OregonMother Member

Tracey -- 18 students graduated. They have a BS in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in psychology, social service, and leadership. They are already doing amazing work within the prison system, hoping to change culture. We have 55 guys still in the program. It is the thing I've done that I am most proud of. Working with…

Ha! According to the calculator, 96. I guess that's all other things being equal. Flea Willamette Valley OR

RE: Shock of seeing your mother in your reflection. This first happened to me a couple weeks ago. We had a picture of the prison graduating class taken, and a professor, our donor partner, and I were in the picture with the guys. One of them texted the picture to me a few days afterwards, and I did a double take. I looked…

Kim -- I'm so sorry about your mom's abuse. Parents, more than anyone else, should love their children unconditionally. I think you're amazing, and we all love you here. Rebecca -- hugs to you. I'm sorry you're feeling vulnerable. And you have me worried. Are you anticipating needing assistance soon? I'm sad to hear of the…

Yes, Lisa. For me the nauseated feeling, along with tummy growls and weakness lets me know I've gone too long and need to eat. It's different than a craving for something which might come even when I'm not hungry. My husband had food insecurity as a child, so he has a very difficult time regulating when and what to eat. If…

Tracey-- your restored dining set is beautiful. I love the place settings too. Very nice work. Rebecca --here's hoping your son gets a more diplomatic doctor for a complete diagnosis. If Crohn's, would that mean discharge? Much love to all. Waiting at oncology for monthly check in. Flea Willamette Valley OR

Youngest son and I had a terrific college visit yesterday. He loved it, and it has become his top choice. Oldest university West of the Mississippi and a little competitive to get in. Crazy expensive, but we have some strategies for financing, so I told him not to worry about that. We need to think of it as an investment…

Back to work today. Just a two hour all campus meeting, which includes breakfast, so easing in. I have enjoyed my month off Son had fun driving yesterday. He drove around, then decided to drive to his sister's. She was working, but her partner was home, so the two of them hung out, playing board games. He likes being a…

Tracy, that is am amazing story. Thank you for sharing it. The table is beautiful. Flea Willamette Valley OR

Pip. I love the neon sign museum. He should definitely go. I hope your sister visit goes well. Flea Willamette Valley OR

RE: Osteopenia Machka -- I assume I will be told the same thing next Friday. Keep walking and hiking, add weight training, which I have already started. Recheck in two years. The DEXA report recommended a repeat scan in two years, so that's why I assume we will follow that advice. Both of my parents had osteoporosis, so…

Congratulations, Tracey!!!!!! Excellent news! Flea Willamette Valley, OR

Oh no, Beth! I can see why you would think that. I should have chosen my words better Flea Willamette Valley OR

My son passed! He will have his driver's license early next week. (We are waiting because he took the test through the driver's training program he has been participating in, so they need to complete the paperwork for DMV.) He was very happy! And so am I! Flea Willamette Valley, OR

Thank you, Lisa. I am so very grateful for everything. Just finished a lovely four mile walk through the nature conservatory by the river. Such a beautiful morning and lots of people out enjoying it. I have to go to the prison this afternoon then hoping to talk someone into kayaking with me on the river either tonight or…

Thanks for the sympathy about decluttering. I should clarify that the three dumpsters were hubby's mess. Things he let me get rid of. Legitimate trash. I tend toward minimalism, though not as much as Rebecca, though I can dream! My part was just organizing and cleaning. I feel better this morning and looking at his mess in…

Tracie -- yes. I am on Kisqali and letrozole. I was on Xgeva shots every three months, but since my last bone scan was clear, even before the PET, we elected to take me off of it. I was on the full dose of Kisqali (3 a day for 21 days; 7 days off), but I talked her into reducing it to 2 a day. I was so fatigued about 3-4…

I'm so happy, Barbie!!! Flea Willamette Valley, OR

I'm sorry Tracie. I also have metastatic breast cancer, diagnosed de Novo just over three years ago. My last pet scan also shows no active cancer. The treatment can be rough. I had cancer at C7, T9, and 8th rib. Flea Willamette Valley OR

That's great news about your dexa scan, Heather. I guess I assumed your bone density level was why your hips needed replacing. Was that not so? I had my first dexa scan this morning, and I have osteopenia in my left neck femur. Made me feel a little better knowing that the pain I've been having there has an identifiable…

I'm struggling a little with stepping away from my admin job. I'm not sorry I did; it was the right thing to do, but it feels strange not to be at the center of everything. To have meetings going on to which I am not only not invited, but to which I have no professional concern. It's just teaching now, which will be…

Oh Kim. That is nightmarish. I'm so sorry. Flea Willamette Valley OR

Lanette, Here's what I use to keep my disposal not smelling SO bad. It's still not good. The brand is "sink fresh" and I think they are optimistic. 😆 Flea Willamette Valley OR

Thanks for August, Barbie. Going to be 100 today, so trying to get my running around done early then sit inside and declutter while watching the Olympics. I used to do triathlons, so I am particularly interested in those events. Exciting ending in the men's race. Flea Willamette Valley OR

Since it's the Olympics. I thought I'd share this story of one of my former co-workers, when she was an Olympic gymnast in the 1972 Olympics. Very inspiring. I've heard her tell this story so many times, and it makes me cry every time. The experience changed her life. https://youtu.be/BL3nRa07qIE?si=FUMwGNFazgq2uF9n Flea…

Ha, KJ! Hubby and I also saw Deadpool and Wolverine yesterday afternoon. I think of it as cartoon violence, because it is so absurd, kind of like in Burn after Reading. Anyway, with all the appropriate viewer discretions and warnings, I also enjoyed it, and the soundtrack was wonderful. I have been wondering if Reynolds…

Good luck, Heather. I am so excited for you! What a scare, Pip. Rest up. Love to all. Flea Willamette Valley OR

In theory, I agree with you. I would love not to be on so many medications. But I learned a valuable lesson from a friend of mine who was diagnosed with breast cancer, not originally metastatic, who decided to go natural and let her body heal itself. She tried all kinds of homeopathic remedies, diet changes, and she died…

Oh Carol. I'm so sorry. I'm thankful your head seems fine. I'm sure they can straighten your knee out. Flea Willamette Valley OR

Barbara, I haven't had a breast MRI, but other MRI, and it is loud but not uncomfortable. I get ultrasounds with my mammogram, earlier because of dense breasts, but now because they want to make sure nothing develops in my reduced right breast. The ultrasound is super easy. No pain at all. Flea Willamette Valley OR