2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

TracyNY

I want to find a Project Runway marathon and watch it until I'm giddy. I just got into that show as it is drawing to a close.

Next weekend I'm getting my apartment painted so I have to start taking everything off the walls and stuff. I'm dreading that but I will do my winter weather changeover when I put things back together.

I'm getting direct tv installed on Monday. Cable sucks, half the channels weren't showing and it costs way more than that little satellite dish.

I might get a bit of action this weekend. Take my love nubs for a test spin! I think they've been drawing stares, either that or everyone is wondering why that crazy broad is out in a tank top in sixty degree weather!!

ake

tadah...there is a marathon on for project runway next wed. starting in the morning. i'm obsessed with that show.

how are the nips?

i'm officially a homeowner

debbie444

Just a quickie,
Amy - your brother looks like Darius - i am in awe!
Debbie

Anonymous

Debbie, I think that's what TaDah wants!! A quickie!!

Amy, congratulations on your new house. PM me your new address, pretty please. Everything is so fun in a new house, even laying out the doormat!! I always get a new one when I move.

Ravdeb and Amy, how was your Rosh Hashanah? One thing I really like about Jewish Holidays is the kosher grape juice that is abundant and on sale! We stock up!!

Tracy, sometimes I do think it would be easier just to go to the yahoo site. Or maybe she could put in big letters Oct 2005. Maybe sherryhaire can edit her first post and change the title. I think sherry can do that -- that way the new october girls won't get confused.

Anonymous

Hey girls!
Tomorrow morning at 6am my dh and I leave to drive to downtown Chicago for the Komen 5K Race For The Cure. At 7am they're having a survivor breakfast (my dh will have to find a coffee shop nearby and guzzle some java). The breakfast ends at 7:45 then the survivors gather for a group photo, then we head over to the Team Meeting Area which is where our entire team will be meeting. I will be handing out Komen shirts to the team, and the walk begins at 8:30. Everyone's shirts are white but, gee, I'm the lucky one...I get a pink "SURVIVOR" one. Not to sound bitchy, but most of the time I feel like a victim - not like a survivor just yet! I thought about making myself a shirt that said VICTIM with pink ribbons on it instead of SURVIVOR! LOL Time will change my thoughts about that and I know I must be patient. I'm excited though. It will be great to be surrounded by 3000+ people who understand bc. So...I have to go iron my pink "SURVIVOR" shirt, take a long hot bath, get in my jammies, go to sleep and wait for the alarm clock to ring at 5:30 tomorrow morning! Yikes...a day in the life of a "SURVIVOR"!

Laura

ake

my brother's website with his photos is: www.michaelkagan.com

Anonymous

Laura ,
Sent you something!
Hope you have a wonderful experience. If you can get a seat near the doves, they are not reserved....it appears so, but they are not. You can sit there and release a dove and whisper words to the flying birds. Whisper to our friends in heaven.

Anonymous

Laura, your hubby does not have to find somewhere else to have coffee. Your family is allowed in the tent with you. At least that's the way it was in Orange County.

susan1014

I have just join you and am thrilled to find so many starting chemo in October. Your tips are already calming my nerves. Thanks so much for the shopping list I will definitely get ready.

susan1014

I have just found this site and an thrilled especially since I start chemo on Oct.6. Thanks for the tips, the little things worry me the most. It is great to be able to prepare and know what may be coming my way.

ravdeb

Laura...Hope today is fun! You are NOT a victim. You are a tough survivor, Girl!!!

Tadah.. good luck with the painting!

Tracy...any news yet on who gets to go on the cruise???

Victoria... I will let ya all know about my business as the year progresses. Hey..this is kind of motivating me to really make it into a business and not keep it as a hobby!!! I'm enjoying the mysteriousness for a while

Kelly..have no idea what that kosher grape juice is all about that you stock up on! We are now entering the holiday of Yom Kippur. It starts tomorrow night (Sunday night). I've got lots of young people here for the feast before the fast and then the feast after the fast. hmmmmmmmmmmm... didn't realize I was going to have a crowd so I have to get out and buy some more food tomorrow.

Spent the morning at a paint on pottery studio. My girlfriend and I raised the average age there

It was fun! My work will be ready in a week and a half (because of the holidays it's taking a little longer). I painted a little rectangular plate like thingy.

Then we went to meet some cousins at the airport who had just come in from the States. That was fun. We surprised them! They are my dh's cousins.

but I'm so tired now. Such a long day and I have to bake yet. ugh. I can't seem to keep up anymore. Get so tired so easily. And I'm still achey

Amy...I went into your brother's site...beautiful and amazing work. I love it!!!

ravdeb

Kelly,
Actually, our Rosh HaShanah was pretty uneventful. Had dinner at our house (food seems to be the center of all the holidays!) and I went to services. My family doesn't go with me. Not much else. It's very different here than it is in the States so maybe Amy has a different way that she celebrates it. Here the Israelis go to the beach or spend time with their families. Going to services isn't a major event here like it is usually in the States, unless you are part of the orthodox community. I'm part of the Progressive Movement in Israel (which is connected with the Reform Movement outside of Israel). So, I do go, but the majority of Israelis are secular.

Think that answered your question but I still don't know about the kosher grape juice!

ravdeb

Oh geeeeez...in the midst of my baking, an annoying older woman and her daughter (I usually can tolerate her but was so tired and trying to get some cooking done) stopped by unannounced. Hadn't seen the older woman in a long time and have no idea why she suddenly wanted her daugher who is my age, to bring her to us, but she did. I opened the door and she looks at me and asks me why my hair is like this and white. I just smiled and said it was my natural color. She's a bit hard of hearing so she asked me if I dyed it. Yea, right. I told her again that it was natural and had been dying my hair all these years. So, she says, (and she knew I had cancer) "but why did you decide to go with the natural?" I wanted to grab her cane from her and bop her over the head with it, but I controlled myself.

Some people have no tact....

Yukon

Ok I start chemo on Oct 5th. I will have 4 rounds of AC then 32 treatments of radiation. I have chosen not to have a port put in is this a bad idea please tell me what you think I still have time to change my mind.

Thanks

maryannecb

The headline reads" Cancer survivor beats neighbor with cane..." No Ravdeb not a good idea.LOL. I am sure your back pain is the same old one you had before. I know how you feel though. This week I had various aches and pains. I was having trouble sleeping co talked to GP about it. The next day she scheduled a bone scan. Friday I heard that it was NED. Last night I slept like a baby. I know scans and such are not routine in followup but once in a while I really need to be sure I am OK>

Amy moving is exciting but also in the top five of things that are stressful. Remember you have a lifetime to put your house in order. Don't rush. I haven't seen your nailpolish in Canada. Did you buy it all? LOL.

Paula, welcome back. Take any great pics?

Victoria, you are seeing a PS. I just may do that too. I hate looking down at nothing when I am naked...

Kelly I agree about too many boards. I bookmark my favs and scan active topics. MUGA tomorrow. Herceptin on wed.5 to go.
I am hoping all three teenagers will get out of bed for the Run fo the Cure Tomorrow. I was intreviewed and photographed by the local paper, it was a nice article.

Think I'll break up this post it is getting long.

Fists up!

maryannecb

Rosemarie, VACUUMING!!!! Take it easy, you just had surgery. Dirt can wait. Hope all is going well.

Cathy, loooks like being a GM agrees with you. Beautiful pics.My port did not work well and perhaps caused a fever after 5th round of chemo. I have struggled through the last 7 months without one. My arm is ruined. I have two tiny veins left. Last Herceptin it took 4 pokes to get IV. Of well only 5 to go.

Mary interviews are tricky. It is always hard to get out what you wnt to say. I amsure you did just fine.

Graycie, what family is mot a "ittle" messed? Hope your WE is going well.

Tadah, must be weird to be on the dating scene with your new girls. I have a hard enough time with my DH. I mean he is fine with it ,it is me that is self conscious.

Picked up my pink survivor shirt to wear tomorrow-I know what you mean Laura, it is not something I wanted to earn...

Talk soon.

Fists up!

Anonymous

Mary-Anne post your fundraising page so I can send something to you.

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Amy, forgot to tell you how much I love your family photo and your brother's artwork!

TracySeattle

Maryanne & Laura!

I can't wait to hear about your walks!! I am thinking of you!

Not much going on with me this weekend.... I am laying low for once!

Love you all, Hope you are all having a great weekend!

ravdeb

maryanne..LOL... me making the headlines for hitting the old lady with her cane!!!

Ladies..how did the walks go?

Hmmm...a bone scan. I really hated the bone scan I did. It took forever and then they made me do half of it over on a different machine. They had me on a standing machine at first because the other one was being used but that one didn't work so half of that had to be redone.I was very frustrated with it all.

I don't know which part of me aches more. I have been having a terrible time sleeping. I don't have severe pains anywhere..just a general ache all over. My legs feel like they are going to cramp up at night. WE thought it was the air conditioning (have been having really hot weather) but it started to cool down at night so slept without a/c and I didn't sleep any better.

Last night my "good" boob was itching me and I saw that it was reddish. Of course, I immediately diagnosed myself with IBC but today, though it still itches a touch, isn't red. I had put aloe vera on it last night and the color is gone.

So, I misdiagnosed...

Back to cooking.... Our holiday begins in the late afternoon.

Hope you all enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Anonymous

Tracy and Ravdeb, I am so tired from the go-go-go all the time. I couldn't wait til today so I would have time to sleep in. We did. My room was dark and I woke up without having to franticly get ready for work, get my girl ready for school and get breakfast (she likes oatmeal thankfully).... so nice to lay back and have time for coffee in bed instead of on the run.

Last night one of Teryn's friends spent the night. It's her very first time having a friend sleep over! My girlfriend's daughter is 8 so no midnight runs back home to mommy!! The best part for me is that I am getting some time to rest while Miss Teryn is busy with her playmate this morning. Oh the girls are so good.

I know this is all chemo fatigue. But I am looking healthier, my hair is growing and people think I look great, so that helps. The problem is like has been said, people think we are past this and we may never be.

Paula are you going to post any pics of your travels??

And Tadah, I won't dare ask you to post pics of your new girls, cuz you just might! Didn't you have a date this weekend??

Anonymous

Wow! What a day it was! The walk was incredible! Other than my wedding day, yesterday was the most emotional and inspirational day in my life! The sun was shining and it was warm and we had a great time! THERE WERE 11,000 WALKERS! We walked along Chicago's gorgeous lakefront - which actually looks more like an ocean. I was very proud wearing my "PINK SURVIVOR" shirt. It was so nice because quite a lot of people smiled at me - a truly genuine smile that "read" congratulations, hang in there. I felt honored and so thankful that so many people gave so unselfishly to our cause.

I was so very proud of my team and so fortunate to have been surrounded with their love and support. My best friend Rena, cried the entire 3 miles! And we've all decided that team No Surrender is going to do the 39 mile Avon walk this June.







I wrote each of your names on the back of my t-shirt
and carried each of you in my heart because...
I'M INSPIRED BY YOU!


I'm all choked up again!

maryannecb

maryannecb

I have lost the text that I wrote three times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The first pic is from my walk today. 3000 people turned out in a community of 60,000. It was uplifting and positive. The survivors all wore pink and you could feel the energy from the others to be well.

All the three of the kids got out of bed. Amazing for a Sunday morning. I was glad to be by their side today, feeling well and pretty positive about life in general.I ran into anothe r woman my age who I went through chemo with, she looked well and is back on her feet too.

I am still trying to post the pic with the kids and me but it keeps not showing up at all. ???chemobrain????

Laura I thought of all of you today too and do hope that our whole crew defies it all and posts of our walks this time next year.


One more try ,I do hope this post includes the pic of Hannah, me, Connor and Patrick.

Fists up!

TracyNY

First up, congratulations Amy on your new home. It must be very exciting (and tiring) but well worth all the stress you've been through. I will go to your brother's exhibit sometime this week.

All you fundraising runners, walkers, good on you. I'm dreading the pink onslaught to come!!

Its not difficult dating with all this stuff actually. At the risk of sounding slutty, I have a rotation of male companions that I've been seeing throughout this journey. I had one long term who I'd been seeing for 11 years and that relationship faded to platonic due to a situation totally unrelated to BC.

I didn't go on a date this weekend, that was last weekend. I got busy. I did watch Project Runway for the earlier part of Saturday afternoon then I went to Bergdorf Goodman, one of my favorite stores in Manhattan, to pick up a few items then went to dinner with a friend.

Today I went to church and went to Chinatown to buy seafood.

I am so sick of cleaning this damn place!! The direct TV installer is coming in the morning and my apartment looks like a bomb hit it! I still have to dismantle for the painting next weekend. Lord!!

marymelodi

Sisters:
Just wanted to report in. I am envious of those who got to walk today. I was planning to walk in the Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk today but instead spent the day in bed. I have either a really bad cold or the beginning of the flu. You know the symptoms so I won't go into it. The fever is the thing that I am fighting now. I need a ton of sleep. Last week's party preparations were too much for me. I came down sick. But, the party was a success. It may be the last one I ever give.

I am inspired by all of you and your lives.

I sent private messages to the several women who have posted here thinking that we are all beginning chemotherapy now in 2006. I have expressed my best wishes to them and told them they can send me private messages if they have questions. It makes me sad to think of how scared they must be, as I was at this time last year. I just want to hug them and say "everything will be all right." But, of course, that would be a lie. Things may be tough for a while and you never know what lies ahead.

Take care and have a good week everyone. I'd write messages individually, but now I feel too sick and just want to lie down.

Mary

maryannecb

Good night Mary. Hope you feel better in AM.

Tadah, painting is such a chore. Does it really need to be done?

Fists up!

Graycie

Ravdeb and Mary, Sorry about all the aches and pains. I can relate. I really think that chemo has a lot to do with it. Some days I feel like I am 100 yrs. old. When it is damp out it is worse. I can just imagine how I am going to feel when it get's cold out. Mary, I am sure you can relate to that living in Western NY....Victoria, I know what you mean too....we will never be the same as we were before........

Paula, good to see you back. Glad you had fun, you deserve it...

Amy, That's all you need, more stress. Sorry you had to put up with the mix-up with the closing on your house. I can understand why you would be pissed off. Glad everything all worked out now and you are official homeowner's. You have a beautiful family also and your brother's art work is awesome......

Cathy, I love your picture's and your grand kids are so adorable........I love the red hat's.

Tadah, Are you doing the painting in your apartment or do you have the luxury of having someone do it for you? That is what I have been doing this past week.. Painting, yuck! I am really starting to hate it. But my grandson was happy. I painted his bedroom so I guess it was worth it.

Congratulations Laura and Maryanne on your walks.......Thanks for sharing the picture's.....Maryanne., Are those your kids? They have to be great kid's to join in the walk.

I am really jealous but glad to hear everyone is having such good hair day's lately........Mine hasn't changed much at all. It doesn't seem to be growing even with the nioxin......

I bought a copy of the new magazine that just came out called "Beyond BC". I kind of hesitated about buying it because I really want to move on but it is about survivors so I decided it might be a good thing to read. Also, if anyone get's the Lifetime channel there is a movie airing on Oct 23 about a girl that was 27 when she was diagnosed with BC it is called "Why I wore lipstick to my mastectomy" it is supposed to be quirky, empowering. and unforgettable....It isn't supposed to be sad so I might watch it....I just thought I would mention it incase anyone is interested in watching it.

I feel so sick right now., my daughter just called to tell me that a local women was found dead on a neighborhood bike path. She had been missing since Friday when she never showed up to pick up her kids from daycare. I can't believe what sick-O's are out there. It is in a nice neighborhood too. Now I am afraid to go for my walk............

Mary, I see you just posted as I was writing this. I hope you feel better soon.
I hope everyone else had an enjoyable weekend and I am wishing everyone a good week....
Graycie

TracyNY

Does the painting need to get done? Yes, its been about 5 years and I want it finished while I can leave the windows open and let the paint dry and get the smell out.

Am I doing it? Aww hell no!! I am thinking about refurnishing while I'm dismantling so I'll box some stuff up and take it to storage until I decide.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that they don't paint up my plasma telly. Its wall mounted and I can't get it down, especially not after the grief it took me to get it up there!!

TracySeattle

Hi Everyone!

Laura and Maryanne your walk pictures are beautiful! Laura thanks for including our names on your shirt! I made a poster with the names (Just first name & state they are from) of all of the women that I have come to know this past year that are BC survivors..... Just felt like I had to have it to look at. I am putting one here by my computer, one at work on my desk and I will be taking one to my Kiwanis meeting on Wed just so they can see how many women that I have come in contact with that have bc..... I am doing the Passionately Pink for a Cure fundraiser on Wednesday at work and at my Kiwanis meeting.

Mary - I hope you feel better!

TaDah - Painting--UGH, cleaning--UGH! I have been doing kind of the same getting ready for a party at my house next Saturday. Mostly for me, it has just been picking up, straightening and hanging pics that I have just not gotten around to hanging.

Graycie - thanks for the Heads Up on the Lifetime movie. A friend of mine saw the woman that the movie is about at a Komen Luncheon here. She was the guest speaker - I guess she was a very good speaker and the book/movie is supposed to be really good!

Well, I am gonna go find myself some dinner and start thinking about getting things ready for work tomorrow....

Love you all!

Graycie

Laura, I forgot to thankyou for including us in the walk by adding our names to your shirt....That was very thoughtful of you to take us with you. Although,I wish I could have walked right along side of you.
Graycie