Small Talk: The Prayer Closet

[louannems]

23 minutes ago, emmawoodhouse said:

THIS! The tech(s) should have been reported. 

I agree.

I have extremely tiny breasts, which means the technologist has to gently but firmly pull on my tissues to get everything on the plate.  I have never been bruised and it is only mildly uncomfortable.

My primary care doctor has had me on a every other year schedule.

[Turquoise]

2 hours ago, Ijustwantsomechips said:

Out of surgery and feeling okay. I’m a little sore and keep setting off the breathing monitor because I’m not breathing enough. 
 

@Turquoise you got this. Hopefully yours is laparoscopic as well. This is manageable. You’ll do great.

Glad everything went well. Mine is supposed to be laparoscopic, the doctor said it might require larger incisions due to the size of everything. On the way to the hotel now to do my first pre-surgery scrub.

I appreciate everyone who has been pulling for both of us. Hope you have a good night @Ijustwantsomechips.

[jcbrown]

Belated best wishes for @Turquoise and @Ijustwantsomechips.

24 minutes ago, louannems said:

My primary care doctor has had me on a every other year schedule.

Same. We discussed the research, my lack of family history, and she let me choose annually or every other year. I chose option B.

[Ijustwantsomechips]

Aside from being woozy, and soreness in my abdomen, I feel pretty good. I feel so much lighter! The doctor was able to use my previous laparoscopic incisions so no new scars. The chlorhexadine (sp?) wipes make you a little itchy though if you have to use them.  Thanks again to everyone for your support snd kind words.  I really appreciate it. 

Praying for a speedy recovery for you@Turquoise. You got this. 

[thehorseofpower]

The mammogram discussion is timely for me as I just had my first one yesterday. I am not quite forty yet, but my doctor found a lump at my annual exam and so I ended up with a mammogram and an ultrasound as well. It was terrifying but came out okay...I was diagnosed with a fibroadenoma (benign tumor).  My doctor thought it was a cyst at my exam and I went in thinking that's what it was likely to be, and even though it is a benign growth, the word "tumor" was not one I was ready to hear under any circumstance.  They also told me I have extremely dense breasts and that this is a bigger risk for breast cancer, which was really upsetting to me. There is no history of breast cancer, or even really any kind of cancer, on either side of my family so none of this was really at the forefront of my medical worries.  I like to feel as if I am in total control of myself at all times, which I know is not possible but sometimes I can pretend it is for my own sanity, especially in the last few years of Covid and just general cultural unrest when it feels more than ever like I have no control over anything except my own self....then things like this just remind you that you cannot have that control, ever, not even over your own body that you inhabit every minute of every day. I can make all the best decisions for my health that I can but my breasts are sitting right here under my nose, being dense and growing benign tumors and I had no idea. I know the outcome could have been much worse but I just feel very depressed.

On the plus side, I was very scared of the mammogram but it didn't hurt at all for me and the tech I had was wonderful.  I wish you could have had her, @Mindthinkr , instead of that horrible experience that turned you off so badly. I find getting any medical procedure or test done to be a difficult experience both emotionally and physically because it makes you so vulnerable and requires trusting your body to total strangers...and even if you know it's for the good of your health those feelings can be hard to get past. When someone violates that trust and vulnerability it really does a number on you. So sorry that happened.

Best of luck and healing to those having surgeries! 

[Absolom]

My doctor told me not to fret about being told about dense breast tissue.  According to her over half the women she sees have "dense breast tissue" come back on the report.  It's apparently quite common and nothing to worry about.  

Edited March 4, 2022 by Absolom

[thehorseofpower]

That's good to hear, @Absolom. I made the mistake of googling "why does dense breast tissue increase cancer risk" this morning and reading a bunch of articles on the topic got me all worked up even more so than I already was. Nothing good ever comes for me of googling health-related topics!

[emmawoodhouse]

Blast it, the power went out about 15 minutes ago. Strange, since there are no weather issues. Looks like my dinner plans have changed. Oh well. Hope they get us back online soon 

[Liddy52]

@thehorseofpower, in my younger years, I had surgery several times to remove fibroadenomas. Now that I am older, they tell me that since my breasts are less dense it is easier to diagnose the fibroadenomas without doing biopsies.  At any rate, as of now, (my next mammogram is Tuesday) I have never had any  malignancies. I truly count my blessings! To me the technology for mammograms has improved SO much over the past 30 years. 

[GeeGolly]

As I said earlier, I'm not the best at getting regular mammograms, or at regular preventative care in general. But I'm not completely neglectful. I'm in my 50s and have had 3 (maybe 4) mammograms, with my first in my early 40s. I had a young tech question the length of time between the last two. I just said, yep, that's accurate. She said she didn't understand. I said there's nothing to understand, that is just the amount of time that passed between exams.

In general, I'm not the best at sticking up for myself or even recognizing the need until later, but I'm learning to recognize 'poor treatment' more in the moment and gently move the conversation on. One would think after years of being embedded in a PCP office advocating for clients, I'd be better at it, but nope, not so much for myself.

[Love2dance]

Glad you are doing so well, @Ijustwantsomechips. Hope you have an easy sleep tonight and an even more comfortable tomorrow.

Good luck tomorrow, @Turquoise. We will be thinking good thoughts for you.

[GeeGolly]

Do any of you remember the kidnapping case of Sherri Papini? A young wife/mom who was kidnapped for 3 weeks by two Latina women. Well it turns out it was all untrue and she was arrested yesterday. There was suspicion from the get-go, but when she "was returned" apparently she was badly beaten up and was also branded. Although no pictures of her injuries were leaked or shown to the public.

They haven't released a lot of details as to why they think she did this, but she was staying with an ex-boyfriend during the three weeks she was gone. Not sure if she had the boyfriend during this marriage or before.

[Scarlett45]

I have been away from the thread for a while, but wishing you all the best @Ijustwantsomechips and @Turquoise.

[Turquoise]

I’m am pleased to announce the uterus has been yanked. I’m naturally sore and tired, but feeling pretty decent. My doctors and nurses keep saying I look wonderful. I somehow doubt that. LOL

[Cinnabon]

1 hour ago, Turquoise said:

I’m am pleased to announce the uterus has been yanked. I’m naturally sore and tired, but feeling pretty decent. My doctors and nurses keep saying I look wonderful. I somehow doubt that. LOL

What a relief! Do you have something like this for recovery? This one helped me a lot with the cold packs. 
 

https://www.hysterectomystore.com/the-great-binder-set/

[Rootbeer]

As far as mammograms, it pays to go to a dedicated site, where all the Xray techs do is mammograms.  Practice makes perfect and their experience tends to make the exam quicker and less uncomfortable.

The data on mammograms shows that annual mammograms are most effective in detecting early cancer/prolonging or saving lives in women between the ages of 45-55, so I generally recommend doing them annually for women in that bracket.

There is less good data on annual mammograms in women not in that range and I personally think it is perfectly acceptable for a woman with no family history and no abnormal findings on exam to go every two years.

Any woman with a strong family history, a genetic marker or any other big risk factor for breast cancer should probably consult with a breast specialist to make sure she is getting the appropriate screening done at appropriate intervals.  Women with very dense breasts and significant risk factors are often steered to getting MRI's at intervals as well as mammograms.  Also, most specialists affiliated with major hospitals are going to have access to the latest research and recommendations and often send out information to their established patients with updates.  They also will often invite their patients to participate in various research studies if they qualify and many of my patients are very gratified to have access to the latest technology and are very happy to contribute to medical advancement by giving blood samples or trying new testing modalities.

On the flip side, is there an age when a woman can stop getting mammograms?  Sure.  Anyone can refuse them, I have a few patients who do and, every year, they get my pitch and I place the order and they do what they want.  At around age 75, I ask my patients if they want to continue and the responses vary.  First I tell them to take a look at the general state of their health.  If there is a cancer that is too small to palpate but shows up on the mammogram, it will, on average, take at least 10 years to be fatal in a patient that age.  A 75 year old who is diabetic, has had a couple of heart attacks and maybe a stroke, probably isn't too worried she'll die of breast cancer at 85.  On the other hand, a woman who is in good shape with minimal health problems and a family history of women with long lives is probably going to want to continue having mammograms past the age of 75 since she is a good candidate for treatment and most breast cancers in the elderly are slow growing  and curable and she is probably going to still be around in 10 years.

When do you start getting mammograms?  At age 40 unless you have a history of breast cancer in a first degree relative (parent, child or sibling).  Or, if you know you've got BRCA or another cancer gene.  In the case of family history, you should start 10 years before the age at which the youngest relative was diagnosed.  So, if your sister had breast cancer at 40, you should start screening at 30.  Because women at age 30 tend to have very dense breasts, it is also important to see a specialist for recommendations as to whether mammograms should be done and whether other studies like MRI's or ultrasound should be used instead or in addition.

Edited March 4, 2022 by Rootbeer

[Absolom]

13 minutes ago, Rootbeer said:

As far as mammograms, it pays to go to a dedicated site, where all the Xray techs do is mammograms.  Practice makes perfect and their experience tends to make the exam quicker and less uncomfortable.

I can't recommend this enough.  Where I go there are dedicated techs.  This is all they do and dedicated radiologists.  I'm told not to change until the mammogram is read in case the radiologist wants a redo on something.  

[emmawoodhouse]

2 minutes ago, Absolom said:

I can't recommend this enough.  Where I go there are dedicated techs.  This is all they do and dedicated radiologists.  I'm told not to change until the mammogram is read in case the radiologist wants a redo on something.  

Yup, I have the same deal, although it takes about half an hour for the radiologist to read the scans, so I am home before I hear anything. This time, I saw the questionable reading and got a call the next day from the breast cancer center to schedule my follow up. There wasn't anything else the initial radiology center could do for me. 

[Turquoise]

3 hours ago, Cinnabon said:

What a relief! Do you have something like this for recovery? This one helped me a lot with the cold packs. 
 

https://www.hysterectomystore.com/the-great-binder-set/

They did give me one. It helped for the 100+ mile ride home. Tired and sore, but they gave me a med rotation and I’m keeping on top of it.

I appreciate all the well wishes!

[wilsie]

I hope @Turquoise and @Ijustwantsomechips continue to do well.  That binder was a tremendous help getting up out of bed and walking.  It was less painful.

Someone shared this with me and I was surprised it happened in Arkansas with positive results for the lgbtq community.  The pastor reminds me of JillR.  

 

[Love2dance]

So glad to hear you are home, doing well and have a good binder, @Turquoise. Sleep well tonight!

 

[iwantcookies]

https://www.the-sun.com/lifestyle/2847281/mum-16-kids-gives-birth-no-contraception-every-year-baby/amp/
 

all the kids have a C name. Sorta like the Duggars.

[Ijustwantsomechips]

22 hours ago, Turquoise said:

I’m am pleased to announce the uterus has been yanked. I’m naturally sore and tired, but feeling pretty decent. My doctors and nurses keep saying I look wonderful. I somehow doubt that. LOL

So glad you’re feeling okay. Getting out of the bed has been the hardest so far.  I also put one of those plastic lawn chairs in the shower and that’s been helpful too. Just take it easy and sleep when you need to. 

[Scarlett45]

I got my first stitch fix! So far I’m impressed. I kept a nice blazer for work in a proper size and a nice pair of olive color capris that are pull on, but are a nice thick trouser material- those will be great for summer since I’m back hybrid, I cannot bum around in leggings and joggers any more. 
 

I returned a pair of satin pants (they were nice but if I were to dress up I would wear dresses), a pair of skinny jeans (I have jeans) and polka dot blouse (I liked it but I have ones just like it). 
 

I have another one coming April 30. I need to start selling my nice dresses etc that are too big on Poshmark. I did a donation right before the pandemic of stuff I wasn’t into (for young people who couldn’t afford prom dresses), but dresses do well on those resell sites. 
 

 

[Jynnan tonnix]

57 minutes ago, Scarlett45 said:

I got my first stitch fix! So far I’m impressed. I kept a nice blazer for work in a proper size and a nice pair of olive color capris that are pull on, but are a nice thick trouser material- those will be great for summer since I’m back hybrid, I cannot bum around in leggings and joggers any more. 
 

I returned a pair of satin pants (they were nice but if I were to dress up I would wear dresses), a pair of skinny jeans (I have jeans) and polka dot blouse (I liked it but I have ones just like it). 
 

I have another one coming April 30. I need to start selling my nice dresses etc that are too big on Poshmark. I did a donation right before the pandemic of stuff I wasn’t into (for young people who couldn’t afford prom dresses), but dresses do well on those resell sites. 
 

 

I just got my first stitch fix a couple of weeks ago as well. Decided to take the plunge after reading the discussions here a little while back. I kept everything, even though not all of it was stuff I'd generally buy. I guess they got me with the 25% discount for keeping everything, but since I pretty much only ever buy things when there's a good sale, I couldn't quite convince myself to pay full price for any of the pieces they sent. Which I know doesn't make sense, since it just means I paid more at the end of the day, but I liked everything well enough that I'll wear it, and I really needed a few new pieces besides all the sweaters I treated myself to at the beginning of winter. 

I only signed up to get quarterly boxes from them anyway, so I'm not about to be inundated with more new clothes than I know what to do with.

I only lost about 20 lb (though I'd ideally like to lose another 10 or so), but that, combined with the hernia repair I had last summer has really changed my whole shape, so I replaced a whole lot of my wardrobe now that I don't have to wear tunics all the time to cover the hernia bulges. It's soooo NICE to be able to wear tops that just come down to about hip length instead of halfway down my thighs. So much more flattering to my 5' 3". And I'm down overall by about 40 lb since my heaviest weight a few years ago, so I'm treating myself a bit. 😁

Edited March 6, 2022 by Jynnan tonnix

[CalicoKitty]

1 hour ago, Scarlett45 said:

I got my first stitch fix! So far I’m impressed. I kept a nice blazer for work in a proper size and a nice pair of olive color capris that are pull on, but are a nice thick trouser material- those will be great for summer since I’m back hybrid, I cannot bum around in leggings and joggers any more. 
 

I returned a pair of satin pants (they were nice but if I were to dress up I would wear dresses), a pair of skinny jeans (I have jeans) and polka dot blouse (I liked it but I have ones just like it). 
 

I have another one coming April 30. I need to start selling my nice dresses etc that are too big on Poshmark. I did a donation right before the pandemic of stuff I wasn’t into (for young people who couldn’t afford prom dresses), but dresses do well on those resell sites. 
 

 

I just got my second box.  I kept a pair of jeans and one top from the first one.  Something happed with the second.  They sent 4 tops and a jacket.  All of the tops were huge.  They all hung half way to my knees and were gigantic. The jacket was interesting.  It was an orange plaid light-weight jacket (I specified that I do not like orange) that did not go with any of the tops.  It was enormous.  If I was going to a Halloween party, it would be perfect for a clown costume.  Everything was sent back today, and I think I will be taking a break from Stitch Fix.  Too bad.  I think it is a good service.

[iwantcookies]

Lately I have been shopping in old navy clearance. Bought cute summer dresses for $6-8 bucks. Sweaters were $5. Got great  work pants $4-6 each. Just a suggestion. 

This dress was $7 in the store. 

[Scarlett45]

2 hours ago, iwantcookies said:

Lately I have been shopping in old navy clearance. Bought cute summer dresses for $6-8 bucks. Sweaters were $5. Got great  work pants $4-6 each. Just a suggestion. 

This dress was $7 in the store. 

I also just placed an old navy order. Their quality has stepped up and I have found some good casual pieces that are durable. 

[Love2dance]

Good job, @Jynnan tonnix. Enjoy your new looks! 

[Cinnabon]

This kid is a hero! It’s not ok to exploit your kids, Jessa and Joy (I feel like they’re the worst offenders right now.)  It’s a shame a kid had to be the one to initiate this. But even some snarkers unfortunately seem to passively encourage the exploitation by watching their videos and following them on SM. Just MHO.

 

Kids are non-consenting stars of some family ‘vlogs’ — and a high schooler wants to change that
 

https://www.geekwire.com/2022/kids-are-non-consenting-stars-of-some-family-vlogs-and-a-high-schooler-wants-to-change-that/

Edited March 6, 2022 by Cinnabon

[SMama]

TLC is going to be all over that, just like they did with the Gosselin 8.

[Cinnabon]

2 minutes ago, SMama said:

TLC is going to be all over that, just like they did with the Gosselin 8.

Luckily, TLC is done with the Duggars. The focus here is on the parents who are exploiting their own kids on SM and YouTube.

Edited March 6, 2022 by Cinnabon

[Turquoise]

Good news Sunday: my parents brought us a nice casserole for lunch & ate with us. We had a nice visit and they got to see I was OK for themselves.

After my parents went home we got an outdoor stroll in. The binder makes it easier to enjoy some fresh air.

[SMama]

1 minute ago, Cinnabon said:

Luckily, TLC is done with the Duggars.

Sadly, there’s plenty of fish in the exploitation sea. 

[Minivanessa]

Thanks for the updates - and best wishes for continued recovery, @Turquoise and @Ijustwantsomechips!

@Jynnan tonnix, way to go with the weight loss and updating your wardrobe. @Scarlett45, same to you. In my retirement + WFH gigs these days my wardrobe has sadly lost all style. After a few months of slipping back into bad eating patterns and regaining some weight, I'm cleaning up that act again. When I'm (again) down a size I will shop for a few nice new things to wear. 

In the meantime, I'm still looking at Amtrak routes and schedules, sketching out possible trips by train later this year. Unlike all the crazy variations in airfares, Amtrak fares are pretty straightforward. The earlier you book, the less your tickets cost. So I won't be jumping on a train anytime soon, lol. I want to take road trips - that's what the minivan and its camping adaptions are for. But I'd also like to just sit back and look out the windows to enjoy the passing scenery. Which I can't do when driving. I'd like to take Amtrak's Cardinal route from Chicago to at least Virginia (I have family there). That would be one trip. Here in Denver I'm right in the middle of the amazingly scenic California Zephyr route. I want to take that to the West Coast and then catch the Coast Starlight up to Seattle. I think fall would be a great time for those trips. 

I've been reading up, and watching YT videos. I've learned that Amtrak long distance routes can end up running very late, so you need to build in plenty of time at your destination. TBH at this time in my life - although I want to make some trips that are only really doable by air - the idea of boarding a commercial airline flight is just effing depressing. But I love the idea of traveling on a train; I know it's not luxury but it just seems so much more comfortable and even relaxed. 

I'd love to know if anyone has experiences, opinions, tips, and/or tales to tell about Amtrak travel! 

Edited March 7, 2022 by Jeeves

[awaken]

Hoping to travel via Amtrak later this year, so I am interested in comments as well!

[Love2dance]

Add me to the interested in Amtrak information group. ☺️

[emmawoodhouse]

I did the full California Zephyr route a couple of times when I was a kid. I had a blast. Wish I had updated information for you. 😃

[BetyBee]

We have taken the Southwest Chief twice, once to California and once to the Grand Canyon. We had roomettes both times and the trips were delightful. I love sitting and watching the scenery go by. The porter makes up the beds each night and I slept like a baby on the train! The bathroom is shared, down the aisle, though there are fancier rooms with their own. We met interesting people at mealtimes, as they seat you with others because space is limited. US trains put freight first, so there are delays, but they always make sure that you get where you need to go. I believe we were bused to another train (Pacific Surfliner?) when our destination was San Diego. 

I'd like to do a train trip in Canada, when Covid is totally over!

Edited March 7, 2022 by BetyBee

[iwantcookies]

17 hours ago, Turquoise said:

Good news Sunday: my parents brought us a nice casserole for lunch & ate with us. We had a nice visit and they got to see I was OK for themselves.

After my parents went home we got an outdoor stroll in. The binder makes it easier to enjoy some fresh air.

Sounds lovely! I’m sending you speedy recovery vibes!

[sixlets]

@Turquoise & @Ijustwantsomechips-so glad to hear both of you are recovering well!  It must be a huge relief to finally have the surgery behind you.  Best wishes for your recoveries!!

I had my eval with the cardiologist last Thursday, and I wish I could say it went better.  I don't like him.  At all.  I had an EKG done in the office, and there is no way he had a chance to even look at it before he came in.  The time between the nurse walking out and him coming in was less than 2 minutes, which also means he never had time to look at my chart.  He does want an ECG done, and Holter monitoring for 14 days.  Both of those are scheduled for the end of March.  He did order the test I wanted done, which is a tilt table test.  It has to be done outpatient at the hospital, so that's scheduled for mid-April.  As much as I want it done to get answers, it's not an enjoyable experience to go through.  Since everything is delayed, I won't actually be seeing him again until the end of April.  Depending on how that appointment goes, I will make my decision on switching to another doctor in the practice.  To know that I could have answers as to what's been happening for 12 1/2 years in a relatively short amount of time is overwhelming.  I'm either going to need an incredible therapist or a really strange hobby when this is all said and done!

[Liddy52]

15 minutes ago, sixlets said:

@Turquoise & @Ijustwantsomechips-so glad to hear both of you are recovering well!  It must be a huge relief to finally have the surgery behind you.  Best wishes for your recoveries!!

I had my eval with the cardiologist last Thursday, and I wish I could say it went better.  I don't like him.  At all.  I had an EKG done in the office, and there is no way he had a chance to even look at it before he came in.  The time between the nurse walking out and him coming in was less than 2 minutes, which also means he never had time to look at my chart.  He does want an ECG done, and Holter monitoring for 14 days.  Both of those are scheduled for the end of March.  He did order the test I wanted done, which is a tilt table test.  It has to be done outpatient at the hospital, so that's scheduled for mid-April.  As much as I want it done to get answers, it's not an enjoyable experience to go through.  Since everything is delayed, I won't actually be seeing him again until the end of April.  Depending on how that appointment goes, I will make my decision on switching to another doctor in the practice.  To know that I could have answers as to what's been happening for 12 1/2 years in a relatively short amount of time is overwhelming.  I'm either going to need an incredible therapist or a really strange hobby when this is all said and done!

@sixlets, I hope your next encounter with your cardiologist is a more positive one. I learned something from your post; I had never heard of a tilt table test and looked it up. I hope it gives you some answers. 

[Jynnan tonnix]

8 minutes ago, Liddy52 said:

@sixlets, I hope your next encounter with your cardiologist is a more positive one. I learned something from your post; I had never heard of a tilt table test and looked it up. I hope it gives you some answers. 

Speaking of cardiologists, I got a call from mine this afternoon. I had been wearing a heart monitor for the last month, and apparently it picked up some irregularities in my heartbeat, so he wants to see me tomorrow. This after having to wait for the better part of three months for an echocardiogram back in December, and having a follow-up scheduled for all the way out in May. It makes me nervous that he seems to feel I need to come in immediately. Guess I'll find out what's up tomorrow...

[jcbrown]

Sending you positive energy and hoping that you get good information tomorrow, @Jynnan tonnix.

[Love2dance]

Will be thinking about you tomorrow, @Jynnan tonnix. Hopefully it is about something helpful and not too difficult. Let us know. I do like that he cares enough to call you in.

So sorry about the cardiologist, @sixlets. Hopefully he has better evaluating skills than bedside manner. If he doesn’t do better when you come back, you definitely should ask for another doctor. Bet it won’t be the first time if this is his normal patient interaction mode. I am glad he ordered the test you wanted and hope the result comes out well.

Edited March 8, 2022 by Love2dance

[BetyBee]

A few years ago, I was sent for a treadmill stress test and a visit to a cardiologist after an in office test by my primary. The cardiologist scoffed at the efficacy of the in office test and concluded that my heart was just fine. Sorry, I haven't had my coffee yet and it was years ago, so I can't remember the names of the tests I had! The in office one was where they put the electrodes on your chest. The cardiologist said it's especially hard to get a good reading on that kind of test for women, because the electrodes don't always get an accurate reading through breast tissue.  I hope my foggy memory gives concerned Small Talkers a grain of hope that all is well and further tests will show that for them too! 

[ozziemom]

26 minutes ago, BetyBee said:

A few years ago, I was sent for a treadmill stress test and a visit to a cardiologist after an in office test by my primary. The cardiologist scoffed at the efficacy of the in office test and concluded that my heart was just fine. Sorry, I haven't had my coffee yet and it was years ago, so I can't remember the names of the tests I had! The in office one was where they put the electrodes on your chest. The cardiologist said it's especially hard to get a good reading on that kind of test for women, because the electrodes don't always get an accurate reading through breast tissue.  I hope my foggy memory gives concerned Small Talkers a grain of hope that all is well and further tests will show that for them too! 

Same thing happened to me, once in Connecticut and again here in Florida. First time I was nervous beforehand but all was well in the end both times.

[lookeyloo]

I am in the cardiology waiting room for an echo. Suspected leaky valve 

[CalicoKitty]

I just got off the phone with a cousin that I have not seen for about 10 years.  He and his wife live in Winterset, Iowa, where the tornado hit.  They were not home, and watched it on TV, but they are all well and untouched.  He said if it had hit one mile more north it would have taken out a couple of schools and a hospital, and the loss of life would have been much higher.  It was good to know they are alright, and I feel so sorry for the families that were hit and lost loved ones.

[crazycatlady58]

I saw on the weather channel there is a big fire in the Florida panhandle. Does anyone here live in that area or have family members there? If so is everyone ok?