Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Caya

Jan - nearly 70?  I am drooling...

Tina - Will these people ever get a life?  You just keep on 'em girl, (after you finish reading The Enquirer, lol!!)

Mel - the highways are clear now, and they are calling for a sunny day tomorrow, so don't worry!!!

Mary - I never got your email with the dress.  Please try sending it again.

good night ladies.

xo

Caya

TPPJ

Tina - Will these people ever get a life?  You just keep on 'em girl, (after you finish reading The Enquirer, lol!!)

LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, Caya!  I am rolling on the floor!

skyedivine

Haha, I agree with Caya, the Enquirer is much better for you than those company posts.

Jan you fired your cleaning lady? I really need one but need to sell a lot more books for that. When we had our Victorian in town I had one for a while but she charged by the hour and was soooo slow she spent one whole afternoon dusting my dining room chair legs. I can do that in five minutes with a dust mitt. Although I have since learned to put "dresses" on the chairs so they never get dusty now. And they make fabulous hiding places for little dogs. I have to clean my house for Easter, I'm having it here but a small group. I'm downsizing Easter baskets this year for the DS's and DIL2B to funny boxers for the boys, a new cami for her, Fannie May Eggs and a couple other treats put in little decorated cellophane bags rather than baskets.



My computer screen "turned the page" and I can't remember a thing that was on the last one, I did not sleep well with DH snuffling and tossing around all night. So I will end here, but I do remember seeing a welcome post from Sharon, good to know you are still there girl! - Skye

jonimb

Hello all,

Well I'm home from Phoenix, and had a wonderful time with my two sisters.  They are both so great to me it's hard to express.

I will post more after I have read all the posts.

Hugs to all...Joni

TPPJ

Joni!  Glad you had fun in AZ.  Very belated thx. for the V day card.  So nice to get something other than a bill in the mailbox.

Mel, I must have been speedreading too...  did Skye say you k.o.'d the housecleaner?    I hope not.  If so, I hope someone else is on the horizon.  I am counting the days til Mary comes (Thurs.). I PRAY they don't ask for any showings prior to that.

Rebecca, still basking in the glow of your finding some help out there!  Very good news, lady!

Rebecca

Heya Joni!  Glad that you had a nice time, and glad you are back!

Ahhh yes Tina...I am still feeling pretty good!  I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest (so to speak )

luckymel

Tina, I most certainly did NOT fire my housecleaner.  Jan said she did.  I'm keeping mine if we have to go on bread and water to do it, now that I finally got one. 

Joni, glad you're back, girl - we missed you a ton.  So good to hear you had a wonderful time.

Caya

Hi all,

Back from the road trip, had a great day. 

Both customers loved the shoes and gave us nice orders.  At one store I saw an amazing designer evening skirt - it was a white background with a black lace cutout overlay  - sort of tiers separated by black grosgrain thick ribbons.  Paired it with a black shantung silk sleeveless top with a beautiful collar that you turn up and a few ruffles... I LOVED it - DH did not like the skirt.    But I loved it, and I need something smashing for the 2 weddings I have this year.  I may drive back there with my BFF Toby one day next week for her opinion - The store owner says the designer will custom make the skirt for me ( I tried on the sample) and it takes about 3 weeks to get it.  I wish I could post a pic because I would like your opinions, but it's just one of those one of a kind outfits that people will either love or hate...  I just didn't want to get another LBD (little black dress) this time - it's my first evening outfit I've shopped for since my dx and tx, and I feel like something daring.

I also bought a gorgeous baby pink trenchcoat at Jones New York today - 3/4 length - so fresh and Springy - I HAD to have it.  Poor DH says every time he takes me along with him it costs him money - and he's right.  (He really is okay with it all).

Joni - glad you had a great time with your sisters, but we missed you here!! and if I forgot, also belated thanks for the Valentine's Day card.

Rebecca - so happy for you - so glad you went for door # 3.

Mary - I got the email of your dress.  It's beautiful, and the Victorian Lilac colour is very pretty.  You will look great in it, in any colour you choose.

I am feeling better, but still tired.  Viddie and Skye, do you find yourselves still very tired after the Herceptins?  It takes me a good week to recuperate.  Oh well, only 3 more to go for me.

xoxo

Nancyab

Hi, uh, I care to never ever do a PET scan again. I will not know the results probably until Friday. Anyway the whole experience was tiring. First they put an IV in, take a blood sugar test, then the chemist comes in a drops off the radioactive stuff in a leaded container. NICE?? Then another guy comes in and injects you with the stuff. They lay you back in a recliner, shut off the lights, close the door and make you lay there in the dark for an hour. They don't want you to use any calories or energy by watching tv or anything. You not even allowed to hum. So what seemed like forever, I almost fall asleep ( I would of but I was cold and to lazy to call for another blanket). They come in take out the IV and put me on the slab for 45 mins while they take pics of my thighs to my brain. If there is any cancer it supposably lights up from the Radioactive stuff. When I got done I felt so groggy and weird feeling. I really started to panic at the brain scan because they strapped my head down and I didn't like that feeling. Fortunately, right when I was about to scream uncle, they moved me out of the tube. Maybe that is why I felt weird, remmants of the panic attack. So I will keep my fingers crossed that the news will be NED. I am really nervous. Still working on the house, bought carpet for my bedroom, and once that's in I can move back in! I need my private space and camping out in the middle of the family room is getting old! We have been taking this opportunity having the house tore up to really get down and change things we have hated, from light fixtures to outlets. Kind of fun! Rebecca, so glad you found a decent PS. This should finally be made right!  

skyedivine

Hi Ladies,

Joni I'm so glad you are back and that your sisters were good to you. Although I don't know how they could not be. Arizona weather sounds heavenly to me right now. How is the hip feeling?



Caya, the skirt sounds GAWgeous! Extremely stylish. Wish we could all go back with you to see it.



On the Herceptin, I believe the longer I am on it the more I feel it. Fatigue the first week, then mid-cycle mild nausea, which I'm just getting into now. I also am starting to get the slight bloody nose again. Thank goodness we are both done that first week in May.



I took the evening off to be a lounge lizard with DH and watch Idol. The male stripper will be leaving I am sure. I love the Janis Joplin chick. It is always entertaining.



Rebecca, I'm also still basking in the glow of your Door #3. Could we send a group "Nanny nanny booboo" to the first two PS's? -- Skye

meliaanne

Hi All,

Nancy, I am praying for good results and am sorry you had such a nasty day. Sounds pretty exhausting and scary.

Joni, welcome back, glad you had fun!  And I bet you were plenty warm.

I agree about cleaning ladies; I have one come every other Thursday, and just love it. Since it's only the two of us, that is enough for a good cleaning. Then in the off times, I run the vacuum, neaten up, etc. But no more heavy cleaning for me. It is expensive, but I savor those days, coming home to a spotless house.

Rebecca, I am so pleased for you. I am proud of you for persevering.

Caya, that skirt sounds great. Do take your friend back and BUY it.

I had my checkup yesterday with the onc. All is fine. He did sort of validate me though. I asked about an mri and he said the mammogram is enough in my case. He said that sometimes a tumor shows up nearly overnight. My concern was that mine had not shown up six months before on my mammogram, and I hadn't found it myself. It was found during my annual pelvic. I have thought all along that it was triggered by my husband's job loss in Sept and his subsequent depression. It was found in Nov. But I have not read that the medical community believes that they suddenly appear sometimes. I keep reading that they are there for 8 yrs, etc, and I think there is an underlying casting of blame on women who don't find theirs early. So this has bothered me. But he said that he has seen them appear very suddenly. Somehow I feel vindicated, that I didn't miss something I should have found.

Oh, Skye and Caya, I am so eager for your herceptin to end. I find it upsetting to go to the dr for a checkup, just walking through that door is enough to make me cry. And you have to go so often. You are very brave. I want you both to feel better.

I am going to seriously go back on weight watchers. I have gained about 10 lbs, and I know from the past that if I don't stop it now, it will really get out of control.

Hugs to all,

Melia

TPPJ

Oh, Nancy, that PET scan sounded very annoying.  Much more so than an MRI.  Glad it's over and I'll be praying for NED too.  I can imagine you're nervous.  I'm glad you have a lot of things to keep you busy...that helps.

Caya, shopping extraganza!  Outfits sounds great.  I love grosgrain ribbon on anything.  I'm sure the pink 3/4 trench will look awesome on you w/your coloring.  Fun stuff!

Well, I'm a little tired...  Jaclyn woke up at 5:30 throwing up in the toilet.  THANK GOD she made it to the toilet and not on my brand new carpet.  She had another bout at 6 am...  it's gonna be a long day.

Last night we had a good night.  Took the kids to the mall w/their $100 gift cards from their grandfather.  Jaclyn finally got her "Newborn Nursery" doll, which she's been dying for.  She gave her a tres schmancy name:  Monreau Jasmine Jones.  I was LOL'ing.  Not even Monroe...she had to have the french flair spelling.  Paul got a new Mario Bros. Wii game that he is ecstatic with.  After that we had a quick dinner at TX Roadhouse, which I'm normally just OK with.  Last night the steak was delicious.  Tasted like the Outback in the old days.  Haven't been to an Outback lately because the one nearby closed.  I'm at this point that if I eat streak, which is only about once a month, I'd rather eat it at restaurant.  It's just to iffy to cook at home.  It'll come out too chewy, not enough flavor.

Boy, I never had ANY s/e's from herceptin...  well, except for CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE!    But never tired or nauseous.  When I think back to the fall, I remember getting short of breath and chalking it up to being nervous (hyperventilating) and figured I needed an Atiman to calm down.  Little did I know...

OK....more later chicas!

TPPJ

Melia,

I've heard it takes 8 years or so, also, for a 1 cm tumor to grow.  Never heard they can appear almost overnight.  I doubt your tumor wasn't there during your first mammo...  it just wasn't seen.  That's what the deal was w/mine.  Dense breasts...  Who knows what the skill level of the tech reading them was...  or if he/she compared them to previous films.  So many factors.  But, I do find it hard to believe it could crop up overnight like a pimple.

skyedivine

Hey Ladies,

Melia, my onc, when I was diagnosed, told me that two months previous my tumor was not there. That was due to its aggressive nature. Tumors come in all types. Some take years to aggregate, others can crop right up. I was primed for it; exhausted by overwork and upset by a horrendous hassle with a former co-author. And suddenly there it was. I believe it because it was 1.5 cm when discovered and 2.1 cm a few weeks later when taken out.



Nancy, I missed your letter somehow but I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. Hope you are feeling quite recovered from it all.



Tina, your Jaq is a scream and a half. Where does she get the French connection? I remember naming my dolls things like Mary and Shirley. One lady I met at a signing told me she named her dolls things like "Certainly" because she didn't think they should have people names.



BTW, I remember hearing from others of you who have the problem of hobbling upon rising from sleep or sitting, as I have had ever since I got neuropathy from the first round of adriamycin. I learned from the Sunday newspaper there is a name for it...plantar fasciitis. It means the plantar muscle on the bottom of the foot contracts. The solution is to flex your feet several times to gently stretch it before arising. I've tried and it works like a charm.

Anonymous

Tina - DC is warm enough. It will be hotter than you can stand in the summer and the winters are OK. I really did LOVE living there. There are so many great things for families to do.

I fired my cleaning lady. The week after my surgery. She was scheduled to come while we were in Charleston. Since no one was going to be here and the house was going to be locked up for the week I called the service and told them not to send her. I've never given them my alarm code and didn't want to. So it seemed easier just not to have her come that week.

I called twice reminding her not to come. The night before her usual cleaning day I talked to the owner of the service with a reminder and specifically told her to make sure no one came as the alarm would be on, etc.

So guess what - the next morning I get a call from the alarm company that my house alarm is going off, do I want them to call the police? We had a neighbor drive by instead to make sure the door wasn't wide open or something crazy.

Then I waited. No call from the cleaning service. Nothing. Really, if they'd called and said they were sorry, they'd forgotten, they'd accidentally set of the alarm - I would've been OK. But instead we finally called them and they were like "oh, yeah, sorry I don't know why she showed up we told her not to."

Final straw. Sadly, now DH is on a money saving kick and doesn't want to get a new house cleaner. Instead he's helping out. We'll see how long that works. (He's done really well so far). 

Anonymous

Rebecca - I have a transformers story for you.

With 2 girls we've never had a transformers toy in our house. My girls have not seen the movie.

So my 4 year old comes home from day care yesterday telling me all about her day. The highlight apparently was playing transformers with a little boy in her class. She made a point of telling me they were each pretending to be transformers. She had a made up girl-sounding name. But, according to DD, the little boy was pretending to be "Prime Octopus." "You mean Optimus Prime?" I said.

meliaanne

I love the kid stories. Jaclyn is so original. And Jan, what a charming, funny story about your little one. Thanks to you both for lightening the load!

Rebecca

LMAO Jan.  Want some transformers?  I got extras.......

Caya

Oh Jan that is too cute.  I also missed the boat with "boy" stuff when my two girls were little - it was the house of Barbie, Polly Pocket and Cinderella here.

And Tina - you better watch it, Jaclyn may start calling you "Mere" at any time.  She is too adorable.

Nice day here, I just had lunch with BFF Toby and another friend who had BC 3years ago, she just did a prophylactic mast. and did expanders this fall/winter.  She is waiting for her exchange surgery.  She looks FANTASTIC.  I have an appointment with the PS who did her surgery to talk it all over.  Just want to explore my options.

jonimb

Hello TaTa's,

Well I had two sad things happen last weekend.  My cousin Don passed away.  He was sitting in his newly built gazebo, overlooking Mabel Lake in the Okanagan, and that is where his wife Bev found him.  He would have been 63 in April, no history of heart disease, not overweight, never smoked, ate properly and was a physical fitness nut.  He grew up with me as his Mom (my Dad's sister) passed away when she was only 35.  It's very hard to get to their place in BC.  I could fly to Kelowna, but then I have a few hours drive to their place, and it's in a very heavy snowbelt, so Dan does not think it's a good idea to go.  So our whole family is going to get together in the summer, and have a remembrance service then.  My oldest sister (the one in Phoenix) is taking it very hard, as they were very close.  Anyways they set up a scholarship fund (he was a professor of Biology at the Univ. of Calgary) which will be given out annually.

The other sad thing was a good friend of mine from Edmonton, Monique passed away on Saturday.  She has been struggling with breast cancer since 1996.  I had seen her when I was up in Edmonton 3 weeks ago, and she seemed so well.  This damn disease I hate it.    Her services were today in Edmonton, but I just didn't have the energy to do the drive up there.

On a more positive note, I am walking better.  I did use the scooters in the malls down in Arizona, because otherwise I would have just been too pooped out.  I love Arizona.  Dan & I are thinking of selling our big house and getting a condo (one level) to make things a bit easier.  We are also talking about going to Phoenix from Jan to April next year, depending how my health is.  I just feel better when it is warmer.  I loved the Fountain Hills area even better than Scottsdale, so we are looking there.  It's surprising, but just about all of them allow dogs, because I won't go if we can't take Thor.

Nancy, I'm glad you made it thru your pet scan.  Just so you know the only time I have ever had an elevation in my liver enzymes was when they diagnosed me with high cholesterol, and that was over 5 years ago.  Even with my liver mets dx my enzymes have all stayed within the range.  I think that's more of an indication of something they call "fatty liver" or you could have elevated cholesterol.  I'm glad you had the tests, but it probably is only something very minor.  Hugs to you in this trying time.  My MRI's are very similar to the Pet Scan, as I always have them with contrasts, so always require the IV.

Rebecca, saw the pic, and I'm glad you got another opinion.  You still look great, but marvelous is better!!!

Mel, happy to hear you got your surgery date, and I'm so sorry about your Ted. 

Tina, hope the homestead sells quickly.  I would love to visit Washington.  Everytime I was in the area I was always too busy to see the things I wanted to see.  I think we (BTTS) would need a week there to explore all the sites!!  You could be tour director!!

Melia, glad to hear you DH finally picked his choice of procedure.  You were very stoic in standing back and letting him decide.  Kudos to you!!

Skye, I laughed out loud when you told me your books were in the SUN.  My Mom read those magazines faithfully.  When she got older she believed most of the stuff too, and you should have heard some of her stories, gosh we used to laugh.

Caya, did your husband get to view the rooms in Vegas?  Also, I have to send you a private email, as my sister's BIL is in shoes in the Pennsylvania area, but does a lot of the shoe shows in New York.  I'll send you his name and you can let me know if you know him. 

Sharon, good to hear from you.  We haven't done the Canmore run yet, and now it looks like we might all have a rendevous in Red Deer in April, so a little less driving for the Edmonton girls.  Are you coming out this way to visit your family soon?  Have you booked for our trip in July?

Jan, your little girl sounds so cute.  Hope you are resting and taking it easy from your surgery still.  I couldn't live without my housekeeper (Theresa)...she comes every Thursday.  I have had her since 1999.  She used to only come every 2nd Thursday, but since my cancer dx, Dan insisted she come every week.  He's pretty good to me.

Cindy, I have been so worried about a dryer fire as my old clunker really needs to be replaced, but Dan says lets wait until we decide whether we are moving this summer.  I have an alert on my front door window (with a pic of them) to advise that I have a dog and a cat in my house, and to make sure the fire dept gets them out if anything happens.

Viddie, sounds like you had a wonderful trip, so glad to hear it.  Did Meri get her University stuff all resolved, and which one is she going to be going to.

Debbie, your pics were really nice, and I'm glad you had fun on your trip.

Lynn, thanks for the emails.  You are always such a good friend to me.  Remember girls it's Lynn's birthday this month...March 24th I think.  Skye are you a March baby too?  Anyone else in March?

I checked in to the chat last nite, but nobody was there...are we still doing them?  How's Thursday for everyone?

Hugs to everyone......Joni

Caya

Joni, 

Unfortunately DH did not get a chance to visit the hotel we will be staying at. I will send out an email to our private group to explain the differences again.

Sorry about your cousin Don and your friend Monique. It just reinforces my thoughts that we have to live each day to the fullest, enojoy every moment.

I got your private email, and I responded to you.

And BTW girls, I am going to order that skirt and silk top.  When I get it, I will take a picture and post it.

xo

Caya

jonimb

Mary,

I forgot you....I could not view the dress.  I even copied it and pasted it, and it still only came to the main front page.

I wanna see it...do I sound whiny enough?

hugs...Joni

ps:  Caya, buy it..sounds gorgeous!!

Anonymous

Joni I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin and your friend. My sympathies.

On a happier note Dan sounds like an angel. 

skyedivine

Joni, great to hear all about your time away but I'm so sorry about your cousin. Although as hard as it is for everyone left behind, at least it could be said that going quickly in your new gazebo overlooking a lake is one of the most peaceful passing scenarios I can imagine. I know that isn't much comfort for all who will miss him, and it seems so unfair that such a young and healthy man had to go unexpectedly, but it's a little something to grab onto.



Dan does sound like an angel! I agree Jan! Although my dh is a dear in other ways, he is genetically opposed to any kind of household help, but doesn't have time to do much himself. Which occasionally leads to me doing dramatic thing. One day he came home from lunch just in time to see the end-loader I'd hired heading around to the backyard to dig out a patio foundation. End loader, $250...look on hubby's face...priceless.



And Joni I'm glad if my Sun debut could make you laugh. My mom believes a little more of that stuff than she will admit, too. Well, Elvis COULD have had a womb implanted and borne his own clone.



Caya I'm glad you ordered that outfit. I could tell you really loved it. From your photos, I'm sure you can carry off the black and white color scheme too. I always am attracted to b&w but have the wrong complexion and coloring so I admire it all the more on others.



I'm feeling a bit "off" today and Grendel seems to be too. Joni I also think I'd do better in Phoenix in the winter. Here is to approaching summer.. - Skye

Caya

Joni-

Mary had sent me an email of the dress, so I forwarded it to you - I hope you get it.  And Mary, it's gorgeous.

Skye, I hope you feel better.Is it your mid-Herceptin "yuch" day?

melia - glad your check up with the onc. went well.  I have heard like Skye's onc. that some tumours can literally grow "overnight" - may be the Her2+ ones.  I will ask my onc. about this as well

TPPJ

My docs. must be withholding information about fast growing tumors.    Their prob. afraid I'll flip out.

Jan, mourning the loss of the cleaner.  Mary comes tomorrow.  Of course I ended up w/a showing today.  I was at the ER w/Jaclyn ruling out appendicitis (she's OK...she was complaining of unrelenting stomach pain until 1 pm so I took her in.)  Anyway, I was dying because I hadn't made the beds and I had puke buckets by her bed and the sofa...empty, of course, but no mistaking what they were there for.  I raced home from the hospital, did a quick Mrs. Clean and went out for a ride while the people were here.

Joni, so sorry about Don and Monique.  I agree w/Skye...a very peaceful end, it sounds.  Can't believe Monique was fine three weeks ago.  So scary.  Glad your pain is letting up.

Nancy, I like Joni's explanation for rising liver enzymes.  Sounds encouraging.

LOL'ing about Primus Octopus.  I can see that.  My son was first, a huuuuuuge Power Rangers maniac.  Then he graduated to Transformers.  I think we had every one ever made on the market.   He was obsessed.  It was great though, because he entertained himself for hours with them. 

OK...gonna call it a night.  Hopefully! 

mer1957

Joni, so good to hear from you!  Your Dan sounds wonderful, it must in the name, since my youngest DS shares that name and is usually pretty wonderful.  Tina, hope Jaclyn is feeling better, my stomach thing passed after 6 hours but I am still feeling run over by a truck and achy.  Nancy glad you made it through the PET - when do you hear anything?  Melia, glad you got a good report from your onc.  Mine is tomorrow, say a prayer...off to watch American Idol (I can't believe I'm getting hooked on this!)

Nancyab

Joni, thank you for that bit of info on the liver. Man I really needed that too! I was reading the paper and a girl I went to high school with just passed away from the you know what. It really freaked me out. The whale in the room is "genormous" right now, I hate that Blastard! I am trying to keep busy, but everytime the phone rings, I jump outta my skin. Took Lizzie out for a long walk this evening, it's warming up and the snow is melting fast. The walk was nice but Liz was a dirty wet mess when we got home. Suppose to be 60 tomorrow, yippee!

Caya

nancy - The Ta Ta posse is right there with you girl.  I'm sure Rebecca, our head fretter, is already doing major fretting!!

Keep us posted.

xo

TPPJ

Nancy, I know I already said this, but yes, me too....I was so relieved with that info. Joni provided.  There's always someone on here that knows something that put things in perspective for us, or at least sheds some light on things.  I can totally feel your jumpiness every time the phone rings.  I've that before, for different reasons.

How long for PET scan results?  Shouldn't be that long.  I am a big believer that results can be had within 2 days if you badger them enough.

Yes, Mary, Jaclyn's thing ended up being about a 6 hour bug.  She was hot last night at 6:00 pm but you always have that kind of flare up in the early evening.  Gave her motrin and she fell asleep.  This am she is as good as new and ready for school.  I told her she could stay home but she loooooves school and I can tell she is back to her old self.  Yay for me too!    Mary comes to clean, my neighbor Beth and I are going walking at noon.  Slush city around here w/all the snow melting.  I have to stop Snowball at the door and wipe his paws every time he comes in.  Such a PIA.  And I got this dog because????????