2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

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  • RoseMarie
    RoseMarie Member Posts: 502
    edited December 2006
    Checking in also...can't wait to hear from the Rocking sisters.
    Amy, glad you had fun at the party- hope it was more fun than stress!
    Ravdeb - the pics are amazing!! WOW!! How awesome! I'm so glad you had such a wonderful time! How sweet of your dh!!
    Tracy - You look beautiful!! and so does your furniture!! Sooo nice!!!
    I'll be back...
  • linny
    linny Member Posts: 204
    edited December 2006
    Laura has my address, my birthday is June 23, 1950. Laura, thinking of you and hoping your decision will be the right one, I am glad that you have a supportive husband who is there for you.

    TracyNY you look beautiful and healthy and I love the cabinet.

    Ravdeb, I am excited to see the rest of your pictures, what a lovely birthday weekend. In the past when we traveled past Bedouin camps, I wondered how they have TV antennas in the middle of the desert, but no electricity - what am I missing?

    Someone posted a lovely prayer of thanks to God on another thread (I will try to find it) - did anyone see it? I had mixed feelings, I am not always thankful, sometimes quite angry at the pain and injustice of the world, and the suffering of cancer patients. I think that some people have a greater ability to accept what life throws them and look for the positive. Even though I consider myself a positive person who loves life, I cannot "sugarcoat" what has happened to me and everyone else smitten with cancer. No life is not fair, and I am certainly not ready to take it on the chin without a few angry doubts about divine mercy.

    Linda
  • linny
    linny Member Posts: 204
    edited December 2006
    Forgot to mention, Isaac was scheduled to have cochlear implant on Dec. 20th, but the insurance turned it down. They will not authorize payment until his first birthday (Feb. 4) since FDA does not recommend surgery before that. My daughter is disappointed, she has been working with him on therapy (he has hearing aids and sees a therapist 3 times a week) and she does a lot at home. However, she feels it is pointless, that he cannot hear anything at all (profoundly deaf) and she feels real progress cannot be made until after the surgery.

    On a second issue, my lovely daughter in law has Crohn's disease, and since her pregnancy 1 1/2 years ago, it has been pretty much out of control. After two rounds of prednisone, she is now on Purinethol (6-mercapturone, I think its spelled) which is actually a cancer medication!! Has anyone heard of it - I am totally freaked out when I read the side effects.

    Linda
  • Paula15089
    Paula15089 Member Posts: 373
    edited December 2006
    Arrgh so much to catch up on!!
    TaDah - you look gorgeous, girl!!
    Ravdeb - happy (belated) birthday!
    Laura, I know how you feel. I am contemplating a proph mast myself. Its a tough decision for sure. Made all the harder for me because I havent had babies yet and here will go my chance to breasfeed..
    Amy - trust me, 30th is a GREAT birthday. I felt so good when i celebrated mine - more accomplished, mature, like i was opening a new chapter in my life. And you have all the reasons to feel that way!

    This past sunday me and a few girlfriends went to a Pink Pamper day (BC and Lymphoma charity day). Lots of pampering like massages, makeovers, etc. Ahh, the foot massage is a piece of heaven! I had an anti-oxidant test done (measuring the level of anti-oxidants in your body through you skin), and guess what? I am beoynd 'very high' level!!! All my juices must be paying off.

    I also finally had a proper haircut, so my hair doesnt resemble a mop anymore, and had highlights put through my hair... Boy was it hard seeing bits of my precious hair flying on to the floor!!! I think it will take a looooooong time to grow them out...

    love you all,
    Paula
  • Graycie
    Graycie Member Posts: 839
    edited December 2006
    Hi Everyone, Well I am home and Cathy and Mary are on there way back to Rochester. We had a wonderful visit.....It was like we knew each other forever and we never ran out of thing's to say. They were just as nice as I thought they would be.We were there almost 5 hours, let's put it this way, long enough for my husband to have my daughter call the restaurant because he was worried about me.......We each took some pictures and I will post the one's I have soon. I better so and spend sometime with the hubby now before he feel's neglected once again....LOL......

    Gail
  • Graycie
    Graycie Member Posts: 839
    edited December 2006
    image

    Here we are the triple's.......Gee, you would think we planned to dress alike.....I didn't realize we all had black slacks on too....HEEEEE
  • marymelodi
    marymelodi Member Posts: 515
    edited December 2006
    Well, what a wonderful, wonderful day we've had! The staff at Ruby Tuesday was amazingly patient and kind to us. Cathy and Graycie-Gail are just the two nicest people. I can only imagine that a gathering of any of our Rocktober Sisters would be as terrific. We had a near-5-hour marathon of talk, laughing, talk, laughing, talk and more talk. We shared so many stories and experiences. The first thing we did after getting our drinks was to toast to all our Rocktober Sisters and especially the birthday girls. We only wish we could have been with all of you. Graycie-Gail had pictures of her family and wedding which we enjoyed so much. Cathy showed us her professional work. Did you all understand that she is a magazine publisher and I think, a well known person in her world of collectible farm toys? She is so warm and friendly. I felt like we had known each other for years. Graycie-Gail (who I now will think of with this name) is very cute and so proud of her family. Also, if you didn't know that she once had longer hair of a different color you would not suspect that anything ever had changed. She looked just great without the wig. Each of these women is very interesting and I think we could have talked for many hours more.

    All in all, a most satisfying and inspiring day for me. Thank you so much to Cathy for driving to Cheektowaga and to Graycie-Gail for checking on the restaurant and making sure we knew where to find her.

    This was a very, very good day!
    Mary
  • marymelodi
    marymelodi Member Posts: 515
    edited December 2006
    Just wanted to add that Tracy - so very glad to see you . . you are gorgeous and the cabinet is very fine, indeed.

    Ravedeb: what a wonderful birthday trip and I can tell it all made you so happy. I am so glad that you had this very nice mini-vacation. Just the very best thing, isn't it?

    Amy: wow! You continue to amaze me with you upbeat, positive outlook. I agree that coming into your thirties is like coming into your own as a woman. That is when I no longer considered myself a girl, but a full-fledged W.O.M.A.N.

    So happy today and wish I could give every one of you a big, big ((((hug)))) . . . so consider yourself hugged by me!

    Mary
  • cathy987
    cathy987 Member Posts: 179
    edited December 2006
    O.K. I'm going to try this picture posting one more time.
    image
    Two New York Rock-Tober Girls!

    image

    Graycie/Gail and our long suffering waitress/photographer!!
    What a great time we had!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2006
    marymelodi's is 1/19
    sherryhaire's is 1/26
    debbie444 is 2/6
    paula is 2/11
    lauragto's is 3/5
    maryannecb's is 3/21
    tracyseattle's is 3/25
    kelly's is 4/3
    Michelle’s is 5/20
    graycie's is 5/21
    cathy's is 5/22
    scottishlass' is 6/13
    chumfry's is 6/15
    Linda's is 6/23
    wildflower's is 6/29
    tadah's is 8/23
    adnerb is 10/18
    rosemarie's is 11/28
    ravdeb is 12/1
    amy's is 12/5
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2006
    Wow, TracyNY, you look gorgeous!! And so does your dining room.

    I am so happy, Ravdeb, that you had such a wonderful birthday! Congrats! And thanks for the camel shots!

    Linny, so sorry for you grandson but it will come in time. I have a step brother and sister who are deaf ... both lip read and never learned to sign. Can't even use telephones yet they are successful wonderful people.

    Wow, wow, wow, 3 more amigas in pink! You girls look so happy and so healthy. It brought tears to my eyes that we have formed this bond that will never break. That we love each other so much. That Laura made us our shirts and we are so connected. Thank you for meeting up with each other and making it real for all of us.

    Paula and Amy, you girls are our babies, I am so proud of both of you and how you are handling our futures and yours. I love you two. You are both so beautiful.

    Gail, keep that wig off that lovely head of yours.

    Amy, happy birthday, chica, love you.

    Victoria, chica-mama, smooches and love to you. Wish you were here, I have so much to tell you.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2006
    Just an update here:

    8 more Herceptins to go........ tomorrow is #8. Every 3 weeks.

    Dave Update: we went to church together today, then lunch, then shopping, then Teryn went to a neighbors to play and we had some private time. Wow!! We've kissed and cuddled, but no sex. I told him I am not ready for that personally nor as a couple. He said for him, my scars won't matter but that I am right, we aren't ready. I don't know when I would be ready. I am pretty conservative there. I never slept with my husband until I was married. Our dates were all chaperoned. So unchaperoned dating is all new to me. Ok, I know I sound weird.

    I have to say, I have met the most wonderful man. No matter what happens, he is a great guy. He grew up in foster homes and so he knows how transiet relationships can be and wants to 'be enough,' wants to 'be sure' ........

    I have never had someone 'observe me from afar' like this. He told me that he thinks I am patient. Gosh, I thought I was impatient. He told me that he watched/listened as Teryn asked me a couple times the same questions and that I responded the same each time, no difference and then she 'got it' .... I have never had someone tell me that the way I am with Teryn shows how kind I am, how patient. Gosh, I feel like a different person in someone else's eyes. How do I even explain what he said. I felt like WonderWoman and have never felt that before.
  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited December 2006
    I was so excited to see the pictures of our Roctober stars!!! The three of you are absolutely, without a doubt...BEAUTIFUL!! I love you all so much!!!!

    Gail...you look really stunning with your cute hair like that. I really mean it! I think you are just not used to having short hair but honestly...you look wonderful. I'm sure you look even better in person. Feel liberated and put your wig in a safe place (like mine..smashed into the back of my closet!!) and realize that a new you has blossomed.

    I'm happy to see that my hair matches well with Cathy's and Mary's. We must use the same hair dye!!!

    I wanted to tell you all that I wore my rocktober shirt all day yesterday and have several pictures of me in it but none turned out all too great since my dh does NOT know how to take pictures!!!!! But, I will post as soon as I get them on the photobucket.

    Amy... that must have bee tough with the inlaws and your parents. You know that when we marry, we marry into different cultures. I'm not talking about national cultures, I'm talking about family cultures. YOu could have married into an American family but the difference in culture would still be there.

    The jokes about inlaws are in order to ease the pain! It's very tough and you are newly married, but eventually things either mellow out or you just get used to it or you begin to understand each other better. Of course, it was hard for your dh, too. Our parents can often embarrass us!

    And you married into more than just a different family culture. I did, too. It's not easy. But, after all these years (and I live next door to my inlaws!), I've learned to understand them better and where they are coming from and thus..why the heck they say and do the things that they say and do!!! It can be hurtful but now that they are much older, I understand it.

    But your party sounded fun! Very different and a fun way to enter into the 30's. Now that I recall "way back then", I also was excited about turning 30, but you have even MORE reason for it! Very special, indeed!!!!

    Kelly... enjoy feeling like a queen. That is how you SHOULD feel! He should make you feel special if he really cares about you and it sounds like he does.

    And no..you are not weird...I admire you for your beliefs before marriage.. this is very special, as well, and rare... hold on to what you believe.

    Linda... I wish Isaac much luck with the operation. Poor little thing..so tiny to have to go through so much!!! I have a friend who is a rabbi (naturally...many know me as having rabbinical friends!)who before he became a rabbi, was invited to sing at synagogue in Chicago for the deaf. He thought that was strange but went along with it. In the audience was a beautiful woman who he instantly fell in love with. She was a member of this deaf congregation. They married. He studied at a special school after he became a rabbi, to be a rabbi for the deaf. He now does Passover seders in S. AFrica for a community of deaf people..he does all the signing.

    Linda..Rabbi Kushner from Boston who is a conservative rabbi, wrote the book "Why Bad things Happen to Good People". You might want to read that. It could help you as you search for answers to why this happened to you....
  • RoseMarie
    RoseMarie Member Posts: 502
    edited December 2006
    Wiping tears...
    First of all - Thank you, thank you, thank you, ladies for posting and sharing about your get together!!! You are all so sweet and beautitful!!!
    Kelly - I am so happy for you!! Big hugs, girl!!
    Ravdeb- you are always so insightful and sweet!!

    I have another updated Rocktober girl list - I'll be sending that out shortly.
    Have a great day...
  • cathy987
    cathy987 Member Posts: 179
    edited December 2006
    Mary and Gail hav e so exactly described our meeting that I can only add that it was a wonderful day getting to know my sisters better. Mary is as wise and kind as she comes across here. Gail, besides being a wonderful Mom and Grandma is a warm and funny person. I truly feel fortunate to have been able to meet these friends and get to know them on a new level.

    I think it’s important for as many of you who can meet together in the next year to do so. Laura, it seems that from previous discussions it’s your place. Now set the date. Make it so most of you original Rock-Tober girls can be there. Don’t try to find a date when everyone can come. From what you all said before it would seem that the only time for the US/Canada girls and Ravdeb would be early to mid November. I would personally myself vote for the second weekend but if the first makes it more possible then set it for then. I have some ideas about how Paula, Debbie and Jill could be included if a date works.

    Ravdeb-great pictures of your vacation. I’ve read your post this morning and there are so many things I want to share with you that we have in common and I also want share with others of you who have posted in the past couple days how special you are but I easily run out of steam and time–Never love and caring.

    I have three days at home this week so will try to catch up.

    I love you special women!

    Sherryhaire, please let us know you are o.k
  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited December 2006
    Next on our tour of the south is "Mitzpei Ramon" where the crater that is called Ramon is. This picture is a young "eyal" or ram. That's what the guys who were doing rappeling told me. I can't tell the difference but...

    He/she is standing on a wall overlooking the crater.

    image
  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited December 2006
    This is the young "eyal's" grandpa!

    image
  • ake
    ake Member Posts: 684
    edited December 2006
    love the pictures! you're a fabulous photographer!

    so, when we all gettin' together? let's set a date!
  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited December 2006
    Victoria..have a great time!!!

    Here's the rest of the family... they just wander around. We are in their home, afterall!

    image
  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited December 2006
    I'm okay with any time at the beginning of November. My parents said that if I'm in the States then, then I should hop on over to Florida and join them for Thanksgiving, which I would do. So, even the second week in Nov is okay with me...

    I'm having fun picking out pictures to share with you all!!! I'm on a roll!
  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited December 2006
    I hope she is okay!

    And Paula..I'm waiting for a pic of your new hair do!!!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2006
    Hi Girls -
    First and foremost thanks for all the encouragement and advice and words of wisdom...as always your consideration is appreciated. I guess I'll just have to put my lipstick on and let them wheel me in!

    Gail, Cathy, Mary -
    All I can say is WOW! You all look great! Gail, your hair looks great! Isn't meeting just the most incredible thing!

    TaDah -
    Love the china cabinet! You have great taste. And you look FAB/STUNNING! WOW - OMG! And so beautiful on the inside too!

    Kelly -
    I am so happy for you! Cheers to a long and wonderful relationship!

    Paula -
    I hate that you have to contemplate this decision at your age! IT's tough...I don't know what else to say. I was so envious to read of your foot massage! That is my favorite thing!

    Linny -
    Best wishes and positive thoughts to your grandson and your daughter in law...

    Amy -
    Time has flown! It seems like yesterday that we were sending birthday hugs to you for your 28th! I remember your posts last year at this time. You have come a long way! And you have quite a bit to celebrate! The "30's" are great...you will reach a remarkable level of confidence and stability and inner peace.

    ravdeb -
    WOW - your birthday was quite a celebration! You were treated like a queen...exactly what you deserve! Loved the photos...can't wait to see the rest.

    Michele -
    Nice photo! Beautiful dress, too!

    RoseMarie -
    Hey there...did you get the blizzard we got?

    Mary-Anne, Cindy, Victoria, Sherry, Jill -
    Hi there!

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

    EVERYONE -
    We had a blizzard blow in on Friday - 13 inches! Did a lot of shoveling this weekend. My little niece Shelby came to stay with us. I picked her up in my new 4x4 Explorer - it handled great in the snow! I opened the sun roof and let the snow come in - she was cracking up. Saturday night we drove across the road to my friend's house and went into her OUTDOOR hot tub! It was so funny! We ran barefoot in the snow, in our bathing suits, from the house to the hot tub - it was really cold, but when I jumped in - it was great! She has two kids, so they and Shelby were jumping off the edge of the hot tub and rolling in the snow in their bathing suits. They were piling snow on top of my head! I wish I would have taken some pics! The setting was great...full moon, deep blue sky and lots of stars! Roy grilled...yes grilled (had to find the grill in all the snow, shovel a path to get to it and then dig it out!) his famous rib eye steaks, smashed potatoes and gravy. On Sunday, we made gingerbread houses. Little Shelby was teary eyed when she had to go home...hmmmmm...can't figure out why! LOL

    Gotta start working here. Hope you're all having a great Monday!

    Laura
  • RoseMarie
    RoseMarie Member Posts: 502
    edited December 2006
    Laura - I want to come play!! I'm sad to say no, we got NO snow!! We got a light dusting last night and it was 11 F this am but that's it. My husband has to drive into Indy to work so he's happy there's not been snow -
    Linny - thoughts and prayers for your little grandson and your daughter!!
    Victoria - hugs coming your way - have fun with your friend!!
    Wow, a stone is 14lbs!!!! Way to go Debbie! I had no idea! I have lost 10 lbs and have at least a stone more to go!!
  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited December 2006
    Debbie..Now that I know what a stone is..OMG you lost a lot of weight! Can we still see you sideways???

    Laura..that is amazing about the hot tub outside and running outside in all that snow. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
  • TracyNY
    TracyNY Member Posts: 434
    edited December 2006
    What fun we're all having!! Laura, keep your head up, lipstick on and handle your business. You'll have a matching set. My tattoos do have me looking decidedly titty-ish. My eyes are getting used to them. I think the ink has to settle and blend a little more so that the little dots merge.

    Amy: That chemistry between the exes cracked me up!! I felt the air crackling just reading about it!

    Isn't it amazing that we all live in such far reaching places and we chat every day like neighbors?! I can't wait until we meet.

    The hair is my old blonde wig recolored and stitched to my braided hair. Thanks for the compliments on the cabinet. I have a drop leaf gate leg table and six chairs being refinished for delivery by Xmas, all from the same antique shop. I can't wait. I may even host Xmas dinner!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2006
    Remember we were talking about Tamoxifen versus an A.I.?
    I FOUND THIS ARTICLE
    Quote:

    Beyond Tamoxifen: Aromatase Inhibitors Improve Outcomes in Postmenopausal Women

    A majority of breast cancers are estrogen receptor–positive (ER-positive), meaning they are stimulated to grow by the female hormone estrogen. Depriving ER-positive breast cancers of estrogen can slow their growth.

    For many years tamoxifen (Nolvadex®) has been a mainstay of hormone therapy for breast cancer. Tamoxifen acts by blocking estrogen receptors. More recently, however, drugs known as aromatase inhibitors have produced superior results to tamoxifen alone in the treatment of ER-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

    In premenopausal women the ovaries are the major source of estrogen. After menopause, when ovarian hormone production drops dramatically, some estrogen continues to be produced in tissues outside of the ovaries. In this process androgens produced by the adrenal glands are converted into estrogen. An enzyme called aromatase is required for this conversion.[7] Aromatase inhibitors block the activity of aromatase and stop the conversion of androgens to estrogen. This lowers estrogen levels in postmenopausal women.

    When considering how best to use aromatase inhibitors in the treatment of postmenopausal breast cancer, researchers have considered several possibilities: aromatase inhibitors could be used for extended hormone therapy after a woman has completed tamoxifen treatment[8]; women could be switched to aromatase inhibitors after a brief (two- to three-year) period of tamoxifen therapy[9]; or aromatase inhibitors could be used in place of tamoxifen in the initial hormone therapy.[10],[11] Although it’s still uncertain which of these approaches is best, each appears to produce better outcomes than the use of tamoxifen alone. The primary benefit observed thus far is a reduction in the risk of cancer recurrence.

    In addition to reducing the risk of recurrence, aromatase inhibitors appear to produce fewer side effects than tamoxifen. Concerns with the use of tamoxifen include an increased risk of uterine cancer and blood clots. Side effects of aromatase inhibitors include decreased bone density and an increased risk of fractures.9,11,[12]

    Currently available aromatase inhibitors include Arimidex® (anastrozole), Aromasin® (exemestane), and Femara® (letrozole).


  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2006
    TaDah -
    CONGRATS ON THE TATS! LOL You continue to crack me up!

    Kelly -
    Thanks for taking the time to post that article. I am definately in the situation to ponder the two. Although, I think I may have to stay on the Tamox because I have Osteoporosis. Damn Osteop! LOL My Onc is looking in to it. I meet w/him on the 15th and will be curious to hear what his recommendation is.

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

    ANYONE CURIOUS ABOUT BONE DENSITY ISSUES -

    My bone density scan last September was ordered by my GYN, so naturally the results were sent to her. She perceived my results to classify me as having Osteopenia (the stage b/4 Osteoporosis). She said we'll do another scan next year and decide if I should go on meds to increase the density. A couple of weeks later I had an appt. w/my Rheumatologist, and just for the heck of it, I gave him hard copies of my density results. He said it was not Osteopenia, but it is DEFINATELY in the range of Osteoporosis. I trust his opinion because that's his specialty. He strongly urged me to start meds, which I have been taking ever since (Boniva -1x a month). So moral of the story...share your results with any specialists you see. Make sure each Dr. involved in your care receives copies of all your tests. You never know...and if you want to pm me your density reading, I will compare it to mine for you. Just let me know...gotta look out for each other!

    EVERYONE -
    I'm wondering who is going to be the first to receive my creation! Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm...possibly RoseMarie...she's geographically the closest. Because of the storm here, they didn't leave until this morning, bummer.

    Laura
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2006
    This seems to say that Tamoxifen is BETTER for pr+ women.....
    Quote:

    Results: In PR– cases, initial therapy with an aromatase inhibitor is superior to tamoxifen and this advantage can never be made up by switching. In PR+ cases, tamoxifen is only modestly inferior to aromatase inhibitor at the outset, and after switching to an aromatase inhibitor at 3 or 5 years the tamoxifen relapse-free survival curve catches up and then begins to surpass the aromatase inhibitor curve at 7.5 or 12 years, respectively.


  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2006

    Laura, I am so excited! Checking my mail everyday!

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