2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

cathy987

Happy New Year! Laura, Cindy and Sherry.

Well, it’s really New Year’s here in the fly over zone of the US.

Laura, words fail me when I try to express what you have meant to this board and to me. Your courage and encouragement are outstanding. You never fail to say just the right thing to us all and your CD is a permanent example of your inclusiveness and love. Your new description of me as “Oh worldly one” cracks me up. LOL A closer description might be “Old, foolish one.”
Cindy-–you're not here often but when you are you cut through all the crap and say exactly what is needed at the time for whoever is hurting. I loved your bow-head picture and your sharing the story of your relationship with you “younger” dh. I got a laugh when I think Laura mistook your “foot-long” hysterectomy incision for a mastectomy incision. I have one of those “foot-long” ones too.

Sherry-–a very special Happy New Year to you. Please check in with us. You truly lead the way for us all and specifically said on Aug. 30, “To Cathy and Victoria--Us Rocktober girls and I sure hope I speak for all of us-There is so much love and support here even enough room to share when needed!!!”

cathy987

Happy New Year!! Victoria.
I find it nearly impossible to believe it’s only been four short months since we met within an hour of each other here on the yet to be named, “Rock-Tober Chemo Girls” thread.

Your assessment of your right brained dominance lead me to google a test to determine what I am (how left brained of me)–turns out I’m fairly equal. Actually I’m convinced I’m ADD. I do know that this celebrating New Years in 8 different time zones is rather obsessive compulsive and if I make it to the West Coast I’ll have to admit I’m a little goofey. (O.K. a lot goofy!) I still haven’t had any champagne but am silly enough without it. Fatigue is setting in.

26 inches of snow!! Wow! You live in New Mexico not North Dakota.

I just want to say how much I enjoy you. I look forward to the time we can talk about the causes you are passionate about. I suspect many are the same I’ve been quietly holding close to me–there’s that logical-don’t break the rules left-brained part of me. Only one more hour to go. Thank God.

cathy987

Deb

Please wake up and post something to break up the monotony of my own voice and looking at my own face.

cathy987

Happy New Year!! Tracy, Kelly and Brenda.

Finally I have reached the land of the new two Daves with diamonds. I am way past making much sense so please forgive me.

Tracy–have made my reservation for Seattle. Friday, Jan. 12 after work would work wonderfully well for me if it’s still good for you. Happy things are working out so well for you and your Dave. I can’t tell you how much I am still enjoying the CD.

Kelly, hope Teryn is feeling better and that your New Year’s Eve wasn’t a total washout. I’m so excited about your upcoming get together with Laura, and Brenda. Found a bottle of Sky Vodka in my freezer. Had half a pint of cherry tomatoes. Added pepper sauce for the vodka flavor. My only treat for New Years. Thanks.

Brenda-I was going to write your whole comment backwards in honor of your screen name and my slowness in seeing it initially but thought that would be dumb. I promised to dance with you all and I have been virtually dancing all day and all night, and now it’s time to take off my dancing shoes and waltz off to bed. I would say sweet dreams but I’d be talking to myself.

It’s a new year for all of us–one that can be whatever we make it. We’re one bunch of strong women who are survivors.

Tomorrow it’s black-eyed peas for me and a few friends–a New Year’s Tradition from the South. (Will make a dollar for every one eaten on NYDay.)

Much, much love to one and all.

ravdeb

Good Mornin'...It's now 2007 and well..I am expecting this to be an interesting year and am praying that interesting equals joy, health and lots of fun!

Cathy..you amazed me with your posts! I read each one of them and you addressed each of us so beautifully. Thank you so much for your comfort, love and intensive attention that we get from you.

TracyNY... beautiful Christmas setting!!!

Laura...your words make me smile..as always. Yuletide? Is that what you asked me (I won't go back for fear of my message going poof).

I noted that at least two people in my house had bubbly...found two wine glasses on the counter and a bottle in the fridge. I'm guessing it was my daughter and her boyfriend. He arrived late last night after I had gone to bed. I missed the dong of midnight but woke up remembering that it was now 2007.

I'm beginning my new year with a "mitzvah" (simply translated it means "good deed"..Ter used to use this term a lot). I'm off to visit our 91 year old congregant who has returned to her life's routine after a hysterectomy 2 weeks ago. She is an inspiration! Quite an amazing woman. I'm going with another congregant who is a friend of mine.

I'm now chairperson of the "caring" committee of our congregation. So, I will be making sure members in my real world get support as well as my friends in my cyber world!

But, I'm anxious to add you all to my real world (have met 3 of you so far!) and do hope we all are together in Nov 2007! This will be the year to join cyber with reality.

Pictures help, snail mail is closer to reality, but REAL hugs are the best!!!

I love you all and wish you all the bestest year ever!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

ravdeb

yayaflower... I love the quote. It has been added to my quote collection! And I like your new name which I noticed earlier on...

Thanks for the encouragement for my job on the caring committee. I sure hope it works! It's a new committee, I spent a morning at a meeting with a social worker who works with congregations on things like this, to learn how to get it started. My committee meets next week hopefully.

I visited the 91 year old woman. She is absolutely amazing. She is originally from the Bronx in NY. She owns a home in my favorite village here but she has to walk up a flight of stairs from the front door..a full flight! And has no problem and this is after surgery!

This is her first bout with anything that is connected with illness, and she has been a vegetarian for years and eats only organic foods, whole wheat, etc... She believes it's the food and I believe that it's her optimistic attitude. She smiles all the time and loves life and takes advantage of it. She is truly my inspiration.

Enjoy Jan. 1, 2007!

scottishlass

HAPPY NEW YEAR
Just managed to prize my hubby off the PC for 5 mins
Just wanted to wish you all the best for 2007

Cheers

Jill

maryannecb

Hi Canada is awake now.

I just read through yesterdays posts. Cathy you have been busy and have surely captured the spirit of each of us . I can't wait for you to finish Herceptin. It is a little scary but I am hoping it has done it's job and some of our aches and pains will now leave. I only took my camera to the chemo room for the last treatment. I wish I had taken it for the first too but who was thinking back then? Nevertheless I will always remember the Adriamycin making it's way toward my arm and the power I was giving it to attack any lurking cancer. Some call it the red devil but I think of it a sthe red angel. My mammo/ mri is Jan 15. I bet we will both be fine. I just don't see this getting us in the other breast-we can't be that unlucky....

I do promise to post some more on Dragon Boating, truth be known I need to learn a little about it myself first. What I do know is that it is a great way to meet people with determination and spirit. Our team is made entirely of Breast Cancer survivors from age 35-75. We all share a need to keep moving and prove to others and ourselves that life goes on. Our community is hosting a festival for the first time this summer. We hope to attract 1000 boaters and raise money for various charities.

Laura, a small defect like you are describing will fill in easily, it may take 4-6 weeks but in the end you will barely notice it. Make sure you keep the area dressed and watch for signs of infection-redness,swelling, pus. I agree with Cathy it is you that have solidified our bond. Your efforts with the t-shirts symbolized what we all were feeling. Thank you.

I am young and breastless. I love it! Tadah you have a wicked sense of humor, are you sure we are not related?

Debbie, wow first footing could be a real challenge for tall, dark and handsome types, like your DH. Better lock him in.

I have a quote I read from time to time too. It is psted to my computer too...

"Obstacles are like wild animals. They are cowards but thay will bluff you if they can. If they see you are afraid of them...they are liable to spring upon you; but if you look them squarely in the eye, they will sink out of sight." Orison Marden

So Fists up! Ladies. Whatever challenges face us in the coming year, be strong and Rock On.

Anonymous

Thanks Maryanne for the incredibly kind words!

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

Everyone -
I finally started a thread regarding a focus group I recently participated in pertaining to Aromasin (it took me a while to compose it accurately). It was an interesting experience. You may want to read it. It's in Moving Beyond - titled Aromasin vs Tamoxifen - What's Going on Here?

Happy New Year!
Laura

Anonymous

Happy New Year Roctober Sisters!!

Cathy, it was incredible that you were able to stay up and welcome us all into the new year. I bet you are sleeping sweetly now. I am glad someone got to try those tomatoes!!

Teryn and I are still sick. We cuddled up on the couch almost all day and then went to bed very early. It was 9:30 when Dave called to see how we were and I told him I had already fallen asleep, we would not be able to stay awake. Turns out the neighbors had fireworks and my dog woke me up precisely at midnight! My dog is a chow shepard and you woulda thought he was a tea cup poodle!!! His tail was between his legs and he wanted to jump in my bed!

Victoria, I love that quote and have copied it and pasted into my Roctober file. I will be using that! Thank you for all your advice ..... I think it's Monday today and I will be calling you!

Laura, regarding your incision, I think I would be putting some butterfly tape on it. Then show your doctor tomorrow. Skin heals pretty fast and I'd want it to heal correctly. I remember you had problems with your expanders but I did hear about a lady who got reconstructed with donated tissue. Is that an option?

Mary-Anne, that's great your Dragon Boat girls are all BC survivors. I thought you had said that before and then it made me think all dragon boat teams were 'support' groups until I did the research on them. You should post your teams boat so we can see it!

Devorah, you are perfect for your new leadership role. TracySeattle is leading a group for survivors at her church, you guys should compare notes!

TracyNY ..... oh I just love your table setting. It's gorgeous. I am sure you had a wild night last night.

Laura, TracyNY and Gail ........ my daughter must belong to you guys .... she has a cheetah print robe, a nightgown with a cheetah butterfly on it and she went wild for this cheetah print winter coat ..... of course I had to buy it for her Xmas ...... She loves the coat. And she loves the Cheetah Girls and their music.. My little huera sings the songs in spanish even!

Anonymous

My Little Huera ......

RoseMarie

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
We went to a nice, low-key, party last night. Lots of kids so my kids had a blast. Justin ended up falling on some exercise equipment (poor kid has never seen exercise equip. before,lol) and we almost ran to the ER. We butterflied him up (his chin) and so far so good. I just couldn't see sitting in the ER for hours on new years! Why is it always HIM???
Cathy - your sweet words really touched me! You are so sweet and thoughtful!
Everyone - know that you're in my thoughts and prayers! I can't wait to meet you all - what a great year 2007 will be!
A few of you have mentioned sharing phone #'s. Kelly has already pm'd me with hers and asked about getting #'s from all who wish to share. If you'd like your phone number included on our list please pm me and then I'll get those out.
Lots of love to all of you!!!!!!!

RoseMarie

Kelly - Teryn is soooooo cute!!!!!!

Anonymous

Quote:

---

I would live to be a hip old crone

---

Victoria -

You really do have quite the writing style! I'm shreiking with laughter!

Laura

Anonymous

For those of us who are taking Tamoxifen...this is very interesting!

What Tamoxifen Testing Tells You
Genetic testing can tell whether tamoxifen is likely to be an effective treatment for you. This test looks at a specific gene, called 2D6, to determine whether your body can fully metabolize tamoxifen to its active form, endoxifen.

If your 2D6 genes indicate that you are a "Poor Metabolizer," studies show that you may not receive the full medical benefit from taking tamoxifen.


FDA Recommends Relabeling Tamoxifen

On October 18, an FDA panel unanimously agreed that the 2D6 genes are a predictor of tamoxifen efficacy. They recommend relabeling tamoxifen to say that 2D6 poor metabolizers who take tamoxifen have a higher risk for breast cancer recurrence, and that testing is available.

The 2D6 gene is involved in the metabolism of many drugs, including some over-the-counter medications. Different people have different variations of this gene. Some variations metabolize 2D6 drugs very quickly, while others don’t metabolize them as well. Still others don’t metabolize them at all. Knowing your genetic status may be useful to you in the future, should you be prescribed or consider taking other medications that are processed by 2D6.

Here's the link:
http://talk.dnadirect.com/2006/10/14/tamoxifen-2d6-genes/

Anonymous

I wanted to post a pic of my Fraidy Dog ...... normally his name is Sampson the Party Dog. Teryn and Sam are really the best of friends, as you can see!

Curlylocks

Happy Year New Years to All My Sisters!!!

Just want to say that Teryn is adorable and the baby pictures of her with the dog are totally priceless.....

We had a wonderful New Year's eve, drank, had fun and stayed up until 2:45 a.m., yikes!! I am tired today so will make this one short.

Here is to a Happiness, Health and the spirit of our sisterhood. It makes me smile with pride when I think of how I have been welcomed into this group with open arms. You ladies all are an inspiration and when we need to pick each other up, there is always some to lift my spirits.

Here are a few photos of last night's fesitivies.

Michele Wenz

My mother in law, myself and my sister in law.



My hubby and I, pre and post New Year's.

Anonymous

Cathy: I am very impressed by the way you have kept track of everyone's posts and whereabouts. Thank you for all the individual, personal comments. You're one heck of a smart lady. You get an "A" and earn the title of "teacher's pet".

Michele: Your smile IS contagious. You must have a million friends just wanting to be by your side all the time. Thanks for the cool pictures of you and your dh. They are so clear, and BIG, speaking of which... I don't know how your computer handles it, but every time I get huge pictures to look at, the posts get shortened. I don't get to see the right side of the posts even when I scroll to the right with the right arrow. Maybe I am the only one experiencing this problem. I have a resizing program (free) called graphic converter. It's for the Mac, though. If anyone wants a copy of it, let me know. Anyway, blah, blah blah.

TracyNY: You have just shown me (through your dining table pics) that one does not have to have a huge home for it to look elegant. I am totally inspired to start throwing away stuff (without ratpack dh's knowledge) and start cleaning, rearranging and polishing!

dEBBIE: I smile when you talk about your friend. My mother is 87 and keeps reminding me of how OLD she is. I told her yesterday that 90 is the new 70. So she's not even 70 yet. She seems to like the idea.

Victoria: After watching "A Tribute to James Taylor" my favorite quote is: "The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time. Any fool can do it...
There ain't nothing to it
Nobody knows how we got to
The top of the hill
But since we're on our way down
We might as well enjoy the ride."

TracyNY

Happy January 1st, people!! It rained like the dickens here in NY and I spent the day in bed and at the stove. My brother in London called me this morning and somehow the conversation led to soup so I was cooking at 9am!!

I only know how to make one soup, lentil, with some wicked dumplings bobbing in it. I was bloated and asleep again by 2pm!!

I am on meat restriction, I'm shooting for no more than three days a week. Tomorrow is chick pea and mushroom curry.

I'm so glad to have motivated you Brenda. Go on, chuck the rubbish out and not only display, but USE your best china. I'll have some new pictures next week if that crazy man delivers my furniture in the upcoming days. He says he's starting on the upholstery tomorrow. That drunkard!

My pretty Laura, how are feeling today? Are you taking drugs? The worst pain I ever had in life was after my bilateral mast. One of the benefits of being fickle is that you are easily distracted. I have so forgotten all about that! I just pose in the mirror watching my waistline shrink from the lipo! Bwahhh!!

TracyNY

Kelly: Who is that little girl kissing a dog on the mouth?! I almost had a stroke! I hope you and Teryn are recovering well.

Cathy: I look forward to meeting you when you stop in NY and I'm glad I can make you smile.

Michele: I am the person everyone wants to sit beside at the long boring meetings because I have scandalous comments to make that have them in stitches. I never did learn how to behave!

linny

Okay, I just spent an hour trying to catch up but could only skim. Again, I love, love, love everyone's pictures. Kelly, Teryn is adorable, Laura, you are stunning, Michelle, you look wonderful, Rosemarie, what a lovely family, and sorry for whatever I left out. I truly look forward to seeing the pictures whenever they are posted. I am in the dark ages, no digital camera. My married kids have them, but the downside is that I have no hard copies of the grandkids for the last few months - only online pictures.

Cathy, thank you for the personal messages for new years. My daughter lives in Cedarhurst, Long Island. It is a pretty neighbourhood, but right under the flight paths for JFK Airport - you would not believe the noise of the planes. People think I am joking, but I can see the airline symbol on every single plane that flies over, which shows you how low they fly. What a racket!

When I went for my Dec. follow up I met someone in the waiting room who had been in my support group last spring. I did not like the group (8 sessions) - two of the women were divorced and spent most of the sessions talking about their anger - I thought the facilitator did a poor job. In any case, this woman now has very advanced cancer, I was very distressed for her.

My husband left for Israel last night, he will be away for 6 days, so it is really quiet in the house. My son is coming home from college on Thursday for 10 days.

Isaac's cochlear implant surgery is scheduled for Feb. 7th, his parents are very eager for him to get the implant, so therapy can begin. Now that the twins are older (their birthday is Feb. 4) there is a very noticeable difference between Isaac and Samuel. Isaac is very sweet and alert, but Samuel is making baby noises, he likes to be danced around, and in general you can see that one has hearing and one is deaf. The future will be challenging, we hope for the best.

Linda

maryannecb

http://www.raceontheriver.com/index.html, Cathy, here is a link to the festival and race our team enterd last year. It explains about DB racing and shows pictures of the boats.

This is a pic of some of our group. We have two teams. One of our teams races and the other paddles for recreation only.



This is us racing last summer. I felt like I was in the Olympics, it was fast and exciting. It was the first time we made the finals so the team was pumped.

Fists up!

Anonymous

TaDah, that is a pic of Teryn kissing Sam, she was just a little baby then......they're still best friends. When she was little, she got out of the house with Sam while I was blow-drying my hair, he never left her side when normally he is down the street and around the corner if he gets out.

maryannecb

Linny, hope the surgery helps little Isaac's development. I can't imagine trying to figure out the world without hearing.

Yes you have to get a digital camera, and a printer, then you can make pictures of the grandchildren. It is pretty simple...

Michelle looks like a fun party. You'll need to get to sleep early tonight.

Good night all.

Fists up!

ake

Mary-Anne....I love the boat pictures....such great colors!

I'm glad we've all made it through the holiday and now back to the realities of work....ugh!

Here are my pictures from New Year's. We had a party with my husband's family and our friends. His cousins were visiting us from Montreal.

So, the first picture is me on Saturday....I was sick and miserable. Bad cold and cough. So upset. But, I got my medicine at the drug store and began to feel better.

The next picture is me and my sweet husband.

The last picture is me, my sister-in-law (with the red shirt on) and my two cousin-in-laws from Montreal....the one in the green is a singer

Off to bed I go....had a bit too much champagne last night

Love,
Amy

ravdeb

Wow..took me forever to get through all these posts! We are such a chatty bunch! I love readng about everybody's celebrations, seeing you all in the pictures, copying down meaningful quotes...

Amy..even in your miserable state you look good! Looks like you had a grand ole time! Lovely pics!

Rosemarie..hope your little one's butterflied chin is okay!

Kelly.. Teryn is so very cute! I was checking out her cute outfits and remembering how I used to dress up my kids when they were young. I used to love buying clothes for them! Now my daughter steals MY clothes! I noticed a vest of mine on her when she got home from work last night!

Laura...hope you are healing well. That was interesting info you posted. Makes us all wonder whether the meds we take are doing much good!!!

maryanne..I love the pictures of the boats and your team. That really looks like fun, not only for the sport but for the bonding and support.

TracyNY..I would love to sit next to you in a meeting! I love being mischievous when I'm supposed to be working!

Linda..hope your dh has a good trip in Israel. The weather has improved and though it's still cool here, we are getting a touch of sunshine as well. I think he'll have some good weather in Yerushalayim. Too bad you won't be here with him. Maybe next time?

Michele..you look terrific as always in your photos! Looks like fun!

I'm getting ready to take a walk on the beach and then some grocery shopping. It's quiet here. My SIL and her son are in Tel Aviv for the day, DH is working, my youngest son came home from school already..short day..and the sun is trying to peek out so I don't want to miss it!

Hoping the walk will help my fatigue.

My leg pain from sciatica gave me an uncomfortable night and then I noticed a pain on my right hip so I couldn't sleep if I layed on that side and then I worried all night long that it was the dreaded mets. I've noticed it before but it seemed to have disappeared and it is now back..just when I lay on it.

I am not going to obsess about this!!!! I will tell my onc should it continue or even if it doesn't. I am going to ask for scans just to make sure these pains I have are still really the sciatica. They are not severe pains..just uncomfortable.

Okay..on to the sunshine.
Have a good day Ladies!!

RoseMarie

MaryAnne- that sure looks like fun! (and HARD work!) The pics are beautiful!
Amy - your whole family is beautiful! Hope you're feeling better!
Laura - hope you're resting up!!
Michele - beautiful pics as well! Hope you were able to rest up!!
Debbie - Mark's letter should be on its way today! John Michael is pretty excited to have a pen pal!
Victoria - thinking of you! Wishing you a great, WARM day!!
Ravdeb - praying for you! Hope the fatigue and the pain let up!! Justin is fine, btw, he keeps picking at the bandage but he was ok within minutes of falling!
Dh is back at work today after 2 weeks off. It was nice to do nothing but relax! (he really is a work-aholic so it's hard for him to do "nothing") Kids go back to school next Tuesday - we're slowly getting back into our routine!

eek - just remembered I have to call my ps today - nipple surgery is scheduled for the 19th. I'm more afraid of that than I was the exchange surgery! Although, I tell myself I literally won't feel a thing, it's just the thought!!

Ok ladies have a wonderful, wonderful day!!!!

TracySeattle

Hi Everyone!!! Happy New Year!!!

We had a quiet night, just Dave and I. We made up a banquet of Appetizers and, of course, could not eat them all. Unfortunately we were sound asleep by midnight--but the fireworks woke us up.

Kelly - hope you and Teryn are feeling better. I love the pictures!

Victoria - I always love reading your posts - 26" of snow!! WOW!!! All of my friends in Colorado have been snowed in too. I really miss being snowed in (I used to live in Colorado).

Cathy - Thanks for the wonderful New Years messages! You are so sweet!!! I am excited to have the chance to meet you!!! I have an American Cancer Society Training class on Friday the 12th - it is in Seattle and lasts until 6:30. Do you want to meet up after that? Or I can do Sunday in the later afternoon or Monday after work. Just let me know! Where are you staying?

Rosemarie - I will PM you with my phone #.

Dave & I have been shopping for a laptop for me. We have it narrowed down now to a couple of models--both HP. I am much more impulsive than he is. He does research for weeks before he buys something..... I think we are driving each other crazy!!! Today he is doing the last bit of research comparing the Service Contracts of Circuit City, CompUSA and Staples to see which is best....

Well, I have to run. Back to work and reality.....
Love you all and here are many good wishes for a happy and prosperous 2007!!! November here we come!!!

Anonymous

Tracy, do you have a Best Buy over there? They usually have great service contracts. The other thing you might want to tell Dave is to find the best product/warranty or price and tell the other guys and they can usually match it so you get the best of all the product. For me, Circuit City, Best Buy and even Sears have lowered their price to match a competitor. I like to buy from a helpful salesperson so I usually tell the one that I like what my bottom line is and what other prices I have obtained.

Can you tell I am in sales management???

marymelodi

Just want to quickly say "HI!" and hello to you in 2007. The turn of the year was quiet for me but on New year's Day more drama occured at home. Things are tense. I am anxious and sad . . . worried about the future. I know you are all supportive and it is a help just to read about normal things. One of the issues coming up is that my husband thinks I am obsessed with breast cancer and does not want me to focus on it. He is impatient if I refer to my experience as "life-threatening", "life-changing," or any similar thing. He thinks since the odds seem pretty good for me with a smaller tumor, lumpectomy, and the chemo/radiation treatment that there is nothing to worry about. He really does not understand the impact of this experience or the meaning of it in my life. I have no words that seem to expalin it adequately. And really, I don't think I should have to justify how I feel.

Thank goodness for all of you and the understanding you give to me.

Mary