Linda and densiem, odd that you two mention the BC of dummies book. I stopped by Barnes and Nobles yesterday to pick up the Odyssey for DD15's English class and gravitated to the women's health section. I did not know about the dummies book for BC, ended up reading part of the chapter on reconstruction. I am going to look for Dr. Kaeolin's book, Linda. As you said, I would think someone who has seen it from both sides would have a unique perspective. I have been trading emails with an acquaintance who lives in NJ who had breast reduction (not breast cancer), and who also has assisted at breast reduction surgeries and has patients who have previously had this done. She has helped me enormously with my questions concerning having this done on my remaining breast. It is like she is objective and personal both at the same time.
You are wonderful with researching for us on this thread. You and Laura both are the sources for me.
Linda, I am glad you worked out the flights, albeit with much effort. What a great time y'all will have at the cruise meet in the Walt disney suite. Pictures, please!!!!
Lessa, did the dolls cry all night long? I attended a two night camping trip when my daughter was in 6th grade, and a number of the girls had these dolls for the weekend. Several of the girls basically couldn't deal with the crying. Not sure what kept us from sleeping in the communal cabin, the dolls, the girls yelling at each other to quiet the dolls, or the blasted cots we had to sleep in. Never again.
Glad to hear the end of chemo is within sight.
Laura, I am not on anything for bones yet except 1500 calcium citrate daily. When I went to a orthopedic guy about 10 days ago he told me to be sure to have a repeat bone density scan two years after the first on (August 2004). I think if it show a change I'll go on meds. Many of my female relatives on my mother's side have lived a long time, but all have suffered with bone loss. My mom has been on meds since age 70. I guess cancer trumps osterporosis though if you have to take something that hurts your bones to save your life.
Ann, your description on NH autumn mornings and snow skies were poetic.
I am afraid here we are still cutting and watering the grass. At least we are not raking leaves yet, they are just starting to fall.
Think a good thought for DH's family today. They are all meeting just about now (9am Central time) at my MIL's house in Lakeview to see if they can uncover valuables, heirloom stuff, silver, whatever. They tried to round up what is left of the strong types in the family (everyone is aging so). The furniture was all thrown down helter skelter, blocking closets and entryways, including the fridge, so they need some muscle to move the big stuff out of the way. There are a couple of his dad's things my DH wants (his father died in 1978, a few months before we married). I hope he is successful. It is a beautiful, cool day (70's) so they should be able to stay in the house longer than on previous forays into the moldy muck. Sorry I keep bringing up the whole Katrina business. There are some bright spots. His sister house nows has A/C again, which along with the dehumidfiers, should continue to help dry out things. DH's nephew are also trying to line contractors to do the recovery work in there, so DH should not have to continue to go down there every weekend. She is back to work now too, so her health insurance is secure (she is a heart attack survivor, so insurance was important).
I also hear some of insurance companies are settling on flood coverage, especially State Farm in certain zip codes. Some are settling for the policy max sight unseen, others like DH's relatives, are busy documenting contents.
This baffles me in my MIL's zip because every house in that area had 10 feet of water. Maybe it is the out of town adjusters.
I urge everyone to document contents before the castastrophe, it is much harder after the fact to remember everything you HAD.
Can't end on that note. I am checking SW as well, Linda, they have resumed limited flights between New Orleans to Orlando, one of just a few destinations out of N.O. Chalk this up to being therapeutic? Anyway, I have a credit with SW that is burning a whole in my pocket and will expire anyway in a few months, along with my AP's. I see a trip in my future, maybe solo, or just with DD9. My teens have lost their enthusiasm for Disney. It's ok with me, they are expensive to travel with anyway. Now where did I stash my Bonine?
~~~***GAGWTA sistas***~~~
It was in the 40's and windy here today, I tried to hang out at the soccer field, but ended up begging off...I was freezing! 
Hubby is such a trooper, he stayed for both games... 
Tomorrow it's supposed to be 60 degrees so it won't last - but still, not ready for this at all. 
How much longer to summer? 
I think as a "newbie" you're a great one to give advice! Some of the details fade over time, and with chemo brain. 
I'm big on making plans to be here for next year...it's worked for me so far! 
Now I'm thinking about baking cookies. Christmas is the only thing I like about winter!
Well within a few hours the busiest days were gone right before my eyes!! I had booked ours but our friends were a tad late booking and missed the flights. Being the 
We gently suggested he might like to host our cruise meet in there 
That's something special to look forward to. Seeing our friends' excitement is fun, too. They've never cruised before and have really gotten into the spirit of things. Now that our flight and resort is booked, my next project is finding tuxes for the guys with Mickey Mouse ties and cummerbunds, that ought to be fun. 
And we already have our outfits for Pirate Night, we tried them out at 
Please don't apologize for talking about Katrina and it's afteraffects. It was a huge crisis for you and your family, and we're here to listen. 
