2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

ravdeb

Kelly..that is tooooooooooooo funny! I have some funny hotel stories but I do believe yours tops it!!!LOL

Amy..you look terrific. You have a terrific dh, not that I need to tell you that! But he truly gets it and is very supportive. I think that I stick with the boards and find myself floating around many of the threads because much of the time it makes me realize I got it good, but it also prepares me for what could lie ahead. I mean...even going for the bone scan was easier mainly because I'm on the boards and read about women going for scan all the time. I'm totally prepared and I think that is what helps...at least for me. Enjoy the conference. It's good that you're going with Beth and it's good to see other women face to face and to learn how they are coping with it all. I think it will give you power.

Michele..you look great and Scooby is so very, very cute!!!
So..you are full of piss and vinegar! I love it! I will never understand why some people in the offices are so lacking in social skills when we are anxious about test results and so on. It's interesting...the girl who works in the bc unit where I go is now in the office alone and is totally frustrated and overworked. She's great as she keeps her cool but she has no time to smile! And she knows me already and is nice to me..really nice. But as I was sitting there last week and there were new patients there, she wasn't quite as kind. And those patients are more anxious than I am so they were "bugging" here because they are confused, nervous and so on. But she is overworked so she has her limits, too. Still..something should be done about this because if it were me as a newbie..I'd be angry, crying, etc...

Tracy...your new picture/avatar is wonderful! I'm so thrilled to see a new pic of you. You look great! Love your hair..I think we have the same cut just that mine is very wavy. Your vacation away looks like fun. Definitely! Looks like a neat place.

Cathy..I wanna see your new hair cut! I spent a couple of hours last night searching for a new hair cut and didn't come up with anything. There's even a site where you can download a picture of yourself and then try out different cuts! I didn't do that, though. I'm not that nuts!
As for the aches...I know what you mean..sick of feeling not 100%. That's what it is. Tires one out. I decided that my bone scan will be my turning point. Well, I decided that..we'll see, because no matter what the results are, it will give me direction. I think I'm so much more aware of my body than I was before so once that settles down, maybe I'll find that the pains aren't so bad???? I know I'm not the only one with pains and not the only one who is more aware of anything out of the oridinary. It comes with the territory, I guess. Oh..no bone scan result in the mail today. I came home and went straight to the post box and suddenly got the jitters...you know..the What if type stuff. But it wasn't in the mail and I gave a sigh of relief. No news is Good News!

Anonymous

Girls -
Please read this post and vote. If any of you have any suggestions regarding a better way to decide this - please PM me. I AM OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS! Once we have agreed on a location, we can then work on setting up a choice of activities for each day. Since most of you have expressed an interest in the Lincolnshire resort, I have listed some additional information.

http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/chiln

For those of you that want small town/boutique shopping, Downtown Long Grove is a short ride away. There's restaurants, an ice cream shop, antique shops and tea shops.

For those that want sun/fun/water, there's a pool with lunch facilities and a nearby water park with slides and a restaurant.

For those that want to venture downtown, the Marriott has a free shuttle service to the Metra train station and back. Metra goes to downtown Chicago - the concierge service at the hotel can help book events/tours. There is also a rental car agency on site - if you would like to rent a car and drive to downtown.

Here's some of the downtown attractions:

Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise
90 min. tour of river skyline
Chicago Architecture Foundation
http://www.architecture.org/tours.aspx
312 922 3432

Chicago Double Decker / Trolley Tour
Surrounding neighborhoods
http://www.coachusa.com/chicagotrolley/
Chicago Trolley
1 312 648 5000

Cruise
Lake Michigan and River Tours
http://www.seadogcruises.com/
Odyssey Cruise
http://www.odysseycruises.com/chicago/index.cfm

Spirit of Chicago Cruise
Lake Michigan and River
Spirit of Chicago
http://www.spiritcitycruises.com/ch/index.jsp

MUSEUMS:

http://www.msichicago.org/ Museum of Science and Industry
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/ The Field Museum
http://www.artic.edu/aic/ The Art Institute
http://www.mcachicago.org/ Museum of Contemporary Art
http://www.sheddaquarium.org/ The Shedd Aquarium

If you want to take another look at the Hyatt - here's their link:

http://chicagoregency.hyatt.com/hyatt/ho...hicago-S-0-3567

Anonymous

Michele, one super thing about David is the fact that he can and does laugh at himself. He thinks the incident was very funny but he did keep checking the hallways for the "all seeing" eye .. you know those cameras.

TracySeattle

We spent the weekend on San Juan Island. The resort is Roche Harbor. The Hotel in the pic is very old, the floors have bowed and when you walk down the hallway you go up and down hills.... LOL! The rooms all share a bath - the Ladie's bath had a bathtub that Teddy Roosevelt used when he stayed there. I opted to sneak into the Men's bathroom and use the shower!

Anonymous

Kelly -
Nice avatar! Although I would prefer one that features Dave in the hallway! OMG - LOL

Anonymous

Tracy -
Is that an Alpaca? I've always wanted one of those...they're so cute! LOL

RoseMarie

Laura - lol, is that what that is? I was thinking, that sure is a funny looking sheep!
Kelly - too funny! I'm glad you guys had fun!
Tracy - so glad you guys had a nice time too!
I've got John Michael home with a stomach bug - (which means I've been up since 3:00am!) All I can think about is the half eaten jar of Peter Pan PB I threw away! There is a bug going around so I'm pretty sure that's what it is.
Ok - just checking in - hope you're all having a wonderful day!!
PS - Good to see ya, Amy! and Paula, your hair is gorgeous!!
Love to all of you!

debbie444

Ok, gotta go - have read all the posts and caught up, Rog had to go to Dads as his tap has broken, fully on. I have drained the system and turned the water off but now Rog has to go and mend it or replace it.

Deb , you made me laugh - is it a selling point that the hotel window opens???????????????//
Rose Marie - sorry about the bug - it really is making itself felt here too.
Kelly that was so funny!!
I guess WardWorld is a bit like WallysWorld - only more eventful.
Paula - if my hair curled like that i would stop cutting it. Mine curls at the bottom and one side - not a good look!

Happy Pancake Day everyone!! I am having syrup and orange juice on mine - def none of RoseMaries peanut butter!!!!!!!

Debbie

ravdeb

Pancake Day??? YUM! If this is virtual, I want syrup, some cherries and whipped cream!

If it's real, forget it. Am off my statins.

I also thought that was funny..the window opens. I read that several times trying to figure out what they were talking about. I mean..why wouldn't the window open???? Are they usually painted shut???

Kelly..forgot to tell you that your avatar is great!

So, Tracy..what IS that animal? But more than that...were there guys in the shower room when you showered???

cathy987

Hey I actually know what Pancake Tuesday is but googled it just in anticipation of some not knowing and found also "Collop Tuesday" which I had never heard of.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrove_Tuesday

In the Catholic area of Germany where my ancesters came from they have Karnival (like Mard Gras) where one of the traditions had the women cutting off the men's ties.

I don't know what they eat!

TracySeattle

Yes! It is an Alpaca aren't they cute? There were babies too, but they were too far away and a fence was in the way of a good picture.

Deb - no men in the shower room, it is only a one person bathroom..... :-0 Could have been more interesting that way, though!

Anonymous

...not sure if the windows open at the Hyatt and the Marriott! Oh well - if they don't - we'll just have to use the stairs! LOL

TracySeattle

Laura - can you go check all of the windows at each place for us? I think we need to know this.... LOL!!!! Better that they don't open we won't have to worry about falling out of them!!!!

Curlylocks

Good News Ladies....I'm officially NED!!!! My GP's office called today with the great news, I am so so relieved until my next checkup.LOL.

My hubby went up to our trailer today, 2 hour drive one way and shovelled the snow off the roof. It took him two hours that is how much they had, it is a good thing he decided to check it out.

Tracyseattle - I forgot to say I thought that animal was soo cute.

Laura - we will have to give you commission for working so hard to make this get together a reality, it is truly appreciated. Thanks for put all the ideas of things to do in Chicago out there, I would be totally lost. Like Eddie Murphy in Coming to America... Thanks for the poll to sort things out on the hotel situation.

Rosemarie - I hope your son is feeling better. That stomach bug I had was no fun.

Cathy - I did repost the pictures this morning and added one picture of Scooby in her new coat, hee hee:) She looks so humiliated in it. My sister made me pancakes for lunch today, they were yummy with strawberries on top!

Deb - thanks for the compliment. I laughed when I saw the remark about the hotel coming with windows that open as an option. I will be happy staying anywhere as long as I get to meet all you wonderful ladies. We are going to have a blast in Chicago.

Debbie444 - I will gladly give you some of my curls, plenty to go around. Your life is never boring, hopefully Plumber Roger can get the job done.

Kelly - didnt answer your poll about short or long hair but I really miss my long hair, it was like ringlets. I will see if I can find one and post it here. I am going to let my hair grow out again, it is curlier this time so dont know what will happen.

Have a great evening ladies.

Michele

Anonymous

Okay...now I want an Alpaca AND pancakes!

ravdeb -
Any news yet?

Michele -
Congrats!

Graycie

Kelly OMG How funny.......Good thing Dave has a sense of humor and that he was wearing boxer's. Could you imagine if he wasn't wearing anything? I have heard of guy's sleeping in the nude, good thing he is not one of them. ahaaaaaaa.

Ravdeb, I can't believe you still haven't gotten your results. I hope it's not like your birthday card's and it get's lost in the mail.

Michele, That is funny about the Piss and vinegar. Is that a Canadian saying? My Mom used to say that all the time. I had a lot of energy today too for some reason. Just so you know, It took a while for me to see the new avatar's too. For some reason sometime's they are delayed. Weird isn't it how some people see them before other's. Congrat's on the results of your tests and "no" you did not cause the confusion on the hotel's.

Cathy, I can't wait to see a picture of your hew hair-do.

Laura, What part of Mexico are you going to? I forgot. My friend is leaving this Saturday for Cancun and my sister is leaving the first week in March. I forgot where she is going but wouldn't that be something if you were there at the same time at the same place.

Tracy, I love the picture's and your hair look's nice.

My grandson will be here in a few minutes. He is staying over because of no school so that mean's he will be on this computer non stop. grrrrrrrr.. He is hooked on some computer game so you may not see me for a while..If he had his way he would never go home. Unfortunately he is a little spoiled when he come's to our house. I used to have a lap top but my son took that with him when he moved. As you can see I have spoiled kid's too....My Fault....

Everyone have a good evening......Oh no, my light's just flickered. I better send this quick.

Gail

Paula15089

Thanks ladies for your compliments!

Amy, its great to see you back (?), or even just popping in! You look totally ready to kick someone b*tt in that pic!! And so does your hubby!

Kelly, love your new avatar. I think its time to change mine!! Re your question, no, i didnt have a bilat, just left side with an immediate permanent expander/implant put in.
Speaking about reconstruction... here is my update. Warning, i tend to babble on, so read at your own risk!!

As you might remember, I am not too happy with my current recon. I have one of those permanent Becker expanders on my left side. Thanks to rads, its very firm, it has folds and ripples, and overall its not too comfortable. I am also seriously considering a proph mast. I had a multifocal tumor which i understand adds to my risk of developing something nasty on my other side.
Now, i am not 100% happy with my current PS. He is pretty good as a surgeon, but his people skills leave much to be desired.
So, off i went to get a second opinion. Wasnt too happy with the first 'second opinion' surgeon, but i think i struck gold with the second one. He was FANTASTIC. Ready to spend as much time on me as needed, discuss and answer every little question. Very professional and knowledgeble. Breast Recon is his speciality.
Soooo, his suggestion, and i now tend to go ahead with this, is the bilat Lat Flap recon. He simply does not recommend implants for post-rads, but he also does not want to do just an implant on my healthy side. His opinion is to avoid capsular contr and to give a more natural drop, the implant has to be enveloped in the muscle completely. The only way to do it is Lat Flap (not enough tissue for TRAM for me). My only concern is the loss of muscle on both sides, but he strongly believes it will not impact on my life.
Since he doesnt operate in the same facilities as my primary surgeon does, i now have to find another breast surgeon... one that my new PS operates together with. So i've got a couple of appointment lined up in march, and then hopefully i can do the op some time in May-June. Its a big op, 6-8 hours, drains everywhere, etc etc. I hope it will be worth it.
Whew, so here is my recon progress.

no more news from me apart from hot flashes are driving me absolutely crazy lately. I didnt know one can sweat so much. I get sick and dont excercise, and no excercise causes even worse flashes. Yuk...

love you all!

ravdeb

I was up early this morning. Couldn't sleep. Am waiting for the scan result and with that wait (cuz I was sure I would get it in the mail yesterday but our mail system lately is sooooooooooo bad! ) I imagine all kinds of stuff that could be wrong with me. My dh said to me today when I told him my arm hurt me now, that I am very sensitive to what is going on in my body and he can understand that. Ha! He DOES understand stuff!!!

V.. sorry about your laptop! yikes! Good luck with Grand Central Station! It's part of the transition. I think it's good. Thanks for the good wishes. Trying to keep myself busy.

Cathy..where is the pic of your sassy new haircut/color??

Laura...so..did you check the window situation??? I still don't understand why that was mentioned but maybe there are hotels where the windows don't open because of danger of people going overboard???? The hotels here in Israel all have balconies so of course they have sliding doors...

Paula..good luck with your recon research. Sounds like you found a great ps. That's a good thing. You are progressing. And I also think it's important to get the best you can..you are young. And so pretty! And I feel like V..you seem to have returned to life in a fun way. You look great and you sound great.

Gail...Hope you get a turn on the computer.

Have stuff to get done today which is why I got up early so I'm off to do them. And then I'll make my way to the mail box...

Paula15089

Ravdeb, i am sure if the results were bad, they wouldnt have sent it to you in the mail.
Victoria, i am sorry, i had to laugh at your laptop misfortunes! But i can relate - my external hard drive with about 200 gig of data on it has given up the ghost...I dont even remember what was on it that i've lost. Thankfully i backed up my photos... the rest is gone. Heaps of music, software, movies.. arrgh.

debbie444

Do you think i will be allowed a window that opens???????
Yesterday was awful at nursery - i managed to split my trousers - same type as last ones that went, so i had to go to the toilets and sew myself back in, only as the afternoon went on, i felt them go somewhere else. I had to keep pulling my top down over my bottom. Of course it was dancing day so i had to keep bending over to move the child i work with . Aarghhh!!

I had golden syrup and orange juice on my pancakes ! Mmm. Roger always does them as i cant catch them agin after tossing them.
Hpe the rsults come soon Deb
Michelle - Tshirt weather today - no snow shovelling needed here!!

Debbie

RoseMarie

No school AGAIN today! GRRR! Today school was cancelled due to "freezing, dense fog." What is that?? In Florida I used to get so frustrated with all the "hurricane days" as a teacher. These teachers have to be going nuts!! How do you get anything done!! Oh well!
Debbie - Lol, I know it wasn't funny for you but you always crack me up!
Paula - I am so happy that you found a ps you feel comfortable with! I wish you all the best in the process!!
Deb - (((hugs))) today!
Gail - have fun with your grandson! He's not spoiled, he's LOVED!
Michele - congrats! So happy for you!
Well, have a wonderful day everyone! I guess I'll be home bound all day as I can barely see the house across the street!

ravdeb

Well, the results are in and the verdict is that in addition to what has been seen on past bone scans, I have more spots that showed up on my spine on a different part and the doctor says it's doubtful it is anything but osteoporosis. (I think that's the direct translation).

So, my dh said..why is it written with the word doubt and then he said..hmmmmmmm..I think we should celebrate!!!

My herniated discs (L4 and L5) lit up bigger than life, and C7 (lower neck) was lit up. Also my enchondroma in my femur(b9 tumor). The new stuff is L2 and L3 which lit up on the margins, whatever that means.

Well...chemo has done a number on me if I have more stuff wrong with me since December. But it doesn't appear to be mets! I see my onc in May and she will look at it and decide if I need follow-up, I guess.

I'm thinking they should do a CT on the new stuff. If I didn't have cancer, then fine. But since I have something new and more pains...I think a CT or MRI is in order.

What do you think?

I'm not worried, though. It looks good. Only thing that bothers me (I guess this is why I can't seem to jump for joy) is that my lump appeared benign and they put me on hold and didn't push me into the ultra sound and I figured there was no reason since I was more naive than I am today about all of this. I know too much. So..when they say there is something new, I have pain but they can't say for sure that it's nothing more then osteoporosis, then I think further scans should be made.

But..I'm feeling old. I went to get my hair cut today and our friend's mom was in there having her hair cut and colored. She asked me if I had finally decided to color my hair. I said no. She said..well..if you did, it would take 10 years off of you! I was so hurt. I had been told by my friends that I looked much younger with my hair like this! And now with all this spinal/neck crap and my pains..I not only FEEL 10 years older but I LOOK it.

Anonymous

ravdeb -
I have been told by two of my Doctors that Osteoporosis only shows up on a Bone Density Scan (not Ct's or MRI's) and that Osteoporosis does not cause pain.

ravdeb

Oh..he didn't actually say it was osteoporosis..I'm trying to translate here...on a "background" of osteoporosis, which also gives me no clues. You are right..in and of itself, it has no pain..but my herniated discs do have pain.

But, Laura..you are absolutely right. I have never actually been diagnosed with it since I never have done a bone density before. I've only been diagnosed with two herniated discs in lumbar and something going on in lower neck. Good point.
That's why I post!

Anonymous

ravdeb -
At our ages, whether your tumor was hormone positive or not, a baseline bone density test is really important. Is there any way you can request/DEMAND (LOL) one?

ravdeb

You are right. I plan to have that done. I said that before but I really do plan to have that done! Not sure which doctor I am supposed to see about this. Will talk to my family doctor on Fri.

TracyNY

Hey ladies! I started to post yesterday but it disappeared and I never bothered to rewrite it.

I look forward to meeting you Cathy, thanks for the snow. I had my one storm for the winter and now its finally washing and melting away. Now why do you want to meet my furniture man? For entertainment purposes or to buy stuff?! He does good work but you've been warned!

Yesterday there was a rat running loose in the client lounge!! It was about 12 inches long, not counting the tail and it was hilarious to see the hard core men jumping on the tables and screaming!! I am no rat lover, I just clutched my pearls and plotted my exit in case it ran my way!!

I finally decided that in addition to cutting out meat for lent I am reducing my television watching down to one show or 1 hour per night. I'll do some reading or listen to music instead. I'm old too, I'll probably just fall asleep!!

TracyNY

Oh, anyone who took zofran when on chemo, there is a class action suit going on. The number to call is 888-568-7645.

I once participated in one when they were suing because optometrists wouldn't give you your prescription to allow you to buy extended wear contacts from cheaper wholesale clubs. I got a check, I can't remember for how much but it was enough for me to remember I got one, two free eye exams and about $400 worth of extended wear lenses!

They can be worth your time so I'm going to see what this one is about. Them darned pills cost $45 a piece!!

chumfry

I agree with you all on the bone density scan. I had mentioned it to my onc two visits ago, and then she brought it up herself on my last visit. So I'm getting one before my next visit, which I think is in April.

I had plenty of joint problems pre-chemo, but I've noticed a LOT more joint problems post-chemo. Especially in my neck. When I had my bone scan pre-mastectomy, the right side of my neck lit up like a Christmas tree. So did my poor arthritic knees and a stress fracture I'd had in my foot.

I think the chemo worsened all my previous pains, and added in hip problems. I get around OK but it's definitely worse than it used to be. I tend to carry most of my stress in my neck and shoulders, so I hurt in two different ways.

I've found *immense* relief in a simple and cheap technique a phyical therapist taught me. Put two tennis balls in a sock and then tie the sock so the tennis balls nest closely together. Then lie on your back on the floor. I generally hold onto one tennis ball and put the other one under my head on the spots that hurt. Then roll your head around on top of the ball to massage the sore spot. The weight of your head provides the pressure.

I think when my arthritis hurts, my neck muscles tense up. So this helps ease the muscle pain, and often helps me avoid a migraine. I may not have explained the technique very well. Sometimes I lie on both tennis balls at once, right where your neck muscles attach to your head near the spine. It sounds dorky, but it has really helped me!

And Ravdeb, I think your hair is beautiful. I've seen lots of photos of you online, and I honestly would peg you at between 35 and 40. It continually astounds me at how much other people think it's their business to tell us how to run our lives! (Imagine all 5'10" of me coming to kick that rude lady in the butt!)

Graycie

I only have a minute since we are going out to lunch, and I wonder why I have a weight problem, we have been doing that alot lately. But, Tadah, why is there a class action suit going on? Does generic count? I took the generic Zofran I think.

Ravdeb, you should definitely get a bone density test, different than a bone scan. Every one should have one over 40 or is it 50...anyway you should have one to see if you have any bone loss.