MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

Barbe, as for 1958, Frank Sinatra would say, "It was a very good year..."

Elimar...too funny about your pancreas. I LOVE butter cookies, too, and that's why I'm NOT making them this year. Heck, I'd eat 'em all b4 they were even boxed (or tinned) up as gifts!

And yes, the man on my arm is indeed my husband. He's Chinese/Hawaiian, and it will be 28 years since we started dating on January 1. My former boss fixed us up (DH was one of his best friends from childhood). Boss gave me tickets to the 49er game at Candlestick Park slated for New Year's Day. He said he couldn't go because he had some family gig to attend. I said, "Who am I going to go with? All my friends have plans, too." He said, "Why don't you take my friend?" I'd seen Boss's friend b4 because he'd come to the office every once in a while and they'd go have lunch together. Boss's friend also attended the company Christmas party a couple of weeks b4, so it wasn't like a total "blind date," and I said, "What the heck. Okay." TMALSS, we really hit it off. DH-to-be was SO IMPRESSED that I brought hot sake in a thermos (it was freezing that day), and we toasted the "Sake God" every time we drank from the little sake cups I brought. And wouldn't you know, the 49ers SCORED every time we did! They actually went to the Super Bowl that year and won. We think the Sake God had a part in that, ha ha.

Got my Pneumonia 13 immunization yesterday and I couldn't sleep last night, no surprise there. Gotta go to the post office and then do a little shopping. Otherwise, taking it EZ to day. At least once or twice a week I have trouble sleeping. It's part of Mr. Cancer's nocturnal abuse. I just take it in stride. Insomnia can have many factors. You've all been there.

Well, better try to haul my butt out of the chair.

Happy Winter Solstice, everyone!

Lita

Sadly, elimar, we haven't kept in touch very well with "the Boss." We were very close to him and his wife for many years, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, etc.. He was married to his wife for over 30 years, and then they got divorced. (Won't go into that, but it was pretty nasty...she developed an illness, Boss couldn't handle it...you know the drill.) We do stay in touch w/the ex-wife tho. She is very sweet and does NOT deserve this.

So many long-term marriages seem to be ending these days. It's not just politicians and celebrities anymore: Al and Tipper Gore - DIVORCED after decades of marriage; Carlos and Deborah Santana - DIVORCED after more than 30 years of marriage; my former landlord and his wife after 30 years of marriage; the list goes on. And lots of you dear sister warriors have walked that path, too.

Marriage is SO HARD at times. No one has the formula. You just have to take it day by day, as they say, and continue to respect each other and try to cope with each other's differences.

L

Well, it may be easy for some, but hard work for others, given the complexities of our lives and increasing time constraints.

If marriage was easy, we wouldn't have the 50%+ divorce rate. And it's way higher here in Calif. More like 2 out of 3 end up in divorce. Jumping ship is easy, staying together and making it work takes a bit of effort for both people. Lots of people are incapable of unconditional love. They are petty and hold grudges...probably shouldn't have gotten married in the first place.

I agree Barbe. But I think some people just get married by listening to their genitals, and when the magic wears off, they find that they never developed any real respect or trust.

Not a big fan of Catholicism, but like the idea that they make you take classes b4 you get married. Marriage is a major commitment, especially when children are involved. Stuff my DH does drives me nuts at times too, and I'm sure it's vice versa for him, but we wouldn't trade each other for the world.

Lita, well, they are talking to each other, the best way they know how, by text. Could be romantic.

{{{Diana}}}

I get such a kick outta some of the conversations on this thread!

Then I get such inspiration from all the "brave" women here, I know we are all forced into it, but the grace and determination some display is so powerful! Also the humor helps!

I have been away for a few days. Did my trek to the big city to see my docs. It involves my son driving down to pick me up, shuffling me off to my DD, I spent the night at her place. Then into the city bight and early for my day of joy!

It was on my 5 year cancervesary! Big benchmark, but seems like not much will change (also a huge sigh of relief there!) While waiting I was able to reassure a woman wheeling around in a wheel chair (obviously waiting for a mammo to confirm the placement of wires). I told her I was right in her spot a few years ago and I was still here. She said she was getting painkillers for Christmas and we had a good laugh! Those relaxing drugs were certainly doing their job!

I should have taken a play outta Eli's book, and instructed the tech in how she better do a good job, After the painful mammo, on to the BS PA, who was as happy and joyful as ever, also very pregnant, an aside, how do people stay so upbeat in that job is beyond me. (she also seems to be about 16, I swear) But I have known her for 5 years. Anyway, she said every thing felt fine, wrote me a new script for bras, then said since you're from the Vineyard we need to read your scans before you leave. I was like, no that's ok, she said no, in case we need other views, just sit tight. Now I'm getting anxious. Then the PAA, comes in and says I can get dressed but to go back to the other side to get the results. I'm happy because that means no more views right, because I can get dressed. I am with my DD and we are happy, almost over. Then a different tech comes out and say "why'd you get dressed we need to do more views!" I'm what!!!! Joy is dashed. She said there were 2 suspicious places, one on each breast. But not to worry they could do an ultrasound right there if need be, now I'm sweating bullets. So back in the Johnny, which another aside why can't we just take our shirts off in the exam room and then get dressed again, the whole rigamarole of sitting in the sub waiting room. Anyhow, 5 more painful views later, back in the subwaiting room in my designer flattering  jonnie, worried outa my mind, but playing a crossword game on my phone with my DD, giggling cause it's so hard. Finally a tech comes out and calls me in the back, just tell me already!, well, she says it looks like it was just a tissue overlap. Really, come on folks get this stuff together!  But I was floating on air walking outta there with my appt. for next year.

I did the genetic counseling in the morning. My MO ordered that. I had some done 5 years ago, but he said those dreaded words, you should find out for your daughter. So went and heard the spiel again and had my blood drawn. But will it really matter to me, if I might be predisposed to more cancer? I'm not sure.

Eph3 - as I recall, you and I go to the same MO in Medford, and have very similar dx (my oncoscore is 39, ER+). I am brca2+, though first in my generation to get cancer at age 58. Mother and 3 aunts with BC. My mother's youngest half sister has had BC twice (not until age 79 and 84, and at 85, kidney cancer and still kicking at 86). Her son, early 50's, was just dx'd with Melanoma. Yes, this cancer is also brca2 related. So glad you found it early! Now I'm wondering if you and I go to the same Dermatologist LOL (Mendelssohn)? So glad you caught it early. Is the melanoma why they are finally testing you for brca?

Dianarose congrats on the win!!! At least you were playing with their money until you left.

Joni FAB news on your end too!!!!

Mac sorry you had to feel that fear again. Horrible isn't it???

eph, great news on your margins!!! Doesn't it feel like a big ol' Christmas gift? ho, ho, spitting into a tube 2x! I've never heard of a salvia test! This is the second time for me, they settled for a 32 gene panel. I opted outta the 64 gene one. Too many genes that they have limited info about. It does the ovarian and endo. cancers too. More will be revealed as they say.

d-rose, please post some more virtual baked goods. I hope you are baking up a storm surrounded by family and other loved ones.

I got a fortune cookie the other day (which tells you right off the bat that my diet is sliding) that said "some of the best pleasures in life, is doing things other's say you can't". I showed it to my nutritionist...... she wasn't quite as amused as I was!

Native, I was in such shock, that I didn't even think to be angry. I was being the "good girl" and doing what they said.

barbe, I am grateful that they are so through, but gosh they're bedside matter could improve to consider how scary that is for a "survivor"

Merry, Happy Holidays to every one!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas Middies! Good advice for today!

Congrats Ladies, Good news brings good cheer....

Merry Christmas enjoy the day!