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FGM and Rags
 
November 14 at 09:09
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To the Mattresses 11-14-05
I am in the final presurgery countdown. While lounging in my bed, reviewing the events of the past several days, I was thinking about the meaning of love, and decided, for at least this past week, love equals food.
After my first surgery, I was not able to eat much of anything except liquids for the first week. It was then I noticed how easily my pants buttoned and zipped. In spite of the reason for that, there is not a woman alive who doesn't smile knowing her usually too tight pants are now loose.
This past week, I have had lots of company, from family and dear friends. What do you suppose has been the focus of all these visits? Well, first there are lots of hugs, the kind that last a really long time, and from those I drew a little bit of strength from everybody to save for the upcoming battle. Then with the hugs came the tears, and the words that come tumbling out, or sometimes just more hugs because it is hard to know what to say to me. But, when the hugs and tears are over, what is left? FOOD!!!! I come from a family where my Mother was 100% Italian, and loved to cook. My Father was born in Scotland, and never shared my Mother's love of food, and was happy with his tea and sweets. They were an interesting pair! I married a man, FGF, whose Mother was also 100% Italian and whose Father was English. So, there is a strong Italian gene pool in place, and ask your Italian friends the relationship between food and love, and they will tell you they are the same thing.
So, these past few days, I have been dearly loved, all in the form of food. Starting last Wednesday, friends from Michigan drove down and we headed for the local Bohemian restaurant. Breaded pork tendorloin, dumplings and saurkraut, and kolackys for dessert.
By that evening, my cousins from Missouri had arrived for just a short visit, hugs, tears, and more food. Off to Maggianos, for Italian, I had fettuccine alfredo, and tons of great bread dipped in olive oil, plus my favorite little lemon cookies for dessert. The next morning off to Egg Harbor for eggs benedict with wonderful crispy fried potatoes and fancy coffee. Later that evening, to my favorite neighborhood pub, Irish Times, where Friday night is all you can eat fish and chips. I even had beer to wash all that fabulously greasy food down. Lucky for all of us, that my cousins left the following morning, the calorie issue was getting way out of control.
Yesterday, my friends from college, who I will refer to as my YaYas all appeared at the front door with an early surprise birthday party. I will be at Loyola for the real birthday, and needless to say, not eating, so the party came to me early. There my YaYas were with balloons, and presents, and FOOD!!! Lots of appetizers, my personal favorite, and these beautiful cupcakes from the bakery. All different, with tons of fancy sweet frosting, also some Spumante Gancia to wash it all down. So once more, I stuffed myself with abandonment,
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FGM and Rags
November 14 at 09:19
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
knowing that I wouldn't be eating again for awhile, and that food would no longer have the taste that I love, after those taste buds are exposed to all that radiation.
Of course, I know that within a week after my surgery, my pants will be loose again, but my friends and family will carry all those calories around with them for a bit longer. See, that is real love.
I do have to admit, that while I was with the Great Italian doctor, I was already planning what kind of cookies I could bring him when I was feeling better. Perhaps some pizzelles, which are the FGF's favorite. A nice Italian cookie, made on an iron, kind of like a very crisp waffle. He looks like a man who enjoys a good cookie, so that will be how I can express my graditude and love for him, after he fixes me up. I bet his office is filled with cookies at Christmas time, from all the other patients who are showing their graditude and love, and I hope I can be one of those patients who can bring cookies for lots of years, just to say Thank You.
So, since I have managed to double my weight in less than one week, I think I better look for some pants with elastic and get this day rolling. Hopefully, the Great Doctor will still recognize me on Wednesday, and be able to find my neck!
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Jean O'Neil
November 16 at 16:57
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
I'm by your side in thoughts and prayers today, the 16th the day of your surgery---send out all those good vibes...:)
Jean
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Lindsay Moon Ya Ya
November 15 at 14:48
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
The great Petruzelli does look like he would enjoy a good cookie. Let's plan to make the biggest batch of pizzelles "ever" for him. With the good thoughts and prayers coming from so many of us, I think we'll be making that batch very soon!
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Janie, Chip, Mulligan & Clover
 
November 14 at 12:33
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
Oh yum, I gained a pound or two just reading about all the dreamy food. My friend from 1st grade Bev. had breast cancer surgery last year. All her life she has struggled with a few extra pounds, has been on every diet there is. She has a great sence of humor also and she said the one good thing she could come up with while having cancer was that it has to be a great diet right? Wrong, she gained weight. Whatever chemo they had her on and the other drugs made her gain! She was some miffed to say the least. She got the extra weight back off after the treatments ended but she still likes to tell that story with a wicked little twinkle in her eyes. I can see that twinkle in your eyes as well. Even way off in the south of Alabama. What time is the surgery so we can be praying mighty hard at that time???
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Lynda and the Minkies
 
November 16 at 15:19
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
Poor Bev...what a shame !!!
XXX.
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Patti and Max
November 14 at 13:19
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
I haven't said so yet, but I've really been enjoying your stories! I've been sending good thoughts and prayers your way every chance I get.
Irish Times was a good idea. I have a friend that lives in Chicago and he took us there. It was one of the best pubs that I've been to. Next time I make it to Chicago, we'll have to meet up there!
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Nancy & MI Quad Squad
November 14 at 17:31
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
I can almost smell the food...good thing to spoil yourself before the big event.
I think your doctor will be well pleased with his supply of cookies year after year..
You make sure that FGF takes good care of you...and we will be waiting to hear more from you as the days pass by..
Hugs to you...Barb.
Nancy :)
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Benny
 
November 14 at 18:50
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
FGM,
Good luck to you on Wednesday.
Once you get the pre-op anxiety out of the way, you will feel better. Hey, remember those nurses too. Most like brownies with nuts.Lol
Benny
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Lynda and the Minkies
November 16 at 15:21
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
Too funny, Sunny !!
XXX.
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Cathy and Thistle
November 14 at 18:56
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
Wow a food extravaganza, what a way to go to surgery, how come no one did that for me, also a lovely family for looking after you so well. We will be by your side in spirit on Wednesday, and know the Great Dr. P, will be watched over by all the TC terriers, so you will have quite an audience.
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Mary, Kelsey and Furby
November 14 at 19:43
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
love your writingBarb, all the terriers will be there watching over the doc, and those up at RB will be there as well.
Have as good a birthday as you can, we'll ve thinking oof you.
Have FGF let us know how it goes....
he can use a computer , right?
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R-gang
November 14 at 23:19
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
Well I think you Italians are full of Love Fests! Food does make fun get togethers. You R one very Loved lady!!
R gang and I send all R best wishes that soon you will be back here with another chapter of this adventure with a Happy Ending.
Love you FGM
Fran & R gang
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Casey
November 15 at 00:49
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
Barb, on Wednesday when you are drifting off, picture all your family and friends, far and wide, and all the TC terriers, past and present, in kilts and angels wings surrounding you in love and ready to do battle with the evil foe. We'll all be there in spirit as the Great Petruzzelli performs his magic on you...
Later, in recovery as you drift in and out of sleep, you can dream of soon enjoying pizzelles and Spumante Gancia in celebration of a joyous victory.
With our love, we wish you all the best,
Theo, Casey and Sir Cedric xoxo
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Maureen, Hamish and Maddie
November 15 at 05:43
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
Dear Barb, it's beautiful to think of you surrounded by love. What fun, to have all those great meals with family and old friends. There will be people thinking of you, praying for you and carrying you in their hearts in the hours from now until Wednesday and all through your recovery.
Love from Maureen xxx
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john / irene Maxwell
 
November 15 at 06:53
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
We are right there with you Barb & with all these terriers behind you you will soon be well
john / irene Maxwell
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Betsy and Wick
November 15 at 09:08
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
It sounds like you have such wonderful friends and family to support you through all of this Barb. I got hungry just reading about all of the delicious things that you got to eat with them. We will continue to send happy and healing thoughts your way and we'll be looking forward to your next adventure post on the board! :)
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The Oregon Girlies...
November 15 at 12:20
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
Barb, We wondering if the great doctor will be able to operate with all the love, good thoughts and prayers floating around you on Wednesday. Ours will surely be there.
Prayers and best wishes,
xxxxBetty and the Girlies...
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Casey
November 15 at 13:28
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
Wouldn't it be nice if, with all the love, prayers, terrier warriors and Barbs strength and mind fighting the foe that Dr P. found nothing there to operate on now.
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Ellie
November 15 at 17:12
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
Hellooo FGM...Mummy is in the baff still so I gots here first cos I wanteded to answer a mattwess letter to yoo.
Doonie wurrie cos we terriers will be wiv yoo and are all fighters and wiv stwong hearts just like yoo are and those nasty lurky fings in yor bod will soon all be zappeded away and flusheded doown the toilet..If thats where Mr Pettruzzelli will lobbest them!We will be wiv yoo all the way and are finking of our FGM all the time and will lookie constantly for the next update fwom yoo!
All our Loove and kisses Ellie Emma Mummy and Daddy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
PS I forgot to say those mealys yoo had soonded Yummy Yummy!!
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Lynda and the Minkies
November 16 at 15:18
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
"the kind that last a really long time".......this had me in tears, Barb.....
Great to hear of all the goodies you've managed to have this past week. You'll need to delete this post next week as you'll be gagging for some more of that !!
I laughed at the pizzelles mention as here we call those dog treats made of bulls' peniii(IS that a plural ??) bulls' pizzells !!! Hehehe.....
Thankyou for the update and the smiles and even the tears.
XXX.
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Lindsay Ya Ya Moonbeam
November 16 at 22:32
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Re: To the Mattresses 11-14-05
FGM Barb is out of surgery and spending the night in ICU. The great Dr. Petruzelli says all went according to plan. Please keep the good thoughts and prayers coming.
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