Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[Sha]

I am going to bed soon but I wanted to say hello to you all.

Smiley... I can hardly believe that it has been a year. Continued prayers for you and your family. I like the spirit about the port. Maybe that removal and the decreased visits (for the flush) is just what you need.

Maryann congrats on the anniversary!!! I love the cake! has no calories

Lisa we hugged each other for you (well... for all of you). The only thing we didnt do.. was get pictures!!!!!!!!!

Well, "Charlie" enjoyed having dinner with Laurie and DH. The weekend went to fast. He sent a text saying he missed me already. Boutins was fun to eat there. We went to The Capital City Grill on Saturday evening. That was good too!

The weather was wonderful, though cool in the evenings. I didn't hear when the Jazz Festival is Laurie. I think I am doing another 3 day weekend at the end of Feb. Just not sure what the plans will be. I know Laurie told R and I that we need to come to a "lived in" house for dinner LOL (or something like that).

Laurie thank you again for taking me to see my Aunt and visiting too. And of course the run to wally world. It was nice to see you outside of Disney! LOL

I apologize, I feel that I am fuzzy. Am sure its because I am tired. I got home after midnight and was around 1am when I went to sleep. Thankfully, I didnt have to be up too early. I miss him when I go to sleep... and more when I wake. I think I got bit bad............

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good morning sistas

Lisa - hope the hydration helps you feel more comfortable. Sorry about your hair too. I am sure its been too many times of been there and done that. Thinking of you

Smiley - so good to see you post. I am sure the first anniversary and remembering your precious Ken was so hard. I know and saw what my mom went through with my sister. You sure do have alot on your plate. I agree with the letting go part. I was told to do that too as nothing will change the outcome of our familys situation etc. Whatever happens will happen etc. My faith brings me alot of comfort too. It is so great that you are getting the porta cath out. You need to make a cake to celebrate!

Sha - yup, sounds like you definetely have the bug! And not those pesky Florida ones that pop up. Sounds like you are in a really good place right now for sure.

Well the 2 ds gave blood yest. I was not too thrilled with the one doing that. The other one did the platelet machine and had a major problem. He called the phlebotomist over. They had to stop the machine and now he has a nice green and back and blue bruise on his arm. I gave him ice when he came home . I guess it looks worse that it was. I told him next time I think he should stick to the whole blood and not the platelets.

Dh has just informed me that there will be a major conference, guess where Laurie...why non other than New Orleans. Bad part is , its right when our Disney trip is. I told him he could go to the conference and we will cancel the trip etc. He is on the fence right now. As it would mean him preparing papers, maybe posters and speaking. Alot of work. But its very prestigious, so we shall see. I dont know if he will go or only if his boss just said, who is interested in going? Maybe the boss will decide who goes etc. We shall see.

GAGWTA. Blessings to you all always.

 

[snappy]

Smilie, sending you a big hug. I am glad you are getting good reports on your prognosis. I like your attitude of having the cath removed. I am also glad your daughter is having such success with her sobriety. Another thing to celebrate amidst the sadness of the one year anniversary of losing your son. I admire you for the way you are there for everyone in your family. You are stronger than you realize.

Maryann, rather than cancel your Disney trip, can you reschedule? Are you thinking of going as well? A trip to NOLA would be great, would love to see you again. We are only about 80 mile northwest. It is a bit hot in May here though, just as a warning.

It is actually a bit too hot for my liking right now.

We will have a lot of hoopla here for DD21's graduation from Tulane on the weekend of May 18-19th. She still has not shared what her post graduation plans are. I suspect she is not even sure herself.

Sha, the jazz fest is the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May. Although I think Charlie said he goes on Friday of the first weekend. I think that would be April 27th, check with Charlie.

My sister's birthday is tomorrow so they are coming into town and mom and I will meet her and her DH at Ruth's Chris. I have a great little wind chime and matching coaster both decorated with hummingbirds which she loves, and a bottle of body lotion in her favorite Bath and Body works scent.

I am looking forward to it and then getting back into some Apple workshop and on-to-one sessions. Always working on learning Apple tricks.

I saw at least on of my iris bulbs breaking out. No wonder, as warm as it is. And the recent rain is helping too.

There is something about the first blooms of the spring making it worth it to face the heat and humidity.

DD16 is getting set for her Mardi Gras trip, leaving on the 17th. I am a bit wistful about not going too. Right now though, DH is under an even more extreme level of work stress than usual. I need to be here.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I think I have a better chance of winning one of those Disney trips then I do getting to post something on these boards. So frustrating. I wish they would fix the problems

Laurie - I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating your sis's birthday tomm.

Lisa - how are you feeling?

Linda, PatsMom, Anne, Barbara - hope you guys are getting good weather too

Cheryl and Candy - thinking of you both too

Well ds20 is getting frustrated with the nursing school stuff.

The one in the next county sends him a e mail saying the class is full, WTH? He applied by the deadline. He calls. They say, well you know people applied last August??. So apparently this place goes by first come, first in and not credentials etc. They said, oh we will probably review your application and defer you, aka , can you say wait list, limbo etc.

Then the one in Virgina tells him he is accepted as pre nursing. They are waiting waiting for his a p professors recommendation, which he is mailing today. No guarantee he will be accepted into the regular nursing program either.

Now he feels he will only be accepted into the RN program at the comm. college.

We dont know about the state univ. since its so competitive. I think he has less than a 20% chance at best. Gotta keep praying.

One good thing is that he got a letter saying he made the Deans List at the State Univ., so that is good. I dont know if he can update his application to reflect that as he just go the notice. They should see it on his transcript anyway etc,.

Took ds22 for a haircut today and a deli stop. Saw our old neighbor. Going with dh to pick him up from college later.

GAGWTA.

 

[snappy]

Check it out it looks like the DIS is faster today. I think last night I saw a message that the board was going to be down a bit in order to install something-maybe a new server?

Anyways it is light years faster to load a page now, i am happy to say.

GAGWTA everyone.

 

[Sha]

Melanie did another blog... here is the link. I am thankful for R. "introducing" us. She is definitely one of my heros. If you have access to my FB page, please comment on the link there too. Mel can read your words and all.

http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/yoursay/blogs/melanie_oneill/9512767.Taking_the_lid_off_my_Heart/?ref=fbrec

 

[snappy]

Thanks for posting the link, Sha.

I loved loved loved this entry.

I so admire the path she has put herself on. I hope she knows how much her blog is helping others on similar journeys.

Wow!

 

[Sha]

Hi ladies... really REALLY missing my man today and last night. 6 years ago I lost my dad....

anyways... my day for distraction was work and some sleep and then I made a shrimp and sausage paella with artichokes. Turned out pretty good and mom said it was a little too spicy for her. It had creole seasoning in it. I can substitute the shrimp with chicken for R. since he is allergic to shrimp. (something to remember Laurie LOL)

I need to figure out what to do for the modem on the back room/office computer as it died this morning. I have another but if I need to go through all the settings I will be a bit confused.

(added 2/5/2012 modem fixed... I went to swap it out with another in the house, but swapped it back and it finally rebooted up on own)

Mel's blog was really good. She amazes me. I do hope that I will get to meet her. I am setting up a travel fund to put money over to make that trip hopefully sooner vs later.

 

[PatsMom]

Good morning ladies! I know I have been MIA for a bit, but things have been very, very hectic. Every year the holidays seem to take more out of me.

Maryanne, congratulations on your three year cancerversary! I am late to the party but the cake was still good.

We managed to get my daughter off to France just barely. She is a bit of an airhead despite managing to be on the dean's list. She didn't realize she needed an appontment at the French consulate to get her long stay visa - she thought she could just walk in anytime. So we ended up being very late applying. I had to drive her to Boston on one of the coldest days of the year so far. So no shopping or anything - too cold! We did go to the big mall in Salem NH on the way home. Boston is four hours from our house so it wasn't exactly fun! And there was no time to mail the passport and visa back - they got it ready for the day she was leaving. So we hit the consulate, got her paperwork and took her immediately to Logan Airport to board a plane! So far she is loving Dijon, has taken a weekend trip to Paris and is planning a trip to Spain and London over her break.

Right after she left, it was my husband's week to go to Disney. We watched the Patriot's win the conference in our room at OKW. Had a great trip. Low crowds and nice weather.

I am doing bettter since the anemia cleared up. It is so nice not to constantly be dragging. This Thursday is the kick off meeting for the Relay for Life event in my mother's town. I have joined a team and will be walking in my bladder cancer T-shirt.

Hope everyone is doing well. GAGWTA!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good morning ladies

Sha - thanks for sharing Melanies blog. She is inspiring and I love her take charge attitude. Glad you got your computer problems straightened out. That would be wonderful if you could meet Melanie. Hope the time goes fast before your visit with Charlie.

Laurie - hope your dinner with your sis went well.

PatsMom - Sounds like you have been busy for sure. Glad it all worked out with your dd. Sounds like you had a great trip. I have never been that time of year. Sorry about the Pats. Guess you know I was rooting for the Giants. That is great that you are doing the Relay.

Well I just got back from dropping ds22 off at college. Lets just say my driving skills need a lot of brushing up for sure. Its so hard with my bad arm, bad neck and bad eye to coordinate everything. Lets just say I turned left to look and then I ended up on a curb. I am dangerous for sure right now.

I am not liking my new medication dose, although I know its for the best and will take a while to get used to it and the proper dose balanced out. I am always so cold and worse, last night I feel asleep during the super bowl with the blanket on me.

We got ds car fixed with a new tire, inspection etc. so I am glad I know its safe for me to drive etc

One positive thing for ds20 was that at his nursing class, the teacher said, oh let me know which ones of you are applying to the program because they are reviewing applications soon and I will tell them to take a good look at yours etc. Well that is good, but again, now it seems its not what you know, its who you know etc. He did say to the class that they like people who are already at the univ etc. so that is good.

GAGWTA.

 

[Sha]

Laurie... did you know that the RFTC is coming up in BR in March?? Wish I had known sooner as I would've said let's do a team (of the same name we already have of course!)

I found out by looking at the PB's page and saw that she has a team and making K a team-member. I haven't spoken to R about it yet, but am going to do a donation to K if I can keep any info from going to S. regarding things like my name and address. She kind of knows my name, but you know what I mean. Also if I do it annonymously, its less drama I think for R. I just want to make sure that if I do a donation that it gets to K for him to get credit.

Maybe you can check for one in NOLA??? I want to do one elsewhere.

I know its in October... just no date yet... have contacted them. Will let you know.

 

[snappy]

Sorry Sha, in the back of my mind I knew the Baton Rouge walk was coming up. I have not attended meetings of the the support group I used to love or the monthly BC meeting at a local hospital that is active in the March event.

I did receive an email last week from the hospital based group but did not open it until this weekend.

I like the RFTC walk here, have only been to it a couple of times. I think it is still held nearby our house on the grounds of the state capitol. I imagine it runs along the river on the the levee. Will try and find out more.

I know nothing about the NOLA event, but that would no doubt be a good one.

Sorry I have been away, distracted. My brother with the gambling issues is pressuring my mom again. My mom and my other siblings are in turmoil. His email last night was both dishonest and cruel. I am afraid what mom will do if she refuses as she plans to and he cuts off all future contact.

Mom and I spoke at length with a counselor last night and attended a Gamanon meeting. Mom is attending mass right and left, and praying about this. My brother greatly resents her telling the other siblings what is going on. It is very unhealthy for Mom. I think it is pulling down her health and spirit. Good thing my other siblings and I are on the same page and engaged.

I just saw mom sent an email to the counselor around midnight last night with a draft of an email to my wayward brother. He wants her to purchase a plane ticket for him to go to Boston. She has offered to pay for him to come back to go into treatment, but he says he can't "sit around" in treatment, he needs to make money to send to his kids.

On the positive, I learned many more things yesterday at my Apple session. I am enjoying the simple pleasure of figuring things out, some of the simple concepts. Keeps me humble too.

GAGWTA!

I am thankful I cancelled the Mardi Gras trip.

 

[Sha]

I have a page to help promote the team for future use. Click this LINK and it can take you there. Please like it too.

Laurie- no worries about the Baton Rouge walk this time. Will plan for next year. I have them on my mailing list now to get updates from them. I am going to find out about one at home in Charlottesville area.

Sorry to hear about your brother. Its a hard call but maybe for the better???? I dont know... prayers for the right decision for your mom.

 

[snappy]

The beauty of the BR walk would be proximity, unlike that journey we had in Orlando in October.

Thanks for the kind words. I had trouble turning off my brain last night, thinking about mom and my brother and something my DH has to do Friday.

Also, the darn chairs as the meeting last night were so uncomfortable. Mom had to stand up after a while. My whole body was aching last night, more from the stress I guess. I just feel like I need to help Mom more. I know I can't fix my brother, and Mom knows what she should be doing. It is the fact that he has two kids down there that stirs the pot. She would like to help them, but getting the money to them is tricky. I guess we need an interpreter involved as his ex only speaks Spanish.

I am going to suggest she obtain a contact for the school. My brother say he is trying to make money for school tuition (kindergarden). If we can figure out a way to pay directly, Mom and my other siblings will feel good she is helping those grandkids.

 

[Sha]

Oh I am sure it would be ideal! Just too short of a notice and all. I think NOLA will be good too though. Am looking forward to it already.

sounds like a horrible bunch of chairs. Hopefully that your back will be better. Again, just say some prayers. Give it to God. Its all you can really do I think.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Sha - I looked at the link. I am not on facebook, but it looked really good. Funny, what you said about Charlottesville. Friends of ours moved there. They are coming here this week end as they are having a 20 year memorial service for their dad. My dh is talking as he knew him etc. They love it there and both this gals dh and her son work in the univ. hosp. Her son is a surgical tech she said.That is so sweet that you are doing a donation for K.

Laurie - You sure have so much on your plate for sure. I am sure it is beyond stressful. Hope your mom stands firm. I know us moms think with both our heads and our hearts. I am doing that so much too with my situation, besides praying so much too.

Well dh is gong to Michigan, on the day he has off from work. I am so not happy about this. Only good thing is southwest miles we can use in the future for FL trips. He is getting stressed out by so many problems at work, not to mention the home front stuff.

Ds team lost again. I think they have only won 1 game this season

Ds20 nursing teacher said, oh imagine all 30 of you in this class applied for the nursing program for the Fal.. Well do the math people, only one of you is going to get in. Gheesh! So much for encouragement.

Today we should know if we are having the big meeting on Friday. I pray but feel sick to my stomach thinking about it. I need to trust God for sure.


Might snow here later, we shall see. GAGWTA.

 

[Sha]

Yes, it is open to people to see who are not on FB. I hope to make it useful somehow too.

Charlottesville is home. Closest anyways to where my heart is. I havent posted on that page yet, but there isnt a walk in Charlottesville. Just the one in Richmond for that affiliate. It covers both areas. I am still tempted to do something but I just do not know if I can get up there. Again, there is the option to sleep in for the cure. That can be done anywhere.

UVa is a good hospital. Martha Jefferson is the preferred one though. I love it up there. Learned there is a Raisin' Cane restaurant up there now (which are big in LA).

Hope that you get some rest and (easier said than done) can relax some about this meeting. Its VERY hard to get into nursing programs. I got 2 letters within days of each other saying I was on the waiting list and was accepted. Just have to put that too in Gods hands and do the best one can. I had to be patient about it too! I had planned to put in my application and within a week was in a car accident (never had gotten the application in). Then when I applied 2 years later... it was time. Gods hand. I do not doubt it at all.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Sha - I hear you about the nursing school. You were really blessed. Thanks for sharing your story. Now ds wants to apply to some Lutheran college that his friend goes to. He heard they have a good nursing program. I asked him if its too late etc. I told him he needs to read the fine print about deadlines etc.

Well one good thing, the meeting is being postponed to March 30 I think. Good as dh will be back from New Zealand by then. I still dont like this waiting and delaying.

Oh and in the can it get any worse dept. Ds20 was going to do his laundry today after I just finished mine. He asked me what was wrong with the brand new washer. I said nothing. Then he shows me the wonderful rubber seal is cracked and broken. I am hating Whirpool right now. I am so stressed as I looked up the Lowes return and guarantee stuff etc. From what I am reading we cannot return it, we have to have them repair it. Umm, its only 2 months old. I really dont want it repaired as I am sure if it is not repaired right it will not seal and leak etc.

I will have dh call Lowes tomm. and see.

Worse I cant find the receipt and invoice. I dont know what happened to it. I only have my credit card statement with the date we bought it and amount etc. for now.

Wish I could just have a nice normal day. Yeah, like that is ever gonna happen

GAGWTA.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Hope everyone is doing well.

Lisa - thinking of you sista. Hope things are going well.

Laurie - Hope your mom and you and sibs are able to deal with your db issues. I am sure you all want what is best for the grand children too as well as db etc. Hope it all works out. I know you have gone through some much with this issue over time. I am sure you will be in the midst of the Mardi Gras festivities soon.

Sha - Hope Charlie is nice to you for V. Day

Linda - I am sure you are all starting the baseball season countdown.

Well I took ds22 to school yest. I think my driving is improving slowly, but with the eye issues its hard to drive while your eye is constantly tearing etc. Annoying for sure. Also dealing with ds is frustrating at times. I am trying to not open my mouth so much. I told dh it will not be easy when he is gone for sure. I am dreading it emotionally wise for me. There is only so much I can take for sure.

Going to be so busy here this weekend. Tomm. its suppose to snow about 3 1/2 inches. I will be cooking for a church dinner sun. After that is the memorial service at 3pm that dh is speaking at and then Mon. they are coming to fix the washer. I told dh make sure he is here as I am not staying here alone with the guy. That way dh can also see how he fixed it because after the warranty is over and it breaks again, then dh will know how to fix it himself and will just have to order the part if we can get it etc.

Valentines day I have a school meeting. Well at least its early in the day and not at night. Later in the week we will be celebrating dh b day sometime. Have to see everyones schedule.

Hope you all have a wonderful week end

GAGWTA.

 

[smiley_face2]

Now don't faint from shock....I finally found my cord for my camera so I could upload pics into my laptop and then into my photobucket. Still have to find my card from our trip last August though.... chemo brain sucks!! lol....oh and as you can see, I have a pretty good head of hair. have made the decision to keep it snowy white, or as my hubby says platinum blonde and short! quite a change
our oldest grand daughter and her sister, hubby and I in front of the tree on Main Street

Us in front of the castle

papa and girls having tea in minnies house...lol...

Our second oldest grand dauaghter is quite a cheeky little sweety...she likes Vidia...I think her name is.... the jealous fairy as Emily calls her best!

and making snowflake cookies when we got home