Holy Cow

I didn't realize that it had been THAT long since I had posted on here. I am still here (obviously!) just busy living life. I have gone through phases where I have had to back off from the cancer community for a bit, but I have always come back.

A lot has happened since I last wrote. We have finally gotten an affiliate of the Young Survival Coalition in Chicago, I finally made it to a YSC conference, I have been on the Komen grant review committee for two years, and I am sitting in DC right now! I was asked to come here with Komen for their Lobby days, and it has been a great experience.

I am tired though, so I am going to head off to bed. I will try to keep this blog up to let you my family and friends know what I am up to after cancer. For others that may stumble on this blog, I feel it is probably a good idea that you know I am still alive and kicking. So if you are going through the bc experience, it completely sucks, but there is another side to come out on.

This blog will take on a little bit different spin though. It will still have quite a bit of cancer information, and I will probably get snarky once in awhile, but it will also contain the day to day, and tidbits about the family and my girls. Remember, this is my blog, if you don't like what you read, you can always leave, I promise-you won't hurt my feelings.

Peace.

Still Here...

Hey, Everyone... Yes, I am still here. I just haven't really felt like writing a whole lot lately. (Like that isn't obvious!) Once the girls are back in school, I will try to write more, and catch up.

A quick run down, we got the  girls lap tops for Christmas. They loved that. John and the girls got me a digital SLR camera. I can take pics with it, but I would love to learn all the tricks to it. It came with free lessons, so I may be taking those.

We are heading out tomorrow to the Great Wolf Lodge in the Wisconsin Dells. Ann, Jim and crew as well as Joey, Jennifer and Jack will be there. Jr. and Justin will be getting there on New Year's Eve. It should be fun. I may check into a massage while I am there. While I don't like the fact that we are heading towards cooler temps and snow, (did I mention that I HATE WINTER!) at least in the resort it will be warm and we can play in the water!

Now that the Twilight movie has been out for awhile, I will have to see about changing my background too. I realize this one can be hard to read.

Have a Safe and Happy New Year!!!

The Other Side of Me...

Ok, I still haven't found a good link for the press conference. Who knows if I ever will. Hopefully those that wanted to see it were able to.

As for the title of this post, as you may have guessed, that is my way of making light of this situation. I do feel like a stranger living in my own body. I want to trade this body in at times-it could look exactly the same, just FEEL better. Again, I debated posting this for a couple of reasons. I don't like to complain, and it doesn't do any good. I also know that there are those that won't want to read this. But, that being said, this is a journal of sorts (albeit a public one), so it helps me to right it down. And if anyone were to stumble on this site that were going through this, maybe it would help them to know they aren't alone. Probably not, but you never know.

Since having my ovaries taken out, things have gotten a little off kilter to say the least. I was already dealing with the fatigue that kicks in way too quick for someone my age (an after effect of the chemo and surgeries), now I had new issues to deal with. Not at first. At first all seemed well, great even. Then the migraines started to increase (which I thought would get better) and the hot flashes grew steadily worse. This is again one of those cases where if men had to deal with it, there would be a "fix" for it already. My ob also warned me about possible mood swings. Well, since I didn't really experience that around my period, I wasn't expecting it to happen now. Boy, was I ever wrong. I now get into these terrible moods for no reason. I literally want to tell everyone to fuck off and go crawl in a corner. (I did get the name of a few therapists in case I need outside help dealing with that.) Now, add to that being uncomfortable in my skin because either my head is pounding, or my internal furnace just kicked the temperature up to about 1000 degrees, (or if I'm real lucky, both at the same time!) and you can see why I want out of this body! The hot flashes were making it impossible to sleep too. Which of course didn't help with the attitude problem. An ugly vicious circle!

Last week I had a couple of check ups. Check up number one with the onc (all is fine), and check up number two with my plastic surgeon. I don't go see her again for a year. Can you believe I actually felt bad about that?? How f'd up is that? I also had to have my flu shot, and saw my general about my migraines. He has put me on Topomax, I have still had a couple of headaches this week where I had to take the Excedrine Migraine. Compared to 3-5 a week though, not so bad. He did say it would take a few weeks to fully kick in. I go back in 3 weeks to access that situation. I had called my ob to get the Lexapro she had mentioned to help with the hot flashes. There was a little bit of an issue with insurance with this, apparently you have to try another drug first, if that doesn't work, then get the Lexapro. So she subbed Celexa (or the generic of actually). This can take up to a month to feel the full effects of. I do believe it is helping already though. I am still getting the hot flashes, but they don't seem to be as intense (maybe only 500 degrees!). And I am finally able to get a decent nights sleep. The other plus is that this is actually an anti-depressant drug (not sure why those work on hot flashes) so it will help with the mood swings too.

So, me, the anti-pill person, is now taking syntrhoid, oscal-d, topomax and celexa. I guess to feel like me again, it is worth it. There are some side effects. My mouth tastes funny, which I was told goes away. And I was a little queasy, but that is already better today.

So here is hoping that I am getting back to the right side of me!!

OMG!!!!

Not sure why exactly I am so excited about this, but Obama gave his first press conference today as President Elect--and he did it from the hotel I am staying at!! I wish I could have gotten in there! Unfortunately we didn't get to see him. I am at the Chicago Hilton for the Network of Strength Conference. There was talk last night about all  of the news vans out front. Well ,on the news this morning we found out why! One of the girls was trying to get a press pass to write about it on her blog. She was doing a bit of snooping to find out where this was, she seems to be quite the detective. After breakfast, I went with her to the third floor (where most of this was being staged). The secret service we talked to knew nothing except what pertained to his little corner. Then she talked to a White House Staff (or Obama staff-not sure the official title yet) person. She told him that there was a breast cancer conference going on in the hotel and that it would be nice if the President Elect could stop by. He then explained to us that they can not vary from the schedule because of Secret Service. Oh well. It was worth a shot. Last I heard from her, she had been waiting two hours to see if she would get that press credential. I can't wait to talk to her and see what happened.
Well, I am heading back down stairs. If I find a link to the full press conference I will post a link.
What a weekend!! Tomorrow I get to see Robin Roberts!

CNN: Barack Obama wins presidential election






YEAH!!!!!

Priceless Part 2

Yet another hiliarious SNL skit.

Priceless!!

Ok, for some reason I can't get this to embed here, but PLEASE check it out. It is something Ron Howard put together.

"Ron Howard's Call To Action"

Too Funny...

My Mom sent me this (thanks Mom!) it is hilarious!!

Wanda Sykes Campaigns For Cabinet Position On Last Night's Leno

I also added a new link on the right. This is a presentation that my friend Jen put together. She works at a college, and was asked to do a breast cancer presentation. She was to do this in person Monday and Tuesday next week, however, she recently found out that her cancer is back and has spread to her bones. Monday she will be having her ooph (ovaries removed), so will be unable to give the talk in person. That is a shame as she has done such a nice job. The presentation is about 40 minutes long, but if you have the time PLEASE watch it. As of this post, it is split into three sections, so you will have to click on each part individually. At some point it may become all one session.

You Have GOT To Be Kidding Me!

This women is SICK, SICK, SICK. I do not feel the sympathy for her that the author does at the end of this article. This women FAKED having cancer 3 times!! We just had someone on the YSC boards that was faking it. Mental Illness or not, this pisses me off! I was going to copy and paste the article here, but it is too long, so click the link below to read.

She Said She Had Breast Cancer--But She Lied

Oldest Voter

This lady is 106 years old. Yes, you read that right. She hasn't voted since 1952! She feels this is an important election though. I will copy the article below. If you would like to go to the site click HERE (I know with this new background, the links don't show up the greatest, but if you mouse over them, you can tell they are links).



106-year-old voter chooses Obama
By David Willey BBC News, Rome

Sister Cecilia has lived in the convent in Rome for 50 years
A 106-year-old American nun living in a convent in Rome could well be one of the oldest voters to cast a ballot in the 2008 US Presidential election.
Sister Cecilia Gaudette, who last voted for President Eisenhower in 1952, has registered to vote and says she will vote for Democrat Barack Obama.
Although hard of hearing, she keeps herself informed by reading newspapers and watching TV at the convent.
"I'm encouraged by Senator Obama," she says.
"I've never met him, but he seems to be a good man with a good private life. That's the first thing. Then he must be able to govern," she adds.
Sitting in her modest office in the convent where she has lived for the past 50 years, the diminutive nun appears uninterested in the row inside the American Catholic church over Senator Obama's support for pro-choice policies on abortion.
Asked about her hopes for the US under an Obama presidency, she says: "Peace abroad. I don't worry about the Iraq war because I can't do anything about it. Lord knows how it will end."
"It is very complicated," she said. "Those Eastern people are not like we are."
But despite taking part in the 4 November election, Sister Cecilia does not intend to return to the US.
"I have no plans for the future. I am too old to go back to the US. Life has changed too much."
But she still watches "very important events" on TV. The election comes under this category.
*********************************************************************************

I received an email from Pam Monson (she wrote the article about me for the Free Press papers last year). She was writing to tell me that that article won the Illinois Press Association's editorial contest. Awesome!

Robin Roberts

Here is the link to the Robin Roberts piece on Nightline.

"Cancer Isn't One Size Fits All"

Hodge Podge..

...Of emotions. That is where I am right this minute.

I am going for my ooph tomorrow (ovaries out-bye,bye!). This should be a relatively easy procedure. Hopefully they get the anesthesia right at Riverside too. But as I sit here, I am wondering if I wasn't a little crazy to do these so close together. I am not recovered from the last procedure yet. I have probably been doing more than I should, but I am so damn tired of doing nothing. My left side still bothers me, and sleeping on my sides is not as comfortable yet. But, on the other hand, I will be done. And I won't have to recover from one procedure to turn around and have another recovery, just one huge recovery, then DONE.

I am also upset. My friend Jen (one of the IL YSC gals) has just found out that her cancer is back. I mean, does it ever stop? She is 31, with a young son. This is just over a year after the original diagnosis. She had a lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation. She was recently told that the cancer is back in the same breast. I at first thought that maybe this was a case similar to mine--with having the two primaries- and that the drs missed it on her. Although with it being in the same breast, that is a more unlikely that they would have missed it. She had a PET scan this morning and was told this afternoon that it is in her bones also. Needless to say she is freaked. Of course her drs added to this by telling her that they have never seen it come back so fast. WTF! They should have never told her that.

The last thing that got me going was the Robin Roberts piece on Nightline tonight. She was talking about her breast cancer "journey". I have always liked her, and like her even more after this interview. Boy did it bring back memories though! Wow, wasn't really expecting that. It reminded me of things I had forgotten, or hadn't thought about for awhile. I hope that either ABC news, or youtube will have the video posted tomorrow. If that happens, I will post a link here, as she makes some very good points. Like "we are all just a little stronger than we think". This is so true. People told me that I was strong. Honestly, strong has nothing to do with it. I simply did what I had to do to stay alive, to be here for my family. She talks about getting back to "normal" after chemo and how people just don't understand. And also about the fact that alot of cancer patients go through a depression AFTER treatment is done. This is when you have time to think about it, and deal with all those emotions you have put off, or hidden. You have also, at that point, done everything you can to combat the disease and are left feeling a little helpless, or lost. She also says that she is "healthier". She will not use the words remission or cured. She knows that it can come back. She isn't dwelling on it, but she knows it. This is important for people to know. There is no cure. There is no way to predict in who it will come back. It is a complete crap shoot. It is a fact that the cancer is more aggressive in younger women than our older counterparts. It stands to reason then (in my mind at least) that the younger you are at original diagnosis, the more likely you are to recur. I could be completely off about that. Jen had no node involvement, clear margins, and was a stage2a. Now she is fighting again. There are others that have positive nodes, and/or higher grade, and don't recur--crap shoot.

Well, now that I have had my midnight snack to help with the anesthesia effects tomorrow, I am off to bed.

Goodnight....

Scary...

Please, Please read this if you are even ENTERTAINING the idea of voting for McCain. I have read about his health care plan several times, and to be honest, it scares the crap out of me!! Basically, you will be taxed for your employer based health care. This is an attempt to get you to get your own insurance in the "free market". The idea being that the competition among companies would keep prices down. But NOT for those of us with a previous condition, i.e. cancer. This would make it harder, if not next to impossible to get insurance on our own, and if we did, it would be expensive. The plan also includes cutting medicare and medicaid. Thanks alot Mr. McCain. Hit average America where it counts-the wallet-again!
Here is the link, read for yourselves;
McCain Health Plan Has Underlying Illness

I also have to seriously question the man's judgement and decision making. He chose Sarah Palin as his running mate. I'm sorry but there are times that woman makes George Bush look like a Mensa scholar! She might be ok to be a state governor, but what does she know about Washington politics? And let's face it, McCain is no spring chicken, so you really do need to think about how well his running mate would do if (and more likely when) she had to step into his place. I can only imagine what kind of fiasco that would be! I believe his choice in her has actually hurt his campaign. So if he messes up these kind of decisions, what in the hell will he mess up in office? I for one don't want to find out. I also don't understand his "giving up on Michigan". He's done, he isn't going to campaign there anymore, tv ads are done there too. WTF??? What candidate does that?? He is not so for ahead in the polls (in fact he is behind, and getting further behind every day)that he can even afford to let go of a state! I need to do some more reading on that one. Oh, and he was one of the Keating Five in the Savings and Loan debacle. I will stop there for now. I hope America is smarter this time around. Of course, I thought that we had learned our lesson four years ago and would never put W back in there....apparently we are hard heads. Or gluttons for punishment or something!

And Another One...

Here is an article on the Pink October subject. Again, very good points. Please read! This is From a paper in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/30002944.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUHPYDiaK7DUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU

Another Post about Pinktober..

This is a post from a fellow YSCer, Lorri. She has worded this whole "Pink October" thing so much better than I ever could. Please take the time to click the link and read her take on things.

http://lorriscancerupdates.blogspot.com/

And So It Begins....

Breast Cancer Awareness Month. YUK!!! We do need awareness. However, I believe most people are aware. What we need more is a CURE. If it wasn't for the fact that my anniversary and Halloween are in October, I would hate this month. This month is a constant reminder of the crap I have been through. Everywhere I turn is pink. Everywhere. Pink soup cans. Pink vacuums. Pink kitchen utensils. I mean, seriously, who has a pink kitchen? And I like pink, but I get so sick of seeing it. Everywhere I look is a reminder of something I am trying to forget, if only for a little while. It doesn't help that I was diagnosed in October, so when this was the most raw for me, I had it shoved in my face constantly.

As I stated above, there are a lot of products in October that are pink. Alot of products claiming to help in the fight against breast cancer. Before you buy that pink vacuum, or candy, or dish towels, or whatever please find out how much is being donated and where the money is going. Also find out if that company has a cap on the amount donated. It may be better to just make a direct donation to one of the wonderful organizations that are out there. A great site to help with these questions is http://www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org/ The following is just a bit from their website...


"Breast Cancer Action urges you to
“think before you pink.” Will your
purchase make a difference?
Or is the company exploiting breast
cancer to boost profits?"

That is something that irks a lot of us (survivors), understandably. The following is a list of questions you should get answers to before you buy just because it is pink....


The list of pink ribbon products grows every year. From candy to clothing to automobiles, thousands of companies are pinning pink ribbons on their products in an attempt to boost their image and their profits by connecting themselves to a good cause.

Before you impulsively buy one of these products in the belief that your money is going to do good, Breast Cancer Action urges you to “think before you pink”—and ask these critical questions:

How much money from your purchase actually goes toward breast cancer? Is the amount clearly stated on the package?
Some companies, like Tribeca, offer a pink version of their product but don’t specify how much of your purchase will be donated. Tribeca is selling a pink USB flash drive and the package says that a donation from the sale of the drive will be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. What you can’t tell just by looking at the package is how much “part of the proceeds” is.
When the package does state the amount of the donation, is that amount enough? Fox Home Entertainment, for example, is selling "DVDs for the Cure" for $14.95 and donating 50 cents to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Is this a significant contribution, or a piddly amount? You decide.
If you can't tell how much money is being donated, or if you don't think it's enough, give directly to the organization instead.

What is the maximum amount that will be donated?
Many companies place a cap on the amount of money that will be donated. For example, Give Hope Jeans, sold by White House Black Market for $88, will donate “net proceeds” from the sale to the organization Living Beyond Breast Cancer. But they’ve capped their contributions at $200,000. This means that once they’ve reached the $200,000 limit they will stop contributing, no matter how many pairs of jeans are bought.
In some cases, that cap is a generous amount. In some cases it’s not. But you should know that, whenever there is a cap, your individual purchase may not contribute anything to the cause, depending on when you shop and whether the cap has already been met.

How are the funds being raised?
Does making the purchase ensure a contribution to the cause? Or do you, the shopper, have to jump through hoops to make sure the money gets where it’s supposed to go? Lean Cuisine, for example, has a pink ribbon on its boxes of frozen meals, but if you read closely, you'll find out that the purchase of the meal does not result in any donation to a breast cancer organization. Instead, consumers must visit the Lean Cuisine web site and buy a pink Lean Cuisine lunch tote. Then, $5 of that purchase will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

To what breast cancer organization does the money go, and what types of programs does it support?
Does the product’s package tell you where the money goes and what will be done with it? For example, Penn is selling pink tennis balls and the package says that 15 cents of your purchase will go to “a Breast Cancer Research Organization.” It doesn’t tell you which organization or what kind of research will be done. Will the money go to fund the same studies that have been ongoing for decades (which already get enormous financial support)? Or will it go to underfunded, innovative research into the causes of breast cancer?

If the donation is going to breast cancer services, is it reaching the people most in need, in the most effective way? The Breast Cancer Site store, for example, donates money to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which helps pay for mammograms for women who cannot afford them. But mammograms are already covered for low-income women through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program. Although this screening program does have limitations, what is most needed is the funding to get low-income women treatment if breast cancer is found. Learn more about this issue.

What is the company doing to assure that its products are not actually contributing to the breast cancer epidemic?
Many companies that raise funds for breast cancer also make products that are linked to the disease. BCA calls these companies "pinkwashers." BMW, for example, gives $1 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure each time you test-drive one of their cars, even though pollutants found in car exhaust are linked to breast cancer. Many cosmetics companies whose products contain chemicals linked to breast cancer also sell their items for the cause. Pinkwashers would make a much more valuable contribution to women’s lives if they made safer products, instead of wrapping themselves in the pink ribbon.

Contribute to a Cause, Not Cause-Marketers
Some of these answers will be easy to find, some won't be. But you're entitled to know, and the companies marketing these products should provide this information.
You might not always be able to make an informed decision while you’re standing in the store. Make the best choice you can with the information you have. If you have trouble getting answers or if you feel that a promotion is questionable, write to the company responsible, consider buying a different product, and tell your friends about Think Before You Pink.

If you are looking for that particular product anyway, and like it in the pink color, then by all means, buy it. But if you are thinking about getting it just because they claim to help with breast cancer organizations, then do some research first.

And, if you see me in a store, and I am looking crabby, please understand what seeing that pink everywhere does to me. It makes me think about something I don't want to think about 24/7. So maybe a distraction would be good.

**Thanks Mom for the graphic at the top of the post**

Tomorrow's Oprah

Oprah's show tomorrow kicks off October's Breast Cancer Awareness month. (I swear, if it wasn't for Halloween and our anniversary, I would hate Oct.-all that pink!) Christina Applegate will be on there talking about her recent diagnosis and bilateral mastectomies. A few of our Chicago area ladies were able to be in the audience and said it should be a good show. Melissa and Keiko were in the front row, not sure where Cara was, but she got a ride there in a huge pink (ugh!again?) limo. It is worth a look--so set those vcr/dvrs!!

Make sure you check out the last two posts also. Starting with the real Palin interview, followed by the SNL skit. I swear, she almost makes Bush look like a Mensa member--and that folks, is extremely scary!!

Hilarious!!!!

This is SNL's take on the Palin interview in my last post...

Are You Kidding Me???

Danica, Courtney and Me

The surgery went fine the other day. I am sore, and can't seem to sleep much, but other than that--good. I was not sick at all from the anesthesia!! That is a big thing! Thinking they got the cocktail right this time, but someone pointed out that maybe I am getting more used to it. I suppose that is possible too.
I am happy with the way things are looking now. This is what I was hoping for in the first place. She tightened the pocket that the implant is in which made a big difference! I have to be very careful to not lift the arms too high right now to keep from popping that open. She also took the scar off all the way across in an attempt to make the scars smaller. She didn't like how much they had stretched out.
I had an appt with her yesterday. John had called to see if I wanted him to come home and take me, I told him no. It was no big deal going up there, but I am sore now. Was trying to not take the Vicodin but had to last night, and will probably need another one this morning.

The bone marrow drive that was scheduled this weekend to try and find a match for Danica is still on. If you have the time, and inclination please think about getting tested. While it is too late for Danica, you may be able to help someone else. Here is the info again on that...

Bone Marrow Drive Reminder
In memory of Danica Martinez
Please register to be tested to become a donor:
Saturday September 27th 2008
11am to 4pm
2333 North Harlem
Chicago, IL 60707
There is an urgent need for minorities to join the registry.Remember testing is painless and free but donations are always welcome.
Please share this information with all your contacts
We can save a life!!!!

Courtney was wise beyond her years. This is from a post she had written. When she was 21.......before her recurrence...

Who am I? Not even I know anymore. I can tell you what I’m not. I’m not a college graduate. I’m not a wife. I’m not a mother. I’m underinsured and under paid. They say I’m not even a patient anymore. I certainly don’t feel like any type of survivor. I’m not bald any longer, wish that I was. Being bald certainly looked better than this mess that is on top of my head now. It was just three years ago that I left home. I’m not a kid, but I’ll admit I’m not an adult. Cancer taught me that. That I can experience menopause twice before I get any over the hill parties, but I haven’t paid enough taxes to receive SSI. Friends?!?….My peers are graduating college, living the best years of their lives, drinking, partying, discovering wonderful opportunities, with the world at their finger tips. They didn’t have to drop out of college to get chemo. Their boyfriends didn’t leave because he’s afraid they’ll die. Or their friends stopped coming over, calling because cancer is scary and now too close to home. No my peers are fine. My friends, however, are the girls who know what zofran is or more importantly how expensive. Those who were also told they were too young for all of this. But now it is those same doctors who say it’s gone. Congratulations! You can now completely restart your life with no blue print, no manual, and no safety net. I’m nothing, at least on paper. You don’t put 18 months of crying, hair loss, and puking on a resume. They say I should go back to school. To pursue a degree I may never use??? It’s gone!?! For now. But remember 20 year olds don’t get breast cancer. Which must mean 21 year olds don’t get reoccurrences? Yes that’s right I’m still scared. Everyday. Miss big, bad breast cancer survivor cries before every check up and is terrified over headaches. The doctors, therapists can tell women with BC how to explain it to their children, manage their careers, and still be intimate with their husbands. They can’t tell me whether Ill ever have children, recover from cancer well enough financially to have a career, or find time between appointments and hot flashes to meet a man who can deal with either. And further dare not discuss real young adult issues with the physician whom saved your life. A young cancer patient should never be as irresponsible as to deal with substance or alcohol abuse, premarital sex, STD’s, or quality of life vs. meds and tests issues. I am a young breast cancer survivor. I am lost, scared, and not quite ready to face the civilian world I am being forced back into.

I also wanted to add this, Tracey had this on her MySpace Bulletin;

IMPORTANT!!! This weekend...

My friend Courtney died after battling stage IV breast cancer on Sept. 15, 2008 at age 23, I was with her. If you can make it please come and support an amazing cause in honor of my amazing friend who died far too young...Thanks
We're kicking off our benefit to remember Courtney and all those that have battled Breast Cancer!
We will have pink cancer awareness bracelets for sale and all the proceeds will go towards the benefit!
We will be donating ALL money made from BODY SHOTS for this benefit!
We [might] have pink Coyote t shirts for sale and ALL money made from their sales will be donated for this benefit!
Any cash donations from our customers, employees, friends, or family will be included!Remember that there is no such thing as too little or too much when donating for a cause as great as this! Hell, if you give us $1 we will appreciate it!
So come on down and bring them $$ bills, ya'll!
If you would like to participate but cannot attend, please send an official bank check (not a personal check) or money order made out to Young Survivors Coalition to:
Coyote Ugly Saloon
316 W Erie Ave
Chicago, IL.60654
Thanks everyone!

If you are out and about this weekend, stop by there!!!

Well, if this seems a bit like rambling, I apologize. I have not gotten much sleep the last couple of days (could have to do with sleeping in the recliner! I can't get comfy anywhere else though). So, I am off to take a nap. 2-3 hours would be wonderful right now!! Then I should still be able to sleep tonight.