2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

Anonymous

Tomorrow's the day I get to meet-up with Speed Racer and Brenda, our favorite California teacher! I am so excited I cannot decide what I will wear! It's going to be after work and cold. I know I have to come home, pick up Teryn and then we have to drive up to Pasadena, about an hour away. When it's cold I hate to wear my boots since my feet feel like ice planks that are ready to break at the end of the day. I am hoping I feel like squeezing into jeans and boots!!

But then again, if I wear boots, I will tower over our girls! Argggggggg!! Did I ever tell you guys that I am 5'10" in bare feet??? I feel like quite a presence being tall and a bit overweight. Not my favorite cuppa tea.

TracySeattle

I can't wait to hear about your get together tomorrow!!!

Mary Anne - sure we could be Roomies! I am so sorry to hear that your tests were hard. I hate MRIs because I am claustrophobic - I can't stay inside that tube.

I have my 6 month check up with the Onc on 2/14 - No Mammo, but he is going to do blood work. It will be nice to see what is going on inside of me (at least blood wise).

Ravedeb, I'm thinking about you.... Hope you have a better day. It does really stink having to deal with health issues.... We are here for you!

'night all.... Love ya!

Graycie

love all the pictures of the Dogs. Amy, your Jake crack's me up, how funny......

Ravdeb, I believe that your high cholesterol is probably genetic in your case especially since you do everything right. I may have said this before but my sister who is anorexic has high cholesterol and she doesn't put anything bad in her body. So go figure..... Me on the other hand eat whatever I want (well not lately) and I was told my good cholesterol is phenomenal so my cholesterol is OK...actually that was before chemo. I am curious to see what it is now. I know what you mean about not having control. I have high blood pressure and have done everything to get it down naturally with no luck. I don't salt my food and try to exercise but nothing works so I am now on blood pressure pills.

Tracy, If you are doing makeover's can you do hair weave's? Because that's what I need for my makeover.

Maryanne, Ouch.....you poor thing that must have been terrible for you. Good thing you only have to do that once a year.

Kelly, Laura and Brenda.......So tomorrow is the big day, I bet you can't wait. Don't forget your camera's. Kelly and Brenda I heard about your cold weather. Maybe tomorrow it will be warmer., I sure hope so. Kelly, you sound like me. I don't like my weight either. I think a lot of us are going through that. At least you are tall, I am only 5'4"

Time for bed

Gail

Anonymous

Laura thinks she is coming to sunny California. It was snowing in Malibu today and on Sunset Blvd. In Bel Aire, the kids were using there saucers to slide down the lawns!! Hasn't happened since 1987!!!! LOL

It is 33º at my house right now!

Paula15089

Girls, dont forget to take heaps of pictures. And I mean, LOTS!!

ravdeb

Can't wait to hear about the mini Rock-tober meeting!!!
Kelly...I didn't picture you tall!..nor do I picture you overweight. I think the latter part is not true!

Maryanne..thanks for the perspective. I put your words in my mind as I walked over to the doctor's office (small village, short walk). I'm glad your mammo and MRI are over. Although I don't have a shoulder issue, I do know what you mean about having to lay still. I get panicky. I tense up and all my muscles hurt! I'm afraid I won't be able to stay still! That is my biggest concern. I'm not claustrophobic. Well..glad you are done with that for now. All is well, I'm sure, also with the MRI. We are rocks, you know!

Yea Gail..I guess we can't fight the genetics. It sucks though! I guess I should be mad at my parents who gave this gift to me!!!! NAH! Just kidding!!! My MIL's sister has high cholesterol and she barely weighs 100 pounds. So....it is NOT weight or life style..it just IS.

Tracy..that is Valentine's Day when you have your onc appt.! Mine is Feb. 13th! I don't get blood tests. I am doing mammo and ultrasound on affected side in March for my surgeon. Onc didn't ask for anything.

Amy..that is a doberman??? OMGosh! We had a doberman mixed with rotweiller and he was cute when we first got him (I called him Chocolate Chip and then it changed to Chip) but he got violent and killed our donkey. We sent him to the army and he got trained to be a watchdog and he even got a certificate. I have no idea where he is now. Probably in doggie heaven.

Kelly...33 in California? That is colder than here in Israel! WOW!

Okay..so my doctor said that my cholesterol is too high (the LDL) to wait any longer. I'm at high risk because of my dissected carotid artery and it appears that diet and exercise will not help. So, it's pills. I'm sad. He said to go on the pills for 3 months and have another blood test.

The good news is that the diet DID lower my daughter's cholesterol. I'm thrilled with that! She is too young to get into the pills. The doctor was ready to give her a prescription 3 months ago. It's a good thing I had gone with her. He had put it in her file but after he typed it, I suggested that she do a diet. (My brain was actually with me that day!). He agreed with that and it worked! I know my daughter. She had been going overboard on certain foods and I though she should stop eating so much fatty cheeses and eggs so often. She stopped and it worked!!!!

So, I felt good when I walked out because at least my daughter is okay.

I will get over all this. Thanks for putting it all into perspective for me.

Have a good day and I expect to see pictures soon!

debbie444

Hey Kelly, when we meet up, stand next to me - I am 5" 10 to , i usually feel like a cart horse!! My best friend here is 5 ft 2 so that exaggerates it too!
It is 6 degrees here , and my front garden is under 2 inches of water - and still it comes.
Take lots of pictures and i expect you all to be wearing a small bit of cheetah !!
Debbie

ravdeb

Oh Debbie..6 degrees centigrade, I gather. That's cold for us! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Hope you don't flood!

We have sunshine today.

In light of my most reason adventure with cholesterol, I am sending this to you all...got it in my e-mail this morning and it couldn't have come at a more appropriate time!

CHOCOLATE SINGS
>>One day I had a date for lunch with friends. Mae, a little old "blue
>>hair"
>>about 80 years old, came along with them---All in all, a pleasant bunch.
>>When
>>the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups,
>>except
>>for Mae who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate."
>>
>>I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along
>>with
>>heated apple pie," Mae added, completely unabashed. We tried to act quite
>>nonchalant, as if people did this all the time. But when our orders were
>>brought
>>out, I didn't enjoy mine.. I couldn't take my eyes off Mae as her pie
>>a-la-mode went down. The other ladies showed dismay. They ate their
>>lunches silently
>>and frowned.
>>
>>The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Mae. I lunched on
>>white meat tuna. She ordered a parfait. I smiled. She asked if she amused
>>me. I
>>answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me. How come you order rich
>>desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?
>>
>>She laughed and said, with wanton mirth, "I'm tasting all that's
>>Possible. I
>>try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so
>>short,
>>my friend, I hate missing out on something good. This year I realized how
>>old I was. (She grinned) I haven't been this old before."
>>
>>"So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had
>>ignored. I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many books
>>I haven't
>>read. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown
>>overhead.
>>There are many malls I haven't shopped. I've not laughed at all the
>>jokes.
>>I've missed a lot of Broadway hits and potato chips and cokes.
>>
>>I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to
>>sit
>>in a country church once more and thank God for His grace. I want peanut
>>butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want UN-timed long
>>distance calls
>>to the folks I love the most. I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or
>>walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind in my hair. I want to
>>fall in
>>love again. So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner,
>>then
>>should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed
>>out on
>>nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse
>>before
>>my life expired."
>>
>>With that, I called the waitress over.. "I've changed my mind," I said.
>>"I
>>want what she is having, only add some more whipped cream!"
>>
>>This is my gift to you - We need an annual Friends Day! If you get this
>>twice, then you have more than one friend. Live well, love much & laugh
>>often -
>>Be happy.
>>

>>Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige,
>>but on relationships with people we love and respect.
>>
>>Remember that while money talks,
>>CHOCOLATE SINGS
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>
> _________________________________________________________________

Curlylocks

Good Morning Ladies,

A quick post before I leave to get ready for work:

How tall is everyone?

I'm with the tall gals 5'10'.:)

Michele

RoseMarie

Wow, lots of tall women here! I'm 5'6-ish -
I am also so frustrated with my weight! I lost 10 lbs a while ago and can't seem to lose another ounce. I just found out that my insurance co. thru my husband's employer will pay for a YMCA (or other gym) membership so my goal today is to sign up at the Y...and then exercise!

MaryAnne-OW!! So sorry you had to go through so much pain!!!!! How often do you get an MRI?
BTW - Mary has a birthday tomorrow!!!! I probably won't be on tomorrow so - Happy Birthday Mary!!!
Ravdeb - lol -
Laura, Kelly, Brenda - excited for you!

Nippledom, here I come...getting hibee-jibees just thinking about the procedure. (I keep remembering Amy's reference to hers looking like a man's pinky finger!)
Alright, off to start the day...

Have a great day!!!!!

ravdeb

Hey RoseMarie..Good luck being initiated into Nippledom! Hope it all goes perfectly for you!!!

I feel like a shrimp here. I'm 5'4".

My daughter is about 5'2"! But my son makes up for all of this at 6'2"!!!

linny

Maryanne, sorry your MRI was difficult - why did you have it?

I am 5'7", my daughters are 5'4" but my sons are both tall 5'10" and 6 feet.

Ravdeb, my cholesterol was recently tested, it is quite high, I will see my family doctor soon to discuss it. I do not feel at all like I did before BC - I was put into menopause, I have gained weight in my middle, my knees ache from tamoxifen, I have hot flashes, fatigue, and even though I am pretty happy and active, I feel like my head is in a completely different place now. I just think about cancer a lot of the time, and yes, I am getting on with my life as I want to, but I am totally not over the fear. To be honest, even reading these boards frequently adds to my fear - there are so many ladies with mets, I just read a new thread yesterday of women with mets after several years. I cannot talk myself into believing everything will be fine, as much as I wish it, we simply don't know.

Debbie, I always thought I could not live in a country like England where it rains so much. Toronto is pretty cold right now, but I like the weather here.

Isaac's surgery is on Feb 7 - I am so scared for him, I start to cry every time I think of it. He is such a cute little baby, I pray all goes well.

Linda

Curlylocks

Love all the puppy pictures, love labs.

Today did not start off the greatest, someone rear ended me not far from my house this morning. I live on a busy throughfare and the speed limit is 80 km an hour then quickly drops to 60km not far from my house and then 50km once you hit town. I pulled out of my driveway making sure as always that I have the room. I was motoring along for a bit then all of a sudden, it felt like a movie and I was a rag doll. I still at this point didn’t know what happened, thought I had a flat tire. Then got out and realized that some moron had rear ended me! I’m okay physically will see what happens to my neck tomorrow but my husband’s truck is not in such great shape. The whole back end is smashed in along with the right side panel by the tire. It also sounds like there is some damage to the axel and it is not driveable. The police drove me home. I only had my husband’s truck as my Rav4 is in the garage getting an oil change and the wiper arm replaced, MURPHY’S LAW!

Paula – have to agree with you on the chocolate.

Amy – the dog picture is hilarious!

Brenda/Laura and Kelly – have a blast and take lots of pictures.

Tracyseattle – love the dogs and they are all sitting there so calmly.

Ravdeb – sorry to hear about your cholestrol spike. I too believe it is hereditary. My parents are both diabetics and now my older sister was diagnosed two years ago, sucks…

Gracyie – why is hubby having a steroid shot in his eye?

Victoria – what does your new name mean?

Maryanne – glad to hear that your mamo was normal. I don’t think the stress of having them ever goes away.

Kelly – you are as tall as me but much thinner. The weather is weird all over the place, we didn’t have our first snowfall until this week and then it was combined with freezing rain, yuk!

Debbie444 – I hope you have a sump pump in your basement so it doesn’t get flooded.

Rosemarie – healing thoughts for your surgery tomorrow.

Linda – I agree the fear is always there but we have to put into prescpective and in that little place where it belongs in the back of our minds so that it doesn’t destroy us living our lives. I now it is hard though…..Praying for little Issac’s successful surgery.

Michele

chumfry

I'm 5'10" too! (And definitely on the chunky side!) What's more, I'm literally the runt of my entire family.

My mom's 6 foot tall, which was VERY unusual for a girl growing up in the 1950s. She just turned 70 and has lost a few inches due to a dowager's hump. My mom's dad was a 6'5" Swede, while my dad is 6'4". My sisters are all 5'11".

My husband and I moved to Minnesota three years ago and I really noticed a shift upward in the average height of the populace. I'm definitely not the tallest woman in the room anymore. Six-foot females aren't unusual at all. Must be all those Scandinavian genes in the area! LOL

Graycie

OMG Michele, I am glad you are alright. That happened to me once on my way to work. My neck and back didn't hurt until after the shock wore off so maybe you should have it checked out. I also have 3 diabetic's in my family. My husband, daughter and son. That is why my husband had the shot because he has blood behind his eye so she is trying this hoping to get rid of it. Typical with diabetes.

Rosemarie, Best of Luck tomorrow with your surgery.

Linda, Don't worry. I know it is hard not to worry but I am sure Isaac will be fine. And if he has a chance to hear it will all be worth it in the end. I know it is just hard seeing our little ones go through surgery.

I'm excited for you girls meeting today! Everyone else have a nice day, I am off to work.

Gail

TracySeattle

WOW!!! Lots of tall ladies!!! I am 5'5", used to be 5'6" but I have shrunk.....

Rosemarie - Good luck with those Nips!!! With all you have been through this year - this one is going to be a piece of cake..... You will do fine and I will be thinking of you.

Michelle - How Scary! I am glad you are OK. Sorry about the truck.

Debbie - I guess it rains there as much as it does here in Seattle. I used to have a problem with it, but I think I have gotten used to it (only took me about 9 years!). We have had snow on and off for the past 3 weeks and that is very unusual for us, we usually only get a dusting of snow once during the winter.

Linda - I am saying a prayer for Isaac, he will be fine. You are a sweet grandma.

Did you all notice in my Dog picture how closely the markings are on Sam and Mini? My friends got Sam first - he is a mix of Newfoundland and something else. Then several years later they got Mini who is a border collie. They named her Mini-Me because she was marked so much like Sam.....

I am excited about our Rocktober meeting today!!! Can't wait to see the pics. Kelly - it has been really cold there, crazy isn't it?

Ravdeb - I am sorry that you have to take the pills, but it sounds like the diet is just not going to work. Thank goodness that there are pills to control it and won't you feel better knowing that it is under control? Yes, I'm seeing my Onc on Valentines day - Happy Valentines Day to me.... I wish they were doing a Mammo, espeically since there were issues when they did one back in August. I am going to talk with him about it as they want me to wait until August for the next one.

Have a good day everyone!

scottishlass

Hello Everyone,
it has taken me well over an hour and a half to get through the posts - serves me right for not dropping in for the last few days. Going to work for a couple of days makes me really tired and all I want to do if flop in front of the television.
I think it may be possible for me to come over in August. I read the dates but they were several pages ago. Can someone comfirm them? I did not join the discussion about dates before as I did not want to make life more complicated than it already seemed to be.
I am really so happy that the group has continued - this group has lasted longer then some marriages these days.
I will join the taller ladies 5" 7.
Debbie - you seem to be having the wind down south today. We have had some of the more ferocious storms in living memory. They seem to have lasted for weeks. Anyway January is nearly finished(my least favourite month of the year) and so we can look forward to better times
Ravdeb - Think back to this time last year when we were all battling against the dreaded "C". Cholesterol is a small issue which can be controlled and better still ignored. My advice to you is to get back on that beautiful beach - it will comfort you.

To everyone else - you all seem to have had a rocky week and come through it will your usual fortitude and serenity. I hope that continues for you all always.
Best Wishes Jill

ravdeb

Jill..we are talking about Aug. 24th, 25th and 26th. We may get close to 100% attendance. Oprah does NOT know what she is missing!
Thanks for the pep talk, Jill. YOu are right. I need to get back to my beach and on with life. What a waste to worry about cholesterol when most people ignore it!

Linda...praying for Isaac. Pm me his full name and his mom's Hebrew name and I will add him to our list...

Michele..I'm thankful that you were not hurt. The truck will get fixed. That is very scary. I've been in car accidents before and they really shake you up. Take care of yourself and pamper yourself a bit.

And yes..I should be grateful that there are pills that can lower my cholesterol and keep it under control. I am. But he warned me about fatigue and pains from it. I asked him how I was supposed to know the difference between the fatigue and pains I have NOW and those I could get with the pills. He just smiled and said that if I feel different, to stop the pills and come to him. hmmmmmmmmmm.

We sure do have a lot of tall people here!

Victoria..we are the same height and our daughters are both 5'2". We must be related.

TracySeattle

Jill - August 24, 25 and 26 I hope you can come!!!! This seems to be falling together pretty well!

So - we all need to bring our Cheeta PJs in August!!!

We are getting a list of "To Brings" and "To Dos" I like that!!!

ake

i don't have any cheetah pjs! but i do have a pair that says, "life is good" all over them

i'm 5'4" in a half a bit short, but my hubby is 6 foot and i love when he kisses the top of my head

TracySeattle

I am on the hunt to buy cheeta PJs!!! LOL!!!

TracySeattle

You all might have already seen this, but in case you havent:

http://www.myupm.com/drc/index.php

Chocolate is now GOOD for you!!!!

Graycie

I am also 5'4" and my daughter is 5'2". My one son is 6' and my other one is 5'9" and my husband is 5'11".

marymelodi

First: Thanks to all for the birthday cards I am receiving. You are making me feel very loved. I do appreciate everything.

Second: I always thought I was 5'6" but when I had one of my first appointments at the Cancer Center last year they measured me at 5'5". Perhaps I am shrinking, although not in width.

The August days are still looking good to me. I can vouch that the Art Museum in Chcago is really special. When I was there I also went up in the Sears Tower which was amazing. I'll keep my eye out for some kind of cheeta lounge wear. That would be a blast!

Rosemarie: good luck tomorrow! Hope the results are to your liking.

Ravdeb: I'm taking a pill for triglycerides - which are part of the whole cholesterol/HDL/LDL spectrum, I think. So far, I have not noticed any adverse effects. I will be getting blood tests in a couple of weeks to make sure this medicine is doing what should be done.

I,too, love all the doggie pictures and only wish I had some to share. We would love to have a dog, but it is not allowed in our rented house. Please give all your dogs lots of love and affection from "Auntie Mary."

I got my birthday "present" early. A big fat nasaty drippy head cold, complete with red eyes, fever, and sneezing. Gee, just what I always wanted! It may have come from one of those kids I took to the movie last week.

bye,
Mary

ravdeb

Oh Graycie..maybe you and Victoria and I are related

Amy..I thought you were taller than me!

Thanks for the tip on the chocolate. Even if it is NOT healthy, it will not stop me. Nothing is healthy.

Cheetah jammies..will start doing a search! (or is that a HUNT!)

TracySeattle

Mary - HAPPY BIRTHDAY and I am so sorry that you are under the weather. Feel Better Soon!!!

Guess What? Saturday it will be ONE YEAR SINCE MY LAST CHEMO TREATMENT!!! I am celebrating by taking Dave and my friend, Bonnie out to lunch at a nice Restaurant. Bonnie drove me to all of my treatments and sat with me.

Yep Cheetah jammies - I am so looking for them!!

Anonymous

Did anybody look at the amount of bad weather California has had? We had our main Highway, I-5, closed down!! That is the main artery between Northern and Southern California. If you look at the news online, you can see how much snow we got!!

cathy987

Kelly

I have been noticing. I watch Channel 7 on West Coast feed. I-5 is the same hiway we were on last weekend in Seattle that got it's share of slushy-slippery snow.

Hope it's all cleared up for your meeting. Is that tonight?

maryannecb

Oh, some of you look smaller in your Avatars. I am 5'3", my husband is 6'5. I don't feel short, I often wear heels maybe that is why. How tall is Brenda? Am I the shortest??

Tracy have a good celebration. We are reaching nice milestones now. Finishing chemo was a huge relief for me. It was the beginning of the next chapter in recovery. At this point my body is about normal, still not in good shape and seems to lack power but my mind is a bit of limbo. I am having difficulty motivating myself to do much more than what is absolutely necessary and mindless, like hanging around here. LOL.

I really have to get some exercise, maybe that will energize me. I booked a visit to my DH for the end of Feb. I can't wait, haven't seen him since mid November. Being alone(with three teenagers) is difficult for me. I miss the adult companionship.

Mary make a nice drink of hot water with lemon and honey, nothing like it for a nasty cold. Hope you can taste cake tomorrow.

debbie444

Well at 5ft 10 i am the smallest in the family, apart from the kids of course. dad is still 6 ft 2 at 76 , mum was 5ft 10 when she was alive and Roger is 6ft 4. My mums brother was 6ft 7, and my American cousins are 6ft 6 and 7ft 2!! last time we came to the US Roger loved it that he could stand up straight!!

The weather today has been awful with the winds and rain, 8 killed so far. catherines bus was nearly an hour late back home due to fallen trees and a local school was evacuated due to the roof coming off!! So far all calm at the Ward household though. ( touch wood) I think Jill is sending it all this way
Luckil;y we dont have a basement, although i would love the space. Thats one less place to flood!
Hope you are OK after the car accident. I guess you are going to have some good bruising from the belts soon. Lets be thankful that you were in a truck, dread to think what would have happened to my little car.
Started my new hours today and had a fab time ! I cut, painted and glued to an inch of my life, danced and sang like i meant it. I am even worthy of my own therapy chair with wheels ( guess my reputation hasnt spread to the nursery yet.)
Mary , have a good day tomorrow

Debbie