2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

Anonymous

I'm Katherine Hepburn. I read somewhere(?) a while back that she loved to drive her car in the really cold weather with the windows all the way down. I never forgot that because I love to do the same thing! It's really invigorating.

Laura

RoseMarie

Ok...all caught up now!! And...I'm Grace Kelly too
MaryAnne and Gracyie -loved the pictures!! You both look great!
My van doesn't have a name but "Taxi" might be fitting!
I'll write later today when I have a chance - but feeling great and the unveiling went well too!
Lots of love ladies!

TracyNY

Good to see you back! How you liking the new look? I'm joining the Kingdom of Nippledom tomorrow and I'm excited.

I'm taking a few days off for GP, so everyone can say how brave I am but I'll be home watching tv and eating Snickers ice cream treats!

Anonymous

TaDah, you should send me your address so I can send you some Snicker. I will have a ton left after Halloween! Isn't it strange to have so many women thinking about your new nipples and the adventures you will have?? LOL

Rosemarie, so happy you like your new girls.

Ravdeb, I got the book. What's your dad's name?

Debbie, Guess what Teryn got in the mail?? Oh she was so enthralled that there is a real queen over there with a crown and everything. She loved the whole package, but getting it from England!! Oh she told all her friends!

marymelodi

I'm solidly Katherine Hepburn - right there in the middle of the points. I'd say it's quite an accurate description. I'd like to be more like Grace Kelly in the romance department . . . but romance is not very big in my life now (not by my choice) so the other parts of my personality are more prominent.

In the spirit of fun (I'm so glad we can all share FUN with each other now!!!) here is part of an e-mail I received this morning about a little recognized holiday . . .

It has come to my attention that today September 19, 2006 is National Talk Like a Pirate Day. I was unaware of this holiday and in the interest of increasing awareness of other cultures I am sending along the related web site

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html

It may also be useful to know that some individuals of pirate culture, celebrate the event on Fri September 22, so probably if someone greets you with "Avast, me hearty" on either day it may be wise to respond "shiver me timbers" or "Ahoy, there."

Anchors aweigh!!!

(Don't ever say that people who work in psychiatry are not a little bit "off".)

I also found out there is a knitting like a pirate website. Who knew!!!!

Mary

ravdeb

Victoria..yes..art is in my blood. My BIL said it's freaky that my dad and I have such a similar style of art! My dad is so happy that I am doing a bit of art. When I was in grade school I would draw in the basement and hide the stuff. when I was in 8th grade my dad found something I drew and brought it upstairs and was so thrilled that I was drawing!!! Every time he comes to Israel to visit, he brings me something that I can learn from. books, supplies..whatever!

And yes..I'm very lucky that I have the sea to go to whenever my heart desires! Love it!

Kelly..enjoy the book. I pm'd you.

Tracy..what a great idea..those business cards. You are one special person!!!

Rosemarie..so good to see you on here! And happy that the unveiling went well

Tadah..good luck as you enter the Kingdom of Nippledom! Enjoy the snickers! Can't wait to hear how it all goes!!!

Mary..will check out the link you left here. Sounds fun!

have a good day ladies!

debbie444

I am glad it go there OK for Teryn, I will see if i can find anything else royal at some point. ( I shook Prince Charles' hand once if that helps!!
Rosemarie - i bit the bullet and posted the one to your clan today - all in one envelope in case one went astray.

Guess what - today i stood in a queue behind someone buying ADVENT CALENDARS. I mean i love eating the chocolates each day , but buying them in September?????? (OK my sister has FINISHED her christmas shopping)

Mary - that made me laugh. I played a pirate in Long John Silver, i vividly remember waving a pillowcase on the end of a stick and shouting 'flag of truce me hearties'. A long time ago i hasten to add!!
Debbie

debbie444

While i remember, i looked at the site we were on about a while ago ( celebrity lookalike thing)
Catherine kept coming up as Clara Bow ( who i had to look up i admit) and Grace Kelly, whichever photo i used. Mark was Madonna(!) and the kid out of Wonder Years. Roger was John Travolta ( ROFL ) and me ...... well i was Sorry - no match found . I feel very unwanted!! ( at least it didnt come up with Homer Simpson
DEbbie

marymelodi

I had lunch today with my 3 friends from the cancer center. I met Leslie when she was the coordinator of the reserch study I participated in during radiation. The other 2 women also work in the research paart of radiation oncology. Leslie wanted to learn how to knit, I offered to teach her and soon we formed this group that meets weekly for lunch. They love the pink socks, by the way.

So Leslie told me a joke about having a good attitude when you've lost your hair. I thought maybe you would appreciate it.

A woman is losing her hair and when she has only 3 hairs left she says, "Great! Now I can braid my hair. I always wanted to do that." Then she loses a hair and with only 2 left says, "Great! Now I can part my hair in the middle." Finally, with only 1 hair left she says, "Great! A ponytail!!" Well, then she wakes up and no hairs are left on her head. She says, "Great! No I don't have to do a thing!" That's what I call a "good" attitude. I don't think I was quite that positive about it, but I thought it was a good joke. Leslie met me when I was bald and has seen every length. My husband laughed the other night when I asked him to measure the length of my hair now. It's just under 2 1/2 inches long and still curly and wavy.

bye for now,
Mary

ake

um, i want a snickers!!!

tadah....so excited for you to get your nipples. if you're like me, you'll love flaunting them it just makes you feel more complete!!!

TracySeattle

We kind of celebrated Talk Like a Pirate Day today at work... We all tried to talk like pirates! My Pirate name is "Pirate Andrea the Hatless". I think it fits considering I no longer wear my wig! Not sure where the Andrea part came in....

Rosemarie - so glad you are feeling good!!!

TaDah - Happy Nipple Day tomorrow!!! You just lounge around and eat those Snickers! You earned it!

I decided today that I am going to change my name as part of the divorce (NO - Not to Andrea the Hatless!). I am going to go back to my maiden name. Not sure if I have told you all, but my EXs girlfriend's name is Tracy too. So when ( yes, I am pretty sure he will marry her) they get married that would make two Tracy's with my last name in our small town.... Now, I consider our town to be MY town--not hers and I am known around town due to my community involvement, etc. so it is kind of hard for me to want to change my name - but I don't want to have the same name as she does as she is not liked very well in town and has a reputation.... And it just makes my new start on life even fresher since I will have a new name to move on in life with.

What do you all think? Did I make the right decision?

maryannecb

Tracy, first your recent pic was great. Your hair is getting long and looks like a real do. Changing your name ....if it makes you feel more like you, go for it. Don't factor the new GF too much into it, she is prob temorary anyway. How wouild your kids feel about this?

Tadah, good luck with your nipples. Can't wait for your comments!

Good story Mary, shoiws we have to look for the positive in life. Makes everything easier.

Debbie, no not XMAS stuff already. This year I swear I am going to shop early and be all done and relaxed when it arrives. Last year two of my kids were in India with the Ex. It was the strangest Xmas ever.

I had blood tests last week. My tumor marker(CA 15-3) has risen a bit.It is still in the normal range but it worries me that it has gone up(15-20). I see my onc in three weeks so will talk to him about it. MyPCP is not concerned.I am haeding into a worry cycle I can feel it. I really wish I could leave all this behind me. Sometimes I feel guilty about thinking about it so much.

Tomorrow is one year since I received the diagnosis.Wow.

Graycie, I couldn';t tell without reading which was the before and which the after BC picure. Both were beautiful. Your wig is very nice, I can see why you are still wearing it. Has your hair thickened up at all?

Rosemarie, remember that you are still swollen. Your breasts will look quite different in the next few months. Hope your recovery is going well.

Fists up!
Ravdeb, what kind of business willl you be starting? Willl you have a web page or will you be keeping it small?

chumfry

Tracy--a friend of mine wanted a different last name after her divorce, but she didn't like her maiden name and she didn't like her mom's maiden name, so she made up her own name, out of the letters in her mom's first name. Her mom's name is Linda and my friend's new last name is Dalin. She went to the courthouse and had it changed and everything. I thought that was pretty cool.

The reason she didn't like her maiden name or her mom's maiden names had to do with the way the men who bestowed those names treated the women in their lives. So she created something new to be. You can call yourself anything you want as long as you're not defrauding anybody. When I got married three years ago (at the ripe old age of 45), I kept the name I was born with. My husband didn't care either way, so I didn't change it. Lots of women do that. But you should do what feels right for you.

TracySeattle

My EX and Ihad no children together, so I don't need to worry about the kids and how a name change will affect them. Even tho it seems really strange to me to change my name, I think it is what I need to do. It fits with all of the other changes I am experiencing and it also removes me from a family that totally was not there for me when I needed them the most....

Off to bed for me. I love you all!

ravdeb

Tracy,
Sounds like a good idea because you sound like it would be good for you. And that is what makes it a good idea.

Lots of women change back to their maiden names after a divorce.

Here in Israel, a lot of couples totally change their last name to something in Hebrew, which I found interesting.

Names help identify us. And so...you need to make sure your name does that.

TADAH! Good luck today!!!

Rosemarie..hope you are doing well today.

Maryanne..I saw the word creatine in Victoria's message..I had an abnormal level on that in my last blood test. I went bananas! But, I had it taken again and it was within the normal range. I would suspect that could happen with your TM as well. Hope it's all okay.

As for my new business..I'm still busily working on it and enjoying every minute of it. It is in the field of art...I'm learning some new techniques and then will decide just what to do with it.

I have always made greeting cards, drawing these mini-designs on paper. I'm expanding, using different kinds of colors, less drawing and...that's about as far as I'll reveal at the moment!!!! But, I hope it will move me beyond greeting cards. As I learn and research, I come up with a zillion ideas. And I'm enjoying being engrossed in this instead of researching bc treatments!!!!

As I progress, I'll keep y'all posted. But one thing that I will reveal, and maybe I did already, is that a woman that I met on bc.org inspired me. So, it is true that bc at least gave me the chance to meet some wonderful people..all of you!

debbie444

I am not even going to worry about the levels you are on about as i dont even know what they are !! If i did know i am sure i would stress over them.
Tracey, i think you should have a new name , you are now a new woman. WE COULD PICK YOU ONE!! We did name Tadah after all. Ok, lets all think of a new name for Tracey!

What are refried beans , and what does a bailbondsman do - who pays Dog the Bounty Hunter ? See these are the things keeping from worrying about other things!!!
Debbie

sherryhaire

victoria -I am scheduled to have my bilateral reconstruction next month, In the beginning I did not think I wanted to have it but over time I guess I changed my mind October 24th is my surgery date, Will have a DIEP proceedure and then will decide if implants are needed for more projection. I am not looking for Dolly Parton but back to my regular ol B would be nice. As hot as it gets here will be nice to wear tank tops ect again.

RoseMarie

Sherry - Oct.24 is my daughter's b-day so it will be easy to remember to say a prayer for you that day!! Hoping the best for you!!!
TaDah - thinking of you as you journey into Nippledom today!! I keep following you on this adventure so I'll be looking forward to hearing how it all goes!
MaryAnne-I hope all gets back to normal! Thinking of you!!
Ravdeb-your business sounds exciting - I can't wait to hear more about it!
Debbie - THANK YOU! By the way, you always make me laugh - you have such a hilarious sense of humor!!!
Off to see the doctor today for a check up on my "girls." So far so good although my left boob seems to want to go under my armpit more than I'd like. I'm certainly bigger than ever so I'm curious to see what I'll look like once the swelling is totally down!! I've always been tiny up top - total mismatch to my big back side!!!
Hugs to all of you!

Anonymous

TaDah, love you, smooches! Wish we there to take care of you and ply you with Snickers bars!

Amy, when Halloween is done, I will send you and TaDah both a candy 'care package'! 5 year olds don't enough candy to last a year .... which is about what she brought home last year.

Last year on Halloween, I was having my 2nd round of chemo. My girlfriend had to take Teryn for trick or treating. I have no pictures of her dressed as Pocahontas. Strange.

This year she is going to be a kitty kat. We already got the outfit and she looks adorable in it.

Debbie, a bailbondsman pays the bail to the court so you can get out of jail. If the bail is $5000, the bail bondsman puts up the money for you and you pay him $500. If you show up at court as agreed, the bail bondsman gets his $5000 back from the court and keeps your $500.

Victoria can probably explain refried beans better than I ... I buy them in a can!! My daughter loves them. And she loves the bean song!!

TracySeattle

Last year on Halloween I had just had my first Chemo treatment. I don't think Halloween or Christmas will ever be the same for me. I don't have very good memories of either of them from last year.... Funny how you kind of re-live things a year later.

I think I need to do something totally different on Christmas this year so that I can erase the chemo memories and the memories of the family that I have spent Christmas with the past 16 years.... My EX's family is quite large with lots of nieces & nephews, so Christmas was always a big thing. My family is me, my mom and my son. A lot different.....

ravdeb

Aw Debbie..don't you play Monopoly and do that to get out of jail if you don't have a get out of jail free card???

Tadah..can't wait to hear what it's like in Nippledom!

Oh My Rosemarie! Boob going under your arm??? I've always been top heavy and mine have always gotten in the way but never under my arm!!!LOL

Kelly..I bet little Teryn is going to be such a cute kitty cat!!

I know it must be strange not to have a picture of her from last year. But, I understand that strange feeling. I often think I missed a whole year. Like I was gone somewhere. I mean..I was here but was in Chemocancer Land and my mind was just not available. I mean..even my regular grocery shopping that I'm doing...I did it during chemo too, but for some reason I feel like I haven't done it in years! Very weird.

marymelodi

Tracy: Good idea to change your name if it is what you want to do. I know there will be some bit of hassle, but considering what you have said, it seems like the right thing to do. You have been creating such a new life for yourself that it seems not surprising that your name would be a new creation as well.

MaryAnne: Hope the next set of tests are not worrisome for you. There are so many variable to consider. I think it might be best to take the cue of the doctor and not get too worried at this point. But that’s just me . . . when it’s your life advice like that is worth about 1 cent.

Tadah!: now after your nipple creation day you could (if you were brave enough) whip open your shirt and shout your name, “TADAH!!!” Just like a magician. Somehow I think you might be brave enough to do it. Last night on TV I saw a promo for a new series called Six Degrees and in it a woman, riding in an open top vehicle, is standing up and whips off her shirt and screams out as she rides down the street topless herself. No, they only showed her from the back and from the armpits up. Couldn’t see the boobs. But, I could imagine you doing that.

Debbie: Kelly told you what refried beans are – sort of – they are cooked beans that are mashed up when soft and seasoned, I think. I don’t think they are actually fried in any way. Makes a good side dish to tacos or a great base layer in a tostado, Mexican pizza, burrito, or anything like that. Also, when thinned out at little, not sure with what ingredient makes a great bean dip, which is my favorite thing to eat with Fritos.

Victoria: I just had partial mastectomy – lumpectomy. I have to say that when I hear what all you other women are going through or have gone through, I feel a little like a fraud. I’ve got a breast – it’s dimpled by the scar and off-color, but it is mostly what I had to start with. In terms of surgery, I sometimes wonder if I qualify for really having anything to compare with what others of you have been through. I have the other two incisions – sentinel node and the port surgeries. So, sometimes I’m glad for not needing all these procedures and sometimes guilty that I got off easy (in this way). I did pay my “dues”, so to speak, in the chemo and radiation periods.

Rosemarie: So glad to see and read that you are doing well. I’m really happy to catch the same feeling from you that has come through so often in your messages. Hope everything is going fine for you.

Kelly: I love hearing all Teryn’s doings. Makes me wish I was your neighbor and could enjoy a closer friendship with you two girls. May you have a wonderful coming holiday season with your little kitty! What is the bean song? I have no kids and do not know many of the normal kid things.

Ravedeb: you keep tantalizing us with the little hints about your business. Now I’m imagining you are coming out with your own line of greeting cards. How is your daughter’s boo-boo healing up? How is your MIL ?

Debbie: love to see your posts. Hope all is well with the family!

Sherry and Chumfry: Hi!!

Amy: I know you’ll get here soon so “good morning” to you. When are you moving again? We are moving our offices here in the hospital in 3 weeks and yesterday had 200 boxes delivered by the moving company to start packing up. It made me think of you doing your packing for the big day.

Hope I haven’t missed anyone . . . but if I did it’s because I composed this message in between tasks at work and my alternating attention isn’t what it once was.

Love to all,
Mary

debbie444

Ok i kind of get the bondsman, but whats in it for him ? Why risk losing 5k for 500?
We dont do a lot for Halloween, the kids get all excited and then its a let down as i hate the idea of them trick or treating to strangers. Maybe this year we will have a small party for them and their friends who dont do much either.
Went with Dad and bought him a new car today ( 6 months ago he had no will to live, strange ho wthings change) We have convinced him to have a smaller car as he is worse than me. I dont think you have Ford KA s over there, too small, but its real cute.
I hate monopoly - i dont have a long enough attention span!
Rosemarie - i shouldnt worry about it being under your arm - it will keep it out of the way when you run!! Noseriously, i bet a lot is swelling etc.
Tadah - heres thinking of you
Debbie

Graycie

I had to post a bond with a bondsmen when my mother passed away since I was executor of her will. I guess they were afraid I would run away with the loot. I did get some of it back after the will was finalized.

Rosemarie, My boob is also hitting my underarm....weird. It must be from swelling. It doesn't seem to be everyday, I just hope it's not that nasty lymphedema starting.

I am just taking a break from cleaning and if I stop for too long I will never finish so I will post more later. I just wanted to check in to see what's happening with all you girls.

Love Graycie

ravdeb

Hey Amy..how are you?

Tadah..still waiting to hear how it feels to be in Nippledom.

Mary...nah...I'm not going to start a line of greeting cards!!! My greeting cards that I made were a hobby. I still make them. But now I'm learning new techniques so it won't be just greeting cards anymore!!!!

It's going to take me a long time before I get it together though.

ravdeb

Tracy,

Yes, your holidays will feel different this year but that's okay! Different is good. Make the most out of it!!!

marymelodi

Guess what?? I just got a call from the public relations office of the Wilmot Cancer Center here at the University of Rochester Medical Center (I work here in the hospital, Strong Memorial Hospital). They would like me to be interviewed on a local radio station, Fickle 93, to play during October. The station is going to do Breast Cancer Awareness spots and called the campaign "Fickle'd Pink." The public relations office is scheduling interviews with some doctors and patients and I was recommended. They will interview me about my experiences during the last year. I can talk alot about breast cancer . . . but I sure want to know what you think I should highlight. And, I will definitely tell OUR STORY - how we all met here and how we supported each other and how were are now friends and sisters in the best sense of the word. So, give me feedback please. The interview is probably going to be taped next week. This station broadcasts on the internet so if I can find out when the interview will play, I will send the information to you with a link to the website so you can click and hear the broadcast over the internet.

I'm also going to take the pink socks and wear my pink shirt to the interview. What do you think about that???

Mary

Graycie

Mary, I think that is GREAT......And you will be a good representative. I am a lousy speaker so I would not be good at that but you will be wonderful I KNOW IT......

marymelodi

Graycie: Thanks! I'll be sure to let you know when to check the internet broadcast. You should have no trouble getting it over in Cheektowaga.
Mary

TracySeattle

Mary!!! That is sooo cool!!! The Rock-Tober Girls are going to get publicity one way or another! Oprah - you are losing out, Girlfriend!!!

Hey - have you all heard of Susan G. Komen's Passionately Pink for a Cure Fundraiser? It is really easy to do - You pick a day during October and encourage your office to wear pink. Each person donates $5 for the priviledge to wear pink on that day. In return, they get a pink breast cancer wristband. Check out the Susan G. Komen website for more info.

I am having "Pink" day on October 4th! I may have told you all this already, I have been publicizing it everywhere trying to get people to do it....

I went the to hospital for my Lymphadema Therapy today. The lady in line in front of me to check in had a scarf on. I asked her if she was going thru chemo, she said yes that she was just finishing it. I asked what kind of cancer she had, she said "Breast Cancer" and I said, "Me Too". She said, "Doesn't Everybody?" It does kind of seem that way, doesn't it?

I encouraged her and told her how much better she will start feeling once the chemo is done. It really brought back memories of my chemo visits to the hospital!