Best/Worse &What did I learnt today/Chat with Friends #114

I was not correct when I said they had 4 children and 3 died..it was 6 children and 4 passed on from same disease...

This article was in the Spectrum The story of the Denhollander family's struggle against a vicious rare disease isn't a tale of triumph of the hum spirit

Instead of sugar-sweet miracle endings and brave vows to fight until the end, Dick and Betty Denhollander tell you about losing 3 of their 6 children before they could even start school.

They also can tell you about Charlene their youngest daughter, who died in January after a life spent largely in the stark, sterile surroundings of a hospital room.

But mostly the retired St.Catharines couple would tell you of the lonliness, the agonizing solitude that come when you grapple with an illness few people have even heard about.

It's called Gaucher's disease, a hereditary illness caused by a deficiency in an enzyme that the body needs to break down fatty waste products in spent cells.

Without it, those cells can collect in the liver and spleen causing the organs to bloat often to grotesque proportions.

The disease also affects the bone marrow, preventing the body from making the blood's essential ingredients and more recently has been implicated in damage to the nervous system.

The Denhollanders, Dutch immigrants, have no knowledge of the disease in their family but it mainly afflicts norther Europeans and people of Jewish decent.

In its most serious form, Gaucher's kills its victims in infancy. A second for results in death in adolescence or early adulthood, while a third for, the most common, is non-fatal chronic illness.

The Denhollanders now about the first two.

The last episode of their tragedy ended when 25year old Charlene finally succumbed to the disease.

"In Charlene's case it was really bad because she had it for 20 years out of her 25 years," said Dick, a retired autoworker. "It was just one big nightmare".

Their nightmare didn't start with Charlene though. The disease first hit the Denhollanders in 1954 when the had their hands full with two healthy infants, 18 month old Marcel and newborn Helen.

Marcel 'ws the healthiest baby you could think of,' said Betty, who noted he was good natured and rarely sick. That changed suddenly.

'By a year and a half he had pneumonia and he got the measles, and he'd got withdrawn; his belly button started popping out because he got a big stomach, then nosebleeds started..." she said going over the cruel list of problems that finally killed Marcel just after his second birthday.

He died on the operating table the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto while doctors tried to remove his swollen spleen, a commonprocedure in the early days of Gaucher's treatment.

The DenHollanders panicked when Marcel died. Doctors told them Gaucher's was hereditary, and they worried Helen would be next.

But Betty said the medical staff assured them that it couldn't possibly happen 'They said "Oh, its impossible the second one will get it because it's a one in a million chang.'

But those numbers came up.

Not once, not twice, but three more times..Helen died in 1958, three weeks after doctors removed her spleen, which weighted four kilograms, more than 20 times it's normal weight.

By then the Denhollanders had another child, Ronnie, who wasn't quite three years old when Helen died. Nine months later he was gone as well.

But even after such a relentless series of heartbreaks, the Denhollanders kept having children, braving the possible genetic perils.

"We're Roman Catholics, and we were brought up so old-fashioned - no birth control or what have you" said Betty.

They were lucky with their next two kids. Eileen 33 and Rober 28, have shown no signs of the disease, which, in it's most serious form, always strikes during childhood.

But then Charlene was born, an even the couple admit wasn't planned. She like all the rest was a happy healthy baby although her parents never took their eyes off of her.

"We were worried sick" said Betty. "It's always in the back of your mind"

Before Charlene learned to talk, her parents worst fears were realized.

'She was a healthy baby up to a year and a half and sure enough when I saw that belly button popping out I knw it' said Betty.

"knew it and I cursed myself"

Charlene spent the rest of her life in and out of hospitals, undergoing operations and what little treament was available for those afflicted with Gaucher's.

"She had so many problems, it's just unbelievable" said Betty.
"Her bones fell apart, she had her hip fused, she had seven pins in her hip, she had her appendix out, she had her spleen o ut, she had a huge liver, she had a huge, huge stomach."

Her last three months were spent in Toronto General Hospital because she was too sick to stay home, although doctores planned to let Charlene spend the Christmas holidays with her family in St.Catherines.

"She was supposed to go home for two night," said Betty, "but Christmas Day night, we had to bring her back already because it didn't work out...she was just going down and down and down"

Charlene was readmitted to Toronto General while doctors scrambled to get her into a pioneering treatment program under way at a Maryland hospital.

But it was too late.

Charlene died four days before she could begin receiving enzyme replacement therapy at the National Institude of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

"he was to start January 7 but that was the day we burried her, so that was all over" said Betty.

The family had known for years that Gaucher's would eventually kill their daughter, but in the midst of their grief there was also anger and confusion when they discovered doctors caring for Charlene had kown about the experimental treatment program for months but never told them about it.

A liver specialist at Toronto General who tried to get Charlene into the program told the Denhollanders their daughter's physician at Sick Kids had known about the U.S.A. trials since the summer.

"I said, "how come they've come so late with this?"said Betty "because December we felt Charlene was in her dying stages already".

Dr. Joe Clarke, a specialist in genetic and metabolic disorders at the Hospital for Sick Children, had reated the Denhollander's daughter since the 1980's.

He said he learned about the enzyme replacement therapy with the drug Ceredase a little more than a year ago but with held the information from the family for a variety of reasons.

"I was faced with a bit of a dilemma because I really thought Charlene was too far gone for the treatment to be more than marginally effective, and it would have cost $100,000 to treat her said Dr. Clarke.

He said that other than prolonging Charlen's life a few more months, this therapy likely wouldn't have improved her quality of life and his decision to withold information was medically based.

"I don't think we were doing anything particularly humanitarian in denying her the treatment" said Dr. Clarke, head of the Gaucher's clinic at Sick Childrens Hospital.

"It wasn't an act of denial in a sense of considering and saying "no, she's in too much discomfort, let's just let her die?' that wasn't the nature of the discussion at all"

The Denhollanders realize that now 'we could see this point that he hesitated,' said Betty.

But while the bitterness died away, Dick and Betty know now tha ignorance about Gaucher's disease can cause as much pain as the affliction itself.

Betty said she's had virtually no contact with other Gaucher's patients and families, making it harder to cope with the illness .

And, although Gaucher's is only as rare a disease as hemophilia, affecting about one in 20,000, Charlene's form of the affliction was much less common as well and much more deadly, leaving the Denhollanders at the mercy of the medical community also largely ignorant of the disease.

"Nurses, don't even know about it and a lot of Doctors have to look it up in the medical books"

She blames the poor Gaucher's network in treatment for Charlene until it was too late. "We've been dealing with this disease for 37 years and never heard of any talk of treatment or cures" said Betty.

It might have been different if Charlene had lived in the United States.

The National Gaucher Foundation, a Washington based patient advocacy and research lobby, has, for seven years worked to secure funding for the treatment and link the 17,000 or so Gaucher's patients in the U.S.A.









This message was edited Jul 14, 2009 9:38 PM

Oh Betty, that is so sad and heartbraking. I have never heard of that disease at all. I had to google and read about it. And to think a doctor knew of a possible treatment, unforgiveable.

JUDY,OMG ITS A GO!!!!!!!!!
he was over whelmed but he is ok with the trip so im so excited
cant wait another minute talk tomorrow have to pinch myself for sure

Promising cure for Gaucher's disease awaits approval.. (1991)

While the cause of Gaucher's disease has been known for a quarter century, an effective treatment had to wait, for 1980's technology to become more than merely a wistful thought.

Now government approved therapy is just around the corner.

Genzyme, a Boston based pharmaceutical company is waiting for approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to put its own synthetic enzyme on the market.

The drug, called Ceredase, replace the enzyme the body lacks. Without the enzyme, Gaucher's disease prouduce a crippling array of maladies.

By harvesting tissue from human placentas and modifying it through molecular biology, an enhanced version of the missing enzyme if created that will enter the affected cells to break down fatty deposits.

Scott Furbish, manager of Genzyme's eduction program said research on enzyme replacement started in 1965 when Dr. Roscoe Brady at the US government's National Institude of Health discovered Gaucher's was the result of the enzyme deficiency.

Dr. Brady suggested then that replacing the enzyme would reverse the damage done by the disease and it's taken until now to actuall get as far as they are.

In effect, doctors knew that had to be done but didn't have the tools to do it.

Early promising findings back in 1974 and 1975 could not be brought home for almost 16 or 17 years said Dr. Barton, the physician in charge of the world's only Ceredase treatment program in Bethesda, Maryland.

Dr. Barton chief of the National Institute of Health's clinical care unit in developmental and metabolic neurology said the technology 10 to 20 years ago wasn't capable of modifying the enzyme to make treatment effective.

And he added the long drought of progress on Gaucher's treatment scared many scientists way from research.

In that interval, the natural conclusion was 'well, it just doesn't work'.

But since Genzyme was founded in 1981 progress towards a real treatment has been steady culminating lst April when the company applied to the FDA for approval.

Now the foundation treats more than 50 patients, some from as far away as Britain and Germany in a federally funded study.

The responses are really quite dramatic he said noting that problems such as liver and spleen enlargement and anemia are actually reversed by heavy doses of Ceredase.

The procedure which Dr. Barton called, fundamentally simple' involves a series of outpatient visits at Bethesda, where subjects are hooked up for about 90 minutes to an intravenous drip containing Ceredase.

That part is easy said Dr. Barton. The cost is a big issue...

Big might be an understatement. Ceredase cost $3 a unit and under current guidelines 30 to 60 units are required for each kilogram of patient weight. That means if a person weighs 70 kilograms (154 pounds), one treatment could cost as much as $12,600 US. With three visits a week, not unusual in the Bethesda program, the price of treating someone for the rest of their lives easy runs into the millions of dollars.

It's obvious we've got to get those numbers into the realm of third-party payer capability said Dr. Barton.

Otherwise it becomes the sort of Holy Grail that you search for but you never quite get there.

Despite it's hefty price tag, which Genzyme officials say should dro as treatment programs become more refined. Ceredase has been distributed to doctors across the US for individual trials.

It's also been exported to Britain, Israel and Argentina for use on a single patient basis, an option also available to Canadians.

But the doctors here have yet to take advantage of Health and Welfare Cand's Emergency Drug program to bring the Ceredase north of the border.

That's why Charlene Denhollander after more then 20 years of pecemeal Gaucher's treatment in Canada, would have to go to Bethesda.

"We realized of course it was an impossibility to pay for Charlen's treatment, said Betty Denhollander "You'd need to be a millionaire"

The only reason I typed out the articles was because I remember that part of it is to do with lack of PLATELETS..you never know, someone could check further with the company in Maryland..a long shot but hey, better taking a long shot than not...

Crissy, went to check the site and it does have to do with platelets

Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which there is a deficient number of circulating platelets.

This message was edited Jul 14, 2009 10:05 PM

This message was edited Jul 14, 2009 10:05 PM

Forgot their photo...

Think I'd best put the letter and article back to it's keepsake box...

Liz, omg I thought you had to wait until Saturday to tell Kenny..what was his first reaction...shock I would imagine..lol
Glad he's into visiting Chicago...lol

Debbie, will ahve to key in Gaucher's as well and read up on it..

Can't even imagine what that couple lived through, and here I thought she was cold hearted as she rarely flinched at the screaming and also at having to perform medical treatment..
Should be ashamed of myself really...

That's malpractice. Betty what a touching story. That's really sad, that bad genes can rip a family apart like that. I know a lot of people who have some sort of dystrophy or other major problems because gene issues.

Wow, I'm in awe. Thanks for sharing that too!

Betty, it's aplastic anemia. Here's the wikipedia.org information. I'm going to share your information with my mom, she'd be interested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aplastic_anemia

Betty , do not feel ashamed of yourself. You had no way of knowing....and you were dealing with your own battle. What is that saying about "hindsight is 20/20". It is such a warm loving woman that took the time to write you like that also. I can tell then, as now, you were a very warm a loving woman....and she knew it.

Liz, so happy about the trip. When will it take place? I need a memory jog.

Debbie

"In memory of Charlene"

Know I went on and on with the articles, but please know somewhere somehow this bit of info might trigger a memory in later years and might be the life saver that's needed..


Past my bedtime...


Best of today..having a meal with my 2 sons and DIL and seeing the excitement in Jeff, reminded me of when he was but a child...

Worse of today..learning about Megan and remembering another young lady who fought for her life and did not win!

What did I learn today..that I should be more thankful for all the Lord has given me..some have undergone tremendous heartbreak and still tried to survive helping others...

Lord willing, we'll gab tomorrow
night/night


Ooops, Tubby, glad you got yourself looked after..

God Bless everyone...

No wonder she didn't flinch, she knew exactly what was going to happen, probably hardened to it by then. That poor family.

My co-worker, the one I'm having to change my shift for, she has Myotonic Dystrophy, as does her eldest son. Her youngest son is fine (she has 2 sons) but she wanted to have another child hoping for a girl. This dystrophy has been in the family since her great-great-great grandmother had children, and it's always the first born and fourth born, if they're boys. She was trying to get pregnant but she's been trying for 2 years now and she thinks that the disease has taken over her reproductive organs, which it will. I'd be afraid to have any more children, as I wouldn't want to put a child through it.

Well, I'm going to go to bed, I only got about 2 hours sleep last night and I'm tired.

See ya'll in the am!

debbie, will be at judy's on sunday the 2nd still cant believe it!
hope we can all somehow meet up on one of the days.

betty, it was alot of looks lol he said were going to chicago?
i said why you dont want to go??? he said no i would we need to get out of california
i had two bottles of corona before i said anything to him he was a little irritated with me on the expence but i told him how i obtained all the money and that it was a loan from my 401k and cheap interest, then i told him we havent been on vacation in years and it was time to go enjoy ourselfs, he was ok from that point on. im just crazy now! think i will be able to finally sleep tonight.
will be back tomorrow..
sleep well all

You are one crazy lady Liz...
Rushing around here, Sailor wasn't well again so off I go with the rug cleaner...guess I'll be picking up a new scatter rug...

Oh poor Sailor. I use Resolve Foaming in the spray can, it's the best stuff, gets stains out, pronto. Just waking up, thinking about having some boring ole Bran Flakes, I didn't eat dinner last night.

Good Day!

OMG, LIZ...We are all excited here! Jacob is "donating" his room, and is excited you'll be here for his birthday too.
Whew, I was watching the clock, waiting for the call, lol...So I am so happy to read that this is a go and even better, Kenny is excited too.
You packed yet?

Crissy, I am so very sorry that such a devistating illness has struck Meagan, Prayers for a marrow match will be going on...

Betty, Thank you for posting the article. Betty's letter to you has brought me to tears, as well as the article.
I have never heard of such an illiness until now. I can't imagine living through such a horrific nightmare that this couple has gone through.
Although, i have learned that the Journaling is probably the most effective way for Betty to live through that horror. A place where she did scream and cry herself at the what her children where going through...I am also glad that you picked up on the Journaling, truley I have a lifetime of knowing that it is a very theraputic thing to do, for anyone, and I believe for any reason.

Sorry to hear Sailor was ill again.

Skittles, is doing great! I have taught her to "come here" LOL, just luck I guess. Yesterday, Steve was checking on his powere washing, needed for today job, anyway..poor little Skittles, was literally terrified of the noise! I held her and I think she was literally crying. kept telling her it would be ok, was just a loud loud noise...she kept herself tucked into my palm and shook, poor baby finally was dosing off, this went on for almost an hour...With the exception of that she is doing real well. She really like to be social, the minute I ask if she wants to come out she is at the top of her cage in a second, already escaping before the cover comes all the way off...We are now working on leaving the cover off, while we are in the room. Trying to teach her to go home, to eat or rest.

So...life is just busy here, been working on cleaning up my house again, then worked on the yard and was sore the next day, duh forgot to streatch, of course I wouldn't have streatch the muscles I was sore with, I used my weed wrench, first it is really heavy to carry about the yard, but oh how exciting to have taken out the Burdock, works the best with the ones with the thick stalks, and a few little trees growing around. Now, today will work on that somemore... LOL, I was thinking maybe I should save a big one just for the leaves, lolol but in the end nope won't happen, don't have time.
Tomorrow, Steve is having 2 wisdom teeth pulled, he'll be put out, these are like hooked in, Yikes, then thankfully he is over all his wisdom teeth...

Well, I had a ton to read to catch up, Tubby, glad the extra units help you!
Liz, was glad also to hear the meds are helping Astor?
Bev, where are you, I hope all is well and you are just busy.
Waiving to Everyone! Will try and keep up a little better here!
and Oh Debbie and Betty, will be exciting to see you both too, We hope!!

Well, i have been writing for a long time, but will catch up again, enjoy the day.

LOL Judy! Skittles is so cute.

Betty's letter had me crying too. That's one I'll be reading over and over again.

Tubby are you feeling better today?

Been thinking of you Tubby. Norm sends his best to you for and easy time.
Betty, I had no idea such a disease existed. I was in tears reading your post.
Sounds like your trip with Debbie will be fun and I sure hope it goes as planned.
I'm starting a quilt night with my daughter. Life gets so crazy sometimes at her house and this will give her a couple of quiet hours one night a week. It will be fun.
Not too much else is new. Still no pkg. I don't know what to do or who to contact. Is there any way Canadian PO can tell who pkg was handed off to? Was it postal service, or fedex or ups? Then maybe we could find it.
I'm just sorry it happened.
Grandson on his way in the door. I'll chat later....

Feeling somewhat better But very little..Needs more time I guess...
Did sleep a little better

Betty you'll get a kick.
Years ago (early 70s) I came home from Calif. for Christmas...
I couldn't fall asleep, to many No Dose..
Dad didn't say a word got up went into kitchen..Came back with a glass of warm milk & shot of whiskey...Yuck
I said that will taste awful..He said drink it don't taste it...LOL
It worked..Sooooooooo I've tried it a couple times
Dose seem to help

Forgot to say we don't have any honey..


This message was edited Jul 15, 2009 2:02 PM

Milk & Whiskey?? I know whiskey's great for a sore throat, wonder if you could make a white russian with whiskey instead of vodka??? LOL YUK

I'm tired today, sitting here quietly..sure wish I didn't have class tonight so must wake up before they arrive...

Judy, sounds as though you have Skittles spoilt to death already..let's hope Steve isn't in too much pain tomorrow..you'll have to speal him to death..

Linda Kay, will be praying for you as well, let's hope pain will be minimal and that after the initial procedure pain that you'll be all fixed up...

AnnMarie, you most likely will be at the cottage now with the family, remember you are ONLY to watch over the projects being undertaken, no helping..zip...hope you are also feeling better...

Tubby, glad to hear you are resting as well...when will you have to return to make sure all is well?
hope you are sitting outside watching the garden grow...can't send you the honey I received in the swap, ate it all..best you go purchase a jar so you can make yourself a hot toddy..

Barb, how marvellous having a night to do sewing/quilting with your daughter..you'll get so much satisfaction out of it..plus, you've been purchasing soooo much material it will give you the opportunity to use some of it and a reason to go shopping for more...

Yes, am hoping all goes well with the trip...guess I should not have planned to go to Buffalo this weekend, but had promised mom so can't go back on my word..

As for the 'junk swap' not sure what happened there..we'll give it till Friday and then I'll go see the postmaster here in Barrie and see if they can somehow trace it..only thing I can think of was that in the box was metal and could be thought to be something else...my luck..doesn't matter, I've a couple more of what I put in, can send another .. I'd wait though until I cross the borders on my holidays and post from there..

That would be wonderful Betty but I wouldn't want you to get in any trouble trying to bring something across the border either. Whatever is the hangup, I wouldn't want you to repeat it. The best part of all this, is that I have your friendship and you have mine. A box of "Junk" can't change that and I'm not worrying about it.

Awe...You said it Barb.

Glad to see Norm is doing well too.

Betty, how come you are so tired...lots of running for you? Hope the drawing goes well for you.
Yikes, Steve is home early today!! So maybe I can get him to unload the Garage! (hands on the hip, which is also my foyer!) lol, was nice for a couple of days.

uhm, I am going to attempt to make Lasagna today, been a long time...Got all my running done for the day, whew it's 90, but we have a great breeze going on, so it's awsom in the shade.

Be back in a bit.

OMG Judy, not understanding it..it's in low 60's here today, wind a blowing, clouded over..had a few sprinkles of rain on my way home..your lasagna is making me hungry..

Girls will be here at 7:00 ..wondered what I was going to cook, don't have to..Cathy and her mom were here today and left me cabbage rolls and a muffin

Guess they walked the trail and picked wildflowers, guess who got a bouquet..lordy they all spoil me...

What could be better, flowers, a home cooked meal AND Birds in Bloom magazine in my mail box....

ooops, forgot the pretty flowers

Just went to Jeff's blog to see if he's posted about today's adventure - 1st day on his kayak trek but no new post...

Told him he must post early each day so I don't worry otherwise I'll be driving to all the locks on the system...

his blog...

http://2009summertrip.blogspot.com/

Oooh my baby just called..checking in..made it to Swift Rapids at 5..left at 9am so lots of paddling..so funny, he thinks he had the paddle upside down half the day..said he was glad when he got to Severn River to see a variety store and they sold beer by the can..only room for 3 so after a long/long day, his tent is set up, he's having a beer and asking himself what in the world was he thinking..but, he's made day 1 and now it will be more interesting because this 1st part of the voyage was on home lake where he was raised and knew every nook and cranny, now everything will be new to him tomorrow..when he was at Severn River he asked the girl how far to Swift Rapids and she said about 10 minutes..he said he should have told her he was in a kayak ..it was almost 2 hrs. away for him, so her estimation was in a boat doing 60 mph...lol..

Only trouble he said he had is the pull cord for the skirt which keeps out water broke, if he can't fix it tonight then mom will drive to Waubaushene tomorrow after work, the to Washago to deliver the cord..don't want him on Lake Simcoe without it, pretty rough lake...

Guess I told you all before, I'm not real happy about this adventure..different had he not been going alone...

I learned I can't do it all. So with great regret, I resigned from the Joint Historic Preservation Commission yesterday. I have too much to do for the museum and don't have the time to examine and write ong reports on sites that need preservation. Besides we have a good crew going and they don't need me.
Today I looked at an old house that we are considering for a museum. Our location now is just too expensive. This house has a nice yard, too. I don't think its quite appropriate as it is not brick but it may be our best shot so far.

GOD Is Busy





This message was edited Jul 26, 2009 6:21 PM

Nice One

Well I see Tubby must be feeling better :) :) :) :)

I'm glad he called you Betty. Nice of Cathy and Rita to leave you food!

LOOOOOOK

Betty those committee's take so much time and effort, volunteerism is one thing but you can be part of so many worthwhile groups that you can burn yourself out...

Your interest in the museum is very interesting..the artifacts are from donations? Next time I'm in Penetanguishene I'll have to take photo of the museum they made from the old lumbermill office...so quaint, wood structure..

Tubby, I agree with Crissy, you must be feeling better..praise the Lord...

Crissy that yellow is so vibrant..

Well it's bed time, was a long day, tomorrow might be another..just read Jeff's blog of today's trip..so laughing, think that boy bit off more than he can chew..he's admitted it's far more paddling than he thought...

Best of the day...Hearing from Jeff so I don't have to worry, getting supper brought to me along with flowers....

Worse of the day...hearing that my friend Shawnee is going to attempt to take her 32' cruiser into Georgian Bay being captain herself..taking daughter with her and going to Tobermory..omg that's quite the trip, she's not use to that vessel and here she'll try to manoever the boat into the lock..one which has much current...now I'll have her to worry about!

What did I learn...walked the gardens tonight when I got home and I know it's hard to believe but I'm already seeing signs of fall..Rita was here and she was saying the island in front of where she lives has leaves turning on the maple trees....we all know what that means...

Lord willing we'll gab tomorrow
Night/night

Linda Kay, saying a prayer for you...

First of all, Betty I am very worried about you. You are running yourself ragged. If you don't rest Miss, you are going to get yourself very sick. Maybe you can park your Mom in a casino...and you can go back to the hotel and sleep...if you insist on this trip on the weekend.

I have had quite the day and am exhausted. So much driving and appointments. And of course more paperwork galore. Ended up having to make DD an appt. for vaccines on Monday...and she is not happy. Neither am I to be honest....but they are needed.

Tonight Paul (DH) is in Rochester doing his sleep study. I hope we are able to get some answers. I had about 3 hours sleep last night....so heading to bed here shortly.

Everyone is in my thoughts and prayers who are not feeling well.

Waving helloo......and sweet dreams....to all.

Debbie

Hello My Friends!

I miss you ALL!

I have a job offer...I will find out Monday if this is all going to happen for me...so I will post next week....

I love and miss you all and will explain soon what happened......

Love and Miss you All-
Mary

Mary, it is so so so good to hear from you.
Best wishes for things to go smoothly for you.

Waving and hugs to all....mom has been keeping us busy...put down another 50 retaining blocks.....I think we have everything lined now......she got the lawn furniture painted....I hope she is going to rest tomorrow as she said....

Got most of our errands run today and picked up Water Lettuce and Fairy Moss for the pond... the fish really like it and I think it is pretty.... may have to get some more on payday. It will help shade the water...... There were soooo many beautiful water plants at the nursery... too bad most are tropical and wouldn't survive the winter....don't have any place to move them inside:(

Going to call it a night. Sweet dreams everyone.

morning all,

judy, yep were all excited here too no no packing yet maby this weekend cant wait to see skiddles, oh lol its "asta" yes he has stopped chewing up himself pills are working.
got to get ready for work district mgr comming today.

betty, oh that is something unbelievable so sad.
how long is your son going to be on this trip for ? glad your going to get him the part he needs, how is sailor poor thing hope she feels better soon. have you mapped out your trip already?

crissy, beautiful color!

trisha, oh look you still have room now with all this excitement behind me i can get the plant your missing in the pond.

tubby, glad your feeling better

hi lk barb, bev, shar, debbie and everyone else
have a great day.

mary good to hear your good.

Morning, made it to Waubaushene to pick up the part Jeff needs..always a 'mom' aren't we...so now I'll wait for his call to let me know if he was able to repair the other one, if not, half of my trip after work has been completed by going this a.m....still it's an extra 80 mile trip but I'd be worried if he was mickey mousing it...must be something in this room today, I'm sneezing like crazy...

Debbie how did Paul's night at the sleep clinic go? Does he have to wait for results or does he get them before he leaves this morning..you are a fine one to talk..you never stop.

Mary, what a treat to see you post and to hear you are waiting for news of a new job...can you tell us in what field it will be..we've all missed you!

Waving Shar..are your gardens prime right now?

What wonders you've done with the pond Trisha..you know I had some plants in the pond in containers..last fall just took them out, set them amongst the flowers/shrubs and lordy they came back to life this year..unbelievable...50 retaining blocks, your back and arms must be killing you..sounds as though your mom's a working spitfire as well..

Liz, I do have a route marked out, in fact several...if there are some whom I want to drop in on not available then I'll alter the route..I'm ready though just have to get new tires next week...

Not that enthused with going away this weekend seeing it's so close to when I take my vacation but, mom's excited..I'll have to go at lunch and get travel insurance, will exchange my $$$ at the border..

Thinking of you today Linda Kay..hopefully you'll be able to get on-line in the next few days so we don't fret..

Laura (Wonderhug) how are the renovations going..almost back to normal?

I'm catching a cold....

Betty what do you do about the weekend. I'm going to go see my mom in OKC next weekend and then see you in Memphis the following weekend, so Dave's decided he wants to go somewhere this weekend. What do you do?