Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

Good Afternoon,

I'm back from chemotini-ville, had an uneventful trip. Thought maybe come home and kick back, take a little nap, read a little in one of the many books that are finding there way next to my recliner again, or re sync my crazy ipod. But no, I was off to shop for a new pair of tenni-rippers. I had a bd gift cert to use at a rather high end sports store. Ended up buying a top of the line shoe, having the extra bucks made it pretty tolerable. I can't wait to give them a trial run tonight.

I figure I can walk to the post office and back tonight, that's 2 miles. Should be the perfect amount today.

Thanks for the input on my ds driver's license deal. I actually just got off my cel phone talking to the "ex". I almost didn't pick up as I did not have my ducks in a row to chat. I had to take some really deep breaths to get through the conversation without freaking out. I think we have come to an agreement that if the little whipper snapper gets a summer job, and his grades are as good if not better than last quarter will we then move forth with the license. I for some reason have a very tough time even bringing up the cancer card when I speak to him or the dh. At times I think that with the "hairdo" still in place and most of the time I feel pretty darn good or atleast don't lead on that I feel down in the dumps that they really don't know what goes on in my head. As well I'm sure that our ds has some pretty emotional challenges at times with dealing with puberty and then dealing with a mom that isn't quite "normal" these days. Anyway, I think we may be on the same track, and my dh is totally supporting to trying to make things work out for all parties. The ds is planning on going out after school on Thursday dressed in his none holey jeans (which I guess are the coolest), and get a few application for summer employment. It is a late start in the right direction.

Paula, Yikes on the ball game, is your son playing for the Mariners??? Sounds like he was doing his part, hope he wasn't the closing pitcher!!!

I shared your news article with my family friend today who took me to chemo as well as the my nurse today. They both we're touched by your story. Your becoming famous in the PNW as well.

Tina, you sound like me, sneaking a peak at the post while working. Hey I figure if some of those can stand out on a loading dock and smoke about every 30 minutes than a little Jewel time on the puter is totally warranted. I actually don't have to really sneak, but yep they are out smoking almost every time I drive I to the warehouse. Makes me nuts ... I need to let that one go for my own well being!

D1, doggy party huh? Can't wait to her the "tails" on that one.

I'm totally with you as yes we set parameters back at the beginning of the school year, but come on, this hasn't been necessarily a normal year for the ds. I guess I'm becoming the softy, as usually I'm the hard ass on a lot of stuff. I guess it I we're to pick a battle, this is not one I'd like to fight right now. I'm feeling so fortunate that Zach is as well adjusted as he is. I'm sure the saga will continue!

LJ, I wasn't aware that you we're having neo-adjuvant therapy to shrink you cancer prior to surgery. Lets hope that those little pac man gobbled up everything in sight and a lump will be in your cards. Good luck to you.

Kimberly, you got it right with the Whole Foods, we went to one in Mesa. It was a great store as well. If you like it you would go bonkers at Central. So in case you read this before I start dinner tonight, did you saute your spinach in the garlic and evoo and then put in the the backing dish with the chicken and ricotta. I'll probably have to snoop back a few pages for the recipe. Chickee thighs are calling our name tonight.

Good news is that we live within the city limits of downtown where most employment opp would be for the ds, so he could actually walk to most jobs. Heck I'm not opposed to him sticking with his lawn mowing jobs of a couple of neighbors, as long as he could add a couple more houses to the mix. We need to get through this weekend at the regional skate meet. If he doesn't place to go to nationals, his practice time can be missed at times for work. The joys of time management!

BTW, I still have a smiley face in my kitchen with some terrific looking flowers.  Those babies look as good as they did last week, I'll consider them my good luck flowers as I have had a great week as far as se's go. 

Therese, pretty good shouts outs there being on pain meds. Sounds like everything is moving along on track for you. Heck I have to edit my post on a regular basis and that's free of any good drugs. You should see how chatty I would be if I had a little vino in me, wow ... diarrhea mouth!!!

Norma, I can't believe that your finished ... I think some good old fashion tears are very warranted. If you we're to take all the days with all the various experiences and emotions since your diagnosis on 10/22/07 and compress them into a shoe box, it would take a mighty big shoe horn to get them to all fit. I think you just gave yourself a little more room in that box by releasing some emotional. YOU GO GIRL!!! I get weepy just thinking about your story!

Okay, I'm going to take my weepy body and fire a little something off to my "pal", a walk to the post office in my new rippers should be just what the doc ordered for today. Happy to report the gi tract is in place and doing fine!!!

Will check in later, Wendy and CHJ, thinking of you both today ... and probably tonight too when I can't sleep because of these lovely steriods!!!

Carol

PAlady - Congrats on being all done!!! I agree, it can be a very emotional time. It's kind of like getting off of the scariest rollercoaster ride of your life - you don't know whether to laugh or cry. It not only closes a chapter on the bc journey, but it also closes the book on our past life, pre-bc. For better or for worse, our lives will never be the same. That can be pretty scarey, & not for the faint hearted, but it can also be exhilarating & exciting thinking about all the positive possibilities that lie ahead. We may have lost  a lot along the way, but we've all been given a second chance.

Acknowledge your tears & sadness, grieve for the loss of your former life...then when you, & only you, are ready, move on.

Therese 

Kimberly:  Your ‘cation plans sound sooo nice.  What a treat after finishing up chemo!

$20/mo. For the SPs sounds reasonable to me, too.  Eager to hear when your exchange will be.

Carol:  Nothing to add to your dilemma with ds and your ex-h.... I think everyone has covered it nicely.  And I agree with whoever (D1?) said "no wonder" to the PMSing after the stress you had.  I'm sorry to hear Steph had a rough go-around-hope he feels better soon.  Wish I could send him some of my extra weight!

Julie:  Hope you have a nice dinner.  And congrats on your certification recognition.

Tina:  I hear ya--- focusing on work is a job in itself right now.  Hope you do well, too.

D1:  On the home stretch!!!  I'm so excited for you to be done this week.

LJ:  My onc said if there was going to be a problem with herceptin and hearts, it usually happens at the beginning (like one of the first few infusions).  So later MUGAs are just "insurance" that we're doing OK.  I get my second in June.  I hope he was right.  Let me know how you do.

Therese:  Congrats on the new "girls"!  Hope you like them as they settle in and that you feel better soon.  I really felt good very quickly afterwards.  It was an easy surgery to recuperate from.

PALady:  Congrats on finishing!!  We all understand the tears for sure.  It's truly a big moment.

Hope all the other Jewels are doing well.  Back to work tomorrow.  It should be nice as I get to follow my partner for the day and really see what I'll be doing now.

Hey Therese, you’re already on the ‘puter?  Those must be some pretty good drugs 'cause you didn’t have any incomplete thoughts. Bravo. 

I just saw the ps today, and my exchange is scheduled for June 6th. I’ll be home from our 10 day ‘cation on the 1st, so the timing is perfect. I will have the drains in for 10 days, then have five days after they’re out before I leave for Chicago.  I can’t wait to get these coconuts off my chest. Contouring under the arms?  So, when do you get to unwrap the girls?

LOL, the wash cloth story is hysterical!!!!!
I will have to copy it and send it to my girlfriends.

Wonderful words of wisdom for PALady.

PALady- Congratulations on your last tanning session. Your happy/OMG what to I do now cry is totally expected after going to the cancer center daily for so long. Just give yourself time to take it all in and enjoy the freedom to do with your time what you please...or at least the time you spend at the cancer center.

So, are you done, done, or just done with this step?

Carol- Whew (wiping sweat off the brow) on getting through that call without an emotional incident.

I can understand how not losing all of your hair, feeling pretty good most of the time, still working, and not letting on at times when you feel like crap could cause others to forget that you’re dealing with cancer, and that Zack, on top of puberty is dealing with his fears about his mom.  I’m glad the dh is so supportive, and that you and the ex were able to come to an agreement about Zack’s license.

Awesome that you live within the city limits, and Zack can walk to potential job sites. That’s a huge plus.  Yep, no holes means he’s dressing up, Mom.

Yes, sauté the spinach in the olive oil and garlic, then mix it in with the fresh chopped basil and ricotta.

I’m so glad your smiley face is bringing you such pleasure. The good news is that you can fill it with anything you want afterwards, and it will keep on smiling.

Being weepy is definitely a hormone thing. I’m glad you’re going to talk about it to the doc tomorrow. I’ve never had PMS weepiness. Shoot, there’s a chance I could experience that with chemo-pause?  Heckendorns!!!!

LOL on the mustache comment. 

Tina- No, I’ve never been to Arizona before, so I’m so looking forward to it. I have heard that Sedona is a very healing and spiritual place rich in Native American history, so I’m going to be hitting a museum or two for sure.

I hadn’t heard of the skywalk. I’ll be checking out the link you gave me. Thanks.

Kathy- Sounds like you’ve got some energy today. Could it be because you didn’t have to work?  I am only assuming so since you said, “Back to work tomorrow.”  Shadowing your partner sounds way more fun than sitting and listening to orientation stuff. Have fun!

So, those of you watching. What did you think of the DWTS results show?

OK, so I guess I’d better get myself in the kitchen and get dinner prepared. 

Check in tomorrow morning ladies.

SIS Kimberly

Good Morning Jewels,
I didn’t get my walk in yesty. I had my doctor’s appt. and then went to the book store and grocery store, and just couldn’t work up the motivation to go. I know, Carol, I’ll feel so much better afterwards. I’ve just got to push through the lack of motivation thing.

CathyCa- WhooHoo on the last chemotini and Nastylasta shot!!!!  Good for you, getting yourself taken care of as far as your rads schedule.  I’m wondering if getting appts is hard due to demand. I just read an article about how radiation therapy demand has really gone up and how some radiation centers are having a hard time getting everyone in and scheduled and keeping the equipment in good working order since it is getting so much more use.

Two months for the taste buds and hair to start returning?  I guess I can wait 6 more weeks…like I have a choice.  I do have the beginnings of really light peach fuzz, so in 6 weeks I’m hoping to have some color on my head.  The good news, like you said, is that you will be done with rads about the time your chemo se’s are gone and the hair starts growing.

Not much on my plate today, so I’m definitely going for a walk.  I may start my vision board, too.

I’ll check back in later.

SIS Kimberly

Hi Jewels -

We had a great time at the appreciation dinner last night - food was fabulous and the turn-out was great! We didn't get home till after 10:00, then stayed up b/c dh had some work to do. We were up till about 1:00 - I slept in today! Thanks for all the congrats on NBPTS - it was quite a stressful process, but I'm glad I did it. Paula - we started the process in May and everything was due at the end of March, so it was about a 10-month process for the Portfolio development. Then I had to take a test the following June and we didn't find out results until November.

Tina - hope you're adjusting to working without your fuzzy slippers on! I know I'm certainly used to being in my pj's working on my laptop, sitting on my couch! It's going to be quite an adjustment for me come August!

Therese - CONGRATS on having your exchange surgery!! Hope your pain is minimal! Interesting about the drains - my ps talked like I would have them for sure - maybe I misunderstood. LOL on the Washcloth story!!

PALady - YAY for you - done with rads!! I know that emotional feeling and the dh's just don't get it. They think we should be jumping for joy, but it's such an emotional roller coaster!

Carol - glad you and the ex seem to be working things out with ds and the driver's license. Sounds like you have a big weekend on tap! Hope your se's stay minimal!! Glad you found some new kicks you like - I need to hit the store for some good walking shoes too.

LJ - Yippeee for being done! Keep us posted on what's next for you.

CathyCA - Woooohooooo on being done with chemo!!! Hope your rads schedule gets worked out for you.

Kimberly - glad they got your surgery scheduled so it works with your cation schedule! Hope you get your walk in today - I'm still waiting for enough energy to take one!

Well, I'm three weeks out from my last chemo and basically have peach fuzz on my head - no real color. My scalp is still really tender - not sure what's up with that!

We've had tons of rain the last couple days and it's supposed to rain through the weekend too - YUCK!! My dh fertilized our grass last weekend and he's going to have to bail it by the time it dries and he can mow it. We have six acres, so mowing is an ALL day thing!

We're heading to my niece's "Spring Sing" tonight for her school - she's five, so it should be a hoot!! Hope everyone has a good night!

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

Julie

Just lurking and thought I’d pop in to say hey.

CathyCa- So I may, or may not, have all over color, even if it’s really in the army now short in six weeks, huh?  Oh well, at least it will be started. As long as I have hair by the time school starts, I’ll be good with it.

I hear ya on the icky taste in the mouth thing. By week three that starts to go away. I’m almost on week three after chemo (next Tuesday is three weeks out), so I’m hoping my taste buds start to wake up a bit.

Julie- I’m so glad you had such a good time at your dinner.
Bummer about the ever-lasting rain. Ah well, gives you a reason to just rest and relax and let your body heal.

I did get my walk in today. Yeah!!!!

Have fun at the Spring Sing tonight. What a cute name for a talent type show, and with little kids, how can you help but smile and just feel good inside as they just give it their all?

D1- Only 1 more tanning session until you can do the Zap No More Happy Dance!!!!

Thanks for the motivation. If I hadn’t already taken myself for a walk, I would have gotten up right then and there and done it.

How wonderful to have developed such a lovely relationship with your elderly neighbor and to help her find a rescue dog. 

Enjoy having the family all together again tonight, and in advance…whoohoo on tomorrow’s last zap!  I’m certain poor Frankenboob is so relieved to be almost done.

LJ13- Hip Hip Hoorah on your last tx today!!!!

SIS Kimberly

Today was a good day at work.  I got to follow my partner and really see what I'll be doing.  So much better than the hospital orientation days at the start of the week.  So far, the job seems like it will be a nice change.  Tomorrow they are having a Nurses' week luncheon--- yum!

Will be away this weekend (Saturday is my HS friend's mother's memorial service back in PA where I grew up).  Will check in tomorrow night hopefully, or at least on Sunday.

Kimberly:  I was a little surprised with the DWTS results, but I like everyone that's remaining.  I'll just stay tuned for next week.  Dh really thought that MJW should have gone next.  She very uhhh...  bubbly!  I think she's really improved.

Cathy-CA:  I've had 2 herceptin-only infusions so far and noticed nothing that day or the next.  They are a breeze!  It's also only 1 ½ hr infusion, which is way faster than my TCH infusions had been.  I get my MUGA again in June.  Hope your H-only infusions go well, too-they should.

Oh, and FYI to you and Kimberly... my taste buds came back in 2-3 weeks (after my last infusion), not months.

As for hair, I'm 7 weeks out and definitely have a "5 o'clock shadow" look going on now.  I can still see my scalp, but it's getting harder to see, and my hair is filling in and (surprise for me, a blonde) is darker than before.  No curls.  I'm hoping in a month or so to have enough to cut or buzz it to all one length so it looks better.  Cathy, the herceptin can supposedly make our hair growth a bit "stunted" compared to others not on it.

Julie:  Glad you had a nice dinner.

D1:  Congrats on tomorrow's big milestone!  And you are making me feel like a SP loser-I've had no time to do anything yet.

Thank Ladies for all the great compliments regarding my grade. All Glory to God for the knowledge.

 I look like chicken little now with my hair growing back only on the top.  I feel like walking around and saying "Are you Mommy".  He ha.  You have to see the cartoon to get it. I am sure wondering will the side grow too.

I am wondering if I will lose my hair again once I start chemo again.  I will tell you for me Tamoxifen is not good - bone pain and hot flashes out of this world.  I barely get 3 hours sleep each night and I am going to tell my Dr tomorrow that this is not good, but I dont want to pop drugs every night to sleep neither.  

I hope everyone is doing well and I sure miss you all! 

  

God bless Dana!

WVGirl and Peg1212 -- go get 'em tomorrow at the chemo-tini lounge!!!

D1 -- this is for you!!! Yippppeeeeeee -- you're DONE WITH RADS!!!!!!!

Hello Ladies!

Well, today and yesterday were much better than Wednesday. I ended up tearing up most of the day especially when talking to anyone about being done, or reading your sweet responses. It is so nice to have those who can understand these emotions.  I am in celebrate mode now! I have been out trying to get something for my sp - it has been a bit of a challenge, but it has been fun!

Carol - Love your shoebox comparison - thank you! I know what you mean about others thinking there is nothing wrong because you look healthy and act it. I know the men in my house don't get it! I guess we can be thankful that we have done so well as to have them fooled! My ds(17) has just started looking for his first job. He is finding it to be a bit harder than he anticipated. Hopefully he gets something soon. Happy B-day to your ds.

Therese - Thank you. That is a wonderful outlook. I hope you are recovering well.

Tina - I don't go back to the onc till the 28^th. I will really enjoy the break. I thought I read a few pages back that you plant a garden. I can't believe you can get plants in already with your weather! I plant a pretty big veggie garden but can't get them put in until memorial weekend - otherwise we will lose a bunch to some random frost. I did get out there the other day and start getting the beds ready, though.

Kimberly - I am pretty much done except for the tamoxifen. I will talk to my gyn in June about ooph, but the rest of the bc stuff is done. Good for you on the scheduling of your exchange. I really thought Marissa would be gone. I think the final should be Kristi and Jason. What is a vision board? I wondered if it was something from the New Earth webcast?  I just picked up that book yesterday along with The Last Lecture, but haven't started either yet.

Cathy - Congrats to you on finishing chemo!  My taste buds only took about a week to be back to normal. You will be amazed at how fast the rads go. The days seem to fly by. My center was the same way about the schedule - they wouldn't commit to anything until the day or so before I started. They do schedule everyone the same time every day, though. 

Julie - glad you got to enjoy your dinner! Sounds like you are feeling really well lately.

D1 - Hope all goes well for you today. Will be interested to see how you feel. My skin under my breast feels like it could split wide open last night and today. I think it is good I only had to do 25. How is your hair coming along?

LJ - congrats on your last round! I hope your se's are minimal.

Kathy - Glad your new job is coming along.  I am not a natural blond but WOW my hair is dark! I am chomping at the bit to have it get long enough to get some color/highlights (or anything) and be able to go out without a scarf! Being done with rads I started taking my vitamins again yesterday as well as some biotin. Hopefully that will help.

Paula - Are you having IMRT rads? Interesting how many different angles they do.  Too bad they can't give you the same time everyday. I think that would drive me crazy having all different times.

Joan - Happy Birthday!

Sounds like quite a few of us will be out for the weekend. I am heading to Rochester with ds for a soccer tournament.

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms! Have a good weekend.

Good Morning Jewels,

First off, D1, Oh Happy Day…It’s your last zap!!!!  Enjoy your Ruth Chris outing tonight.

OK, so I’ve been busy looking at what there is to do in Flagstaff and Sedona all morning. There is lots to choose from. I’m so ready!!!!

I didn’t get to work on my vision board yesterday. I need to go through magazines and tear out pics that speak to me, and I wasn’t in that space.  I need to be alone with quiet music and no interruptions, and the dh was home all day working from home.

Today, I'm going to school for a visit, then off to do some SP shopping and maybe get something new for my trip.

Joan- I’m so glad your tanning sessions are going well and that you’ll be getting on a better tanning schedule as of next week.

Your school year ends late. We are out the first week in June. You must not start until after Labor Day.

Happy Birthday, Joan. Celebrate big time!!!!

Kathy- I knew your shadow day would be much better than just sitting and listening. And speaking of shadow, a five o’clock shadow on the ole melon sounds encouraging. 
Score on getting in on the Nurse’s luncheon. Good timing on the return to work. Gotta have perks, eh?

Like Carol said, seeing old friends at a memorial isn’t the best of circumstances, but like Maz stated after Val’s funeral, a time that can be very healing.

Carol- What’s up with the tummy complaining now?  Bummer.
I’m thinking the whole shooting match is a good plan. I’ll have to get my oncologist to schedule an appointment with a gynecological surgeon for a consult, too.  Thank goodness you listened to your gut on the potential for getting an exam along with the consult talk, and that you used the correct washcloth. HeeHee

Glad you got a good night sleep. Being up since 4am might have had something do with that.

Glad to hear your new bc friend is doing OK after surgery, and so impressed with your ability to help others feel better about the whole process.  Kalen will probably enjoy meeting another bc gal. Nothing like having the support of those who have been there.

Happy BDay to Kyle!!!! Good luck at Regionals this weekend.

LWDana- I love that Chicken Little reference in combination with Dr. Suess’ children’s book, Are You My Mother?

I’m sorry Tamox has such bad se’s for you. I hope your doc can help you out with that.


Paula- Good description of what the rads machine is doing, and LOL on the nips announcing how cold you are.  One perk of a mastectomy. No bra required and no more worries of the high beams turning on at inopportune times.

Ashland is in Oregon. It is the home of the Ashland Shakespeare Festival. They do modern plays as well, which is nice.  I go every year with my gf on Labor Day weekend, but we’ve added a trip with the boys in July this year. We stay at the same B&B, Country Willows Inn, and visit our favorite restaurants and wine bar.

Julie- Where do you find those cute graphics?  So perfect!!!!

PALady- Glad to hear that your cleansing tears have lightened your spirit. WhooHoo!!!

I need to go shopping for my SP and while out, I plan to get that book, The Last Lecture.

A Vision Board is a way of visualizing and manifesting what you want in your life by putting out your intentions to the universe. The law of attraction. It isn’t exactly a New Earth concept, but it certainly is a positive energy thing that I’m sure Ekhart would totally agree with.

I loved watching the webcasts and will be reading A New Earth a second time now that I’m able to focus more clearly on what I’m reading with no more chemo.

I agree that Kristi and Jason will be in the finals. Marissa deserved one last shot as she really has improved, but she’s out this next round for sure unless Cristian is unable to do the one armed dancing this next week.  Mario just hasn’t been consistent with his last few dances in my opinion. I’m glad he did this, however, as it gives young kids a new view of dance styles besides Hip Hop and all.

Yep, I think a lot of us gals will be busy this weekend, so the boards might be slow, which could be a plus as there won’t be too much to catch up on when Monday rolls around.

Thinking of you wvgirl and Peg1212.  wvgirl- You only have one more after this. You’re so close.  Peg- Congrats on your last one!!!!

Patty, thinking of you and Denise.  ((((HUGS))))

SIS Kimberly

I'm going to PM Jenn and make sure she's OK. 

Thank you SISKimberly,  Its 1:30 and I'm just getting back in glad to be finished with it.  Now all I have to do is set up surgery for my exchange so i can get these expanders out.

To everyone here i've been out for a while so I have'nt keep up on the post hope everyone is doing well.  My son who is 22 and who also is bi-polar has been in a manic state and took off on a grayhound bus to Arizona he does'nt know a soul out there and has been gone now for about a week and 1/2 and says he's not coming back so i've been dealing with that and just praying he will stay safe until he gets back to his old self which i hope will be soon.  I just hope he keeps in mind that he left a 3yr old son behind.  So just when u think u have one thing whipped something else comes yur way.   

By me having breast cancer and going thru everything i've had to i did learn one thing and that is how strong i am and i know if i can get thur this i can get thur anything. To everyone take care and be strong.

Good evening everyone,

Just a quick check-in. I'm 3 days out from my exchange surgery & feeling pretty good in the pain department - been off the narcotic pain meds since yesterday. Unveiled the 'girls' yesterday, too. I'm very pleased - of course, my ps says it will be 2-3 weeks until they relax & 'fluff' out. A little bruisey along the sides & some diffuse swelling all around, but nothing I wasn't expecting. I'm supposed to wear a sports bra 24/7 for the next 2 weeks ( I bought a surgical/sports bra that zips up the front ). I think I am hungover from the anesthesia & 1 1/2 days of narcotic pain meds, b/c I'm pretty wiped out today. No pain or nausea, just sleepy tired. I started driving today - took my oldest dd for her annual physical, & then went to the twins' elementary school for field day - stayed until lunch time, then came home & crashed. Of course it didn't help that it was 92 today. I went back to their school for the last part of field day, then picked up dd at school, brought them all home - &...you guessed it...crashed again. I already called work & told them I won't be in tomorrow - I don't think I am up for 2 - 12 hour shifts in a row - my ps had said I could work this weekend provided I got help w/  the physical aspects of my job. My manager & coworkers have been very helpful & understanding - their response today was," duh - we told you you wouldn't be up to working tomorrow!".

I've got to go freshen up - am taking my 2 dd's to see a local youth production of 'beauty & the beast' & my dh is taking my ds to see the Rangers play tonight ( they play Oakland ). My ds is a fanatic about baseball, actually any sports for that matter. He wakes up early before school so he can watch ESPN or any TVO'd Ranger game he has missed. I have to admit, his enthusiasm is contagious.

Hope you all have an awesome Mother's Day!!

Therese 

Hi Jewels, TGIF!!

Joan – Wishing you a very happy Birthday!!  Glad rads are going well.  I hope they’ll be mild for you.

CathyCA – YAY!! on being done!!  I’m so happy for you.  Lots of things to look forward to…taste buds returning, etc.

Julie – So glad your dinner went well.  That’s great that it was so well attended.  I, too, have the noticeable peach fuzz.  However, the scalp no longer is quite as sensitive as it was two weeks ago.  Hope yours starts feeling more normal soon.  What a wonderful honor…love the “Jules Rules” name.  You have some really great friends.

D1 – YAY!! on kissing rads off!  I hope fb (frankenboob) will being healing, and feeling better.  You’ve been through enough with that.  Your pedi sounds fab!  That’s a perfect way to celebrate.  Hope the dinner is great.   LOL when I read about your pooch behaving rather Cleopatra-like…our cat’s name is Cleo, and she definitely lives up to it.  Big, fat baby.  She’s quite Garfield-like, only all grey. 

Carol – Glad to hear you and the ex could come to an agreement about ds.  It sounds like he’s a deserving kid.  Sorry to hear you’re not feeling all that great.  Is your decision to do the ooph, or quite possibly a hysterectomy, so that you won’t have to do the tamoxifen or other AI route? 

Dana – I hope the doc will be able to do something for your sleeplessness and the pain you’re experiencing with tamoxifen.  Stay strong.  When will you be finished with school?

Paula – I went into my office twice this week.  Next week, I’ll be attending a class, so will have to be in every day.  I hope not to make the mistake of walking out of the house with my slippers on, or some such move.  Oooo, REO Speedwagon brings me back!  I think I ripped a few of their classics a while back.  I forgot all about them.  I know how easy it is to get lost in the iPod…How many more rad tx’s for you?

Kimberly – Almost thought for a second that you’d be visiting Ashland, Wisconsin!  Not a bad place to be…on the southern shores of Lake Superior.  But, your Shakespeare Festival sounds way more fun!  I bet you’re having a great time looking at all the wonderful things to do in AZ.  Sedona is very special.  The Grand Canyon, well, is breathtaking and humbling. 

KathyL – Glad to hear you’re getting into the swing of things with the new job.  You sound very encouraged and excited to be doing something different. 

PAlady – Yes, I take a big gamble with planting this time of the year.  Our last hard-freeze date is Memorial Day, too.  Sickening, isn’t it?  Our growing season is about a ½ inch long!!  I’ve just got “cool crops” in right now, broccoli and lettuce and some hearty herbs.  I usually plant several varieties of peppers and a couple of tomato plants, too.  Will have to wait for a while on those. 

Patty and Peg1212 – Hope things went well for you today.  Good thoughts and wishes are heading your way.

Peg – It was nice to see your post today.  I’m sorry to hear about everything you’re dealing with.  I hope your son returns very soon, and that things on that front work out for the best.

Therese – Glad to hear you’re doing so well after the exchange.  I appreciated hearing about how it went for you.  Very encouraging!  Did you say you didn’t need to have any drains?  It’s very cool that people at your work are understanding.

As for me, dh and I are having a quiet evening.  Went out for a bite to eat at a local wine bar/café.  Had a nice time and good food.  You know it’s spring when the café’s start serving key lime pie!  YUM!  I don’t know what my gang has in store for me on Sunday (double-whammy, Mother’s Day and B-day), but, I have dh talked into going to the farmer’s market tomorrow morning, one of my all-time favorite things to do on a Saturday.  Maybe find a deal on hosta’s, mine didn’t do all that well. 

Will check in again, have a good evening.

Tina