2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

ravdeb

Victoria... my heart really breaks for you...

That's funny about Sammie's husband and the dishwasher. I used to put utensil or whatever, that had been mistakenly used wrong, in the dirt. My grandmother taught me that. I still do that sometimes, but other times, it's good enough to just pour boiling water over things that are china or like pots and pans. HA! Another rule!!!!

Tadah..I hear ya about bedtime at 5 when the sun goes down. We just came in from a late lunch. We had it at a restaurant overlooking the sea (of course!) and we had to eat outside and it was quite chilly. anyway, it got dark as we ate (lovely lights on the water) but COLD and i was thinking about my froggy pajamas and wanting to put them on and it felt like 10 pm. I got home and it was only 6 pm!

Glad you'll be getting your sleeve soon. You'll soon be out of a job! LOL

Yes..there are two Tracies and two Debbies. I decided to stick with ravdeb to keep the Debbies straight but hey... Tracy NY sounds good to me.

But you remind me of my college friends who lived on my dorm floor. There were 3 Debbies in our group of friends and our last names all started with M! And..we all called ourselves Deb and not Debbie, so we were called Deb Ma (that was me), Deb Mo and Deb Mu!!!! We took the second letter from our last names.

Oh..you can all call me Deb and not Debbie or...I sign my name on e-mails...dEBBIE...that could be the change.

Then we would need to call Graycie, Gail, because she's not REALLY Graycie!!!

Thanks for the compliments on our house! My dh's cousin designed it. It was originally trimmed in an antique light pink (was THE color in the early 90's here on houses). A few years ago we went for this new color. I freaked out when they started painting it and yelled for them all to STOP! It was too orangey!. OMG I panicked! So, we had some people come over and look at it and then decided to go ahead and do it. It was just a shock from the pink. Besides, one guy told me that it would fade and I'd like it in the end. He was right. It faded a touch and I'm happier with it, but I'll choose a more terra cotta color next time. I thought this WAS terra cotta and it is, actually, but I needed more brown in it, I guess.

Thinking of all of you as I end my Saturday and move into Sunday..first day of our week.

Be well, everybody.

Anonymous

I know where TracySeattle is! I hope you are all enjoying this weekend!

Love you all!

Laura

Curlylocks

OMG I typed this big long post and it disappeared, so will try again....

Hello ladies have been away for awhile as my hubby and I were in the Bahamas for a week. We had a wonderful time although the weather did not cooperate, 3 days of high winds due to tropical depression off coast of Florida, rain, overcast...all in all two days of sunshine, one being the day we were leaving. It was a celebration trip of being a 1 year survivor on Oct 25 and our annual trip to the Caribbean. I commented to my husband that this year I felt so mellow and at ease not having surgery hanging over my head like last year. What a difference a year makes, we are living life like it was meant to be enjoying each day to the fullest.

I am attaching a few of my favourite pictures of our trip and a few of our fur animals.

We celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary yesterday and my dh bought me a GPS. I laughed as I have no sense of direction, dont know the difference between north or south, just tell me right or left and the name of the roads. It is pretty cool and even talks to you, I will never be lost in the car again.

The weather here is typical November weather, cool, overcast and raining (although it could be snow).

It is now time to start thinking about Christmas. Christmas is my favourite time of the year. I truly enjoy decorating the outside of the house with lights and the living baywindow. Actually anything that I can find that lights can be put on. Our hydro bill skyrockets in January due to the extra electricity used during December!

Deb444 - I was saddened to hear about your Sam being attacked. I am an animal lover. We have two dogs, an 11 year old female australian cattle dog, black lab, shephard mix and a female 12 week old Belgian Malinois puppy. I am glad that Sam seems to be recovering from his wounds, what a little fighter.

Ravdeb - I love your home, it is beautiful, reminds me of the tropics. Do you have any other pets aside from your little white cat? You mentioned you had donkeys at one time, was that when you were younger or recently?

Cindy - I havent met you yet, would like to say hello. I was welcomed to the group a few weeks ago. Great news, benign, what a wonderful word!!!!

Victoria - prayers and healing thoughts to your husband. My husband is also very private, some of his coworkers didnt know I had breast cancer until I told them.

Amy - have fun with your girlfriends this weekend. Enjoy your party, I am also wondering if chocolate is on the menu? I love chocolate fondues with strawberries and bananas....man my mouth is watering thinking about it.

Kelly - what size of motorhome do you have? We have a 1991 44 foot Mallard Park Model trailer. It is permanently parked though on in a trailer park. You need a special permit to move it as it is so big.

TaDah - We too are going into winter mode here. The darkness so early in the evening sucks. The good thing for now is that it is light earlier when I leave for work.

Laura - my thoughts are with you on Monday.

Have a great Saturday evening everyone.

Michele Wenz

Anonymous

Victoria,
So sorry about Dave. Give him our best.

Ravdeb, I really like the orange. Very modern here. It's dark here by 5:30 and I want to hit the hay about 8pm every night. I now get up around 6am and get my chores done and lunches made.

Debbie, hope Sam is healing fast ........ we all are thinking positive thoughts.

But my most positive vibes are now going for our own Laura, little GTO.... yes, I am very curious. I was very into religion when I was 6 and I wanted to be a nun for a long time. I was actually a full time minister for 5 years. Now, I am hardly active. I am christian but really always loved the bible and studying it ... I went to belief.net and it has a quiz and it says I should be Jewish based on my belief system. My only problem with that is that I believe in Jesus (but not regular christian here because I don't believe in the trinity or that he was God, I believe he was the Son of God) ........ but this is another huge story that we aren't here for. But I love the religions of the world and the nations. I actually took French, Spanish, German and Italian in school ..... and still speak Spanish and French.

Michelle, I have 36' National Dolphin. We love it, me and my girl!

cathy987

Well I’m here at home. How on earth can so much happen here in just 10 days. Actually I got back Tuesday night but had a computer issue (bad cord for my laptop) and was way behind with every thing in my office. I spent Wednesday in Fargo for my Herceptin.

MaryAnne–you asked how they are counting and I wasn’t exactly sure but my oncologist explained I will have had 14 of 17 on Wed. (First 12 weekly w/Taxol count as 4 of the 17). Once again my veins proved to be difficult. Blood work went fine-three vials this time–I guess one was for tumor marker. My oncologist wasn’t sure why!! Took three jabs for infusion. I miss my working port.

Kelly, it’s actually been warmer than usual here, as high as 75 on Wednesday. So far no snow that has stuck in my part of the state. I too have been too busy to schedule my exchange, I had my surgery in NY so need to return. I had hoped for a little weight loss before I have it done. I’m supposed to have a reduction and lift in my remaining breast at the same time. November and December are my very busiest months for my business-–will be doing a lot of traveling.

Cindy–so happy to hear your news. To think that extra “fat” can be something good!

Graycie–It’s good that you’re getting in to see your doctor Monday. I always relate to you hairwise. I have had a trim around my ears but there’s next nothing growing on top. I’ll be in Rochester/Geneseo the first weekend in December. I would love to get together with you and Mary on Sunday.

Mary, hope you and dh can come to the show. If not we do have to get together with Graycie.

Laura–I came on this board when you were waiting for news and spent that week with all others here concerned about you. Hope all goes well for you tomorrow and that the results are good and quicker this time. Your “Name in Russian” nearly knocked me off my chair. Way too funny.

Victoria–lots going on with you. Just know that if you or one of yours hurts we feel it. Good thoughts coming your way. I love your new avatar because I really admire your artwork. Your lighting candles touched me. I’m a protestant but often when I’m in NY I have lit candles in St. Pat’s or St. Paul’s(an Episcopal church) for friends who are facing difficult times. I’ll light two virtual candles for you tonight.

Deb–the picture of your home and area are breathtaking. It seems since you started taking pictures the weather has been sunny. Just keep clicking. Your comment about your dh not being happy with the dishwasher only for meat dishes reminded me of when my dh was alive and he would wash dishes only if he could use the dw. I wouldn’t let the coated aluminum cookware or my good knives go in so guess who had to wash them?

Debbie–Sam is adorable. I was horrified by what happened to him and hope he is continuing to improve. If love can heal he will for sure make it.

Amy–loved the picture and description of your vacation villa. Upgrades are really fun. Wish I could be at your housewarming. I’d do the dishes.

Tracey NY–I have always said that December 21 is my favorite day of the year because that’s when the sun starts coming back North. (Paula, I guess if I lived where you do it would be in March.) BC does seem to be a second full time job. The only part I truly love about it is sharing with everyone here. I’m going to be in NY the Monday and Tuesday after Thanksgiving. I don’t think I have time to meet you then but I’m holding you to your promise to visit me when I have my exchange.

Rosemarie–Congratulations on the 5 pound weight loss. Have you shared how you are doing it? I quit sugar again today. That seems to at least stop the gaining. You mentioned visiting your “students’ in FL. Are you a teacher too?

Jill–Welcome back from your wonderful holiday. Love the sunset picture and you are looking great too.

Brenda–The pictures of your walk are great. I don’t know how you fit it in to your schedule. I’m going to walk someplace, somewhere in the next year. Is anyone keeping track of who has had the experience?

Sherryhaire–I was wondering about where you were and looked at your posting on anoter thread and remembered you were having your DIEP surgery. Happy to hear it went so well. I miss you here.

Michelle–Welcome back. The beach looks marvelous.

Linda–I almost forgot you–off to NY. Is that state or city?

Last but not least Tracy–hope you’re having the best weekend ever with Dave. You deserve it!

Good night dear friends.

Anonymous

Michelle, I didn't comment on your pictures because I posted from work and they were all blocked. I cannot get into this board sometimes from work because of the firewall but I can never see the pictures since they are hosted from picture sites. Your pics are AWESOME. Glad you had a good time.

Cathy, welcome back.

ravdeb

Hey Cathy...welcome back!!!
Michele..wow..what gorgeous pictures! I love the sea!!! And you look beautiful! Happy! And your animals are great.

Yes, we've had donkeys..two of them. Once when the kids were really little my father in law found a donkey on the road, lost. At that time we had this kind of half-van. My dh was with his dad at the tme and they pushed the donkey into the van and brought her (it was female) home. We have friends in the nearby arab village and they had a saddle made for the donkey (gorgeous! nothing like a horse saddle) and the kids rode on the donkey. In fact, this entertained all the kids on the block when they were all little. Oh, and she hee-hawed so loudly we could hear her blocks away from our house! Embarrassing!

But we had a mixed breed rotweiller/doberman chained up at our house. Never liked this dog. One night the dog got loose and went after the donkey, tearing it to shreds. The donkey was also chained and with all the jumping around had gotten herself all tangled up. The neighbors called me. By this time the dog was roaming loose around the neighborhood. My dh was off in Tel Aviv. I was a wreck! I went driving looking for the dog, went to the store and bought a new collar and leash and prayed the dog would follow my car home. This dog was so exhausted after all of this that he could barely walk.

By then my dh arrived back home and the dog was following my car home AND the authorities were at our house. I was happy to get rid of this dog. The army took the dog and trained him to be a guard dog and he even got a certificate! My dh had to rid the poor donkey of his misery. Luckily the vet lived next door and gave us all the permits to shoot her. we were so sad.

Two days later our arab friends brought us a young female donkey..beautiful..we named her Missy. She was very kind but she was young and couldn't be ridden on. She did a lot of eating..eating the weeds in the empty lots..we moved her from one lot to another. She'd get loose now and then and we'd have to bribe her back to her home. Oh man..once we all stood guard in a vineyard trying to catch her and I just started running when she came towards me!!! LOL

She died of natural causes a couple of years ago. Too bad. I used to go out and feed her and pet her all the time. She was beautiful.

End of donkey story. We won't be getting anymore!

Ter

Well Ive read "some" not all of these pages as my eyes are not doing red hot..but sounds like some nice topics.

I have been not really hiding, just my doc's decdided I should break from the boards.,..sometimes a bit stressful, and I wish I had some good news for all of you, but the only one I have is I woke up today, not very well but Im here,.

Not sure when I return, but I hope and plan to, as so many of you guys are new to me, as I was here in 2004, and months back I left and trying hard to know more about all my BC and mets and many other things...but you all sound like such nice people.

Do you mind if I join in every so often? Im not a bad person, just a person with bad things going on, thats all.

hugs
Ter, yes the ole Ter that always gives hugs

Paula15089

Hi girls!
lots of posts to catch up to... great pics everyone!
Ter, of course you are welcome here.

I am feeling quite down at the moment. A well known australian actress, Belinda Emmett, has just passed away after 8 year battle with BC... she was 32. My age...
initially diagnosed at 24(!!), early stage apparently, had rads only, and then it came back to her bones a few years later...
She was just such a lovely, sweet girl.
Here is the article from one of the papers here:

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/11/11/1162661949876.html?from=top5

dont read it if you dont want to feel emotional...

and another famous aussie, Kylie Minogue, is returning back to the limelight after her treatments. I am happy for her, and she looks great, i just wish she would do a little bit more in terms of raising awareness.

here is another article if anyone is interested:

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/11/11/1162661950112.html?from=top5

take care girls!

Anonymous

Paula -
I feel so bad that you have to deal with all this at such a young age! It truly upsets me. You really are an incredible young woman. Despite it all you have remained strong and you have succeeded with your treatment, etc. You're not letting this monster destroy you! We always refer to Amy as the baby of the group, but we haven't forgotten that you're still "a baby" too. You, TracyNY, Debbie, even Rosemarie. Hang in there.
Laura

ravdeb

Paula...

Kylie Minogue was on our news last night showing her big comeback after breastcancer. I was happy to see that.

I know it's hard to see women your age (or any age but younger is always harder) with this awful disease. But, you, Paula.. you fought it and you are feeling good today and that is what counts!!!!

Hi Ter!!! Welcome Lady.

Laura..am thinking about you and sending positive thoughts your way for tomorrow...and always!

Victoria ..you had donkeys, too??

My first encounter with a donkey was my first year in Israel and I was taking my daughter to the pre-school. When I went to park my car..there was a donkey parked in my regular spot!

Anonymous

Roll Call here:

How old was everyonne at diagnosis?

I was 42.

debbie444

Ravdeb - when did you move to Israel? Trying to sort things in my mind!
Cathy - what fantastic pictures. I have never seen a dog like that before - it looks adorable.
I was sick of seeing Kylie in our papers at the time. She was diagnosed the same week as me and everywhere i looked there it was. By all accounts she caused a Kylie ripple effect, with lots of young women being diagnosed as they actually went to the Drs.
My sister used to work with a donkey at the racing stables - it was called Martin and used to travel to the races in the horse box to calm the horses down.
Sam. We had a mad dash to the vets last night at 9.00as he was choking and couldnt breathe. True to form , catherine was out and needed picking up, the vets were closed and teh car boxed in. We got the vet on the emergency number and travelled there with my little yellow car going far faster than it should, with sams head out of the window gasping. They put him on Oxygen, took off his bandages ( the poor dog has cuts stapled together and more stitches than i have ever seen!)and found that the worst hadnt happened and his windpipe was still intact. By all account he had been tryint too hard to move. It was an attack brought on by pain and stress. He came straight back home with us and we are now having to sit with him constantly to keep him still. If he moves he has a wheezing attack and falls over. typical - i now have a dog that has panic attacks!!!
Nice to meet you Ter
Debbie

Anonymous

I can't believe all the donkey owners here! That just seems so funny to me!

Roll call:

I was 45 (but felt 29 and looked 35 I know I'm probably flattering myself)

Anonymous

Ter, you know I love you girl. Glad you are with us this time!!

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Age at dx
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Kelly 42
Laura 45

Curlylocks

I was diagnosed at 41. Hope everyone is enjoying their lazy Sunday afternoon.

Michele Wenz

ravdeb

Sunday is a work day for us!

I was diagnosed at 50..3 months before my 51st birthday(but told everybody I was 39 ).

Debbie... so sorry about Sam. Poor little guy..a panic attack!!! OMG! You guys sure have your hands full with that little thing.
I moved to Israel in March of 1987. Our daughter was 3 and our son was 10 months old. The third one was born here.

Laura..I also think it's funny that there are so many people connected to donkeys of all animals!

ravdeb

This is Calico..one of my cats.

ravdeb

Victoria...
I met my dh in the States at services at the temple. He loves to dramatize the story but the short story is that it was Yom Kippur and there was a break in the service where they had a discussion. I was sitting with my mom (my dad had gone home with a headache) and they were talking about the education system in Israel. The rabbi asked my dh to come up and say something and he saw me sitting there with my mom. I knew his cousins. He was staying with them. Had been on a trip to S. America and then went to the States and worked with his cousin.

That's how we met.

Just learned now that my daughter's boyfriend's mom found 2 lumps during mammo and then ultrasound. I'm so upset. One in each breast. I'm going to try to help her. Never met her and they don't live near me but she has a biopsy appt. for JANUARY! YIKES! I told my daughter I'd help her get something much, much sooner. Have already e-mailed one of my bc friends here in Israel who lives kind of in that area.

They are tiny lumps they found..one in each breast. This really worries me.

debbie444

Oh dEbbie, thats awful. It seems to poke up everywhere.
Calico looks like a cat we had when we first got married - her name was Laura. I wanted to call our other cat Ashley but ended up with Molly as Roger said he couldnt face standing outside shouting 'Laura Ashley come in for tea'

Sam has been resting for the afternoon and seems to be good.

I was diagnosed a few months after my 33rd birthday. We thought my 30s were going to be better, lost my mum in my teens, lost two babies in my early twenties - now i just have to make sure tth rest of this decade is better!
This picture was taken the other day at my neices 18th, my two, my brother son and my sisters two.

Joe 14, Mark 9, Adam 16, Catherine 11, Emma 18. as a clue how big Adam is - Joe is my height 5ft 9!

I would love a donkey - perhaps i should have a virtual one!!!

Paula15089

Thanks girls - i love you! Of course i am grateful, i just feel bad for her... she had such a happy marriage too.

love all the cats, kids, etc pics.. i've got some pics to post as well, will do it a bit later.

ake

Welcome Ter

Beautiful pictures, Michelle!!!!

I was 28 at diagnosis...sheesh! No wonder I'm so excited for my 30th birthday in 3 weeks I'm ready for a new decade!

Laura...I'm sending you nothing but positive thoughts for the biopsy for tomorrow. We are all there with you tomorrow in any way you need us. When you feel scared or anxious tomorrow, just picture us all in our pink Rocktober shirts, holding your hand, and reminding you how strong you are.


Love,
Amy

CherylG

Roll call ... I was dx at 51 just months from 52

RavDeb... so sorry to hear your news. I have been reading a lot of your posts and they never fail to inspire and/or educate me. I am sure your moral support will be invaluable to her

Peace and health to all
CherylG

Anonymous

Amy -
Thanks, you're so kind! How was your housewarming party? After our house was built, my dh and I entertained friends and family "showing off our new house" almost every weekend for 8 months straight! It was exhausting but fun and we considered ourselves very fortunate to have so many to share it with.

-------

Great pics everyone!

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ravdeb -
My thoughts are with your daughter's boyfriend and his Mom and all concerned. I hope, hope, hope everything turns out okay. She couldn't have a better advocate than you! Rock on, rav! Fight makes right!

SAMMIE -
We need you to get well. My little guy, Buddy Love, sends doggie hugs and kisses to you. He said to tell you: Be tough Sammie, us dogs rock!

----------

I'm going to take a very hot jacuzzi bath tonight in an effort to relax. Today I walked in our forest and meditated while sitting on my favorite tree trunk. It was really peaceful and even though the trees have shed their leaves, it was still beautiful too!

Laura

ake

My housewarming party was great....we had about 40 people. I drank about 6 glasses of red wine (antioxidants!) so I was a bit toasted and now feel a bit hungover. But, the weather was amazing...about 60 degrees last night so we were all in the backyard enjoying the weather. My little Egyptian mother-in-law came up to me at the end of the night (after hearing me laugh and laugh in the backyard with my friends) and said, "You are the shitfaced!" in her thick Middle Eastern accent So funny. One of the best lines of the night So, the party was a success

Here's a picture of me and the family from last night We had taken the same picture on my birthday last December...funny how things change, huh?

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Anonymous

Kelly 42
Laura 45
Michelle 41
Victoria 51
Devorah 50
Amy 28
Debbie 32

---------------

Amy, does your family try to do the hand thing? Is that how you guys normally do it? So funny or coincidence?

Anonymous

AMY -
You Rock! Love the pics - you are an inspiration to all women: young, middle aged and beyond middle aged. Your energy and your determination is what will sustain you!
Rock on, Amy!
Laura

TracyNY

Amy, you are looking fantastic!! Congrats on the new home. I went to a housewarming myself this weekend in Connecticut.

I was 38 when I was diagnosed.

Laura: You have too much spare time! My name in Russian! That naked man almost made my jump out of my skin! Although he could have shown us what he's working with, if you get my drift!!

Paula15089

I was 31 at diagnosis.. 32 now!

and here is a pic of me with my best friend, her husband, and her two kids. The youngest - Sebastian - is my godson.



Amy - you look fantastic!

chumfry

I was 47.

Laura, hang tough tomorrow. My biopsy last week wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Hope yours goes as well and that you get good news, too.

BTW, is your dog named after that character on Kids in the Hall? I loved that show!