Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

Good Morning Ladies

While waiting for my "load" here at work, figured I'd take advantage of the time and check in. 

So I definitely got my fill of the festivities on the boob tube yesterday.   A couple of us got the chance to tune in, we reminded ourselves that we we're witnessing our "new big boss" being sworn in.   I was quite surprised that my fellow co-workers that had the chance to watch his speech we're full of positive comments.   

 I had DVR 6 hours of NBC, so the dh and I watched together last night as well.   

Funny thing with this Facebook thing ... I reacquainted over the weekend with a friend from hs via FB.  She was checking in from DC, shared some pictures and thoughts of their experience.  Pretty cool ... actually way cool ... they ended up in a museum watching a big screen as they about froze outdoors with their two younger kids.  They had started out (4) bigscreens back at The Mall. 

So D1, I'll be looking forward to your account of the past couple of days.

Jules, great job on the facelift !!!   Someday I should get brave and try to use some color on our walls.   Leave it to you to piece together the pics !

Therese, got your PM ... I don't want to over saturate you with 3-Day "stuff", but I have more.  Great idea to attend a Get Started meeting.  I was so fortunate to have Ginny guiding me along as I was a 3-Day virgin. 

Sounds like you are already hitting a great exercise regime.  You Go Gal !!!

   I'm game for sharing rooms (or not) as long as I don't have to pack earplugs, !!!!!!! 

Kimberly, so what's with the cold ... you had enough of it to share with the dh, Therese and now Paula ?!?!?!?

Better go ... Happy Hump Day ... Carol

Quick check in again this morning.  Carol, I watched some of the replay myself Tuesday night. I was just inspired by the faces of people from around the world, all with such hope in their eyes.

I know, my cold certainly did seem to expand. Who knew that typing on the computer would send cybergerms. LOL  Sorry you've been tackled by the bug, Therese and Paula. 

Patty - Here's my idea.  I think everyone should take some time to do a little research, then present their best find by say, next weekend?  A little homework assignment.

Off to meet some kids for an early morning get my act together session.

SIS Kimberly 

Hey Jewels,

Sitting here relaxing with dh. Sipping some wonderful flavored coffee that my SP sent to me a few weeks ago. (Thanks again, SP!) 

I've got the blues this week. I know my whole family is in dire need of some grief counseling. The kids are both exhibiting stomach upset and ds is having sleeping problems. I'm in tears at the drop of a hat and poor dh... he can't even express what he's feeling.... I've contacted hospice and will have to talk to the onc. about a referral when we see him next week.

Carol, I've been reconnecting with so many folks on Facebook. One of the neatest contacts that I've made is an old high school classmate who I haven't seen in 15+ years... She has an online business that is just terrific. It is a website for women that features how-to videos on a variety of things for the home, the garden, cooking, entertaining, etc. There's even a section on there right now that teaches the fundamentals of football (very timely w/ the SuperBowl coming up!) Here's the link: http://www.howtv.tv/index.html

(BTW, Carol, if you love my accent, you'll get a real kick out of Pam's!) 

Carla- nice to hear that dh is making some positive changes. I second the suggestion that now might be a good opportunity to get into some marriage counseling. Good luck! 

Kimberly: leave it to you to give us homework! I don't know anything about Vegas and the only thing that really interests me about the area is the Grand Canyon... But I can surf the web with the best of 'em, so I'll give it a go.

Time to warm up my coffee... Have a good evening all 

TGIF, Jewels!!! It's been a killer of a week for me! I'll check in this weekend as dh has informed me he will be working at school all weekend -- fine with me! That means I can sleep in!!  

{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}} to all!

Jules

Just want to put my 2 cents in that I am interested in meeting in Vegas.  Have to check a few things and get caught up on all the details that you guys have been talking about.  A coworker of mine just moved from Vegas and the Mirage is a great place per her opinion.

Work keeps me busy and have fought a stomach bug for a week and just down in the dumps alot.  Trying to get myself back up.  See the onc next Friday and she will get an earful.  It will be a year in May the chemo is done and I am sure ready to not feel so crappy from the Taxotere.  I'm thinking it should really be gone by now.

I am on my own for most of the weekend so hoping to get caught up with the posts and be a more active member.  I am sure that would definitely lift my spirits.  You all have been such a big part of everything and even though I don't post all the time, I do read and lurk to see how you are.

Please have a bright, shiny, "jewely" day!

Okay -- still not grading papers!  Just doing some LV searching -- anyone ever use www.vacationrentals.com??? They have some Vegas rentals available -- what's the latest # planning to come? (Carol??) Check it out if you get a chance -- I'm going to look at it a little more tonight before I get busy grading.

Wow, the board has been hopping!

Kimberly - A friend of mine sent me some links on Indole 3 Carbinol. I haven't had much time to do a lot of research on it though.  I can forward you the links if you are interested.

On ds's project - we keep wondering how they could actually check them, too. They have very specific rules they have to follow, too. He claims past students have stuck $20 bills within the project and left notes for the teacher that they could keep it if they actually read it. Lol. The thing I liked about it was in his writings you could actually see that he "got" things that we hoped he would get about life and values etc. I know as much as he (and we) bitched about it, it will definitely be something he will treasure later in life.  ( He got his grade back yesterday and he got 101! so he was thrilled with that).

Carla - I like your new pic!

Kathy - Glad your deportation went well. Lol at dh's bday present comment!

Carol - Are you just rewatching Grey's Anatomy or starting it? In case you are up to date on it , all this business with Izzy drives me crazy - I think it is a horrible story line. Won't give you all the details in case you aren't there - just venting.

Paula - I have been praying for you, your dh and your children. I am glad your tests came back well and I am so sorry to hear of dh's decline. {{{{Hugs}}}}.  You are certainly one of the strongest women I have ever "met".

Patty - Nice to see your pictures - you look great!  I am not a football fan except for the Super Bowl, but we will be rooting for Steelers next weekend. Our town is split between Steelers, Browns and Bills - but mostly Steelers.

Hello Wendy!

Cathy - Congrats on being done with the herceptin!

Joan - Congrats on the clear mammo - it's a relief isn't it?!

We decided pretty spur of the moment to redo our master bath which was in desperate need of a make over. We have a handyman that does a lot of work for us and ended up having it gutted. It is very small for a master bath and we had the tub taken out, put in a tiled shower and tile on the floor (it was carpet before which I couldn't stand), new vanity, shelves etc. So our br looks a mess with stuff stacked in there and we have been living out of tubs and containers. Should be done the beginning of the week though and it looks beautiful so far.

Went to the onc and gyn last week. Onc said I should have the ovaries out. He was meeting with two breast oncs in Pittsburgh a few days later and was going to just make sure they had no other suggestions. I was all set to just have everything taken out, but gyn says should just do the ovaries and tubes. She said if I haven't had any problems with the other parts, to leave them in. The surgery is much easier with just the ooph, there is not danger of injury to the other parts and they serve as "place holders" with less shifting go on in there. So right now I am scheduled for the ooph on March 25. She said it was only about a week recovery time.

My research time lately has been spent lately trying to figure out all the hormone information out there, now.  Has any one read anything by Dr. Erika Schwartz?  She seems to be a leader on biodentical hormones etc. I heard an interview with her and she is the first doctor I have ever heard who says she believes the pill can cause bc. She won't even prescribe it. She also says that if you have had bc you may still need to have hormone replacement (biodentical) in low does to get your body in balance.  I would LOVE to see her - but she has a 9 month wait for appointments! I am going to keep researching, but all this info hurts my head!

Dh says he is just about out of places to move the snow!  We are up over a 100" for the year I think. If I get a chance I will post a pic.

I am still a couple of pages back, but will catch up later. Have a great weekend, all!

just a fast check in, temp fixed my computer, it's on the way out the door, and anxiously waiting to get parts to build my new one...... 

The draining is pretty much stopped, finally, I still have some fluid in there but I'm goign to see if it leaves on its own.  Had 6 giggly 11 yr old girls over last night, my daughters b-day sleep over.  A few of them got to experience tp'ing for the first time.......It was payback from last year, Lauren's(dd)  teacher last year, brought her boys over and tp'd our house, so I told her I'd get her back one day.  life is good. 

Time to go before this freezes up on me again and I lose everything.  Oh and Kim, a Zune is like an Ipod, but better in my son's opinion.  I forgot to reply back to that.

tootles for now

Hi Jewels,

I have been so busy and I have been reading to catch on on the post. Worked half the day today, then went to my mom's for a few hrs. Boy am I getting tired.

Kimberly  I hope your cold is better, I did not realize you were still sick. I'm still having problems with my ears. I'm wondering if it my ear set. Years ago when I was a CSR I had problems with ear infections from my headset. It had nickel in it. I thought maybe now they did not use nickel. (I don't know).

Julie  I love your house, you get a good job decorating, that basement looks great too. What a cute kitty. Ok Julie quit playing and get those papers graded. LOL Just kidding.

Deb  So glad you are doing well and you are back with us. Hope you are feeling better, boy I can relate it's great not have to have any more Taxotere treatments or Cytoxin. I'm glad it's behind us.

Kris  Get some rest, I know how exhausting it is to have lots of kids over. I really miss it now, I really don't think I minded it back then.

Paula  I don't know where you find the time to take care of you, teach and dh. Still find time to type the chruch bullitin. I wish I had your energy.

D1  Hope you enjoyed your trip to WA.

I'm too sleepy to read anymore, Just wanted to say hi to Carol.

Good Night Jewels.

Happy sunday Jewels,

Having a hard time sleeping..bad dreams nothing with D1/cher...lol

Like i am giving a tour of a hospital to abunch of patients and i show them the room where they mix the chemo and i hold up a bag and it has my name on it..vetteguy had to wake me from my crying sleep and couldn't sleep the rest of the night. I keep looking at the calander and just remembered todays is the date of my first chemo and now i can see why i am soooo messed up the past few days. just total FEAR! I am really scared of this crap coming back. Just watch

GMA on sunday with MRI mis diagnosis and how common it is. Did anyone else see that?

I really didn't  need that this am. Hope everyone is well. It is 5 degrees here. Tatas are cold totday! Weird not having football today. Have to check my schedule for vegas. My best friend in michigans daughter grad party might be the week before. Will keep you posted!!  Gotta get my hot decaf tea this morning..no caffiene for me!! I would be spastic!!

hugs to all....

Patty 

I am interested in flying down from toronto.  Which hotel are youall staying at?Kathleen

Good Sunday morning, Jewels.  Hope everyone is keeping warm!  We’re once again in the deep freeze.  DH was in Denver most of last week…temps in the 60’s, think one day it even hit 72!!  Crazy!!  He wasn’t a bit happy about returning to MN.

Well, good news!  After two weeks on the market, we received an offer on our home last Monday.  After a few counters, we accepted it!  We’ll have an inspection tomorrow and barring any unforeseen issues, it’ll be a done deal.  Stay tuned!

Paula – Dear, sending lots of good wishes your way.  Think of you and your family every day.  Stay strong, friend.

Kimberly – Glad to hear you’re feeling like you again.  I haven’t done my homework, yet.  But, I have used VRBO (think Julie asked about vacationrentals.com) on multiple occasions, in CA, AZ, CO, northern MN and WI.  Never had a bad experience.

Jules – Loved the pics of your remodeled room.  Very nice, I like the “bolder” colors!  Have also been liking looking at the pics that are on FB.  Your DS is really a good looking kid.  What was the performance that he’s in a tux for?

Norma – Holy cow!  Finding a place for the snow is a challenge isn’t it?  Re: hormones, I was watching Oprah one day recently when they were discussing hormones, on the program was a Dr. Northrop who authored, “The Wisdom of Menopause”.  Appeared to have a lot of good information on bio-identical vs. synthetic.  Also, I got the same position from my onco, only doing the ooph and leaving the rest.

Kathy – Glad to hear you were deported successfully!  

D1 – WOW!  You were PART of history!!  Incredible!!  Thanks for the “birds’ eye” view!  You were truly brave to get between a wall and a mass of people, it's so cool everyone was so happy.

Joan – Great idea about the side trip to Hoover Dam, some family members say it’s a sight to behold.  My folks have said the Blue Man Group is really fun, although pricey.

Have a great day, friends.  TTYL

TIna

OK on http://go.travelpn.com, I looked at packages flight from Sacramento and hotel. All single occupancy prices.

 Planet Hollywood was $464, but the amenities weren't as impressive as other hotels.

Bellagio was $710 for Lakeview room. It had pool, spa, casino, restaurants, and shows.

The Mirage will be under renovations starting in Feb. so, didn't think we wanted to deal with construction.   $512. Lots of ammenities.

Mandalay Bay looks perfect: $473 includes taxes and fees. 11 acre sand and surf area with rentable cabana's plus a lazy river, D1, 3 swimming pools, jacuzzi, spa, fitness center, restaurants, casino, and on the strip for easy access to other hotels/casinos.  The rooms look really nice. Their new addition The Hotel at Mandalay is $595.40 excluding taxes and fees. It is connected by a walkway to the main hotel.

Check it out.

SIS 

Happy Sunday,

Boy with the blink of an eye, the weekend seems to fly by. Although we are not anywhere near as cold as some of you, it is rather "nipply" out this morning as I grabbed some wood for the fire. Even the dh doesn't want to hit the golf course today ! So lucky me, I am getting a honey-do that I've wanted for some time completed today. An electrical outlet in the floor between our two recliners. Yeah no more extension cord wrapped around my chair to the wall !!! My ears are perked up listening as I told the dh give a holler upstairs if he needed any help.

In the mean time ... thought I'd pass on to any of you that may have had or are planning on massage therapy at some point in time. Last week I decided to have the therapist actually work on my mastectomy site. This area has been more than off limits to anyone for well over a year now (heck I don't even like the sensation of myself putting lotion on the area). Anyhow ... the evening after having this massage, I was more than a bit nauseous. I think I mentioned having some GI distress last weekend. Well as I went back in for my massage this week she asked how I felt ... I responded that I had literally gotten sick to my stomach. According to her, this is actually fairly common when somebody may have an excess of toxins built up in their body, and they are released with massage. It made perfect sense to me looking back on last weekend, I still felt a bit "weird" 24 hours later, not like the flu, but just weird. Bottom line, WATER ... WATER ... and more WATER before and certainly after having a massage. I'll admit that I lacked doing so (and I know better) and I dearly paid the price. Needless to say this weekend I felt much better, although we did leave my chest area alone. We'll go back to it next week, as I am still trying to work on my range of motion which tends to cause so much discomfort through my chest. Lastly, I recommend checking with your insurance to see if you have coverage, these visits are being covered.

So I DVR'd the Oprah show on hormones ... I don't get it ... are they now saying that these bioidentical hormones may be okay and also can be used for women that have had bc ??? Being that 1 and 8 women get BC, and out of those many are ER/PR+ , I guess I would have thought that with the prevalent cases of bc more would have been discussed in that regards.

Speaking of hormones, my onc is having my levels re-checked this week. It's been since last July that they've been checked. All I know is that with the aches and pains in my arms and feet, I darn well better not be having any extra estrogen floating around in my body.  I have my appt with him next week along with my Zometa infusion (can't wait for that one)!

Kimberly, leave it to you for the descriptive narrative of your artwork, you know a person can literally envision the pieces. So I have not looked at your weather, did we bask in sunshine on our road trip?

My visit with my walking buddy was great ... my photo album put tears in her eyes looking back on the weekend. We plan on getting together again in a couple of months, training walks will get hot and heavy again come about March (6 months out from the actual event).

Tina, holy smokes gal .... the moving trucks are coming soon ! Hoping that everything moves along smoothly for you .... Spring in Colorado sounds perfect !!! I bet "Joey" will be happy to get out of the sniffling cold as well.

Joan, well again I need to stop complaining about weather in the 30's. That would be a heat wave for you all.

I've been on-line looking at airfares as well, those cheap tickets I've heard mentioned on the news must be to go to some friggin' cold place that nobody wants to go !!! We are planning a trip to Az in March as well, and looked at fares ... no bargains there either.

D1, another Jewel with the gift of writing. Thanks for sharing your experience, I had to finally give up the space on the DVR yesterday (to make room for 3 college hoop games) of the big day. LOL at slithering through the bushes !!!!

As much as you will miss watching your dd play ball (atleast at the hs level), I can't imagine missing some of the drama of the coaches antics. Give me a break !

Patty, nothing worse than a crummy dream ... then again nothing better than waking up and knowing atleast it was just a dream. I had a funky one as well this past week which I was happy to shake out of my head upon waking in the morning.

I didn't see the GMA bit on MRI and mis-diagnosis. We're they referring to false positives ??? I'm more concerned about the positives that show up negative until well after the fact.

Jules, sounds like you rather enjoyed your day of "futzing" at your own speed yesterday.

I've thought as well about chatting with my dh to see if he would like to venture to Vegas for a night or two tacked on to the end of our gathering. He has only been there once and that was in 07 when we got married. BTW, we stayed at the Monte Carlo (they had a nice venue for the ceremony), but unfortunately there was a MASSIVE construction project going on next door (I think it was the Vegas City Center project), so sitting around the pool, you heard a fair amount of noise. I'll have to look on-line and see if that has been completed, as a hotel next to this project would probably not be too good.

Sherry, I think its your time for a big break from having some health issues for you. Hang in there gal.

Wendy, holy cow woman ... a 2am bedtime ... sorry, I'd make a poor room mate in Vegas ... that's well beyond my turning into a pumpkin time !!!

Kris, so another puter coughing up its last pixel ("sorry Paula but I loved that line").

Leave it to you to encourage a good TP'ing ... sounds like fun was had by all.

Paula, so are you able to leave the house on Sunday mornings to attend church? Hoping that you can head to work in the morning without feeling too down in the dumps. Working with the kids (as obviously you have so many that truly admire you, yes I do enjoy your FB page) has got to be a bit of a pick me up.

Norma, I'm with you on the Grey's and the Izzy story line (to bizarre for me), so what's funny is that I have to remember what the heck season I'm watching !!!

Too cool on the ds receiving such high marks on his project. Looks like it will be my son's turn in the barrel next year. I can only hope that he "starts to get it" by that time !!!

Deb, its always too neat to know that our fellow sister friends always know that they can pop in anytime. Thank god we're not all as winded as others (like this epic post).

I added your name to the Vegas list. I certainly like the looks of the Mirage from the Expedia pics on-line.

Carla, always like to hear you sounding stronger happier with each post. You are in control of that happiness and I have this hunch you are headed in the right direction.

Whew, okay I got back up to my own post on Thursday ... time to stoke the fire and encourage the dh with his project !!!

Carol

Hi Ladies.  It's been a while.  I haven't even had time to lurk.  Not doing anything but the usual mundane things of life though, and work.  I even had to work MLK Day last week.  I do have yet ANOTHER cold-sore throat this time for the past week.  It's always something.  Saw the PS for follow-up and all looks good.  I don't see her again for 6 months.  Dh and I started our study at my Cancer Center.  It's a couple's group study looking at the effects of BC on the woman and her husband/partner.  We'll meet once a week for 8 weeks to talk about various topics.  I think it's going to be fun.  At least, I feel like I'm giving something back and hopefully helping someone else down the road.  DD had a birthday party to attend yesterday.  DS has one more week to go on his potty chart, and then he'll get his big boy bike.  I am so proud of him, and thrilled to be done with daytime diapers.  This coming week I have my appointment with the eye specialist, and next weekend my dad's coming to visit and watch the kids while dh and I go to group.  I also started to look at plans for our 10 year anniversary (2010) and a trip with the kids for Disney.  So what's up with the Jewels?  I'm 10 days behind, so I'm sure I have lots to catch up on.  I hope to read about Las Vegas plans.  I really want to go and am planning for it, but dh is definitely coming as it will be our anniversary July 8, and that will be our treat to ourselves.  Don't worry, I'll still get Jewel time-he'll go golf or gamble (he did well the last time he was there, I've never been)!

Cathy-CA:  For things to do in Vegas... I'm happy to do dinner Monday night, maybe a lunch too.  I'd really like to see Cirque du Soleil.  Otherwise, I'm happy to sit by the pool, maybe go shopping.

BTW my port scar looks GREAT now ( 2 weeks afterwards)!  I hope your de-porting next month goes well.  It really was easy.

CHJ:  Glad to hear your new onc news-she sounds wonderful!  I was so disappointed last week when the Ravens lost.  Honestly, I couldn't care less about the SB now, and I can't decide who to root for.

Carol:  Yay!  Let's sit by the pool in Vegas and talk, talk, talk!  I can't wait to meet everyone.

OK, after reading your posts about the effects of massage, I'm not too eager to get another.  I have enough GI issues.

Tina:  No, the eyes are not a chemo SE.  Though no one can quite say yet what caused it.  I personally think it was from my really bad GI illness at Christmas time, or the lovely issues post-op port removal (cinder blocks, as I was dumb and forgot to take Miralax... I know TMI).  We'll see what this new specialist says this week.  I am seeing fine, so it's merely annoying having to go to more doctors!  Both my parents have eye issues though, so I'm being good and following through.

Julie:  Another Facebook girl (and D1, and Kim, and Carol, and others I'm sure).  I'm holding back from signing up.  I can't keep up with my e-mail and reading posts here, though lots of my friends send me the "invites" to sign up.

Wow!  Loved your before and after pics of your room.  The color looks amazing.  I suddenly feel the need to paint and redecorate J

Paula:  Hope Ed is doing well.  I'll keep reading along to see.  I think the grief counseling would be good for you all from the sounds of it.  I'm sure hospice will be able to point you in the right direction.

Kimberly:  Hope you're feeling better by now.  I swear I get over one illness, have a few days break, and then I'm on to another.  I've never been like this, so it must be from chemo hitting my immune system.  I feel like a little kid!

Hope your sis is hanging in there with her journey through BC treatment.

Liked your post format, so I followed suit with the bold names.

Liked your words about Obama, too.  I am hopeful that things will improve, but know it will take time as you pointed out.

OK, Miss Teacher... Homework for the Jewels?!?  I'm gonna have dh do it for me-ha!  He's actually good at that stuff and volunteered even before I got to your post.  Checked out Mandalay Bay before, too.  I really like what I saw.

Sherry:  Glad you like your new job.  DE is still freezing, and what sucks is we have no snow here.  I figure if it's cold we should at least have some snow!  Hope you stay warm.

D1:  I like your Vegas ideas.  I think it would be good to compare prices at a few places, and someone mentioned a package-that would be great.  Planet Hollywood does look nice though.  Just saw that the Miss America pageant last night was held there.  No, I didn't watch it... dh was flipping through the channels and I made him stop when I saw Vegas stuff!  I hope it won't be an issue if he's along in July as I see most are coming sans dh's.  I just don't want to travel without him (we rarely get to go anywhere these days); we've been so few places together and it's so close to our anniversary.  Hope you gals understand.  He wants to golf at least once anyway, so that's a few hours I'll have to myself at least once (probably more if I know him).

Hope you didn't freeze your patootie off in DC last week.  I had no time at work to watch any of the events.  But 2 of my friends went, and of course our newspapers were berserk with Biden news and photos.

Carla:  Good to hear things are better at home.  I agree with Kim's idea about hitting him up to go to counseling now.

Deb:  I've also heard about the Mirage.  Hope you feel better soon.

Norma:  Very interested in the info you read about BCP and BC.  I asked numerous docs about it and all said no, that didn't cause it.  But that was the only thing I've had consistent in my body for >10 years prior to BC dx. Hmmm....

Kris:  Glad to hear the drainage is letting up!  I hope they take your drains out soon then.  LOL at the tp'ing with the girls.  Sounds like it was fun payback J

Wing (and Julie):  I'm a Vegas virgin, too!  My dh is more than happy to take care of that for me though...

OK, I'm done!  Sorry this was so long, but I like to shout out after I've been gone for a while.  Kim... I'll try to find time to do some homework this week.  TTFN, Jewels!