Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

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  • Rebecca
    Rebecca Member Posts: 971
    edited March 2008

    Aye-Aye Cap’n Caya--head fretter reporting for duty SIR!!!  Indeed yes, I have been anxiously waiting for your scan results as well, Nancy.  Do not fret, we have your back.

    Oh Tina, that is absolutely the worst….as if having a pukey kid in the ER was not enough, to have to show your home after dealing with a pukey kid!  ARGH!  Glad that Jac is feeling better, though.  What is up with these short bugs?  I hear you on the mud/slush blues…we have had it all winter here because it only got cold enough to freeze over for short periods of time…the rest of the time we had to endure squishy cold mud.  Our back yard is totally trashed because it never froze, but all the grass is dead for the winter and so we had some serious erosion.  YECK.  At least we are at the top of the slope instead of the bottom…. Love the name that Jac gave to her doll, and I heard that Mario game is awesome.  Frances is drooling over it, but she will just have to wait…wallet is pretty tight around here these days with me losing all those classes this semester.

    Joni I am glad that you are feeling better and can get around more effectively…and my condolences on your losses.

    Skye that is so scary about how fast your tumor grew.  I have heard other stories that are similar. 

    Melia I am glad your appointment went well, and that your onc was supportive and validated you.  There is nothing worse than feeling like you are to blame for your cancer…as if it is something you can control!  We all did the best we could, and found it as early as we could.  When I was first Dx I beat myself up that I  could have found my lump earlier, or gone to the Dr sooner with it or….or…..or… I finally decided it was not worth beating myself up, and I am just grateful that I DID find it, that I DID go to get it checked and I DID face my fear and take my medicine like a big girl.  I am here now to tell the tale and that is what counts.

    Pretty quiet here for the last few days…DH is in Virgina at a conference so I am on my own.  I went yesterday and got my operative reports from the hospital to give to my new PS.  Interesting reading indeed.  Old PS is arrogant even in dictating his reports!  It says things like “bleeding was meticulously controlled”  LOL.  Anyway, the thing that interested me the most was the fact that he implanted a 450cc expander, which he later expanded to about 550cc and my final implant was 540cc.  I had always thought that the implant should be smaller than the expander so that it has room to drop into.  That certainly explains my result….he “set me up” for about a C cup, as I originally requested, but must have changed his mind midway (as if it was really his choice to make, but I digress) and put in a D at the end hoping that I would stretch to accomidate, but since I had Rads I am not very stretchy…or he just FORGOT what he put in me in the first place…I did notice that he did not keep good records…he never was able to answer technical questions when I asked him during exams (such as what size expander he implanted…he never TOLD me that even after I asked many times).  I feel like such a boob…I never should have let him operate if he could not answer simple questions like “how big is my expander?”.

    Well anyway…have to get the kids to school..

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  • viddie
    viddie Member Posts: 547
    edited March 2008

    Hi all,



    Speaking of housecleaners,

    Ed asked if I would cut back and have them come once a month instead of every two weeks. I think not!!!



    Meri decided, as of this morning, to go to VCU, Virginia Commonwealth College. It is the most affordable. In a year she will be considered a resident and then it will only be $5000. a semester. It is for 3 years, with a total cost of over $50,000 before room and board. The Boston Colleges would have been over $90.000 before room and board. Plus, Richmond’s COL is far less than Boston’s. We think she made a wise decision. We would hate to see her saddled with so many loans after she graduates, and as I said before, we cannot afford to help her this time.

    We paid the full tuition for both Jonathan and Meri for their undergraduate education. Meri went to GWU, and that was quite expensive. She got some scholarships, but still….. Now she is on her own. I do wish we could help her though, but we can’t. Ed retired after his pancreatic cancer diagnosis and I am only working part-time. The guilt-the guilt.

    Her bf is still waiting to hear from Univ of Maryland Dental School. If he doesn't get in, he will attend VCU and get a Master's in BioInformatics- whatever that is. He also applied to a few other colleges in BioInformatics as plan B. Of course she wants him to go to VCU because they would not be able to live together if he lives in Baltimore. There is a 3 hour difference. To be young again!!!



    I still feel a little weird after taking the effexor. My doc told me to start taking two 37.5 pills after a few days. It has been a week and I am still only taking one. I am afraid of feeling too weird. I take it at 6:00 with dinner, and I am afraid to take another one in the morning. I might start tomorrow, when I do not have to drive anywhere. I had to work for the past couple of mornings, and I did not want to experiment while working.





    Rebecca,

    When we first got diagnosed, we were shell-shocked and in a fog. We had no time to do any research, all we wanted is have it removed as fast as possible. We had to trust our doctors. I am so glad you went to door #3. You deserve the very best and now you will be taken care of properly.



    Nancy,

    Hugs to you. I am sorry you had such a bad experience with the PET scan. Hopefully you will hear very soon and it will be good news. I would also jump every time the phone rang.



    Joni,

    Welcome home. I am so glad you had a wonderful time. So sorry to hear about Don and Monique. It does remind us how very precious every minute is.

    Arizona from January until April sounds like a wonderful idea. We have been going to Florida for one month during the winter for a couple of years. We couldn’t go last year, but we are going in April. Nothing like a little warm weather in the middle of the winter. Jan, you must be enjoying the wonderful weather.



    Caya,

    Your skirt sounds so cool. Go for it girl!!

    I usually do not have any reactions to the herceptin. I hope it is working. This time though, after skipping 6 weeks, I did feel more tired than usual. I am not sure if it was the effexor or the hercepton. The jury’s still out on that one. I also only have 3 left, but I am skipping April and doing my final 2 in May.



    Melia,

    I am glad you had a successful appointment with your oncologist. It is important to receive validation.

    Tina,

    I forgot what it is like having little ones at home, with yucks and all. “ALL” meaning all the hugs and kisses. I kind of miss that, but not all the yucks.

    Jaclyn and Paul must be very happy with their new toys.

    Jan,

    Don’t do too much housework now. Your dh can do it all right now. That’s one thing I enjoyed while recovering from the Diep- watching my dh vacuuming and doing the laundry-and make me breakfast, lunch and dinner. That doesn’t happen often. The visiting nurse told him he had to continue with the vacuuming el al for 8 weeks, then she blinked at me.

    Your 4 year old had a bf? That’s just the beginning!



    Skye,

    “End loader, $250...look on hubby's face...priceless.” LOL. I can really relate.

    I hope you are feeling better today.

    Mary,

    I hope you have a great appointment with your oncologist today.



    I hope everyone is having a great day.

    Love,

    Viddie



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  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited March 2008

    Rebecca, you should not feel like a boob, was that a Freudian slip? Remember, none of us were in any mental condition to be sharply evaluating our medical providers last year. I think we all just made the most informed choices we could manage at the time and then hoped for the best. What more could we have done? It was not your fault that this guy was what the French call "les incompetents" (Home Alone quote) but now that you are yourself again, you have gone and found someone who IS competent. And I'm so glad you will be taken care of now.



    Tina, I'm glad Jac's ok but uck, doing the puke bucket sweep and the fast cleanup, especially with dog, gets old very quickly. Keeping fingers crossed it sells very soon. This is the time of year people want to buy so they can get in and settled before summer.



    I'm in some distress today. My DS2 (whose MIDDLE name is Daniel btw) came home from work about 2 (started at 5 am) and announced he thinks he has testicular cancer. It seems he has a small, pea-sized painless lump on the outside of one of his testicles and says it has been there for sometime but he's been ignoring it, but lately seems bigger. He is in the likeliest age group for that, 20-39, and needs to go have it evaluated. Of course he has no medical insurance whatsoever. I haven't told DH yet but we will need to get him to a urologist pronto. I wonder if he can get Medicaid or something. I'm not freaking out at this point but yeah...life sure does keep happening. - Skye

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  • viddie
    viddie Member Posts: 547
    edited March 2008

    Skye,

    First,

    It might just be an infection. A few years ago, my ds had a lump also and the urologist told him it was an infection and an antibiotic took it away. Please don't jump to conclusions yet.

    Second,

    Can he sign up for insurance before he sees a doctor? It only takes a few minutes to get signed up for insurance.

    I would also check with the State to see if he is eligible for Medicaid. I think it depends on his income.

    Third,

    We will be with you every step of the way. I am praying it is nothing.

    Please keep us posted.

    Love,

    Viddie



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  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited March 2008

    Skye -

    So sorry to hear about DS - but Viddie is right, don't jump to conclusions.  It could be anything, but of course it has to be checked out ASAP.  You know the TA TA Frettin' Posse is right there with you, every step of the way.

    On a brighter note, I am leaving soon to meet Cassie at the subway as we have an appointment at the bridal store. Her bridesmaid dress is in so we are going to pick it up, and then go for dinner.  I'm really going to try to stick to my South Beach regime, as I did order that outfit gals and I want to be very svelte in it.

    DH just called me that his flight just landed in Vancouver, he's there until Monday for the - I know you all know - the Vancouver Show Show.

    xo

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  • mer1957
    mer1957 Member Posts: 534
    edited March 2008

    Back from the onc and GOOD NEWS to report - all is fine.  That shadow was my heart.  He said I can try going off the Tamoxifen for a couple of weeks to see if my hip gets better but doesn't think that is what is causing it.  It isn't getting any worse, just constant.  Cancer he said gets worse with the pain.  He offered an x-ray but it's not really that bad yet.  I think I'll try going off the Tamox for 2 weeks and see how that does.  My stomach is still bothering me from the flu - kids bounce back so much quicker.

    It's a nice sunny 50 here today! Whoo Hoo.  Got the car washed - first time in months. 

    Skye, so sorry to hear the scary news about your DS.  I hope all turns out well.  I hope you get some answers.

    Nancy, I am sitting here fretting for you.  I know the sitting around waiting for the phone to ring.  I'd call them tomorrow if you don't hear anything. 

    Viddie, glad Meri decided on a college.  Hope that romance works out.  It is very complicated these days.

    Wow Rebecca, can you file a complaint about the old doc?  I would.  He should be avoided.

    I sent an email to my son's hospital about his recent stay and the doctor mixup and I got a response back in 2 days with ways that they would be remedying the situation in the future.  I didn't want anything monetary, just knowing that someone else wouldn't have to go through what I did. 

    Hugs

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  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited March 2008

    Hi Gals,

    Viddie we must have posted at the same time. I'm so glad Meri made her choice and it sounds like the wise one. Grad school is so expensive but should be worth it for her. We couldn't pay for our boys' grad school either after the Art Institute but neither has been interested anyway.



    I really am staying pretty calm until we know something more. I would think infection too if he hadn't been feeling something there for a long time and now getting bigger. Don't most insurance plans have a waiting period before coverage kicks in? Otherwise that really would be the thing to do. His job is supposed to be putting him on salary with benefits but not until June. Just the testing alone can cost a fortune, we all have learned.



    Anyway, I told DH on the phone when he called to say he would be late for supper, so he has some time to take it in before he gets home. DS can't see a doc til next week anyway so we have some time to figure things out I guess. Hard to think about anything else. DH and I getting Big C is one thing, but I can't imagine it happening to my "child" (and they are always children no matter how old they get). Skye

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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited March 2008

    Interesting stuff I just read on bc.org's main screen.  Number one was a study that was just done that said herceptin along w/dose dense chemo (every 2 weeks instead of 3) had congestive heart failure rates of 1.4% or 1 in 70 women, versus....  four percent in women getting normal chemo (every 3 weeks).  Not that I had a choice in using Herceptin but had I known that that many women in 70 will have issues, I think I'd have been more attuned to signs.

    The other thing is that tamoxifen benefit drops off "significantly" after five years.  I didn't realize that.  But they were saying Femara was so much better, even if taken long after the Tamox.  I'll def. switch to that after I'm done w/tamox.  Can't believe I've been on tamox. almost a year now.

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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited March 2008

    Skye, Paul had a lump back in about 1998 or so.  He went to the dr. and was told it was a "varicocele".  Google that.  It's a twisting of a blood vessel I think.  The dr. wanted to operate on it but DH said no, please give me 2 more mos. (attempts to conceive Jaclyn).  We got lucky that month and he never went back to have it operated on.  The dr. told him his fertility was near zero and we'd never conceive with him in that shape.  A few years later I read that the dr. was in jail for diluting Lupron when dispensing to his prostate cancer patients.  Only in South Florida...  (well, not only, but..)

    Viddie, congrats on Meri making her decision.  I agree...no reason to saddle yourself with insane debt.  You and Ed have done very well by her, paying for her undergraduate school and I'm sure she totally realizes that.

    Mary, why would your breast cancer make your hip pain worse?  I didn't understand the connection there.  Very glad to hear the shadow was your heart.  At least that mystery is solved.

    Rebecca, rolling on the floor at "bleeding was meticulously controlled".  What an ass.  He really needs to get over himself.

    Gorgeous, sunny day here today.  It hit 60.  What does a girl w/a new hairdo do to celebrate?  She gets out her shopvac and cleans the garage!  I'm livin' it up, ladies!  I must say, it did feel good to clean that up.  I was cringing when potential buyers would look out there.  My next "chore" is to figure out how to program a garage remote.  We have one and it's not working and I need to supply two to the buyer.  That will take a little research.

    Jaclyn just saw the Nancy Drew movie advertised on TV.  Told her yes, I'd be interested in seeing that w/her.  I read some of those books as a kid.  I told her another series I loved when I was little was the Bobbsey Twins.  You don't see those around at all anymore.  I wonder if they are even in print.  She asked me if the twins were boys or girls or one of each...I couldn't recall.  I think it was boy/girl twins.

    Rebecca, we rent a lot of games at Blockbuster.  Keep that in mind if you get a rainy week and need to entertain the kids.

    Caya, I need to get south beaching or low carbing again too.  I put on like 3 or 4 pounds in the last few weeks...eating on nerves..and it goes straight to my middle and I feel it immediately. 

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  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited March 2008

    Tina - I LOVED the Bobbsey Twins - it was a boy/girl, and the girl's name was Flossie, but I can't remember the boy's name.  I also read Nancy drew - ah, Nancy and her little red roadster...

    Mary - great news.  It will be interesting to see if the 2 week vacation from Tamoxifen helps alleviate your hip pain.

    Viddie - that is great news about Meri making her college decision.  Don't feel guilty, you and Ed paid for undergrad.  It sounds like she'll be saving alot of money going to school in Virgina rather than Boston .

    I picked up Cassie's bridesmaid dress - the colour is nothing like the one on the Internet - it's a real baby blue, very soft and pretty.  Looks great with DD's dark hair.  Then we went for dinner at a nice eclectic bistro near the bridal store - I was very good, had a green salad with grilled calamari done in an amazing tomato sauce.

    I'm going to try the chat room.

    xoxo

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  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited March 2008

    just googled The Bobbsey Twins - (it was bugging me) - older set of twins are Bert and Nan, younger set Flossie and Freddie.

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  • meliaanne
    meliaanne Member Posts: 682
    edited March 2008

    Tina, do you have any idea how funny / personable / charming you are?!  Except when you are scaring us all nuts with a heart attack, you just make me giggle with your personality.

    Viddie, we only paid for undergrad too. Our dd is a veterinarian, our son is in law school. Our older dd didn't even want a grad degree. But with what they all earn with good degrees, I don't feel a bit of guilt. We loved them, launched them, are their biggest fans. That was our best, we feel honored to have them, but we also would love to retire some day.

    Skye, I know you are scared. This is your baby boy. But I feel certain that he is ok. There are so many things that people get besides cancer.  We are all so shell shocked that all we can think of is cancer. But in our old world, we would be thinking infection, etc. Now we are scared silly, and we think the worst.

    Nancy, let us know your results. We are all with you.

    Mary, glad you are ok. See what I mean?  We think cancer, but it's just your heart. Jeez.

    Viddie, tell us about your dh and his decision to retire. Had he planned to work longer?  How is his health now?

    Caya, cannot wait to see photos of your new outfit. It sounds just great.

    One more day, and then it's the weekend. Both our girls are coming home for a few days, then our son next weekend for his spring break. The surgery scheduling office called today; dh surgery is tentatively April 4, though she is calling back tomorrow to tell me if that is ok with the dr, or if he wants something sooner. I am a wreck and would like it to be tomorrow, but am trying really hard not to seize control of all this. You have all been so supportive in backing me on my "patience". Just know that inside I am screaming with impatience, am chewing my lips and tongue bloody trying to be calm and loving. I want it behind us.

    Sweet dreams all.

    Melia

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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited March 2008

    Ha!  Caya, COMPLETELY forgot about Bert and Nan!  Yep, Flossie and Freddie.  You are right.  I should look for those in the library for Jac.  Although she's just mastering 1/4" thick books right now like Junie B. Jones.  I don't think she's gotten through one of those yet.  Did I tell you all that I had her repeat kindergarden?  The cutoff in OH is Oct. 1.  Her b'day is Sept. 28 because I had an elec. c section two weeks early.  Anyway, I let her try K but had her do it over as she struggled.  Now, she's just where she needs to be.

    Melia, glad I can make you laugh.  Happy to hear DH has a surgery date...I must admit, I got the butterflies though.  It's like you want it over, but when it really draws near, the nerves kind of set in.  But, best to just get this over with.

    Caya, sounds like a fun night out w/Cassie.  She'd look good in a paper bag, so I'm sure the lighter color dress is just fine.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Ugh, Tina I am not a Junie B Jones fan. All that bad grammar. I don't know any real kids that speak so poorly. DH refuses to read them. I at least admit they are funny. For awhile it was all Em would bring home from the library. Then she finally moved on to Magic Treehouse books - much better.

    Have you (or Rebecca) read the Disney fairy chapter books? They are bigger, but really good stories. I think the first one is called "Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg." Tinker Bell is a character in the stories, but not the main character.

    I loved Nancy Drew as a kid. I'm sure I read them all.

    Nancy - you are supposed to get your results today, right? Let us know.

    Skye - Keep us updated on your DS. I'd be insane with worry. He's still your baby. 

    We're off to Horton Hears A Who tonight. Em was supposed to have a friend sleep over tonight - but for the 2nd week in a row her friend got into trouble at school so the sleepover was cancelled. Em's so mad. The movie is my attempt to salvage her night.

    Tina & Rebecca - are your kids into WebKinz? It's an obsession here. 

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  • Lynn12
    Lynn12 Member Posts: 1,008
    edited March 2008

    Hi Ta Ta's,

    I'm sorry I've been MIA lately.  I've been trying to keep up, but am really having a hard time at home.  My 16 year old is taking just about all my energy lately and I don't feel like either of us is in a good place.  Last week she came crying to me because she hates school so much, she says everyone hates her, talks about her.  I had been noticing other symptoms from her like she would come home and sleep for 2 hours, doesn't want to do anything, doesn't smile a lot and she is now failing in 5 of her courses! Cry  I got her to the Dr. this past Monday and he suggested therapy.  I think Ally has gotten herself spiraling downward and anything I do doesn't help.  She is really in danger of having to repeat her sophmore year.

    So I gave her something positive yesterday and took her to get her learners permit (even though she is failing in 5 courses).  I decided I was going to sit down and talk with her again last night.  She absolutely refused to go to therapy, says she hated it last fall.  I asked her to put herself in my shoes, as her mom.  Told her what I'm seeing and I want to help her.  It's evident that she can't figure out a way to get herself out of where she is, so she needs someone to help her.  I feel so helpless...it's awful!

    We ended up in quite a fight, which I didn't want to happen.  I did finally get her to agree to go to therapy and FINALLY she agreed to 'try'.  we'll see.

    I absolutely hate this.  I just want to get in my car and drive away from it all..it's taking all my energy and focus.  But I love her so much and want her to be happy and will do whatever I can to help her.  It just makes me nuts that she'll say that she doesn't know what to do and can't get herself going, she then says that there's nothing else I can do, but then refuses to accept help from someone who's trained....ARGH!!! 

    So I finally called my Onc this morning to get some Effexor the back door way.  He said he'll prescribe them to me for my hot flashes.  I think he'll probably give me the lowest dose. But I think I"ll ask him to give me 75mg dose (that's the dose some of you are on, right?).

    Anyway, sorry for my rambling. 

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  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited March 2008

    Hi Dear Ta Ta's,

    Lynn, much sympathy with DD. I think you won the major battle by getting her to agree to "try" the therapy. It does sound like some form of depression, reminds me very much of one of my nieces who is now happily married, about to graduate college and expecting their first baby. If Rachel could make it through (and that is with my sis as single parent) I have faith that any teen girl can. Especially with you as a mom.



    Tina I'm on Femara, my onc says it is by far the best for side effects.I hardly notice I'm taking it.



    Melia, it's great you have a date set. April 4 isn't far,and with your kids all coming home first it will go fast. Trust me, you need to treasure and make the most of these pre-surgery days. I can't stress that enough.



    Thanks for all the reassurances on DS. I do know what a varicocele is, DS1 got one in highschool. This can't be that, it's a hard, pea-sized (he estimates) painless lump on the outside of his testicle that has been there for quite a while but gradually growing. He has already done all the googling and finally decided he needed to worry about it and tell us. Of course he didn't want to worry us and knows very well he has no insurance. The good news is...if it's cancer... it's one of the most easily curable, the bad news is entails removal of the entire testicle, so it is a real manhood issue for him even if he still has one left. He's only 27. So he is understandably upset and we're trying to be calm for him; today I'm calling our family doctor to see what he recommends as a first step and the best course to take financially too. I think he is relieved to have told us, anyway.



    As Rosanneadannadanna said, it's always something. - Skye

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Lynn - Sorry about your DD. Please don't feel like what you are doing isn't helping. Even if it doesn't seem like she is listening to you - I'd bet anything that she is. Sometimes it just takes a lot of repetition and time for it to sink in. She knows that you are worried about her and that you love her - that's important.

    I worked for years with teenage girls in a treatment center - it was always the "toughest" kids that we never thought we were able to reach at all that would show up 2 or 3 years later to thank us for helping them so much. Keep sticking it out with her and she'll come around eventually. 

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  • meliaanne
    meliaanne Member Posts: 682
    edited March 2008

    Lynn, it's so painful to watch your child flounder ... with you as a mom, she will be ok, but these are very difficult years.

    Skye, keep us posted on your baby.

    Nancy, how are you?

    This brings me back to what I wrote a week or so back; life goes on, with all its grief and challenges.  But also with some joys. We just need to grab the good stuff.

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  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited March 2008

    Lynn - I sent you a private email.  You will get through this with Ally.

    Skye - still praying that it's nothing for your DS.  Please keep us posted and I just keep thinking how unfair this is - You and your family have certainly been through enough crap...

    nancy - any word yet?  the Ta Ta frettin' posse certainly has alot on our plates right now.

    Melia - you said a mouthful girl.  We certainly have to grab the good stuff...

    I have had a 2 day headache, took percosets last night, they didn't help much.  Today I took 2 Tylenol #3s, I feel better, but a bit woozy.  I called my pharmacist first as I didn't know if this would interact with the bazillion other meds I'm on - Effexor, Tamox and all the supplements - she said I'm fine to take it.  I think I'll need a nap today as I did not sleep well last night.

    Yes, skye, it's always something.... (but I think it's ENOUGH already for the Ta Tas..- OY!!)

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  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited March 2008

    Caya, yes, one would think the Ta Ta's had plenty already, but we just keep on keeping on.

    I talked to the doctor's nurse today and decided to go straight to the urologist as it would be a $100 prepay just to see the doc and be told to go to the urologist. The urologist said he has to have an ultrasound done before they will see him. That is a $50 prepay and then make arrangements to pay for the rest, whatever that is. Medicaid requires you to be over 65, under 19 or disabled. I've been reading about people flying to Thailand for more affordable treatments. This is crazy! But I'm remaining calm til we can know something.



    Grendel and I have had a quiet day, working on potty training and I'm doing book illustrations. It's in the 50s and sunny, and the sandhill cranes are back. One flew over the backyard, low, while we were outside. They always make me think of angels. A lot of times they fly above the clouds, using the updrafts to circle higher, and you can hear them burbling loudly but can't see them. So spring must be here, or they would not. - Skye

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  • mer1957
    mer1957 Member Posts: 534
    edited March 2008

    Hi Ta Ta's

    Lynn, my thoughts and prayers are with you.  Raising kids is not easy.  We never would have done this if we knew all that went into it I think.  It does sound like depression to me, maybe she should see her regular doctor too for meds? 

    Skye, we are there holding your hand through this.  Try not to think of the money.  My BIL had his appendix burst with no insurance when he was in his 20's and the hospital never ended up getting anything from him. 

    Caya, sorry about your headaches, sounds like the weather change might be affecting you?   Spring was really felt here today.  My DH's bday and he really appreciated the good weather even though we had to work.  We went out for Chinese and are just having a quiet evening.  I still am feeling the effects of the stomach bug and really cant' eat right although I did exercise a little today.  Tomorrow is our St. Pat's dinner dance at church so that should be fun.  I guess I'll be the designated driver as I will not be up to imbibing by then.  Oh well at least I won't be hungover Sunday.  Thinking more and more about meeting all of you in July!  Hugs

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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited March 2008

    Oh, Lynn....  I'm sorry you're going through this.  I must admit...I had a few "wild child" years from age 14 through about 15 1/2.  I realllllty started maturing and coming into my own at 16.  I was comfortable in my own skin, etc.  Not that I was a goody two shoes.  I most CERTAINLY was not, i.e. smoked pot for the first time at like 13.  Anyway, I caused my parents sooooooo much grief and in retrospect it was like puberty took ahold of me and made me temporarily insane.  The transition to middle school was also very hard for as I think I mentioned, my town was the blue collar "haves" and the lower income "have nots".  I was a have in their eyes.  They were very resentful of anyone who lived on the "rich" side of town.  You'd laugh if you knew the place...nobody would call it rich but those kids from the projects.

    Anyway, I hate to say it, but nothing helped me, really, through this awful time BUT time.  I think I began to feel reasonably attractive at 16, not like an ugly duckling, etc. and I was just more at ease w/life.  Those years are sooooooooooo hard.  My heart goes out to you, being a former trouble maker! :((((  XOXO

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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited March 2008

    Jan, got so caught up in Lynn's issues, forgot to respond about Junie B. Jones.  I did NOT know she used bad grammar.  I knew she was a bit of a wise acre but so I am and so is Jaclyn...  :( 

    My biggest pet peeve in the world is the word "ain't".  When Paul's niece came and stayed here for a month a few years ago I was dying because everything was "ain't this" and "aint' that".  I drove her crazy by singing "Don't say ain't!  Your mother will faint.  Your father will trip on a bucket of paint!"  She will never forget me.  Trust me. 

    Honestly, though, not to sound like a snob, but how do you EVER expect a kid to succeed in the business world when "ain't" comes out of their mouth every other word.

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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited March 2008

    And, Jan, last not least, yes Webkinz were a HUGE fad here about six months to a year ago.  Still pretty popular but waning off a bit.  We have, I've got to say, 20 at minimum.  It's sick.  I've got to say, Jaclyn really enjoys stuffed animals where they did nothing for me as a kid.  I actually didn't really get into toys.  I was always outside, making my own fun.  Then again, I didn't have "the web".

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  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited March 2008

    Hi gals,

    I've had 2 rounds of 2 Tylenol 3's today - pain subsided, but I needed that second dose by the 5 1/2 hour mark. 

    Mary you may be right about the weather, I called my cousin Lori who is my "headache buddy" - she and I always get headaches with barometric changes, and she told me she's had headaches all week. I hope you are feeling better and have fun at the St. Pat's dance.

    Tina - What are Webkinz?  I am really out of the loop on kid's toys now - I have 2 young nephews (9 & 11) and when it's their birthday or Hanukkah  I just tell my SIL to buy them whatever and I pay her for it, as I had 2 girls and I have no clue what to get them.  My girls were into Polly Pocket, Barbies, arts and crafts and those little Ty stuffed animals that people were paying major money for - I forget their names now.  I was like you Tina - we played outdoors alot more then, when I think how in the "Olden days" we used to roam the neighbourhood for hours, parents didn't know exactly where we were, no cell phones etc.  Those were really innocent times.

    I think there are more obese kids now because too many of them are sitting on their behinds on the internet, watching TV and eating too much junk.  Think of it - how many truly "fat" kids were in your classes at school? - not many I bet.  I really did walk about 2 miles each way to high school - that was 4 miles a day justing getting there and back, never mind other stuff.  And in my house dessert was a big treat - rare, unless it was fruit or we had company over.  Snack before dinner was a big carrot, not all the junk they have today.

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  • Nancyab
    Nancyab Member Posts: 276
    edited March 2008
    WOOHOO, My pet scan is all clear, NED, yessiree NED. I am so happy, I can't even believe it! Finally something is great! I was so relieved I cried, now I ache because the knot I was in finally released! But I love it! Thank you everyone for your prayers and support! I love you all!!!Laughing
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  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited March 2008

    Nancy -

    YAHOO!! Thanks for posting this most excellent news... Please go out and buy yourself something pretty and then go out for a nice evening with DH tomorrow night...

    xoxo Caya

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  • meliaanne
    meliaanne Member Posts: 682
    edited March 2008

    Oh Nancy, I am so thrilled!!! That is wonderful news!!! And it's about time something went your way. God bless you.

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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited March 2008

    Oh, NANCY!!!!!!!!  I am sooooooooooooooo happy!  That wait was horrible!  I can imagine you cried.  I always do when I can finally release all that tension.  My voice froze when I called Paul to tell him I got a 50 on my echo after the heart attack...I couldn't get the words out w/out bursting out crying.  Just goes to show the enormous amt. of pressure this stuff is.  THIS IS A GREAT DAY!!!  XOXO

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  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited March 2008

    Caya, sent that too soon..  OK, Webkinz are small stuffed animals, about 6" to 8" tall.  They also have Little Kinz.  They all come w/a tag that contains a "secret code".  Basically the kids take them home, go online to www.webkinz.com and register their pet.  They are then able to do all these things like buy a house, buy furniture for it, you can do jobs or play games to earn Kinzcash to buy more stuff.  It's like a virtual world.  You can have buddy lists w/other friends who have pets registered and they can IM I think.  It has swept different areas of the country at diff. times.  It hit Boston pretty hard like two years ago.  Hit OH last year.  They sell them in Hallmark stores, for the most part.  Although lately I've seen them in a lot of other places.  I'd say they are more for girls, but boys like them to, say if you get a bulldog or something.  DS just told me to tell you they are a waste.  He said one girl has 35.  That's $350!  Imagine what she could do w/that money.  LOL!

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