Geriatric MM Warriors June 13, 2010

[Simpleone]

Good morning everyone!! It's way too early here and I can't sleep so I'll have my coffee while chatting with you all.

Wow, I don't know where to begin, so much activity and info here for one board page!

It looks like everyone had a nice Thanksgiving, even Robin surrounded by friends in the hospital, makes me happy!

Thanks for posting the information on Robin, Lisa. Man I hope everything goes well with her testing. I completly understand her wanting to keep it away from facebook. Last summer when I had my mamogram scare, I found it hard to say the word 'cancer' out loud to anyone, while it screamed at me in my brain. I found myself unable to tell anyone about it out of fear that it might jinx me or place too much fear on my loved ones. Robin you're in our thoughts and prayers, always.

Congratulations Kate!!! I'd get remarried too if it took me to Hawaii! I'm so sorry that Demi has to deal with Hepatitis and treatment, what a rotten thing to have happened. Is she home with you?

Bev, I'm with Lisa, sorry about the car accidents but thank God he lived to tell about it!! Enjoy the football game today, bundle up! I miss having HS events to go to and enjoying as a family. I'm with you on being envious of others in warmer climates, the weather here has been crazy this fall! We've already had a small ice storm followed by temps in the high 70's the next day! They always say, if you don't like the weather in Indiana, wait fifteen minutes and it will change! Soooo true!

I have some more news on the baby front. Remember last Saturday I posted that my eldest was pregnant with her third baby. Sunday morning I got a call from my youngest, while bawling her eyes out, saying she was pregnant with her third as well!!...no she is not happy. All three of my daughters are pregnant at the same time!! Unbelieveable!!! I so wish she was happy about it, but she insisted she'd not have more than two. After she had the second one she looked for a doctor that would tie her tubes, but they all refused stating she was far too young for a proceedure like that. She's an awesome mom and loves her kids dearly, so I'm hoping that she will soon be thrilled with the idea of having this one. I'm going to have 8 grandkids by next summer! What are the odds? lol

Oh, almost forgot, I'm up 12 pounds!!!!!! I hoping it's a fluke of some kind...one day of feasting and the scale went up five pounds!?!?! I'm off the scale until the first of the year, oh I'm so upset!!

Lisa, if by some chance you have some down time soon, I'd really love for you to share some recipe ideas with me. I'm starting to hate all the foods I feel I'm stuck with on step 1. Your foods and meals always seem so interesting to me.

Okay, enough yapping for now. You all have a great day!

 

[kater]

Pam - I want you to close your eyes and take a deep breath. With your eyes shut, feel warm light spreading through your body starting at the top of your head. Go slow and feel how wonderful it feels to be filled with light - I think of that light as love. That is you on the inside - warm, light and beautiful. Carry that thought around with you - remember it when you start to beat up on yourself. Those twelve pounds probably aren't really twelve pounds. But even if they are, that is all they are. They aren't "you." It is amazing how we all seem to define ourselves (me included) by what the scale says. I know that on the days that I manage to remember how I feel on the inside (love not hate-thy-body), it so much easier to be kind to my body and take a walk and eat healthier.

I am sure your youngest will come around. I was one of three kids and loved it growing up. Now, don't tell your daughter, (shhhhhhhhh) but my mom left us when I was 7, my sister was 6 and my brother was 4. She was 22 - I guess it was all too much for her.... Anyway, I hope your youngest comes around and that the three sisters get to enjoy having babies at the same time. I know if will be fun for the little ones as they grow up.

Much love to you and your family.

 

[Simpleone]

Ah ha Kate! You zoomed right in on how utterly devastated and mad I am over the weight gain. I kept telling myself this morning that it was my pancreas filling back up, then had to laugh at myself for thinking it would hold twelve pounds of bile or whatever it is that it holds! All Thanksgiving day I refused to feel guilty over eating whatever I wished and my resolve to stay on track is always very strong. ::splat!!:: I do need some new ideas for foods/meal ideas. I can't remember if I told you all that I'm now limited to walking only. My blood pressure is out of control once again and I've been having some irregular heart rhythms, we're working on different medications to get it under control.( I seem to be allergic to everything they give me.) I'm sure the limited exercise has a little something to do with this as well. Anyway, I remain on Step I, but very disgruntled and flat out angry at times.

I do need a book or DVD of some form of meditation., it can only be good for me, I feel half crazed today. In the mean time I will do as you instruct. Promise.

There's a little irony in the story you tell about your mother, my youngest is only 22. She had my eldest grandson when she was 16. I did the tough love thing with her and it worked. She finished school, is in her last semester of university and bought her own home when she was only 19. She's worked harder in her short life than most 30 year olds I know right now. We're all incredibly proud of her and I know she sees this pregnacy as a step backwards instead of a blessing. I think once she gets used to the idea and has time to digest it fully, she will be fine. I hope so anyway!

Thanks Kate, I needed that pep talk!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Pam: My friend, we are so much alike! Tell me what kinds of foods and flavors you enjoy. I often find recipes in Sunset magazine and notice all or most of the ingredients are Step 1. A couple of my favorites include olives and or serrano chili. Do you like those flavors? I bet your husband does. Let me get my Mom's Mexican chicken recipe. I'm sure it's Step 1. It's made in one pan and is delicious. She serves it with rice, but I don't take the rice and find it delicious anyway. I make my Mediterranean chicken in one pan, also. Once we know what you like, we can scan for things that match your tastes.

I am pretty much still just walking because of my knee. I'm going to go get more therapy so I can hopefully have a wider range of exercise. Thinking about getting some dancing tapes for duel purpose - I haven't danced much in years and feel 'out of it' and I could use a new exercise.

Once in a while the HCG diet tempts me. It sounds so extreme, but a jump start like that might be a big help if I could handle it. It seems to be the popular thing lately, as I have heard about it from several sources.

This coming week is a nailbiter for Tom and Robin. Tom is having a PET scan soon to look at all the cells in his body. It should be scheduled by tomorrow. Then about another week for results.

Kate: You are such a sweet, positive inspiration to us. I loved your visualization and did practice it last night. I was able to sleep, which is a big deal.

 

[Simpleone]

Good evening everyone!

Lisa, your chicken recipe ideas sound wonderful!! I really can't think of anything I don't like or would ever refuse to eat...unless you want to talk pickled pigs feet or pickles eggs or something like that! I have found that here and in Mexico there is quite a few things I can have on Step I by just removing the rice, tortilla, corn meal, etc. At this moment I have a huge pork tenderlion in the oven that I will make into authentic Mexican chili con carne for hubby, I'll set some aside for myself before I add the potatoes and beans to his. It's very spicey hot and is a nice change for Step I for me. So bring them on, I can't wait. I just returned from the market and bought more legal wraps, tortillas and bread. I always stuff my wraps and tortillas with whatever form of meat I have, then top with cabbage, grape tomatos, cilantro, avacado and lime. I use egg beaters, turkey sausage, onion, mushrooms, green peppers for a big breakfast casserole I plan on making tonight. I love having that handy for myself for in the mornings. Fish is a pain for me, I won't cook it in my house so that leaves me salmon to grill out, or canned tuna. I can live with that I guess. My HDL count is way up there now so I guess I'm getting the right amounts of good fats, with my walnuts and olive oil I eat daily. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I see we can pre-order Dianes Kress's MM cook book on Amazon; maybe I should do that and give myself an early Christmas present. The only thing that is stopping me is the fact that I've not found any of the recipes in the MM book appealing at all.

So I'll be upping the prayers for great results for Robin and Tom, thinking positive, happy thoughts and good wishes for you all.

...just had an after thought... Lisa have you considered asking your doctor for a mild strength perscription of Xanax while you're going through all this? Mom finally broke down and called her doctor for some and he was glad to do it for her, he even suggested that my dad be placed on it as well. (Which he did.) She reports being able to sleep and she doesn't seem nearly as panicked as she was. She said her thoughts are clear and she doesn't have that doom and gloom, scattered sensation she's been living with for months now. Would you consider this as an option?

Okay, off to pull dinner together, you all have a pleasant evening.

 

[Diane W.]

Kate- Let me add my congratulations on your upcoming wedding! How romantic!

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving day.

Prayers are going out for Tom and Robin. I sent her an email and she said she would keep us posted.

 

[kater]

Lisa - yes, please. Mexican chicken and Mediterranean chicken recipes! Can't wait.

Pam - pickled pigs feet! Yuck! There is a jar of them at a local Mexican grocery store. I make sure I don't look at them when I am there!

The girls and I saw Burlesque. The movie with Cher and Christina Aguileria. Cute, feel-good movie.

Beverly - how did the football game go? Did your boys win?

 

[Wisteria1956]

Mediterranean Chicken
Sunset Magazine

I used to use a paella pan until I got a Green Pan big enough. A pan which will go from stovetop into the oven makes this a one pan clean up.

4 -6 chicken breasts
1 basket grape tomatoes
16 pitted kalamata olives, halved
2 T capers, rinsed and drained
4 T olive oil
Feta cheese, optional

In medium bowl mix tomatoes, olives, capers and 2 T olive oil

On stovetop brown chicken on both sides in remaining 2 T olive oil

Top with tomato mixture, pinch of sea salt and freshly ground pepper and bake at about 375 until the tomatoes have mostly burst and are darker in color – about 30 minutes.

Sprinkle with feta cheese at serving, if desired.

Delicious with mashed cauliflower, however it seems like a complete meal alone.

Chicken is great cut up in salads next day, etc.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Pam: Regarding fish - if you burn a candle about 30 minutes before you cook fish and let it burn through dinner, you won't smell the fish in the house. We often grill ours in a fish basket or if you have a George Foreman and an outside plug that works great too since fish cooks so quickly.

My family loves the Halibut Veracruz I also got out of Sunset Magazine. I'm sure you could use this sauce over chicken or pork.

I use a can of chopped organic tomatoes but it calls for you to roast your own. Whatever you like. Canned makes this take about 5 minutes.

Can of chopped tomatoes - about 15 oz.
Chopped yellow onion - about half
1/4 cup sliced Spanish olives
2 T capers
1/4 t oregano
salt and peppr

Saute the onion in olive oil for about 5 minutes, add garlic and chili and stir for about 15 seconds. Add chopped tomatoes, olives, capers and oregano. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Season cooked meat and top with sauce. (You can cook the fish in olive oil for a few minutes while making this sauce.)

Another dish that goes great with mashed cauliflower. I love it with asparagus or a bunch of nice chard.

 

[Wisteria1956]

I'll get Mom's Mexican chicken today. She makes it in a Turbocooker so it's very tender. I bet it would be good in a crockpot.

I'm up early because I volunteered to check J-P in for his flight 24 hrs. in advance so he can have a good seat and he told me 50 minutes on the early side. He mixed up the flight from Monday with today. Guess I'll get a lot done today, lol.

Pam: I was giggling to myself last night about what the odds could be on all 3 daughters being pregnant at the same time! I think it would make a great movie like the Father of the Bride genre.

Tom's doctor gave us a prescription that's in the Zanex family when he was first diagnosed and we were literally waking up every 30 minutes. He said Ambien wasn't working because my brain was anxious so he gave Tom this prescription but doubled it so I could take half of the pills too. Tom never took it and it does work for me but I only take it if I am very distraught because I get groggy the next day. Let me just say, I get groggy from half of a Tylenol PM. That's how drug sensitive I am. So we have our stash if things get too bad from time to time but mostly I go for Sleepytime Tea and that's about as strong as I can handle. I even tried cutting the pills in half and I still got groggy.

I started decorating for Christmas yesterday. Kind of doing it by force of habit this year, but I'm sure I'll enjoy it when it's done. J-P helped Tom with the back fence and it looks really pretty. They put rope lights that are supposed to look like a layer of snow across the top and then a row of icicle lights under that. Really looks pretty reflecting in the pool. That's always my favorite Christmas decoration except my big Santa, whom you all know I talk to, lol!

Robin said she might get to go home today. I hope she can check in with us and let us know how she's doing today. Still praying fervently.

Have a great day! Love you!

 

[Simpleone]

Good evening everyone!!

Lisa, that's great news about Robin, keeping my fingers crossed for her!

Thanks for those recipes!! They sound perfect for me, and I do have a George Foreman (never use it) so I'll be doing fish! YAY!!
I made up one where I bake seasoned boneless chicken breasts for about forty minutes. While those are cooking, I open a jar of roasted garlic Prego sauce, I dress it up with additional Italian seasonings and Italian sausage, I then pour it over the baked chicken then top it with a couple of slices of provalone cheese, continue to heat until the sauce is hot and the cheese is melted. I eat mine as is, and serve hubby's over pasta...and he gets bread sticks...I don't!... I let most of the sauce run off mine and I have a side of broccoli with it. It's a nice change of flavor.

All my Christmas decorations are up except my foyer, which is very unusual because that's my favorite area to decorate. I'll get to it one day this week. I also need to get myself back down to the ceramic shop to get going on more tiles. Your back fence sounds beautiful Lisa, anyway you can get a picture of it for us? I'd bet your Mr. Santa misses you and your conversations, pull the poor fella out!

Like you, my mother and I are megga sensitive to most any type of medication, I refuse most anything except when I need antibiotics! The reason I suggest Xanex brand is because it's not a sleep aid, but will help you to relax. I took two Tylenol PM one time and I think I was in a fog for three days afterwards! I sooooo understand!

I agree with you about it being so odd that all the girls are pregnant. They're all so different that it's hard to believe they all came from the same household! Millie got pregnant on purpose and let marriage be an after thought! Abbie's husband Chris is so excited that this is their first "accidental" pregnacy that itself is so funny to me, Abbie is a planner like no one can imagine! Then there's Celeste that is still utterly devastated over the news. You should have seen everyone's faces at Thanksgiving when Abbie and Celeste both announced it to everyone. One of those "you had to be there moments" but it was priceless.

Okay off to make a run to the hardware store, Hubby calls this our "dates"...sorry thing is, it's about the truth!

Have a nice night all!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Pam: Before we got our infrared grill outside we used the Geo. Foreman all the time for chicken breasts. We like to do up a bunch for our lunch salads. I love making that Med. chicken too since I get leftovers Yours sounded delish also!

Tom's test still isn't scheduled and no word from Robin. The natives are getting restless!

Packing up the boy, but not too sad cause he'll be back in about 3 weeks. We had such a nice visit.

I wish I could have seen those girls announcing the pregnancies at the same time. Priceless! What a great story for all the kids someday, lol!

You should take pics of your decorations for us! Fun. I love doing my bannisters which I did yesterday. Pine garland, lights, beads, bows and velvety golden poinsettias. Then there is a lot of vacuuming!

See ya tomorrow!

 

[Wisteria1956]

I posted that I thought Tom's blood tests came back normal, but now I think one ratio might be high regarding liver function so I'm waiting to hear from the doctor. I wouldn't trouble you all with this - it's just that I thought at first I had good news. Phooey. We'll see.

Kate: What do you know about BUN to creatinine ratios? Normal is 10.1 - 20.1 and his is 26. Is that high by a significant amount do you think?

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Bev: Thank God your son wasn't hurt! He must really have a guardian angel watching over him. It sounds bad to have two accidents in such a short time, but he really couldn't have done anything about the second one and many people make the same mistake turning left. Once again, I just have to say, Thank God he wasn't hurt!

That is what I keep saying. I was thinking a lot about my dad on Wednesday. I was hanging some pictures and thinking that I could have used his help (he died in Jan. 2003), I was vacuuming and thinking that I was doing it the way he would have (move every table & chair, under the cushions, etc.), and I think he must have been with my DS in the car, because the main comment from everyone who has seen the accident, or the car, was that they were amazed it didn't roll over. The road was wet from rain, and with him doing a 180* turn in an SUV, he was in prime rollover conditions. I think dad was watching out for him. (DS was my dad's pride and joy - his first boy) DS is still struggling to drive again. I made him drive Thurs and Sat, but tonight he didn't want to drive (it was dark and wet). If it gets too bad, I think we might have to look into a counselor.

Bev, I'm with Lisa, sorry about the car accidents but thank God he lived to tell about it!! Enjoy the football game today, bundle up! I miss having HS events to go to and enjoying as a family. I'm with you on being envious of others in warmer climates, the weather here has been crazy this fall! We've already had a small ice storm followed by temps in the high 70's the next day! They always say, if you don't like the weather in Indiana, wait fifteen minutes and it will change! Soooo true!

I have some more news on the baby front. Remember last Saturday I posted that my eldest was pregnant with her third baby. Sunday morning I got a call from my youngest, while bawling her eyes out, saying she was pregnant with her third as well!!...no she is not happy. All three of my daughters are pregnant at the same time!! Unbelieveable!!! I so wish she was happy about it, but she insisted she'd not have more than two. After she had the second one she looked for a doctor that would tie her tubes, but they all refused stating she was far too young for a proceedure like that. She's an awesome mom and loves her kids dearly, so I'm hoping that she will soon be thrilled with the idea of having this one. I'm going to have 8 grandkids by next summer! What are the odds? lol

Thanks for the good thoughts for Adam. I do think he had a good time with the band at the football game.

We had 3 pregnant in my DH's family at the same time. I was pg with my first and my SIL was pg with her 3rd and other SIL was pg with her first. We had 3 babies within 10 weeks. It was a hormone hootenany at our family events!

Beverly - how did the football game go? Did your boys win?

Unfortunately not. They had a poor first quarter and I think it did them in mentally, but 2nd in state is quite good. Of course, the Superintendent of the district has stated that we are 1st among IL public schools (since we lost to a parochial school)

I agree with you about it being so odd that all the girls are pregnant. They're all so different that it's hard to believe they all came from the same household! Millie got pregnant on purpose and let marriage be an after thought! Abbie's husband Chris is so excited that this is their first "accidental" pregnacy that itself is so funny to me, Abbie is a planner like no one can imagine! Then there's Celeste that is still utterly devastated over the news. You should have seen everyone's faces at Thanksgiving when Abbie and Celeste both announced it to everyone. One of those "you had to be there moments" but it was priceless.

Our 2nd was definitely a "gift from God." I was silly enough to think if you didn't get pregnant ON fertility drugs, then you wouldn't get pregnant OFF fertility drugs, and who needed birth control? God was telling me I needed one more. This week she is the easy child.

On the good side, after days of intensive searching (internet and in person), DH and I bought him a car today. We got a very good deal on an '05 Expedition that only had 56,000 miles. It is bright red and he loves it. We are still waiting for the insurance adjuster to come look at the old one and tell us how much we will get for it. My luck would be that they don't total it, and I'll have 2 of them!

Still waiting to hear from Robin.

Lisa - let us know what's going on with Tom. I'm glad you had a good visit with J-P.

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Hello Ladies! I have been let out of jail for the time being and am so grateful to be home again. Also SO GRATEFUL for all of you and your continued prayers, as I just KNOW that God listens to our little group! So I have not had a chance to catch up on all your recent posts, but will do so very soon...I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and that all spouses, children, friends and relatives are well or doing better...

My secret little chuckle is that it cracks me up that of all things it would be my PANCREAS causing trouble! That darn organ has been an issue ever since we started MM together! But on a more serious note, there is a tumor, but they decided not to biopsy yet, as it is an invasive procedure due to the location of the pancreas...hidden between a bunch of other organs and has to be done guided by ultrasound...they were able to have my CT and MRI read by specialists at our big University of Virginia hospital about an hour north of us here, and they concurred with my oncologist that the tumor appears to be benign at this point...it is still what they call a "disorganized mass", and does not show any of the markers that they look for when determining malignancy. Of course they feel that it is caught very early which is a GREAT thing in so many ways, but they feel they need to wait 4-6 weeks and then re-run the CT and MRI to see if it becomes any more "organized" during that time. They see no periferal involvement in tissue, liver or lymph nodes, so that 4-6 weeks will not make a big difference even if it DOES show signs of malignancy in the near future. They will be able to biopsy and do surgery immediately if there are any changes in the scans, and if it remains benign, they prefer to leave it in there as long as possible to avoid major surgery. At that point they would re-scan every 3 months for a year, and then re-scan every 6 months from that point on. As for the clotting, they still believe that there is a genetic issue and that I have probably been clotting for a long time, just not many of the clots have traveled to cause trouble. So no matter what the reason, the treatment is still the same: life time blood thinners, and they feel that I will need to take just a bit more than the average person in order to stay thin enough to prevent future clots. So they are working with several different drugs to stabilize my thinner levels, and then I will be given a device similar to a blood sugar monitor, and instead of going a couple tiimes a month for the doc to check my thinner level, I will be checking my own daily...if I drop below the therapeutic level, I will have the belly shots for immediate backup until the level goes up again...so all in all, I am feeling pretty good about it all! Even if the tumor tests malignant in the future, our University hospital is the one that has pioneered the surgery I would need, so I would have it done close to home, and with more than 50% chance of long term success.

I will read up on posts later on, so please forgive me if I am missing out on anyone elses drama or issues right now...I always ask a blanket prayer for all of us and our loved ones!

If anyone did try to call, I apologize, but my cell phone died and I have yet to get it operational again...hopefully Rick will be taking it today for me to the Verizon store for repair or replacement!

oh, I forgot...Roger was on his way to see me when I was being sent to the hospital, and bless his heart, he set his GPS and came straight there!! I had Rick with me, so he was able to meet Roger in the parking lot and bring him to me, and he ended up staying 6 hours, through admitting, testing, and finally getting into a room. We laughed, we cried, and I finally had to kick him out at almost midnite to drive back to Atlanta so he could be there to do Thanksgiving dinner with his kids. It was amazing...he calls several times a day and has threatened to get back in the car and drive back if I need him or if there is surgery scheduled....aaawwwwwwwwwwww

 

[Wisteria1956]

Robin: WHAT A HUGE RELIEF!

I've been trying not to worry too much ala Kate's instruction on time traveling. You were right; we were all praying for you and leaving cell phone messages. It sounds like things have turned out so well, considering the options. It is hysterical you would have trouble with a pancreas, lol! You sure you couldn't get a little reduction surgery while in there? LOL. Tom wanted a tummy tuck.

Roger sounds like such a dear to stick with you through all of that. And if in the future something gets going again with you two, you will know he is comfortable with you 'as you are' which I think is so important! I love knowing I can walk around with goo on my face and Tom still thinks I'm attractive.

Tom's PET scan is Thursday morning at 6:45 PT for two hours. Results probably take a few days as always.

I'm going to Bend Oregon for the weekend to see Adia perform in the State gymnastics competition! Exciting. Sorry to leave Tom home, but I really could use a little break. Does that sound awful?

Robin, you'd better rest or we're all coming out there to sit on you. And none of us is a lot skinnier than we were last year.

 

[Wisteria1956]

OMG! I think we lost Kathy in the Black Friday crowds!

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Robin - that sounds like great news.

Lisa - you are not a bad person to need a little break. Sometimes you have to take care of yourself.

Where is everyone else? I hope everyone is doing well.

 

[Diane W.]

Robin - So happy that you're home! It sounds like you have it all under control - thank God! Roger sounds so sweet. Is he planning to come for another visit?

Lisa - You should enjoy your weekend. It will give you both a breather. Tom gets the house all to himself and you get to enjoy your 'granddaughter'.

Beverly - I'm sure your Dad was watching over your son that day! I feel my Mom with me during times of trouble - sometimes it's amazing.

It's been raining all day. Tomorrow it's supposed to be very windy. They said that there were tornadoes to the south. I hope Kathy is okay in PA.

Thanksgiving dinner was awful at my brother's house. She's usually an excellent cook - but this was terrible. The stuffing was gross, the potatoes were watery, the gravy was bland. My sister and I went to Walmart afterwards and then ate in the diner. We were hungry!

 

[Wisteria1956]

I felt Beverly's Dad watching me vacuum the dining room today because I don't always move all of the chairs. Today I did! I am sure he was watching over his grandson during the car accident. I feel mine with me many times. I especially feel my grandmother with me when I do things she would be scared of and I feel her being free to enjoy it through me. She will be driving through hills and dales in Oregon in the snow with me this weekend.

Diane: Sounds like your SIL had an off year with the food. Poor thing. My husband is so spoiled with my cooking; he went to a friend's one time when I was out of town and I never heard the end of how there were no giblets in the gravy. He stayed home from my sister's that year because we had new puppies and someone had to stay with them. Guess that's what's happened to our Kathy. She's puppy sitting.

I'm going to finish decorating, clean up and pack tomorrow so I'll check in from the hotel once I get up there!

Hugs to all!