2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

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  • RoseMarie
    RoseMarie Member Posts: 502
    edited March 2007
    Ugh, this time my message went POOF at the hands of a mischievous 4 year old!
    Michele - no PB for me and I'm actually feeling great this morn. I'm on Tamoxifen, btw.
    Deb - I feel for you! It has to be so hard living in a small village where everyone talks and your health is the topic of conversation. You ARE Debbie-the-survivor, not Debbie-the-cancer-patient! And Debbie-the-wise, and....
    (course at my house you're Debbie my friend from Israel)
    Side note - my husband knows each of you by your geographic location, Lol!
    Mary - hope you're feeling better today - still thinking GOOD thoughts for you!!
    Laura - so happy for you! I'm glad you'll be getting your pros. at the resort!
    My dh and I traveled a little before kids - have been to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. A few years ago we went to the US and British Virgin Islands - that was fun too - we left the kids home with gma!
    All of you traveling...have FUN!

    Well, I keep getting interrupted here...have a wonderful day ladies!!!
    Lots of love!!
  • ake
    ake Member Posts: 684
    edited March 2007
    Deb....I know how you feel. I have so many people ask me, "How are you feeling?" or "How is your health? Everything ok?" and it makes me want to scream. I always smile and say, "My health is great. How are you feeling? How is your health?" People know me as having a strong sarcastic sense of humor, but I just try to normalize it....I get mad as well when I feel like I'm being reduced to cancer patient. I did an interview on the local news about the conference before I went to it last weekend...just about young women and breast cancer and when I watched the interview, it said, "Cancer Patient" under my name and age. I was like...cancer patient? UM....I'm done being a cancer patient! It should have said "survivor"!

    I don't know what to do when people link us to cancer all the time except to smile and know inside that we are more than that. And the people that know us the bst know that we are more than cancer.

    Mary....any news yet? Still thinking about you

    I'm still not sure about Chicago only because there is a lot coming up for us this summer....we have our big trip to the south of France for our wedding anniversary and then we're going to Montreal for Labor Day weekend for a wedding. We're also getting a dog. We'll do our best is all I can say

    Does anyone feel that their immune system is different after chemo? Granted, it's been a year since I've been out of treatment (minus the Tamoxifen) but I've gotten slammed with cold after cold after cold. My friend came to stay with us this weekend and had a cold and whammo...because of lack of sleep all weekend....I have a cold and took the afternoon off. What's the deal? Anyone else feel their immune system is different after chemo? I used to never get colds like this!

    Back to watching movies in my pjs
  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited March 2007
    You are right. I know that I'm more than cancer. And they made a mistake when they wrote cancer patient under your name for the interview. You are a cancer survivor. Big difference. Wish everybody else understood that!!!

    Thanks Rose Marie!And my dh knows each of the women here by their locations as well!!!

    I haven't gotten sick at all. Lots of people around me are with colds and flu. I had a flu shot. Maybe that helped.

    Feel better Amy.
  • RoseMarie
    RoseMarie Member Posts: 502
    edited March 2007
    I must say, since I've moved to the midwest I have actually been pretty healthy (apart from nasty yesterday!) I have lots of seasonal allergies in Florida - but not so here! I'm also not working and not around lots of germy little people anymore - that could be it too.
    Be well, Amy!!
    Checking in on Mary too!!
    I have a basememt full of 3,4,5 year olds right now! Gotta run! (ok, "full" is relative - there are only 4 kids down there...seems like a dozen!)
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    Do not have time to catch up here, just went to the PS for the final fill on the tissue expander and I am done with that now!!

    Bad news: my left breast was bothering me and last night I felt inside of it and found a lump. I asked him to check it out today and he felt it, too. It's real not my imagination. I now have a call into my onc to see what to do next. The PS wants a mammo or biopsy before we schedule my surgery.

    I have my vacation all planned this week and we'll have to see if I can get in before I go but I doubt it. I can probably keep my head together and do it when I get back.
  • ake
    ake Member Posts: 684
    edited March 2007
    kelly....crap. i'm so sorry you have to worry abotut his right before your vacation. i hope they can see you before vacation just to ease your worrying. whenever i'm overly emotional on the phone with my onc. they find a way to get me in, so maybe try that sometimes our doctors have to be reminded about how horrible it is to wait for these tests.

    try to take care of yourself in the meantime and know that i'm here for you if you need to vent...anytime, ok?
  • cathy987
    cathy987 Member Posts: 179
    edited March 2007
    Kelly, can’t add more than what v. and Amy have said, just sending hugs.

    Thinking of you too, Mary.

    Snow is continuing, no one at work but me, wind is expected to blow and blizzard tonight and tomorrow. Will it ever end?
  • marymelodi
    marymelodi Member Posts: 515
    edited March 2007
    Hi everyone!
    Ah, Kelly . . . so sorry that you have also found a lump. wow! But you are doing the right thing, as you already know. We are here for you. Whatever happens Rocktober Girls will be at you side.

    I do not have report yet. It does not bother me. I will call the doctor's office tomorrow, as the secretary suggested and then I think one of them Dr. or NP will call me back saying, "Oh, it looks fine. Nothing. No problem."

    victoria: how are you feeling?

    I also get the flu shot and also this year, pneumonia. I have put a big pump bottle of hand sanitizer on my desk. The hospital has installed dispensers in all the areas and encourages us to use the sanitizer frequently. Should have stock in Purell. Anyway, I think that is a big factor. They are really pushing frequent hand washing to reduce colds and flu here.

    Amy, read the article but couldn't get the pictures due to the filters they have here at work. I know you must have looked great and I loved the story.

    Saying Hi! to everyone and hope all is well with you. going home now. Hope to get there before we get dumped on with more snow tonight.

    Mary
  • marymelodi
    marymelodi Member Posts: 515
    edited March 2007
    Cathy:
    Yes it will end. Spring training has begun (baseball) and that is always a good sign for me. Remember, just a year ago we were all in the trenches and now just see how far we have come!!
    Mary
  • cathy987
    cathy987 Member Posts: 179
    edited March 2007
    Mary

    I'm not as frustrated as I sound. Just tired of this particular streatch of snow and being tied to the receptionist's desk.
  • Graycie
    Graycie Member Posts: 839
    edited March 2007
    Amy, So glad to have you back on board. I really missed you. I read the article in the
    Washington Post and I really like it. Good going with the exercise. I started wearing my pedometer and I try to do around 12000 steps a day (at least 10000) so I have to hop on my treadmill or go for a walk everyday. Today I am feeling very tired though and I still have another 5000 step's to go.....lol.

    Deb, you sound like you are doing good with the exercise too. 4 or 5 hr's a week is really good. After reading the article that Victoria posted I am not sure exercise is going to help us er/pr girls. I guess it can't hurt. I know what you mean about everyone relating us to cancer. My neighbor asked my husband the other day what my prognosis is? He said she is doing good and she just shook her head. Also, when I went to the eye doctor yesterday she asked me if I expected to have any more chemo this year. What kind of a question is that? I said I sure hope not. Then she said well then I guess I will see you in a year. How Rude these people are. No class what-so-ever. Oh, I just read your other post. That is what they told me about my hip that it sound's like bursitis.

    Cathy, I'd love to see that Happy Dance.......lol...Keep warm, your weather sound's pretty nasty.

    Mary and Kelly, My thought's are with both of you that you get good result's with your test's. Kelly, Is that the opposite breast you had BC in? The reason I ask is because my scar feel's lumpy in my BC breast but my mammo and sonogram came out fine although that was 4 months ago. Hopefully your's will too.

    Michele and Tracy our weather stink's here too......Ice and snow.

    Tracy, How is Dave?

    Rosemarie, Glad you and Kiersten are feeling better. There is a lot of flu going around here too or did you eat the peanut butter. Have fun with the kid's in your basement......at least you have a basement to put them in....lol

    Hello to V,Paula and Brenda and anyone else I missed.
    Maryanne, I hope you are having a good time on your trip.

    Laura, Good luck with getting that special delivery. I would give anything to be in the hot sun right about now, Enjoy!
  • Paula15089
    Paula15089 Member Posts: 373
    edited March 2007
    Kelly, arrgh, thats a last thing you want to happen before you vacation.
    I am positive its nothing. But regardsless, we are here for you, you know that.

    Amy, i loved, loved, loved the pics! Very tastefully done!! Ummm... why isnt anybody offering to take any nude pics of me, huh? (well, nobody who works in a magazine, anyway!)
  • TracySeattle
    TracySeattle Member Posts: 690
    edited March 2007
    Kelly - crap! That stinks. I will be thinking of you and praying for you. Still praying for Mary too!

    I have the opposite problem about people identifying me with cancer. It seems that everyone around me (at work and at home) have forgotten that I was sick. That is not such a bad thing, but when I am really tired or push back on doing things, they act like I am lazy.... They forget that I am still recovering and that frustrates me--especially when it comes to work!

    Dave is doing OK - he is laying low at home. He is on crutches and gets around pretty good, but he avoids the snow and the wet sidewalks - the cruthes really slip on them! I think the wound is healing well, the Docs are watching him..... It is going to be a long process - probably several months before he can wear his prosthesis again.

    Well, off to bed with me ((HUGS)) to you all!
  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited March 2007
    Kelly... I am with you here on the other side of the world. I'm so upset. Is this lump season or something? GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ. You will be okay because you ARE okay. Just bad timing. No matter what..you know what to do, you are a fighter and a survivor. But..it's crap, crap, crap. Keep us posted as I know you will.

    Mary..you will be fine too. I think we need lump patrol.

    Graycie..my lump area is lumpy as is my snb area. The onc felt my snb area for an extra amount of time. I got nervous but then she smiled and said it was fine. At any rate I go for mammo next week and then ultra sound at the end of the month.

    It's so good to read Amy's support posts again!!!

    Wishing Dave good health. That's too bad that he won't be able to wear his prostheis for a while. Must be frustrating.

    That is a problem when they don't take into acct that you are tired. I have run into that as well...at our temple. It's because you get to work every day, you look good, you are doing what you need to do but you tire more easily and they don't get it.

    I have this with my mother in law :-( I realize that I'm much younger but I suddenly aged 10 years and now I have back pain and other pains I never had before and I tire quicker (though lately Ladies..I feel the fatigue lifting!) I feel guilty. And besides...I'm not her..she's an energy bunny at 80 years old. I was never like that and never will be and now for sure I won't be!

    Stay warm and healthy everybody!
  • RoseMarie
    RoseMarie Member Posts: 502
    edited March 2007
    Kelly - UGH! Waiting for a good report - right by your side!! I like Amy's idea - hopefully they can get you in quickly!
    Deb - when I can't sleep we're posting at the same time! Hope you have a fabulous day!!

    I know I'm in denial because if you ask me if I have a problem with sleep I'd tell you no...but here I am, AGAIN, at 2:15 am. Michele, Michele, are you out there??

    No snow here but the wind is HOWLING and my house is creaking! (and my dh is gone so my imagination is running wild!)

    Tracy - glad to hear Dave is doing better - wishing you all the best!
    Cathy - bundle up and be safe!!
    Gail - (((hugs))) Goes back to people not really knowing what to say but wanting to know how we're doing. It doesn't ever seem to come out right, does it??!!

    Oh well, I think I'll go start my new novel...
  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited March 2007
    Hey RoseMarie..so..we could have had a party had I known we were up at the same time! You are definitely in denial but would that make any difference? Actually I think that when we think about not sleeping then it's harder to sleep so it's best to stay in denial. The sleeplessness just might go away! When the wind is howling and my dh isn't home, I climb deeper under my blankets. I'm such a baby!

    Gail... I think it's good that your eye doctor asked you if you were going to have chemo again. I think he meant..are you done with treatments. My neurophthalmologist that I see twice a year asks me all the time about my follow ups. She writes everything down..every scan, every pain..everything. She thinks it is all connected. So, hopefully we can let your eye doctor pass on this one!!!!

    Oh gosh, Victoria..a record for so many last rites! Maybe he thinks you are a cat and you have 9 lives!!!!

    We don't have last rites. We do have several prayers for healing, though...

    Well, today begins our weekend of holiday festivities for Purim. Purim is 2 days here in Israel and it actually starts tomorrow night (Sat. night) but parties began last night and today all the grade schools had big bashes. For the past two night we were hearing a lot of fire crackers that kids somehow get a hold of and were lighting up. Sounds like guns going off and I hate that.

    But today everybody everywhere is roaming the streets in costume and it's quite fun. Our celebration is tomorrow night and my girlfriend and I are going as pregnant brides!!! It was her idea. Should be fun. I happen to have a long white Indian dress so I'll wear that.

    I've never been a pregnant bride..here's my chance to cause a scandal!
  • Curlylocks
    Curlylocks Member Posts: 1,060
    edited March 2007
    Hi Ladies,

    I’m here but yesterday was the worst winter drive I have had in year’s. The roads were so slippery even with my snow tires. I left work at 4:45 and arrived home at 6:30. My commute is normally 50 minutes. At one point coming home I had to come down a windy hill that has a drop off on both sides, the hill was so icy and hard to navigate. It took 20 minutes to sloooowwly get down it with my heart pounding 100 miles an hour as my car was sliding down. When I got closer to the bottom there was someone that tired to get up the hill but decided against it after watching us come down it and turned and backed up downwards with me coming forward down the hill!

    I have a vacation day today, thankfully didn’t have to navigate any freezing roads first thing this morning, although it looks like cars are now speeding by my house so the roads must be salted and better now. Winter go away!!!!

    Deb – it must be so frustrating to get so many different answers for your pain, hopefully the spinal and hip xray will give you your answers. I laughed when you talked about causing a scandal by getting pregnant.

    Rosemarie – that is great news that you are feeling better. That is funny that your hubby knows us by geographical location because I often refer to everyone by where they live too. My husband thinks it is great that I have this support outlet and other bc survivors who truly understand and “get it”. He is a super husband but doesn’t always know what to say when I am down. Did your son press the “poof” button? I was awake a few times early this morning but went back to sleep.

    Amy – you are right, you are not a cancer patient but a person that had cancer. We are still the same people that our family and friends know except for wiser, stronger and perhaps more compassionate than we once were. It sounds like you have a busy summer planned. The trip to the south of France sounds amazing, have never been to Europe –would love to go someday when I am older. That sounds funny, but what I mean is that right now we enjoy traveling to the Caribbean and spending our weekends in the summer at our trailer.

    My immune system does seem to be different now that when I don’t get enough sleep I tend to catch anything that is going including the stomach virus which know one else at work got except for one person. It was brutal.

    Are you still planning on getting a lab? My brother in law has one and they need lots of exercise. We have our 7 month old Belgian Malinois and she needs tons of exercise or she is bouncing off the walls. Puppies are a challenge and need lots of care, attention and exercise but they give back so much love and are always happy to see you. We love our pets!

    Kelly – aw that just sucks finding a new lump. Hopefully you can get in quickly before you leave on your trip to ease your mind. It is good though that the doctors keep such a close eye on us for any signs to make sure things are okay. I’m thinking positive thoughts here for you.

    Victoria – what are your temps now in the desert?

    Cathy – I got sent home early from work yesterday, 45 minutes early only. The traffic was just crawling and the roads were brutal. Stay safe and hopefully you have a snow day today as it is Friday!

    Gracyie – I cant how insistive some people are, I think we need to go out and give them lessons in tact. Your neighbour was just being nosy and to ask what your prognosis is totally floors me. It is none of their business. Do they expect that when we are diagnosed with bc that we are going to fall to the ground and curl up in a little ball and die instantly, sorry for the blutness but it makes me mad!!!

    TracySeattle – give Dave some healing hugs from us so that he may once again be moving around freely. Don’t overdo it and get yourself burnt out. I also have to learn to pace myself sometimes and do get exhausted when I over do it.

    Have a great day ladies. I love you all.

    Michele
  • TracySeattle
    TracySeattle Member Posts: 690
    edited March 2007
    Hi All!

    Well we still have snow on the ground, but the roads are better today! I told you about our scary bus ride home the other night. There was one place where we almost slid over the embankment several times as we stopped and started with the traffic. We found out later that a bus after ours DID slide off the embankment - it didn't go over but it was dangling over the edge. SCARY!!!

    People in the Seattle area are not used to large amounts of snow - so when we do get it (10 inches this time!). It is a challenge!

    Well, ladies. I gave notice to move out of my house. I have basically been living at Dave's for the past several months, but now I have to move again. UGH! I hate moving! I also need to do a lot of downsizing as Dave's house is a small and cozy single story home....

    Anyone out there Rubber Stamp or Scrapbook? I am downsizing my craft items - tell me what you need and I will see if I have it!

    Off to work with me - happy Friday everyone!

    Mary & Kelly - I'm still beside you along with all of our other sisters!
  • ake
    ake Member Posts: 684
    edited March 2007
    have a good weekend everyone! we're off to ny to stay with my best friend and her husband. she's 8 months pregnant and he turned 30 today, so there's lots to celebrate! it's nice and warm here...about 60 degrees today!

    i probably won't be checking my mail too much over the weekend because I'm determined to relax, plus I get yelled at if I'm online too long but just wanted to say have a good weekend

    love,
    amy
  • TracySeattle
    TracySeattle Member Posts: 690
    edited March 2007

    Love you, too, Amy! Have fun!

  • marymelodi
    marymelodi Member Posts: 515
    edited March 2007
    One of my doctors told me I became a cancer survivor the moment I got diagnosed. She also said I should believe that I was cancer free as soon as they took out the lump. I have believed that all along.

    So, then, why be nervous about the CT scan results? You don't need me to explain. I am in pretty good control of my thoughts, but it is true that the thought of bad news is always there in the back of my mind. But I persist in thinking all will be "unremarkable . . . NED."

    I called the Dr. office this morning and am waiting for a return call.

    Amy: have a very nice weekend.
    Tracy: moving - ugh! one of my worst nightmares. But, the good thing is being with "Delightful Dave."
    Victoria: good luck with your version of the "drunkard furniture man." If not velvet, what would you prefer on your chairs? I want to know.
    Take care to all those in the snow belt. We only got steady rain and 40 degree temps this morning. But the tmeperature will drop down again tonight and then, look out, all the wet will turn to ice. Yuck!

    I'll see you later~
    Mary
  • marymelodi
    marymelodi Member Posts: 515
    edited March 2007
    12:20 pm
    The nurse practitioner just called. They only have a preliminary report and they usually do not give those out, but she said she didn't want me to have to wait over the weekend. So far it looks like no trouble, "no mass, no adenopathy". She'll have someone send me a copy of the final report when they have it. I suspect the dictation is being typed and should be in the system next week. I used to do transcription of dictation here at the hospital and I know it takes a couple of days, usually.

    So, looks good.
    I'm relieved.
    Mary
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    MaryAlice .... congratulations! I believe mine is b9 as well but my PS just wants to make sure.

    Have a great Weekend everyone.
  • Curlylocks
    Curlylocks Member Posts: 1,060
    edited March 2007
    Mary...congratulations, whew what a relief!!!

    Have a great Friday.

    Michele
  • Curlylocks
    Curlylocks Member Posts: 1,060
    edited March 2007
    I found the picture that Victoria was talking about. Here is a picture of hubby and I pre bc, taken Dec 04. I miss my long hair...

    Michele

    image
  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited March 2007
    Mary..that's terrific! Whew! Now we just have to have NED from Kelly and then we can stop worrying once again!

    Michele..I remember that pic. I love your hair the way it is now, too. But you can let it grow. That's the good thing about the hair issue..it DOES grow! I'm much more concerned about that scary drive home from work on the slippery roads. YIKES! I would have been a basket case! I am getting better but driving in the rain in Israel threw me at first and I would totally panic to the point of not going out at all on a rainy day. Funny, but I drove on ice and snow in Chicago but rain in Israel scared me to death. I think it's because I live in the country here and it blows when it rains AND the drivers here are maniacs!

    Now we have two ladies downsizing for new homes! Tracy..I do stamping!

    Amy..have a fun weekend!

    My friend from the States is in Israel on business (he used to live here) and he was over for dinner. He is a good friend of mine but he can say dumb things! He moved back to the States a year ago. It was just before I was finishing Taxol. He never told me this before but he told me tonight that he thought I was kind of looking for attention at that point because I didn't go to services at the temple during that time. I couldn't believe that he said that to me. I know that his cousin in the States who recently died from some kind of cancer, was on a lot of chemo and still did everything..in fact more than she should have probably..she was 60 years old when she died and president of a huge organization and went on cruises and all kinds of stuff while on chemo. She was in stage 4 and wanted to do everything. She was an amazing woman. My sister was a friend of hers. So, I guess he didn't get why I couldn't get to services. But..I told him that my treatments were on Thursdays and by Fri. night when we have services I was a wreck from the steroids. I was like the energy bunny all day so I did shopping and cooking and everything but by evening I crashed.

    He said he could understand that. Just couldn't believe he thought I was milking it for whatever I could. So not me!

    He's a friend and he was being honest and that's okay. Just wonder who else thought that about me...
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007

    Mary -
    Great New!! WHEW- to you all the way from Mexico. Roy and I will do tequila shots in your honor.

    Kelly -
    I tried calling you - I couldn't get a line outof here...I am hoping only the best for you. My heart sskipped a beat when I read your post.
    Graycie Rosemarie -
    Thanks so much!


    Linny - ,Jill
    I know I still owe you each a Rocktober shirt..sorry Ive been really swamped...but I have not forgotten.
    ----------
    EVERYONE -
    This keyboard sucks. Ourlaptop isn't working so I am using the resort one...this keyboard is in spanish and everything's different... just wanted to pop in and say ola!

    Roy went scuba diving today...he really needs this. Well, gotta go - dinner reservations in 45 minutes

    Laura
  • TracySeattle
    TracySeattle Member Posts: 690
    edited March 2007

    Ravdeb - are there any particular kinds of stamps that you like? Not sure I would have anything your style - most of my stamps tend to be kind of "cutsey" and I have outgrown them myself.... I will keep you in mind as I go thru my stuff, I will find you some surprises!

  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited March 2007
    Thanks Tracy..I pm'd you.

    Laura..enjoy Mexico. I'm jealous!
  • RoseMarie
    RoseMarie Member Posts: 502
    edited March 2007
    Such good news Mary!!!! I feel so vulnerable with my 6 month check ups. You are all so well checked so often! OMG I have "dr. appt. envy!"

    Michele and Tracy - so glad you're both ok!!! How scary for both of you! Central Indiana is very flat and it's scary enough to watch people slip and slide all over the place on flat roads - can't imagine hills and curves!!!

    Laura - hope you are having a wonderful time!!!

    My dh comes home tonight, yay, only to leave again for another week on Monday, boo. Then he'll be home a week and then gone for another week. (here I am complaining and MaryAnne goes even longer without dh at home!)

    Everyone have a wonderful day today!!

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