I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

Bren-2007

Sunnyflowers ... Thanks for the reminder. I hadn't thought about that in years.

Hugs,

Bren

alexandria58

Wishing a beautiful and peaceful evening to all.

Chickadee and E, sending hugs and good thoughts of horses and birds,cats and flowers, starlight and moonrise.

bluedahlia

Still can't accept this loss. I expect to see a post from her every time I log in.

bluedahlia

bluedahlia

Sunny. I knew you'd like that one. Here's another! I'm off to rest these tired old bones!

RetiredLibby

Moonrise in Cancun October 17, 2013

RetiredLibby

Goodnight, moon.

RetiredLibby

And peace to all ....

QuinnCat

Blue - that last picture of trees is a winner. Makes me wish I knew how to paint already!

Jackie - you are such a wise woman. I would love to be transported to your home someday and just sit and visit.

Sunny - love that FEAR acronym.

RetiredLibby

Today's NYT Editorial. I found myself having to parse the shutdown and the seditious activities of the regressives to a number of non-U.S. citizens when we were in Cancun last week. To a person, they asked me in bewilderment if the baggers understood that they were placing the entire world financial system at risk -- and if they understood that if they force the U.S. to continue down this unstable path of governance, nations will find a more stable place to place their investments. I was forced to say that some of them understood and didn't care, and more of them didn't understand and didn't care.

The New York Times

Editorial | Notebook

World to Washington: ‘Really?’

By SERGE SCHMEMANN

PARIS — Not many Americans traveling abroad over the past three weeks could escape some fairly unpleasant reactions to the government shutdown in the United States.

In the beginning, people seemed bemused, or sometimes smug: “Are you not the nation that is forever teaching the world how to behave itself?” Brinkmanship over the budget is not new, nor are Republican assaults on Barack Obama. So, many people simply sought an explanation from visiting Americans: how is it that a small band of zealous politicians can bring government to a halt? Can people really be that passionately opposed to the idea of bringing health benefits to millions who don’t have them?

But as it began to dawn on the world that the United States government might actually default on its debts, with catastrophic consequences for everyone, the smugness turned to anger and fear. “This is no way to run a country” became the gist of commentaries and conversations.

Officials who not so long ago would have thought it imprudent to criticize American politics spoke out. “Looking forward, it will be essential to reduce uncertainty surrounding the conduct of fiscal policy by raising the debt limit in a more durable manner,” declared Christine Lagarde, the French managing director of the International Monetary Fund.

Pundits were far less diplomatic. Many found it astounding that American lawmakers could be so oblivious to the global consequences of their actions, and to the damage they were doing to the faith and credit of the United States. “The rottenness of modern Washington makes outsiders gasp,” wrote Simon Jenkins in The Guardian. “The pomposity of its architecture can no longer dignify the log-rolling, the gerrymandering, the lobbyists’ egregious power, the money sloshing everywhere and the partisan polarization that drips from every news program.”

Some of the more alarmed and outraged voices rose from China, the country holding the largest share of American debt. One commentary from China that attracted attention in Europe was by Liu Chang of Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency, who called not only for the diversification of Beijing’s huge dollar holdings, but for a “de-Americanized world.” That, he wrote, would include “new international reserve currency that is to be created to replace the dominant U.S. dollar, so that the international community could permanently stay away from the spillover of the intensifying domestic political turmoil in the United States.”

From Athens — where an American default could have turned an unending economic crisis into catastrophe — Nikos Konstandaras wrote in the daily Kathimerini that Aristophanes, the master of ancient Greek comedy, “would have loved the idea of a group of lawmakers exploiting their position to abolish the state they are sworn to serve. For Greece’s ancient tragedians, the vain indifference, the ignorance of dangers caused by our character and actions, was familiar material.” The question, he added, was whether America is “the scene of comedy or tragedy.”

When the deal was reached in Washington last Wednesday, the world exhaled. But nobody believed it was over. “There is nothing more temporary than the defeats and victories in Washington,” wrote Le Figaro, the Paris daily. Even if civil servants are back at work for now, “America’s financial credibility is damaged and its democratic system has revealed to the world its gaping blockages.”

The questions abroad will continue; answers, however, are hard to find.

AnneW

Just catching up here. Don't check in too often now.

Chickadee, my heart goes out to you and all you're facing. I'd be scared too. I want to echo what everyone else has said--here for you, any time, all the time.

E, whenever you feel lost and afraid, go find that big beautiful pony of yours and hop on. Or just rub his neck. Let yourself completely go for even just a few minutes.

KAM, so sorry for your poor kitty's health. That is a tough one.

My heart is opening to everyone in pain right now...

YramAL

My thoughts are with everyone here that is in pain or hurt of some kind.

Yorkie and Kam-I'm so sorry for the failing of your fur babies. I think we hurt especially for them because they are so all accepting of us and they love us unconditionally. I hope that the rest of their time here with you is painfree and full of treats.

E and Chickadee-I'm so sorry for your sucky progression news. There's nothing wrong with being mad and scared.

Hugs to all.

Good to see you back, Libby. I hope you had a good time in Cancun!

Mary

Alyson

Gosh another four pages to read,

Sorry about those not doing so well.

Been a hard few days for me, friend died in UK. She had three separate cancers and all was fine but suddenly mets and she went in 6 weeks. Then this morning heard my great nephew has lymphoma and it has hit me. Sorry I have just had to share this today. Also I have a scan tomorrow.

We have been entertained with revelations about our newly re -elected mayor. Caught with his pants down and people are not impressed as he campaigned on restoring family values. Just can't imagine why anyone would find him attractive.

Otherwise our politics are really very tame compared to the US.

Hugs to all

alexandria58

Hugs to you, Alyson. Hoping for boring news.

River_Rat

Alyson, good wishes for your scan. I also sent you a private message.

Enjoyful

Thinking of you and your family, Alyson. I'm so sorry about your friend, too. Cancer's a bitch for sure.

pupmom

Alyson, so sorry about the recent tragedies you've experienced. Sometimes it does seem to hit all at once. (((HUGS)))

Bren-2007

Alyson ... I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you get good news on your scans today ... will be keeping you close in my thoughts.

Chickadee ... Thinking of you today as you start WBR. I hope the treatment works and isn't too hard on you.

Big huge hugs,

Bren

PS .. Enjoyful .. when is your appointment with the doctor about the new trial?

Enjoyful

Bren, I meet with the current-trial oncologist tomorrow. My onc wants her input as a second opinion, so I forwarded a new trial to her ahead of tomorrow's meeting.

Here's the trial if anyone's interested:

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01802970?term=metastatic+breast+cancer&recr=Recruiting&phase=0&map=NA:US&rank=12

Bren-2007

Gals,

I'm really worried about my sister. She had a mammogram last week and today received a call that the radiologist wants to talk to her, as well as get a US and more views on Wednesday. I am scared shitless. Please keep KK in your thoughts. She's already worried about the cerebral aneurysm that was discovered four months ago and she is not a candidate for vascular surgery on the aneurysm. It would have to be a craniotomy.

Enjoyful ...Thanks for the info on the trial. I'm going to read the link right now.

hugs,

Bren

PS .. Suz .. the link was really technical. What is Anakinra? Is it a new drug for ER+ MBC? Or is it another hormonal blocker?

208sandy

Oh Bren - so sorry to hear about your sister I'll keep a good thought for her (and you too) this week.  Hugs, S.

pupmom

(((KK))) Bren, remind her that 80% of suspicious mammos come back B9.

Bren-2007

Thanks Sandy and Yorkie,

I told her that it could be a cyst or fibroadenoma. I also suggested she get a copy of the mammogram report to see exactly what it says.

I just sent her a note saying I was going to drive up there and go to her appointment with the radiologist on Wednesday. Four ears are better than two. She was with me when I got the news of my breast cancer.

Now .. it's time to blow a gazillion leaves off the driveway and backyard .. hope the exercise will free my mind a bit.

hugs,

Bren

Chickadee

October is turning out to be scarier than the headless horseman for so many of us. Let's collectively pull the comforters over our heads until it's over with.

To Bren, E, Alyson, anyone struggling with fears and sadness right now, may I share some of the multitude of ((((((hugs))))))) I've gotten this weekend. Wrap them like a warm blanket round yourselves.

Oh and Blue, I WANT THAT GORGEOUS LITTLE BULLDOG PUPPY. He's a face licker for sure.

Bren-2007

Chickadee ... I loved the baby bulldog picture too. My neighbor in San Diego had a bulldog puppy ... that was the funniest puppy I've ever seen! When do you have WBR today? We'll all be with you in your pocket.

Thank you for sharing your hugs. I am sick to my stomach. Got to remember Sunny's FEAR and remember it is fear of the unknown ... not reality.

More hugs right back atcha,

Bren

Anonymous

E - and Bren - I googled it, and it's been used for rheumatoid arthritis - there's a wiki page on it. FINGERS, TOES, EYES, anything that can cross is crossed for E on this one Also sending hugs to put in your pocket, along with carrots for anyone who likes carrots

Chickadee - wasn't today your first WBR? I have a cousin who had it several months ago, very successful!! Don't know about the SE's or anything, but know she is THRILLED with the effectiveness.

Alyson - it is so, so hard to have "it" all around you, and adding to the hugs being sent to you - just so hard, no way around it, it sucks. And when anybody tells me "God will never give you more than you can handle" I truly want to slug'em. Know they mean well, but that's the one that's hardest for me to hear, shivers just writing those words. Feels like we ALL have more than we can handle.

Hugs, sorts, good wishes, more hugs to all...

alexandria58

I am in a contorted position trying to cross everything for luck - for E - for Chick - for Bren's sister. Sending hugs.

Also Kam and Yorkie, not forgetting you're going through with all the other terrible things going on here.

Sick of October - time for something new.

Chickadee

well I have my new weird face mask ready to go. They zapped me Friday and today but I'm not sure if those were line ups or actual treatments. Now that the mask is complete they are supposed to call me tomorrow morning with the rest of the plan. Right now I feel normal and not so freaked out. I can just hope there are no cumulative effects and that these bastards will stay at bay for some time to come.

QuinnCat

I just wrote a lengthy post to all and before copying, I submitted, and was logged out. Seems to be a continual problem with me and BCO these days. Lost it.

Chickadee - you sound so much better about the WBR. I can't remember who wrote above how well it went for another, but that was comforting.

I keep thinking about Sunny's FEAR acronym. I'm keeping that one.

Bren - fingers crossed for your sister.

Alyson - sorry for your loss. I lost a good friend 4 years ago to ovarian (she was brca+ and I found out much later I was brca+....which is odd to think only 1 in 500 women are and we live in such a small town - since met 3 more brca+ in a population of 10,000). I still miss my friend very much and I don't think a day goes by I don't think about her. It helps to talk to a mutual friend about her. The memories, the good ones, never leave.

Some bright news - Ms Boo is having a spectacular 2 hours; I brought her home Friday nite, basically for kitty hospice. I have to give her fluids with this big fat needle and an IV bag - it is not easy and she hates it. She also gets steroids twice a day. We both hate the needle! I can only wonder, do steroids do this much? While she is skin and bones, she is eating much more than she ever did when healthy, though not drinking. The miraculous thing that just happened is that she was stalking something outside, playing with a pine needle bundle twirled in front of her, then crouched to pounce on her sister Emma. Then she came inside and climbed her 7' cat tree. She's like my old Boo these last 2 hours, well, except for jumping down (it seems to hurt her) and jumping up (she can't quite make it) and she is normally a very athletic cat. It is nice to have normalcy though and to have her home.

IllinoisLady

Checking in here late...left early this a.m. so just hearing some of the day's news. Hugs all around. It is hard Alyson when many around you are dealing with this beastly disease. I was full of such ignorant bliss as no one around me for the longest time had this disease.

Bren, I do hope your sis's Doc is just being extremely cautious. There are a lot of things ( even I had extra US's for years ) and sadly became rather complacent. Sunny is right...no sense in wasting our stress emotion unless it is actually needed.

Chickadee --- always hoping that you and E will have both have outstanding results, with minimal se's.

Jackie