Some good news from Family Venation

Mrs. Venation had a malignant melanoma removed two weeks ago. Last week she had surgery to remove a sizable bit of skin and tissue from the same site. Yesterday we learned that there are no malignant cells in the chunk they took. None! She still has to see an oncologist but just as a precaution.

Thanks to you all for your support and good thoughts. We're still in the woods but it is damned sure good to have some good news for once.

calling all dream interpreters

Maybe I can get some insight into myself, my emotions, reactions to things, level of anxiety, something that can help me out.

I was at a hotel with my mate, who I think was Mrs. V. When we checked in we were sent to an area of the hotel that was public but private. ?? When we woke up, another family was entering our “area,” not really a room but a place where we were supposed to be alone, with privacy. Obviously wrong. I had slept nude (which I don’t do) and awakened without the covers on me (which I do frequently - menopause), and when this other family came in I began screaming GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT! over and over again. I knew I was nude but could do nothing about it. The other family was ridiculously slow on the uptake. They had a German shepherd who was the first to get the clue and he turned around and went back out the door. The whole time I’m still screaming GET OUT! and it took an eternity for them finally to leave our “area.” I was absolutely furious, as mad as I've ever been.

I had a somewhat similar dream a few months ago. Our bedroom window is on the deck in the back of the house. I dreamed there were two guys walking around on the deck and talking in the middle of the night. I began yelling GO AWAY! GO AWAY! GO AWAY! over and over again. I woke Mrs. V. with my yelling.

Ok, interpreters. Have at it.

. . . and to god damned top it all off:

Mrs. Venation is a federal employee, subject to shutdown furlough.

Jesus christ. I don't know how much more we can take.

PS Long story short: things have been beyond bad in the Venation household.

DU lounge lizards rock

after surgery (removal of a good chunk of skin/tissue), we were referred to an oncologist

. . . and the hits just keep on coming

Many of you know what a horrible time we've been having lately re Mrs. Venation's health and her mom's stuff.

So let's pile some more on.

Mrs. V. had a mole removed last week. Today we learned that it is malignant melanoma.

Can't we just catch a break?

Old timers know that I'm not always such a downer, honestly . . . I just really wish that we could catch a break.

GREAT NEWS!

Doc called yesterday with the results of Mrs. V.'s MRI.

NORMAL!

We're wondering what was seen on the CT, and why the MRI didn't find it, and she will go back to the doc* to ask about that. But now we are partying. AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH! We've won the lottery!

* After we're done dealing with some coronary problems she's having. Plenty tests and appointments still ongoing.

Question for those who work in places with break rooms/kitchens and other common areas

This would also apply to shared printers, copy rooms, etc.

Are your common areas plastered with signs telling you to do stuff and not to do stuff?

Example, on the refrigerator, "don't take stuff that's not yours!" In the copy room, "don't remove staples on the copier!" At the printer, "keep the drawers filled!"

Some places can get pretty annoying with this stuff. Is yours?

Meantime, check out this site: www.passiveaggressivenotes.com

I am so scared.

Mrs. Venation has a lesion in her left basal ganglia. Found by CT scan last week; MRI this morning. She's also having coronary problems. She has either doctor's appointments or tests every day this week.

What the fuck is going on with my baby? I am so scared.

Have you ever been scared about the health of a loved one?

need menu help -- teriyaki salmon

Grilled teriyaki salmon. Any ideas for accompaniments? Thanks!