2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

debbie444

well, today it is 2 years , 1 week and 1 day since i like to think of myself as cancer free (my op).
yes , i heard from Jill. All i can say really without betraying her trust , is that she is Ok and i think she may be back in a while, not just yet.

well - school starts back today so i am back at work. However much i like my job , i hate today!!
Meeshell , sorry about the dogyou must feel awful but you may have prevented something awful happening and having to get rid of her.

Debbie

ravdeb

Cathy..I hope all goes well for you today. Keep us posted. You are lucky to have your daughter there. Hope the gk's let you get the rest you will need afterwards.

Cindy..I'm glad you are feeling good. My friend who is on the carbo/taxol/avastin who lives here in Israel (she isn't on weekly, though)just left for a few days in Crete with her dh. She so needed to get away but it means she feels good. Good sign, huh?

I posted that elephant joke but I'm not so sure I really like it. Just that the way it was written and then the one-line punchline...just thought it was funny!

MaryAnne..when I have the bad coughing for my asthma, I can hear the wheezing myself. I've had bad SOB where I could hardly move. I'm not like that now. I also wonder if it's anxiety.
I don't know if I've ever heard of Dragon boats here in Israel. I think I like what you are doing because it is with bc survivors and I tend to stick with things that have meaning behind them. And yes..I've been walking. I either do a 20 minute walk in the area or do my longer walk at the beach. Will get out to the beach again today. Had thought to start swimming but the only time the pool is opened right now is at 7 am and it's too cold for me then. Pool isn't heated. I get cold going into the water when it's 100 degrees out! The mornings here are upper 60's or 70's. It's only opened for 2 hours. Not warm enough yet for me. It's opened on the weekends but no room to do laps. Decided it was too expensive when I can't use it enough and then I'm leaving in August. I used to swim every day in the summer but now the pool is crowded because our village joined with another one and they can use our pool at resident prices, so they do! And now they have all these programs lined up for kids at the pool so it's just not like it used to be. Am seriously considering getting a pool in my yard and then I can and would swim every day. Expensive but may be worth it. More and more people are doing that here and so one day when you fly over Israel you will see those dots of blue that are private pools just like when you fly over Florida and California!

And also...when I saw my curls fading away, I had curls only on the ends. Once I cut that off, chemo curls were gone forever. I loved my curls. Wish I had them back but my girlfriend here says I look better with straight hair.

OMG...Somebody had emptied out an old bag I used to take to the pool a few years ago and my pool pass with picture was in it. It had fallen to the floor. It was from 2003 and I had the best hair...it was black and layered down to my shoulders. I don't look anything at all like I used to look. I miss that look. Started thinking I should let my hair grow and dye it again...I was healthy and young looking. Of course..that was in 2003 and it's now 2007! Still, as I walked past the day care center this morning..the kids were outside playing and one kid looked at me and said "Grandma"?

Okay..so my brother, who takes extremely good care of himself and always has, had his yearly physical (good boy) and they found an enlarged lymph node in his chest x-ray. They sent him for a PET scan but the doctor believes it's nothing. He gets colds and throat infections often (seems like he is always sick!) and I'm guessing that it's from one of his last illnesses. Hope so.

I told him that he wins. I've never had a PET scan!

I am confident that he is okay because two of us in the family will not get cancer. That's my theory.

Michele...I hope that pea bump is nothing. My daughter had some bump under her skin removed and biopsied and it was nothing. Wishing you good luck. I'm sick of having this bc scare us all the time. CurlyLocks is a good name for you. Sounds like you had fun sitting around the campfire!
I'm sorry it's so hard for you about Scooby...but you know it's for the best....

My dog's side of her foot was run over. My middle son was backing out of the garage and she likes to lay there next to the car now because it's cooler there. She doesn't move anymore so quickly when we are backing out and we have to yell at her to move. But he didn't and after he ran over her foot he came running into the house to tell me. It was Saturday and there are no vets around. I was in such a panic. But, nothing is broken. She is nursing it and able to put pressure on it. Poor thing. But she will be okay. Worse things have happened to her. She's not even crying about it...

Must get to the beach for my walk.

I want to hear from those going through procedures and surgery..wanna know that all is okay!

RoseMarie

Cathy - thinking about you!!
Michele - sounds like you had a relaxing weekend. I wish I had a place to escape to on the weekends! I know it's hard but I'm sure you guys did the right thing with Scooby.
Deb - I did laugh out loud - the punchline caught me off guard - hope your brother is ok!!
I've decided to cancel my appt. with the PCP today and reschedule it for after my onc. appt. tomorrow. I want to see what the onc. says first. ugh! I'm trying not to worry and after my melt down the other day I have been ok.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!!!
Lots of love ladies!

ravdeb

Hey RoseMarie.. Good luck with your onc appt. tomorrow. I always find my onc reassuring. And I trust her opinions and referrals. I hope your onc appt goes well for you.

I just got my TSH/Free T4/T3 blood test results from the blood test I did this morning. My TSH is in the normal range as are all the numbers. It is a touch high because according to what I read on the internet, they'd like the TSH to be lower than 3. Mine is 3.72.But according to my results I got, over 4.94 is too high. So, I'm inside! I guess that was the cause of my fatigue! I do feel better and am not fatigued. Thought it was my imagination, though.

I do believe this was the best news I've had in a long time that I can actually trust!

Anonymous

Have only caught up to the point of the elephant joke!
ROFL ... am copying and pasting to my dad ... will catch up later, am getting Little Girl ready for school!!

Anonymous

Cathy -
Hope all goes well today.

ravdeb -
Great news! Closure is such a good thing. Awwww...poor Mmelke!

CurlyLocks -
Sorry you had to go through that scare! Glad to read it's most likely just a cyst. Fingers are crossed that the house sells soon.

RoseMarie -
Good luck with your Onc. appt.

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EVERYONE -
Hi there! Had a crazy busy weekend...niece was over with her best friend. And catering to TWO princesses was exhausting! LOL Graycie - I know how you feel now...they wouldn't let me on the computer! LOL

Give me a couple of days...I will put together a proposed agenda for our get-together.

I'm still working out every week day morning - and I'm so proud of myself, because I had to miss one day last week, I worked out yesterday to make up for it! I just hope I can continue to be this enthused for many years to come!

Hope you're all having a great day.

ake

I am trying to catch up on all the posts...I'm sitting here in a Kinkos. My husband and I are internet deprived at the place we're staying and we finally cracked and drove to find internet:) We leave tomorrow.

Our vacation has been so great...beach, amazing food....lots of seafood and my new favorite drink...the mojito! we had a tropical storm the first day we were here, but we survived and now we have great weather! I will post pics when i get back, but I just wanted to say hi and I miss you all a lot!

love,
amy

ravdeb

Hi Amy! Glad you're having fun.

Anonymous

I LOVE MOJITOS! Maybe we can have some in addition to the Lemon Drop Martinis at our get-together!

cathy987

Girls

Am back at Amy's. Feeling very little pain but slower than usual. Could be comb. of anesthesia and pain meds. You think?

Couch and rest is wonderful and I have an "undershelf."

RoseMarie-I just believe all will go well for you tomorrow. I have nothing better to do than rest and think about you the rest of today.

Really can't focus here but wishing you all well and thanks for being here.

Love you.

maryannecb

Cathy, Your recon is done! Congrats, mine is so far away I am not sure I can keep brave enough to do it. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and Tadah-style happiness with the results.

Rosemarie, hope all goes well tomorrow. Maybe you have a tendinitis. Is it painful and swollen at the base of the thumb? I refuse to think any nasty thoughts. This would be an unusual met spot...

The young girl I operated on last week has asked to become my patient. I am hoping I can help her through this.

Ravdeb , well it could be anxiety, but you need to rule out the bad stuff. That way you will rest easier and the meds if you need them will work well.

Got to go, I am exhausted, hard day at work. My neck and upper back are seized up. I can't wait to snuggle up to my heating pad, that will relax me.

Still haven't called the hotel...but I will.

Fists up!

Paula15089

oooh, i love mojitos!!
first day back at work today... ugh.

TracySeattle

Cathy - so glad to hear from you that all is well!!! I have been thinking about you today.

Laura - an agenda of our weekend would be cool!

Anyone up for a Tattoo adventure with me? It would be so cool to take the BIG step with my Rocktober Sisters!

This weekend is the Relay for Life that I have been on the committe for all year. We are going to have SO MUCH fun! and raise ALOT of money for the American Cancer Society as well. Our little Relay has already raised $84,000 this year!!! I will be taking our Lake Stevens Relay for Life banner all over town this week to have people put names on it in exchange for a donation. Each of your names are on the banner! You will be walking the track with me this weekend!

Love you all!

Curlylocks

Ladies,

Just a quick pop in to say hi.

My GP's office called today, I have an appt to see my surgeon on Thursday at 4:00 pm regarding the little lump under my right arm that I was told was a cyst. It concerns me a little as I thought I was going to a plastic surgeon to have it removed and it was nothing....oh the joys of worrying....

We are taking Scooby back after she spends another 3 weeks with the trainer to correct her behaviour. We really love her and miss her terribly... The trainer said she has a fearful aggression with other dogs and was not properly socialized as a puppy with them. So she is introducing them to her slowly, she has 3 other malinois just like Scooby. She also said she has had no discipline for her actions and has been allowed to do what she wants here. We have allowed her up on the couch and spoiled her as she was so cute as a puppy but with this breed it was not the right thing to do.

We are looking forward to getting her back and working with her. The trainer said she is a sweet dog, very loving but needs to be put in her place and that we are the boss not her!

Tracyseattle - just wanted to comment, too chicken here to get a tatoo.

Will check back tomorrow. Hello to all my sisters.

Love Michele

ravdeb

Cathy...rest and feel better. Then tell us about your new parts.

Paula...back to work? Well, that means you are moving on and that's a good thing! Hope you are feeling well.

What the heck is a mojito??? If it's a drink, I want it.

Michele..I laughed when you wrote you were taking Scooby back. I also thought your post sounded like you were reporting what happened at a meeting with the child psychologist or at a teacher/parent meeting. That's what THEY say (minus the jumping on the sofa part, of course!! ). You will be a good mom to Scooby once she's back from training...

I shoulda sent my kids for training once in a while!!!

Good luck at the surgeon. Hope all is well. My daughter had to have an initial meeting with the surgeon too. But I took her to a ps.

MaryAnne..yes..you are right, of course. I am taking my meds and will see if this works. If not, I'll be back at my doctor's for a referral. Thanks...I haven't given up. I am now thinking my heart is going into failure..

Tracy..that is so neat that our names are on the banner! I wish I could walk with you! But, I'll be thinking of you as I walk the beach, instead.

And no..no tattoo for me!

RoseMarie..how did it go?

TracySeattle

YAY!!! Scooby is coming home!!! I am so glad! You know, your trainer is right, it seems that dogs like discipline. We have had dogs that we have spoiled rotten and let them do whatever and they have not been nearly as devoted and attentive to us as the ones that we were serious about training and were strict with. I think it will all work out just fine!

Laura? Amy? Kelly? Were you the ones who were interested in the tattoo thing? Hey! We have our own Dr. to take with us to make sure all is on the up and up! )

I am walking this weekend for all of us. We will have a Luminaria at the ceremony too. I will take pics for you!

Cathy - hope today finds you feeling even better!

Paula - glad to hear you are headed back to normal.

RoseMarie - (((hugs))) thinking of you!

Cindy - you are my hero, YOU GO GIRL!!!!

To all my other sisters - have a great day and I love you all!

ravdeb

Quote:

---

Laura? Amy? Kelly? Were you the ones who were interested in the tattoo thing? Hey! We have our own Dr. to take with us to make sure all is on the up and up! )

---

yea..and a psychologist to make sure you aren't all nuts!!!

debbie444

You know i seem to have more than my fair share of 'odd days'?
Well this was Rogers van today - and yes he was driving - all of his tools were in there too , they werent insured as it was on commercial insurance


His seat






and disappearing off on the back of the recovery truck (not far from home luckily)



Luckily . in Rogers own words 'he still has 2 arms and 2 legs , he just smells a bit of smoke'!

scottishlass

Hello everyone,
Havn't been posting for a while as I find it helpful not to sometimes. However Debbie shamed me into saying hi and everything in fine with me currently.

Debbie - WOW! what is it about your family. Could there be a sort of Bermuda Triangle affect in and around Chesterfield. If so perhaps I should stay clear this summer !!!!!
To all my other sisters. I think about you often and do keep up with your progress.

On a somewhat brighter note I had a phone call from BUPA yesterday inviting me for my next health check. The last one was in August 2005 where they discovered BC. I have them every two years and in September 2005 thought I would not be having any more!!!! It is good sometimes to be proved wrong
Love to you all Jill

Anonymous

Mary-Anne: we are going to go RVing in July -- to the beach!! Haven't been able to go lately since the last time I was off was to have the recon done. Work is crazy busy still but Dad is coming to help for 10 days this month.

Laura -- Glad you are exercising so much! You are going to be one HOT MAMMA when everyone gets together!!

Cathy -- You'll feel better soon ... it will never be the same but what can we do??

debbie --- OMG!! You guys really need to read up on your insurance policies!! Make sure Rog knows we all feel bad for him. That's the pits to have to replace not just the car but the things in the car!!!!

Oh ... what's in a mojito??

debbie444

Kelly - I too want to know what a Mojito is!!
We knew Rogers van contents werent insured - you cant get them insured as they can vary from day to day. Unfortunately today , rog had about £1500 worth of stuff in theer, plus the little bits you dont realise have gone until you next go to use them. I was cross as i gave him a new lunch box this morning and hes gone and melted it!! The funny thing is , the first person to stop and help was someine who we had fitted shop counters for , and the guy whi came with the recovery truck had had a conservatory fitted by us!!
I did wonder if you were off in the motorhome.
Jill - dont avoid us - we will hunt you down! looking forward to catching you at Centre Parcs.
OMG - i better stop eating all the nice things if Laura is going to turn up as an IronWoman !!

Anonymous

How did Roger's truck melt??

TracySeattle

Debbie!!!! So glad Roger is OK, that is scary! I think we need to put a bubble around your house and NO ONE LEAVES!

Jill - good to see you, we miss you!

Deb - ha ha ha - if I am not mistaken, our psychologist is in on the tattoo outing! hee hee hee.....

Kelly - Dave and I are going to look for a small motor home! We decided this weekend that we REALLY NEED one as much as we love to bum around, see things and stay places. Knowing Dave this selection/decision is going to take quite some time and probably looking at a Bazillion of them! Hopefully by next summer we will be on the road in a new little home away from home!

I'm off to our local Lions Club meeting with my Relay banner in hand.... Promoting Relay and getting names on the banner.

Have a good evening all!

Graycie

HI Everyone, I haven't had much time to post lately but I am thinking of you all.

Guess what? I am a new great Aunt, my niece just had a baby girl. guess what they named her? Graycie.........lol

Debbie, that is awful about Roger's van. What happened? Why did it start on fire?

I will try and post more tomorrow.

ake

I'm still trying to catch up on the posts!

Debbie.....wow!!!! those pictures are insane! is everything okay?

Michele...glad about Scooby

Tracy...I am definitely getting a tattoo. Anyone who knows me knows that I worship elephants...they are all over my house. And now because of all of you, they're even more significant. So, I'm getting a pink elephant tattoo on my ankle I'm scared, but I can do it. Told my parents, so that always makes it real

Ok...a mojito is a spectacular drink of rum, mint leaves, lime juice, sugar, and soda. It has a sugar cane in it too sometimes. I love love love them...had my first one in Florida and now I'm hooked.

Ladies...I'm so torn on the Chicago trip. My hubby and I don't have a lot of money right now because, well, we travel way too much My 2 best friends want to celebrate my 2 year anniversary with me that weekend in August that you all are going to Chicago. So, I'm torn on what to do. Let me confirm it with them for sure and then I can figure it out. Grrrr.

Ok, back to catching up with life before work tomorrow...grrrr again! here's some pics..



me and my mojito



and us on our anniversary

Curlylocks

Good Evening Sisters...

The temps dropped to 10C, quite chilly, suppose to be 5C tonight risk of frost in some areas....burr.

We are happy campers knowing that our "pup" will come home to us in a little over 2 weeks. I spoke to the breeder yesterday and tonight and she is doing really well with the training. They actually teach them how to carry backpacks made for dogs--they look like a sandal bag and then put water bootles to start in them for weight. It allows the dog to have a purpose, a job to do and then you can add heavier weight as they get good at it. The trainer said this type of training actually magnifyies the walking by 4 times.

She was introduced to 3 dogs today, left on the lease and asked to sit stay while they ran around her. She did well.

We are so greatful that this trainer is taking this time to reschool her and we will have to do the enforcing once she arrives back home with us.

My appt with my surgeon is on Thursday at 4:00 p.m., did I already mention this earlier? I found a small pea size lump underneath my right arm last Wednesday and went to the doctor on call and said it was a subsceous cyst that the plastic surgeon could remove. But this week my GP's office calls and says I know have an appt with my surgeon who did my orginal surgery. I keep feeling it and it is still there but not huge.

What are the cancers of getting a reoccurance on the opposite side with a higher grade tumour and 3 positive nodes? Or would it be classified as a new primary....maybe I am jumping ahead of myself but dont want to be broadsided if the news is not good.

My dh is off on Thursday so I will get him to go the hospital with me.

Debbie444 - thank you so much for the angel. I was so excited to open up the mailbox and see unfamilar mail stamped Derbysire England. You are a sweetheart for thinking of me and the belated Birthday card.

So glad that Roger is okay, what a scare? OMG what happened to cause the truck to brust into flames like that?

Cathy - hope you are well on your way to a quick recovery, take those good pain meds to help you along the way.....

Maryanne - you can book your hotel stay online, it is a protected site.

Deb - loved your thoughts on the physology thing and wishing you had sent your kids there.LOL. My poor mother must have thought that she needed to see the professional when she raised us 4 girls and 1 boy, with the boy being the youngest.

Thanks for the soothin words...I'm terrifed to go and see the surgeon for fear of what he might find!

Paula - congrats on returning to work, a big step in the right directon. Are you working full time or graduated hours?

Victoria - you are right, your animals especially if you have no children like us become family members and there is a HUGE void when something happens to one of them. We felt that we didnt give her a fair chance and the trainer said that she is doing phenemonal with the time that she has had her. She will remain there until at least another 2 weeks.

Look forward to meeting you. I am arriving on the Thursday night by myself.

Jill - it is so nice to hear from you and glad you are doing well. We have missed you on the boards.

Kelly - an RV trip sounds like just the thing to give you some much needed relaxation from all those hours you are working.

Tracyseattle - enjoy picking out a motorhome to boop around in. We went up to our trailer for the first time this season this past weekend and you could just feel the stress easing away from my body.

Gracyie - congrats on becoming a great aunt! Babies smell so nice....

Amy - you look stunning in that photo in the dress and look like you are very caught up in the moment. I have never had a mojito, but they sound yummy.

Really hope that you can make the August get together, would love to meet you!

To all my sisters, have a super evening.

Love
Michele

Anonymous

Debbie -
HOLY CRAPOLY! Whew...gosh...what the heck...thank goodness Rog is okay! The tools can be replaced...hang in there sis, across the pond.

Graycie -
Awwwww...I bet she's a cutie!

Amy -
You and dh look great! Mojoito is my drink of choice!

Tracy -
I don't think I'm ready for a tatoo...but give me a few days to think about it...I just may change my mind...

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

EVERYONE -
We had furniture delivered today for our basement. Thank goodness it's almost done! We'll have to add furniture a little at a time...WHAT A PAIN IN THE A**! Will post a photo soon.

Mojito Recipe -

3 fresh mint sprigs
2 tsp sugar
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 1/2 oz light rum
club soda

In a tall thin glass, crush part of the mint with a fork to coat the inside. Add the sugar and lime juice and stir thoroughly. Top with ice. Add rum and mix. Top off with *chilled* club soda (or seltzer). Add a lime slice and the remaining mint, and serve.

Enjoy!

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Brenda -
Hope all is going well.

ake

if you can put a sugar cane stick in the mojito....almost like to stir...it's even better. i was in heaven

Paula15089

tattoo?? I am in!! although i havent decided on design OR location yet...
i had the most fantastic mojitos in Prague of all places. I love it with lots and lots of fresh mint.

Amy, you do look great, as always!

Debbie, OMG, that looks scary!! what exactly happened?

ravdeb

Debbie..WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED??? I was in utter shock when I saw that! I'm so grateful that Rog is ok. He will replace all that stuff and you will get him a new lunch box. But thank goodness he is ok.

Cathy..how are you today?

Yes Tracy...good that Amy might be there with you. She can treat herself (and yes...pun intended! ).

Amy..you look terrific! I just want to tell everybody that you look even more beautiful in person. I hope you can come to the weekend but I can understand the dilemma. I'm not going to get to Virginia this year so no chance to meet up with you again unless you make a trip to Boca Raton!

Jill..I'm so glad you checked in! Good to hear you are doing well. Check in now and then. I understand why you aren't, but, check in anyway!

I like that mojito. I could drink that. I could make that. uh oh..don't get me started!!!!

Gail..congratulations on Graycie! Another little baby to cuddle.

Michele..I hope your appt goes well. I would think that if it's on the opposite side and it's cancer, then it's a new primary. Just a guess. But it's probably not cancer and just a cyst. I'm keeping you in my thoughts. I know it's awful and you are terribly worried. I'm glad you have Scooby to think about. That is mighty tough training Scooby is getting. You'll have to be tough parents!

RoseMarie..how are you?

I had Winnie the Pooh on my desktop and he ran away! I pressed on something when I was doing something and suddenly it disappeared! My soldier son had put it up there. Can't find it anywhere on my computer. Wierdest thing! It just vanished! Oh well. Maybe it's time to grow up. I put one of my beach pictures on and it looks fantastic since it's the size of the screen. Amazing!