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Yesterday was not so good - going to get some more magic juice at the infusion center today. Had to laugh (just a little - I am having swollen ankles for the first time - yes, these have been pointed out to the nurse. My brother was here when this started being obvious. He asked why? I replied, "retaining water?" This a week after an overnight stay to be hydrated! And constant reminders to drink more fluids as I continue to throw everything up. We looked at each other and giggled out loud.

Hi Judy, Just a short hello from windy and wet Seattle. I think it's time to start my day's current routine. Stephanie

2011 ended with a bang (no fireworks, no alcohol). Came home from brunch ad crashed on the couch. Just continued to get worse until we checked me in at urgent care on the 22 (had already seen the onc a couple of times.) Stayed overnight to get hydration and iv pain meds. Made it to Monday's lung cancer expert consult and with his help, found at least temporary peace with the decision to go onto hospice. Performance status dropped over those 3 weeks so that the nature of the consult changed. He willingly and kindly gave his opinion - that continuing treatment (including clinical trials) would likely cause more harm than good. I feel a little better, but getting up to date with the program is tiring, to say the least. I haven't really known how to bring this news here. For a good read on the myths of Hospice, please read this: http://cancergrace.org/cancer-treatment ... d-fiction/ and thank you for your support. I'll post as I can manage. Focusing is a bit difficult - still adjusting to the pain meds and all the the rest. Stephanie

Janet - I haven't been to our architectural wonder of a downtown library in some time, but last I was there, there was a coffee cart in the lobby. Well, it is Seattle. I'm not sure what the general policy is, but I think coffee is permitted. Judy in KW - I think I can get away with the EZ tax return this year! Haven't used that in 20 years, but with no earned income... still have a lot of deductions, but I'm not sure they will do me any good. Last year I was completely surprised to get back more than I paid in! Qualified for some strange refunds and stuff, but still had some earned income. Had a chest x-ray on Monday - no pneumonia, so I guess it is just the lc causing back pain, extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, and all the rest. Maybe a touch of flu? We can hope. Not fun days around here. M has a cold, one cat is shredding and being lethargic, the other is vomiting (me too) and both (or the cats and me) are hibernating most of the day and night. Frost fog last night. Pink sky this morning. Chance of snow at sea level starting Sunday.

Maybe this? http://cdmrp.army.mil/search.aspx?LOG_NO=BC022345 Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program - Department of Defense funding - same thing that has been keeping Bud busy.

I almost signed on to yell at the commenter who said we are a sick society because of the food we eat, etc...how the heck does she explain 3 year olds with cancer, or star athletes who exercise, eat right, etc...? Makes me mad. Also, to list the great organizations offering support, people to talk with, awareness and education. With an article like that, not offering resources is a real shame. But I did not want to join another site, so shame on me.

Dawn, Just to let you know, a friend of mine has multiple myeloma and has for 10 years. She just got back from a trip and is about to head out for another soon. Sometimes her treatment is rough (especially after 10 years of it!) but in between she runs away and has fun - like swimming in Baja or yoga on the beach. It might not be curable, but it is definitely treatable as a chronic condition. Hope they are wrong about that anyway. Keep on smiling.

Jim, Sorry, you're asking questions out of my pay grade. I would pose it to the oncologists on cancergrace.org - you can "Ask an Expert" here on LCSC if I could find the link, or just join cancergrace.org if you haven't already.

Oh Judy, That's terrible! You appear to have kept your sense of humor - or maybe it's the good drugs? Let them take care of you and get out of that place soon.

UCSC also offered a science class "Biology of the banana slug." (I did not take it.) Each student had to go find a slug and try to keep it alive for the quarter. They made little shoebox environments, kept them fed and watered. Not sure what else (well, maybe I know and don't want to admit it.) I took statistics instead, as well as intro to oceanography and astronomy. Heavy duty science coursework!

I guess it was unofficial from the start: http://www1.ucsc.edu/administration/pio ... ascot.html

Just ducking in to explain to Judy in KW that Diane is probably referring to a football game involving the University of Oregon - they are "The Oregon Ducks". Up here, we are Huskies. My undergrad mascot is the Banana Slug. Seriously. Well, we didn't have a mascot when I was there, but it has been adopted since then.

2012! How'd that happen? We met friends for lupper (lunch/supper) at 1 and chatted for a couple of hours. Got home and I crawled onto the bed with cat and blanket. Got up a couple times for a few minutes, but basically got up at 8 this morning. Had no alcohol, but still managed to cough hard enough to get a gag reflex and another visit to the porcelain god. But my cold is gone, so that is good. Midnight was punctuated with fireworks and explosive devices in the neighborhood - lots of loud sounds, occasional lights in the sky despite the blinds. Last two sets were around 1:30 - I'm guessing the restaurant workers finally got home and wanted to celebrate. But it sounded like they blew something up, twice. Gray outside, rain unlikely, 42 headed to 49.

Happy New Year's Eve all - we are meeting some friends for a late brunch and I'll call that good for the celebrating!

Oh Katie.