Geriatric MM Warriors June 13, 2010

[gettinhealthy]

Diane, I am praying daily for your new job! I know how hard it is. I think we are just now starting to see what having Mike off for 2 years has done to the finances.
We aren't broke, but we just depleted most of our savings fixing cars, buying the other one, and just life.
He got called out this morning at 4am, so at least he's getting some OT this week!

Our weather has finally broken as well. Still chilly out, but at least no rain today, and no snow! It is to warm up as the week progresses and by I think Thurs or so, we will be close to 60*!

Rich got moved into Tris and Levi's yesterday without much fanfare LOL. I called today, and everyone seems to be settled in. I saw Tris' sister in law, she lives just below them, and she said she stopped in around noon to check on everyone, and when she opened the door, she saw Rich sleeping on the couch, and Tris must have been upstairs. She just left, not wanting to disturb them. Her in laws are such great people.
My best friend Connie (Levi's aunt) and her family helped move him yesterday. It was kind of a last minute thing, but at least it's all done. Once I know I'm over this cold for good, I will stop in to see him. He let it slip to Connie last night about Tris being pregnant. But I think it was only her, so that's not too bad. Just don't want to jinx anything

Ok, off I go to surf the web some more. I am trying to find alternative treatments for Rich, and try to find out what is wrong with Behemoth. He has been having poo problems, and had to take him to the vet yesterday with Bailey and Buster. He has a really bad cough. I call it a honking cough. Sounds like a duck honking. Yesterday it was really bad. He woke me up at 4am coughing, and he couldn't get his breath. He also has a tiny spot of mange on his hip. Caught it very early, so now he is on 4 different medicines. Wasn't too thrilled that he has to take prednisone as it makes him drink lots and pee so much more than usual. I am taking him out every 1/2 hour to pee.
But his poo is looking better. The vet seems more concerned about it than I am. He is eating, drinking, playing, and continues to gain weight. It is just that it's like a pudding consistency. Sorry about TMI.

Ok, later everyone. Have a great evening!!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kathy, I hope Behemouth is doing better and they find out what's wrong with him. Maybe he needs his food adjusted? Bonnie is diet sensitive.

Question: Why did God make men separate beings from us? Why are we just not conjoined twins because they can't do anything without us?? I asked Tom if he was supposed to be on antibiotics and he swore the nurse only gave him a prescription for pain pills, which he didn't want. So I email the doctor for a check in message and he replies back that Tom had a B strep infection and the antibiotics should handle it! Back we race to look in his packet and there of course is his prescription. Do I have to check through his papers like when a little kid comes home from school?? He's at the pharmacy now. Good grief! He fussed at me for saying he never reads any instructions, but this is ridiculous. They will mark him down as needing a social worker next! Do you kow why I am so tired all the time? I have to take care of every possible scenario for me, him and work. I guess that means I'm a WOMAN.

 

[Diane W.]

Lisa - You're so funny! Sadly, it's the truth. I remember driving to work and thinking about my husband at the time, saying to myself, "how nice it must be to think of absolutely nothing." I am so glad that you called the doctor!!
How is Tom feeling overall?

Kathy - Poor 'little' Behemoth. I hope he feels better soon.
Our weather is supposed to warm up towards the end of the week. Tonight and tomorrow morning it's going to rain (again!). I just want a nice sunny day without the wind!!

Hi Kate - I hope all is well.

I'm starting to feel a cold coming on. Owen just go over one, so I think it's my turn.

My friend is taking me to lunch tomorrow - I'm looking forward to it.

Has anyone heard from Robin? I hope she pops in here to say 'hi'.

 

[gettinhealthy]

Question: Why did God make men separate beings from us? Why are we just not conjoined twins because they can't do anything without us?? I asked Tom if he was supposed to be on antibiotics and he swore the nurse only gave him a prescription for pain pills, which he didn't want. So I email the doctor for a check in message and he replies back that Tom had a B strep infection and the antibiotics should handle it! Back we race to look in his packet and there of course is his prescription. Do I have to check through his papers like when a little kid comes home from school?? He's at the pharmacy now. Good grief! He fussed at me for saying he never reads any instructions, but this is ridiculous. They will mark him down as needing a social worker next! Do you kow why I am so tired all the time? I have to take care of every possible scenario for me, him and work. I guess that means I'm a WOMAN.

Lisa, I can completely understand what you're saying!! Mike calls me all the time when I'm at work and he's home. I don't think he understands that I actually do work when I'm there.
He called me the other day when Behemoth had the diarrhea. She wanted to know what I was going to do about it. Well, let's see. I'm at work, you're at home. You can call the vet, you can take him to the vet. When I said, well, do you want me to leave work half done and travel the half hour to take him to the vet? Do you want me to call the vet? What do you want me to do while I'm at work? He does this all the time. It's not like he's busy doing anything other than sitting/laying on the couch watching tv!!
Ok, sorry for the ramble.

I hope Tom feels better soon. I guess we do need to babysit them. I will keep you in my prayers I know exactly what you mean about having to take care of all aspects of everything.

 

[gettinhealthy]

Just a quick hello before I head out to work.
Lisa, Diane. Thanks for the kind thoughts for Behemoth. He is doing a bit better. I have started giving him a small amount of pumpkin. Sometimes that will work, as they need a bit of fiber to "stiffen" it up.
I went through the same thing with Tyson when we got him, but not quite as bad. I know it's a slight bit of colitis, so it's just going to take a bit of time to find the right combination.

Off to work.

 

[kater]

Kathy, I hope Behemouth is doing better and they find out what's wrong with him. Maybe he needs his food adjusted? Bonnie is diet sensitive.

Question: Why did God make men separate beings from us? Why are we just not conjoined twins because they can't do anything without us?? I asked Tom if he was supposed to be on antibiotics and he swore the nurse only gave him a prescription for pain pills, which he didn't want. So I email the doctor for a check in message and he replies back that Tom had a B strep infection and the antibiotics should handle it! Back we race to look in his packet and there of course is his prescription. Do I have to check through his papers like when a little kid comes home from school?? He's at the pharmacy now. Good grief! He fussed at me for saying he never reads any instructions, but this is ridiculous. They will mark him down as needing a social worker next! Do you kow why I am so tired all the time? I have to take care of every possible scenario for me, him and work. I guess that means I'm a WOMAN.

I am sorry Lisa but that literally made me laugh out loud. I can tell you why we are not conjoined twins. Because the female twin would most likely murder her male twin. I know we love our "twins" but my gosh, where would they be without us? One of my pet peeves is that the garbage can in the kitchen gets filled to the point where things are fall out of it. When I finally get fed up and start trying to pull the overstuffed bag out of the can (which isn't easy), Brad will come running in and say, "I will do it, let me do it." Grrrrrrrrr. Also, why am I the only one that never leaves an empty toilet paper roll on the rack in the bathroom? The extra rolls are just in the cabinet and that sits two feet from the toilet? Oh - and Lisa. Brad was prescribed Statin drugs for his high colesteral (sp?) three years ago and the prescription just sits on the kitchen counter. He hasn't taken any. He steals my prescription glasses because they work "okay" for him. Even though he has insurance coverage for glasses and I don't. Yikes. I am on a roll!

 

[kater]

Lisa - You're so funny! Sadly, it's the truth. I remember driving to work and thinking about my husband at the time, saying to myself, "how nice it must be to think of absolutely nothing."

Another literal LOL! Love it, Diane. Here is another that I love. Brad gets home from work a couple of hours before me. Almost every day, just as I am leaving my office (between 6:00 and 6:30), he sends me a text message and says "what should we do about dinner.?"). It is the "we" part that just sets me off. I don't expect him to have dinner waiting for me (although that wouldn't be bad either). I just don't want to be the one to figure it out. Here is another one - "Well, I would go to the grocery store if you would give me a list." Don't want to sound like I don't love my honey because I do. There is just that part of him that drives me crazy......

 

[Wisteria1956]

I'm so glad I'm not alone!

My hairdresser told me there is such a thing as 'chemo brain' to account for Tom's foggyness, but I don't think I buy it. He's always been this way.

Kate: I broke him from the dinner question something like this: "What's for dinner?" me: "I don't know; what did you have planned?"

Also, keep a running grocery list in the kitchen. When you get low on something put it on there. He'll know where to find the list. So with you on the toilet paper thing. What's up with that?? I think it's because they know we'll do it.

I suspect you're right about the twin thing. We'd have to drag around a murdered twin! Love 'em but sometimes...

Tom had his PET scan today but the doctor at UCSF cannot see us until March 31. Isn't that just spiffy? He was booked up until then. So we're going to pretend the test results aren't just hanging around after tomorrow waiting for someone to tell us. It's kind of like when people keep asking you if the baby has been born yet. I guess if they call us in sooner, that might be a bad sign. I haven't told anyone else the scan is done so they won't bug us about the results.

Tom finally kissed me like his old self last night and I cried. I've missed him so much! He's been in a survival cave for a few months now and it's really hard to be on the outside looking in. I think he's beginning to come back to me.

I emailed Robin. She's been off work this whole time, but is waiting for insurance clearance for the vein doc to collapse the problem vein in her leg. After that, she should be fine and can give her notice and go on to her new job. How great the job was waiting for her to pick up when she can! I'd love to get her back here. Oh, she wanted to know how Kate's doing with the HCG diet. She stays in touch with Carol, who has lost 70 lbs. Robin's doctor had a fit about the dangers...I was really toying with the idea, but there were people on Dr. Oz that had fainted and one lady began to lose her hair. I'm so scared of fainting again since it's taken me over a year for my knee to heal and it's still got a 'hitch' in it. I am back on the treadmill, however.

Finally a break in the rain today and it's glorious to see the sun! I have a home inspection today with picky buyers so I'd better get to work.

Have a great day! Where's that Pam anyway???

 

[kater]

Lisa - so glad Tom is coming back to you. I know how hard it is to be on the outside. In some ways, it is probably harder than being on the inside. Demi posted a picture of her old liver on FB yesterday (Type in Demi Rockass on the search feature). She said that because her old liver was green, she was excused from ever having to wear green on St Pat's day again. It reminded me of how scary that time was for me. People still tell me how well I handled it and I always think to myself (yeah - right). I never slept, I never knew what new thing would be thrown at me each day. And, worst of all, I didn't have the power to save my child.

Spring is a time for healing and I know both of you are on that path.

It's is raining here this morning....

xoxoxox

Oh, yeah. Thanks for the Robin update.

 

[kater]

Oops. I forgot that Demi uses her full first name on FB - Demitra. And, then don't ask why she uses Rockass instead of Rockas (must be a kid thing). The liver picture is pretty amazing. And I mean amazing in a scary way. I still can't believe that thing was inside my child. It was twice the size of a normal liver (it weighed over 7 pounds), it was green and black and almost had a hard shell on it. We were offered the opportunity to look at it for "closure." Looking back, I am not sure that we would do it again if given the same opportunity. I would rather have seen a picture of the new, healthy liver that she got and just forget about the old one.

Actually, Demi's full name is Demitra Athena Marie Rockas. Her dad is Greek. She has her great-grandmother's names and her grandmother.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Demi's name is gorgeous! I can't find her liver picture. I browsed around her pics, but didn't see it. Where do you think it is? That sounds so terribly stressful! As bad as what Tom and I have endured is, it is nothing like having a sick child. No matter how grown up they are they are always our children. Did she receive a donor liver or part of someone else's? I'm so glad she's doing so well!

Oh, Kate, you have to give us an HCG update. This fattening Tom up again program is killing me! He lost another 8 lbs. and I bet I found them.

 

[kater]

Lisa - Demi's liver picture is on her profile page - she posted it yesterday with a comment. It should also be on my profile page too. I posted a "Not for the squeamish" post...

hCG. The jury is still out. I lost some weight. However, I was hungry all of the time so I gave up. However, I am giving it another try. This time I am upping the dose. I will keep you posted.

 

[Diane W.]

Happy Spring!​

I am so happy that winter is over. This has been a cold, icy winter and I've had enough.
I went walking the other day and heard 'the peepers' - they're the frogs that start singing and are the first sign of spring around here. Yay!
I am still plugging away looking for a job. I changed my resume once again. Now it only shows the 12 years that I worked at the church, it doesn't identify it as a church (I call it SPC of Cortlandt, Inc.) That is it's legal name, but the SPC is my abbreviation of St. Peter's Church. I hopefully now appear younger on paper, since I only have 12 yrs. of experience. The woman at the Labor Dept. did say to take all references of a church, such as the word 'parish', out of my resume. I just took it one step further. Also, I read that anything past 10 years of experience isn't relevant. I've now applied to over 350 places and so far only 4 interviews. This is so beyond my belief - I am really getting depressed. Can you believe that the last place I interviewed never responded in any way after my interview? She was so nice and we got along well. I sent a thank you letter for the interview and that was that. At least she could have sent me an email - geez.

Lisa - I can't believe you have to wait so long for the results. I'll be praying that all is well. You brought tears to my eyes when you spoke about the kiss.

 

[kater]

Rain, Rain, Rain. And more rain coming. Go away. There was so much rain, that the ground shifted under my beautiful (very heavy) fountain that was in my yard - it fell to the flagstone patio and broke into many pieces.

Two weeks and two days until we leave for Kauai. So, I shouldn't be complaining. It turns out that Brad can't go. He doesn't have enough seniority at his new job and two other people put in for the time off when we will be gone (spring break). He said that he will take three weeks off for our honeymoon in Sept. I don't that I can get away from my work for three weeks but it definitely means that we can stay in Hawaii for 10+ days.

Diane - I think those changes you made to your resume sound good. You got some good feedback.

Lisa - How is Tom feeling?

Kathy - I saw your official "grandmother" post of FB. Congrats again.

Everyone else - we miss you! Jocelyn - where ever you are on your travels, I hope you are safe and having fun. My mom and her partner just got from a bridge tournament in Louisville KY.

Oh, Robin - please come out and play with us.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Diane: I, too, think you got good advice on your resume. I also think the advent of the computer era has done a lot of good, but in the case of applying for jobs I don't like that it is much harder to convey the depth of one's enthusiasm, work ethic, etc. Hang in there! It's going to pop soon!

Tom went back to work today and I feel reborn! LOL! I got so much work done and even cleaned during my lunch time. I hadn't realized quite how much having him underfoot and resting so much had crimped my style. I work from home when I'm not out with clients, making tons of photo copies at the office or attending a meeting. It's easier for me to concentrate in my home office and I have everything I need, plus peace and quiet. Filled with gratitude for normalcy and hoping it continues!

I've been wondering if Jocelyn was near any of the commotion in the Pacific during this tragedy. Really looking forward to hearing from her again. We can email her if we want, it's easier for her to check emails because the ship computer loads so slowly it gets expensive to be on the web, she said.

Kate: Tom is feeling better and has gone back to work today. He's still packing his wound, but it is healing.

I have messages in to the doctors in SF for check in status on his wound and to also ask the oncologist if we truly have to wait two weeks for the results of his scan. The last time he called me with the results and I understand this time he wants to do an exam, but it seems a bit cruel knowing people know results and we are the last to know...Can't sleep well as it is.

We had 50+ mile an hour wind gusts a couple of nights ago and I had to wear earplugs to block out some of the scary noise in order to sleep. I have a hard enough time sleeping as it is. The wind is supposed to come back by Wed. and I sure hope it's not as bad this time. We didn't have any damage to trees, etc. so that's good.

Kate: I was sad to hear about your fountain. I remember seeing it in some family photos or holiday photos you posted and it was really gorgeous. Logamarsino's (sp) in Lodi has good prices if you are heading out to find a new one.

As far as food goes, now that Tom is back to normal we are trying to stick to our Dr. Perricone-based Mediterranean type diet. I really need to step up the exercise but my body has been so sore lately. Stress, I'm sure. I'll let you know how the eating goes. Today I had an almond milk berry protein shake and a green salad with some chicken, olive oil and lemon juice.

Have a great rest of the day everyone! Back to all my tasks and PEACE!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Just got BIG THUNDER and it scared Miss Bonnie!

 

[kater]

Kate: I was sad to hear about your fountain. I remember seeing it in some family photos or holiday photos you posted and it was really gorgeous. Logamarsino's (sp) in Lodi has good prices if you are heading out to find a new one.

Thanks for the information re fountains. I am see if I can find a website. I sent my mom an email (she is the one that gave it to me originally because she bought something else). She wrote back that the "fountain fairy" is on her way. She has lots of fountains.

I am so glad that things are more back to "normal." Did you get to enjoy your time with J-P?

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kate: Yippee for the fountain fairy! Does she deliver, lol? Those things are so heavy.

Yesterday I messaged our doctor at UCSF about waiting so long for the results. His nurse called and said he would review the report today and call me with some preliminary findings. Now, I am sick to my stomach with nerves. I bet they don't call til around 5 pm.

Yes, we had a lovely time with J-P even though it was hectic that first day. Poor kid worked 100+ hours for two weeks in a row and stayed up all night the night before he flew, which was his 25th birthday! His new website is sartorifoods.com It's a gorgeous site for a family-owned cheese company in WI. He worked so hard on it. He's been duly rewarded in cheese so my sister gave him a fondue pot for his birthday.

Back to work! Have a great day. I'll let you know if I find anything out about Tom's scans.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Just heard from the nurse. Tom's scan was done too soon after the infection, which I knew. GRRRRRR!!!! But they wanted to do it anyway to see if there was metastatic disease anywhere else. There wasn't!!!!

The area of the right groin where the infection is/was did light up but they cannot interpret it one way or another because they feel it is too soon. He'll have to heal and have another scan. We're still going to see the doctor next week, but I am so relieved to know we aren't walking into bad news.

His brain, head and neck, chest and liver are all clear!

 

[gettinhealthy]

Hello, Ladies.
Sorry I've been MIA. Just so busy lately with work and such.
We took Mike's daughter to the airport Sat. She is moving to Texas. Not sure if I've mentioned tat or not. Mike is taking it pretty hard, although he doesn't let the kids see how upset he is. I'm not sure if she'll stay down there or not. She doesn't do well with heat and sun. She had troubles with it up here in PA, and she told her dad on Monday that she wasn't feeling well after going out to the mall. She then called him today because she was bored. He couldn't talk because he was at work.
So, tonight I am once again all by myself. Mike will be home tomorrow morning probably around 6. I have Bailey here to protect me, and I also think Tyson would protect me also. But Bailey is much more aggressive than he is. I keep our interior door open so she can see out the main front window, and out the glass window in the door. At night, she will only bark if someone is near the house. Mike and I were discussing the idea of me getting a gun in case the need should ever arise. I grew up shooting guns and I am very comfortable with them.

Diane, I am still sending prayers your way. They keep saying we are coming out of the recession, but I honestly don't see it here either. Our unemployment rate is down, but no one is hiring. It is people losing their unemployment benefits and not having any extensions left.

Lisa, such great news about Tom!! I am so glad he is beginning to "come back to you" and is strong enough to start back to work. I know what you mean about being under foot LOL. Just having Mike here at the house (even just sleeping upstairs in bed and not in my way) has me out of my routine. With his DD gone, I will be able to do more things around the house. I can sweep the floors before I go to work if I want! But Carrie got a job working 3 nights a week at a nursing home just down the road. It's actually right by one of my houses I clean (the people I clean for 4 days a week) so it's not far at all. She works from 11pm-7am. She then goes to school 4 days a week at 5.

Kate, wish I was going with you on vacation!! Too bad Brad isn't able to get off as long as you wished. But at least for the honeymoon, he'll be off a bit longer.

Ok, going to get a hot shower, cuddle with my puppies then go to bed.