2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

debbie444

Laura - glad you are doing well. It was good of Roy to let us know how things are going.
Thank you to every one for the cards, they still keep coming and extending Christmas for me!
Yesterday we went to a little village in Lincolnshire called Odsgodsby for a family get together. It is all of Rogers mums family ( she was 1 of 10 and they have all been married at least once!) We didnt go last year as i was having treatment and couldnt face it, i could imagine the pity in their faces as Rogers mum died with BC and mets. Gosh , this year i was like visiting royalty! For once the comments about how well i looked didnt get to me and had a good evening of being waited on hand and foot. They all made a fuss of the kids as many dont see them from Christmas to Christmas and it kind of rounded Christmas off.
What else ... Hmmm. I have realised that my calling isnt in Roller Disco !! The kids were very impressed with me going backwards on leg - if only it had been intentional!! Catherine was annoyingly good , turns, jumps the lot , Mark could move by the time we came away, and his friend who came with us had mastered letting go of the grab rail.
I have broken a toe falling over on some chocolate potatoes, got into trouble for using a cat shaped soap in the bathroom , which it turns out wasnt to be used but was growing fluffy hair??? , spent an afternoon emptying the vaccuum looking for an important bit of solar powered robot, been out battery shopping again for the cyberman voice changing helmet and dalek alarm clock, got the stains from non staining rainbow goo out of my carpet , eaten my entire body weight in Ferrero Rocher chocolate , made ship in a bottles, 3d paper pandas and taken Catherine to spend the equivalent price of a weeks groceries in the dolls house shop ! I can probably recite the lyrics to High School Musical backwards ( while doing the moves) watch Dads Army with one eye while using the other to make petal fairies. One EXCELLENT christmas!!!!!!

Paula - that is awesome - i always wanted to be Huckleberry Finn when i was little. Catherine had to draw a diagram of the internal workings of a paddle steamer for science homework the other night -we should have sent it to you!!!


have a good New Year if i dont speak again

Debbie

Anonymous

OMG -
I'm truly overwhelmed by your posts! Wow...how could I NOT HAVE a speedy recovery! Thanks so much. I had all my momentos with me: angel key chain, October pewter angel, crocheted slippers, pink earrings, my believe-courage-strength bracelet, my Boyd's teddy bear, the list goes on....I'm pleasantly surprised that I'm not having more pain than I do (compared to the first Mast.). I'm very sore though and achy at the incision site. It's a little painful where the drain is sewn in, but it's all tolerable! The big girl panties did help! Whew...When my surgeon stopped by my hospital room yesterday morning, I told him I definitely wanted him to do my next Mast. (joke, joke) LOL I'm working on some Valentine's Day products for my client today, but the pain meds make me sleepy, so I'll have to take an occasional nap. I really felt pathetic being pushed around on a gurney and then in a wheelchair. I hate having to be the one that's being "taken care of". I'm so happy this is over with. My dignity is shattered once again, but I know in time all will be well and back to normal. I haven't peaked at the incision yet...not quite ready. On Tuesday the staples and the drain comes out. Last time I had stitches that dissolved on their own...do any of you know what it's like to have staples removed? I'm just wondering...forewarned is forearmed! I have to refer back to our questionnaires, but I think double Mastectomies are, me, Victoria, RoseMarie...I think that's it. Oh, and Roy, although he was happy to...likened posting on our thread to shopping in the women's underwear department! LOL

Graycie -
Your walkathon statue is really cute. Thanks for your concern, sister.

Brenda -
Thanks for your good night message - I saw it that night!

Michele -
I'm thinking about you and your Mom - fingers crossed for good news...

Kelly -
Dave sounds so wonderful! You and Teryn so deserve his generosity and love. Diamond bracelet - wowwy wow, wow! I hope the b density shows strong bones! Great news on the MUGA!

marymelodi -
Continue to hang in there. My thoughts are with you too!

TaDah -
Thanks so much. Your positive attitude is appreciated. Have fun in NJ - you really get around - and have fun shopping - let us know what you bought. I will shop vicariously through you! LOL

RoseMarie -
OMG - You take after your Mom in the creativity gene pool! The knitted outfits are ADORABLE and so is Kiersten! (I love the colors she chose.)

maryanne -
Congrats to you! NO MORE! Done! Finito! Adios! Volume remaining...0.0 - I LOVE IT! Nice family photos.

debbie -
I AM REALLY WORRIED...backwards arabesques? Holy Moly! Roger, please fetch the first aid kit!

Paula -
Thanks! Great photos - you look so cute!

Victoria -
Your cryptic message ala the sticky keyboard was very funny! Took me a while to decode it...but it was worth the chuckle.

ravdeb -
Thanks...you're always so thoughtful. Sorry - I know it's not funny, but for some reason I laughed really hard visualizing the drunken stamp artists! I hope your sciatica and back are better.

cindy -
Hope you're doing well!

Sherryhaire -
Has anyone heard from her?

Amy -
I hope you're feeling better. I know you're exposed to lots of viruses, but just of all the immunities you're building!

tracy -
I love your 2007 attitude...I will follow in your positive footsteps.


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I would have posted sooner...but it took me an hour to read through all the posts! LOL I don't think I've forgotten anyone, but if so, you know I love you all.

Lots of love and appreciation...I'm exhausted from keying this!
Laura

TracySeattle

Hi Laura!!!! So glad you are back with us!!

debbie444

Wayhay - welcome back Laura!!!!

Ok, here we have mark being a cyberman at an ungodly time Christmas morning.

Us at the Revolution House

Catherine dancing to Grease on skates!!


Went to see Flushed Away at the pictures the other day - has anyone seen it - it was super

ake

laura,

i'm so glad you're feeling okay a big milestone is over. and it was an aggressive, tough thing on your part. congratulations and you know what? we work so hard during the week, do so much....i hate being taken care of too, hate feeling dependent on people, but you know what? sometimes, it's nice to just surrender to it all and let people take care of you. enjoy it while you have it

i've never had staples removed, just stitches....i don't think they will hurt because nerves were cut anyways.

happy new year's to all of my sisters. 2007 is going to be nothing but good for all of us. i'll be celebrating with my husband and family and our friends (we're having a party). we should all stop when the ball drops and run our fingers through our hair....such a sign of how far we've come when a lot of us were all bald last year!

sheeryhaire....i was wondering where she has been. where are you?

debbie444

Oh and Ravdeb - i must admit i have visions of you stamping ill behaved teens on the forhead with permanent ink - made me grin too!!

Sam had staples - I distracted him with chocolate drops as they were removed - perhaps you should mwntion that to Roy!!

Anonymous

OMG - debbie -
You are sooooooooooooooooo funny!
Chocolate potatoes, cat shaped soad...huh...permanent ink and choc. drops...what will you think of next. By golly!

linny

I am hopelessly behind, and wont ever catch up, since I was away two times in December.

Laura, I am so glad you are feeling well - I had lots of staples for my axillary node dissection - it was not painful in the least to have them out, it was really fine. The home care nurse who did it suggested taking tylenol an hour before she came, which I did.

I too have thought a thousand times about whether I should have had mastectomy, even a double one. My tumour was 3 cm., not considered small. Also, when I met the radiation oncologist before surgery, she told me that with a mast. I would not need radiation - once that side has radiation, it cannot be done every again, if there is a recurrence.

If I cant catch up with all the posts I have missed, I just want to wish everyone a very happy new year, full of blessings and good things for everyone. I LOVE everyone's pictures - its like a travelogue (sp?)

Linda

Anonymous

Debbie: I enjoyed Flushed Away as well. I'm missing Desperate Housewives on TV, though.

TracyNY: I like your attitude. I wish I had the energy to shop as much! Shoes are my weakness.

Oh, speaking of shoes. The nurse called to say, "There appears to be nothing wrong with your foot." She added that I should expect it to get better. She and the doctor think that I hurt my foot a few weeks ago and it is in the process of healing.

Laura: Nice to see you back! Like I said, keep pampering yourself.

Curlylocks

Good News!!! My mom’s preliminary (verbal) report came back okay. I guess they were just be super careful with my history by doing the repeat mamo and ultrasound. I told my mom a minute ago, now I can breathe again. I had such a meltdown last night with having a bad day and then thinking this just cant happen to my mom. One in the family is enough and all I can emotionally handle. Thanks for all my sister’s kind words and thoughts! My mom and Dad are headed to Florida (Panama City Beach) tomorrow for three wonderful months. They will really enjoy this vacation and not have to worry about me this year.

My hubby and I are going to a New Year’s Eve party at the “Newfie Club” with my sister in law, her husband and 26 other people. We plan on bringing in 2007 with a few drinks this year. I feel 2007 is going to be a great year for all of us, happy, healthy and enjoying our lives.

We actually have a sprinkling of snow on the ground and it is a little colder than it has been in the last 3 weeks.

Tracyseattle – wow, diamonds – a girl’s best friend. In all seriousness that is wonderful and it is great to see that you have found love again and are looking forward to toasting in 2007 together and a building a new life with your new love.

Kelly – thanks for the compliment. Yes, my hair is very, very curly but it beats being bald! Love the pictures of Teryn, she is growing up before our eyes. She is gorgeous and looks just like you. Santa was really good to you and your daughter this year! I have always been one to stick up for myself and my hubby cringes sometimes as he doesn’t like to disturb the peace but I hate seeing anyone being mistreated.

TracyNy – What are you doing for New Year’s if you are not going to Times Square? I always thought when I watched the ball drop in Times Square that there were way too many people there for my liking!

Mary – I hope that you are able to salvage your marriage. Its gotta be tough when the trust is lost through infidelity. May 2007 be kinder to you. I haven’t knit anything in a long time. We are put our house on the market in the spring so now that xmas is out of the way we are getting rid of a lot of junk and reorganizing so no time to knit now!

Laura – mom;s are the best, mine is 67 and gave so much of herself and did with so little raising 5 children. She is still like that, my best friend sums it up. We are very close and even more so now. Glad to see you on the computer for a bit and that your surgery is done and you are on your way to getting better. Your hubby is a sweetheart to come on the boards and let us know how you were doing.

Gracyie – my hair is really dark and right now I have no intentions of putting highlights in it. It is so baby soft and not dried out at all and want to keep it that way. The new “me” I guess. I had always had my hair dyed lighter than my natural colour and then the blond highlights. I love the “precious moments” figurine. Gracyie normally the results take a lot long here in Canada, usually have to wait a week! Since mom and Dad are headed to Florida for 3 months tomorrow, she told them that and she got a verbal of the report over the phone today and the written report will follow next week, but all is good, thankfully, our prayers were answered this time around.

Rosemarie – You will be here for a long time. Those freak out moments are natural, had a huge meltdown last night. I think part of it is the lack of estrogen in my body from the Zoladex injections, interrupted sleep and then the Armidex. We have also been through a lot, physically and emotionally and it takes our bodies a long time to bounce back. Your daughter looks like you too, love the cute little outfit and the matching one for the doll too.

Ravdeb – finally peace and quite with the company gone. Get some rest now….

Maryanne – you have to think positive thoughts that your aggressive treatment as done its job and yes you will see your brother again. Don’t let cancer steal anymore of your happiness. It is hard finishing active treatment, even though I am a er/pr+ and have the hormonals, the security blanket still felt it was being ripped out from under me not seeing the doctor all the time. It will get better with time. Love your family pictures, your brother looks like you, especially love the pooch. I am an animal lover and would have 15 dogs if we could handle them, but we have two which is enough.

Debbie444 – how did you do at rollerskating, hopefully no broken bones. I use to love to rollerskate when I was 16-19 and had the huge dice hanging off the side of my skates. Debbie you are so funny and always seem to have so much kaos going on in your house. It makes me dizzy reading all your comings and goings.

Amy – thanks for the kinds thoughts about my mom. It is so true that they say when you least expect good things to happen somehow they just seem to fall into place.

Paula – love the pictures! Aw…to have warm weather again to wear a sleevless top!

Victoria – I wish you peace, happiness and health for the New Year. I truly enjoy reading your posts as they are so well thought out and full of life.

Brenda – happy to hear the news that your foot is healing.

Much love to all my sisters, have a WONDERFUL, HAPY AND HEALTHY 2007!

Michele Wenz

Anonymous

Brenda -
Does that mean you'll be dancing on New Year's Eve!?!
Hope so!


Linda -
Thanks for the info...and btw...I have read over and over again, that Lump. (when possible) has the same survival rate as Mastectomy! Don't beat yourself up. The main reason I had the Prophyl. was because I not only had ILC but LCIS as well. The LCIS in combo increased my chance of recurrence along with the fact that my tumors didn't show up on mammo.
Laura

Anonymous

Michele: Glad to hear the good news about your mom. Moms worry about their kids, that's true. I think we worry about our moms just as much, if not more. You are so fortunate that you can get together with yours often. Mine seems to be a million miles away, even though we talk almost every day, to the delight of AT&T.

Laura: I was dancing and limping on Christmas eve anyway. Nothing will stop me from doing my own kind of dancing. It's the kind of dancing that's very awkward, very hard to look at, because of the lack of rhythm. Hey, after a bottle of wine I was even singing too! So yup, they will have to see me dance through the new year!

debbie444

Michelle - that is fantastic news to go into the New Year with!!!!
Dont envy you selling the house - where are you going??
Still looking for a penpal for Mark. Catherine has found one in Australia s is getting 'foreign'letters - Mark is despondant!!

Anonymous

Quote:

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Laura: I was dancing and limping on Christmas eve anyway. Nothing will stop me from doing my own kind of dancing. It's the kind of dancing that's very awkward, very hard to look at, because of the lack of rhythm. Hey, after a bottle of wine I was even singing too! So yup, they will have to see me dance through the new year!

---

Brenda -
I would have given anything to have seen you! Maybe you can repeat it in Pasadena! LOL
Laura

Anonymous

My surgeon just called...the pathology came back negative for bc. Whew - that's good news. He said that it did show Ductal Hyplasia (sp?)...but went on to say most women would test positive for that. Any comments on this? Although, I will research it later.
Laura

TracySeattle

OK, Rock Tober Ladies - at the stroke of midnight, we each take a moment to run our fingers thru our hair and be thankful that we are stronger and better than before!!!

Laura - so happy about your results! When I had my lumpectomy on the left side, they did a wire biopsy on the right side for two spots that were ductal Hyperplasia... Makes me a little worried that it might come back someday.

debbie444

Fantastic Laura - we are going into 2007 on a real high note!!

marymelodi

Ah, Laura ; so happy to hear of your great report and that you are feeling better. I believe the healing will go well. I've been thinking ofthe courage it took for you to take this step. I admire you.

I have not done much worrying about the lumpectomy vs. masectomy dilemma. Lumpectomy was recommended and my research convinced me that the survival statistics were excellent. Still, I will not ever postpone the mamograms ever again, like I had done previously. I have become much more diligent through this experience.

Going to have a simple New Year . . . dinner out on a nice gift certificate and maybe a movie. I am looking forward to a new beginning, although I'm not sure why.

Happy New Year to all.
Mary

ake

woo hoo for good news for michelle's mom and laura!!!!!

Curlylocks

Woo hoo Laura, you're all set to ring in the New Year in excellent health!

Mary and Laura just received your Christmas cards today, thank you for thinking of me.

Much love to everyone.

Going to watch a sappy movie tonight "In Pursuit of Happyiness" how appropriate is that? Dinner first though at Montanas.

Have a super evening.

Here is an picture of our pups with our new digital camera, graduated from a 2 meg pixal to a 6. Scooby (puppy) was sleeping for a change! Another one of me and my new hot flashes pj's from my sister.

Will take lots of photos with it on New Year's eve and post them too.







Michele

debbie444

Gosh that dog is growing fast!! And your smile seems bigger on each new photo that comes!

OK, when people post pics i am busy looking at the background to see what is the same/different as here ! My Aunts house was somehow different to ours but we couldnt put the finger on it ( other than the obvious space issues of course!)

Anonymous

...isn't this great! He's going to be a very busy dude.

Laura

maryannecb

Laura, you are back and your news is wonderful. What a relief to have it behind you. Staples will not hurt as your nerves have been cut. The staple remover is very slick and quick. Hope your drain isn't in long. That is what bugged me most of all.

I am working this weekend, duty for 5 others. I hope I get some sleep...so New Years Eve will be at home, hoping the teens behave. My eldest is going out with BF and the middle guy might "wander" around with his friends...I'll definitely being running my fingers through my hair. LOL. They'll probably get trapped in the curls.

Michelle, give your Mom a big hug. Fantastic.

Debbie, what? no stiches or fractures while rolloer blading.
You were holding back, letting the kids look better. I agree if feeding the dog treats helps get staples out, Laura should try it too.

I am planning to see a PS about prophy and reconstruction. I am searching for names at the moment, and courage. I am pretty happy the way I am but I do fear missing BC on the other side. Mine was not deteceted by MRI/US or Mammo. I had to insist on biopsy as Rad so sure it was fibrocystic only. So who knows what lurks on the other side? My onc thinks it is an over reaction , he says if I have cancer again it may be a different type that could be detected. I will at least talk to the PS.

Still smiling over Laura's good results.

Fists up!

Anonymous

Quote:

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I am planning to see a PS about prophy and reconstruction. I am searching for names at the moment, and courage.

---

mary-anne -
I can't help you with names... but I/we can definately help you with COURAGE. Remember...that's what we're all about, sister. I liken myself to the Lion in the Wizard of Oz...just give me cou, cou, courage...if I can do it...so can you! I hope this proves to be the most difficult/most unpleasant decision I have to make in my life. But I feel as though an ape has been taken off my back. I will still be paranoid about the everyday aches and pains, but I will no longer worry that the wretched cancer monster is brewing within my breast tissue as it so insidiously did on the "other" side. My Prophy decision was the right decision for me, but we all know each of us must do what's comfortable within. If you're going to have reconstruction, it seems as though this may be a good time to do it. But again, think about it...not as if you don't do that often...I looked back through several pages...did you get the skin cell results?...sorry I have been so consumed with my surgery, I hardly know my middle name!
Laura

Graycie

Laura, Now you get back to bed...just kidding! I am so glad you are feeling better and it went a lot easier this time. Wonderful new's on the pathology report. My tumor also didn't show up on the mammo . At least you don't have to worry about that anymore. Sorry I don't know what ductal hyperplasia is.....

Tracy, Guess what? I got the Christmas card I sent you back. It said insufficient address. I guess I should have left it with your old address.

Paula, I love your picture's. You look really great. Beautiful scenery too.

Ravdeb, So sorry to hear your nephew was giving you trouble. See what alcohol does?....lol..... Glad you stood your ground. I bet you will be glad when they all leave. sometime's too much togetherness is just not a good thing.

Michele, Great new's about your Mom. That is nice that you are so close. My daughter and I are real close too. I have been looking at my hair and I think I am going to wait with the hi-lighting. I did try putting a temporary color on it to brighten it up a bit but I don't think it did much. I mostly wanted to color the ends because they still have that weird clear color to them. I probably should have the end's trimmed but not until it get's longer. Your dog's are cute..

Debbie, you crack me up......You are so funny.....Boy, what a life you have. Your kid's must love that you are such a fun Mom.....Great Pictures.

Maryanne, Good luck on whatever decision you make regarding prophy and reconstruction. I hope you find a good PS that can help you through making that decision. Sorry you have to work on New Years Eve. We are going out for the first time this year to a dinner and a dance. We usually stay at home and have people over. Now, the big problem is figuring out what to wear........I understand the more bling the better....

I will probably be back on here before New Year's Eve but if not, Everyone have a good one.........

Gail

Paula15089

Laura, so good to hear you are feeling good! Now is your chance to relax and let the rest of the household look after you. Remember. the less activity, the faster the drains will come out..
Mary-Anne, i am in a process of getting ready for my prophy, too! we can be prophy buddies, hehehe...
Graycie, i got your card, thank you so much!

Anonymous

Paula - maryanne -
There's a whole lotta Prophys goin' on...Paula, I didn't know you had made a decision re: it. Most likely you will feel the same sense of relief and inner peace that I am feeling right now, just 3 days post. This is important...I opted to NOT HAVE the SNB (per Victoria's suggestion). I gambled, but I am so happy. Because of this, my recovery has been a breeze, and I still have one arm available for future blood draws, IV's, blood pressure readings, etc. However, had the pathology from the Prophy come back positive, then I would have had to go back under the knife for the SNB and possible Ax. Dissection, subjecting myself to more Anasthesia. But it was worth the gamble! Whew...I wish you both the very best, with this decision and beyond.
Laura

ravdeb

I love NED and will be happy to dance with him on New Year's Eve and for many years to come!

Laura..so, so, so happy to see you back on. Roy was so nice to write for you. I will have to hire my daughter should I need a private correspondent! I'm so glad all is well with you!

Michele..wonderful news about your mom! WHEW!

I can't keep up with all the messages!!!
TracyNY... I missed that message that you were going off to shop, shop, shop..not that I'm surprised! You know how to live! You are always so full of life!

Debbie..you crack me up. I was ROFL with your latest antics! You are so funny!

Okay.. I will not even try to get to each of you...
But.. One SIL and one nephew are on the plane back to America. They were here for a week. She was very sad to leave. And it's a sad story with her...domestic problems, older son who is about 20 years old had lymphoma when he was a senior in high school, younger son (who was here)is "messed up" so to speak because of that and the domestic problems at home, son who had lymphoma has some serious anger issues (to be expected because of home life and then cancer). Just a sad, sad situation (there is a song like that..forgot who wrote it). I am the only one who can find the patience for this SIL because it's not her fault. But, it was very tiring. She is very difficult and has gotten worse over the years.

One more SIL and her two kids are still here. One of the kids leaves tomorrow alone because he needs to return to school. Mom and older son (Stanford student), will be here one more week. But they are moving tomorrow to my inlaws house so then I can get my house back in order.

Maryanne and Paula... we are here for you both with your prophy upcomings, whenever they will be.

Maryanne..take your time and make the decision that is right for you.

And for us lumpectomy ladies... mastectomy is the same as lumpectomy with rads. True..once an area is radiated, it can't be radiated again but if I get any recurrence, I'll probably go for double mastectomy. I decided that when I did the lumpectomy. Decided to take my chance at it. I'll need to then buy my dh some rubber boobies to play with.

By the way...TracyNY..I used to yell a lot. But I don't anymore and I didn't really yell at the kids but did tell them firmly that I was unhappy with the drinking. Later I learned that they went and BOUGHT the beer. I thought the beer was from the stash my older son has that was from a party he had for the army. We have beer and vodka stored in our basement. Tons of it was donated for this party and tons of it was left! My younger son is too young to buy liquor but one of the cousins is 18 and 18 is the drinking age here.

RoseMarie

YAY Laura!! So happy all is well!!! Rest up!!!
Michele - great news about your Mom!
Debbie - I'll get on my son-he needs a little coaxing but Mark should have a letter soon! LOL - What a fun time you're having!
MaryAnne and Paula - good luck on your prophy decision! LOVE the pics, btw!!!
Gotta go...

chumfry

Laura:

Glad you are recovering well. I had staples for my hysterectomy in 2003 and they *looked* very Frankenstein-like, marching across my footlong incision. Ack! But it didn't hurt a bit to get them out. There's a special tool they use and it bends them up and out. No biggie!

I've been gone for a week, visiting all our assorted parental units and siblings for the holidays. I love seeing everybody, but it's so nice to be home again! I missed our kitties and our wonderful king-sized bed.