I also think the infection is better than the kidney stones, providing the infection is cured before it does any damage. At this point, I don't even want to think about it, and I'm having a hard enough time trying to figure out how I will manage what I need to get done in Texas. On top of that, my boss wants me to take work with me to Texas, even though (as I discussed with the COO), I do not have any pressing or urgent projects that must be finished right away - I'm caught up for the present. I told her I would be taking my laptop, but it does not have AutoCAD on it, and so I cannot do any working drawings. I have not tried installing any other drawing programs, but I might do that eventually. Because the laptop has Windows 7, a lot of programs simply will not install, including my astrology program, and that was one of the main programs I wanted to use on it. For now, I'm just using it for music, pictures, internet, and movies, and so it is more for entertainment than work. Sony Entertainment gave Kevin a laptop so that he could work at home, and he will be taking his as well. I do not expect to feel up to working on furniture designs while I am in Texas, especially with the heat. Lars

See link in next posting. :) When making a 1st post with a link, it's actually easier then you think.. for those that don't know Type up your post, then hit the "Preview" button, once you have the preview, scroll down a little, you will see your post again, this time with the Optional Link URL: & Name of the Link: You can also go to the link below.. look under links Here is a link that might be useful: HTML Cheatsheet and learn now to make links in the 1st post

What a very pretty room! I second all the advice to take your time and to get something temporary for the time being. do you have a rug you are going to use in that room from which you could pull a color for the drapes? My two specific pieces of advice are to ignore the window to the far right that is next to the fireplace. I would maybe do drapes along the long wall, and then blinds on the window next to the fireplace. I wouldn't do the same treatment on both as that would look a little awkward. the other piece of advice is to check out this blogpost. It is (almost) the best bit of design advice wrriteen anywhere about any decorating topic in my opinioin! http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2009/08/top-ten-design-elements-4.html She provides oodles of specific examples demonstrating why her advice makes sense. IMO nothing makes a room more cozy than drapes! good luck and keep us posted with what you decide. Here is a link that might be useful: Cote de Texas Curtain blog

Oh gosh, I thought you were serious! LoL (no I’m not naive!) Yeah, I can understand why you’d be grateful about the stem cell. My DH is 56 and is not hip with the idea AT All. However, the last time the subject came up with our oncologist, his feedback was that now especially with MM, there are soooo many new treatments that stem cell may not even be the best alternative. How cool is that? My DH received Revlimed and Valcade simutaneously when he was first treated. He also got the same steriod you’ll be getting (for just a short time) and Zometa (which helps to heal bones). Whether this was the “right” thing for him or not is not really clear because it was that Dr. Fata who created the treatment plan. Even though It brought him to remission, we’ve since been told that he may have received too much Zometa, Iron and most likely Valcade. Since he went into remission, he’s been on a low dose treatment of Revlimed and other than feeling tired, he has had almost no side effects from it. Health wise, his bloodwork is doing well, his annual round of scans showed a lot of bone healing and his bone marrow biopsy looked good too. He had lesions throughout his body so to see a lot of them heal was really amazing. Since the start, he’s been on that immune building diet that I wrote about in one of your other threads and in the six years he’s been in remission he’s had only 1 cold. His back is in pretty bad shape from when he first got the MM, but this is the first hiccup since he went into remission. While at radiation the other day, other patients couldn’t believe he was being treated because of how healthy he looks. It really is amazing how far the research has taken us. I know the kidney stones can be scary but MM changes the playing field when it comes to broken bones. That was reinforced to us the other day when we saw the xray of my husband’s arm and the presentation from the Radiologist. It’s scary stuff. I hope the painter ordeal works out the way you want it to....hang in there!