anyone starting chemo in Nov 2005

Odalys

Anna - Is he eating a french fry on that last pic?  He looks lso "French" on that first pic.  I can tell you are one proud grandma!   

Deb - How are you feeling?

AnnaM

Actually, he is eating a weed. One of many, I'm afraid. My daughter has bought him some plastic gardening tools and he's out in the yard every day digging in her planters. I can't wait to take him to the beach!

We leave Virginia on the 20th of May and will have a month to get things ready for their visit. I'll have to go to Ikea in Brittany to get a pack n' play and a highchair. I'll also have to get a little foldable stroller and a carseat. Can't complain, I'm so lucky I can do this and have them for three whole weeks this summer!

Debbie, how are you doing? Any better?

Mary Lou, how are you and what are those grandchildren doing? Is Michael okay?

I've been through all my doctor visits. The only bummer was my bone density test, which showed a lot of changes in my spine. Dr. told me to be vigilant about the calcium and regular exercise. It's not yet osteoperosis, but getting there, I guess. I'll be happy to be in a place where the walking is so great. We got a little carrier to put the little dog in when she starts getting tired, kind of like the baby carrier my daughter wears. I'll look silly, but who cares?

Hope all my sisters are well.

Love, Anna

Anonymous

Hey ladies,

As of yesterday, I am officially beginning to feel better!!!!!! Pain is getting better and better! 

AnnaM

That is the best news I have had today!

Anonymous

Since I can't do those cool little pictures, imagine me putting up big giant hearts and smiley faces oozing with adoration. 

You know, my son just taught me something.  He's gone through a LOT in his 4 years of life, and he is a SURVIVOR, too!  As I was putting him in his room for "quiet time" (mommy code for "I hope he sleeps a bit, too"), his little cartoon-like voice trailed after me, "I love you Mommy!  Nightey-Night!" 

There are days, even periods of time when we wonder what the hell we are fighting for as we continue this fight for our life.  When my baby says those magical words, or my hubby says, "What would I do without you?", I understand. 

Their love-their unconditional and unending love for me is worth having 300 different cancers.  Even when I have pain and mutter under my breath, "I give up...", Daniel looks at me and says, "Don't ever give up, Mommy!  I'm here, it's okay!" 

Just thinking of those moments gets me weepy. 

Everyone is sad and worried for me (and yes, of course I feel that way, too), but the fact that so many people care and love so much gives me strength.  I can DO this.  For my family and for my friends, and for any other woman who has to go through it after us. 

AnnaM

The love you get from your little son and your husband are surely proof of the love you inspire, Debbie. Thank you for sharing their words with us. How wonderful to get to have these warm feelings for people who are theoretically so far away.

Margerie

Deb~ do you have gall stones??  I had mine flare up with chemo- ouchie mamma!  Anyway, wanted to mention that when I had my ovaries removed, they took out the gall bladder too (two different surgeons) and then I only had one recovery instead of two

Hope everyone is doing well.  I have been out of town with no ointernet all week!!  Need to catch up!

Mary-Lou

Deb, glad you are feeling better.

Anna,  the baby pictures are so cute.

Ody, have you had any luck with job hunting?

Marg, how much more time till school is out?

As for Michael and I everything is going as well as it can. Wish

he could find a job....

I have been busy with the shower for my step daughter. And Hayden 's birthday party is on Sat. She will be a year on Tuesday. Hard to believe a year has gone by..

Mary-Lou

Deb this is a heart cookie and smiley face for you.

AnnaM

Odalys

MaryLou - I sent you an email.

Anna - We were posting at the same time.  Love the pic.

Odalys

Not sure if you guys saw this  http://www.ourlittlesweetpea.com/.

So sad.  Ten year old girls should not have to worry about bc or mastectomy.  God I hate this disease!

Anonymous

Ody, I'm glad you posted a link.  I've been so.....I don't even know a word for it.....stunned about a teensy 10 year old going through what we have gone through.  It just has broken my heart, but she seems to be a gutsy kid. 

Still waiting for genetic test results.....nothing else new here (oh, other than a battle between a prejudiced teacher vs. a child psychologist).  Okay, that story in short form is that he tested at a private school, she said "he's going to score very low," and recommended Daniel stay in pre-k again! 

Screw you, lady.  (sorry)

Daniel went to a major guru child psych. at U of C and scored in the 96th percentile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I can't wait to present the results to her and the principal.  When they look all sheepish, that is when Greg and I will say, "Give us our deposit back, we are going elsewhere,"

HA!

AnnaM

Sorry you are going through these difficulties with stubborn people, Debbie. Daniel is so lucky he has such strong parents.

I too find Hannah's diagnosis hard to imagine. Thank you for posting the link, Ody. What a warm feeling I get from reading about the outpouring of love for that little girl! That is very uplifting.

Well, we are getting ready for our departure on the 20th. Back to France, only this time I will be getting two guest rooms ready for that little treasure and his parents, who will be visiting end of June through mid-July. I'm so excited!

Happy Mothers' Day to my dear sisters!

Love and hugs, Anna

Odalys

Happy Mothers Day dear sisters!  God bless each and everyone of you!

Anonymous

Happy Mother's Day, dearest sisters!  I thank the Lord for each of you! 

Mary-Lou

Hugs to you all........

AnnaM

and hugs to you, too.

Getting down to the wire....we leave in 4 days....

Anonymous

Have a fantastic time, and try to peek in here every now and then, okay?  We love you!  Deb

Mary-Lou

Anna, have a wonderful time and know that we are thinking of you .

Deb, I love your signature!

Ody, hope all is well with you and yours.

Marg, I think of you when my grand children are here. I need a vacation.

Missing our Lat and Nancy..... Do check in...

AnnaM

Here we are in Brittany! Gorgeous weather. Beautiful ocean. Food. Walks. Little dog is such a traveling trooper; she even woke up at her regular time this morning, somehow she adjusts to the time change right away. I don't, not quite.

The best thing is not being in those compression sleeves and gauntlets any longer. Wearing them for 15 hours (7-hour flight to Paris, wait for connection and one-hour flight to Brittany plus two hours on either side) makes me feel such empathy with our sisters who have LE. They do this every day and night and some of them do so much more than just compression garments with wrapping, pumping, etc. 

Anyway, lots of love to my sisters. Now I'll start to think about getting things ready for that little grandson of mine who is coming in just four weeks. I'm so excited!

Odalys

Anna - Have a grand time!

Mary-Lou

Have a great time Anna, my grandson spent the night last night and his mom and dad just picked him up. I'm so tired, we have been full of play all day. He helped me spray the deck and took up with a little kitten that has been born in our wood shed. It is pure white with blue eyes, and it loves children. Just as calm as he pulls it to and from. Anyone want a KITTEN ? I will ship...lol

AnnaM

Wish I could have a kitten, but hubs is afraid of cats. That's why I have become a dog person. I used to be afraid of dogs. Look who learned to change..... Anyway, who could be afraid of this little cutie who is sitting at my feet, begging for ANOTHER treat?

Happy Sunday to all my sisters. I hope you have a beautiful day.

Love, Anna 

Margerie

Have fun Anna!!

I cleaned out the kids rooms.... I am just saying no to legos!!  What a workout.

Odalys

Is anyone attending pinkstock this year?  I know Anna can't make it but was wondering about everyone else?

Mary-Lou

Good morning sisters. Sorry I have been missing in action lately. I moved the computer and the cable line is weak. So it is in and out. The tech will be here today to fix the problem. Just hope I can make it through this post.

We have a new grandson! Jayden Michael!!!!!!!!!! He has a lot of hair and was just 5lbs 6 ounces.

I will try to post a picture, if there is none below I lost my connection. Love to you all.

When is pink stock? I really would love to go.

Mary-Lou

Lucky, I still have a connection....

Here he is as mom and dad meet  him for the first time....

And the proud Gram and Paw Paw

AnnaM

What a beautyboy! Congratulations, Mary Lou! You look so proud (and beautiful yourself, btw) and so does Michael. Our little lovebug was born just a year ago this coming Friday. He and his mom are coming in two weeks, with dad following a week later. I've been getting things ready, carseat, highchair, stroller, etc. and it's been fun. We've been having gorgeous weather and I hope it continues for their visit. I've been doing lots and lots of walking and feel so much stronger than I did last year. The new hip seems to have settled in. Now if I could only get rid of these allergies! Sneezing and itching galore. I guess the pretty roses in our garden aren't helping any....

Love to you all!

Anonymous

Anna and ML-you guys are such good Grandmothers.  I can hear the pride in your words, and see the pride in your faces!  Baby is beautiful, ML!  Anna, your lovebug is simply precious, too!

Marg-I cracked up at the Lego comment.  We have this "rule" about "NO OUCHIE TOYS ON THE FLOOR" because I am somehow programmed to step on any toy left out, even if I know it is there.  We also have permanently moved the Legos to the basement "playland" because I got tired of finding Legos in the couches, in the pantry, on the tv, ect. 

Ody, when is Pinkstock, exactly?  After all the mess in our lives, I told Greg I wanted to take advantage of traveling and do every single thing I put off and say, "Maybe another time." 

Nope-I'm not waiting anymore!  I'm just a little worried about the "camp" atmosphere, I have NEVER camped!!!! 

I made a teacher cry yesterday.  I posted on Facebook that it was not a proud moment for me (especially since I used to BE a teacher), but they were being just plain awful about Daniel, and labeling him like crazy.  I spoke up, was a strong advocate for my son, was not at all insulting, harsh, or rude, but I think the discomfort of calling attention to the things this teacher said about Daniel to the Principal really made her uncomfortable. 

I have to get a thicker skin, because being his advocate has only just begun!!!!!  I don't like people over-diagnosing Daniel and surmising that he can't do stuff because his left arm and leg are different.  GRRR! 

I miss you guys, and would love if we could somehow get together some weekend.  My best friend's mother is happy to offer a wonderful rate at her amazing bed and breakfast in Oregon (wait, I think that is where it is!  I've never been there, only have seen pictures!!). 

Love to you all!  Deb