Got some bad news today, prayer request if I might!

[JenBayles]

Hey Dennis! Mega-prayers headed out your way. Miss Mary gives some great advice as well. It really helps to do your own research and be your own advocate. I have health problems of my own and the docs barely educated me about my condition. I know more than most of them do now and it really is empowering.

When you have a long-term condition to deal with, it helps to be fully prepared for your appointments. Write down the questions you have (and I'm sure you'll have several!) so you don't forget anything. Most docs I've worked with over the years really appreciate it. If they don't, fire 'em!

One way I've learned to deal with chronic health problems is to kind of turn it into a job - once the initial shock wears off anyway. All the appointments and new information can be overwhelming at times, but if I approach each appointment and each test as a task I can cross off my to-do list, it makes the whole experience more manageable mentally. As with so many things in life, attitude is everything!

[tronbunny]

Dennis,

You have prayers to the Big Guy for you from Central FL.
You've done very well, just by getting them taken care of and staying aware of any changes.

All the best,
Tronbunny

[CaptinCrunch]

No little prayers allowed!!! ONLY GREAT BIG ONES!!!And they are flowing straight to you all the way from Houston right now!!!! And they will continue on and on!!!!!! Do exactly as Steve says!!!!

We luv ya Bro!!!!!!

EVERYTHING IN TEXAS IS BIGGER!!!!!

and my prayers are with you!!

[CFL]

I'm sending prayers your way from the Pensacola area. I think Mary had some excellent advice. I've had some places removed myself but none so far have been melanoma. I'm also a big advocate of sunscreen. I'm 32 but have found out that a good bit of my sun damage was probably done in my teens. Sunscreen for everyone - regardless of age.

[Miss Mary]

When I became a mother of two girls, I decided not to ever let them have a tan. Meanwhile, my next door neighbor would send her blond hair/blue eyed daughter outiside without sunblock. We used 30 back then. My girls are teens now and the oldest wants color. She uses 15, but will put 30 on if we pester her. She did get a light tan this year from her outdoor job. Over 2 or 3 months. I'd like to think that's a safe way to tan, but my opinion remains that any tan isn't safe. Hard to tell your teenagers that but at least they don't bake themselves with Crisco or baby oil (mid 70s, yep I'm that old!), like I did! What a waste of time, I never tanned, I just burned. Occasionally someone will tell me I'm too pale and I need a tan. I just crack up when they say that - NEED a tan? Come on, who buys that anymore? I'd like to get serious with these types, but they wouldn't listen. These are the people who use tanning beds in the winter.

Dennis - how are ya holding up today?
Mary

[azsnowman]

Thanks once again for ALL the prayers folks, it REALLY touches my heart to see SO many of you praying for someone who you don't know!

Mary, I sent you a email, right now, I'm MAD.....yes, I cussed out God a few times over the past few nights, the typical question "Why ME God?" I've since COME to my SENSES and realized that HE is NOT the ONE responsible for this, it's the ENEMY trying to take away the most precious gift of all, Communion with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!!

I've done a TON of research on the net of course and from what I've read, it WAS caught EARLY enough and I "may NOT" have to go through any chemo or radiation, let's HOPE and PRAY!!

Once again, Thanks a MILLION, YOU'SE guys are GREAT!!

Dennis

[Pburgh]

Dennis I just read this. You know BIG prayers are definitely going up from the Burgh. Craig's brother had this several years ago and is doing fine. Just removal and no other treatment required. It was caught early.

((BIG HUGS))
Karan/aka Dink

[Bob the Leprechaun]

Prayers are going up right now, Dennis

[DaylilyDawn]

Prayers going out for you from Lakeland tonight! You can beat this so Keep a postive attitude towards it. We need to keep our Azsnowman since he is a rare breed!

[azsnowman]

"PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD, PRAAAAISE GOD!" Thank you, thank YOU for the WONDERFUL PRAYERS!! Got some GREAT news today, the one skin cancer that the sawbones said WAS/POSSIBLY malignant malinoma IS indeed Basal Cell Carcenoma!! Yes....it's STILL skin cancer but this is TREATABLE, in fact, I spent most of the day in BED, I had ONE HECKUVA headache......he cut it out, used liquid nitrogen to burn to outer edges, used a special kinda light they've got now and he got it "ALL!"

I'm by no means out of the woods with the skin cancer, I've got 2 more to go....he didn't want to cut that much today

Once again, I CANNOT, nor will I EVER be able to express my feelings towards you WONDERFUL bunch of PEOPLE.......the "Mighty Prayer Warriors STRUCK AGAIN!"

Dennis

[Miss Mary]

Dennis! That is such good news.......I am so happy to hear that. Breathing a huge sigh of relief for you....we'll keep praying for the other 2 areas.

And that you're safe when you leave. You're doing a great thing. Today when I saw help arrive at the Convention Center, I had goose bumps immediately and cried all over again. I'm sure you will be a calm presence and I'm past asking why it took so long. Help is arriving and this country is really stepping up the plate. Ordinary citizens are donating like never before.

Sorry to derail your topic, just wanted to say I'm glad it's basal cell and not melenoma. And I'm proud of you for helping out.

Mary

[DaylilyDawn]

That is such great news Dennis! I will still be praying for you, just let us know when you go for next Dr visit and we will crank up the prayers.