Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

TPPJ

Robbin, your hair does look long in that new avatar.  You are looking like your old self again.

We had a great time in Vegas.  It felt like a reunion, not a first time get together.  I really felt like I'd known everyone for years.  I'm so glad we did it.  Can't wait to see all the pics.  I had a long day flying home yesterday.  I got in on time, but...  I was stiff from sitting on those planes all day.  I'm still coughing.  ^%$$#!  Annoying!  I am still cracking up about our trip to Vince Neil Ink.  You should have seen my son's eyes when I showed him my fake tattoo.  He was like "MOM!!!!!!!!!"  Flabbergasted, to put it mildly.  Jaclyn was beyond thrilled that I was home.  She, of course, came along for the ride, w/Paul to the airport and was beaming from ear to ear.  Joni, she LOVESSSSSSSSSS the stuffed animals.  Can't thank you enough.  Caya, thanks for all your great "event planning".  You done good, lady!    Everything really went pretty seamlessly, from arranging cabs to getting tables for 13 in a somewhat reasonable time frame...  it was FUN!  Cindy, did you sleep well w/out ha

TPPJ

Robbin, your hair does look long in that new avatar.  You are looking like your old self again.

We had a great time in Vegas.  It felt like a reunion, not a first time get together.  I really felt like I'd known everyone for years.  I'm so glad we did it.  Can't wait to see all the pics.  I had a long day flying home yesterday.  I got in on time, but...  I was stiff from sitting on those planes all day.  I'm still coughing.  ^%$$#!  Annoying!  I am still cracking up about our trip to Vince Neil Ink.  You should have seen my son's eyes when I showed him my fake tattoo.  He was like "MOM!!!!!!!!!"  Flabbergasted, to put it mildly.  Jaclyn was beyond thrilled that I was home.  She, of course, came along for the ride, w/Paul to the airport and was beaming from ear to ear.  Joni, she LOVESSSSSSSSSS the stuffed animals.  Can't thank you enough.  Caya, thanks for all your great "event planning".  You done good, lady!    Everything really went pretty seamlessly, from arranging cabs to getting tables for 13 in a somewhat reasonable time frame...  it was FUN!  Cindy, did you sleep well w/out having to listen to me hack all night? 

Anonymous

Tina - glad you are home safely. My flight was a bit bumpy, but otherwise OK. My kids were sound asleep by the time I got home, so they were excited this morning.

Joni - the girls LOVED the stuffed animals. 

Thanks to everyone for making this a very fun trip. I agree with Tina it was more like a reunion than a first-time meeting.

DH was not the least bit suprised about my new tattoo. 

meliaanne

My trip home was easy, though the airline lost my luggage and had to deliver it to my house later in the evening. No big deal. It was an amazing weekend. I feel so renewed, and so blessed. I will never be glad I got bc, but I am glad that I met all of you.

 I am hopping back on a plane in the morning though. Just got a call that my Dad is deteriorating and the social worker is suggesting hospice. I need to be there in person to see how he is doing, and to make decisions on the spot as opposed to from 500 miles away. I guess he is refusing nourishment.

Melia

skyedivine

Hi Gals,

I too made it home safely with no delays. Tina you are right, it really did feel more reunion than meet-up. Thanks again Debbie for the cute visor, and Cindy for the magnet.



The tatt; DH didn't mind it at all and my boys are jealous. I told them they could get one too...when they turn 57! I found out after I had called home and talked to DS2, he immediately called his brother and said Mom's in a tattoo parlor in Vegas! Too funny. As for me, I'm very pleased, not only because it will always remind me of you all and our trip, but because somehow I feel the black trinity knot is a more somber and sacred emblem of bc survival than the pink ribbon. I feel like I've properly marked myself.



In all, it was a most wonderful weekend and I only wish the rest of you could have been there too.



Still, it was good to get home to the greenery of Wisconsin. I spent a little time weeding my garden this morning. 82 degrees feels like a refrigerator compared to Vegas. Then I had my doc appt., and with a few caveats my scans are all clear. He is still watching that T-9 vertebra thingey and I have a dime-sized lesion in one lung they think is probably a scar from radiation. I go back in November and then will have the port out.



Now I must go rescue Grendel from my brother's house. He had a bad incident with his little paw caught in a door but brother says he is all right. We need to get him home.

Giant trinity knot hugs to all -- "Church Lady" Skye

skyedivine

Melia, hope all goes well on your flight and your trip, I know that has been tough with all your dad's problems.

Lynn12

Hi Ta Ta's,

I just got home, been a long day!  My flights were all smooth and on time.  I only got about 2.5 hours of sleep because Joni and I stayed up chatting late last night (again)   George loves my tat and what it symbolizes! 

It was so very special to meet all of you!  The weekend was everything I hoped for!  I love you all!

I'll write more when I get some sleep!  I'll post some pics this week after I get teh software for my new camera loaded on my computers.

love and hugs,

Lynn

sharon56

hey there Vegas ta ta 's hope ya'll had a great time it sounds like it  ! Me I spent the weekend with my dh and took him to the Blue Jays game . My lil sister did the Calgary 60k walk for BC  and had my sister , me and her sister n laws pics strung around her neck  She is the same age this year as our sister was when she passed away from bc . So proud of her , my little ta ta sister slugging along for all of us ......... get emotional about it .

But there is strength in numbers girls as you all know from being in the big smoke over the weekend ...  

Robin hey there girl gone camping this summer yet ? U are lookin good ..... your hair is sooo curly ... I gotta update my pic man . mine is going crazy poofed out fro , i have to use a hairband o keep it calm .... but hey i can't complain !

IowaCindy

Hi, sisters........ my fanny may be dragging tonight from the late flight last night and working today but my heart is still floating. It was a magical weekend. And that has nothing to do with Las Vegas but everything to do with being in the company of angels.

My plane was delayed last night. Something to do with Hurricane Dolly. But we made up time in the air and landed on time at 12:30 this morning.(Can I just whine for a quick moment - the LV airport was so hot that my Snickers bar melted and dripped on my pants as I ate it. It was awful.) My luggage wasn't lost but boy, my hand was pretty puffy from dealing with the suitcase and carry-on. I got a huge hug from my youngest daughter who met me and rolled her eyes when I showed her the new tattoo.  "What next, Mom?"

I've got to go unpack, do some laundry, find some pjs. I don't think there will be a late night for me tonight.

Sharon, that is so cool about your little sister. I'm sure she had all you ladies in her thoughts as she did the walk. 

Yeah, really....I gotta do some chores before bed. 

Hugs from Iowa.....Cindy 

TPPJ

Hi Girls,

Tried to ease back into my routine today.  The DH had the house in fairly good shape, which was good...we have his buddy, John, from Boston staying tonight.  They took Paul and 3 neighbor boys into DC for a wrestling event.  Paul will get backstage passes, so the kids are in heaven.  Jaclyn and I dropped the kids off at Bloomies at Tysons Corner...I met up w/John there as we were both former Bloomies associates, and he picked up Paul at work.  God, I had a helluva time finding Tysons.  It is just not visible from the st., despite it's massive size.  After much aggravation, I did conclude that it is the shopping mecca they say it is.  Jac and I had dinner at Brio (just what I needed after Vegas...more food.  But, we were thrilled to find a Brio here.)  I told Jac we were just looking, not buying.  She began to point out "needs" in the mall, as opposed to wants.  She's getting smart in her old age.  I didn't buy it. 

dkmaustx

Hi everyone,

I had a lovely moring with Joni at the aiport before our flights and made it home safe and sound. My plane was about 20 minutes early getting in, but my hubby John was already there waiting for me at the baggage claim area. We stopped to have dinner on the way home.

I just talked to Viddie on the phone. She booked a room at Harrah's for today and spent the day by the pool there. She had finished supper and was getting ready to go out to the airport in an hour or so. I wished her a safe trip home.

Skye, thanks for the collage print, and, Cindy, thanks for the fridgy magnet. I'm glad you liked the little sun visors.

I think I'm going make it an early night. I tossed and turned all night last night and didn't seem to rest well at all. Hopefully tonight will be better when I'm in my own bed. Take care all of you, and I'll catch you again soon.

luckymel

Hello, my beautiful, wonderful sisters. I got home after midnight last night, after a smooth flight that landed 20 minutes early. I then wasted at least that long trying to remember where my car was in the parking lot - I couldn't even remember parking it, much less where. Once I dredged up the memory of getting to the airport Thursday morning in the rain, it came back to me. Larry was asleep when I got home, but did get up long enough to bring in my suitcases. Harrison and Farley greeted me properly.

I saw the dr. this morning and at first he was discussing putting the wound vac back on - horrors! (I've never seen this guy before, he's just filling in.) Once we discussed it a litle more, he thought the better of that, and I will just continue with my wet to dry dressings. I'll see him next Monday when they will re-evaluate how I am doing off my antibiotics, and take it from there. However, he did think it was healing well. I gather my choices are going to be either letting the breast heal on it's own (two months) or skin graft it (much faster, but I am not sure I want to do that). Anyway, so far so good.

I did laundry all day - Larry's and mine - and had a short nap, but I got very little sleep last night, so am looking forward to a marathon sleep tonight. Tomorrow, I'll just hang out with Harrison and catch up on dvr'd tv shows. I too have to load the software for my camera on the computer so I can post some pictures. I can't wait to see them all, when we get that set up.

No one has noticed my fake tattoo yet. I think it looks quite realistic. If someone doesn't recognize it soon, I'm going to put the big one on!

Melia, sorry you had to come home to bad news about your dad, and have to get on another plane tomorrow, but at least it's another short trip. I hope things work out ok, and that you get home WITH luggage this time. Skye, hope Grendel's little paw is ok, but I'm so glad you're ok!!! What wonderful news to come home to.

Cindy, sorry you had to spend extra time in the airport, but I enjoyed the time we spent together. Melting snickers is too much...wonder if they always keep it that hot?

Sharon, how wonderful that your sister did the 60K walk - that almost makes me choke up. You must really be proud of her. We missed you last weekend - hope you can come next time. There will definitely be a next time, by the way. Nancy and Robbin, you too. And Amera.

Well, I don't quite have the words yet to express to you all just how much our reunion meant to me. For now, just let me say that I feel so grateful to have been in the company of such incredible women, and I love you all so very much. The weekend couldn't have been more fun, or more perfect, and I can't wait until we do it again. Major big hugs to you all.

skyedivine

Mel, incredible women is right! That really sums it up.



Grendel's paw is fine, but I think he is missing my brother's dogs today. He and the 2-year old, Izzie, played nonstop the whole time and now it's back to boring humans.



I came home to other problems. My mom's memory is still not good, she isn't wanting to get dressed or go out, and then this morning I got a call from one sister telling me she got Mom to change her power of attorney over to her, rather than the other sister who had it previously. Other sister has taken 48,000 bucks from our mother the past year, so I can't say I object to the power transfer, but can you say "Family Feud?" I have six siblings, and I have a feeling things could get nasty. Always something! - Skye

luckymel

$48,000???  That's awful - I hope new sister is more trustworthy than other sister!    I think family squabbles over parents money are horrible, and I can see that when our mom goes, my sister will initiate one.  I feel for you all, and your poor mom.

Glad Grendel is ok.  I think Harrison misses his pet sitter Christi a bit, too - she really went out of her way to keep him entertained.  Dog Park, car rides to the university to run, trips to her house, and of course, the company of her dog Muddy.  So he had a blast.  However, he is still moaning with contentment  every time I touch him, so I think he's mostly glad to have things back to normal. 

I'm looking for the software from my camera so I can post my pictures.  Besides that, I'm missing my sisters, and remembering things about our weekend.

luckymel

Pulling us up from under two pages of spam posters (I guess)..

mer1957

DH and I landed back home today at 5:09 a.m. from the red eye.  Wow, I'm tired.  Luckily I didn't plan on working at work today, just getting other stuff done.  I'll be crashing early tonight.  Thanks for putting up with me and my DH this weekend.  It was hard for me because I felt split in two and knew I was missing stuff.  I didn't get to spend near enough time with you but I felt it was a great weekend.  Joni, hope you kept all that money I last saw you with!  Back to reality and back to my diet although I do believe we all walked a lot of miles.  At least it's a short work week for me and next week is my actual wedding anniversary so we are taking that day off to go to the PGA tour in town.  Will post more when my head clears up.  xxx Mary

viddie

Hi all,

I got into Boston at 9:30 AM. There were no delays, but I did have to land in Atlanta at 5AM first. Needless to say, I am exhausted. My friend from primary school and college visited with her dh today before returning to Ca. It was fun, but I am about to collapse,  

Julie,

Sorry to here about your father and your predicament about your decisions. I am sure you are doing the right thing by going down there to make so those major decisions.

Skye,

I am sorry to hear about your mom's memory. Your sister made the right decision to change the power af attorney after what your other sister pulled. Geez!!

I had the most wonderful time. I will always see LV differently forever. It was the most amazing and fun experience. You are all so incredible. I love you all. We have to plan another trip. 

I have to get some sleep.

Good night my Ta Ta's. 

meliaanne

Hi all,

So glad everyone is home safely. What a surreal experience the weekend was. I still need to grasp that it happened and wasn't a dream.

My father died yesterday, very peacefully. I got to him at 10:30 am and he died at 12:30 pm. The staff moved us to a private room with a sliding door onto the courtyard, so I could be alone with him, have fresh air, etc. My brother arrived about 45 mins after the death, and was so sad he hadn't made it before. Traffic in the SF area is awful, and he got stuck. The social worker, who is one of God's true angels, arranged for a priest to administer last rites. Dad was raised a Catholic, Mom was Jewish (Caya, we need to have that discussion someday), and they raised us Methodist. The priest did a very lovely job, stayed and talked to me for a bit. There were lots of papers to sign, arrangements to make, etc. But I guess the real comfort comes from the peacefulness and calm of the whole experience. His last words this weekend were "I want to go home." He stopped eating and drinking, lapsed into a coma, and basically went to sleep. I am sad, but I feel that it was his time, that he was ready.

I need to read all the posts more slowly, just skimmed them to be sure everyone was safe. Joni, good for you for winning! 

Hugs to all,

Melia

luckymel

Oh Julie, I'm so verry sorry.  Many hugs to you.  I'm glad you had some time with him before (and sorry your brother didn't), and how wonderful that you had such a peaceful space to be in while he was passing over.  It does sound like he was ready to go, and that it was his time. 

I remember when my father was ready to go, we managed to get him home (in a hospital bed), and all his animals gathered around or on his bed.  Then he saw his most beloved (and deceased) dog, Russ, and we knew it was time, and it was. 

Anyway, my heart is with you.  Hugs and love coming your way.

skyedivine

Melia, deepest sympathy on the loss of your dad. It's amazing how the timing worked out so you could be there with him. But I'm really sorry for your loss, that is not an easy one to take.



Mel, I love the story that your dad saw the deceased pet when it was his time. Kind of goes with our pj party discussion of such things. But it's so comforting to think there is that kind of joy at the end.



Viddie, Mary, everyone else I'm glad you made it home safely. It does seem surreal now, doesn't it? Especially experiencing our solid bonds against that crazy backdrop of giant, glittering buildings. I wouldn't trade it for anything. And Mary, your dh is a doll. It was fun to meet him.



I think I forgot to mention Monday that my onc thinks we can safely postpone indefinitely any surgery for my rotator cuff tear and the hiatal hernia, since both are better post-chemo. That is another relief.



And the family drama continues. One brother has rightly demanded the takeover sister get my mom's accounts registered for online viewing so he and I can monitor the money. She hasn't responded. Some of my sibs don't know yet but she had the lawyer send everyone letters so the fur hasn't really started to fly. I'm just concerned that my mom is able to hang onto enough to pay for her care.



A beautiful day otherwise. I need to get some writing done and then shop; tomorrow is dh's birthday and he wants to go to the casino at the Dells overnight. Maybe I'll have a crack at a jackpot yet! Cheers! Skye

Anonymous

Melia - I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. I'm glad you were able to be there.  

Well, I just got back from an appointment with my oncologist. He found a spot he is concerned about in my real breast and wants me to get a mammogram asap. He says it could be a cyst and just wants to get it checked. I've never had a cyst before - so I can't tell. I'm hoping that they can get the mamogram done this week before I go on vacation Saturday. I do not want to be freaking out for a whole week at the beach. (Of course, if it is something then I'll really freak out, but I'm trying not to think about that yet.)

I made the mistake of calling DH b/c I am stressed about it. He totally lost it and is on his way home. I wish I hadn't called him. If he's stressed, I'll just be even more stressed.

Ugh - keep you fingers crossed that they call with an appointment SOON!!!

meliaanne

Oh crap, Jan. I am sorry that you have to deal with the fear again. Hopefully it is just a cyst, but I guess you have to dive into the muck and figure it all out. I am sure I don't have to tell you to be aggessive in getting answers FAST. Keep us posted.

 Skye, I am sorry about the mess with your mom's finances. My dad was a compulsive gambler and lost every single dime he had, so we don't have to deal with money issues. In fact, my brother and I had some pretty good black humor going about that yesterday, as we sat in the mortuary with our credit cards out.

Ok Jan, scoot over. Make room for all of us. We are with you!

viddie

Melia,

I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I am glad you were able to be there for him. When my parents were living in NJ, I flew up right before my dad died. He died a few hours later, so I know how special it was for him to know that we were with him before he died. It is very hard to lose a dad, but it sounds like he was ready.

I didn't know your mom was Jewish. That makes you and your children Jewish by default if you chose to change your religion. It is always good to keep all your windows open. lol. 

Jan,

Does this ever end? As Julie said, we will be right there beside you. I had a couple of cysts around 15 years ago in both breasts. They aspirated them and all was fine. I was freaking out the first time, but after the third time I was confident they were cysts. Imagined how surprised I was the fourth time when it was the real thing. They seem to be able to tell right away from the shape and the US image. Make sure they order an ultrasound along with the mammo on the same day. I am sorry you have to go through this trauma again. I have my fingers crossed.

Tomorrow we have to move out of our cottage for a few days because we are getting new flooring in our kitchen and dining area. We will be going home- with no tv or internet access. Yikes. I will be on  tonight, but after that I will catch up sometime this weekend.

Love,

Viddie 

Lynn12

Julie, I am so sorry to hear about your dad.  I spent the last few hours with my dad in the hospital before he passed away and I will always treasure that time.  Hugs to you!

Jan, like Paula said, does it ever end?  Big hugs to you...hang in there sweetie!  We're officially on fret patrol and will do it for you...really praying it's only a cyst.

love and hugs,

Lynn

Anonymous

My mammogram appointment is scheduled for Friday morning at 8, so at least I'll know something before I leave for vacation on Saturday. If they talk about cysts I'll cry until they ultrasound it : )

Until then I'm desperately clinging to the hope that it's nothing.

luckymel

Oh, Jan, what lousy timing, just before vacation - make lots of noise, insist they get you scheduled this week.  And Viddie, good point about the ultrasound - that will almost always diagnose a cyst.  You definitely need to find out before vacation.  And as everyone else has said, we are all right there with you, holding your hand, ordering you a margarita, or whatever it takes.  Hoping it's just a cyst.  Remember what you said about how much good chemo does for people with your oncotype score, too.  I hope I'm remembering that right.  Anyway, that should give you some reassurance.  I will be doing the worrying for you, and for your dh.

Viddie, a few days with no tv or internet?  That would drive me crazy - especially the internet!  Plus you'll be out of touch with us - oh nooooooo!

meliaanne

Jan, be sure you let us know as soon as you know. Don't go off on vacation to drink and celebrate a benign cyst and leave us behind in ignorance. Until then, we will be right next to you.



Thanks for all the condolences re my Dad. My brother and I are emailing back and forth, wondering why we are at work since we aren't getting anything done.



Viddie, my mother was irrational re being Jewish. Her mother was Catholic, her Dad was Jewish. She considered herself Jewish, but when I was young and tried to ask her about it, she shut me down quickly. She never observed the holidays or went to Temple, and her Dad died when she was 3, so I am not sure if she ever had religious training or if she just identified with the Jewish faith. She never would talk about it. When we were kids, she used to take us to the Methodist Church, which she and my Dad felt was pretty harmless, and she would read the Sunday paper and drink a thermos of coffee while we were in church. I liked going so never minded, but I remember my older brother would go out the back door, run to the market a couple of blocks away, and spend his offering money on candy.

TPPJ

LOL, Julie, about your brother running out the back door to buy candy.  I did that!  Several times w/my girlfriends.  And we'd "steal" a church bulletin from the side door to prove we'd been there.  Bad, bad girls.  Julie, it's funny....Viddie is right...if your mom is jewish, then technically, you are.  However, your mom's mom wasn't Jewish, her dad was, so technically she really was not.  So you are/you're not/you are/you're not.  Funny.  I'm sure that happens much more often than we realize.

Hung here all day today while the electricians did their piece downstairs today.  They did 14 canned lights and a bunch of switches w/dimmers, tv and phone jacks.  Mirko, the hottie lead carpenter, comes back tomorrow to finish up.  He said he will be done either Fri. or by next Wed.  This guy is sweeeeeeeeeeeet! 

I'm tentatively scrapping my Boston plans.  Too tired to drive up there and too much to do around here.  I really want this house settled before Sept.  I dragged a huge chaise lounge chair from my room down into the family room by myself.  Yeterday I moved my king sized bed alone and it crashed on me.  Mirko and his buddy came up to help me.  Can you say damsel in distress?  LOL!  Anway, I moved my bedrom furniture into a much better configuration and I'm much happier with it.  I do need new bedding but don't want to rush into anything.  I saw a ton of nice stuff at Dillards Home Store out in Vegas.  On Sat. my new sofa and cocktail table arrive, which means I have to carry my super heavy coffee and end table to the basement.  I need to finalize my carpet selection for downstairs...  lots to do.  Paul mentioned going back to VA Beach later this month.  Maybe.  I'd kind of like to try Rehobeth Beach, MD, just for something different.  We'll see.  I'm kind of happy to just sit here for a while.

God, lots of disturbing news today....Julie's dad, and then I get an email from a BFF in Boston.  Her nephew od'd on heroin in FL.  He was 27.  He'd been in rehab....realllll good kid, so the family is heartbroken, not to mention they lost another son twenty years ago to suicide. 

Joni!  You ROCK!  I can't believe you won so much on nickel slots! See?  You're luck is changing, lady!  I knew you were on!  You were dressed to the nines, hair and makeup done to perfection, bubbly as could be.  I am 110% impressed!  And happy for you.  You deserve it.

mer1957

Julie, my condolences to you on the loss of your dad.  I'm glad you made it there on time.  Wow, what a family.  They thought the Methodists were safe middle ground? lol. 

 Tina, be careful on that heavy moving.  Get some help!  Maybe you can pay the guys something extra to move the stuff to the basement.  You are a woman on the move.  Tina, I'd like to get some lights just above my bed for reading.  They sure don't make the lighting very good in the bedroom for reading a book.

Jan, I'll be praying for you Fri morning.  Please let us know asap. 

My first day back at work = ugh.  Luckily there are only two more days to the week.  Going out with some friends on their boat on Sat night on Lake St. Clair.  We won't go very far with the price of gas. 

Skye, good news on no more surgery and happy birthday to your DH.  Have fun at the casino, you should be all warmed up.  Hugs

Joni, I agree you look great!  What a woman. 

dkmaustx

Julie, I'm sorry to hear about you dad but pleased to hear that he was peaceful at the end.

So many things to catch up on already. I had my appointment with the Opthamalogist on Tuesday and my dental cleaning and check up yesterday. My eyes are doing fine with no changes during the past year, and the dentist is still watching one tooth getting ready to yank it out or do a root canal when it starts bothering me.

On the way home from the dentist yesterday I had a minor car accident less than 2 blocks from my house. I turned one corner the way I usually do and all of a sudden there was this crunching sound. I clipped side mirrors with a guy that was parked in front of a house. Neither one of us was hurt and there wasn't much evidence on either car (except for the mirrors being ripped off). The man Had a 1996 GMC Sonoma and it was scratched up so all I did was rip off the mirror. Well I have to go fill out some paper work before the insurance agent gets here.

 I've been looking at all your pics, and downloading a few I should have taken. It sure was fun to see you all last weekend.