anyone starting chemo in Nov 2005

Odalys

Every time I come to this site now I get a smile on my face. How great is that?

kim825

I absolutely love looking at the pictures. I may be calling on you Odalys for help. Like I said I need to find the pictures on disc. Our scanner is not working. I don't have recent family photos and have NO pets. (oh yeah 3 kids, lol). I'll see what I can do.
CONGRATS DEBBIE.

Kim

Mary-Lou

News !!!!! I made the front page of the paper today! It was in the article, about the Relay for Life , that I walked on Friday.

It was the "perfect picture" for public viewing. LOL

Mary-Lou

Thanks for the B-Day wish Odalys. She was very excited when I talked to her on Sat. As for the grand children, I don't think I love them more than my own. But it seems that way because, you have the good times. Then send them home to mom and dad. ( I love that part )

Yes, the kids look young and happy. I'm so proud of them. To only be 24 they have come a long way in such a short time. I'm so glad they bought a house before they started their family.

It is a beautiful home on Claytor Lake and 5 acres of land. Great place to raise a family. Cory & Jessie are very grown up for 24. And they did it all on their own with no help from family.

You asked about Chloe, she had no idea I was taking her picture. I was shocked I caught it myself.

Also, thanks for the avatar advice. I will try that web site.

How is everyone else this week? What have you got going on?

((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))ML

Odalys

Hey Mary Lou, You sound just like a proud mom. I would be too. Congratulations, you've done a good job raising them. Do you think your local paper has a web site so we can see your picture?

kim825

ML, cool you were on the front page of the newspaper. What paper was it?
I had a wonderful weekend. Friday night was Sami's preschool end of the year carnival. We had a great time. Saturday I drove to Manhattan and met my best friend. We started out at Starbucks for some lattes, went to see Mamma Mia on Broadway. What an awesome play. If any of you are around Manhattan or if the play come to you GO SEE IT. We laughed, cried, danced in the aisles. It was just so awesome. Then we went to a street fair, sat outside at an Italian Restaurant and had a wonderful dinner. Then we walked to Rockefeller Center. (aka the big christmas tree). Sat there for a while and talked. Went back to friends mom's house and stayed up way too late looking at old pictures and just talking, laughing and crying. It was just awesome. Then yesterday the rest of the family met me in Manhattan and we went to a communion party. So by the time I got home last night I was wiped out. But I HAD to watch the Yankee/Met game. Go Yankees, so upset they lost last night. Dh wasn't though. So today I am just tired and had my 4th rad treatment. So that is about it for the weekend and off to a busy week.

Hope you all have a great one.
love,
Kim

Mary-Lou

The name of the paper is The Southwest Times. It has a website www.southwesttimes.com , but is a small town news paper. I will have to pop in and see if they have it posted.

I look like a barn. And I had a sweat shirt tied around my waist, just wonderful. But a big smile on my face. I had no idea that anyone was taking pictures at that point of the walk. Of all people, they had to take my picture.

I tried to scan the paper, but couldn't get the scanner to work. I will try again.


Kim, so glad you had a wonderful time this week end. I love the Yankee's. That was always my team. My late father would watch ever time they played. And I just followed after I grew up. It has been years since I've been to NY. I would love to go again and take Michael.

My last big trip was to the Bahamas. I loved shopping at the straw market and drinking Bahamas mommas at the same time.

I also went para sailing while I was there. Best all time thing I have ever done.

Love to you all.

Mary-Lou

Nothing on the site, it is very sad. I will try and post a picture.

Mary-Lou

Here is the picture. I look like a barn....OH MY! And the shirt wrapped around my waist just added to the weight. I wish my feet and legs would get better. I wished that day I could have walked all night.

I always loved walking. I can't even shop for longer than an hour and be in such pain I cry.

But I'm glad to be this far in this journey. I do feel like it's getting better. I'll just keep smiling!




This is me in the white cap .......(*.*)

Anonymous

Wow, everyone is doing so great now, I love it! I know we are all still dealing with "stuff," but it is so good to read happy news!

I just have to mention...we went grocery shopping tonight at WalMart, and as Greg and I were perusing the yogurt, I watched a young lady about my age push her shopping cart past us. She was completely bald, and wore a little headband around her head like mommies do for their newborn daughters. Greg watched me watch her in awe, and said, "Are you going to say anything to her?" I was like, "No...what on earth would I say?!" But now that I think back to the moment, I am thinking of a hundred things I wanted to say, like, "You're my hero! I wish I had an ounce of your courage! I LOVE YOU! How are you so brave to go completely bald when I am still uncomfortable wearing a hanky hat in public?" Oh the list goes on!

She was totally my hero. She was completely uninhibited and I loved it.

The other things I wanted to share with you guys was our week last week....
I mentioned how Daniel and our kitty Rosie O'Donnell were sick. I of course got a version of the same Daniel flu, as did Greg.
He came home one night in misery, and without even thinking about it I said, "I wish you had this flu when I first started chemo. Maybe then you wouldn't have been so stubborn about forcing me to eat when I didn't want to!" I really didn't mean anything, but about two hours later, Greg finally hit his breaking point.

The night before my last chemo, Greg broke down emotionally. It took him nearly 7 months to do it, and I am actually glad he did. He finally talked about (whisper) "the cancer." He thought God was punishing him for forcing me to eat when I didn't want to! Oh, my heart broke, but we grew so much closer that night.

Anyway, I still have another story to share with you guys about our road trip this weekend, but I should get ready for bed.

ML-I think you look beautiful! You are grinning from ear to ear, and I love it!

Odalys-I wanted to thank you for starting the picture trend. It's made us more like family than even before!

Kim-I'm totally jealous about your time in Manhattan! It sounded wonderful!

Ok, gotta go....love you all!
Love and prayers, Debbie
PS-I am going to Kinko's tomorrow to copy the journal for the ribbon exchange people. Don't forget to email me directly if you want to do it! The list is already bigger than last time!

flea

You don't look like a barn! You look beautiful!!

Odalys

You don't look like a barn. You look full of life!!!! Love you. Thanks for posting the picture.

kim825

Oh MaryLou you look so beautiful and with such a big smile on your face.
I am walking a Relay for Life in June. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it for the survivors walk but I will be there overnight to the end.

Kim

Odalys

Hey ladies, there is nothing like unconditional love to heal an aching heart.

Maggie is so sweet, a real joy. She surprised us by being crate and potty trained. She loves to be cuddled, knows how to play fetch and between 9:00 and 9:30 PM takes her blanket and goes to sleep in the crate until 6:30 AM. She has the same bed time as Steven. Amazing...a dog with a bed time routine and schedule. I'm in awe that we found her in the pound. God's work is everywhere.

Margerie

Odalys,

You look wonderful. Such a lucky puppy! Is that a wig? It looks fabulous!

Kim and Odalys,

How are rads going? I did well until about week 5 and then my skin started to fry. I hope you cruise right on by that path!

Mary Lou, love your smile- that's the first thing you notice on that picture. I hope your pain diminishes. What meds have you tried? Maybe I can try to research to find some more options. I hate to think your shopping trips are limited to an hour. (I have a black belt in shopping.)

Deb,

You are done with chemo woman! Hoping you are feeling well. Is rads or surgery next for you? I hope you can stay awake long enough to let us know And thanks in advance for mailing out copies of the journal. I can't wait to read it.

I have been eating right, lifting weights, being active and generally getting my act together this past 4 weeks. I lost 7 pounds so far.
I went to the driving range today and low and behold- I can still swing. My aim is messed up half the time, but I had the power. Worried because of the axillary dissection.

Anyway, I am a blabber!

Hope you are all having a great week,

Margerie

Anonymous

Just want to pop in and say hi to my other family. Odalys, I wondered the same thing about your hair! It (you) look(s) fantastic! Your doggie (and son!) is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!! I miss our dog!

Yep, it's bedtime! I didn't make it to Kinko's today, but I promise it will be done tomorrow! I actually held off on going because I wanted to write in the journal first, but never got to it (thank you, Daniel!).
Love and prayers, Debbie

Anonymous

PS-just wanted to show the most recent family picture....look at my fuzz!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous

PPS-is it obvious we are holding Daniel against his will? GRIN!

AnnaM

I spent hours yesterday trying to figure out the photobucket website and came up emptyhanded. The instructions talk about using an edit button above the picture, but there is no picture and no edit button and no command to upload a picture anywhere on my screen. I registered and everything, but still can't get those commands. It was the most frustrating experience. I can't join in here photowise and feel so stupid!

I love seeing all your photos, though.

SIL is here and a real dear but still it's hard to have someone else cook all the time (and I mean all day long) in your kitchen and look totally shocked when you say no, you don't have that particular gadget. It's esp. difficult when your family room and kitchen are one large space and you can't really get away from all the cooking (and messing).....

Stepdaughter is here with all her depression and anger and that's kind of difficult, too. But I am keeping a good vibe going and trying to get as much time to myself as possible.

This week's Herceptin went really well and next week will be my last treatment with my wonderful nurse, the one who never had any trouble whatsoever accessing my port; she is leaving the practice and I will get someone else starting in June. This will be my fourth nurse. I wish they could hold on to them longer, but I think they don't pay them what they're worth.

Hugs to all,

Anna

Odalys

Margerie - Yes, it's a wig. It matches my original color. I almost did not buy it because it was expensive but now I'm glad I did. It was worth it. I hope the new hair comes out as good.

Rads has been so easy, especially since I've taken time off from work. I'll be finished tomorrow (33/33) and not a minute too soon. The boob is like the Thanksgiving turkey...done and ready to come out of the oven! So far, I had two blisters, one in the axilla and the other under the boob. But they bursted and then the skin peeled. Now the boob is really red around the scar area and the rest is tanned. It feels odd to look down and have one tanned boob, not very sexy that's for sure. But, we're aiming for healthy not sexy...right?

Deb - Fuzz coming out nicely. It will really take off now that you finished chemo. Daniel is so cute. How old is he now? When Steven was 2 he did not want to do anything we wanted to do. They don't call it the terrible two's for nothing. It's amazing how their personality surface early on.

Anna - Relatives in the kitchen...yikes!!! I can absolutely relate. Mom is a great cook and when she takes over my kitchen I never seem to have the right tools or spices either. I don't really like to cook, can't stand the smells and the mess. How long is the family staying? I'll send you a PM about the photobucket and hopefully you can post your pictures soon. I'm looking foward to meeting you and your family.

Kim - Sounds like you had a great time in NY. I haven't been there in over 15 years. How are you feeling with your treatments any SE's? Are the kids finished with school? Steven finished second grade this week and we have another week before summer camp begins.

Lat56, Nancy and kaye - missed you on this board. Hope all is well.

Take care ladies...

Nancy-SanDiego

Oh my gosh, so many exciting happenings for all of you. I LOVE the pictures and think you are so beautiful. ML, you're not only beautiful, but bless you for being there despite those feet. Really enjoyed meeting Steven and Maggie, the Runaway Beagle. I am definitely techno-challenged, but will add a pix with a little help from you computer gurus. I feel like I know all of you from the inside, but its fun to visualize you as I read your adventures of new puppies, guests (sounds like 3-day old fish Anna), treatment challenges and victories, trips, children and grandchildren, etc. It sounds like LIFE in full bloom. Eyebrows/lashes are gone but I am starting to get fuzzy up top finally (white, not the dark red of the last 15 years--#15 Burgundy) and found a lone "pub'" the other morning. Wish I could transplant, but guess I'll have to wait.

Now 2 rads under my belt, 33 to go. Yesterday included the neurologist, first rad, and echo spaced from 10-4 (too far to go home in between). Boy, was I tired last night. So far so good, though I am with ML about the neuropathy and would love to know more about "C" Mary Lou (I'm afraid to back up for the real name for fear I'll loose this post.) Neurologist upped the neurotin and said "let's wait six months and see if it gets better." Not the right answer.

Has anyone heard from Kaye? I love you all and hearing about your busy and increasingly healthy lives. I made a big pot of chicken tortilla soup around lunch, took an unplanned nap at my desk, and awoke to the smell and sight of black goo. Wonder what's for dinner tonight? Oh well.

Nancy

Mary-Lou

Sorry about the picture being so big. I thought I re-sized it. I wanted you all to see the long wig. This picture was taken just before my eyebrows and lashes came back. I did the make up to give the illusion that they were there. My eyes look brown, but are hazel. I have always wanted brown eyes.

Michael is gone to help a friend cut a tree, so when he comes back I will get him to take a shot of my real hair, brows and eyelashes. Mind you I have been going topless for awhile.

I have stuff to get done, so I will post later. Nancy the Cymbalta is working , slowly. I can see a difference. It has been 14 days. But my feet still kill me , and different shoes make a difference. The best I have found, are the ones that are rubber, and have holes all over them. Forgot the name. They sell them at shoe show, and now at Wall*Mart. They come in allot of cool summer colors too. I got the Dr. Scholls memory foam inserts for them and it made all the difference in the world. You see these shoes allot on the nurses at the hospital. Seem like there is more room for the toes. When I where my other shoes, it I can hardly walk.

Do you have stiff fingers? Mine are very stiff at times. More on the BC side. Or is it welcome to 50 LOL.

Love to you all //smooches

Again, sorry for this huge picture. Wow, that's up close and personal.

Odalys

I completed 33/33 RAD treatments today...all done!!!!

ML, Great wig. You look fab.

PS: Bunny is definitely not Travolta.

Mary-Lou

Not sure what the heck I did, LOL

Graycie

Marylou, It is BIG alright, HA! But, you look great and I love your wig it looks very natural.......
Graycie

Graycie

OH, I forgot to mention, I like the color on you too......

Mary-Lou

This is one of the new kittens.

Mary-Lou

OK I need to tweak these a bit. I had # 19 treatment today. Odalys I'm so happy for you. I hope I can get through 14 more with out to much problem. She said something about my boost coming up soon!

Graycie, I know. I never wanted you to see up that close.

Mary-Lou

What do you all think of my new hair? Not the colour I want , but it is hair.

Anonymous

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! CUTE kitty!!!!

Ok, ladies...for those of you waiting ever so patiently for the copies of the journal-PLEASE forgive me. I went to Kinko's to get them done, and they were quoting hideous prices to get the journal printed to look like a cute little booklet (which was my hope). So, I decided to be cheap, and go make the copies myself at dh's work on Saturday. I'm sorry it's taking me so long!

ML- I love the wig! It looks great! You look skinnier-how is WW going? I can see a difference in your face!

Congrats to everyone making glorious progress on rads...I'm close behind you! I just love that everyone is feeling better and better each day.

Hmm....time for bed already.....
I love you guys!
Love and prayers, Debbie