how about drinking?
Comments
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Patricia, my MO suggested I reduce my drinking for overall health and being ER and HER2+, which I did. I do still enjoy red wine and beer but I decided not to the day before and 3 days after my infusion, just to be kind to my liver and kidney. As stated above though, it’s a personal choice.
Happy Festivus for the rest of us!
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Hi Native maine, Found 1/2 cm in left breast. Her = positive. Not young so I had Bi Lateral Mastectomy done, now in Chemo taking Toxal and Herceptin for 12 weeks then Herceptin for the 9 months every three weeks. Scared to death. Kidney function not as good as it was when I started 4 weeks ago. Hair just starting to fall out. I am not drinking at all now.
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Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Twofer Tuesday, masquerading as Monday. Sadie and I had a lovely Christmas day. Never got dressed. Lounged around reading and sipping mulled wine. Made a couple loaves of bread. Chatted with Mom on the phone for a bit. Watched the snow and wind do its thing. Boy that wind did blow for a bit, too. The weather people were talking about blizzard conditions, and given the lack of visibility I think they may have been right to call it that. Was listening to the scanner all day, for a while they even pulled the snow plows off the road cuz the visibility was so bad, and people calling in car accidents were told to stay in their cars and not try to move and not expect help for possibly several hours, unless there was an injury, and then a plow truck would be sent out with the ambulance, and often a police car as well. Now the temps are going to start dropping and the next few days are supposed to be quite chilly. Welcome to winter in Maine!
Teka--sounds like we had the same kind of White Christmas!
Patricia--I can relate to the being scared feeling, we all can here. It's a very scary time. Not drinking, or as we refer to it here, virtual drinking is a good place to start. By the time you get through the first part of treatment you'll know more about your statistics and have had a chance to talk to your MO about drinking and do some of your own research. Make sure to take good care of those kidneys, they're kind of important, too.
Lit Teetotaler's DOTD:
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Good morning friends- happy post Xmas and happy Boxing Day to our Canadian friends here. Hoping everyone had a nice holiday weekend and that you have a good day today if you are still celebrating. And then there is always New Years Eve on the horizon!
I had a great time at the hot springs, which is my favorite way to spend the Xmas holiday when I am not working or traveling to see family. I went up Sat morning and came back yesterday, and enjoyed some nice soaking, 2 treatments, a yoga class, lots of reading time, journaling, etc. The weather here has been mild, but was colder and windier on Sat so brrr getting in and out of the pools.
I came back to town yesterday and went to some friends house, then later to a client's open house party. All went well but dang was I tired by the time I got home. Unpacked only the essentials from the car and went to bed! Up today to get settled back in and doing laundry.
I hope everyone had a good one and will be back again with more soon!
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Merry Christmas & Happy Boxing Day! As to the latter, only one gift I gave has to be returned: I didn't know Gordy already had that book.Had a great time with our friends last night--took a Lyft there and another friend drove us home. DOTD was a couple of 2011 Williams Selyem Pinot Noirs--the Westside Road Neighbors vineyard and the Sonoma Coast. Opened the Westside Road first, because it was pricier and there was a possibility we'd only need one bottle. Well, it went pretty quickly. A bit more austere and Burgundian in style than I've had from that winery (in the Russian R. area of Sonoma County). So we opened the Sonoma Coast, and it was delightful: fuller body, fruitier with distinct cherry notes. Wish we'd been allocated more than just one bottle. (The way the winery works, because it's so small, is that a subscriber recommends you, and three times a year you get an e-mail announcing your allocation--which is the maximum number of each wine you are allowed to buy, but never more than 6 bottles of one wine. Usually, the priciest and least expensive are the first to run out. The next allocation will be the 2015s & 2016s).
Woke today to find it was 1F and our housekeeper didn't come in. No surprise--in this weather I wouldn't go outside either. Found her text on my cell, and called her: the heater in her car had croaked and she was at the dealership getting it fixed. But there was no message on our landline answering machine. Come to think of it, there were no messages since Sat.! That was when the readout on the handsets suddenly started saying "New VM." I would push the VM soft-key, only to get the readout "Call phone co. for VM access code." First time it happened, I called my provider, only to confirm we didn't have voicemail--because our phone system has a built-in answering machine. I figured this was just a glitch, so every time that "New VM" readout came up, I would make it go away (had to go to the mfr.'s site to find out how). Still kept happening, though--and I realized there were all these messages that were disappearing into the ether, supposedly irretrievable. (We usually let the machine pick up for any number we don't recognize or don't want to answer, which is most of the calls we get).
So I went online to figure out how to revive the answering device--purged all the messages, turned it off & then back on, adjusted the number of rings. But oddly, there was no way to even play our greeting, much less change it--none of those options were available onscreen nor in the user manual. Went to Panasonic's website. Live chat is down. Tech support phone desk is closed till at least tomorrow (and since the thing's out of warranty, it'd cost me nine bucks just to say "hi"). "User community" was no help either. So before popping for a new phone system (which wouldn't arrive till at least Thurs., or would require I bundle up and brave Chiberia), I decided to call the phone co. to find out how much adding voicemail would cost and how long before it'd take effect. It took me three tries: each time I reached a live human being, I was put on hold for the "home phone desk." First time, I got disconnected. Second time, I got a recording telling me to dial my own phone number, only to get a recording that "this service can be accessed only from the primary phone on this account." And then they hung up. (Say WHAT? That was the number I was calling from; did they mean I had to scrounge around for the original handset, one of two that came with the phone--I'd added two more?). Third try, the tech tried to access the appropriate help desk, only to find that the first techs were listed as "still logged in" to my account. Finally, she was able to get through, and told me the service is free (why didn't the first guy I called on Sat. ask me if I wanted to set up voicemail?); she got it authorized and I finally set it up. To retrieve messages, we'll have to jump through a few hoops: dial the VM, then punch in our access code--with the answering machine, all I had to do was press "play." Meanwhile, I had to go on Facebook to tell people that if I didn't answer my landline, they needed to hang up and either call my cell or leave a FB message. I was able finally to go back on FB and give the "all-clear."
That was how I spent most of my day. Really. I did just go to Amazon and buy a fifth handset and charger so Bob could have a bedside landline phone instead of making me hand my handset over, or wait to get paged and return the page using his cell. Ah, technology!
No housekeeper tomorrow, but I already knew that her hubby has an eye appt. (requiring pupil dilation) at the V.A. and she has to drive him. We're hanging in there. Luckily, I have nowhere to go, nothing to do until she gets back Thurs. to help me get the place ready for New Year's Eve: we host dinner at a neighborhood restaurant first and then walk back here for champagne. Given that it'll be below zero, though, I will have to teetotal at dinner so I can be a "shuttle service." (Or maybe one of my teetotaling guests might be willing to do that).
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Good Morning, Loungetttes! Happy Chilly Hump Day! 2 degrees, feels like -6 with wind chill. Some places with wind chill of -30 in the state. Very chilly. Had an interesting moment at work (Hospice) yesterday ayem. There's a big meeting every other week where all the patients are reviewed, each patient needs a special note written in the computer before the meeting starts. One of the clinical managers gave a list of 5 or 6 patients to one of the new nurses 10 minutes before the meeting started and told her she needed to do them ASAP. The nurse said she didn't know how to do that yet, the clinical manager told her to "get one of your friends to help you" and walked off! I was floored. This was from the clinical manager that is leaving to be a director in another office.Then I grabbed a piece of paper and wrote out the instructions for getting to those special notes, and what to write, and walked her through the first one. Then she had to run off to the meeting, which had already started. I was so upset for her. Giving a new person a new task with a very short deadline and no education on how to do it is just not right. Not sure what, if anything, I can or should do about the situation beyond what I did. Fortunately, the rest of the day was quite nice. Still, I was happy to get home to cuddle with Sadie and get my feets warm again!
Jazzy--Getting into and out of the hot tub in cold weather was always an interesting process when I had a hot tub. Especially the getting out part! But the soak is sooooo worth it! Nothing like loads of laundry to underline the return home from a nice trip.
Chi--that wine allocation system sounds like a good way to get some good wines! Don't you just gotta love technology when it glitches like that? I swear there are people in the phone companies whose job it is to mess up the workings so that people need to call in so they have a chance to sell more services! Glad you got your issue worked out without extra costs, but boy the run around you got!
Jazzy--how I wish I could dance like that!
Lit teetotaler's DOTD:
Mandarine Cosmopolitan Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz Absolut Citron Vodka
- 3/4 oz Mandarine Napoleon
- 1/2 oz Lime Juice
- 3/4 oz Cranberry Juice
Directions
Shake all the ingredients with ice and fine strain in a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a flamed orange zest.
Best served in a Cocktail Glass.
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Mornin'
Just got done reading, Welcome Patricia, oh how I felt for you when u said ur scared, I think we've all gone thru that feeling, but it does fade more with time nd u have loads of help with these boards of topics, especially knowing what others have or are going thru u actually feel like everyone else. This is where u feel normal.
Sandy I read every word u said and I could never in my life figure out all that u did with ur answering thing. But I did like the wine part, I understood that...Sounds like a fun New Years ur planning too.
Kim u are truly the best in what u do and so kind to everyone around you. That was so nice that u helped that befuddled nurse, but that is something u would always do Ur Christmas with Sadie sounds lovely especially with ur weather, I still miss my Katie Kat.
Jazzy u came home exhausted, u must have had good time, I'm so glad.
Well Christmas day we all stayed home, Joey had a fever, Leslie was not feeling well and by the time I was ready to go I was drained and weak, I worked all morning---busy again. ALL FURNACES and guys did what they could, I felt so sad and Joey was trying to cheer me up, oh well. I did go out to lunch yesterday so that was nice saw my sister and cousin and most of my GF's made it, and was it cold, funny part was years ago we'd say I love that bracelet, I want it---now it was they liked my walker and wanted that---unfortunately now they all could use one, they are being stubborn so we shared mine---back and forth, and my one GF made sure I felt her boobs as we do once a year---she still has them and big too. We had some good laughs, so when I came home to relax my phone started up LOL and started at 6am this morning.
Oh Teka u sound like u live next to KIM, weather wise.
OK my phones.
LUBS U ALL
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Hey all and welcome to our new loungettes. Not going to comment on everyone, just a few comments.
Cami, I'm glad you got out, but sorry that Joey is sick and of course all that Leslie is going through. I hope she doesn't get what Joey has!
Karen, I hope you were able to enjoy your Xmas with DF and DD.
NM, you are the best, what can I say. So very kind.
Got a new desk yesterday for in the house, matches our entertainment center and end tables. Barely got it into my FJ. Star Wars (not a fan) Imax and 3d was good. Would be the only way I would see it. Story line was ok, special effects great.
My hands and feet are just getting worse. By the end of the day they hurt and burn so bad! The soles of my feet feel like they are terribly sun burnt and that I'm walking on very course sand. Hand burn too, and doing anything hurts. I may have to take more than a week off my FU pills. Labs this Thursday, should be able to see TM's on Friday, and onc next Thursday. I'm scared to change treatment. Makes me feel like things are going down hill for me. Going today to a new place here in Phoenix, aquarium type thing with dolphins and a butterfly exhibit. I can't believe how expensive these things are....geeze! I don't know how a family of 4 or more, can afford it. Heading home tomorrow.
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Hey everyone! It's been a crazy round. Just now starting to feel good and not all that great.
So I'm going to get caught up on some writing for my book I think. I haven't worked on it in quite some time. But I'm still here. Looking forward to the less aggressive chemo to start next week and less side effects...So they tell me. It's Taxol and weekly.I'll be back.
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Nice desk, Lori. Dunno what could be causing your hand & foot skin problems--there's a chemo side effect called "hand-foot syndrome," but it's a neuropathy (sensations), not a skin issue and it's associated with I.V., not necessarily oral chemo. Maybe for the skin issues using a heavy-duty cream or ointment under cotton socks & gloves might help--though that's not exactly comfy in desert heat,
Cami, so sorry everyone was under the weather on Christmas Day, but glad you made it outside yesterday (I'm still hibernating).
Everything's fine with the phones now (I got Bob his own handset for his nightstand so he doesn't have to make me roll over and hand him mine--but 9 times out of 10 I'm the one who has to tell him it or his cell is ringing or his pager is buzzing. He stays up till 4am watching TV to get sleepy, so unless I use earplugs and a sleep mask so do I. My sleep is always so fragmented because of that, so that's why I'm such a slug-a-bed, arising at the crack of noon). I got a reply from Panasonic's user-community moderator, which told me nothing I already hadn't known before asking my question. I am so sick and tired of customer-service reps who either know little-to-nothing about their products or just parrot from a script rather than listening to the callers. Had she answered, "whoa, that's a new one on me--I have no idea!" I'd have appreciated her honesty and the capriciousness of technology. But I have no tolerance for people afraid to admit that they don't know something.
Bereft of leftover food, I ordered out for salad & pizza (from a new neighborhood place), so I might have a little Pinot Noir left over from Sat. night's meal out.
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Here I am with ?????????????????? like crazy. but first----Lori those pieces are lovely, nd I do know the pain and redness is a form of neuropathy, but that's all I know only cuz Leslie is having that now and it sounds like hers. Maybe they should give u a break, wellthese gals know so much more than I ever did, but the way ur skin looks, it does look painful, I don't know but I can't imagine them not being able to help you. Dammit this effin disease stinks.
Sandy when I went out Tuesday it was so cold, I had flashbacks from winters that were miserable, u almost couldn't wear clothes warm enough nd I wasn't outside long and the restaurant was cold, we went to Kona Grill and there were cold spots everywhere, stupid us didn't say a word. My food was good but not great and way to expensive for a sandwich and wine was recockulous <to me>---house wine. Good thing I love the people I was with.
Karen u must be feeling better now, oh this is not right u r so young and whatever I say about my DD please don't think it's typical, so don't let anything scare you and u too Patricia, it's just part of her crap, not yours.
OK. Leslie went to the Dr. today and had a test---well now they are saying this chemo really didn't help shrink anything, in fact her nodes got brighter, so they want to operate within 2 weeks, now she's freakin' out cuz it didn't work. I did explain why it doesn't sometime work, that's why they take the test so good that they found out. Now she wants recon and they are only taking one breast, which I hate cuz ins. doesn't cover the other, that's what happened to me so that's why I had 2 operations for this crap. I m so much more concerned about the cancer than the stupid recon, but again I tell her some BS to ease her mind. To me it's just get it out and leave it alone---she's prone to so many infections that r crazy her whole life. Even her GB operation gave her months of trouble. Well I now wish I did pay attention to what was going on, cuz I'm making things up so it sounds normal, for all I know it might be for this crap. Her operation was supposed to be at the end of Feb., now they're trying to get all these Drs. ready for ASAP.---but here's the topper we talked alone and she asked if cuz the nodes got all goffed up, is she going to die....well I wanted to scream and slap her then cry, but I didn't and explained my theory of the word "journey" that people use---Journey sounds peaceful and this is not so she's getting this all mixed up and she has group of Drs, that are working together not one at a time like a few yrs. ago--the node thing is bothering me a lot, I don't know if there's a number that really makes things worse---I don't even know if I'm making sense, this is all crazy to me, I think I'm angry right now and my mind is filling with more crap. Can u gals give me any help here or is this another huge bump that just happens sometimes.
OK for now
LUBS U ALL
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Another thing Leslie's GF is coming in today and spending the night here she is a nurse too so I'm so glad she can maybe give Leslie some insight and laughs, I thinks she's n ER nurse tho so her knowledge is more limited to so many different things, but she might help her with explanations. , Jazzy this is the wife of the Jazz pianist who's doing a concert somewhere round here that originally Les and Marty were invited to, but those plans are changed. But I still want to hear what u gals know <cuz I think it's more actually>
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Cami- so sorry to hear about Leslie's struggles. It sounds like the treatment plan was to do systemic first (chemo) and then surgery, but now because they chemo has not shown to be effective, they want to move to surgery. And there are concerns about recon and possible infections. So here are a few things the family may want to ask the doctors:
1) If she has surgery, what will be after given the scans have shown it is still in her nodes/systemic? Any other types of chemo, immunotherapy, other treatments for her particular case available?
2) Is lumpectomy an option at this point? To avoid any future issues with recon and possible infections? Pros and cons to LX vs. MX?
3) If MX is the better option, can recon be considered later? I know there are different kinds and different types recommended, some being harder than others? What kind of recon is best for her particular situation? Those to be avoided? How long can she wait to do recon (ensure she is better from the cancer treatment?)
4) With respect to the rest with fears of not making it, I remember that part only too well. They are overwhelming when you are in treatment and with not knowing what the future holds. I would say that sharing with her that the doctors are throwing everything at this to get this out of her system and for her to heal and feel well is key.
Do you have a family minister or priest that can help and come visit? Not sure how strong her faith is and if it would help, but a visit from a family church person might help?
All I can think of right now Cami, will post more as I think of suggestions.
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Good Morning, Loungettes! 2 degrees below the donut this ayem, but brightly sunny. The bit of a breeze out there feels like a knife, though. Feels like 12 below when the wind chill is factored in. Not going to be spending any time outside today, I don't think. Even Sadie is going out and doing her thing and running straight back in! Actually, I should get out and do some shoveling, but I've got to find a hat, scarf and gloves before I do that. Probably should have hunted up those things before now, but I didn't. Good project for today.
Cammy--so sorry you guys weren't feeling well for Christmas. Glad you got out for lunch. I'm sure the people with furnace problems are very glad to hear your voice when they call. Nothing like having a real person to talk to when you are having a crisis!
Goldie--I'd like to have a new desk for the computer. I've put that on my "to save money for" list. I wish I could take away the pain in your hands and feet. I pray the numbers are all good this time around. The aquarium sounds like a wonderful place to visit. I know those kinds of places are so expensive, though. I wonder how families do it, too. Ooh, love that desk, it's what we used to call a "Secretary Desk" when I was growing up. The one in the picture is BEAUTIFUL!
Karen--glad to hear you are moving on to the next phase of treatment, praying it's easier for you.
Chi--Must be hard sleeping with someone with such a different body clock. I was sent to a different area for work yesterday, got to try a new little diner, they made a fantastic chicken alfredo with bacon. I'm going to try to recreate the recipe, shouldn't be hard, I have a good alfredo sauce recipe, just need to get the energy up to spend a day making linguini and other noodles and get some good quality bacon. I brought half the serving home and had it for dinner last night, it was just as yummy warmed up with a little extra butter and cream added to protect the sauce.
Cammy--How I wish I could give you a big hug right now. Poor Leslie, she must be feeling absolutely frantic. It's never good to find out the chemo isn't working and having surgery moved up. FYI, insurance HAS to cover surgery to a breast without breast cancer to achieve symmetrywith the breast with bc, or is removed and reconstructed. There are people at the cancer center who can help her understand her insurance coverage and help her get the pre-approvals and what not that she needs. As to the nodes involved and her dying, her MO should be able to sit down and give her statistics specific to her situation. This is probably just a bump in the treatment road. It's only been since medicine has started giving chemo before surgery more often that we've had proof that chemo doesn't work a certain percentage of the time. It's just that by giving chemo after surgery we could never identify who was benefiting and who wasn't. I'm glad she'd got a friend coming that will be able to help Leslie sort things out. As an ER nurse she may not know all the details, but she'll be able to look stuff up and help Leslie figure it all out.
Jazzy--Good questions for them to ask. And avery good point that a mastectomy can be done now, recon later. That's the road I went, mast, then recon that included prophy mast of the other side 2 years later. The time in between I used for research and getting back some level of health and fitness, and that was super helpful.
Lit Teetotaler's DOTD:
BRANDY EGGNOG
What You'll Need
- 1 ounce brandy
- 1 1/4 ounces milk
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 1 egg yolk
- Garnish: grated nutmeg or cinnamon
How to Make It
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the brandy, milk, simple syrup, and egg.
- Dry shake without ice.
- Fill the shaker with ice, then shake vigorously for about 30 seconds to ensure the egg is well mixed.
- Strain into an old-fashioned or cocktail glass.
- Add a dash of grated nutmeg or cinnamon as a garnish.
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See I knew u gals could help me, I read this to Les and she actually listened and liked what u said, even about waiting for recon---This is all letting her know that there are choices to help her heal better and more questions-----I always said I know nothing, now I proved it.
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hi ladies. Day 2 on the road. Should be home about 630 ish Pee emm. Rain the whole way. Ick!
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Hi, Cami--from one Chicago "polar bear" to another. Although we're having a heat wave--it got all the way up to 14 today! As for Les, remember that one of the goals of neoadjuvant chemo is not just to shrink a tumor so that less extensive surgery will be necessary, or that chemo will work but to see which chemo regimens will work better. That her nodes are still "lighting up" and they're talking surgery means that afterward, they'll try a different type of chemo--to which stray cells are likelier to respond. But the focus has gone from "let's throw a different kind of spaghetti against the wall and see if it'll stick" to cutting out as much of the cancer as necessary first and then mopping up what might be left...but with a different "mop" & "detergent." First things first.
And I know every person's breast cancer is different, but my husband has a patient who was Stage III but had an arrhythmia that made some types of chemo inadvisable. She had a cardiac "ablation" procedure to regularize her heartbeat, a BMX, a different chemo regimen, an AI, and whole-breast radiation (including the clavicular nodes, not just the axillaries). That was five years ago--her hair is back to where she needs regular cuts & blowouts, her heartbeat is strong & steady, and she's NED. She's been a kind of "remote mentor" since my diagnosis, and we both ask Bob about how each other is doing. Another friend's wife, diagnosed Stage IV from the get-go, is still NED 14 years along...and still choreographing and teaching yoga.
A friend of mine who survived for 13 years (dx'ed with Stage IIB ER+ at only 29 and then with mets at 37) said that living with cancer is like having a pot simmering on a back burner. You just keep tending it and lowering the flame and throwing the lid on to keep it from boiling over when need be. "Am I going to die?" is a loaded and tricky question, since we're all going to die some day--even the youngest and healthiest ones. No one here gets out alive. The tougher questions to ask are "will this be what kills me?" and "how many years from now?" (and statistics say it will still likely be "years"). None of us can answer the first question for sure, unless we're pretty advanced in age and do or don't have anything else going on with our other organs...or if there is a bus with our name on it destined to hit us, a drug-resistant bug, or our plane falling out of the sky one day. And the proper answer to the second question, after "who knows, it's all just numbers anyway?" is "what can I do to make the most of my life, regardless of length?"
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Again,
Sorry for the disappearance. It's been crazy as we all have been for the holidays and of course feeling so horrible this round around.
Cami,
I'm so sorry to hear that the chemo isn't working for Leslie. And most definitely doesn't scare me. I understand we are all different. Even each round for me was different in how it went with the Red Devil. L I just wish with everything Leslie went through that the chemo had done more for her. L I sent my love and hugs as she goes into surgery.
Goldie,
That desk is beautiful!
It's been a wild crazy holiday season filled with ups and downs of treatment. I did not enjoy any holiday food as my mouth tasted of chalk. L Oh well. Yesterday I had a whopper and it was delicious! Lol! I will be sure to check in this evening. I feel like I'm going through withdrawals on this site now. J
I'm also still filling out apps, but once my DD gets up (yesterday I had to wake her lazy bones up at 900am) we are going to my cousin's for a playdate.
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Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy TGIF day. Going to be working for hospice today, and it's gonna be a cold day. 2 below the donut on the back deck this ayem. Very happy to have nice fuzzy warm pjs new from Christmas to wear and a nice furry warm Sadie to cuddle up to at night. I wish it would warm up just a little bit, it would be great to get out on the snowshoes and stomp around.
Cammy--glad we could help Leslie.
CynCyn--drive safe!
Chi--great info for Cammy and Leslie!
Karen--So sorry the holiday food didn't taste good to you. We all understand the energy fluctuations that happen during treatment, and around the holidays. Glad to see you when you can poop in. Have fun at the play date!
Lit Teetotaler's DOTD:
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Good Morning Ladies,
Oh Sandy Thank you. I knew u would give me good advice and I so appreciate u sharing with me. BTW I really like the pasta on the wall. Yes it's cold here way to cold for me, but Joey has been out, then again he's only 13. LOL
Luv these drinks NM, damn I wish I drank, but I do share them with others.
Karen I'm sorry u had a bad taste Christmas, I know with ours we have food just this time of year nd u really miss the whole experience. But there will be many more and u'll especially enjoy all of them. Ah good thing to do have a playdate, great to have ur little ones having fun. But I do feel with Leslie using all plastic silverware <like I did> helped us both.
Leslie, Joey and Marty re planning to go to the concert tonite and drive Laura to her DH, they always spend New Years together no matter where he is, she goes with. That's nice.
So, New Years Eve---what's happening---I like sandy's plan, whenever u can enjoy time with friends and drink in ur own home sounds good to me. All I'm doing is going to brunch New Years Day at Dan's with my family <which is great with me>---we'll see how Leslie feels and BTW she really appreciates all of ur input and happy I talked to u all about it. But she did say don't scare Karen, so Karen we all want to have u in clear thinking going thru this crap. Not hers.
Well have to set up my work stuff, wow we're busy way to busy for my feeble mind, they must know that by now, but I did tell Dan if he wants to let me go I really completely understand and I do. So we'll see.
LUBS U ALL
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Karen, I hope the weekly Taxol is easier on you. Mine was every 3 weeks, 4 treatments and it was then that I lost my eyelashes and eyebrows and any other hair left on my bod. Enjoy your play date out with your DD.
Sandy, it is a reaction from chemo. I am on oral chemo and have been for 3 years. SE is HFS. It's the chemo leaching through the skin. Not really a nerve thing like neuropathy. I like the pot on the back burner, simmering. Good way to describe cancer.
Cami, so glad you got to go out and enjoy the day. But so sorry to hear about the chemo not doing much. I believe that is what happened to Mary too. And why won't insurances cover things we need them to cover so we can live! I'm so sorry for the emotional roller that you are going through as well. Not sure I have any advice to give. My surgeon only removed 2 nodes and both were positive. Hoping her GF can offer some peaceful answers for Les.
NM, I can't believe how cold it is out that way. I know it is in MI, with no relief in the near future. I like the desk too! Will be bringing it in this afternoon. You know you can also look on Facebook Market Place for desks for sale in your area. I had been watching, but didn't see anything was going to match the rest of my decor. Will you share your alfredo sauce recipe? I forgot you make your own noodles, I'm impressed!
Cyn, you should be home by now. Donese is with you, right?
Just getting organized today with unpacking, laundry and such.
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Lori, so sorry it's HFS and that it's the chemo hitting the skin.
DOTD: whatever's hot.
Cold & snowy here. Gordy's flight to Houston was scheduled for 1:15pm. Last word is that he is at least on the plane, last ETD bulletin said 4:37. Hoping that because he hasn't texted me since 4:30 he's finally de-iced, in "airplane mode" and in flight...safely. His GF has been waiting at her airport since 4:15--hope she isn't freezing in the cell phone lot or paying through the nose for parking. Bob left his overnight bag home...and the roads home from the S. 'burbs are jammed and crawling. My housekeeper's car's heater croaked again (after it was "fixed") 15 min. from home this aft.--she's going to make the dealership tow it and give her a loaner for as long as she needs it. Two of my NYE guests had to decline: they are scheduled to get home from SC at midnight the 31st...and are now re-thinking coming home...if they can get the 2nd off. Meanwhile, I'm performing at a bar in Rogers Park Tues. night. No way I'm going to walk to & from the CTA stations carrying a guitar in the cold, and parking's impossible (as it is in any Chicago neighborhood with "Park" in its name). So it's Uber or Lyft, which will eat up whatever I'll be paid. Hey, it's all about the music...
Yay--Peapod's here, w/in its time window!!!!
UPDATE: Gordy's flight took off at 4:39.
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Cami
I totally forgot about the plastic wear, however, we didn't do any foods that required silverware. We are super classy like that. lol! I think you guys are so sweet to worry about me with everything you have going on.
I did panic a bit yesterday when my breast at the lumpectomy site became sore.Goldie,
I am set up for weekly Taxol at a smaller dosage. My Dr says that the side effects are "less" this way. It's a pain, but so is everything else. The DF's car needs a fuel pump, my brother (the one who passed) gave me his computer and that died finally. To be expected, it's really old...8 year old desk top. And the furnace is sounding worse. Man alive.
But we will figure it out. As long as we can pay for our home and food, we'll be just fine.
NM
We had about 50% awesomeness and 50% meltdowns and fighting..of course. The two boys at one point were trying to kill each other and then at one point the youngest gut checked my kid. lol! Those two are at day care daily together (under good conditions) so not surprising. A lot of apologizing, screaming, crying, and laughing for those under 6 apparently.
It's been crazy around here lately. I feel like I never have time (when I feel good) just to clean the house. Right now my daughter will sleep til about 700 or 800 so this is my time to be online. Then it's game on. Next week I'll take advantage of school starting up again and have my mom pick her up after preschool so I can have the day uninterrupted to clean...if I don't react horribly to the Taxol that is.
I also had to last minute help some friends with 2016 taxes. In October we began but I let them know to file online I needed their 2015 information to verify their identity. They couldn't find it...til yesterday. So I went back out to complete it...wouldn't you know, now they must mail it in due to the IRS shut down. Irony. And worst part - the huge chunk they want is the renters, which they just might lose because they won't send it before the end of the year. Blah! Well I did what I could I guess. It was such a pain to get in though when you are communicating via text and ithe site quickly times you out for security purposes. Guess I could have gotten on the phone...bah.
Well I need to get a few more things done online...
Have a wonderful day ladies!
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Sandy, hopefully Gordy made it safe and sound. I wouldn't walk in that cold either! You guys are really getting it!
Karen, you ought to ask that "uncle" if he could help with a new furnace. Bahahaha sorry, couldn't resist! Hopefully that weekly taxol will be easy. How many or long do you do this cycle?
Weather here is unseasonably warm. Suppose to be 70 today! And I can't tell when the last time was that we had any precipitation. My TM's went up AGAIN. Not much, only about 10 pts. Not going to panic yet and continue with the same treatment for now, at least until my next labs in 6 months.
NM, take a break today. DOTD "Chilly Willy"
- 30 ml Midori melon liqueur
- 30 ml malibu coconut rum
- 22 1⁄2 ml peach schnapps
- orange juice
- pineapple juiceDirections
1.Pour into shaker. Fill with orange and pineapple juice. Shake well.
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Goldie
Um...if I hadn't blocked him from Facebook (my only contact information for him), I totally would just to pi-s-s him off.
lol! Sounds like it wouldn't take much to do that though. Maybe I'll have my mom ask him tomorrow at the Christmas party. ha ha ha ha 0 -
Good Morning, Loungettes! Welcome to the Maine Deep Freeze. Minus 12 outside, with wind chill taking it down to minus 27 degrees. Yup, 27 below the donut. Got the space heater out of the bathroom and using it to warm up the cold spot under my desk and not caring what it does to the electric bill. Going to be a good day to have the oven going, so probably going to make some bread or cookies or something later. Maybe some corn bread, I haven't made that in a while and I love corn bread. Sadie was funny this ayem. I opened the kitchen door, she stuck her nose out and then backed up back into the house. Took 3 tries to get her out the door to piddle. She took 1 step off the porch, squatted, peed, pivoted and bounded right back into the house. You know it's cold out when the dog doesn't even want to piddle!
Cammy--glad the drinks amuse you, I have fun with them, too. No particular plans for New Year's Eve, I'd just as soon not be out on the road that night, and all the big parties around here are couples based, you know, tickets X dollars per couple. And I'm usually in bed long before midnight, and then watch all the ball droppings and such on TV the next ayem.
Goldie--I didn't know about Facebook Market Place, I'll check that out, thanks for the tip! The weather pundits were predicting a brutal winter this year, I guess maybe they were right. Making good Alfredo Sauce is pretty easy, the key is to use high quality ingredients. Melt 1/2 stick of salted butter, whisk in 2 or 3 tablespoons of flour and cook until smooth, whisk in 1 pint fresh heavy cream, stir and heat until the sauce just "smiles"--some small bubbles show but not simmering or boiling. Add a good sprinkle freshly ground pepper and salt, I use Merlot Salt, whisk until dissolved, then add a double handful of grated cheese--most use Parmesan, I likePecorino better, stir until melted. If the sauce seems too thick I'll cut it with a little bit of white wine, but you can also use half and half or milk, adding very little at a time until you get the consistency you want. Making noodles is fun, pretty simple but I get to play with attachments to the KitchenAide.The hard part is finding some place to let them dry where Sadie can't get at them!
Chi--Ah, the trials of air travel! Glad Gordy finally got off. Hoe the GF was someplace warm while waiting for him. I'm with your housekeeper--the dealer needs to step up and take care of the situation. Good idea to get a ride to and from the performance. It must be great to live where there are so many options for transportation.
Karen--The under six crowd can be pretty volatile emotionally, especially the boys from what I've heard from my friends with kids. I'm amazed that you can help other people with taxes. I can barely cope with my own! But then I've never really had a head for numbers.
Lit Teetotaler's DOTD:
Frozen Pear French 75
Makes 1 delicious cocktail
1 scoop Pear Champagne Sorbet
1/2 lemon
1 1/2 ounces gin, cognac, or brandy
Champagne
Scoop sorbet into a low glass (such as an old-fashioned glass or stemless wine glass). Squeeze lemon juice over scoop, then add liquor. Top with Champagne and garnish with a lemon peel.
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Woops, Looks like I bumped Goldie and Karen into the pool!Meet me at the swim up bar, Loungettes!
Love the Chilly Willy!
Karen--gotta love family drama!
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Good afternoon friends- last few days of the year. Been busy this week, and had a friend over last night for a good ketchup (as NM would say) and feel ready to start taking down the minimal Xmas decorations and getting those tucked away for next year.
I am a bit bummed today as as I was waiting for my friend to arrive last night, I looked down and noticed a stone was missing from an antique family ring I wear all the time. I have no idea what happened, the setting looks in tact, but perhaps bent and the stone slipped out. I have the ring insured but not sure if it will help with the repair but will call the insurance company this week and ask. My hope is that it may be around here at the house as I was here most of yesterday, but was to the pool and Walgreens. So I am cleaning and looking under the beds, couches, etc. I was busy picking up yesterday for my friends visit so possible it could be here. Anyways, I was grateful the stone missing was not the super expensive part of the ring (the diamond part) so I will see what I need to do to get this repaired. Things can be fixed, right?
NM- I heard it is bitter back east and can't blame Sadie for not wanting to go outside. Some of my friends with smaller dogs tell me they have to pick them up and carry them outside to to in this weather.
Goldie- too warm out here too, in the 60s and no moisture here for 85 days now. Ski resorts are a bust this year so far. My hope is that we are just having a delayed start to snow here, sort of like our monsoons last summer. Usually they start in July, but this year, they started in August and went through the end of Sept. I think we broke the record for wettest Sept this year. I hope you get settled in and unpacked and have a nice New Years.
Chi- I hope Gordie got home okay and had a good visit with the GF and meeting her parents. Sounds like they are getting serious with you meeting her and him going to meet her family in Houston. Exciting!
Karen- I am sorry Xmas was not very tasty for you this year. I know chemo kills the taste buds for awhile, but hopefully that will return with time. I know you have some time to go yet with the chemo but hoping this next part goes easier friend. You have your lovely DD to keep your spirits up?
And glad you blocked the toxic uncle on FB. Karma is always watching and said "I saw that."
CeliaC- good to hear from you friend! I need to go back and read your post in a bit more detail to respond to you more fully.
Cami- we are glad to help here and hope that Leslie can get the care she is needing to get through this. I hope your phone is not ringing off the hook this weekend and you and Joey can have some nice time together. I expect he goes back to school on Tuesday?
Teka- I hope you are staying warm in north country. Bitter cold your way too!
Mema- thinking of you sister and keeping you in my meditations for healing, sister.
CyndieLou- you get home okay?
I want to know any new years resolutions/intentions/goals any of you may have. GO!
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Actually, Gordy flew down to Houston yesterday (landing at almost 8pm, 2-1/2 hrs. late), and will be coming home Tuesday night. I'm trying not to be the "hover-Mom" who has to call and text constantly when he's away--when I was his age (or even 10 yrs younger than that), after letting my Mom know I'd arrived safely I would have been driven nuts had she checked in on me every day I was away. I assume he's having a good time and hitting it off with Leslie's folks as we did with her. I do know he's much, much warmer than we are!
Finally made it out of the house today to pick up some prescriptions & supplements, plus odds & ends for nibbles at midnight tomorrow (dinner's at all 7, so people will be peckish again by then). Not looking forward to the 1/4-mi. walk to & from the restaurant, but I did try on my long shearling coat and it fit over a thick fisherman sweater, so everything but my face will be warm. Right now, it's 1F and getting down to -3 by morning. They've added "lake effect snow showers" to tomorrow morning's forecast--which because of their unpredictability means anywhere between half an inch to a foot of snow. At least our steps & sidewalks are cleared. It'll be 6F by the time we leave the restaurant, and well "below the bagel" when guests begin to flag. I have one friend driving up from Minooka (60 mi. SW) and staying in Gordy's room; and am prepared to shoehorn people in overnight wherever I can.
And if need be, I will commandeer several Ubers (promising to tip well to offset the briefness of the rides) to get everyone back here.
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