how about drinking?

((((((((((((((((((DorK))))))))))))))...so sorry for the loss of your FIL.....I hope your memories will bring you peace...

(((Dorothy))) and to all the family...mese sad.  I hope you feel all the love coming your way from all of us!

Hi girls...back again finally. Have tried to keep up reading but decided just to post and read back pages later. DorK, so sorry to hear your news. So nice you could continue to have a relationship despite the "ex" part.

Karen, happy belated birthday. How many days left? I have 9-yay! They will of course be the longest 9 days of the year. Trying to close out one year and get ready for another is craziness, but we are already working on next year's schedule.

Chrissie, glad to see you are back in the groove and none the worse for wear after such a lengthy hospital stay.

Hope the rest of you are healthy, wealthy and wise-ha ha!

Am going Friday for 6-month mammo, which will be my 2nd since I finished tx. Then will see BS after that. Still am seeing 3 docs every 3 months. Sorta nuts, but with TN status am too nervous to get rid of one yet. Maybe after this visit I can dump the BS. If I do, will probably switch mammo's to my RO site. Don't want to switch as I get them taken at a BC center, which seems like a good thing. SIGH. I get wishy washy (and nervous!) every dang time a check up is due.

Am not liking the new format--what a waste of space on the left! The type is clean but that is all I can say!

Sleep well, my BCO friends!

Almost missed the remainder of the previous page from my last post. With this new format, it just took me to the last page. Before, it always took me to where I left off.

NM, you have not been having bone density tests all along? I get one yearly, and have been since the start of Arimidex. And I think my onc said, after stopping the Arimidex, the bone density should start to improve. Try searching for "imaging centers" or check with your insurance company. My onc has the imaging center call me for appointments.

Kathy, it sounds so beautiful and serene there, bet you will hate to go home. And thank you for the sticky kisses!

OH DORK, that would be horrid of you to hold Stella underwater, good grief woman. I know you don't mean it though, I think maybe she is just talking too muchliest. BTW, I went to your profile, your surgeries are there. OMG, I can't imagine what Stella might say on the "disaster" thread! Or, what the mods would think. That is too funny. Oh meese, I so sorry for you now as I read about the loss of your FIL. I have a big hug you and your family (((((((((DORK))))))))) and sending prayers up as well.

Mema, glad to have you back, you are busy goil too. I had asked how long on the herceptin. 3 years is a long time, but I guess no different than being on Arimidex/Tamoxafin for 5 years. I'm glad it doesn't make you sick, but yes....we do what we have to do to survive!

Chrissy, what is INR? LOL, first thing that came to my mind was "I Need Repair" LOL. I did not see Dork ask about that too, but see you ‘splained. Wow, that is scary scary chit, you be sure and monitor that berry berry good.

Scuby, have a divin goot time girl.

Oh Chit Alli, you cwackin me up about bein in Mema's pocket and her scratchin her ass.

Husker, good to see you and sawry you are feeling anxious about your check up. I think we can all relate!!!! I know I can.

Juliet, love the new vs. old responses.

8 Maple Syrup Cocktails That Will Tap Your Taste Buds

Maple Manhattan

No' Easter

Maple Leaf Cocktail

Kicking Cow Cocktail

Old Fashioned Canadian

Filibuster Cocktail

Maple Syrup Martini

Maple Kiss

Here's the link for the recipes if you want to see them

http://madtini.com/2011/04/8-maple-syrup-cocktails-that-will-tap-your-taste-buds/

SCREAM!!!!!!  Firefox just crashed TWICE, losing my nice long post that I've been working on for the last hour and a half!!!!! Now I have to start over!!!! 

Good Morning, Loungettes! I am glad to report that I am doing much better this am, after a good night's sleep, thanks to xanax and a glass of Pineapple wine and a very cuddly yellow lab. I don't feel like crying, and I actually feel like I've got some energy to do some house work on this one day of the week I get to stay home all day. Got to plan meals for next week, lots of little domestic type chores to do, nice NORMAL day! Yeah! Let in rain!

Chrissy--my problem with all this is that these tests are not all done in the same place for me. When I called the MO's office and talked with the scheduler I totally threw her for a loop. She said I get the bone density where I get my mammograms, I told her I don't get mammograms after bilateral mastectomy. Then she said it was set up just like last time. I told her last time I was given an appointment with a date, time, address, this time all I got was a doctor's order for the test. Then she told me about how I'm supposed to schedule and keep track of when I need them myself; I asked her how I would know when I needed one. She said every 2 years while I'm on arimidex. I asked her how often after October when I would be done with arimidex and she said whatever my MO said. I told her the MO said she would have one scheduled for this year, and didn't say anything about I'd have to do it all myself so I didn't have a chance to ask about all this. The schedule finally made the appointment and called me back with a date, time and address, like before. But since when do I have to manage this myself, with no info to work with?????? Do I need bone density tests after I'm off arimidex? I think I need a list of questions to call the MO's nurse with. I thought all this crap was getting close to being over, not getting more complicated!

I don't know how much of a come uppance that doc will get, but I'm sure some things will change. What the record said and what I told them happened to me were very different. Several times they said that "someone" didn't explain things well enough (Like when I thought they were giving me a breathalyzer test when apparently it was some kind of breathing test), and "that shouldn't have happened." I also found out that the calls I've been making professionally on the weekends were being handled totally wrong--going to a secretary when my call should have gone directly to the doctor. I get the feeling there will be some heads rolling and some leadership present during the weekends in the near future. And do NOT feel bad about that happening, either!

Oh, jeeze, here I've gone and babbled on and on again. Thank you all for listening, if I didn't have the lounge to come and babble in I think I would go truly crazy.

DorKable-- I think you are right, this appointment right on top of that meeting didn't give me time enough to get re-centered and calmed down. I am developing a list of questions for the MO--why a bone density if I'm almost done with arimidex, do I really need another 4 month lupron shot in September if I'm done with arimidex in October, what caused the neuropathy the MO mentioned, why see the MO in September if I'm done in October and she won't see me after October, to name a few. Here in Maine a PCP gets into a lot of trouble with the system if he/she tries to manage anything related to cancer, they barely get enough info from the onc system to give the regular care safely. I'm actually looking forward to October when I'm done with the MO and CAN use my PCP to coordinate everything. I did find 2 local places that do bone density tests, one is in a hospital, one is where mammograms are done, neither will let me book my own appointment.

GAH--I'm babbling AGAIN!!! Enough already!

Wahine--enjoy the REAL maple syrup you get in Vermont! The scenery is beautiful there. How long are you in Vermont?

DorKable--I will definitely start stopping in for nighty-night dwinks, and morning dwinkies, too! Adjusting to a new format here is work, isn't it?

Mema--I will get the bone density, just not in such a tizzy about it since the last one, done after 2 years on arimidex was normal (one advantage of being obese, every step you take is a weight bearing exercise!) I just object to the way it was dumped on me to manage with no warning, no info, no nothing. What is chicken angelo? Sounds interesting. I'm trying to collect some different chicken recipes since I'm getting bored with the ones I'm using now.

Wahine--I've been posting in the Comments, etc forum, different thread, and the mods are responding. I've already seen 2 changes, the "NEW" button on the favorites list to show which threads have new posts, and the "back to top" actually takes me all the way to the top now. They are listening, some tweaks will take time to implement, but I really hope they change the background color back to white soon.

Chrissy--HOORAY for good INR trends! How long will you have to be on the coumadin? But glad you are home now!

Warning: NM is putting on her teacher's hat, feel free to skip today's lesson:

INR stands for International Normalized Ratio, just like Dorkable found out. This ratio was developed so that medicine would have a reliable way to compare coumadin dosing/effect from lab to lab and internationally. Coumadin effect is measured using the Prothrombin Time (PT) test, which gives the effectiveness of one step in the clotting cascade (prothrombin, oddly enough) in seconds. The problem is that this time has to be compared to the lab reference time for this test. The problem with that is each lab has a slightly different reference time, and this reference time changes every time the lab changes the testing solutions used. This made it very hard to manage coumadin dosing even when the patient always used the same lab for the PT test. This made it impossible to do any significant research using coumadin that involved multiple locations (different labs). So the INR was developed. It takes all the other numbers into account and gives a number that can be used despite the lab used to do the test. Or if the test is done with the fingerstick method. The INR has allowed for setting of standard goals for different situations and has greatly simplified coumadin dosing.

OK. Lesson over.

Scuby! Enjoy Key Largo, be sure to post pics! I presume you are going diving???

DorKable--I am so sorry to hear about your FIL passing on.

Hi, LORD, it's me again. I'm calling YOU to talk to YOU about MomK, RonK, Dorkable's BIL Gary, and all the grandchildren of DorKable's FIL. It's so hard to lose a member of the family. The family is so sad, and could use YOUR peace and strength right now. Please help us here in the HTL be a support for Dorkable and her family during this time. Thanks for YOUR time, LORD. PS, could YOU be sure to introduce our Junebug to DorKable's FIL? Thanks!

Juliet--around here the Cancer Navigators only work with people getting all their treatment in one center and getting chemo. Since I refused chemo I do't qualify for a lot of assistive things like navigators and such. My new health insurance case managers get assigned when the patient is about to get chemo, so I can't get one that way, either. So I'm pretty much on my own here. Normally I can do the research and figure out what to go after, but lately I've been feeling like the entire medical community is against me and I just don't have the strength to fight all the time. I'm thinking that after October, when I officially won't have an MO anymore that I may be able to get some kind of management help from somewhere. Love the Strong Person quote, I've added it to my collection on Pinterest!

Husker--you can still have your mammos done at the BC center even if you aren't seeing the BS. There's no reason the BC center can't send the report to your RO or whoever you want. They're all probably on the same electronic medical record system anyway!

Juliet--how many of those did I use? Hmmm. I remember thinking "Are you sure it's a problem," "I'm not sure I can implement this, " "Really," Perhaps I can work late," and "You want me to take care of this." Pretty much in that order! Love the translation list!

Princess Glitter Sizzle's got to go empty the dishwasher.  later, gators! 

NM....when I was on A's I had annual BMD...when i stopped taking them it is every 2 years....when I saw onc in March it had been 2 years 3 months since my last BMD, so he ordered the test...it is at the breast center and the first time I went I had a lot of trouble just walking in there even though that is not the same place I had my mammos...now it doesn't bother me....I guess your PCP can order BMD.....I just never talked to mine about it....My spine is osteroporosis, and hip and neck are osteopenic....Not sure if it will still be every 2 years or annual, but I've got 10 months before I have to worry about this...

Was supposed to go walking with my gf but she cancelled on me and I'm not going on my own as its too hot...80!!!  DD's wrist is hurting her so I made her a doctor appt for right after school....kind of messed up my afternoon plans, but whats a mom has to do what a mom has to do....Kind of frustrated as DH is pretty preoccupied today and I haven't really heard from him....want to know what is going on with his mom (last I checked he didn't know)...he has a flight is just under 2 hours, so hoping when he gets to the airport he will call me....I don't like when he doesn't touch base....Its just me not liking when he is not available...nothing he has done, so I need to make sure I don't take it out on him.....Need to go take laundry out of the dryer, then I have about an hour till I need to get DD...so thinking I should write some reports for work since I have 8 due next week!!!! and tomorrow I'm busy all day with DD and the Shakespeare festival..then when we are done, its off to the hotel to help set up for the Day of Caring and then stay at the hotel so I can attend since its on Shabbat....need to figure out what I do on Saturday after its done....do I bring my bike and ride the 6 or 7 miles home...too far to walk....and the weather is supposed to be rainy so not pool weather.....

BBL

Hi , mese agen. Well make dat mese and de Stella, yay!

Ennybuddy here for PauHanieBananie time? Katwinnnkadoodle-schteeky?  I am trying to decide if another dwink is warrented. Or do I hit de sofa for a bit and rest for de big partay? Hmmm.

Cheers! 

Anybody out there????? Heeelloooeeeeeeeee, Heeeellllooooeeeeeee,

Where is ebberyboddy??

I dwinking sum homemade bing cherry wine. I will share. I bet Stella can fwy hewe in a sec Fo some homemade hoochie mama.

I Love you girl!!!

aww, I love you too, Allison.

Karen, I am sorry that your doggies were fighting. I hate that. Mine do it occasionally but it is always when food is present and one tries to steal from the other. I sure hope it does not happen again. Open that bottle of wine and have a quick two dwinks, you will feel better. 

Rounds of hugs to all yese! Cheers !!

Oh dear, we need Pants and Jock to mix a ton more of those sticky maple dwinks that Lori found. Sounds like several of us goils can use some strong dwinks!!!
Dorkie, SO glad you were able to vent your feelings here. Your post was so touching, and from your heart. Can understand why you didn't feel like dwinking.....dats cuz you iz so sad. And I am glad Jessica is coming home tonight so you two can hug and grieve over losing your FIL and her Grandfather. Then hopefully remember the good times, and fun times, and loving times.....sounds like he was a loving, giving person!

Allicat, WOW you had a horrid day and night. Yikes! Hope the rest of the night will go well, and you don't get a humongous headache over all of that.

Karen, So scary when your dogs fight. Hope that won't happen again!!!! And yes, she shouldn't try to stop their fighting....unless she can separate them by using a broom or something, that keeps her AWAY from their teeth.

Rainy today, so didn't do much. Went to a "wine tasting" here at the resort with the gal we tasted wine with at the winery. She said she could pour more freely here, but didn't happen....maybe cuz her mom is the winery owner and was right there next to her! Then to a place highly recommended, for dinner. Wish we had known about it when we first got here, as it was great food, and neat atmosphere. Had to pack up bottles of wine, maple syrup, and.....get this....the Guinness my DH just HAD to buy and said he WOULD drink while here! Hoping things don't break, of course hand carrying the wine glasses and other breakables. Getting up at 5:30 ayem so will get to the airport on time. Been nice to see Vermont, and will definately come back here sometime. Didn't get to do as much as we would have, since we brought my parents with us. They were mellow and nice to us today....but  my mom's memory is just awful now. Wonder if she will want to work on her painting when we get back? I feel like I need to paint with her again, just to get her motivated, even though I am very behind on everything. They return to HI on the 24th, and I have a sad feeling that she might not even remember how to paint by then, so am hoping she will really get to work on it.

Huggies and Muggies of Beer, and Stickie Maple Syrup,

Katwinkasticky (Dorkie, SO glad you explained dat, as I read it wrong the first time!)

Oh Wahine, I just love you too. Love all u girls. All of you are going through such hard times, I just try to make light of it and get all the giggles I can out of you girls, cause we all need a place we can just let loose and not be so serious, right?? So thats why here I don't focus on the bad...

But have ta say, please keep painting with your mom, that will be something that although she will do differently now, you both will still enjoy. Focus on being together, that's whats important :-)

Just emailed y'all a mothers day video. Read all 3 books, lol

hey Alli, wtg in shredding your Kohl's card for Kathy. You are de best bwestie. Ya still partaying?