2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

Curlylocks

Ravdeb - I enjoy taking the time to respond to everyone, this is a super group of ladies.

Kelly - I am tired just reading your post of to do items. I know I am very lucky to have had great benefits at work and could take the time off during surgery, chemo, rads and some recovery and do count myself as very lucky. I have no children and couldnt imagine how hard it has been for you to take care of your daughter while you were going through treatment and even now being a single mom and working fulltime. Your daughter is very lucky to have such a great mom!

Michele Wenz

Anonymous

Graycie -
Your new avatar is great! Your hair is really looking good!

Mary, Cathy, Graycie -
I love the photos! I wish I would have had them in time for the dvd. Maybe I'll edit it, add one of them, and post it here. Shucks!

Brenda -
Take care of that foot! I hope it gets better soon...before the 18th of January, perhaps!

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

I HAVE SOME REALLY GREAT NEWS!

OMG - I CAN HARDLY RESTRAIN MYSELF! Okay...my dh and I are going to CA on January 18th. to meet with the guy who is building the engine for our race car. We are going to see the engine "dyno'd": that's when they attach it to a huge diagnostic machine to verify/read the horse power and the rpm's...you know...all that good stuff! LOL...blah, blah, blah...but anyway, Thursday night, the 18th, I am meeting KELLY in Pasadena and BRENDA is possibly driving up from San Diego to meet us too! I am so excited! If anyone else wants to join us - PLEASE DO! I hope my drains are out by then...We fly into LAX on Thursday, drive to our hotel in Valencia, check in, drive to Pasadena, meet 2 fabulous Rocktober Girls at a restaurant there, get the engine dyno'd Friday, have dinner with the builder of the engine and his wife Friday night, Saturday morning drive up the coast to San Francisco to visit my girlfriend, her dh and their two adorable kids. Stay over night in San Fran and fly home from there Sunday night! Crazy, huh? But well worth it. I just pray the pain from the Prophyl is gone, the drains are out, and I'm feeling good. If not, I'll have to rely on pain meds to get me though it. I just can't miss this for anything. I just know the hand-made pink earrings, the October Angel, the pink and silver bracelet, the helping hand from Israel (you know who you are) and a beautiful shade of pink lipstick on my lips will get me through it all!

Laura

cathy987

Laura

Your news is the greatest and couldn’t be happening to a nicer person. I think these “mini” reunions are just preparing us for the big one next year. I would just love to join you three but am going to be in Seattle the weekend before and hope to be meeting up with Tracy. All of this meeting and greeting makes me think of an old childhood song, “The more we get together the happier we’ll be…” You actually inspired me to think how I could combine what I do for a living with getting together with all of my sisters when you said you planned to fly to everyone’s location and participate in their breast cancer walks/runs.

I do have an idea for getting Paula, Debbie and Jill here too, if they can arrange the time. Dare I suggest the weekend of November 9-11, 2007?

I’m so glad you finally made yourself a shirt. You look good in it. I would be happy to pay for a long sleeve version as well.

I would also like to know more about your “race car.” Who races and in what class. My boys and I are big NASCAR fans. Have been for years. Long story involve with that. Through the years my company has also sponsored racing locally. Went to my first IRL race last year in Kansas City.

Anonymous

Brenda!!!! Yeeeeehaaaa!! You have to drive up if you can!! You'll be able to meet my Teryn and David at the same time. The restaurant is going to be such fun, too!

maryannecb

Hi, love all the new pics posted this weekend. Every one is looking relaxed and happy.

Wow Kelly you have a visitor coming, Brenda hope you can make it.Don't forget pictures!

Life is so busy preparing for the holidays. I am happy to report my house, inside and out is now decorated and the tree is done too. Now I have to bake a few things and finish up my shopping.

I drove to my Mom's house two hours away yesterday to bring her here. She thinks we are celebrating Christmas here. But...we are going to her house on Friday! My sister and brother and their families will also be going there, as well as my aunt and uncle. 17 people, all together. We have kept it a secret as she would surely freak out cleaning and cooking. This way, we have enough time to pull it off I hope. Should be fun at any rate. Hope I can keep my mouth shut for 4 more days.

Tattoo.....I think I would want an image or words not Chinese characters. I like the phoenix too as it symbolizes our rise from the ashes.

By the way Laura, no problem with the slide show. i like your long sleeve T. I would like one too. I can send you a check or what?

OMG if I don't write you all a Xmas card soon, know that you are on my procrastination list like all the rest of my friends. I am still trying to catch up on my thank you notes for last year.LOL. The way I see it ,it is never too late to get real mail.

Kelly, I have no idea how you managed to work...you must have felt LOUSY some days. My chemo ran for a full 26 weeks. I was toast by the end of it. I did work through rads and since but to this point I am not up to full speed. I may try to work harder in the New Year as My oldest is off to University next year and it will be costly. Sorry about your Tax bill...you shouldn't have opened the envelope until after Xmas.

I am getting a little jealous of all the meetings...sigh. Nov9th weekend sounds OK. Can we see Oprah? That would be cool. What else is Chicago famous for, other than the homeland of Laura?

Fists up!

Anonymous

Mary-Anne, I think you and I had the same treatment, 4 A/C then 12 Taxols with Herceptin and then finishing up the one year Herceptin.

I feel bad, I haven't even done one Xmas card! I hope everyone forgives me!!

I am sure full of wonder at Cathy's idea to get our Debbie, Paula and Jill here!

Victoria, I pray that you and Dave can make it!! What a wonderful treat that would be for all of us! Laura, I can't wait til January!!!

---------
Remember when my ex took my check, forged my name, violated the restraining order??? Well, it's all done now. Matter of public record, so I can say: ITS OVER. He was found guilty of forging my name, possessing a stolen check and violating the domestic violence restraining order. He now has a jail sentence, 400 hours of community service and another 3 year restraining order. I think with the charges he has it will be pretty hard for him to get good work. Still not paying his child support, so it's time to take that to court again but I won't have to hire an atty this time, the DA's office takes care of it.

Finally, I hope he learned his lesson that he cannot just do whatever he wants cuz HE wants to.

maryannecb

Kelly it was similar but in Canada it is most common to have chemo every three weeks, that is why my active treatmnet took so long. I can remember most of you did dose dense AC then 12 tax so were done almost 6 weeks ahead or more.

I could have worked if I had no choice but luckily I had some resources to fall back on. You are very strong and tough. I am glad your ex got what he deserves. Hope he meets Bubba in prison.LOL.

Fists up!

Anonymous

AC was every 3 weeks then the taxol was weekly instead of every 3 weeks, which was a pain in the cuzoo.

ravdeb

Here, the top oncs are going by American research (not American Cancer Society)and push for aggressive treatments. I am not sure that's the best way to go..well...for me it was NOT in the end!

Laura...that is sooooooooooooooo very cool! How terrific to meet up with Kelly, too, and hopefully Brenda. That is toooooooooooooooooooooooo exciting! I'm jealous!

I need a private jet so I can pop over to Debbie and Jill for tea..they are the closest to me!! Anyone wanna donate to the cause???

I read all the posts..have no time to write..must get a move on...lots to do. Just know that in that list of "Lots To Do" I'm working on a little something to send to each of you.

Love you all...

scottishlass

Hello everyone,

I am getting into the christmas spirit here now. We have had about 3 weeks of rain - thankfully it has stopped or I suspect half of Scotland would be washed away. Anyway this morning it was frosty and ever so beautiful with great blue skies. In fact it is 3.00pm here - just about getting dark and is still frosty.
Laura - received the CD today - THANK YOU - just wished I had been braver earlier on and joined you sooner. It was beautiful.
Debbie - thanks for the card - got my husband thinking as he thought he knew all my friends - little does he know how many new ones I have made recently!!!

I do not know how widespread the TV program Dr. Who has gone recently (BBC production since the sixties which has recently been revived). What we really need is a Tardis and then we would be able to transport ourselves easily to a single location - on this world or another - this is my 11 year old son's solution to any logistical problem - What do you think ?
Cheers Jill

RoseMarie

Whew! A lot to catch up!!
Jill - that sounds good!
MaryAnne - my dad is from Cuba and my mom is from Spain. They met in NYC in the mid 60's while riding the subway - mom was reading the spanish newspaper...my dad is my hero. He started college as soon as he got to the US and knew no english. He went on to get his PhD and teaches at the community college in Tallahassee.
The wedding was very sweet and it was fun hanging out with my family. My sister's kids just couldn't figure out how I was there without my kids!
Love all the posts but can't respond to all right now!! Wish I could to CA too!!
Nov. 9-11 works for me...should we go ahead and make that THE date??
RE tattoos...I probably won't be joining you either...I am scared...of my mother...:) JK but I really am a big chicken but I'll cheer you on and celebrate with you. Maybe I'll get a lick-um-and-stick-um kind.
Lots of love to all of you!

RoseMarie

Here's a pic of my sister (with baby #9), mom, me, and g-ma

And here is my mom with my nephew:

Anonymous

RoseMarie, you look so much like your gorgeous mom!!

TracySeattle

Hi Everyone!

I just love reading all of your posts, but I am finding that I don’t have time to respond to each of you like I would like to!

Things are CRAZY this week trying to get ready for Christmas! I almost have my shopping finished, just a few small things to get at Target tonight. But everything needs to be wrapped still!!! So I will be trying to fit that into the already busy schedule that I have this week.

Dave and I have been really busy and I do find that I struggle trying to keep up with him and he is 10 years older than I am!!! On the weekends I have do drrraaagggg myself out of bed at 10am!!!

I survived the horrible storm that we had last week. Our power did not go out so we were the lucky ones. There are still a lot of people here that are without power and it is cold! Dave and I went to ride on the Christmas Boats Friday night. Our plan was to eat dinner in Kirkland before we got on the boats. When we go to Kirkland – there was not a light in the entire city. Everything was closed—it was very erie, it felt kind of like those movies that you see about the nuclear war. We finally settled on stopping at a grocery store that was operating under emergency power. We bought some snacks (nothing refrigerated, of course) and ate in the car before we got on the boats. Those poor people are still without power today!

I am up for whatever type of tattoo we all agree on – I think it would be symbolic for us all to get the same one. Maybe we should try to get them when we are all together next November! LOL!

Have we talked about a date yet for November?

Well, as usual, I am at work and on the run…… Have a good day, everyone!

ravdeb

Nov 9 - 11 is okay with me!
Rosemarie..I looked at the pictures quickly and had to take a second look..you are a copy of your mom!!!! That is amazing!!!
Lovely pictures. Sounds like you had a nice time..and relaxing! I love getting away to be with family (and without my kids! shhhh..shhh..don't tell!!!).

I'd do a version of sticker type tattoo, too! That's as far as I'll take it..or the henna. Had henna last summer done by an Indian woman. It was intricate and lovely, actually!

Tracy..glad you were WITH power. Heard that Celia from the boards here was without power.

So, Jill..does your 11 year old son have means of getting us a Tardis? I mean..I'm game! You can tell him that!!!

TracyNY

Rosemarie: You and your mother are the spitting image! Wow!

Laura: Love, love, love the new avatar! You look maaahvelous.

Ravdeb: Digging that secretary. Why is the little man in the orthodox looking outfit dangling in midair?!

I went shopping like a maniac this weekend. Lenox warehouse has a sale and I bought $1700 worth of pieces for $284!! My china cabinet is about to erupt!

I also ran into a Ralph Lauren sample sale and bought nine purses for $140. I met a friend in the city which was bedlam, Manhattan was wall to wall people and then I went to a party after all that. I am so exhausted!

ake

wow...rosemarie...you look just like your mom!!!!! she's beautiful too

i am nervous about getting a tattoo, but really want one because i want to mark what a went through on my own terms...i have my scars, my nip tattoos, all that...but i want a mark of my strength on my own terms. i like the idea of a phoneix....what other images have to do with strength?

i'm still coughing from a nasty case of bronchitis that followed my cold and fever, but i'm hanging in there. had a great chanukah weekend with my family...the weather was beautiful, so we took advantage of our time at the beach. as always, i'm attaching a picture of my family at the end of this.

i'm anxiously awaiting to see what comes out of the san antonio symposium for breast cancer. i've looked at the abstracts and there doesn't seem to be much for us premenopausal women (grrr!) but, we'll see. i have my doctor appt. in january, so i'll ask her then...i want her to give it to me blunt....should i shut down my ovaries? will i ever have kids? i just want to know.

in january...it will be a year since i stopped chemo. that makes me so nervous. does that milestone make anyone else jittery? i really saw chemo as my protection, my armor, and it's crazy that it's been a year since i had it! my family and i are planning a vacation in october...we're going to go to london (my mom lived there for a year abroad and i've been there once....love it!) and i realized...wow, in october, i'll be past my 2 year anniversary! then i get nervous and think, i hope i'm still okay then! ah, the life of a breast cancer survivor...what a pain sometimes!

so, when are we meeting in nov??

here are pics of my family at the beach this weekend

[image][/image]

[image][/image]

ravdeb

Great pictures, Amy! You look just beautiful!
And Amy...do NOT go there about worrying over your year anniversary since chemo, and how you will be next October!!! I know what you mean about the chemo, of course. I think that is a common thread that weaves in and out. But..as much as it was your armor..just remember how you feel today..healthy and full of life after all of that chemo. Chemo did its job and now we are reaping the benefits of it. Really..you look sooooooooo full of life in your pictures and you are so lucky to have the opportunity to spend wonderful family weekends together. I know you are grateful for that. (Check out my new signature!!!).

TracyNY..thanks on the secretary. That is a Chassid puppet I got in the Jewish quarter in Prague a few years ago! So, he's dangling from my plant basket!

You sure did do a lot of shopping!!! You know how to live!!!

marymelodi

I'm at work . . . can't type much. But, I am good for November 9 to 11, also.

So let's get it settled . . . November 9-11 . . . can we all make it? I think Cathy is going to make a generous offer to our 3 gals from Scotland, England, and Autralia so lets all the rest of us do our best to clear the decks and make at this happen. I will get a second job, if needed.

Mary

TracySeattle

I am cool with November 9-11!!!

Kelly - are you going to keep track of who can some this weekend for us?? You do it so well!

chumfry

Any weekend is fine with me. I'm close enough to drive.

ravdeb

OMG I'm getting so excited!!!! I saw this on the active topics..looks so GOOD..2005 ROCK-TOBER GIRLS!!!

Love you all!

Anonymous

Hey, I am emptying groceries and then have to pick up Little Girl but I noticed that Melissa or Tami edited the name of our thread to 2005 Rock-tober Chemo Girls! LOL!!

I am so proud to be part of this wonderful support group we have!

I am going to do my utmost to be there the 2nd weekend of November!!

RoseMarie

Just checking in - LOVE the new thread title!!!
Beautiful pics Amy!! Hope you're totally better soon!! So glad you had a nice weekend with your family.
My mom and I do look alike - even more so now with short hair. My dad kept doing a double take every time I walked in the room!

Paula15089

Amy, your hair is so LONG!! Mine is still curly, so looks shorter than it is..

Girls, I would absolutely love to join you next November. But since i work for an airline, and travel on a standby basis, its a bit too early for me to make plans. Obviously, I would have to come for longer than just 2 days, so i will have to plan my holidays around that time. The shopping in US is fabulous!

Kelly, great news re your ex. Must be some weight off your shoulders.. How is the new boy in your life?

Ravdeb, your new signature has reminded me of something i have read in the papers today. There is this nightclub in Melbourne that is hosting a Xmas party, where the girls that come wearing their bikinis, get free entry and free drinks... caused quite an uproar here!

luve the new thread title by the way..

Anonymous

Great pics, Amy and Rosemarie!!

My foot is feeling better! I am itching to drive to Pasadena. I found out that the 19th is not a national holiday like I thought (MLK Jr.'s b-day will be celebrated on the 15th) which means I will be able to get the 19th as a personal day (You're not allowed to have a personal day next to a holiday - I know, it's complicated). This means I will most probably be able to meet with Laura and Kelly, if everything goes well.

I will still see my doctor tomorrow. I still have a little limp. And because of my limp Angus just learned to walk, and not run while we were out earlier.

Rosemarie, my husband is a Spaniard. My kids are half Spaniards!

I went to Target today and bought foot massaging slippers for all of my sisters in law (I have 4). I got a pair for me as well. I was driving while my left foot was vibrating!! Good thing my car does not have a clutch!

maryannecb

More Tattoo thoughts---Rock- means strength and vitality, it is also part of our chemo groups name. Don't know if we could find a stylized picture of a rock or mountain..or maybe just the word?

Tadah no wonder you need storage, I haven't owned 9 purses in my life!

Nice to have our thread renamed. Should lead to less confusion with new starts. Will make it easier to find too.

Had a long day at work then had to mail my Xmas parcels...a little late, I know. Oh well, nothing like a late present.

Rosemarie, thanks for the pics. Everyone is right you are identical to your Mom. Amazing really. I come from 8 children so I envy your sister. There was never a dull moment growing up and well I have a gazilllion relatives now. My family origin is Scottish on Dad's side and Irish on Mom's. Both sides came to Canada in the early 1800's. I still feel connected to our heritage and would someday like to visit these countries.

Jill, I remember Dr. Who from the early seventies. I loved it then. Haven't seen the new version. Is it similar at all?

I am having a biopsy of a skin rash on my back. It may be a basal cell skin cancer. If it is I will have the whole thing removed later by my surgeon. I had a small skin Ca on my arm when I was 32 so will not be surprised if this is another. And yes, if the techs can find anything to squeeze into the mammo machine next month, they will. Ouch even thinking about it.

Brenda, good luck at the docs.

Fists up!

Anonymous

Good luck to you too, Mary-Anne. I wish they'd invent something to replace the squeeze machine.

ake

i'm in for november!

i love that our thread is changed to the rocktober girls!!!

Paula15089

oooh... thanks Victoria! since i am currently in the boy-drought, my ego can do with some compliments...

yep, I work for Qantas, which is an Australian national carrier. Not as a hostess, unfortunately, i am a business analyst.

Ladies, has anyone got a new Wii game console? I am a self-confessed gadget queen, and am desperate to get my hands on one, but they are sold out practically everywhere in Australia!!