Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Hi guys,

Back to reality around here.  Spent this am going through Jaclyn's clothes seeing what does/does not fit for school, which is a month away.  She definitely has enough to get started with.  That whole "back to school" shopping stuff is retail hype. I'll have one new outfit for the first day.  I got Paul two new pairs of sneakers for $16.99 at Ross.  Etnies and Vans, which he loves.

 Yahoo...my basement is done tomorrow.  And, the carpet is in stock and will be installed Friday.  I swapped my new housecleaner to Friday vs. Thurs. as I finally got an appt. with my onco. to check this damn lump under my arm.  I'm hoping like hell that it's just more fatty necrosis.  It's def. bigger than my orig. lump and how could that happen so fast, particularly when I had an MRI in March...  But I need to see her and get some peace of mind.  If that goes well, I'll be in heaven this weekend between that good news, the basement being done and the house clean.  I can then just concentrate on the fun stuff.

 Patty, my neighbor, and I took the kids to see Space Chimps today.  Let's just say thank God it was under two hours.  I yi yi...  they had fun.  Made popcorn when we came home and saved a lot of money.  Very overcast here today and it kind of made me in down mood.  It so proves I have S.A.D., as I've been in a pretty good place since I arrived in VA and it's been sunny mainly every day.  So beats OH for that.  I'm missing my friends there, though...  and my nice, close by, responsive doctors...  oh well...we did what had to do (move).  Paul goes to MN tomorrow for 2 days.  I hope I get good news...don't want bad and to be here alone.

Tina we will all hope like hell with you for fatty necrosis! This soon, I would say odds have to be awfully good that's all it is. Can't believe it is school clothes time again. That used to be one of our favorite rituals; every year I'd take the boys to Brookfield Square in Milwaukee to shop and then we'd eat at Olde Country Buffet, which they believed to be the finest restaurant in all of creation. They never got the whole year's worth of clothes, just new shoes and a few things to start with, but it was the tradition they loved.



I'm rather fond of chimps so I'm sad to hear the movie disappointed.



Melia, the amount of self-degradation my siblings can achieve is amazing. I hope the major drama is done but one never knows.



Caya I hope you are sorting through those giant boxes ok. - Skye

Heya Mel! I am glad to hear that you are healing so nicely...and even gladder to hear that you do not have to deal with the wound vac anymore.  I hear you on the panic buying before a storm, we get that here too mostly when they predict snow.  Everyone runs out and buys batteries, bread, milk and so on, and then we get enough snow for a footprint and they close the schools.  What a bunch of weenies LOL.  Hope that everything is going well with the storm...stay dry and away from those trees!
Tina that basement sounds wonderful!  I am so jealous.  Mine is definately a dungeon, complete with drippy water and mold on the walls.  YECK.  

I had to drag Frances for her middle school shots as well.  She was sore for a few days after all that!  She had to get like three shots, but now that she is such a big girl it is not the emotional trial that it once was.  I still have to sit on Owen when it is time for his shots.  Hate that part of being a mom!  Frances also had routine bloodwork done, and it turns out that she has high cholesterol!  It is definately genetics on that one...my dad and my sister both have that, and Frances eats a healthy diet.  Poor baby..she is very upset by this.  I told her to eat oatmeal or cheerios for breakfast every morning and that would probably take care of it.  More troubling to me was the results on her CBC...she had a low white cell count.  I brought her back to the Dr for a retest on that, so I am going to hold off panic until those results come in.
So Tina, when are you going to send us some pictures of your decorating masterpiece?  I am interested in that "messy runner" and your color schemes.

Skye UGH on that family politics.  That stuff is just the pits...and to miss the bridal shower out of basically spite?  GROW UP!!  Family is family, and you do not get to pick (I tell myself that every time my Mom or MIL drive me batty).  We have some family squabbles on the horizon here, I think.  Matt's Grandmother is starting to decline fast (she is hospitalized now) and my MIL and her 2 brothers do not get along very well and there is the issue of a house etc.  I plan to just sit back and watch, and not get involved.  

Those bride pajamas sound so cute...and GO GRENDEL!!!  Any puppies issuing from those furry loins are bound to be so cute it should be illegal.  If he is engaged in trying to make puppies, I suspect that he is going to run and hide when you want to take him home LOL!

Oh Tina, I totally agree about the "back to school shopping hype"  I hate that...I generally do not buy them new clothing until November or so when the sales start for the fall clothing unless they squirt up and need new pants.  I think Owen might need a few pairs, I swear he grew about 2 inches this summer.  Crossing my fingers and sending you a hug as you go to the Onc.  You are NOT alone!

OMG Caya!  your ear!!!  That is just dreadful. ...and that silly shipper!  Don't they know how much work is involved in receiving a shipment?  You spent all that time splitting it up, and now it arrives all together?  UGH!

Well, that is enough babble from me...I have to get to work on my syllabus, which is hard because the college has not posted the academic calendar for the Fall yet, so I do not know what days we have off.  Ah well.... hugs to all my sisters, I love you all so much!

Hello TaTa's,

Hope everyone is doing well today. I have you in my prayers Tina for good results at the doctors...and like Rebecca, I would love to see some pics of your neat sounding bedroom.  My creativity is pretty well next to nil when it comes to decorating.  My sister got all the good genes in that department, so I usually take her with me when I buy something.

I had my chemo yesterday, and now I get a week off...yahoo.  Last week was really rough, maybe from all the excitement in Vegas...but it was worth every minute.

I need to know if any of you ever golfed with your ports in?  The annual girls weekend is coming up Aug 15-17 out in Canmore, and we always golf at Kananaskis, and I want to go.

My nephew Davey arrives tomorrow for a week with me.  He's the one that teaches over in Kuwait.  He just finished his International Teaching Certification in Spain so now with his Bachelor's, MBA and ITC he can teach anywhere in the world.  He loves teaching, and it's usually Grade 3 to Grade 6 that he teaches.  He taught the Emir of Kuwait's son last year, and he would jokingly say to me, "any day I could be beheaded"....I'm really looking forward to his visit.  He is a 20 year cancer survivor of Hodgkins disease (Cancer of the lymph system).

Lynn, did you get the pics loaded.  I loaded quite a few of mine, but I can only seem to do 5 at a time.

Mel, hope that storm didn't hit you too hard.

Caya, you could become known as "The girl with TOO many shoes"...now in my books I don't think that's possible.

Hugs to all...Joni 

Mary happy belated anniversary! LOL about your dh's apology.

Rebecca that is so strange re: Frances' high cholesterol. I also hope her tests come out ok. I do think there are people whose blood chemistry just makes them high chol. no matter what. I'm one of them. Oatmeal and oat bread really do help. Yummy oat muffins, too. And fish oils.



Joni, I'd ask your onc or surgeon before golfing. I've heard of the port stem coming out of the vein from a hard golf swing.



My sibling drama continues...Irrational, spiteful, unrealistic, greedy, all the elements are there. I constantly have different ones calling me and wanting to bend my ear with their story for hours. It's getting very old. But my mom seems to be gradually, slowly improving. I try to focus on that.



Grendel is STILL at my brother's. We are having major puppy withdrawal. I'm sure, Mary, that these are happy times for him too, LOL. I'm trying to decide if we will take a puppy. It's a lot of work to train one in the winter. But sons and daughters of Grendel and Izzy will be adorable. I know Grendel would be happier with a comrade.



Tina, Friday is coming right up. Fretting away here for you. - Skye

Hey Ladies,

 Thanks for all the good wishes.  They must have worked.  I do not have a recurrence.  She felt around and thinks it's just my rib.  Who knew...  I was so relieved.  Because of the "side boob" factor, I wouldn't have thought about the fact that that extra tissue would be covering rib bone.  She did labs but I didn't get my results yet.  I like the dr. but the staff isn't my favorite.  They don't go out of their way to greet you and call me crazy, but they ALL wear their name tags backwards so you can't see what their names are.  They kind of sit around and act lazy.  I was sent up/down the hallways 3x to figure out their errors.  It's no Ohio State, that's for sure.  These people kind of grunt at you vs. speaking.  Anyway, who cares...so long as my health is intact.  I went to Target after and got Calcium but forgot how many mgs. of D to buy.  The pharmacist said to make sure w/my dr. as the body stores it up and too much can be bad.

 Caya, bizarre on the ear!  I can't imagine what would cause that.  Rebecca, sorry to hear about Frances's cholesterol.  That was disconcerting, I'm sure, to hear about your child.  Happy Anniv. Mary and Rick!  OK...gotta run...just wanted to post that all is well.  XOXO

Tina, thank goodness it was extra rib tissue!!!! So glad you could let us know right away. The staff sounds less than stellar (nametags backwards, r u kidding?) but as long as they get the job done.



Melia you have a lovely weekend ahead of you, enjoy! And I could exactly picture what those poor two women must have looked like at the support group. I so remember the scared and stunned part, myself. Great that they have some support. My mom is aware of the poor behavior but is being spared the worst of it. And I've wanted to watch that dog show but just haven't had a c hance.



I had to run to Walgreen's for Clindamycin. The tooth cleaning I had on Monday stirred up something and now all my bones on that side of my face hurt and are sore to the touch. So the dentist figures its some kind of weird infection. Even my cheekbone and around my eye hurts. I decided not to let it go into the weekend and get out of hand. Or out of face. So Caya you're not alone with odd stuff happening. Hope your ear is still good. - Skye

Tina - Whew! I'm so glad everything seems OK. I was so worried for you.

 Rebecca - any word on Frances' blood work yet?

Caya - ugh an ear infection? Ouch! Glad it's getting better.

Tomorrow is our last day on the beach. We head back Saturday morning. I wish we could stay another week.

Cindy, the practice run with your tent sounds like a great idea. I'm almost helpless with that kind of thing. And nothing a 4-year old loves more than a tent in the living room. Have a great time at that fest!



I'm feeling kind of bleary with this facial thing but trusting the penicillin and a few naps to do the job. I'm all ready for DIL2B's shower this Sunday, except for making some food. I made up a game called Celebrity (DS1's name) which features questions asking the bride which of certain celebrities she would compare the bridegroom to in things such as hairstyle, physique, clothing choice, etc. It should be pretty funny. The one with the most answers matching the bride's wins. Also they are still dickering on the house they wanted. Thought they had lost it but the owners came back.



Tomorrow I'm meeting my BFFs in Lake Geneva for breakfast and the annual library book sale in the park. It is always fun but I'm a bit nervous; coming home after the last time we did this, I got t-boned by a car coming over a hill as I was turning left onto my street, and my 3-month old red Corolla was totaled.And then 3 months later I got my dx. I'm hoping to turn things opposite this time. But you'd better believe I'll be watching that left turn! - Skye

Rebecca, I'm sure you are scared to death about Frances.  Do you have an appointmen t set up yet?  The sooner the better, for your sake.  I am expecting that you will find that she's ok, but I also know that the worry won't stop until you know for sure.  I'm signing up right now to do your worrying for you, so please try to let it go.  As much as we've all been through, though, it almost seems insignificant in comparison with the illness of one of our little ones.  I'm sure she'll turn out to be fine, but in the meantime, big hugs to you - I know you need them right now.

Tina, I'm so glad you got good news on your lump - what a relief!  Now, does anyone else have anything we're waiting on results or exams on? 

I didn't have internet all day yesterday - the electricians - a team of five - were here for 9 hours checking every last outlet and socket and wire for damage post lightning strike.  Only the one room was damaged, but boy, were they ever thorough!  I nearly had a hummus emergency, with the power off - I had just finished batch #4 the night before, and with no power, I was getting crazy.  I'd addicted for sure.  Fortunately, they left for lunch, and  was able to make mine.  Guess I'll have to start making larger batches.  Rebecca you really started something.

Have to go pick up Larry's repaired subwoofer - will be back later.  Love you all.

Rebecca, I'd be crazy worried too. Just remember, there are so many possible causes for low WBC. And if she's been her usual active self, I'm betting it's something minor. Although I know nothing is minor when your child is involved. Setting my Fret-O-Meter on high for you. There it goes, ticking automatically...



Mel the lightning strike is bizarre. It's happened to a few of our neighbors since we've lived here. One lost a computer and a TV. It's true the whole house must be checked. I'm also addicted to the peanut butter hummus. Rebecca you should bottle that stuff and sell it!



I'm just kind of blah, spent the morning writing and doing laundry and am procrastinating doing some more. So weird that Caya and I both have infected heads right now. Caya, jinx you owe me a penicillin! I can tell the Clindamycin is working on me, the soreness is leaving my cheekbone already.



Cindy hope you get perfect weather for your music festival. And of course you have that cool new tat to show off... :-) Skye

Oh I know...he can keep it in his pants when his wife is having a recurrance....what a prince.  If this is all true he definately gets the toad of the year award, with no provision for him to turn into a prince when kissed.

LOL about your "Hummus emergency" Mel that is so funny.  I am so glad that you guys all like it so much.  I made some myself this morning, and just finished eating it (on crackers with roasted red peppers YUM!) It is pretty addictive, and of course the fact that it is not terrible for you (quite the opposite I think) adds to its addictive qualities.  I buy my garbanzos by the case at BJs :-).

I am waiting for a callback from the hematologist for Frances.  There is not an appointment set up yet, but I have the ball rolling.  I may call now to see what is going on.  I hope I can get her in next week.  I was going to keep this info from her to reduce HER fret level, but she is too sharp and she asked me if her Ped had called back.  I do NOT lie to my children, ever so I had to tell her.  I am doing a good job not freaking her out though...I told her that it was probably nothing, but that we just have to check to be safe.  That is the truth....even if I am a quivering mess inside.  The thought of one of my children having a serious illness makes me physically ill.  To counteract that, I went out this AM with the three kids and bought school supplies and a new tent.  That made me feel a bit better, but the pit of my stomach is still roiling a bit.  thanks for all the hugs and proxy fretting....i will keep you all apprised. 

The MIDDLE of SEPTEMBER!!!!!!!!! UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess teh silver lining is that they don't think it's a big deal. That stinks that you have to wait for so long!

Rebecca - I am with Jan -  THE FRIGGING MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER!!! Call every day at 8:30 a.m. and see if they have any cancellations... But Jan is also right in that it can't be that serious if it's not that low and also if you have to wait over a month to get her in.  But I hear you, after what we've all been through, it seems nothing can be worse, unless of course it's your child with a serious illness. Once when Amanda was about 5 years old she was having severe headaches/auras - they were testing for a brain tumour... it turned to be nothing serious, but until we knew that, I was a basket case.

Skye - I hope you are feeling better, glad that the meds seem to be working.  My right ear (the one that bled) still hurts a bit, and I think the antibiotic is whacking the *rap out of me.  I am exhausted. 

Tina - Yes my warehouse now will ship out the Fall shoes - and shipment #3 came in yesterday.  I was too tired and sick today to do that distribution, I was making alot of errors so I said "This will have to wait, I've got to lie down."  I feel much better tonight.

Cindy - your little niece sounds like a bundle of energy.  We forget how busy they can be, but as you say, it's good training for grandchildren.

I must have missed the news about John Edwards, but from what I can gather here it sounds like he was cheating on her.... yes, he sure is not Mr. Goody Two Shoes any more, is he? I'll have to watch the news tonight.

good night all, have a nice weekend.

Nancy, how good to hear from you!  We thought of you often in Vegas, and wished you were with us.  Next time - and there will be a next time - you for sure must plan to be there.  We had an incrediblly good time and there was no getting to know each other at all - the bond that we have all forged through the past couple of years was more than enough.  You would be surprised to find no surprises in this group - everyone was just like they are on the boards.  Have you seen all of our photos?

Rebecca, after hearing what the hematologist's office said, it really does sound like there's little need to worry about Frances.  It WOULD be nice to clear it up before the middle of September, however - I'd keep bugging them.  And remember, we are doing the worrying for you.

Caya, glad you're feeling better - and glad you know when to say "this can wait."  I never feel very well when I'm on antibiotics, either, but it sounds like you needed this round  - bleeding ears sounds awful.  Skye, hope your infection is cleared up by now, too.  You guys just need to stop this!

Cindy, wonder if your pesto is as addictive as Rebecca's hummus?  It sounds good...Hope you have good weather for the festival - I can't remember what day you leave, was it the 12th?  Wish I could be there, what a line up. 

Melia, I hope you're having a wonderful weekend with your family. 

Mary, a belated Happy Anniversary to you and Rick.

Joni, I hope you're having a good week this week, with no chemo, and are having a great time with your nephew. 

Everyone else - love you all!