2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

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  • marymelodi
    marymelodi Member Posts: 515
    edited January 2007
    Hello to all:

    Amy: so happy to hear you have a plan and a way to achieve you goals. We are all thrilled for you and your hubby.

    Cathy: have safe travels and a wonderful visit with Tracy.

    Tracy: you are in for a treat! Cathy is just great to spend time with. Clear your calendar. You won't want the time to end.

    Victoria: happy to see what you are up to and hope the "fit" gets better.

    Laura: Hope the meds are helping you. I wouldn't worry too much about them. You'll know when you can go without.

    Debbie: Wonderful to see and hear of your family and the latest achievements.

    Ravdeb: I love hearing what is happening in your world. I think you must have a very nice house and family.

    Rosemarie: We still have 2 uneaten boxes of Thin Mints and hope we can make them last until Valentine's Day, at least. You are such a good mamma.

    I may have missed someone. It is not intentional. I am at work and have to hurry here.

    Feeling much better. It must have been sinusitis. The antibiotic and the nasal spray have made a difference. I have used only 1 Tylenol pill in the last 2 days. There is just a little tiny feeling of pressure and pain, hardly enough to notice. It may sound strange, but I don't think I've ever had a sinus infection before. I thought the pain would be out in the front of the face, not back in the head, behind the eyes and up in the forehead. I did not know. I am trying to get alot of fluid, water mostly, and more sleep. If only the alrm did not ring so early . . .

    So long for now,
    Mary
  • ake
    ake Member Posts: 684
    edited January 2007

    tracy...i'm sorry about your grandmother. have a safe trip!

  • ake
    ake Member Posts: 684
    edited January 2007
    a pebble....so freakin' funny and rock for the middle name. pebble rock or pebble october will you all be the aunts?

    i'm staying patient about the whole thing and cautiously hopeful and knowing it is most likely going to take longer than we think. it's going to be a gizallion in terms of how much it all will cost. but, my husband and i are still smiling ear to ear knowing that things aren't so doom and gloom anymore. there is nothing better than feeling hopeful. about anything.

    on a side note...we are expanding our family soon...we're getting a lab this summer should i name her "october"?
  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited January 2007
    Or October Pebble?

    TracyNY..so sorry to hear about your grandmother. Have a safe trip there.

    Mary..glad to hear you are feeling better.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2007
    Busy busy today, ladies!!

    Just popped in to read all your thoughts today.

    Amy, so happy that you are feeling great about the future........ And regarding your puppy, why not watch Flinstones and get a good 'rock' name for it? Or name it Flintstone.
  • RoseMarie
    RoseMarie Member Posts: 502
    edited January 2007
    TracyNY -so sorry to hear about your grandmother! Saying a prayer for your family. Travel safely!

    Just realized that I've been in my house one year today. I had my second Taxol on Jan.10 and flew out on the 11th! Two weeks later the chemo nurses were chastising me for bringing Justin to Chemo. Oh brother, so glad that's in the past!!!!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2007
    Amy -
    I would love to be an aunt again! I am a FAB aunt! Congrats to you both...you have a plan...and your determination will shine through!
    In the foyer of our house we have a framed print that says:

    WE WILL EITHER FIND A WAY OR MAKE ONE.

    INDEED!...we live by this and so will you two. Rock On. If it's a boy would it be bam-bam?

    ravdeb -
    That woman is right...you have FAB skin! You and your dh both look quite a bit younger than you are.

    Mary -
    Glad you're feeling better.

    Gracie -
    Awwwwww...hope your dh is feeling better. Roy didn't get it, but he never gets anything! No colds, Flu, sinus problems, etc...I envy his rock- solid immune system.

    Victoria -
    I bet our chests look identical! It's very tough, I agree. I made appts for prosths in two weeks. One of the places I'm going to that's an in network provider is Nordstroms. I don't know if you have one by you, they're supposed to be good. But if the pain isn't better, I'll have to postpone it. Right now I cannot put on a bra...ouch, no way. I have to wear loose fitting shirts to hide the void. Is your insurance paying for your Prosths? By law, they have to - let me know, though.

    RoseMarie -
    I remember last year at this time...I was wondering back then if you were going to post again or not. I don't know how you did it! Moving, with kids, different state, going through chemo! You are a Wonder Woman! I'm so happy you decided to log back on once you settled in. Thanks for doing the address list.

    TaDah -
    I'm so sorry about your G-ma. Have a safe trip. Yes, I did make it to my Water Color Class...brushing up on the ole skills...ha-ha!

    Paula -
    You are absolutely adorable! I agree...we need more pics of TADAH. Are you going to be able to meet with us all? I hope so!

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

    I'm feeling a little better again today. But still have some pain. I called the surgeon's office and left a message for him. I'm going to ask if I can go to the pain clinic and get the pain blocker injections like I did after the first Mast. The injections hurt like hell, but I'm desperate (hey, I'm a desperate house-wife!). Please keep your fingers crossed that this will help me! I need 100% relief. It's become somewhat maddening.

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

    maryanne, kelly, cindy, Brenda, debbie (I like the cheerleader, but I miss your smiling face), cathy, tracy, michele, linny, jill...hi there! Hope you're doing well. Hey - there's 20 of us according to RoseMarie's list.


    Sherry - have you left us forever? Did you get the dvd I sent to you?

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

    EVERYONE-
    THE KOMEN WALK IS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th. WOULDN'T IT BE FAB TO WALK TOGETHER - ALL WITH SURVIVOR T-SHIRTS-HAND IN HAND-UNITED WE STAND! That would be awesome! Kids can walk too! If not that weekend, September is a beautiful month here in Illinois. Once we all decide on a date, I have some ideas for our get-together. But we really need to finalize a date sometime soon.

    Laura
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2007

    TracyNY, I can't believe I missed the part of your g-ma passing away. I am so sorry for you and your family. Have a safe trip and maybe you can find some time to relax while you are there. I have told you before, I love BARBADOS!! Flying fish, pink sand, warm clear water ...... ahhhh!

  • linny
    linny Member Posts: 204
    edited January 2007
    When I don't keep up, I feel like it is hopeless to try and catch up!!!This is a very active group.

    Laura, so sorry you have pain still, hope you get the right answers. Also, I cannot watch the DVD, I had my computer guy here today, for another problem, and he tried it, and could not get it to work.

    I have bad cramps in the muscles of my calves, mainly when I am fast walking for exercise. I dont know what to do - that is my main form of exercise and I love walking. I blame it on tamoxifen.

    My youngest son is home from college in New York for 10 days - I love having him around, he is funny and cute. He is the tallest one in the family (6 feet) and people who have not seen him for a few years always do a double take. He just turned 21, and his main growing years were late, after 16.

    Isaac's implant surgery has been approved by the insurance company for Feb. 7 - praying that he stays healthy (no colds, etc,) or they will not do it. Now that the boys are older, there is a very noticeable difference - Samuel babbles baby talk all day, Isaac is totally quiet. Just this week, my daughter said to me that she is sorry she did not use baby sign language with him - none of the 3 therapists involved with him suggested it - they all say he will do well after the implant. But she said why should he not have had some mode of communication until then - in other words, she would do symbols of actions to him (for example "up" or "bath") and he would have understood the meaning. I think none of the therapists were "thinking outside the box" as the expression goes.

    Some very distressing posts on other threads about recurrence - ovarian cancer, brain mets, and more. What a rotten disease bc is.
  • cathy987
    cathy987 Member Posts: 179
    edited January 2007
    TracyNY-so sorry to hear about your g'ma's death. Have a safe trip. Hope you have others you'll get to visit with on your journey.

    Girls-I have just completed final Herceptin and all went very well. Mary-Anne, I told my chemo nurse about your taking a picture of the empty Herceptin bag and she asked me if I was planning to do the same. I said I hadn't brought my camera with and so help me if she didn't have a poloroid and took my picture with the empty bag. I'll try to scan it and post it at a later date.

    I met an incredible woman in the chemo room. I'll tell you more about her later. It put a whole new perspective on mets for me.

    On to my mamogram. Isn't this how this whole journey started?

    Thinking about all of you and looking forward to meeting each and everyone of you in person-if not all at once then one at a time.
  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited January 2007
    Yahoooooooooo Cathy! You're done! GREAT! You will not be tied to that stuff anymore. I felt a great relief when I left my last rads treatment. I was so tired of treatments and being at the hospital all the time. Of course, I had a huge trip to the States ahead of me..could have been the reason.

    Laura..do feel better.
    I could actually make it to the Walk on the 29th of Sept. I mean...if we are all going to be there then I'd make the effort. It IS a holiday then, but a more minor one and I could leave just after the first night and make it by Sat., I think. The first night is Wed. night. I could do this. I think it sounds great! I'm sure my girlfriend in Chicago would want to walk with us, too.

    Ladies..I had such a chemo brain experience tonight. I was so upset when I returned home. I'm not sure it's chemo brain but this fatigue of mine. I had my first meeting with my committee and I'm not sure it went well. I felt like I was not leading them and that is sooooo not me! At our synagogue committees that I've been on in the past, I've always been the leader, have always been chairperson of the committees, have always FELT the leadership. Tonight I was in a daze. I had my meeting all written up and ready to go. I couldn't even keep up with writing things down. One member didn't come but sent her husband instead, which was a good thing! He's good at things like this.

    I will think more about the meeting tomorrow when I type up our conclusions and e-mail them out, but I came home feeling like my brain had been left somewhere. I mean..I couldn't find it to speak or think things out.

    I lost track of what they were talking about. And I felt really DUMB! I'm so mad at myself! I felt like I didn't know what I was doing. My mind was not there and yet I was trying but I didn't feel that leadership and committment that I've always felt. It's gone. It left me last year when my mind was filled with bc.

    I'm rambling. My eyes are sleepy. I came home and felt like crying...

    I am not who I used to be. And right now..I want my old self back.
  • marymelodi
    marymelodi Member Posts: 515
    edited January 2007
    Tadah: so sorry about your grandma. Hope you have a good trip and a nice visit with relatives. Travel safe.

    Mary
  • marymelodi
    marymelodi Member Posts: 515
    edited January 2007
    Cathy: Yeah!!!!! have a good trip this weekend and enjoy see Tracy Seattle. I'll be thinking of you.

    On Saturday morning I am borrowing my friend's 5 oldest children (ages 11,9,8,6,4) and taking them to see "Charlotte's Web." I plan to have fun even if it is hectic and nerve-wracking to have all 5 of them in my car. I'm thinking of pizza for lunch after the movie. How does that sound??

    Mary
  • debbie444
    debbie444 Member Posts: 847
    edited January 2007
    Excellent CaThy - another milestone reached !
    Tracey - sorry about your gran, hope you have a safe trip.
    Sorry to be the one to push but any further on a date? We did nt go away last year and would like to take the kids away camping or something else that doesnt cost the earth, only dont want to try and book anything in case it clashes and then we lose our holiday fee - as we would cancel it!!
    If everone wants, they could email or pm their ok dates to me and i will collate them all ( with my felt tip pens!!) on a large calendar. either that or we start looking at 2008!! I guess if it is just by UK dates that are throwing things ( last few days in Jul all Aug and first few bits of Sept) i will have to stand back and set up the video link.

    I bought some lovely suede pictures in the sales today for our bedroom, finished stripping the walls today so Rog can plaster tomorrow and then we can decorate - it will be nice to have it as we want, not as the previous owner left it. He recovered our dining chairs in leather yesterday, in fact he is pretty handy to have around!!
    Oh , and i made a new friend today. His name is Matt, hes 32 and kinda cute - Paula i will post him to you!! hes our new IT guy at school, i tend to talk to anyone and the poor guy was like a lost soul in the staff room so he is my new project.

    Laura, hope you are feeling more like it soon
    Debbie
  • marymelodi
    marymelodi Member Posts: 515
    edited January 2007
    Debbie:
    I am available at any time in the second half of 2007 to meet Rocktober sisters in Chicago-area. It would be harder in the next 4 or 5 months, but I would find a way to do it if that is our agreed time.

    Amy:
    I think Rocky would be a great name for a lab. Will you get a puppy or an older dog from a shelter or a rescue?? I always think about the older dogs that are in shelters and wish I could help them.

    Good luck!
    Mary
  • debbie444
    debbie444 Member Posts: 847
    edited January 2007

    I think, in French , Little Rock is something like 'peu de pierre' , so baby Pierre it is!!

  • Paula15089
    Paula15089 Member Posts: 373
    edited January 2007
    Mary - glad your pain is better!

    Laura, you poor thing.. I understand now why reconstruction would be difficult for you... your body seems to hate all that surgery! I dont blame it.
    I would love love love to meet you all. Decide on a date and I see what I can do!

    Amy, your baby is sure to have some rocking aunties!!
    Pebble sounds good as a doggie name… or how about Nugget?

    TaDah, sorry about your grandma.. have a safe trip!

    Ravdeb – don’t be upset. You’ve lost something, but you’ve gained a lot more – wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and a whole new bunch of friends. It’s a different you, but this new You is better than the old one. Just a bit of chemo brain is a small price for that. Well, that’s my argument and I’m sticking to it!!

    Victoria – keep forgetting to ask you – whats a Yaya flower?

    I’ve been setting up appointments in March with a few plastic surgeons regarding my prophy with immed recon. Need to have some kind of closure on my boobs… Not sure whether to have Lat Flap on my BC side or just keep an implant there as it is… not entirely happy with the implant (too firm and some rippling), but can live with it. The thought of more scars however… My current PS says Lat Flap is the only thing that will make it look natural… I’ve asked to just replace an implant with a silicone one (have a permanet expander now which is half saline half silicone) and he saus because of radiation I will always have this problem of capsular contraction.. so I am getting a second opinion.
    What do you ladies think?
  • TracySeattle
    TracySeattle Member Posts: 690
    edited January 2007
    Debbie - we have been talking about doing the Komen walk together on September 29th! Looks like Ravdeb can make it - does this date look good to you??? I think we are close to agreeing on a date ladies!!! WOULDN'T IT BE AWESOME IF WE COULD WALK IN THE WALK TOGETHER??? I think maybe we would be on TV!!!

    TracyNY - Sorry about your grandma....

    Cathy - we need to "hook up" and make plans for getting together! You can PM me anytime or call me on my cell tomorrow....

    I gotta run - my bus is coming and I am ready to go home!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2007
    Cathy!! I started crying when you told us about the nurse doing that for you!
    What a journey you have completed!! I have 4 left! Can't wait for that day, it has been so hard with my MUGAs. So scary that the damage was permanent. Glad you are done and safe from any heart damage.

    Next Thursday is our meet up day!! I am so excited to meet Laura and Brenda!!

    Paula, I think you should get that 2nd opinion. I think at your age I would not want the lat flap. You would have a pretty decent scar back there. For me, I am having the implant on the mast side and a lift and small implant on the healthy one. The reason for the small implant on the healthy one is make them look more similar. Here in So Cal, everyone has fake ones, so both will look round and fake!!! LOL .....
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2007
    Good going, Cathy!

    Sorry to hear about your grandma, TracyNY. Your furniture pieces are beautiful. They look like mahogany.

    Dress in layers, Laura. It is freezing in San Diego as I write this. There's snow at 1,000 ft. and that's only 20 minutes from my house, and I live in the heart of the city. It can't be that different from Pasadena. However, it may change by next Thursday. We had summer weather last weekend. I still can't believe I am finally going to meet up with you and Kelly!

    dEBBIE, are you on any kind of antidepressant? I am trying to wean myself off mine. I am getting very irritable, but not depressed. I just can't stand the fatigue. Sometimes I just feel weak, and that's worse. I used to be able to open any jar in the house. I want that grip back!

    I am gathering from the other posts that Amy is going to have a baby named Pebble or Rocky. Congratulations to you and your dh, Amy!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2007
    Amy there are lots of names associated with Rock
    1) Ebenezer. It means rock or stone of help. Samuel gave the name Ebenezer to a stone set up in recognition of G*d's help in defeating the Philistines.
    I think a dog named Ebenezer would be kinda cute!!

    2) Petra, Pierre, Pierce, Fergus, Fergie, Pedro, Petie, Petey, Cephas, Kraig, Pello, Penine (all mean Rock in various languages)

    3) Sele, Seleta are both Hebrew for Rock according to one name book

    4) Zur .....(Hebrew) means Stone; rock; that besieges ...... That would be a good name for a dog, too .... especially funny if it's a little teeny dog with sharp teeth! Or a big dog like mine that thinks he is a lap dog!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2007
    We are just totally beside ourselves here in San Diego. Our Chargers are playing against the New England Patriots right here at home! So if you happen to be a Patriots fan, I'm so sorry for you!!! Do I hear you cheering, Debbie? You do know what football is, don't you? And no, I don't mean soccer. It's good old fashioned American football.

    San Diego Super Chargers, San Diego CHARGERS! Yeah!
    (Can you tell, I was never a cheerleader?)
  • ake
    ake Member Posts: 684
    edited January 2007
    you guys are cracking me up with these baby names. we haven't even started the process yet!

    my favorite's are pebble, nugget, and pierre
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2007
    Linny -
    Try watching the dvd on the TV. Let me know if that works.

    Oh Worldly One -
    Congrats! Last Herceptin...YOU DID IT GIRL...the polaroid...amazing she had one, can't wait to see it. Yes, the mammo, that's all how it started. I can't wait to hear your story of the incredible woman in the chemo room. Tell us more...

    ravdeb -
    I cried when I read your post. You are so intelligent and so creative and so vibrant and so awesome and so caring... I feel bad you felt that way. Give it time, you will settle in. I have felt similar things during meetings with clients, etc. Some meetings, I walked out and thought...what was that all about? I couldn't even understand my own notes! It's tough, be strong, you've been through a lot...we're here for you sister...

    marymelodi -
    That is so nice of you - 11, 9, 8, 6, 4 - you are going to have your hands full! Hope it's fun...

    paula -
    Thanks. Have you visited the reconstruction site here at bc.org? That may help you. I wish you the very best...you should get a second opinion. You are so young, and you should have the very best of what's available.

    Brenda, Kelly -
    I'm starting to pack - I can't wait... I am so excited...

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

    EVERYONE -
    I love you all. I don't know what I'd do without you. THINK ABOUT THE WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 28TH. We really need to plan this.

    Laura
  • TracySeattle
    TracySeattle Member Posts: 690
    edited January 2007
    Once we figure out a date, I think we should try Oprah again. Even if it is just to get tickets to go to the show. If we do get tickets, we can all wear our Rocktober T-shirts..... We will make them sorry that they didn't pick us!!!

    Once we figure out the dates, we should probably start talking about places to stay.... LOOK OUT CHICAGO - HERE COME THE ROCKTOBER SISTERS!!!!

    I love you all! Talk to you tomorrow....
  • debbie444
    debbie444 Member Posts: 847
    edited January 2007

    the only dates i can do in Sept are the 1st 2nd and 3rd

  • scottishlass
    scottishlass Member Posts: 58
    edited January 2007
    Hello everyone.
    Again trying to keep up with everyone and failing miserably.

    Ravdeb - I fully understand the chemo brain - with my new job I have to "learn" new systems. This has never been a problem for me before but now it feels as if i am hacking through a thick fog with a blunt machete before I can ever find the computer. I feel so thick and dense. I think the most difficult thing is that the guy that has employed me (I worked with him before) is used to me having a quick take up of issues and a brain that works efficiently. So as well as feeling dense I am thinking that he thinks I am not working well.

    I think (gosh so much thinking) that in reality he has not noticed anything, but that is not how it feels. You probably find that the people in your committee would not have noticed much either. Most people are just happy to be led and I am sure that you are still managing that. It is your expectations and standards that you have to manage and allow yourself to be less than 100% at the moment. Once you can allow yourself to be less efficient it takes the strain away and you become more efficient.

    I think this is the most incomprehensible post I have ever written, but I hope you can see where I am coming from. It helped me to think in this way.
    Jill
  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited January 2007
    Thanks Ladies.

    Paula..I agree with all the women here. Though I know pretty much zilch about all the different reconstructions, I do believe you must have the best of the best for your age.

    Amy...you have so many interesting names to choose from!

    The Hebrew name that Kelly wrote.."Zur" is really Tzur and not a z sound but kind of t and z together. It's a beautiful Hebrew name and common here. Sela is also rock but not as nice a name, in my opinion. This could possibly be because the serial rapist who was on the loose not too long ago..that's his last name!

    Jill..I was ROFL over your post! You are sooooooo funny! I could have used that face to face!!!!

    My girlfriend wrote to me and told me she has the same problems and so it must be menopause. She said that after situations like these, she goes home, puts her feet up, has some herbal tea and reads a spiritual book.

    I've had attention problems before this but never to such an extent that I would feel like a complete FOOL! Laura..thanks for building up my confidence with your incredibly kind words.

    Victoria..I do hope that you are able to get that right color pink next time! When I get spacey in my own space I am not as frustrated as when people are depending on me. They chose me to organize this committee because of my past work. And now I feel like one of them will go to the board and say that I'm out of my mind, make no sense, and they'd better bring in a better person before all H*&% breaks loose!!!!

    I could come at the beginning of Sept., by the way. Or..the very end of Aug. The Walk together, though, is ever enticing to me. Not sure if my dh will come with me or not. It could work out with him, as well. Would be fun.

    Debbie..the WALK! It would be good! We'd make sure you had a helmet!!
  • RoseMarie
    RoseMarie Member Posts: 502
    edited January 2007
    Initially I thought my dh and kids would stay at home but might be nice to have them along. It's only a 3 hour trip but it would be nice for Mike to drive instead of me

    So excited about the upcoming get-togethers! Take lots of pics...and bring extra batteries!!!(mine died and I never could take any pics!)
    Mary, you are brave!! (A buffet-pizza place like CiCi's would be good because then they don't have to sit and wait for the pizza to be ready...just a thought...) You are so sweet and I know the mom (& kids) will be sooo appreciative!!
    Cathy - congratulations!! (have I already congratulated you???) So happy you're done with treatments!
    Paula - I'd certainly get a second opinion, and a third and a fourth until you feel comfortable!

    My 4 year old is so funny - I just asked him to throw something away and he hugged me and said, "You say the nicest things to me." And he KNOWS he's funny!! OMG!!
  • cathy987
    cathy987 Member Posts: 179
    edited January 2007
    Thank you one and all for all the congrats!

    I'm in Fargo at the airport–have a little delay this morning. Temperature is -15 F here this morning–windchill -40. Got my vehicle stuck in my yard so took my 4-wheel-drive pick up. Of course it was empty so had to stop and pump gas but made it without any other incidents. Should have stayed in Fargo last night but of course wasn't ready for today.

    Hope weather is better in Seattle. Will check in later when I have more time.

    Any time is o.k. for me for a get-together. Dh may be with me but he won't be driving. (bad joke)

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