Tikanis here reporting from So. Cal where it is slightly overcast and cool this morning : ) This has been a great week. My DS has found a way to computerize ALL of my paperwork and if accepted by the agencies I contract with, will save me HOURS and HOURS each and every week! I am so excited that I can hardly stand it! Today was my check in and I am now just under 16 lbs from my goal! I have added biking to my work out, something that I really enjoy, so it won't be long now... I am preparing a few meals today for a church member who just had surgery. This afternoon DS and I are doing a bit of shopping and getting our nails done. Tonight I have my first "Date" since the wheel was invented ha ha! That's right, I am going to see if there is life out there after 5 years of widowhood. I am scared to death. Please send good thought. I need them. : ) Tikanis

Some week this has been, huh? Ivamae - hang in there! (((((((((((((Ivamae))))))))))) You will beat this. I agree worry about weight loss later - it's more important you can nourish your body right now and rest as much as possible. I can't imagine what it is like, I only know what I've experienced with a neighbour going through therapy. Friends I have that have gone through it before I knew them are cancer survivors. There's no stopping either of them now - they don't miss a thing in life. Every day is a new day for them and they grab it. That will be you once you recover from the treatments - keep those positive thoughts. Rest and let your body heal. Keep the faith! LOL Maddie - congratulations! YOU ROCK!!!!! Take all the bows you can for a hard earned celebration. Doesn't it feel great to have this first year now behind you? Fantastic! Aamylynne this is hard. You want to do the best to keep Heather comfortable and pain free. I've been through this myself - I hope you can find some comfort knowing you have given Heather the best in life. It's all we can do and share our love. May God bless all of you and help you through this. Carolyntx I'm so glad to have you back! I use Firefox and Google Chrome. I prefer Firefox. You didn't say what you've been up to - hopefully "no good" in a fun way...it's spring - we should all be trying to have a little fun when we can. Smiles and laughter are the best medicine. If that doesn't work - there's always retail therapy (I do more window shopping these days - I enjoy watching people and talking to them when sitting down with a coffee). So do tell... Aka_raeanne - Stress can be a nasty bugger. Exhausting, frustrating, overwhelming. Time for a bubble bath, lock the door and grab a great book, put on an old movie, unplug the phone, turn off the gizmos and gadgets - have some Raeanne time! One issue I continue to learn and work on is I can only do so much, I cannot control things/people. Life will go on whether it suits me or not. If you are stressing over any toxic relationship - step back from it. If life is overwhelming - put it on a list and just do 1 thing at a time. Let yourself rest when you can, get out for a walk/fresh air. It's spring, do stop and smell the new flowers. Take a time-out. You deserve to take care of yourself. It's your right to. ((((((((((((((Raeanne))))))))))) Patti your 2 dogs have a wonderful home now. It is not funny that previous owners left their health for the next owners. Very irresponsible. What do your dogs look like? Are they fun to have? I love dogs, cats - animals. Unconditional love has no price. You are a very loving person to care so much for them. I hope you are rewarded with healthier dogs and a long happy relationship with them. I know I've missed people - my heart continues to go out to our friends who need it. Jan I hope you are both hanging in there - remember we are all here for you. Today let's try to take a moment for ourselves, take a breathe, try to have something healthy but enjoyable on your plate or in your glass. Remember you are not alone in life's challenges. We can get through our trials if we all stick together. Hugs to everyone, Peggy

Hi, I'm back. I have been MIA due to the wedding planning and bringing DH to Dr. appointments. I think I told you about his thyroid. After the CT scan we were told that everything looked ok, probably a goiter, but they wanted to do an ultrasound. We got a phone call from his Dr. saying come in so we could review his options. The ultrasound showed a huge mass in his thyroid, a nodule, but very large and it could start obstructing things. They also can not rule out cancer because of some other findings. He is having a biopsy in two weeks and then an appt. with a surgeon. Either way it has to come out. They just need to determine if part of his thryroid, or all of it will come out. Thyroid cancer is 100% curable so we feel good about the outcome. It has just been so upsetting and nervewracking. We did go to the Jimmy Buffett concert last night. It helped to take our mind off of things. It downpoured in the middle of the concert and ofcourse we had lawn seats so just go wet. What are you going to do? We still had a blast and he never disappoints. He performed for over 3 hours. It was a great time. QOD: My oldest DS started working when he was 15 for a Marina/Engine repair place. It lead to him going to school to because a certified marine technician and he is still currently employed by them. Prior to that he was always busy with scouts and band. He spent one summer coordinating and carrying out his Eagle project. He always seemed to keep busy. My youngest worked last summer when he was 14 for my brother's appliance business, but not this year (medical conditions forced DB not to work this summer). This summer he has been hanging out with his friends. He lifts weights and does power training for football conditioning. He has been starting to plan his Eagle project, but is basically dragging his feet and making me crazy. Next summer this boy will be working! My oldest DS informed us that he has been offered a job in Virginia at a marina and probably will be moving there the beginning of October, just after the wedding. :-( I understand it is a good opportunity for him and he has a better chance of buying a home there than he does up here, but it brakes my heart. Nobody in my entire family has ever moved away. We all live within an hour of one another, so this is very hard for me. Other than the Buffett concert last night, this week has basically s*cked! Love, Besh

Well Wodka, I weighed this morning. It appears I'm on a plateau - neiher up nor down. That's a lot beter though than an increase. I did go yeserday. Had quite a time. I don't drive all that much anymore and because of all the consruction I went a different way - one that I'm not that familiar with. When I came to one town there was a detour because of construction - a lengthy one. Anyway got around that all right. Got to the next town and made a wrong turn and didn't realize it until I saw the name on a nursing home and realized I wasn't supposed to be anywhere near it. Turned around and found my way. When I got to the nursing home, my friend had a bad cold and they strongly advised ,for my own sake, that I not go in to see her. I was sorry about that but didn't want to get sick myself and bring the flu home to others. I asked them not to tell her that I had been here. I came home a different way than I went. Still not that familiar with part of it but all worked out fine. The weather was nice and I did run a few other errands so I don't consider it was time wasted. The fact I didn't see my friend gives me an excuse to go again in a couple of weeks. Bet I don't go the same route!!! I don't intend to do too much to-day. This old girl gets exhausted easily. Anyway I had a good sleep last night and a good walk with the dog this morning. Have a good one everybody.