Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Melia, have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We are very thankful for you being a part of our group.  This is my 2 year anniversary, actually 11/23 but I always will celebrate it as the day after Thanksgiving.  All during the meal I was wondering the results and got the news the next day.  It seems like a long time ago.  I have a lot to be thankful for. 

My TaTa email is not working.  Anyone else having trouble.  Rebecca, need technical support!

Wanted to send a Happy Thanksgiving to all my wonderful sisters!  I am so thanks for my family, my friend and all of you!  I don't know what I would have done without you all!

Enjoy your day!

Lynn

I made it through the 8k Thanksgiving morning - I managed to run the whole thing - slowly - so I was thrilled. The day went downhill after that however.

 My brother wrecked his motorcycle on the way to my house for Thanksgiving dinner. He's OK, but he broke and disloated his wrist and will nee surgery to fix it. It's uncertain at this point if he has insurance - he'd just signed up for it a few weeks ago and I don't know yet if it's gone into effect. 

 Anyway, I spent the entire day in the emergency room, he was taken in around noon and we left around 8:00 last night. I saw a lot of very miserable people in a lot of pain - I was happy to be there dealing with his broken wrist and nothing more. He's staying at my house for awhile since he can't drive (arm is in a cast above his elbow).

 I too am so very thankful for all of you!

Oh dear, Jan, I sorry to hear that your brother wrecked his motorcycle, but I'm glad to hear that it's a broken wrist instead something much more serious like a head injury.

My Thanksgiving was fairly uneventful until the late afternoon when I noticed one of the incisions from my biopsy was a bit weepy. I dabbed the area with a kleenex to see what was going on, and I heard a little pop. Well, puss started spurting out and the incision opened up about a quarter of an inch. After a minute or so the puss was still draining, but it didn't gush out any more. In the end, it opened up about an inch.

I called the surgeon's after hours number, and the nurse said to come in this morning to see him. When he looked at it, he said that it's unusual for the incision to open up like this 5 weeks after the surgery, but it does happen. There was no sign of infection so he put Steri-strips on the spot to hold it together and gave me more to use when those fall off. He could have stitched it up but he said the chances of infection would be greater with that option.

As I said, the rest of the day was uneventful. I decided to cook a meal for the two of us instead of going out to eat. We checked in on the Dallas Cowboys and the UT vs A&M games even though we aren't big football fans. We'll be into the big family thing when we go out to California for Christmas.

Everyone take care and stay safe.

Rebecca I keep meaning to tell you the three shades of purple -- my fave, too -- sound stunning. May the new colors bring you sweeter slumber.

The Bat Mitzvah serice is tonight - it is a Havdallah service, which basically signifies the end of the Sabbath - you light special candles - long braided candles are light, prayers are said over spices, it's very nice.  Then we are having a big dinner at the synagogue. Tomorrow night is the big blow out dance party. - more eating... DH is ging to NYC tomorrow so he'll miss that party.

I have a cousin from Detroit staying with me for the weekend festivities.  Her mother and my grandmother were first cousins - and we're still close. More will be in tonight at the Bat Mitzvah.

Jan - how's your brother doing?  What a nightmoare, and on TG  too- OY!!

Skye - the pic of you mom, Grendel and DB and DIL was great - your mom is adorable.  Don't work too hard.

Mary, I hear this from many people about their boys.  I know I am very lucky to have my girls, we are very close, especially my older DD. Well maybe you'll have a little granddaughter some day.

Viddie - sounds like you had a great time with Mer.

I'm going to rest a bit before tonight's event, have a good rest of the weekend gals.

Well a slightly belated happy Thanksgiving to all my sisters.  It has been a wild few days here in Edison, and I have not had the time to even TURN on my computer much less read posts!!!  My SIL from Saranac Lake came down for the holiday and she stayed with us Thanksgiving night until Saturday...and on Saturday we had a birthday party for Owen so the whole thing ended with quite a bash! 

Our turkey was moist and tender...the cranberry sauce was of the simplest sort and FRESH FRESH FRESH (yum) and the sweet potatoes were sweet indeed.  We laughed and laughed and then dragged my SIL back to our house (TG dinner was at my MIL's apt) and finished the work on our bedroom so that everybody would have a comfortable place to sleep.

Owen's party was a huge success, although this year, for the very first time, I had a party at "a place" rather than in my home.  The place was the gym so in some ways it was just like having it at home...he had a great time though with a huge smile on his face during the entire party.  We had cupcakes and pizza and then sent the kids on home.

OMG Jan that STINKS!!!!  I am glad that your brother is ok, though.  Damn on the insurance.  That really sucks.  I wonder if the hospital has a program for people like him...payment plan, reduced fees etc.... Congrats on finishing the race...I knew you could do it!  Did you guys manage to sneak in some turkey amid all the ruckus?

EEEWWW Deb that stinks about your incision.  Nothing worse than an incision popping open like that (trust me..I KNOW!!! LOL)  Glad it is not infected...keep it clean and it will be fine.  When I had open incisions like that I washed them with the kind of Dial soap that comes in the foamy-pump but with no additives, http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=72013&catid=64341

Ohhh Skye I have often heard authors saying thinks like that...characters take on a life of their own...I am longing for the day that I can seek that state of being myself...my future novel is calling me..... Actually it might happen a bit sooner, as it looks like my Spring course is not filling up so I might not be teaching in the spring after all!  I have kind of mixed feelings about it though.

Mary I am sad that you feel abandoned...but glad that you are putting the time to good use.  Please remember you are never alone...we are with you, and your sons love you for sure..they are just MEN, and they can only do what they can.  DO post a pic of your dress...peferably with you IN it so we can all admire your beauty! 

The purple in my room totally exceeded expectation...it looks absolutely GORGEOUS and I love it.  The purple is undeniably purple, but it is dusty enough that it is not bright so it is very gentle on the eyes.  We rearranged our room a bit too, so now it feels so much larger, and we have some more room on the walls for artwork, which is an added bonus.  I finally framed Skye's gift, and hung it right next to my pillow.  The colors of the print are spectacular against the dark plum of the wall.

Ok....time is up....love you all!

Oh...before I forget...Mel I sent you a personal email, but I have not heard back from you...that being the case I think that there is something going on with your email that is keeping you from getting the Ta-Ta emails!  I will try again...we can work it out. xoxo

Well, Thanksgiving was lots of fun and I am NOT GOING TO EAT ANYTHING ELSE for a while. I threw out the fattening leftovers, but I certainly didn't use any self control during the holiday. Oh well. I was down five lbs and am sure I am back up. The kids were wonderful, everyone seemed happy, we shopped for baby stuff on Sat ... it was a good weekend.  Our 3 nephews joined us for TG dinner, and it's always nice to watch the cousins all interact. They grew up together and, now in their late 20's, early 30's, are good friends. The food was good, the table looked gorgeous. It was definitely the best TG in three years, not hard to say since the past two were all about bc.

 Jan, congrats on your run, and I am sorry about your brother's accident. I am esp sorry that he doesn't have health insurance.

Mary, I know you are having trouble with empty nesting. I wish I could offer good advice. It does get better with time, but I think you are right that it's maybe easier with girls. They seem to stay in touch more, seem to want to come home fairly often. Our son is wonderful, but I do have to drag info out of him, and don't feel like I have a very good handle on what he is thinking and on the details of his life. The girls are much chattier and open.

 Rebecca, the purple room sounds great, and very appropriate for you. I think your job situation will work itself out for the best. Glad you had a good holiday.

Skye, you have had so much on your plate; I hope you were able to relax and enjoy the holiday with your mom and good siblings. And Grendel, of course. How is your dh?

Caya, your social calendar has been crazy. I am sure you enjoy it, but it must keep you hopping. 

I am so tired of my job. It's been 11 years, and I think I am over it. The economy is hurting the floral industry, so I know the owners are worried, which makes morale pretty low. I keep thinking that I need to savor each day and not count the minutes til I can get out of here, but I would love to win the lottery!  We have to work two more years, which isn't so long, and sometimes I think my job may not last that long. My dh's job is with the military, so he is pretty secure, but he wants out too.

Have a good day all.

Craziness with our government this week - We have a parliamentary system (like England) in Canada, and if the governing party is not elected with a majority of seats in the House of Commons, the other parties can defeat the government and force an election, or as they can form a coalition government and vote together to get control of the House.  It's causing major upheaval here, the stock market is in the tank (whose isn't) - it really is history in the making here, there has not been a federal coalition government here in over 90 years.  Major cause for unstability and pandemonium.

Rebecca - sounds like you had a very busy TG weekend, with Owen's party and everything else.  How old is he now?

Very quiet here - DH is in NYC, I'm alone here all day with DD doing her practicum teaching placement.  I've been cooking up chicken breasts in droves (sliced like "fingers", good to throw in salads) - I did 3 kinds today - one a dijon mustard/balsamic vinegar/lemon juice/garlic mixture, one a garlic/lemon juice/chopped thyme marinade, and the third one just a barb-q sauce w/lots of garlic added in - Can you see that I love garlic.  I may bake a choc. chip banana bread later.  Also catching up on laundry.

Melia - you are so right about my busy social calendar - This weekend I have 2 Bat Mitzvahs - Sat. morning service and luncheon, then a different one Sat. night - dinner/dance, then Sunday night the dinner/dance for the Sat. morning girl.  OY!!!

xo

Hi all,

Mary,

I hear you on the empty nesting. I miss Meri when she leaves and Jonathan- the boy- is not that far away, but.. He only lives an hour away, but he does not come home often. 

Weirdest thing though, whenever they are together visiting us, they both act their shoe sizes. It is not fun. I would rather see them separately, but they enjoy each other's company. I do not think Jonathan likes visiting us when Meri is not here. Oh well.

Debbie,

How is your incision? I had an incision in my new foob. It was not fun, but it did heal nicely. As they say, "Time heals all wounds." The waiting and attending is the hard part.

Sounds like everyone had a great thanksgiving dinner. We went over my cousin's house, but I cooked a turkey on Friday. I love leftovers. It is quiet since Meri left. She is in the middle of finals now. Yuk! I could not handle that ever again.

Friday Ed has a ct scan on his chest b/c the last ct scan showed "a speck of dust" quoted by his oncologist, but if it shows anything, they are obligated to repeat it. Next week I have a dentist appointment and a colonoscopy and endoscopy. I get to drink that yucky stuff. A fun week!! not!!

Catch you all later.

Love,

Viddie 

Aruba - I'm jealous.  I hate the cold and it's getting brutal.  But you deserve it Caya.

Viddie, I know exactly what you mean about them acting their shoe size.  Now just imagine two boys returning home who still want to fight and wrestle.  Oy and I'm having them for 2 weeks almost for the holidays?  I told them that if they do not help bake and cook, they don't eat.  We'll see how that goes.

Tina thanks for the card.  I don't even know if I'm going to get around to it this year.  Just not in the mood to do it.  We'll see.  The kids are so cute, they made me smile. 

OJ gets 16 years!!!  Woo-hooooooo!  It's too bad the other guy got caught up in the whole mess.  He seemed like a decent man.  Very happy for the Goldmans.  I can't believe those jerks outside, heckling them.  I wonder if the Browns will comment on the case. 

Hi all,

Caya,

Did your Aruba tickets arrive? When are you going? Fun in the sun is a great idea.

Ed had his CT scan yesterday, and we will see his oncologist on Tuesday. Thanks for asking. Today was my mom's 92nd Birthday, and guess where we took her, Skye? You are right---The Cheesecake Factory. Yummy, yum, yum. I was good and had the Thai lettuce wraps. I love them. The mall was so crowded. Now I am glad I am home. I hope everyone has a great night.

Love,

Viddie 

Debbie I'm glad you're continuing to heal. That Dial foam does sound like a great idea.

Skye, I hope you feel better after a good dinner, and hopefully a restful night.

Mary, try not to overdo for the holiday. Your family dynamics will work themselves out, though your dil's mother is so out of line. We split the list 50/50, and I think that's what most people do.

Viddie, good luck with Ed's results. How is Arlene doing?

Caya, Aruba sounds great. My best friend goes to the Caymans for six wks every April and May, and always comes back ten years younger.

I am in such a bad mood and am boring myself with it. I can't figure it out. I had a rough week at work, and I went to the mall today, always a bad idea at Christmas. I don't know where there are empty malls, but not in San Diego, that's for sure. It was a mess. I wanted to get a good down pillow for our younger daughter, and Macy's had such a good sale that I couldn't resist, but it was a zoo. I woke up irritable and it's just gotten worse, though I am trying to be nice to Steve. I think I will take an ativan and go to bed early, am not fit for company. Maybe tomorrow I will give myself a day to be lazy. I haven't really had a day off since well before TG, with all the holiday preps, kids home, visits to in laws, etc. I think I may need a day to read and knit. I started a lovely baby blue blanket for the baby, and knitting relaxes me. I have a lot to do for xmas, but I cannot stand the idea of going out in the crowds. I think I will try to do some online shopping tomorrow, and then delegate stuff to Steve.

My fil is still struggling and I don't think he is going to be back to anywhere near what he was. He has an astonishing lack of will to fight. He went from busy all the time, to just sitting and complaining since his fall. I suspect he hit his head or had a minor stroke. He is not himself. It is heartbreaking. We are all going to gather there at xmas as usual, but stay in hotels, and we have divided up all the meals among the four sibling families so we will cook and eat at Steve's sister's house in the same town. I think that will work fine. My mil is pleased, as she is not up to shopping and cooking, but wants her kids there. We are calling it our transitional Christmas. My mil has found a man to sit with my fil so that she can go to lunch, bridge, etc, which I think is important so she doesn't get depressed too.

Ok, off to pull dinner together. Hopefully I will wake up much less nasty tomorrow!

Hugs, Melia