CAPH--My thoughts are with you. I completely understand what you are going through right now. Our son was being checked for lymphoma just over a month ago, and it was a living he**. We are still not out of the woods on it, and will have some rechecks this summer. Do know that you are not alone, and definitely reach out to everyone you can during this time.

Rave: Retirement is wonderful! I miss my old co-workers, but went to lunch with them a few days ago and also worked their booth at our regional business expo a couple of weeks ago, plus they keep me up-to-date on what's happening via email.

Rave: My first attempt at a garden is doing well, thanks to the frequent rains we've had here in mid-Michigan.

Rave: Four months from today I will be in the middle of my week-long first ever solo trip to Paris (but who's counting?)

Rave: The digital camera given to me by my co-workers at my retirement party. Being able to email photos of the grandkids to my son in Florida immediately after taking them is just too cool!

Rant: The suffering of parents who lose their children to war or have them come back no longer whole.

My prayers go out to all who are dealing with personal hardships, along with sincere wishes for better days to come.

Huge Rave: Fodorites! You people are the best!

As I said before, I understand the point of view of those who don't like these kinds of postings on this forum. But, as someone else (OWJ?) pointed out a few weeks ago, sometimes you just get overwhelmed by something that, for one reason or another, you can't discuss with those close to you. At times that these, having a place like this to vent and get support is truly a life-saver!

ICUY, congratulations to you! I can't even begin to imagine the emotions for you at that graduation!

mms, I saw your earlier posts and apologize for not saying anything. You were in my thoughts and prayers though. As hard as this is right now, going through it with a child has to be so much more difficult. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

My husband and son are at the Cubs/Red Sox game today. They've looked forward to this game for so long. I'm hoping so much that they're able to relax and enjoy it. God knows they need the diversion!

My daughter is at work. So I'm here alone today. That's why I've been on the computer so much! Thanks to all of you Fodorites for making this day much more bearable. Maybe I need a good "troll" thread for some real diversion!

Happy birthday, annesherrod!

Hey CAPH2, it's not only Friday, but school has let out, so the chances of some interesting trolls can't be far behind ;)

Happy Birthday annesherod!!!

mm: best wishes to your BIL

Ryan: My son has made it to Panara's (sp?) but I will let him know about Biancamano's. I dunno, he keeps on talking about eating oatmeal for the rest of his life -- I keep reassuring him that he won't starve because I will visit on weekends bearing gifts of prepared meals :D

Yes, he will commute by train. The company runs a shuttle to both MH and Summit but because Summit has better scheduling, that will be his station on the pm commute. He decided his money would be better spent on the apartment rather than on car, insurance, and garage fees.

Congratulations to your little boy :)

If you don't mind going on a Catholic university's prayer tree, tell me- because you're there already CAPH52 and Ryan.

Ryan, you have been on awhile already- I was pretty sure you would not mind- so I put you on when you were being tested.

CAPH--No problem:) I think it is hard regardless who it is. Yes, distraction is a VERY good thing.

JJ5, I don't mind at all! I was raised Catholic (12 years of Catholic school! My husband even spent high school in the same seminary Cardinal George attended) and made a half-hearted attempt at raising our kids that way. They attended Catholic school for a few years, made their First Communions, Confirmations, etc. But we haven't been very good about attending the last couple of years. Yesterday my son asked me if we could go to church this Sunday. (Definitely a first!) I told him I thought that was a very good idea.

Can't help thinking of the old "There are no atheists in a fox-hole" thing.

Thanks, JJ5! Hope you're feeling better!

Happy Birthday Annesherrod. Eat lots of cake!

CAPH: My prayers are for you and your family for health and peace.

Rant: Disease - jorr, my parents lost all their Elms in Chestertown, MD due to Dutch Elm Disease decades ago. Dad had more money than sense and replaced all with full grown resistent specimens.

Rant: Disease - the delay of the rainy season and ongoing heat here in SMdA have made Typhoid, other Salmonella and Shiegella threats more common.
If one is immunosupressed, I would think twice before visiting until the rains really start.
The mid 19th Century infrastructure does not help, especially just N and W in San Juan de Dios, Guadalupe, etc.

Rave: Property owners should be held responsible for the use of their rental properties (subject to local restrictions and laws).

Rant: Amtrak spends $2. in food cost for each $1. purchased on the trains.

Rave: The mid June Regents' exams in NY delayed the end of (high) school until the third week in June each year when I was there in the late 50's.

Rant: 21 years education in R. Catholic schools and ......

Rave: None of my three children was subjected to the abuse.

M

Rave: resumed my visits of lonely elderly after vacations. "My" 98-year-old granny was glad to see me.

Rave: almost 2 weeks later I'm still writing the trip report. Feels good to still be in Switzerland mentally.

Rave: volunteered for bone marrow drive. 242 people gave their DNA for international registry. I was so proud to wear "I helped save a life today" sticker!

Nearly Rant: next trip to Palm Springs with my husband. He hates travels.

Rave: dinner on father's day with all my children.

Congratulations to all parents who's children had finished another school year. Now YOU have to decide what they will do during summer, and I don't >:-)

JohnTheDorf, I agree, the train travel sucks.

Fast recovery for everybody who's ill. Good test results (agrh, I'll have one in July, 3rd cancer test, yikes!) for everybody who's waiting.

SeeTheWorld, there is always tomorrow! I wish I'd have something wise to say to make you feel better.

Trish, be safe!

AnneSherrod, don't celebrate the birth date. Celebrate "I'm not XX yet" date. Feeing better now? :)

Thank you, guys, for all your good wishes on my tests. Overall, definite improvement, and the nurse said, "Whatever you're doing, keep doing it!" :-)

CAPH52, you and your husband are in my prayers! I will be thinking of you, and sending many good wishes! ((f))

Happy Birthday, AnnesHerrod, sam and atlswan! ((g))

Have a wonderful weekend, Fodorites! :-)

Rant-Packing & Moving.

Rave-New house.

Rant-Hot sticky weather to pack & move in.

Bonnie, your numbers should be just fine! :-)
Capp-Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Happy Birthday to those celebrating.

Congrats to all who have made it through another school year still sane.

CAPH52 honey, thoughts and prayers for your husband coming from here too!
And Ryan and all our Fodor Friends who need extra good vibes coming to you~
((L)) Scarlett

CAPH52: Sending thoughts of a long, bright, healthy future for you and your husband. Best of luck to you both.

((L))

Bonnie--Great news!

Just found another rave, DD was student of the month. She was so embarrassed about it, thinking it is so geeky, lol! Ahhh, gotta love this age:)

CAPHer,
All the best thoughts, prayers, wishes the Kals can muster for you two.

If it is lymphoma, the Leukemia Lymphoma Society is also a wealth of info AND support.

We've been associated with them for almost 20+ yrs now.
Mrs Kal's 3 marathons we for the Leuk/Lymph Soc's "Team 'n Training" (TnT) so if anyone wants to support that great program, Google into a chapter near you.!

BTW...Tomorrow I'm attending a HiSchool Grad party for the daughter of one of my close friends. He was Dx w/ Lymphoma last year, age 51, and he just finished all of his treatments a few weeks ago and is doing fine. ((Y))
Knock on wood!

Rant: It should be an emotional grad party as she's leaving for the mid west shortly because she received an athletic scholarship.
Our emotions are down to the bone right now.
Do you ever run out of tears??
Don't mind the tears sometimes but oh, the nose goo!!! :'(

Let's ALL hang in there!!! :-X

Kal, thanks for telling me about your friend. My husband is 52 (runs 30 minutes a day, six days a week, always been extremely healthy). Up to now, all of the "success" stories I've heard have involved much younger people. It's very encouraging to hear about your 51 year old friend. Do you know whether his was Hodgkins or non-Hodgkins?

Rave: Son (barely) graduates from high school tonight. Man, it's been a struggle. Now, if he only had a clue what to do with the rest of his life. Guess I shouldn't fret it too much, tho; I've not figured it out yet for myself either.

Rant: Cancer. It's ugly. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you dealing in any way with it.

Hey Kal, might we see you at the SFO Marathon in October? My wife, herself a lymphoma survivor, is doin the TnT thing to walk it. Maybe we can meet in a bar near the finish line and wait for our wives. How long does it take to walk 26+ miles? I might need to bump the limit on the VISA.

Just saw your post, CAPH. If this helps, my wife was 45 when she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. She was in chemo for nine months, but has been "clean" now for over 5 years. And her oncologist says that every year that passes brings more effective means for treatment and healing. Peace to you, and, as Kal wrote, hang in there.