Im bitchy, I moan, I groan.....anyway.
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Reading all the mouse stories brought to mind that I had never even SEEN a mouse until I was an adult. The first time, I was working at a design studio in Manhattan as a studio manager...had my own taboret for supplies. So I opened it one day and out popped a mouse. We didn't even know we had a problem so the shock of it caused me to scream like I was being murdered.
Next time was when we (me, then-h, and son) moved to a larger but lower down apartment in our building. It had been left empty for a while (warehoused for potential flip to co-op) and the mice had gotten into everything. Our solution was "get a cat". But it turned out to be a scaredy cat. It saw a mouse run across the floor and instead of getting interested and running after it, it turned and went the other way and hid. H and son ended up being allergic to the cat, so when its one possible productive use proved pointless, we put him up for adoption.
Finally, when I moved back to my family's home several years ago, I would hear scratching, scampering noises across the ceiling of the finished basement. It turned out a family of mice had moved in.
I found them when I was getting a suitcase from the storage room, and I heard small squeaks coming from inside. When I opened it, there was a nest with five little baby mice, so new they were still pink and each only about the size of a peanut. The babies died without their mother around, and the adults were caught and disposed of within a few weeks.
Now, I never leave a suitcase unzippered or unlatched, and all boxes are sealed. And I still haven't found out how they got into the house. All windows are secure. There must be a space I can't see between the foundation and the walls.
And I know I'm tempting fate here by saying we haven't heard any scampering yet this year, so maybe they have found a better house to inhabit.
And might I add an SOI? My tumor marker test which had risen slightly into the "red zone" in November (just after rads ended) came back down nicely in December, back in the normal range. So, except for the fourth consecutive head cold I've had since Halloween, I'm feeling happy and healthy.
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Hi, everyone! I've been out of touch for a few days & have missed you all. I see the mouse subtext continues - LOL. I think we have the makings of a book of mouse stories. I also hear that the animated movie, The Tale of Despereaux, about a spunky mouse, is wonderful so perhaps we should all watch it to help us in our dealings with them!!
YAY to both Nancies on negative tests!
A very large THAT SUX to Jane. Shoot, Jane, cellulitis? You know who I want to pummel, don't you? That freakin' dentist, who caused you to pick up cellulitis in the first place. @#$%#&*!!!!
Ladies, I have a non-cancer IOS: my dear, sweet, cuddly, but getting old kittycat Chloe may have developed renal failure. She had an awful systemic crash of some kind on Christmas night -- really weak, could barely move, didn't eat or drink, awful. She gradually got better over the next fews days but still isn't right. We see her doctor today. She's 16 & renal failure is the most common cause of death in older cats. I know there are some things I can do to keep her going for a while. We'll see. MY BABY!!! I've been through this so many times & it's always awful. Here's her picture again, from a few Christmases ago:
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Awwwwwww {{{{Kathi}}}}} So sorry Chloe is having these problems. Hope it's something simple to fix, like she passed a stone and is recouping now, but sending good thoughts with that hope.
Hang in there, our babies are just that...lifetime babies....it's hurts when we know they are hurting just as it does when a child is. Many {{hugs}} and Pats for Chloe and you.
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I hope your vet appt. goes well Kathy. Or at least Chloe's.
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NancyD - WooHoo on the tumor marker score!! If I were clever, I'd post a cool picture...however...
Kathi - hope all goes well with your old kitty.
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Kak all the best with your kitty. I have a 15year old character limping around my house named forest gump.He is terrified of the vet so i only put him through these visits when I have no choice.These old pets are just like our own children. Best wishes for the new year.
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Hugs to you and Chloe, Kathi...
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Wondering how things went today Kathi? Everything okay I hope?
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I'm also wondering. Hope kitty is going to be ok.
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Thanks, all of you, for your good wishes & support about poor Chloe. The vet wants to do some bloodwork & Xrays, so he kept her overnight. Oh, my poor girl. He's not sure what to think. Could be her thyroid, could be her kidneys, could be something we don't know about yet. So, he'll get some info & he'll know more tomorrow & I'll bring her home for New Year's Eve.
I'll tell ya, wish all my docs were as nice & as conscientious as my vet!!! So, this makes a change for us, eh, waiting for kitty test results instead human test results? I'll let you all know what I find out tomorrow.
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Aw...so sorry you had to leave her there, I know that hurts too, but hopefully it ends up thyroid issues or something. I didn't even think about that with cats. My dog was on levothyroxine (higher dose than myself ) for years. It helped her immensely. For one, she had always put on weight double her twin all through life, but there were other telltale signs I didn't know about till the vet pointed them out. Hopefully that's is with your little chloe and the meds will give her the kick to get her moving again
Betsy (my pup) had problems with drinking lots and peeing a lot also as a result of the thyroid problems, even peeing in the house which she NEVER did for years before that, so hoping it's the problem you are seeing Kathi! Keep us posted 0 -
Kathi
I hope Chloe's tests will show only a thyroid problem... Cats are very susceptible to thyroid issues. I'll keep you both in my prayers! It is hard when you have to leave your fur baby at the vets!! Please keep us posted!
HUGS
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Well doesn't life just SUCK!!!! Mine has lately and something tells me it won't be a happy new year. When is that, tomorrow???? I saw the onc Monday and he could feel the spot on my chest taht I thought was the cancer growing and he agreed with me. I had scans today and I saw the spot on my bone scan when I looked at the screen Just not sure if it is expanded tumor overgrowing the sternum again or more rib involvement. I just have to hope this stays bone infovlvement only! So that is what I get to find out for New Years.....Oh boy, I can't wait! I was basically told by a SIL that it would be an inconvience for me to be at her house with all my other brothers would be there, wtf????? She is having all kinds of people visiting on Friday and my family will just be too many more and cause her all kinds of stress. I was so angry after that phone call and then my younger brother showed up at her house tonight and she acted like it was no big deal. I told him i just don'w ant to go, can't stand phoney people like that! I have more to worry about like my life! Oh well, just another step in this lovely road of life....
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Luann ---A big "that sucks." sorry to hear your news. Funny you doing the scan today, I have a bone scan tomorrow. With any luck, I'll get in and out of NYC before all the party folks show up for the ball drop.
Hugs to you. Sorry you have to deal with a SIL from H***.
Mr. Flash and I send New Year greetings.
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Hi All,
Kathi, sorry to hear Chloe is under the weather, hope all works out for her
Luann, good thing we can pick our friends hey! Sorry to hear your family is not very supportive. I thought my aunt who had bc would be a good support person for me, last time I saw her, she pretty much ignored me. My mom has told her not to call right now as I am dealing with my 'stuff', at least she hasn't called, don't really want to talk to her now anyway.
Flash, good luck with your bone scan tomorrow.
Well that is about it, hope you all have a very Happy New Year.
Penny
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What a great thread! I have so needed a place to whine and hear a sympathetic, "THAT SUX!"
I was wondering why I hadn't found this place months ago -- it would have saved my sanity a couple of times -- then realized it was because of the name of the Forum -- Moving Beyond Cancer. Since I don't feel like I have, I never bothered to check it out. D'oh!
My post-treatment whine -- lymphedema (it really pisses me off!!), neuropathy, permanently thin spots on my scalp, 2 biopsies, a US, an x-ray, severe chemo brain -- enough to warrant a brain MRI, a new supervisor at work who jumped on me when I was most vulnerable following the death of my mother in Jan, the constant worry of triple neg status, a crappy onc.
I have much to be grateful for -- clear tests so far, good husband, healthy sons, beautiful new grandson, returning strength, a wonderful breast surgeon -- but that's for another thread.
A sympathetic EWWWW for all those dealing with rodents -- been there, done that (((shudder))).
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Geez Luanne, sorry you have these worries and more crappola to deal with. Wish we could all come and have a big old bash with you for new years!
Kathi......beautiful kitty, hope the vet can help her.
Mice???? Last time I saw one was in my laundry tub. I didn't know what to do. I panicked, filled the laundry tub part way with hot water and left it to drown! OMG! I felt like a monster after doing that!
Hope everyone has a better 2009!
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Luann: I would love nothing more than for them to take a closer look at the scans and conclude that . . . well, they're just a fingerprint or something. And you def deserve a "do over" where family are concerned.
I'm okay over here. The 143 tests have ultimately come back (mostly) fine (the stuff on the hip bone WAS there in the spring, it just hadn't been noticed). I have a final mamm on Friday. Still trying to pack up my apartment. And my to-do list keeps begetting to-do lists. My big sister arrives this afternoon. It will be the first time I've seen her since we learned that all three of us girls have the BRCA2 gene. (That reminds me, I need to pick up some wine.)
Will sign off for now full of thanks that you were all part of 2008 and wishing everyone a happy-and-healthy-as-possible 2009.
And thinking, thinking, thinking of AlaskaDeb. And RanD.
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Popping in to send hugs to those having a sucky day, week, month, year. Sending you all hugs and prayers.
So far nothing sucks today but that could change in an instant as we all know too well.
Here's wishing you all a much better New Year...happy , healthy,joyful and full of love.
V
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{{LuAnn}} BIG THAT SUX lady! Sorry about it all, including the continuing crap with dil
Maxgirl, A big that sux and a warm welcome to the B*tch, moan and groan club
Rock, enjoy that wine with your sis! Sounds like a fun time in spite of it all!
Wondering too about Deb? Has anyone heard from her dh at all?
Wishing each and every one of you ladies a very healthy and quiet 2009, without scanziety, test, tx, Rx, Docs..... and prayers you all get to that point in your life where life isn't ALL B*tches, Moans and Groans!
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Hey all....
Cute kittie!! I hope she's o.k.
Welcome Maxgirl. Sorry about all your crap.
(((((((LuAnn)))))) Girl, I just want to come up to OH and kick some in-law *ss for you!!!! Some of the stuff you say is hard to believe it's so bad!! I agree with you....just don't go. Don't set yourself up for the upset. You certainly do not need it. I'm sorry about your most recent scare LuAnn. You really deserve a break girl.
Happy Friggin' New Year. It's hard to believe in a month and a half it will be 2 yrs since my dx. Man, how life has changed. It sucks.
Hugs everybody,
Traci
PS My last two voice mails and emails have gone unanswered from Deb's husband. Maybe is so cold in Alaska....electronics no longer work!
I'm gonna go check the other threads to see if anyone else has talked to them.0 -
Hi Ladies!
Maxie!!!! Welcome to the bitch thread!!! You will love it here! I am so happy to see you. I'm sorry you're still dealing with the post chemo crapola. Get over here and give me a big hug!
LuAnn, so sorry about the spot that seems to be growing and the rude SIL! Grrrrrr! I believe the shovel crew is available, though. :-)
rock, glad you're fine and survived the multitude of tests.
KAK... thinking of your kitty... don't forget to let us know.
I'm also wishing a wonderfully happy New Year to all of us! We SO deserve it!
Miss S
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A big SUX to all that need it! I've been lurking on this thread for weeks (and if you don't check in frequently, it takes forever to catch up) and appreciate everyone's sucky issues....crappy in-laws, burglers, sick pets, tests and scans, etc. It never ends huh. My big sux issue - came down xmas eve with fever and chills and very sore boob...turns out its cellulitis. Antibotics are knocking it down now but does this mean I'll get lymphedema? Ugh....BF's parents have been here since Dec 6 and wont' be leaving till Feb 6. His brother and nephew have been here for 2 weeks...geez don't ppl know when to go home for gawd's sake. Happy new year all and lets hope 2009 is a better year for everyone.
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All right, I had this nice long personalized message written & my stupid internet browser decided to shut down & restart, so I lost the whole thing. GRRRRRRRR!!!!!
LuAnn & Flash, good luck with tests & scans. LuAnn, can't you divorce these moral nitwits you are related to by marriage??
Booby, jeez, now you AND Jane have cellulitis! Hope you are both all clear soon.
Rock, take big cleansing breaths tonight with your sister while you drink that wine. You will get everything done & you will get to start your trip.
Welcome Newbies & a large HOLY SUCKOLA to newbies & oldies. Max, I had a boss like that once, like a shark, always headed for the blood in the water to add insult to injury. And guess what? I started a guerrilla action with Human Resources & got his nasty white butt FIRED!!!!! HAH!!!
Chloe asked me to send her purrs & to post an IOS for her. She's okay for now, no thyroid problems, no kidney problems, but she has a little fluid around one lung & she has to get an ultrasound next week. Her doctor says she might have incipient congestive heart failure or maybe even cancer. She feels right at home here with all you ladies & your complaints. She was VERY happy mom came to take her home today & she wants to make it very clear that she felt completely justified in hissing at the doctor & staff for jabbing her in the leg -- TWICE -- & making her lie still on that cold table while that weird camera took pictures. She says the vet is lucky she didn't scratch his eyes out, but she does not carry on like that, because she is a LADY & not an alleycat.
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Just a quick mark my spot and will probably be lost when I get back from my PA trip! Onc called and said the scans showed stable, just the sternum and 3 ribs involved. I told him funny the last one showed two ribs involved. So he back tracked and said we will compare when the reports are officially in, we were looking at the prelim's. Anyway, he set up for me to meet up with a rad's onc to do SRS or cyberknife to my sternum and zap this tumor that is reluctant to die! I'll teach that sucker I meant business when I told it to get the he!! out of my body!!!!
Happy New Year to ALL!!!!! Flash good luck on the scan and getting out of the insanity on time!!! I really hope this board fills with only SOI's instead of IOS's here in the new year!
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Mice, cellulitis, crazy in-laws, chemobrain, BRCA2, multiplying to-do lists and other mess - sorry for all the suckage! Life truly does bite sometimes, doesn't it?
Now listen to my crap (brace yourselves - it's long and whiny)...
My hubby-to-be (H2B) is a coach at the same high school we went to many moons ago. The school district incorporates parts of two towns and an entire city. Lots of economic woes in the inner city these days, but there are always economic woes in the 'hood, it seems. Many of the kids on the team have so much sh*t to contend with it isn't even funny. Case in point: one young man - a good student, respectful, a good athlete and all that - had his mom come home one day and say to him and his 18-yr-old and still-in-HS-siser that she was moving in with her boyfriend and, since there wasn't enough room for them, they'd be on their own, which shouldn't be a problem, she reasoned, because they were old enough to take care of themselves (the young man just turned 17 and is a junior in HS). So, they did what they could to survive - including him getting a job at a local outlet mall (well, it's local to me because I have a car; for him it is a 40 minute bus ride each way). Every night after practice, he walks to the bus stop, goes to work then gets home afer 11pm to walk home and prepare for the next day...
The place he and his siter were staying in got condemned and they had to go. An aunt took them in, which was great, but she was on a waiting list for Section 8 housing. A few months ago, she was notified that she's been accepted or whatever - but, since she applied before the young man and his sister moved in, her new place will not have room for them. The sister, who has since graduated from HS and is working somewhere F/T, is moving in with her boyfriend. The young man will be homeless as of next week. H2B is set on having him live with us.
Let me say that we've taken kids in before. A year ago, we had another young man who lived with us for two years. Before him was another young man. Our house has been like a hotel. Of course there are economic issues associated with having folks not related to you live in your home. Water, electricity and grocery bills all increase. And no, none of these parents contributed a dime to their brood's upkeep...
The last two year stent almost bankrupted me (I take care of the groceries, water/sewer bills and garbage fees, all of which increased substantially). Now that the regular grocery bill for the three of us is giving me heart failure everytime I buy food, shopping for four will most definitely hurt. Bigtime.
The young man who will be out on the streets next week lost his father a few years ago and does get SS benefits as a result. A tiny protion (as I do not want to take more than is needed) can be used to offset his living expenses and he can bank the rest (he'll be looking for a closer job when he moves in so he has more time to concentrate on keeping his grades up), but I just realized that SS benefits will end when he turns 18 - which is in about 7 months. I mentioned this to H2B today, who doesn't even seem concerned. He seems confident that "something will work itself out" by then. What the heck does that mean?
I feel so guilty that I'm not feeling this "Come live with us!" idea. H2B really has no real plan for taking care of this child's living expenses at all, save for trying to get the kid's drugged out mom to sign over legal guradianship (at 17, it will be nearly impossible to get him into foster care). If he can't find her or if she refuses, we can't even take the kid to the doctor if he needs medical care. This makes no sense to me. My own child will be starting college in three short years and I don't want to have to stop putting the little bit I can away just so I can pay the water bill and keep food on the table. I have no problem with helping folks out, but if it ends up putting the rest of us in a hole, it doesn't seem logical to me. I just want to scream!
Truthfully, do I sound like a selfish witch for not wanting to open my home yet again? I;m really, really torn about this...
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Have you considered becoming a foster parent? This way you can get paid to help him. I know nothing about the foster system but just a thought.
I know I couldn't do it myself so don't beat yourself up.
Hugs,
Renee
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Can the boy be made a ward of the state? I think then the state will help ti he turns 21 maybe? Or can he be made, oh what is it? Shoot, when they are,what is it? Emancipated? Then perhaps he could get federal or state help with insurance and expenses for low income? I think a call to your local soc Services office might be in order. At the least, they could help with what to do or possibilities?
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Felicia - He can become an emancipated minor. The girl we adopted when she turned 18 was emancipated when she was 16 so she could act on her own behalf. Good luck. I know how hard a decision it is to take in a troubled child. Like you, we've done it several times and legally adopted one. I hope it all works out for you and for him.
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Thanks for the welcome, and I see the advice about keep up or being left behind.
Hey, Miss S!! Good to see you, too! OK, I feel like a real b*tch for complaining abiout my LE, when I know you've had such a struggle with it, but I figured this was the place for it.
Kak -- Chloe's pic just glows with personality. Glad to hear she kept her dignity, despite being subject to all the vet's tests, and I hope she's with you and healthy for a long time to come.
Perfect description of the boss -- shark in bloody water -- and WTG for getting rid of him. I was taking notes for an HR visit, but it's tricky since her husband is the VP of the division. Brilliant management decision, putting spouses in the same chain of command (and this isn't a mom-and-pop business).
Felicia, it sounds like you've already given so much. You'd probably feel a whole lot better about taking this kid in if H2B offered some rational plan for paying for his upkeep. My DH was a great one for coming up with schemes and then painting me as the party pooper because I'd point out the balance in the checking account. He's improved over the years, but still has moments. Someone in the house has to make the reality check, and it's no fun being the one to really struggle with the bills when the other person is blithely coming up with ways to spend what money you do have.
I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone in the New Year -- here's hoping it's as happy and healthy as possible.
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