 pm

I just said a prayer for both of you and will continue to keep y'all in my thoughts. Harry is so strong and will beat this again. I'm just so sorry you're both having to go through this again. Know that we're all here for you.
Angie in South Carolina

By D1
Posted March 13, 2008 at 3:42 pm

George,
You are so sweet.
Harry did well in surgery; it was just one night in the hospital. He's home now, but he needs to return to the hospital for another surgery next week. He's very brave.....and hopeful.
Thank you for caring.

By D1
Posted March 13, 2008 at 3:44 pm

Kathy,
You were the first friend I ever made on this site. I thank you for that special prayer. Give Joe my love, but save some for yourself.
D

By D1
Posted March 13, 2008 at 3:46 pm

Dear Roger,
I am so sorry to learn that your wife had a recurrence. Thankfully, she is NED now. In Harry's case, it's not a recurrence, but a new primary. His surgery went well; unfortunately, he needs another surgery next week. It's a two step surgical process. Sometimes, life is hard. I will check out your resources and thank you for them. Your wife sounds calm; Harry is very angry. He feels like his body is betraying him.
D

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