As many of you know, my Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer 3 years ago. Even tho he was deemed inoperable, he went thru chemo and radiation treatments - and has been in remission for the last year. He still has tumors in his esophagus. He goes to his cancer Dr every 3 months for a check up and chest x-ray. He didnt get good news this week. He has 3 more spots behind his breastbone. His Dr said they cant persue them until he is fully healed from his latest major surgery. So, it will be March before he goes back for an MRI to see exactly what is going on with it.

Please keep him in your prayers. He has been thru so much the past 3 years, as have the rest of us. The thought of going thru all the chemo and radiation again depresses me as it made him sooo sick he almost died.

But - I guess we cant worry about it until March, when they can actually see what is there...

Maybe thinking about this is what has me procrastinating about Christmas....

Rita, I'm so sorry about this new update on your Dad. I will keep him in my prayers as well as you and your family. I hope that the holiday's will be a wonderful time for you and your dad and your family to spend quality time together as that is really what it's all about. God bless you all.

Rita I'm keeping you and your dad and your family in my prayers and praying you will have a wonderful time together this Christmas.

Like you my Dad has cancer but unfortunatly is not doing to well at the moement. Just knowing this will be his last Christams is making it hard to prepare for the festive day at our place. He hasn't been out of bed for the last three days and has starting taking morphine so I know he must be feeling lousey. All we are hoping is that he can spend some time with his family Chrsitams day. For those of you who are complaining about spending time with parents and how difficult and stressful that can be, just take a moement to think of what it would be like if they were not with you. Then send a prayer to those who will be spending Christmas for the first time without a loved one.

I know I will be cherishing this Christmas no matter what the outcome is because my Dad is still with us, and this time last year we didn't think he would be here.

Jett, I'm so sorry about your Dad too. You and your's will be in my prayers also. I know how hard it is as my mom passed away soon after Christmas three years ago and every year it is difficult to have Christmas without her. We spent Thanksgiving and Christmas that last year together and SHE knew that was her last. She told us and of course we just didn't believe her. She knew how sick she was when we didn't but like you said we spent the last holiday's together and I have alot of years of memories to carry me through. YES! Cherish every moment this holiday like it is your last together but do it joyfully and you will have it forever in your heart.

Rita and Jett, I know what you are going through. I lost my father ten years ago to cancer. Rita, I have been wondering how he was doing, I'm sorry to hear that it's not great news. I'll be praying for both of you, and your families. --Susan

I'm sorry u guys are going through this at this time of year. My wife and I will keep u guys in ours prayers.

Rita & Jett

This is sooo hard. The radiation and chemo was really tough on my husband David also (colon cancer). At one point, he got down to 118 pounds. I thought for sure that I was going to lose him. It's almost certain now that there will be more surgery in his future too. We can only hope and pray and do everything that we can to help them fight when they're too tired and weak. And I try to let him know how much I've treasured being his best friend for 23 years. I understand exactly how you feel.

Rita and Jett you and your famlies are both in my prayers. My family understands cancer and what it can do also. I couldn't be there at my sisters house on her last christmas I think that is why I have punished myself for the last 6years at this time. It's always brought out pain in me every year. This year I forgave myself and I have found a way to heal from that. So enjoy and cherish every moment this year and try to find some peace in the holiday I know it's very hard when they are so sick. Find a way to step back and take a break yourself cry if you need scream if you need but you need to release it somehow and then you can find peace. And just remember I have had to find this the hard way just because in the future they may not be with us at the holiday does not mean we cannot enjoy it and you may think it's unfair of you to be laughing and having a good time when they are so sick but do it anyways because I know the sound of laughter was all my sister wanted to hear. And if you have little ones don't be afraid and keep them away so much from them my sister told me it brought her joy when she was so sick to just watch my little boys. There is no right way to handle this all I can say is that I understand I have walked in your shoes and I know your pain. I will pray for peace for both of your famlies this holiday and that the Lord gives you strength. If you need me I am always here to lend some support. Hugs to both of you.

Lots of prayers from this direction too. I lost my step-dad 10 years ago and my dad 7 years ago. There's nothing I can really say that can make it better but I can offer support and hugs.

Like Jett mentioned, take advantage and enjoy every special occasion and every day. It's important for him too.

Rita & Jett yall are in our prayers. so sorry yall have to deal with somethin like this :(

much love
lacy
& the babies

Jett - Im so sorry your Dad is feeling so badly. We went thru this 3 Christmas' ago - with my Dad being in intensive care and not expected to make it. We spent Christmas and New Years at the hospital. It was all very surreal.... When he was diagnosed, he was given 3 years to live - and we have passed that mark - but not without a lot of heartache along the way. Tell him how much you love him. Talk about special times with him that you remember. Make this year all about him.

Raven - Im so sorry David is facing more surgery in his future. It sounds like you have been right there for him thru it all.

Tracy - Its about time you forgave yourself. Your sister wouldnt want you feeling like that every Christmas. Rejoice in her memory and have a wonderful Christmas.

Hugs to all of you facing sad times that are totally out of our control. We will all have a wonderful Christmas...

I will be keeping you all in my prayers. So sorry you are going through these difficult times.

Thoughts and prayers to all of you guys. Man, what a crazy year.

My prayers are to all in this Glider Community. If this is the last Christmas for some of us with our families, I hope it is our best.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all and your families over the holidays. ((((hugs))))))

For those of us that have lost a love one the holidays seem to intensify the saddness we feel over that loss. I do not know anyone that has not been touched by this dreadful disease.

My mom was dx with breast cancer at the age of 45....I had just gotten engaged and what should have been a very happy and exciting time became a very scarey time...my mom was not only my parent but my best friend. She and dad had divorsed when I was only 5 so it was just she & me...she had a mastectomy and went ahead full force planning my wedding.....Joe & I decided to start a family soon after we were married...I had a fear of losing mom and I wanted her to have the enjoyment of her first grandchild. Thank God we had our daughter just 6 months before mom died...only 3 weeks after her 48th birthday.
From the time Kim was born I took her to my moms house every week...a few weeks after Kim was born Mom was dx with a brain tumor and had surgery to remove it...as they were wheeling her to the OR she looked at me and smiled and said "at least this time when I come out I'll still have a breast"...she was the most amazing woman...it has been 36 years now and although then intense pain of the loss is no longer with me to this day I still miss her and every Christmas when the presents are opened and the family has gone home I think of her and wish that she had been able to be with us.

When you know what is ahead you can be sure to make the most of what time you have left...you never really prepare yourself..you know what is comming but when it happens it knocks you down...only when someone is suffering and in pain can you tell yourself they are better off...but then you always think why did it happen at all....and there is NO answer...for those wearing those shoes..spend as much time with the one who is losing their battle..take pictures and make memories...those memories are what will help you get through each day when their day is done.

My thoughts and prayers are with you Rita, Jett and Raven...I truly know what you are going through...be strong and take one day at a time...

Roz, thank you. Coming from someone who knows first hand how difficult this all is, I know it comes from your heart. We have talked many times about your mother, her illness and passing and I know how much it hurts you to this day.

I guess the holidays bring out the melancholy in us...

Rita I am really sorry that you are going through this. I cannot even begin to imagine how hard this is on you especially since this is your father. I just said a prayer for him and will continue to keep him in my prayers. The closest I have been to this situation is with my uncle. He has lupus and has almost died several times through out the years. It hurts to think, that something could happen one day.