Annette

Outstanding - congratulations! Annette

I hope that tears help wash the windows in our minds that allow us eventually to see and smile about the good memories we have with our loved ones. I cannot begin to imagine how hard this past 1 1/2 years have been on you and your family but I know that many here would gladly let you rest your head on our shoulders for as long as you need. Annette

It was snowing as I rode to work today - although warmer here in Richmond than in Texas. It was borderline freezing the television news was saying how worried they were because the temperature was so borderline. Of course that means everyone believed them and there were wrecks galore. When I left at 7:15 they had not closed the City/County schools here but all around us they were at least delaying the opening. Judy my thoughts are with you today - and I will volunteer to do your worrying for you - cause that's what I do worry - so there is truly no need for both of us to be all 'tightened' up ..... This is the first day of a long week for me since I had my x-ray on Friday and will have to wait til Friday - - so anyone that is waiting for results as I told Judy above - you don't have to worry - I'll be more than happy to take that on for you. Our corporate office is in St. Paul MN - believe it or not - is open. I would be scared to death to drive in that. At least our roads were only ice - I mean wet not white... hmm - I may not have meant that. Just walked up to the front of the office and is still snowing a tiny bit - my car is not blue it is white. Pretty to look at - not so pretty to get off in the evening to go home. I hope everyone that can be home is safely snuggled up and warm - and those of us that are worker bees - may the work day pass quickly. Annette

I cannot believe it is 9 a.m. and no one has started the best day of the weeks air. Already one hour closer to the 5 o'clock whistle. I hope someone else comes along soon - I usually just respond to others thoughts. I hope that everyone has a warm weekend - we are supposed to be getting a little warmer but with rain - no thanks please. I look forward to reading everyone's Friday thoughts. Annette

Another chilly morning here in Richmond, VA as well. Like you TS I have to get an x-ray tomorrow and wait a week to find out. At least I don't have the hungries like you do til next time. But the week wait is horrible. I did see something that should cheer everyone up - in case they missed it - - there are pictures of Eric in a kilt - don't tell him I mentioned it here though. Hope everyone has a great day. Annette

Good morning - almost afternoon here. It was another chilly morning but the sun is shining - so that makes it a little easier to take the cold. I hope Eric doesn't stop his story telling - I love the accents and words I "hear" as I read. And then he closed his second today with a Y'all.....my goodness please don't go that American on us. Bud, I'm not sure when you asked about the 'Sleep Aide' but I meant Ambian - just said it in a joking fashion since I think I was trying to be a funny story teller during that particular post. Not that I'm funny or a story teller. I do know what Eric means by rambling on - sometimes it's easy to get in a conversation when you are thinking of everyone that might read this - things you want to say to everyone since you look forward to hearing from the same people. I think Judy (KW) is right - everyone has their own style and in that you have so many different friends to hear about - all over the place (Canada - Bruce, Scotland - Eric, Key West - Judy, Michigan - Judy, Katie - Texas, etc.) I am an uprooted Texan (New Braunfels - which is near San Antonio) who came to Virginia when I was in the Navy. I also lived on Little Torch Key so I can relate to Judy and Ann when they post about Florida. I also lived in San Diego for a while and traveled to Canada, Africa, Singapore, Spain, etc. I think I better go get busy - I don't want to change my name to Eric. Annette

Wow Eric you can go on. At least it is all very interesting and almost picturesque as you describe it. No such luck as snow to shut things down here in Virginia - although I did wear my big coat again. I hope that things clear up by Thursday - and I'm thinking that you should watch your diet starting now just in case your appointment happens. My better half is going to have one next Wednesday - I'm not looking forward to the diet he has to be on the day before - I may have to have a stash of good food in the closet for myself or something. 24 hours of clear liquid diet - yuck. I just turned 50 in August and my female doctor told me that I should give myself an appointment for one too. Then I read his directions and I'm pretty sure that my CT scan every 6 months for now is sufficient. I'm not gonna rock the boat and ask anyone - just gonna let it go at that - 24 hours of clear liquid diet and my mom tells me the night before is not so much fun. Yep - I tell people I'm 29 and that's the story I'm sticking to. I hope it wasn't too cold for Bud to "ride" to work - I'm feeling the need for some vicarious exercise. Hope that everyone is just bundled down this morning staying warm and cozy. Me - I'd better get back to work. Annette

It was about 27 when I rode to work today - - don't get me wrong - I rode in the car - Bud thank you for exercising for all of us that .... well just don't. I did walk back in the house to get a heavier coat - if that counts. I had a hard weekend myself..... well it felt hard. My 14 year old nephew is as good at math as my daughter was - so I spent about 40 hours or darn close to it helping him with some make up algebra homework. So last night when we went to bed to watch a dvd - I was out before one episode of Two and a Half Men was over - first time in over a year without s "Sleep Aide" - Honestly - Algebra vs. Sleep Aide - the Aide wins!!! I think I will relax and kill people tonight. (No - not the nephew.) I am hooked on PlayStation Call of Duty Black Ops on line. I just wish that the people I "played" against realized they were letting a 50 year old woman catch them. I really miss Dancing with the Stars. But it won't be long til Bachelor I'll be back in the reality show business. Judy KW- I had a thought as I read your post - you might set an alarm that goes off 1/2 hour before your "no more eating" time - so you can snack/dinner and stay on schedule. Of course, staying up late is fun sometimes too. Judy MI - I hope that your spasms stay away - wouldn't it be great to just get minor ones after overworking instead of the ones you were having. So glad things are getting better! I hope everyone is bundling up and staying warm. Only Monday .... guess I better get myself back to work. Annette

I'm sorry to have to meet you in this situation. Although I am the person that had cancer last year - I can certainly understand your problems as caregiver to your mother. It sounds like some of the people you turn to are helpful and others are not. I know there are many caregivers who read this site and can speak to hospice not coming in while active "curative" treatment is being rendered - should your mom decide to stop treatment then you will be able to call them and have a little support during that time. It sounds like you are doing the right things as far as caring for her. My mom has several breathing issues and usually when you go to an ER and tell them you can't breathe they try and triage you in first. If the wait looks too bad - go home and call and ambulance - patients they bring in generally get taken to the care area immediately. So here's hoping that the radiation is successful in fighting the tumor and your mom can continue to fight the beast. Annette

What happened to the rain we were supposed to have - but we may get flurries on Sunday - so I better be careful driving home from work today - lol. I have to jump on the "cancer at work" train too. Think about my experience - I had surgery in June 2009 came back to work and then had surgery in August 2009. I have lost so much trust and work on so few projects now they are worried I may break. And we all know I am fine except for those few days/week or so before a scan until the results. Few people understand how much getting some of the old "normal" means to us. Drives me bonkers sometimes. I know it's only Thursday - but I am anxiously waiting for the weekend - too much family last weekend - need a restful one now. Hope that everyone endures whatever weather takes them home today. Annette

Morning all, made it in to work late after getting some work done on the car - I miss my Chevy - why oh why was that Toyota such a pretty blue. I am usually at work by about 7 a.m. so the 8ish traffic was a shock. Now I know why I started coming in so early. If I lived in Florida I think I could see myself sitting near a fisherman and reading a lot of books (- I'm not one for fishing but I do enjoy the 'nature quiet' that goes with it. -) Of course, I'm just as happy in the Cafe or on the Farm now that I think of it - which may be why all those books are piling up. (For those you you who don't Facebook - I'm saying I'm happy playing facebook games too.) I am glad to see that Bud survived the IRS - and dreading that this year is almost over again isn't it time is flying. That said - I hope everyone has a great Wednesday - it's the middle of that awful 5 days that separates the 2 good ones. Annette

doodle

It's a cool gorgeous day here in Richmond - sigh - work way in the back and no windows. Ann - I am watching DWTS and I totally agree with you. I was a huge Dirty Dancing fan so I tilted toward Jennifer from the start but as far as the men Kurt was the best this year. I think you are right it will be Brandi and Jennifer and I think that Kyle will make it to the third spot. There was just something about his "entertainment" value over and above his marked improvement over the season that made him the "favorite" underdog so to speak. I am also a facebook addict. I have given up a few games but I go back now and then I stick right now to Farmville and Cafe World since my mom just started playing. She drives me crazy calling to send her this and that but I think the "socializing" is good for her she is looking for friends since those games want you to have so many friends to get better things. I'm originally from Texas so I'm not much of a "fish" person. And even though I know I should exercise I have decided that Bud exercises enough for both of us. He also had an excellent idea for Judy in KW about typing her things in Notepad and copying them. I never thought of that - my lost posts are usually seat-to-keyboard errors (yep my own fault). Anyway have a great rest of the day, Annette

A dismal rainy day here in Richmond. The Office Park I work in is having their annual "free lunch" so instead of the usual walk around the building we drove - but free lunch...you can't beat that. I too hope that you find some "normalcy" soon Judy. Sounds like you have the right idea - it's hard to stop thinking about stuff once your brain gets its hook in it though. I am so thankful that my ambien works so well for me. You have just started Judy so I'm thinking things will settle into a routine you can LIVE with - which is the only thing that matters. (I hope you take that as a little funny - that's how it was meant.) If Ann drops in we can all look forward to a weekend that is one hour longer - got to love turning the clocks back even if you do sleep the time away. Hope everyone is having a productive Thursday. Annette

First of all - no matter how you are feeling like everyone - I'm glad you posted. Even though I'm not going through the same thing you are with the horrible pain - I can tell you I have been a terrible pain to my better half. We have had our ups and downs and like the others I agree you should go to Hawaii - especially if the medication will last you through the trip. Take the time to tell him how you honestly feel too - turn all those things you helped people here with on yourself and meet in the middle. I know - very easy for all of us to say - and not so easy to do. But you have given so many here a helpful word or two maybe it is time for us to offer our shoulders - everyone needs a little shoulder sometime - even our caregivers no matter how strong they want to appear to be. An I appreciate you hug goes a long way, saying thank you for all you do goes farther - holding hands in Hawaii priceless!!! Annette

I think I will move my outside broom inside - cause I need a new whisk broom.... LOL loved it. Annette

It's a beautiful day here in Richmond - even though my office is way in the back and I can't see it - I know it is cause it's Friday. I too have been having some bronchitus issues but I started taking an allergy medicine and the Mucinex DM and what a relief. I have been talking like a frog for months and it is honestly going away. I thought something messed up in my throat during one of my surgeries and it sounds like I may get my regular voice back anyway. I am not one for exercising and this week I started a project at work to scan a lot (tons and tons) of old documents to relieve our storage area of old files. I think I have walked a million miles from my office to start the scan - to the scanner room and back to make sure all the pages got scanned and repeat. My legs are mad at me at night and want to continue walking - very restless - thank goodness for the Ambien which I just can't give up. You are right KW Judy - where has MI Judy gone. I saw one post not so long ago where she was concerned about her "sore throat" - so I had been carefully watching for her posts. I hope she is alright. Back to scanning..... Annette

Wow - goosebumps just reading it. I haven't heard that one yet and I really like King George.....probably another one of those songs you cry about everytime you ear it. Good tears, the cleansing ones. Annette

A beautiful day here. Bud you deserve a break - and I would bet that anyone else would be taking more than one day down. Relax!! Judy - I'm glad to hear that you were able to concur the nausea - that has to make you feel a little better and that will help tomorrow. I don't want to imagine the routine you are starting, but I'd bet that every step is like a baby step towards the goal - I want to hear about every detail and then most importantly the positive results everyone is hoping for! I'm a little bored at work today - but also enjoying the down time. Hope everyone has a great Wednesday. Annette

I agree with Katie. My ex-husband died in 2003 and I still get mail for him at an address he never even lived at. They probably have just purchased some "old" phone number list. You could always to the freecreditreport.com once a year for free I believe. Annette

And so the journey begins, all this preparation and that means that you are knowledgeable about what to expect - ready to face what comes - and know that you have many folks here ready to listen if that is what you need. I know I enjoy every one of your posts happy morning airs and frustrated vents - who cares - someone telling it like it is so that those of us that can offer a shoulder or a kind word do. Because that is what you did for us. In all a system of support like a sport team carrying the leader - well it's our turn to offer you support. My shoulder is in place, my ear is ready and if I can offer you anything while you whoop up on this and rock it - here I am. Annette

Not that I went outside - but it was a gorgeous day here. I'm trying to get over a cold or something (not the flue or strep so the doc said probably viral). I enjoy bowling on the wii - I get a little crazy with the movement so I can't play every day - have to give the muscles a rest. Judy in KW - have they ironed out the insurance - I have my everything crossed that all your "taking it easy" before you started will mean that although you get the side effects that you storm troop right through them - cause that's what you do. Snowflake - hope you get the picture thing figured out - and I know I have to be near the bed when I take that ambien cause it works very well, quick and I don't remember conversations after I take it - - has made for some interesting times. Like the morning I woke up and looked at the phone - - I remember a conversation - and I think it's about getting the kitten - but I had to call the girl back go get the facts and verify - - and as I sit here the little rascal is over across the room opening the drawers of my dresser and emptying them. Seriously!!! Time to relax - and really maybe this should have been a Sunday Air since it's barely Sunday already. Hope everyone enjoyed the day - and has a relaxing Sunday. Annette

I didn't have one lung taken out I had one lobe on each side taken out last year. I smoked until the day of diagnosis so my capacity was already diminished a little. I was 48 years old - not an exerciser so I was in horrible shape compared to you (still am). I have seen several people on here that did well with complete lung removals - and like everyone here thinks you seem pretty healthy so you should do well. No lie, it's not a walk in the park - even with them taking only a lobe. But every day would be a little better and every one here knows that getting the buggers out is better than leaving them in!. Annette

Congratulations - love the idea of the roses and card. Wonder what he'll do for your 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 .... year anniversaries - he has set the bar high. Anette

I shake my head and I think how truly funny it is that we are all grinning from ear to ear because your sister has bruises. We've turned into very funny people I think. So glad that's all it was, Annette