What is your impression of how (and how well) Matilda's friend is coping? What support will she need?

I think Isabella has only gotten the denial version of what's going on so far. Matilda hasn't been told yet and I can't really tell her anything until Isabella gets a better idea of what's really happening.

Isabella is graduating this year with plans to go to college next year and I'm not sure if she's going to take a gap year like Matilda. I think she should but it's all going to be piled up very quickly. Her mom, Lola, will probably be in end-stage about the time Isabella would typically be packing up to go to college.

The reality is that Lola hasn't even started chemo yet, so she might respond very positively to it.

But the reality is also that it's wide spread with significant masses in multiple places, so I don't think they have time for even an effective chemotherapy to beat it back when it's so far gone.

This is what she's dealing with: "Her PET revealed small mass in lung, large malignant masses in neck, stomach, pelvis, and malignancy in spine, along with necrosis in lower back and abdomen."

I think five months is probably a reach.

There's a chance they might just go to palliative care.

Yikes yeah that doesn’t sound good. Poor family.

I went to bed with a wicked migraine at like 9pm and woke up about an hour ago with awful cramps and unable to fall back asleep. Have somewhat given up by turning on the light and pulling out the phone but am still hoping maybe I can fall asleep from like 6-8am or something.

Restful renewing ~ma headed your way, meara.

Skinner is having digestive issues, which is challenging since I have to drive 15 minutes to get him to the park. Brendon can walk him, but if I walk him here and he encounters another dog I can't hold him back. Also, there is always another dog. He is fine with people, but he just has to play with the other puppos. I'll be making chicken and rice for him again.

Espresso: My FB memories reminded me that it was 27 years ago today that Buffy the Vampire Slayer premiered. Without Buffy I would not have Buffistas, and my life would not be so rich and filled with love. I am grateful.

Turkey post! Drinking my espresso this morning I am reminded of my brother's FIL who at midday would offer me 'black coffee'. I didn't start drinking coffee until I was 30, but after that time I accepted his offer. I drank my coffee black, so that sounded fine. Black coffee to the elderly Italian meant a shot of espresso with sambuca. OMG, that was tasty stuff. He is long gone, but I may have to buy a bottle of sambuca and toast his memory someday.

lol I would definitely not assume black coffee involved sambuca!

I am still awake at nearly 8am, though I am still in bed. I may go back to sleep now…

Black coffee with sambuca counts delicious! A good weekend morning drink.

Apparently, it was what the older male Italian set drank daily after lunch. (in my part of NY at least) Although Irish and female, I could embrace this custom

Ramadan started today, so since yesterday I've been mentally preparing myself to (read: worrying about) escalation. 1/10, do not recommend.

And ItotallyON, unless the flights will get canceled, I will be flying to NY in end of April and return here from SF a bit after May 18th. Details in the doc, you know where.

Hoping to meet as many of you as I can, and oh, I have some "where to stay?" and "commuting in US: is it rocket science?" questions.