GinnyB

snickerdoodles and a big glass of milk, and ending with....

who was not GinnyB, the lady who had brought sloppy joes to the Pub the night before. However...

Salem, Oregon

Darn it, I hate to admit, I'm a Martha...although sometime I wish I WAS a Maxine

Am I too late? I've been busy cooking up a feast - I've got sloppy joes, deviled eggs, and for dessert, Old Fashioned Peach Pie with hand cranked vanilla ice cream. If the pub's closed for the night, let's just stash all this in the fridge for tomorrow...Kasey, still have room in there? GinnyB

How so very true all of this is....People that I thought would walk through fire for me, as I've done for them, have disappeared for the most part, checking in occasionally, surprised when I answer the phone (as in, WHAT? you're STILL alive?) Others, who I would have characterized as "occasional" friends and acquaitenances have stepped up to the plate. These are the people that don't ask, "what can I do to help?", they're the people who show up, and say "here's what I'm going to do to help, and what else can I do while I'm here?" Cancer scares people - (duh), and it once scared me - but not anymore...what's the worst that can happen - I already have and am beating cancer, and you can't take away my birthday! There's almost a feeling from some of those old friends - disengage now, before the final outcome, and then it won't hurt so bad when she's gone - they hold their distance to preserve their own feelings of safety and security. The true friends, jump right in with you, and say "Let's take this baby for a ride, and throw it off the cliff! I'll take those friends any day!

I Love Lucy !

I used to smoke, right up until the moment before I entered the emergency room (11/8/06) and they knocked me out and intubated me for three weeks... I still WANT to smoke. Everyday. Like right now. The physical addiction came and went while I was unconscious, doesn's seem fair to the rest of you who quit the old fashioned way, I'm sure! I like the idea of not smoking one day at a time, but that's just too many decision points for me, too many ways to say "just one" (where one is too many and a thousand is never enough)! I can still taste it, I can still feel it, and I still like it (I know, sick isn't it?) So here's my deal with myself. I smoked for nearly 35 years. If, after another 35 years (I'll be 86!), I STILL want to smoke, then I can have one, because by then, it probably won't matter much. And if I get to 86, I probably won't remember that I promised myself a cigarette! So far, it' working for me, but I gotta quit thinking about it so much! GinnyB

Hello All: Thanks for your replies....I'm just back from the Dr., who tells me that CBC show moderately low red/white blood cells and platelets. Going back on Friday for another CBC to see if they're coming up. Until then, have been advised to "take it easy" and quit running into stuff! Thanks, GinnyB

Hi All, I had my first week of Topotecan last week, and now this week, the backs of my hands are black and blue, green and red, (certainly not pretty!). Looks like I've been run over by a truck...all of which I might have expected from five days of needle sticks, at 2x minimum. But, now, I'm getting blood spots just under the skin from something as simple as scratching an itch or brushing against a counter. I think that Topotecan can cause low platelets, but just wondered if anyone else has experienced this. Had no problems with Cisplatin/Etoposide, which carries the same warnings. Any advice? (I'll call Dr. tomorrow) Thanks, GinnyB

Liz, Oh that really stinks...As an HR Director, I don't normally give Human Resources advice from the employee's perspective, but in your case, I'm going to make an exception! First off, you say they are a very large firm - 50 or more in a 75 mile radius? If so, they are required to permit you time off with return to work protection and continuation of benefits for 12 weeks in every 12 calendar months, under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Second, you say you moved for the job - did they relocate you, or did you move yourself? If they relocated you, even in any small amount, you have a toehold in that they certainly wouldn't move someone they thought to be incompetent, now would they? Third, regarding insurance company...If they already have the new insurance company, your claims experience has already been factored into the premium costs (probably months ago), and so them firing you today won't do anything to change their premiums for this year, and maybe not even next year, but some managers don't know that. Did they give you anything in writing about why you were being terminated? Do you have copies of your personnel file? If not, I'd call and DEMAND copies. (Not that they have to give them to you, your personnel file is a company record). But, you will be able to tell from their response how nervous they are. Was an HR person involved in the termination process, or just a manager? If just a manager, call HR! (We hate to be left out). If HR and a Manager, go up the chain both in HR and Management, and try to appeal their decision. Threaten discrimination to everyone you talk to. Let them know you are serious - eventually you will get someone who knows the true cost of an action like this! Someone mentioned "at will employment". While that's a nice concept, it usually doesn't go very far, because most companies don't just randomly fire someone periodically because they are "at will". There's usually another motive, and one easier to find. Most companies have a pattern and practice of only terminating employees for "just cause". They've already told you they aren't employing the "at will" doctrine by giving you a reason. Now they will have to prove it - and demonstrate that you were treated the same as others who were fired for cause. They will likely have given others opportunity to improve their performance. Finally, I encourage you to utilize the free resources that are available to you - the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and your state Department of Labor (can be called many things). You normally would file a complaint with the state, and they will simultaneously file it with the federal branch (EEOC), and will help you write it up. They will investigate for you, and if at the end, there is no resolution, they will try to get the company to mediate for settelement. If you still can't come to agreement, you can ask them to issue what is called a "right to sue" letter, which tells the civil courts that you have tried to fix this through the administrative agencies (some courts won't entertain a civil suit if administrative remedies have not been pursued). Finally, and I apologive for the length, from what you've said, I think your best claim would be for "retaliation for having used FMLA". This is currently a hot topic in adminstrative agencies! Best of luck to you, GinnyB

All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix

My World is Empty Without You - The Supremes

Out of Sight - James Brown

Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows - Lesley Gore

Walking on Sunshine - Katrina and the Waves

I too, have had thrush and been prescribed the liquid Nystatin (and yes, it is nasty tasting). My doctor told me that it could take a couple of weeks to clear up, but they don't like to give a systemic prescription if they don't have to. After two weeks, with no sign that this was ever going to go away, my doctor finally gave me a prescription (can't remember what it was now, but triangular shaped and pink!) and that cleared it up in a couple of days. I say don't wait too long - go back and get the good stuff! GinnyB

Forever Young - Bob Dylan May God bless and keep you always, May your wishes all come true, May you always do for others And let others do for you. May you build a ladder to the stars And climb on every rung, May you stay forever young, Forever young, forever young, May you stay forever young. May you grow up to be righteous, May you grow up to be true, May you always know the truth And see the lights surrounding you. May you always be courageous, Stand upright and be strong, May you stay forever young, Forever young, forever young, May you stay forever young. May your hands always be busy, May your feet always be swift, May you have a strong foundation When the winds of changes shift. May your heart always be joyful, May your song always be sung, May you stay forever young, Forever young, forever young, May you stay forever young.

Yup, that would be me

Oh, thank goodness it's not just me! Shaved my head when it first started falling out, lost part of my eyebrows, but they were thinning anyway from overtweezing, and the thing I missed the most were my eyelashes. They didn't totally go away, but were very short and fine. Lashes were the first to come back and are now fine (last chemo 3/7/07. Brows are making a respectable comeback and maybe better than before. Head...well, I've been likened to a Chia Pet...haven't seen my natural color for years and years, but coming in salt and pepper, so I don't know about the color change, and looks to be curlier than before, but it's only 1/2 inch, so hard to tell. Loved not shaving my legs and pits, but that's over now. (Dang). Face...yes...furry little rabbit face - I'm on prednisone for other problems, and I attributed it to that....but now that it's been pointed out, it could be hormonal - I am, after all, 51!

I've been lurking for a while...and I want you all to know what a comfort you have been - Thanks! When I was first diagnosed, with limited SCLC, I was advised by a dear friend to NOT read the internet, because it would scare the stuffing out of me, and it wouldn't mean anything anyway, since most statistics are 5+years old, and they don't have anything to do with me anyway....For the most part, I resisted. Until lately. Which is how I found this group, fortunately. Yesterday, results of the 2nd CT scan since end of treatment shows a slight enlargement of 1 lymph node (40%)to a size of 3.9cm x 2.3cm. I didn't think that was too bad until I looked at a ruler! No other signs or indications in the lungs or liver, scheduled for a bone/brain scan although the dr. tells me it won't make any difference, because the treatment will be the same. Dr. tells me "not to worry", 85% of SCLC comes back for a second line of treatment - HUH? NOT WORRY?????? I think I should be entitled to worry! Oh, and yes, I stopped smoking on diagnosis - the chicken way....intubated and unconscious for 3 weeks...doesn't mean I don't still WANT to smoke, but I'm committed to staying smoke free now...I want to live more than smoke! (Funny how that works!) Any advice or words of encouragement would be much appreciated. Thanks.