General Manda's Cardboard Box

Subject:	An Update Past Due
Time:	6:32 pm.

Hey Everyone!

I know I haven't posted in awhile so I thought I'd throw out a few bits and pieces of what's been going on with me...

First off, in the medical realm...

I started on Remicade treatments a little over a week ago. It wasn't too bad of an experience--the nurse is really great and the room was cozy. You take it by having an IV for about 2 hours that slowly ramps up the level of meds...so I just had to try not to look at my hand (you know me with the woosiness.) I did get some writing done as I'm attempting NaNoWriMo... but then the benedryl kicked in and I snoozed for the rest of the treatment. Anyway, I have another session next Wednesday and then 4 weeks after that and then I start on 8 weeks between sessions. I have noticed a change, I do feel a lot better but I'd like to see how I do off of the prednisone before declaring it the right treatment. Very promising tho! Yay!

Costumes!

I have spent way too much time at various fabric stores as of late... but that's ok because I think I have everything now to finish up our Crystal Ball costumes. We finished Scott's pants yesterday--he did quite a bit of the detail work after I finished sewing them... added the lacing down the side seams, sewed on buttons... did a few grommets. Very helpful :) I started my underskirt--very orange! I just haven't decided how I want to put the whole thing together so I'm waiting to figure out the waist until I do some more work on the overskirt and top. I've also got a lot done on the home decor bits... curtains are close to being finished, and I got pillow forms to do some matching pillows, and I finished up a cushion for Scott's mom. Yay for getting in sewing time, it makes me feel a lot better.

Sirens!!

So, exciting news from Narrate Conferences (the same lovely folks who brought you Phoenix Rising and Terminus aka the BEST HARRY POTTER CONFERENCES EVER)! Sirens is going to bring together folks of all ages to celebrate female centric fantasy literature with some brilliant female authors and our favor heroines. I can't wait to see Tamora Pierce again (how awesome was it to sit with her during Terminus events, and hear her speak??) and this time, I'm so bringing something for her to sign! There's also a great reading list on the site that I'm going to start going over--I've read quite a few, and looking forward to sampling the rest of the authors. Anyhow, I hope that some of you on the flist will think about attending!

Travel and Such :)

The last week of October my sister and brother-in-law, Alea and Chris, came out for a visit. It was a lot of fun and really uplifting to just hang out with them. We started off with a trip to Salem which was decked out for Halloween :) We found a really bizzare pumpkin headed thing for our parents and a few other fun trinkets. Then the next day we went down to Plimouth Plantation and Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II which was really cool because I've never been down there before. They put together a pretty cool english colony village and the role-players were fun. The next day we hit up the Lexington/Concord sites...there was a bit of rain, but it ended up pretty nice. I hadn't gotten to go into the Buckman Tavern before and that was awesome... you can definitely feel the history in there. Had to go back to work the rest of the week, but Alea and Chris got to go see the Freedom Trail and some other fun stuff. Had a great dinner down in North End one of the nights and ended the week by heading down to Westpoint in NY to watch AF BEAT Army (Woo!) It was absolutely beautiful down there and fun to tailgate, watch the game then tailgate some more :)

Next weekend we're headed back down to NY...this time to the city to see Scott's family--his folks are coming up for an event, so we'll see them and his brother and sister-in-law. Think we'll get some time to sight see a bit which will be fun--hopefully we'll get some nice weather! Then over thanksgiving weekend we're going to head up to the white mountains up in NH for a little while. Hopefully get to hike a bit and should be relaxing.

Hmm... I think that's about it for now... Time to watch the new Top Chef!

Manda

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Subject:	Hehe... too cute not to try
Time:	10:04 pm.

Get your own Family Sticker Maker & MySpace Layouts.

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Subject:	Update
Time:	8:37 pm.

As I said in my last post... feeling worse in general... A lot of the pain has returned since I've been off the steroids. So I called the doc today and he's having me go back on prednisone for a few days and then a different medication which I can't remember the name--it's a different steroid I think that has less side effects. So we'll see... hopefully start feeling better tomorrow.

And I know I've a lot to do with all sorts of things and I haven't been doing much online, checking email or anything so much to catch up...

Also, going to DC next week for some execution strategy briefs to higher ups, so that will be fun...hanging out with the O-6s :)

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Subject:	I am a wuss.
Time:	10:39 pm.

:P Been feeling poorly today and yesterday but got through a big series of xrays. Not sure what they will tell the doc, but the radiologist told me that she still saw a lot of inflammation. I'm off the steroids tho, so glad of that...or maybe that's why I'm hurtin' I don't know. Anyway, yay for weekend!

Scott was working on a work table for his miter saw and i was helping a bit. Nailing some draws together and he got himself with the nailgun through a finger... it ended up not being bad but I'm so useless with blood so I almost passed out...panicking and pulling out 2 boxes of first aid stuff and waving my hands a lot. It pretty much ended up with him holding gaze on his finger calmly patting me on the back as I half cried half laughed at myself. Anyway, all bandaged up but still giving me the willies thinking about it.

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Subject:	Short Update...Feelin' Better
Time:	10:23 pm.

Taken from VoldieBeth.
Rules:
Take a picture of yourself right now.
Don't change your clothes, don't fix your hair...just take a picture.
Post that picture with NO editing.
Post these instructions with your picture.

New converse shirt I got with my pink cons on my over indulgent shopping trip yesterday... yeah... it was therapeutic...really!

Weekend was pretty good :) Went over to Tracie and Ken's place on Saturday. They gutted their place over the summer and have been remodeling big time so Scott and I have helped out when we could (knocking plaster, ripping down cabinets, etc...) So we helped lay some flooring and had a nice lunch with them. Can't wait to see the place done! The rest of the day was pretty relaxed, just hung out at home and watched TV and read.

Sunday we got up early because Chade was clawing at my head at 7am... sigh. But we wanted to make pulled pork for dinner, so we got up anyhow and get everything into the crockpot. Then made applesauce pancakes which were very yummy. Then I ran off to the big huge crazy outlet malls down south of Boston for a bit of me time. So that was nice. When I got home and showed off all my booty we kicked back, watched some football, ate our super good pulled pork and relaxed.

I'm feeling pretty decent with a few waves of ill now and then, but mostly on the up and up. So the steroids are helping, and I'm pretty close to being off them. I have some x-rays this week so when I know more, I'll post.

In other news, I finished reading the 2nd Aisling Grey novel... "Fire Me Up" by Katie MacAlister. Man, she kills me. Those books are so much fun and quick reads. Who doesn't like hilarious, sarcastic, demon filled, dragon-lovin' romance mysteries?

Time to put myself to bed, talk to everyone soon.

Love
Manda

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Subject:	Medical Update
Time:	8:44 am.

Hey Everyone!

I have survived yesterday's prep and procedure--and slept most of the day afterwards. Today is sunny and looks pretty outside and I'm feeling decent. I will not be going down to Alabama tomorrow and instead my group cc is going to work on getting me another slot sometime in the future when I'll be able to enjoy it and participate better.

Before the test the doc showed me where the inflammation was that he saw on the CT scan and said it could be crohn's or IBD or some other infection. The test itself went ok, but I woke up at some point for just a moment, or I have memory of a small portion, or however it works with that sedative... anyway, I woke up later laying down and Scott holding my hands. Don't remember too much about leaving and all that so Scott was my memory card for what the do said. He is pretty sure it's Crohn's but needs to do a few more tests/x-rays. In the mean time, he started me on some anti-inflammatory drugs and recommended I not leave town so he can see how I respond to them and get the other tests in. He also gave us a dietary sheet to use for awhile--basically low fiber and low residue so things can calm down/heal a bit.

I'm glad to have some answers and I have high hopes for these anti-inflammatory drugs to help so I should be feeling better in a few days and that will be a relief. And it will be good to keep working with this doc to have a treatment plan and that sort.

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Subject:	Late Update
Time:	6:55 am.

Sorry folks, yesterday got away from me and I didn't get a chance to post. CT scan went quick and painless except for that barium drink... ugg, if I have to smell that stuff again I think I'll gag. Doc called mid day and said there was some inflammation somewhere that he was concerned about so they signed me up for a colonoscopy on Friday... which...sounds...horrible... so I'm trying to put out of my mind... although today is an all liquid diet day so I'm going to go have my breakfast of orange jello... and...water... and put my lunch of broth and juice and gatorade together... yum...

Anyway, hopefully this will give some answers and hopefully I won't be so wore out on Saturday from the no eating and the drugs that I can pack for SOS. Flight is 6am on Sunday. Just hoping I leave the doc's on Friday with advisement on treatment and if it's a poor idea or not to be out of the area... anyway. So that's where I'm at.

Love
Manda

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Subject:	Update
Time:	5:54 pm.

Now that I'm mostly awake I thought I'd post a quick update. Test went fine this morning, although he didn't find anything (no ulcers or anything) and did a few biopsys that we won't get the results for a bit. Scheduled me for a CAT scan tomorrow morning so I have a barium berry drink to down tonight :P Hopefully that will tell us a bit more or at least give an idea of how to proceed and if it will effect me going to SOS this Sunday.

I'll post more tomorrow...

Love
Manda

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Subject:	It's been awhile since I've updated...
Time:	6:35 pm.

So... I thought I would make a proper effort to let everyone know what's going on with me.

First, Terminus...

It was awesome! I had such a blast being part of the staff and helping with the conference. I loved getting to present and talk about costuming and cosplay and I think we made a great showing for the community. Quiddich was a lot of fun (even if we had to reign in a bit...) and I think we had a ton of energy and team spirit... I'm still randomly saying "Go Balls!" :D

I uploaded my pictures to the hpohio photo album, along with Olek's. Lots of good ones!

http://pics.livejournal.com/hpohio/gallery/0002hxt0?.view=grid

Next, Health...

As a few of you on my flist know, I'm going through some unfun tummy stuff. My sister and I pretty much had the cards stacked against us for getting at least one stomach condition (our folks both have some problems.) She had been going through a great deal of pain awhile back and was finally put on the right meds and is managing better. In June I started going through some of the same symptoms... upset stomach and a lot of constant pain (regardless of what I ate, or didn't eat). I went into the clinic and my first primary care manager tried me on something, which didn't work, then prescribed me prilosec after I insisted that the symptoms were similar to my sister who had severe reflux.

That helped...for a few days... then I felt the same. However, in that space of time, my doc PCS'd to Alaska so I went to a new doc. She upped my dosage and added in Zantax at night (since I wasn't sleeping well and waking up every night... downing too much pepto and trying to sleep again...) After about 2 weeks (and after Terminus) I went back in to see her, nearly in tears because I had had a really poor night, and told her it wasn't helping at all and I was up to 3 Zantax a night (and still not sleeping).

She changed me to Nexium and put in for a referral to a specialist. I got my letter to the non-military docs, and called... the they took my info, said someone would call... no call... called back and got an appointment for November 19th... really not happy about that. So I went back in to the clinic on base and got a list of all the Tricare supported docs in the area and found one that could get me in last week, switched up the referral and talked to my doc's nurse about how the Nexium was now failing (worked for about a week.) She talked to my doc and got me a special order of Protonix which I've been on for 3 days now.

Saw the specialist on Friday and arranged for a big scopey thingy test on Tues. I'm hoping that I'll know more before I leave for SOS on the 14th... and I'm hoping the new meds work better. So far, I'm in less pain during the day... but I had a crummy night which ended with me balling on the couch at 5 am. Scott woke up and heard, and came downstairs. He was able to calm me down by 6 and managed to go back to sleep after that, but still... I can't do that every night...it's wearing me out.

Work...

Work is good, but busy. I got through the 2 huge meetings that I was in charge of with kudos from my Group CC and my Wing CC so I'm happy about that. Lots to follow up tho in the next week. I leave for Squadron Officer's School on the 14th and start class on the 15th. I'll be in Alabama about a month, and should have internet access and all that. I'm worried about being able to focus, but hopefully I'll have a good flight and it'll be more fun than stressful. I'll be back in Boston Oct 17th.

I'm looking forward to Alea and Chris coming out at the end of Oct to visit. Should be a lot of fun to do some of the tourist stuff and just hang out with them. I think we're going to hit up Salem one of the weekends to see all the fun halloween stuff (and visit our old witch huntin' relatives graves...) and hopefully some of the Freedom Trail. We did the whole thing with my parents back in May, but lost the camera along the way so we don't have any pics. Plus it will be Oct so the trees should be beautiful around here.

We're also hoping to get our Hot Air Balloon ride in before it gets too cold. We've been trying all summer but every time it's been too windy and we've had to reschedule. Right now its on the calendar for Oct 18 so my fingers are crossed :)

Alright, I think that's all I got in me at the moment and dinner is nearly done so I'm going to sign off.

Love
Manda

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Subject:	Costume and Cosplay Intersection at Terminus
Time:	5:59 pm.

All,

I just wanted to touch base with everyone and let you know that I have talked to the restaurant again and they have a large section of tables reserved for us. I said we'd be about 15 as far as I can tell based on rsvps but that there could be an influx of people or we could dwindle depending on people's availability.

I will be participating in a panel just before hand so I may be a few minutes late... I'll hightail it out of there, but I know it'll take around 10 minutes to walk to (about 6 blks north, 2 blks west). If anyone would like to step up to be a sort of Deputy and arrive at 5 to greet people and get the tables set up, please let me know. I plan to have some introduction cards with questions for each person to talk about.

If you haven't looked at the Berghoff's website, http://www.berghoff.com/, you might want to. It'll give you an idea of just how perfect it is to take pictures in--very beautiful wood work, stained glass windows and such.

If you know anyone else planning to attend, please direct them to this post! Thank you and see everyone next week!!!

Manda
xposted around

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Subject:	hp-ohio forums
Time:	10:36 am.

FYI hp-ohio folks, Proboards had some crazy transformer explosions and fire in the data storage building and general havoc. They are working like crazy to fix. We should be back up and running sometime today or tomorrow.

http://www.proboards.com has details (link at the top)

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Subject:	New Intersection on Terminus2008.org
Time:	6:09 pm.

Costumers and Cosplay Intersection
RSVP: GeneralManda at cosplay_intersection@terminus2008.org
Date: Friday, August 8
Time: 5 - 7 P.M.
Location: 17 West at the Burghoff,17 West Adams St. Chicago, IL 60603
Costumers and Cosplay Enthusiasts--We'd like to get all of the creators of those wonderful Harry Potter themed costumes together to admire one another's work, show off in a fashion show, and discuss costume construction.

To be X-posted everywhere that will let me...

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Subject:	Boston Arrival
Time:	9:54 pm.

Thought I'd make a quick post since I'm horrible about it. I'm going to try to do small posts in a reasonable amount of time and act like a proper LJ user...

I am now safe and sound in Boston (for those of you who didn't know, I'm moving to Boston...)

We got in last night around 8:30pm and did a bit of unpacking (to which Scott said, wow you really did fit a lot in the Mini...)

So my stuff was scattered about the hallway and Chade was off playing explorer and we crashed after the full day of driving.

Today I went into base and reported, got a little in processing done and then tried to get a hold of my office... yeah, no luck, so my permissive tdy orders are not yet signed... so got to try again tomorrow. Hopefully someone will be in the office. I also talked to the movers and they'll be here Friday to drop everything off. After that, it will be unpacking for the whole weekend I'm sure. And trying to figure out where my books will fit... so many books...

I stopped off at Petco on the way home and got Chade a few things, since a bunch of hers got trashed in the clean out and in the "sorry this doesn't fit in the car" second clean out. So she now has all she needs and knows where it is. She seemed a bit lost last night, I heard her mewing so I yelled down to her and she ran up the stairs and found us and she seemed better then.

She suckered Scott into feeding her first thing in the morning, I guess she looked at him very sadly as he ate cereal (Why can't I eat too? Please?)

Anyway, so that's the short of it! I'm here, and I'm getting settled and I went to the gym this afternoon so all is well :)

I'll have gtalk on most of the week since I'll be on permissive... if my orders get signed.

Cheers!
Manda

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Subject:	Yanked from Tracie1976
Time:	6:16 pm.

139,373 People

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Time:

8:57 pm.

Omgasp! She's posting!!

I know it's been months and months...

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Subject:	Stolen from RedpirateMel
Time:	11:16 am.

Yes! Pumpkin is my favorite!

You Are Pumpkin Pie

You're the perfect combo of uniqueness and quality.
You're able to relate to many types of people with many different tastes.
But you're by no means generic or ordinary.
In fact, you're one of the most original people around.

Those who like you are looking for something (someone!) special.
You tend confuse people when they first meet you. You're not as complicated as you seem.
Even though you have a lot of spice and flavor to you, you're never overpowering.
You are a calm and comforting force in people's lives.

What Kind of Pie Are You?

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Subject:	Crystal Ball
Time:	7:07 pm.

Hey Everyone!

Just wanted to plug the Crystal Ball again! I hope a lot of you out in HP Fandom Land decide to come into town for it. It'll be a lot of fun and we're going to have some great food, music, dancing, and I'm sure moshing to "Party Like You're Evil"! This is your chance to get all dressed up and enjoy a fantasy ball with some great people!

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Subject:	WROCKSTOCK Pictures
Time:	9:13 pm.

As unflattering as some of these are...

http://pics.livejournal.com/generalmanda/gallery/0002axy1

And now for bed... eventually will recap.

A quote to leave you with...

"hp-ohio, too drunk for drunkcast."

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Time:

10:33 pm.

After sewing my flounces for the Stardust dress wrong twice... I think I need to go to bed :)

Just wanted to put up some pics tho...

The HPHP4.0 ! Woo! Had a wonderful time last night, it was great getting to spend time with everyone :) (Oh pics contain spoilers for you know, HP7...)

http://pics.livejournal.com/hpohio/gallery/0002d7ph?.view=grid

Next, my trip to Boston last weekend--Went to Salem to wander and then to a Wedding--Lots of fun!

http://pics.livejournal.com/generalmanda/gallery/00029khk

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Subject:	This Crystal Ball Advertisement has been brought to you by the colors Midnight and Candlelight
Time:	10:29 pm.

http://www.hp-ohio.com/crystalball.html

Woo!!

Our DJ, Gabe, Draco and the Malfoys and The Whomping Willows!!

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