2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

debbie444

Merry Christmas to you all !
We went to the Revolution house in Chesterfield today after church( used in the 1600s to for the plot that put William and Mary on the throne). Lovely and uncommercial - and a nice way to wind down before Christmas. It is all decorated for Christmas like it would have been 400 years ago, never the one to miss a quick history lesson for the kids!

I rung my darling SIL today, without Roger knowing. I tol;d her that i knew she didnt like me , and i wasnt even going to pretend to like her anymore. Her brother however was the most important thing in my life however and she was to straighten herself out and stop making things even more difficult for him than he has had th epast 18 months. After my 5 min monologue which stunned her into silsnce, i pu the phone down and pulled it out of the socket so she couldnt ring back.

Chloe - that was naughty - you dont look like you have a bite in you! Next time i will send you something heavy to hit the postman with so you dont have to bite him!

Kelly, i can feel my eyes beginning to well up as i hear about the time you are having. It sounds like you have finally got a lucky break.

Got to get all ready - we have to be in church by 11 so we get a seat for midnight mass!

Take Care
Debbie

cathy987

I cannot believe my good fortune. I am sitting in my sister’s den/office/guestroom where she has her computer. She still uses dial-up so I didn’t expect to be able to do much more than check in once while here to see what you were all up to.

So I fired up my laptop to sort some pictures to share with the family and guess what, there was a wifi connection and there you all were.

I’m here in Texas visiting my only sister, Gini and her family. (Two nieces, one great niece and two great nephews and various spouses/special friends) Last night was Gini and Randy’s annual “Julebukken” party where friends, neighbors and family of all ages are invited to partake of all kinds of Scandinavian goodies and eggnog which comes from our family tradition in Minnesota. We had a great time.

Today we’re relaxing and will do candlelight services at church tonight before the eating and celebrating begins again.

I’ve really enjoyed the pictures and stories you’ve all shared about your holidays. It’s like we’ve all been invited into each other’s lives and celebrations. I’ve always loved holiday seasons but can’t remember when it’s been as special as this year.

Deb and Maryanne, your family surprises have really been enjoyable to share.

Victoria, the warmth of your spirit-in your words and in your picture of the lights fills me with great joy. Your wish for Peace on Earth has been my lifelong wish as well and the old “let it begin with me” resonates with me this year especially because I feel groups like ours are the beginning of real peace and understanding on earth.

Maryanne, my last Herceptin is Jaunuary 11. Let me know how you celebrate and I’ll plan my celebration. (I always was following on all of your coat-tails girls!) I want a wii. Will wait until they are readily available again. I think I might be able to play virtual tennis on it.

Laura, I’ll be back home in ND on Wednesday, cleaning my house in anticipation of some of my family coming for an extended holiday celebration but I’ll be thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way all day.

Happy holidays one and all and many, many, many just life filling celebrating days as well.

Love you all

Anonymous

Hi Girls!
Happy holidays to all of you! Cheers to a happy, healthy and fun New Year, filled with peace and lots of love!!!

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

maryanne -
Thanks for the good wishes to me on Wednesday. My fists are up in hopes your biopsy results are b9!

Victoria -
Love, love, love the luminarias!

Michelle -
My thoughts are with you and your Mom. I hope everything turns out okay.

Kelly -
I am so happy for you! You deserve this so much!

sherryhaire -
Where are you? I'm worried about you! Please check in with us.

Laura

Curlylocks

Merry Christmas from Scooby and I to all my sisters!

Michele Wenz

Anonymous

Michele -
Cute pic!
Laura

RoseMarie

Victoria - beautiful!!
Cathy- You really put into words what I was feeling - I can't wait to check in just to catch up on what everyone is doing. I love it - love being "invited into all of your lives!!"
Debbie - I love your description of the church! How awesome!!
Kelly - how very sweet of Dave! He really does sound wonderful!!
Ok - told my kids Santa would NOT come if the basement is a mess sooooo, going to go make my presence known since I'm hearing shrieks and laughter...they are sooo worried!

Graycie

Hey Everyone,

Victoria, Chloe is adorable, she looks pretty innocent to me......lol.... Your house looks so festive and pretty with the lighted up bags. Michele, I love your picture too...You have a wonderful smile, you always look so happy.....What kind of dog do you have?

I love to hear how everyone is celebrating.....Ravdeb, did you ever get my card? I hope so since Hanukkah has pretty much come and gone......Just wondering since you said you never got your Mom's birthday card. I don't think my son got the package I sent him in NV unless he got it yesterday. Maybe the post office is afraid of it. There is a toy in there that could be making noises...lol. I sent everything out on the 11th, it is hard to believe it is taking so long....Tis the season.

Cathy, you still amaze we with all your traveling....I think that is wonderful that you can afford to travel and visit all your family and friends. Are you sure you don't own stock in the airlines? lol

Rosemarie, You have the patience of a Saint, along with Debbie. I think that is cute that you helped all the kid's make gingerbread houses. They probably had a ball.....and will remember it always.....

Kelly, Dave definitely sounds like a keeper. How sweet and caring he is to get Teryn her own car seat.....

Tadah, we will be looking forward to the pictures.

Laura, I will also be there for you on Wednesday........

I better go and get ready. My daughter and her family and my brother-in-law are coming over tonight. We always get together at my house for X-mas Eve and tomorrow is the SIL's. If my MIL makes even one comment about my hair I am out of there. Kelly, I am taking your advice, I am sticking up for myself from now on......

Love to Everyone, Merry Christmas to all that celebrate.........
Gail
.

cathy987

Michele

Contageous, Yes! I'll be smiling all day, thinking of your big smile!

Thank you!

Graycie

Michele, See I'm not the only one that loves your smile......

Curlylocks

Thanks ladies for the compliment. Gracyie our pup is a belgian malinois (shephard). They generally use them to train for police dog. She's one smart cookie but very affectionate. We use to have a german sheppard but we lost him in June of this year due to old age. We liked the breed but didnt want the hair so Scooby came into our lives 3 months after loosing our shephard.

Gotta run and celebrate Christmas Eve with my husband's family. ENJOY, CELEBRATE HEALTH AND HAPPINESS EVERYONE!!

Michele Wenz

ravdeb

Michele..I love, love, love your picture! You are so gorgeous! yes..definitely the smile.

Gail..nope..something fishy is going on with the mail. I never got my birthday card from my parents so they cancelled the check and sent a new one out which I'm waiting for...

We've now settled down to just visiting and eating a lot. My dh bought a professional juicer and was making samples of juice from every type of fruit we had in the house. Pomegranate juice won, but when he mixed apple, kiwi and banana, I was happy!

Took a brisk walk on the beach with younger SIL. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed each other's company. I have to say this was the first time I have enjoyed here. Interestingly, after I returned I read my horoscope and it said I'd meet up with somebody I knew that will have changed from the past and will surprise me! Since I was with her, we walked really far down. Waves were really putting on a show for us. I loved it.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas:
Kelly with her newfound love, David.
Tracy with her love, Dave.
Victoria with her familia.
Tracy in NY with her designer bags.
Rosemarie with all those kids around the table in her new home.
Laura with hubby and cute, cute dog.
Cathy in ND with her warm words of wisdom.
Mary in NY with her spiritualism that lights our board.
debbie in adventurous England.
Paula basking in Australia.
maryanne surprising her mom.
Cindy putting bows on HAIR this year!
Brenda with her santa dog.
Amy with all the family.
Gail wondering what happened to her mail she sent.
Jill just loving to chat with everybody.
Michele with her gorgeous smile and replies to each of us.
Sherry who seems to be MIA and we miss her!!!

And of course Linda, who doesn't celebrate Christmas (nor do I!)but is busy cleaning all the wax off her Chanukiah and washing up all the oil from the latkes.

marymelodi

Hello and many wishes for happiness and love in this holiday season. I have so enjoyed following your stories and events and comments. I had a nice response to send while at work on Friday only to get trigger happy and lost it through closing my window instead of just minimizing when someone needed my attention. Gr-r-r-r!

So, I am thinking how very grateful I am for this sisterhood we have created. Today at church I was very teary thinking of how blessed I am with the friends and loved ones that have filled my life with affection and caring during the past year. This includes all of you!

I have knitted and knitted and finished a little pair of slippers for one of the girls in my youth group class just before services began. I made 5 pair of slippers and 4 scarves for these girls. Cutting it way too close! A nice thing happened at church. Recently a young girl joined our class. She has not been exposed to church much in her life but she was invited by some friends and she has been attending. Another woman in our congregation invited her to sing in our church choir and today, for the services, she invited her father. He recently gained custody of this girl and we had not ever met him before. So, I talked to him, told him how much I was enjoying getting to know her, etc. He expressed gratitude for the attention several of us have been showing to her and was agreeable to her continuing to participate in our church. He was very moved at her inclusion in the choir and said he was happy she had found friendship in the congregation. The only sad part is that he is in a bitter battle with her mother, there is much anger, and sadly, this youngster is caught in the middle. She was so happy that I had knitted her a pair of slippers and went on and on about how much she liked them, etc. It was extremely satisfying to do this small act of kindness for this young girl who most likely has many sadnesses in her life. I believe that will be my best memory of this Christmas. These are the moments I am living for. How grateful I am that I'm here to have them.

I hope you all find much love and satisfaction through the holidays and into the new year. And for anyone who does not celebrate this holiday, I still wish you all the same love and happiness that I wish for everyone else. It doesn't really matter what day it is. My affection and goodwill toward you is the same on March 25th as it is on December 25th or any other day of the year.

love,
Mary

ravdeb

Mary..I read your post about the slippers and that young girl...all I wanted to do was give you a big hug and millions of kisses! That is so wonderful of you!

Like I said..you light up the board here with your good heart and spirit.

Be well everybody and again..Happy Holidays.

Graycie

Mary, I agree with Ravdeb, You are so sweet....What a wonderful inspiration you are to other's..

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Gail

Anonymous

Cathy, Graycie, Victoria -
Thanks for your well wishes to me on Wednesday! You're so thoughtful.

Mary -
Your compassion continues to shine through!

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

Hope you're all having a wonderful day, whether you're celebrating Christmas, Chanukah or nothing!

Laura

Anonymous

Mary and Laura, you two surprise me that you don't have bio children but no one would ever know ..... you girls are certainly not childLESS. You are childFUL. You both are so thoughtFUL and wonderFUL, mindFUL of others, too bad kindFUL is not a word.

Laura, I will be thinking of you Wednesday as well. I remember my mast and the drains.

Oops, I hear a little girl waking up. Soon it will be time to open pressies.

I love you ladies all so much...I wish you much love, peace and joy today and everyday.

Anonymous

Merry Christmas from Buddy Love!

Anonymous

Niece Shelby with her new American Girl Doll



My bro Dan and his daughter Nicole (she just got her braces taken off after 4 years!)



Me and Nicole (as part of my exercise routine, I've been doing lots of work on the ol' abs...trying to shed the weight I gained from being inactive during recoop, chemo and now Tamoxifen...arghhhh)
TaDah...when I bought the boots I have on, I thought of you! ...can't see them really well, but they're cheetah print suede (with really pointy toes that could be used as a deadly weapon) and I really think they would look great on you - our wild child (with a matching purse of course, Prada perhaps)! LOL

marymelodi

Buddy love is precious!!!
Love all the holiday pictures.
Keep 'em coming.

Merry Christmas!

Mary

Graycie

AWWWWWW, Buddy looks so cute......

Laura, When I scrolled down to the picture of your niece I was kind of taken back for a minute. I thought I was looking at my daughter when I saw Nicole. Does that mean you and I look alike, just kidding, you are much prettier. You two look so much alike. Like you could be mother and daughter, oop's I mean sisters...Shelby is a Cutie too ..Love the boots..

Graycie

ravdeb

Laura...Buddy Love looks like a stuffed animal! How cute he is!!! What a great picture!
And you look so beautiful and your brother and his daughter...and Shelby...I'd like to have an American Doll! I love that store. I go in it every time I'm in Chicago. One day I'll add one of those (will never be able to choose which one, though!) to my doll collection.

Merry Christmas!
I love you all!

Anonymous

ravdeb -
Thanks for the compliments! Buddy is so funny when I take his photo...he's really patient at the beginning, but if I keep asking him to "smile for mama"...he gets mad and gives me a "mama, leave me alone" smirk. LOL
Laura

marymelodi

Laura: I think you should use Buddy Love's picture as your 2007 Christmas card. What a cheerful, sweet picture. You are a lucky doggie mamma!
Mary

Anonymous

mary -
I thought the same thing! I just may do that!

I hope your Christmas was wonderful...and according to Kelly we both have earned honorary degrees in motherhood! Isn't that the nicest compliment! I think we both would have made wonderful mommies...but our paths didn't lead us there. To make a difference in the life of a child (and maybe even a dog, LOL) is an incredible accomplishment.

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

Everyone -
marymelodi's quote: "The best things in life aren't things." inspired me to realize something. Each Christmas my favorite gift isn't a gift at all! It's the card that my dh gives me. I know him well enough to know that he spends quite a bit of time in the card aisle reading and choosing the card that truly says what's in his heart. This year's card was no different:

All I want for Christmas is that smile that says you're happy - the one that means we'll always be together.

All I want for Christmas is that touch that means we're good - the gentle one that makes it all worthwhile.

All I want for Christmas is that look that lights my world - the one that softly shines from your sweet soul.

All I want for Christmas is what really matters most...

All I want for Christmas is your LOVE.

Words are so powerful. I love words. Especially those from the heart...including the wonderful ones we exchange here everyday. Words have kept us all together.

Laura

Anonymous

Graycie -
More proof...of that seperation at birth theory of mine!

ravdeb -
Your Christmas message to each of us was so nice! And btw...if you don't have an American Girl Doll by your 3rd. bc anniversary (that's considered a milestone in the bc arena)...I am buying you one and sending it to you! But you have to name her Rabbi Wannabe. I will make her 2 mini t-shirts...a pink one that says Rocktober Chemo Doll and one that says Rabbi Wannabe! LOL
Laura

maryannecb

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Had a wonderful two days, now I am toast.

Mass,this AM was especially touching. There was a childrens choir and a pageant of sorts for the homily. To the sounds of angelic voices all the key players of the christmas story enterd the cathedral. You know, the shepherds, kings, Marya nd Joseph. Each of the figures was represented by a large banner, kind of like a quilt but textured and very beautiful. I wish I had a camera to show you all but for me it was so moving I actually had goose bumps and became teary. The kids loved it too.

Then home to make the feast. Have a funny story for you.

At the grocery store the other day my sister picked up the largest turkey she could find. It was about 25 lbs. I noticed that the package said it "mays have parts missing". I pointed it out to my sis. She wasn't too worried as , well usualy it is the wing, and as she said "it's not like it will be missing a breast."

This morning we opened the wrapping and to our horror it was missing all the skin over both breasts and sure enough part of the breast. We both laughed hysterically and thought it was so fitting for our special bird to have had a "lumpectomy". LOL. Too funny.

I wish you all the best of this festive time. I look forward to sharing our thoughts in the coming year. I may even have to let my fists come down as I worry less and less each day and feel less need to be at attention.That is a good thing.

Fists up!

ake

Hi ladies,

I'm getting ready for bed, but like always, thought I would post some pictures of Christmas with the in-laws It was a nice weekend except my hubby is sick with a cold and not happy. I feel bad because I'm leaving him tomorrow to go down to Virginia Beach to hang out with my brother. But, it's my brother's birthday tomorrow, and I have the week off, so down I go for a couple of days.

just a random thought...is there a way we can start a phone list for each other? or email list? just in case any of us disappear for a while, we can always have a person to contact to find out where someone went. just a random thought i had.

anyways, i hope everyone is enjoying their holidays and getting ready for the new year...it'll be our first year without anything having to do with cancer...how amazing is that?

so, here are my pics...2 are of me and the hubby at his mom's and then at his dad's (his parents are divorced) the other one is me and my sister-in-law being dorks in front of the tree

love you all!
-amy

[image][/image]

[image][/image]

[image][/image]

Anonymous

Hi Ladies,

Just checking in to let you know that I have been reading and enjoying all your posts and accompanying pictures.

Receiving cards in the mail from you was very, very pleasant indeed!! Mine are leaving my premises a handful at a time (that's right, they're not all out yet).

Had a great Xmas eve at my brother's in Riverside, CA, slept at his house, then was surprised by all the (stateside) nephews and nieces visiting the next day!

The four of us drove home today at sunset while JT sang "Secret of Life" and other hits. DH picked up Angus at the baby sitter, and it's back to normal.

I have a very good feeling that 2007 will be a great year for all of us. Cheers, Rock-Tobers!

ravdeb

I love, love, love the pictures!!!

Amy... Is what I'm seeing true??? YOu can put your hair from the front behind your ears??? wow you have long hair! My hair in the front just does NOT grow! The rest does, though!!

Anyway..you look lovely and so do your sil and hubby. Sorry he's not feeling well, though.

Laura..you have given me incentive to choose my American Girl doll! A mini t-shirt?? That would be the bestest!!!

maryanne..OMG..the turkey had a lumpectomy!! That is a great story!!!
sounds like you had a wonderful christmas.

Looks like you all did. How fun to hear the stories.

Yesterday I met up with a young woman who did chemo with me who has lung cancer. She will always be my inspiration. She is tough, having gone through first chemo, then avastin (?) and then chemo (Taxotere). She has mets to the bone now.

My dh bought a new truck at UMI where she is secy. to the vp or something like that. She recently finished the Taxotere and is waiting for results of her ct. She has a tiny bit of hair and goes scarfless. She is beautiful. But in her office, she has pictures from a year and a half ago, before her diagnosis. She had long, curly hair. I couldn't believe it. Last year when I saw her she had short spikes and was very cute. Had no idea that once she had LONG hair.

Anyway, we chatted, she looks pretty good but has bone pain from the mets. And then we hugged goodbye.

I had to walk out quickly as my eyes were filling with tears. A year ago her doctors had given her 3 months to live.

She has passed that prognosis and had told the doctors she would prove them wrong. But, I said to my dh as we walked out that when we return in a year to buy a new car for me, I hope that she will still be with us...

So sad...She told me, though, that despite the fact that I have a herniated disk that is supposed to be the cause of my pains, to push the onc to have it checked regularly. She said...you never know.

It's raining here in Israel. It's a good thing because the winter has been too dry so far, but I'm unhappy with it, of course.

I will add to the soup and we will have a nice warm meal today.

Am suffering from fatigue. I cannot do anything without paying for it the next day. I had to push myself to get out of bed at 9 am and I felt that strong fatigue. It's not good. It is disturbing my life's activities. This fatigue this morning reminded me of when I was on steroids.

ugh...

But, I will get things done today despite it all.

Hope Santa was good to you all and you smiled til your cheeks hurt!

Curlylocks

It’s 5:15 a.m. here and I am awake cant sleep but have to go to work today to pay the troops. We have had no snow this Christmas and this morning it is snowing, will get to test out my snow tires.

The tears flowed when I opened up the Christmas card my hubby bought me, was thinking of how far we have come in the last year, new hair, new lease on life and just blessed to be here.

We had a nice Christmas and it was pretty quite at my parents but nice. I got two new outfits from my sister as we pull names in our family and my younger sis got my name. I now have a nice outfit for New Years! I had my husband’s brother in law tell me that I have a nice head of hair, actually he called it a nice afro, ha haJ, curls galore.

I am attaching a picture of my mom and I taken on Christmas day.

Victoria – I have to believe that the risk is not 60% otherwise the AI’s would be pulled off the market in an instant due to lawsuits. Look what happened with Celebrex (viox?) all those people that were prone to stroke/heart attacks taking the meds and then a class action suit against the drug maker. I don’t know but I cant see I have a choice in the matter or I might not be on this earth in a couple of years. Do you sew as well? I made a pair of collettes in high school that we brown polyester, yuk! Your house looks amazing all lit up with those paper sacks.

Jill – Merry Belated Christmas from across the ocean.

Maryanne – loved that you plan worked out to trick your mom. My sister and aunts live in Ottawa. Boy this is a small world. My sister lives in Orleans with her husband. My aunt and cousins live in Ottawa and will be coming to my parents place in Brampton for a visit tomorrow. Cant wait to see them haven’t my cousins little ones in a few years,they are 5 and 3 and she has another one on the way! I too am trying to think that if they found something in my mom’s breast that they would have asked her to have an ultrasound not another mamo, am I correct? Celebrate last Herceptin treatment, you are done, what an accomplishment!

Rosemarie – you would make a great camp counselor with your activities to keep all the kids busy. Did all your bibery work getting your house cleaned up. Next it will be the Easter Bunny isn’t coming if you don’t clean up.

Ravdeb – I love your Merry Christmas poem, everyone of us are so different and you thought of something very fitting for each one of us. I too am suffering from fatigue and take a nap when I absolutely have to.

Kelly – David is so thoughtful and generous to get that new booster seat for Teryn. Kelly your words ring so true, we have to live our lives like this beast wont reappear otherwise we are wasting so much precious time worrying instead of enjoying our lives. Horray, Kelly last Herceptin today! You will have to post some pictures of your daughter opening up her presents on Christmas Day, she is soo cute.

Debbie444 – Kudos to you for getting rid of the toxic people in your life.

Cathy – happy holidays to you love. Have a super time with your sister and her family.

Mary – I love to knit but am afraid the repetitive motion will bring on lympodema. Any problems with you on that? I’m sure you made that girl’s day and year by presenting her with those new slippers.

Laura – Buddy Love looks like an absolute doll that I could just squeeze constantly. I do the same thing with our puppy although she is 30 pounds but loves to be hugged and give kisses back. You look so chic in that picture and your boots are cool! I could never put a pair of boots on that have squissy toes (pointy). You look amazing and certainly not your age! Love the words from your card, I too love cards and keep all of mine from years back. I actually have the first card my hubby gave me 17 years ago after our first date. My card from my hubby was meaningful this year:
“No matter what else complicates our lives, one thing is pure and simple…I love you heart and soul”.

Gracyie – boop your mother in law over the head if she says anything about your hair, don’t leave and give her the satisfaction of knowing it bugs you.

Amy – love the pictures, you look so happy and always like you are enjoying yourself immensely Was that third picture taken in your new house, the front windows give you a nice view. Your hair has gotten quite long, mine is so curly its out of control….

Brenda – its it fun visiting with all the relatives and everyone is chatting at the same time.

Love to everyone.

Michele Wenz