Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?
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Smile Melanie. I am looking forward to having a drink with you all next year.
The last couple of weeks have been really hard as all the memories do rush back, Thank goodness for our group. I know you are all out there supporting me through this little hiccup.
I must get on with some work but was chatting with Catherine on Skype.
Melanie I am sending you a great big cyber (((((((((((((((((HUG )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))). And to all my other FCCers.
Alyson
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You gals are the ones that need the hugs...I am just fine. Seriously...thank you so much, but really just a little mushy...remembering. Also remembered all the fun!
LOL...."princess"...you are just too funny Catherine. I wish you could have seen this "princess" the last few months in the dirt and concrete mud and dust. My heels make my poor pedicurist flinch. Worse now since it has been almost 2 months since the last pedi. I am about ready for some serious pampering!
I don't think I have told you all that I am going to Boston! I want a second opinion on all my tests and treatments and Leah has determined that Dana Farber is the place. Hubby and I need to get away anyway for a few days. I am really looking forward to the trip and hopefully a nice dinner with Leah. Crossing my fingers for perfect weather. I head out there on the 16th. I have ct and bone scans on the 9th before I leave. Hate those things because of the high doses of radiation and such. But, I will take it for the peace of mind. I hope to get stretched out to a year this time around.
I will most certainly look forward to that drink with you Alyson
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Just looked in to see if any new posts but must tell story on DH
He sent email to DS last night, we had met someone who taught DS at a BC function we attended. I was surprised at the quick reply informing his father that he hoped we were waiting on results of the biopsy not autopsy!!! DH nearly fell off the chair laughing and I had to go and see what he had written.
I nearly didn't get to the function which was to announce some big events over the next few months cause I got a bad dose of nerves and everything seemed just too close for comfort. I made DH come with me for support but it was fine.
It is our 37th wedding anniversary today. Will probably go out to dinner tonight, which is how we usually celebrate.
Must get moving as I have to take my sister to the Doctors she had had a bug for days.
Have a great day.
Alyson
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Just dropping by to see if anyone had any news.
Congratulations on your 37th Alyson. Hope you had a nice dinner
I just got home from having an Echocardiogram and a StressTest. All was normal. I am cleared for my surgery. I have been having chest pain for about two weeks. I finally dug out my stash of Nexium and bingo, no chest pain. It really makes me angry that my insurance company in their "wisdom" decided they don't cover Nexium. I was on Prilosec OTC and it just doesn't work for me. I have something called "Schautsky's Rings" at the bottom of my esophagus. I have acid reflux, really bad. The only thing that seems to work is Nexium. I am going to call them and beg and plead tomorrow. They could have paid for the Nexium cheaper than they paid for the test I had done today. But with surgery coming and being under for 3 hours, the Cardiologist didn't want to ignore the symptoms. Always good to hear you have no clogged arteries in there. LOL
Catherine, your job sounds so exciting and very difficult. You must be really, really smart. Well, I already knew that. Don't work too hard.
I keep saying I am going to go and buy a new camera for the computer and load Skype on the desktop. I will soon. I would be embarrassed for anyone to see my husband's office and that is where the desktop is. He promises when he retires we will do a real overhaul of his office. He is a "borderline hoarder". Has a really, really hard time letting things go. I am a "toss freak". Go figure, opposites attract.
It looks like the deal will go through for us to sell our business and DH will retire. He hopes to figure out something to do part-time to bring in a little money. We can make it on our savings and retirement account and my SS check. I told him the other day, "I will be 70 on 9/15 and you are 58 and you are retiring, what's wrong with that picture" LOL I was kidding. My retirement is figured in with his. I am hesitant to give up my job as it is a 'peach of a job'. This week I am only working 2 days. The biggest problem with early retirement is medical insurance. I told him I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if he didn't have a policy for catastrophic events. He only goes to the doc once a year.
Well, I better get busy. Going shopping on the Internet for sheets and pillowcases. Odd size bed, Cal-King. Hard to find.
Hugs to call my FCCers, Catherine, Leah, Caryn, Melanie, Diann, Terry, Pat, Marsha, Alyson, and anyone I forgot. Love you guys, SammieKay Oh yeah, Hillary and Phyl
p..s. Terry, my DD neighbor's son plays for one of the Pirates farm clubs. His name is Robby Grossman and he was drafted out of high school by Pittsburgh. Just in case you go to a game where he is playing. He has gotten to play in one or two of the Pirates games. He said he was so nervous he didn't even see the ball the first pitch across the plate, but he did get a hit.
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Wish I knew how to add little dancing things, cause that's how I feel right now. I have just found out.
BS danced all around her rooms, she says she usually hates being wrong but this time it was so good. She had to read the path report about 3 times, then she rang me even thought I was about to go and get my stitches out.She and the onc thought it was something really nasty but it was a B9 growth which was probably caused by radiation..Actually SammieKay, Dh and I are going out to lunch very shortly as we ended up having dinner over with DD as I had looked after Bea all afternoon whilst her DH was at a meeting. We did drink some rather nice wine though. Bea is such fun as she is crawling and pulling herself up.
Must fly. Love to all and thank you all for the wonderful support vibes you have sent me.
Big Hugs
Alyson
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Alyson, these are cute... how did you do that?
Thank you again for the good news, so relieved for you... how was the concert?
Vegas, where did you disappear again? How are you doing?
11pm... I am going to bed!
Till soon, hugs to all,
Catherine
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I am also doing the happy dance....even though you can't see me for Alyson and Diann.
Bad news....my BIL (sister's DH) has just been diagnosed with prostate cancer....don't know anything yet...other than he will need surgery.
Hugs to all of you. ((((Marsha & Pat)))))
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Terry, wishing very early stage and localized tumor to your BIL... I have a couple of friends who went through this in the last 2 years and they are doing very well.
Hugs to all...
Catherine
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Yeah Alyson!! I am so excited you got good news too! I was in such a funk remembering and wondering where I would get the strength to do it again. I know you had to be just as excited as I was and I hope you and DH celebrated in style!! Sammie Kay, were you successful in your begging and pleading for the Nexium? And on another note, are your DH and mine related? He keeps all our records and heaven help me if I ever have to find anything in his office. The phrases "fire trap" and "spontaneous combustion" come to mind. He has piles everywhere - on the wall to wall wrap around workstation, on the tops of the cabinets above the wall to wall wrap around workstation, on the file cabinets, on the potshelves, on the sofa, on the chairs, on the floor (I think we have carpeting under there???) You literally have to leap (gracefully) over the piles to get far enough into the room where you must gingerly remove the pile from a chair (and find some place to put said pile) to be seated.
Terry, prayers for your BIL. Hope they caught it early!! When will you know?
Melanie, have fun on your trip to Boston! Maybe you and Leah can have pedis together too - with cosmopolitans a la Sex in the City.
Catherine, hope the pups are feeling better now and Carynn, good to see you too even if your manperson is usurping way too much of our girlperson time!
And a special prayer for Twilah who is indeed our angel.
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Hallelujah!!!!What a relief for all of us and especially Alyson and Diann.
I know you are so relieved and filled with joy.
We had the 3 grandchildren today, well I did most of the day. I am so tired. Still in my swimsuit with clothes over it. They love to swim in the pool. The 2 year old boy really liked swinging. We had a fun day and they were very good. They are girls, 6 and 9 and boy 2.
Gammie(that's me) is tired. Off to bed soon.
Well, I made the rounds of docs last week and some of the news was disturbing.
The neurologist says I need back surgery for Spinal Stenosis. I am researching it now. I am in constant pain, but pain pills work well. I will not quickly subject myself to this big back surgery. Would be a lumbar laminectomy and a foraminotomy. I am having trouble with legs and he says I will only get worse. I understand, but that is a big surgery and I won't let just any neurosurgeon operate on my back. Plus, I was reading about Laser Spinal Surgery. I will investigate that before I make a decision. I will move forward with the breast reconstruction, revision on Sept. 8 and hold the back surgery for consideration.
Well, off to bed. Love you all, Sammie Kay
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Alyson; I am breathing a sigh of relief with you...fabulous news!
Sammie; I have heard nothing but good on the Laser Spinal Surgery. My aunt just went to Ohio to have the surgery. I will try to contact her to see how she is doing. Sept 8th...coming up quickly!
Packrat husbands...oh yeah, I have one of those. I regularly go through and get rid of things. How is it that a man can't stand a cluttered house, but wants to keep everything? I do allow a few sentimental things...wide white belt from the 70's and his "cocksucker" hat...lol. That might get edited.
Training a new secretary today...have to run!
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I've been checking in to watch for everyone's news and I swear I posted. I'm losing it!
Alyson - I am dancing with you! I am so very happy over your news! (((Alyson))) Oh my! That was definitely LOL funny about what your DH wrote. Sounds like something mine (the king of bad spellers) would do.
Melanie - When are you going to Boston? Will be looking for more pix of you and Leah. BTW, about snorted water out of my nose on the description of your DH's hat.
SammieKay - Wow. Sounds like you and DH will be going through some big changes. When will you know if the sale will go thru? My DH has been retired for 10 years. Some days it's awful tempting to shut the door loudly when I have to get up and go to work and he picks a day to sleep in.
Wishing you the best there, and all good things on your upcoming procedures.Terry - My DH had prostate cancer the year before my dx. He is now doing great. He's now 3 years cancer free. He had (at that time) a new laparoscopic procedure. His recovery was a bit slow, but it was steady every day. And again, he's doing great now. Wishing the same for your BIL.
Diann - LOL on the visual of the office. My DH is exactly the opposite. Not quite ‘Felix Unger' neat. But really anal about his files / filing. Are you still going to go to NY? Keep us posted!
Catherine - I did see G's post about Julia. Her story is so heart warming and I just love that she got to meet her; the picture is just great! . My BFF's 18 yr old son is now working for his idol; a man whose poster he had on his wall while growing up. (He's a Skateboarder) How absolutely wonderful for one to be truly living their dream.
Leah - Love the new pic!
Time to hit the bed with a good book. If I missed anyone, it sure wasnt intentional. You are all in my heart everyday.
xoxo
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I'm thrilled that everyone's scares are over and all are OK. I also had my quarterly oncology appointment today and everything was fine. It's probably the first post-treatment appointment that I've had where I've had no red flags or medical issues or anything. What a relief! I've taken the rest of the day off, and I'm sitting here enjoying a nice glass of wine.
Hugs to all,
Hillary
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Hope that glass of wine was a good one.. Pleased you are feeling fine. I am procrastinating at present, need to speak to someone before I get on with this editing.
Big hugs
Alyson
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Enjoy, Hillary... so nice to see you here... If it were not only 5pm here, and if I was not in the middle of an urgent project due tomorrow, I'd go pour myself a glass of wine, too... ;-)
Thinking of you all, Pat is the radiotherapy helping with the pain? ((((((((((((((((((((Pat)))))))))))))),
Leah, good luck for the follow up with interviews...
Vegas, Carynn, SammieKay, Alyson, Melanie, Marsha, Hillary, Terry, Leah, Pat... take care, girls... (anybody else???)
Love to all,
Catherine
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Hi all!
Hillary - It's really nice to see you. We all miss you so much. I'm so happy to hear that you are doing well. If I had known you were having wine, I'd have joined you!
Alyson - How's the piece coming?
Catherine - My rhubarb friend! Did you grow any this year? We haven't had any and I keep thinking of strawberry rhubarb pie. Yum!
Nothing new or exciting to report here. Enjoying the long summer and waiting for the big monsoon storm predicted for us from Hurricane Jimena. Of course, now that we're all excited about rain, it will probably just fizzle out.
Just wanted to check in and say hey! Hugs all around.
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Just checking in with everyone and trying to stop coughing from all the smoke that has blown in from the California fires. It must be dreadful there if we have this much smoke so far away!!!
Has anyone heard the new song out by Bomshel called "Fight Like a Girl?" I am not normally a country fan, but if you listen to the song all the way through, you will understand immediately why I like it. I even made a ring tone out of the refrain for my cell phone.
You can listen to the song at: http://www.aimini.net/view/?fid=DfnzcuE3h94zsJ2W7Lbr
But if you like it, don't pay for the ringtone! Just email me at diann at greatlasvegashomes dot com and I can send it to you! Let me know what you think.
Hope everyone is having a happy productive peaceful and HEALTHY week!
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Wine is nice :-) Hello Hillary!
Pat; How are you today? You are on my mind and I am hoping you are managing the pain.
Catherine: I want some ratatouille!!!!! Can you come over to my house?
Leah; Pop in here and tell us about your weekend!
Carynn; Leaving for Boston on the 16th. Appointment is the 17th...then a couple of fun days! The "hat" is denim and my daughter actually wore the silly thing when she was a teenager...ugh. It's kind of a golfer looking thing. Hubby said that was what they were called in the 70's. I did throw away the beat up cowboy hat he had. For gawd's sake...it had a "Hooker Headers" headband. He has never let me live it down...especially since those things have been back in style.
Terry; I hope your BIL has some more info by now. He can kick this! I am certainly thinking of your family right now.
Alyson; Are you in full fledge Spring right now? I have trouble keeping up with your seasons. It is so funny to me that Christmas is in the middle of summer for you. We always hope for snow on Christmas, but it rarely happens.
Sammie; We were "retired" from 2000 to 2004. DH still raced and built cars, but we didn't have employees or TRUCKS to worry about. He was so happy when we started all over in 2004. He missed the challenges. I didn't. But, I can adjust to anything.
Vegas; I haven't listened to the whole song yet as it doesn't sound quite right on my laptop. I don't listen to country, but there are certainly a few songs I enjoy. I love "Roll with me" by Montgomery/Gentry. The message hits at the heart...I wanna...but I just can't...lol. But, I won't be asking for the ringtone. I have an iphone, but I just can't bring myself to use ringtones. I am just too "old school" in so many ways. Now...some of my friends have some crazy ringtones for me...eeeeks!
Marsha; You know that we all think of you...and love you!
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Melanie, hope you have a lovely trip! As for ringtones, I am a ringtone junkie!
All my friends and family have special ringtones that say something special to me about them. Including my baby sister who got "They're Coming to Take me Away, Ha Ha! They're Coming to Take Me Away Ho Ho! To the Funny Farm...." for those of you old enough to remember that 60's classic. LOL You would be surprised by how much just hearing a funny or special ringtone can brighten up moments of your day. 0 -
Good morning from what looks to be alovely spring day. Have been out for the paper - a bit chilly but looks like a beautiful day. More southern parts have had severe frosts, which will mean that the helicopters will be out over the fruit trees - and the grapes. They use water and smoke as well to shift the frost.
Was up early as DH was going to a meeting in Wellington about an hour by plane from here, would have liked to have stayed in bed but didn't happen.
Caryn, have had to put my own writing on hold as text-book is almost done and I seem to spend a lot of time discussing things with the editor. Also I am presenting a workshop on teaching history tomorrow so have to get that done this morning as I have Bea this afternoon.
Hope you have a great time in Boston Melanie, its one place we hope to get to visit next year.
Diann, was surprised about you getting the smoke from California but shouldn't have been as we get smoke from Australian bushfires here. The fires look dreadful from what we see on TV.
Catherine don't work too hard - have a break over the weekend. I have nearly finished another cardigan for Bea its a light summer one, very lacey.
Big hugs
Alyson
Love the song, Diann
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hi everyone. I finished rads 2 days ago and am pain free unless I move in a way that puts extra stress on the hip or knee. Getting up from a sitting position is still slow gowing. But I'll take it compared to how I was just a couple of weeks ago. Great to hear such uplifting happenings from you all!
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Thanks for the update, Pat... I am so glad the rads helped! I wish you a lovely week-end, not too hot if this is possible in San Antone...
Melanie, I am almost capable of fixing a ratatouille with my own crop: tons of cherry tomatoes (sweet like candies), peppers, 5 purple/white eggplants (so cute when they are babies), one classic dark eggplant and delicious zuchinis... it is so much fun to go in the yard first thing in the morning to see what "grew" overnight...
Phone ringtones? I must be the only "no cell phone" girl here... do not want any. Spending enough time at the "puter" as it is... This is going a true "labor" week-end... so many projects piled up...
Alyson, enjoy your Spring weather...
Well, have all a restful week-end, have fun with friends and family...
I have my Naturalization interview on October 6!!!
Love to all,
Catherine
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Good morning, all.
A perfect fall morning in Massachusetts. It has been beautiful all week, and another one predicted for next. Will hit the beach for sure next week, since it will be deserted with all kiddies in school. I love the beach in September and October. It is 50 at night, and 75 during the day. Perfection.
Let's see- I am so relieved that Alyson, Diann, Pat and Hillary are so happy with their results. It also helps you to see that you can face it and know that you could have gotten through whatever. was found. Hopefully you will never have to, but nonetheless...Sammie Kay, back surgery?! oh no. It doesn't end.
Face to face interview went well. I am overqualified for the job, so they will either have to upgrade it or go with a more traditional candidate. I will know end of next week.
So I am having some hardwood laminate installed to day in my living room in the condo, and then I will paint that room this week. 90% done. Only thing left to do is bathroom floor, which is bought, but not installed. The living room presently has a taupe carpet, which will be replaced by brazilian cherry. Last pallet at Home Depot- got a fabulous deal. I will leave carpet in bedrooms for now.
Catherine, I hear the Jeopardy theme playing as you wait for your interview for naturalization. Can they really say no?? And yes, SammieKay, Catherine is pretty brilliant with this medical translation stuff!!!!!
So next couple of weeks should be fun filled - apt. painting, more interviews probably, and then my 6 month scan on 10/1. I will make you laugh- when it got to the normal 60 days, and then the 90 days when I would have had the next appointment, I do admit to a moment of terror. What if there is something and now I have to wait ANOTHER 90 days to find it? I really had to laugh at myself after I had that moment (more like a half day) of pause....It is what it is! But the human psyche is pretty funny.
So raise a glass of whatever to us, as we sit here surviving and living and loving as we only know how to do.
Much love.
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Sammie; I hope you are not in too much pain today....get lots of rest!
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Joining Melanie here, to send big (soft) hugs to SammieKay... Hope you are going to be more comfortable after the "fix"...
Hi to everybody...
Wishing Leah a good week with good news (they should upgrade the job!!)... in the meantime, enjoy the beach (post a picture)...
Terry, I have such pretty eggplants (7)... I can't believe the production in my botanical lab here... green zebra tomatoes are delicious to eat even in salads (I thought I could only do chutney with those)... thinking of you...
Carynn, some rhubarb still growing, but not as big around as the Spring crop... I'll cook another batch soon (with apples and fresh ginger)... nice in yogurt or ice cream...
getting back to work... another deadline to meet... got up at 5 this morning to interpret on the phone from 6 to 7 (this one went faster than the 3 hours on the 25th!!)... a bit tired right now...
Take care, girls,
Catherine
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Here I am trying to stay awake, Lots of pain. Thank goodness for pain meds.
I was in surgery from 7: 30 am til noon. I was home by 2pm. I had a problem with one of my eyes. Real irritated. Guess it got too dry. They patched it, but it was almost as painful as the chest. I called my opthomologist last night. He offered to go back to the office and to examine my eye, but I was in way too much pain to leave the house, so I removed the eye patch and added artiritial tears as he recommended and it was much better today. The pain in my ribs is another story. But better today than yesterday. Can't really tell about the results, but I am very pleased with the comfort.. no feeling of having an implant in my arm pit. He had to reestablish the mammory fold, which had collapsed allowing the implant to fall toward my waist. That is fixed. He had to rework the pocket and all that repair is attached to my ribs. That is what hurts so much.
Hugs to all and when I am sober, I will write more. Love Sammie Kay
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Hi all!!
My computer time has been severely compromised while I finish doing some (machine) embroidery for DH's upcoming Air Force reunion. The design is complex and I'm lucky to get one done a night! But, I wanted to pop in and check on SammieKay. How nice to see your smiling face SammieKay!
I know exactly how your eye feels. I'm glad to hear that its better. It's bad enough to be trying to recuperate, you sure dont need to deal with that! Keep it moist with the artificial tears, they work wonders.
Sending you (and everyone!) lots of good wishes and gentle hugs. Hope you feel better real soon!
xoxo
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Sammie Kay, glad to hear you are safely back home and hope the pain is less today and that the eye is feeling better! Get lots of rest and let us know how you are doing!
I don't know about anyone else, but whenever I read one of Catherine's posts, I have to get up off the computer and go find something to eat!!
I am blaming her for keeping my extra 12 chemo pounds on. (My story and I am sticking to it. Is it my fault if my home is only stocked with Neapolitan ice cream and Gummy Bears??) Carynn, good luck with the embroidery. Sigh....I hear about all you super talented and creative women and all your wonderful projects and just think to myself about how lacking I am entirely in those fields. Got some yarn and knitting needles at the beginning of chemo to teach myself during all those nice quiet hours of sitting and managed a whole three inches on a scarf in six months. Maybe I should just send it all on to Alyson to make something for Bea - it's very pretty and sparkly yarn!
Leah, so anything new on the job??? Did you finish your home improvements?
Melanie, have fun on your trip to Boston. We decided to take a drive up the coast of California starting in Santa Barbara on the 29th of this month and ending in Napa on October 9th. We are stopping in at little B and Bs and have plenty of golf scheduled. That's the only way I can get DH to go along!
Finally got my MRI scheduled (after weeks of fighting for approval!) and going in next Tuesday. They wanted me to do a biopsy first of the lump (which has definitely shrunk in the meantime, thank goodness!) but we insisted on the MRI first to even see if a biopsy was necessary! I only have one good side with lymph nodes - don't want them poking around unless absolutely necessary. Now all I have to do is hope like heck they can even find a vein (which would be a challenge for even Count Dracula) and that I don't have an anaphylactic reaction to the dye.
Pat, how are you feeling? Marsha, how are you doing sweetie? Prayers for all and hope you are enjoying some beautiful fall weather!
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Good evening all...
Gently hugging you Sammie...so glad you are already having less discomfort. Every day will be better and better.
Catherine...I am so jealous. My garden is just about over. Down to 60 degrees tomorrow. Tomatoes are done except for the cherrie and grape ones. Still have basil, celery and spaghetti squash. I made some pesto...mmmmm! Diann...I am glad you told us the reason the weight won't go away....must be Catherine's fault!(just kidding of course) I love to hear what you are making.
Leah...any job news yet?
Well, my BIL will have prostate surgery on the 6th of Oct. Bone scan/MRI was okay. So they will still have to look at lymph nodes. I have been worrying with my sister. She now is understanding more of what we all went thru...and that the waiting for tests and results is the worst.
Well...back to the Steelers.
Love and hugs to all of you.
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Morning all
Just been out to coffee with some former studenst, it was lovely to catch up and here what they were doing. I am so impressed with them.
Quiet weekend this weekend not like the last one. I had a workshop on teaching which I gave, DH had a school reunion then we went to a party about three hours drive from here. The person whose birthday it was actually is in Canada, it was an excuse for a group of use who had lived in a small mill town to get together. It was great fun and we sent the photo's to our friend.
Haven't done as much work as I should have this week as we had visitors for 3 days. So it has been all go.
Sammie I hope things are progressing well. Don't rush things.
Terry I hope you BiL does as well as my brother did after his surgery.
I had better think about getting some things done around here but are rather slow as the RA has decided to play up, could hardly move yesterday and it was too wet to go for a reasonable walk.
Big Hugs
Alyson
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