2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

Anonymous

Cindy -
Thanks for the info. I just peeled back the bandages to take a peak...it somewhat resembles the Frankie look, but my incision, compared to yours is small...about 6" horizontally. You must be very large chested to have had an incision that wide...ouchy. I never thought I'd appreciate being flat chested!
Laura

Paula15089

Laura - are you doing reconstruction?
I am thinking of having skin and nipple sparing mast with immediate implant placement.

cathy987

How am I going to spend New Year’s Eve? I’m going to spend it dancing with all of you as well as NED! I am back in North Dakota, my office is closed for the long weekend. My South Dakota/Minnesota family have come and gone and we’re getting our first real snow of the season in the form of a storm warning. “up to 10 inches of new snow mixed w/freezing rain and possibility of high winds. So……if I can navigate back and forth from my house and my office (just across the yard) I plan to wish each and everyone of you a Happy New Year at the proper time and to catch up with each of you at the same time.)

To facilitate this I have found and made a curent time clock and it looks like Paula will be first on my list assuming I wake up in time.

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/personal.html

and I think this is what time it will be for me when it’s midnight where each of you are.
7:00 a.m. Paula
4:00 p.m. Deb
6:00 p.m. Debbie, Jill
10:00 p.m. Maryanne
11:00 p.m. Amy, Tracy, Mary, Gail, Linda, Michele, Rosemarie
12:00 midnight Laura, Cindy, Sherry, Me
1:00 a.m. Victoria
2:00 a.m. Tracy, Kelly, Brenda

Now if I hang in until after midnight until you West Coast girls are doing your dancing it will be some kind of miracle.

Just a quick couple comments to a few of you now….

Laura, so happy for the B9 report. You were truly with me (in thought and prayer) all Tuesday morning as I tried to make my house ready for the kids.

Michele-so happy for your mom’s good report. Love good news.

Mary, you too have been in my thoughts and prayers. As you face the New Year and whatever lies ahead for you, just remember that sometimes people who are so caring and giving as you are forget to give that same care to themselves. Love my slippers! Thank you!

Thanks for all the wonderful cards. I am buried in mail—expect to catch up in the next three days.

I’m going home now to rest up for my New Year’s marathon.

Love to all

Anonymous

Well, I had fun plans but not now. Teryn is sick. David and I were going to a concert (Beth Hart) in a small venue, only 100 people, and then to my brother's house where he and all his family and wife's family would be including my daughter who was spending the night.

My daughter is at my brother's now and she said she has a cough and fever ... poor little trooper.

Everyone, have a great New Year and it will be Rockin' New Year for all of us!!

RoseMarie

Kelly - hope Teryn is feeling better SOON!
Happy New Year EVERYONE!!!

Lots of love...

marymelodi

Happy New Year greetings to all.
Just returned from seeing the movie "Happy Feet". It is funny and enjoyable. Stopped for dinner at a Greek restaurant but the dinner I ordered just didn't hit the spot. Sometimes that happens. Hubby and I are geteting along okay right now. We are in that "treating each other with kid gloves" stage and each trying to be as nice as possible. Courtesy is a good thing.

I wanted to mention that I sent out some knitted slippers to four of our Roctober sisters just before Christmas. All of you will eventually get them from me, but I wanted Tracy and Laura to get their pairs sooner than later in thanks for the gifts (the CD and the DVD) they have sent to all of us. And I wanted Laura to have some snugglies for her recuperation. Gracie and Cathy also got their pairs because I had hoped to give them on the day we had dinner together but was not finished in time.

So, everyone else you'll see little packages coming your way in the next few weeks.

I am thankful for each of you and hope your day tomorrow is full of fun and happiness ringing in the New Year.
Mary

Anonymous

mary -
I love the slippers...I hope you saw my initial post to you just after I received them in the mail. They were on my feet while I was in the hospital and now at home (although I have to admit they're taking turns with my favorite leopard print slippers - the ones that match my flannel leopard print pj's. LOL)! That was really thoughtful of you to put me on the "priority" list!
Thank you so much.
Laura

Graycie

I only have a minute because we have company. I just came in to turn the computer off since my grandson left it on and of course I had to check in. I want to thank Mary once again for the slipper's and to tell my twin (you know who you are) that I also have a leopard pair of slippers (surprise ,surprise) but they are really getting worn out. ..so Mary, your slipper's couldn't have come at a better time.

Gail

TracySeattle

Hi All,

Just checking in quickly from my Mom's house. Glad to see you are all making New Years plans!

Graycie - yes, I found out that my city and zip doesn't change until next month, so I am still Everett..... Sorry!

Mary - I wear my slippers all of the time!!! I just love them!

Have to run now. Love you all!

maryannecb

I have a leopard print silk nightie and dressing gown. Doesn't look so good with one breast...

My weekend is going smoothly, slept last night, hoping to tonight.

Just checking in before I head to bed. looks like all having a good day.

Night!

Fists up!

Anonymous

Mary-Anne, you could always wear a pretty bra and put your prosthesis in the bra and then put on your nightie. The strappy look is IN. Why not try it out with your nighties and I bet you'd really like the look and so will hubby when he returns!

ravdeb

I think I'd better get me a set of leopard print somethings...I'm feeling left out here!

We are heading into New Years Eve here..though Paula comes first according to the list! Cathy..you are amazing! Although my teenaged son will be celebrating the gala event, we will probably not do much here as tomorrow is not a holiday for us. I think I may have some bubbly in the fridge though that we could try out. I DO believe in celebrating a new year despite our government's decision not to!!!

However..I'm soooooooooo tired. We were out in Tel Aviv last night at a friend's new apartment. She had a house warming. Then had to get up early to drive my soldier son to the train station so he could get back to his base.

Mary..you are so sweet to make the socks for each of us. I'm glad you and your dh are being courteous and kind and spending some quality time together.

I hate to be a complainer but this fatigue of mine...grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.. I'm having a blood test in 2 weeks for my cholesterol so if there are any other problems, they should show up. Otherwise..I go to see my onc in Feb. I wonder if it's because I've got the back pain and leg pain and it's tiring me out...

Whatever...
Happy New Year to each and everyone of you! May NED take over our lives completely!!!!
Dance away!

cathy987

Happy New Year Paula! Hope you’re dancing the night away. I envy the warm weather. We did get our predicted 10 inches of snow but so far no wind to pile it up.

It’s too early for me to raise a glass of bubbly to you but here’s an orange juice. Best wishes for the coming year where we will all rock on!

CherylG

Hi Ladies
Haven't had much time to post lately ... no time to catch up today
LAURA ... So glad to see you are recovering well. Gentle hugs for you

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy and Healthier New Year spent hopefully dancing with NED
Prayers for all who need them, hugs and love to all
CherylG

Anonymous

cathy -
That list is great! You round out the group with your worldly attributes!

Kelly -
Bummer - hope Teryn's feeling better soon.

Cheryl -
Thanks - Happy New Year to you too!

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

Everyone Happy New Year -

Will check in later...gotta run for now.

Laura

debbie444

Happy New Year to you all!!!
Dont know what its like for Jill but storms have hit here big style, water is running down my drive like a river and anything that wasnt fastened down has long since gone. Lets hope Rog doesnt blow away when he goes out to First Foot the New Year in!!

Take Care

Debbie

Paula15089

hi girls,
Well, its 3.30am 1st of Jan 2007 here in Sydney, and I am off to bed shortly, but before i do, let me be the first one to welcome you to 2007!
may this year be filled with happiness and, of course, health, for all of us!
love you all,
Paula

marymelodi

Ok, Debbie . . . I've translated American customs and foods for you. Now tell me . . . what is "First Foot the New Year in"??? Must be some local custom. Please explain.

Hope the event was successful and 2007 is on the way to us here in New York.

Mary

ravdeb

Ha! Paula is already enjoying the first day of the new year!!!
Happy New Year!
Cheryl..Happy New Year!
Kelly..how is Teryn feeling?

We are going out with SIL and nephew for felafel (SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo off my low fat diet!) and to buy a bottle of the bubbly so we can ring in the New Year, too!

We have about 5 hours to go!

Debbie..what does that mean to "First foot the New year in"?

We also have rain..lots of it and winds and lower than normal temps. Just hoping the winds don't get too strong... not into having the hot water tank and solar system fall over. It has been known for doing that though we have it really well secured now. Means no hot water for a few days when that happens!!!

Anonymous

I think Paula is probably sleeping still ...... that young one up to 3:30am!!

Thanks for asking about Teryn, she is still sick and I have a cold, too. Both of us sipping on our cough medicines. We've got sneezing and stuffy noses going on, too.

Its cold here, it's about 9am and it's 44º .... to me that's cold.

Devorah, how come the government decided you don't celebrate New Year's. I would think that the ringing in of a new year was something most people did since it was a chance for new beginnings and a time to close the door on bad things.

ravdeb

Kelly..
Unfortunately, the Israeli government does not call it the New Year but rather "Sylvester". It is called this in Europe as well. Sylvester was a pope and saint who convinced Constantine to keep the Jewish people out of Jerusalem. He died, I believe on Dec. 31st and so there is what is called the Feast of Sylvester.(correct me if anybody knows something different).

Thus..it is not celebrated here. In my opinion, it's a dumb reason because that is a coincidence and the celebration, I believe, is not this feast at all. In fact, you probably never even heard of this! But...our government is a religious AND secular government.

However..plenty of kids will be out celebrating as it has become more and more popular here, and plenty of kids will NOT be in school tomorrow because of the parties tonight. We used to get letters home about this from the schools but they gave up on that!

And yes, Kelly..44 is COLD here too!!!!

debbie444

Well ,watched Paulas celebrations on the TV - looked good. We were having friends around but one set have a tummy bug, our kids have caught Teryns cold and the other set of friends are having the Christmas from hell. His mum was taken into hospital with kidney failure on Christmas Day, and her dad had a stroke yesterday morning, only they live in France so my friend had to fly over today. Looks like me and Roger then!!

Jill should be telling you about first footing !! ( correct me if i get it wrong Jill)
The first person into the house ( through the front door) should be a tall dark ( i add handsome here but that i guess is subjective) male, carrying a coin, drink, food and coal. He is supposed to bring luck in with him , the coal is so you will be warm, the coin for wealth and the food and drink so you will not starve in the coming year. First footers are not allowed to be DRs or gravediggers , and are dark because a fair man could be a viking come to rape and pillage!!
We push Roger out of the back door and he comes in through the front on the chimes of Big Ben on the TV. If it is bad weather like tonight he moans but it is tradition to give them a drink so that quietens him down!! Some of the older people believe in taking all of the evergreen decorations down, burning them and taking the ash out of teh back door a ttheis point. Thats not so common now, guess the denise of coal fires put an end to that. It is a lot bigger in Scotland where it is Hogmany, my grans neighbour used to firstfoot the entire neighbourhood as he was the closest to a Scot there - he was a Pole married to a woman with a Scottish dad!!

Anyway - Have a Good One
Debbie

I go back to work ( inset day) on Wed, Mark on Thurs and Catherine the following Mon

ravdeb

well that's interesting, Debbie! Poor Roger having to go outside!

Seems we have no bubbly and dh is snoring already, sil went with her son to my inlaws' house so...looks like no bubbly.

I will be visiting my 91 year old friend tomorrow who had a hysterectomy and is acting like it was NOTHING! May we all be like that! She hasn't gotten her full path report yet. But, she feels good and really..what does it matter what the path report says???

Two more hours and we say Happy New Year!

cathy987

Deb, Happy New Year from the United States!

I don’t plan to do much either except raise my glass with something to toast you all at the proper time. Since it’s 4:00 in the afternoon here you are being toasted with my very favorite drink—water. Not even with bubbles.

You have been a real rock on this board this past year and a half and I have also taken note of all the support you have given others on other threads.

Fatigue? Back pain, leg pain cause? Certainly adds to it. For me it’s when I stop long enough to notice I’ve been burning the candle at both ends and my body is telling me, to be kinder and gentler with myself and sleep a little more. You have earned a little fatigue. Give in to it and rest. Hope your blood test for cholesterol shows improvement. That’s one test I’ve shoved to the back of my denial list for the time being. Eating healthy is always my goal however.

Weather seems to be not good everywhere—hope yours is improving.

I had a nice card from your friend in Illinois, I hope she is doing well.

I can’t wait to meet you in person. November 2007!

Anonymous

I know its a little late for party/appetizer recipes but I had to share this one!!!

1 Pint grape or cherry tomatoes
1/2 c pepper flavored vodka
3 Tbsp coarse sea salt
1 Tbsp lemon pepper

Prick each tomato 5 or 6 times with a skewer. Place in a small bowl and pour vodka and salt over the tomatoes. Soak for 2 hours or overnight. Note: you can add a splash each of lemon juice, dry sherry, tabasco sauce & worchestershire sauce as well. Serve with toothpicks and dip lightly in lemon-pepper.

cathy987

Happy New Year Debbie and Jill!

I had sort of forgotten how very Scottish New Year’s is, but of course Robert Burns and Auld Lang Sine. Anyone wanting to read a story about a Scottish War Bride in Texas can click on the following
www.inmamaskitchen.com/FOOD_IS_ART/firstfoot.html

Thanks for the explanation of “first foot.”

Debbie–so sorry your friends have had such an awful set of misfortune. Hope they’ll all be o.k. and with your kidlets under the weather it sounds as if it will contribute to a very quiet New Year’s Eve for you.

Happy to hear Catherine has an Australian pen pal. I do believe my grand-daughter still intends to write to her but sometimes kids just do their own thing at their own pace.

I’m also sending you a pm. Let me know what you think.

I made a quick trip to the store in my 4-wheel-drive pick-up for something bubbly. Ginger-ale it is to mix with my pomegranate juice. Cheers! (I do have a bottle of Champaign I may open later. We shall see)

Not too late here for the recipe Kelly except no pepper vodka on hand or available LOL

TracyNY

My xmas table setting. Next weekend I'll have my new stuff, I can't wait!

Hey Laura, good to see you back. You've become one of the "young and the breastless"! Are you going to reconstruct? Its not so bad getting a new pair, I liked my old ones but they betrayed me and now I have the next best thing.

Shoppping was not the best. I don't know where all the merchandise went but my 06 shopping spree ended with a fizzle. I did get some silk Ralph Lauren pillow shams originally $175 marked down to 50% off $9.99. Its almost criminal. Were they worth that much in the beginning that they can now be sold for $5.00?!

Anyway ladies, I will remember all of you in my midnight prayers. I will ask God to grant you the desires of your heart and continued good health. Happy new year!!

Anonymous

Graycie -
Hey there...I'm not surprised you have a pair of leopard slippers...see...one more piece of evidence linking us to the separated at birth theory! LOL LOL LOL You are great-I can't wait to hug you in person...November 2007.

Paula -
I have to say you are such an incredible inspiration to me. You are so motivated, professionally successful, so strong and determined and so full of life. I truly wish you the best the new year has to offer - you so deserve it, you are so young but yet so brave. I will PM you re: reconstruction.

Kelly -
It's so ironic you would post that recipe...one of my best gal pals...Cynthia...her husband makes those for me every time we visit them! He is awesome. He also always smokes a piece of salmon for me as I love that as well, the two go quite well together. Hope you two girls are feeling better. I can't wait to meet you in person.

TaDah -
Your x-mas table is lovely, just like you! The young and the breastless...OMG - you crack me up, I love you girl! Your spirit is contagious, and I caught it!

Cathy -
Yes, I am doing well, oh worldly one!

debbie -
Do you know of the Yule Log celebration/tradition? Happy New Year to you and your lovely family.

Victoria -
Huh...26" is that right? Wow...that's incredible...love you: some advice...make a snowman!

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

Everyone -
I am exhausted...I need to take a rest. I just can't seem to rest when I feel so good! I peeked again at my incision, and noticed there's about a half inch area that's wide open! HELP! Roy said to just put the bandage back on and let the surgeon address it on Tuesday...but I wonder if I should put a sterile "butterfly" on it. My Mom's a nurse and she said the "butterfly" would be a good thing, provided we had sterile hands and sterile tape. HELP - What do you think I should do? I don't want it to be open like this. It's almost as though the staples skipped a few spots and that's what has caused the half inch wide opening. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Love you all so much. I don't know what I would do without you. This past year has been quite incredible...good and bad...happy and sad...but through it all...what matters most is that we have helped each other and we have survived it all. I have tons of respect and admiration of each of you in many different ways. The decision to have the Prophy was easier because of you. The following quote by one of my favorites, Emerson...Always do what you are afraid to do, helped as well. I can't help but say - you mean the world to me, I am so very fortunate to have each of you in my life...and we can all rejoice in the words..."I'M ALIVE"!

Laura

cathy987

Happy New Year Mary-Anne!

Hope your quiet New Year’s eve at home has been enjoyable. You are another one of those exceptional people who not only give encouragement here with the Rock Tober girls but on many of the other forums.

I’m so happy you are at the end of the Herceptin and I loved the picture of the empty bag! January 11 I will join you. Have an echogram scheduled as well as a mammogram for the same day. I plan to celebrate big time that night. (I talk big but may just take my self out to eat in Fargo.)

Your “fists up” has been my mantra ever since I first started spending time with you and the other girls.

Would love to know more about Dragon Boat racing at some time. November?!!!

Time marches on and now the pace is every hour. If I make it to 2:00 a.m. it will be a record for New Years Eve for me.

cathy987

Happy New Year!!! Amy, Tracy, Mary, Gail, Linda, Michele and RoseMarie.
Ladies I feel like I am running a marathon.
Amy, there were many times in the past months I wanted to comment on things you were doing and seemed to have often missed the opportunity. I just know this–you have an incredible family, your husband, brother, mom and dad–the pictures say it all and then you say even more.

Tracy–your humor has lightened all of our troubled times. You do know how to live and when we’re down you can also be serious and lift us up. You have a rare talent. It was nice talking with you when I was in NY and my date with the PS dude is coming and I’ll get to meet you before November.

Mary and Gail-–I now think of you as my lunch bunch. Five hour face-to-face lunches is the beginning of really getting to know each other on another level. Thanks for the Christmas cards. Here’s hoping both your dhs are soon back to work.

Linda–Where in NY does your daughter live. You can pm me if you don’t want to say exactly here. We should get together when we’re both there. When is your grandson’s surgery?
Michele–In addition to your wonderful smile, your pictures really show us your life. You and your mom also resemble each other. Love the “hot flash” pajamas.

RoseMarie–Loved the pictures of Kiersten and her AG doll. Would like to have the patterns for the sweaters. My granddaughter has an American girl doll she bought herself and her aunt made clothes for it for Christmas. You are so good with your children. I’ve forgotten what it’s like to have little ones but I know I didn’t have the patience you exhibit.
I’m forgetting to toast! I think I’ll open that champagne.