please help

lvtwoqlt

I changed it again. I was able to take a photo of the calendar without too much glare and put it as my avitar. now you can see my face. guess who is who!

Sheila

my3girls

Great picture Sheila!! I just love it!! That is one you will always treasure of you and your mom!

Mel..I wondered about the date, when I went to pencil it in!! The 21st at noon at Nordies it is!! Can't wait!!

Sue..glad to hear about the green gunk..and that you have that over with. I wish you would rest a little bit..but I realize who I am talking too...the ENERGIZER BUNNY! Try and take it easy honey! We all love you so much!

Jane...I agree with Shirlann..I think you should call someone about your neighbors..shame on them...and God Bless you!!! You are such a dear sweet person..so loving and caring!

Well...much love to all my other sisters here! I think about all of you everyday. Oh yeah...FUMI...where are you?? Like we don't know...haha! Hope you are having the time of your life honey!

Went to Denni's last night. I wish he didn't live an hour away. We went out for a nice dinner, visited, then off to bed! I came home this morning...and ladies..he really is the most gentle, kindest man I have ever dated. I am loving it!!

Off to finish making my dinner.

xoxo

Lisa

Wren

Yay Sue! Glad that bump is gone. Now just rest a little. I get so tired just reading all the stuff you do! LOL!

Hugs to everyone else... just trying to get my house/life organized... Sometimes I feel like I was RipVanWinkle last year and I'm just waking up to a year gone by without my being awake.

geebung

I've been busy with my friend the last few days and haven't had time to post. This will be short. I and all the other neighbours have called the (R)SPCA on many occasions. My neighbours have had numerous visits from RSPCA officers and have been to court about their animal hoarding and neglect. My friend rang the RSPCA yesterday and they told her that these people are not supposed to get any more animals (they just got 2 more poor creatures at the weekend!) and they said they will send someone to investigate. Mmmm....we will see what happens. These neighbours think they are beyond the law.

Sheila - I will look into getting one of those calendars. I'll have to see a bank and how to get the money to you.

(((Sue))) - so glad your surgery is over. I hope you were able to have a good sleep after your work and that the pain has diminished.

Sorry I can't comment on everyones' posts right now but hugs and love to you all anyway. 

Jane xxx 

geebung

Sheila - love your new avatar!

Anonymous

Hi all,

Another lovely day here. I hope this September lasts forever!

Lisa, I just love hearing about how you feel towards Dennis. It makes me happy to know that your life is touched by a gentle, loving soul. You've earned this reward.

Karen...so good to hear from you. We'll have to plan an outing to the museum. I didn't get to see all I wanted.

Shirlann, you can mix up Mel and I at will, as far as I'm concerned. We're all part of the same stew.

Mel, I'm pleased that you "get" my humor. Sometimes I get in trouble.

Love the new avatar Sheila! You're dog is cute, but you're cuter!

I'm with you, Wren, though I'd susbstitute Rip Van Winkle with Dante's Inferno. Re-awakening is our challenge.

Just got back from a walk to the store for TP and came home lugging some on-sale meat and fish, marked-down donuts, chips, a wedge of garlic knoblauch cheese and a pack of TP. I have utterly no sales resistance.

Anxiously awating your path report in two weeks, Sue. Take a pain pill and relax for a bit, okay?

Love to all!

Judie

portiasproudmom

Sheila, you two are SO cute!!  I love it!  What a gorgeous pair of survivors you are!

I know what you mean about the lack of sales resistance, Judie.  I'm horrible!  Especially when it comes to food.  And with my darn appetite lately, I just want to buy everything in sight!  Our pantry and refrigerator are packed to the gills.  My dh is getting very frustrated with me.

How is our Sue today?  Did you survive your spooky night at the shop by yourself?  I can't believe you went in even though you were still in pain from your surgery.  You are unbelievable!  I hope you're feeling better today.  Love you, Sue!

I hope something is finally done about those horrible neighbors of yours, Jane.  People like that just make me sick!  It just doesn't make sense to me.  God Bless you for your efforts!  You are such a sweet, loving soul.

Well, it's another beautiful day here, so my mom and I are going to take some flowers to the cemetery. 

Have a wonderful day, everyone.  Love you all!

Hugs,

Karen

geebung

Karen, it's sad about you and your mother going to the cemetery but I am so glad that you are able to be there for each other to give love and support. It would be horrible if you had to go through this grief alone.

Lisa - I love hearing about your romantic interludes with Dennis - I'm so happy that you have him in your life.

Wren, when you get organised, please give me some tips!! 

Judie - Dantes Inferno! I always find your posts so funny! You should be writing a weekly column in a newspaper - you would be one of my favourites!

Fumi - I would also love to hear from you!! Hope you are having a wonderful time!

Sue - how are you? xx 

I haven't done any exercise for so long. I must go for a walk - right now - or it won't happen. If I don't go first thing in the morning, the day just gets too busy. 

Love to all you dear people 

Jane xxx 

Mariebw

Sue, my heart goes out to you. I cannot imagine the pain you must have gone through losing your Mum, but i can only echo an earlier comment that treatments have come one hell of a long way in 20years.

I'm a fellow brit (living in the US) and was diagnosed with BC in my left breast and lymph nodes in January this year, I am 37, with a 2 year old daughter and eight year old son. Your children will become stronger from this. Believe me you can get throught this, there is so much treatment available and your children will become your reason for beating this bloody disease - mine were.

 I am BRCA 1 gene positive, my aunt died of ovarian cancer 20 years ago and my cousin had breast cancer age 37 and is 3 year survivor. I have done 5 months of chemo, had a bilateral mastectomy two weeks ago and am doing really well and will be having a hysterectomy in three weeks, because of the ovarian cancer risk with the gene. I had my result from my lymph nodse biopsy last week and it has come back all clear, no evidence of disease, a perfect reponse to chemo. 

 I am telling you all this, to prove you can fight it. It's important to get tested for the gene, so you can make more informed decisions to prevent a recurrence (hence my mastectomy and hysterectomy). It is just another piece of information which will enable you to deal with this in the best way.

 As soon as you start to tackle this with treatment you will feel empowered. Keep your humor, only allow positive people into your life, accept help from friends, family, ignore the negative thoughts, comments from others. These are the best tools I have kept at my side. 

 Sending you, positive thoughts for your scan,  love and hugs across the pond   - you can beat this. 

Marie

geebung

It's a quiet day/night here! Just popped in to say hello and race off again. Hi Marie - welcome! Hope to see post here again. Love to all.

Jane xox 

Shirlann

Hmm, I am kinda worried about Fumi?  Not like her to not post.  Well, we will just know she is having a wonderful time and leave it at that.  I am getting old and worrying too much.

Our Sue should be feeling a little better, too.

Hugs to all, off to get my hair dyed!  hahaha

Shirlann

Bonnie02

Sueps

I also have BC and had a daughter that passed away with BC about 8 years ago. I was just like you and thinking the end of the world had come. I talked to my surgeon and he told me that there have been so many changes in the treatment of BC just in the past 2 years that I should put my daughters death out of my mind and think positive that everything will be just fine with all the new treatments available.  I have just finished my chemo treatments and looking forward to my radiation treatments coming up in Oct. probably. I know I will be just fine and positive thinking really helps. I also had a mastectomy which was hard to deal with except which do you want that crappy old boob with the cancer or all gone.  All gone is the best choice I think. 

You take care and think positive, everyone on here will help I know as they have helped me a lot in the beginning.

Bonnie

geebung

Shirlann - I agree, I have been a little concerned too. I just hope that Fumi is having such a great time that she hasn't had a chance to post. Fumi - just one line would be great so we know that you are ok!

Sue - hope you have some time off over the weekend. Would love a quick line from you too just to see how you are.

Love and hugs to everyone,

Jane xox 

portiasproudmom

Boy, it's been slow around here.  Hope that's because everyone is happily and busily living their lives.  The weather here has been absolutely beautiful.  No rain expected until at least next weekend.  I almost feel guilty because all these hurricanes are wrecking havoc in other parts of the country. 

I'm sure Fumi is just having a wonderful vacation with her sweet Scotty.  I'm sure she'll be touched that you two are worried about her, Shirlann, and Jane.  You are both such loving, caring ladies.  I love you both.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Love and hugs to all,

Karen

lvtwoqlt

Just checking in. I had my annual physical today and was a teaching experience for the CNA's at the office. They didn't know how to take my bp on my leg and the doctor had to come in and show 3 how to do it. Then the lab had trouble getting my blood draw and ended up using my forearm without a tourniquet. BC the gift that keeps giving.

We have had some rain all week and my yard needs mowed again, it was just mowed Labor day weekend. I haven't had to mow it more than every 4 weeks since 2006 because of the drought. We are offically out of drought conditions. I think I will get a neighborhood boy to mow it, he is trying to earn money for a class trip to the State Fair next month.

Everyone have a wonderful weekend

Sheila

honeygirl

Hi everyone. Heres to a great weekend for everyone.

OK , Shirlann and Jane , I too am getting worried about our Fumi. Gosh I hope everything is OK. I have so many different scenarios going through my head. I guess I will go with no news is good news. Fumi , please check in as soon as you can sweetie.

Hi Sue! Hope you are doing well. Hows the incision? I hope good and you are taking good care of YOU! Did you get your hair cut? Are you still going to Spain in Nov.? Hows the boys doing? Hows work? Hows the hubby? OK , enough questions. Can you tell I miss hearing from you!?lol

Well , it looks like , I think , Galvaston Tx. will be getting hit with the storm. Praying for everyone there. I know there will be some damage , but hoping no one is killed.

Yes , it is quiet here lately. Where is everyone? Karen , hope you are right. Just everyone getting on with their lives.

Lisa , hows Dennis doing? Are you two going out tonight? Where does he live? I know you said it was an hour away. Ahhh , new love. Ain't it grand...

Shirlann , I'm dying my hair this weekend too. I dyed it lighter , but don't like it. So back to pomagrante! Hows Walt , Dusty , Cleo and your boys doing? Hope all is well.

Well , time to make some dinner. bbl. Love to you all. Mel

Shirlann

Hi Mel, you sweetie!  All of us are okay, we went to see the Coen Brothers latest film, "Burn after Reading".  It was funny, full of bodys, of course, but not as good as "No Country For Old Men".

You have to be a little strange to go to their films!  haha

Marshall is still floundering around without his Carmela, but losing a wife this young is hard.  And his son is a little butt-head.   heeee, but who wouldn't be?  He loved his mom so much. 

Other than that, the other two are doing okay.  I sure needed a daughter.  Dang it.  Well, I tried.

Hugs to everyone, Shirlann

honeygirl

Hey Shirlann , if I marry Marshall , and put up with the butt-head , I would love to be your daughter!!!lol

honeygirl

And Shirlann , I actually wanted to go see Burn after reading!

honeygirl

Where is everyone?

meb

Hi, this is my first post. I just wanted to tell you that I am having the same feelings you are, I think probably we all do. I don't have any family history but lost my sister to lung cancer 2 years ago and another sister almost 17 years ago (not cancer). My mom is 79 and in great health, my grandma lived til she was 96. Where did we get our genes? I had a breast MRI and a PET scan week before last and they really gave me some relief. Before that every little ach I just knew the cancer had spread there. I feel so much better now that the tests showed no evidence of cancer anywhere else. My second opinion surgeon has been so much more thorough. I am still scared silly and can't decide which way to go, my first thoght is to take both breasts. I feel that would give me the best chances of IT not returning. Looks like we'll be fighting this about the same time. I started a journal and it helps me release things just to write my feelings down, it also will help me remember things. I bought a little hand held recorder to take to the doctors with me, that way after the coma wears off, I can sit down and really listen to what they said.

livesstrong

Mel - I'm here!!!!  My life is so boring, I have nothing to say!!! lol.  I wonder if thats a good thing?

I have been getting stuff together for a yard sale next weekend.  I think I'm going to sell everything for.25 just to get rid of it.lol. Pray it doesn't rain.

I got my hair cut this week - I found a style I like but I need to grow it a little longer yet. So its in that in-between stage that I hate.

UB & I are struggling with money issues.  With him getting sick it really set us back.  I need to get my truck inspected next month and I am sure it will fail.  Not sure if its worth fixing it so we're stressing out on where the money will come from for a new vehicle.  Always something, right?

meb - why did you delete your post?   Come join us. we don't bite.

Mel - how are things with DH?

Sheila - how long will you be selling the calenders?  I didn't forget.  Love your avatar by the way!!

Jane- I don't know how you live nest to those horrible neighbors of yours.  It would break my heart.

Shirlann -I'm confused - who is Marshall?

Where are Lisa, Sue & Jule?  That darn Fumi must be having a hellva time with Scottybear.  Sure wish she would check in.

Karen & Judy - you have fall-like weather all ready?  Its suppose to hit 90+ here tomorrow!!

I see we have some newbies posting - WELCOME!! Hope to see more of you.

Well thats about it for me - I told you things were boring.

Have a great day everyone.

AE

my3girls

Hi!!

I am here....just went back to work yesterday...and here again today. So far so good...but no lifting any bags for several weeks!

Just been kinda busy or lazy...getting ready to come back.  Olivia went to Orlando again to see her boyfriend for the weekend. It's raining cats and dogs here!!

Well...just wanted to pop in and say hi..and I am still around..haha

Made dinner for Dennis the other night...he loved it!! For some reason, I think he thought I didn't know how to cook! haha...I just told him I hardly ever cook. He was pleasantly surprised. Oh..Mel..he lives in Warren..

ok...back to work!

xoxo

Lisa

Shirlann

Ah, Marshall is my soon to be 50, 2nd son.  He just got back from England (business trip), I yearned to go see Sue, and NOW the lucky thing is going to Japan!  Of course he hates all this, because it is no fun since it is work, but I couldn't believe, next he'll go to Sweden, and I will have to kill him.. hahahah

I broke a tooth, and $700 crown is in my future, and I was just thinking how nice to be kinda ready for Christmas.  Shoot.  There goes the dang budget.

WHERE ARE ALL OUR GIRLS?????

Now Sue, you can come, hug? 

And Fumi kinda worries me, I hope she isn't in a ditch somewhere.  (Watching too much Forensic Files).  ULLA  YOOOOHOOOOO!!!!

Well, we must believe that no news is good news.

We just happened to turn the TV on just as the train wreck happened.  And I love our firefighters and all because, blessedly, we have them.  But it truly was a bad deal.  A commuter train ran head-on into a looong freight train.  The commuter train was telescoped into the freight train.  Of course, no one has seat belts.  But, we watched and a few firefighters were banging on the windows, a few were climbing up the sides, but truly, nothing was happening.  We watched and watched, not a single ambulance, one helicopter who mainly blew dust everywhere.  And no one seemed to know what to do.  After about an hour, a few people staggered out on their own, never saw a backboard, there was a fire, but no hoses.  It was truly amazing.  Not one EMT.  I knew the passengers were all piled up in the front of each car, mostly dead or horribly injured.  But when the one car was on it's side, it is laying on one door and 12 feet up to the other, and no one seemed to have any saws or stuff like that.  I looked at Walt, and he said, "Wow, what a mess, I thought we were supposed to be spending millions to be ready for Al Queda attacks.  What the F*** is going on???

Sheesh, it was not the finest hour for the Los Angeles Emergency Response Team!

WEll, thats all my news. 

Oh DO GO to "Burn Before Reading", it is hilarious, especially if you are a Coen brother's fan.  We just saw Al Pacino and Rbt. DeNiro in their new one, it was a lot of good acting but a crappy script. 

Oh heck, I better get to work,

Hugs, Sisters, Shirlann

PS: Finally they tried to arrange tarps for a Triage thing, but in the night one man was so pissed off he said they moved his girlfriend, badly injured, to three different tarps.  Oh well, I hope they got their act together.  It was in a sort of remote area of LA, if there is such a thing.

honeygirl

Hi AE , Lisa and Shirlann. AE , I know just how you feel. My car costing me 500.00 to get fixed has put me in a financial tailspin. And with the food and gas prices soaring , I'm really sinking fast. My SO is the same. I took him to the docs this week , and the doc told him to start decreasing his drinking by one beer a night so he doesn't have seziures. No chance of that happening. I don't think he will ever quit. We had a "discussion" last night. I told him I am not going to stick around to watch him kill himself. But he knows financially , I can't do it right away. So nothing was really resolved. I'm starting to enjoy Monday through Friday more than my weekends. Thats pretty sad for me. But , when one door closes another one always opens. I just have to wait...

Lisa , hi , nice surprise for Dennis! Your beautiful , smart and a cook!lol He is very lucky. And you too. I hope this all works out. I haven't been to a wedding in a loooong time! Wow , Olivia has a boyfriend in Orlando? I had a boyfriend in Richmond Hts. and thought that was far!lol I hope she is having fun. Are you and Dennis going out tonight? If you do , have fun.

Shirlann , I was watching on fox news this morning about the train accident. How horrible. I saw a firefighter sling a woman over his back to carry her away from the wreckage. It was just awful. Hopefully , the ones who didn't make it , never knew what hit them. Prayers for all of them and their families. It seems like when any natural disaster hits , we are never prepared. Hope that changes.

Hey ladies , do you think your body chemistry can change after having chemo? I dyed my hair last weekend , but didn't like it. So I went and bought what I always get , and it is looking "bright red" as I sit here waiting for my time to be up. This color is usually more of a deep , alburn , not so bright. I am scared to leave it on the full 45mins.  With my luck , I'll end up looking like Pippy Longstocking!lol Speaking of my hair , it is starting to straighten out. But the back has some curl and the top in flat and straight. I've tried soooo many different products lately and nothing seems to work for me. I did buy a flat iron and some "root boost". Will see what happens. My hair has always been my "crowning glory" but since tamox. has thrown me into menopause my hair really just sucks! As Shirlann always says , "ah , cancer , the gift that keeps on giving"...

OK , Time to wash this out. I'll let you know if you can start calling me Pippy! bbl Hugs , Mel

geebung

My life isn't all that exciting at the moment either. Dh is arriving soon and my friend is staying the night on her way back to Sydney so they will brighten things up a bit.

Hi Mel - I hope your hair turned out ok and we won't have to call you Pippy! Actually that's one of the names I had picked out for Blossom! Rather cute I think! I'm so sorry you have this ongoing stress with your SO. I pray that he will have the strength to cut back or give up the grog completely. I'm glad you are doing small things for yourself like experimenting with your hair - it's important to give yourself some TLC.

I can really identify with the money problems. My car is up for registration next month, Blossom has to be desexed, the bills are starting to mount up and I need crowns on my teeth too! A packet of cheese has a competition to win a $1,000.000 - I think I'll enter it! Might take a lottery ticket while I'm at it.

Sorry to hear about your chipped tooth Shirlann. Dentists cost a small fortune here too. A lot of the poorer people just lose their teeth because they can't afford to see a dentist. I wish they had medicare for dentists.

I saw that dreadful crash in LA - so sad. And Hurricane Ike - I haven't checked the latest news on that - I do hope there weren't too many casualties. 

Lisa - Dennis must be pinching himself and saying "Is there anything wrong with this fabulous woman?!" He must be smitten. And Olivia has a b/f in Florida - is that a long way from you? Oh to be young and in love - the sweetest thing! I am wondering how long it will be before I see my eldest & youngest sons - the eldest has a Polish girlfriend (in London) and the youngest has a Swedish girlfriend (in Finland). I wonder if they will last? It's a long way from home... 

Val - you are never boring. It was so good to see you post. A new hair style will give you a lift. Hair - I'm never satisfied with mine - it goes frizzy in humid weather - which means most of summer. Praying that things work out for you and UB financially.

Fumi? Hope all is well with you. I can't remember how long you were going to stay in NZ... 

Love to you all and also to Karen, Sue, Ulla, Sheila, Judie, Suebee, Kaloni, Ann, Jule, Nancy and anyone else I have missed. Hope you are all having some good moments this weekend.

Jane xxoo 

AnneW

What is it about the cost of "things" these days? Shirlann's crown (for the tooth, not the tiara she deserves!!) costs what my new pair of glasses is going to cost. I swear, has Pearl Vision ripped me off? I'm getting my first pair of progressive lenses. The frames, of course, were expensive (why is it that only the designer frames look good??) but the lenses themselves were outrageous! I got talked into special coating and special everything to make this first experience with progressive lenses a positive one. My bad.

Well, at least I put that same amount of money aside from my flexible spending plan at work! May as well use it on glasses.

And speaking of designer frames--the Dolce and Gabana frames looked best, but the price was way higher than the Anne Klein ones I got. But what really kept me from getting them was the bold "D&G" on the temples. I do hate to advertise in big letters...

I'm doing my part to support the economy, I suppose!

Anne

my3girls

Sisters...I am checking in from home now.

I will respond first and then dump!!

Mel...no Dennis and I are not out tonight..he is watching the OS game somewhere. Fri and Sat nts are hard for us to plan since I work until almost 8pm!! I hate that! We will hopefully see one another tomorrow. We usually do something on Sunday's. I don't know if he is pinching himself...but he has said what a lucky man he is. I hope he remembers that, because I am feeling a bit lonely. I don't know if I am being picky..or what. But I feel like I don't get much of his time. I am by no means high maintenance..but I want to be high on his list...and lately I am not feeling that way. Do you guys know what I mean...or am I being silly???  Don't plan on any weddings Mel...I have zero desire to get married again. My maiden name...which I have taken back...will be on my grave stone!

Olivia's boyfriend is actually from here. He graduated this year from her H.S., but he is going to a Junior College in Ocala Florida, and playing baseball for them. He is quite the athlete. He is very handsome and just a very nice, thoughtful and sweet young man. I would have never let my girls go to visit a boyfriend at the age of 17!! But, I have such an open relationship with Olivia, and we have talked about sex, etc..and I think watching what her sister went through at the age of 17...was the best form of birth control. I have to say, I know she is being honest with me and I trust her. She called me today and said the weather was beautiful (unlike here and all the rain) and they went to the beach..and she got stung 3 times by a jelly fish! she is fine though.

Sisters....I need a hug..and a few shoulders. I think maybe my hormones are playing a few cruel tricks on me, but I cried the whole way home from work tonight. I know I told you last month that my friend Jill died of bc, well this week a lady I met through a support group, who was diagnosed after me, and her daughter goes to school with Olivia just passed away!! she was 42!! She had a double mastectomy and then they found a tumor in her brain. She went into the hospital on Friday..and was gone by Monday!! WTF!!! I can't take this! Then...today I got an email about another lady I knew....who's last mammo earlier this year came back fine..but later they found bc cells in her spine and liver...and now she is going to be starting chemo.  I feel like death is surrounding me.!! I started crying thinking...am I next?? I know all my scans have been clear...but God..it's scaring me!! I can't go anywhere...my girls still NEED me!

I am sorry for ranting...but I can't get it all out of my head. I came home and made some home made popcorn, opened up a cold beer..and have been drowning my sorrows.

I love all of you....and this is the place I feel most comfortable opening up about these feelings. I almost called Danni...but I didn't want to dump on her and upset her.

Mel...I sure hope your hair turned out ok. I can't wait to see you next Sunday...it will do my heart good! I hope I don't have to call you pippy....but I could show you pictures of her...cause my girls dressed up as her for Halloween when they were young.

Please Fumi, Sue and Ulla..check in with us...you worry us when you are away for so long.

love to all my dear sweet sisters here..that without all of you and your kindness and support...I would not be nearly as strong and "normal" as I am today. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

XOXO

LISA

Anonymous

Lisa, lots of hugs and a couple of shoulders are heading your way. Sometimes it is all so overwhelming. Always it is scary on some level. Who's next. Maybe one of us? Maybe someone we love? So much grief. From what I know of you, I predict that this time will pull you down for a while, then your amazing strength will pull you back up. There's nothing any of us can do to alter the "who's next" question. Worry is for shit. Look at the number of people here or in your life who have survived and put Lisa right in the middle of that group.

I know what you mean about not wanting to dump on your children. You have a good relationship with them, you have always been there for them. Reciprocation would be nice. And, like you, I see them working hard to build their lives and don't want to add another level of concern. It is important, of course, to communicate about what is going on healthwise. It's just those moments of panic I feel hesitant to share. That doesn't mean I haven't done it, though.Sometimes there's just no one else qualified to be the dumpster. Do what feels right for you.

Know that you are loved and understood...

Judie

geebung

Lisa, if Dennis doesn't give you some more quality time I will teleport myself over there and pinch him! Men! You have every right to feel a bit neglected. I hope he comes to his senses and makes more time for you. He doesn't know how lucky he is to have even met you!

It is always particularly confronting when somebody we know personally is taken by this stinking disease so it's no wonder you feel fragile at the moment, coupled with your post-surgical exhaustion and reaction to anaesthetic and trying to heal up and work...the list just goes on - I don't know how you are doing it but it worries me that you are over doing things. I am sending you lots of love and hugs.

xoxox