Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

skyedivine

PS Oh yes, Tina I just had to add that 5th grade plays have come a long way...breakdancing to hip hop? Too cool. My fifth grade play was called "The Bad Witch," written and directed by yours truly. (I was the princess and cast my worst enemy as the witch) They let me do that every year to keep me occupied. And my boys' plays tended to be things like Pilgrim reenactments or The Nutcracker. Paul's sounds much more entertaining. - skye

mer1957

Skye, it figures that you were the lead in your 5th grade play.  You are so creative.  I can't wait to meet you in person.

Poor Mel, I really feel for you.  I hope you are better soon.

Monday is my mammogram...I seem to be blocking it out of my memory...I hope I don't forget to go. 

My son got to Chicago on the plane with very little problems with his cat!  No sedatives.  Let's hope the return trip in a month goes as well. 

Lynn, have fun at the wedding.

Nothing much going on here.  I need to recuperate from my tough work week.  Hugs.

Rebecca

good Saturday ladies...just checking in.

Viddie, I too was howling at all those duplicated messages!  YIKERS!  Glad to hear that Mel is doing ok.  Frightening about the swelling, but I am glad to hear that they have it under control and she is in a regular room. 

Mary I can totally understand why you would block on your mammogram...such bad associations.....the good news is that it only takes half the time now....

Skye that is scary about the tornado!   Tina, have fun with your company this weekend...or do I remember that they wound up canceling on you, in which case I hope you grab Jan and make sure you take pictures!

Jan I hope you are having a good trip, and a great time at your walk.

So we dealt definitively with our car issues today.  Our Saturn seems to be running ok now that they did all that work to it, and I will be taking it back for re-inspection next week and see if it passes.  I wound up talking to someone about our "service experience" and I let them know (firmly but politely) how I really felt about my car....that it is a lemon and I hate it.  Well, this started a whole cascade of events culminating in the sales manager personally taking an interest in our case and trying to get us out of THAT car and into another, presumably better, car.  In the end, we wound up keeping our VUE despite it's lemony flavor because we still owe a significant amount of money on it, BUT we decided that if we made it a secondary car we would be less likely to have problems with it, AND we could take the opportunity to get a smaller, more gas effeicient vehicle for me to run my little household taxi business with and save us some $$$ at the gas pump.  we wound up getting a sweet deal on a 2007 ION that is all but brand new and fits us all very comfortably indeed.  The VUE is a bit of a gas guzzler (17 miles to gallon around town) so we are going to save it for when we travel or need to haul stuff (it is a six cylinder).  This all has the added benefit of replacing our previous secondary car, which was a 1990 Volvo, which we are now going to sell (proceeds to help pay for the down payment on the Ion)  In the end, I hate adding another monthly payment to our budget, but I think it will be worth it in fuel savings.

Oh Caya and Skye I am glad that you are happy with your hair color!  I went for a haircut yesterday and I got the official word of my hairdresser that the hair on the top of my head is definately thin, and I would be ill-advised to try and grow it long.  I also think I have lost the chemo curl, and I am back  to my previous level of waviness.  Thin or not, it does look good, though!  I had it done short so I do not have to fuss with it.

Other than that, we are grilling some burgers and hanging out this evening.  I have been more than a little wiped out by all that has been going on with my physcially, and I am trying to nap when I need it to help my body be as strong as it can be for the coming procedure. 

Love and hugs to all! 

TPPJ

Oh, Viddie, LMAO about the Adam Sandler story.  They must have cracked up at how oblivious you were to their "celebrity".  Truth is, I'd be iffy I ran into Adam Sandler too.  Not sure I'd recognize him right off the bat.  He married a girl from Coral Springs, FL...a non Jew....Italian girl who converted.  I think they just announced they are expecting their second child.  I think her name is Jaclyn.  Only remember that because of my Jaclyn.  Have to say, the Zohan commercials look a riot, but I heard it wasn't so good. 

Thanks SO much for the Mel update.  I'm so sorry things aren't going more smoothly.  From what I read, it sounds like they are concerned about the transplant "taking", which means very hot hospital room.  That was my worst part of it all.  Hang in Mel.!  Honestly, when you get out, give yourself 2-3 weeks and you will feel SOOOO much better.  We will walk slowly w/you in Vegas...we'll have known your pain. 

OK, Viddie, how can Kelly Tuthill have "moved on" when I'm a year before her in dx and I haven't moved on?  Huh?  Huh?  She must have just moved on for the camera's sake.  Anyway, glad to hear she's doing well.  Can't believe she's getting her hair back already.  So nice that she wrote you back.  Our local BC "celeb" in OH, Stefanie Spielman, was great like that too...always quick to respond to a newbie.  And she's just such an inspiration too.

Skye, so very glad you are back in business w/your PC.  I'm bringing my new Canon digital camera to Vegas.  I have NO idea how to use it.  Maybe if I bring it poolside someone will have a clue.  I want to get lots of pics.  I can't wait...  this trip has so picked up my spirits.  I told you that I stopped Effexor a week ago and I honestly feel so much better.  I think it was making me tired.  That, and the other 7 pills I've been taking per day.  Side note:  my backache is pretty steady and I'm thinking it's 3 things...the near ten pound weight gain, moving and perhaps, stiffness from the Tamoxifun.  Didn't some of you say it made you kind of stiff?

Oh, also, on Effexor...I googled Effexor withdrawals and several articles spoke about the "shudders".  I coudln't put it into words at the time, but I had those when I began Effexor, not went off it.  I'd get this shuddering feeling, and I'd have to yawn on purpose to kind of shake it off...  strange.  OK, enuf late night rambling.  DH, kids and I went to On The Border tonight.  Delicious, as usual.  Jan, I hope you survived the 103 heat index here today in DC.

Caya

Hi gals,

Just a quick check in - Allan, Amanda and I are going to London Ontario tomorrow for her university convocation which is Monday morning.  When I first got diagnosed, I honestly did not know if I would live to see this day... and now it's here, my first born graduating with her B.A.

Viddie - loved the Adam Sandler story.  Something like that happened to me once.  When I first got out of college I worked at Cartier Jewellers as the P.R. assistant for Canada.  So one night we had this big gala and I was waiting at the Four Seasons Hotel (very swank) in downtown Toronto for a cab, and this tall blonde man, also waiting for a cab, and I start talking.  He looked vaguely familiar, but I was so tired after the evening, and I just could not place him.  So my cab came, he opened the door for me and said, "It was nice talking to you." As I stepped into the cab it dawned on me who it was - Donald Sutherland.  So I opened the window, and said, OMG, you're Donald Sutherland.  He gave me a big smile and waved.

Tina, I am so psyched up for the trip too.  I am inept with technology, I doubt I will be able to help you much with the camera.  I bought the cutest dark black denim skirt that will be great for Vegas, you can wear it casual or dress it up. So do we have a full count yet - I will make that res. at Battista's Hole in the Wall for Sat. nite -

Rebecca - congrats on the new car and the new hair cut. 

Mary - good luck with your mammo.  You will be fine.  And did I mention that we are going to Detroit next weekend - we have a Bar Mitzvah - it will be my first time out of Canada since dx - we are staying at the Courtyard Marriott in Farmington Hills - is that near you at all?

Skye - do you remember that play at all?  We would love to see a scene or two re-enacted in LV... I was supposed to be Mrs. Sprat (nursery rhymes) in my grade 2 play, but I got the measles... LOL... in grade 6 I was Heidi in "The Tales of Heidi."

Mel - hang in there girl.  Sending you lots of hugs.

TPPJ

Caya, congrats on Amanda's graduation!  That's a big milestone for both of you.  I hear you...we want to be there every step of the way.  And we will.

OK, Caya....  after yesterday in DC I am backing up the dry heat theory of Vegas.  103 in Vegas is fabulous compared to 103 here.  You could drown just breathing, the air was so soupy.  I also remember when I was pregnant with Paul, living in Calif.  I hadn't left the West Coast in nearly 9 mos.  After he was born, we went back east, to Miami, and when I stepped off that plane, the air was just oppressive....like a thick blanket of water.

viddie

Hi all,

Tina,

Maybe saying she "moved on" was a little too strong. She gave us updates on the camera and on her blog, and her last entry was Dec, her one year anniversary. She does humbly talk about her fears and concerns but also about hope for a very long life. Her hair is short and adorable. Here is her blog:http://www.thebostonchannel.com/health/10869647/detail.html



I am stiff in the morning and I think it is the tamoxifen. It does go away after a shower. I am also more tired.

Do you think the weight gain is from the effexor? I gained around 5 pounds since starting effexor, and I am having a very hard time taking it off- and this from a WW employee!!! I guess I am human.



Do you think the headache might be from stopping the effexor all at once? I am glad you did not get any other s/e's. My doc told me to taper off slowly if I want to stop effexor. Just a thought.



Rebecca,

I am glad you like your hair cut.

Congratulations on your new car!

Mary,

Good luck with your mammo.





Caya,

Congratulations. Have a great time tomorrow.

I looked back and I believe there are 12 of us, and Mary's dh makes 13.



Lynn, Joni, Viddie, Mel, Skye, Caya, Jan, Rebecca, Cindy, Tina, Debbie, Mary, and her dh.

Did I leave anyone out?



I had the weirdest nightmares all night. Ed had to keep waking me up. They were horrible and scary. I even woke up thinking about them. They were so vivid. Maybe they were because I am so concerned about Arlene's surgery on Tuesday. Luckily Arlene was not in my nightmares.



Today is a beautiful day here on the Cape. I think we are going to the cottage to get it ready and livable. We will probably move there in the next week or two. I love it there, but I will miss my walks with my neighbors here. I went to the beach with a friend yesterday. It was a perfect beach day, I hope the first of many. I was told not to sit in the sun last summer because of taxol, so I am really looking forward to this year.

Weight Watchers had been really slow, probably due to the economy. As a result, I have not been working too much because I lost my place in line (only fair). I used to be # 2, but now i am #4. We have to have over 80 members for me to work. I need a more reliable job, but I will wait to the fall to look. I keep procrastinating. I kind of feel I owe it to myself to have the summer off. After dealing with Ed's pancreatic cancer and my bc, I am going to live Suze Orman's motto- "People First, Then Money, Then Things."

I might be homeless at 80, but we might not be here either. If we do make it that long, then the government can take care of me. We have certainly given them tons of money over the years. I can always do a reverse mortgage then.

According to Fidelity, that is the worst case scenario. Right now I am not going to worry about it- I just want to enjoy the summer.



Have a great day everyone.



love,

Viddie

skyedivine

Viddie and Caya, you have both had brushes with greatness. Both great stories. I've met some famous cartoonists but no movie stars. I did get to interview Paula Poundstone by phone one time and she was really nice to talk to. Caya, congrats on your DD's graduation! Nothing like a family milestone to make us all so appreciative of our lives.



All I remember about that 5th grade play is that my grandmother sewed me a princess outfit out of pink and blue crepe paper. I guess my parents couldn't afford fabric. I thought it was beautiful, still. I do have the script for my 8th grade play somewhere. It was called The Christmas Wishbone and involved a crazy fairy. I again shamelessly cast myself as the lead. No one else wanted to play a crazy fairy anyway.



Rebecca woohoo on the new wheels and the new 'do! My hair was very thin on the sides at first but seems to have filled in.



Mary glad the kitty made it ok!



We had another close brush with tornadoes yesterday. DS1's fiancee planned a picnic party for him and DS2 and another friend, and we had been there about 2 hours, having a lovely time on the lakefront and grilling out, when the Coast Guard told us tornadic storms were coming in half an hour. We packed up quickly and the kids all went to DS1's house but DH and I beat it for home and just managed to avoid big winds although we had to drive in a torrent. More storms today but nothing so violent.



Hope everyone has a good week, - Skye

mer1957

Skye, I think we just now got your bad storms.  DH and I were in church during it -- I figured that was a safe place!  One of the readings was from Hosea about spring rains.  Everyone started laughing. 

DH is coming on the trip but I told him he might be on his own some of the time.  His father is there, so he will have someone else to hang with.  Obviously he will spend some time with me but I'm not sure how it will work if he is the only guy with all of us girls.  We'll just play it be ear.

Caya, congrats too on Amanda's graduation.  It is a big sense of accomplishment for parents seeing their kids graduate from college (esp. for me since my parents wouldn't let me go). 

Viddie, my GP says Tamoxifen puts on weight.  I do know that I have to work out very hard to just not gain while on it.  Not sure about the Effexor.

Caya, Farmington Hills is a western suburb and I am in an eastern suburb of Detroit, probably 45 minutes to an hour away.  All of the Jewish synagogues are on the west side.  I hope you have a good time.  I'd get together but we'll be seeing each other very soon.  Hugs and stay safe and dry.

Anonymous

Wow, Mel, so sorry to hear of your complications.  You have been on my mind and I was intending to call you.  I hesitate to call until you are feeling better and can move around a bit. 

Another friend from Houston had her Diep at MD Anderson and had similar problems, but all is well now and she is very pleased with her results.  Hers was unilateral.  I will try to call tomorrow, maybe by then you will feel like talking on the phone.  Love and hugs, Kay

TPPJ

I'll go and check out Kelly T's blog, Viddie, thanks.

Rebecca, you got a new car?  Last I read you had car trouble.  I must have missed a page.

Anonymous

Mel - Glad you made it through OK. Hope you start to feel stronger soon.

Tina - The Komen walk was HOT. We started at 8:15 but because the crowd was so large we couldn't really walk fast. It was 10:00 by the time we finished. Not strenuous at all, but very, very hot and humid. Walking by the monuments was nice and it was inspirational to be in the middle of a crowd of 50,000 all there to raise money for bc research.

Funny thing -- when I flew home today there were 2 women on the shuttle bus to parking lot at the Charlotte airport that had also flown to DC for Komen. Both survivors. A neat coincidence.

My flight back out of National was cancelled so I ended up taking a cab all the way out to BWI to get a flight home. After all the waiting in line, switching airports, etc. I actually managed to get home 1/2 hour EARLIER than I would have originally. Go figure. I was just happy to get back and see the kids and DH. 

Rebecca - congrats on the new car. I'm hoping to take my lemon into the shop tomorrow. In addition to the interior lights that won't turn off when they are suposed to it's now not starting properly, oh, and the AC blower has begun to malfunction even though we replaced it just 2 years ago (perfect timing as it was 100 here today). It has other needed repairs too - but those are the priority items. Darn thing is paid off in just 2 months so I don't really want to get rid of it. I feel your pain!

Lynn12

Hi Ta Ta's,

Quick check in.  We had a wonderful time at the wedding, danced a lot.  It was the first time since dx that I wasn't chemo-y, or in radiation, or in pain from some surgery...so we danced a lot!  We also went to the party after the reception and didn't get home until around 11pm...long day.  We kind of slugged around the house yesterday.

I'm off to DC for a business trip. Tina, I would have tried to see you, but am busy with clients both nights.  I would MUCH rather not be with clients at night, but what can I say.

Friday is our Relay For Life and the weather is supposed to be outstanding.  85 for both days and 60 at night. woo hoo!  So far our team has raised $4,500.

Mel, sending you positive thoughts and hugs, hope you are feeling better.

Viddie, you mention the nice days on the cape, we've been around 95 the past 2 days with no sea breeze, enjoy your cottage!

Everyone else, as always, I think about you a lot!

love and hugs,

Lynn

skyedivine

Lynn, ain't it great when you can finally get back out there and dance? Have a great business trip, and congrats on raising so much $$ for the cure. I'm in awe. Also in awe of you, Jan, for getting to DC for the Komen walk. I imagine it would feel very meaningful to see all those monuments from the context of a walk for the cure.



Viddie I'm gaining a little since I've been on Aromasin, too. Or could it be all the birthday cake I've been consuming lately?



Mary I hope the storms from here lessen in severity as they reach you. It is still raining here, and scheduled to all week. Milwaukee is one big swimming pool with flooded streets everywhere. I'm trying to stagger laundry loads with dishwasher and showers to avoid overloading our waterlogged septic field, so hubby had no clean t-shirts this morning. And Grendel does not like relieving himself in the rain. Plus I've developed an allergy to all the molds in the air so I had to run for a new supply of Claritin.



But ladies, here is what I keep wondering...what will it be like to have a hot flash in Vegas when it's 120 degrees outside? Does your head just explode or what? - Skye

Rebecca

Wow guys...we have extreme weather all around!  Scary.  Hope that the storms lighten up for you Skye.  As for hot flashes in 120 degree weather...I suspect that your eyeballs melt and your hair bursts into flames!.  We have been in the steamer here in Jersey.  It exceeded 100 degrees today, and is expected to be hotter tomorrow.  We had a half day at school because of the excessive heat today, and I am told that they are going to do the same for tomorrow.  Good thing, too because they do not have AC in the building so it would be downright inhumane to keep them there through the hottest part of the day!  As it was, by the time I got Frances and Ana this afternoon, they were thoroughly wilted and drenched with sweat. 

Lynn I am so glad that you had a fun time at the wedding!  There is NOTHING like dancing the night away to make you feel like a milion bucks!  Do you have any pictures?

As my surgery date approaches, I find that I am in an increasing amount of pain.  I hope that it is just anxiety and not signs of an infection developing.  I am half expecting a nasty infection this time because I do not think I can be so lucky twice....and this time the hole(s) are soooooo much larger that there is so much more of an avenue for infection to get it despite the silvadene cream and gauze dressings.  I go to the PS tomorrow for a pre-op consult and hopefully he will fill me in on his plans and I will let him know about my decisions regarding further reconstruction.  He is not likely to be happy about it, but I think he is just going to have to check his ego at the door because it is MY body and I have a right to choose this for myself.

Not too much energy for more....have to start making food for the kids etc.  Hugs to all my sisters..... 

meliaanne

Mel, I am thinking of you frequently and hoping that you are feeling a bit better everyday. And Rebecca, my prayers go out for you and your family as well. And for all our sisters, known and unknown.

All is well here. Steve has been back at work for a week and is doing fine. I went in for a check up with my onc on Friday, and he feels that I am doing very well. He is running a couple of tests just to be safe, but he isn't worried. He is such a kind man. He takes all the time I need everytime I see him, encourages questions, answers concerns quietly, calmly, and thoughtfully. I have grown to trust him.

All the kids are coming home for Father's Day. That will be tons of fun. We will just barbeque and chat ... I feel almost guilty when I look outside at our lovely weather.

I am very sad these days; I don't think I truly felt the impact of my and Steve's illness until the crises were over. Now I seem to have a need to process what we went through. I told Steve this weekend that I am boring myself with all the self pity, and I am, but it has been a couple of years of bad luck. Perhaps the next couple will be smooth. But I have lost my faith in my body, and I truly understand how fleeting life and happiness are. I look at him everyday and thank God for him. And the kids ... my goodness, I have so much to be happy about. I have to snap out of this sadness. The dr offered me drugs, but I think this is something I just have to work through. I think  taking anything right now would just delay the process. So I am fine, just sad, doing lots of thinking. And always, among my blessings, I count everyone of you.

Hugs,

Melia

skyedivine

Hey Ladies,

Melia, I think there is a grieving process that comes as the aftermath of what we've been through. It's inevitable after the loss of innocence, body parts, hair, sense of security, privacy, and more. I'd be more worried about you if you weren't also experiencing the flip side; the preciousness of life and family. Your dh's experience is still barely behind you. I agree you in processing mode. I suspect this Father's Day will be very special.



Rebecca, I'm so sorry you're having pain and I hope it's anxiety too and not more infection. I think you've had two double helpings of infection and we are just going to have to cut you off on that. It's more than plenty for anyone. I can't wait til you have this behind you.



Mel, hugs and healing.



Cindy, how are things with you? I heard Iowa got flooded! - Skye

TPPJ

Oh, Melia, you have every right to feel the way you do.  You wouldn't be normal otherwise.  We really have to work through the crappy parts to get to the good ones.  Otherwise, how would we know the difference? 

I am feeling reallllly good.  It's crazy.  I quit the effexor, two weeks now and here I am typing away at midnight.  I was napping at 5 pm on that stuff.  I feel like the real me again.  I guess it helped when I was in my total meltdown phase after what the DH's employer did to him/us/our livelyhood (sp?).  But things are settling down, the DH is around more than ever....but not as much as whe he was laid off, which was kind of a pre-req. course for him in "hanging with your family".  LOL.  He actually is learning to chill a little bit and it's been fun.

TPPJ

PS...Melia, I'm ecstatic at Steve's rate of recovery!!! He's done so well.

Jan....you poor girl.  You deserve a week at a spa after the Komen in DC.  Lynn, sorry I missed you, but we'll all have to plan a DC weekend.  We can crash here, but maybe get a big limo into the city each night and see the sights top notch.

Caya

bumping this up - I've been busy with work meetings all day.

xo

Caya

meliaanne

Rebecca, we are all hugging you, and we won't let go til you are home safely.

Mel, you too!

Joni, how are you?  We are right there in your room with you.

Melia

viddie

Hi,

Rebecca,

I will have my socks on tomorrow. We are all with you. Lots of hugs.

Melia,

I totally understand your feelings. It takes time to heal. You can cry on our shoulders. We are here for you.



Arlene is in recovery now. It did spread more than they originally thought. They thought it would be just on the head of her pancreas, but it spread to the tail also. The surgeon had to take out the whole pancreas and her spleen as well as the other parts. She will be very dependent of insulin now as she will have severe diabetes. There is a long recovery and we have to hope for no complications. The surgeon felt very confident that he got all the cancer out. I hope so. I have been a wreck. Thank G-d he was able to get everything out. Thanks everyone for praying for her.



Love,

Viddie

TPPJ

Viddie, glad to hear the good news on Arlene (that they got all the cancer).  So if you don't have a pancreas, you end up w/severe diabetes?

TPPJ

Viddie, glad to hear the good news on Arlene (that they got all the cancer).  So if you don't have a pancreas, you end up w/severe diabetes?

meliaanne

Viddie,

I am sorry that Arlene has such a rough road ahead, but your husband gives me hope ...

Cindy, are you ok?  Iowa sounds so drenched.

Melia

skyedivine

Rebecca, you must be in surgery now. You must know you have all my thoughts and prayers. We'll be waiting anxiously to hear.



Viddie, thank goodness they got all the cancerous parts from Arlene. It will be tough living without a pancreas, I'm sure, but she sounds like one tough lady.



Joni, how are you doing? And Cindy I'm hoping you're ok. My sister who lives in Iowa had four trees crash down in her yard.



It's unbelievable how many towns are flooded around here, and roads washed out. The destruction level is unheard of for these parts. I'm in the only county of 30 in southern Wis with no emergency flood status. And Lake Delton in Wisconsin Dells is just gone! And we are supposed to get more storms very soon. The town where I got my radiation treatments is also flooded, so I'm glad I'm not driving there every day this summer.



I'm still having really bad problems with soreness and stiffness. Yesterday I felt like rigor mortis had set in. Ibuprofen helps some, but it makes me feel very old every time I get up to move around. I was not like this before bc/chemo! Well, there's my gripe for the day. On the plus side, it's summer, and as my neighbor Brian says, every day you can get up and still fog the mirror is a good day. -Skye

Caya

Viddie - I did not know people could survive without a pancreas - the spleen I knew.  I hope Arlene will recover quickly and with you supporting her, I know she will do well.

Cassie is coming home tomorrow from Israel - she's been gone nearly a month - she had a great time.  She arrives at 5:45 a.m., and then on Friday morning we are driving to Detroit for the weekend for a Bar Mitzvah.  She will be exhausted and jetlagged, but hey, at 19, you can bounce back quickly.

Rebecca - I'm sure you are out of surgery by now.  lots of hugs to you.

I made the reservation at Battista's in LV for the Saturday night of our trip, for 12 people at 7:30 p.m.  It will be here sooner than you think gals.

It's been 5 weeks since my last Herceptin, and call me crazy, but I think my hair is growing a bit quicker.  I let it go natural today, scrunched it up with some gel, and it dried in a soft curl.  DD thinks I need to trim it again, but I told her I just did 2 weeks ago... maybe it's finally going to revert back to the fast growth rate I had before BC.  Not that important in the grand scheme of things, but still nice.

viddie

Hi all,



UPDATE ON MEL:



I spoke to Mel today and she is improving. She is still in the hospital but she will be going home either tomorrow or Friday. Her back had been bothering her. It is so hard to be in bed for that long with a bad back. She told me to say hi to everybody and she misses us all. She will be back on the computer as soon as possible.



Thanks everyone for your warm thoughts about Arlene.



Tina,

The pancreas produces the insulin. Without a pancreas, you need shots to produce insulin.



Caya,



People can survive, but it will not be easy. The spleen protects us from infection. Arlene is a trouper and I have to believe that she WILL survive.

I am glad to hear your hair is growing faster. Battista sounds like so much fun. I can't wait to be in LV with all of you.



Rebecca,



I hope things went well today. I have been thinking about you. Hugs.



I will be going to my sister's tomorrow for a few days to help her. I am picking her up at rehab. I might not be online for a few day.

I hope everyone has a great day tomorrow.



Love,

Viddie

Rebecca

Well I was in the hospital a bit longer than i thought I would be, but that was mostly because someone was a bit over generous with the pain meds in recovery room and it took me a while to shake it off.  Matt kept looking at me and laughing at how stoned I looked.  Other than that, things went pretty well.  My PS and I agreed that he would try to find a balance between making my scar look nice and not pulling it too tight.  He did put in a drain this time, which probably explains why I am in more pain this time than last time.  In other news, he noticed a birthmark on my leg that he did not like when I was in the office yesterday, and he told me he wanted to remove it...which he did...along with a series of other unsightly moles on the back of my neck and chest LOL.  went a little snip-happy I think.

My dad is going to come and help me today, but he is not going to get here until midmorning so I have to get the kids ready for school now.  I have arranged for them to be picked up...and I am going to give them lunch money rather than make them lunches as I usually do.

Glad to hear the update about Mel! 

meliaanne

Rebecca, I guess too much pain med is preferable to too little ....I wish I could be there to help. Be gentle to yourself, and thanks for posting.

Mel, if you are out there reading, we are all thinking of you and are glad you are mending ...

Kids are coming starting tomorrow. It's going to be a fun weekend, celebrating both our son's bday and father's day. We are just barbequing, chatting, sitting by the pool. I am really looking forward to having the family together.

Hugs, Melia