2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

Anonymous

Kelly 42
Laura 45
Michelle 41
Victoria 51
Devorah 50
Cindy 47
Amy 28
Debbie 32
TraceyNY 38
Paula 31

Anonymous

Kelly 42
Laura 45
Michelle 41
Victoria 51
Devorah 50
Cindy 47
Amy 28
Debbie 32
TraceyNY 38
Paula 31
Rosemarie 37
Scottishlass 41
TracySeattle 49

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now, I can read the posts, I was skimming for roll call

Paula15089

Laura - great to hear from you!! I have some of those pills as well thanks...

Mary-Anne, yep, it sure was 'Hair growth pics a la Karin Stack'. Can't remember for the life of me what forum it was on, but it was either Going through Chemo OR Help Me With The Treatments one...
I'll do a bit of searching!! I didnt bookmark it unfortunately.

Anonymous

Kelly 42
Laura 45
Michelle 41
Victoria 51
Devorah 50
Cindy 47
Amy 28
Debbie 32
TraceyNY 38
Paula 31
Rosemarie 37
Scottishlass 41
TracySeattle 49
Cathy 65
MaryAnneCB 44

Anonymous

Brenda, MaryMeloldi, Graycie and sherry!!!!!! How old were you????

ravdeb

Good work, Kelly!!

I know I smiled through all the posts I read but can't remember a dang thing, now...!

Saw Rosemarie...
Laura.. quite a crowd in there, huh? Glad it went well. We'll be there for the results, too, so watch out!
Oh, and get a horse!

Paula... when Laura first posted that link for the Russian I was thinking..oh..Paula would know what her name is in Russian...so..did it look familiar???

Laura..you are really something...So glad Cathy now has a shirt!! Cathy...we love you!!!

Still need somebody to take a picture of me in my Rabbi Wannabe shirt.

Victoria..glad to hear your lab reports are good. Wow..that's great about the cholesterol. I so hope mine goes down with my walking and my diet. I've been so careful. Hope all that other stuff works out!

Where is Sherry? haven't seen her in a while.

Thanks Jill..for the explanation..sounds like fun!

I see that the sun is trying to peek through the clouds. It is a rainy day. Not good for me but I think I'll go try to get my walk in before the next cloud burst.

debbie444

Donkey - definitely a donkey. I dont like horses ( one end kicks - the other end bites!) The donkey we knew was called Martin!
Laura , glad you are doing well - now just share out those tablets until Wednesday!!

Just a thought - when did teachers get so young? Met Catherines teachers the other night for the first time. I am sure some of the men had stick on beards to make them look older, as for the women - i am sure i am old enough to be there mother!! There was one, the science teacher who reminded me of the teachers i had, ( he made me feel about 7) the others i am sure were really sixth formers standing in! I am sure when i was 11 i wasnt learning 3 languages and carving perspex!
victoria - my 16 year old nephew is 6 ft 5. The scary thing is that Mark is much bigger now than Adam was at 9 . We are expecting them all to be tall as i am the shortest in the family at 5ft9 ( and 3/4!).
Going shopping tonight when Roger gets back, will look out for the pomegranate juice.
Debbie

Anonymous

ravdeb -

Quote:

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Paula... when Laura first posted that link for the Russian I was thinking..oh..Paula would know what her name is in Russian...so..did it look familiar???

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debbie -

Quote:

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Donkey - definitely a donkey. I dont like horses ( one end kicks - the other end bites!)

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OMG - you are both TOO funny! LOL


Cathy -
Rock on!

Laura

TracyNY

Lord, donkeys and horses! I think I must be too much of a city girl for all that. All I want for Christmas is a satellite radio!

How are you Jamie Lee/Laura? I hope you're feeling better and not stressing yourself out too much.

I am a firm believer in pomegranate juice. I drink it almost every day since I found one that tastes good. I used to pay $4.00 for a small "Pom" brand juice but there's one at my gourmet market that is $5.99 for I think a 32 oz bottle and it tastes really good. They say it has the highest concentration of antioxidants.

Add vodka and a dash of triple sec....

TracySeattle

Mornin' All!

Laura - glad everything went well, I will be here waiting along with everyone else. It will be fine, it has to!

TaDah - vodka and a dash of triple sec.... YUM!!!! Guess that defeats my goal of replacing alcohol with POM, but it sure sounds good!

Debbie - how is Sam today?

I am in kind of a hurry, sorry I can't stop to say a personal hi to each one of you, I love you all!

Off to work with me!

Hey - where's Mary? Haven't seen her for a while and Sherry too.... I hate it when we have missing sisters!

ravdeb

Graycie...was hoping to hear from you today about your appointment.

Raining today...didn't get out..started major cleaning in my studio...slowly...slowly...

Okay Ladies..so my dh comes to me this afternoon with the idea of Iscador. Have any of you heard of this? Suzanne Sommers apparently opted for it instead of chemo.

It's an injection, (already I'm not for it!)and comes from the mistle toe plant (timely). Apparently a woman here who had DCIS this past year that my dh knows, did her rads and then started on these injections. She couldn't believe I'm not doing this. Had never heard of it so I googled. No studies to prove that it works. This woman has a friend who has been injecting herself with it for 9 years. Supposedly, from some of the stuff I read when I googled, if taken along with or actually after, conventional cancer treatments, it will prolong your life. They claim it can prolong your life 40%. Something like that.Sounds to me like it could be the conventional treatments that are prolonging life...how can one know?

Anyway, I told my dh before I read about it that I don't have the urge to inject myself with something every week or however often you need to do it...for the rest of my life! I did that with neupogen. If I were diabetic and had to do it with insulin...fine. But, this is not really proven.

If you read articles you will find stuff about how American pharmaceutical companies are making more chemo and drugs and it's a money making thing and there are natural things you can use, blah, blah...

I believe in doing whatever I can to prolong my life but INJECTIONS???? and with something that hasn't been proven...I think.

Anyone hear of this stuff?

TracySeattle

UGH! I think I am totally with you on this one, Deb....

I haven't heard of it before.

Anonymous

Devorah, I heard that Suzanne Somers didn't do chemo but I think, like Sheryl Crow, she didn't have to do chemo. I did read that SS did do conventional treatment and supplemented with the natural stuff. It's getting a lot of hype that she went "natural" and no one is telling the whole truth.

I am on countdown for my treatments ..... 8 more to go.

After my treatment, I had to go to Home Depot and buy a new water heater. Came home had to wash my windows .... it seems you can never get the streaks out of both the inside and the outside. I have huge window and need a ladder so this was a pain. Turns out my brand new windows LEAK. I had to call the window people and tell them I didn't opt for the mop your floor and wash your windows at the same time!

Then the plumber came after his regular job and did my water heater. Turns out it was good for him because his boss didn't have money for paychecks this week. I saved about $50 doing it thru him (he is my girlfriend's husband) and they got a good check for installing a new water heater and hauling my old one away. Things like this always help me remember that G*d is control of our needs. Makes me feel good to be used as a tool to help another.

Amy, love the jazz hands! Thanks for the explanation.

Laura, are you going to start a farm?

Well, I need to get ready for work, just popped in to check.

debbie444

I have heard mutterings about mistletoe, but it could be anything that is keeping her well. Can you imagine if we could link beibg well to eating chocolate???????
I am feeling quite left out only having one name - i will ahve to think of another one to use.
Sam is doing well. Went a little way down the garden today ( then shook himself and fell over). I left him for a short while when i picked Mark up from school. We shut him in the living room with the tv on and a radio playing in front of the door, so that if anyone came he didnt hear them. Its when he tried to move around that he coughs and splutters and he usually goes mental when he hears the door. Tomorrow i have to leave him to go to work, Rogers grandad has been driving over to sit with him but he has to see the nurse tomorrow.
Where are the others?
Debbie
Kelly - i was 33
Debbie

TracySeattle

Oh Fun! I want to meet Veronica! I am sure we will love both Victoria and Veronica....

ravdeb

Thanks for the link, Victoria/Veronica. AFter I posted I did some more extensive searching..I can't just say something is good or isn't good without reading up on it.

I did read it's good for the immune system and if you use it before and after surgery and then along with rads, it is supposed to help you heal better.

I can definitely see that. Of course, I had basically no burning except for a few days of redness that healed also in a few days. I was very lucky with rads.

It is not encouraged in the States. Of course, it would have to be imported because this is coming from the European mistletoe that lives off the bark of different trees like Oak and Pine, to name a few. It's really quite interesting and is not considered alternative but rather complimentary. YOu have to have a doctor's prescription to use it.

I hate needles and suffered through my neupogen shots. A few years ago I did injections instead of coumadin and though the injections (forgot the name..Victoria probably knows)are safer than coumadin, I couldn't deal with those. My dh had to give them to me. I would never be able to do it myself and hated being dependent on him.

Anyway..it's interesting and if it works for some people, then that's what counts. I'm not sure I need it. There is one clinic in Israel that uses it.

They use this for HIV/Aids..too.

So, Victoria..I'd be interested in finding out if you do begin using it. I can see where it could be something good to try in your case.

debbie444

Kelly - get the window people back! We have a double glazing company and have never fitted any that actually leak! We have had some weird calls ( one from a foreign student house saying that when the doors were out , slugs had got in and were building a nest behind the fridge - it was a cobweb!) but never saying that their carpets were being flooded! We had a really cross woman once saying that her bathroom window leaked but that was traced to her semi blind grandson traipsing water everywhere after his bath.
Victoria / veronica, it will be interesting to see what you do? How come you have two names? Our friend Chris is really called David and the woman i work with is called Jayne but her real name is Francis. How bizarre!

ravdeb

Our windows all leak. Wanna come and install new ones? We don't have double glazing. We have cheapy, awful sliding windows and if the winds blow when it's raining, we get lots of water that overflows in the frames and spills down the wall onto the floor. Another reason why I hate winter..the rains and water on the floor!

Oh and in my studio... outside my dh poured cement so I'd have a bit of a patio..only it is on a slope and yep...rain water comes in under the door. I've always got a flood in my studio by the door in the winter!

About names...I met my dh in the States and he told me his name was Avi. All his cousins in the States called him Avi. No problem. I go to Israel the first time with him and we walk into his parents' house and they greet him with "Avremi!" and I look behind me thinking somebody else just walked in. "WHO THE HECK IS AVREMI??" I asked my soon to be husband....

His parents and all the people in town call him Avremi but he got the name Avi when he was in the army and it's easier to say so he used it when he was in the States. Very weird. I call him Avi but his parents call him Avremi!!!

ake

hi ladies,

in regards to suzanne sommers...i read that a lot of onc. are a bit conerned about what she is saying because some of the treatments she promotes actually increase your estrogen levels and for women who are er+, they might try these treatments and it could be dangerous. i believe in both science and alternative treatments....I'll take anything I can get.

not much going on here...just got home from the gym and had some lunch. i always have a little kid kind of lunch....just finished my peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chips, and a banana

i had a little bit of a meltdown last night....i just started reading research about breast cancer and all these studies contradict each other and no one really knows what is best and there are some other posts/boards where women LOVE to talk about mortality rates and statistics (which i don't understand...i feel like that is self-defeating to think about those things) and I just got all panicky. Started crying to my husband....I just kept asking him if he thought the cancer would ever come back. He just hugged me and said, "You got this far, why wouldn't you get farther?" These little meltdowns are so strange...I feel strong and confident and beautiful a lot of the time but all of a sudden, I start picturing the inside of my body, wondering if there is any cancer in there, wondering if I'm being treated correctly, wondering, wondering, wondering....and then panic and fear. Grrr as I always say!

anyways, today I feel a bit better....I think that's why I love going to the gym because I feel so strong after I get back.

ok, i'm off to work. love you all

-amy

TracySeattle

I want two names too! That is so cool! My mom named me Tracy because she hated it when kids had nicknames. I have felt deprived all of my life because I didn't have a nickname. Isn't that the way that it always goes?

TracyNY

Whenever I hear studies about bc I change the channel. There was one this morning about red meat. Aside from the fact that I hardly eat it anyway, I don't want my spirit disturbed with "what if's"

I'm going to live until I die. Enjoying every moment, eating and drinking responsibly, to hell with researchers and sound bytes. Don't let them get at you Amy. Meltdowns are okay too, a good cry every once in a while clears out the tear ducts.

I just came from my regular surgeon who says everything looks normal. And while I was at the bus stop on my way to the dr's office, I went into an antique shop and bought a mahogany china cabinet. Its gorgeous.

Yeah yeah, I'll post pictures!!

Tracy NY

ravdeb

Amy... I'm glad you have your cute husband to lean on when you have a melt down. I think we all wonder once in a while.

I had forgotten til today that I actually only had 3 out of the 4 dose dense AC and then instead of dose dense Taxol as was the original plan, I had 12 weekly Taxol because they were afraid my body wouldn't be able to deal with the dose dense, since I didn't do so great with the dose dense AC.

At the time, I was worried sick. I was angry. I remember yelling at my doctors in the hospital (and this is when I realized I was tough!)that no matter what, I wanted that 4th AC dose. And I remember crying to them and telling that that I had to get out of the hospital because I needed to get the next chemo. I was so angry. And then all three of my oncologists I see came to me and told me I'd be okay, etc...

Well, I thought about that today. I'm triple neg..that was my only chance and I am not so sure it all worked.

I guess I'll only know if it comes back...

Tracy NY...a new china cabinet..sounds nice.

cathy987

What an education I am getting from all of you.

Jill–Tea bagging the craft and Hogmanay

Laura–Russian (He-he!)

Debbie–English (Jammy Dodgers)

Deb–Jewish holidays in depth, Kosher kitchens and how they work. That pomegranates can grow outside your door.

Victoria and Amy–Appreciation of New Mexico and New York artists.

TracyNY–What it’s like to track down knock-off purses in Manhattan.

TracySeattle–many different ways to give service

Victoria, Deb, more about donkeys than I ever imagined. Never thought about them at all before.

Mary–the best short description of the LDS church I’ve every read.

Paula–about the Russian/Jewish migration to Australia via Israel.

Kelly–that there’s another person who is even more interested in comparative religions than I am and isn’t afraid to ask the questions. (I too wanted to be a nun when I was young).

And definitely more about Breast Cancer than I would have been able to eek out on my own. I truly believe “Knowledge is Power” and that focusing on facts and sharing experiences and knowledge makes us able to face the future. I also believe that world peace is based on understanding and caring for all people and this microcosm of 20 plus diverse women is a key to that end.

Oofda (Minnesotan/North Dakotan/Norske for OMG) Way too deep here.

I’ll probably be a bit quiet for a few days. I’m on a flying trip Wednesday to the Netherlands to attend the International version of our National show. We’ll see how Wi-Fi works there.

Will continue to think about Laura, Graycie and Victoria and await reports.

TracyN–I think your right on about melt downs being a way to clear out the tear ducts. and living life like you do is a model to follow.

Have to work. Love you all.

Anonymous

and marymelodi and sherryhaire -

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TaDah -
I'm doing fine...just playing the waiting game. Hey, I think you should have your words: I'm going to live until I die, after your name as a quote. Very good. Another good one is: You can live your life as a diseased person or you can live your life as a person with a disease.

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Girls -
I'm not going to get a horse or a donkey! I would love a horse, but my dh is worried that I would want to bring it into the house as soon as it got cold outside! LOL

I read SS's book, The Sexy Years. She is all about bio-identical hormone replacement, has a personal Endocrinologist and only takes Compounded supplements. I just can't seem to NOT BE confused about the whole hormone thing. I thought the book would answer my questions about hormones and menopause, but it confused me even more. I don't know if she's legit/genuine or just trying to make a buck or both. I thought she said in the book she didn't need chemo. Unless she had a recurrence that I didn't know about.

Laura

Paula15089

Quote:

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Paula... when Laura first posted that link for the Russian I was thinking..oh..Paula would know what her name is in Russian...so..did it look familiar???

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lol... too funny!! but fortunately, no, not familiar with the subject at all!

Amy - we all have those little meltdowns. We can't pretend this never happened - we'd be deluding ourselves. The most upsetting part for me, is whenever i have an ache or pain anywhere, i immediately link it to cancer. No pain is just a pain anymore.

Laura - we are all holding your hand!!

Hey girls, i know its a somewhat controversial subject, but has anyone done any research on Goji juice? A friend of mine got me a bottle and i am drinking it daily now... very sceptical, i admit. But he said his friend got cured of his diabetis this way.

oh, and some good news - have found out that my scales are wrong, so i am not quite as heavy as i was thinking myself to be! Now i just need to get myself some new scales... or perhaps i wont bother!

love you all

debbie444

Oofda (Minnesotan/North Dakotan/Norske for OMG) Way too deep here.
Whats that mean????


Amy - i could have written your last post ( apart from the gym bit - and cuddling your husband of course!)

If i am not around tomorrow I have been poisoned by the pomegranate that you talked me into buying at Tescos tonight (had to go grocery shopping at 10.00pm as couldnt leave dog earlier and Roger in from work late)
Deb - wish they grew outside my door - £1.00each here!

RoseMarie

Lol Debbie! I haven't been to the grocery store in the last few days but I plan on looking for Pomegranates/juice too!
My cousin is in some sort of pyramid/multi-level thing and is selling some supposedly powerful juice. - he's trying to get me to buy some- can't hurt, I guess...except my pocket book...
I haven't had a real melt down since the lipstick/ mastectomy movie...although I must admit a meltdown threatened as I was praying for Laura and Cindy and thinking about what they were going through. I wish we could live a stress free life(yes I'm idealistic) I wish all the worries would just simply disappear...
I have had some "cancer free" days where I just don't think about it but then I have those moments when I feel a strange twinge or even a head ache and think - hmmmmmm
oh well, have a wonderful night ladies. Gotta go - If I don't turn off my 8 year old's light he'll read all night!!! (great problem to have!)

Anonymous

Rosemarie, I did buy some of the Mangosteen ... which is a multi level marketing product claiming to have the anti-oxidents that we need. I bought 3 huge bottles. It was good but it's expensive. I use Juice Plus instead, which is another multi level marketing thing but I saw the results on my blood work. It really brought my blood levels back to normal. I use the red, the green and the purple. I buy it from a lady at work.

cathy987

Oofda (more often spelled Uff da) is a Norwegian expression commonly used in Minnesota to express many things: exhaustion, pain, a term for sensory overload. (This according to Wikipedia) I was only trying to say I had probably said enough and I was getting in over my head with my solution for world peace.

Victoria and Debbie, I am in love with both Sam and Chloe. I would so love to have a dog but it wouldn’t be fair to him/her since I’m gone so much. I have big problems keeping plants alive.

Victoria, your good labs and your good visit with your oncologist shows in your face. You’re glowing.

Take care all. Good night

Anonymous

Kelly: I was 50 at dx, a few months before my 51st b-day. That makes me 52 today. Before my dx I was still getting asked for my i.d. every time I ordered a drink. After dx I look (and feel) 20 years older! So I guess I look my age now. I'm not complaining. All this is small stuff.

Debbie: Tell Sam to stop being jealous. He needs a romantic beard like he needs a hole in the head (oh... sorry, he already has one). Seriously, though, I am so glad to see him looking better.

Victoria: Your little Chloe is adorable!!

Laura: My gut says you're fine. I'm sending you a warm hug. Here it goes... can you feel it?

Ladies, Monday wasn't that bad:
It was the first rainy school day this year (that means it drizzled and the kids had to stay in during recess). The children ate their snacks and wanted to do writing workshop!!
My assistant brought me back a breakfast sandwich, and I gobbled it up in less than 5 minutes.
My 11-year-old did not say, "Stop embarrassing me!"
I was able to cook dinner and my family actually enjoyed it.

All's well in my little world. Hope you're all doing fine as well.