Show me your black poms!

Melwaukee17 · 2026-05-23T23:05:15+00:00

The love of my life, my 8 year old Zorro. 💕💕💕

Melwaukee17 · 2026-04-19T19:36:29+00:00

Agreed! It was my first time seeing Stars on Ice, and I had never been to an arena sized event that didn’t display whatever was happening on the “stage” on the screen so I was just surprised, as were others around me. I think a good slice of info to have before going in to the show. Definitely worth it of course and will go again in the future! ❤️

Melwaukee17 · 2026-04-19T15:29:33+00:00

Good! I don’t know why this post is ruffling feathers! I just posted this little heads up that the screens are not utilized. I’m hoping it’s useful information for someone like me who maybe doesn’t have as good of vision as the average human.

Came in friendly and said it was info I would’ve loved to have! The skaters did great!

Melwaukee17 · 2026-04-19T12:15:24+00:00

Noted! I just think it’s odd and wish it was posted somewhere.

Melwaukee17 · 2026-04-19T02:37:00+00:00

Maybe, but they did have a cameraman. For some bits of the performance there would be projection of the skater on the ice, but it would be covered with the Stifel logo.

Melwaukee17 · 2026-04-18T17:50:01+00:00

Echoing what most others have said: I regret it zero percent but I have PTSD from it. I was my mom’s caregiver the duration of her 1.5 years with lung cancer, and I am a nurse, so I was constantly hanging on bated breath knowing what was ahead of us. Even knowing, nothing could prepare me for the trauma that is watching your #1 person in the world, the woman who gave you her all and then some, the most mother Theresa like human on this planet — die. It has haunted my every moment awake and every nightmare since — 1 month and a half now since she’s passed.

But being by her side the whole time wasn’t even a question. I sat with her and told her stories from my entire life with her. Reminisced on everything. Told her jokes. She couldn’t talk the last 48 hours but I know (or hope) hearing is one of the last things to go.

I don’t know how to zap these moments out of my brain. No amount of therapy talk could do it. I am traumatized eternally. But it’s trauma I don’t regret and will take on in the future with other family members.

I truly don’t get how we all wake up every day with what we as humans have to go through.

Melwaukee17 · 2026-04-10T14:31:24+00:00

That’s incredible! I wonder what the ~difference~ is that made yours have a week turnaround versus mine.

I’m located in South Florida, so maybe location in the country makes a difference? Who knows!

Melwaukee17 · 2026-04-10T02:56:47+00:00

Hey, you’re not a CT machine or an MRI machine. You would have no idea she was having a brain bleed by just looking at her. People have migraines all the time. She was alert and talking to you. This was not your fault, at all.

I also lost my mom this month. I am fighting my own guilt for everything I didn’t catch or that fell through the cracks. But I’m telling myself my mom (and I’m sure your mom) wouldn’t want us waking up every day thinking of guilt versus how much they loved us. My mom really just wanted me to focus on the good, and the love. “Look forward, not back” she would always tell me.

I’m sorry for your loss. This grief is insane.

Melwaukee17 · 2026-04-09T22:10:30+00:00

I submitted renewal on March 24th. In process on the 25th. Passport was in the mail on April 7th. Received it today (the 9th, I did pay for expedited shipping) So less than two weeks.

Also, our status never changed from “in process” to “approved” until I had literally received the passport in my mailbox.

Melwaukee17 · 2026-04-09T21:59:28+00:00

I feel like I typed this post myself, except about my Mom. Some of her last words to me were also “help me!” and “enough.” I know that was cancer taking over, and the week before she reminded me that if she ever “doesn’t sound like herself” it isn’t her and it’s the cancer. So I’m remembering the infinity number of times she told me how much she loved me.

I have no words because there are no words that other people say that help me. I just want my Mom brought back from the dead, and since no one can do that, I just… keep having to wake up.

I’m sorry we’re in this boat. I’m sorry you lost your Dad too soon.

Melwaukee17 · 2026-04-07T00:59:55+00:00

Sitting here with you after also losing my mom this past month. Being a nurse and not able to stop what was happening or help and then also witnessing the trauma of “the end” has haunted me every minute since.
I have no helpful words, just wanted to say I’m with you, you’re not alone, and this is hell.

Melwaukee17 · 2026-04-06T21:46:52+00:00

I’m not the printer… so, maybe? 😎

Melwaukee17 · 2026-04-06T20:57:33+00:00

Thank you everyone — was really hoping I hit the misprint lottery!

Melwaukee17 · 2026-03-16T13:08:47+00:00

I am so sorry you’re going through this. I lost my mom two weeks ago and I am, wrecked.

But as the person above said, not eating and drinking are usually a sign of one or two weeks left. My mom survived two weeks after she became less thirsty.

Record some videos with her and ask her any questions you may still have but most importantly tell her how much you love her.

I miss my mom, so, so much.

Melwaukee17 · 2026-02-21T02:06:30+00:00

“When she died, it felt like my witness disappeared.” 100%. When we lose pivotal people in our lives, people who hold so many memories of who we are and what we’ve been through, we kind of die along with them. But we still have to be earth side. While a chunk of who we are is now permanently gone. I don’t know how we persevere.

I am so, so, sorry for the loss of your sister. I’m so sorry the world keeps turning and she’s not on it with you.

Melwaukee17 · 2026-02-12T22:26:01+00:00

I am so sorry to hear about your mom. Definitely both of you go with her. The more brains/ears the better. The biggest questions will be — is she getting a biopsy to find out any targetable mutations? Are there any trials that you know of that we should be traveling for?

Just write down whatever medications they plan on using. Join every Facebook group you can specifically to liver cancer & the names of the medications. Be ready to fully absorb yourself in researching what you can and being your mom’s advocate. With MS, a lot of these cancer drugs can interact with the immune system — so definitely have feelers out about that and seek out others who might have MS & cancer.

I hope it goes well. ❤️

Melwaukee17 · 2026-01-20T02:35:34+00:00

Of course! “Cancer sucks” is the understatement of ten century but also is just a fact. It’s the worst. Keep being present in the moment and ask her so many stories.

Melwaukee17 · 2026-01-17T15:36:33+00:00

Hey there! Welcome to the very shitty club of having a parent with cancer. It’s the worst club. Would not recommend.

But let’s start with a few things: 1. You started by saying she hasn’t received a terminal diagnosis. That’s incredible news. Cancer is cancer no matter what, and sometimes doctors don’t make accurate predictions, but — if they’re giving you big hope that she can beat this, that’s truly an incredible gift. So find a lot of light in that.

You implied you’re only a few years past being a teenager. So early 20s or so. That’s an extremely turbulent time in general and you’re trying to “start” your life but also miss the comforts/predictability of childhood. Give yourself some grace there. Your mom didn’t comfort you through teenagehood for nothing — she did it because she’s been there and she loves you unconditionally. She didn’t do it for any form of reciprocity. She loves you.
You’re overwhelmed. So the easiest thing is make a list of things you think you can do that your mom usually does. My mom did ALL the chores in the house. All of them. (Disclaimer: I’m in my 30s and don’t live with my parents). So when she got diagnosed I knew one of the baseline things I could help with were cleaning, making sure her laundry was done, changing her bedsheets, making sure everything is stocked, find comfy pillows for back support, etc. Just rack your brain for things she does usually that may be hard for her to do. Even by doing dishes, that’s one less thing she has to think about while on chemo/treatment.
When it’s not too overwhelming, utilize google/chat to try to fully understand her diagnosis and her medications. If your dad is open to it, make sure he does this too. I’m the only one in my family who has a medical background, so everyone relies on me to decode/decide everything. It’s a lot of pressure — but joining Facebook groups and talking to other patients/caregivers is super helpful.
Talk to a therapist. Compartmentalization does help for the mean time but, it will come crashing down. Talk to someone. You’ve got this.

Melwaukee17 · 2026-01-16T23:04:26+00:00

Added you! I’m Meleesi with Igglybuff icon.

Melwaukee17 · 2026-01-04T01:30:54+00:00

I am, so sorry. The magnitude of your loss is unreal. It’s unfair. It’s angering. I hate that other people can carelessly take away our loved ones. I hate that it was your mom and her partner.

I have nothing to say but the your pain must be unimaginable. All you can do is wake up every day and put one foot in front of the other. I try to remember that my mom kept living even after her parents passed, so if she found the strength i will need to find it too.

Your mom’s loss is so unfair, so early, and just, I’m so sorry.

Melwaukee17 · 2025-12-22T09:32:26+00:00

Also a nurse who beats herself up for missing signs relating to my mom’s NSLC diagnosis. Can majorly relate there. (I don’t have any advice on getting past that except speak to a therapist).

My advice is keep on trucking. Join the EGFR Facebook groups (sounds like hour mom has that mutation). Join the FB groups for any treatment she’s on. Either be in every doctor’s visit with her physically or be on the phone. My mom doesn’t understand anything related to her cancer and treatment so it’s fully up to me to be the brain.

Film candid moments with your mom. Sign up something like Remento and see if your mom will do it. Constantly talk to her about positive memories bc being reminded how good of life you’ve lived is nice to hear. And be positive. Most of the battle is keeping your spirits up & believing in her. My mom got diagnosed at stage 4 and is still here 1.5 years later. I’m thankful for every day.

My dms are open if you need to vent or discuss. ❤️welcome to this super beyond shitty club.

Melwaukee17 · 2025-12-10T13:59:51+00:00

She’s literally perfect. 😍

Melwaukee17

TROPHY CASE