Geriatric MM Warriors June 13, 2010

[Wisteria1956]

Diane, Do you get Tom's Caring Bridge updates?

www.caringbridge.org/visit/tomdevries

He has one deep lymph node higher in the pelvis that has grown 50% over the last 9 weeks so the next step is to go back for a CT-guided biopsy as soon as it can be approved by the insurance and scheduled. After that, there will be another week or two wait for results. If disease is present, he'll go back to chemo. Tom is very happy with the results. His greatest fear is to have the cancer return in the other side of his groin, which it has not, so he is happy. He feels like he can handle one lymph node.

 

[Diane W.]

Thanks for the link, Lisa. I bookmarked the page.
I guess our group has dissolved - too bad, I liked hearing from everyone.
Enjoy the rest of the week!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Diane, How did the agency interview go? No big news here. Just working kind of a lot on a couple of really hard deals and waiting to hear from UCSF as to what day we should go back for the biopsy.

 

[Diane W.]

Hi Lisa,
The agency interview was stupid - another empty office and nothing going on. But.......I saw an ad for a company that sounded familiar. I remembered that the former treasurer of the church used to work there before she moved to N. Carolina. I emailed her to see if she still knew anyone there. She said she is friends with the owners and the president. I asked her to intervene for me to see if I could get an interview. Keep your fingers crossed!

I'm glad you have enough to keep busy and make the time go quickly until you hear from the hospital. How's the garden coming along?

 

[Wisteria1956]

Diane, don't you just love how there are no coincidences?/!! How cool that you were able to connect with that lady from the past. I sure hope it works out. I really believe in networking every need. If you tell enough people and they tell some people, we can usually find what we are looking for.

It's finally summer here, but it has shocked our senses because we had such a cool spring. It's jumped about 30 degrees in a few days! We're going to hit 96 today, they say. I planted a few plants early but still got pretty warm. It's really nice to go out with the birds and Bonnie in the morning for coffee without being cold, though. It's going to cool down to the 80's for the rest of the week.

I'm stuck at home with a blown transmission until I get my car back tonight. Waiting to get confirmation on a short sale recording that took me 9 months to successfully negotiate with the bank. I'm exhausted from it! I literally put that package together on Tom's hospital bed, so the memories of it are way too strong for me to have accepted a poor result for my client and myself. I think I will jump in the pool with my clothes on when the call come in this morning that we have recorded! Of course, I am spending a good portion of my commission on the transmission. Haha.

My sister is up in Portland with the kids for her son's birthday. I really wish I could have gone, but waiting to go with Tom for his biopsy still. The waiting is torture and you are right, as long as I keep busy I don't dwell on it.

We're looking forward to Father's Day this weekend and going out for a drive and lunch with my parents. Anything to get out of the house!

Hope you have a great rest of the week!

 

[Diane W.]

Hi Lisa - I hope you enjoy your drive and lunch today!

My friend didn't know anyone left at the place where I sent my resume, so that 'in' that I thought I had is nonexistent!

But, on the bright side, Owen received a certified letter yesterday. It was a 'welcome to the incoming apprentice class'. Yay!! He has an orientation on Friday and then we'll see what happens from there. He was a 'plumber's helper', but to get to be a journeyman he has to go through the 5 yr. apprenticeship program. In 2009 they gave out 1,000 applications - he slept in a tent on the street with 2 friends (and 2,000 other people!) waiting. Then the process took few months of testing and interviews. He finally got a number (105) and this week his number came up! Phew! So he'll get to be an official plumber in the NYC Local 1! He's going to spend today with his dad and I'm sure he will be excited too.

Yesterday I had lunch with a friend I haven't seen in about 15 years. She was up from Maryland. It was good to see her. She hasn't changed a bit. We exchange occasional emails, but it's nothing like getting together in person!

Enjoy your day!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Yeah for Owen! He must be so excited. I'm sure he will do very well. Plumbers make a lot of money. It would be nice to be married to someone that understands plumbing, lol! Tom has to go to Home Depot at least 3 times if he attempts a plumbing project.

I'm glad you got to reconnect with your friend from long ago. That's really special. I've been thinking a lot lately about who I want to spend more time with. Being alone is not in my best interest lately. It's the nature of my work when I'm not out with clients so I spend too much time in my own head. Today I spent the morning ripping out plants out front that need replacing. It's going to be over 100 today! We have an association that takes care of our front yards so I am not at all bonded to the landscape. They don't replace as they should so if we want it to look nice we have to pitch in. I'm about to hire a landscaper. Just don't want to spend too much before we decide how long we're going to stay here. Crystal ball would come in really handy!

Hoping to swim before dinner.

Have a nice day!

 

[Diane W.]

Thanks for the good wishes for Owen! He is following in his father's footsteps, so that is nice. He really wants to be a helicopter pilot, so the goal is to save money to begin that venture. Ahh, to be young and have so many plans.

That is nice that you have an association to take care of the front yard - but too bad that they don't do a good job. Are you thinking of moving?

Do you stay in contact with Jocelyn or Robin? I wonder why no one posts anymore.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Diane,

Our ultimate goal is to move north if JP stays in Portland. That would be when Tom retires and all of that is so up in the air right now. We pretend we are selling the house as a kind of unspoken way of Tom showing me how to do things around here just in case. We decided the best thing to do is to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. His prognosis is poor at best so we soldier on...The association does a fair job but not for one who likes much better, such as myself, lol! The benefit is that there are no unkempt homes in the neighborhood and we have shared walkways with trees, etc. so that's nice, especially in the fall.

I get some emails from Jocelyn and see Kate on Facebook. I see Jocelyn on there, too, but rarely. I don't hear from Robin at all. I suspect some of them are still checking on us, but I don't know why they don't write. I miss them all, especially now. I think I might have abandonment issues, lol!

 

[gettinhealthy]

Hello guys.
Sorry I've been gone for so long. So much going on here, just been so bogged down.
Diane, glad to hear Owen is getting into plumbing. I know Mike said it takes a while to get to journeyman and such.
Lisa, still thinking of your and Tom. I know what you mean about the heat. It has been very hot and humid here in PA lately.

Here is a quick low down of whats been going on.

Rich (my ex) is still with Tris and Levi. He had his PET scan on Monday. He just found out the cancer is now in his bones. He has an appointment on Monday to see what all the doctors say. I personally don't think this is good at all. They still haven't removed his tumor on his tailbone. Mike and I will be very surprised if he lives to the end of the year. He has 2 more chemo treatments to go.

My mom and dad are becoming more dependent on me. My uncle is in a rehab facility, as they found cancer on his tailbone. He is doing very well. I am having to take my parents to go visit him.
I noticed a couple weekends ago, my mom shaking (her arm) very badly. She was trying to eat, and every time she put food on her fork, it would shake off. Before long I will need to see about them selling their house and moving into a smaller place. I spoke to my sister about this, and she assured me that she will back up any decision I make regarding our parents. I haven't talked to my brother about it yet. I just feel like everything is falling onto my shoulders at once!
My parents are going to visit my sister in CO in Sept, so I told her to see what she thought of their health. Mom also tends to be forgetful.
Mike and I talked last night, and I am going to tell my one boss that I can no longer clean her offices. It's just too much for me to do everything. I don't want to jepordize my health trying to help everyone else out.
I know my girls are going to be needing me more and more as Rich's time here comes to an end. I have stayed in the background so they can spend time alone with him.
Tris' pregnancy is going very well. She is due Oct. 8th. I am so excited! I have been buying baby things (mostly learning toys) at garage sales. I have some clothes as well.
We are planning her baby shower. It will be Aug. 20th.
I have started step 1 back in I believe April. I have lost (according to my scale) about 15-20#. My lowest weight so far has been 172! But I am now fluctuating between 177 and 182. I will begin step 2 on Aug. 1.
I did join Diane's new site. It does cost money, but I paid for 3 months to see how I liked it. It was 5/month that way. She has 3 or 4 ways to pay. All monies go right back into the site. We have 24/7 access to Diane, and has really helped me with some of the questions I've had about my health.
That is all for now. I will try to get here more often. My computer has kerplewie and I am in need of a new one pretty bad. Carrie has been kind enough to let me use her's this morning.
Oh, and she is thinking of continuing her education to go for her RN license!! I am so proud of her!
Ok, later girls. Keeping you all in my prayers even though I'm not here much.
And one more thing. Bailey is due to have puppies any day! We wanted to wait until next spring, but Tyson managed to get to her twice I will post pictures when they get here!!

 

[Diane W.]

Hi Kathy!! Whew - there is a lot going on in your life! You seem to have it all under control, but I'm sure at times it seems overwhelming. You're smart in cutting back - you can't be all things to all people. Take care of yourself or else you won't be any good to anyone. Those are my orders.
Is your ex in a lot of pain? I hope he isn't.
The union's apprentice program is 5 years, but hopefully it will be worth it in the end.
Puppies?!! Again?!! Yikes - you're going to be overrun again!

I'm happy to hear that Tris is feeling well. How exciting!

Congratulations on the weight loss. That's really great!

Hi Lisa! Hope your weather is breaking. It's been raining here for 2 days.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kathy, It was great to see you! Diane said exactly everything I would have said so a big DITTO here! Come back soon and huge congrats on the weight loss! My clothes are looser, but I ate a burger today. Shoot. Took Mom out and we both caved.

It's much cooler here and heading for a really nice mid 80 range for about a week. That's lovely! Slept with the windows open last night. It was wonderful. Garden time tomorrow and then to dinner for my BFF's birthday. She wants Mexican. I'm having chipotle shrimp with very little else.

We're going to UCSF again on June 7 or the 14th. Might know tomorrow what the date is for sure. The nurse called today. The poor doctor has to jump through hoops to get the insurance approval. So silly.

Tonight Tom and I have a date. We're going to try to recreate the cucumber martinis we had on our anniversary trip. I think we're bringing in PF Chang's lettuce wraps to go with it.

 

[Diane W.]

Hi -
Lisa, the cucumber martinis sound interesting. I'm glad your weather is cooling off for now.

Guess who has an interview on Tuesday?! I got a call from the Danbury school system. I had applied to 3 openings they had and they called yesterday. It's for an Admin. Asst. and it's a 1 year temp position. Please say a prayer that this is the last interview I have to go on - the rejection is killing me.

Owen goes for the official orientation on July 8, followed by job assignments and then a 4 hr. scaffolding class. He won't get home that day until after 10 pm. The guy said that the job assignments would probably have a start date of July 11. School will start in September. That's one full day each week and they get paid for the day. Wouldn't it be great if we both went back to work at the same time?!

Hey Kathy - Any puppies yet? Your heat is heading this way - Tuesday is supposed to be 86*.

 

[Diane W.]

Lisa - Do you ever watch HGTV and the House Hunters or Property Virgin shows? I'm always drooling at how much you get for the money in other places. One of the shows today had a young couple looking at a 4 br, 2 bath house for 249K! Where I live is cheaper than 1 hour south of me, but you can't get a 2 br. condo for that here - never mind a 4br house! Geez.
Any news from the nurse on the date for the next visit?

I'm getting excited about my interview tomorrow. I colored my hair and did my nails today. I'll post tomorrow and let you know how I think it went.

Kathy - Puppies?

 

[Wisteria1956]

Diane, WhooHoo on the Interview!! Can't wait to hear how it goes!

Yes, I love the RE shows on HGTV. Look at the description for the show, as many of them are reruns from another time period, but they are really fun to watch. I sometimes yell at the wrong advice their agent gives, lol. I really love the House Hunters International show. i just sold a 2300 sq. ft. 4 bedroom, 3 bath home for $240,000, but it was a short sale. In great condition. I also sold a smaller home in perfect condition, traditional sale 3 bedrooms with a bonus room for $300,000 at the same time. Come on out here, lol! I think one of the best places to get a beautiful home for the money is Austin, if you can stand the weather, which I definitely cannot!

You and Owen will be back to work before you know it. It would be great if you're both packing lunches at the same time.

Tom is getting his scan on the 11th and we are going in for the results on the 14th. I also have a mammogram on the 11th and seeing my derm regarding what I think is another skin cancer on the 13th. We're booked up that week, so I guess that's good to pass the time. The waiting is very difficult. Tom also is having another blood test for his liver/kidney function. They are keeping an eye on that every time we go. The next place this cancer would go is the liver, if it kept to the expected progression. Pray it never does.

We removed a big patch of rosemary that had gone 'woody' over the weekend. I should say, Tom did 99% of it. Put in all new soil amendments and now I have a lovely berm as an open canvas. Planted some English lavender today, along with some echinacea and transplanted some daylillies. Took the car back to the shop for a window motor repair. Someone told my car it's paid for, so it's decided to cause trouble!

It's supposed to rain tomorrow, which never happens here in the summer. Then it will be 100 by Sunday. What the heck??

Good luck tomorrow!

 

[Diane W.]

The interview went well. I was the first person they interviewed and she said it will be awhile until a decision is made. It's the summer and she'll be gone for week and the other woman will be gone until August. So - who the heck knows how long it will be until I hear something. She said if I feel like they've forgotten about me, feel free to call to see where they are in the search. Well, my search will continue anyway. I just hate the interview process.

There's a show I watch on Sunday - I don't know if it's local or not. It's called Open House NYC. Can you see that one? Last week they showed a couple a 790 sq. ft. walk-up apartment that was selling for......$970,000. Talk about getting nothing for your money! I like watching it just so I can yell at the TV: 'Are you nuts?!'

Owen went to Maine today to visit a friend who is working there for the summer. His friend graduated from culinary school and got a job in Maine for the summer. The people at the restaurant also have a band that he can play in when he's not working. The friend's girlfriend worked at the school and went with him for the summer (she's 30 - he's 24!). I'm nervous about Owen driving by himself - I hate that idea.

Lisa - your garden sounds lovely. Enjoy.

Kathy - Puppies?

 

[Wisteria1956]

Diane, I'm so glad the interview went well! I'll be holding good thoughts for the outcome and can't wait to hear!

Can you imagine how my heart was in my throat when my 18-yr. old moved 630 miles away for college and would drive home 10 hours??!! I'm still not used to it, especially at Christmas when there is snow in more than one area on the route. Just remind Owen to be defensive in his driving. Sounds like a really fun trip. I've always wanted to see Maine. I'm sure he will be fine and you will be a nervous wreck because that's what we do JP texts me the name of the city when he pulls over to eat, gas up, etc. and that is a big comfort. Oregon has real-time road cams on their website, which I really love when it's snowing. I can see if the road looks plowed well, etc. by checking online.

We get Selling New York, but I haven't watched it much. Snooty people just are not my cup of tea. I live among many of them and don't really feel comfortable at my own grocery store much of the time because I'm nature girl at heart, lol! I really relate to the people that buy little cottages by the sea. That's where my heart is...

Tom is working tonight on a prearranged job so I'm going over to my parents for dinner and to watch So You Think You Can Dance. My whole family is hooked on that show. We go to watch the tour for my Mom's birthday in November every year. This year the kids are sooooo good it's hard to see any of them go. My Mom was in tears last week. She's so cute.

Mom has her camera look-see into her bladder cancer on Thursday to see if it is gone since this round of treatments. She's nervous because it's come back three times. It's very tiny and removable each time, but the surgery takes its toll on her so prayers she has a clean report would be lovely.

Talk to you soon and have fun gearing up for the 4th!

 

[Diane W.]

Hi!
Owen returned home safely, thank God. He had a great time.
I have a phone interview on July 13 from a resume I sent out on Wednesday night. It's for the Boys & Girls Club across the bridge from me. The exec. director sent me the job description after receiving my resume to see if I was interested in setting up an initial phone interview. I hope this one pans out. I looked on their website and found out that the exec. dir. is about 28 and the dir. of oper. (who will be interviewing me on the phone) is in his early 30's. But the current office mgr. (the job I'm interviewing for) has a 22 yr. old son, so that's good for me. Keep your fingers crossed.

I agree, Lisa, Selling New York is such a cut-throat show. It makes me mad watching it. The show I watch is on NBC - it's more like House Hunters.
How was your Mom's report? I'm praying it was clear.e

Going to meet friends today for lunch. I miss seeing people everyday like I would if I was working.

Talk to you later!

 

[Wisteria1956]

My Mom was cancer free yesterday!!!

She doesn't have to go back until the end of Sept. They will still treat her since this bladder cancer comes back easily, but it's a big relief no surgery looming for her again.

It's going to be a scorcher today and hotter over the weekend. I did some errands early. Nice to be there when the stores open. I bought a beach umbrella for my succulents, lol!

Diane, that is so exciting about the phone interview! They picked you because of your profile and they'll love you once you chat, I'm sure. How nice it's so close to home for you! Sometimes I miss people too. When I'm not out with clients, I'm alone for the most part, unless I want to stand around and talk to people at the office who don't have anything better to do. I prefer my peace and quiet and my home office, but it can get lonely. I tend to be the crazy lady that talks to strangers in stores.

Tom worked on an emergency last night so he's sleeping today. Quiet is the order for my day, therefore.

I was craving a Cobb salad with real bacon yesterday. I don't think Bonnie has ever had bacon. She went nuts sniffing all around the kitchen to see if I dropped any. I gave her half a piece when I had my dinner. She's hooked now!

Been taking a supplement I heard about on Dr. Oz. I think it's working, but it also upsets my digestive system somewhat so the jury is out. It's called Forskylin and it's supposed to make your fat cells literally release fat. I'm also taking grape seed extract. If you took everything on Dr. Oz you'd have way too many pills to swallow.

Let me know how the interview goes and Happy 4th!

 

[Diane W.]

So happy for your Mom! That is great news!

When I ask Owen to get something for me from another room I say "I'd get it myself but I don't have thumbs!' in the voice that the dog in the bacon dog treat commercial uses. Bonnie is going to be hooked from now on!

I'm waiting to see what you think of the Forskylin.

Have a safe and happy 4th! It raining today - I hope it clears up for tonight's fireworks.