Comment Replies.

I see that I go off and get almost nine hours of sleep and all heck breaks out on my blog comments. LOL!

Rather than addressing them individually, I’d like to address them here.

I did sleep pretty well last night. I am still tired though. There were times in the past when I would lay half awake between my 2:00AM and 6:00AM meds, listening to my very own internal “white noise generator.” A lot of that seems to have gone away. It seemed like it lasted only one hour or so last night.

So, let’s run out to the comments on “Sticky Schedule.”

Amy, let’s do your Shrek marathon when you come home. You guys have me all curious now about the comparisons. How does flatulence compare to “wit and charm?” I could see a comparison with flatulence and onions! (I miss my stir-fried onions and scrambled eggs for breakfast, *sniff, sniff*) But it sounds like Amy understood the reference, so I guess I’ll just have to wait for the movie. You do have me very curious here, Robin.

And, I can confess to understanding the reference to being somewhat of a loner and a recluse, but I still look for human companionship as evidenced by this blog. My sincere thanks to everyone participating in it.

I’ve always been proud of the fact that I can’t recall a single incident where my kids have had to storm off and slam the door between them and their father, severing communication for even a short while. I prefer to communicate; something that ogres are not inclined to do. So thank you for that, Amy.

How do I describe Nettie? How DO I describe Nettie? As one Browncoat, Mal Reynolds, stated, "You can't open the book of my life, and jump in the middle." But, I’ll let you in for a peek.

There once was a local forum that I frequented, more or less under my real name. This forum was known for quite some time as a place where one could engage in conversation, sometimes spirited conversation, but always civilized conversation. But, as Rawley used to say, “Things change.” That’s another story, however.

There was this one forumite, who, while we seldom commented on the same subjects, I had plenty of opportunity to read her comments and really enjoyed her style.

Years later, on another local forum, under a different name, I did get the chance to discuss issues with another forumite whose familiar style I also enjoyed. While discussing some things off-forum, she mentioned having been on the original forum under a different name. It didn’t take me long to figure out who she was!

Now, most of you know that I don’t usually kiss and tell—another Browncoat line, “So there IS kissing involved.”—but Nettie and I have met only once. She happened to get over this way with her daughter, son, and grandson. After a couple of hours talking with her and her family at a local McD’s, I felt like I was leaving family when they left.

And the “kissing” involved her grandson, who had to kiss me when we parted. I was deeply touched.

One of Nettie’s sig lines runs this way, “"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." That line says a lot about Nettie. When she takes a position, you know that it’s because, for her, it’s the right thing to do. Not because it’s expedient, not because other people think so, but because she thinks so!

Now, we don’t always agree, but that doesn’t matter. I respect and admire her, and the positions she takes. Most folks I can say that about I have had a personal relationship with. Nettie gets to be the exception; for us, we’ve communicated primarily on-line. She once mentioned that it is rare that we can meet someone online and connect as well as we have.

I value her friendship, and despite the pain that this situation might cause her, there was no way I could go through this without sharing it with Nettie. From her sense of humor and her intelligence, I think that you can see why.

Now, for the Browncoats reference; years ago, Fox ran a show for one season called Firefly. I remember I actually did get to see some scenes from the TV show while it was on when Amy was home for Christmas. But without any reference, it was just more TV trash; until it started making a revival on DVD via referrals over the Internet. It became a cult phenomenon.

I brought the set home one week before Ben showed up with his set one weekend, asking me if I’d heard of it. The show appeals to a certain kind of people. To my kind of people.

Kris, I am finding out that chemo isn’t fun, for a variety of reasons. BTW, the “ex-wife” thing was just to help folks like Nettie who don’t have the program listing names and relationships. As I said, I don’t usually kiss and tell so Nettie has very little info about my family, other than us proud parents talking about the kids, if you know what I mean.

As for the reasons why I’m a little “stubborn” about things like pain meds, well that goes back to childhood, and can wait for another day. But your point is taken. I wasn’t complaining about your actions, other than a bit of teasing. I was pointing out how I need to have things pointed out to me rather strongly sometimes. Which is why I’ve always liked the strong, “sassy,” women types.

As of today, my directions for dosing with Packer Candy are 1 to 2 tabs every 3-4 hours. Quite a bit different than the 1 tab every six hours I started out with. I called when it was necessary, but the level that triggers that call may very well be changing.

I did eat my toasted cheese sandwich today while Ben was still here. It was good. Ben even said tath it smelled good. But, just eating a sandwich shouldn’t cause shaking in the limbs, but I guess it was necessary to know. I may stop off for some Chinese noodles this afternoon when I’m out.

See, I’m eating more! Toasted cheese and noodles, and all in one day.

I do have some yogurt, including wonder yogurt, in the fridge, and had been eating it prior to Tuesday. Lord knows what all that bacteria was doing in there, though. I hate to get started back too soon until I know the diarrhea-thing has gone away.

And thanks, Nettie, I still do have your number. Just ask my kids, one of my faults is that I never throw anything away. But I appreciate you offer to talk. So don’t be surprised if I do take you up on it.

I’m off to get my haircut. I found out that Cisplatin might not cause me to lose my hair. See what I mean about conflicting data. So, rather than walk around getting all shaggy, I’ll get it trimmed so that it can fall out neatly trimmed. ;-)