new and future flat sister, with questions
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jsj, Lots of people here live on their boats. They sell the house and buy a boat that's slightly smaller and live aboard. We go down to the locks and look at some of them when they come in for the winter. I'm sure they can live very comfortably.
I need to say that I am weirded out by the latest landslide here. Fourteen confirmed dead and a lot more missing with no hope of being found alive. I can't tell you how many highways we have at the base of big cliffs. They build these little barriers, but clearly they're more cosmetic than anything. A previous slide in Oregon took out 2 lanes of the interstate highway. It's as though the land here is out to get people just like the animals are in Australia. They are telling people to put together an emergency kit and publishing things that should be in it. None of that would have done these people any good at all. They tell us to do that for earthquakes, too. If my house is destroyed, my emergency kit will be inside. If it's not destroyed, I don't need an emergency kit. Although having more food in the house would be a good idea. End of vent.
Goldie now sleeps in bed with us most of the night. About 6am she gets under the covers with her head on the pillow and snuggles. We generally doze back off together.
I'm waiting to see if the art class I've enrolled in will be a go. It's for beginners. I've forgotten so much since my last class 6 years ago that I think starting at the beginning will be a good idea. It's a program for seniors and quite affordable.
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Wren~ I had been wondering about you and if the landslides were close... It seems as though the whole world has just gone crazy. My heart breaks every time I hear of a tragedy like that How does a plane headed east towards China vanish and "show up" in the remote Indian Ocean down by Australia? I agree about the emergency kits... we have horrible tornadoes in this part of the world and it isn't going to do me any good either if it hits our house. When I was 7, we were living in Plainview (small Texas town) and I was at school. I remember all marching to the cafeteria which was in the center of the school and all getting under the tables for protection. We were under there for what seemed like hours. When my mom and aunt finally came to get me and my cousin, I was relieved. When we got to our house, the tornado had hit the house two houses west of us, hopped up over the next three houses, including ours in the middle, and then destroyed the next one. There is no rhyme or reason to any of it. Tornadoes, mudslides, hurricanes, tsunamis, any of it... and it just seems to be getting worse. I often wonder if it isn't a consequence of the worlds actions? All the smog, the pollution, the trash. Cutting down all the forests and emptying the earth of it's resources. We are so dry here, the March winds are literally blowing all of the top soil away and it looks like pictures you would see in the dust bowl of the 30's. I do hope you and your family stay safe and that there are no slides near you. I am glad that Goldie is a snuggler and that you enjoy that morning snuggle with her. An art class sounds wonderfully relaxing and exciting. I wish I could draw and paint, but I am only a master of stick figures LOL.
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Yeah, we get the emergency stuff every year, for hurricanes. If we get a bad one I'm gonna camp out at Bobosgirl house. She's far enough inland to be safe. I'm a block from the Gulf.
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I have been following the story of the missing Malaysian Airways Plane. It's story has been a bit of a comedy of errors and I feel for the families who have been left in limbo for over 2 weeks not knowing if it was hijacked and landed somewhere or if it plunged into the ocean. It is very strange, and we will probably never know what happened. It seems, it is in very deep water and the weather is less than cooperative.
jsj, I am with Sailman, I would love to live aboard a big catamaran, at least part of the year. Colin came home from sailing last night, they came 7th in field of 22, and said that he'd had dinner with the couple who were here and they are planning to go to Africa next. They have already been around the world and plan to continue traveling as long as it is possible. What a life!
I find all these landslides and weather extremes, very scary. I worry for you girls when I hear of these! We don't get Tornadoes here, just the occasional Cyclone in the far north of Queensland. I lived for a year in Surfers Paradise in the 70's and there was a mild one while I was there. I had never seen the sky change to such a horrible shade of green and haven't ever seen it since. It was eerily quiet and then all hell broke loose. I would hate to be in a really big one, this scared the wits out of me.
Wren, I love the Goldie stories, especially the snuggly ones! I sometimes wake up, and there is Dex, head on pillow staring right at me, willing me to wake. He knows not to wake us, but once we are awake he plays and it is just like having a toddler in the bed! Take care.... quiet here again today, I hope all is well..m x
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jsj, I grew up outside Oklahoma City and went to school in Norman, so I know what you mean about tornados. My brother and his wife lived just south of I-40 between Elk City and Clinton. They had a tornado shelter in their patio. She said she refused to live in western Oklahoma without one.
Ariom, You're right about the green sky. It is the strangest color and can't be forgotten.
The slide is 55 miles from us, but people commute from there to work in Seattle, so it doesn't seem very far. We've driven the road a number of times on the way to trailheads when we backpacked.
We went thru a hurricane when we lived in Houston. We only had downed trees and flooding. Houston is 50 miles from the gulf and 3 feet above sea level. Personally, I prefer the immediate consequences of a tornado. You're either hit or not and it's over with in an hour.
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Fifty-five miles! So glad you are safe Birdie. I had the map out because I thought I knew where you lived. That sounds close! I too love Goldie stories. She is just so dear.
Just nipping in for a moment to make sure everyone is well. Can't wait for Z's trip to Ireland. I wonder if you can report in from there, Z? M, love those stories about Colin and Bec and your foob. You are so social with your figs and your boat friends. I am amazed at that.
ND, how is your garden? Waiting to be jealous of your canning pretty soon again already! Summer is coming. X
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Ariom, I've been following the Malaysian flight also. I think once you've worked for an airline it seems personal. I read an account by a pilot that made complete sense and made me feel better about the scenario. His theory was that something went wrong, possibly an electrical fire that knocked out transmissions, and the pilot turned to go to another airport. The pilot said he always had alternative airports in mind when he flew. He believed that the pilot ran out of time to correct the situation and the plane went down in the Indian Ocean. I hope the people were unconscious or already gone while the plane flew on for hours.
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Wrenn, that is so true, you do take it personally because you understand what goes on, in the day to day running of an airline. I was a member of our Emergency Response Team, always ready to go to any disaster in the Asia Pacific region. Thankfully I never had to use that training.
I know we were all terribly affected when our United planes went down on September 11. We wondered if we may have through checked any passengers onto any of those flights, or if we knew any of the crew, who were on those flights. It was an awful time.
I too, hope the people were already unconscious, or gone, before it plunged into the ocean. M x
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Wren, I was also wondering if you were close to the mudslides... wow that is so scary and sad for those people, 50 miles is close enough! We also have tornadoes here, but have never been in one. A small town about 70 miles away was almost totally destroyed, but of course we get the blizzards, but now with radar forecasting we usually know when they are coming and can hunker down and hope the electricity stays on. love the goldies story of snuggling!
Ariom, living on a boat would be my dream.. or at least I think so, when on the St. Croix river last summer we saw so many house boats that they just spend the whole summer on.. looked just wonderful to me. Neat story with those new friends that follow the sun! Remember the movie in the 60's with that name? Think Connie Francis was in it. boy am I old!!
The Malayasian flight story is so bewildering, our oldest son traveled so much a few years back, all over the world, and I just put ourselves in their situation of not knowing what happen and would ever know.. I am so sorry for everyone.
Bobo, my garden?? well it is still under about a foot or more of snow.. still alot of melting to do here yet and it just cant warm up and stay for more than a day.. it will happen tho! I will sure keep you posted, wish I could send you some fresh produce! Maybe you should come up north and get it??? would be great!
Spookie, just a block from gulf? sounds nice until the hurricanes hit huh? I guess every place has their pros and cons.. some just a little more extreme!
We went to have our income taxes done today and guess I wont be shopping for awhile.. geez, if only this government would not waste so much!!
Hope everyone is doing ok!
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Hi Bobo, so good to see you here!
You are sounding a little more chirpy today, are you feeling a little better? I really hope so.
I hope Zills can report in from Ireland, I can't imagine not hearing from Zills for a month or more.
It's easy to be social here, there are so many interesting people to meet. The Figs are just a bonus, because so many people love them and they are so ridiculously expensive to buy. I can't tell you how prolific this tree has been this year, so many big buckets full and all the birds had a good feed too!
Glad you enjoy the silly Foob stories, they happen all the time here, Colin has always had a sense of humor about his disability, so it has just shifted slightly to incorporate my Uni status too. M x
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How to communicate is on my list of questions. I'll have withdrawals! Still trying to nail down the dates. Looked at tix. Not as bad as expected. Thought $100 per week for groceries and stuff. DH says $200. Any ideas?
It snowed here yesterday. Was so beautiful in the morning. Covered the trees and grass. Melted but still snowed all day. Couldn't see while taking boy for checkup. Dr says allergy season will be a killer with everything in bloom at once.
The last foal finally arrived. She knickered at me when I went to take a peek. Three more calves to go (for now).
I was worried about wren too. Glad you're safe.
Don't want to hear about any airplane mishaps. So far I'm not nervous. More worried about my scan next month. Feel like the other shoe will drop. Maybe spring will make me positive.
Time to get the rug rats up. Baby is awake. M tell us about your shopping.
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YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we got rain! Finally thank you Jesus. Will get back on later to catch up... just had to shout it from the roof tops!
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@Ariom...I am having a single mastectomy on April 9. It is my second DCIS ( first one in 2005) and the lumpectomy + radiation that served me so well back then is not an option this time around.
I am getting a lot of pushback from my very best friend about not wanting reconstruction. I just don't care enough about appearances to go through all that. I have seen flat post MX women in the locker room and I believe I know what I am signing up for. I can see my life with a prosthesis for going out, but going uni-boob for lazy days at home. My husband and I are both retired. He is 70, I am 58.
Your thoughts?
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I had a single mastectomy with no reconstruction 13 years ago. I wear my prosthesis most of the time. It is so much just part of my putting on my bra, I barely think about it. Sending hugs
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RamblingRose
Hope you do well!
I am almost 2 weeks post BMX. I don't plan recon. My friend just sent me the knitted knockers she made me. They are soft & will suit me fine to pin in a cami for now. I was very small chested so won't need much to fill in, always wore padded bras anyway.
My hubby does not want me to go through any more pain/surgeries. I cannot say how I will feel in several months. I may revisit the whole recon thing. (but I doubt it) Right now, just dealing with a BMX just after 6 months of chemo, & still not having my stamina back nor feeling like myself....& with 6 weeks of rads coming up I can't imagine the added pain & discomfort & several more surgeries.
Good luck to you!
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RamblingRose, I am so sorry you are having to do this again, but you've come to the right place if you want to find women who are happy with their decision not to reconstruct. I never considered it and have never regretted it either. As you can see I am a Uni, and like you are considering, I go half flat sometimes at home, I have even been known to nick up to the supermarket sans boob! LOL As the time goes by, 16 months now, the more comfortable I become with it. It is just my normal now and occasionally, I even have to touch my chest, to be sure I have a foob on, before I go out. LOL
All I can say about your friend is, no one knows exactly what they will do in a situation, till they have faced the decision themselves.
I even had an old co worker of mine who had actually had the same Dx as me, sneer and say to me, when I said I wasn't doing recon, "Oh, how can you bear to look at yourself?" She had reconstructed and just couldn't understand why I found it unnecessary. Needless to say, she's not someone I feel the need, to call these days! LOL each to their own!
The other thing is that there is no rush to do recon straight away. There is always the opportunity to do it later, if you just can't stand to be half flat. My Surgeon didn't bat an eye when I said I wasn't interested in recon, he simply said "the door isn't closed!", you can do it later if you wish.
There is a lot of knowledge here about Boobs, Foobs and Prosthesis, as SoCallLisa says, it becomes natural to put on a foob in a bra, and after some trial and error, dressing becomes very easy once you know what suits you and what necklines will work for you.
Don't be afraid to ask anything, we are here to help and there is never too much "TMI"LOL Just be sure to make up your mind for all your own reasons, don't be pushed by the opinions of others, it is hard enough to know exactly how you feel without any interference. You'll know what's right for you and your family. Just go with that!
I wish you all the very best both with your decision and your recovery, let us know how you are getting on and feel free to ask anything! M x
PS Your name tag gave me a lovely memory of my Dad, singing along with Nat King Cole on the stereo to Rambling Rose, I love that song!
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Hi Zills, I am with your Husband, I would be allowing as much as possible for day to day expenses and food, nothing worse than having to skimp on holiday. A big trip like this isn't something you'll be doing again soon.
I didn't do a lot of shopping in Sale, just a few T shirts from my fave shop and a couple of glass sea floats for my outside eating area.
I am off to the Opp Shop to see my friend this morning!
It has rained all night, and has just started again this morning, so no walk for Dex this morning.
jsj, glad you've had rain too. I hope you get rid of the dust! M x
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Hi All,
Just a quick note to say I have been thinking about you all .
Viv M and SGC hope you are getting better
Wren hope Goldie stays with you
Bobo please keep fighting and hope you do not have yet another infection
Zills you deserve every minute of the New Zeland vacation
Idesim, ND Girl and Gramma B - It is spring maybe the weather will break
jsg - Yippee for the rain !
Octeb - Your son sounds awesome ! Hope treatments are continuing to be tolerable
Spookie , Gramwe, and any others I have missed . Hope you are well
I have been trying to check in periodically ........lymphoma is really kicking into high gear so I have just been sick as hell and still swearing and sweating from the tamox. However it is what is and "everyday above ground " is a good day . Here is Today's Random Thought...................
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Oh Fia!!! I love it! Sailman once got me a button that said "I would have to be nicer to be called bitch" I wore it with pride lol. I am sorry you are not doing well and am sending lots of positive energy your way! Will check back in later to catch up with everyone else. Hugz and love to y'all.
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Hi Rambling Rose,( I love that song too.) sorry you have to face bc again and the decision of recon is strictly yours, I have a friend that said if she ever gets bc she will just have them both removed and a brand new perky pair will be adorning her chest! Well these gals that say things like that just do not understand how many surgeries it takes to get those new perkies!! She didnt offend me because she is a bit of a ditz so I just told her I hope she never has to do that under these circumstances.
SoCal, I rarely go without my prosthesis and never go anywhere away from home without it. you sound so positive about it, thank you!
Fiaranch, sorry to hear about the le, spring has not sprung here yet, old man winter just wont let go!
js, so glad you have gotten some rain, hopefully more than just settling the dust but anything is welcome i am sure.
ps, computer is deciding not to capitalize again, only at times.. sorry.
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Hi Rambling Rose. I'm another uni with no reconstruction. My husband was totally OK with me being lopsided, even said one day that the one left looked odd, not the other way around. Ariom is right that it can be done later if you decide you really care. Perhaps telling your friend to look into what is involved in reconstruction would help her see your point of view. I go half flat at home some of the time, but almost always wear a prosthesis to go out. Winter clothing is a big help.
Flaranch, Sorry the lymphoma is acting up. Hope you find something that kicks it to the curb soon.
jsj, Glad you got some rain.
Bobo, good to see you posting at least occasionally. We miss you.
Spring has sprung here, so it's going to come this year eventually. We have camellias, cherry trees, daffodils and hyacinths in our yard.
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I decided at dx to go flat, no recon. I don't miss them, and I just didn't want to do more surgeries. If somebody has a problem with MY looks, then they can kiss my grits. They haven't been in my sneakers. It's YOUR choice, do what's right for you.
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I just keep my prosthesis in my bra so when I put it on it's just there.
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When we visit someone as an overnight visitor I wear a bathrobe when I have my night gown or PJ'S on.
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I do that around my grandsons. We stay overnight and I'm careful not to reveal anything. They know I've had breast cancer, but I don't think they were told about the mx. If they ask, I'm going to explain it's like an apple with a bad spot. Sometimes you can cut out the bad spot and sometimes there's too much and you just have to throw the apple away.
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That's a good analogy wren.
I don't want anymore surgeries plus high possibility of infection and TEs hurt. I've been radiated too so that complicates the issue as I am thin. I do miss them when I go on a date but otherwise don't notice.
It's a personal decision and can be a several years commitment. We will support you no matter what.
Have a travel question. Want to buy insurance. Do you have to buy when you get the tix? Can you get it from the discount online tix places?
Hello to everyone.
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Hi Zills, I usually buy my insurance at the same time as my tickets, but it is worth shopping around there are lots of differences when it comes to what they cover. I buy at the same time so I have the cancellation cover in place, just in case anything happens that I need to cancel, or change the dates. I don't know how it works over there, but we get free cover if we pay with certain credit cards. I would never use this as my only form of insurance but it is good to have as a fall back if you need it. Usually these credit card policies have a large excess.
Hi Wren, oh how I love spring! I just noticed today that I have Camellias coming out now!
ndgirl, isn't it just incredible, what some people will say. They are so darn clueless!
Fia, I am so sorry to hear that you're doing it tough with the Lymphoma, hugs to you!
Hi to everyone else, I hope you are all ok, and just busy...catch you all tomorrow..bedtime for me! M x
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Thinking of you, Fia. What can we do to help? How are you?
Bird, that's an excellent analogy regarding the apple. My left apple was just about getting ready to be thrown away, in fact. Although America's Favorite wanted to get in there and "rearrange the tissue" for a new result. I bet that would have looked gorgeous.
Rambling Rose, you are wise to ask Ariom's advice. I am not a uni. But she is an excellent role model. We are here to make sure every woman can at least think through the choices. I believe some women are not allowed-- or don't allow themselves -- to even consider what choice they have. I mean, look at Ariom's associate who made that snarky comment. Obviously, she did not consider her choices.
Hoping for more horsey updates from Z. Agree about spending money, unfortunately. Hmm. I am okay. Not really great. Not missing the kids! It is so nice to have quiet and not have child drama for a day or two. I am really worn down, and when the children are here I just don't attend to my physical needs, only to theirs. There just isn't enough time to do both.
Must work all day, try to get caught up, and then teach in the afternoon. Then DLLP is going to pick me up, with Chinese food. XXX
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Ooh. Chinese food. I love it but don't get it often because of the boy. Spring break starts tomorrow at noon. Gas jumped up to $3.75. I don't put myself first either. Should but don't.
Baby has a snotty nose. Teething? Last four are coming in. Firebob doesn't feel good. Think he's been fighting again even though he's fixed.
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Hi everyone!!
Once again, I am dreadfully behind. Between going through all my clothing for Spring/Summer and with a sudden burst of activity on my eBay store, I've been swamped. I've tried to read a bit here and there but have not had time to write. I am making myself do it now so that I can catch up a bit.
This won't be in any kind of order, just what I can remember. If I miss anyone, just know that I am thinking of all of you!!
Zills, I so wish I could go to Ireland!! What a great trip that will be. I have a question for you, a while back, was you that bought a stick vacuum? I am in need of a new small vac and wanted to know what brand you got and if you still like it. There are so many choices out there...
Fia, sorry you are having so much trouble with the Lymphoma, hope it gets better soon.
bobo, good to see you posting again. So glad you are getting some rest with the little ones off at MD's that will certainly help the healing process. Enjoy your Chinese food tonight!!
Wren, so glad to hear you are not close to the slide! How tragic for all involved!
Ariom, glad Colin checked out OK. How is the head? Much better I hope.
RamblingRose so sorry you have to go through bc again. Never mind what anyone else says, do what you feel the most comfortable with. I went in to my BMX having no intention of doing any recon. That was 7 months ago, and I haven't regretted it even once. In fact I go flat all the time and will be selling my prostheses and mastectomy bras on ebay one of these days. I know I will never wear them. For a uni it is different re the foobs and bras, that is true, but no recon is totally your choice.
Well, I finally contacted the county about the land that collapsed after the flood earlier this month. I sent my photos to them and they actually did a fly over and took a photo of it. It looks worse in that photo:
On the lower left you can see the big "bite" of land that fell and was washed down stream. Just below the turn into my neighbor's yard (at the top of the photo) the road narrows and if you follow a straight line downward, that is the easement for the road. The fall is definitely in the easement. (The red roof is my garage.) The department head from the road crew called me and asked exactly what my concern was. (????) I said I was afraid continued erosion would undermine the road and my other neighbor's driveway. As it stands right now the water will flow out of the culvert (just to the left of the fall) and hit a wall of dirt that could cause more flooding. Then he tells me, that it is not a county owned road so they would not be doing anything to repair it and if I or my neighbors did want to, to be sure to get all the proper permits pertaining to changing a waterway! Sheesh, my tax dollars at work! NOT!!
We've had some rain and a bit of snow, with more rain in the forecast, but temps are warming a bit and I can see a tinge of green in the lawn. Maybe Spring is finally approaching?!
Well, need to get back to work!! Hugs for everyone! I will sure try to be around more, but if not, know I am thinking about all of you and wishing only the best for everyone.
Hugs!!
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