So...whats for dinner?

Here is a picture of my Lobsta Stew and Lobsta Salad.

I'm now 90 lbs lighter!!!

Today is my 19th surviversary. For the last several years, I've posted something on Facebook to commemorate my years since diagnosis. This year's post has a bit of a different mood. I'm just so sick and tired of this f***ing disease. Here's my post.

I promise, this is my last rant about breast cancer for a while. Today I celebrate 19 years as a breast cancer survivor. I'm so grateful for these last 19 years. With the size and aggressiveness of my tumor I realize how blessed I am to still be here, so many years from my original diagnosis, with no recurrence, no metastases, no evidence of disease (NED). Unfortunately I know many others who have not been so lucky. So many women I know have been lost. So many are living with metastatic disease. So many family and friends have been diagnosed. Living so many years NED usually has the thought of breast cancer pushed back to the far recesses of my mind. But, breast cancer has been in the forefront of my thoughts recently. For more personal reasons then the yearly onslaught of breast cancer awareness during "pinktober". Yesterday I lost another friend to this awful disease. In spite of the courage and determination with which she faced it and fought it, it was not enough - because there is no cure. As much as she was willing to keep trying to beat it, there were no more options for her. A dear friend has just been diagnosed and it's breaking my heart to watch her go through the fear, the loss of control, the total turning upside down of your life that the diagnosis of breast cancer brings. Once diagnosed your life changes forever and there is no going back to the way it was before breast cancer. The monster has lost most of its control over my life. My scars remind me daily that I am a survivor and have done all I can to prevent it from coming back. Every ache and pain no longer fills me with fear of a recurrence. But, it is frightening, in spite of all that I have done to keep it at bay, to be told by my breast surgeon that I can never say never again. 19 years and I still can't be sure it won't come back. In the breast cancer community we say you can consider yourself cured when you die of something else. So many have done everything they're "supposed" to do by following the ever changing list of breast cancer prevention tips, yet still wind up with the disease. So many have followed the breast cancer awareness suggestions for early detection - regular self exam, annual mammograms - only to be diagnosed with large tumors, aggressive tumors, or advanced disease. We need more then the mutilation, radiation, and poison that are the weapons we've used for generations, and still use today, to fight this beast. We need to find a way to prevent it. For those with metastatic disease, we need A CURE. We want nothing more. We will accept nothing less.

Lynda

I am so saddened by the news of Michelle's passing...but yes she is in a great place now and I know that she is in heaven meeting and entertaining everyone she knows there as well as the ones she doesn't know. I hope when I get there she is sitting in her pink bunny suit holding a place at the bar for me.

Thanks for all the great pics and great memories

It was such a crazy weekend for me in seeing people that have been affected by this stupid disease, A GF from high school whose husband passed at age 52 just last month (I had no idea he was ill) and another friend that discovered he has prostate cancer that has spread to his bones..he is 53. Makes me wonder what do we need to do to find the cause of this crap and save our future generation.

Great accomplishment for you on both counts, Lynda. Wow! And your words are so rich with meaning for all of us. Thank you for expressing those thoughts so well.

Special, I remember that photo of when you and Michelle met for lunch. Adorable!

Hauntie, congrats on 19 years. Your post was impressive in its heart touching honesty.

Laurie, your son's expression says it all. So cute.

Carole so glad your DH is feeling good. I do hope they find out something about what happenef though because its really hard to keep worrying. The barley soup sounds good. That was my Dads favorite soup with oxtails. My Mom would throw in extra bones because my Dad loved the marrow.

This thread is so important to all of us for many reasons. One of mine is its so basic to life. We lose friends. We dont forget them or the love they gave us, but eating is a part of life and it keeps us from grieving so much we get sick. We may not feel like eating but others depend on us to feed them and take care of their needs. It pulls us back into life whether or not we are ready. Remembering people over dinner out or reading one of their recipes or eating one of their dishes means they live on in memories. I remember my Mom every time I make her chili. Or her mock chicken legs.

Michelle, memories are all we have left. But what memories!

Tonight I am eating leftovers, so some kind of soup with potato and sweet potato in a cream sauce.

Much love to all.

Happy Anniversary Hautie

Laurie- Your boys always make me smile they are so cute!

I love all the pictures Of Michelle, Last night I looked at all her pictures on her Face book page she has tons of them so many memories for everyone who knew her. She has some really cute funny ones of her during her Halloween Parties and always had a big smile no matter what she was going through. I was looking for a video she had posted before when she went out karakoeing with her daughter and friends she was singing in it, it was so cute and funny I wanted to post it here but couldn't find it. Darn! She was a proud mom and Grandma, she always had stories to tell. xoxo

Tonight's dinner is pork chops, applesauce, baked potato and Brussel sprouts- Popcorn later for Michelle.

Thank you all for the inspiring words & pictures. It's a tremendous outpouring for a brave & beautiful lady who we'll never forget. I think I'll go w/Debbie's idea and make popcorn tonight as I continue to think of Michelle.

laurie - I loved the pic of your son and his trophy - so very adorable! I like his sushi comment - out of the mouths of babes...

hauntie - I appreciate your post - put all of our feelings into words, and congrats on the weight loss - that is major and a lot of work on your part - excellent!

carole - I hope you get some answers on what happened to your DH - are you worried that they can't pin it down, or are you interpreting that as good news? I can't decide, lol!

Michelle will live on in our memories, when we make one of her recipes, eat some popcorn or ice cream! I love her quote "it was fun and that is all that matters" we should all approach our lives that way!

I haven't been on in quite a while. I read about Michelle on Facebook. I wanted to come and share here. Reading everyone's posts just expresses how I feel so much better than I could. Laurie, I liked your idea of sharing a memory of Michelle. I met her and Rick once when they were in Atlantic City which is about 60 or 70 miles from me, so we met half way. I found a restaurant I wasn't familiar with, but had good reviews on line. The food was very mediocre, and I apologized for not finding a better restaurant. Michelle said not to worry about it, it was all about the company, the food didn't matter. She was a very special person. My condolences to her family, Joyce, and everyone here.

Moon, that was a great post. Laurie, your boys are so cute. I miss having little ones. Debbie, so good to see you here again. Life is busy now that I am working full time again. Not doing much adventuresome cooking. Maybe you guys will inspire me again. I did make chilli and broccoli salad today, so that is a good start. Moon, hope you don't mind if I steal your line, much love to everyone. Kay

Loved seeing Michelle's Cher performance again!

Kay, so good to hear from you! You must be so busy being back to work full time. Whether you are cooking or not, hope you can check in once in a while......

I saw Michelle's daughter's Facebook message about the memorial service for her mom, and on the 17th, DH and I will be heading to The Yard restaurant in Manchester (11-2) to celebrate Michelle's remarkable life. I would guess that many of us in the MA/NH area will be there. It will be a moving tribute for sure. Manchester has an easily accessable airport....so others from outside this area might consider coming too. I'm sure Michelle's family chose this venue to accommodate everyone as well as they could.

Laurie, your boys just keep us laughing!! . Somehow, I don't have Michelle's spaghetti sauce recipe. In your spare time (ha!) could you re-post or remind me which page it might be found on this thread? Thanks so much!

Joyce, holding you and Michelle's family close in my thoughts.....

Made a big pot of kale soup last night....so I will be having that a lot this week. Over the weekend I ate (lots of) restaurant/hotel food for several meals at a family celebration. I am actually eager to get back to my lighter fare. DH and I had our 40th anniversary this weekend, (yay!) but didn't get a chance to celebrate yet given the pre-emptive extended family events. I'm thinking we need to make plans for a special dinner somewhere....soon! DH keeps talking about Italy....need to have more energy to plan that.

Moonflower...I don't know why I get such pleasure in using up left overs! I guess I waste a lot of food and feel bad...it is a great plus when what I make from leftovers turns out good! Your post made me smile.

Happy cooking everyone...