Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

Determined1

I'm going to pull a Carol here and post to myself.  How wonderful that everyone is busy with their weekend and giving our thread a break.  SIS Kimberly will be so pleased when she returns from her latest cation to find there isn't much catching up to do!

We visited college girl yesterday and took her to dinner.  She must have thanked us 20 times for coming.  It made us all feel good about making the effort.  She's excited/nervous about rushing this week.  I don't know if I'da gone through all of that if my school had offered a Greek life (I went to this academically snobby school that told us Greek life would inhibit academic excellence).  It sounds a lot like high school where you're being judged and chosen based on some pretty flimsy evidence.  To each their own, I guess.

I am happy that she's really putting forth the effort in her classes this first week in.  She was quite critical of the freshman living in her dorm who were going out every night drinking themselves sick.  (Was that her last year????)  Apparently, there's a girl on her floor who managed to sleep with 5 different boys over a 4 day period and is crowing about it.  College girl just shakes her head in disgust and says, "Freshmen."  Ahh, the benefit of experience.

Today dh and dd and I are headed off to the gym at dh's office (my community center gym is closed today).  Then the two of them are going off to play frisbee golf at a local course while I walk the dog or something equally scintillating.  Dinner tonight at the in-laws to end summer.  Sounds good to me.

Oh, and I am the superior mother.  I managed to get dd in to that AP Environmental Science class AND reorged her schedule so she could have lunch period with her best pals.  So the kid has 5 AP classes this year, and is yearbook editor in a 6th class.  She'll probably breathe a sigh of relief when she hits the door of her government class--the only "regular" class she's taking.  She's uber excited about being a senior, so I hope this year meets her expectations.

Onward!

D1

sheshe48

HI JJ's,

I hope every Jewel has a nice safe Labor Day!  I have been so busy moving my bedroom to a bigger room and working. It's been one thing after another. I have to work today too. I will catch up soon, HAPPY LABOR DAY!

Sherry

golfer779

Happy Monday,

I received a call last night about 10:00 from my gf from Redding, CA, she had delivered her baby girl yesterday afternoon. I had not mentioned since my ‘cation when I saw both her and dh, that they had just received some disturbing news about the baby the day before I stayed with them. Looked as if the baby was diagnosed as having Hydrocephalus (water on the brain). My gf's water broke yesterday morning and she was helicoptered to a larger med center in Sacramento. They we're planning on a C-section tomorrow in Sac, which would have been 6 weeks early.

My chat with my gf was very short, seems as if she too had some complications, ended up having a totally hysterectomy after delivery. The baby was doing pretty good though, weighed in at 5lbs, 10ounches (not bad for being early). My phone battery died during this brief conversation, I tried calling back to the hospital, the gf was totally wiped and said we'd hopefully talk today. I suspect that their precious little girl will be undergoing a surgery to insert a shunt today, or possibly even last night.

D1, sounds like dd#1 truly appreciated your efforts to see her this weekend. So hopefully the sorority life is more her speed. Our dd#2, ended up being one of two gals in her sorority that didn't care to jump on the party band wagon, needless to say, ended up not gelling to well with the group. Hopefully she finds a house that is the right fit for her.

So dd#2 must be a studying machine. Wish you could bottle some of that academic effort and send it my son's way. I take it she starts school this week?

Paula, speaking of academics, one week down huh? It does sounds as if your game plan with the sub will work out great.

So when can I expect my ds' brain to catch up with his attitude? Its been an interesting week, we've decided that he cannot just bounce between homes. We'll see how two weeks at a pop work out at each house. It will be nice this year to hopefully not be so sidetracked myself, he is definitely the kind of kid who needs a little parental prodding to keep him on track, especially in school. Hopefully he will be earning back some of the things that he took for granted in the near future, and his schoolwork will be one of the first things he can do.

So I know we're all hoping that your dh is doing well, and that his meds have been effective with hopefully minimal se's.

Jennifer, so glad you popped in, but bummed to hear that your knee(s) are giving you fits. I can't imagine going through what we all had endured last year to be slammed with more pain. Always know that a resource to vent is at your finger tips.

Julie, hoping that your boating weather is a bit better than it is here in the PacNorWest. I swear it will get nice once the kids go back to school on Weds. I guess as I watch the news this morning, complaining about weather seems wrong with ol' Gustav bearing down on the south.

Any bites on the house?

Sherry, working on Labor Day ... ??? Almost makes sense!!!

Well time to order some flowers to send to the hospital, and then I'll be gearing up for a short walk this morning, the nerves are starting to build up for the 3 Day which is now 11 days away. I chatted with a gal at work who walked in the Boston 3 Day a couple weeks ago, what a story, they had a storm hit that produced about 4 inches of running water down the streets. Now that would be hard to prepare for.

Carol

KathyL

Well, well I have been away too long!  It seems that I got home from ‘cation and just jumped right into things at home.  It was a very busy week getting the kids into their routine and dealing with the inevitable bumps along the way. But both are adjusting well.  I managed to make it through the first day with minimal tears (mine!).  This weekend I got caught up on other business and got all their new school clothes washed and put away.  My basement is filled with Rubbermaid containers of old clothes from birth to the present.  Next on my list this week is calling a consignment store.  I think I have a veritable windfall downstairs!  But I digress... I have missed reading the posts and truly have had the Jewels in my thoughts despite my lack of appearance here.  Top on my agenda for today was to reconnect with you girls.

Before I go read the posts... I got my new SP in the mass of mail I finally got through that had been laying on my desk.  I have to say with the craziness of August and the ‘cation I did not get to send out my last gift to my first SP, so I'll be sending it sometime this month with the first for my new SP.  ((((sigh))) better late than never I guess.  Now I just have to get to the store to buy what is in my mind for each!  Sorry gals!  BC has turned this Type A woman into a much less organized person for sure... or at least one who doesn't freak out if the list sits and waits until tomorrow (or several days later!).  And my postcard from D1 was in the mail pile... so cool.  Can't believe you took the time to send them to us.  I'll keep that with all the cards and notes I've collected since dx. last year.  And finally, I'd like to thank my first SP for the Rita's gift certificate.  What a great treat.  I took the family out Saturday night, and we still have enough left for one more time.  Did we ever decide if we were going to announce who had whom at the end of each quarter?

OK, over to the posts.  I'll try to keep it brief or y'all will be reading forever!

Kimberly:  Hope your first week of school has gone well.  I know that getting back into work can be both fulfilling and exhausting.  Hope you had some good wine on hand!  BTW, making your own wine sounds like so much fun. 

Sherry:  Sounds like the wedding was a success.  The pictures looked beautiful; I LOVED the bridesmaids' dresses.  And you looked fabulous, lady!  The cake looks yum-o!

D1:  So your house must be quieter now that college girl is back to school.  I read with envy your post about meeting Joan (BTW-your hair looks awesome, both of you!).  I hope we can meet up someday.  I'm about an hour south of Swarthmore College.  I thought of you while we were on our way to ‘cation... we went through VA Beach area and then down Rt. 17 to NC.  I think you're more West though?

Kowtow to D1 and her mommy skills.  I am in awe of you not only for your organizational skills, but I also hope some of your parenting insight could work its way north to me.  And I mean that seriously.

Paula:  Whew!  I think you're busier than I am!  Kudos on the plan with your sub; sounds like it will make your life easier.

Carol: OMG!  I know I'm late here, but I just cringed on your posts about ds's tat.  I hope all his tests turn out OK (I know he'll survive his punishments!).  Has he had the Hep B vaccines? I also echo the thoughts of whoever mentioned counseling for ds.  He sounds like he has a lot on his plate, and sometimes kids are relived to have someone to talk to about their parents.

And again, jealous of you and Kimberly getting to meet. Sounds like it was fun.  There were some great pics of you two here.  Thanks to you both for sharing.

Ouch.. I just read your post on the derm. appointment.  I hope the results are negative.

And I just read about your friend's baby.  Shoot me any questions you may have.  I saw TONS of hydrocephalus in our NICU.  The key is a good neurosurgeon.

Julie:  Good luck with selling your house.  I know the market here in DE sucks.  I always loved house hunting, but packing/moving is not on my list of favorite things (hate it).

Hope your school year goes well.  Reality/real life sucks, huh?  I kinda miss the freedom I had when I wasn't working, but BC was totally not the reason I was aiming for when I said I wish I didn't have to work!  Next time, God, I mean I want to win the lottery!

Kris60:  I say go for the reconstruction if you can have insurance pay for it!  At least explore your options.  How sore were you after the port came out?  I have mine until January when herceptin's done.

Cathy-CA: Another kid off to college!  I feel so strange to be at the other end of the spectrum with my 2 kids just starting the school process.

Maz:  Looks like you'll be getting ready for your ‘cation soon.  Watch out for the hurricanes down that way!

LJ:  I'm thinking you should be done rads by now (I'm a little behind, huh?).  Hope you're healing well.  Yup... I just read your post on th subject... congrats!  LOL on your story about the guy at the light.  I also loved your insight on people like him.  You have a great way with words.

Joan:  How cool that Lucy could be a therapy dog.  I loved the one that came through our chemo center (a golden retriever).  Saw your pics with D1... your hair does look great!  I have about the same amount, but mine's much darker (WTF?  I was blonde before chemo!).  I have waves/curls which I am so not used to (I had poker straight hair prior to chemo)... I'm thinking I could use some styling tips and gel, too. People who did not know me before BC love my hair... I'm still not so sure about it because it's so different than what I'm used to.

Have a good school year!

Jenn:  Sorry to hear about your illness and knee.  Glad you are back here to post and hope you're out of the darkness.  Being a patient sucks!

OK, that's it for me.  So much more I'd like to write, but this is long enough for now.  Missed you gals a bunch.

RN2teach

LOL, D1: at least there's hope that I'll be able to keep up with the posts...

I've spent most of the weekend right here in front of my computer working on lesson plans for myself and the sub. I have a good game plan established and feel a lot better about our ability to get these kids ready to work in the hospital in January.

I hear you, Superior Mother! My ds is pumped about being a senior also. He only has 3 AP classes in his schedule this year, but we've worked a couple of college classes in as well. He is also taking health occupations classes, which will help him to score high on the entrance exams for the college health sciences programs. He'll be taking those in February.

He came home with his first paycheck yesterday. Hmmm, could it be possible that it was 30 years ago when I brought my first paid earnings home? My, my...

I would LOVE to meet up with you while I'm in DC. There are going to be 2 of us chaperoning the students, so I'm sure I can work in a visit if you don't mind coming in. We're staying in McLean at the Hilton Tysons Corner. I'll bring the agenda home from work tomorrow so we can make plans. How exciting!

In answer to your question: isn't "relax and smell the roses" the same thing as "chill and sip the vino?"  I agree... I was trying to be funny (guess not!) and rework it to get Carol's mind off of the gardening.

Speaking of Carol... sorry to hear about your gf and her baby girl. I'll keep them both in my thoughts and prayers.

Zach sounds a lot like my Dale-- not a bit self-motivated to achieve academically. This year that seems to be turning around as college is looming. He saw from his recent interviews just how much his performance will impact the $$ he is offered. Hope that mindset lasts, but he IS a teenager still.... funky brain wiring and all that...

Sherry, hope you got your bed ready to fall into when you get home today! Hope your day at work goes well. Heard from the newlyweds this week?

Kathy, curls eh? My hair def has a different texture (I was stick straight also), but it isn't long enough to tell about the curls. I tried spiking it up last week, though, and it collapsed in spite of the gel-- I KNOW my "real" hair would have stood up on its own at this length. On a positive note, my SIL's hair came in different but eventually made it back to its original texture AND color. So, hopefully you'll be a natural blonde again... tho maybe not as soon as you'd like.  

I'm off to finish up the laundry and proof ds' scholarship essays. He has a couple with deadlines this month. Then the evening is mine... think I'm going to kick back with a good book. I've read a couple of good ones this summer. My favorite was "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" by David Wroblewski. It is the story of a boy who is mute and his dogs--I loved it! Elizabeth Berg's "Dream When I'm Feeling Blue" about 3 sisters during WW II was good also. I just finished "Body of Work" written by a doctor (Christine Montross) about her experiences dissecting cadavers. The book sounds morbid, but it really wasn't--promise! Well, maybe a little... but this woman writes so well!

Anyone have suggestions for my next read? Paula

Anonymous

Hey Jewels. Thanks for the congrats on finishing up Rads.

Helping the dp figure out a new treadmill to buy. She hates the manual one we have, I like it because it really makes you work. Going back and forth between a Nordic Track and a Smooth.

Skin is recovering nicely, just a bit pink in the boost area and a mere trace of color elsewhere. Still a bit itchy (supraclav + nipple), nothing overwhelming. As I was waiting for my latest MUGA Friday I saw my Green team leaving work. I waved madly at them and they waved madly back. The MUGA tech told me she calculated the results and got 68 and 73. This compares favorably to the recent 63, and puts the trendline back on the increase. The tech reinforced what the onc. has been saying, which is that what appears to be decreasing results can all be simple variations from who is reading the images. 

D1, my shoulder is feeling much better now that I'm not having to hit that unnatural position for rads every day. I had to hold an arms-over-the-head position for 20 minutes for the MUGA, and it was no problem. I don't think it's rotator cuff, not from what I can see of where that is located in online pictures. It has felt more like the inside/lower part of the shoulder blade, near the spine. Anyway, it only bothered me in "rads" position.

I'm doing weights and that is helping strength and flexibility. I'm up to 8 lb on that arm, taking it very slowly. I do bicep curls, military press, bench press, tricep extensions, and standing/bent over rowing for arm work. Squats and hamstring curl for legwork.

DP has been trimming the hair every couple of weeks. She hates it. But she does it. Her skills are improving with the clippers. There have only been 2 "oops"es ... not bad. The hair has a decided wave, like the flappers from the 20s. People are complimentary. I offer to trade them for their straight hair.

Hope all are enjoying their Labor Days.

kris60

yay the alien implant is gone!!!  lol, that's what a guy at work called it. :P   Not sore at all, have the steri strips over the area so can't check out the battle wound yet.  The tape is a pita though..itchyyyyy.  Hope all had a safe and great weekend...

tootles

Kris

Determined1

So everyone came out of the woodwork after a restful weekend.  It's good to see you guys!

I'm very happy to report that my new SP has sent me a CD to help with my wine appreciation!  Thanks, SP!  Soon, I'll have no excuses for being uneducated when it comes to vino.  I was thinking that my card with likes/dislikes was pretty lame (particularly after seeing a couple of others, now), so here's some more help for you:  I like music (pretty much anything but opera and really heavy metal) and am really in to my iPod, I'm getting more and more interested in cooking, so if you have some favorite recipes (go easy on me) to share, I'm game for that (those cream cheese brownies of KathyL's were SOOOO fattening, but yum-city!)  Oh, and along with the cooking, I like exercising and could use some new ankle weights and so forth, so gift certificates to stores with exercise gear is good.  That's all that came to me in the past 24 hours.

So, Sherry, how are the muscles?  I can't believe you're standing all day and then moving into a new bedroom.  Do you ever rest?  What's the report from the newlyweds?

Carol, wow, your gf has her hands full with the new baby.  How are they doing?  I really don't know much about that condition.

I got dd#2 off to her senior year of high school this morning.  She was beside herself with excitement.  A bunch of girls in her class designed these t-shirts for the first day of school that said something about being "senior girls" and how the view from the top was better.  I'm not sure how many of the gals wore them, but my kid was so cute.  I sent her a text today, wishing her well, and she responded a bit later saying it was all good, so hopefully she'll be able to keep up with the work of all those APs.

Not sure how to bottle her academic-ness up, Carol.  In all honesty, I think there's something wrong with her.  I mean, how many 17 year olds read Dostoevsky, Sartre, and Camus for summer fun?  I just hope she stays happy and fulfilled.

Some stability for your ds sounds like a good plan, Carol.  These high school years can be really rough-I mean these kids feel so much pressure to "find" themselves, while separating from their parents.  It can make for some tricky footing along the way.  It's a lot of work, particularly since he has essentially 2 sets of parents keeping an eye on him, but if you can all communicate what you see/suspect I think ds will be better for it.  I know we talked about friends (my dad always said "you are the company you keep"), but if anyone can figure out how to steer a kid from some bad influences, I'm all ears.  As I told you, Carol, we had some friend issues with college girl when she was in high school and all I could remember was how my parents would forbid me to see a pal and that always made me want to see that person more.  So I stayed away from the forbidden route, but I think my distaste for some of her selections came through loud and clear.  If you can get ds to invite his gang home for some chillaxin', then you're at least going to be able to do some monitoring.  It will all come out okay in the end.  Remember, we learned everything we needed to know by the time we finished kindergarten!

I cannot believe your 3-day is just around the corner.  You'll be ready.  I have faith in you.

Oh, KathyL, I remember those first day tears.  I still get them some years (not this year, I guess we were well-prepared this time).  I hope your kids keep their enthusiasm all year long.  Oh, and WTG on getting those old items ready for the consignment shop.  That's as big a job as practically moving, imo.

I'm also hoping we'll get a chance to meet.  When we were driving up through Philly I thought of you when we passed the Middletown sign.  I remember when we took dd to that basketball tourney in NY that you said we went right by you when we passed the sign.  I rolled down the window this time and shouted a hello-I hope you heard it!

Thanks for the comments about the hair.  I know what you mean about people giving you compliments now.  Some folks who say something about my hair didn't even know the pre-chemo me, so have no idea how I see myself when I look in the mirror.  I think that was part of what Joan was grappling with when I saw her.  (Still going topless, Joan???  I hope so.)

You must be incredibly disciplined, Paula, to be at your computer and get your lesson plans done without getting distracted by the thread.  I'm supposed to be drafting some essays about dd for the school guidance counselor to use (likely completely plagiarize) when she's crafting recommendation letters for dd for colleges.  I feel a lot of pressure to do a good job by my kid, but not so much pressure that I'm skipping my dose of the Jewels first!

The McLean Hilton is even easier for me to get to than heading in to the District, so I'm so there!  Just let me know when and I'll come running!

Sounds like you're coming out of rads okay, LJ.  I was really glad to hear that your arm pain is dissipating.  I cannot wait to get back to my old lifting regimen-hearing about yours makes me anxious to do those things again (except the bench press-not into that one).  LOL at your dp and the oopsies on the hair.  I don't think I could pay my dh to trim my hair-course, I wouldn't want him to!!!  Seems my hair growth has stalled again (thank you Tamoxifen), so I'm going to get it colored again on Friday and try to focus on the money I'll be saving by not having to go back so soon.  Only 57 more bottles of Tamoxifen to go!

Kris-so glad the alien implant has left the building.  You made me laugh with that one.  When do you get to look at it (the scar, not the alien)?

Hmm.  It's already 2p here and I have sooooo many things on the to do list.  Guess I need to get to getting.

Later.

D1

golfer779

Hi Ladies,

So here's a good one ... got home from work, read an e-mail from my friend/tent partner for the 3 Day. Then got to thinking it would be fun to decorate our tent with something. First thought I'd go on-line looking for something "boobie" related. Shouldn't be too hard, I could probably just hit my ds's puter history. Atleast the hits he hasn't deleted! Then decided to look in the phone book for adult novelties. Hmmmm, couldn't find anything listed there, then remembered a store called Lover's. I just called them asking if they have "boob" related novelties. I'm sure this young gal on the other end thought to herself, "another whack job". She actually was very helpful, and informed me they had plenty of items to choose from. Will hit Lover's afterwork tomorrow. Maybe I'll park in an adjacent parking lot, throw on some dark sunglasses and go for it, (okay I'm just kiddin').

I will also have printed out my pictures of my fellow Jewels, I have document protectors, in case of inclement weather, and I'm planning on attaching those to our tent as well. Speaking of pictures, I have not forgotten my promise to create a collage. I've been adding pictures that have been posted and will hit that project this fall. I will definitely have something done prior to years end.

I've been going a little nuts trying to get in touch with my gf who just had her baby. I have left a voice-mail on her cel, tried ringing her room, and no luck today. I'm assuming that she might be spending most of her time near the nursery where their daughter would be.

D1, we're all over the "invite your friends" over thing. He did have a nice gal over a few nights ago. She was very well spoken, liked dinner, and seemed pretty squared away. Hoping that we'll see her again. Today the ds is clothes shopping with his Grandma. Can't wait to see what he came up with. Hopefully he didn't shoot his wad on a pair of jeans that looks like somebody drove over with a semi!

Too cool that you and Paula should be able to hook up. I can't believe you easterner's are just getting together. Now just because you get the chance to meet another SIS, hopefully it will not put the skids on a Jewel reunion next year.

Cripes, who the hell are those authors your daughter is reading ???

Kris, thanks for the alien report. I probably need to take some time to think about if I want to keep mine for an infusion every six months. I'm not sure I want to deal with going into the chemo center for a flushing every 4 to 6 weeks. Then again, I'd probably be kicking myself the first time they can't get a vein easily.

LJ, you appear to have faired really well with your rad txt. A little itch ... gotta like that!!!

My co-worker at work who hit's the gym, just asked me today when I was going to start back. We have a very new, not crowded facility about 2 minutes from my shop on the base. They also made it free to civilians (used to be just military). I had been going usually about 3 or 4 times a week, until life changed last Oct. Once I've finished with "the walk of all walks", I'll be starting back. I definitely need to strengthen my dominant right arm. My full duty work is pretty physical, and I need to get back up to snuff.

Paula, thought about calling a couple times this weekend, usually it ended up being your dinner/bed time. Well maybe my bedtime, oh that's right ... you are the night owl.

We could not reiterate more to the ds about grades, college, life after hs. He has complete champagne tastes, and if he doesn't want to have a beer budget, he best start hitting it academically a bit harder this year.

Kathy, yep the kid has had his Hep B shots, thanks for inquiring. Even though he is not participating in school affiliated sports, I have made sure that he goes in for a yearly physical.

I will definitely bounce any questions on Hydro ... to you, thanks again for your concern. Right now I'm kinda nuts waiting for a call. Its hard being a friend that is so far away. I do know that her parents (who live near me), have gone down to CA. Just wish I had their cel number.

Kimberly, are we back at work today? Does your school know that this job thing is kinda getting in the way of your wonderful words to the Jewel family??? Hope your weekend was great!

Okay, off to the galley ... hopefully I'll be able to pop in tomorrow. I'll have to report back on my adventure to the Lover's Store!!!

Carol

SISKimberly

Hey gals, I'm here.  I've read all the posts, but am too pooped to pop out individual shout outs.  Man, this going back to work thing really is exhausting and cuts into my Jewel time. Grrrr.

So, we had Back to School night tonight.  It went well. We had 8 minutes per class to tell them everything they need to know about our class.  I pointed them to my website for the more detailed version.

Classes are maxed out in Language Arts, but my Study Skills is only 20, which is good as they are low kids and need more one on one.

My student teacher is a doll and will start teaching in my 1st period class by the end of next week. We have to start co planning next Tuesday so she can start teaching some lessons. 

Physical Therapy is done for the most part. I can go back if I need to go back, so that's good to know.  I need to start doing weights now at home, so I'll be getting up at 6 am starting next week. I've gotten myself up earlier each day, so by next week, 6am should be no problem.  I can also start the district offered classes after work next week.  Yoga and Cardio Sculpt alternate days with Friday off.

My eyes are really drooping shut...so I've got to go. I'll do a better job of this on Saturday morning.

 Love ya gals,

Kimberly 

sheshe48

Hi Jewels,

I'm just reading thru the post today, my friend that was at my daughters wedding just had a mammo and they found a lump about the size of a thumb nail. She has to get a biopsy she is actually in one of the pictures I posted, she has blond hair and wearing a green and brown sun dress. I have known her since I was like 15 years old, she went to school with my sister.

Carol  I hope your biopsy is neg for cancer

LJ  Your right just focus on the good stuff, last winter when we had a big storm my daughters neighbor came over with out asking and plowed her driveway.  And the friend down the road comes over once a week and moves the lawn. It's wonderful people like that, that matter in our lives. It's the people that like you said leave little notes on your desk. I'm so glad you are all done with rads, good job. I really love the rads teams they are so loving and caring.

D1  Yes, I'm hitting the heating pad, I'm having a lot of problems with the muscle spams after I have worked. I'm not hurting as bad as the first week, but I still hurt. It's a harder job than I thought. I'm doing well and learing my job. I deserve way more money. Oh well.  I know college girl will appreciate the cookies.

I have been going to work for the last 2 wks without my wig. At first I was self conscious but I just don't care anymore. People just think it's a hair doo. It's just my hair coming back, I have not had it cut or nothing. I'll have to send a picture. So it's official i'm going topless now, topless and loving it. 

Julie and Kimberly  I hope you too jewels get your groove back soon, I also feel like you both I have not worked in a year. It's tuff. Enjoy Ashland.

 Joan  Glad you also went topless Good for you. Sounds like Lucy will be a career dog. Cool

Determined1

Hey Gang!  Toddled off after p/t today to spend a few hours at my local Starbucks, reading my mom's book.  It's been hard for me to focus on it here at home (the computer keeps calling out to me for some unknown reason...), so I thought I'd treat myself to a chilled skinny latte and wade through some of it.  Well, I think I'm now about halfway done.  I read the first third of it before cation and gave my mom that feedback and now I can see that I've read about half of it.  I need to get her on the horn and give her my edits before I forget what all my chicken scratchings mean in the margins!

Carol, nice chat last night.  Again, my apologies to dh and ds for horning in on their family time with you, but I couldn't help myself.  I'm still LOL while I imagine you at the Lovers store this afternoon. 

We'll be here this weekend, SIS Kimberly, not to worry!  Teach those children well!  (Hooray on finishing p/t.  Looks like I'll be going for another 2 months at least.  We got as far as we could for now and have switched gears to work on breaking down some of my massive scar tissue so I can get more mobility.  I can tell you, this part HURTS.)

Oh Sherry, just reading about your gf and her lump.  Fingers are crossed that it comes back benign.

Of course you deserve to be paid more for your job!  That's the American way, isn't it?  (We're underpaid and overworked??)  Try a glass of wine with the heating pad to see if that relaxes your muscles any.  (Not promoting alcoholism or anything, but we all deserve to kick back a little.)

And another Jewel going topless!  Yay us!

Okay, I'm going to see what other trouble I can get in to.

D1

KathyL

It was so nice today to not have to work... the first Wednesday in a while that was "open".  Had my herceptin infusion at 10, then met a friend for lunch.  Ran errands this afternoon.  Now I have a few minutes before I pick up the kids.  Tonight's the first PTO meeting at dd's school.  Dutiful parent that I am, I'm going.  Have a sitter for the kids until dh gets home from late work.

What's up with my Jewel buddies?

Paula:  Busy as ever.  I don't know how you do it all, lady!  I hope you get some "free" time for you to do fun stuff.  Massage or pedicure?

LJ:  You put me at ease reading about the MUGA.  I have my next one in 2 weeks and have been thinking about it.  You explained the whole numbers thing better than my docs so far.  Thanks!

D1:  I agree, my list for SPs was not as detailed as others.  So I'd like to add to mine, too.  So, to my current SP... I like the beach and anything beach-y, OPI nail polishes, cooking/baking (and eating!), seafood, Italian, gardening (planting stuff), Victoria's Secret, and reading bestsellers (I think I put that on my list, but I can't remember).  My music tastes are diverse: classical to Top 40 (like Pink, Carrie Underwood, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake; I know.... CRAZY!) )Thanks D1 for the reminder to update!

Carol:  LOL on your boob decorations.  And so cool, I might add, that our pics will adorn your tent!  We'll be thinking of you.  I am amazed at your dedication to this walk.

IMO, I'd ditch your port when you can.  It's probably not good to use it only every 6 months and have to flush every month; what a PITA, and a site for infection, too.

Kimberly:  I empathize....work sucks!  I so hate that I can't be here as much as I used to be, and as much as I'd like.

Sherry:  Hope your friend's biopsy is b-9!

Don't know if I mentioned my annual mammo in August was OK.  What a feat to do with a port in place and b/c of the implant.  I also have shucked my wig for good now.  When we came home from ‘cation I stopped wearing it at work (my last holdout).  People love my hair, I can't wait until October when I have an appointment to highlight it.

GTG get my kids!

joteach

Good evening Jewels,

 Well its official. I'm topless full time now. It is so liberating!  I am getting so many compliments at work. Most of course know but there are some that didn't know about the bc. I still have a hard time looking in the mirror though. You were right on the money with that D1. Maybe in another month or so...

Hurray to Sherry and KathyL for joining the topless Jewels!

I just enrolled Lucy (my puppy) in basic obedience class in October. We are also going to a Paws in the Park (ASPCA fundraiser) on September 13. I'm so looking forward to that.

It was so hard going back to work and leaving my Lucy. She did OK and loves her dogwalker who takes her out midday. Today was the first day with the kids and was so hectic. Scheduling is a nightmare this year but it will get better by next week (hopefully).

Joan

golfer779

Morning Ladies,

Just a "quickie" ... my venture to the "Adult Novelty" store was quite that ... an adventure.  Lets just say that finding "hoot" adorned novelties was not quite as easy as "male body parts"!!!  I did end up with some balloons, tacky necklaces, and yep a frisbee!   I'm sure my face was a bit flush as I payed for my purchase and slithered out the front door!

From there, went for a hair trimming and had my peach fuzz sideburns waxed off my face.  I'm not digging this new hair growth everywhere you don't want it.  Sure hope if/when it returns it stays blonde!!!

Lastly, the ol' freckly biopsy was B9 !!!

At work ... GTG ... Carol

Determined1

So dh, dd and I met with the counselor at our high school that pretty much just does college stuff.  We were trying to come up with some safety schools for dd, since all of her targets so far are really competitive.  The woman gave us a bunch of names, but dd found fault with most of them, so I'm not sure we made much headway.  If that kid doesn't get in to Vassar, we're all in BIG trouble.

I read with a HUGE smile and a big sigh that Carol's freckle is b9!!!!  Makes me want to send out a happy dance!  (Where's Julie when you need her?)  Great news, Carol.

Hope the PTO meeting went okay, KathyL.  I never did that as I found it all so political and I mostly wanted to help the kids.  So I was a Girl Scout leader for both of my girls' troops (for about 6 years I had 2 troops at once), I volunteered once a week in the elementary computer lab for an hour (did that for 7 years total!), and helped with field trips when my schedule would allow it.  Once the kids got to middle school I only had scouts and helping my dh with the rec league basketball teams he coached, and then along came high school and, poof!, they don't want you around anymore.  (I got by that one by being the Basketball Boosters president for the past 5 years!)  You'll find your niche and hopefully you'll have a lot of fun along the way.

So happy you've ditched the wig.  And then to see Joan confirm her topless state in the very next post!  I think the Jewels are starting to ROAR!!!!!

Hey, good luck with that obedience class, Joan.  If you're really well-behaved, maybe they'll throw a treat your way!  JK

Carol, you have WAY more balls than I!  I can't believe you actually made it through the Lover's store.  I would have loved to be a fly on the wall for that one!  (Oh, and I'm with KathyL-I'm so honored that you would include the Jewels in your decorations for your tent.  Don't put any reference to me next to that Frisbee, okay????)

So here's my latest homage to our sisterhood.  Yesterday my onc's office called to confirm my appointment for Monday.  I mentioned this to my dh and told him that normally those confirmation calls don't even get my attention, but I felt a huge knot in my stomach over that one.  His reply was, "well, you gotta go.  It's just a doctor's appointment."  Humpf.  He doesn't get it.  I know all of you completely get the knot thing and it gives me strength to march in there on Monday knowing I have all of you by my side.  Thanks for being there.

I can't believe it's already 3p!  Where did this day go???  Dd will be home from school in about 10 minutes.  Guess I should move on.

D1

sheshe48

Hi JJ's

I keep forgetting to thank everyone for giving me such kind compliments on my daughters wedding and thank you all for being there for me.

Sis Kimberly  I could of used your maid that day. LOL

Sherry

JulieK_11_30_07

Hi Jewels! I'm caught up with the posts, but am sooo swamped right now I could scream!! Between school, getting the house ready to show, running ds between all of his practices, etc.... I barely have time to breathe! We have a busy weekend too so I'm not sure when things will slow down.

Carol - here's your happy dance!!! Yay to a b-9 result!!

LOVE the story about you visiting "Lovers"!! Made me LOL picturing you there!!

Well, girls -- I'm afraid I over-did things this past weekend a bit. I'm just at five weeks past my exchange surgery and haven't done a whole lot of "physical labor" yet. I decided I needed to steam clean a couple rooms and did that on Saturday. Of course, that required emptying the rooms out too. I also did a bunch of laundry and I hadn't done much of that in a while either. We did go boating on Monday - beautiful weather! Dh and I had a very relaxing, nice day - ds decided not to go. SO, on Tuesday, I noticed some discomfort in my surgery area - more prevalent on the left side. I decided to wait a day and see how I was on Wednesday - still some discomfort so I called my surgeon's office and talked to his assistant. After I described things to her, she said she thinks it's more "muscular" than implant related. After not using those muscles for such a long time, it's likely that they're just overworked after my busy weekend. I'm praying that's the case b/c I saw what my sister went through after one of her implants shifted!! Through the weekend I'm supposed to treat it with Ibuprofen and heat and see how I am on Monday. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Kimberly and all of my fellow teachers - hope you're getting back in the groove at school! I've been at it now for over three weeks and I'm still feeling it!! I'm sooo tired when I get home!

Well, off to grade for the rest of the evening! Sorry I don't have time for individual shout-outs - thinking of you all!!

{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}

Julie

SISKimberly

Hey Jules, I'm right there with ya...I'm soooo tired!!!!  Did I already say I feel like an alien on a planet I vaguely recognize and can't recall the language or the customs?  It is so strange to feel so much like a fish out of water. I guess almost a year out of the classroom is a lot, and it isn't like riding a bike...not so quick to get back into the swing.  I know I'll get there.

 I have read the updates and  have just enough energy to say, "WhooHoo to our Jewels who have decided to go topless (Kathy, Sherry, and Joan).  I get so many compliments on my hair. 

To our dear Carol....Yippee for the b9 growth on the back of the neck.  Any news on Val's baby?

D1- Busy as ever I see.  I don't think you could fit a job into your schedule with all you're doing.

I'm sorry your dh didn't get the whole knot in the gut reaction.  I went to my onc yesty and he was very warm and back to his old self.  He said, "We aren't talking about hormones are we?"  I said, "Nope", and he replied, "OK, so then here is what you need to do...lose 15 pounds....not that you're fat...but we need as much fat off your body as possible. Get lots of exercise and eat lots of good whole foods."  I just wanted to kiss him as to me this was his way of saying, I support your choice to do this without drugs!!!!  So, I plan to lose 15 pounds in the next three months.

Off to finish making dinner.

Kimberly 

Wing

Happy Friday Jewels,  I am one of the MIA's just trying to get some "normalcy" back into my life.  I did some jewel updating reading the posts, seems most all are trying to do the same.  Between work and having my mom and stepfather for a 2 month visit I have had zero time for much else.  My mom wanted to come and "help" me but her husband is living with advanced Parkinson's Disease so It was tough having them here at times.  All in all it went well.  So now I will have some time to catch up on everyone and it looks like it will take a while as there are many new members and pages to review.

Special thanks to SIS Kimberly for checking on me from time to time it was thoughtful of you.

All is going well I finished treatments last week and getting port/alien out Mon the 15th (ya hoo!).

I too have entered the topless club, oh what a feeling!

Well I am going to get reading to catch up on everyone with shout outs to come asap!

 Missing you all,

Wendy

Determined1

Oh, I really feel for all of you getting back to work.  I don't know how you do it.

Today started at the gym then a quick shower before p/t (she's still hurting me).  Then I ran off to have my hair colored again.   I needed to warm up the color for fall.  I LOVE it!  Not much of a cut, mostly shaping the hair along my neckline.  I look so hot!  Then I ran to the mall to meet a friend for lunch and then we giggled our way through the Clinique counter, buying some new makeup for fall since they were having one of their bonuses.  They talked me into trying a new eyeliner, so I'm kinda excited about that.

Now I'm finishing my 4^th load of laundry (I started it this morning when I got up) and have to put clean sheets on my bed.  (I love Friday nights when I have clean sheets!)

Gosh, Julie, I sure hope your aches are muscle-related.  I wasn't around to see your sister's issues with her implants, but I sure don't want you to have any.  Glad you got out on your boat again.  I imagine the season for that will be winding down soon-bummer. 

So, SIS Kimberly, what's the plan for the 15 lbs?  I still have 5 hanging around that I'd like to shake, so if you have a good idea, let me know.  It's really great how your onc is helping you avoid the hormone thing.  Mine told me that our body fat will also produce estrogen, so that's probably why yours suggested the weight loss.  Diet and exercise is good for all of us, so you can't be too upset with that rx!

Wendy!  GREAT to hear from you!  I was just reading through our header this week and was wondering about some of the Jewels that don't post quite so often.  Thanks for checking in.  Even though it was challenging to have your mom and stepdad around as "help," I'll bet you were glad to be able to spend the time with them.  Good luck with your alien removal and WoooHooo on your topless state!

I think I'll give college girl a ringy dingy and see how rushing went last night.  She was SOOOO nervous!

D1

golfer779

Hey Ladies

Okay, with all the talk about being pooped out with working, I'll join the band wagon.  Even though it was a short week, the post ‘cation blues, along with the reality of hitting a normal work pattern is a bittersweet feeling.   I must say my usual energenic   self during the summer months doesn't appear to be kicking in.  Yeah, I've come home and puttered a bit in the yard, but usually I would be almost "anal" about tending to the yard.   Now that I just wrote that, I am thinking ahead to next week where I will be only working 2 ½ days.  What a dork!  Next week its get the stictches out and then off to the "Big City" on Thursday for the 3 Day.  We're staying at a hotel in Bellevue and having a team dinner  Thursday night.  Then its wakeup call at 3:30, a 4:00 continental breakfast and board the bus to the starting point at 4:30.  God, was I on heavy drugs or what when I committed to this event????

Talked with my gf with the new baby girl, gf is doing pretty darn good considering what she had been through (thank goodness she was fit as can be prior to becoming pregnant).   Baby "Katie" had surgery today to put a shunt in her head for drainage.  Surgery went well, another CT scan will be done Sunday.  Mom and Dad got a room at a Ronald McDonald House adjacent to the hospital (since their 3 hours from home),  her dh will probably head back up to work in a week or so (a teacher),  and if all goes well, Mom and baby will be heading back towards their local hospital as well.   So not what new parents should have to deal with. 

So Kathy, been thinking about your "ditch the port" idea.  I'll chat with the onc in a couple weeks, the more I think about it, getting poked with a needle every 6 months is pretty un-eventful in comparison to the last year.  Time to sport my "big girl panties" and go for it!!!

So on the "alien" port removal thing, and those of you getting them out,  are you having the surgeon who put it in, take it out???   My thought was that I wanted the same surgeon, but having the feeling that insurance may have issues (as my surgeon was not a Group Health surgeon and it was a story in itself to have my (2) surgeries covered).

Kathy, I have a referal to get a mamo, due in October (at a site with digi pics, which was not the case last year), my question as well to the bc coordinator was how they did a mamo with a port placed pretty darn low on the good side.  She replies with, "I don't know why they do that"?   Another question for my onc, maybe a MRI this go around and then a Mamo in 6 months when the port is removed.   Those no brainer mamo's of the last 5 years are definitely a new world now!

Joan, how fun ... obedience school.  Prior to having kids, the ex and I had a "wiener" dog, did puppy kindergarten, and 2 sessions of obedience.  He would be so cute, sitting there in a down stay next to all these BIG dogs.  I think he was scared sh*tless to move!!!  That's awesome your able to have somebody come a take Lucy out during the day. 

D1, I'm all over the feeling of having those knots in the tummy.  I certainly think it will take a bit more than a year or 6 months out of treatment to get over the anxiety of most of our follow-ups appts.   Heck, I've had some of my most emotional moments chatting with the onc, and it usually evolves around me saying the "R" word ... as in "reoccurence".  I had a similar moment with my dh over getting my results for my "dermie" surgery.  I told him that I had received my results that everything was Okay and how relieved I was.  He basically thought it was out of line to have had a doc actually remove what she did.  He kept saying there is no way that spot could be anything.  Well I'm sorry, but you know, I totally thought last year that I had no big problems within my breast and was I ever mistaken.  I personally think being a bit gun shy is going to be a norm, atleast for me for a time.

Julie, thanks for the happy dance ... that's exactly what I felt like doing!

So lets keep our fingers and toes crossed that you just overdid a bit this past weekend.  Now hopefully your laying REALLY low this weekend. 

Kimberly, awesome that you and your onc are communicating on the same page.   There's no doubt in my mind that your attention to what you are putting into your body is doing you right.  Wishing I could have a bit more discipline myself with keeping to the "whole" food scenario.  I keep "falling off the wagon", but doing much better than in the past.  I will forward you a book (like you have time for reading), entitled Breast Fitness, that you may enjoy scimming through.   You had also mentioned about wanting to chat with your sister, it may be a book she would get some good knowledge/ideas from. 

Wendy, absolutely too cool that you popped in ... I'm with D1, I have looked at the header of the post a time or two and really wonder how some are doing.   Yeah on the life's normalicy thing, it almost seems like a lifetime away to me.   I see another port removal ... so is the surgeon who put it in taking it out?

Hoping that life for all is moving along in a positive direction ... its great that the post is being used less frequently, but I must say I miss hearing from so many of the Jewel family.

Aaaahhhh, just got a call from the gf, baby is doing very well, even a possibility of going "home" in about a week.  Finishing up this post with a BIG smile on my face with that news.  Looks like a trip to Redding Ca will be in my cards here soon!!!

Time to fire the bar'b off, the dh should be home in about ½ hour!!!

Take care my friends, Carol

RN2teach

Okay, 2 weeks down... 40 to go. hahahaha! I love my job, but I am missing my Jewel time as many of you have also mentioned. It has been a good week. Have been working with ds, getting his portfolio updated for tomorrow's college visit. We have a meeting with the admissions counselor after the tour, so wanted to have everything ready. We're heading north to Fairmont State University this time. A visit to WVU in Morgantown is coming up soon. So, Carla / WVGirl, if you're still reading our thread, I'd sure like to meet you when I come to your neighborhood!

Carol- Thank God for the B9 news! I'm so glad (and relieved!). Good to see the update on your friend and the baby. Glad things are going well for them.

D1- So, has your dd applied to other schools? She should apply to at least 4... good luck convincing her of that. From what I've read about her here, though, she sure sounds like the kind of student that Vassar would covet (not to mention a lot of other good schools!). I'll continue sending good vibes that she gets an early acceptance letter!

Julie- lay low this weekend and heal quickly!

Kimberly- hope you've got a rejuvenating weekend in store. I'm feeling a bit out of my groove at work, too. I really believe in the whole "chemo brain" now... I'll be right in the middle of a lecture and forget a word, or get tongue-tied and have trouble enunciating a word here and there. SO embarrassing!

Kathy and Joan- congrats on going topless! It is strange at first, but you'll get used to it. I've been experimenting with adding a little gel to mine to spike it up a bit. A couple of weeks ago it would eventually sag toward the middle and form a peak--ala mohawk... NOT what I had in mind. It's behaving a bit better now, though. I had my sides and neckline trimmed last week and got rid of the facial hair.

I'm having some swelling in my breast this week all of a sudden. Noticed it Wednesday... removed my bra and had this huge dent where the boob had swollen over the edges of the bra. I've had to ditch my Vic's Secrets for the sports bras, but still swelling. I think it is related to the clinical training. Lots of lifting, etc... Hope I'm not developing a lymphedema problem at this late stage. Not much going on in the armpit or side... just the boob. I see the onco Tuesday. Got a call from my surgeon last week and will be scheduled for a brain MRI and a PET Scan later this month. A brain MRI? Whoa!

Kris- glad the port is gone!

BTW, Carol, I'll have my port removed by the surgeon who placed it.

Wendy- how great to hear from you. Glad you're doing well.

Better catch some shut-eye. We're leaving at 6am...

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Paula

Determined1

Happy weekend!  We're getting some of the rain from Hanna here this weekend, but we were so parched, that the rain is a good thing.  And since dd is going to be at work all day today, the fact that outdoor pursuits are nixed won't be such a big deal.  Now I just have to figure out what I'm going to do with myself!

Carol-great news on your friend and her baby.  I cannot imagine how it must feel to deliver anything but healthy, pink bundle of joy.  My heart really goes out to her and her husband. 

You will be SO ready for your 3-day.  I'm so proud of you.  It's been fun to follow you along as you train and then decorate (!) for this event.  Don't forget your iPod! 

Oh, um, if I can wear my big girl panties and get poked every 3 months, then so can you.  Nuff said.

Push for the MRI this time.  As I recall, you don't have too much to smush around and I think that port placement could be an issue.  Talk to your onc about your concerns and hopefully, he'll hear you and request an MRI.

You know, I wondered how you were faring while you waited for your freckle results.  I didn't want to suggest to you that you should be concerned, so I didn't say anything, but I was certainly knotted on your behalf.  It's funny, I've never been much of one to worry till I had something to worry about, so this is a new feeling for me.  Perhaps I figure I actually do have something to worry about...  I hope this goes away with time.

Hey Paula!  Good luck with your visits today.  Sounds like ds is doing interviews, too.  Hope he's able to relax.  My dd is applying to Vassar early decision and then will apply to either Wesleyan or Pomona early decision 2, if she is rejected by Vassar.  I think she'll apply to College of William and Mary under regular application.  Unfortunately, all of those schools are REALLY competitive.    We're really pushing her to find a couple of other schools to include in her regular decision apps that will certainly accept her (you know, the backup plan).  I would not be able to deal with her if she were completely shut out and then ended up at the community college because she didn't have a Plan B.  When we saw the college counselor on Thursday she looked up any past Vassar applicants and only found one.  That girl had a 4.0 going in to her junior year, my kid has a 3.88.  That girl's SAT scores were 650 in Math/720 Reading/740 Writing.  My kid's SAT scores are 640 Math/690 Reading/780 Writing.  That girl was wait-listed at Vassar and my kid isn't quite as good.  The counselor said that dd might be able to make up for her deficit by going out for basketball at Vassar, but that would mean we'd have to include her high school bball coach to get her help and you'll recall she let my kid sit on the bench her junior year after having been a player her sophomore season under a different coach.  So I don't know how much the coach will help.  In fact, we were content to not speak to the coach this last year and just let the chips fall where they may and walk away from high school sports.  Now we're going to have to ask for her help and I'm not sure how that will affect my kid's playing time for her senior year.  Why can't this be easier?  I really hate all the jockeying and game playing.  Ugh.

Oh, and I have all kinds of problems with brain farts.  Like you, I find myself losing words or unable to pronounce them.  That better go away...

I will say if they did a brain MRI on me, they'd discover all the rocks up there and it would explain a lot of things...

Try some ice and rest for the swelling and see if it goes down.  If it's le, it won't go away so easily.  Most def bring it up on Tuesday.  (It's always sumthin, isn't it?)

Let me know when you're going to be here.  I think it was sometime this month.  It will take me 20 minutes to get to the McLean Hilton.  I'd LOVE to meet another Jewel.

Okay, got to wake dd up for work.

Later, gang.

D1

SISKimberly

Good Saturday Morning Jewels,

8 days down with the kiddos, 175 more to go. Maybe I should do that in weeks like Paula did, so it sounds better .

So, yesterday, we had our Dean and Scheduler coming in to ask for volunteers to shift to one of two new LA classes opening up.  If you recall I stated we were packed to the rafters.  It was so sweet that none of my kids wanted to volunteer even though I told them I wouldn't take it personally if they wanted to move classes.  They had to be bribed with elective options.

The bad part is that our two period REACH class for at risk kids was dismantled. Those 14 kids were split in two and will now be part of a regular LA class, which sucks for the teacher as she hasn't taught 7th regular LA since her first year at Buljan, but really if we all have to use differentiated instruction (ways to make sure all levels learn) to reach all of our kids anyway, why give 14 kids two blocks of time when the other LA classes have 34?  So, we'll see how my roll sheets change. My elective will pick up some kids from her class 2nd period and my LA classes should shrink a bit. WhooHoo.

Wendy - Hey!!!! It is soo good to hear from you.  You're welcome for checking in to see how things were going. Glad to hear you're coming up for air after a lengthy visit from the parents. As much as we love our family, there is a sense of AHHHH, when longs visits come to an end.

WhooHoo for another gal going topless in the USofA. Isn't it great? 

I get my port out over the Thanksgiving break. Carol, the surgeon who put it in is the same one who did my mastectomy. She will take it out.

D1- My plan is to get off my butt and exercise on top of my already pretty good eating habits. Next week I plan to use our weight room at school for the cardio- eliptical machines- before heading out to yoga at the District Office at 4:45.  That will be Mondays and Wednesdays. On Tuesday and Thursday, I plan to head to Sierra Gardens Elementary for a 4:45 circuit/core class.

15 pounds is a lot in three months, but it's a goal I'm shooting for that's for sure.

Could your dd's other BBall coach right a letter rather than her highschool coach? With her writing score and wanting to get into Journalism or something writing oriented, her score beat the pants of that other girl.

Carol - Glad to hear that the baby is doing well as her mom and dad.  That's good news that she'll be back in Redding in a week.  

I can't believe that the weekend of your 3 Day event is upon us. It seems like only yesterday that you were just thinking about doing it, then working on your training walks.  Good thing this is a short week for you. Are you taking the following Monday off as well to recoup?  Like D1, I am soooo proud of you.  CathyCa, your walk is in October, right?  Carol should be ready to jump up and down by then and root you on for your turn.

How's your coworker doing? I had a brainfart...I know his name starts with an S...(it will come to me later). 

Glad to hear your wine is being well cared for. We are having a Pinot tasting at our house this evening. We've got a total of 7 people and some good food that pairs well with Pinot being brought by our guests. Greg is of course making some fabulous contributions - mushroom pate and lamb lollipops (lamb loin on the end of a scewer). We also have some fruit and cheeses that will pair nicely. Should be fun. It's all small plate stuff like Tapas.

The ds just called to invite us over for a BBQ tomorrow. He's all excited about his new BBQ. He wanted one for his birthday, so the family gave him Home Depot cards.   His gf asked if I wanted her to volunteer in my classroom on Monday and Wednesday...sa-weet!!!!  I'll run that by the boss and start her ASAP.

Paula - Wow, you just don't stop do you?  How exciting for your ds to be choosing colleges and doing his interviews (OK, a bit nerve racking as well, but what great experience to have to market yourself to a college).  I'm with you on D1's Vassar hopeful having the right stuff to get in...hopefully B-Ball will be what takes her over the top.  So, what is your son's career goal? You probably stated that somewhere, but my chemobrain is alive and well, too. I totally have issues pronouncing words sometimes that I never had issues with before, or can't think of the word I need, or say the wrong word all together...like 'dick the stownloaded items', instead of 'stick the downloaded items in your binder after you print them off'.  Oh man, that got a laugh...thankfully it was my elective and a small class with 7/8, and many kids who know me. Geez!!!!

My hair isn't cooperating with the gel yet.  Hmmm. I do need to get a little 'trim' along the ears and the back though. I had a student come up and ask if I'd seen Freaky Friday. I told her I loved that movie. She told me I look and sound just like the mom - Jamie Lee Curtis. I told her I would take that as a huge compliment.

I hope you get to meet Carla.  I hope she's OK.  Haven't heard much from Dana either or Vettegal lately along with others. 

So, Paula, why a Brain MRI?  And a PET scan, too. I don't get any scans, only blood work. I think I will ask for a scan at my 1 year mark. 

OK, gotta get moving.  Later all, SIS 

KathyL

Stuck in the house today because of the weather.  Dh and the kids are driving me a bit nutty, but I got a lot done, and had some time to check in here.  My latest news to report... saw my ps Thursday and it looks like I'll be repeating my nipple surgery.  Not only did the tattoo not "take" (it completely faded), but the nipple she created has completely flattened out by now.  Have to find time to do it all again; maybe early October.  Not a big deal as I was awake for the whole thing and felt no pain later on.  I'll do it on one of my Wednesdays off I guess.  Just not happy to have to go "under the knife" AGAIN.  She said if it doesn't work this next time, that's it... it's just the way I heal.  So what's new with the Jewels?

Joan:  How nice that Lucy can have a doggie walker during the day.  I'll bet she loves it, and it probably helps her not get lonely while you work.

Carol:  Oh, I agree with D1.... I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall while you shopped at that store!!  What a "hoot" (pun intended)!  I can't believe your walk is just around the corner already.

And great news that your skin was benign.  And that your friend's baby did well with surgery.

As for the mammo with port.... my center did it.  It took some repositioning so the port did not get hit or squeezed, but the pics turned out fine and they were able to see what needed to be seen.  I think the key is a center that's used to dealing with implants, ports, etc.  Mine didn't even blink an eye at either.  I'm sure yours would do fine, too.  D1 mentioned an MRI to you... I'll get one in February (alternating them every 6 months with mammos, so I get both each year).  This may sound dumb, but can they do an MRI with a port?  I know they always ask about metal parts, fillings, etc. because of the magnetic fields...

And I can't remember if I answered you about who's taking my port out... I decided to have my ps do it (my breast surgeon put it in), mainly b/c she does a great job with fixing up scars.  My port has a yucky looking scar in 2 places; I'm eager for the ps to make it look pretty in January.

D1:  I, too, still have a stubborn 5 pounds to lose.  It doesn't seem to want to budge.  Maybe it's my new boobs???  Hahaha. 

I have my first real hair appointment scheduled for October.  I will definitely be able to do color then.  I haven't decided if I want to cut it or let it continue to grow.  Right now it's growing "out", not down/longer.  It's getting bushy.  I hope the weight of it will pull it down soon.

Thinking of you today as Hanna went through our area.  So far we are fairing OK, with just wind and rain in spurts.

Julie:  Hope you can rest so that muscle settles down. 

Wendy:  I'm amazed that you caught up on all the posts.  It can be real intimidating with this chatty bunch.  It was nice to hear from you regardless.

That's it for now.  Catch ya later, girls.

kris60

Carol,

The surgeon who put it in and did my mastectomy removed it.  I had them load me up on anti nausea meds too, sleepy juice doesn't like me.

Also, I am really interested if any regrowth happens on the facial fuzzies.  So you're the guinea pig

At least I have more hair on my head than on my face.  I'll have to get a picture up

tootles for now

golfer779

Happy Sunday

I spent yesterday morning getting my bag packed for next weekend.  Absolutely everything is enclosed in ziplocks just in case the weather turns.  The extended forecast (for what its worth), is for looking pretty decent.

Better late than never, we removed everything off our deck and stained it as well yesterday.  We'd usually do that early on in the summer, hoping that it dries enough by this evening to put everything back.  Had our friends over for dinner (the bil gave us quite a bit of salmon and halibut that he had caught in Alaska), Yummy.

We're off to golf today with my boss and another co-worker.  I hope that my stitches in my back are not irritated with a golf swing.  Looking forward to getting those buggers out on Weds.

Thanks for the input on the port removals, I have decided to have mine removed as well. 

Kathy, heck I would be asking you about the MRI with a port.  So is there metal in those puppies?  I really don't know how they could squish my boob without getting the port as well. 

Lets hope that nipple surgery #2 is successful.  So do you have a high pain tolerance or what?

Kimberly, its got to make you feel pretty good that the kids want to stay in your class.  Too cool that your son's gf (I for the life of me cannot remember her name this morning) has volunteered in your classroom.  Hope the boss man goes for it.  Enjoy your bar'b today at your son's house.  I havn't checked out the weather lately in Lincoln, is it still a scorcher?

I was salivating thinking of good wine and of course Greg's appetizers ... so what's the status on the first lot of Forbidden Gate?

Yep, taking Monday off as well after the 3 Day.  I have scheduled a massage and pedicure for my gf who is also walking, she has never had a "professional" massage.  She will be celebrating her 50th birthday two days later.  I will also be getting a pedicure, but not a massage (I need to schedule a massage with the guy who is covered by my insurance).   So I've been told that after the walk its kinda weird as you go on with your day and nobody is there applauding and encouraging you along the way. 

Sorry to report that Steph is having a tough go of it.  He is still coming into work when he can, they have also set him up with a laptop to do some work from home.  On Thursday, I saw him and he happened to cough and it almost put him to his knees.  He has become pretty fraile, and its pretty tough to see him slipping.  Our hugs are definitely getting longer, and it takes alot of deep breathes on my part to not let the tears flow.  Believe it or not, he does ask about my friends on-line. 

Paula, so how did your college visit go?  Looks like it will be my turn in the barrel next year for all of that.  Both the step daughters had their mom handle that, so it will be a new experience around here.

Now after reading Kimberly's tongue tied fiasco, I think that would be a hard one to top!!!

D1, the Ipod and ear plugs are packed.  I figure between that, a Lorazepam and having walked about 20 miles I should be able to get some shut eye in our little pink tent.  I've heard that you hear alot of tent zippers, and porta potty doors slamming in the middle of the night.  My favorite "porta potties", and showering facilities in the back of semi truck trailers .. what the heck was I thinking????

I definitely enjoyed the tunes ... I'll be showing Zach the playlist next time I see him.  He's at his Dad's for the next week or so. 

Okay, time to shower and throw our golf clubs in the car ... hope you all have a great Sunday ... Go Seahawks !!!

Carol

Determined1

Whew!  We survived Hanna.  We got 6" of rain and lost our power for about 15 hours.  Of course, as soon as the power was restored, we lost our cable, so no computer for me.  Now everything appears to be back.  I hope it lasts.

I sure hope your classes work out, SIS Kimberly.  It must be a real pain to start the school year and then know there will be some changes.  It seems to me that you'll be starting over.  I'd find that very annoying.

I sure wish one of us were a college admissions officer.  I think several of us could benefit from the insight this year.  We've talked about asking one of her AAU coaches to help dd with the basketball portion of applying to colleges.  We're not sure what that communicates, however.  Wouldn't it look awful that the high school coach wasn't involved?

I think you're christening your ds' new bbq today.  Have a great time.

Oh KathyL, I'm sorry you have to have your nipple completely redone.  The tat is one thing, but the whole shebang?  Ugh.  You seem to have a good attitude about it-that's the bigger part of the battle as we all know.  LOL at those 5 lb boobs!!!

I was thinking about you, yesterday, too.  Hoping you were staying dry and safe.  Those hurricane rains are so weird, aren't they?  It's downright hot outside during the rain.  But today dawned absolutely beautiful and the air is so clear.  I love it.  Glad to hear we all weathered the storm.  (How'd it go for you, LJ/Joan/Maz?)

Wow, Carol, you're all packed!  I cannot believe your walk is this coming weekend.  I'll keep fingers crossed for good weather.  I know you're probably already out on the links, but may I be the nagging voice of reason and suggest to you that you take it easy on your stitches while golfing?  You don't want to aggravate anything and then have some wound to deal with on your 3day.  Oh, and massages/pedis sound like the perfect way to unwind after 3 days in a tent (the whole porta potty thing makes my skin crawl...Silver lining-at least you won't have your period to deal with in the wild!).

Hey, and thanks for the tunes.  There are a number on there that I don't already have and am very happy to get them.  You be studly.

Oh, and I see you're switching from the Mariners to the Seahawks without missing a beat!  (Wonder why???)  I'll be in football mode tomorrow night when the Vikings kick off their season.  Should be more fun than baseball was!

Okay, I've got to get my insurance paperwork in order for my genetic testing tomorrow.  Later.

D1

KathyL

Hi gals.  Just checking in quickly.  It's gorgeous here today after Hanna blew through.

 D1:  Sorry to hear you lost power, etc.  At least it's all back today.  We got lucky here I think as other areas nearby got hit hard with the wind and rain.

Yeah, the nipple thing sucks.  But it seriously did not hurt a bit, so I figure WTH... one more try at it.  'Specially since my insurance covers it.

Carol:  I may be wrong, but I think some parts if the port contain metal.  I haven't seen one in a while, so they could have updated them to be all plastic by now.

 GTG, dd wants to practice her reading.