Chico's chest x-rays were clean, so it appears the cancer has not spread. He's scheduled for amputation next Wednesday. He'll have to stay until Thursday at the earliest and possibly until Friday. I hope he comes home Thursday just because Friday is DD's final concert of the year and it'll be so much easier to have him home instead of trying to coordinate picking him up, getting him home and taking off for Fullerton. I'm talking to DD (and will talk to DS) about having DS stay home Friday and keep an eye on Chico--I don't want to leave him alone although he'd probably just sleep. I don't think DD will mind her little brother missing the concert--he's seen most of her others and he'll still go to her recital the following week (that's the important one).

Dogs do eat strange things. I'm just glad that he (and the cats) don't eat all the bunny poop in the back yard.

Hooray, Allison! Very glad to hear the good news!

Back from Lancaster, with a post-holiday weigh-in this morning that says I am at exactly the same weight as when I set out four days ago. That's a relief.

One takeaway from this trip: Pickled vegetables are a fairly healthy choice -- if they are home-made or artisan-made, rather than commercially produced. Though they have traces of sugar and salt in them, my body doesn't bloat up from these small amounts, nor do I develop intense cravings from them.

Also, the increased incidental movement of walking & walking for hours among exhibits and amusements works off some small amount of extra calories. So if I can judicious in my food choices, I am less affected by a very slight increase in calories. I am talking greater portion size of healthy foods here, not adding in stuff that I usually don't eat.

I can't believe how tired I was after the five-hour car trip back Upstate yesterday, even though that was broken down with some walk breaks and an interval at my aunt's house, during which I drank coffee & I met & spoke with my cousin's intelligent eight-year-old son. By the time we got home & I unpacked last night, I felt pretty much done in. And still feel tired today, getting a very, very late start for the gym this morning. (Still not out of the house and it's practically 8:30 AM.)

Oh, Allison, what a roller-coaster of emotions you've been riding lately. This is good news about Chico. Well, relatively good news -- you know what I mean. Of course we're all apprehensive and relieved by turn, while Chico is oblivious to the complexity of the situation. I am sure he is getting lots of attention and more than the usual share of loving as you get through this. Which he deserves: Poor little guy.

What are we all consuming & living in the midst of, that we see such high rates of cancer -- and even among our animals?

saef, I wonder the same thing, and probably read too much. Near as I can tell, those of us on 3FC are more on track to avoid it than most of the general population - we're eating whole foods, we move more, we rest more (when we can ), we do things that boost our immune systems, and we probably work more closely with our medical practitioners than is average. It shatters my security when a big, young, strong galoot like Chico gets a diagnosis. Totally unfair and unexplainable.

Allison, I'm so glad the xrays were clear. I hope his lymph node will be clear too and the amputation will be all that is required. How old is Chico?

Megan, if I miss a workout I probably just miss a workout. I need to make sure to do my run today -- I was lazy and didn't get out of bed early enough this morning. I told DH to boot me out of bed tomorrow.

Saef, I think there are a couple different reasons we see so much cancer though I have not studied it. Obviously one possibility is that there is some substance in our environment that wasn't there before which is causing it. Another is that we are getting better at detecting cancer, so more diagnoses are given whereas before people may have died without knowing why. A third is that, especially for older people with cancer, we are getting so much better at preventing/curing all the other diseases that affect people so they are living long enough to get cancer instead. This is kind of like how there are more babies with various problems because we are better now at keeping premature babies alive who would have died otherwise, and those babies then have other issues related to their premature birth.

Personally I think it is a combination of all of those things. We certainly are exposed to many potentially toxic substances these days, although to be fair our ancestors were as well (I'm thinking asbestos, lead, mercury...). These days instead of those things, we have the chemicals we put on our lawns and flowers, plastics, cleaning chemicals, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a connection between lawn/garden chemicals and cancer in pets. That is one of the reasons we use organic methods to take care of our lawn and garden. It may not look as pristine as the lawns of people who use the other chemicals, but I don't worry about Carter eating the grass or poisoning the ground water or anything.

He's 7 1/2. What's really strange is that he still looks really young. Being a black dog, and considered a senior at that age, you'd think his muzzle would be starting to gray. It's not. I have friends whose black Labs have started to gray at age 3! Maybe it's because I refuse to let him get fat?

Meanwhile, my eating must be bad. I'm up half a pound this morning. At least I got my shipment of Nutrisystem yesterday so I can get back OP with that today. I had run out of several meals and had to cook for myself. I know that sounds odd, but I think I was overeating at breakfast a bit.

alinnell, it's good to hear the cancer hasn't spread!

saef, five hours is a lot of driving. I saw the photo of the chest in another thread - it's absolutely gorgeous! I'm a big pickle fan, too.

I saw 128.5 on my scale after the gym yesterday. This morning it was back up to 130.0, but I feel GREAT. I feel like I barely do any cardio but am still getting the results I want. Lifting is great!

On Michele's advice I purchased a set of five sessions at our local Bikram yoga studio for $25 on Groupon (regularly $90 for five). I'm kind of scared--I've never been to a yoga class (the extent of my yoga "training" was on Wi Fit)! I've always wanted to try it and I figured that now I have to because I bought it! I printed my voucher, now I just need to call and schedule it.

My DD posted on Facebook this morning that she has lost a total of 30 pounds!!!! Her goal is 20 more (and then she'll weigh what I weigh now). She also mentioned that she ran a 10 minute mile--that's amazing for her. She used to abhor running. The best thing is that she's still doing PT for her ankle problem and they are teaching her proper body alignment so she doesn't re-injure herself and she is working out with a personal trainer at the gym and she's learning a lot more proper technique there. When she was younger I always felt that her running gait was erratic and uncoordinated. The other day she and I went on a walk and from time to time we'd run and she has much better form now.

My mom and I won that contest! Free stuff!

Congratulations !

Yay Krampus! Congrats to you and your mom! I sent lots more random internet strangers to vote for you guys earlier this week!

Allison - I'm so glad that Chico's cancer hadn't spread. That is great news, in the midst of the badness. And high five to DD! And you for the yoga certificate - I think you'll love it.

Saef - I've asked myself the same question about cancer lately. It seems like we see so much more of it. I've wondered if it because we can recognize it more, and all of the reasons Jessica mentioned. It frightens me. Ooo - pickled vegetables sound fascinating. I've never had any I don't think. Maybe pickled okra once.

Megan - I spend off days like that often, as well. If it makes you happy I say you're good. And Emma had to love the long walk.

Jessica - I'm glad that you like the new dog sitter! That has to be a big relief. I think it would be harder to find a dog sitter than a sitter for a child. At least your child can tell you if the sitter does something stupid, if they are old enough.

Bargoo - I love your doctor's comment. Just love it.

Becky - glad to see you are getting more swim time, and winning over the Cheez-Its!

Dagmar - hey honey! I'm also picturing you running down the beach yelling at dogs. I love it.

I know that there are more people I haven't responded to... sorry guys. This week and last week have been insane at work. Just insane. I'm hoping that by the end of April it will settle down. My eating hasn't been too bad this week, but I've chosen salty things like popcorn and pasta sauce so I'm feeling a little squishy. I have exercised the last three days in a row, which is a first for the entire month of April where I've averaged 3 days in a week most weeks... I'm getting back on track. Hope to be around more next week.

Hooray on both counts!!

Before you go to Bikram let me know.... I'll give you a few pointers that might help for your first class.....

I don't think I'll go this weekend. Perhaps I'll go Wednesday to take my mind off of Chico's surgery... I need all the advice I can get!!!

I have a good friend who goes to this same studio, as does her daughter. I sent her a note, too. Thanks!

Allison, I think that's positive news. May Chico recover from his surgery and have doggie remission.

I love pickled everything

Chill here, trying to maintain.

Occasional breakdowns re:stress but overall ok.

Kramp- the power of the internet- free stuff! yay !

xo for all