Calling all TNs

"sleeping with your pets can make you sick" SCREW THAT! Living can also be hazardous to your health. Where do these idiot writers come up with these stories?

 swanny- PM me. What photo app are you using? What site do you upload your photos to (for on-line viewing in BC.org)? I upload to my web host, locate the image properties, select the link option (web or full-size <choose web or the image may be WAY too large for easy viewing in BC.org>), Copy the link, Paste in image function (to the left of the smiley face in here), Preview the image and then hit Submit. I know that can sound complicated so PM me as necessary. The hitch may be in *your* original image size; that is a function of the camera settings (especially with camera phones). This can be adjusted but if the image quality is low the re-size will result in excessive pixelization (rendering the photo quality poor). My apologies to the photographically challenged in here for this semi-techno post. I know it can make some heads spin.

dawn- my cousin worked/lived in DC for 30 years and I visited often.  However, I *had* considered the pros & cons of Cherry Blossom time. My conclusion was that those who will consider coming would also most likely choose to be there at a time renowned for its beauty and cultural experience. I will look into the Marriot. I am extremely flexible!

My plan (hopefully) is to provide several pricing options for hotels. Understandably, the closer you are to DC the more expensive things will be. DC caters to business people, so being there on a weekend may actually work in our favor. DC is lovely at night. On the other hand, choosing to be there during the CBF  may negate that.

All I can do is try, and let everyone make their own choices whether or not it is worth it. Hopefully I can find the balance that will best suit the majority.

http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/

http://reservations.washington.org/2209_welcome.html

Check out the above links. Room costs are highly variable. If desired, we could "double up" on rooms to further reduce individual costs. I will probably choose something centrally located in the $100-$200 range per person.

Irr- I "W" the Willard or Westin?

Holiday Inn Washington Capital has CBF package. Check it out:

http://reservations.washington.org/2209_hotel-info_h14581.html

Rooms are $200/night double occupancy. 

Think Mandarin is $400/night for 4--- so, same price. *Really* nice place but that would be 4 to a room. Too many? 2 better? Anyone want/need single only?

Head is spinning... will wait for feedback from you guys. Thoughts?

MBJ I know, but that would require a definite commitment from people and we are still in the early phase of planning.Once I get specific feedback I plan to contact the hotels and go from there, hoping to get an even better deal as you mention.

DC trip Update: April 8-10

OK, based on a day's worth of research and several people's input I have booked four (4) rooms for the Weekend Rate at:

Washington Marriott at Metro Center
775 12th Street NW
Washington, District Of Columbia 20005
USA
Phone: 1-202-737-2200
Fax: 1-202-347-5886

HERE'S THE DEAL: I have requested all rooms be in proximity to each other

2 rooms are being held at the $289 per night rate 1-4 adults allowed NO breakfast allowance

2 rooms are being held at the $309 per night rate 1-4 adults allowed WITH breakfast allowance

I will be taking a room with the breakfast option and welcome a room mate to share the cost.

So, there is potential for as many as 16 participants  but obviously 2 per room would be best IMO (for a total of 8).

Right now we have about 6 interested people. The rooms can be canceled with no charge up until 6 pm April 8th. The rooms are being held under my name.

Here's what you need to do:

 PM me when you know your plans. The rooms are being held under my name. I will give you my last name and you can then contact the hotel yourself and take one of the rooms and pay for it.

 If I don't have commitment to cover 4 rooms I will cancel whatever is left unclaimed upon my arrival that day with no penalty to me.

Is this clear? The hotel is 1.5 miles from the Tidal Basin where the CBF takes place. It is located by a Metro station. Parking is $34 per day but $45 with a van or SUV. I will probably have my husband drop me off and pick me up to save on ridiculous parking fees since everything is so close and driving in DC is typically a nightmare.

If we need more rooms I can probably get them for awhile (and hopefully in proximity to the ones we already have on hold), but his will change, as they do book up as  CBF nears.

I am really excited by this, and I hope you are too! I want to reiterate that anyone not comfortable with these plans has the option of checking out the links I provided earlier and making their own reservations.

See you in April!

Irr4993- the rooms will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis until April 8 at 6 pm, when I'll cancel those that don't get taken.

So, rest assured that it isn't necessary for you to jump right into reserving. What I've done is simply bought a little time for everyone to think about it.

For those who may choose a different hotel we'll try and figure out some central meeting place on Saturday: something BIG, and EASY to find...lol

I do hope *someone* decides to room with me though!

Heidi - thanks so much for taking the time to put this together. I am really going to try and be there.

MBJ - I had no idea that you still have to go through some left over reconstruction surgery. 2/22 is not far, so it will be over soon.  Do they do reconstruction in several steps, even for the type you have?  I know the implants and expander ones take several several steps.  But yours sounds different than all the other ones I have read about.  If you don't mind, if eventually I do decide to have bilat. mx, I hope you will tell me in detail about your procedure.  I am not there yet, keeping my fingers crossed waiting for results of my genetic tests.  I am hoping I won't need to have any mx, but we'll see how everything goes.  My best wishes on your upcoming surgery.

Heidi - your trip sounds wonderful, wish I could join you all, but I am here, all the way in California.  It sure sounds like a lot of fun.

MBJ- I was happy to look into things because either way I plan on going, as it is something I've thought about doing before and "there's no time like the present" as the saying goes. I've earned it! It would be nice to meet some of the gals in here but I understand if circumstances prevent it.

 I plan on taking lots of pictures & video, as that is something else I enjoy doing. If I'm/we're lucky the timing will be right, the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom and the weekend will be wonderful.

I planted this type of cherry tree in my backyard and it is SO beautiful in bloom. I look forward to seeing hundreds of them throughout DC.

Kittycat - I woke up to a similar feeling when I was on vacation in New Orleans.  I'm certain my was food poisoning, too.  I ended up sick in bed for New Years Eve but it only lasted 24 hours and I was on the mend by the next morning. Hang in there...food poisoning was worse than chemo, in my opinion.

test

Hi everyone. Its been a week since I visited and wanted to drop by to see how you guys are doing. I'm glad to see MBJ, Kittycat, Kelben, Titan, HeidiToo, Lovely, Irr, Sugar, cc -- and all of you are here, and that a D.C. trip is in the works for spring.

I'm only 2 -1/2 hours from there, but am not sure I'll be in any shape to turn up. The cherry blossoms are amazing, though, and totally worth the trip. Lots of good shopping, restaurants and night life in D.C. too. 

My bc ride has veered off course and I'm still playing the "what is it?!" game with what is now being called a 'neoplasm of unknown significance, brain and spinal.' Yay, fun. Basically, it could be bad...or it could be nothing. I hate this game. I switch sides by the minute - am by turns brave & bold or on the verge of tears and despair. Major suckage. I am no fun to be around.

I now get to have a VTI CT scan of my head - and I have to travel to Philadelphia to have one since my local hospital doesn't have the technology. Its used in endoscopic sinus surgery, just in case you wanna know, and I'm still hoping this 'neoplasm' is some benign leftover weirdness from sinus surgery I had 10 years ago. Seeing Univ. of Penn's neurology and otolaryngology docs/chairmen on Tuesday - one other thing this experience has taught me: I know way more about my own body than I ever wanted to!

I hope you all have a great weekend. If you live somewhere warm, please walk outside without 17 layers and think of us gals in the sub-zero ice. I cannot wait for spring....and maybe those blossoms.

Oh man, Kathy, you're still waiting TOO?

Yes, grab a seat next to me. Let's hide under some soft, warm blankets and watch mindless, distracting movies. (I wish!!!)

We can't really hang out like that, but I'd love to be your wait buddy. I guess this is the post-bc way, forever. I still can't really wrap my head around that.

Kathy and Michelle:

If cyber hugs and nothing but good thoughts and heavy duty wishes work, you both have all I can give.  Hang in there sisters, and stay strong.  We are all here waiting with you.

Linda