ANA Discussion Forum

AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: Debbi on November 22, 2008, 09:14:43 am

Title: Thanksgiving
Post by: Debbi on November 22, 2008, 09:14:43 am: So as Thanksgiving approaches for those of us in the US, I find myself thinking of the things I am thankful for this year ...

... for my wonderful husband who has been there for every fear, every tear, every joy, every doctor's appointment
... for my amazing parents who dropped everything and came all the way acros the country to stay with me when I had surgery
... for the friends who visited me every day in the hospital and told me I looked great, even when I didn't
... for being forced to slow down this year and re-evaluate what is really important in my life
... for all of you who have gotten me through more rough spots than you'll ever know...

Debbi, taking time out to give thanks...
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: yardtick on November 22, 2008, 11:03:31 am: Big smooches and hugs to you Debbi :-* :-* :-* I all ready celebrated Thanksgiving in October, but my heart will be with all of my American friends and family on Thursday. I'm so glad we have crossed paths, even though its AN, FN or TN that has brought us together. Life is so much sweeter knowing ALL of YOU on this forum.

Pass the turkey and cranberries please! I'll bring the tiramisu and a bottle of Louie's petite shirah wine!!!

Anne Marie
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: Jim Scott on November 22, 2008, 05:07:57 pm: Debbi:

Good thread concept. Thanks for posting it. :)

I'm thankful to be a Christian, saved by the grace of God.

I'm thankful for my lovely, wonderful wife, Tina. My partner and staunch advocate in all things.

I'm thankful for my adult son, Chris (age 29). A good man with integrity and character who makes his parents (Jim and Tina) proud, every day.

I'm thankful for being born, raised and living in the U.S.A. Despite the political bickering and politician's posturing, the greatest country in the world - if we can keep it.

I'm thankful to be alive and in good physical condition at my age, following a serious medical crisis (my AN surgery and radiation).

I'm thankful for all the blessings I've received and that certainly includes my relationship with the many good folks that use this website and the forums, including the ANA Director (Judy Vitucci) and the other moderators, Phyl, Joe and Steve.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! (Now, let's eat!) :)

Jim
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: wendysig on November 24, 2008, 07:55:11 am: Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow American ANers,
I was going ot start this thread but Debbi beat me to it!

I am truly thankful to have found this wonderful forum and the equally wonderful people here and many other people and thngs:

My sister Carol, who held my hand through this whole experience
My sister Sandy, who could not always be here physically but always gave her support
My wonderful daughters who made me laugh when I felt like crying
My husband, who finally came around
The rest of my family and friends who visited me, called me and sent me funny cards so many plants my house looks like a garden
My wonderful doctors, but especially Dr. Choe, who has gone far beyond the call of duty in caring for and helping me
For the strength that I found that I never knew was there
For the renewed faith I have in human nature -- there are a LOT of wonderful people out there!!

Best wsihes for a Happy Thanksgiving!
Wendy
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: Tisha on November 24, 2008, 12:02:35 pm: What a wonderful thread. This AN journey has made me think of all my blessings.

I'm thankful to God, who answered my prayers for strength.

For my husband, who keeps me sane and is my rock.

For my children, for their health, they give my life purpose; for my parents who cry with me the only a way parent can.

For my friends, who keep me from feeling all alone. Girlfriends are the best!

For the internet.....for without this technology I would not have met all of you! It makes me realize how lucky we are, I can't imagine having to have done this alone without all this help and knowledge.

I'm thankful to be living now, in this age of medical miracles, thankful for the radiation machines with their great stats.

I'm thankful to be alive, and to realize this AN is not terminal.

Tisha
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: ppearl214 on November 24, 2008, 03:56:10 pm: I love the thought of this thread... for all of you that mention the moderators here... I thank you and ... only doing my job :)

My thankful list is far too long to note here... some notations are personal... some are not. In tough times for me, whether emotional, economic or physically, one thing I can share with you all here.. and I have no problem noting it publically (as many know, I can be very private when it comes to many aspects of my life.....)..... I am so very truly blessed that you all are such a MAJOR part of my life. The list of folks is far too long for me to single out any few names..... but truly, you all have become a 2nd family to me... cheering me on during good (check our wedding thread in Archive forum)..... to coaching me through treatment choices (again, in Archives forum).... letting me jest with you (yeah, the drinks ARE watered down!)...... but most of all... for the true... unconditional friendship and love you all give..... I thank you... I AM... truly blessed.

Have a terrific and safe holiday all!

Phyl
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: MAlegant on November 24, 2008, 05:38:37 pm: Thankful:
For great family and friends, including all of you here, I have needed you every step of the way!
For a sharp primary care doctor, without whom my tumor would not have been found when it was.
For the doctors who operated on me, the nurses (angels really) who took care of me and the doctors who continue to take care of me.
For my massage therapist who has lessened my pain.
For getting a second chance to live my life.
And finally for the courage that I found way down deep inside to remain feisty and to laugh more often than I cry.

Happy Thanksgiving dear friends.
Marci
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: msmaggie on November 24, 2008, 09:28:34 pm: Thankful, indeed:
In spite of facing surgery in 2 short weeks, my heart is full. Friends, family, and faith see me through each and every day. I am blessed in every way and I know I couldn't face any of this without the Big Three! In addition to all the friends who surround and support me here in Houston, I have all these new friends on the forum. Did I tell you that my husband and I are having lunch with Brian on the Sat. after Thanksgiving? We'll take pictures for you! :D

Priscilla
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: texsooner on November 24, 2008, 10:32:17 pm: Great subject. I'm thankful:

- for my loving wife Tracy who has been with me all the way on the AN journey and the last 22 years.
- for my 2 great kids, Zach(junior at OU) and Adam (senior in high school)
- for all the prayers and support from my family and friends
- for my surgeons who did a great job getting the big booger out of my head
- for my health, as I am very grateful to be able to stay active
- for this forum full of great people
- for my Sooners kicking a** against Texas Tech 65-21(just seeing if anyone is paying attention). Go Sooners, beat Okie State.

Happy Thanksgiving to all

Patrick
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: Captain Deb on November 25, 2008, 01:46:16 pm: I'm thankful for my wonderful understanding husband, Dr. Love, who after years of watching me struggle to make big turkey dinners every Thanksgiving for his family and mine and and end up with a headache and wonkyhead, this year allowed me instead to make......reservations! Yes, that's right! This year it's just the two of us, a nice quiet restaurant, and a matinee (movie, you gutter-brains!) No muss, no fuss, no stress! Oh and we're eating vegetarian!

Happy Thanksgiving you all!

(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/Captdeb_photos/turkey_dancing_md_clr.gif)

Capt Deb
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: Debbi on November 25, 2008, 02:35:09 pm: Deb - I hear the Tofurkey is really good (no kidding!) I have a couple of vegan friends who swear by it. I'm going for the fleshy kind of turkey myself ...

I am thankful, btw, that I decided to order all the side dishes from the local butcher, who also does catering!

Debbi, counting my blessings...
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: MAlegant on November 25, 2008, 06:18:02 pm: I'm scared to report this, but Brian is making GOOSE for Thanksgiving. I am afraid. (Not scared enough to cook myself, mind you.)
Marci
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: GM on November 25, 2008, 06:54:17 pm: I'm that person that you just hate in the kitchen. Stealing turkey skin...grabing cookies...sticking my finger in the frosting...

No wonder my Mom banned me from the kitchen! My wife has learned to deal with me :)

Happy Thanksgiving ya'all
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: Soundy on November 26, 2008, 02:09:06 pm: I am thankful for family ,friends this board , the country I live in ...

Thankful too that I got the name of a person at BCBS so I have one person to pester there
and not get shuffled around to a different person each time I call...

Thanksgiving i+-s at my house ... I usually do about 90% of the cooking ...my mom is no longer working
ans says she is gonna cook... I am funny ans would rather cook than have people touching my stuff
and messing about in my kitchen... maybe she will settle for bringing pies and washing all the pots and pans :D
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: Sue on November 26, 2008, 04:51:45 pm: I'm thankful for Modern Medicine and for being born in a time period that has good medical treatments. If I'd picked 1846 instead of 1946, things would have been a whole lot different! I wouldn't have made it to 9 years old, I don't think. My appendix might have proved deadly, instead of a minor inconvenience. I'm thankful for my family and I'm thankful that I have a computer and that I'm able to travel the world and talk to so many wonderful and interesting people. Using the computer, as I do for genealogy and for information, for creative endeavors and for support groups has really been a terrific experience. I'm grateful that I enjoyed learning about computers and that I have been able to have it in my life. I would never have been a pirate otherwise!

This year is going to be very low key. My son blew out his knee and had surgery on Monday for his torn ACL. No fun. He's living with us at the moment and I'm taking care of him, and his dog. My SIL doesn't do turkey, so we are having a pork loin roast, baked potatoes, whatever salad they are bringing and relish tray. Keeping it easy and simple. Only 7 of us for dinner, thank goodness. I almost canceled the whole thing, but my husband was so disappointed, so I relented and said, NO MASHED POTATOES. Deal with it.

I'm grateful I have a husband to boss around and a son to take care of! ;D ;)

Sue in Vancouver USA
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: LADavid on November 27, 2008, 12:10:59 am: I don't even know where to begin. I thank God for His blessings. Even though I spent the last year in doubt and fear, He has been been there for me. A year ago I didn't know what to expect. I went through some dark times since. But today I am cared for in spite of what has gone wrong. I am very thankful for my friends who have stuck by me through this ordeal. I found a time in my life where I didn't have a wife who would have been with me. But there have been friends who have been there. I've even had my high school girlfriend checking up on me. And my daughter has been a rock. She has been a guiding force in my life through all of this. She wouldn't let me get down. We spent the summer running together. It gave me a goal and a purpose. Sadly, my family deserted me. But with God, friends, and my daughter, I am seeing this through -- and I am very thankful for having them in my life. Thanksgiving Day I am taking the train to Long Beach. My daughter and her friend Jasmin and I are cooking dinner. We'll watch some movies, throw a football around, have a few glasses of wine, and be thankful we have each other.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

David
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: Brendalu on November 27, 2008, 06:08:13 am: I am thankful for all the chairs that will filled this year at my dining room table and for the food to feed all of the folks. I am thankful for this forum and the wonderful people who so selflessly support one another. I am thankful for a grandson who I can build ginger bread houses with and carry on a Bob the Builder and Wendy conversation with (he is Bob, I'm Wendy). I am thankful for two beautiful, caring daughters and two equally beautiful and caring grand daughters. I am thankful for my Sophie LaRoo, who always has a big wet kiss for me and wags her tail until she falls down just because I come into the room. You can't beat love like that. I am thankful for my doctors, who sometimes don't understand, but always try. I am also thankful to have finally found a hairdresser who listens!

I hope all of you have a Happy and wonderful Thanksgiving with the people you love the most and a few who could really use a hot meal and some friendship

Brenda
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: yardtick on November 27, 2008, 11:11:30 am: Enjoy your day my friends. Thinking of all of you.

One of your Canadian friends,
Anne Marie
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: chocolatetruffle on November 27, 2008, 01:02:49 pm: tisha, thanks for starting this thread!!

wow, can't believe that i had my surgery exactly a year ago on this date, so i am thankful for:
- my 1 year MRI came back cleared of any residual or recurrent tumor, "Whew"!!!
- God's promises and strength in carrying me through the pre and post surgery experience
- opening my eyes, mind and heart to what matters most - family, friends, personal well being and selflessness
- opportunity to go back to asia to spend christmas with my family
- i still have a job
- black friday massive sales ;D

happy thanksgiving!!!
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: yardtick on November 27, 2008, 01:58:36 pm: Yes Donnalynn, we have one Superstore in the area. Three of my sons work directly for the Weston Group and they get a discount at the Superstores......I'm on a mission not till next week. Keep me posted!

I let my son in Gr 12 stay home from school today to watch football. I'm such a bad mom ::)

I hope everyone enjoys they're day. Even though in Canada we all ready had Thanksgiving today I've been so THANKFUL we live in the western world. My prayers are for all of those people who are injured and dead in India today.

Peace on Earth and Good Will Towards Men,
Anne Marie
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: Tisha on November 28, 2008, 11:28:16 am: Sue,

NO mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving! That's sinful, isn't it? LOL! Is it because you don't like them or you don't want to deal with making them? Is it's the latter, well...let me tell you my secret that I've been doing for 4 years now and have passed it on to numerous friends (who endlessly thank me). You make them the day before, refrigerate, then the next day put them in the crockpot for 4 hours (2 on high, 2 on low). I whip them up a bit with a teeny more milk before I throw them in, but not too much...they will get soft in the crockpot.

Tisha
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: Sue on December 01, 2008, 11:10:49 am: Tisha, what a great hint. Yes, it's because I didn't want to deal with any more work that necessary. It was a long, tiring week because I have been caring for our son, who is laid up with his knee surgery. I found a nice idea on line for baked potatoes, however. I washed them good, and put some butter on the skins and then put some Kosher salt on the them before they were baked. My brother in law thought they were great that way.

Now, if I can just remember that idea on the mashed potatoes, that would be a nifty idea for the next family gathering.

Sue in Vancouver USA
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: saralynn143 on December 01, 2008, 11:34:34 am: Boxed mashed potatoes are a lot better than they used to be, too, and come in flavors like garlic or sour cream and chives.

Sara
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: Debbi on December 01, 2008, 01:58:23 pm: I totally cheated on everything this year - the stores here carry a brand of pre-made mashed white and mashed sweet potatoes (no trans fats, low in fat and calories) and all they require is heating in the microwave. I transferred them to baking dishes and heated them up and no one was the wiser. I love mashed potatoes, but they are a lot of work when you do them from scratch. I added a little milk and sour cream to the store-bought mashed potatoes, along with some chives and everyone loved them.

Debbi
Title: Re: Thanksgiving
Post by: Sue on December 03, 2008, 06:49:26 pm: I've tried those frozen ones that you put in the microwave and they were pretty good. Believe it or not, I didn't even want to do that much work! The baked potatoes came out okay and everybody ate them, so it was okay with me to go the easy route for a change.

One way to forget about your own health problems is to take care of another family member. I was so tired last night! Between him and his insane dog, I was exhausted. Mostly, I think, it's the insane dog that is wearing me out! He's not getting enough exercise. Today he and I went on a long, long walk.

Sue in Vancouver, USA