how about drinking?
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CyndieLou, welcome back and nice to meet you! Congrats on your engagement; "in your (and Donese's) pocket" for her upcoming ultrasound & diagnostic imaging--hoping that the density is nothing more than density. The Rat Bastard needs to stay the hell away from her!
Last night's DOTD was Mumm Napa DVX 2007. Bubbles go with potato latkes. (Had another reason to celebrate, but can't mention it on this thread).
Woke up with a slight fever (99.2, when I'm normally way below 98), but it was after noon (I had slept in after being up late), the room was warm and I was toasty in my down coverlet. Oddly, I feel like I may be turning a corner, even though my lungs are a bit fuller. Still have a voice--throat no longer scratchy, but phlegm (and irritating my cords by coughing it up) is now the issue; taking cough suppressant to keep that reflex at bay. Have to go out tonight for bc support group mtg. (unfortunately, the "wintry mix" is supposed to start just about that time, which will make for tricky driving; if I weren't somewhat under the weather, I'd take public transit) and then Bob wants to dine out.
Tomorrow morning I will accompany him to his doctors' appt. We talked last night, and he confessed that the real reason he's reluctant to travel abroad is that both our Medicare Part B supplements and travel insurance impose a 20% co-pay for foreign medical expenses. I pointed out that in most European countries, that 20% can amount to less than a couple hundred bucks--if even that much. And he might get better care in Europe than in rural America should he get sick on vacation. He calmed down. We'll ask the GI doc tomorrow.
Tomorrow night is a holiday wine tasting which I'd dearly love to attend (I've missed the last four events at that restaurant due to either travel or rehearsals), but it wouldn't be very socially responsible of me to be shedding cold viruses in a crowded restaurant--plus, my tastebuds are a bit blunted and I'm more easily satiated with a cold or low fever (basically, the only upside thereof). Besides, I need to conserve my strength and voice for Friday night's gig in Madison (if I'm in condition to make the drive--flying would be a disaster with a stuffy head)--and conversing in a crowded restaurant is an express ride to laryngitis,
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Hi ChiSandy. It’s nice to meet you too. Do you prefer Chi or Sandy?
Sounds like you have a nasty bug. I hope it goes away soon see you can enjoy your travel and social events.
There is always room in the pockets for the teeny tiny Bereasties.
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Cyndielou, you can call me Sandy. Do you prefer Cyndie or Heidi?
I'm definitely trying to conserve my voice & energy these days because as I age I'm getting fewer & fewer performance opportunities (especially paid ones). Friday night is my singing partner's and my annual Christmas Show For People Who Hate the Holidays (and those who love 'em too), which we didn't do last year because an ice storm, sprained back and low audience response in Chicago's S. suburbs put the kibosh in it. This year we're back in Madison, at Wild Hog in the Woods Coffeehouse (for which Stephen is also the booker), and I really love playing there. He billed the show as him, with me as "special guest," in case weather, injury or illness were to rear their ugly heads. I might, to ease the strain on my body, take a hotel room overnight so I wouldn't have to drive 2-1/2 hrs each way up & back w/in the space of a few hours (which is my usual modus operandi for gigs in southern WI that aren't part of a tour). We are also playing WDCB's Folk Festival "Holiday Hoot" hosted by DJ Lilli Kuzma on Tues. night on the campus of College of DuPage in the W. suburbs. Last year, I did it with the help of a back brace and a crapload of pain patches (Flector & Lidoderm), in the midst of a snowstorm, no less. Stephen's driving down from Madison for that one. But after that, I have nothing booked till May. Bob wants to travel somewhere warm in the first quarter of 2018, preferably where we can use some of our HGV timeshare points (maybe Hawaii if available, or Dana Point if the fire danger has passed; we don't golf, so Myrtle Beach won't work; and quite frankly, we are Orlando'ed out).
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sandy. I'll answer to Cyndie, Cyndie lou, cyndielouwho cyncyn or Lucy
You sound very busy but sound like you have fun sooo I say. Keep it up while you can. Life is short love. Get all you can out of it
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Oh Cyn, it's so nice to hear from you, miss u around here. but watch u on FB and u always look great with such good times all around you. And surrounded with beautiful people, like you.And I truly hope things are all right with Donese, please keep us in the loop.
Well Sandy now u have to think about traveling without ur Dh. Wow that must be awfully painful. I do hope his Dr. gives the OK,but he knows how he feels and what he's comfortable doing. Happy Hanukkah Sandy;
Lori I might have sid this earlier but my cousin <the crazy, sick one> said the other nite talking about Leslie---no one knows how this all feels with SE and emotionally until u've been thru it, cuz it's like no other thing, some people look fine nd feel awful, but u really can't tell, and when hair grows back it looks like it's all over---so people just don'tt get it. That's why we have one another too, we all get even if we didn't have it all.
And again ur holiday plans sound super and luv the videos.
NM I ws thinking <yes I do> while I was reading u have a lot of guts. Leaving a job and going on ur own. I don't think I could have ever done that and yet u transitioned so easily, made it look that way. And now enjoying so much more now. WOW
Dan was over at midnight last nite and brought me my Kuerig and pods for it, we all got use out of it this morning and enjoyed it so much---my cousin bought it for me, yes the sick and crazy one and she's not in rehab but doing stuff at home> so he gave me a bonus, so I finished my shopping, just needed few more things===I just give small gifts nowadays but I still enjoy it. So Sunday is our party, and I do have so many Christmas outfits, but have no clue where they re so whatever I find I'll wear and I wear for comfort now for the most part.
Did u ever know n extreme bi-polar getting chemo and steroids...sounds like the beginning of a joke, but it's a nitemare---this has been so hard for her and none of us can do anything but leave her alone, for the most part.
Karen I hope ur doing OK and keep some pics coming so enjoyable.
LUBS U ALL
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Good Morning, Loungettes! All of 11 degrees this ayem, rather chilly. Not going to get much warmer in the near future, either. Old man Winter has arrived! Kind of pretty, though. Silly Sadie is making most of her outside trips very short and efficient. Unless there is something to bark at, then she'll stay out and run around for a while, then need her paws warmed up when she comes back in. This home is run for the comfort and convenience of the dog, after all
CynCyn!!! So good to see you again! Absolutely pull up a stool and chat a while! Hooray for the 5 year cancerversary. Boo for the diabetic meds. CONGRATULATIONS to you and Donese, rings and a date! I am so sorry to hear that Donese is going through the mammogram recall he##.Praying that it's benign. My big update news is that I am now semi-retired, no longer working full time. I work a couple days a week for Hospice, and am in the preparation phase of teaching a testing review course for Kaplan Test Prep. I got sick last spring, ended up out of work for the entire month of April, got my mortgage paid off and went per diem status. Life is MUCH better for me now!
Chi--Not surprised you feel like you are turning a corner on the infection. Viruses can live in a narrow temperature range, a fever, even a low one, kills off uncountable numbers of viruses in the body. The rest of the immune system cleans up the dead viruses and kills the remaining survivors. Shouldn't take you long to be infection free now! I can understand Bob's concern about getting sick overseas, but, asyou pointed out, you can get just as good, if not better care, in Europe, depending on where you are. Do think about Medical evacuation insurance, it gives you a contact phone number where you are, they will get you to US quality medical care ASAP while overseas as well as get you back home if necessary. The getting back home is the really expensive part if you are not able to fly commercially. I'm glad you are going with him to his appointment, you'll feel better getting the info directly and knowing all the details are out on the table.
Cammy--My transition has been easy compared to what lots of people go through in life. I've had my moments of concern and worry, and still do, and probably will going forward from time to time, but I am blessed with a wonderful group of supportive breasties here on BCO that keep me grounded. Just the feeling of having time to stop and think about things is such a relief when I do get stressed. So nice to get all the Christmas shopping done, doesn't it? All I have left to do is the wrapping. I'm still praying for Leslie, what she is going through is so not fair.
Lit Teetotaler's DOTD on the First day of Christmas:
Partridge in a Pear Tree recipe
1 1/4 oz Grey Goose® La Poire vodka
1/2 oz DeKuyper® Peachtree schnapps
1 - 1 1/2 oz grapefruit juice
1 - 1 1/2 oz 7-Up® soda
Pour Grey Goose La Poire (pear flavored) vodka, peach tree, and grapefruit into a shaker glass and shake. Pour into cocktail glass and top with an equal amount of 7-up as they grapefruit. Garnish with a lemon, cherry, and a lime on a spear.
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Before I catch up...let me share the fun of my day yesterday. ;(
My Uncle Joe works for a furnace company. My furnace is on the last leg. Last year he said it would be it's last year (last year). With the med bills and income dropping in February and the wedding, I messaged him asking him if he knew of any assistance programs for people in my situation that would help with this. He didn't reply. I followed up two days ago stating it's fine if he didn't know and I would ask my hospital. My mother in the meantime told me that he gets so emotional he can't deal and he is probably off somewhere crying. Well...that was not the case...here is the reply I got yesterday. I cried for over an half an hour and if you know me, my day was shot. I felt I was going crazy, wondering if I had done something wrong. Was I being overly sensitive? Did everyone feel this way when they saw my go fund me page that my cousin had started? I did reply saying I wanted nothing more to do with him and that basically the programs are there for a reason. Me using them or not would not change what taxpayers paid in. And I was going to send his message to my mom..his sister. He replied about me telling my mommy. I expected that response, but I really wanted my mom to see what a jerk he was and see that he wasn't off crying somewhere in the corner, "not dealing".
Here is what he wrote:
You do understand I'm a conservative and when you ask me how I can help you get other peoples money is insulting. This stuff is not free someone else is paying for it. I did not ask some one to pay for my doctor bills or try to get more money because my son had mental disabilities. why should I burden others with my problems.
Also keep in mind, yes he has been on government assistance before and my aunt and grandmother have helped him repeatedly with handouts. How do you think he got to my cousin Katie's wedding in Barbados. My aunt paid for it. Anyhooo...writing it out I see he is a jerk and it's not me losing it, but at the same time I"m still stunned by this reaction. I didn't ask him for his money and I've NEVER asked him for anything. Nor have I ever used any assistance before now.. I've paid FULL price two of the three times he helped me with my furnace. He complained about the drive the first time and then the third time was surprised that I didn't call him right away ... cause you bitched about the drive. I"m guessing he is more mad that he won't get the money from the furnace replacement if I use assistance and that is TRULY why he is upset.
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NM, I spent a lot of time yesterday fixing pictures from phone to computer and deleting from my phone. Then going in and rotating all the pics and videos, as the iPhone shows them sideways on the computer. It looks like my home town got hit with some of Old Man Winter. First Day of Xmas cocktail sounds rather good!
LUCY! (aka CyndieLou), so good to see you poop in here, but not under those circumstances. Congrats on the 5 years, just wish you could control the diabetes. Enjoy your time in TX and then your time with Jodi. You have some enjoyment coming into your life to look forward to. AND a wedding date….woo hoo for both of you. Hoping all is good with Donese, please keep us in the know. Praying it's just some dense tissue and all will be good. Huggles.
Sandy, hoping you can get better soon and your DH will lighten up about traveling abroad. And Cyndie is Cyndie, not sure where you got Heidi from? Lucy is my nick name for her. Nice of your partner to list you as a Special Guest.
Cami, I can only imagine how your family "gets it". You have certainly had a ton of sick people in your family, and I'm so sorry for that. Just not fair for one family to have to endure so much. I'm sure you will look festive no matter what you choose to wear. And I'm so sorry that Leslie is having such a hard time, due to other issues. Hugs and prayers for all of you my friend.
Oh Karen, I am so sorry that you have an uncle that is such an ASS. Take it for what it's worth! He has no clue…..jerk! You have ranted to us, why we are here, brush yourself off and mark it as experience. And I would find someone else to get and install your furnace. Too bad Cami isn't closer, you could use her boss! What did your mom have to say?
Had a nice visit with our friend and little Bentley yesterday. Got our hot water on demand replaced, to the tune of a whopping $2400.00
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NM,
We had snow here on Wednesday. I guess I'm guilty of the driving as well, but I'm more slow and cautious with the DD in the car. Oh well, I'm in the slow lane. I hope you had fun on your drive on Tuesday.
Now we throw my uncle in the mix for this horror show I call cancer. I mean seriously, as if the cancer isn't bad enough…but the people that are jerks I wanna say, thanks for making this even better. I get there are people out there who lie about being sick…not a lot, but some that make the news, but for me, I have pics on my blog (that this guy reads) of me in the hospital. Whatever, I guess.
My little girl loves love loves dressing up and letting me mess with her hair…sort of. The brushing is the painful part…for me. Lol!
I love the stories of Sadie. I haven't had a dog in years and I miss it. The DF isn't really a dog person, but I think it's going to happen in a couple of years whether he likes it or not.
And I've told him that. Ha ha haCamillegal
I love Christmas so much and I'm trying to create these wonderful memories for the DD like my mom did for me. Lovely smells, baking, music, traditions…all of it. She isn't on board with the music and I just will not have that. Ha ha ha
A couple of years ago she had a dress exactly like it, but powder blue. I'm obsessed with Kohl's.
If I didn't have nasty heartburn I would be onboard with the peppers.
I hope Leslie gets to come home! I can only imagine with your cousin that the combination of bi polar and the meds would not be a fun time. I mean, I know that I'm a hyper emotional mess lately without bi polar. It's bizaare. It usually takes vodka to get me to cry in the corner, now a pampers commercial does it too…ugh. My thoughts are with your family during all of this.
I'm doing okay, outside of my previous post about my Uncle. So the first round was constipation…BAD and heartburn BAD. Second Heartburn super BAD. This time insomnia BAD. I was worried I was going to get sick if I didn't get rest. I finally slept most of the night last night. Good times!
Gray skies are gonna clear up
Put on a happy face
Brush off the clouds and cheer up
Put on a happy faceGoldie,
Well I have little tattoos on my back that I paid for, so I think that will be okay…I at least know what to expect…sort of. That does sound like the schedule they predicted for me in regards to after treatment. The port I don't like to use other than the day of chemo. I have to mentally prepare myself each time I have to get a shot…since I decided that it would be weird as an adult to scream and cry and fight off the nurses every time I need one.
Yeah DD has been talking about my older brother a lot lately. It must be hitting her that he isn't coming back. I haven't really grieved yet. Trying to focus on this first. But even now I'm tearing up. However, again, literally I will cry over spilled milk right now. (not to say the loss of my brother isn't tear worthy at all)
Thank you for the compliment on the dress. I can't wait for Saturday when she gets to wear it!
I so feel your pain on the water heater. Everything in this house is from the day it was built…2004…I feel there is a year coming I'm not gonna like. Okay, the cash payment to scam the assistance is definitely not something I would approve of. Complete abuse and would piss me off as well.
Yes six months isn't that long to deal with in the grand scheme of things, and that is roughly what I'm looking at. Start to finish Sept 2017 – Mayish 2018.
My mom kind of made excuses for him (my uncle) and having a bad childhood. I said, no. No more making excuses for this guy. He has always been kind of creep, but this was to a whole new level. And she said she isn't trying to make excuses, but she doesn't like confrontation. She also said don't post it on facebook, as it would only be punitive to him. Well, duh. But that isn't my style to do drama on a format like that. I try my best to keep it political..oh wait. lol He is such a jerk. Ugh!
Jazzygirl
Santa FE! I was just there this year with my older brother, little brother, and cousin. We were staying with my cousin's parents who own a b&b in Corrales I think. I love Sante Fe. Sounds like a super fun trip…but the weekend as well.
I can definitely acquiesce to your request on the pics. She loves pictures of herself. She is very humble…as well. Lol! I'm trying to keep her grounded, but she is very theatrical.
Yeah, the new normal was losing my dad at the age of 61 in 2009 and now this. For so long I was so lucky in life. I hadn't really lost anyone close to me, but then my grandmother in 2006, followed by my dad and now this. I did have a bit of breather between my dad and brother, but my poor mom and step mom. The little brother is scared he is going to get cancer now too. Can't blame him. My older brother and I, we were very close and I never thought about it. I guess assumed everyone spends time with their siblings, but when he died a lot of people expressed it differently and could see how close we were. I will miss having him over, or having to pick him up for family stuff. He lived with my mother (he was boarder line special needs) and didn't have a car. He could drive, but totaled his car the year my dad died. So I always facilitated him getting places. And I will miss picking up my daughter from day care at my mom's and seeing him walk off to the bus stop for work.
And now I have a new new normal. I still feel lucky with my diagnosis at this point, but man the treatment blows. Lol!
ChiSandy,
I'm so sorry to hear about Bob. L I do understand the fear of the ER, but hopefully he will let you know in the future or he will need his Beaujolais Nouveau every night, as a truth serum.
Awesome on the surgeon's visit!!!! And here's to hoping more good news coming Bob's way on travel!
Happy Hanukkah!
Hello Cyndielou,
I'm new.
Congratulations! And I'm so sorry to hear about Donese. Hoping for good news for you guys.And as requested pics of a turd that just "blah blah blah blahed" me...they do that at 5!!!!????
The first pic is of her and my little brother. She was annihilating him. ha ha ha ha Have a wonderful day everyone!
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WOAHH....I didn't realize how long that was til I posted. lol!
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Good morning ladies- checking in here on this Thursday morning. The weeks are flying by and holidays are happening! I had a great time yesterday in Santa Fe with my local bestie. We did some shopping, eating, talking, drinking (yes there was a glass of wine but only one as we both had a bigger drive home). We exchanged some gifts with each other and wrapped up our day and said our goodbyes. I had the most delicious bowl of mole stew and probably the best sopapillas I have ever eaten here in NM. The wine was a red blend from Whiplash (and very good). Came home to find a big box at my door and a lovely orchid from a family member! Whoot.
I heard from my home town bestie's husband yesterday and my friend was back to the hospital yesterday for her post surgery check up. Good news is she had clear margins/they got everything and will just need some rads (vs. any chemo) that will begin in January. I plan to call them today and shared with her husband this is good news in a not great news world. She is going through what I went through with surgery and rads at the same time five years ago. I know it's tough to go through treatment during the holidays as some of you very well know.
Karen- I think it is unfortunate that a relative would bring up their "politics" around a simple question that could have easily been a yes or no answer. Really insensitive, and his reactions are childish. I am not sure what your relationship has been with this person in the past, but remember how I told you there are people you just need to keep away from you during treatment? This is an example of the type of behaviors I was talking about. We are super sensitive during everything but people don't need to be mean to us either! Decide later where he fits in your story or not. People show us who they are in the worst of times (theirs and ours). I am really sorry about this happening to you friend. Big hugs on an unfortunate experience......
Beyond assistance programs, you might look for a furnace company where you can work out some sort of payment plan. Many companies have these for major replacements. It is a way to get your furnace replaced and make some sort of smaller payments so you have what you need without a big cash outlay. Go give your business to a competitor of his company and then you can talk them up when you find the right people, give great reviews on Yelp, etc. And it sounds like a friend is putting together a go fund me for some support too? I think there will be other help from other people to help you through all you need to do friend.
Goldie- congrats on the new water heater! I got mine replaced this past April and did not do the on demand time but got a quote for it and know they are pricey. I love having hotter water faster now for your showers. Remind me who Bentley is again?
Cami- I am sorry Leslie is having such a hard time. Everyone is so different with the way they react too sister. The chemo brain stuff on top of the rest may just make life miserable for her until she is through this phase of treatment. Sending you so much love. I am here to be your wardrobe adviser for Sunday's party if you need it!
NM- I love how you said the the home is run for the convenience of the dog. My sister has always had a lot of pets (down to only one dog and cat now, plus a couple turtles now in hiberation), but it is clearly all about the pets and when I am there, the pets always look at me like "what have you done for me lately?" LOL. That Sadie is a cutie pie and your family. Sounds like you got more of the fluffy white stuff. I am hoping for snow on Xmas so I can sit in the hot springs that weekend with the flake falling around me (one of my favorite simple pleasures in life?)
Chi- I hope the apts for Bob went okay? Do you think Bob will retire soon? My doctor sister is in the final year of her work I think, and with more changes in her company as of last week (they are getting bought by United Healthcare now, insurance companies owning delivery systems, what could possibly go wrong?) I expect she is going to get out now. She said she is in the countdown to her final year and plans to retire end of 2018 and sounds more ready now. I hope they are helping Bob to feel better. I am sure it will be hard for him to give up his practice.......
Cyni- welcome back! Not sure you were here when I started a few years back. I have been on this thread for awhile, but not since I began here in Nov of 2012. I came to this thread because I am a Cami stalker and knew her from other places and found her over here. Cami always knows where the action is!
I hope your partner's tests go well and no worries for either of you. Congrats on the engagement and pending wedding too. Life awaits you with all it's beauty! We will all want to see wedding pictures if you are comfortable sharing?
And about diabetes, you may or may not know, a lot of women who have had cancer treatment either had or develop diabetes. There are varying theories about which comes first, cancer then we get diabetes as yet another SE from treatment, or diabetes that we have as we get cancer. For me, I had my first A1C test right before I was diagnosed in 2012 as part of a routine physical and it was around 6.0 and showing me pre-diabetic. My mother was a diabetic at the end of her life and had suspected for awhile I was insulin resistant. But then by the fall of 2013 after six months on the AIs, I hit 6.5 as the borderline for diabetes. My PCP took action and put me on metformin. I ended up gaining back a lot of weight I had lost on the AIs and then got some grief about that by my BS. Drugs that fix one thing and cause other problems. Sigh.....
I have been doing better since I got established with an endocrinologist in 2016 and she has me on some more effective medications and I have dropped 25 lbs this year, 35 total from my highest weight. Still some to go and hoping some things will improve when I come off the AIs next March. I just had a visit with the CNP last week and she thinks I am doing well and may be able to come off at least some of the meds next year once I am off the AIs. I totally understand your frustration and hope you are getting good care around your diabetes friend.
Hope you all have a fabulous Thursday. If you are selecting an ACA plan through the exchange this year, remember tomorrow is the deadline to enroll and pick something. I got that done, just waiting to pay the Jan premium (ugh).
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Hello friends,
NM...that's fantastic that you are able to be semi retired....I would love to dream of that some day but don't think it will ever happen...Enjoy every second and all the extra time you can spend with Silly Sadie.
Jazzy...my DX was in 2012 and that's when I started coming to the lounge, so you were prolly here then.
Hola Lorilou and Cami too......Miss you girls.
The big reveal is in a few hours...we talked a lot last night about "what if's". Either way she wants it out and I cant blame her..after all my biopsy showed benign but after it was removed the rat bastard was discovered...better safe than sorry.
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Gotta sit down with Gordy today and see if he can find an ACA-compliant plan with lower deductible and a not much higher premium than he's (actually, we've) been paying for a very high-deductible plan through Golden Rule, United's assigned-risk subsidiary. He has asthma and is on maintenance SSRI for depression (though we go out of pocket for bi-monthly shrink visits), plus self-medicates heartburn with OTC lansoprazole. Can't do it tomorrow because I have to leave before 3:30 for Madison. (3 hrs. up, because it's both Friday and the beginning of rush hour; there's always construction along I-90 on either side of the state line; and I'm likely to hit Madison's rush hour too, through the Isthmus, driving W. with sun in my eyes).
Since this is the Christmas show, I don't need to bring the dulcimers & stands, and the venue has its own P.A. and an ace sound guy. But Stephen may want to do a certain song as a group finale, on which I play 6-string dulcimer (including a solo), so I might shoot him an e-mail reminder to bring his dulcimer stand (it used to "live" in his car when we played together often, but he's been touring solo a lot, including sleeping in his car at Wal-Marts if the gigs don't pay more than the cost of lodging and he doesn't have a friendly couch on which to crash--so he needs to have enough room in the car to put his seat all the way back in the lie-flat position). He listed me as "guest" because last year, when I wrenched my back and couldn't stand up straight (much less drive) or get around w/o my Rollator, he had been willing to brave the ice storm and do the show solo--until the host notified him that there were so many audience cancellations due to weather that she had to cancel the show.
Bob's GI doc said today that what Bob did over last weekend was fine: clear liquids and lots of normal exercise (stairs instead of elevators, walking from the far end of the lot). Other than getting dehydrated, eating no fiber or eating hard-core roughage like raw cabbage (which would increase peristalsis so much that the intestine could twist & kink), there's no way to prevent a small-intestine blockage. He suggests staying in the U.S., near major medical centers, for a couple of months to see how his guts behave. If all is well, he says travel anywhere in Europe is fine so long as we can get to a hospital. (We always buy trip cancellation & medical evac. insurance whenever we go abroad). And he told me not to be complacent: adhesions can occur even several decades after a C-section or laparascopic cholecystectomy (minimally-invasive gall bladder removal), which I had in '84 & '94, respectively. He says the most common cause of adhesions is hysterectomy. (I still have my "rusted baby carriage").
I'm feeling much better, and coughing less, but still postnasal-drippy and have lost my top half-octave (which I never hit except during vocal exercises). Got a voice lesson in a couple hours (and with my new improved network, Skype or FaceTime should work better), so we'll work on busting through the phlegm without straining the cords. Bob says that by now I'm no longer contagious and can go to the wine tasting--so long as I don't do too much talking and take less advantage of the sumptuous buffet (with prime rib & turkey carving stations).
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Jazzy
Yeah it was very surprising and yes I told him goodbye in no uncertain terms. It was completely uncalled for. And we completely disagree on politics (him and I) but I would never let that determine my relationship with him. Especially a basic question. Not to mention the hypocrisy kills me. He probably doesn't realize I know that he has received assistance in the past. Thank you of the kind words.
I did have a friend send me places to try. I was trying to reach an avenue before going down the path of payment plan. It's fine if we don't find something for it, but my nurse navigator is so dead set on us patients trying to utilize everything we qualify for, so that's what I'm doing. Life is hard enough for what we are dealing with, right?0 -
Karen, your uncle sounds like he's a male mirror image of Shakespeare's "the lady doth protest too much." His earlier experiences being on public assistance and depending on others probably caused him shame and embarrassment, and he is overcompensating by vehemently disapproving of welfare, entitlements (for which recipients have spent their careers pre-paying), and soliciting for private charity on one's own behalf. Reminding him that you are one of those taxpayers who've been paying for welfare all along would be futile: he is what he is, he thinks what he thinks, and will never change. He is not worth your concern.
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Hi mese bwest fwends.
I am not in a very good mood so will make this quick. I've opted for the bi-lat mx. Date for that will March 7 2018. In meantime will be going from appt to appt. Dr Earl (plastic surg, who saw me back in April 2011. He will be there during the Lop-offs. I BS can safe enuf skin then Dr Earl will start with reconstruct. Anyway I had to quit smoking, and I understand why. Cigs slow down the surgery healing process. BS said she would NOT operate if I was still smoking.
Nurses - is there a protocal on how long a pt should cease smoking b4 surgery?
It's a big deal to me, yet kno I need to quit, but at same time....
I want mese smokes. OK - last part of mese post....- 1-9-18 appt w/MO.....2-5-18 pre-surg visit with PS (Dr Earl) ....2-13 will b with BS (El-eid) for pre-op, then finally 3-7 for lop-off.
All those that went thru the mx....any info you can share would be most greatful.
lubslubslubslubslubs to all. I WILL be back
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SuZQT!!!! Good luck with your “lop off”. 🙁. Hear you about the smokes. We both started again a few months ago. Gotta quit foah Shoah.
Glad your feeling better Sandy.
Went to DX ultrasound with Donese. All is well. We were happy to find out it’s cysts. Big sigh of relief.
Y’all have a greate evening. Natty time!
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Mema- glad to see you here and have your updates. You have lots to do before March of 2018, but ample time to prepare for the surgery and all the rest. Lots of doc apts and during the holidays too. Sigh. Sending you so much love and take it one day at a time sister.
I know quitting smoking is very hard (never smoked due to asthma but watched my brother try to quit for years upon doctors orders). I know the smoking can complicate the healing from surgery, and have heard that from a couple sisters on these threads. It will help your overall health in the end.
I did not have a BMX but here to support you otherwise. Maybe check some of the BMX threads here too even for lurking/reading?
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Cyndie, that huge breeze you may just have felt is all your breasties' huge collective sigh of relief! Now all you two need to concern yourselves with are choice of wedding attire, venue, guest list, caterer, honeymoon...
Mema, so, so sorry you have to get the BMX but hope it goes smoothly. Did your surgeon say vaping is okay, or is it the nicotine that slows healing? My guess is that the tars are the culprit, for their effect on your lungs--surgeons & anesthesiologists prefer their general anesthesia patients have healthy lungs. If that's the reason, ask about vaping if you can't quit cold turkey.
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Cyndie- great news! On to the wedding plans now
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Did go to the wine tasting tonight--had orders to buy stuff that is good for drinking in quantity (though I snuck in a couple of nicer bottles I like). Ferrari Brut Blanc des Blancs from the Veneto ran rings around another distributor's rose prosecco. There were some nicely balanced Chardonnays that didn't taste like you were being run over by a Mack truck with French oak bumpers, and a Chilean Sauv. Blanc that didn't smell of eucalyptus (a gamier aroma the French call pipi du chat) and tasted of the grape instead of grapefruit. A Fess Parker red blend (Syrah/Grenache) from Santa Barbara went down smoothly, fruitily and had some robust body with very soft tannins. And I even got a bottle or two of local Lynfred Cellars' spiced Christmas Red--with a little vodka, that'll make some decent gløgg for Christmas Eve.
It wasn't as crowded as usual, so I didn't have to talk over noise. My teacher had to move my voice lesson to Sunday, so I will have to vocalize my way out of the phlegm-storm so I can sing tomorrow night. (Luckily, my songs aren't very "range-y" so I should do fine...assuming I have no senior moments concerning lyrics & chords). I am torn between going for bling--a burgundy velour pantsuit with sequin trim--or the archetypal ugly Christmas sweater--complete with twinkling LEDs. I'm inclined toward the latter, since comedy will be the order of the day.
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Lots happening ladies.
Cyn so happy bout Donese, now as Sandy said on with the wedding plans, I think I picture u2 getting married on the beach, it would be so you and love to see pics of all ur planning, this is a fun happy time now so enjoy.
Sandy that's ll u need with ur lyrics is senior moments, I;ve noticed my "moments" have turned into senior hours and when I sing old songs round the house there is a whole line I don't remember and I used to know every word, since I sang so many to Joey he remembers for me.
Karen I was a little surprised at why ur uncle didn't answer u right away, I was thinking in a whole different direction and I'm so sorry for the reason. Believe me if my boss lived close he would take care of u with ease, cu he does that, I know. Sometimes in life some of us need help from other sources, after all we've all paid into this over years and there was no reason he should take any attitude to you, especially now, well like everyone said SO WHAT--what he thinks isn't going to change ur life so just forget it, u have enough love round u to make u feel good, I'm sure u can find someone who will take payments of some sort. Ur DD is darling, her smile is precious and her love with u is enormous.
I have a big box of jewelry that is all Christmas and clothes that are Christmas, my problem is Where are they in this house--prolly in the attic and believe me I'm not asking my DSIL to try to find them this year. LOL
You know I feel bad for Leslie, I'm having a hard time dealing with her and it's always me she jumps on---whenever she's had any type of mental episode I've always been her worst enemy, first she can't fool me nd 2nd I'm conditional and she always knows that no matter how bad she is. But this year my patience is lower. I'm sure if I felt good I'd be better, That's why I really don't talk to her much, unless she starts the conversation, I see bits and pieces of her mental stuff creeping in and she knows that so that's why she gets upset with me, been thru way to much with her. Just praying it all passes with treatment so I back off lots. Marty and Joey thinks it's all from treatment--some is, I know---but some isn't and she knows. Well we just wait, that's all we can do.
LUBS U ALL
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Karen again, I'm sorry about your uncle. I sort of understand about your mom not wanting to be in the middle of it, but geeze! I hope she is on your side. Funny how you are making sure your DD is on board with the music. You ARE a good mom. Glad you got some sleep. Are you numbing that port area for the "stick"? I had a friend at the cancer center where I got my treatment, she was a nurse anesthetist, HATED getting her chemo. She would plug her ears and make noises and sing, you know how a child does when he doesn't want to hear you. And she was not embarrassed at all, and of course gave all of un in there a chuckle! The tats are just little tiny pin pricks, and I think even some places just use a sharpie. As for your brother, you will grieve when you are ready. And your DD probably doesn't quite understand what is going on. Take care of YOU and that sweet little girl and try to enjoy the holidays. People that work the system real get my blood boiling. I was on assistance when I had my son. I was 21, my husband at the time was cheating on me and left while I was pregnant, I had no car and no job. Not sure how long I was on it, but not too long, a year maybe?
Jazzy, Mole Stew? Sounds like road kill. Nice surprise with the orchid, what color? Good news for your BFF, glad she only has to do rads. I really did not find them to be too bad, much easier than chemo for sure. I had 3rd burns and fatigue, needed to see wound specialists from the burn, but couldn't really feel it cuz it's numb. Bentley is a little brown toy poodle, maybe weighs 6 lbs. He is so cute, but very skiddish. He is a rescue and when she got him he looked like one of those mop dogs, can't think of the name. His hair was down to the floor and sooooooo matted. He had to be completely shaved and that is when they discovered what he was. After they had left, I noticed one of my chemo pills on the floor. OMG, thank goodness he didn't find it! Boy, there is something about sitting in a hot tub while it's snowing. Ha ha, Cami IS our action! Her and ED! The hot water on demand is pricey, but since we are off the grid, a typical hot water heater would not be practical for us. I'm just grateful we can afford it.
Lucy, hoping to hear something by the end of my read. YAY, all is good. Sigh of relief fo sho. I hope you will stick around.
Sandy, I didn't realize Madison was so close. 3 hours away isn't bad. Glad you and Bob are doing better. I can't sleep anywhere other than a bed and maybe a couch. I say ugly xmas sweater.
LDB (MemaSue, LDB is Lil Doity Butt, my nickname for her) I'm glad you have a plan but still saddened that you have to go through this. I hope the not smoking is not too hard on you, but DH quit right? So maybe that will make it easier. And why do they make us wait Soooooooooooo Loooooooooooong for these things?
Cami, I see a drum circle wedding for Cyn & Donese, what do ya think? Maybe Joey could look in the attic for your xmas stuff? I'm glad you are "aware" of Leslies issues with the bi-polar. Praying it stops when treatment is over, if not before.
Heading to town, maybe a movie. A whopping 8 degrees here this morning!
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Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy TGIF day! Only got an hour and a half at Hospice yesterday, and that was spent teaching one of the new nurses some of the basic how to stuff--how to order supplies, how to update a medication list. I'm shaking my head that these nurses are out seeing patients and do not have these basic skills yet. I've got new nurses calling me at home with questions about how to do this or that. I'm going to start keeping track of the phone calls and putting them in as work time. I did put in for the time I spent in the office yesterday. I'm kind of expecting to hear something about that, but am waiting to see. Temps still trending down, all of 9 degrees out this ayem. Talk about chilly when the breeze blows! Everything still has a coating of ice, there are some gorgeous scenes everywhere. Makes even more grateful for my silly bed warmer at night!
Karen--oh my dear, what a PITA your uncle is being. All you did was ask for information from someone who would be likely to have that info. If he didn't want to give it to you all he had to do is say he didn't have the info. I think you are right, he is probably mostly upset at the thought of not getting money he was maybe counting on. These program do exist for just such situations are you are facing, and there is no shame in accessing help that your taxes have supported for others. If he was upset at the idea of you sharing his response with your Mom I think that means he knows his opinion is out of line or, at least, unkind and uncalled for. Anyone can have any opinion they want, but expressing that opinion isn't always appropriate. So now you know he is no longer a source of support or assistance, and it's time to move on and find other sources. So hard when this kind of thing happens with a family member.
Goldie--Moving photos around can eat up a lot of time, can't it? Kinda fun, though.
Karen--At least you drive more cautiously when DD is in the car. I'm gonna scold you and say you should drive carefully ALL the time, not just when DD is in the car! There, scolding done. Steroid induced insomnia is the pitts, I know. Add the worry about not sleeping on top if it and it can make one crazy. Glad you slept last night. You know, that port is designed for blood drawing as well as getting chemo. The more a port is used the better for it. Part of the reason for putting in a port is to minimize the number of sticks a person has to get during a course of treatment. I'm not surprised your Mom is making excuses for her brother, siblings to that. I do agree that it shouldn't go on Facebook or any place like that. I've seen that keep a family rift alive long after the players would have reconciled, and seen it make so many friends start choosing sides in a situation that would have been better if they had stayed out of and wouldn't even have known about if it weren't for a post that someone keeps recycling. Not that it would stop me from pretty much cutting him out of my life going forward.
The pics are beautiful!
Jazzy--wow, a great day out and flowers when you got home! What a special day! And good news for your bestie, too! Or as you say, better news in a bad news world. Oh, my, I remember sitting in the hot tub on the deck in the snow, absolutely magical at times.So simple, so wonderful.
CynCyn--keep plugging away, you will find yourself able to make a major move someday, just like I did. I didn't think that day would ever come, either, but it did. And I am with Donese, I would want it out, too, no matter what it was. No worries about monitoring, cuz it's gone. Still praying it's benign.
Chi--the whole insurance thing is crazy. I'm not really sure what to think, very surprised when I signed up for a 2018 plan that I'm getting more in tax credits that the premium for the program I signed up for. It will be interesting doing my taxes this year, got a lot to learn about this part of things. But if I wind up with free health insurance, I'm not going to complain! Sounds like Bob's got a good plan for managing the bowel obstructions and adhesions. And so glad to hear you are feeling better. I say go ahead and take advantage of the buffet, especially if it's sumptuous!
Mema--The further ahead of surgery you can quit smoking the better. The microcirculation constriction from nicotine reverses in a few hours after quitting. Blood pressure begins dropping back to normal in a few hours and is completely back to normal in acouple of weeks.Oxygen and carbon dioxide levels normalize in 12 to 24 hours.The increased coughing as the lungs clear dirty mucus out lasts a few weeks to about a month. The cravings usually are pretty much done after a month or so. To get really ready for mast w/recon find out what post-op restrictions go with the recon you choose. If there is a limitation on lifting your arms over shoulder high go through the house, especially the kitchen and bathroom, and put things you use daily down on the counter. Button or zip up tops are easiest to deal with, pulling a shirt on over your head is uncomfortable, and not possible if you can't lift your arms above your shoulders. Stock up on 1 inch wide ribbon and some big safety pins. These are VERY helpful with managing drains after surgery. Also, wearing shirts or pants with big pockets is helpful for the drains. If your surgeons allow showering with drains in it's helpful to have a long ribbon that you can loop or pin the drains on and hang over hour neck. A shower seat is also helpful. And extra pillows of all sizes. Be sure to have a couple of small pillows in the car when you go home from the hospital to pad the seat belt/shoulder harness. I'm sure others will have more tips and tricks.
CynCyn--WHOO HOO!!
Chi--yummy sounding wines!I vote for the sweater with the lights. Always fun, even if ugly!
Cammy--You sound like my Mom. She's been complaining that the big bag of stocking stuffers she bought last winter isn't where she thought she put it. And neither are the stockings she put in a specific, easy to git to place. It's become a family joke to try to guess which gifts received were bought this year, and which were bought for a previousyear but not found until this year! It must be so hard for you to see Leslie going through all this. When waiting is all you can do it's very, very hard.
Goldie--don't you just love frosty mornings?
Lit Teetotaler's DOTD
Two Turtle Doves
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz Smirnoff vodka
- 1 oz coconut cream
- 1 oz half and half
- 1/4 oz creme de cacao
Rimming: shaved white chocolate rim
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass rimmed with shaved white chocolate rim.
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It's unanimous--ugly sweater it is. If only I had a pair of antlers....
I deal with the lyrical senior moments in a couple of ways: first, lyric sheets & a music stand. More and more folkies my age use them (and when playing at farmers' markets or taking requests in sr. centers, a "fake book" is a lifesaver--nobody has a "phonographic" memory for every classic song ever written). The audience demographic is getting older too. Not gonna kid anyone: people are there to have a good time & be entertained, not be impressed with talent or watch a song & dance spectacle a la Madonna, Taylor Swift or Lady Gaga. The other workaround is that if I do forget one of my own lyrics, I make up a substitute lyric on the fly, which often turns out better than the original. I've been in this business long enough to recognize that if I keep forgetting the same line, it's a sign that it needed to be rewritten. There are times I will go back to my original (contemporaneous with having first written the song) lyrics, either on computer or handwritten, and marvel "how ever did I write that line and think it'd work?" Oftentimes, the last-minute substitute subconsciously rolls off the tongue and scans, alliterates or internally-rhymes far better than the original, or is more relevant to the current times than when I first wrote the song.
Gordy surprised me yesterday when I got home--all on his own, he went to the online exchange and bought a BCBS silver plan, with dental.
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Good morning, Loungettes! Happy Saturday! Woke up early this ayem to a text from Mom saying that it stopped snowing there at 6 am, if there is any snow on the road don't come, wait for the roads to be clear and dry, we can always reschedule. Not one snowflake here where I live. Mom and Dick live on a lake and often get little snow showers that no one else does, but Mom tends to think that if she sees a little snow everyone else is having a blizzard. OK, just heard back from Mom, she sent the same message to me and my brother. Since she knows I'm up, I better get my act together and get on the road.Talk to everyone later!
Lit Teetotler's DOtD:
Three French Hens
21/4 ounces Grey Goose La Poire vodka
3/4 ounce spiced simple syrup (recipe follows)
3/4 ounce St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
1/2 ounce lime juice
1 egg whiteCinnamon and brown sugar, for rim
Lime peel,
cinnamon, cayenne pepper and allspice, for garnish
Rim a chilled martini glass wish cinnamon and brown sugar. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 1 minute to froth your egg white. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime peel and a dusting of cinnamon, cayenne, and allspice.
For the spiced simple syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon1 teaspoon cayenne pepper1 teaspoon allspice 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup sugar
Bring ingredients to a boil, then simmer until spices and sugar are dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Alternative:
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NM, I too think you are entitled to be paid for your time in the office and taking those calls at home, especially if they are lengthy. It took me most of the day to move and delete pictures. But I have a ton of room on my phone now! NOOOOO, I do not like frosty mornings…..AT ALL! I like sunny and warm. Which is why I live in AZ. Well, it's really because that happened to be where my DH lives and I relocated from Michigan. So I have had many a frosty morning, and we get them here. Enjoy your family Christmas gathering.
Sandy, I think you could probably find some antlers at a dollar store. LMBO, you wrote phonographic, I saw pornographic! Yay for Gordy getting his own insurance.
Hmmmm, rather quiet up in heah. I guess everyone is busy with the holidays coming up. We went to the movies yesterday whilst in town, saw Just Getting Started with Tommy Lee and Morgan Freeman. Nothing exciting, but was a good movie all in all. Took some pictures of my hand and nails to share on here, on the Xeloda (FU pills) thread. Thought I would share here too. The first one shows how my nails are lifting. What's weird is it starts out in the middle third of my nail, and then gets to the top. My cuticles are rough, sharp and brittle. All the creases you see are hard, my skin feels like an alligator. And all the white in the creases is peeling and cracking. I have a spot on my r heel that is split open and hurts like the dickens. Kind of like if you have ever had the tip of finger split near the nail from the cold and dryness in the air. AND, the nails that are lifting, cuz it's not all of them (yet) is the same on both hands. Also both big toes are doing the same.
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Goldie, the dry, cold weather is problematic for me too. Herceptin and Perjeta dry me out and while I drink plenty of water, I’m still having some trouble controlling it. Gold Bond foot cream worked great on my heals but my hands are still struggling despite aveeno several times per day. I hope it starts getting better for you.
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Thanks Illona, it won't get any better until they change my treatment, which would be Ibrance next. But I think that is a SE for that drug too, need to look into it. It's just something I have to deal with. Altho no fun, it's better than the alternative. It's caused from the chemo drug leaching through my hands and feet. I use several different creams and ointments, can't tell that one is better than the other. Helps the best when I lube up and put rubber gloves on and for my feet, plastic shopping bags over mese feet and then my socks!
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Hi Loungetts! Cold rainy day here in Austin. Out and about with my love. Picked up our rings.
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