Hi all:

Firstly, I want to say a HUGE thanks to Jill, Campbell, and Tara for having us in their home at this impromptu gathering.  The company, the snacks were wonderful.  We would have gone out to dinner too if we weren't so exhausted (we're still on EST time).  

It was quite fun to meet with everyone.  As Jill said, with such a supposedly rare disease, it's nice to be in the same place with others who have the shared experience.  On the way home, I told my mother that for people who have this serious, progressive disease, are we supposed to have so much fun?  I kept thinking, we know how to party!!  

Kevin, Lore, Shane, Michelle - we really missed you guys at the party!

Thanks much to David and his mom Tere for coming up just to see us!!  We were thrilled to see them too.  

It was also nice to meet Barbara and her husband Leo!  You guys have an awesome website!!  

And it was great to finally meet Cheryl and her 6'8" fiance Corey (sp?) after talking with her so many times on the phone.  We're rooting for a successful surgery this Wed for you Cheryl!

It was also great to have Teresa there in a casual setting.  We learned about her history with Dr. Steinberg, how she started with him 15 years ago and their relationship.  She told us about how he is outside of work, which was nice to know because I kinda wondered about him showing up on Sat. night at 9:30pm to check on us.  

As Jill mentioned, I also crossed a milestone.  Jill's family has two fairly large dogs (Speedo and Abbey).  I am extremely afraid of dogs but have been wanting to overcome that fear for a long time.  So, with only Speedo, I managed to pet him and shake his hand (and he managed to lick me - ew, but I survived).  Campbell offered to have me feed him but I said no thanks.  His teeth (Speedo's not Campbell's) were a bit much for me.  

Anyway, if this gathering is a precursor to Orlando, I totally can't wait!!  

Thanks again Jill for a great time.  Can't wait for the next one.  And I can't wait to see the pictures! It was so funny that we were all so picture happy - I was seeing blue spots all night!!  

Lots of hugs,
Trina

Hi Trina,

Glad you clarified that teeth thing with Speedo not Campbell!

You would get over any fear of dogs immediately at my house. I have two dogs that would simply lick and drool all over you.  Maggie is a Newfoundland who is about 7 years old and weighs in at 135lbs. She is a sweetheart. Newfoundland's or "Newfi" for short, are known as the "gentle giants". I also have a Black Lab named Reggie. Reggie is about 12 years old, weighs about 97lbs and pretty much just exist these days. He was always in charge until he got too old and now Maggie bosses him around Reggie just simply tolerates Maggie. Actually, both dogs are quite comical and I call them my "Goofy Newfi" and my "Looney Lab".

I'm glad to hear you are having some fun in California. I wish I could have been there with you. It looks like we won't make it back to Stanford until after the first of the year. Kevin is in the middle of an insurance change. 

I saw a picture of Teresa's son while I was at Stanford. He is such a handsome little guy. What a cutie! That was nice of Teresa to join you.

I wanted to go to Nappa Valley but it was just too far given the time and Kevin's surgeries etc. We did make it to San Francisco for a day but that was prior to testing etc. At one point, I considered drinking my way up and down the Nappa Valley. Instead, I settled for Coldwater Creek and sat and listened to the waterfalls.

Let me know how that Xenon CT goes. Dr Dodd  to the rescue?

Tell your mom and brother I said Hi.

Hugs,

Lore

Thanks guys for the canine encouragement (although Lore, all that drooling and licking - EW)!  When Speedo licked me and I cringed, Tara told me that he likes me.  I said, well I like you and I don't lick you and she responded, YOU'RE NOT A DOG!  It was too funny.   

I'm getting there though - small steps.  The day we were leaving, someone was walking their pixie in the parking lot of the hotel and it ran towards us, and I managed to even pet it.  Better yet, I watched the 'dog whisperer' on the flight home.  It's that show where the dog trainer/psychologist comes to your house and trains your dog (kind of like super nanny for dogs).  I saw 6 episodes of it on the plane!!  (It didn't hurt that Cesar, the host, was pretty cute).   

Missing you all!

Trina