For those starting chemo in June

janie44

Oh pooh Paula, just when you were getting some of it behind you.

NancyLee13

PJ==OY & BLECH are great words. Aren't you going Skiing? You said something recently about holding ski poles and spending most of the time on your behind. I fell off a load of hay once when I was a kid and broke my tailbone. That's NO fun, believe me so BE careful with your "not as dense as they should be" bones. Hey, if they're not as dense as other bones does that mean that they're Smarter?? You could look at it like that. Today, we had an ice storm here in the Frozen North. It made driving to work really interesting. One of our little babies from the daycare hasn't been there for a week and we knew that he was in the hospital with dehydration, but now he has been flown to a larger city because while in the hospital he contracted RSV. Poor baby--We're all saying prayers for him.
Renee==HI!!!!!
Mary==Hope your hubby got "Unlost".
Janie==How's the "unport" doing? Mine has a sorta lump there where the port used to be. I think maybe it's just a little swollen or something from the digging? But then, I'm not a doctor and I don't even play one on TV so I guess I'll just watch it to make sure it doesn't get worse. Hopefully it just disappears. Well, I'm watching Skating with Celebrities over my shoulder so I've probably made about 30 typos. Tomorrow's Friday ladies. Yay!!!! Life is Good--Smiles--NancyLee

janie44

Hey everybody,

Nancy, I do not have a lump. I have to leave the white strips on for a week, but I feel nothing in under them. I always thought the port was just below the surface so I was surprised when the surgeon announced "I found it." I am still pretty sore, but nothing at all intolerable. I am thinking about having my follow-up surgery during Spring break when I am off two weeks. Wonder if that would give me enough recovery time. They will remove tissue from the sides under the arms and sides of the breast and shape the breast etc where the dimples formed. I do not know if that would require those drains I love so much or not.

PJB

Two weeks for spring break, Janie? Very cool. YOu sure you want to ruin it with surgery?

Nothing much up here. Off to get some calcium and plan a nice walk for today. I'm thinking I'll have to cave and get on the bone medicine. Better safe and side-effecty than sorry.

Mary, how's the house-selling going? Is hubby back home yet?

Nancy, I'm headed out to snow-ville (Utah) week from today. Hope I can take the cold....

Hi to Renee, who no doubt is exercising enough really for all of us.....


Paula

mary1220

Good evening girls, Oscars are on and I am tired. P.J. I was dx. with osteopenia like 4 years ago. I was to get meds for it but didn't yet. I will someday. My percent was not that bad that I wanted to take the meds. Now I guess you can take it like once a month or something and you don't get as much stomach trouble. I need another bone density done but have had so much going on I just haven't yet. I was wondering if my bones were worse since chemo though. I need to get it done. Hey Janie and Rene and Nancy Lee. Has anyone ever wondered what each of us look like. The image we have in our heads of each other? The for sale sign is still in the yard and hubby is on his way to Phoenix. He will be there tomorrow and my daughter is baking him cookies and getting him snacks to take to him as she is going to meet him there. He should be home in 2 more wks. He has been gone 2 wks. Well I better get girls, Hugs, Mary

janie44

Paula, Yep. We have several breaks during the year. Of course, we start back earlier than everyone else. The first week is intersession where kids having a hard time can get intense instruction. Teachers who volunteer to teach are paid extra. The rest of us are off. The second week is the official Spring break for everyone. Anyway, I am thinking if I do the surgery then, that will make my summer better. A lot depends on if the surgeon can do it then and what the recovery time is. I am so swamped at work, I cannot take any more time than that.

Mary, You are going to forget what DH looks like, with him being that traveling man all the time now. It will be good that he gets to see your daughter and get snacks.

Hey you gals up North. Either of you doing the dog race? I can sort of envision Nancy Lee doing that. Probably be a piece of cake for her.

Oh, I forgot. I got a multi-paged report from Mayo today. 99% of it was really good. They said I could do all my follow-ups here now.

Be good ladies,

NancyLee13

VERY funny, Janie. I'd love to ride along on a dog sled, but I couldn't follow directions well enough to actually compete. Heck, I get lost just trying to find my way to work some days!!!!! That guy that wins the race all the time, Doug Swingley, is from Lincoln, Mt. which is on the other side of the state and my brother used to live in Lincoln, but then so did the Unibomber so we won't go there!!! Mary, I look just like ME!! I had a lady come to the daycare this morning that hadn't seen me in a long time and she told me--"Nancy Lee, you look really good. You're like a skinnier version of yourself and your hair is a different color, but you must be feeling better??" I don't know how to respond when people say that--Thanks, I guess. I only worked from 7:30 til 12:30 at the daycare then I came home and changed into grubby clothes and went down to the barn and helped (actually did the pouring on) run about 400 sheep down a chute and pour liquid on their backs that keeps them from getting keds or sheep ticks as they are also known. When it gets to be warmer the ticks come out and this stuff keeps them from getting on the sheep. We're starting to get a few early lambs. They're SO CUTE. Just watched the Donald fire Stacy and also fire Pepe--A 2for night on The Apprentice. I'm going to bed--Nite all--Life is Good--Smiles--NancyLee

rlswkndr

Ok, I've missed so many days on the boards I can't remember all my little comments-- could be that chemo brain too-CRS- and if you don't know what that is.. Can't Remember S---.I started with another company so I've been out promoting that. I'm pretty excited. I love being self employed (except for paying for my own insurance-ugh) so we can do all the stuff we love to do. If you want to see a picture of me and family doing what we love -traveling- you can check it out on www.renee.tohe.com It is from our trip to Alaska. It's not very close up, but you can see my tall guys! I'm the short one in front with a few curls sticking out of my hat, cuz I still didn't have much hair on that trip.My youngest son got a great internship job yesterday and hopes it will turn into full time job in May when he graduates. The other 2 are still waiting to hear from their grad school choices.
Tom is a CPA so I never see him- at least not until April 15th- then we celebrate because that is also my diagnosis date.
Saturday I got to participate in a wellness camp funded by Susan Komen grant. We got to choose from accupunture, massage, cranial sacro therapy, naturopath and other alternative treatment.. basically it was a day of pampering and very relaxing... good food too!
Paula, I also have osteopenia- I try to remember to eat those chewy chocolate viactivs. We had a discussion just recently- researchers may think now we need more Vitamin D- not calcium.. go figure.
I am still exercising, but not that much, just 30 minutes a day. I will go to the gym for 10 weeks _thru another grant- starting in March. That will get me sort of ready for the triathlon in July.
I have the TV on in the other room.. they just said Dana Reeve passed away yesterday- that sucks!
Renee

janie44

http://pictures.aol.com/ap/myAlbums.do?mode=share

I think this will work. If you cannot click on it, copy the above in your url. Click on the picture to enlarge it. That was just prior to BC. I never have pictures made any more. I am beginning to look like this again -- hair is shorter.

Nancy had a little lamb...actually a bunch of 'em. All that work just wears me out thinking about it.

Renee, Congrats on starting your new business. I know you are excited.

Hey, hey Paula, how are you doing this far away from Xeloda?

Calling Trucker Mary....

PJB

Darn, Janie, couldn't get the pic. It asked me for my aol login. (which once up on a time i actually had...) Saw Renee's pic. I wish I could figure out how to post a pic of my own.

Renee, do you remember what your DEXA numbers were on the osteopenia? Mine were -1.3 and -1.6. Whatever that really means. I know -1 is when you start being classified as having osteopenia.

Janie, I really feel great. A little bloating still in arm and ankles, but not bad. Hand's just about back to normal. In all, world's better than even a few weeks ago. I guess it's too much to ask to have more than 5 eyelashes at this point...

5 days to skiing....

Janie, so when is YOUR spring break? I can't believe you're gonna go under the knife for vacation.

Nancy, hug those little lambs. Mary, have you gone round the bend yet waiting for hubby's return? I'd sure be lonely without my grumpy, complaining husband for a month. Well, I think so at least....

mary1220

Hey My Little Potogs, Janie no can do and I have AOL Instant Mess. but can't remember password because grandson set it up and its on auto like everything in my life or I would not remember anything. P.J. my numbers were 1.4 and 1.7 I think on the bone dens. Ortho man said thats not all that bad. My reg doc said its the bones of an 80 year old. Now since chemo I haven't had one done and I bet they are worse. Rene thats a great pic and a fine looking family. Hubby was in Phoenix over night and stayed with my daughter. He told me today he needs a GPS system. Like thats a complete surprise. He thinks he should know everything by now. I kinda miss all the comotion and hammering. He has made a few wrong turns but then he hasn't traveled that much especially by truck. No one can know exactly where to go but he will drive himself nuts. Think they can implant a chip under his skin like a dog so I can find him when he goes out on his own? I hope that truck has a little black box like airplanes or they will never know where he is or how to find him. I will never see him again. I think he gets to come home the 23rd. for a day or two. They have been showing my house a couple times a wk. and usually 2 or 3 times a day. One of them saw me at Wally and reconoized me from my pics. on walls and said they were going to put in a bid but have to sell their house. I don't know how to post a pic and believe me when I say I am about as computer literate as hubby is directional literate. I have a dig. camera but can't figure it out. It has sat in the box for 3 or 4 years. I tried once and crashed puter so figured that was enough of that until a kid came over and figured it out. Guess they are all too busy or I forgot to ask. They are telling(on t.v.) how to get a dress like the stars wore to Oscars cheap. Now wouldn't I look nice strolling through Wally in one of those? Does Wally have a red carpet? Better get to bed. Later girls. Hugs, Mary

rlswkndr

I've been digging thru my stacks of papers and can't find those DEXA numbers. They will show up and then I'll post them.One nurse told me to jump 200 times in a row to help with the bones... so I try to do that. Of course, in the beginning I could hardly jump 50 and then almost peed my pants... that bladder isn't the same either. But now I can do 200. Hey I'll try anything if I can avoid another drug.
Paula, don't forget those sunglasses/goggles cuz without eyelashes that snow and cold really make the eyes water. Mine were a faucet just going on a walk.
Mary, I dont' think I could keep the house clean. In fact, i hate cleaning it.
Janie, what a way to spend your break, but it is better than having to take more time off work.
Nancy Lee, Those little lambs sound so cute, but a lot of work. Me, I'll just watch the turkeys and deer out my office window.
Renee

PJB

Mary, I read where they're going to start having singles night at Walmart. Perhaps you could check it out while hubby's out of town?

Renee, I'm gonna start that jumping thing. I probably won't be able to do more than 10, but what the heck. And, hey, now I only have to worry about "bounce" on one side of my body! Good tip on the goggles/shades. I wouldn't have thought of that causing the old eyes to flood.

Hey to Janie and Nancy Lee

Four days....

Paula

janie44

What I wrote last night got lost again. I must think I am at submit when I am still at continue or something. Anyway, just briefly, this morning, Renee, how do you jump? Both feet at once or alternating?

rlswkndr

Jump with both feet- it's aerobic also- unless you're like me when I started and couldn't breath!
Janie, you might have the reply page set at preview, so you see it and think it is submitted but you have to submit it again.
Renee

mary1220

Hey, I slept from 3:00 to 7 after treatment. I woke up and thought sh*t I have to take the kids to school and I slept until 7? I looked outside and it was dark so for a minute there I had no idea. This jumping thing, I am trying to picture me jumping, thats a place I don't want to go. You know what that would look like from behind????? I don't think I could jump unless they tied a bungee cord around me (preferably not my neck) and shoved me off a bridge. I wear myself out when I stumble so thats about as close to jumping as I can get. I don't think I could really because of my knees. I have always had good ones but since treatment I have had arth. and they get a little painful so I don't want to wear them down any more and my back could not take the trauma. It does sound like fun though. I hope you girls jump the pounds away. I have to wait until treatment is done and maybe I will lose a little. I can't get under 145 because I refuse to buy all new clothes again. I gave most the smaller ones away so I am screwed. Good excuse huh? Well I have to get. Glad everyone is doing good. They have a frog jumping contest at the Labor Day picnic near here so you girls practice that jumping and I will send yas an entry form. You may need a green suit though. You could win $100.00 so get to jumping. Hugs, Mary

janie44

Hey ladies,

Mary, it is scary/funny/something. I tried the jumping and it was pitiful. About a week ago, I thought I would do some jumping jacks...also pitiful. Renee, remind me, why is it we are jumping? I have been going to town on the Airofit and treadmill without any problems, so why is it so hard to jump around? I used to do these things with little effort. I think I need a jumper cable to give me a boost or something. My battery is dead.

Paula, are you doing better each day you are off Xeloda?

Hey Nancy, keep those sheep herded.

mary1220

Hey Girlfriends, I think the bottom teeth are going to have to come out. They are really receeding and hurt. I got a massage today and it was good. I haven't had one for some time. My leg muscles are really shrinking and painful. I got my elbow x-rayed so I go Mon. to my reg. Dr. and see why it hurts. She gave me some pain meds. My poor hubby is driving 16 hours a day and he is exausted. He is only to drive 10 hours but trainer is over killing the miles and that makes more money for the trainer. HE sleeps while hubby drives. *ss%ole. Hubby is trying to stick it out 11 more days. He is affraid he will have an accident getting that tired. Theres no one to complain to and trainer says this is how it works so get use to it, guess he will. I am cooking a ham tomorrow for my sons birthday which is the 20th. but we are going to do it a wk. early. It is almost 70 so I may cook it on the grill. I have to get all the crap I need for that so I better make a Wally run. Glad everyones doing good and we are keeping it that way. Have a great wk. end my little "jumping Jacks". Hugs, Mary

PJB

Well, naturally, the trip is in danger. Nathan's been sick with something er other for two weeks. Yesterday, he had a rash come on again. Today, it's all over his body, including his face and neck. Some hinky thing that they don't know the cause of, just some infection. He's running a low=grade fever and the doc says she wouldn't take him tomorrow. So I'm hoping his new antibiotic kicks butt and knocks the fever out by tomorrow. Oy....

janie44

Today 3-11 is my second anniversary since dx == I guess reaching that benchmark is reason to celebrate. Maybe I will pop open some bubbly or something later.

Paula, I hope you guys get to go. You have been looking forward to it a while now.

Mary, let us know what they say Monday. I have never seen so many March birthdays. I know several people who have one. My son AND his girlfriend share a March 8 birthday. Mine is coming up on the 23rd. June must be one heck of a month (counting back 9 months).

PJB

Janie, congrats on the anniversary, I guess. I hate that you have to have it and keep track of it.

Just about packed for the big trip. Hope you guys have a great week.

Paula

janie44

Paula, Actually, it took a while for the date to sink in yesterday. Then, I thought "Oh, March 11." I had really bad news on 3/11 for the past two years. Thank God, yesterday was uneventful. The pattern was broken.

Hooray! It sounds like your trip is a go!

Anyone else keeping up with the NCAA tournamnents? I love college and high school basketball.

mary1220

Hey Girls, Congrads on 2 years cancer free Janie. Paula, glad you get to go, my grandson had a flu the Dr. called it and he was sick for a wk. and he had a rash. His mom thought it was the fever but Dr. said some of the kids are getting the rash. Have a great time. Girls, I better go, we have tornadoes all over around here. There is one headed right for my sister (she lives in the country). She is getting the kids in the basement. There were a couple hit Springfield and caused damage. We are going to be in for a bumpy ride all night they say. Great. Mr. fix it tore the garage down and put in his Castle/shed and there is large hail. So far I am in the clear by 15 miles but there are more storms moving over the Mississippi. The power is flickering so I better get this out. It isn't even doing anything here except lightening so far and the lightening is like fireworks. Better go and call my sister. We got cut off a while ago so I want to make sure she is o.k. hugs, Mary

janie44

Mary, Is your house still standing? Are you ok? I thought the tornado season was for around these parts -- we have tornado drills instead of fire drills in the schools.

Paula, I hope you got to go on your trip.

kimBe

NancyLee--just popped in here....I was sitting at basketball tournament this week end and all of a sudden thought of you.....enjoyed the weekend away from home. Enjoyed a quick read through your posts....I'm doing fine other than I feel like a shorn sheep because my head is cold unless I have on my wig or a hat....KimB

rlswkndr

WOOHOO Janie! 2 years!!
Paula must have gone on her trip!! Hope Nathan was feeling a bit better. I know they have been looking forward to this for a while.
Mary, I thought of you when all those tornados where hitting! We had quite the display of lightning also, but the tornados were south of here. How's the hubby doing?
Mine is crazy busy with tax season, but at least he gets most of his crazy time over with in a few months, then it is a normal schedule with time for our travels.
2 graduate from college in May and probably have to help the other move to Kansas for grad school. Plus me starting this new business... I told myself I would not schedule so much .. guess that didnt' last too long.
I go for my 3 month check on Thursday with the onc.
I bought the dvd 'walk the line' and it came with a music cd. I listen to those 5 songs while goofing off on the computer. Did you see the movie? It amazes me the talent of Joaquin and Reese.
Later..Renee

mary1220

Hi Girls, Hey good luck Rene on the apt. I got the all clear on elbow but it might be tennis elbow or treatment elbow.Janie, how you doing? Rene,Springfield got hit hard and they are still having problems getting all the power on and it is cold. I miss shopping but hope they get it all cleaned up and built back up again where its all devastated. They had 2 tornadoes go through. Janie we are in tornado alley as well. We get a lot but not much damage. The tornadoes usually stay out of the citys but have gone through and caused damage just not to this extent. This time it was really bad. I did not get even wind but I am 20 miles away. I thought of going up and helping but it is cold and I can't get around when I get cold. Indiana and some of the other states are sending help. Wallmart donated lots of money and equipement so that was great. One Wally got tore up. There is so many trees down and debris in roads. People lost everything. I hope P.J. is having a good time and not breaking anything. Rene we saw Walk The Line and gee the acting was really the best. I thought that was Johnny Cash. He had that role down to the crooked shoulder. Congrads on the graduates. You sound awfully busy right now. I have to do some running for mother-in-law so I have to get. Later girls, Mary

janie44

Hey Girls!

Mary, great news about the elbow. Isn't it funny how we celebrate tennis elbow and arthritis and such now because they are better than the alternative?

Renee, Whoever thought it would get easier when the kids grew up....oh that would be me....I was wrong.

Hey Nancy and PJ.

Oh yeah. I saw Walk the Line in Oregon. Good movie. One of the few I saw that was nominated for academy awards this year. I also saw Pride and Prejudice. I really like it too.

mary1220

Hey Girlfriends, I went to the new support group meeting once a month here in town. There were 4 of us show up but not the gal sponsering it. She did get there later and her dad died this a.m. so all is forgiven. We had a little meeting there in the road in the park. I listened to a couple ladies that really need with a capital Need a support group. I offered my house next Wed.so we could talk. I am not at all a support professional but I figure we are all going through the same things and they need to talk to someone so we can just talk about us. I wouldn't usually get myself into something like this but I felt so sorry for these gals. They just need someone to talk to, they need each other. I am just giving them a place to talk until they get the other meeting up and going. I think they need it more than once a month though. I guess that will all get straightened out in time. Ya know Janie, I blame everything on treatments and the lasting affects of treatment. Yea, I would of been upset about so much if it wasn't for the B.C. I mean theres the stiffness in every bone in my body. I would have been so embarrassed pre treatment if I had to get up from a restaurant table and walk like egor all the way out and just as I get my bones working properly I get in the car so I can do it all again when I get to the next stop and get out. I would have been so worried forgetting everything I ever new but I just wollow in my own egnorance because I will forget how egnorant I am in just a few mins. I think I forget where things are especially my car in a parking lot so I can get exercise. Forgetting I let the dog outside is just plain bad, I will give ya that. There is no excuse for that. I never know if she is in or out. Ya know a lady showed up tonight and she was maybe 80 and she could not remember when she had her B.C. but she and her sister got dx. at the same time and it was 25 or 30 years ago. She forgets. Her sister died a few years after dx. and she had a smaller tumor, anyway this lady never went to a support group but thought this would be good for her and she came. I guess we do need one here. She said all these years she never really talked to anyone about it and when she was dx. people didn't speak of it. How sad. Well girls, I watch the show Lost, the guys are easy on the eyes. I better scat. Ya know I feel very fortunate to have you girls here. It would have been hard to get through the past 2 years without yas. Bear Hugs, Mary

mary1220

Hey Girls, We are going to be so rolling in the dough when hubby starts driving by himself because he gets lost about a couple times a wk. and goes a couple miles to 65 miles out of his way. I figure if he don't get fired he will make good money on his milleage. He is going to buy a G.P.S. I personally think an auto pilot might be a better choice. He should be home the 23rd. He told his trainer he needed to get home because theres things around the house he needs to do. Yea, like stop repairing things. Maybe I should pack the tools?????and hide them....Hugs, Mary