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• Lodi woman helped with brother's suicide

• Group may sue city of Lodi over prayers at council meetings

• Man accused of Galt killing extradicted from Canada

• Senior Awareness Day lets 3,700 local seniors explore options

• Regional Roundup

• Galt High graduates ready to face new challenges

• Galt High valedictorian Katarzyna Wilczek wants to find cure for Parkinson's disease

• Galt High School top graduates

• Galt High School awards

• Students graduate through independent study

• Stiffiny Tath gets second chance, attains title of Independence High School's top graduate

• Liberty High seniors overcome obstacles by graduating

• Political plans for Liberty High School grad Alex Campbell, who a had change in character

• Liberty High graduate Eliset Gomez goes from gang member to future police officer

November 20th, 2009

• Acampo woman killed

• Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff

• Advocacy groups sue East Bay Municipal Utility District over Pardee expansion

• Regional Roundup

• Galt plans to help residents with energy-efficient projects

• Stable southeast of Lodi approved

• One year after a heart attack, Lodi's Judy Mims thanks rescuers

• National Guard troops return home in time for the holidays

• Real estate market gets on more solid ground

November 19th, 2009

• Lodi Unified School District board votes to cancel summer school for 2010

• Water surges in Mokelumne River yield more salmon

• Lodi City Council will consider redevelopment next June

• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22

• Corrections

• Chase ends in crash

• Operation: Christmas

• Logbook

• Suspect arrested after hiding in fridge

• Galt Joint Union High School Distric hires new superintendent

• Sales tax hike yields dividends: 5 new officers join Galt Police

November 18th, 2009

• Regional Roundup

• Paranormal group conducts second investigation of building

• Congress allocates money for local water projects

• Lodi man finds wife's ashes during police display of stolen property

• Galt City Council rejects study on rent stabilization

• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react

November 17th, 2009

• Clarification

• Lodi Budget and Finance Committee to look into ways to save money on employee benefits

• Regional Roundup

• Decision on summer school expected at tonight's Lodi Unified School District meeting

• Clements gets free water rescue boat

• Redevelopment to be discussed by Lodi City Council again

• Court reinstates death penalty for killer of Lodi grad

• Paying tribute to a Lodian

November 16th, 2009

• Correction

• Public Meetings

• Regional Roundup

• Three members of Lodi-area family fall ill after eating poisonous mushrooms they reportedly found at Lodi Lake

• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi

• Lodi's First Sip event showcases area wineries' latest vintages

• City Council 'triple-dog dared' to ditch cars, use Lodi buses

November 14th, 2009

• Galt school district narrows superintendent search to one

• Regional Roundup

• A first look at 2009 vintages at Lodi's First Sip wine-tasting event

• Watchful neighbor in Lodi helped bust suspected burglars

• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise

• Despite an increase in homeless students, school districts look to bolster enrollment, raise revenue

• New Galt city manager juggles job, family

November 13th, 2009

• What to expect with new homebuyer tax credit

• Lodi Muslim: Local mosque not involved

• Regional Roundup

• Mayor Larry Hansen points out Lodi's economic progress

• First phase of Lockeford park by 2011?

• Lodi veteran recounts close calls in Vietnam

• Burglary suspects are under arrest

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• The country's mess is our fault (147)
• Obama is not a moderate (130)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (63)
• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise (54)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (46)
• The haves should help the have-nots (30)
• Lodi Flames slim playoff chances vanish in setback to Tracy Bulldogs (25)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
• Nightmares about America's future (22)
• Tokay Tigers blow late 27-point lead in loss to Wolf Pack (22)

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Local women's cancer support group provides laughter and camaraderie

When Jana Flaig was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2006, a friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. The two began chemotherapy and then decided to get together to encourage one another and have breakfast.

A speaker and humorist, Flaig decided to create the Been There — Got the Wig! Breakfast Club. She said speaking about cancer with humor encourages people to never give up.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine.' That is the motto and that is the foundation of our group. Getting together with women is fun and we laugh and cry together," she said.

Q: What do you enjoy about the group?

A: What I enjoy is the camaraderie. We share that common experience.

Q: What has been the most exciting survivor story you have heard?

A: There's not one story; it's that we thank God every day when we're alive. We celebrate God and we celebrate breakfast. Each one of us is a miracle that we're still alive.

Q: What advice would you give to someone fighting cancer?

A: Call me, absolutely. We don't give medical advice, but we can give empathy, because we've been there. There's healing in knowing you're not alone.

There's practical help, too. Two women on separate occasions said they were losing their hair and I told them they should get wigs before they lose their hair. They didn't know where to go, so after breakfast I went to help them get wigs.

Q: Why would you recommend your group to someone?

A: I would recommend it because "a cheerful heart is good medicine." This is positive, upbeat and personal. We become friends. Family and friends can only offer support for awhile but then they want to get back to normal.

A couple of gals said to me, "I really needed you guys and didn't know it." We meet when we want to meet. I call my gals and say, "Hey, can you make breakfast tomorrow at 9?"

We also celebrate the milestones in treatment, like when someone finishes chemo or their hair starts growing back. We're fun. We laugh a lot.

Q: How did you feel when you were diagnosed?

A: It was like being ushered into the twilight zone. I could just feel my brain shut down. It's a surreal experience. It's like being stamped on the forehead with an expiration date. Then denial sets in. There was terror that I won't live the long life I expected.

Q: What was the hardest thing for you to face?

A: An early death. It was hard thinking I might not be around to see my son grow up or not be with my husband. We've been together for 30 years. The worst thing about cancer is fear that you're not going to be with your family.

Q: Why did you give it the name, "Been There — Got the Wig!?"

A: I had a thought for a been there ministry — people who have been there. And, "got the wig" is like" "I've got the T-shirt."

Q: How has the group benefited you?

A: The camaraderie is fun. The benefit for me is that I'm still alive. God doesn't waste any experience.

(I've learned) to not hide the scar. The scar shows I've been hurt and shows I've been healed, and most importantly the scar shows empathy. That's what I get out of it is helping others.

Q: What reactions do you get from those who attend?

A: I actually had a couple of them e-mail me. They said they like this and don't know what they would have done without us, the group. They say they are so glad we got together and have become friends. We probably never would have known each other.

Q: What do you hope for the future of the group?

A: My hope is to go national, that there would be clubs all throughout the states that embrace the motto, "A cheerful heart is good medicine."