jaminkw

Oh dear, I didn't get back on Sunday and missed Bruce. I'll catch up with him. I figured he was busy. Bud, still waiting to hear if you went out in costume on Halloween. If so, we want a pic. Muriel, looks like I missed you on Good News. I'll try to find the post--but since it was "good", congratulations. Judy, sounds like a nice night planned. We got a last minute invite to dinner. It will be nice to see snowbirds just back but I'll miss those tacos we were going to have. Yes Judy, I do have a lot going. Not least is an onc here who is supposed to be overseeing my chemo but is suggesting procedures. He has gone so far as to write in a progress report to my MDA Onc that he doesn't think keeping me on Taxotere is an appropriate treatment! Oh my. This guy is the only game in town. I have to make it work. We cannot start making the 18-hr round trip to Orlando every three weeks again. Been there, done that the first year after dx. Think it's time for an opinion from Cancergrace.org. Judy in KW

So happy for you that the family is onboard with the relationship. I think it really helps. As far as the separations are concerned, Stan and I are married almost 48 yrs. He traveled extensively during much of that time. It was hard when the kids were young but you don't have that issue. It's a very individual thing but doesn't have to be a relationship-breaker. Good luck to you and your lady. Judy in KW

Morning All! Wish I could take time to read today but there's no rest for the weary. Been taking care of business including picking up alot of Stan's slack. His hip is still acting up. Of course, he won't go to the doctor so.... Spent all day Monday in the computer doing stuff the Accountant emailed me after looking at the copy of QBs I sent her, sigh. At least I was able to do it. Can remember when I couldn't. Yesterday off bright and early to the Onc here in KW then a huge grocery shopping with Stan. Back home we put it all away and I'm trying to keep things orderly. Tomorrow I'll be gone all day for chemo. They really drag it out! Have to make a call to Dr T in Orlando today. This Onc here is putting me in an awkward position suggesting tests and procedures and suggesting I'm on Taxotere longer than may be need. I let him manipulate me into saying I'd call and see why she never responded to his Sep letter. Right now I'm off to addressing the multiple items in the Accountant's email and sending her a new Accountant's Copy of our QBs. I'm already tired. Have a great day everyone. I'll be back and happy when I have time to rest. Judy in KW

Morning All! Rain rain go away. I got out and did some of the prep work for the landscaping. Much too heavy work for me, was sweating and aching and my face beet red. Guess it's lucky it poured much the remainder of the day lol. I did get back out and do a few more things. Stan wasn't thrilled with me but he didn't give me too much flack. He's laid up with a really bad hip. Could have been extreme walking between the hunting and the walking at the airports. I'm not feeling too badly today so I may sneak out and do a little more. Stephanie, that's a movie I'd like to see. I'm not a sports buff either but it's gotten great reviews. Glad you got out and distracted for awhile. We're still waiting for those ALK results, aren't we? Eric, I'll bet you're glad that tile job is done. I look around at all Stan did to finish our house and am glad it was ten years or more ago. His knees couldn't handle it now. He also did some beautiful counters though, one is porcelain. He really enjoyed doing them. Small crafts warning and the dumb a neighbors went out fishing. Two old fools. It was overcast and windy earlier but it looks like we might get some sun now. Rain rain go away....except in Texas. Bud, how are the lakes doing? Haven't heard you fishing much lately. Allan, how much snow? Janet, we hear Connecticut fared the worse. Hope you at least have power. To any and all in the storm zone, be well, keep warm. Have a great day everyone. Judy in KW

Morning All! What a nice chatty Air yesterday. Good to see you all especially you Bud. We've missed you. Do check in sometime and tell us about your Halloween costume. You are costuming aren't you. I hate the idea of doing it but have always had fun when coerced into it. My young helper did not return my call so I'm off to try some yard work myself today. Trust myself to only do what I can fairly easily--how crazy is that lol. Stan will be traveling (home) all day so this is the only chance I'll have to test myself. Hope you all have a great weekend. Judy in KW

Morning All! Well, I got thru the last two days and am doing NEXT TO NOTHING today. Way overdid and am supposed to have a kid come help me get things ready for the landscaper. Don't know if weather will permit it. It's calling for rainy. Stan is due in very late tomorrow. I probably won't be up. If his flights go on schedule, I don't think he'll roll in before 2 am. Two days in a row I got up around 8 am. Yesterday was a little inconvient because I had an appointment in town at 10. Today I got up at 8:15 and have been in my chair since. Shopping actually since there was a 25% site-wide sale on intimates and I'm in dire need lol. I won't go into the details. It's almost November and I don't think I have it in me to beat my head up against the local paper again. They do next to nothing for breast cancer or the Cancer Society here. I wish I haven't had the stuffin knocked out of me this year. I've recovered nicely from this past Spring but am very busy catching up on living life. Judy, hope your situation turns out you don't need the surgery yet. For now, rest sounds like the best thing to do. Stephanie, I hope you've seen the end of home repairs soon. I know how they can suck away at finances. Still waiting with you on your next treatment. Taxotere has been good to me but the hair would have been better if it had all fallen out. It's still thinning gradually but the texture is the worst--it look fried, like a perm gone very wrong lol. Sara, you just posted ahead of me--have a great time in LA. Nothing better than connecting with old friends. Have a great day everyone. Judy in KW

Eric, thanks for checking in. And good news is ALWAYS welcome here. Congratulations on the speaking and tree-lighting engagement. What an honor. You have probably done more in the past year than anyone has ever done for LC awareness in Scotland. This summer you also spread some of your golddust on the USA as well. Uncanny that I picked this day weeks ago to visit the bird sanctuary. Can't think of anything more fitting to raise my spirits today. Judy in KW

Morning All! Still reeling from the news of Annette's passing. She was so young. We have been missing our funny Annette here for awhile. But at least we knew she could pop in from time to time. I guess life just got too heavy for her to continue to hide her sorrow behind her amazing sense of humor. Would probably cancel my trip up to Marathon today if I hadn't planned to visit a friend after I go to Crane's Point. Gosh, I think that's the name, anyway it's a bird sanctuary. I've never been there. I was feeling so well and then fatigue hit me hard the last couple of days. Didn't think I've been doing all that much. To make matters worse, I wound up with 3 appmts tomorrow. One for a routine heart sonogram in town, then back here for lunch with a friend (yeah), then back to town to get my teeth cleaned. Oh well, have NOTHING planned for Friday. Now about that elephant in the room. Can't remember her name but she's a hurricane brewing southwest of us. It looks threatening but we really won't know anything until probably Friday. Hoping she skadoodles somewhere else. I had plans for help to come get my yard ready for my new landscaping plots on Saturday. Am off to do a couple of computer chores before I leave. Have a good day everyone. Judy in KW

Morning All! Shock is the emotion of the day. I cannot believe we lost our dear Annette. I hope she felt the love of all of us who kept reaching out. We may never know how her death came about. Stephanie, so sorry about your infection but sleep is good. Waiting for scan results is no fun either but sleeping through the wait could help. I'll be watching for your Update. I have to go. I'm too sad still to make small talk. Judy in KW

Judy, guess it's just you and I today. I went to your garden link and it is beautiful. I'm afraid our gardens here pale in comparison to Seattle and MI. Stan and I have plans to go up the coast at least as far as Maine next year to see the Fall colors. I have a reunion in NJ Oct 6 so the timing should be great. The next year I want to take a trip visiting gardens. I am getting a head-start on the bookkeeping I do for the accountant at tax time. Who knows what I'll be doing this year in Jan and Feb. Something fun I hope. I thought if Stan went hunting again in Jan, I could spend a week or so in PSL. Haven't spent an extended time with Wendy and Dominick for awhile--just me that is. Don't know about contented though. I'm too tired to do much of anything but watch TV in the evening and it's beginning to bore me. I need to get a good reading light in the livingroom so I can read instead. Have a good evening everyone. Judy in KW

Morning All! The sun has come up as I've been sitting here catching up. I was up at 6:30am, not my favorite time. Reflected once again how I am very slow at waking once I am up. Looking at the clock and thinking at least an hour lol. Stephanie, I am so glad I read Sunday's Air this morning. Kubota Gardens are breathtaking! I would be in heaven just sitting there in the midst of all that beauty. Gardens are one of my favorite things. Judy your weekend sounds like the perfect balance of chores and fun and relaxation. Wonderful way to lead into the new week. Same with you Eric. Your charity event sounds like a rousing success. Working on Irene's kitchen reminds me of our rennovation days. Stan laid more tile on floors and counters than I'm sure he cares to remember. And your Sunday sounds like the perfect day of rest. My day of rest involved dragging out some items to try to get a Fall centerpiece to suit me for my diningroom table. As mentioned before, my son David is coming with his wife, kids and mil. I spent some time out on the screen porch reading the paper and went to town for a little shopping. Was bummed that I forgot my coupon for CVS but oh well. Got to go, Stan's on the phone from ND. Have a great day everyone. Judy in KW

Dulcinea, this is the place to come to when you are scared. We get it! I'm 3b for over 4 yrs now. I was ten years older than you when dx'd but recall how the doctors kept walking around saying (but you are so healthy). I realize the importance of that now. Except for a couple of bumps in the road, I've managed to stay healthy and handle the chemo well. I feel for you being a single parent. How old are your kids? Hope they are an age that can help and support. Doing chemo, working and tending to kids could be a challenge but it sounds like you are strong and come from strong stock. Keep us posted on how the chemo goes. Judy in KW

Ron, I couldn't be happier for you. Your love for Pat came through in all your posts and I'm sure she wouldn't want you to be alone forever. I hope your children are on board. That can sometimes be a sticky-wick but as Stephanie said, keeping it a secret isn't usually the way to go. Hope the weekend goes well and you move comfortably into a new phase in life. Judy in KW

I am 3b lung cancer dx'd by cell analysis. LC but not evident in the lung. Started with chemo for malignancy in pleura (chest wall). It moved to the abdominal wall but still LC. I've been on treatment most of 4 yrs. With the exception of a couple of bumps in the road this past spring, I have been doing well and living a relatively normal life. Sounds like you are on the right track with this change in treatment facilities. Keep up the good fight! Judy in KW

Morning All! What a joy it was to see the sun shining in my windows as the sun rose this morning. We needed the rain but had just about enough for awhile. It was a bit of a zoo here last night. Stan and I had been to town. It was a lovely breezy day and we sat outside for lunch at Pepe's. Terrific lunch. We were chilling in front of the TV and Stan's friend driving to NDakota called. Turns out Stan was leaving this am not tomorrow. We laughed so hard. He just had Sunday locked in as the 22nd. He'd said it so many times that when I looked at the 22nd on the calendar, I didn't even catch that it was Sat not Sun. Fortunately he was pretty ready and I told him to think that it just eliminates one more day of anticipation lol. We said good-night last night since he was leaving around 3 am to drive to Ft Lauderdale for his flight. Stephanie, it sounds as though they were powerful words you read at the conference. Glad someone was there to appreciate the moment and move things on. It must have been satisfying though to bring your experience into such sharp focus. Have to go see what I will do with this day since I will not be making Stan oatmeal raisen cookies. Have a good one everyone. Judy in KW

Welcome to the site. First of all, you might want to ask your Mom to tell her doctors that they have permission to discuss her case with you. I did with my daughter. I do believe there was a form I signed that listed both she and my husband for that purpose. Don't worry too much about the stage. I nearly freaked when the surgeon scheduled to put in my port blurted out that in my case, the cancer was most certainly a 3 or 4. It turned out I was stage 3b and have been on treatment most of 4 yrs. The good news is I'm relatively healthy and live a good life. You are going through the worst time now, waiting for a firm dx and a treatment plan. Once that is in place, you and your Mom will settle into what we call the new normal. Do come back and let us know how things go with the oncologists. Hopefully you can be with her or have things in place to assure you get the whole picture. Stay strong. Judy in KW

Whew, one day off the net and so much work catching up with emails, posts I'm following and Airs. I found out that by not returning in the pm on Wed, I missed a lot. Bud, that includes you. Good to hear from you. I recall my biking days (again no relation to Bud's biking marathons lol), winter brought cooler temps but also the winds. Hated them. Lily, hope you are feeling better. If I recall, tmj is that jaw clicking thingy. I've only had it once and swear it was brought on by a NY bagel. It was here in KW and so many people were so happy they could get a NY bagel. Never ate one again. Judy, sounds like your weather has been a bear lol. Couldn't resist that. Hope that bear made himself scarce. An auto-on generator. How cool is that. We have a generator but not auto-on. Would love that since if I needed it when Stan wasn't here, I wouldn't have a clue. Katie, so sorry about another loss. It just keeps coming doesn't it. Hope you get a real rest this weekend, enough so that you can pick those shoulders up again. The event season will be over soon but, oh no, then come the holidays. No rest for the weary I'm afraid. Paulette, so glad you got the all clear on that latest scare. 37 hummm, and I was a little chilly on the porch in the sixties yesterday lol. Wish I could see those leave though. Eric, sorry about Sally missing the dinner. I wish she could reach out and get help. I'll be she is really a lovely lady. After all, you married her. BTW, glad you are checking up on Annette. It helps us to hear how she is doing. Got to go. Have a good evening everyone. Judy in KW

Katie, so help me I'm going to stay healthy next spring. Maybe my trip to the summit will be my first flight since I was dx'd. Judy in KW

Morning All! Didn't see a "Thursday's Air" when I clicked my view unread posts. Sorry I couldn't be here. Too much going on. Cleaning day and I was beside her putzing around most of the time she was here. Also spending time and getting things I need done before Stan leaves on Sunday for S.Dakota. I'm hoping I can find a balance between fun and work. I tend to work too much when he is away. Have to add we spent time sitting outside on the porch on a finally beautiful fall day! Nice up your way Ann? Eric, sounds like you are still having fun. Doesn't sound like a lull to me. Have fun at your "ladies" event lol. On the way to town shortly. Will go to a barbershop where Stan gets his haircuts. I'm going to try one trim and if it doesn't work, I'll have him shave my head tomorrow. It was so much easier to make up my mind to shave it when it all started coming out all at once. Also, that wa 6 infusions and it started growing back. I assume I will stay bald now as long as I am on Taxotere and of course I want to to that if the alternative is progression. Lots of errands but Stan and I will go together. Means me not having to park at every short stop. Also lunch at Pepe's on Caroline for any of you familiar with KW. Have a good day all. I plan to. Judy in KW

Morning All! Didn't get back in later yesterday and missed Sue's post. Let's throw everything we have behind her Mom for good results from yesterday's scan. Judy, I like your approach to the volunteer work at your church. Take a wait and see attitude. When you are giving your time away, you should feel needed and appreciated by the people you work with. Ann, I have not been in town but see the pictures on TV and remember the streets that used to get flooded even in a normal rainy season. This is crazy. After I went to bed last night, the winds were really bad. Stan found chairs blown off the upper to lower deck in our screen porch. Potted plants were blown over and tree limbs down. It sounded like a hurricane but didn't last too long--or I fell asleep, don't know which. I desparately need the sun. Was so excited yesterday talking with the landscaping guy. The rain even stopped while he was here. He was recommended by a friend and just a down-to-earth guy. Wasn't fu-fu at all and agreed with some of my selections and made good suggestions himself, even incorporating things I already have. Don't have a place for my ground orchids so we decided to utilize some big attractive pots I also already have and put them in the back yard. Got to admit. Get more excited about new plants than new furniture lol! Before I close, I miss all of you who aren't posting but am most concerned to hear from Annette. Hey girl, how's it going? Check in when you get time. Have a great day everyone. Judy in KW

Nick, I am also someone who gets irritated by all the pink. And yes, I also have mixed feelings since my niece died last year of breast cancer. I've avoid getting too involved with the cancer (general) group here until I feel physically strong enough to jump in and do something to change the perception of LC and the need for LC research. You are such a great advocate for us so go and wear your pink in peace. Judy in KW

Don't know if this will help or not. I have an older sister who has a thing about people "knowing her busiess." Don't know what business she is talking about. She is retired on SS and a small schoolteacher's pension. Last year she was hospitalized. Neither of her sisters or cousin/sisters we grew up with were on the list to get info. She has made a young friend in AZ who took her to the hospital and visited her there. Even she was not on the list. The person listed was a friend from when my sister lived in the Carolinas. Long story short it created a big hoo-ha in the family. At my wits end, when the event was over and she was home, I took it upon myself to tell her she has the right to live her life however she chooses. I told her we were not interested in "knowing her business," just getting info on the health and well-being of our sister. I added that if she choose to live her life in this manner, she had to accept the consequences. In this case some hurt feelings and some very pissed off family members. She thanked me for telling her. I found out later she talked to another family member she is closer to. That person confirmed what I said, that she was deeply hurt by the turn of events. Next time my sister was to have minor surgery, we were all kept in the loop. I know your MIL's situation is different but the point I wanted to make was sometimes it does help to tell people how you feel in a nonemotional nonconfrontational tone. This is just so wrong. I said I'd tell DH if I were you but not tell her you did. She set you up to push you away and him confirming he knew walked the two of you right into the trap. I don't know what I'd do now except tell her how you feel--hurt, angry etc. at being cut out at this time of her life. That is if you are not largely relieved. I wouldn't blame you if you were. Judy in KW

Morning All! Anxiously waiting for the man who is going to give us a quote for some landscaping. Stan did some yard clean-up (after I asked where a tool was intending to do it myself when he left). Before you give me the business guys, he leaves stuff all over the yard and house. Where he uses it, he drops it. I used to keep the yard together doing it mostly when he was away. He's not gone enough now and I don't have the energy I did have. Ann, OMG what a BEAUTIFUL baby. I'm so glad you got her pic online for all to see. You must be over the top! Stephanie, we are happy to hear whatever happens in our friends' days. I cannot imagine the anger and frustration at arriving at that doctor's office with your Dad and finding there is no appointment. As for your pain, I think it's just a mystery. After my chemo, I start to have sharp pains in various areas of my body. My right side now, under my left breast later, then across my back. There's a little time in between but it just leaves me puzzled--the chemo, the cancer fighting back, the post-chemo shot??? Who knows. Only good thing is they go away and move around enough to not think it's another "bad" location. Stan is making Etouffe. I'm excited but hope it isn't too spicy. I'm still in my tongue blister phase after chemo. He leaves on Sunday though and I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to savor it before he goes. Have a great day everyone. Judy in KW

What a situation in which to be caught up! I'm guessing you didn't tell your MIL that you told your husband. I would be going again the group consensus here but that's the way I would have done it. I know it sounds wrong, but telling her you couldn't keep it from him at the distance you live could have resulted in her cutting you out. You sound like her primary support and I think that trumps honesty at this point. No when you get there, that's something that you'll have to deal with but at least it will be ftf. I am so sorry for this family crisis. Please check in with us as often as you need. Someone will always be here. Good luck when DH comes home. Judy in KW

Ann, congratulations to you and yours! What a wonderful thing to be able to hold a grandbaby again. I laughed when I thought of my son, our oldest and just over 3 when Wendy was born. As he got older, David was fond of saying he would have made a great only child lol. Seriously though, they were close especially through their teen years. All the boys wanted Dave to bring Wendy along when they went anywhere lol. Judy, I do love people coming on board but it's not too weird for me when they don't. Stan's hard of hearing (don't let him hear me say that) so I'm used to talking to myself lol. Sounds like you had a lovely weekend. Sometimes no excitement is just very o.k. I ordered my eyebrow stuff yesterday. I will wind up with so much eyebrow powder, I won't use it in two lifetimes. I have two colors of Lauren Hutton that I mix. The hair powder to camo balding is great for eyebrows. And of course I had to order two colors of Aura because I couldn't decide. Had to order powder to get the wax. Sounds like it will work to keep it in place. I've used powder for years because it's so natural looking but never the wax. O.k. guys, you are not interested in eyebrow wax. How about Stan's upcoming trip to S Dakota. He's so excited. He and his friend/partner are going. They'll be pheasant hunting. Stan used to drive so if we get any to eat, he'll have to talk Donnie into taking some iced and leaving it in Ohio. He'll drive his first trip out there. Can't believe his friends have talked him into flying again. Never say never! Have a good day everyone. Judy in KW