Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

Hi Js,

We are home from Duke. The visit went well, although the results weren't what we expected. We went thinking dh would be a candidate for gammaknife or a similar radiosurgery procedure. He isn't. He has four areas of concern... four new tumors... two little ones and two ill-defined and not-so-small... YIKES! Given that these tumors have "fingers" that aren't always visible, he needs chemotherapy much more than a radiosurgery. 

His doc recommended that he enroll in a clinical trial. The one he suggested is a Phase I, which I'm not so thrilled about (those are usually "wonder if this might work" studies--not the best thing when you have an aggressive, fast-growing brain tumor). However, after some investigation I found that this trial definitely has merit. I've found at least a dozen similar studies with the same drugs that have shown promising results with GBM.

We are scheduled to return to Duke next Monday to go over the protocol and enroll in the study (or decline and explore other options). We expect to be there several days if he chooses to enroll to get started on the drugs. One good thing is that all three drugs in this study (Gleevec, RAD001, and Hydroxyurea) are oral meds, so we can do this at home with monthly trips to Duke.

The study provides two of the drugs free and we have to pay for the hydroxyurea plus all medical, lab, and radiology procedures. So, I'll need to check with our insurance to make sure they'll approve these costs.

Ed has a niece in Durham who is a research pharmacist and she was able to find loads of data on the drugs and gliomas for us to review.

Dh was really discouraged with the news that he has not 3 but 4 areas AND that nothing can be done surgically. It is very unnerving to know you have a bunch of deadly brain tumors in your head and no one can remove them for you. He's feeling a bit more positive today and I think he's ready to give this thing a go. It boosted his confidence to see on the news that Duke was the center chosen by Ted Kennedy, since they have the same type of tumor.

I've read the posts, but don't have a lot of time to send wishes out tonight.

Carol- I'm happy that your counts were up and things are moving forward (the end is in sight!). Happy belated anniversary!

LJ- terrific news on your path report!!

Tina- I'm so sorry to read about Cleo. I love my animals and still remember the death of each one of my furry friends over the years. Hope you can take comfort from Penny!

Kimberly- welcome back. Your trip sounds heavenly!

D1- so you have the PITS instead of the PITA... our SE queen reigns supreme! Hope the PT gets that shoulder back in shape. I can feel some tightness in my armpit area since last week--gotta be from the rads and I'm with CathyCA--I'll bet $$ that your shoulder prob. stems from rads as well.

Dana- love your spirit, girl! God bless you as you finish up your schooling and take care of Bandit.  

Jenn and Julie- love reading about the growing hair among our Jewels. Mine is coming in dark brown with quite a few shiny white/silver hairs. I'd been highlighting for several years so I have no idea how much gray I have! It is still very short and my scalp isn't covered yet, but I'm going topless more often now that it is getting warm. Thankfully, my kids don't seem to mind...

Good morning Jewels!  I actually have a day off without any appointments or meetings.  It's a good thing, too, because I have some lovely GI illness that started yesterday and is pretty bad today.  Let's just say that I took a Zofran earlier-and it's from the RX I filled for chemo but never had to use then!  And I added an Imodium to it.  Yuk!  Never a dull moment for me.

Yesterday I had my tattooing done.  Was very easy.  No pain at all-she numbs the area first with lidocaine injections just in case-but I barely felt that going in.  She draws a circle the same size as the other nip-she measured.  Picks out a close color dye-I don't think a PS is as good as a tattoo artist however she just chose one shade and I hear tattoo artists will mix colors to match better.  And then she tattoos. It all took about 15 minutes. No problem!  It looked pretty good right after she was done-just "wet".  I have to keep an abx ointment on it for a week, but I can shower today.  Last night before bed I changed the gauze and it looked kinda gross then-irritated and kinda bloody like it's trying to scab.  Eeeew!  I put some new ointment on and covered it up.  I haven't looked yet today, but I have other issues more pressing at the moment (hoping I can actually sit here and type before running off to the potty again)!  She said it will look really dark at first, and then the pigment fades as the scab is shed off. (like a snake??).  I see her again in a month.  So I had theses great ideas of getting a "real" tattoo someday before this adventure-not so sure I want to do that now.  I'm not into looking at wet wounds.  For a nurse, I am a total wuss when it comes to my body.

Dd's rehearsals are going well.  Monday was stage rehearsal for ballet-she did great.  Made me real proud.  One of the older girls' (who I've seen dance before and is AWESOME) moms came up to me and commented on dd and said she reminds her of her daughter when she was that age.  I was just glowing for her.  Honestly, it doesn't matter to me what she does-I just want her to have fun right now at this age-but it's nice when your kid is really good at something.

Gymnastics was last night.  I think she's much more graceful dancing actually.  She needs to be able to move I think, and gymnastics requires her to slow down and be more precise-not her forte right now.  But she did well and is having fun learning cartwheels and doing her floor and beam routines... that's all that matters.  Next week is both shows.

Thinking of you gals again yesty... I met one of my e-mail BC friends in person!  She is a doctor that is doing her fellowship in our NICU (where I primarily work).  I was connected to her from one of the docs in my "old" office that she's also friends with.  She had stage 2 I think, and has a young daughter (under age 2).  She had a double mast. with implants (just did her exchange last month). We've been corresponding through e-mail since probably about October last year.  She started working again this week, and we met up in the NICU yesty.  So cool.  I'm a little father along than her-- she still has rads to do.  She looks great; it was so nice to finally meet her face to face.  People probably thought we were weird...  "Kathy?"  "Kirstie?"-(((big hugs!!))) in the middle of the unit!!

So on to the site to see what I've got to catch up on...

What a marathon my post is after reading and responding... here goes!

D1: Reading your posts about your dd... makes me think of all the years of shuttling kids to and fro from their activities that I have ahead.  And my ds hasn't even started doing anything yet; it's all dd right now!  Yet another reason to keep my dh around (haha, I wouldn't trade him for the world!)-another chauffeur.

Also got a laugh out of your post about flow-a-holics!  I think we are for sure.  I got mine planted and am still trying to figure out where I could put more.  Even got two outdoor hangers so I could put some baskets out that I found.  And I just about peed reading your comment to Carol about the dog turds!  You are a riot-I love reading your posts!

Also liked reading about your "bed head"-I'm eagerly awaiting the day mine does more than stick straight up. I was blonde before (for real), and mine's coming in brown, but no gray at least.  Will def need color once I get some length.

I hope your legu can help with your shoulder.

Good luck with the painter's.  Another to-do for me.  Our walls are still white, and we've been here for 3 years now.

LJ:  You've inspired me to at least ditch my do-rags.  I've been topless at home all the time now (even outside), and when I go out now on the weekends or evenings I just put on a ballcap.  I still am not brave enough to stop wearing the wig at work.  Baby steps for me...

Hoping you can get rid of that drain soon-there's true freedom!

Yahoo!!!  So excited after reading your post about the path report!  That is just the best news.  It is such a triumph, I think I'd frame that report too!

Carol:  You are also my inspiration to get out and make contact with others with BC.  I like being involved but usually shy away from outwardly seeking to do so.  Anyway, I've taken my first step to becoming an official "peer mentor" for the DE Breast Cancer Coalition.  Just waiting for the next class (that cracks me up a little, like I need a class to be helpful and friendly-should be interesting to see what it talks about).  And I've entered my name to be considered to model for one of their big functions this fall-they sent me an application since I'm a survivor.  I laughed, was going to toss it, and then thought  "What the hell? Why not?".  So I may get to shake the new girls in a show someday!  Hee hee.

Happy Belated Anniversary!  Bet that year seemed to go real fast, huh?  I highly doubt your dh would trade you for anything. Just "knowing" you here, you're a sweet, caring  person, and I'm sure he's so happy to have you as his wife.  And about the "celebration"-there's plenty of time for that later.  I'm sure he'll wait (men will ALWAYS wait eagerly for that).

Cracked up reading your description of the evening!  I can just see you typing away while he's scooping doggie poo!  Now that's love!

And so glad to read your tx did happen yesty....show off!!... doubling your WBCs!!!  Great news.

I really have to schedule a massage some day...  never had one, and they sound relaxing.  Add that on my to-do list for the summer...

Maz:  You must have some hearty hair follicles girl!  Mine all seemed to jump ship eventually. 

Joan: (my mom's name BTW)  another CA traveler.  I get the feeling I should go too just to see what I'm missing out there.

Julie:  Glad to hear about your awesome weekend.  And so nice fills are going well-you deserve it after your chemo course!  One thing to consider... I did small weekly fills (30-50cc every 5-7 days)-very tolerable.  Maybe your PS could do small, frequent fills rather than larger ones spread out more?  It may not hurt as much compared to a big amount going in at one time. 

Paula:  Thinking of you and dh in NC.  Duke is a great facility; I'm sure you're getting excellent care.

Just read with mixed emotions about your report from Duke.  Sorry you did not get the news you'd hoped for.  I have heard very good things about Gleevac though.  Best of luck to you both in the decisions you have coming up regarding tx.

Dana:  Sorry to hear the bad news about Bandit.  You just can't seem to get a break, and I feel for you.  I hope God will give you strength though this ordeal also.  It's just not right to have to watch your pet go through cancer, too.

And you are always thinking of others.  I'm sure your doc and nurses will love anything you bring them--- D1's right, cookies are an easy gift, too.

Tina:  Read your post with sadness.  So sorry about Cleo.  My oldest kitty is 14.  She's still spunky, but I know her time is limited b/c of her age.  I always worry if I see she hasn't eaten right away.  I hope you can focus on your memories of Cleo when she was younger and feistier.  ((Big Hug))

Had to chuckle after reading your next post with Penny's "thoughts".  Dontcha wonder what the other really does think?  That was priceless!

Yes, overall, I'd say I am pleased with my recon results.  I can tell it's not like the other, but when I'm dressed (or even in a swim suit), others can't tell it's "fake".  It is definitely smaller than the "real one", but again, probably only I notice this as most women have a smaller one (funny, this used to be my "bigger" boob!).  I DO love the fact that they are bigger and fuller (and perkier) now with the implants-no more "golf balls in the tube socks" look for me!

Kimberly:  Welcome back!  I'll read on, I'm sure you've posted some details later...

Wow!  I just read it.  What an adventure.  Thanks for sharing.  And I do think the wolf is so ironic--- that's true karma, lady.

Good luck with the cleaning service.  I'm trying to decide if we have enough moolah to get some help once or twice a month.  I don't want to waste my time on the weekends cleaning anymore, plus I hate it.  I'd rather be doing stuff with my family than chasing dust dinosaurs!  I found an ad here for free services if you're a patient doing BC txs.  Maybe I could get a discount since I'm not that far out from my txs.  (Channeling D1 right now).

Ahhh, you did it again...  that story about the dog brought tears to my eyes.  Thanks for sharing it.

Jenn51:  I am so glad I could help you a little with just my words.  It's a harsh reality what we've been through, huh?  (((HUG)) to you from me. 

Enjoy that pizza!  I got one Monday night-started the week off without cooking-hmmm, nice change!  I'll take care of the extra calories later that accumulated on my hips and butt from it.

Cathy-CA:  Are boysenberries like blueberries?  I've actually never had one-must be a West Coast fruit as we don't even carry them here in the stores.  I remember, like Tina, picking raspberries and blackberries.  We used to grow them all the time when I was little.  Plus my mom had a huge veggie garden, and we'd eat snap peas and carrots (after washing them of course) right from it.

OK, I made it.  Gotta go see if I can eat something.  The Zofran seems to have calmed my belly down for now.  I'll try to check in later.

Paula, I watched a PBS show called "Living with Cancer" several weeks ago. They mentioned how very successful Gleevec is with certain cancers. I am very hopeful that this Phase I trial that your husband may participate in, may prove yet another type of cancer that is susceptible to Gleevec.

Thanks for all the congrats ladies. Those of us who are estrogen-negative HER2-positive know how aggressive our cancers can be. This is the first moment I've actually felt like there is a chance I could beat this thing.

KathyL, the hair stops standing up on the sides first. Then the top starts to grow in a distinct direction. But not all the same direction. It's goofy. On the left side of the top of my head, it comes forward ... where at the front it stands straight up ... toward the middle and right of the top of the head it leans toward the right. This creates that characteristic "swirl" in the back at the top. 

Hello Ladies,

Just in case anybody is missing that great feeling of needing a hit of Miralax, I'm taking up the slack in that department. Yep, it's the usually 48 hour after infusion crummy tummy for me. I'm so glad that my work day is over and I have absolutely nothing planned for the evening except catching up with my SIS friends, and watching a few episodes of Ellen I have recorded.

Kathy, Well I guess I spoke to soon, forgot about reading your post earlier today, you top me with needing Zofran (which I took this morning too), and an Immodium on top of that. Hope your GI distress passes quickly (maybe that's not the best choice of words!!!)

So tell me when do those lidocaine injections not hurt? From my ugly recollection of months past, getting that needle in my boob hurt like heck. Sounds like your new nip is one step closer to being a done deal.

Sounds like a great reunion to meet up with Kirstie at work, I bet the stories we're bubbling out of you both.

I'll be interested to hear what you learn as to being a peer mentor. I'm thinking once this is said and done and I have a little time to reflect I may check into the Reach to Recovery Program. My thought is if you can help just one person with just one bump in the road its all good.

Thanks for the nice words (as of late I was wondering who you we're talking about). I seem to be a bit more owly than I would care to admit. Hoping that too shall pass over time. I think its just this "long haul" (my trucker talk) to the finish line that's got my knickers in a knot. I'm ready for a "cation"!!! It is a rather catchy phrase, ya think?

Tina, so you've got the rain too, hopefully by today its passed by at your place. It poured yesterday, and today its just darn right ugly, with more rain expected tomorrow and Friday. I'm thinking the Harleys need to go back into storage, that would bring out the sun right?

So is Penny missing the "bitch"? I swear our two dogs would be pretty lost without each other.

Kimberly, being the dog lover's we are, I really got a good tug at the heartstrings with your story. Leave it to you to bring another feel good moment to share.

So after reading your e-mail posting, I get it now, you do have your taste buds back ... a big WHOOO HOOOO for that. Time to make up for some lost time, something a little better than chips!!!

So today is pre-op for you, hope your exchange surgery goes without a hitch tomorrow, and a quick recovery is in the cards. You already have had your share of coconut problems!

Cathy, mentioning your lemons, that's definitely one of the coolest things when we go to AZ, picking grapefruit and lemons right from the tree. I swear their lemons are the size of grapefruit, and so great tasting.

Jennifer, glad that your trying to get a little walking in ... I'm with you tonight, its just to cruddy outside to even consider it. I thought it would be good for my gut tonight, instead I think I'll pass on the exercise and go for a bland dinner and hit the hay really early. If I'm sleeping, I won't know that my tummy is yucky.

Its great to see you participating in the post once again, I always find atleast one thing and usually many more that bring a smile to my face on a daily basis. I really love it when I can crack up out loud!!!

Julie, I have to pipe in on the housecleaner being so worth it. Each time we've challenged our budget, the housekeeper is not going to be the first to go. I'll take the outside work anytime over scrubbing toilets and dusting.

Gotta like those hours for your dh, I would love to be able to eat before 7:00pm, but my dh has the commute from hell. I'm home by 3:15 and he typically is not home until 6 or later. Enjoy the extra time in your eves.

D1, freebies and finding money ... played the lotto lately?

So how's the house painting going? I'm assuming there will be a story of some sort to tell. I'm with Jennifer, a little envious of having painters come in. I did talk the dh into having the outside painted a couple years ago, I just knew that if we we're going to do it ourselves it would have taken forever, where they we're done in 3 days.

And gal, you have been making more than a positive impact on a whole group of us, trust me, we'll remember you twenty years from now and then some!!!

Paula, thanks for taking the time to update us on your dh's appt. I hope that your able to get some further ins coverage for his txts, one less thing to be concerned about. Sounds like you've been up to your eyeballs with your own research, as well as Ed's niece helping out. I know that your keeping that positive spirit in place. You are one mighty strong woman.

On a personal note, my dh just received word this afternoon that he has been accepted for a job that he applied for about 2 months ago. Its with the same company that he has worked for almost 20 years. It's a safety manager position within the tug boat company. The job will entail quite a bit of travel, (8 months ago I would not have been to keen on that happening), but today I am at ease with the thought of him being gone. Heck, we spent the first 5 plus years together with him being gone 15 days straight out of each month on a tug. Must say, back in the day it was a happy homecoming each month!!!

Feels like winter here tonight, I'll be snuggled under my quilt from Ginny in my old favorite spot (yep, the recliner is calling my name).

Be well my friends, Carol

Since several asked about boysenberries...they are a cross between a blackberry, loganberry and raspberry.  Walter Knott brought them to Southern Cal and started farming them.  His wife sold pies and jams from a roadside stand and eventually opened the Fried Chicken restaurant.  To give people something to do while waiting hours for their number to be called, they started adding attractions and thus was born Knotts Berry Farm.  I've never lived more than 25 miles from Disneyland or Knotts Berry Farm my entire life (other than when I was in college), so I can't imagine not having boysenberries in my backyard.  Even more than citrus (and we have oranges, tangerines, lemons and avocados, as well), boysenberries are Southern Cal to me.  

Paula -- I'm so sorry the news on your dh wasn't what you were hoping.  There are a lot of options available and it's great that he may be able to join a clinical trial.

Julie -- It will be interesting to see if your son can be turned into a basketball player.  My husband was 5'10" by the time he was 12 and had a lot of people try the same with him with no luck.  He topped out at 6'4" but just isn't athletic.

Carol -- ugh on the ugly tummy.  I get the tiniest bit queasy every day after rads, but fortunately it goes away after about 30 minutes.

Kathy -- glad the tattooing went well.  Sounds like dd is quite the little dancer. 

Kimberly -- I'm with Carol, nobody is taking my cleaning crew.  When I quit working fulltime I did switch from every week to once a month since I have more time to keep up on some of it.  But, it's sure nice to have a crew come in and do a thorough cleaning.

D1 -- It's interesting to hear everyone's hair reports.  Once a week I play bridge at a sanctioned bridge center, so there are a lot of games going on.  A woman I didn't know came up to me today and asked me if I was going through chemo.  I told her I finished about a month ago and was blown away when she told me she finished four months ago and today was her first day without a wig.  Her hair looked great and it wasn't Jamie Lee Curtis short, either.  I would never have guessed she was only four months out.  Really gave me hope that I will be able to dump the caps and scarves by the time I go to Russia in September.

Hubby and I are going to Indiana Jones in a bit.  I saw it the day it came out, but his company does movie nights where they rent the whole theater and that's the show they are doing this month.  He was going to take our 17yo, but kid ended up working tonight, so I'm the back-up date.  LOL!

Hey Kimberly, close on the dinner pick, ended up making Swedish Pancakes!

Nothing like bumming me out, was thinking that today was Thursday, (knew your surgery was Fri).   I need to re-group on this work thing, I really have not wanted to go in to work lately and its getting worse by the day. 

Noticed your doing on-line banking, thought I'd share my latest billing blunder ... sent a payment to payoff my credit card, (finally gave in to having the same acct with the dh, I've kinda liked my independence with my own acct), anyway, ended up bill paying it to the cable company Oops!.  Needless to say, I wouldn't have had to pay a cable bill for quite some time!!!  Another chemo brain moment!!! 

Cathy, enjoyed the "berry history", we're due for a trip to Disney/Knotts.  Havn't been since my little guy was 5, took him right after I was divorced, kinda an interesting time for me, traveling single with my son. 

Julie, sounds like a record skipping with the workaholics ... guess we should be happy their hard workers, and hopefully just as dedicated to their families.  I know my "guy" in the long run has his priorities pretty well in check. 

Looks like Kimberly covered the night for all ...  

Good morning Jewels,

I have a bit of time before I head out for my full day in the classroom.  I may get in a walk afterwards, and then the dh wants to go to dinner tonight at the new organic food restaurant with the chef I like- the one who did my Bye Bye Boobies Bash.  I can't eat or drink anything after midnight and my surgery isn't until 1pm.  I'm thinkin' my tummy will be growling up a storm and complaining big time.

Carol- Hope your tummy settled and those Swedish pancakes did the trick.  Did you sleep well?

Paula- That sucks that you can't sleep well with aches in your legs/restlessness. A magneseum supplement with Vit D and a meletonin might help you out.

Glad you and Ed have decided to go for the study. Like you said, no use borrowing trouble worrying when it is just as likely Ed will be in the 25% responders.  I can't even imagine how tough this must be for you all to be on the treatment wagon again with everything you've all been through the last few years. ((((HUGS))))

I'll try to check in tonight, but it will more likely be in the morning as reading your posts and responding will help take my mind off of not being able to eat or drink my Green Tea in the morning.

Have a wonderful Sunshiney Day...and if you don't have sunshine where you are, just put on the song Walking On Sunshine and dance about...a great mood lifter!!!!

D1- Read on another thread you were doing the Komen Race for the Cure on Saturday. Did we know that?  Well, have a fabulous time... blubbering is totally allowed. 

SIS Kimberly 

SIS Kimberly,

Thank you so much for that story. I just read it and am crying right now. I just had to post today to tell you it meant so much to me.

Joan

D1 -- I saw the Indy movie the day it opened and, while it was okay, it wasn't the best movie ever.  Seeing a second time, I think I liked it less.  It just seems like they are trying too hard.  OTOH, I loved Sex in the City.  I would go see that again in a heartbeat.

We are going to St. Petersburg and Moscow for about a week.  The tour actually starts in Warsaw and then we go to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia before Russia.  I'm curious to hear what you think of Croatia.  We're doing a Med cruise in 2009 that includes a stop there.  It's a long cruise that goes to Greece, Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Albania, Croatia and Italy.

Kimberly -- Copper Canyon is in Northern Mexico in the state of Chihuaua.  It's a series of canyons and I know several people who have been there that think it is beautiful. 

Paula -- I think Mr. Boysen (hence the name) was a grower up in the Napa area of California.  As you know there are no guarantees in this world, but your dh has some of the best medical people in the world available to him at Duke.  Go with your gut and know that we all are pulling for him and you.

Carol -- one of my favorite trips EVER was taking my youngest to London for a week when he was 8.  It was just the two of us and we had a great time.  I still like traveling with him.  It gives us a chance to connect as individuals rather than as a family.  Not that I have anything against my husband on trips, but it's a different dynamic.

Off for another exciting round of rads. 

Hello Ladies,

Although I realize that things could be A LOT worse, I'm still complaining of GI distress today.  Trying a bowl of Raisin Bran for dinner tonight, my poor dh is on his own tonight for dinner.  Again we have terrible weather, I know that a walk might help get things movin', but I just don't have the desire to walk in the rain.  I'll sit here and complain instead ... real good Carol!!!!

So anyhoooooo,  I'll back track through todays post and see what's been happening...

Jennifer,  aahhh so good to see your spunky post.   Sounds like your crusing along without a whole lot of quality sleep.  It would be great if Kimberly's suggestion helps you out. 

So the dh and I dated for over ten years before we married last year.  We were set up on a blind date on Valentines Day of 1997.    Over the last couple of years I had voiced my opinion that I would prefer to be married.  After several years of dating, it got a little old introducing him as my boyfriend, better half, yada yada, (like we had just recently met).   After about 3 or 4 years he had given me an engagement ring, for what ended up being a very long engagement!!   He had said from the get go, he wanted his girls in college before he wanted to think about marriage (they we're 8 and 11 then), which I was okay with, atleast I was a few years ago.   I like to kid him today that he must have ran out of good Valentine Day gifts, so he ask me last year and we went to Vegas to wed.  He has been well worth the wait!!!

Cathy, sounds like you could be our resident travel agent.  I'd have to admit that my little adventures with my son on weekend getaways for skating has a certain special feel to them.   And as you, I love to travel with the dh, but its not quite the same.  We've gotten into a comfortable rut with our travels, some day we need to think about doing something other than golf in "Zona".

Joan, take it your doing pretty good with your rads, or atleast no news is good news on the topic.  I'm with you, Kimberly's story was another feels so good, it can make you cry, I consider it a good clenser for the soul.

D1, oh sure, talk about pooing ... just what I wanted to hear!!!!  Maybe I should try some beets, god knows the spinach and other vegi's aren't doing the trick. 

Love the thought of the dh caving into the idea of having the painting hired out, geeeez I should have opted for some kind of home improvement through this.  I think in one of our weaker moments we talked each other into a 62" tv, just what we needed!

Hoping that the shoulder pain eases up, are they hoping that pt will help and you can avoid surgery for relief?  The dh dealt with a frozen shoulder which took over two years to finally mellow out.

So we are doing the Race for the Cure?  I had thought you we're going to pass on the emotional ride of a walk this year.  Might be time to let a tear or two rip.  I just got my "pink" shirt in the mail yesterday for the Race here in July.  I'll be going over with Kalen to the Seattle event, in fact I probably should ask Debra if she is interested in going as well.

Yep, on a little extra "payola" for the dh, that should get sucked away with the 2^nd dd going off to a private "U" this fall.  

Kimberly, so you are  probably getting ready to enjoy that "last meal" feeling tonight.   All organic, sounds right up your alley.  I'm with Jennifer, on the timing thing for food and drink.  I swear that my surgery in Dec, which ended up being about 4:00pm had me so dehydrated that they couldn't find a vein for my i/v.   My two cents is that I'd load up on fluids tonight, (yeah red or white) would be fine!!!

I had forgot about your mentioning your Bye Bye Boobies party, on a similar note, my sil had just gone to a Bye Bye hair party for a friend of hers dealing with a bc.  The friend had a face painted on the back of her head, and had "foobies" displayed on her back, and all of her guest we're given a nude colored bathing caps to wear throughout the night.  I told my sil, I'd like to meet this gal, her sense of humor sounded awesome.

I'll be raising my glass of "juice" tonight thinking of you tomorrow.  Hope your as lucky as our other Gems who have had their "mounds" softened, and have a quick recovery.

Paula, sounds like you could use a good nights sleep, how your able to turn your brain off at bedtime at all is amazing to me.  I've probably taking more warm baths in the last 6 months than I have in the last 6 years.  Hate to say it but my reliance on taking a little Lorezepam to sleep is almost a nightly ritual.   Although so easy for me to type, I know that it cannot be very easy to take Granny's words of wisdom and run with it, but I know you'll give it your best shot.   HUGS to ya gal friend!

Kathy, so no report from home today, hoping that your tummy settled down, and your nip is healing nicely.  Who needs a pain in the rear and the nip at the same time!!!

Julie, so looking for the open gym report ... is the ds returning?

So its only 5:30 and I'm ready for bed since I don't feel like being up when the dh comes home and starts poking around for something to eat himself tonight.  This extra little tummy problem must be that cumulative thing I keep hearing about.   Thinking I'll hit the tubber, and lay down upstairs and watch a little tv through my eyelids!!!

A very good night to all, Carol 

Carol:  Just saw your post.  We were probably composing at the same time.  Hope tomorrow's a better day for you. Between you and me, I think maybe we could've balanced each other out and had a normal GI tract!

Good Morning Jewels,
It was so good to see my kids yesterday as well as the staff. I cleaned up my room – getting things off the wall, shelves emptied, back room organinzed and clean, and whipping down counters and stuff. My sub, although a sweet guy wasn’t too keen on keeping a clean room. The new night janitor told me he really tried, but it was always such a mess on a daily basis. He’s heard what a neat freak I am at school and looks forward to cleaning my room next year.

All I can say, is it felt so good to get all of that done. I just couldn’t bare walking into that mess before school started. Granted the kids packed the boxes based on what was in an area, so I’m sure it’s a mish mash, but that’s not a big deal. I’ve got two retirees coming in to help me set things up for next year the week before school starts. I'm so lucky.

So, today is the big day…NO, my foobies aren’t going to be big, just the fact I’m getting ‘em sillies...or was that just going through my mind?   haHaha

Couldn’t sleep after about 4am. This patch I have to wear the night before surgery just parches me. I drank tons of water the last two days, and I feel like my mouth is a desert and my skin is as dry as the Sahara, too. Blah!!!!

I’m hungry and thirsty…WHAHHHH!!!!

OK, I’m done whining. I’ll just read and catch up on posts to take my mind off of things.

D1- So, your painters should be done today. Of course, after feeding them homemade banana nut muffins, they might linger a little longer hoping for more.

I know getting stuff clean and put away is such a boost to the ole mood. I like stuff to be in its place, too. Drives me nuts to have piles and things looking chaotic for too long.

How’s that rotator cuff after the legu yesty?

Joan- I’m glad you liked the Dog story. And thanks for your best wishes for today’s surgery.

CathyCa- I am so jealouse of you and D1 traveling to that part of the country. My dh and I really want to see Croatia and Slovakia and Slovinia as well as the other countries mentioned. I’ve only been to Italy and had a meal in Switzerland. Can’t wait to hear all about both of your journeys.

Thanks for the info on the Copper Canyon. I’ll put that on my list of places to see.

Jenn- It is so good to see you posting at length, and yeah for the lightening and stuff skirting by you this time around.

LOL on no rest for the wicked and you not being that bad.

What is in the stuff you already got? It may be magnesium and Vit. D.

I loved Helen Reddy growing up.

Carol- It pains me to hear you’re tummy is still acting up,and more than usual. FUSE!!!! Hope the Raisin Bran got things moving for you.

Yeah, I’m afraid I will be dehydrated by the time we get this show on the road. I drank lots of water the past two days, but with my parched mouth and skin this morning, you’ld never know it.

Glad the dh’s promotion will be a good move for him and provide a little extra mula for the step daughter’s private university. 

Wow, dating for 10 years. That certainly does take commitment…you had a common law marriage at the very least before Kent whished you away to Vegas to make an honest woman of ya.  Congrats.

I love your friends Bye Bye Hair party with the nude colored bathing caps. LOL

Kathy- Bravo on the pampering yourself time!!!! My sides are really short, but laying down already. My top side is still sticking straight up and looking a little darker on top than the sides. Hmmmm, a reverse skunk look?

Excellent on particapting – or thinking about it- another race for the cure just as you’re heading into on tomorrow.
Have a great time, and congrats on being the big mula raiser!!! WhooHoo!!!!

I have the same comments about our house. The gal that came to do the estimate said, “Wow, your house is pretty darn clean for someone who claims to not have been able to keep up.” I haven’t dusted and vacuumed in at least a month, I am sad to report.

Julie- You’ve been a busy bee. Glad you’ve got the get up and go on track again.

What a great pic of you, and of you and your sis. You’re hair is definitely coming in dark.

Glad the ds had a good time at bball. Can’t hurt to have another sport to enjoy.

Well, it’s 7:30am, and I’ve got about 2 and ½ hours before my twinsis arrives. We- twin sis, dh, and I, will leave for the hospital around 10:30.

I’ll post when I can. Hopefully, tomorrow.

SIS Kimberly