Dear So and So

[jessmarimba]

Dear guy who almost rear-ended me at 60 mph on the interstate -

Riding a foot from my bumper will not make the semi in front of me go any faster. You had an entire empty lane to your left and I even waved you around, and you still decided to tailgate me until I finally braked so much that you very nearly hit me (btw, driver, the speed limit by the tunnel is 50, not 65, so I was going plenty fast for the right lane). I hope you get some help. Perhaps some glasses so you can see the giant 14 foot truck doors over the roof of my very small car.

[OakLeaf]

I finally braked so much that you very nearly hit me

Dear Jess, getting into a mutual road-rage contest is very tempting but also very dangerous. Please chill, we like you here.

[Eden]

((Mimi)) - I just saw your posts - like the others said, if you need anything do not hesitate to get in touch.

[SheFly]

Mimi - just checking in this weekend and saw your post. Much love to you and RaleighDon as you enter a time of uncertainty. The women here have been a great comfort to me, and I hope that we can also be a great comfort to you.

You are both strong, and I wish you both well! If there is anything I can do, albeit from the far right coast, PLEASE don't hesitate to let me know!

SheFly

[LilBolt]

Mimi - Last year I had the pleasure (and fun) of working with Don loading the trucks for RAMROD (we missed him this year, but he did a great job w/ porta potty duty since they were everywhere I needed them). Anyhow, he made a comment to the guys loading gear into the trucks next to the water barrels. He told them not to mess up the spigots (although, his language was far more colorful & effective). A couple of us repeated his words to the crew this year. I think he needs to use that same line on his surgeon! All my & dh Bruce's best to Don & you.

[shootingstar]

Besides the implications of cancer in general, the thing that is so frightening is that the surgery is so serious; cutting into the chest, removing and replacing the esophagus, possibly messing with his stomach too. This means he won't be able to eat for a while except through a tube. If they do any chemo or radiation, he will be rendered even more weak and this stuff is scary scary stuff. Many of you have been through this or have loved ones that have suffered through this.

Since I was late even noticing this news until yesterday in another thread, I'm wishing Don and you, Mimi big buckets of luck.

Any radiation /chemo, especially repeated treatments, can easily weaken a person's immune system for awhile.

When is the surgery scheduled?

[Biciclista]

Shooting star, we don't know yet. We haven't even met the oncologist. we only found out on Thursday, but it seems like before that was another life. Life before cancer. Pretty strange.
Last night my sons came over (it was my daughter in law's bday) DH finally got to talk to them both "man to man" about stuff. My younger son gave me the best hug he's ever given me before he left last night. I guess he finally gets it.
thanks all of you for your supportive comments.
I don't want to take over this thread though please continue to write your dear so and sos here!

[Trek420]

You're welcome to take over the thread, heck, the whole board with this.

[indysteel]

Mimi, I'm so glad you got a good hug. Your son may have been channeling all of us on TE who wish we could give you a hug in person ourselves. I want to assure you that whether it's in this thread or a seperate one, we want you to continue to talk freely about what's going on with you and Don. We care about you and would welcome an opportunity to show our support and to stay apprised.

[Pax]

Mimi - thinking of you and Don.



Dear Universe,

Thanks so much for the push to make changes, we're on it.

Us

[salsabike]

Mimi, I'm so glad you got a good hug. Your son may have been channeling all of us on TE who wish we could give you a hug in person ourselves. I want to assure you that whether it's in this thread or a seperate one, we want you to continue to talk freely about what's going on with you and Don. We care about you and would welcome an opportunity to show our support and to stay apprised.

Yup!

[OakLeaf]

Mimi, I'm so glad you got a good hug. Your son may have been channeling all of us on TE who wish we could give you a hug in person ourselves. I want to assure you that whether it's in this thread or a seperate one, we want you to continue to talk freely about what's going on with you and Don. We care about you and would welcome an opportunity to show our support and to stay apprised.

+ a million

And that goes for the years ahead too. I think one of the most difficult things about cancer is that once the treatments are finished, people think the person is finished with it, and don't want to hear about it any more. As far as I'm concerned you're always welcome to share your and Don's struggles with the sequelae of treatment, future monitoring, etc.

[Biciclista]

+ a million

And that goes for the years ahead too. I think one of the most difficult things about cancer is that once the treatments are finished, people think the person is finished with it, and don't want to hear about it any more. As far as I'm concerned you're always welcome to share your and Don's struggles with the sequelae of treatment, future monitoring, etc.

exactly. Life as we knew is is over, as surely as it was the day I brought home my first baby...
and thanks you guys again..
But since you're all listening, I have to tell you about the Tom hug.
The first time I got a hug like that was the last time I saw my grandfather Tom Torchia.
The second time I got a hug like that was a few years later when I visited my long lost brother, Tom Torchia for the first time in many years.

and then last night, my own son Tom. how about that? I don't mean that my DH doesn't give me awesome hugs, but this is a different category.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Mimi, sending my love and healing health wishes to Don and you both.
You are one of the strongest and most caring and sensible women I know.
xoxo Lisa

[jessmarimba]

Dear Jess, getting into a mutual road-rage contest is very tempting but also very dangerous. Please chill, we like you here.

Wasn't road rage! I had to brake to not rear-end the semi!! Their speed limit is 35 mph down the mountain (and it's 55 maybe? for cars?) and I was trying to wait for the guy behind me to pass me before I passed the truck. The people in that car were so weird...though I think they were from an area where you can't change lanes in tunnels (like the I-95 tunnel in Baltimore, or something).

I've spent the last 2 days driving rural highways in the Dakotas. I have not had one single person tailgate...it's been quite pleasant.

*******************

Mimi, I hope all is well. I can't do much but be here for you and listen (read), but let me know if a souvenir from someplace like Amidon, North Dakota might help