CRAZY TOWN WAITING ROOM - TESTS coming up? All Stages Welcome.
Comments
-
Welcome, Mulligan. I'm so sorry to have to meet you here. Yes, we here in Crazytown do think the worrying never stops. At any stage, at any time.
We just try to hug each orher, keep each other company while waiting waiting waiting, and try to have a few laughs along the way. And try to remember some of the simple little things that make the individual moments, just the simple moments, not viewed against the background of fear, or sadness, or tragedy, worth looking at and focusing on, on their own merit.
In short, we have fun and enjoy, in addition to bring wholly messed up over each new ache and pain.
And by the way, you weren't babbling. Again, welcome to the bigtop. 🎪🎪🎪🎪🎪🎪
0 -
Welcome Mulligan! You definitely have found the right place! These scans and tests bring on the anxiety. I used to be fearless about everything.... even medical tests. Now I dread the tests and anxiously await the results. Crazy Town is my new home!
Jackie, I love the reading buddy dogs. Our local library has had them for years. It is an amazing program. I love your description. One of my boys struggled with reading, especially out loud in class. I asked him to read to his dog... or stuffed animals. Amazing results. He could relax (hard to do when reading out loud in a classroom) and just do his best. Reading became fun and was no longer associated with stress. No need to correct the kids.... just boost their confidence and allow them to learn to love reading.
0 -
hey there Crazies!!!
Trying to keep up with this fast moving Crazy Town train!!! Now that we're back at work my day is consumed with writing ( making up for lost time) so by the end of the day I'm exhausted and then the chocolate!!! The restaurant I'm consulting for is going to open in December (construction going on now) , during story planning it's so much easier but now that these characters have started taking to each other.....my friend Anne Stockwell who's the former editor of The Advocate and 3x ovarian cancer fighter ( she was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer back in 2000) has just started a new site called Well Again and she asked me to do a regular recipe thing for them so I'm sending them my salmon chowder ( I'll paste it here too) so... On to what I've been trying to follow... Hope I remember everybody
Egg roll,
Glad you found us... Don't worry about freaking out. In my opinion nothing was ever solved by keeping calm!! This is one place you can let your freak out flag fly!
Tomboy,
I sure envy that heavy rain you guys had down South... Still waiting for the wetness up this way, we hear I'll come during the night. For the sake of all the fires I sure hope so.
Octo,
I love cherries... We planted a Bing last yr and a Rainer this year. Glad the Ativan woes for you. Because of my ADD it has the opposite effect on me. Ativan is like rocket fuel to me. I had it once during my first round of chemo 25 yrs ago and they never gave it to me again as it had me climbing the walls. I love your description of the rain as Insaid to Tomboy.. We're eagerly awaiting it up here.
Ducky,
Glad all the pins and needles are working for you! I've heard great stuff about acupuncture, both my parents who lived into their 90s actively, did it regularly. I've not had Chelan cherries from Wa state but I hear they're delicious. Have you ever tried those? I'd love a report, We have a Elberta peach tree and so I canned 5 pints of peach chutney a couple of months ago.
Rose,
So glad the scans are stable!! I hate waiting and the relief when stuff is over... Nothing like it
Jack,
Little Jack is adorable, such a cutie! I loved Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies, both books were great ( history nut here) and I'm looking forward to the final installment of the Trilogy, plus more from PBS
Gaia,
That beef shank looks delish!!! So glad the herceptin went well for you. It's really pretty amazing how relatively mild that treatment is. Yes, I've always played guitar and I sang professionally when I was younger. I played Peppermint Patty in the SF and LA prod of You're A Good Man Charlie Brown for a couple of yrs when I was 19, I was an actress before I was a writer and did a lot of commercials, ( even won a Clio award) and Sat morning cartoons for Hanna Barbera in my early 20's, I recorded some of the songs for the first season of Sesame St. So I keep my instruments in our office and amuse myself when we're in a lull by playing and singing. I love stuff from the teens, 20's and 30's .
Poppy,
Any word on the animal shelter killer??? Hope they catch that guy.
Slow,
Love those clouds...it looks like pyramid power up there.
I know I'm leaving some of you crazies out....hope to catch up with everyone tomorrow. Have a safe and relatively sane night
0 -
Poppy- that's it exactly! I think of it as Jack's job. I just drive him around to his appointments.
0 -
Sula .....have had Chelan...........fantastic...like a Bing, but they come into season a little eearlier..........also love Rainiers.......they are kind of a white and redish orange cherry mixed w;ith a tad of yellow.....different looking, but Oh are they good...............Washington State has the market on Cherries......no other chery growing place can beat that stats product
0 -
Morning Crazies
Just wanted to say a quick hello before the day rolls out.
Katy I love the 'work' Jack is doing with the children; developing a love affair with reading is such a wonderful gift. I am also moved by how you are taking on the hospice classes. It was curious, because right when you posted that you were considering them, I was simultaneously introduced to a program occurring in NYC, through the NY Zen Center for Contemplative Care. I had an interview to join the program even, but it began last Friday and I felt I needed some breathing room to get treatment underway before taking such a step. They have another program starting in January focusing on Elder Care and I am considering that one. Please share more about your experiences if you are moved too.
Sula, Life is getting busier for you! You are yet another of the multi faceted fascinating women populating CT. Truly a colorful crew we have here. I hope the rains came last night.
Ducky I think I missed your post on acupuncture. How often do you go? It really is an amazing healing tool. I am back to going regularly myself as part of my personal treatment game plan.
Rose- growing bacon in your axilla haha that's funny, is it maple -cured?
Mulligen- welcome and I hope the scan goes smoothly today. Everyone here breathing with you.
Eggroll, sorry I think I missed saying hello, and as everyone has noted, your name is perfect for this food -obsessed bunch.
Rain, thinking of you today. The lead up is definitely the most unnerving. Are you planning on reconstruction? keep us posted.
Octo hope the metal taste is subsiding or, that you are figuring out how to navigate it.... the taste changing part is a little nerve wracking. Also I think I missed if you posted about making a decision on continuing to work or not?
On that note have we heard anything from Pennsygal re Lx or Mx?
A few posts back people were discussing TV/Netflx. I hadn't had a TV in over 20 years, but my man is a major film/TV visual person ( he actually wrote a short called SHHH about 12 years ago; won a few small festival awards). So now I live with the 'TV" projected on a wall and we watch everything practically life-size- it's kind of nuts! But since being with him I did get caught up/dragged into the stories of the Newsroom, Game of Thrones, Hannibal ( this last was a huge disappointment), True detective ( first season great/ this one not), and I randomly dip in to House and Dexter and six feet under.... other than that I can really go days without turning it on. We do watch a lot of Movies together though and Octo I'm a bit like you, I find action/thrillers and suspense/crime like stuff titillating. On the other end i could never pass up Bergman or a gritty Cassavetes flick.
Anyway i have to get the show on the road, heading to the city to teach and then my mother is coming to visit- very mixed about that. She definitely can be a catalyst to send me to CT- so again I'm thankful to have you ladies.
See you all later
0 -
Gaia, if you like Bergman, are you spending any time at the Brooklyn Academy of Music this month? I assume you know they're doing a retrospective of her work? So many great films!
0 -
Morning crazies!
It is COOL in the Central Valley! Sadly, no rain in the ten day forecast :-( and it is supposed to be hot again by the weekend, but I went out this morning to bid good morning to the stars and to breathe it in. Still smells smoke free. I am hoping that fresher air sticks around.
OMG: news flash! My morning coffee tastes almost like coffee...hoping the worst of the taste stuff is over. I definitely feel more like myself this am. This is good, because last night wasn't a good night. Got a hurtful email from one of my sisters (I swear her behavior is such that she has decided cancer is contagious!)...it is a funny thing but I have a sister who has had bc, and she is the only one who seems to get it. Not funny at all, but I know you crazies get that. And then, the suture-that-won't-quite-heal from my lx is acting up a bit again. At least timing is good: I have apts today with both bs (she's been following me like a hawk just to be sure it is ok) and with MO, so they can both decide it just takes time sometimes. It isn't infected and bs did give explicit ok for me to start chemo, but the crazy in me is worried it will never heal completely!
JackB: Jack is indeed such a good dog. I feel better just seeing his pic!
Sula: It can be a good thing when work is that enveloping. Glad there is chocolate to end the day! (Oh yeah: another thing I love about my bs: she has chocolate waiting always at the spot where you make your next apt. gotta love it. hope I can taste it today.). Hope the smoke is better up there too. By the way, you've undoubtably figured this out by now, but for the others since these names are so confusing: the horrible Valley Fire is actually in Lake and Napa counties: much closer to Sula in Sonoma than it is to me in the Central Valley. We are much closer to the Rough and to the Butte fires. I hope all stay safe. I have friends evacuated from both the Valley fire (and one friend may lose a truly world class wine cellar :-( ) and the Butte fire. (but I am fine and totally safe where I am if you don't count smoke).
Gaia: on the subject of work: actually, not sure I ever made a decision, but my job is such that I didn't want to do it part time: so while I took off almost three weeks for the surgery, I decided to just keep working through chemo and see how it goes. Fortunately, I have a very supportive boss and a lot of flexibility: much of it can be done remotely when need be and I can manage the rest. Honestly, I am approaching and contemplating retirement but decided I had a few more things I wanted to accomplish before I retire, so decided to hang in there as the alternative. It would be much much harder to do if I wasn't in a desk/management job and if I didn't have such a great boss.
So far, just missed treatment day and day five (with half days for doc apts here and there), but day five may have been as much about the smoke as about the chemo (I am wood smoke sensitive/allergic, bad news in fire season). Definitely not at full speed but pretending I am. Put in a full day yesterday and it went pretty well. Unfortunately, some of the pretense is over: today I am telling my staff what is going on. I hadn't wanted to give details and I still won't give many but decided to do so since i am fairly certain the hair is coming out any day now....wish me luck crazies!
I hope all have a good day!
Octogirl
0 -
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! Off to get ready. Oh fun.../sarcasm. Should be interesting.
0 -
afternoon all, gee did some gym time but legs feel weak, now what is that about? I did see Dr Google says it is a side effect or such of spinal stenosis but it sure seemed weird this morning so crazy town here I am.
Ducky, have not yet tried acupuncture but the rehab place does offer it so will keep it in mind
love all the recipes and awesome on the beef shanks, got lots of veggies in house so sort of a veggie day for me
0 -
Good Morning Crazies,
I am pages and pages behind and will attempt a catch up, but first things first.
Rain, I hope your appointment goes well today with your BS. Your surgery is coming up quickly!!
Eggroll, We are all in your pocket today for your MRI. Sending our collective good thoughts to you!! I'm happy to hear you feel cozy here!! I've been to Gig Harbor...absolutely beautiful. Your blog can just be for you if you'd prefer. Being a private person, it was difficult for me to share my blog. The BC diagnosis helped me to open up a bit, more than I ever have in the past.
Octo, Hope all goes well with your BS and MO appointments today. The crazies are with you!! I hope that suture heals soon. I have one on my side that still bothers me almost two years later. That metallic taste is just awful. Water tasted like toilet water to me. Not that I ever tasted toilet water, but that was what I imagined it MUST taste like. Ativan is our best friend while going through treatment!! That is great you're getting your taste back so quickly!! Mine would usually return a few days before my next infusion. One of the few things I could taste was chips and salsa. Very hot salsa!! I couldn't get enough when I was going through chemo. I think our rain has passed, and it's also supposed to get very hot here by the weekend. I hope your smoke clears soon. Can't be much fun breathing that on top of chemo treatment.
Mulligan, Welcome to our thread!! Another Pacific Northwest person - YAY!!!I
We are all in your pocket today for your MRI. The first one can be a nail bitter for sure. I'm so glad you found us!! I think anything to do with BC qualifies all to hang out in CT. I don't think you're being that "negative" gal. These are REAL fears we deal with on a daily basis, and I think ALL BC patients go through it to some degree. Whether you're a one ,or a ten on the crazy scale, this thread can be a great place to get it all out, or just have some much needed fun - a distraction. I hope that EVERYBODY feels like they fit in here. A safe place to get out our crazy. Please keep us updated on how it goes today. In the meantime, please pull up a chair and have some fun with us.
Littleblueflowers, How did your US go?? Thinking of you!! I remember when I found new lumps right after chemo and surgery. I didn't even make it to rads yet, and I had new ones. That was such a difficult time. It felt like starting all over again when I was told I needed another core biopsy. I felt very defeated. I've read a lot of stories of new lumps turning up and turning out to be nothing. Sad part is the only way they know for sure is to stick another needle in it, which sends our crazy through the roof. The first lump they did a core, but the second one they just did an US. They determined it wasn't anything to worry about. I hope that will be the case for you. If you need another biopsy, we will all be with you, and it's something you will get through. I really do feel like it must be surgery related. Gentle hugs to you!!
Ducky, Thinking of you. Any offers on the house?? I really want to take a trip to Washington State once I'm feeling better. I miss my DH's family. I wish you could go too. The description of your summer meal sounds delicious!! I'm on my way over!!
dsgirl, Waiting totally sucks!! I'll join you for the next Mexican omelet. One of these days, I'm going to draw up a map of Crazy Town and add your special spot. haha
gaia, The beef shank looks amazing. Thanks for sharing more of your story. I'll be honest, I had made the decision NOT to have chemo. Everything about it made no sense to me. The only thing that swayed me was the TN diagnosis. If it had just been HER2+ I was dealing with, I don't think I would have done chemo.My goal was to maneuver through this process with as little collateral damage as possible. Too many tough choices we ALL have to make when the beast comes knocking. Hope all goes well with your moms visit.
Katy, As you know, your Jack has a special place in my heart because he looks so much like my Baylee when he was younger. My Baylee was such a bundle of energy, he wouldn't have been able to do what your Jack does. What a wonderful dog, giving service to those in need. I think it's great that you're doing this while going through so much yourself. You're amazing. Thanks for sharing the picture!!!!
queen, I realize I'm late to the party, but one show I love watching is The Big Bang Theory. I am also a Downton Abbey fan, and I was sad to hear this upcoming season would be their last. I also adore Maggie Smith. Another favorite is the Carol Burnett Show. She always makes me laugh!! And, of course.....I Love Lucy!!
Italy, My DH loves Scifi and reads about two to three Scifi books a week. I remember when we were first married, I was having a horrible flare of my RA and couldn't put much weight on my ankle. We were housebound for the weekend, so we binge watched a show called Slidders. I'm typically not into shows like that, but I really enjoyed it. Also a few years ago we binge watched a show called Kyle XY. I also love cooking shows!! Chopped is one of my all time favorites.
Tomboy, Yes, those clouds are for real. They are called lenticular clouds. They form when winds come off the ocean and they create that UFO appearance. I'm glad you were able to go to the beach and escape the heat. Sorry you were having problems while you were there. The beach should be a peaceful place in my mind. I would worry about my new car too. We are alike in that way. When I got my new car back in 2009, I was obsessed with not getting any door dings. Six years later, I still have no dings!! That's a great accomplishment here in So Ca. Are you home now or still beaching??? You may want to stay because from what I've heard, it's going to get HOT, HOT again this weekend. UGH!!!
M0mmy, I hope you do get to visit Washington State again. There are MANY places I'd love to go once my DH retires. Never heard of Are You Being Served.
Rain, I've always loved Monty Python. Also, anything by Gilda Radner. I just adored her when she was on SNL. I could watch her stuff over and over again, and never get bored. So true....if we could all be rational, Crazy Town wouldn't exist.
PTS, A hot shower on our aching bones if fabulous!! I can't take long showers anymore due to our water restrictions, but I sure do miss it. Balance is so important. I hope to regain some of mine too. You've suffered so long with your back, it's nice to hear it's finally getting better. Keep up the good work!!
Lucy, I'm with you on the rain on the roof!! Many years ago we had an Alumawood patio cover installed. Our bedroom windows is right above the cover, and I find it comforting to hear the sound at night. It also helps lure me to sleep. Grandparents Day!!! How fun!!! Did you take pictures???? My nieces always invited my DH and I to Grandparents Day. We called ourselves faux grandparents. I hope to be a REAL grandparent someday soon. Although, I don't see that happening in the near future.
Rose, That is awesome news!! Doing my happy dance for you!!! WooooHooooo!!!!!
That's great that you don't have to have rads. I think almost all of us second guess our choices. I'm the queen of second guessing!!!
Sula, Happy to hear you're staying busy. I get tired just reading all you do!! haha Would love to have your salmon chowder recipe. I know my DH will make it for me.
Whew!! I think I caught up now. I've been hanging low with all of this rain we've been getting. RA and rain don't mix well, so I haven't gotten too much accomplished in these past few days. I see many depo shots in my future with all the rain that's predicted this winter. Just heard that Big Bear had an earthquake. Any of you So Ca girls feel it??? I used to feel every quake when I lived in the OC. Living out here, I never feel any of them.
Wish you all a peaceful, pain free day.
Love to all.....Lurkers too!!
Edited to fix typos. I always find them AFTER I post.
0 -
Ducky, he really must of loved you...................................
to marry such a geographically challenged, foul mouthed girl like you!!
0 -
0
-
0
-
hahahaha Katy. That's funny that Rainier Beer did that. That's not my dear Gilda though.
0 -
Nobody could make me laugh like she could.
Edited to add: The symptoms she talks about in this YouTube video reminds me of our BC symptoms!! hahaha
0 -
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Katy. Great minds!!! I was looking for videos when you posted....didn't realize you posted the same one!!
0 -
Hi Crazies
SoI'm sitting here being crazy while waiting for my crazy mom. She is the most chronically late person I have ever met. You would think I could just put it down at this point. Put it down and relax that my 73 year old mom has the energy to drive into NYC to visit me and have a sleepover. Instead I'm teetering on the edge of major frustration that I'm waiting. She will be about 3 hours later than she said, though this is really 'on time' for her. haha. And that's how it's been always.
Anyway she will get here and we will unload her truck as I think she is bringing us a cooler for our vineyard trip and a throw for the couch; did I mention my mother also runs a general store out of her vehicle? It's kind of a family 'joke' but, believe me if you ever got lost or broken down or in some sort of disaster, you would want to be with her in that vehicle. As long as she hasn't locked herself out of it... well that's another story.
Anyway saying hi to pass some time and to stay out of the other CT of looking up each and every 'normal' stat for my blood test results. Actually all my results are in the normal range except those TM and even those don't make me shudder....
Slow those clouds were amazing and I hear you on doing chemo because of being TN. That's one of the downsides of TN.
Octo glad the taste buds are returning and hope your appointments went well
Rain keep us posted on the meeting with your BS. Thinking of you!
Here is a CT pic of me and mother last xmas, after major clean up and the post clean up glass or two of wine
I'm sure to have some CT stories after this visit with the Mothership ( as I often call her)
0 -
Katy hilarious- that was SNL at it's best...
0 -
-
Great picture Gaia. Our mom stories really are the best. My mom could send me to Crazy Town faster than anyone else I've known. The stories I could tell!! haha Maybe we should have a best mom story day. haha
0 -
Definitely slow a best mom story day.
Oh and Gilda she is priceless! Thanks Katy and Slow for opening up that can of laughter!
0 -
gala, you and your mom are clearly best buds! you are very fortunate especially since at her age she is still willing and able to drive into NYC! no easy feat for many
dang but crashed on the sofa this after but making my fav pasta with salmon and bowties....yummm, not as special as Sulas but good anyway
0 -
PTS My mom and I have a very 'faceted ' relationship. But I suspect that is true for most mother /daughter scenarios. And YES I am very fortunate that my mom, well really both of my parents, are very healthy and energetic and are still 'my parents' after all these years. In fact my dad ( 75) came and painted our apartment last fall. and both my mom and dad, no longer married to each other mind you, came and helped me move in January. I actually hired movers, but they wanted to come in and help with the little stuff. I secretly think they just try to find excuses to hang out together. And, yes, anther story there too.
OK crazies, she should be arriving soon ( I think)
hugs to everyone
0 -
Gaia.. Love the photo of you and your mum.. Your mum sounds like a wonderful character.. one of the treasures of the world :-)
Katy and Slow.. HaHa 😃
0 -
This is my 5 year old Grand-son Louis.. We went to Grandparents Day at his school. yesterday. they had to stand up and say why they loved their grandparents.. Louis said "because they always give me chewing gum " HaHa 😂 Edited to add we just love him too.!
0 -
he is precious!
0 -
YES, he is! Wish I was close enough to spend time with my grand babies!
0 -
I hijacked my blog for at least today, taking advice from one of you. So many wonderful voices here, I can't keep them all straight. Hang on to your humor ladies, it's going to be rough ride!
(Jackbirdie, even your scars are beautiful. Hang tough, we are not the only crazy ones in this world. In fact, we may be the only sane ones!)
If you'd like to read my blog, you are welcome to . . .
http://www.eggrollcreative.com/apps/blog/show/4353...
MRI's done this morning. I guess I will hear back tomorrow at the surgeon's appointment, along with additional pathology from the surgical excision and discuss sentinel node biopsy. All in 15 minutes?! Hmm . . .
0 -
Oh Lucy those blue eyes, so sweet!
And yes my 'mum' is a character for the ages!
0
