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

3monstmama

Congratulations 1Athena1 on the great news about Ned. . . .thats awesome.

I am so sad for KK's loss.  All I can think to do is step in with newbies--comfort them on their diagnoisis, share my experiences, stand up to bullies when they creep onto a thread and look hard for the funny in whatever happens to me.  And live each day to the fullest.  Because what KK would do and the best way to honor her memory, I think, is to march forward, doing what she would have done.....

can you hear her now?  Wiener and his tighty-whiteys?  That troll on Yan's thread?  The game tonight with the Canucks?

1Athena1

I am probably the only one who thinks this, but here goes: Weiner should NOT resign, this country should emulate France and stop being so ridiculously puritanical.....and his wife should take matters into her own hands and throw him off a bridge. :-) I really wish we would learn to distinguish between the private and the public. We women need to get some spunk and stop howling for institutional involvement when we can act on our own (assuming this is not a case of abuse, of course). He may be a great legislator (I don't know one way or the other) and if he is, he should stay, once he recovers from two broken arms and legs courtesy of his wife. 

What I don't want any more of is these men resigning and announcing it at a press conference WITH THEIR WIVES BY THEIR SIDE! 

I qualify all of this by saying that it only applies when the man has not broken any laws. Rape is an entirely different matter.

PS: Thank you 3monst and everyone. As for KK, I'm too overwhelmed to say more than I have said on the Stage IV thread.)  

AnnNYC

So many places Elizabeth made a home in -- and this thread was one.  I'm so sad, it's taking the form of incredible exhaustion -- like you, Athena, I guess I'm too overwhelmed to say more -- can only send my thoughts toward her incredible spirit.  Love to all of you.

Anonymous

Weiner is a Congressman.  In that position, he speaks to young people at schools and youth groups.  Some of those young people then follow him on twitter.  Even though the young woman he intended to send that lewd picture to is 21, he sent it to everyone who followed his twitter feed, including those who are under 18.  That is a crime.  That he then lied about that criminal activity, including to law enforcement, is a crime.

He used his office to gain access to young people to whom he apparently sent a number of inappropriate pictures of his private parts in a variety of settings, including the gym which is reserved for use by members of congress.

If your child was exposed to pornography sent by your representative in congress would you consider it a "private matter"?

This isn't France as the former head of the International Monetary Fund is discovering.  Apparently he thought rape was perfectly acceptable as long as the victim was low enough on his social scale.

BarbaraA

For once I agree with Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama: Weiner should resign.

Bren-2007

I actually agree with Patmom.  However, if Weiner's constituents want to keep him .. well that's their choice, but he was behaving foolishly for a very long time and he blew it big time.

I just can't get past thinking that Elizabeth is gone.  I can't catch my breath and I'm so tired.  She touched us all in such a wonderful significant way.  I miss her so much.  I've gone from great sadness to rage to disbelief just in the course of one day.  I hate what cancer has done to all of us.  I hope she wasn't in pain and suffering and that her mom was with her when she left.   I can't bare to think of her being alone when her time came.

Bren

BarbaraA

I'm with you Bren...anger grief, disbelief, rage, and anger again. I hate this disease. Tonight there will be a glass of Dewars raised in her honor (after the chocolate cake).

208sandy

I am blowing off my pills today because tonight is going to be single malt whiskey and chocolate - here's to a great human being who has taught us all so much with humour and common sense and a little insanity thrown in for good measure - love you KK.

Enjoyful

Her loss is immeasurable.  I still cannot comprehend it.

Love you always, KK.  

BarbaraA

I keep coming back here because I am bereft and I know you all loved her, too.

Bren-2007

Me too Barbara.

AnnNYC

me three

bluedahlia

I can't cry yet.  Just paralyzed with grief.

AnnNYC

That's how I'm feeling, too, Cathy.  Like my fingers are made of stone and I can barely type.

1Athena1

Last night I asked for a clink of the glasses to celebrate my hopeful news.

Tonight, we can drink in mutual solace as we mourn the passing of our dearest KK and marvel, horrified, at the cruel cycle of life and death that modern medicine cannot seem to break. Some of us prosper despite a brush with death, while others will fall. No liveliness of spirit, humour, courage, compassion and generosity could keep KK either alive or on the uptick. Even now, I find myself wanting to see her post and add her voice. Maybe she would tell us something funny and lewd about her death? Perhaps we would hear about her kitties and how they are coping with Heaven's kitty litter (I will never forget that analogy of hers).

Speaking for myself - and everyone has a different experience, Konakat was there for me when I felt misunderstood. She was an extraordinarily tolerant person and managed to be that way while never compromising her own sense of values. She had an instinct for distinguishing between the banal and the serious - and a knack for knowing when to BE banal about the serious and vice-versa. She was also extremely proud and dignified in her own way, despite her humour.

I don't have any chocolate tonight, KK - only red wine, but that, too, symbolizes the bountiful generosity and healthy self-indulgence that you so eloquently expressed. Chocolate is, like you, predominantly about love, abundance and sensuality. I am angry at your death and wishing that your Boston boy could have been in Canada with you. His little message on your guest book made me cry. You have made a "bad boy" good. Congratulations, my dear friend.  

AnnNYC

That note made me cry, too, Athena...

Bren-2007

Still so very sad this a.m. and having a hard time catching my breath when I think of Elizabeth.

Athena .. I wanted to say I was so happy you got a good report at the doctors.  Yay! to every six  months .. that's a giant milestone.

Blue .. I know you had a rough day yesterday at the doctors.  I'm keeping you in my thoughts and I'm so grateful for your DBS surgery.  I hope you are feeling better today.  I understand how you feel about KK .. We all miss her so much don't we.  I just kept thinking that if she could have gotten her chemo she would bounce back.  I wasn't ready to lose her, and I find myself still in a stage of disbelief.

Hugs to all,

Bren

BarbaraA

Me, too.

Bren-2007

A picture of KK and Boston Boy taken a couple years ago on Halloween.

Wabbit

Congratulations to Athena on your good news!!  Graduating to 6 months is such a relief isn't it? 

I did a search for congratulations + lion and found this.  Not at all what I had in mind  ... but it's so goofy cute I just have to post it for you

1Athena1

That is TOO sweet - thank you Madalyn! I insist on repeating that with cancer there are no guarantees BUT my onc's report and my milestone do make me feel slightly less cornered/in crisis for the first time since dx.

Wabbit

I love that picture of KK and Boston Boy!  Elizabeth really knew how to live with gusto ... damn cancer.

bluedahlia

Thank you Bren.  It is hard to accept, but that is the selfish part of me speaking.  She didn't deserve what she got....none of us do.  I just wanted her around, but the logical part of me knows she is out of pain now.  I've had my "good cry" and that helped.

My experience yesterday with my six month DBS follow-up was gruelling.  When they turned off my stimulator, I was in so much dystonic pain that I wanted to cry.  Thank goodness for the DBS.  At least I can function, even though it isn't perfect yet.

I thank you all for being here as some days. its the only thing that gets me through, and I'm glad most of you understand my caustic sense of humour.

1Athena1

Blue - I had no idea of what you were going through yesterday (haven't been as regular a poster lately). I am so sorry to hear about the pain. I hope things continue to get better for you.

rosemary-b

Congrats again Athena, hang on to the good. Someday I will go every six months. I think it will be at 5 years.

Bren, Thanks for the picture. It brought a smile to my heart.

Blue Sorry you had a rough day at the doctor but so glad the dbs worked.

Alpal

I hadn't even noticed your sense of humor was caustic! I just noticed you don't know how to spell humor.

bluedahlia

Alpal, heheheheheheh!  I keep wondering why spell check wants to change it.

1Athena1

Actually, I think Blue spelled humour the Canadian and British way, which is how I spell it too sometimes (depending on my humor - to use the word in a quaint sense).

BarbaraA

Blue, sorry you were having pain. Hate hearing that. But glad it is working.

Loved that pic, Bren.

crazy4carrots

Athena -- I passed the 3-yr mark in February and my onc said she felt my GP could look after me from here on in.  I felt bereft when she said that!  I convinced her to see me this September, at which time WE SHALL TALK about her handing me over to my GP, about whom I have some concerns (and I'm trying to find another one, actually).   Much as I hate all the tests etc., I feel comforted at my appts with her because I know she knows what to look for.

Blue -- So glad you're feeling better today.  Look forward to seeing you soon!