Illinois ladies facing bc
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I'm Home! All went well. Not too much pain. A lot of bruising and swelling. Thank you everyone for your thoughts , prayers and {{{{{hugs}}}}}}. I took them all with me into surgery! I'll post more in the next few days. I'm just glad to be home! And I'm glad it's OVER!
Carol
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Hi Girls,
Good evening ..what a warm sunny day it was today. I hope you all were able to get outside and enjoy it. Today was a busy day at school with all the voting going on. Our school was a polling center and people did have to wait to vote. I hope everyone got out to vote today..
Wendy..Try to go slow when you start to run. It takes time to build up those leg muscles to run long miles. Maybe we can run 5 miles next week..are you ready lol
Laura..I hope you are feeling better. I do think that our hormones play havoc on our emotions on top of taking meds..please let your md know how you are feeling...sending you a big hug.
Jackie..How are you doing. Are you back to your old routine now. I do love the fall weather and the awesome colors on the trees too. Camp fires and burning leaves is a must for fall weather. Throw in the smores and I am good to go..lol
Carol..thinking of you and hope your surgery went well. Hope you are home now and resting. Do let us know how you are feeling.
JulieA and JulieB and Juliechicago..hope you all are resting and doing well..
Rita..how was your shopping trip. Did you buy out the store lol. What a great day to have gone golfing...hope you can come up for the lunch bunch in Dec.
Well for me I am off to do some work and watch the election returns...hope you all have a great evening.
Remember to be healthy..be happy
Blackjack
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Wasn't it a beautiful day?? I didn't have any work to do for my husband's business, so I had all day off. Worked out, voted, shopped, took the dog for a long walk- it was great.
Jule- I've been where you are- the day of my surgery, 8 weeks after my chemo ended, I lost my eyebrows and eyelashes! (which had thinned from the chemo but were still hanging on) Weird, but it was only the once and I have known some gals who lost both multiple times. I also had a lot of fatigue for almost a year, plus I still have some nerve problems from the Taxol. Good luck with the radiation!
Michelle- I have what's consider truncal lymphedema and I do manual drainage all the time. I was taught by the therapists at the Lymphedema clinic at Good Shepherd. Rita, they also used the Kenesio tape on me, but I didn't find that it worked that well. The manual drainage and massage worked the best.
Oh and for those who are interested, here is a link for the Fashion Alert bracelet like I wear. The Lymphedema tag I wear says simply"Lymphedema Alert This Side". There are other sites out there that also sell the Fashion Alert, you might be able to find it for cheaper, but this site has a large selection... http://www.colonialmedical.com/product.php?productid=20895&cat=545&page=1
To all the Julies, looks like you are all in recovery from some type of surgery! LOL. Hope you are doing well!
Carol- big hugs and best wishes for your healing as well.
Well I promised some photos a LOOOOONNNNGGG time ago, back before my computer angst, so here's a few!
LOVELY JULIEA ON HER WEDDING DAY-
RACE FOR THE CURE:
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And remember...
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Oh, can you take one more??
Here is my halloween costume:
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Great photos, thanks!
VITAMIN C WITH 5 YEAR AFTER DRUG?
I talked to 3 years out BC survivor and she is either on femara or back to tamoxifen and her oncologist said TAKE NO EXTRA VITAMIN C (she was a big one on vit. c)..with those drugs, it counteracts or something. has anyone heard of that? my naturapath had me on a detox with green food and 2 packets of 1000 vitamin C and other things (emergenc c lite with msm) daily (at least for 30 days, i havent gone back yet!).
Also, she is taking juice plus, but i would rather buy greens and fruit powders at store than buy from multi level marketing.... opinions?
I am on arimidex. Did i mention it's 509 vs about 894 for 90 days if you buy from CanadaDrugs.com ? I have used them for years for niece's high priced meds. 1/3 the cost usually.
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Hi Kater- here's a link I found on google:
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Anything Can Happen Shel Silverstein
Listen to the Mustn'ts,child,
Listen to the Don'ts
Listen to the Shouldn'ts
The Impossibles, the Won'ts
Listen to the Never Haves,
Then listen close to me --
Anything can happen, child,
Anything can be.Hi Everyone,
Wow is all I can say. I stayed glued to the T.V. till I fell asleep. I must say both candidates were very gracious to and with each other and I am glad to see that. We really do need to be united--no matter which side we are on. So many forget that if you peel off all the top layers....Democrats and Republicans all look alike and if we want to be winners at anything we have to respectfully work together.
Jan Clare I loved your Halloween costume. Glad you put that picture in for us.
And Rita....how wonderful you looked with Dave on the BC walk with Laura's team. I really enjoyed those pics.
I'm alone for today and tomorrow. Denny is on the way to South Dakota to pick up a car...a convertible I may not want to ride in due to size. It's an MG Sprite. Too small to suit me I think. Anyway its pretty much a turn-around trip. He will drive it back home tomorrow. Just in time to beat some winter type weather in South Dakota and probably plenty of rain on in to southern Illinois.
Julie....you did make a truly beautiful bride and it's wonderful to finally meet your fellar' even if it's only pictorially.
Well, I'm onward for the day which since I have no one to look over my shoulder will probably be pretty relaxed. Rain and wind are coming so it won't be long and the blowers will be going again.
Hope you all have a relaxing day.
Jackie
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My word what a LOVELY bunch of pictures!!! Cinderella you look divine!!! What a lovely couple you make!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING PICS JAN CLARE!!!!!
Carol how are you feeling? Let us know when you find out what kind of chemo ect you will have. Did you have to have a MUGGA scan on your heart. I had a bunch of tests before chemo.....having a PDA I guess made them think. It's amazing the number of DR's ect that have never heard of it.
Work is keeping me busy but settled into a routine. Hard to believe the holidays are fast approaching. Thanksgiving at my house...... Guess I should start to figure out how many people.
Back to work will check in later!
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Hi all - Just doing a drive-by to say hi!
Cute pics from everyone!
We had a nice Halloween and the kids had a great time - too much candy! Couldn't have asked for a better day out.
My kids had the day off yesterday. Our school decided a couple of years ago to clear the school during an election so they did conferences yesterday. I took the kiddos downtown to the Museum of Science and Industry. It was a ghost town as most kids had school. It was so great because we practically had the place to ourselves. They had a great time and we closed the place down. I voted in the am and had no wait at all.
See ya!
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JulieA/Cinderella and her beloved PRINCE CHARMING...OMG... I was all choked up seeing your wedding day photo! You two are gorgeous...even though I was fortunate enough to have seen you in person on that magical day... the photo says it all... You two look SO MUCH ALIKE... and guess what? I have read numerous times... that couples who look alike have a much better marriage and have less problems. OMG... you two are a match made in heaven!
JanC - Thanks for posting the pics... what a truly awesome day it was. Cats and dogs...too cute!
RITA - OMG - I did not notice Dave's message on the day of our walk... I was pulled in so many different directions...HE IS ONE HELL OF A GUY! Luv ya both... the photo of the two of you... priceless! You both look awesome!
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I hope you all soaked up the sun today! I did! It was sooooooooooooooo nice! Hope you're all doing well. I have been keeping busy...walked almost 6 miles today. Have a great evening!
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Morning! OMG...the sunrise this am is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen! I thought it was supposed to be rainy!
Jackie....you get your butt in that convertible, put the top down and go WoooooooHooooooo! I will post your pics as soon as myspace cooperates.
Connie...sounds like you had a great day. DH used to have the voting at his school but he had a long think about it...a building full of little kids, a building full of people you don't know. He didn't think in today's climate that made sense anymore so no more voting at his school. I think he's right too....you just never know anymore, do you? Shame.
JulieA...awwwwwww! I so remember your wedding day...you both looked so happy.
Karin...any plans to come to Elgin over the holidays?
Rita....I had kinesio tape on my back for the sciatic pain. I think it did help which now of course I am thinking I might like to try again! I wonder if I can just buy that from a medical supply house. I think my PT told me it was $15. a roll....let me know where you order it from. What it does for lymphedema is gently pull up the top layer of skin which lets the lymph fluid flow more freely...which is why it didn't work so well for JanClare and her truncal edema...she prob. would have had to use 3 rolls of tape!
Blackjack...I walk on the treadmill, do stepper and bike and of course all the machines at the gym so my leg muscles are pretty good...BUT...I need to get my wind back! I couldn't get on the treadmill at all yesterday and today I have a hair appt at 8 so I will try again tomorrow. I don't think my ankle/back liked running much but that is why I am limiting my running for right now...to see how it does. As for me running 5 miles with you...yeah..NO.
OK...gotta get going. Sunrise is now gone and clouds are here. Well, that was quick! Hopefully later I will be able to upload Jackies pics. Have a great day!
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OK...it worked!!!!! I think I have this right....this is Jackie's ex Mike with Alissa.
And....
Alissa!!!!!
OH Jackie...she is so pretty and sweet-looking! I cannot tell you how happy I am that everything has worked out so well for you and your family. Don't wait too long for another visit! Or better yet...how about Alissa coming to see you and Denny over a school holiday? Tell her for us that she has lots of Grandma's and Aunt's on this website!
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Good morning! It looks like the lovely Fall weather is leaving us today! Wendy TY and I walked yesterday and it was SO lovely.
Blackjack....I didn't forget you! Mary Jane, Wendy and I have discussed coming up to your area for lunch one day in December. With everyone's hectic December schedules, we found that we have December 8th...a Monday free. Would anyone else be available to do December lunch on that day? Even our weekends are filled with gatherings, etc. I haven't talked to Ginny yet but I'm hoping that she will be able to join us, too. She is still working so I don't know what type of schedule she will have then. Of course there is no need for us to come that far if most of you are busy that day so let us know what you think!
I have a much-needed eye appointment today. I really think that my eyes got worse after chemo. Anyone else find that you had a change in your eyes? We'll see what they say today. I need a new pair of glasses anyway. It's been so long since I bought frames (I usually only wear my glasses around the house) that I about had the "big one" when I tried them on the other day! LOL Talk about living in my own little world!
JanClare....Loved the picture. Thanks so much for posting the other pictures of the walk, too. Laura, you are so right! Dave is one heck of a guy! I guess I finally got lucky! It's too bad that I'm so "gun-shy" when it comes to guys now! I was also excited about JulieA's wedding pic! What a wonderful looking couple!
Jackie...what a lovely granddaughter! Thanks for sharing! I am so glad the you've had the chance to connect. What a blessing!
Well, I'll post more later. I need to get moving!
Rita
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Good morning everyone!
So nice to come here & see so many pics posted
Thanks JanClare for posting the pic of me & hubby... cuz we all know I won't get around to it until 2009 (or 2010!) And thanks for the very nice compliments from all of you, so sweet.
I've just been resting, recovering - the new girls look pretty good, considering they've only been there for a few days now.
Time to retreat to the couch with Buster
Hugs & hope you all have a great day.. JulieA0 -
When we seek out the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.
William Arthur WardGood Morning all
Well, a spot of rain for today, but all good things do come to and end. I can live with the rain but will bring much cooler temps with it. Drat....Glad you are on the mend Julie and that you have a new and improved you. Was thinking....are we better than normal sometimes. I often think so.....;the old me had some flaws that seem to have left with my cancer and that certainly is not a bad thing. Or---ahem, am I going to turn up other things in their place. Hope not.
Thanks Wendy for posting Alissa's pics. She is one of the greatest lights of my life and I missed her immediately along with my cute grandsons ( pics are coming ) and the whole Alvarez family. One thing that is new for me is that I think I'll never go back to not "having" vacation ever again. Kate and Robert already told me that and they are right.
Got to get to work......Have a stunning day if you can, and if not, just have a great one. Rain or shine it's your day.
Jackie
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Hi,
Just popping in a quick note. I'm around-- but just crazy busy now that I'm back at work, getting through all the Halloween mania, other family issues, house stuff-- um- life.
See PS tonight again- still an area of very thin skin he/I is/am concerned about. Will report after.
Loved seeing the pictures!
Ugh- meeting- (sneaking this in at work). Hope to write more soon.
-julieb
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Hey...Rita...12/8 will work for me, as will any date that you guys can/will drive.
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Carol/Berrypatch...how are things going? Need anything? We are here.....
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"You have a solemn obligation to take care of yourself, because you never know when the World will need you."
Rabbi Hillel
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RITA - I am open and up for the 8th of December...just keep us posted. AND...yes my eyes have become much worse since chemo...one of my BIGGEST complaints... bc - the gift that keeps on giving.
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Hope you're all doing well. I spent most of the day in court... my CASA case is nearing permanency... it was an awesome experience... I met all the people involved... including the little one... such an adorable little one at that. I have a lot to learn, but I felt totally comfortable talking to all the family members... which I have been told, most feel the most uncofortable with this portion....but not ME... lol I just jumped in and introduced myself. It's so surreal... that familys go through this... but thank goodness... we have systems in place to help them through it all. The case worker was great... very detailed and very commited... quite an experience.
I continue to exercise and try to get myself out of this "funk"...it's working. I'm juicing... like crazy! Lots of good - yummy things like spinach, kale, garlic, flax, lemon, orange, tofu, etc. LOL My dh has literally been on the verge of VOMITING... just looking at what I juice and then digest... OH WELL! lol
Be well... be happy... and just BE!
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Carol-sending good vibes your way for speedy healing.
Nice pics - thanks for sharing Jan and Jackie.
Laura- 6 miles? Wow, I wish I had your get-up-and-go! I am proud of myself when I do 1 mile on the treadmill
!!!! I just can't seem to get into an exercise routine, and I really should because I know how important it is. Rita-My eyes are changing alot lately. Not sure if it's post chemo related or just aging. I too need to go for (reading) glasses.(I had lasik 6 years ago.)
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Loved the pictures! I hope a large group can get together for lunch in December. I got what hopefully was my last shot today. I'm looking forward to chemo ending. Last one is tomorrow!
JulieA - You looked stunning! I'm glad your recovering well. Is it true??? No drains?
JulieB - I had problems with the skin healing. I know how scary it can be. Hopefully it just needs a little more time.
Carol - Glad your home and hopefully more comfortable.
Rita - Chemo brain...I kept meaning to say something to you about Dave's sticker. He's such a teddy bear.
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Yay WendyTY - last chemo!! hurrrrrayyy!! I'm so happy for you. And yes - NO DRAINS!! I was so happy to see that when I woke up. What a difference in the comfort level - well, and the fact that this surgery was so "minor" compared to the mast. Ugh.
Julie - good luck @ PS. I hope everything comes out okay. You've been through enough. No more icky stuff for you. And that's final
- Buster says so.Jackie - alissa is such a pretty girl!
I've noticed alot of you talking about exercising, etc... I really need a kick in the butt ladies. I've been on the "woe is me" diet/exercise plan again... eating tons of garbage & being a slug. True, I can't really work out right now after surgery.. but... I can feel the waistline expanding. So please send me a virtual smack-to-da-head.
Mich101 - maybe we can help boost each other in the exercise department too
Okay, time to go watch Survivor.. and keep my hand out of the Halloween candy.
Have a good night ladies! JulieA
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Morning! 36 on my deck...guess the summerlike weather is gone.
Count me in as one who's eyesight has gotten worse...but I attribute mine more to Herceptin as I started having problems months after chemo. My night vision for driving isn't very good at all...something about street lights and halos and my eye doc said he was sure it was the H and could last a few years! So....I don't drive much at night.
JulieA...put that candy down NOW, young lady! (did that help?)
Please send good vibes out for my DH's niece....she got a call-back on her mamm...they saw something and they want more views, US etc. AND....she can't get in until late next week. I guess she knew about it for the past 10 days but didn't tell anyone, didn't want to worry anyone. We all know call-backs are so very common, but...well...you know.
Laura...6 miles???? Good gosh, woman! And.....all that stuff you are drinking? Well....I think I'll stick to diet pepsi, coffee and white wine. Kale, garlic, flax??????? Uh...no.
WendyTY.... YAY!!!! No mo chemo!!!!! How's the hair coming?
Julieb...what did the PS say last night?
Off to shower and get to the gym. Hopefully one of the treadmills will be free. Have a great day everyone!
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"Peace is not won by those who fiercely guard their differences, but by those who with open minds and hearts seek out connections. "
-Katherine Paterson
BRRR, morning everyone. So glad things are going good for you so far with your Casa experiences Laura. I will be following your progress very closely. I wrote a note to the Social Worker who originally contacted me and thanked her for being there for Alissa and helping transition her into a 'different and new' life filled with all her maternal family. She wrote back saying I had made her day with my eloquent words and people like Alissa and her family are what encourage her to stay in this field.
Well, it's official....I will not ( I already really knew this ) be riding in dh's little MG Sprite. Too small for me and sits too low to the ground and at my age I just don't care to do that to myself. Just between we girls....I think driving the thing home ( 800 miles ) may have seriously impacted dh's original enthusiasm. He certainly was not bubbly about it this a.m. The convertible part is nice but that is where it ends for me. I have never been a huge fan of small cars and this one looks so glaringly small and the interior is not comfy what-so-ever.....so hope he enjoys.
I too have to get some spunk and spark going for my eating and exercising program. I'm still trying to catch up with all the things that stopped during my vacation and probably no big surprise to anyone.....I'm still smack in the middle of don't really want too and I'll have to get out of that fairly quick here and get going. Lost my wt. from vacation but in a holding pattern now.
Julie A....I still have a bit of candy still around but we really can't let it go to waste now can we????
Ok, got to get ready for work. Talk to ya'll later.
Jackie
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Hi gals!
Well...I can see! I went to a young eye doctor that I really liked! He told me that there is a definite correlation between chemo and eye sight. He says the chemo affects the eyes just like it does the rest of the body, but according to him, it is not a continuous deterioration process. They think that the drugs change the fluid levels in the eye, thus causing minor changes in the ability of the lens to focus. It seems to be a one time change and not cumulative. (However, it usually doesn't correct itself, either.) Anyway, he changed me from monovision contacts to bifocal contacts and I can see better than I've seen in the last two years. Now I need to get a new pair of glasses for the "off times" with my new prescription. I can't believe the cost of the lenses. They're twice the cost of the frames! I found a pair that I really liked and then decided to look around and check out lens cost, which seems to be pretty consistent in our area. Decisions!
Wendy TY, I will call you later today! This is it! No Mo' Chemo for you, gal! You did it! YES!
Carol, glad that you're home. You hang in there and rest! I'm sending good healing vibes your way!
JulieB...glad to see a post from you and glad that things are going better. When my son was little...eons ago LOL, I loved this time of year. It was so much fun to view October, November, and December through the eyes of a child. Cherish this time!
Laura...Wow! 6 Miles! That's twice as far as Wendy TY and I are walking and we're even tiring out her dog! LOL We haven't been real faithful about this and need to get a better routine scheduled, but we're trying! I do know that exercise is SO important. Now those juices?????? I'm afraid I'd be like your hubby! LOL Still, I'm glad that you're being pro-active when it comes to this! I need a little more of your determination. Send some my way, will ya???
Well, I only have three weeks left to get my book completed so I need to get to work. I have most of the day to work today without major interruptions so I should get a couple of sections finished.
Have a great Friday!
Rita
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Hi,
PS canceled meeting last night- was stuck in surgery. Am rescheduled for Saturday. Thanks for all the sweet notes though. I will report over the weekend after I see him.
I, too, am trying to get back into exercising....I work in a 12 floor tower and am trying to take the stairs whenever I can, but in truth, that's about as much as I've managed. I'm seriously battling leftover fatigue and it's just so frustrating right now. And my appetite- wow, has it returned- with an unfortunate vengeance. A psychic sigh of relief thing I guess now that the surger(ies) are over probably-- I find myself wanting to just eat everything in sight. Not good with the Halloween candy all over the house. It's coming with me to the office next week-- and I'm putting the basket faaaarr away from me. We have signed the kids up for swimming lessons at the Y Sat. mornings. I thought it would be a good way to get my butt working out then as well-- I seem to be functioning better in the mornings right now. Hopefully, Laura, I'll be joining you with the 6 miles again some day. Dave and I once enjoyed running 5Ks together. Would like to set a goal of getting back to that--- only am a bit unsure about running with this implant. Need to ask about that. Does anyone here run with an implant??
Wendy--- YAY on the end of chemo!!! I have the end dates of my chemos (both times) etched into my brain-don't expect I'll ever forget them.
Sat night we have a babysitter---first night out for the two of us since....I honestly don't even remember when. Hope I can stay awake!
ok- back to work with me.... more this weekend post PS visit.
-julieb
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Morning everyone - it's chilly as heck but the sun is out, which always makes me happy!
I was just on Ebay listing one of my last beloved designer purses... farewell, Fendi!! lol!!
Jackie - I personally like big cushy vehicles myself due to an old injury.....although many of the little cars are really really cute, for sure!! I'll have to do a search & see what the MG Sprite looks like, now I'm curious.
OK ladies - I sent ALL of the candy with DH to his work. Every bit of it. Then I got out my favorite jeans - they button, but they are s-n-u-g. So that's it - I'm back on the "Eat Healthy Most of The Time" wagon
I'm allowed to start gentle excercising in one more week, so that's next.Last night I had a mini-breakdown, just feeling really sad & depressed & angry about everything that's happened in the past 4 months (minus my wedding of course!), and cried for the first time in a while. And then I realized that stuffing my face with 12 peanut butter cups was only making me feel worse... so, that was the revelation.
Well I'm off to sign up for some Microsoft refresher classes - I want to brush up before I put myself out on the job market come January!
Hugs everyone - enjoy the lovely sunshine while we have it. JulieA
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Howdy ya'll.
I wait entirely TOO long to read. So hard to catch up. By the time I read things and have a great comeback, the moment has so passed by! I don't remember who said what about what, but...
LYMPHEDEMA PREVENTION - I was at an LE Clinic and learned more about it then I was expecting to. I am chronicling everything I learned here http://littlec123.blogspot.com/ because when I was looking for information on line, I found almost nothing. if you want to give it a read. I have some information on there, but have TONS more to post yet. - BE CAREFUL YOU MASSAGE ARM IN THE PROPER DIRECTION!
BROWS & LASHES continue to fall out?! Damn. Mine just started coming back. But I'm thankful you guys gave warning, so I won't have another conniption meltdown if they all fall off again.
WENDYK - It just hit me, could the 12/12 explain why we attract D.A. dorky idiot jerk neighbors? (one day, I'll share pictures of mine. They were total idiots and I couldn't resist the perfect photo opportunity & videos before calling the cops - partially to protect the underage girls drinking) So sorry to hear about the niece! I am sending prayers & healing thoughts her way.
I missed Breast Cancer Diaries (I like Anne Murray) - did anyone see the Lifetime movie "Living Proof"? It is hard to watch stuff like this yet. The sting is still.... Stinging.
5 miles? 6 miles? 1 mile? Hell I'm happy if I make it through the store. (Trick or Treating a mile with my daugther killed me. I noticed it the second I sat down and the residual effects lasted 5 days. GO YOU GUYS on the healthy!
Eye site worse? Yup. Add me to the list.
I didn't see anything on NOV get together..... has that been decided yet? Or did I not see?
Did I tell anyone this yet.... I asked for information of a cancer advocate about disability, (I know there are guidelines when disability does apply) the woman never asked my situation, and instead said..... get this........ "You SOUND over educated to collect disability." Nice to SOUND that way, even though I'm not very educated, but WHAT DIFFERENCE does education make? I paid into it for years, what difference does my vocabulary or accent or lack of make?
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Hi,