2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

ake

i had a bilateral mast with reconstruction my breasts are fantastic and perky and i can't wait until 2 weeks from now when i get nipples to match

debbie...i like your new pic.

graycie...if you're feeling freaked out because you can't see your onc. until october, see if you can go in earlier. they know how hard it is for us sometimes. i see mine in 2 weeks. i have this little bump, which is squishy, so i think it's a cyst, near my breast, but it's one more thing to make me think about cancer again. i've never thought about it so much...my year anniversary is august 17th, so i'm wondering if that has anything to do with it. i also think that it's because i've been having so much fun recently that as soon as i feel my guard is being let down, i'm waiting for the other shoe to fall.

my brother is definitely a looker, so i'm always flattered when people think i look like him he is an artist in nyc and very talented. he gets mistaken for jake glyenhal all the time...the actor from brokeback mountain?

Anonymous

My mammogram was fine!! I was worried because I felt something very thick under the lumpectomy scar. Now I await the results of my chest x-ray.

Everyone looks good!! Have a great weekend, beautiful ladies!

RoseMarie

When my friend was in town she suggested coloring my hair and I let her. I'm glad I did but I'm normally a brunette with straight hair. This picture was just taken and it's not a very good one but maybe you can see the red a bit. Amy, beautiful picture of you with your men!!

RoseMarie

sorry, i'm trying to delete my huge picture and will try again...I can't get it to resize!!
I will try again later when I have a bit more time!!

Anonymous

Woo hoo look at Brenda's new avatar. Brenda, you look stunning on with that hat. Can we see it a bit bigger??

sherryhaire

Here is hoping everyone has a GREAT weekend.

debbie444

What hats that?????
LOL Rosemarie - are you the reason i couldnt get on earlier - bought the board to a halt with your big pic??
Have a good weekend ladies
Debbie

Anonymous

Hi everyone!
I have been so busy. I'm once again doing my graphic design and product design work. My client is keeping me very busy! Yikes - I can hardly keep up with it. I am also going to be working on the design of some breast cancer products to offer through my client's company this October. I am so excited because 70% of the profits will be sent right back here - to bc.org. I really want this site to remain available so I chose it as the recipient instead of ACS or Komen or Avon.

Amy -
Great photo - you look FAB! And your guys too, of course!

Debbie -
So happy for you with your results! Whew - again...

Graycie -
I asked my Dr. about Raloxifine but she said no - don't know why but will ask. She said Fosamax or Actinol. I am just so darned busy! I need a vacation from medical isssues. How's your hair coming along? Any new pictures...

marymelodi -
Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

EVERYONE -
Hello - just wanted to say hi and tell you I appreciate you all so much. And can you believe this summer is here and we were all diagnosed about this time last year. What a year it's been - I get choked up when I think back.

YOU ALL ROCK!

Laura

Anonymous

debbie, refresh your screen so you can see her new avatar!

Anonymous

Kelly: Thanks for the compliment. I hope you can view this. The copy/paste option in tinypic.com was not working so I had to improvise.

This was taken at my SIL's 50th b-day (I did not even know she was sitting behind me to my left). The one on my right is my 10 year old.

ake

your son is adorable and you look fantastic in your red hat!

marymelodi

Brenda:
You look "mah-va-lous"!

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!
Mary

sherryhaire

Brenda you look fantastic!!Snf your son quite handsome watch out girls in a few more years!!!

Anonymous

Brenda -
Wowwy wow wow! You look great! And your son is adorable!

Rosemarie -
Can't wait to see the new you!

Laura

TracyNY

Hey ladies! I see everyone is getting their summer looks together. Isn't it great considering that last year this time we were all just starting this awful journey?!

I had my first period since last September yesterday. I saw my gyn just a few days ago and he said he thought it would return. I wasn't missing it but its nice to know that the body is getting back to normal.

Anonymous

Where's
TRACY Seattle?

Laura

Anonymous

Brenda, I love your picture! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Your son is a handsome boy you've got! I am glad you were able to go that party and look so healthy and gorgeous ... not like the chemo girls we were last year!

Tda, glad you are happy about your body getting back to normal. I just don't want to have any more periods. I am afraid of them which is why I am just getting the ovaries out. I am even thinking about having the other breast removed still.....

Graycie

Laura has a good point where is Tracy Seattle and where is Paula? She hasn't been on in a while either........When is Ravdeb coming back.? Miss her too......

Laura, That's wonderful doing a product design for breast cancer products. Good choice on your part to have 70% of the profits go to this site. About the hair, I hate to keep whining about it but it is horrible looking. In three month's it is only about an inch long, if that........Any advice on vitamins or something I could take to speed up the growth a bit. Everyone else seem's to have such beautiful new hair.........I will have to have my dh take a new picture of me but it will probably be with the wig on unless I can find a good hair day..........HA.........don't hold your breath on that one.......

Amy, I go Tuesday to have my port flushed.........hanging on to it just in case. I am not only paranoid I am also superstitious. Anyway I hope they take blood if not I am going to ask them if they can since I have been pretty tired lately. At least if the blood comes back OK that will help ease my mind until my next appointment.

Rosemarie, Can't wait to see your new look.........

Brenda, I agree with all the other girls, love your picture with the hat and also your son is so cute!.

Tracy, Nice to hear things are getting back to normal for you even though I am so glad I don't get my period anymore. That is one thing I don't miss........But for you that is a good thing. I lost mine before I found out I had BC so there is no chance of it coming back and if it does then I'm in trouble.

I went to a car show today with my dh and some friends and would you believe I was sitting at a table of which two of the women had breast cancer. One is a couple years out of treatment (unfortunately she had a reoccurrence) and the other one is going through radiation. My friend also is an ovarian cancer survivor of 17 years. I guess you can figure out what we talked about......All and all I had a good time and enjoyed talking to these ladies.

I hope everyone had a nice weekend.

Graycie

Paula15089

I am here! I dont read the forum as much these days, but am always checking out the Oct girls thread...

Brenda, Amy, fantastic pics!! Amy, you brother is one serious HUNK... (is he taken? tee hee hee )

Its good to hear everyone is doing well. I am madly trying to lose weight - gym, tennis, running, diet, you name it.. its NOT happening. I am getting frustrated. I am sure lack of esterogen has something to do with it. Oh well, at least all that excercise is good for me.

Graycie, have you tried Nioxin? I have no idea if its actually working, but i have been using it during my growth stage and my hair is fab! I've also been taking Zink tablets. I know sunflower and pumpkin seeds have lots of Zink in them, which is supposed to be great for hair.

I should really update my avatar... But i've got no new pics, and been too lazy to take any!

maryannecb

Graycie, my hair is only an inch long too. I finished chemo march 28. I have kinks but no curls. Also happy to report that brows and lashes are making a comeback.

Traceyseattle is missing...hmmmmm.I am sure she will show up with a good explanation.

Brenda your hat is great and your son is a darling.

I discovered my lump at the end of July last year, while on vacation. My vacation starts end of July again. Sure hope there are no new discoveries.The year has passed very quickly and I was really helped by this site and this board in particular.

I spent the afternoon cleaning up puke. I was sailing with my family. Our youngest who is 12 became seasick and seasick and seasick. Poor little guy. He then threw up in the car on the way home and as soon as he got in the house. He is now tucked in bed. I hope he is settled for the night. I don''t know if I can do any more clean ups without losing my mind.

MUGA tomorrow, three month checkup and Herceptin on Wednesday. I already know my bloods are OK and my CT showed radiation effects so don't expect anything but nice chat with onc.

I better send this before I lose it all...

Fists up!

ravdeb

Hi Ladies...
Writing this from my girlfriend's apt in Chicago. Just arrived here after a week in N. Carolina and am having lots of fun! I'll see if my daughter can put a pic on of us at the wedding.

Tracy Seattle is not really missing!!! I am in touch with her and she's doing well, working, moved into a new apartment and just well..she's well and healthy. I'll tell her you have been asking about her. Maybe she'll come on and visit.

I will check in a bit more often but must say that I'm really tired and haven't yet gotten over my jet lag. Just the same, I'm having lots of fun with friends and family.

Be well Ladies! Pics on here are terrific!

debbie444

Glad to hear about Tracey - would hate one of us to go missing in action.!
Maryanne - hope he is feeling better. My daughter was ill over the weekend too. Thankfully Roger stepped in - i just 'dont do' sick!
Paula - glad i am not the only one not shifting the weight! I have lost a stone since i finished cheom but the rest just wont shift. My dr said i should take up running or cycling to try and stave off osteoperosis. When i had picked myself up off of the floor i think i may have to seriously think about it.
Graycie - dont beat yourself up about the hair. I think my hair is only about that long and i finished chemo in Jan. Maybe its because mine has come back dark that i dont seem to notice it being short. In fact i looked in the mirror this morning and thought it needed cutting. Roger thinks i am more confident with short hair - no i am more confident now i have SOME hair - ANY hair!!!
Laura - good luck to you with your designing, i wish i was artistic. That gene bypassed me.
Mary - glad you had a good time babysitting the dogs - back in sunny Rochester now? Its good to have your calming wisdom back on the board.
And finally - i have followed Kellys advice and can see the new and improved Brenda!!!!

Sorry if i have missed anyone - i havent overlooked you i promise!!
Debbie

sherryhaire

Well I gotr my first Haircut or should I say trim this weekend to try and eleminate the frizzies, Sure did help It is still quite short kind of like a mans cut but at least it is hair--My eyelashes are still falling behind wish they would grow--Hope everyone had a good weekend Tomorrow I go to Plastic Surgeon to see if we go forward with recon

TracySeattle

Hi Everyone!!!!!

Well, I just did it too, wrote you this big long letter about what I have been doing and then I lost it!!!! ARRRGGGHHH!!!

Thanks so much for worrying about me and checking up on me. I totally apologize for not being here more often! I miss all of you!

I am moved into my new house and pretty much settled. I like it alot! The divorce papers have been filed, I guess it will be final sometime in October.

I am busy right now with our town's summer festival. I am the vice president (next year's president!) of the festival and it is a week and a half away so things are starting to hop! You can check it out at www.Aquafest.org. Pictures will be posted there during the festival which is July 21-23, so you will be able to see what I am doing!

I have found a new church that I really like. I am hoping to start a breast cancer support group there in the fall. After my first visit to the church, I was waiting in line to talk with the Pastor and another lady walked up who had very short red hair. We both looked at each other and at the same time said "Chemo!". She also had breast caner, so of course, we hugged! As we exchanged names & phone numbers, she said, "Your name seems so familiar to me." I said, "Well, I belong to Kiwanis and Aquafest." She said, "No, do you belong to an on-line Breast Cancer group?" and I said, "Yes! Breast Cancer.org". She said, "Oh My! You emailed me a few months ago and we talked about getting together!" Yes, I had emailed her and she is one of our sisters here at bc.org!!! I can't remember her screen name, though, I will have to find out.

I also went to TX for a reunion with my 3 college room mates and dearest friends. We had a wonderful time and it meant so much more to me now since battling cancer, getting divorced, etc. etc. We celebrated our 50th birthdays together!!! Who would have thought back in 1974 when we were all room mates that we would still be the dearest of friends today???

Here is a picture of me (the one with the short hair, of course) and one of my room mates:



It's kinda small but the choice was this or BIG - so I guess this will have to do. I think you can see it better if you click on it.

Well, I have rambled on enough for now and I sure hope I don't loose it this time!!! I have miss you all and I promise to be here more often!

Love you! (((hugs)))!

ake

tracy...your hair looks great we missed you!

paula...what about getting a trainer at a gym? that helped me loose weight the most!

it's neat that we're all getting ready to have our year anniversaries. mine is august 17th. i couldn't have gotten through chemo without you all. is anyone getting emotional about making it through the year? my emotions are so fresh...everytime i think about this whole year, i start crying. i really feel sad...not scared, but sad. i think i'm grieving or something that this happened to me. it's hard. anyone else feel that way?

graycie...send a pic of your hair so we can at least see it to know how to help!

debbie444

It seems weird - my year anniversary was May 26th. Once the year was over it all seemed so much more straight forward.
Good to have you back Tracey - seems like you have grasped your new life with both hands ( couldnt get the link to work?) let me have your new address at some point.
I agree Graycie - be brave and let us see your tumbling locks, I am sure its not as bad a s you think!
I am off to but uniform for senior school now - crazy a they dont even break up for 2 weeks but according to the other mums i am leaving it to late. Other years i would be panicking - i seem an awful lot more laisse faire this time!
Debbie

RoseMarie

Hello everyone...finally able to sit down at the computer for a bit!! I'm not sure if you can see how red my hair really is but here goes...

ake

rosemarie....your hair looks spectacular!

RoseMarie

So happy to hear how great everyone's doing. Beautiful pictures too, by the way!!
My husband noticed that my right calf is significantly smaller than my left while walking yesterday. Now that I'm comparing the two it's really obvious and a little frightening. I continue to have aches and pains in my knees and hips but no muscle pain - I put in a call to the onc. already and am waiting for a return call...anyone have any experience with this??? Once again...freaking angry at being so freaked out...

RoseMarie

Thanks Amy! I guess it's time to change my avatar!!