Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[CherylDan]

OK, back at home and trying from my desktop.......got the link copied, so maybe it's my iPad that is giving me problems! Unfortunately, these pics are huge!!!!! I'll have to see what I can do with them before posting anymore.

Anyway, Smiley, since you were the one who told me all about the fabulous fried chicken at the Plaza, this is for you! And life sized, to boot!
Sorry it's soooooooo big........

 

[CherylDan]

Still kinda big, but a little better.....

Here's me and my new buddy! There were just tons of Halloween decorations everywhere!



They had giant pumpkins at the entrance gate......it was very festive.




I loved how they turned the Haunted Mansion into the Haunted Mansion Holiday! It was completely transformed inside to tell a story about how Jack Skellington came at Halloween and decorated for Christmas......it was pretty amazing! We went through twice and I'm certain we still didn't catch even half of it.




I love how the characters can just walk with a child without all the handlers around, and without having to go to the meet and greets! One day we saw Mickey walking down Main Street with a kid in each hand......so different than WDW....not sure I ever remember seeing that there. This photo was taken at a special area they had set up like a Halloween carnival.....they had all sorts of entertainment and games for the kids to play.




Halloween is quite the big deal at Disneyland! I was amazed at how many people were in costume on Halloween day.....in fact, DH and I felt a little out of place NOT wearing one.

The atmosphere was just so much fun.....didn't realize before we got there just how popular of a time it is. Anyway, it was a great trip......I'm going to try to get a dining review up soon on the DL board.

 

[smiley_face2]

Still kinda big, but a little better.....

Here's me and my new buddy! There were just tons of Halloween decorations everywhere!



They had giant pumpkins at the entrance gate......it was very festive.




I loved how they turned the Haunted Mansion into the Haunted Mansion Holiday! It was completely transformed inside to tell a story about how Jack Skellington came at Halloween and decorated for Christmas......it was pretty amazing! We went through twice and I'm certain we still didn't catch even half of it.




I love how the characters can just walk with a child without all the handlers around, and without having to go to the meet and greets! One day we saw Mickey walking down Main Street with a kid in each hand......so different than WDW....not sure I ever remember seeing that there. This photo was taken at a special area they had set up like a Halloween carnival.....they had all sorts of entertainment and games for the kids to play.




Halloween is quite the big deal at Disneyland! I was amazed at how many people were in costume on Halloween day.....in fact, DH and I felt a little out of place NOT wearing one.

The atmosphere was just so much fun.....didn't realize before we got there just how popular of a time it is. Anyway, it was a great trip......I'm going to try to get a dining review up soon on the DL board.

Awesome pics Cheryl!!! that chicken dinner is soooooooo good!! lol.... it is the one time of the year we have never been and I so want to!! Autumn is my favourite time of year! The Nightmare Before Christmas overlay at the Haunted Mansion is just amazing!! Did you smell the gingerbread on the balcony overlooking the giant gingerbread house in the dining room? I ride through there as many times as I can just for that!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Nice pictures, Cheryl. That fried chicken looks delicious. I love Disney at Halloween time! You look good.

 

[Straitlover]

Thanks for asking about my MIL. She had her surgery and they were able to start the reconstruction at the same time. However, she isn't doing well. My SIL says she just isn't recovering the way the doctors had hoped, and that my MIL had expected. I don't know if I mentioned it but they found cancer in her sentinel node so that is dictating her follow-up treatment. They took her in for more surgery to "remove a spot near the nipple tissue so they can start chemo/radiation sooner." This is info from my SIL and am not sure I understand what it means. I guess my MIL is in low spirits; she is afraid there is something they missed. We can't all go out for Thanksgiving but I am supposed to go in early December for a week. I don't know what to think, but it scares me that my MIL is in poor spirits; this is so unlike her.

Thanks to all for listening. Sometimes, that's what we seem to need most.

Sorry it's not going as expected. I will be praying for all of you.

Loved all the DL pics Cheryl!

The past few days for me have been crappy. My mother passed away Thursday morning. She had been battling multiple myeloma since Nov 2010 plus myelodysplastic syndrome acquired from one of her chemo meds. Funeral is this afternoon. Not looking forward to that. I'm glad she's not suffering, but i wish I'd made it here before she passed. We knew it was getting near the end, but she got an infection w/ high fever and passed while we were waiting for a room at hospice. Anyway, good thoughts/praerys/etc would be appreciated!

GAGWTA!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Aww. Lisa. I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom.

Thinking of you today, and keeping you and your family in my prayers.

 

[snappy]

Sending cyber good thoughts to you and your family, Straitlover. Being expected doesn't make it any easier. Peace to you.

 

[snappy]

Linda, good luck during your procedure next week. Please keep us posted.

Cheryl, I a glad your trip was so wonderful. I have that same trouble when I post pictures here. I don't realize it until it until the large pictures are there. What I have done is to go back to my computer and export the pictures in a smaller size, and then drag them to photo bucket again and repost to the DIS.

I use an Apple desktop at home so yours may different but when you export the photos from iPhoto on an Apple, the size will default to large unless you change that. I think there are 4 different sizes.

Your pc photo software probably has something similar.

Regardless, I enjoyed the photos of that meal. I felt like it was sitting on my table! Yum!

The sky looked so blue in our pictures and all the colors wonderful.

I agree with Linda you look great in the photos, having a ball. That's what those trips do, right?

Smilie, the way you express yourself in your posts is so wonderful, when I see tat you have posted (or Cheryl has posted photos) I can't wait to open the thread. You fulfill the true meaning of survivor. To say you inspire is an understatement.

Leemee, it is hard to be out of town when a loved one like your MIL is going through treatment, especially as the course of treatment changes. How is your DH holding up?

MaryAnn, I am glad your DS3 found a job, and that he won't be moving far away for awhile. I am sure everything he does will look good on his resume.
Your trip sounds wonderful. You always eat at such nice restaurants while there. I love the EPCOT resort area. It is just my speed these days.

Thanks for inquiring about my mom. She is continuing to heal, and will be for months while the palate reconstruction continues to heal. Somehow the cells the surgeon harvested from inside her cheek and transplanted up there are propagating. It's a bit freaky but it is waxing and waning. She had some big white bumps for a few weeks but now those are settling down, changed color and are flattening out. I don't understand the science here but it sure is cool.

She is resisting talk of moving to an independent living center. Unfortunately, my brother in NM has had continuing serious issues that my other siblings and I are trying to step in and help mom with. Mom is stressed and between this and here surgery and surgery this week coming up to remove an area of squamous cells on her leg, she is not ready to consider what it will take to relocate from her home to the center, which is actually quite nice. My sister and I toured a bunch of rooms and the facilities at the independent center and were ready to take mom, all on the day when the latest round of my brother's issues surfaced. It feels like we are in limbo, or worse, waiting for the other shoe to drop related to my brother. He's 47 and has never matured. Sad.

We are thankful her salivary gland tumor was begin and trying to look and the positives. We really are lucky there and we realize that after hearing about the much more drastic surgery and treatment mom's surgeon had to do with other cases around the same time.

GAGWTA!

 

[Dancind]

Lisa, so sorry to hear about your Mother. Will pray for your family.

Cheryl, thanks for the pictures! We were at DL for Halloween 2013. Loved the Haunted Mansion, bit disappointed in the parade. But it was fun! I do love the Villas there.

Smiley, we have two time shares, and I am thinking that's two too many. DVC, of course, and I've been renting most of those for several years. And then the week in Napa every year and we like Sonoma better! Need to do something about this. One more big trip to WDW is my hope, but I want DD to go too. She is going to be moving and job hunting soon, so who knows when that will happen.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Snappy, isn't it amazing how the immaturity and selfishness of a grown child can suck the peace and happiness out of an elderly mom's life? I do hope your mother will listen to you and your sister and allow you to help her with the transition to the Independent Living Center eventually. What a nice opportunity for her. Maybe she's just not ready, though, and the "issues with brother" are a convenient excuse? I'm sure she has been pretty overwhelmed with all of the medical issues she's had recently, too. I know how it is for my mother (@ 89) and the littlest thing sends her into a tailspin these days. She's also become pretty inflexible to suggestions that I think may better her life. I think much of it is fear based, fwiw. It's hard to see all of her contemporaries passing away, so she's holding on to whatever "normalcy" she can. It's understandable, if not always the best course of action.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Re pictures. I use Photobucket and an iPad too. It's become complicated, lol. What I do is upload the picture, then I edit the size so it's relatively small, if I have to, although that function on Photobucket doesn't seem to work right anymore; the numbers change by themselves as you're putting them in - so frustrating! There is a way you can set it to automatically size your pictures when you upload, if you can figure out how to do it. I had it set a certain way for a while, but I think mine somehow reset back to huge. (I guess they think their site is "improved" but it used to be much more user friendly than it is now.)

After that, you copy the image code link, then just post it here. If there is no image code brackets, then you can either add them yourself, making sure all characters are there

and correct, or post it using the mountain icon but you have to erase the http: that's there before you paste your link.

 

[snappy]

Yes, this brother has actually been doing this for many years. Mom was stronger when she was younger. Actually she has enabled him and she knows it.

We are going to table it for now. The one we targeted is clearly the best place in this area, and has very good services that she can access for no increase in the monthly fees if she goes in at the independent living stage. Mom has resumed swimming laps but she does is at the LSU rec pool (don't ask), and the independent living place has a great gym and a pool, although somewhat smaller. I was pleased she told me Saturday that she had looked at the exercise facilities Friday (but none of the units).

She is considering moving her membership for the pool to this place since LSU is embarking on a major redo of its rec center and pool next year anyway.

My sister and I reason that if mom gets used to going to the center to exercise she may come round to the idea of living there. Another factor here is the home mom has here is in a development where mostly LSU students live. It is not a good fit for a lot of reasons, and she gets very frustrated and agitated with them, and complains a lot to us of the issues. If it were me, and I had the means I would get out of there and live with my peers in a NY second. However, when mom went to see the pool Friday, she walked through one of the rooms where the residents eat. She said something about all the old folks eating rather than exercise. It was surprisingly judgmental and it got my goat. I reminded her she went there during the noon hour!

My brother from NYC is coming down at christmas for a week and plans to go see the units if there are any available. I can't imagine mom refusing to go when he goes.

She keeps saying she is not ready. I have helped her get rid of some items, need to head there today to tackle some more. It is hard to let go of stuff. I see more and more of my grandmother (her mom) in mom these days. She became very inflexible in the last couple years of her life.

I think I may be getting there a bit myself!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Lisa - so sorry to hear about your mom. Sending prayers for God's strength, peace and comfort today and in the days ahead.

Sending you my deepest sympathy

 

[robinb]

Break out the kleenexes ladies and gentlemen:

A woman held up a sign at a Garth Brooks concert in Minneapolis Friday that made the singer stop everything mid-performance to honor his fan.


Teresa Shaw held up a sign during the song "The Dance," that read: "Chemo this morning, Garth tonight. Enjoy the dance," Kare11 reported.


She had needed a break from her breast cancer treatment, and decided to go to Brooks’ concert with her 19-year-old daughter.

http://www.mrctv.org/blog/heartwarming-video-woman-s-sign-brings-garth-brooks-concert-halt

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Yes, this brother has actually been doing this for many years. Mom was stronger when she was younger. Actually she has enabled him and she knows it.

We are going to table it for now. The one we targeted is clearly the best place in this area, and has very good services that she can access for no increase in the monthly fees if she goes in at the independent living stage. Mom has resumed swimming laps but she does is at the LSU rec pool (don't ask), and the independent living place has a great gym and a pool, although somewhat smaller. I was pleased she told me Saturday that she had looked at the exercise facilities Friday (but none of the units).

She is considering moving her membership for the pool to this place since LSU is embarking on a major redo of its rec center and pool next year anyway.

My sister and I reason that if mom gets used to going to the center to exercise she may come round to the idea of living there. Another factor here is the home mom has here is in a development where mostly LSU students live. It is not a good fit for a lot of reasons, and she gets very frustrated and agitated with them, and complains a lot to us of the issues. If it were me, and I had the means I would get out of there and live with my peers in a NY second. However, when mom went to see the pool Friday, she walked through one of the rooms where the residents eat. She said something about all the old folks eating rather than exercise. It was surprisingly judgmental and it got my goat. I reminded her she went there during the noon hour!

My brother from NYC is coming down at christmas for a week and plans to go see the units if there are any available. I can't imagine mom refusing to go when he goes.

She keeps saying she is not ready. I have helped her get rid of some items, need to head there today to tackle some more. It is hard to let go of stuff. I see more and more of my grandmother (her mom) in mom these days. She became very inflexible in the last couple years of her life.

I think I may be getting there a bit myself!

Baby steps...

Break out the kleenexes ladies and gentlemen:

http://www.mrctv.org/blog/heartwarming-video-woman-s-sign-brings-garth-brooks-concert-halt

Sitting here bawling like a baby.

Never really a GB fan, but am now. Thanks for sharing, Robin.

 

[CherylDan]

Robinb, being the huge Garth Brooks fan that I am, I've watched the video more times today than I can remember.......thanks so much for posting it here! What an outstanding special moment for that lady! I told DH that it very well could have been me back in sept when we went to see him in concert in Chicago, I had also had chemo that morning. Never occurred to me to take a sign like that. Just as well, I'm pretty sure I would not have been able to hold it together nearly as well as she did!

straightlover, so sorry to hear about your mom. keeping you in my thoughts.

Laurie, sending you best wishes too for your mom.

Dancind, we never did catch the parade! And smiley, now that I think about it, no, I totally did not catch the gingerbread scent! LOL, maybe we can try again next year.

Thanks everyone for trying to help me figure out my photobucket problems. Unfortunately, I think my iPad is just never going to work correctly again.. I am literally unable to copy a link, any link, on it anymore. It is an older one, and I have used it to death over the past five years, so I guess it was bound to happen at some time. My very old desktop is running windows vista, and it seems that more and more websites are not supported all of a sudden. Thankfully photobucket will still sorta work......for now. At any rate DH and I have been talking about it, and I think I'm seeing a new desktop and iPad in my very near future. I can only hope that my internet connection problems will also clear up. Ugh.

GAGWTA!!

 

[smiley_face2]

straightlover, I am so sorry! I hope the day went as well as it possibly could in the circumstance.
Snappy, hugs to you and your mom! I am missing mine today a lot. my dad too of course, being veterans day. Your words to me are too kind .... we all just put one foot in front of the other every day right?
Cheryl, we have settled on the small town of Morro Bay to stay for most of our time in January. picked out a nice place with a balcony looking out over the sea and a view of Morro rock. The main street is called Embarcadero....and like San Fran, is a long row of seafood restaurants and small shops selling shells and such, along the wharves with fishing and sail boats moored. Really beautiful! we will be doing some fishing this time, and there is a park that has those metal barbecues to use.... we will give that a try!
We have driven by this town a few times and seeing the beach and that big rock I have always wanted to stop and visit! When I looked into what's there I regret not doing it sooner! It is 40 min south of Hearst Castle, and 10 min north of San Louis Obispo to go see the missions there. Here is a picture I found on the internet....He says pictures are copyright but free to use for personal use but not commercial so I think it's ok to share it with you all. here is a link to the persons blog http://www.essenceinphotography.com/stunning-morro-bay-sunset-and-morro-rock/

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Linda - thinking of you and hoping your procedure goes well this week

leebee - sorry your mil is low in spirits. I hope she will be able to heal and recover. I am sure you will be glad when you get to spend time with her

robinb - thanks for sharing that video. I saw some of it on tv.

Laurie - sorry you have to deal with the brother drama on top of seeking out what is best for your mom. I am sure ts a hard decision and adjustment. Ds3 actually just got another rejection letter from Florida. I am sure after the snow when he graduates he might look into it more I am sure. He loves it hot like me.

Diana - wow 2 time shares! We have always thought about buying the dvc but actually have never fully looked into it. I like Beach Club Villas if they could use storm along bay and probably the new Polynesian, gf or contemporary.

smiley - your picture of where you will be staying is gorgeous. I am sure you are really looking forward to it.

Cheryl - your pictures are great! The food always looks so much better at disneyland. Also I like how the characters interact with the kids there. Not so structured, just natural etc. I am sure you had such a great time!Do you have all your DisneyWorld plans done? I only need the wheelchair company and towncar but I do that like 2 weeks before.

Well today I finished all the trip plans. Booked the hotel but I think we will have to change rooms because I could only get the cheaper standard room with dh ff miles, that is all they offered and we paid for the other 4 days ourselves so I got a renovated room. Also ordered the MVMCP tickets. I saw last year the date (was sold out). So we shall see.

Ds3 has been working alot at the different schools. He was happy that today the school had a special parking place that said reserved for nurse I have to do alot of cooking this week end for church.

GAGWTA, thinking of you all.

 

[CherylDan]

Smiley, that looks like a wonderful place visit! Your trip sounds fantastic! I would love to take another driving trip down the coast, it was just so beautiful there.

LMP, our WDW plans are more or less finished. I scheduled a few fp+ and dining is more or less set. We just kinda take it as it comes these days, lots of time spent stopping to smell the roses as they say.

Zoe and her parents are coming to our house this weekend.....yay!

Chemo again tomorrow.

GAGWTA!!!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Linda - I hope you are resting, recovering and healing from your procedure

Cheryl - Hope you had a wonderful visit with precious Zoe and your family

Peg - are you planning on going to MVMCP? The only day that worked into our schedule was Dec. 11th I think. Its Pop warner week and that date was sold out last year I think. I looked it up somewhere.

I have caught the ds wonderful cold. I feel miserable. At least its not at the hacking cough stage yet because that is the worst when you have a neck dissection. I overdid it this week end too. Too much going on at church. I cooked and there were no leftovers. So many people eating there. We also had 2 food drives to bring stuff in for and then 6 operation christmas child shoeboxes. That is the end of the total busyness, so that is good.

I went with dh to pick up my meds and asked about getting a flu shot. They said no, sorry this pharmacist is not authorized to give flu shots, come back tomm. Well there that went because I got the cold etc. So we will try again when I feel better

Dh informed me he is going to San Diego after Thanksgiving. Cheryl, I think I remember your pics from there. Looks like a beautiful place for sure.

GAGWTA. Thinking of you all.