anyone starting chemo in Nov 2005

Anonymous

Hi Everyone,
Mary Lou-I'd be going NUTS! I was so mad when I lost some posts (back when the boards were totally down). That would make me crazy if I still couldn't post! I'm curious about the Cymbalta-actually for my MS, not the BC! How is your MS friend, by the way?

Kim-I'd probably be the same way-not calling the doctor because my temperature wasn't quite high enough! I pray for you often. I worry about you guys like you were my real sisters.

Odalys-I am glad to hear you get some time off. I am sure it is going to help. Keep resting-you've earned it!

Daniel is still sick...it's strange, he only throws up at night?!?! Weird kid....
anyway, Rosie (my kitty) is still not well either. And Greg thinks he caught Daniel's sickness! The whole house is sick!

Tomorrow is my LAST TREATMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh WOW, I wish I could make that font bigger. I want to scream it from the rooftops! I am going overboard...I got the onc. center 2 dozen cupcakes (just with pink ribbons, no "cancer sucks"), the suckers, and pencils that say CANCER SUCKS. I have probably spent too much, but they have been so good to our entire family, and I want to shower them with LOVE! I am having my celebratory dinner tonight of Quizno's and Dairy Queen. Yum...

Don't forget to email me directly about the next Pink Ribbon exchange. I don't think we are going to make the theme "tacky pink ribbon merchandise," but I think we can encourage it!

I love you guys!
Love and prayers, Debbie

kim825

Hey girls. One down 27 to go!! LOL!! I've been real tired from the Xeloda and now with the rads, thank God for friends and family. I just worry because rads will take me about 2 weeks after school is out.
Odalys, I'm glad you got some time off. Going through all the simulations and now treatment I don't know how anyone can travel far for rads. My onc. is 1 hour away, but the hospital right here in town is one of 4 in the nation with this high tech rads machine that I decided to do rads 5 minutes into town. I am really happy for that.
Deb, hope your house is feeling better real soon. Don't get sick before YOUR LAST TREATMENT TOMORROW!!!! YAHOO!! WE ARE ALL CELEBRATING WITH YOU!!!

Love,
Kim

Mary-Lou

Deb, so glad you finish with chemo tomorrow!!!!!!!My friend with the MS is doing much better with the Cymbalta.

She said it was so painful to walk, now she is doing fine. I really think it has helped me too. My one finger that was so numb has some feeling in it that it didn't before.

Kim hang in there, we are praying for you.

Odlays, glad you are getting some rest too. I had my #13 rads today. The cream she gave me is awesome. Much better than the aloe. And not sticky.

Bless you all, hope this goes through.

Odalys

Congratulations on finishing chemo tomorrow! You finally did it. Let's hear it for Debbie...Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!
Love,

Margerie

I am so happy for you Debbie!! You'll be walking on water on your way out tommorrow!

WOOOOHOOOOO!!

kim825

Yeah Debbie. Your day is here. Yahoo!!!! Congrats.

Love
Kim

Odalys

Hi ladies, I am trying to post pics, so here is a test. This is Maggie's first picture. Poor thing she is afraid of the camera.

Odalys

Yeah, it works. Anyone else interested in posting their pics?

Odalys

Just thought I post a family picture so you all can meet us. Here is dh Jose and our sunshine Steven. This picture was taken July 2005. We were so happy an unaware of the bc beast inside me.



PS: Can you tell I have a lot of time in my hands this week? Life is good.

Margerie

Odalys,

Aww, Maggie looks like a sweetie. And your handsome Steven looks like pure joy! What a nice family you have.

Me and my DH on our wedding day:


Our oldest is Scott, he is 7:


Jack is 4. This was during his picture-boycotting days:


Ellen is almost 3. She thinks she is a teenager.



Here we all are Nov 2004, less than a year before the shoe dropped.


And here are Wilbur and Roger. I blame them for all my typos as they are always walking on my keyboard and hugging my hand while I am using the mouse:



We do have three dogs also. But they are so crazy, I don't have a picture of them together. Maybe another post as you are all probably sick of my photage by now!!

Odalys

Thanks, Steven is such a joy! Sure, glad to pass on the instructions. It would be so nice to see everyone's pictures.

Here are the instructions, I copied from another thread, on how to post pics:

The website I use to post pics is
www.photobucket.com
It's free to use the site but
you do need to register.
It's an easy site to figure out,
very user friendly.

Once you've registered and
upload a pic use the edit
button above the pic to make
the pic smaller and easier
to view on the board. You'll have a choice
of making the pic 75%, 50% or 25%
smaller than the original size.
I usually make it either 50% or 75%
of the original size. You can check
out some of the pic I've posted
to see their size.
You'll see three codes below
your upload pic. Use the IMG code
highlight, then copy and
paste it on whatever thread on the
board you chose.

Have fun posting!

Margerie

Thank you!! Odalys. Now I am on a roll and I decided that you are not sick of my stuff yet. So here is the dog parade.

Casey just turned 13. She is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. She is one tough broad. She used to go out in the ocean with my DH when he surfed. The day I was getting my MRI and core biopsy I was a wreck. She fell asleep on the asphalt behind my car and I accidentally ran her over. She just got up and shook it off. It really helped my state of mind at the time and I will be forever grateful for that:


Nikki is our problem child. She is an 11 year old lab mix. She insists on howling every time I try to take her picture:



And Max is our 4 year old loyal German Shepherd. He is very sweet and sensitive. He once hid under a bush 2 acres away for 2 hours when I accidentally squirted him with the hose when I was watering the flowers.



That's it folks!

Odalys

Margerie,
You were a beautiful bride and what a handsome family you have. Your kids are adorable and so photogenic. I bet the three of them keep you on your toes. BTW- The little teenager is already camera friendly so get ready for teenage hood. Come to think of it, you will have 3 teenagers in the house at the same time...wow!

I really enjoyed seeing your family. Thanks for sharing.

PS: I'm glad you got the pic posting fever. Your dogs and cats are great. How courageous of you to take on 3 large dogs. The most I've ever had at one time has been two. They are so much work. But, they sure bring us a lot of joy don't they.

Here is us on our wedding day back on July 18, 1994. We got married on a cruise ship called Ecstasy, so romantic. It's a scanned photo from a video, so it's a little dark...sorry, I don't think they had digital photos in 1994. We were both so much thinner and had so much hair back then. Ah...those wonderful early 30's.

kim825

Wow Odalys and Margerie I loved looking at all your pictures. It is nice to put faces with the names we share so much with. I have NO idea how to even begin to upload pictures. Our scanner is not working so I don't think I can upload a picture unless it is on a disc or digital camera. Right? I don't have a digital camera but do have some on disc.
Odalys, Anthony and I went on the Ecstacy in January 1998. We took Giovanni with us and I swore I'd never go on a cruise ship with an infant who just learned how to walk/run. LOL!! We did have a great time though.
BTW 2 rads down, 26 to go!

Kim

Odalys

Kim,
Sharing our pictures is so much fun! I think we all can use a little fun time by now. The Ecstasy was such a nice ship and so much food! We had our ceremony before the ship sailed. It was a beautiful ceremony our family was able to join us and enjoy the delicious food. And, yes, family departed ship before we sailed off into our honeymoon.

BTW-my stepson's name is also Giovanni.

As for loading the pictures, yes you can select the photo from a disc. Just follow the instructions on my previous post and just select your picture from the drive containing the disk (i.e., drive).

Great to hear you've had 2 rads already. How do you feel?

Mary-Lou

All the pictures are wonderful, such beautiful people. I will try to post some later. I have to go and get Michael some stuff for lunch tomorrow. He may have to pull 12 hrs tomorrow.

Just wanted to pop in and say hello.

Glad to be sharing real life for a change too. I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Debbie how was the "LAST" treatment????

Woooooo Hooooooooo!!!!!!!!! You go girl!

Anonymous

I was so excited when I walked into the oncology center. I always would make myself smile at everyone (no need for them to deal with my hatred for chemo, right?), but this time I was grinning ear to ear! I felt like Santa, I just kept handing goodies to everyone in my path. One of the nurses told me that the extra cheer really helped the ominous tone of the treatment room. I felt good to uplift people's spirits. It was so nice to talk to all the other patients, too!

There was one lady in her late 60's who was receiving her first treatment. She kept asking me questions, and I was so happy to be able to answer them for her. Then she asked about getting a port, and I showed her mine. I remember a lady doing the same thing for me and how great she was. She even let me poke at hers! I told this lady she could poke at mine, but she was a little squeamish.

Anyway, I feel really tired with this treatment, and my mouth is so dry that my lips stick to my teeth when I talk! That's a new one....

I still have that pain underneath my breast (the one I had the scan for). I just want to know what the heck that is, so I can actually feel safe about what my body is doing.

I LOVED all the pictures. I want to try, but I don't think I can right now. I have been online WAY too long, ordering goodies for Daniel, clearing out my emails, etc. I just missed my sisters and wanted to see what's going on!

When Daniel wakes up, I am going to try to make it to Kinko's for copies of the journal to send out to you guys.

Don't forget to email me directly so I don't miss anyone for the 2nd annual exchange!

Love and prayers, Debbie

Odalys

Debbie: You hung in there and did it! Congratulations !!!!

AnnaM

You guys are all getting so fancy in the tech department! I am going to try to post a picture too, I just love seeing you!

Odalys, now I know the face matches the kindness you show in your posts! I am in love with Maggie!

Margerie, you are gorgeous and your children are beautiful, and I love the cats (and dogs).

Debbie, congratulations. I only got half your post, but maybe when I sign on tomorrow the rest will be there. Strange.

Hugs to all, Anna

Odalys

Thank you, Anna. I look forward to your picture.

Anonymous

Anonymous

WHEE!!!!!!!!!!!! I just wanted to give this a try...so much to tell you guys, but it is SO much time for bed. I need to tell you about my dh, and our road trip today.

I love you guys!
Love and prayers, Debbie
PS-sorry bout the huge picture in the middle-couldn't seem to shrink it down?!?
The top picture was a forced family photo that I insisted upon one week after diagnosis. I wanted a photo before I went bald. My smile, and Greg's smile are totally forced.

Mary-Lou

I will try to send a picture through. Here goes.

I will try my kitty Chloe.

She is sitting on the
entertainment center.

She looks like a fake cat.



I did it, more to come!!!!!!!!

Mary-Lou

This is a picture of Michael and I
one month after getting married
in July 2000.



I will try to find one of the boys.

This is Chris the oldest son
and his girlfriend KC. In front
of Chris is my granddaughter Ashley,
who is 12 today.

Kc's daughter Malissa is in front of her.


This is the youngest son, Cory with his wife Jessie.
Soon they will have a little one.
Due date is Dec 14th.

I'm so happy I can't stand the wait.



I just loved the pictures,
Odalys you are so beautiful,
and so are you Margerie.

And all the children are just precious.

Debby your family picture at
the church is such a sweet picture.

Such a beautiful family.

I bet Daniel has really grown during this journey.

I'm so glad you posted about your last treatment. I can feel the joy in your words.

Odalys, how do you get the moving avatars?

Anna, can't wait to see your pictures...

Love to you all

Mary-Lou

Okay, I'm on a roll !!!!!!!!

Thanks so much Odlays !!!!!!!! You have
added life to our little
corner of the boards. And opened
us up to our lives.

Mary-Lou

I forgot to tell you all that I went to the Relay for Life walk on Friday. It was wonderful.

They served us dinner and we walked the survivors walk. Two ladies from the Look good, Feel better class met up with me and we held hands as we walked. It was emotional, but also very empowering.

I felt like the old me, and being with people was wonderful. I love to chat. I saw many people that I knew. At the end , I could see my Dr. walking down the side walk. She called to me and gave me a big hug.

I'm so glad I go to a home town cancer center. Even the girl who gives me my rads treatment came up and hugged me.

I just wore my ball cap, and hoop earrings. It just felt good! Was a day I will not forget. If you all have the chance to go , do so. You will be glad you did.

Love you all

Bless you on this beautiful Sunday morning.

Margerie

Wow! What a great morning. LOVE all the picures. Such beautiful women and beautiful families. And the pets aren't bad either!

Thanks to Odalys for starting this for us.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

Margerie

Odalys

Oh...Ladies, I love you.

for sharing your beautiful families.

There is so much love on this board.
The energy is absolutely contageous.
BC does not stand a chance with us.
Life is good!!!!!!

Odalys

If anyone else wants to share their families but are having problems posting the pics just PM me and I'll be happy to walk you through it.

Odalys

Deb - You look great. I love the picture of Daniel. So sweet, I want to pick him up and hug him. Your family picture is a true treasure. DH looks so kind and in love with his family.

Mary Lou - Happy birthday to Ashley. What a blessing to see your children grown up and with their own families. Is it true you love your grandchildren more than your own kids? Cory and Jessie must be so excited. They look so young and in love. Chloe is such a ham. Did she know you were photographing her? As for the Avatars, some ladies on these boards have passed along a couple of web sites that contain free gifs and I have been downloading like crazy. I guess you can blame it on all that free time I have on my hands now that I'm off from work. I like www.gifs.net but if you google "free animated gifs" you'll see there are many other sites. Enjoy!