new and future flat sister, with questions
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Ariom, sorry you are not feeling well! I hate stomach bugs!
Jen has a lot of commitments at work, I was really lucky she could get as much time off as she did. I wish it could have been more but I'll take what I can get.
DS is coming on the 26th for a few days. The day he arrives I have 2 dr appointments! The MO and BS.
OK I have a question about the tubing for the drains. Can I coil them gently and slip into the pocket of the Amoena cami, will they still work OK?
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Hey gB!
I am feeling much better, after seeing the Doctor.
I curled up my drain when I had to, but I draped it around my neck, and dragged it on the floor too! LOL I doubt there is much harm you can do to them. I even woke with mine wrapped around my body where I had flipped over in my sleep.
I am so pleased to hear that your son will be there to go to your appointments with you. Do you have good neighbors, or friends nearby?
I can't tell you how glad I am that you're through this and doing well! Onward and upward!
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ndgirl, I have one of Mary's microbeads sewn in 3 spots in a swimsuit, and I use the other, in a pocket of a Marika sportsbra. These sportsbras are like a crop top so they have a lot of area on the skin. I find they sit quite well, and don't ride up too much.
You could open the seam of the foob and carefully put in something to weigh it down a bit. Some people use Rice, or curtain weights, even small coins.
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ldesim, just read that you're drooling on the couch too! I am so sorry to hear that, F Herceptin!
I hope you're feeling better, and managed to get a sleep.
gB, I just saw your post about the meds. I hate taking anything too. My nemesis is anaesthesia. I have Evil Cartoons going on every time I try to close my eyes. Just awful!
Take care everyone........catch you in the morning!
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Ariom, what was your stomach bug? And how did the doctor make you feel better? You are posting right now, before bed. I sure hope you're okay. I had one of those a week ago Sunday -- it was pretty awful. Mine passed quickly, thankfully, and I was left to rocket back to work.
It seems our little group is pretty banged up right now. Idesim woozy from Herceptin. Did you get to take a day off to rest? ND and Gramwe not sleeping. Gramwe, is your day after the day from He11 going to be better? Our Ariom American fanny-up from a stomach bug. It seems our birdie is in the best shape of the lot! Is that right, Wren?
Actually, gB might be in the best shape of the lot! You are doing so well, gB. We are all so proud of you, you've come through with flying colors. I had that bad anaesthetic thing too. I was allergic to my pain meds as well. Many of us have that issue. I changed to OTC pain medication pretty quickly. Trick is to balance those things against what they can do for you in the early days after surgery, I think. So happy your camis are working out for you! What's the taking-a-shower update over there? Are you clean and cozy? Or are you feeling terrible and manky? I had baby wipes, special face wipes, and caudalie face mist -- I tried to keep as fresh as possible before I had my first shower. And I changed my pajamas quite a bit. P.S. -- last surgery (which was 11 cm lumpectomy, which is know is nothing like your surgery, and I could shower pretty soon after) I found the best pajamas. They are from Soma, which is an outpost of Chico's. I think I was telling the thread that I got DLLP some for her birthday also. They are some kind of moisture-wicking fabric -- super cool and comfy. Good sales, as long as you don't want to get the most recent ones.
Our princess just arrived in the living room, starkers, to ask me for a sip of my coffee! Time to get my long day started.. air conditioning man coming between 8 and 10! XXX
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And Z, how are you feeling? When is our first good day coming up after this chemo? Fingers crossed, waiting for scan results...
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Hey Miss Bobo. I am feeling much better now, just a lousy headache, probably from dehydration. This was a very weird bug, no purging from either end:) just absolute and total fatigue, and stomach pain that took my breath away.
The Doctor gave me Buscopan, and told me to keep up the Tazac which is for the Reflux, and Stemitel for nausea. He is all for the pro biotics too, so I ordered more. It is just a bug, and should hopefully be gone tomorrow.
11cm lumpectomy is a F big deal, my Bobo!
It's funny how the practices are so different in our two countries. We shower immediately after surgery, don't wear compression bandages. Drains are out as soon as our output is under 50ml.
I bought all sorts of new pj's, thinking that I would probably start wearing them because the scar would be so unatractive. I've always been just a pair of knickers, sleeper, much to my Mother's disgust:)
I have given all those pj's away. I do like to wear a Bamboo fabric tank if it's too cold, but I truly don't notice the missing breast or the scar any more, and Colin has no problem with it either.
I hope your day is a good one! Take care M x
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Morning Bobo, night night M. Gb hope you are resting comfortably. Did you sleep on your recliner or opt to attempt bed? As for those drains I did everything imaginable with mine it didn't seem to impede their draining capabilities.
Wren, nd, Zills, did you get sleep? I've tried the bottle of wine, it didn't work either, at least I was a happy sleepless person.
Warning: Rant to follow! I spent 8 glorious hours in the ER yesterday with DS1 for the 6th time his gallbladder attacked him. This time it landed him in the critical care ER, when they discovered him unconscious in the waiting room rest room. At 17 he was diagnoised with type 2 diabetes, it was controlled by insulin and pills, then just pills, then he decided he was cured(?) and stopped taking anything and stopped watching his diet. Yesterday his blood sugar was over 500, his BP was 209/120. I feel like hes a walking time bomb, he still thinks hes a teenager and invincible even tho he is 32. First he has to get his blood sugar under control, and his BP, in a couple of weeks he will have the gallbladder removed.
In the mean time, back at the homestead, my DIL decided to drop by even tho she knew I was at the hospital, DD had taken the OG to therapy. She must have tried to take the ruts in the driveway at a high rate of speed, and ended up breaking something underneath her car. Odd since she drives a Jeep! And my driveway isn't THAT bad. So while I'm dealing with DS shes calling every 18 seconds whining. What was I suppose to do, speed home, jack up her car and pull out my tools? While trying to have an intelligent conversation with 5 surgeons I noticed they are looking at me strangely, some how my foob had scooted out of its pocket in my bra and was hanging out of my armpit that has no feeling. I almost pulled it the rest of the way out and threw it across the ER. Instead I smile and shove it back in place, last time I wear a sleeveless top! End of rant.
Hugs be back soon.0 -
Oh Gramwe, I am so sorry you have had such a stress filled time. You always bring a smile though, with your desriptions of things. Your wandering foob story is a good one. I have had a few foob malfunctions myself:)
Bec had her gallbladder out last year. It made a huge difference to her. She always had dark circles under her eyes, and she could fall asleep at he drop of a hat! That has all improved now, and no more tummy issues. All good, and she was out of Hospital the next morning with no ill effects.
Has your son had a big enough fright this time to shock him into looking after himself? I hope so.
Take care...chat later M x
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Gosh. Granwe. Sorry about your problems but your foob story made me laugh as I sit here waiting. It's the hardest.
I forgot to tell you all it's a lunchtime appt so more crumbs in the purse.
Glad everyone's healthy again. I slept good. Didn't even hear hubby come home at midnight.
Checked out the new daycare this morning. It's good. Not the same but it will grow on us and its close to home and they provide her special milk and diapers! I had to tell her old school that she's moving. So sad but they understand.
Will be back soon with results.0 -
Granwe, could your day be more stressful. Super p1ssed at your DIL. She seems not sharp. I am about to fire up the blower and give her a little piece of my mind.
I have already had migrating foob. It makes me want to drink myself unconscious when that happens: I feel something like shame! Unfortunately for me I am a washout as an alcoholic, can barely manage one beer, I am a lightweight. Ariom, so glad you are better! I imagine our gB is going to have a thing or two to say about your son, Gramwe. I am feeling like I should visit you.
Well, I will channel some of my free-floating bad@ss persona over to bashing up Z's appt. I'm going to get myself walked out of there. UPDATE: I have vegetarian soup! And jasmine rice! I feel this will give me more energy to behave badly.
Just let any nurse or administrator look at our Z the wrong way. I will address them NYC - style. HEY! I will say. You're going to need to modify your tone, I will say. See me in the parking lot, I will say.
I will now purposely spill soup onto Idesim just to make her mad. When she gets a bright red face it makes me laugh.
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You all are too good to me. Soup in the purse. Idesim will have something to say. Hope it smells better than the lunches here. I think sauerkraut but DH says dead mice.
Still waiting and I came early to get blood drawn. Appt was 11:40 and still no blood! Does that mean good news? No blood, no chemo?
I even brought banana bread to bribe them. My mom made it.0 -
Zills did you pack any napkins in here? Bobo has soup every where..Plus when she goes NY punk she talks with her hands, I may have a black eye. Don't mention the bread out loud, it was so good its all gone. : )
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Gramwe, I share your horror at the diabetic DS who thinks he doesn't have to watch it. DD is very similar. She does some of the things, but cut down on the metformin because they won't refill without a dr visit. There are times when I just want to slap her.
Man, these pockets sure get messy. Next time please put the soup in something with a lid, please.
I definitely win the most well award! My only complaint is being tired from going to the shelter every day to help medicate cats. It's definitely making up for the times when they were only 3 or 4 in sick bay.
ndgirl, my swim suit had one of those inner bra things. I sewed a pocket in it and can use a microbead foob or my nylon net one.
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Get ready to do the happy dance! My lungs are 95% clear and only two more rounds of the bad stuff. Another scan and then maybe four rounds of something or straight to hormone he11 with you all. But six weeks of yucky stuff. Yippee!
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http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=458607
Couldn't post the pix but the frog sitting on the dime is the size of my largest spot.0 -
Never travel without Kleenex, wet wipes and hand sanitizer. You all have made a soggy mess. May have to get a new purse. Hope it wasn't stinky soup or tomato based. I had a rotten tomato fight before. Do you have veg in your hair along with black eyes? Need a picture! And someone take us down to the local car wash to get hosed off! Thanks for coming. It helped alleviate the tension. Now the Ativan is kicking in. No snakes on tv yet.
Ps. They loved the bread. Got a worse appt. 1 pm. Maybe everyone will be through with lunch by then so no stinky smells.0 -
Hi All!
Feeling even better today, but I do find I tire fast. I actually was able to sleep in my bed last night. My DD brought me some really shiny pj bottoms and they worked perfect to slide in and out. I'm not a back sleeper, so didn't sleep that great, but after the nap in the recliner yesterday, I think the bed was better. DD said the bed too as I will be sitting in the recliner more during the day and evening, so using the bed will mix things up a bit.
Right after she left I got a call from the home health people and they are refusing me as a client because of my ins!!! WTF??? I have excellent ins but they say they have had many problems with it. Never had any problem or a refused payment in over 20 years with them!!! And I got hh care preapproved! Maybe it is the Home Health co??? ya think? She said she'd refer me to the other hh service which is affiliated with a different hospital than I use. Said she would fax all my info but I don't trust her so I have left a message with the BS coordinator about it. Just got off the phone w/her and it is up to the first hh service to forward the info....grrrrrr Looking less like I am going to have a nurse here tomorrow. Will have to rely on my nurse friend.
Ariom, glad you are feeling better!
OK, I won't worry that the drains are really fragile as much. I'm really not getting much out of 3 of them, the 4th had about 60ml last night for the day, the others barely had anything in them.
Yeah, there were some pretty evil machines in my room that night!! Totally had me freaked. And yet I knew it wasn't rational at the same time!
bobo shower day was set for tomorrow, but not sure now what with the hh care fiasco! BS even wrote on the bandages not to remove until 9-16, so I guess she really meant it! Been doing the wash cloth, femine wipes, face wipes, etc., to keep fresh. Not too mangy, but a shower will be heaven.
The camis are working well, very comfy! So glad I got them ahead of time so I had them right away. Those Soma pjs sound really nice!
I'd say an 11cm lumpectomy is a big deal too!!
Need to go fix something to eat before I get to the rest of the posts. Be back soon.
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gB, so glad you are feeling good, but so sorry about the hh aides! I think you should call DD -- I know she is on her way back -- to kick some HH company @ss. I think your breast navigator might not help, since I believe you initiated this HH aide yourself, through insurance. Right?
While gB fixes herself a 'fat bomb' I am doing the happy happy dance for our Z! 95%! Woooooooo! And those spots look very small to me, from the picture you attached. Worst thing would be six more weeks of chemo? But maybe two? And then hormonals? Excellent, excellent news. Wooooooooo~!
Z, I feel like you can do anything! So glad the new day care looks good. And is it closer to home? Report in when you're done with your appt.
I feel I am not in good touch with our Gramwe's appts. What's going on with all that? I know we had a DS appt update, and an OG appt, but what about your appts? And how is our new baby? I think I should get to name our new baby, don't you?
Wren, you are my hero, saving those kitties! How is your new girl kitty doing? Give her a kiss from me.
Well, it seems my job was well done. I like to get everyone riled up for Z's appts. It's was awfully rowdy out over in Kentucky! I like to get our Z excellent service, if I can. Why are they always so behind?
Ariom should be waking up shortly. Wait until she hears Z's news! Idesim, how are you feeling from the Fing Herceptin?
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OMG,OMG Zills, I am happy dancing for you, what extraordinarily fabulous news. i knew there was good news coming when the Owl made an appearance! What a relief that must be. Six more weeks of "yuck" will fly by!
It was worth the soup on my clothes and crumbs in my hair to hear this. Bobo, even behaved herself in the bag!
Baby care has worked out too, it's all good, what a great day Zills! M x
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At least one less worry, the other home health company quickly picked up the ball and will indeed be here tomorrow for my bandage removal prior to shower. I have to be wrapped up again after though.
(After I got the call I took a couple hour nap in the recliner. I am feeling pretty good.
gramwe, so sorry about your DS1, first thing you should tell him is there is no such thing as a cure for diabetes!! You can control it with diet, exercise, meds in any combination or all of the above, but none of those cures it!! I'm not surprised he was unconscious with a number over 500!! He's lucky not to be in a coma. Does he realize the damage he is doing to his body?? With numbers that high or even over 140 he can be doing serious harm. The risks of kidney failure, blindness, losing limbs to amputation skyrocket with consisntently high numbers. He could well stroke or have a heart attack. I hope you can scare some sense into him. A good place for him to do some reading to see what he is really facing is Blood Sugar 101. The author is a diabetic herself and has done serious research on how to get your sugar under control and the risks if you don't. It might serve him well to read up on it. I hope you can get him to accept how important this is.
DIL gets my nomination for ditz of the year!! sheesh! Love the foob story!
Zills, so glad to hear you slept well and that the new daycare is going to work out.
A lunch appointment, hmmm, sounds like it could get pretty messy in the purse. I'll bring a roll of paper towels!
Looks like Wren does win the most well award... but I'll challenge her for it soon!;)
Wren, WalMart sells metformin dirt cheap, I'm not sure if you even need an rx. If she does, is there a local free clinic she could go to for a scrip? She really needs to be taking her med (plus cut carbs) to get blood sugar under control. (Gee am I on my diabetes forum or the bc one??LOL!)
I worry so much about people that won't control that disease. My late DH was like that too. I watched him go through 5-way heart bypass, losing a leg, & going blind. If that wasn't enough, he contracted leukemia and the whole mess is what took him from me, far earlier than it need have been.
Zills what great news! I am doing the happy dance for you too!! Just doing it ever so gently.....
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Leave you guys to your own devices and look what happens!
Zills, it was Bobogirl who poked those holes in the banana bread, and I tried to clean up all the spilt soup, but I'm afraid you may need a new purse. But forget all that.... CONGRATS!!!!!!! on your scans!!! That is AWESOME NEWS! I have tears in my eyes, I am so very happy to hear that... so two more nasty chemos is the plan and then hormonal he11. I am so very happy happy happy on the great scan news.
Ariom, sorry to hear about your bug... I am so happy that you had Dex to keep your fanny warm though lol.
Gramwe, laughing over your foob mishap and I want to smack your DIL silly. Once the 3rd degree burns heal from Bobogirls soup spree have healed, I may do just that. After I slap her silly, it is DS's turn, however, I will wait for him to have his surgery tho. You must be SOOOO sick of hospitals! Enough is enough!
GrammaB, you're doing as great as I knew you would!! I can't believe you are in your bed already!! So happy that this is all behind you! Don't worry about those friggin drains, sounds like you may get them out quickly. As you may have read.. Ariom used to drag hers behind her on the floor while she floated through her abode to greet the mailman with this olives.
WTH with the home health people... they just figured this crap out now??? Hello? You've already had the friggin surgery... they best send somebody's @ss over there to assist you with your shower.. we cannot have you getting manky!!! That is just a huge load of BS.. somebody messed up big time.
My Herceptin, sorry to cause so much concern.. I get the F Herceptin every 3 weeks and I will at least until December. Because my cancer was agressive, she may put me on for an additional year if my heart is not affected. The biggest side effect of Herceptin is heart issues, so I have an echocardiogram every 3 months. The other side effects is flu like symptoms. Luckily, I just feel a bit off for a few hours after my infusion, I say woozy because I find it hard to concentrate and just feel like a space cadet. My heart has been fine so far. I do not complain about any of this because as early as 15 years ago, being Her2 positive was a very bad thing, and now it is very treatable because of the Herceptin.
Zills, why am I looking at a microscopic frog (omg he's so cute.. that's a DIME he's sitting on!!). Is this all that is left in your lung? Is that what the deal is? Sorry my brain is foggy, very long day.
I want to get into a work rant, but I just don't have the energy. I used to love this fast pace stressful activity, but I'm beginning to think more and more than I just cannot do this line of work anymore. I really wanted to cut everybody's faces off today and was almost at tears a couple of times because the work was just too overwhelming and I never used to be like this... I used to thrive on it. I've been doing this... real estate paralegal.. I do loan closings... for almost 30 years, I wouldn't know what else to do to earn a living.
Coffee table = spare ribs (I think) + carrot cake!!
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Wren, I am glad you're winning the most well award, do you have a snooze after the visit to the kitty Hospital?
gB, so glad to hear you're doing fine, and can sleep in your bed. The recliner is a great thing, but so much nicer in bed. Did you ever get the "V" pillow? I found that lying with the V upside down, and under my arm, and the two long sections on either side of my body, I could sleep pretty well on that side. ldesim and I are face plant sleepers, so the closer to that I could get, the better. I did manage to get onto my stomach early on and use my knees up under me to get up. I don't know how much more difficult it is with the double.
Well, all i can say is F that HH company, big time. I wish I was there to phone them right after Bobo and give them a stinging mouthful on exactly what HH means, and why you may be needing it! and that if they have no compassion, they are in the wrong F'ing job. Get on the Fax machine now and organise the company who will get the job done pronto! Geeesh, what is wrong with these people? I am a total pain in the proverbial to people like this. I know it is annoying for you, but be the squeeky wheel, just speed dial them every hour or so till they do it, and call the new company till they have received it. I know you don't need the drama, but you do need the nurse. You can relax during your speed dial off time:)
No, the drains are pretty tough things, just be careful not to get them caught on anything, that really smarts! You'll also find there is a lot more output once you are really moving about.
I hope you get news soon about the service, but at least you have your friend to help..take care M x
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Oh Wren, sorry, I meant to give you the most well award.. Bobogirl tried stealing it yesterday! I am in awe of you tackling those kitties every day! I bet though that you can medicate them with one hand tied behind your back and I cannot even manage to brush my cat's teeth without fear of losing a finger.
Ndgirl, I am to put on some boxing glove and clock you one so you can get some sleepl. I am so sorry you are still having trouble with that.. I can't even imagine how frustrating that might be
I really only caught up on Page 53 and a bit of Page 52.. lol.. I am always behind it feels like!
*HUGS*
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gB, great news, we were posting at same time. So glad you have the help you need. Enjoy the shower! I know you will. I found doing my exercises in the hot water was sooo good too! M x
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No. I forgot about the vee pillow. I was so efficient with getting my list of items together before surgery that one slipped through a crack. Too bad most of the other things I bought didn't instead. I have a lot of stuff I don't need!
However last night I used the grabber for the first time! I couldn't reach the pull cord to lower the shade on the kitchen window. Got out the trusty grabber and down it came!
Actually from talking with both home health care companies I think the one that is picking up the ball is by far the better one!! I am just still in shock that my ins could be refused!! Wow!
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Hiya Bobo, were you ever right about me being happy about Zills results! Isn't that a blast! Your Owl went there to visit too!
Seems gB didn't need us to intervene on her behalf with the HH company, just as well I say, we could have made some people cry!!!!
Now I am liking the sound of the veg soup with rice, that's a nice way to ease into more solid stuff. I had my old standby from childhood last night, soft boiled eggs and soldier toast. Every time I was sick, that was what my Mother made for me. Just brought stining tears to my eyes when I wrote that. If there is one thing that this whole journey has done to me is it has made me far more "sensitive", not that I didn't "feel", but I never cried, ever. Now I can go off at the slightest thing, not a bad thing, just different!
Nearly at the weekend again for me. This has been a mixed bag week, for me. What have you got planned? M x
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gB, so pleased to hear that the new company is the right one for you. Meant to be!
I know what you mean about having stuff you don't need, I was the same. I am still using the V pillow though. I drag it around with me like a kid with a "blankie" sometimes. I still have tingling and a bit of weird sensation under my arm and towards the back, so I don't feel comfy leaning against furniture without that pilllow. I take it outside when I am reading, just love it. Have good rest....M x
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Oooooh! Our gB is plenty well enough to rip our Gramwe's DS a 'new one,' just as I expected! For our Australian loved ones, let me explain -- no, wait. I bet you understand perfectly, Aussies must say something similar...
I have to say, I outdid myself at this last appt. I was a bad influence on Gramwe, who mowed through the entire loaf of banana bread before the nurses could get any. I just see signs of carnage everywhere at Z's appt. And then, as we all leave, I like to turn back to the dazed and confused hospital staff, fist raised as if in solidarity against them, and shout, TIP YOUR WAITRESS! They don't really understand what that means, but I don't care.
I am silly because I am just in a great mood. Because of Z's scans. Idesim, perhaps you should be a paralegal for the underserved, or go to the mayor's office or the governor or the MA senate and work in the Housing administration and really kick some *ss. Or maybe, with your legal and mathematical mind, you should be a CPA?
I am gobsmacked because Z got my owl -- Moira is right! Super-happy. Super-happy Herceptin is so great for +++. Super-happy that it was invented. Super-happy that gB is getting a HH aide tomorrow and can shower. And... I love boiled eggs with toast soldiers! I wish I could be there to make you some, M.
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Hi ldesim, I thought you'd be posting at the same time!
I am sorry you are feeling somewhat overwhelmed with work, but geesh, it has been a really full on time for you, and all those meds, and the F'ing Rads, not to mention, just the Dx, and F'ing surgery itself. It is a humongous amount to process, and you've not had any real off time. I admire you so much for what you've achieved, but can totally understand why you'd feel as you do. Is it time to actually think about something else that you could do?
Yes, Dex was my fanny warmer, gosh it feels weird to write that:) He also came and slept beside me when I went back to bed after the Doctor. He stretches full length and then turns onto his back so his chin is up under mine. Fortunately Dex eats probiotic dog food for his "delicate" tummy so no doggy breath. He has the sweetest breath of any dog I have ever known.
I hope you have a good rest, and I wish you a better day at work tomorrow! Ribs and carrot cake...yumm! M x
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