Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part III - GAGWTA!

[annrae]

How very sad Ann. Please know I am thinking of you and your family.

Barbara

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Ladies
Please say a prayer for ds20. He just called me from college all frightened and said his L eye is practically blind and now his R eye is strange with a v in it. I know the last time we went to the opthamologist he said he was getting the disease in his other eye too. He also told me this disease could progress very quickly into something very bad. So we have an emergency visit at 5:15 today. I am having ds18 go with us as I cant drive ds car, bucket seats and my stomach surgery equals no way. Worse, I have to take the dr. in the office whom I am sure has no knowledge of this disease and I think there might be another dr. there whom maybe she can consult with. His 2 regulars are not there today. I do not think this will go well at all. Maybe they can get him into the univ. dr. if something is really wrong etc. I will print that out and take it too.

KJ - Wishing you all the best with the rads

Anne - contiuned prayers for you and your family in the days ahead,.

GTAGWTA. Blessings to you all always.

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

MaryAnn - I'm so sorry to hear about your son. My thoughts will be with both of you this evening.

 

[snappy]

Prayers for you son, LMP, and for you.

I pray all goes well.

 

[annrae]

Hi Maryann:

I hope everything goes well with your DS when he sees the Opthomalogist. My thoughts and prayers are with you tonight. Barbara

 

[CherylDan]

Ann....I'm so sorry.

LMP....how is your son doing?

KJ.....those clots sound very confusing to me. Is it ok to just leave them there? I hope your rads go smoothly. It's a pain to have to go every day, but it'll be over before you know it!

I just realized that I never posted anything about our Vegas trip.....it was fabulous!! The weather was perfect, sunny and about 67 - such a treat! The Garth show was amazing!!! So different than a concert, very intimate. Even DH said how much he loved it. We stayed there at the Wynn, very nice resort and very un-Vegas I guess, in that it didn't have the usual theming. Room was very nice - even had a tv in the bathroom, that was a first for us. I didn't come home with a bucket of money, but it wasn't for lack of trying! DD20 stayed at home all weekend with the doggies and everything went well.

Our puppy is 12 weeks old now, and doing just great. The two of them absolutely love each other, I'm so glad we went ahead and got her. Now if she would just quit peeing in the house......

DD25 was supposed to come home this weekend for DH's b-day, but her flight from New York was cancelled because of the snow. So she decided to take the train from NY to Boston (they live in Boston but she is working in NY) and then fly out of Boston tomorrow afternoon. So hopefully she was able to get out of NY and will still get to come.

GAGWTA!!!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good morning ladies, One word: Snow!!

KJ - Hope you do well with the rads

Cheryl - sounds like you had a great trip to Vegas.

Elizabeth - hope your son does well with the audition

Well the drs. visit was um. We got some young female dr. who looked really inexperienced. Ds did say she took him to the next room to a machine and he had to tell her to wait as his head was not aligned up right, she should have seen that herself etc. His L eye got worse as did the R. The glasses will never help him see totally well, of course he needs the contacts but refuses to wear them but she could see no bad problems. He is suppose to go see the contact guy in about a week. I told him he must pay for the contacts himself, that is the only way he will use them, after 45 fittings, various pairs etc. I just cant handle that anymore. Not money wise, We can afford it, I feel if he has a vested interest in it then he might use it etc. I am so through with the been there and done that with him in the contact lens dept. Oh and with the mega kids there since its a peds place I wooke up yest with a throbbing headache and dry heaves, oh joy!! It disappeared by night time.

Later dh told me in addition to going to england and denmark in march he is now going around the world again in april. He said its only a week and he is going to germany, china, siberia and new zealand. I just cried. I said just be back for the rad. onc. visit on the 29th. We are discussing the scan, diet etc.

All the ds are off today for snow and dh has to re check in at 10 am to see what is happening, the delay is to 11 so far. I hope they just shut the place. He could do alot of work at home anyway.

GTAGWTA. Blessings to you all always.

 

[wdw4us2]

Hello everyone!

Ann- I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers go out to you and your family.

KJ - Loved your "hair" story. I have found that using humor is the best way to deal with most of these things. Good luck with the start of your radiation - I still don't have a definite start date but am anxious to get going with it.

LMP - Great news that your middle DS had his ticket charges dropped. What a relief that must have been for all of you. I am sorry to hear that he is having more problems with his sight. I hope something will be able to help him.

We had a wonderful time at WDW. I was so happy to be away from home it didn't really matter where I was, but WDW is always fun no matter what. We went to Epcot, MK and the Studios (briefly) as well as DTD and Cast Connection. I was able to do more than I had expected, but I had to take a lot of rests while we were walking around. I finally got to try Toy Story Mania - what fun! I can't wait to go back again. Maybe I can go in May when Laurie is there.

AKL was lovely as always. We were a little disappointed in the food and beverages in the Kilimanjaro Club Concierge. They weren't as good as we remembered from previous trips. I guess they are making cuts everywhere. We didn't make it over to AK, but we could see zebras, giraffes, ankole cattle and lots of birds from our room. Well, at least until the weather turned cold. You didn't see any of the animals after that! It was nice out until Wednesday night when the temperature really dropped. When we got up on Thursday morning, it was 40 degrees with a wind chill of 35! I know, that's not cold to most of you, but it's freezing to us Floridians.

Have a nice weekend everyone.

 

[snappy]

Great trips, Cheryl and Lisa!

Yes toy story is a wonder. I really like the design with the side area for people wih disabilities to be seated, etc. It is much more dignified than having to stop the entire ride.

Kudos to WDW for that.

Sorry it was so cold during your trip. I am hoping next week will be warmer. Mom is really happy having a lazy river to go to at Wyndham bonnet creek. She announced she was not going into the parks but I reminded her that the Flower and Garden festival was starting in Epcot.

Lisa, did you have any good meals? I am really struggling with where to bring mom and my brother to eat.

LMP, I was glad to hear your son's tickets were cancelled. Has he gone to get the contacts?

Ann, thinking of you and your family.

Laura, I hope you are doing better.

Where is Merry these days?

Sha, you back to 100% yet?

I had a great massage yesterday at my massage envy location close to my office. It really made a difference with the muscles in my upper back. I am liking my new girl a lot.

Gotta figure out next week and where we will go. DH retrieved some suitcases from the attic this morning. He also had a handyman come by this morning and he is gong to tackle some repair jobs that we have had pending for several years. I am glad we are finally doing something around the joint.

I am sorry that so many here are dealing with these neverending snow. Hopefully we are in the clear after the current snow melts?

GATGWTA!

 

[wdw4us2]

Laurie - We had some good meals while we were at WDW. I stuck with the places we like best for this trip - didn't want to experiment since I'm still having some food issues.

We had dinner at Kona Cafe in the Polynesian. We've never had a bad meal there and it was true again this trip. We had dinner with some friends there and the service was wonderful. Our server was named Mel and she was a hoot besides being a great server. She also didn't try to hurry us along as some restaurants around the World do. We also had dinner at 50's Prime Time in the Studios. Food was good, but our server wasn't into his role. I have decided that the female servers are much more into the whole concept of the place than the male servers are. We had lunch at The Plaza in the Magic Kingdom. While I miss the German potato salad they used to have the food is still good. We found out our favorite server is no longer there, he has moved to Tusker House in AK. We will have to go there next trip.

What type of food do your Mom and brother like? I can give you some pointers if I have some more info. I've eaten at every table service location in the parks and Disney owned resorts except for Victoria & Albert's. I'm saving that for our 25th anniversary, lol.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good evening ladies

Laura - Wishing you all the best with your surgery. Hang in there sista!!

Laurie - I am envious of your trip to massage envy!! Hmm, is that why they named it that?? I hope your trip is great and that you have cooperative weather.


Fl Lisa - I am glad you had a great trip. I love Kona too, hmm terriyaki steak and of course banana creme brule. None of us like prime time but the pot roast is good there, Our server was terrrible too when we were there. I was having a view of a wall the entire meal. We had a great server at Tusker House for our trip in dec. He was so funny and awesome. can you share his name. (your plaza guy) Maybe it would ring a bell with me. I dont know why I am thinking Brad?
I think that weather is cold too, but then again I have no thyroid now to control my body temp etc.

Well did anyone read my post on the cb about should my son go to this prom? A girls mom at work actually asked ds through another girl to take her dd to her junior prom. She said she would pay for everythig. Ds did talk to the girl today. She is really shy, has no friends etc. I know the school district she goes to. Alot of the kids have parents who work at the 2 local hospitals, so they are doctors, anesthesia etc. kids. Money, money, etc. The tickets are $85! each!! They must take a bus to the catering hall and the mom will take them home. He even has to submit a photo id. This mom is also on the board of education for this district too. So of course, ds being the gentlemen and lover of all souls is taking her. He said I am going to have a boring time etc. Oh well, at least the girl will be happy. Leave it to my ds. The snow is gone. It was thick wet snow so nothing stuck on the roads, just in the yards etc. I think about 9 inches but its melting already. Yeah. More in the forcast for mid week.

GTAGWTA. Thinking of you all.

 

[snappy]

Kona sounds like a good idea. Never been there. What do you usually order, Lisa? All three of us are into salads. My mom in particular is a picky eater. She did like Cali Grill and Brown Derby on previous trips. She also likes the Japanese grill place in Epcot. She is at the place now in her life where she does not eat much and is very set in her ways. I am sure she will be eating breakfast in our unit. She mostly makes a shake with some stuff she orders online called chia seeds. She is hooked on those shakes.

We will stop at probably Publix or Target and load up on fruit, juice, coffee, tea, drinks, cheese and crackers and whole wheat bread. We will not do much cooking though. . . we are on vacation!

My brother lives in NYC and is pretty open to trying new things. He eats out alot. He is very flexible. I think he too would like Cali Grill. I could not get a reservation at a decent time so we may try and wing it and try to get seated at the sushi bar right when the restaurant opens. We have been successful with that strategy before.

Since we have the rental car we have a little more flexibility with the meals. I am not that big on eating out anymore. Having lived in New Orleans so long with the great restaurants there, I usually am disappointed with how things taste at restaurants in many places these days. It has to be pretty spicey for me to like it. Also, I had a bad bout with a sinus infection almost 2 years ago that pretty much fried both my taste buds and my sense of smell. It is coming back very slowly but not nearly back to normal. You would think I would have wasted away to nothing, but no way jose. I guess my metabolism has tanked at age 56.

LMP, how nice of your son to go to the dance with that girl. Who knows, he may end up having fun after all.

The weather looks nice in the seventies for the high, and no rain. However, I am a realist, I tend to expect rain regardless. Too long in the south.

It would be wonderful if mom can swim alot during the trip. She was over tonight and seems very excited. It will be an interesting trip.

Massage envy is sort of a no frills place. However, if you have the right person do the massage, that is all that counts. I do like their massage beds as they are heated. I find the piped in sounds very relaxing too.

I know it is mostly about relaxation but I swear this massage yesterday eemed more theuraputic in that she really listened to where I said I hurt and targeted the specific muscles. She also pointed out how limited my range of motion is on my right side. I was also given strict orders to drink water, not just herb tea, and to do stretching.

 

[snappy]

Looks like DD14 may have broken her pinkie on her right hand Saturday night at a sleepover birthday party at the It's my party place (lots of inflatables). I asked her to have the nurse at school look at it but I imagine I will making a run to the orthopedic before I get out of town.

She I think has decided for the $$$ Catholic school over the public magnet school. she received her acceptance letter from the Catholic school on Saturday. I have mixed feelings. The public school has some rough edges and will be in temporary quarters anyway for at least 2 years starting next school year so I had reservations there as well. The public schools in Baton Rouge have all been allowed to go into great disrepair. However, personally I think it is the teachers that make the education, and the magnet school over all probably has more experienced teachers. Many of the girls in the Catholic high school have that entitlement attitude which I resent. DD14 is not a social climber, although she has many friends, they are all the non-connected ones if you know what I mean. We talked a lot last night about her choices with classes, especially with the honors ones. DD19 did very all taking all the honors offered, DD14 needs to take it slower. I asked her to talk to her teachers today. I hope she does. She is a bit on the shy side with the teachers. I am not sure how much insight they will give. Dd19 went to both schools for 2 years each, but she is hesitant to give DD14 much guidance. She just told me the magnet school is great if you are a very good student. I don't think the non honrs classes at the magnet are nearly as good as the honors. DD14 is not the scholar DD19 was, although she did very well on the Catholic school entrance test.

So we are thinking just one maybe two honors classes at the Catholic school, with a study period during the class day (one of the options offered).

OK, made 4 reservations for next week, Calif Grill at 9:20, we will get there early as it may be too late for mom, Sanaa at 2:45 at lunch so we can see the animals (hoping for a window seat as it is amazing how close they are), Kona grill for lunch (is breakfast better?) and Il Mulino at the Swan.

I am purposely choosing restaurants at resorts over parks, as we may not be together at the same park, and it will also mean less walking for mom. I may change the Il Mulino to the Teppanado at Epcot as mom likes that place. I guess we could park at one of the resorts (maybe Beach club) and walk over. I would like for Mom to see the beach club pool anyway to see if she likes that area and might want to stay.

Any thoughts?

Now she is worried about my brother Tom getting out of NYC with this week's snow storm. He is supposed to leave Thursday am.

I wish she would relax.

 

[wdw4us2]

Laurie - Just wanted to give you a heads up. They generally don't let you park at Beach Club to gain access to Epcot. If you want to pay for valet or if you are dining at Yacht or Beach than you can park there and go to the park after dining.

You mentioned that your brother likes to try new things. Has he ever had Buffalo? They serve that at Artist's Point in Wilderness Lodge. DH tried it a few years ago and he really liked it. I can't eat meat that is cooked Medium rare or rare anymore so I didn't try it. They have lots of other excellent choices on their menu.

I hope all goes well with your DD and her school choice. It sounds as though the school will be more challenging socially than academically, which is not always a good thing.

I sincerely hope that the weather warms up for you here before your trip! It's supposed to be 79 here tomorrow and then we're back to 65 degrees for the rest of the week. I will be so glad when this Winter is over. It's not supposed to be like this in Florida!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Happy Monday Ladies

KJ - I hope the rads are bearable for you. Wishing you all the best.

Laurie - I hope you have a great trip. I am listening to the weather forcast too. I think it should be over by Thurs. morning. They are calling this storm a nuisance so far. I only had lunch at Kona once. We usually do dinner. The kona salad itself is gook, but that is an appetizer as well as the crab cakes. I see they have a terriyaki steak salad for lunch. I have neer been to Il Mulino but eerytime we have stayed at the Swan and walked by it smelled really good. Its pretty $$ from what I hear. I think at dinner do they still have the violin players? I hope you dd is happy with her school choice. By honors classes is that AP classes??

Well today will be in interesting day. Ds 20 is getting his cell phone turned off compliments of his mouth and words to me yest. Hmm, I guess I just about had it and him calling me lazy and something I cant put on the dis boards or I would get banned put me over the top. I had to go to church crying and all upset because of him. He said he doesnt care if he doesnt have a phone. We will see. This will be expensive cancelling the contract etc. I told dh to ask if he could just temp. turn off the phone and still pay the bill so ds wont have access etc. I dont think ds would willingly give us his phone etc. Oh well, such is life.

Talked to my aunt in the rehab nursing home. She expects to come home soon. She said the care there is terrible. She is a retired RN. Also of course I got all emotional as the lady from church who had breast cancer called me yest. This is the one I asked about the radiation versus chemo. I wasnt home yet so it was just a voice mail. Her dd is in the hosp. and they called to thank me for the card and monetary gift etc.
And my bff in texas sent me an email and told me her dd is dating my former perdiatricians son. Small world. I loved that dr. He was so great with my 3 ds. Well maybe we will hear from the college for ds sometime soon.

GTAGWTA. Have a great day everyone.

 

[snappy]

LMP, you have your hands full will DS20. Did you cancel his cell? I hope things have calmed down. He should NOT be talking to you or anyone in that manner.

Thanks for the comments about Kona. I have been wanting an excuse to visit the Polynesian resort.

Now, I have one!

I am just trying to find a variety of foods/atmosphere types for Mom and Tom. I guess I am the WDW guru and much is expected. I know they appreciate my efforts.

Tom treated us royally when Mom and I visited in NYC, has it been almost 4 years? Our main focus was Broadway plays. It was wonderful. . . Wicked, Lion King, and another musical on Broadway that I have forgotten the name. We even saw an off Broadway play that was in a very interesting venue. . . a renovated zipper factory!

I think it is closed now but It was a trip for sure.

So many last minutes things to do, and stuff for DD14's high school choice. She best case will decide this week before Friday before the $500 nonrefundable fee is due at the Catholic girls school. I believe she changed back to the magnet last night. We brought up many pros and cons. I talked at length to her assistant principal yesterday, the one I have know since we moced here in 1999. She is very high on the magnet. She had some very interesting insights that I can't really share.

Either choice is good, one is a lot cheaper? Looking from the other side with our older two, I believe it might be wise to save the money for college/grad school.

No one is ever gonna care which all girl's high school she went to back in the day.

They are both blue ribbon, etc. The magnet has many more National merit scholars, there are many kids from Indian and Asian descent that have a very strong work ethic and simply thrive int he environment.

I sort of like the multi-cultural feel of the place, but then I am from New Orleans and went to a similar magnet school. It was a very different time then.

Long live the sixties! Rock on!

Wish me luck!

 

[wdw4us2]

Laurie - Has your DD reached a final decision yet? I would lean toward the magnet school if it were my choice. I'd rather save the $$ for college instead of high school - especially since it seems as though the magnet school is very well though of academically. Your DD needs to choose the school where she will feel more comfortable socially as well as academically.

LMP - I cannot believe the behavior your middle DS exhibits toward you. He seems like a very angry young man that directs his anger toward you. It's probably a good thing that you're canceling his cell phone. Maybe if he realizes just how much you and your DH do for him he will appreciate you a little more. It sounds as though he will only learn things the hard way, though. to you as you deal with him.

Off to the radiologist in two hours for my simulation.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good morning ladies

Lisa - I hope your visit to the radiologist goes well today

KJ - Hope you are making it through your treatments ok

Sha - Saw Jenns brick. Very lovely tribute.

Laura - prayers and a

Linda - so do you care to share where the mystery trip was to? I am just not a spontaneous person for sure. I am more of the control freak type.

Laurie - I bet you would be glad $$ moneywise if your dd picked the magnet. Bet you are getting disney excited!!

Well ds20 was actually shocked when he tried to text someone yest. Dh and I were out at the grocery store. Ds 18 said he said this is (expletive). I will have that thing turned back on in 10 mins. Yeah, hmm. I dont think so. I have discussed this with dh. He wants it to last a week, um, no dh, that is unacceptable. I think it will last at least until dh goes on his trip. We just have it turned off while paying the bill as cancelling the contract would be too $$.

Oh and then ds20 had the nerve to say he wanted a laptop. I said the 1 desktop is fine. Just go print out a spread sheet etc. and put it on and book your time to use with your 2 ds etc.

Dh has gotten his itinerray for england and denmark and its on our best ff mile airline, yippee! Also since he is a million mile guy he is going to try for lst class upgrade if they have any seats etc. I havent seen it yet. I will see if I can sign him up for any bonus stuff, yeah more miles towards the disney vacation. I dont know if we should use it now or wait till dec??

I keep getting all these refund checks from the rad. oncologist. One I cashed but now I have another one. I think this one is definetely a mistake. I guess it has something to do with my ins. figuring what is included in the whole treatment package versus follow up visit which I pay for. etc. I might call about this one for sure. My ins. co. never sends the surgical or hospital bills to us etc. I just saw on another board the girl said her pre treatment with radiation for the thyroid cancer was like at least $30K!! Wowsa! I cant even imagine what mine was last year with the 7 operations, icu, radiation etc. etc. 4 cat scans. Hmm. the ins. co. probably definetely doesnt like me

GTAGWTA, Thinking of you all.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Linda - so do you care to share where the mystery trip was to? I am just not a spontaneous person for sure. I am more of the control freak type.

Sure. We went to Maine and New Hampshire. It's fun to go somewhere with no pressure to be anywhere at a certain time or do anything you have to do. I get so tired of being on a schedule all the time, I love just having nothing special to do once in a while. Kids were instructed to go with the flow, lol, and our motto was "peace be the journey" [Cool Runnings - which they "get", it being one of their/our favorite movies]. They enjoyed it. They love trying new things which makes it fun for us. DS can get intense if he gets something stuck in his mind that he wants to do ("Can we go skiing, pleassse?" ), but the three of us put the pressure on ("peace be the journey") and then he'll chuckle and relax "OKaaay" and ultimately go with the flow. We made it fun enough for everyone that we all had a great time.

 

[CherylDan]

LMP....good for you for shutting off his cell! I'd leave it that way, permately. Let him figure out how to get one on his own, with no more parental assistance of any kind. And while he's at it, he could also figure out how to purchase his own laptop! He's 20. Time to man up.

Laurie, trip sounds like a great time! And hey, as long as you are going to Kona, have some of their chocolate banana creme brulee for me! Yum! If your DD is still torn between the two schools, I'd steer her towards the magnet and put the $ you would be spending on the private in an account for her for later.

Lisa....here's to hoping your rad visit goes off without a hitch!

Ann...how are you holding up?

Busy weekend here...DD25 made it home for a visit. We spent most of the time planning a makeover for her old bedroom to turn it into a guest room. Lots of shopping. It was a nice visit.

DD20 is currently debating between transfering to a four year university next year to complete her degree in communications, or staying at the local jr. college and going into it's culuniary arts program. They have a really good program, but wow - talk about a left turn! I think she really would rather stay here, but wants somebody to tell her what the "right" choice would be. So we've had lots of talks about how the "right" choice is the one that's right for her.

GAGWTA!!!!