((((((((((Lori))))))))))

SO sorry things are getting more difficult.  Sometimes I think it just piles
up on us and we feel the weight of it more.  I hope that it's just temporary
and that you'll soon be feeling stronger again... and Curt, as well.  From
the way you describe him, Curt is a real fighter.  I have a feeling you will
have him around for a long while yet!

I'm glad you vented. I hope it helps to know that there are many people here
who care and who know what a difficult thing PCa really is.

Take care.. best wishes!
MikeH

Glad you took the time to vent. I am sure Curt will need a lot of your
strength in the coming months.
--CDS in TX (PCa treated with external radiation Nov 03- Jan 04).

Continue to vent, Lorelei.  He's still in the fight.  Non illegitimi
carborundum!

Vent!!! It feels good and you are going through a whole lot more than most
of us ever will go through!

How about a barn raising? Okay you aren't raising a barn but invite all your
friends over and have big cook-out! All the wives pitch in and help with the
cooking, food etc. They bring chips, macaroni salad, potato salad, homemade
pickles, tossed salads, brownies, cakes, cookies, etc. You supply the
hamburger, chicken, rolls, spare ribs, steaks, whatever, ketchup, mustard,
etc. You do coffee and ice tea, they bring their favorite soft drinks. Put
up a volley ball net or soccer goals in the back yard for the kids. Throw in
a keg for after the work is done! Kegs are not real expensive. It's the
deposit on the keg that tends to scare off some people. The guys bring their
tools, their strength, and their know-how. And you get the basement done in
one day!!! And maybe even the bathroom wall.

(How they do those home make-overs in 7 days??? Don't believe it!! You are
not supposed to paint over sheet rock mud for several days!! I wonder what
those places look like after about 6 months???)

Anyway you fire up the grill, find the boom-box and all the good music. Drag
out those paper lanterns and party afterwards!!! Everybody has fun. Schedule
it for Oct 9th and consider it your anniversary and call it an Anniversary
Barn Raising! What better gift could friends give to you?

Don't worry about the guys that don't know a hammer from a screw driver,
they can hold the sheetrock in place while someone else nails it. And it is
amazing what guys will learn from each other quickly!

I could teach you to mud a wall. If you can ice a cake you can mud
sheetrock! And you won't be tempted to lick your fingers!! LOL

What you need is to have everything right there ready for the "crew". Just
go to Lowe's and tell them what you are doing. And take your measurements!!
They can tell you how much sheetrock you will need, how much greenboard,
blue board if there is a fireplace or furnace, heater area) and how big a
box of sheetrock nails you will need along with how many buckets of
sheetrock mud. And if you have your measurements they can even tell you how
many running feet of wood trim you will need. Buy your doors, etc. Lowe's
will deliver!! Don't forget the outlets and switches.

Paint and outlet covers can be handled later along with floor coverings.
Just remember that black covers need black switches and outlets. LOL

I'm sure it is not helping Curt' self-esteem to see so much that needs doing
and he can't get it done by himself. But in one day - one big blow out party
can be lots of fun! Start in the morning with coffee, and a solid breakfast.
I've got some great recipes for breakfast for a crowd! Keep the coffee and
donuts going and then switch to lunch foods. Then as the afternoon wears on
everyone quits and has a good time.

Since his buddies are fellow golfers you can make party favors/door prizes
with a package of balls, a small gift certificate to the proshop, etc. Pull
the names from a golf hat and the last name gets the hat! Go talk to your
club. If they know Curt's circumstances they'll probably pitch in a few
extra things because it will be their way of helping! Don't forget the
wives!! They'll love drawing names for a variety of fun things, too! The
prizes can be silly and fun but nothing has to be really expensive. Maybe
one really nice guy thing and one really nice gal thing.

Build a bonfire if it is allowed where you live. Everyone loves a bonfire
and make real s'mores. I promise that night will be good for only one
thing - sleeping. But you'll both sleep better knowing so much was done in
such a short time!
Bev

I am very sorry to hear that, Lori.  Curtis has been a constant encouragement
to me , and I thought I was worse off than he.  I just got my cast members
packet for the Nutcracker, my third season- my first was seven months after RPP
surgery.  I am not in much trouble yet.  Best wishes, and tell Curtis I'm
thinking of him.  
Danny