Happy Friday!

Wow, seems like it took forever to get here! Hope everyone had a good week - what's your plans for the weekend? I've got some typing to do this evening, and I'm not sure what else, although it'll probably be early to bed tonight since we have KB bright and early tomorrow. Tomorrow, we're going to hit the mall, Big Lots and the playground. When the weather's nice, I like to let them run themselves silly. Then, I have them for an extra long time tomorrow night since my brother has an anniversary party to attend. Although it's not necessarily healthy, I told KB we'd have "Restaurant Appetizer Night" for dinner tomorrow - mozz sticks, popcorn shrimp, pizza bagels, etc. Since we only do this about every six months, I figure it's okay. Cleaning, laundry, etc., then Sunday is Dad's bday, so we're going to have an early dinner at the Essex Diner and then go to Gary's house for strawberry shortcake. Then I'm meeting some of you at Tully's at 6:30 to hear Local Traffic, an acoustic two man band (I'm gonna do a separate post on this, maybe it can be an unofficial get-together). So, a busy weekend, but the weather is supposed to be very nice!! I saw my gyn yesterday and really got no surprises. In mid-late August, I'll be having a complete hysterectomy - he elected to do a complete as opposed to a partial because of my close family history of breast and ovarian cancer, and Dr. Alyson Buckner-Wells will also be doing my plastic surgery at the same time. So I've got lots to coordinate before then. I'm especially anxious to meet with her to see exactly what she's going to do and almost as important, exactly what will be covered under my insurance. So for right now, I'm looking at 2-3 days in the hospital and a recovery period of probably 6-8 weeks. Frankly, the recovery period doesn't hurt my feelings - I'll be off of work! WOO-HOO! Not looking forward to the pain, but my gyn's office is going to put me in touch with a patient who just had the same procedures done and is doing well. I truly believe in research, research, reseach - the more info I have, the better I'll feel. In the meantime, I've got lots of things to do - my gyn wants to strengthen my blood, depending upon my bloodwork, I may have to have some transfusions before the surgery. I trust him implicitly, so I'm really not worried. I'm sure I'll get more nervous as the time gets closer, but for now..... So, I think Terry's retreating this weekend and Mo's Bay Bridge walking and Heather Mod-E's in Ohio for a short family time, but what's up with you? Have a good weekend! Smoochies, Tia

Tia!! This is definitely a TGIF! My butt is dragging today. I could use a nap already and it's not even 10 a.m. I've been diligent about my 5 a.m. jaunts to the gym this week so I am back on track there. I have a plan to hit the gym for at least the weights tomorrow a.m. (I might let the cardio slide since we are doing the bridge walk). Have a mammogram at 10 a.m. tomorrow (who would have thought they would give me a Saturday appointment ??? ) No other major plans for the day other than maybe laundry and trying to start organizing for the upcoming trip. Sunday should be a wonderful day for the bridge walk. We will be up and ready EARLY. We generally are on one of the first buses so we get on the bridge and done before it's too wild with people. (I heard this a.m. they are expecting more than the 20,000 that showed last year ...) I know you had wanted to put off the big H and the plastics until next winter, but I'm glad you are having it done sooner. You will feel so much better after the hysterectomy. I'm not so sure about after the plastics, but combining them is a good idea. I know the hysterectomy kicked my butt. My open RNY was a piece of cake after the H. It's really a matter of getting enough rest and letting your body heal. Enjoy your weekend! Happy birthday to Dad. Hugs & smoochies, Mo

Hi Moie - I'm dragging, too, and the weekend shows no hope of any real rest! Oh, well! I sooo wanted to do the walk this year, but with Dad's bday, it'll have to be another year. I think KB would really enjoy it, the weather is supposed to be beautiful, so have a good time. No cowboy boots - make sure you wear sensible shoes!!! Yeah, I did want to wait with the surgeries, but not that I know I can't, I want it done NOW!!! I'm getting some conflicting reports on the insurance coverage (imagine that), but the ps's office did tell me that if I wanted to pay up front, I could, and then if it was approved, I could be reimbursed - $20,000.00!!!! Sure, I'll go break open the Pooh Bear-piggy bank and write a check!!! I'm not going to get worked up about it, everything will work out like it's supposed to!!!! Have a good weekend! Tia