I thought Mr. Brooks was contrived, banal, and no where near a two thumbs up thriller. But... it had Kevin Costner in it, and even as a horrid serial killer, he is still... LUVLY to look at. <-- my point.
No contest verdict, with mutual massage as restitution. IF you were to read PBTS, you'd know how to do this, at the same time.
LOL. I guess we'll have to wait to carry out the sentencing. Damn, I knew I should have went with the overnight shipping
I ordered a few other books off of the Amazon recommended list. I'm drawing a blank on the names but I'll give ya my review
Personally,
I thought Mr. Brooks was contrived, banal, and no where near a two thumbs up thriller. But... it had Kevin Costner in it, and even as a horrid serial killer, he is still... LUVLY to look at. <-- my point.
True, I thought it was good, but not great. We don't get to sit and watch much, so it could have been paint drying and we would have thought it was good Anyways, yes Costner is easy on the eyes IC has a thing for Marg Helgenberger and he thinks I look like Danielle Panabaker. So between Costner, Helgenberger and Panabaker...it was good for both of us
{..IC putting on his old, worn & tattered, trying to be an informed patient hat..}
SouthernGirl,
Thanks for the concern...actually, after the original diagnosis, I've been working with 2 different cancer centers on the test results and they seem to come to the same conclusion, along with somewhat similar treatment options. They're labeling it Adult Primary Osteosarcoma ?
I wasn't real clear on one of my posts about the chemo, and this is where the 2 centers differ on the treatment plan. Originally, it was going to be chemo - surgery - and then more chemo along with maybe some spot radiation treatments (although they say the radiation is is not all that effective..so WTF?) The one center is still sticking to that whereas the other has changed to the surgery and then follow up with about an 8 month chemo program. Either way I go, the surgery on the thigh is going to require a graft along with a plate and they are both giving me great odds to beat this
We've gone back and forth on this, and while I like the personal approach from the one doctor, I'm feeling more comfortable and at ease with the other center and I think we're going to go that route FWIW. A few days ago, I was all gung-ho to get the surgery done and get on the road to recovery but it's just that I feel so much more comfortable with the other center..any thoughts?
Ok SouthernGirl, onto a serious note....can you say something to me in that sweet southern drawl? (Don't get me in trouble...my wife might be lurking on here somewhere )
Sorry IC ... I never drawl while wearing my hat.
IC, Miss IC – my advice is to go with the center whose protocol includes chemo before surgery. Micrometastases are your enemy (microscopic cancer cells that spread without being visible) and need to be treated aggressively. Osteogenic sarcomas have a good prognosis, as tumors go, especially if they’re caught early, and chemo has improved survival drastically.
One more thing. This is going to be an emotional time for your whole family, but you can do it together. Give yourself permission to be afraid, or sad, too. There is no evidence that attitude affects outcome. I don’t say this to discourage you, but because the whole “he will beat this because he has such a great attitude” thing tends to irritate me, because it sends the message that you need to be cheerful and upbeat all the time or you lose ground. You don’t. If you’ve done your research and have found a center and a treatment plan you’re comfortable with you’re off to a good start. Keep reading, join a support forum to talk to others in the same sitch. Never underestimate collective wisdom. Trust your doctors, but not blindly.
You sound like a wonderful family, and I know you won’t lose sight of the little, but precious things in life as you go through this together. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
Southern Girl, Don't mind IC, he's just being....well..IC
IC, Miss IC - my advice is to go with the center whose protocol includes chemo before surgery. Micrometastases are your enemy (microscopic cancer cells that spread without being visible) and need to be treated aggressively. Osteogenic sarcomas have a good prognosis, as tumors go, especially if they're caught early, and chemo has improved survival drastically.
This is what we decided. From what we have learned as well as what you also confirmed is that these cells that spread are actually more of a concern to us than the tumor itself (from our own personal search, the lungs are a possible target) The doctors have been helpful, it's just knowing the right questions to ask.
One more thing. This is going to be an emotional time for your whole family, but you can do it together. Give yourself permission to be afraid, or sad, too. There is no evidence that attitude affects outcome. I don't say this to discourage you, but because the whole "he will beat this because he has such a great attitude" thing tends to irritate me, because it sends the message that you need to be cheerful and upbeat all the time or you lose ground. You don't. If you've done your research and have found a center and a treatment plan you're comfortable with you're off to a good start. Keep reading, join a support forum to talk to others in the same sitch. Never underestimate collective wisdom. Trust your doctors, but not blindly.
We've read that as well. With IC, it's not so much his attitude that I'm speaking of because he does get down, sad, angry...he doesn't dwell on it..but it happens. I don't know if you picked up on any of the HD-LD to HD thread where IC explained how his dad basically "gave up" his fight against cancer. IC may or may not beat this...{he's more at ease with this than me, but we both realize that it could happen} The thing with IC is it's not his "right attitude" to beat this that will help him, it's his drive and determination. I've known him 7 or 8 years now and He DOES NOT know the meaning of the word quit. If this does take him, he will be fighting it to the end
You sound like a wonderful family, and I know you won't lose sight of the little, but precious things in life as you go through this together. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
Thank you, I know it shouldn't take something like this to bring a family close but I'm happy to report that we are closer now than ever. It's still very hard for me to deal emotionally with the fact that I could lose him. I break down in tears at the drop of a hat...like now I know it's not going to get any easier but somehow I'll make it..we'll make it
I break down in tears at the drop of a hat...like now
This is perfectly understandable and reasonable. When it happens, just go with it.
I am also irritated by the perpetually upbeat attitude that seems to think that sheer will power can beat something like this. One of the reasons this bugs me is because if the patient experiences a setback, s/he can think it's because they weren't positive enough, that somehow they're being punished. Southern Girl's advice is very good!
Southern Girl, Don't mind IC, he's just being....well..IC
But I don't mind. Don't worry.
Originally Posted By: Miss IC
This is what we decided. From what we have learned as well as what you also confirmed is that these cells that spread are actually more of a concern to us than the tumor itself (from our own personal search, the lungs are a possible target) The doctors have been helpful, it's just knowing the right questions to ask.
Yes, that's exactly right. Even a tumor that seems not to have spread at all will have micrometastases ... it's pretty much unavoidable. Deal with them now so you don't have to deal with them later. And keep asking questions.
Originally Posted By: Miss IC
We've read that as well. With IC, it's not so much his attitude that I'm speaking of because he does get down, sad, angry...he doesn't dwell on it..but it happens. I don't know if you picked up on any of the HD-LD to HD thread where IC explained how his dad basically "gave up" his fight against cancer. IC may or may not beat this...{he's more at ease with this than me, but we both realize that it could happen} The thing with IC is it's not his "right attitude" to beat this that will help him, it's his drive and determination. I've known him 7 or 8 years now and He DOES NOT know the meaning of the word quit. If this does take him, he will be fighting it to the end
Yes, I did catch the part about his dad, which was one of the reasons I said that. Chances are his dad would have passed at exactly the same time, fighting or not, unless he really stopped treatment and just sat there. His dad's mistake wasn't so much that he stopped fighting, but that he closed himself off from his loved ones. Tumor stage and tumor type is what determines outcome, and who treats you, and how. IC has a highly treatable tumor, so the odds are in his favor, if he's in the hands of an experienced center. And modern medicine has advanced significantly. The thing to learn from his dad's experience is to do this together, as a family, all the way, and it sounds like you are doing exactly that.
Originally Posted By: Miss IC
Thank you, I know it shouldn't take something like this to bring a family close but I'm happy to report that we are closer now than ever. It's still very hard for me to deal emotionally with the fact that I could lose him. I break down in tears at the drop of a hat...like now I know it's not going to get any easier but somehow I'll make it..we'll make it
From what I understand, you were already growing closer ... this just makes it even more poignant. I was impressed with the palpable warmth and love between you two from the start. Yes, it does get easier. And it's ok to cry, and be afraid, and then know neither of you are in this alone. And you have us, too .... your invisible cheering squad, in case you happen to be sad at the same time. I'll even look for my misplaced drawl.
Good luck to you. You can do this. I have absolutely no doubt.
Yes, I did catch the part about his dad, which was one of the reasons I said that. Chances are his dad would have passed at exactly the same time, fighting or not, unless he really stopped treatment and just sat there. His dad's mistake wasn't so much that he stopped fighting, but that he closed himself off from his loved ones. Tumor stage and tumor type is what determines outcome, and who treats you, and how. IC has a highly treatable tumor, so the odds are in his favor, if he's in the hands of an experienced center. And modern medicine has advanced significantly. The thing to learn from his dad's experience is to do this together, as a family, all the way, and it sounds like you are doing exactly that.
Southern Girl,
You're exactly right. IC said himself that his dad was probably not going to make it regardless. We've talked about this quite a bit and I gather that IC's dad shut himself off from IC. They were very close and I think what bothers IC is that during his dad's time of need, he chose to isolate himself from IC. He acts now like that was ok, but I can tell how much it hurts him that things went how they did.
I doubt that his dad knew that he was hurting IC and if he only knew that 20 some odd years later that his son is still holding onto that pain, I'm sure he would have done things differently.
I see alot of this in IC as well. It's hard for him to let us, his family, see him struggling with pain - not just physical, but emotional as well. I'm not saying that it's going to come down to a situation like his dad but IF it did...I feel IC does not want to isolate himself from us like his dad did to him. It's just a lot of work for him because his natural inclinations are to sheild his loved ones from hurt & pain. It's like a balancing act for him...he doesn't want to isolate himself away from us, but yet doesn't want to expose us to HIS hurt and pains. kwim?
From what I understand, you were already growing closer ... this just makes it even more poignant. I was impressed with the palpable warmth and love between you two from the start. Yes, it does get easier. And it's ok to cry, and be afraid, and then know neither of you are in this alone. And you have us, too .... your invisible cheering squad, in case you happen to be sad at the same time. I'll even look for my misplaced drawl.
This is one heck of a cheering squad I find it really odd that a group of people that don't even know IC can be cheering him on and yet his own family doesn't even call to see how he is doing {Miss IC pissed off, but not going down that path...right now }
I'll let IC know that you might look for that drawl, I'm sure it'll bring a smile to his face
Miss IC, You know what I really like about you ( besides the fact that you tied your guy down, lol)? You were concerned enough to find IC here, but when you came on board, you wanted to respect his privacy as well. This shows a lot of love and respect. Catch that, IC?
Anyways, yes Costner is easy on the eyes 
I know it's not going to get any easier but somehow I'll make it..we'll make it