The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 3

[tmfranlk]

This is definitely true. We ran into a lot of people on the interview trail that ranked even Minnesota, etc higher. It is also a great program but WAAAAY too big for our liking. Certainly some people think Cincinnati is too small (program size), too rural (yeah, lots of people think everywhere in Ohio is the sticks ), etc.... even if it is #2 in Med-Peds on most criteria. Also, of course Cincinnati ranks their most desirable first. I think every program has to, because you just never know. On paper, some of our programs didn't even really deserve an interview, but we ended up pleasantly surprised by many of them. And Tufts, for example, which is a GREAT school, did nothing for us.

I just want to KNOW, you know? Grr.... that's really all. You know, even if we ended up somewhere ENTIRELY different, I'll be ok once I KNOW.

3 weeks from tomorrow....... I feel like I'm waiting for a Disney trip

You can make it!! It is officially after 9pm so your list is done. Now you can just hang onto us for 3 weeks to get you to Match Day. I know that everything will work out for the best.

 

[tmfranlk]

When it rains it pours!! And I want it to stop.

I just got off the phone with my mom and she has to go in for a PET scan this Friday morning. This is less than a week after a ultra sound...what she thought was her gall bladder acting up. My mom has battled cancer before and I am scared!! What I hate the most is she is in Maryland and I am here in CO.

Please say extra prayers on Friday morning for her and for me tonight as I get to tell my girls.

Lots of prayers for you all. I hope that the scan goes well and there is some good news. to you and the girls.

 

[tink2020]

Well, the DDA pixie dust works again!!! I just got off the phone with my dad, and mom is in the clear. She'll have to be tested every 3 months for a couple of years, but right now, it looks like she beat the cancer battle.

She was scheduled for heart surgery last February, and on the night before the surgery, she started to bleed from her uterus. They did some tests and found uterine cancer. Her heart was the main concern at that point, so they decided to put off the hysterectomy until she had healed up from the heart surgery. She underwent a 7 bypass and the insertion of a new valve to her heart. When she had healed sufficiently, they did the hysterectomy. During that surgery, they found the tumor had encroached her muscle wall about 60%. She had 5 radiation treatments, and the tumor shrank considerably. Today was her 6 month follow up and the tumor has not grown at all. Not even a tiny bit! I'm so relieved! I just wasn't ready to lose my mom, and after all she's been through in the last year, that was a real possibility. Watching her battle diabetes, 2 knee replacements, a hip replacement, heart problems, etc., was what made my mind up about having the gastric bypass.

It looks like I'll get to have my mom around for a while, yet. Hooray!

Cherish your parents while you have them. Life is so fleeting!

Anyway, pixie dust to Theresa still waiting on news from her mom! Thanks again, everyone!

Wow! What a story to recover from. So glad that your news tonight was good!

 

[tmfranlk]

Well, the DDA pixie dust works again!!! I just got off the phone with my dad, and mom is in the clear. She'll have to be tested every 3 months for a couple of years, but right now, it looks like she beat the cancer battle.

That is great news! I hope that this marks the beginning of a much better year for your mom.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the kind words from everyone today.

Even though I know this is better because he is no longer in pain, it still hurts to know he is really gone. I have no idea how Kyle will respond to seeing him at the funeral on Saturday. How do you explain to an almost 3 year old that Opa is sleeping and isn't going to wake up again?

Sorry for bringing anyone down, but thanks again for the warm wishes!

Kristin

 

[legalslave]

Where is your son in Virginia? Maybe Tammi and I could drop in on him as PseudoMoms!

Much thought going out to you and Denise and Kristin and Theresa and Glynis right now. I think we all deserve a break too.

Jennifer -- I can understand your panicky times. It is so hard to wait to see what he future will hold. I promise it will never be like you thought it would, no matter where you end up! It is a miraculous adventure!

He's in Norfolk. My grandson moved down there in November and is living with his uncle, so I haven't seen him in a few months, either (he's 20). My daughter and granddaughter are going down next month (without me), so at least they will have seen them. I'm still hoping for the time in April. Thanks for the pixe dust. By the way, I don't know what I was thinking when I posted. I know that "tale of woe" is "tale" - not "tail." Also, I meant have a good evening everyone, not "anyone." Where do minds go sometimes?

 

[legalslave]

Well, the DDA pixie dust works again!!! I just got off the phone with my dad, and mom is in the clear. She'll have to be tested every 3 months for a couple of years, but right now, it looks like she beat the cancer battle.

She was scheduled for heart surgery last February, and on the night before the surgery, she started to bleed from her uterus. They did some tests and found uterine cancer. Her heart was the main concern at that point, so they decided to put off the hysterectomy until she had healed up from the heart surgery. She underwent a 7 bypass and the insertion of a new valve to her heart. When she had healed sufficiently, they did the hysterectomy. During that surgery, they found the tumor had encroached her muscle wall about 60%. She had 5 radiation treatments, and the tumor shrank considerably. Today was her 6 month follow up and the tumor has not grown at all. Not even a tiny bit! I'm so relieved! I just wasn't ready to lose my mom, and after all she's been through in the last year, that was a real possibility. Watching her battle diabetes, 2 knee replacements, a hip replacement, heart problems, etc., was what made my mind up about having the gastric bypass.

It looks like I'll get to have my mom around for a while, yet. Hooray!

Cherish your parents while you have them. Life is so fleeting!

Anyway, pixie dust to Theresa still waiting on news from her mom! Thanks again, everyone!

That's great news, Glynis. It sounds like she's been through more than her share.

 

[legalslave]

Please don't tell your three year old that Opa is "sleeping." It may make him afraid to sleep. You could tell him that he's gone to live with God in a very nice place and that someday when he's very old, he'll go there, too and see Opa again. I'm sure you can think of something if you don't like that scenario, but I'd be very careful about telling him that he's sleeping.

ETA: This is for Kristin - I thought I had hit "quote," but I guess I didn't.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

Glynis - that is great news!!!

Kristin - having JUST gone through this - I can give you my recent experience
Julia is 4.5 and very aware of death - be careful not to say he is sleeping and will never wake up - as this could scare him and he might be afraid that if he falls asleep he might never wake up too - I told Julia that grandma had been in a lot of pain and that her body was old and she needed to go live with God and that she was out of pain - and with my Grandpa - this helped at her age
Nick is 2.5 and to be honest - I never even discussed it with him - he didn't see her enough to understand and the casket was closed - I am not sure where Kyle falls in this spectrum - I know if it was one of Nicks grandparents it would be very hard to explain where they were -

I don't know if that really helps you or not!

 

[Tammi67]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the kind words from everyone today.

Even though I know this is better because he is no longer in pain, it still hurts to know he is really gone. I have no idea how Kyle will respond to seeing him at the funeral on Saturday. How do you explain to an almost 3 year old that Opa is sleeping and isn't going to wake up again?

Sorry for bringing anyone down, but thanks again for the warm wishes!

Kristin

We went through that in July when my grandmother died. I took both of my kids (5 & 3 at the time) to both the viewing and the funeral. I didn't want to shelter them from it. I made sure that I did not associate death with sleeping. I think the best way to explain it is relating to whatever your faith is. We simply told mine that this is what happens to your body once you die. Can't move, can't open eyes, heart doesn't beat, etc. But your soul (and this was the hardest thing to explain) keeps on living and goes to heaven to live with God. In hindsight, I think I tried to over-explain things. Simple answers are sometimes the best, and we as adults try to give complete and total answers.

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.

 

[Tammi67]

Woohoo, Glynis!! That is wonderful news!

 

[Glynis]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the kind words from everyone today.

Even though I know this is better because he is no longer in pain, it still hurts to know he is really gone. I have no idea how Kyle will respond to seeing him at the funeral on Saturday. How do you explain to an almost 3 year old that Opa is sleeping and isn't going to wake up again?

Sorry for bringing anyone down, but thanks again for the warm wishes!

Kristin

Oh, Kristin, that is going to be so hard! Just explain it the best you can, and remind him frequently that Opa will always be in his heart, and will be watching over him like a guardian angel.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

Okay DDA -

I can give some good news - my DH has a prospect for a project at work that might mean a lot of work in March - but will mean a great bonus!!!! So we could use some pixie dust that their bid is accepted!!!!!

 

[lmartin2711]

I grew up is South Africa, did all my schooling and college there, have been here 12 years.

Just reading some of your post you remind me of a school friend of mine named Julia who also lives in Atlanta also born in 1966. I thought how weird it would be if you were that Julia.

Lynn

 

[Glynis]

This is for Kate and Steve. I had a message typed, but it didn't show up when I sent it. Weird! Anyway, anyone else who needs PD, please take some of it for you as well.

 

[bethbuchall]

Okay DDA -

I can give some good news - my DH has a prospect for a project at work that might mean a lot of work in March - but will mean a great bonus!!!! So we could use some pixie dust that their bid is accepted!!!!!

 

[tinker1bell]

Unfortunately, we are not going to be on Cash in the Attic. I am going to have to take a break from the computer, and I won't be around for a while. Rees is fine, but some other things have completely fallen apart in the last 12 hours. I'd appreciate your prayers. I'll try to be back soon. Hugs to you all until then.

Denise

Denise,

Sorry to hear things are not happening as planned. Hope things get better real soon. I am actually watching Cash in the Attic.
to you and your family

Terry

 

[Brendita]

I need some advice from anyone who has young elem. age kids. A note was sent home from Nicholas' teacher saying that he is getting his lower case "b" and "d" mixed up. She asked me to work with him at home. So, does anyone have any suggestions or hints on how to help him remember which is which?

Have your Ped. do some tests.
This is the 1st signs of dislaxic (sorry about the spelling).
Myself found out I was dislaxic after my son was told he was.
I had a lot of problems reading & writing.
when I was in school.
There are also many types of dislaxica.
My DS is 33 & still has problems.
Myself almost 50 still can't tell my left from my right.
Good luck with your DS.

 

[Brendita]

Unfortunately, we are not going to be on Cash in the Attic. I am going to have to take a break from the computer, and I won't be around for a while. Rees is fine, but some other things have completely fallen apart in the last 12 hours. I'd appreciate your prayers. I'll try to be back soon. Hugs to you all until then.

Denise

Hope all is well.
Sending some .
Later.

 

[babytrees]

Well, the DDA pixie dust works again!!! I just got off the phone with my dad, and mom is in the clear. She'll have to be tested every 3 months for a couple of years, but right now, it looks like she beat the cancer battle.

It looks like I'll get to have my mom around for a while, yet. Hooray!

Cherish your parents while you have them. Life is so fleeting!

Anyway, pixie dust to Theresa still waiting on news from her mom! Thanks again, everyone!

YEAH!!! Glynis!!! So glad to hear it!!