Joppette

Eric, that is quite a list of accomplishments and achievements! Congrats! Your hard word is amazing. Judy in MI

Today I am full of wonders about this particular day in history! For instance, did you know that this is National Senior Health and Fitness Day? We only need to look to our Bud to see what that can look like. This one I'm struggling to think of what it would be, but......My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It Day, a day for older country music fans to dig out their Hank Williams 78s and try to find something to play them on. I do remember the 45's, thsoe tiny little records that would have a hit single on them, but I'm struggling to remember what a 78 was! 2006: The FBI said it had found no trace of missing labor leader Jimmy Hoffa after digging up a suburban Detroit horse farm. Didn't know anyone still cared??????????????? 2007: Students at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, celebrated graduation with a late-night skinny dip in a campus pond. A security guard found between 50 and 80 naked students or recent graduates. The guard called police when he "did not get the cooperation he hoped for" from the students. In fact, some students pushed the guard's golf cart into the pond. By the time police arrived, students were either gone or dressed. Here's a useless one.....1989: The U.S. issued patent #4,834,212 for the Mouth Muffler, a sound-absorbing device that a person may yell or scream into without disturbing other people...........unless of course you live with someone that wants to yell and scream A LOT because then it would be quite useful! LOL 2000:A New Jersey teenager was charged with disorderly conduct after he threw an 11-inch dead bluefish onto the windshield of a passing car. The 15-year-old was reeled in near Egg Harbor Township after police rushed to the scene and found him with the smoking fish at his feet. So what are you wondering about on this Wondering Wednesday? Judy in MI

Love all of these. I need more to do! I'm sitting here trying to say these things and all of them are impossible but fun to try! And I don't drink! LOL

Good morning! Muriel, I saw your late post yesterday, and I can only say that I understand. I had that exact chemo cocktail, that was followed up with the Neulasta shot, and it was brutal. Our bodies react differently to the medications, so what is a walk in the park for one, is brutal for another. The Neulasta shot just plain did me in. I hope that this gets better for you as time goes on. Sending you a big HUG for now. For me? I'll go in for more blood work next week and probably another transfusion. I don't know how they keep finding the blood of 23 year old long distance runners, but I am thankful for that! LOL. There will be follow up scans etc., soon, but haven't been given the run down yet. It's okay. I have a questions about framed pictures. I know, sounds weird huh? We moved in here ten years ago, and I found all kinds of fun picture frames and filled them with family and friends. Well, now ten years later, I noticed they are still filled with friends and family from ten years ago! LOL. How did that happen? I was just wondering if any of you have a process that you use to keep stuff like that updated? I don't. Now the frames are all sitting in a big drawer waiting for me to find a day to feel like tackling them and updating them. I was just wondering. Anyway that is it for me today. Hope everyone is having a good day. Judy in MI

Since we can make the topic of the day anything we want, I thought starting this Tuesday with tongue twisters would be fun! Since it is 'T' for Tuesday, I found this one! That bloke's back bike brake-block broke. LOL I think I'll still open the AIR separately each day. I know we have lots of forums for lots of different topics, but sometimes it's nice to just be able to share a rough time and it does not fit into any particular forum. I'm just playing around with this stuff to see what works my friends. So please bear with me I know. I'm a dork. LOL Judy in MI

Ginny, yeah, I understand that too. Sue, I loved your post. "And now I have some time to do it. I will try to use my time wisely and enjoy some things I took for granted or did not pay attention to in my life. Enjoy the little things along the way and listen to the wisdom out there. You can teach an old dog new tricks when the old dog will admit it does not know everything and wants to learn" Amen, though I would hardly put you into the 'old dog' category. What delights me about life is that we can always learn new things. We never stop learning. It's part of why it stays so fascinating! Yeah.....

Yesterday, after some good history lessons from friends here, I learned the history of the Daily Air, how it originated and other fun facts. And since this Daily Air has been such a quiet place for a while now, I thought I'd try to try something new! This is what I wrote yesterday: "I've been thinking about maybe starting fun "theme" days here. It does not have to be organized in any fashion, and if someone does not want to play, obviously they don't have to! But a theme day would be a day that starts out with, say for instance, Monday. The theme would start with a M. Tuesday a T, etc., etc., some ideas I had were Most on My Mind Monday (MOMMM), Tolerant Tuesday, Wondering Wednesday, Thankful Thursday. I'd stay away from the weekends because we all get so busy that it's just a crap shoot (oops) of who comes in here. And the beginning word does not always have to be the same one! The more creative you get the better! The theme can be crazy, fun, hilarious, touching, and everything in between because there are NO RULES!" Today is a holiday in the USA so I think most of us are out in the sun playing, but I'm not so I thought I'd start! Most on My Mind on this Monday is that it is Memorial Day. A day to thank and honor those who are still with us that served to protect our freedom and those who are no longer here as well. Thank you to all men and women that gave of themselves to step up and do this. After honoring our Vets, we celebrate our freedom. Around here planting the summer flowers are big today! We think we are done with frosty nights and can safely plant what we want in our gardens and that is something we look forward to every year. This year fireworks were legalized in Michigan, so I think tonight will be a loud one! We live next to a large public lake that has lots of homes on it, and I'm expecting a lot of joyful noise! Bring it on. Randy loves anything that goes boom and bursts into flame so that may be on our agenda tonight as well. And of course the barbecue. We have a couple of big old steaks in the refridgerator waiting. I made some good old fashioned potatoe salad, strawberry shortcake and jello with fruit in it. Didn't want much that took heating up because it is 92 here now and humid! Fun and celebration is most on my mind today. And we are about to go for round two of that right now! Judy in MI

Wow! Thank you for responding and sharing the history of this forum! While facebook is a great and easy way to chat with each other, it does not have the commonality that this Discussion forum does. If you are new here, you don't know who to even look for to friend on Facebook to join in on the daily chatter. So, while it works for those who have known each other for years, it kind of leaves newer folks out of it. I'd love to see something daily that encourages anyone and everyone who visits the site to jump in and write. I've been thinking about maybe starting fun "theme" days here. It does not have to be organized in any fashion, and if someone does not want to play, obviously they don't have to! But a theme day would be a day that starts out with, say for instance, Monday. The theme would start with a M. Tuesday a T, etc., etc., Some ideas I had were Most on My Mind Monday (MOMMM), Tolerant Tuesday, Wondering Wednesday, Thankful Thursday. I'd stay away from the weekends because we all get so busy that it's just a crap shoot (oops) of who comes in here. And the beginning word does not always have to be the same one! The more creative you get the better! The theme can be crazy, fun, hilarious, touching, and everything in between because there are NO RULES! So I am going to take a risk and try it. If it flops then I'll write a post later on a Friday of course, called FLOPPING FRIDAY. LOL. I'll be back later to start if someone else hasn't started Mondays' post, I am running late right now and gots to go! Judy in MI

Good day everyone! I've only been around this joint for a couple of years so I don't know the origination of this daily post that is usually called the current day's "Air". But I've obviously seen references to opening the windows and letting the fresh air in so I just went with that. But I'd be curious to know how this started, and even who started it! I'm just a curious person. LOL. I can imagine that in the beginning it was to just get a daily chat going that had nothing to do with cancer. Just a place to post funny jokes, thoughts, and even games. I can remember when Ann used to post a lot of fun word games here. By the time I came around, this daily Air turned into more than just a chat. People could post their updates in the other forums aptly named. But because their diagnosis affected their daily lives and schedules, it always made it's way into the Air room too. Which is fine with me. I have a lot of things that I wonder about with this message board, but the one I wonder today is about how it started, what it's intention was, and who the beginning folks were that kept it up. Again, when I first joined this site, this Daily Air room was a busy place! Tons of people posted, and it was almost like a party in here. But life happens and things change and I am sure what it originally was intended to be has just kind of changed and morphed into what it is today. So, can anyone out there tell me how this AIR page originally started, why, who and what it was all about? It's Sunday on the holiday weekend. I've been laying low. Recovery from the last treatment on Thursday has demanded that. It's okay. Judy in MI

Jim, I really don't know how to answer your question about the 'drop in cancer cells'. I've not heard anything worded like that before. In your first thread you wrote "Also, just some good news, is that his cancer cells have dropped sharply from mid 20's to 12 just during his chemo treatments recently. Is this a good indicator or pretty typical? I heard "normal" people have 3-5 range for cancer cells too. " Maybe someone else here will know what that means? I just don't have experience with that. So hopefully soneone will pop in that knows what that means! In the meantime, have a good rest of the weekend! Judy in MI

Yes it is Saturday of a HOLIDAY WEEKEND!!!!! Whooo Hoooooo!!!!! I will be honest that when Judy in KW got so sick and stopped starting the daily air, it depressed me. Sometimes I'd start it, but when only one or two responded, that too was discouraging. At the same time, it was awesome to see new "regulars" emerge and occasional "oldbies" come back. And on those days when it was just Judy in KW and Judy in MI, we joked that it was our own daily text to each other on how we were doing. Seeing Judy eeking out as much as she could out of every day encouraged me and helped me as I began my second journey with lung cancer. I so needed that encouragement. So when Janet, and Diane started opening the windows it was awesome. And since then, many of our old friends have wandered back here to open up and share. I just want you to know how much I enjoy getting even the smallest peek into your daily lives. And if all you do is come in and give a weather report? LOL . I'm a weather kind of girl. I love imagining your life and your world wherever you are! Today it is very gloomy and looks like it's going to storm. The temps are heading to the 90's they say as a warm front moves in. I do enjoy a nice stormy and rainy day. This time of year it is welcome for the farmers that live all around me and since I enjoy the vegetables and fruit that their fields yield, I am happy for that! So with that I have opened the window a little bit today! How is it going in your neck of the woods? Judy in MI

Hi Jim, it's good that he is seeing a ENT about this. I too have a hoarse voice from all of this. I did have surgery and they figured that a nerves in my lungs connected to my voice box were cut. I think the same can happen with treatment! We have nerves that go to our throat in our lungs. The ENT did tell me that I could go to 'voice therapy' to get my original voice back if I wanted. It would not have been covered by insurance, so I didn't do it. But I was not losing my voice. It just changed. So maybe insurace would cover it for your friend! I hope so. Glad you came here to see. Judy in MI

I came on line and saw Friday's Air with 10 responses! Holy Cow I thought! People are coming out to talk. How awesome. But I got here to see it's a spammer. Darn it. Darn it that it's the spammer and darn it that it was not a bunch of people coming out. Whatever. I wish a happy weekend to all of you too! Sue, I hope you enjoy that cottage! With the hot weather coming our way I'm not sure the hot tub is where you'll be but you can always do tub with out the hot! Have fun! Loved the flowers story. That's right, no denying the pleasure of fresh annuals! No way! We just put our hanging baskets out too. It is so lovely. The hummers and orioles are back. I love those birds. Janet, thanks for the congrats! I was back there today for 5 hours of fresh blood! IT's probably just the right 'kick' I need to start off the long weekend! Judy in MI

Ah Donna, I'm so sorry. Let's hope if it is cancer, they found it early and it can be taken out and be done with! Prayers! Judy in MI

Hi Sue, Ah, my heart just resonated with this post. As I wrote in Wednesday's Air, it's almost like I had to have my doctor's permission to try to stop being who I used to be. Like you, I felt that pressure to perform. Even if I was the only one putting the pressure on, I did. And yet? I got comments if someone saw me in town, like "wow, you must be feeling better, I saw you at the store, remember you were going to call me when you were better?" And that made me feel pressure. You know what I'm talking about? Our times when we feel better can be just a moment, or longer, but we are not in control of that. We have to accept that there are some things we can't do anymore. Or there may be things we can do but have to do them differently now. It's okay. In your post to me you mentioned two beautiful cities on the beautiful lakeshore of Michigan! Ah, what a gorgeous part of the state it is. I so enjoy a trip down to Saugatuck, and further south. The trips north are beautiful too. Maybe if I don't feel well enough for the long trip up North, we'll make a shorter trip to your area. As Janet said, it's okay to sit back and enjoy life. It sounds like we have the perfect weekend to do that. I only live 40 miles from Holland, so maybe I'll just make a trip there for a little 'great lake' therapy! Judy in MI

It's the middle of the week! Yeah for thos of you at work, you are closer to the weekend! And the holiday is soon on us! R has 1/2 day off Friday and all day Monday. What am I going to do with him? LOL. My LAST chemo treatment is tomorrow. Paulette, the pain doctor gave me an analogy that I could relate to. He said to imagine I'm in a canoe going down the river. No matter what, I"m going to follow the current down to the end of the river. I can choose to fight the current, and expend all my energy that way, but still end up at the end of the river, or I can sit back and just allow the current to take me. Either way I'm going to end up where I'm going to end up. The end of the river for me is the end of chemotherapy. I feel better with what he said. Maybe I just needed someone to give me permission to let it go and relax? I don't know. It's beautiful here today. The humidity is blessedly low, and it will get to 80 today! Then to usher in summer, the holiday weekend promises temps in the 80s and even 90s! Our plans for the holiday weekend are to just keep it simple and enjoy whatever comes our way. No agenda this year. I would love to take a ride up North! There's a little shop in Traverse City, which is 3 hours North of us, that has gazillions of hats I've been told! I'd love to go check it out! I didn't lose all my hair this time, but it's quite thin. I'll be wearing hats for most of the summer I think, and that is fine with me. So maybe a day trip? We'll just have to see! Have a good day. Judy in MI

I'm so sorry Bruce. Judy in MI

Cute!

Paulette! Welcome back! I've missed you. And you are right, it still hurts to just go on, but go on we must. Difficult, but real. A great big smile creased my face when I saw your post today! Eric, loved the cookie thing. I don't understand all of that, but I do know that cookies can cause finicky problems with our computers! Glad you got it figured out. Congrats on the nomination for the 'Unsung Hero' award. You are one for sure. I think any of us that have walked this lung cancer road, whether as a care giver or a survivor is a hero, so I count all of us in that category. Janet, if I may encourage you? I had that same thing happen to me, and I did talk to my doctor. It freaked me out and as you said, the brain tumor fear did pop in my mind. Turns out it was a 'flash migraine' or something like that. I can't remember the exact words but it was not a pain migraine, but one with the bright lights. I've had a couple more since then but they say they are harmless. I spent the morning at the Cancer Pavilion. Thought it was time for another transfusion. Not yet. But heading there. We seem to have found a pattern with my blood, and it's get a transfusion, and it is good for a week or so and then starts going down. By this time next week, I'll need to have another one. I sure do feel better when the transfusion is done. Got a lecture from my doctor today about taking pain medication. I try to avoid it at all costs. He said that if I'd just quit fighting this thing and go with the flow, I'd find I'm expending less energy in the fight and have more energy to enjoy life. I never thought about it that way. I guess I'll give it a try. I know this....not taking the pain meds does not make me more awake. I still need to sleep in about 3 to 4 hour increments. So I might as well do that and not be in pain. Judy in MI

Seems appropriate Ann to keep The Air open doesn't it? It hasn't felt the same since Judy stopped posting. But as you said, she would have said "the show must go on". She would not want us just not posting and moping. Thank you. Beautiful sunny day. Did get out a bit, but spent a lot of it resting. I want to do an update on me, but just don't feel like it. Last cycle of chemo is this and next week. I may just survive this thing after all. Judy in MI

I think she did too Nick. Hug. Judy in MI

Thank you for posting Eric! From what I see on Facebook, it looks like an awesome time is being had by all. Washington DC is one of my favorite places to visit because I am such a history buff! Enjoy the sites. And then we get Eric back in NYC? Hoping this trip will be less adventurous in the lodging area! (Like having your own bathroom LOL). Tell everyone there that if they took just two minutes and posted one special thing that happened there that meant something to them, it would be amazing for those of us back here that could not go (for various reasons). I so wanted to be there, but am living as vicariously as possible through all of you. Maybe you could set up a lap top at the next meal stop and have everyone come and sign in and say just a sentence or two? Huh? (begging and pleading). LOL This is us begging (as cutely as possible ) Judy in MI

Thank you Diane and Janet for asking about me! You both are so kind. I am excited to read about everyone's adventures in DC. I so wish I could have gone. Last year was the first year and much smaller and it was awesome to meet so many of the people. This year is bound to be even better! I miss so many of them already. I will live vicariously through the posts left here. So you folks in Washington? Please leave us your stories. The topics you talk about will interest us immensely. You trips, the things you see. Please take a wee moment to share them here with us? We wish we could be there with you, but are so glad you got to go to share with us. God bless. And praying for Judy too! Ah, I miss that girl. Judy MI

Eric, thank you so much for this glimpse into your travels for the Hope Summit. What a joy to hear more stories of our beloved Scotsman sojourning onto American soil yet again. We just love you buddy. I hope you have a brill time there. Can't wait to hear more stories. Will be waiting on the side lines.... Judy in MI