how about drinking?

goldie0827

I continue to cry myself to sleep on so many nights. The doctor that she was assigned to at the home, denied signing her up for hospice. Says she doesn't need it. She called me last night, again sobbing and asking me, don't you kids want me any more? I'm so scared and so frightened. I'm down at the end of the hall, all by myself, it's hot, they have a holy gown on me".

I got her calmed down, then my brother called her and she was fine. But he told her to quit calling me crying all the time. We may head down to Phoenix this weekend to get away. Not sure if we'll be able to make it to Moab either. If we do, we will just put the quad in the back of the pick up and hotel it.

ChiSandy

Lori, I am so sorry for what your mom is going through. Is her doctor in a managed care plan that subtracts the cost of services or treatments from the doc’s “capitation bonus?” (Why Bob won’t join any HMOs or closed-panel PPOs).

Here’s a drink to calm your nerves--Franciacorta brut at lunch:

And weed is legal here:

ChiSandy

So much wine, so little time! At the farewell dinner & reception tonight at the Casa Valadier in the Borghese Gardens, prosecco, a Bellini, Chardonnay and Merlot from the Alto Adige region (plus a limoncello toast with dessert).

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes! Caught the gray gloomies from the weather yesterday, so Sadie and I cuddled up and watched Netflix all day. So, got to be productive today. But that's ok, the guy who plows the driveway stopped by and mentioned that his son does driveway work (mine needs work desperately) and to ask if I wanted an estimate. Of course I said yes. I don't really need a new big bill right now, but the driveway does need work and it may be that I need to do that this summer rather than a heat pump or on demand water heater. Anyway, I'll see what the estimate is and go from there. Never ends when you own a house! So far Sadie hasn't wanted to roll around in the mud in the yard, I think it's too cold out for her to enjoy it. While I don't mind not having the mud in the house to clean up, I don't want her missing out on her fun, either.

Goldie--oh my goodness, what a wrinkle, and what a PITA doctor! Is it time for you to start calling that doctor and asking about pain control, quality of life, getting her out of that room, etc on a daily basis? You have the right to know what is being planned and what is being done, and the doc has a responsibility to respond to you. Ask that doc if he can guarantee your Mom will still be alive in 6 months. If he cannot guarantee that, he can't deny her access to her hospice benefit. Ask him flat out how much more money he and/or the nursing home is getting with you Mom not being on Hospice. And call the Hospice agency and ask for their help, too. Your Mom may need to change doctors--don't let the nursing home tell you she MUST have the assigned doc, that is not true, she still can choose her doc--maybe back to her previous primary doctor.Also, have your brother go to the nursing home and look for the contact information for the Ombudsman--it has to be posted in the facility where residents can easily see the info, he won't even have to ask for it. They work with facility residents to insure their rights are observed and services aren't denied inappropriately. I am so sorry your family is going through all this.

Chi--what a pretty glass of wine! That would make my lunch, that's for sure. Legal pot? Sounds like fun. I'm still too chicken to try it even though it's legal here in Maine, cuz I can be randomly blood tested at work and I hear the evidence of marijuana use hangs around a long time. Anyway, I 've waited this long to try it, I can wait until I'm fully retired to try it. That's quite a wine list for the farewell dinner! And it seems like you just got there!

NM's DOTD:

illimae

Goldie, I’m sorry for your moms situation and for what she is doing to you specifically, she can lay that guilt trip at someone else’s door. (Apologies if I’ve misunderstood 😬). Please enjoy your getaway, you deserve it!

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Saturday! Mom got back home safely, and we're going to a bean suppah later tonight. I think Sadie and I will drive over and visit with them for a while before, since the suppah is out their way. I also need to run some errands today so that way Sadie will get a really nice ride. The sun is coming out, hopefully the yard will start drying out a bit now. I checked the pots on the deck the other day, the chives are coming up! I did not expect them to survive. Curious now to see if anything else survives.

Sadie has been super busy the last few days, the neighbors are out working on their lawn and he's working on getting his mowers and trimmers up and running. His little boy is just big enough to toddle around outside with him and is such a cutie to watch. Sadie would just love to go over there and chase around that little guy. Closest she gets is barking at them from the yard. She prances around and barks and shakes her toys and generally goes nuts when the little guy is out playing.

Morning, Illi!

NM's DOTD:

Mozz Stick Bloody Mary Shooters

Never drink on an empty stomach again.

Ingredients

For Bloody Mary

2 c. tomato juice

8 oz. vodka

2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp. horseradish

2 tsp. hot sauce (such as Tabasco)

Juice of 1/2 a lemon, plus wedges for rimming

Freshly ground black pepper

1 box mozzarella sticks

For rim

1/4 c. Kosher salt

1 tbsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 box mozzarella sticks

Directions

1. Bake breaded mozzarella sticks according to package instructions.
2. In a large pitcher, combine tomato juice, vodka, Worcestershire, horseradish, hot sauce, lemon juice, and pepper. Place in refrigerator to chill.
3. Rim glasses: stir together salt and pepper on a small shallow plate. Wet rims of each glass with a wedge of lemon, then dip in salt and pepper.
4. Fill glasses with Bloody Mary mixture and top each with a mozzarella stick.

goldie0827

Thank you everyone for your concerns. I do think we have the doctor changed, this happened yesterday. So probably nothing now until next week. She is out of isolation. But I won't be happy until she is actually placed.

NM, glad mom made it home safely and enjoyed her time away. Maybe that mud will dry up before Sadie gets in it? Enjoy the suppah. Hmmmm, a cocktail with mozzarella sticks? I have chives in my garden, can't hardly kill them and they come up everywhere!.

Meeting some friends for lunch, need to get a baby gift for a friend.

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Sunday Funday! Got an e-mail from Clinical Manager #4 this ayem, she's not sure there will be any work for me this week. So I will be e-mailing my office Director and letting him know I'm applying for a per diem position in the other office ,and e-mailing the recruiter, who has called twice now cuz the other office wants to share me. And I got a contact through LinkedIn about a Director of Nursing Services at a local assisted living facility that I think I will look into, just out of curiosity.

Sadie and I had a lovely visit with Mom and Dick yesterday, except for the moment when Dick took his handgun out to try to shoot a squirrel. He know gun safety very well, but his gait is so unsteady that watching him carrying the pistol was scary. And he has glaucoma in one eye and has been complaining about the vision declining in that eye, which makes me worry about his aim. At least if he's shooting at the squirrels he can be shooting towards the lake and doesn't have to worry about hitting something behind the critter when he misses.

Goldie--out of isolation is one step forward for your Mom. Changing the doc should help, too. I know it's hard to wait through these processes. I am still praying for you and your Mom. I've grown chive for years and NEVER had it come back until now, and that in a pot on the deck! It does look like the mud may dry up before Sadie gets a total roll around in it, but all it will take is one little rain storm to change that. And as long as she does it when I have time get her cleaned up afterwards!

Oh, look the Tenders have set out the Sunday Brunch!

NM's DOTD:

Abbey Cocktail

What You'll Need

• 2 ounces
• gin
• 1 1/2 ounces
• orange juice
• 2 dashes
• orange bitters
• Garnish:
• maraschino cherry

How to Make It

1. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with the cherry.

camillegal

Mornin' Ladies,

Again I've missed so much. I don't know how to manage my time to get here. I've tried a few times then my phone goes goofy and I loose all train of thought and think I'll be back later and then I'm so tired my eyes hurt and I miss everyone so much and everything that's going on.

Oh Lori I hurt for you, u can't stop what's going on with ur mom but I'm sure talking to her gets u right in the heart. Ur always so caring and giving and have so much going on with u and then to be left in a crazy position. Ur poor mom just feels depressed cuz of what she's going thru and just says things anyway, Talking to Kim was a great decision for you too. Not just cuz she knows the system but she cares so much about u, I'm happy u did that. I think u can't really change what's put upon us, u can just change ur thinking about it. And u should never feel guilty, it just stresses u when u shouldn't be. And I thought of Hsant too and she was unbelievable staying away from her home for so long, but that doesn't mean u can do that <well not many of us could> U still have to get care and ur DH needs u now too. Ur one that has been amazing from the first time I met u, U haven't changed but circumstances around u have, and I certainly can't tell u how to feel, but I just pray u realize ur limits and accept them.

Kim I'm so glad u talked to Lori she really needs ur advice and care and ur one to give that so well. Ur storry about the squirrel scared the chit our of me...Jeez just what u need. Ur mom must be home now and Dick will certainly be happier than being alone. An d loooove ur Sadie stories, each one cracks me up, she's more human than a lot of people. So this week ur kind of on ur own as far as work goes, but knowing u u'll still be busy working.

OK here I go with my geography disability---Janky is Alberta in Canada??? So that's why u get so much snow, but even in the summer too.I hope ur doing better and getting things on the move.

Sandy ur pics are great and when I look at them I think OMG this is coming from so far away, things like that still amaze me. But u sound like ur having a great time and ur going to need a good rest when u come home, I'm sure u know that.

Jazzy the flowers are bootiful like crazy, I never liked gardening but when I look at what it produces I wish I had a liking for it.

Lori I saw what happened with ur wind there---Holy chit I never knew there was such winds there, had to be scary. The weather here has been crazy too, snow one morning, then melts kind of nice then snow again, this is crazy April this year.

I know I'm missing so many of u gals, and I am sorry. I don't mean to.

Leslie is doing OK, she comes home and basically goes right to bed and stays there for a few hrs. But she's tired right now---she's 1/2 thru rads and her hair has that first kinda fuzzy look so what did she do??? It really came in so much gray so she died it mauve, yes pinky color--- remember when I wanted to get purple and my kids said I was crazy, yea well now she's pink---bitch. LOL But her mood is better at least. So that's good around here.

Oh Lori I forgot to tell u, years ago when my sister and I looked up our last name and what it means, it did say "Rooster or Cock of the group" maybe that's why that word fascinates me so. hahaha. I remembered it cuz Joey and I were talking about all the family names last night, he gets so interest in that stuff---so I told him and of course a 13 yr. old would fall on the floor LOLing--but it's true so I figured I can tell him. Oh chit we talk about everything anyway so....

My phone has been ringing now even tho he finally put up we're closed on Sunday, only meaning to me is I have more calls to return starting in the morning. And the worst part is I'm still having trouble learning this phone. I did just learn this week how to hang up from a call. As nice as Dan is he did say this week he couldn't figure out how I could not hang up...I told him move in my brain for 2 mins. and u can see why I'm so inept at the simplest things and he was warned a long time ago anyway. I don't think he believed me then, but he knows now. So it's his problem

LUBS U ALL and always miss u.

janky

camillegal - Good to have you 'back', fuzzy brain is such a tedious thing! Alberta is in western Canada, where I live is a four hour drive to get to Montana, so that part of the globe. And weird though it is we do get so cold that it snows 11 months in a year - if I go camping (not much at all) I bring a winter jacket at all times! I was able to start my 3rd cycle of Ibrance Friday after 2 weeks off and I go for contrast ct and bone scans Wednesday, so I am truly hoping to hear that there is no progression, though it may be too early to tell?!

Cheers everyone, stay healthy, happy and full of good humor!! xoxoxoxox

Jazzygirl

Hi friends- happy funday Sunday. Busy today but will be back later. Some fun music for you for now with my friend, Ellis Hall, formerly of Tower of Power.

ChiSandy

Cami, when you mentioned the origin of your surname, I immediately thought of the rooster-symbol neck labels on those straw-covered "fiasco" bottles of Chianti. Along Via del Corso in Rome (about a mile s. of my hotel) was a bar called "Gallo Nero," or "black rooster." So I gather "gallo" must be part of your surname.

I used to be proud of my ability to bounce right back from jet lag after a trip. But not only must I admit that it's much tougher after traveiling westward (and having tried to cram as many experiences as possible after less than a week), I'm also not as young as I used to be--though I'm still comparatively healthy, just out of shape. The conventional wisdom of one day of adjustment per time zone crossed--at which I always scoffed--is beginning to get truer as I get older. I did get a lot of rest since coming home late Fri. night (had been up 27 hrs. straight!), and may finally trust myself behind the wheel again for a couple of errands today.

I am gonna teetotal as much as I can this week, both to give my liver a rest and cut some calories. Had a near-sleepless night (hotter than blazes, no A/C) followed by a tough morning at the Rome airport: my flight was delayed and I had to run a gauntlet of TSA, exit-passport control, several wild goose chases, long walks, tram ride, just to find the right Alitalia lounge. Had a nice breakfast, cappuccino and a flute of Ferrari brut. (It made the Delta lounge at O'Hare look like a Waffle House by comparison).

On the plane, in Magnifica Class (to which I'd been upgraded), had prosecco, an Aperol spritz, more brut, Calabrese wine pairings for my food, and espressos served in bone-china demitasse & saucer. On the crappy little flying-soda-straw Delta regional jet from JFK-ORD, half a paper cup of Starbuck's (I needed the caffeine, so I didn't start my boycott yet). It was my first American coffee in nearly a week!

Had nothing at home but water & seltzer Fri. night, and seltzer, cappuccino & coffee yesterday.

Jaybird627

Hey Lori,

I 'found' my old self on this site. Unfortunately, I think, but this is the place I need to be.

This thread seems the 'safest' place for me right now as I, too, cry for the shit sandwich that life makes us eat.

I'm SO sorry for all that you are dealing with.....

I'm out of scotch, so tonight it's either red wine or vodka - haven't decided which yet. :-/

Janis

Jazzygirl

Good evening friends- I hope you have had a nice weekend. It is very spring like here still, with periodic blasts of cooler air. But as of this weekend, we are now officially past the greatest risk of frost. It can still go down in to the upper 30s at night, but I cover my plants on the patio when that happens. Today I went and bought a couple new items to re-landscape my front rock garden to put in a few more native plants that will do better with the hotter weather and lack of rain we have. It's all about cactus and succulents and other low water plants out front this year. I will share pics when the rock garden has had it's spring face lift. The drip system got a small repair and new stations this week so we are ready to go!

Chi- your trip sounded really great, food and drink too. I don't do well at all with jet lag, my last trip to Italy in 2009 was a nightmare returning (3 flights, multiple delays), etc. and it took FOREVER to feel better from that. I agree that going west is harder, experienced that both coming back from the EU as well as going to Hawaii in the past. I hope you settle in this week and get back to your eating routines. Lots of hydration after travel is such a plus too! Welcome home!

NM- I like the visuals of Miss Sadie wanting to play with the little boy next door. Good to hear the other hospice office can use your help. Maybe it is not hospice per se, but that office that you need to get away from? I also think it is worth checking out some other opps in the area. There could be something better out there for you sister. You go girl.

Goldie- I hope your camping trip went well. My heart goes out to you about the struggles with your mom. I know she is struggling and it is hard for those calls you get. You are trying to get her the best care for this time in her life and keep that in mind. No one can fix the aging process and all that goes with it. I hope she is stabilized and that the palliative care folks can make her comfortable.

Jaybird- welcome to our thread. Life is difficult, no doubt about it. What kind of red wine do you like?

Janky- you live in cold country, sister. I have friends who live in the northern tier (MT and Wyoming) and they often say that July is usually the only month where they don't get any snow. We are high desert here and have seen it snow here at late as Memorial Day. I always have my winter coat and fleece handy year round too.

Cami- I am glad to hear Leslie is 1/2 way through rads. It is exhausting for sure, glad she is able to come home and sleep. Well, mauve hair is totally in and hopefully it makes her a bit happy. Good to hear her moods are better. Treatment is no fun. I hope you get the phone figured out and have a quieter week sister!

Hi to everyone else here including Ill, the Karens, Mistyeyes, Dara, and more. I think about Hsant too and hope she is doing okay as well.

Have a good week sisters!

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Monkey Day! Temps got up near 60 yesterday, supposed to get into the 60's today, so looking forward to the warmth! Sadie has been in and out all weekend, she's liking the warmer weather, too.

Cammy--it was so sweet of Lori to call me the other day. I enjoyed the conversation, and wish I could do more to make things easier for her and her Mom. I did get an e-mail that there is work for me all 3 days this week after all. Funny how that e-mail came a while after I sent an e-mail to the director that I am applying for the per diem position in the other office as a backup. It will be what it will be and it will all work out eventually.I did get an e-mail from a recruiter asking me to look at a Director of Health Services position at a local assisted living center. I am going to give it a look, it seem interesting on the surface. Can't hurt to look, right? Leslie colored her hair mauve?? I bet that looks sweet on her! I so remember the radiation "fatigue", it was "fatigue" the way the burning was a "sunburn".Remind her to keep eating, especially proteins, and it will get better, eventually.

Janky--praying for good scan resultsfor you!

Hey, Jazzy!!

Chi-It's is amazing how many things take longer as we get older, isn't it? At least as we age we can get smarter about the whole thing and plan recovery time into our travels. At least I do that now. My cousin and her husband still favor the "red-eye" flights, and volunteer to get bumped whenever possible to get free flight credits. She can, literally, get off work, get on a plane, fly overnight to a race site, get off the plane, book into a motel, go run a half marathon, go back to the motel, shower and change, go to the airport, fly home, get off the plane and go to work. Any part of that scenario would put me down for days! More power to her, though. It sounds like non-American based airlines have more comfortable accommodations, and certainly better amenities. I love hearing about your travels.

Jaybird!! Welcome!!I'm thinking a shot of vodka, a couple ounces of fruit juice,a couple ice cubes, fill the glass with red wine and have a sort of sangria! Sounds like life has handed you some challenges, if you need/want to vent/share we're here.

Jazzy--Ah, gardening and yard work! I can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel here, will be able to get into the yards very soon now. It is the specific Office that is the problem, not Hospice itself. I am thinking that the other office, much smaller than my current one (average census of 60 compared to current office's 140) may be a better fit, but it's an hour commute. On the other hand, it's an hour to an hour and a half from the current office to the patient locations. I did get an e-mail from a recruiter and will be looking at a Director of Health Services position at a local retirement community/assisted living facility that is well regarded in the area. Not something I would have thought about looking for, but I figure it's worth checking out.

NM's DOTD:

Deep Cleanse

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Hendrick's Gin

2 oz Aloe Vera Juice

.5 oz simple syrup

3 slices cucumber

Squeeze of fresh lime

Muddle cucumber and simple syrup. Add other ingredients and shake well. Strain and serve up in a cocktail glass. Garnish with a cucumber slice.

goldie0827

NM, no hospice work this week and applying for another postition in the other office, are these good things? Good luck on the director of nursing, iffin you really want it. I'm afraid of how much time it will require of you. Shooting towards the lake would not be good if there were somebody out there, and he can't see them due to the glaucoma. Ha ha, so you got some work this week after all. They sure taunt you, first over load, then we have nothing, and now they do! Wow, your cousin is super woman!

Cami, don't you worry your pretty lil head about not getting here as often as you would like. You have alot going on in your own life. Just so long as you at least keep coming back. It doesn't have to be every day. You are so kind to me. I'm doing way better. But yes, I have myself and my DH to take care of as well. I'm glad to hear Leslie is resting after her rads, that is soooo important. You should have her make your hair pink, so you can match! Funny about your story to Joey on the family names. Maybe you should be my "Scarecrow" buddy. You know, that is what my DH calls me, and when I forget something, or repeat, he asks me if I need more straw. So we could share our straw or switch it out when needed?

Janky, my next treatment, when Xeloda fails me, will be Ibrance. I'm really afraid of it and the SE's that the gals are reporting! So please keep me updated on how you are doing with it. Are you stage IV?

Welcome home Sandy, 27 hours with no sleep? I couldn't do it. Glad you found the Alitalia lounge, to get a little food and imbibe a tad.

Jaybird, welcome back girl. I hear ya on the "shit sandwich". Hopefully you will stick around.

Goils, Jaybird is one of the originals from this thread. I'll let her 'splain what is goind on.

Jazzy, no camping this time around. We just went down to Phoenix for the weekend. Saw my step daughter and her hubs, also another friend who just had a baby, so I got to spend time with her, only 5 days old and soooooo precious. Saw a few other friends, went to Sam's club, and then stopped at a nursery on the way home. Your rock garden and new buy are looking awesome.

Going with DH today, I know he has urologist appt, to see what to do about his kidney. Not sure if he has PT or chiro. Also hoping for good things to happen with my mom, if not today, then this week!

MemaSue56

Morning DahhhhhLinKs,

OMG....it's been more than a month since I posted....my bad!!!

Haven't read much either. Please forgibs mese!!

Going for 4th chemo tomorrow...not going to wear my wig cuz it's too hot, I'll jes put a bb cap on. Hoping to find out when my PET scan will be to check whether the tumors have shrunk any.

Starting smoking again...dh not at all happy with me, but I am very stubborn often. When the docs give me a better idea on time frame for surgery, I will quit at least 30 days prior. Maybe I'm way off, but I'd think 30 days is plenty time to clear my lungs.

DH and I have been busy doing spring cleaning. Biggest chore was the garage. OMG, but it is done now and we are happy. Enuf about me. Ooops...about the wig, the is perfect, will post a pic soon.

Lowee and Cami - been saying Xtra prayers for youse and yours. Try to hang in there, which I kno you will.

Sending prayers and lots of love to everyone else.

LUBSLUBSLUBS!!

janky

Goldie0827 - I just started cycle 3, so far so good though my neutrophils and all that other stuff 'tank'. I feel fine apart from fatigue. Wednesday will tell me the tale, as I go for contrast CT & Bone scans and will speak to RO that same day. Hopefully Xeloda works for a long time yet!

Cheers everyone!

Yes I am stage IV - 1 year past my orginal meeting with my MO, I was back to be given the lousy news

Jaybird627

Hey Gals ~

Stocked up on scotch! I love me my red wine (French and Spanish) but scotch seems to be the drink of this 'season' I am in.

Mom is flying in tomorrow night, will stay with me to "take care of me" until she gets on my nerves, then it's back to Phoenix for her. lol.

My daughter is acting better tonight. Gonna have a more serious talk with her about the lopping off of the boobs and how I'm a gonna be alright - eventually. Haven't had the chemo talk yet. She's a very young/naïve 11.

I want her to hang out with my mom day of surgery. It will be about 5 hours, my 2 surgeons work in tandem. Too much? Order her a kiddie cocktail? There IS a Starbucks in the hospital, and she can play with my Nook, and go to lunch with Grandma..... Or school?

Welcome Janky. Sorry for your crappy news. Goldie may have some tips. Gawd knows I never thought I'd get a new primary - 13 years later. UGH!

I am SO fricking glad that Spring has finally arrived in Chicagoland. Thank you Jeeezzzzuuuussss! (Atheist here.....)

J~

ChiSandy

Ah, another Chicagoan here, Jaybird! But since I'm just 4 blocks from the lake, the only "springlike" thing about today's weather was that it stayed above freezing. Rest of the city & 'burbs got up to 60, but in afternoon the wind came howling in off the lake and dropped us back into the 40s (which felt like 30s).

Woke up this morning to find I had a very, very, very flat tire. In the words of Star Trek's "Bones" McCoy, "it's dead, Jim." The roadside assistance guy (no way I'm gonna try to use a flimsy little jack on an Outback to change a tire myself) found a brass screw (!) embedded horizontally in the tread--so deeply that it was impossible to tell which end of the screw did the dirty deed. $500 later, I had a couple of new Goodyears and a full alignment, and I then treated myself to a long-postponed car wash. I no longer have schmutz on my black leather jacket from brushing against a dirty car. Speaking of which, I noticed in Rome that after a rain, all the cars look like ours do after a bout with road salt. Besides the fact that car washes don't exist there within the city, it turns out that the rain comes up from the south across the Mediterranean; and the rain & wind are mixed with desert dust from N. Africa.

Again, didn't feel like booze today. So had a Starbucks "blonde cappuccino" (which tasted like the normal cappuccino every other coffeehouse serves) as I killed time waiting for my tires to be done. And tonight, with Buffalo wings and yesterday's leftover quiche, seltzer with lime.

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Twofer Tuesday! The weather had finally definitively turned here, and Sadie and I are loving it! Still snow piles in some shady places, but at least any storms coming up will be rain and not sleet and snow. Boy did I have a typical Monday at work yesterday. Got a call about a problem early on, changed my route and went to see that patient. Got another call while there that a second patient was being sent to the hospital. Went to the hospital, no patient listed.Went to the nursing home, patient already left by ambulance. Went back to the hospital, patient now in the system. Got that crisis taken care of. Back to the first nursing home, finished with patient #1 (long story of its own), argued with the nurse about patient #3 needing pain medication. Drove an hour to see patient #4, met with family in person for the first time and had a lovely visit to end the day. I definitely enjoyed my glass of Zinfindel when I got home! Even better, it was warm enough to turn off the furnace and leave the kitchen door open so Sadie didn't have to be in the crate while I was working. She must have worked hard supervising the neighborhood, she was a tired pup last night!

Goldie--I am going to look long and hard at that position, particularly what kind of hours are expected and some other details. I'm looking at it mostly for the ego boost of having someone coming to me for a job rather than the reverse. It's a job seeker's market in this area right now, I may be able to leverage that to my benefit. I did find out that I don't even need to apply for the per diem position in the other office, I can be a "shared" employee, and my office director made that change yesterday. I think that will cut down on the taunting with the hours, which is a power play by Clinical Manager #4.

Mema!!!So good to hear from you! How's chemo going for you? Sounds like you are keeping really busy in between treatments.

Janky--Praying for good scan results for you.

Jaybird--Hard decision about your daughter. How do you think she will react to some of the stuff she could hear/see in the waiting room? How supportive and understanding is the staff at her school? Maybe ask her what she wants to do whenyou have the serious talk? So not fair to be doing this all over again after 13 years. Just not fair.

Chi--So Rome gets dusty rain? That must look odd after a rain. Tires are incredibly expensive, aren't they? Seltzer with lime sound good!

NM's DOTD:

goldie0827

LDB, so glad to see you pop in. Can't blame ya for smoking again. I guess as long as you quit before surgery, so you can heal. Otherwise….what's it gonna do? Give you cancer? (dat posta be a funny). How are you handling chemo?

Janky, good luck on your scans. I have been on Xeloda for 3 years.

Jaybird, will be thinking of you on Thursday and will sneak some scotch into your IV. Hopefully Avery will understand and perhaps get her hormones in check! Like that's gonna happen! And hopefully mom won't drive you nuts either.

Bummer on the tire Sandy. Guess it's good that it happened whilst parked, instead of whilst driving.

Wow NM, that was quite the day. Remember when that was how every day went!CM #4 can power play all she wants. You have her number and she won't be pulling any wool over your eyes.

Mom got her waivers signed to D/C OT and PT. Hopefully will get moved today. Got one quote back on her yard, the company want $3000.00! But that included removing the tree completely. I don't think so! DH's appt with urologist went well. He does not think there is blockage in his kidney and what is there, he thinks is some sort of common cycst, but will do CT scan to be certain.

Jaybird627

Gals ~

A quickie.

Got my hair cut (it was long, past shoulders, and looking like crap) in anticipation of chemo starting in a month? This time I'll get a buzz at a salon instead of doing it myself. I clogged my drain last time!

Fortified with scotch last night I explained to my daughter the mastectomy process, expanders, the not needing of breast glands/tissue, etc. I didn't want her wondering what was going to happen or getting bad/wrong information from someone else. She took it like a champ but I'm sure she was overwhelmed. Hey, I'm still overwhelmed and it's MY body!

Anyone know anything about Camp Kesem? A friend recommended it for Avery. Hmmmm.....

I'm trying to be 'normal' and not focus on this crappy situation, but maybe it would be good for her?

Mom's coming in, we're going out to dinner, maybe I can not drink tonight. Hahaha.

Gonna go get my Xanax today, Onco says whatever I need I can get. I like Xanax as it actually puts me to sleep. (insomniac here)

ChiSandy, it's good to meet you! I'm enjoying my suburban warmth. Hope the wind off the lake isn't too bad today!

Goldie, tree services are very expensive! Shop around for sure, but total tree removal may be costly. Tree trimming itself is costly!

Well, it's 1PM and I haven't even showered yet (errands galore) so I must, then finish my day.

Cheers!

ChiSandy

Jaybird, sending some virtual grappa--courtesy of the duty-free at FCO airport--your way tonight. The wind seems to have died down a bit here in Edgewater. Housekeeper & I are getting the containers ready for tomatoes & herbs (my chives are perennials, growing in the side beds, so I harvested a few for yesterday's French omelet). Not going to put the potted herbs out on the deck till Sat., as we're still getting overnight lows around 40 till then. Will also buy some tomato plants next week--some determinate (one crop, staggered by the month), some indeterminate (bearing till frost). Might pull some dandelion greens to steam & saute with the Athenian chicken I'm going to buy from Patio around the corner. (I have some Meyer lemons I need to use up too). Gonna consult with the new landscaper. Enough grass seems to be coming up on the back lawn that seeding may do the trick, rather than a complete re-sod.

Lori, just last month the same thing happened to my housekeeper on her way home. (Seems every street in Chicago is torn up at the same time, and all my neighbors are doing major outside projects like new garages, decks, etc.--nails & debris everywhere). Her tire was less than two months old, but irreparable. So I decided to buy the road-hazard protection plan. It's pro-rated, but it beats having to buy a new tire at full price. Meanwhile, I kept the old but undamaged one to put in the garage as a "bumper." Maybe I'll have it mounted on the donut-spare's rim and use it as a full-size spare, since it's in good enough condition to drive on at full speed and w/o distance restrictions. If it croaks, then I'll re-mount the "donut" on the rim, and use the full-sizer as a wall-bumper (or tire swing).

karen1956

Jaybird, my youngest daughter was 7 almost 8 when I was diagnosed and had my bilat. I wanted my two kids with me before the surgery. Once I was taken to the OR, my son who was turning 7 took his little sister to lunch and a movie (my oldest daughter was away at college and I told her not to come home as the semester had just started). My son and daughter came back to the hospital and to my room when I was out of recovery. I got a great book from the library to read with my daughter. It was "fiction" but also fact. It was a story of a mother who had bc explaining it to her young daughter. I thought the book was The year my mother had breast cancer, but I can't find the title when I google it, but found a book called When Mommy had a Mastectomy. I got the book from the library, but its been 12 years.

NM - Home hospice took care of my mother her last two weeks of life. They were amazing, angels disguised as people. Now when you post, I have a clear picture of what you do. Thank you for being there for families during this so difficult time.

NativeMainer

Good morning, Loungettes! Boy, what a beautiful day it was yesterday. Warm, sunny, so very spring like. Going to be warm again today, but not so sunny with some rain coming in this evening. Apparently we do need a bit of rain, the spring time wildfires have started. The dead brush dries out this time of year and people are starting to burn off winter fall off and yard clean up stuff, not necessarily a good combination, particularly when the wind picks up.

Sadie says Good Morning to everyone.

Goldie--Aha, your Mom was still, technically, getting PT and OT, and those aren't paid for by Hospice. Sounds like the nursing home was trying to get payment for rehab care for a while longer. You Mom has to be on long term care to be eligible for Hospice. Nursing homes do this all the time. I hope she got moved, and is getting attention to comfort and quality of life now. Good news for DH, no kidney blockage. Cysts are pretty easy to take care of, relatively speaking. $3k to remove a tree?Seriously? If what you want is the downed part of the tree removed, see if someone in the neighborhood burns wood for heat, tell them they can have the wood in payment for cutting it up and taking it off the lawn. That's what we do around here!

Jay--I'm sure you did a great job talking to your daughter. And I'm sure she will have questions. It sounds like you have a strong relationship so she will bring her questions to you, and that is great. The whole thing is overwhelming for everybody. I still have my stash of Xanax from my treatment days. Don't use it very often now, but like the security of having it available.

Chi--my potted chives are coming up, first time I've had chives live through a winter, and here you are with chives big enough to harvest some! I picked up a drill bit in a tire one time, pretty sure it happened at an apartment complex that was getting renovations where I was seeing a patient. I got lucky, it only cost $20 to fix it. Good idea to put the full size tire on the spare tire rim.

Karen--there are some good books out there that deal with talking to children about cancer. I think it was great that your son took his little sister to lunch and a movie when you had surgery. I'm glad hospice was able to help with your Mom.

NM's DOTD:

Jazzygirl

Because most days, humor is all there is to get us through......

janky

Hi All! I just got home from my contrast ct and bone scans and the RO says my met appears less active and no new spots visible -yayyy, so glad to hear that - thanks to everyone for your prayers, positivity and good wishes - I wish you all the same...CHEERS!!

ChiSandy

Congrats, janky!

Jazzygirl

Janky- that is really great news! Congrats friend!