purplelady47

Oh Deb ~ I am so very, very sorry. With a gentle hug, Pam in FL

I just went through all this back in January and finally received my first SSDI check this month. In the meantime, I recieved a SSI check every month - it was for $600.00. In order to qualify for that, I had to have less than $2000.00 in the bank. There is a six month waiting period from the time of approval for SSDI until you receive the first SSDI check. I received the SSI check within a week. I was approved for SSDI very quickly - probably less than 2 weeks because all my medical records say Stage IV. I was told at the time that Stage IV is automatically approved. Hope this helps a bit. Pam in FL

Stable is oh so very good!!! :::happy dance::: Pam in FL

Such good news!!! Sending positive thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery!!! We sure do miss Joanie!! Pam in FL

I have a cairn terrier named Yoda - he's small, furry and a delightful couch companion. But in two weeks, when my daughter and son-in-law move in with us, my grandcats will arrive - Bishop and Ripley. They are named after the characters in the movie "Alien". We are hoping that living with the cats and Yoda will not be an alien encounter. When I lived in IL with my husband, we raised and trained hunting dogs - specifically Brittanys. I personally believe that all clothing is enhanced with a wee bit of pet hair as an accessory! Pam

I do this Japanese braiding called kumihimo that I really love. I have some photos of it on my website: http://pamelathome5047.fotopic.net/ I really love to make these braids - it's very relaxing and there are so many uses for long woven braids. Right now I am making keychains for a friend's business to give as gifts to her suppliers at Christmas. I also love to make jewelry too. I make necklaces, bracelets and earrings and sell them on Ebay. I have all the equipment for making glass beads and when it gets cooler, I am going to start practicing that too. I find crafty stuff very relaxing. These hobbies have really helped me fill the long hours since I am not working. Pam in FL

Sending lots of prayers and positive thoughts to you and your Mom ~ Pam in FL

Oh Jen ~ I am so very sorry for you and your family. With a gentle hug, Pam in FL

Oh Ginny!! That was my mistake - I was using bon-bons as my coping mechanism. ::::making a note for my next chemo:::: I will have to bypass the candy store before my next chemo to stock up!!! Pam in FL

Okay Andrea ~ I am not much of a cook, but I just sent you two very simple recipes, along with some photos also. For the "This and That" section, I was thinking about this poem: Dishwashing Without Groans Thank God for dirty dishes for they have a tale to tell. Well other folks go hungry, we're eating very well. With Home and Health and Happiness we shouldn't want to fuss. For by this stack of evidence God's very good to us! (My Mom had a plaque with this poem by our sink when I was growing up. She died of SCLC in 1995.) I have this plaque hanging in my kitchen: Welcome Although you'll find our house a mess... Come in, sit down, Converse. It does not always look like this.... Somedays it's even worse. And my other favorite: I kiss better than I cook! Pam in FL

And I am feeling almost human again. Randy - will you be opening the chat room tonight??? I am tired of laying on the couch, watching TV and eating bon-bons, so if you are opening up the chat room, I will be there!! Pam in FL

Thinking of you and your loved ones. Pam in FL

This was really funny. Pam in FL

Oh this is wonderful news Joan!!! :::doing the happy dance::: Enjoy the Mother of the Bride planning!! Pam in FL

Yep - the wonderful hot flashes! I had forgotten how they start post chemo!!! I was laying on the couch last night and I was taking the covers off, putting them back on, taking them off, putting them back on........you get the picture!! I was driving the dog nuts!!! Lots of water seems to help this, but as I remember, it tapers off after awhile. All my best to your Mom, Pam in FL

I didn't get a port when I had my first chemo. Near the end of my chemo, it became more difficult for the nurses to find a good vein for blood draws and chemo infusion but they managed. Three months after my last chemo I went for a CT scan and it took the technician six attempts to find a good vein for the contrast infusion and I ended up looking like a battered woman with all the bruises on my arm. Quite honestly, that CT scan was the worse part of my cancer experience to date. So when my oncologist said I had to have more chemo, I insisted on a port. I had it inserted last Tuesday and it was used one week later. I am so very grateful that I had the port put in. It was alot easier on both me and the nurses and I know that my next CT scan IV won't be so awful. Pam in FL

That's exactly how I feel!! Yesterday I had my first Taxotere treatment and of course, the benadryl pre-meds always make me oh-so-sleepy. I stopped taking the pain meds for the port because the insertion site stopped hurting, it is just tender now. But then I started taking the anti-depressant - I was told that by a friend that takes Lexapro that it made him very tired in the beginning. And he wasn't kidding!!! EEEKKK!!! Between the chemo, the pre-meds, the anti-depressent and the post-chemo meds, my life is one big nap-a-thon!!! Thank goodness I prepared a whole bunch of meals prior to starting chemo, because now I all have to do is nuke dinner and use the fine china - Dixie paper plates!! Pam in FL

Sending all kinds of positive energy and prayers ~ Pam in FL

This is such great news!!! ::::doing the happy dance:::: Pam in FL

Everyone here is so nice and supportive. I don't know what I would do without this group. The lexapro is doing its job - for the last 8 months there has been a huge sign in the front of my brain with thousands of blinking lights (like the signs in Las Vegas) that said "YOU HAVE CANCER" 24/7. With the lexapro, the sign is still there, but now it says you have cancer. Now that the sign is much smaller, I am feeling much better. I find myself with unexpected free time - my son is going to stay overnight at a friend's tonight and then go to Busch Gardens tomorrow. I made plans to have an evening out with the girls tonight and will spend tomorrow shopping with a friend. I am feeling better and stronger, both physically and mentally. I am very grateful to everyone here - you have made a huge difference in my journey! With a gentle hug, Pam in FL

Just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you Lori and sending you lots of strength, courage and hugs. Pam in FL

Ultimate

Moonlight..... Soft jazz playing in the background..... Sharing a nice bottle of wine....... The pool in my backyard...... The clothes tossed by the side of the pool...... Tender, romantic words........ The glare of the lights from the neighborhood security patrol car ..... "Gee ma'am, we thought somebody broke in to your yard!" It always *I*S* an adventure in my little world!! Pam in FL

Oh Gail ~ I am so sorry to hear this. I hope your memories bring you comfort during this sad time. Gently hugging you, Pam in FL

akimbo