Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

tinalee123

Hi Jewels,

Hope your Mondays’ are all going well.  We had a tremendously successful graduation open house yesty for ds #2.  The only fly in the ointment was a 15-minute down pour.  Dh had put up two tents and various tables and chairs, after the rain, it was beautiful.  We cooked waaay too much food!  Ugh!  What was I thinking???  To top it off, as we put away all the left-overs in our basement fridge, lo and behold, I saw the three containers of deviled eggs (75 of the little buggers)!!  I forgot all about them!!  LOL  What the hell am I going to do with them now??  It kills me to throw ‘em away…maybe I’ll bring them into work tomorrow.  

Carol – Congrats on the walk!  The pics are really great.  Your son looks so much like you!.  How cool that he joined you!

Julie –Your survivor event sounds great!  Looking forward to seeing the pics.  Aren’t the numbers of participants incredible?  How was “Bucket List”?  

My friend at work, Nancy, will be walking in Avon’s Walk for BC in San Francisco next month with her extended family that lives there.  She’s been doing this every year since she lost her two cousins (sisters) to bc.  

PAlady – My tumor was “weakly positive” for ER/PR, and I’m 46.  No, my onc did not think tamox was going to shut down my ovaries. She thinks I’m headed in that direction from the chemo.  I haven’t had a period since Feb.  I did have a hormone baseline test that came back very low menopausal range for estr., and pre-menopausal range for fsh.  I’ll go for a repeat of that in 6 months.  Because of the “weakly positive” thing, I really am riding the fence with tamox.  I figure, if the se’s get progressively worse, I may rethink this.

KathyL – Hope your open house was wonderful, did the weather cooperate?  Thanks for the bit on cording.  I’m going to make a pt appt tomorrow.  Mine’s almost completely resolved now, too.  It was weird, one week is was there, visible, pronounced, the next, it wasn’t.  I’m not going to complain. Am wanting to learn how to better care for the slight le I’ve got going on.  We’ll see…  My kids always took swim lessons, ds #1 ended up on the varsity swim team in the 8th grade, thru 12th.  Ds #2 ended up being a diver, also on varsity in the 8th-12th grades and went on to state (no win, tho).  It’s a  wonderful life-long activity.

Kris – Thinking of you tomorrow!  You’re almost there!!

Joan – YAY!!!  So happy for you being done with the rads!

D1 – Are you looking for a small bag that’s more function than fashion?  I’ve had success at REI, but, their things are quite functional, not ugly, just not couture.  I’ve always done the rx sunglasses.  My last script had the transitions bi-focals in them.  Loving those!  I can actually read the map when out hiking…

Gotta run, girls.  Have a great night.

Tina

KathyL

OK, took some getting used to the new website and its format!  Still not sure if I like it...

The open house went so well.  The kids (and adults) all had a blast.  Some thunder around 4-ish, so the kids had to get off the slide for a bit.  No rain until 5-ish (end of the party).  We had the waterslide until about 5:45.  Some of our friends had stayed late, so their kids and mine were back on again after the thunder passed.  I am still tired, but so happy... it was a fun way to thank everyone for all they did for us and get to see everyone.  I think I may have another bash when I'm done with herceptin in January!

Julie and Carol:  thanks for sharing about your walks and congrats to you both.  Carol... what great pics, and the mental picture of the grandma and 2 kids brought tears to my eyes.  Whew!

Cathy-CA:  Hope that rads burn heals up for you.  My "boob buddy" here is getting a nice one in her axilla.  She's done this Thursday.

PALady:  Cool SP gift.  Have you figured out who yours is?  I'm clueless as to mine-hey, maybe my blonde hair WILL grow back!

D1:  I must've got lucky with my eyes.  Meaning, I have awful vision but I went to the eye docs about 6-8 weeks after finishing chemo and they were fine/unchanged.  Not complaining as I had enough chemo-related drama, thank you, but I feel badly for those of you having problems.

BTW, I hear upstate NY is cold and snowy during the winter.  If you want cold and wet/little snow-opt for UD.  Delaware winters suck!

Carol:  Glad the first day of rads went well.  I've heard each session is pretty quick.

Tina:  Glad your open house was a success.  I, too, had food that I totally forgot to put out.  Little cocktail wieners (my fave!).  Guess I'll have to eat them all myself another time.

Well, I'm off to bed early.  Getting the new fridge tomorrow night.  Wednesday I have my first repeat MUGA since finishing chemo, and a DEXA scan.  Fun, fun...

JulieK_11_30_07

Good evening, girls! Hope everyone has had a good Monday. My ds was invited to a friend's house last night to spend the night and his mom wanted to keep him all day until TKD tonight. They called on their way to TKD and asked if he could stay another night - it's been quiet around my house today! I've mentioned before that we live out in the country and there are no other kids for ds to play with, so he just loves going to friend's houses. We're planning a night for him to invite several friends over here soon too. He's pretty good about "entertaining" himself, but I understand that he gets bored with no one else to play with. Dh is working late tonight, so I'm all by my lonesome - kind of nice.

I'm another that's "iffy" about the new look of the site - I guess we'll get used to it eventually!

Carol - great pics of you and ds and you and Kalen! Glad you had a good day! Good to hear your rads went well today too!! I'll post some pics soon - I've asked others that were with me to send me their pics so I can create a "movie" of sorts with all of the pics and I'd like to see some of those first. If I don't get them soon, I'll just post mine. Congrats to the ds on his job!

The foobies are doing okay - the worst is my sides - feels like my skin is stretching, which is exactly what it's supposed to be doing. Therese and Kathy and whoever else explained it to me were so right - it's like having two coconuts on your chest!! They're sooo hard! These lovelies will be with me until my exchange surgery at the end of July.

Jenn - your reference to "Groundhog Day" had me LOL - since I'm not doing rads, it helped me to realize what those of you who are are going through. I'm so sorry to hear that things aren't improving with Tyler - it's great of you to be there for your friend. My prayers are with you all.

D1 - wow! You've been a busy little beaver!! Sounds like both dd's got their share of your pocketbook this weekend! Glad you like your rx sunglasses --- I've thought about getting them too, but just haven't forked out the moolah for them.

Wvgirl - hope your Relay event went well and the weather cooperated. Your Celebration Cake sounds yummy!!

Joan - Yipppeeeee for you!!!! Done with rads! So glad you had a good time celebrating with friends!

Kathy - Glad to hear the drought ended for one of us! Sounds like your open house was a great success! That is such a neat idea.

Cathy-CA - Hope your training is going well. Glad your rads are winding down --- hang in there!!

Norma - sounds like you had a good time at your reunion. My sister and I have talked about organizing one for my mom's side of the family - since my mom passed away almost 20 years ago, we really haven't seen that side of the family much at all and we were very close to them before she died.

Wow - sure sounds like you travel all over for your son's soccer tournaments! STL is a little over an hour from where I live, but only about 15 minutes from where I work. My whole family lives over in that area - a couple towns over from Collinsville. Keep me posted and I'd love to get together when you're there!

Kris - thinking of you tomorrow - almost there, girl!!

Tina - so glad your Open House went well too - I don't think I've ever hosted a party and NOT forgotten to put something out - it never fails! Wow - 75 deviled eggs?? My son would be in heaven, but I don't think even he could eat that many. "Bucket List" was very good - funny, touching, etc.... anyone planning to watch it, just beware that it can hit pretty "close to home" for any of us. I wouldn't suggest watching it if you're in an emotional state - my dh even asked me after it was over if it was hard for me to watch.

Well, all, I better get moving. OH! Forgot to mention that I actually walked on my treadmill for 30 minutes this afternoon!! I had hoped to get started BEFORE my Race for the Cure, but the foobies were just too sore. I told my sister as we were walking on Saturday that maybe the Race would "kick start" my starting to exercise again - she snorted a laugh and said, "Yah, right!" My problem is that I have a hard time sticking to it once I start!

Hope everyone has a great night!

Julie

JulieK_11_30_07

Here's a pic of the STL Race for the Cure that was in the paper -- it was a solid sea of pink as far as you could see in both directions!

golfer779

Sneaking a peak before bed myself, had to pipe in on the forgetting something at a get-together ... I had a dinner party a few years back, totally forgot the bake potatos in the oven, come to think of it I don't recall if I had put out the condiments for them or not.  I didn't realize that I had forgot them until about 4 days later when I was heating up the oven on a Sat morning to keep some pancakes warm.   Low and behold there we're 6 "taters" sitting in the oven!!!

 Kathy and Tiny, sounds like it was a great weekend for open houses ... hmmm, wieners and deviled eggs, my GI tract just had a hic-up.  Hey I have a potluck at work Weds for a co-worker's retirement, you'd save me a trip to the store!!! 

 Julie, here I thought that 17,000 participants was big in the Seattle area, I cannot imagine the sea of pink with about 70,000 people.  I'd be curious to know what brings such a huge crowd to St.Louis, and such smaller number to Seattle.  During our ceremony they stated that Washington is now the 3rd leading state for bc diagnosis.  I guess we we're number uno a few years back.  What a great stat to be a part of!!!  

Good job on the treadmill, I have definitely been the yo-yo gal with exercise as well.  My commitment to do the 3 Day has really given me a motivation on the exercise front.  Plus the more I read about exercise and confronting bc has me much more motivated. 

Hope you enjoyed your evening going solo, I'll be on my own tomorrow through late Thursday.  My dh's new job is already involving travel.  I was very used to him being gone for 2 weeks at a time for the first 6 years or so we we're together.  Although I love to have him home, a couple of nights to vegetate on my own won't be so bad. 

 Off to bed myself, probably will be snooping the post from work again tomorrow,

 Night all, Carol 

RN2teach

Howdy JJs,

I'm back from the Big D, but far from caught up on my sleep. It was a busy conference. The kids were great--well-behaved and happy. We took them to Six Flags and the JFK Museum/ Dealey Plaza during some of the very rare free time that they had. None of my students placed in their competitions, but most of them just completed their junior year of high school so there's always next year!

Dh tolerated the trip well (no seizures, thank God!). His clinical trial is going well. The only SE so far is the rash from Tarceva. It looks like a severe case of acne, but actually it is from the skin drying from the inside out.

Started my boosts today. Should be finished with this whole thing by Friday! My boost area is bigger than I thought it would be, but the actual treatment time is shorter (even with all the simulation stuff today). 

Someone mentioned neck pain (Carol, I think?). I had sessions where I was just miserable with my neck hurting. I shrugged off the first one, but after the second one I had my rads team help me get my head in a better position. They were very helpful.

Carol- yesterday's paper had a very cute article on a doggie race to benefit Komen. I think you'll see why I thought of you! Click on the photo gallery--the weiners are pics 4 and 5. http://wvgazette.com/News/200806210333

Here's a pic of dh and me in Dallas.

I'm off to finish the laundry. Tomorrow is dd's 15th Bday. We had a small family gathering for her this evening. We're in the middle of getting her packed for camp (I'm taking her up tomorrow). Will be stopping on the way to camp to let her take the test for her learner's permit.

Kris- thinking of you tomorrow! 

I'll be back tomorrow evening (unless I can't sleep tonite--I took a sinfully LONG nap this afternoon!). Take care Jewels, Paula 

Determined1

Well, I've been up for a couple of hours, just waiting to head off to the gym, but dd wants to tag along and I don't have the heart to rouse her early this morning.  So, thought I'd pop in here to see what's up.

Sunday looked like a slow day for our thread-guess we're all as busy as Carol!  (Oh, and PALady's right, they take films every week to see how things are going, so don't be surprised when they spring that on you.)

I'm with Carol and PALady, it's so nice when your kids go off to work.  Dd has hung on to the same part time job for, hmmm, she's starting her 3^rd year with them this month.  She just turned 17 and is one of the most dependable, responsible people I know.  I just gave her $20 yesty (a day off) to clean all the outdoor furnishings (you know, scrub down with dish soap and really go over everything for the summer).  She's one of those kids who will not only get out all of the supplies she needs for a job-but puts it all away when she's done!  She has her issues (doesn't like to be the best at anything as she hates the spotlight, so sometimes sabotages herself), but a good kid overall.  College girl started her internship yesty and met the Senator already.  She really likes the experience so far-but I wish she'd return the body lotion to my bathroom after she borrows it so I don't have to run around the house all nekky.  But, yeah, I feel like the dh and I have done something right when they both toddle off to work.

PALady, does the Preen kill off surrounding plants that one WANTS to keep?  I don't want to spray anything that will kill the good stuff-such as it is.

$52 in tips???  Wow, Carol, I think my kids should consider getting out of retail and in to food service!  (But those hours are a killer.  Nice thing about dd's job is that the store closes every night at 6:30p-plenty early for dinner and homework during the school year and time for playing with pals in the summer.)

Oh, before I forget, Carol (and anyone else embarking on rads), it's a good idea to take in cookies or a plant or something about midway through your tx to bribe them.  You'll be glad you did if they have to squeeze you in somewhere down the road (happened to me and I was able to stay on schedule despite some mechanical malfunctions during tx). 

I did pick up a cross-body bag on Sunday.  It wasn't the one I really wanted (the color on that one was just too light for me-looked like a beacon on my hip), but it'll do.  It has a top zip main compartment with a zippered pocket inside that is perfect for passports and health cards.  The main compartment will accommodate 2 glasses cases (good for when I'm back in contacts and will have to carry reading and sunglasses) and a comb, lip gloss, tampons.  Then it has a zippered pocket on the outside that's gusseted with holders for credit cards/paper currency/license (for when I carry that).  The only thing that's missing is a little zippered holder for change, but I'll figure something out.  I like it because it lays fairly flat against my hip and the handle attachments appear to be quite sturdy.  College girl thought it was cute, so that's a go for me.  Dh was wondering why I had to spend money on it...

Tina-the open house sounds like it was "great success" (read that in your best Borat voice-that's how I typed it).  I lol at the leftover food-I KNOW that will be us next year.  Take the deviled eggs in to the office-everyone loves deviled eggs and they're so easy to pop in your mouth.  I hate the thought of them heading to the trash bin.  (Send them here???)

Hey, what se's are you having with the tamox so far?  I can only identify increased hot flashes, the desire to cry at the drop of a hat, and muscle cramps.  (No weight loss so far, sorry PALady!)  My appointment with my gyn to get my baseline underway is today-in a sick way I'm looking forward to it.

And yeah, I got the transition bifocals built in to the rx sunglasses!  Like you, I'm looking forward to being able to read maps!

Glad your open house went well, KathyL.  You guys are in the same weather pattern as my neck of the woods, so I'm all too familiar with the 5p thunderstorms.  You made me smile with the recommendation to UD for the weather-we keep trying to sell her on William & Mary for weather reasons, but she won't hear of it.  Apparently, W&M has the highest student suicide rate of all colleges.  Who knew?  We told her she wouldn't have to kill herself to go there, but she seems to be holding that stat against the school.  Kids and their decision processes...

Wow, Julie!  I think STL had more people than DC for the Race!  That's an amazing photo.  I hope you can stick to your "kick start."  Exercise is so critical for all of us.

Great photo of you and dh, Paula.  So glad the trip to the Big D went well.  Isn't Dealey Plaza a weird place to visit?  For some reason it has this vibe that kinda creeps me out.  The whole history of it was probably cool for your kids, tho (hard for me to believe that's ancient history to today's high schoolers as I'm one of those who remembers where I was when I heard the news...).

I'm SOOOOOO glad dh was seizure free during the trip.  A bit of acne seems like a small price to pay in the se realm, but easy for me to say as I'm not the one with the acne.  I just hope, hope, hope this will work for dh.  Fingers are crossed.

I thought the boost area was pretty big, too.  Mine was about a 3" circle.  It's really the only part of me that still gets irritated when it's hot outside.  I also notice that if I take a shower that's a bit warm, that I have a 3" red circle on my chest.  My radonc said it would be about six months before everything would behave normally again.  Hang in on the boosts-the finish is truly in sight.

Oh, dd is up!  Guess I'll see if I can motivate her to action and get to the gym.  I'll give the post-gyn report later/tomorrow.

D1

golfer779

Welcom home Paula!!!  I'm filling in as dispatcher at work, so I'm able to check out the post.  Unfortunately your pic won't come up on this computer.  I'll look forward to checking it out when I get home tonight.  My dh is out of town for a couple of days, so my guilt factor of being on line in the eve  will be eased a bit.  Sounds like your trip was great, hopefully your able to catch up on some much needed rest over the next few weeks. 

OMG, I checked out the wieners ... too cute.  Thanks for sharing!

Yep it was me who had the major pain in the neck while on the table at Fri appt.  Yesterday's first zap was no biggie, I was only on the table for about 15 min.  I'll be asking today if my last five appt are boosts.  I got a picture for show and tell of my field, looks like a pretty big area to me, I'm assuming that is because of them also hitting the nodes under the collarbone.  I'm packing my Aquaphor to put on right after my appt, that stuff seems pretty greasy/sticky but if it does the trick I'll be happy to put up with the mess.

D1, I'm all over the bribery technique ... I actually have been so impressed with the whole rad office personnel, from the front desk to the techs, and my doc.  It will be easy to want to share a little goodie or two with them.

Careful not to use the "sparkle" washclothe before your appt today ... you are "sick" if your looking forward to a pelvic exam!!!  I know what you mean actually about being able to talk to a gyn about this whole hormone thing.  Isn't your doc an old geezer???

I'm pretty stoked about having all three of our kids working, dd#2 got a job at Nike town, the family discount is great ... 40% off!!!  Looks like the dh and I will be boating with "our" friends this summer.  We have in the past had a boat full of the kid's friends with us, but with their schedules will be lucky to see much of them.  Life is a changin' , and I'm with you, I guess we've done something right with our parenting skills.  An internship sounds like something that our oldest dd would have liked to do.  She is much more politically involved than her dad and I. 

Back to catch up on my dispatch duties here ... happy Tuesday to you all.

Carol 

Anonymous

Carol, you might consider a pure aloe vera gel to apply also.

Aquaphor lists the active ingredient of petrolatum. That's just basically Vaseline. Derived from crude oil. It makes a barrier between your skin and the outside world, but doesn't add too much to help the skin.

Aloe vera should repair some of the skin burning that is occcurring.

Check with your doctor, of course ....

I'll consider posting a photo. In general, I avoid putting my photo on the Internet.

Determined1

You know what they about about a fool's name and fool's face, LJ, they always end up in public places!  (Guess that's why I've posted so many pix of me!)

Carol, my most amazing lotion had aloe vera, lanolin, collagen, vitamin e and I forget what else, but all good stuff.  Aloe really is the king, so do run that by your radonc.  Perhaps you can use a pure aloe vera lotion after your appointments and save the sticky stuff for bedtime, when you can just put on an old t-shirt.

Now, I want to know, can we use Aquaphor instead of gasoline?  Both from crude...

Back from the gyn.  He's not that old, Carol.  Maybe 10 years on me (that puts him at 60 for those of you experiencing math difficulties).  I like him because he's not quick to use drugs to combat things--he prefers natural healing techniques (I know, so unlike me, but I'm not big into drugs--anymore, anyway).  He's going to order a supplement for me that contains Vit B6, soy, black cohash, flaxseed oil and evening primrose (I think I'm reading his writing correctly).  This supplement is supposed to help with the hot flashes.  I hope it arrives soon!  He's also going to do a pelvic sonogram on me next time to look for any new growths in my uterus or ovaries to help me rest easier about the Tamox.  He did say Tamox is a good drug and that I should relax about it.  That helped me a lot.  He also told me that he's struggling with several patients my age who are rebelling against long term drug therapies.  He said part of the problem is that we're just getting older and suddenly have health issues, when just a year ago we were healthy as could be.  He told me that I'm normal (news to me--wait till I tell my family!) and just allow aging to happen gracefully.  And to take my drugs.  Urgh.  Oh, and I have to go back on Thursday morning after fasting and have bloodwork done to check cholesterol and all that good stuff.  Oh, boy.

Otherwise, he declared me fit.  Oh damn, just remembered that I forgot to ask him about intimacy while taking Tamox (not that it's pending, but a girl can hope, can't she?).  I wonder if I can ask the nurse on Thursday and have her relay the question to him.  If I remember, that's what I'll do.

I also saw my legu and rotator specialist today (the legu is letting the rotator girl use part of her time, since there aren't any openings in the rotator's schedule).  The rotator said she has to start on loosening my chest wall before she can even work on the rotator.  Apparently, my surgeries really screwed up my muscles in my chest--I guess he was really hacking around in there.  So I think I have a ways to go...  As long as they can get me moving painfree again, I don't care.

Only other excitement in my house is that my dog and I both have hair appointments tomorrow.  She's getting her summer 'do and a mani/pedi.  I'm looking in to some color for this gray.  My mil told me on Sunday she thought I looked "arty."  I'm not sure if that's a compliment...  The dh and daughters all say color it.  So off I go.  I could stand to lose 10 years--particularly since my gyn called me old today!

Later.

D1

kris60

whew...... #10 down  I see a big bright light.. 2 left, 14 days... almost a single digit midget.......

crazy times. diabetic daughter has been playing softball 3 games this week, including tonight.  We drive to Gainesveille Tx. Saturday night.she is going to Camp Sweeney (diabetic camp) for 3 weeks, come home for 2 days, then go back for 3 more weeks.  Needless to say last year we used a big plastic tub for her stuff, clothes, towels, sheets etc etc... and it kept collapsing. We couldn't find a big enough trunk, so being the handy dandy ppl we are, we are building one.  whew.  First coat of paint went on, and now we're off to softball.  Oh, and the camp is actually like club med.  http://www.campsweeney.org/

thanks for all the good thoughts coming my way.....

tootles

KathyL

Hi Jewels!  I'm still not too thrilled with this new format...  But I'm in a mood as you'll read...

Crazy busy day at work.  Plus Aunt Flo came on with a vengeance/the flood gates opened.  I hate my hormones!!!

Came home and they delivered the wrong fridge tonight (gave us a cheaper one than what we ordered).  We called them as soon as we realized it (about 5 minutes after they left our house), but they would not return tonight with the right one.  I'm more than a little PO'ed.  Plus I now realize that it's smaller than what I wanted.  Maybe the mix up will work out though...  I'm going to try and go to the store tomorrow and bargain for a bigger model.  

Oh, and my cleaning service never called me back today. I left them a very nice message yesterday and asked them to call today to confirm our new service to start next week. Maybe I'm just touchy...

And to top it off, dd's dance school pissed me off, too!  I had to call 2x, and e-mail 2x (over the past week) before I finally got a response tonight about her next class level this fall.  The class was supposed to be Friday evenings (after she polled all of the parents about which time and day would be best).  It's now Wednesdays at a time we can't make. WTF??!!

 Is it me today???  I'm in such a pissy mood now!  Guess I should go to bed and start over tomorrow.  I have my DEXA and MUGA, but will try to check in later on (hopefully in a much more pleasant mood).  Sorry gals for the kvetching tonight

golfer779

Hi Jewels,

Just got home from golfing with my gf, the Tuesday night women league is a slow round of golf ... I was starved by the time I got home, and just inhaled dinner. Its just me and the "wieners" tonight, the ds is at his Dad's and the dh is out of town.

Today the nurse at the rad center went over the basics of skin care for the treated area. I told her about what I have learned talking with you all, now that your experienced rad queens. Sounds like we're all on the same page. I started using Aquaphor as I heard in mentioned here, I like the ideas of both D1 and LJ, to use some aloe vera and stick to the goopy stuff at night. I'll probably end up with it all over the sheets, as it seems I'm stripping off my top almost every night. Last night it was warm (for the PNW), and I slept horribly, awakening to numerous sweatfests. Had the fans a blarring, whipped the covers off of me to then wake up freezing cold. Preaching to the choir, eh?

Question, being the watersport enthusiast we are, I asked about exposing my body to salt water during the rads schedule, it was not recommended to go there. And a chlorinated pool was out of the question. Looks like its going to be a dry summer for me, with a lot of shirts instead of swimsuit tops. So much for hanging out in our friends pool while in CA, looks like I'll be soaking my feet poolside with my "pregnant" gf!

D1, your right about 60 not being that old, isn't 50 the new 40? I've heard of taking black cohash for the sweats, whats the scoop with soy? I was under the impression that soy is a no-no for us estrogen positive gals.

So the pelvic sonogram ... are they looking at something that has been there in the past, or just looking to see if there is nothing there so you'll know? Trying to figure this picture out.

I'll be looking forward to covering the gray here soon too. I have probably about another week to 10 days of "shedding" as I like to call it, then I'll be ready to do something. Although I certainly can't bitch about having hair, I can complain that is wild. It used to be straight, now I have it going every which way. I try to style it and I look like I just rolled out of bed.

Good luck with your shoulder pain, as far as loosening up the chest wall, did it seem to get tighter after your rad txts. I was warned today that it quite common to loose a lot of the ROM that I have gotten back, and going back to my PT will be a good idea once this rad thing is done.

Kris, you seem to be sailing right through your last few txts. Glad to hear it. Oh the many years of softball I played from childhood til I was about 34. Sounds like your dd team is a busy one, is Gainesville a bit of a drive from your home? Wow, your daughter will be at camp most of the summer, I take it the Club Med atmosphere isn't too hard to take. That's great that she is able to go and be with others that are in her same shoes.

Oh Kathy, I'd be beside myself as well with the day you had. Lets hope that hump day brings on a little better "mojo". We'll be thinking positive thoughts for some good news on your scans.

Paula, what a great pic from the "Big D", I was so happy to hear that your trip went so well, and that Ed's seizures seem to be in check. You both make a good looking couple! I'll be adding the pic for the collage.

Happy 15^th to dd, and hopefully the driver's permit test was successful.

Tina, any word from ds on his WA experience? I'm hoping he is still out here now that the weather has gotten a bit nicer.

A pleasant eve to all, Carol

kris60

yeah Carol, the aches, pains and feet hurting is still there, but I try to ignore it.  Gainesville is about 3 - 3.5 hrs away.  It's 3 three week sessions, last year she went 1st and 3rd, but missed softball sooooo this year she is going 2nd and 3rd so she could play ball.  I played softball growing up also, so I know where you're coming from.  One of the coaches is starting a traveling team for tournaments next year and wants her to play.  So that's pretty cool.  OK, time to go try to get some shuteye...haha yeah right  decadron high..... Happy hump day 

Kris

wvgirl

Good Morning.

What great pics thanks for sharing them

Well things are not going too well.

DH is back to drinking. Well its only been twice but he has went out and stayed out.

This first time he did have the since to have someone bring him home and did not drive.

That Sun. Morning I went to get my car to drive him to pick up his truck. My tire was flat.

When I went to put air in it it was coming out as fast. I found a hole about the size of my

thumb. The DH laughed! I told him I did not think that was very funny and was not very nice.

No I have to but 2 tires that I did not intended on. He still laughed !

Last Friday I wanted to go to a survivor picnic and told him about it. When I got home from work he

was still in his work cloths. He said you are just in time to help clean the garage and laughed.

Well I said you make it so F"N miserable I don't even want to come home after work. He laughed

I can't understand him. He does ask he how I am. I just tell him Fine. The love I had has turned to

hate.

Well the relay went great Saturday. All survivors was given a butterfly in an envelope. They read

about and old Indian tradition. When you make a wish . wish it up on a butterfly. For they can

not talk and will fly away with your wish to the sky.It was very emotional. There was a 40 year old

survivor. They read each name and told how many years they were a surivor. I was the newbie

Then we made our survivor lap. Then another for the caregivers my mom was there and walked with me. The DH did come later and walked 1 lap after the luminaries was lit.

One lady came up and gave me a hug and said bless you. It was very emotional.

The local Wal Mart donated 5,000.00

It was a great day.

I called to make sure I was on the paper to have my MRI and MUGA Friday.

Yes on the MUGA no on the MRI  The registration desk F-ed up.

This is not the first time. I am so up set. I can not take much more

between the problems at home the the new found lump and

now this mix up with appointments I am ready to SCREAM!!.

Carla

JulieK_11_30_07

Hi girls! Hope everyone is having a good Wednesday! We were up late last night watching the last episodes of the "Tudors" on DVD. We got hooked on it while I was going through chemo and finally got the last one. We can't wait till the next season comes out!

Well, my pool decided to spring a LEAK yesterday!! Just a little hole at the bottom of one of the sides, but it was spraying water everywhere!!! I finally got it temporarily stopped by diving down and putting a flat magnet against it - my dh's idea - I was shocked that it worked! We'll have to get a patch for it and get it patched this weekend.

Carol - hope you're enjoying you "alone" time! I didn't do a whole lot - just kind of chilled which was nice. I worked on the computer for a while and did get a little work done. I worked out again yesterday (1.25 miles on the tm), then I stayed in the pool after fixing the leak and did some leg, butt, and arm toning exercises I did last summer. My foobies were KILLING me this morning - I think I'll skip the arm ones for a while!

Paula - WELCOME HOME!!! Glad you had such a nice time in Dallas! Those student trips can really take it out of you. Even when you know you have a "good" group, it's hard not to worry about everything going right. YAY - you're almost done with rads!!! Hope the dd's permit test went well!!

D1 - glad your gyn appt went well. Sounds like he really listens to you - that's good! Hope your and doggie's hair appts went well today! I'm trying to decide when I'll be ready for a "trim" - hoping it'll be long enough before school starts to go topless.

Kris - so glad you're starting to see the light at the end of your tunnel!! Sounds like your daughter's camp is really neat!

Kathy - sure hope your day today is better than yesterday! You had every right to be irked and frustrated!! Hope your tests go okay today.

Carla - so sorry to hear your DH is still not being supportive for you - sounds like he can be downright mean. Just remember, it's most important for you to take care of yourself and do what will make you happy. I'm glad you got to enjoy your relay on Saturday - the butterfly release is such a neat idea! I hope your appts go well for you.

Well, Jewels, I'm gonna go work on my slideshow from my Relay/Race events. I'll post some pics here too before I sign off. Hope everyone has a great Wednesday night!!

Julie

My sis and I at the finish line!

Picking up our "Top 100 Fundraiser" prizes.

Ds, dh, and I after the race.

Part of the "Jules Rules" team....

tinalee123

Hi friends,

D1 – I am interested to hear about your supplement.  I second Carol’s question about the soy.  But, would love to take something that could roll several things into one pill.  I still take vit E.  I took your advice about the deviled eggs.  Took ‘em to work and they were gone in a snap!  Also took the leftover grad cake, same demise.  My tamox se’s are really mild.  I think it’s contributing to more frequent hot flashes, but, am only getting them at night.  Also have quite a bit of stiffness in the legs.  I take gluclosamine which seems to help a little with that.  No weight loss with me, either (dammit).

Julie – Amazing pics!  Wow, all those people…it hardly looks real. Great shots of you and your sis, and family.  I’m glad you had a great time.  I’ll bet you’re looking forward to that exchange surgery.  Makes a huge difference.

Paula – Glad you had a great trip to the big D.  What a nice pic of you and dh.  So happy that it was uneventful, medically speaking.  OMG those wiener pics were so funny!  They are just the cutest things!

Carol – We haven’t heard from ds #1.  We knew that though.  He’s out of cell range.  I was startled slightly when I heard on this evenings’ news about a group being lost in the Sierra Nevada’s – part of the Outward Bound program.  Then I went, whew!  (They were found ok.)  Bummer about the water report! 

Kathy – What a day!  Hope things went well for testing today.

Carla – I’m sorry to hear about your continued struggles with DH.  You just don’t need that on top of the other things you have to deal with.  I’m wishing for less of those for you!!

Well, it’s in the 80’s here now girls.  According to our weather lady last night, we haven’t had 80’s since October of last year.  Seriously.  And, we’ve got the humidity to match.  I guess summer has arrived.  Thank goodness for central ac.  The garden is doing well, hopefully, with this warm weather the tomatoes will actually grow! 

Gotta run and get dinner going.  Have a good evening!

Tina

KathyL

Carol:  Hoping your rads go well as you have lots of good tips to go on from here.  I know a lot of it is up to chance and how your skin holds up, but still hoping for a good outcome for you.  Sorry to hear it will be a dry summer for you-no pool or ocean-what a bummer!

Carla:  What an emotional roller coaster you are on.  So sorry the DH is at it again.  You just don't need that. 

OTOH your Relay sounds like it was great.  I love the butterfly idea-I'm sure you had many things to wish for, too!  And them saying everyone's name and length of survivorship is pretty cool.

Keep your chin up.  I wish good things to come your way.

Julie:  What awesome pictures!  You look great, girl!  I love the one of you, ds, and dh.

Happy to report I am in a much better state after today.  Got in touch with the cleaning company-they start next Wednesday!  Upgraded the fridge and the new one (hopefully the RIGHT one this time) will be here Friday night.  Couldn't manage to get anymore $$$ off (even with the post-chemo hair and the pink bracelet, and the BC hat!).  Oh well!  Still hoping to work things out for dd and dancing this fall.  I haven't given up yet... it'll all work out somehow.  The teacher is on vacation, so I'm waiting to hear from her when she gets back.

My tests were a snap today.  Had the DEXA first-you just lay there.  Had the MUGA second.  Went very smoothly, even though my vein acted up and blew, but it was at the end of the second injection and it didn't hurt, just bruised a little.  I think I'll know my results on Friday.  Of course, they tell you nothing while you're there.

Hope everyone else is having a good Hump Day.  Back to work tomorrow!

golfer779

Good Eve

Just getting a chance to see what's been happening today. My rad appt was rescheduled for after work today so the doc could be in on it. They we're measuring for a "bolus" (sp). That rubbery sheeth thing -a-ma-jigger.

Anyway got home later than I would have liked, needed to get a short walk in so decided to walk up to a local hair salon (not my usual one), to get a little trim. The stylist said I seem to have a lot of unruly cow'licks, that was a no sh*tter! I hate to complain but I think having my hair not completely fall out, but thinning in half and then having this new stuff popping in all directions is pretty funky looking. So got the trim, then headed back towards my house when the Mexican restaurant was calling my name. Stopped in for a Corona lite and chicken tostada, I don't typically like dining alone, but it sure was good.

Kathy, glad to hear that your day was much better. Its funny how sometimes when the you know what hit's the fan, it really hit's the fan. Atleast it sounds like you got it all out of your system in one full swoop. Hoping your Thursday gets even better, even if you have to go to work.

Tina, sounds like its time for the Harley's to hit the road. There is going to be a local rally of Harley riders on Friday in our neck of the woods. In fact they showed a route map and they will be going by our house (within about a 100 yds), at about 6:00. Should be quite the sight, as it said there would be 400 or so riders!

We're supposed to hit the 80's as well this weekend. About time, we've been in fleece a bit too long.

Julie, your looking great gal! How nice we have matching shirts!!! Lets hope that someday they can stop making the pink ones. Thanks for sharing the pics, they really add a great touch to your story. I'll be adding them to the collage as well.

Diving to patch a pool, and sore Foobies, hmmmm, so great to hear that your hitting the tm, and pool as well. Looks like maybe this year won't be our year for waterskiing. You with your new Foobs, and me with my burn't pancake!

Carla, I know that if I don't have something good to say I should keep my trap shut, but .... it saddens me to hear about your DH causing a lot of extra stress in your life. Is there a possibility of maybe another family member or close friend talking to your dh? Maybe if he heard from somebody other than yourself how painful his actions and words are he could get a bit of a reality check. That or have somebody bop him upside his head.

I'm so glad that you we're able to participate in your Relay event. It sounds like it had some really well thought out ideas to make the event extra special.

D1, looking for your report from your "do" coloring.

Just thought of something, have any of you started your tamoxifan while doing rads, or do they seem to wait until after the rads are completed. I'll be seeing my onc next week, will be asking, but in the mean time I'm curious.

Off to bed with the wieners, its funny when my dh is home they like to sleep on his side of the bed, but since he's been gone the last couple of nights they want to snuggle on my side ... just what I need two hot wiener dogs next to me when I'm having ump-teen hot flashes throughout the night.

Pleasant dreams to all, Carol

Determined1

Grrrr.  My internet has been down for about a day and a half.  I got up at 6:15 this morning to call in and try to fix it when there wasn't much traffic (read that to say time on "hold").  I got a temporary fix-the repairman will be here on Monday.  I sure hope it doesn't fritz out too much between now and then...

On a happy front, I got my hair done yesty.  Color (the washout kind again, just because we don't want to stain the scalp and make me look stupid (stupider)) and a cut!  She even needed a broom to clean up afterwards!  It's super short on the back and sides again, but she left the top longer.  She's trying to give it some shape as it grows in.  The family doesn't think there's enough color in it-they want it darker, but I'm hesitant to go too dark as I don't want the shoe polish on the head effect.  Maybe more color next time (at the end of July).

The dog's grooming appointment was a great success.  She's ready for summer!

Wow, Kris, the countdown is on!  Don't make that trunk so big that you can't lift it...

Oh yeah, KathyL, now THAT'S a rant!  You go girl!  Get that negativity off your chest!  (I loved the way you were still able to find the silver lining in the whole freezer fiasco-I'm anxious to read on and see how everything resolved.)

Bummer, Carol, on the watersports ban.  I didn't even think of that.  Sounds like an excuse to sip on a margarita or something when you're parked on the poolside.    The sonogram will scan for any changes on the inside.  Call me paranoid, but I'm not taking any chances.  I asked him about the estrogens in soy, too.  He said it's photo-estrogen, meaning derived from plants.  He said it would be okay.  I'm doing some research on all the ingredients and I'm not really sure on all of them.  I'm hoping SIS Kimberly or LJ will know something-they both seem to be up on this sort of thing.

Carla, I'm so sorry that there are so many bumps in your road.  I did see a positive in the fact that the DH (I noted you're using uppercase) showed up for a lap at your relay event.  And I loved the butterfly idea.  I'm sure it was very moving.  Get the MUGA on Fri and then get those nimrods in scheduling to get you on the MRI calendar.  Like you, I become quite frustrated with people who don't seem to be able to do their jobs.  Keep a calm head and try to treat them nicely, but firmly.  You don't want to piss them off and make them any less helpful (as if), but you do want to get your scans done ASAP.  Can your doc help with the scheduling snafu???  (Oh, and scream if you need to, we'll be listening.)

A leak in the pool, Julie?  Not good timing for that.  I hope repairs don't set you back too much.  I loved your pics from your Race.  You look amazing.  And everyone around you is so happy.  Good for you.

Back to the supplements for me, (you reminded me Tina), I'm going to run them by my onc before I start to take them.  I want to be sure everyone is on the same page.  God forbid I screw something up now-after all of this!

Oh, and yeah, the hot flash thing is the most prevalent se I'm having too, Tina.  I wish mine were just at night.  The tamox seems to make them MUCH worse during the day and only worse at night (they were already bad at night, so they couldn't get much worse).

Good to hear things settled a bit for you, KathyL.  Hey, you worked the cancer card on the fridge front-be pleased with your result.  By Friday you'll have everything straightened out.  It's all for the best.  You'll have to let us know what your scan results are.  Glad you survived the blown vein okay-I know we're the two biggest needle weenies on our thread! 

Carol, I've kicked my dog out of the bed, much to her dismay.  I couldn't deal with her body heat and my body heat in the same bed.  You're a nicer mommy than I am!  (And thing-a-ma-jigger?  Is that a technical term???)

I should go read the paper with dh for a few before he heads off for work.

Later.

D1

golfer779

Okay Rad Queens ... did any of you have them use a bolus during your zappings?  I have been snooping around on-line, sounds like it may end up causing more irritation to the field.  Leaving work here in a few, I have some great Norweigan cookies (from a great local bakery) that I'll be bribing the rad crew with!!!

Paula, 2 two go??? Your almost there gal!!!!

I'll be checking back in later today, hope all is well with my fellow Gems.

Carol

wvgirl

GOOD NEWS !!!!

I Called and told the MRI Dept I NEEDED THIS before July 1 my surgeon needs report by then.

I told them I would come anytime. She ask if I minded coming down on Sat am at 7:30

I said no I would come anytime...SO YEA

D1-I maybe should have used the lower case for dh. But I am still pissed at him for laughing when

I went out to my car and had a busted tire. I had to buy 2 new tires. He laughed  I told him that was

not nice he still laughed. ERRRR

Julie what great pictures.

PAlady

Good Morning All!

I really don't care for this new site layout. Haven't found anything that is "improved". I was hoping they were going to make it easier to do searches within the threads.

Carol - Wow - $52 is great money for tips. That would motivate me, too! Andrew has only pulled in about half that. He is happy though, because he has been getting minimum wage ($7.25 I think) on the job he has been doing. I think the "dryers" only get about $2 an hour and supposed to be making up the rest in tips. How great to get the 40% off on Nike stuff! My ds is a little over 6' and I am 5'6". It looked like there was the same height difference between you two. 

LOL at your husband pumping you with estrogen comment! As far as carrying kid's shit, I've always told my kids I feel like the friggin pack mule when we go anywhere!

Both of my soccer players were lucky(?) enough to land on really good teams. Most of the teams in the club do not travel as extensively. The fall trips that my older ds are doing are with his high school. They go to St. Louis and to Kentucky. I think that is only because their coach went to college in Kentucky and has a lot of contacts that way.

I agree with LJ on the aloe stuff. I used the aquaphor at night and pure aloe during the day. Keep the aloe in the fridge and it is very soothing. When will your rads be over? It's funny how we all hear different things from our docs. Wasn't Cathy ok to go in the salt water? My doc was fine with me going in chlorine. I know a couple of ladies I was reading about before rads had the same differences in their doc's instructions, too. I do think once you are done there is no problem going in either. The skin seems to heal up pretty quickly. I have heard of a bolus, but not really sure what it is.

D1 - I think I will have to start looking for one of those bags. Where did you end up getting it? Preen is actual granules that you spread and just water in, or cover with mulch or dirt. They do not hurt the surrounding plants at all - you can use it in veggie gardens too. It works great for I think about 3 months. You and Kathy must be getting our storms. We have had some doozies.  Thankfully they have been short lived.

So with your hair being done, are you done with the headcovers? I think I will call my girl to get mine done next week. Mine is still soooo dark. I need to get some highlights or something. The few people who have seen it are shocked at how dark it is.

Cathy - I like the way you are doing your 3 day. Sounds like you are going to get the best of both worlds!

Tina - Glad your party went well. I am looking forward to hopefully having my gyn run some baselines for me on the hormone thing. I hadn't had mine except for one day in March.  I did start to spot yesterday, though.

Kathy - Glad your party went well, too. Sounds like it was fun. I have an idea who my SP is, but not certain. I don't think I am sure who all is in it, though. Are you sure you didn't forget to put those wieners out on purpose?!    I haven't heard of a DEXA scan. What is that for? Oooh, sorry you had such a bad day on Tuesday. I am sure the hormones did nothing but aggravate everything.

Hi Julie! - That picture from the paper is amazing! I don't think we have a Race For The Cure around here. I love the pictures you posted. You look great!

Paula - Glad your trip went well and dh held up, too! Nice pic of you and dh. Great that you both got to go. Yay - tomorrow is your last day for rads!!!

Wvgirl - Sorry to hear about your DH. I could not live like that. I am glad you had your mom to go on the relay with you. Just read about your MRI - glad you can finally get that done.

I started with some discomfort/tightness around the right breast and upper arm on Monday night. I started freaking a bit thinking it might be a bit of lymphadema. Been trying to be extra careful with lifting etc. I had to go yesterday for a 6 week follow up on rads. Saw PA and she said she could feel a thickening around the right breast and I should watch it for a week or two and if it doesn't change have it looked at. I see my gyno next Thursday so that should be enough time. I  did start spotting yesterday afternoon, so I am hoping it is just hormone changes? They also did the xrays on my pelvis/hips and thighs yesterday - still following up on my leg pain. I am sure they will find nothing on there.

Well, today I am having a marathon laundry day and trying to get packed for the road trip tomorrow. I want to try and get on the road by 8:30 or 9:00. That is probably wishful thinking, though as I am usually late getting on the road!

RN2teach

Hey Jewels,

I'm just back from rads. Tomorrow morning is the LAST ONE! Ordered an Edible Arrangment (a bouquet made with fruit) to be delivered to the staff tomorrow.

D1- Glad you found a bag that worked, even though it wasn't a perfect fit. I have a hobo bag that I carried in Dallas. It has lots of compartments and held all the kids' supplies as well as dh's emergency seizure meds. Unfortunately, it is leather and I grew to hate it in the Texas heat!

So, when are you going to post a pic of your new do?? I haven't got enough hair to cover my scalp yet, but it is coming in fast now. I have pretty much ditched my headcoverings d/t the heat. There are a LOT of different colors growing in... brown, silver, gray. My mom swears there are blonde ones as well, but I think those are probably the non-pigmented ones that came in first--they're the longest. 

Julie- great pics of you and your family at the race. I'm SO jealous of those TAN legs, girlfriend! You look great!! 

I got hooked on the Tudors this spring. Have watched all of the first 2 seasons now. (Henry Cavill (Charles Brandon) is a hottie, doncha think?!) Hate that the women all have to die-- Kennedy was a great Catherine of Aragon and I LOVED Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn.

Tina- the graduation party sounds wonderful. (taking notes for next year).

Our garden is looking good also. We have lots of deer here, but they're giving us a break so far--some years they can wipe us out!

WVGirl- I'm sorry the dh is still being a DH at times. Hang in there! You're in my thoughts and prayers as you get those tests done-- doing the NED dance for you!

KathyL- I bow to pay homage to the Jewels' very own Rant Queen!  I feel more normal knowing that I'm not alone in having pissy moods. Aunt Flo alone is enuf for a "hissy fit" (another of granny's descriptives). Add in the rest of the stuff you had going in one day and you totally deserve to be P/O'ed!  Hope everything works out in your favor!

Oh yeah, kudos on the open house. What a wonderful idea to thank all of the people who have supported you through this BC journey. Think I'll steal that idea! 

Carol, I hear you on the aquaphor being slimey. Don't smear it on too thick ("a little dab'll do"). I used it right after my rads and again at bedtime. Take LJ's advice on the aloe, if your rads doc is okay with that. Aloe has got to feel better than the greasy stuff! (And I love PALady's advice on putting the aloe in the frig!) The main thing is keeping the skin hydrated and your water intake is a biggy there, too.

I found the following info online at http://www.curetoday.com/backissues/v3n1/webexclusive/radiation/index.html

Bolus, a flabby, rubbery material, is used in certain situations to "fool" the radiation beam so it will deposit the maximum dose on the skin surface instead of a fraction of an inch deeper, as it would otherwise. Therefore, a skin reaction is almost inevitable in this scenario. Bolus is usually incorporated into radiation therapy for skin cancers or when a surgical scar, such as a mastectomy scar, needs to receive a full dose of radiation therapy.

Kris- your dd's camp looks wonderful! Hope she has a great time. I'm so glad your chemo days are nearly over. We're all cheering for you as you near the finish line!

PALady- wow! You've been finished with rads for 6 weeks already? I hope the xrays turn out okay. I'm still having leg pain--mostly at night. My onco referred me to a neurologist, but I don't see her until September. In the meantime, he prescribed Mirapex for RLS (restless legs synd.). It is working pretty well.

I'm off to take dh to his onco appointment. Have a good evening, Gems!

Paula

JulieK_11_30_07

Hi Jewels --- my life as I know it has come to an end!! Last night we went to look at lab puppies so my ds could pick one out and we came home with TWO b/c my dh decided he "needed" one too!! I had forgotten how much work puppies can be!!

Until I have more time to write, here are some pics of the adorable little guys.....

Ds with Vader (left) and Cain (right)

Cain's favorite spot.

Vader loves his rope toy!

golfer779

Hey Paula, thanks for your synopsis on the bolus, I just got back from my txt today, and they are planning on using the bolus for every txt, YIKES!!!!  I guess they want to hit it with the big guns ...!!!  Your description was exactly what they explained to me today.  I made "brownie points" or I guess you'd call them "cookie points" with the staff, a few of them we're walking around with powered sugar on their lips!!!

Carol

texrn

Hi everyone,

A very belated 'Thank You' to my SP - I received a very entertaining book with some very entertaining pictures! & Dove chocolate w/ nuts - my FAVORITE!!!

Also, Kimberly, thank you for the sweet card ( does this mean you are my SP? ).My 'girls' are fluffing out quite nice - I am so thankful to have some kind of discernible shape under my shirts/tanks/etc...Went to V.Secrets a week or so ago ( had rec'd a gift card from my sister for mother's day). I measured in at a respectable 38C - which is exactly where I had planned & hoped to be. It's nice, though, not to have to wear a bra all of the time - especially in this Texas heat!

...speaking of Texas heat - Paula, loved the pictures from your trip. If you ever come back out to the big D, give me a call - I would love to come out & meet you! I'm only about 20-30 minutes southwest of Dallas.

Julie - Wow! seeing your picture of "the sea of pink..." gave me goosebumps - I can imagine what an awesome sight it would have been to have witnessed it in person. Loved your pictures, too!

Carol - when is your 3Day? Sounds like your ready-to-go!

D1- I would love to see some pix of your new 'do'. How long does the wash-in hair color last? Pre-bc I had always had semi-permanent color but I'm not ready to go that route yet - am thinking about trying the wash-in (wash-out?) color. My hair is 'pepper & salt' with just enough 'salt' to make it look slate grey. As thankful as I am to have hair 'at all' it's still kind of disheartening to see my reflection in the mirror because I still don't recognize myself. I'm feeling pretty normal these days & I'm keeping busy enough where I think about bc less & less every day - & when I see my reflection in a window, a mirror, etc.. it's just a reminder of what I try all day to forget..it's like "oh yeah... now I remember".

Well, I'd better go for now - there's a MOUNTAIN of laundry calling my name....

Will shout-out more later!

Therese

golfer779

Hey Kimberly, hoping that the wild fires I'm hearing about on the news are not too close to your neck of the woods.  I'll be chatting with my gf in Redding, from what I'm reading it certainly looks like a ugly situation. 

 On that note ... welcome home!!!

KathyL

D1:  You must post a picture of the new 'do.  I am hoping to get some color at my next appointment in July.

Julie:  What cute puppies.  We have a choc. lab-- they are a handful!

Paula:  Congrats on the last rads!!!

Well, it's been a roller coaster week for me.  Today was a downswing I think.  Got the call at 10AM, during an important meeting that ds was sick at school  While trying to figure out what to do, got the call that dd was sick in the next room over!  luckily dh went to the rescue and worked from home the rest of the day, and will be home tomorrow with the dears.  I have no personal time to use until August, so would've had to take it without pay...

Then I got my tests results back (OK, I peeked at them-- I know, I know, stupid move!  But I did call both docs to discuss).  My DEXA scan (which looks at bone density), showed osteopenia in my left hip and femur-- not oggd since I'm only 37.  This is one step before osteoporosis.  Really not much I can do except take my calcium (which I do faithfully) and increase weight bearing exercise (which I don't do well).  I guess I have to hope the bone loss slows down or I'll ahve osteoporosis before I'm 40.  I'm waiting to hear of my GYN wants to do more; but I doubt it.  I'll probably get another DEXA next year I'd bet.  Then, my MUGA showed I went from 65% to 53%, which also isn't good.  I haven't heard back from my onc about what he's going to do.  There's only 2 choices that I see--- stop herceptin, or keep going and hope it doesn't do more damage and that this reverses.  I'm not sure which I want.  Herceptin is my safety net, but I really don't want heart damage at my age and especially after my dad had his heart attack. 

I was doing OK until I stopped to think about it all.  Stupid move... I started to get upset thinking about not being here for my kids as they grow up--- that BC hadn't got me but all it's long term SEs might!  Worried that if I stop the herceptin the BC will come back.  Oh what a mess!  Sorry girls to be a downer, I just know you'll understand the crazy thoughts better than anyone else.

Cathy-CA

Kathy -- sorry to hear about sick kids, dexa and muga all in the same day.  Are you doing cardio faithfully?  The reason I ask is that my LVEF went up a couple points on Herceptin and the only thing I can think of is that the first echo was done when I was still recovering from surgery so wasn't doing much exercise.  The next one was when I was back at full tilt.  I do think cardio helps, so you might ask your doc if it's worth increasing strength training and cardio and then rechecking the heart.

 Julie -- the puppies are adorable!  While I'm sure you didn't need more work, they'll be worth it.

Paula -- congratulations on finishing rads.  I finished the whole breast rads today and start the boosts tomorrow.  I have started using steroid cream since I was getting red under my arm and breast and am hoping that will prevent any oozing or blistering.

Therese -- glad to hear your reconstruction and fills are going well.  What a nice gift from your sis for mother's day.

Carla -- glad you're able to get the testing your want quickly.  It's such a pain to have to wait for all this stuff when you just want to get it over and done with.

PALady -- hope you're having fun on your road trip and you made it through all your laundry.  Seems like that stuff is always piling up around here, too.

Carol -- Make sure you put aloe on under your arm and breast as well as the breast.  I didn't even think about under my arm until it started getting red since it was only getting indirect radiation.  It's actually my worst spot at this point.  And, I have continued to be in water through this whole thing.  The original instructions were I could be in until I got red.  I've decided as long as it's not an open, oozing sore, I'm not giving up aqua aerobics.  I only have the seven boosts left, so I've made it most of the way.  Unfortunately, due to July 4th and my son's college orientation, it will take almost two full weeks to get in seven treatments.

D1 -- I envy you babydoc.  The dour docs at the rad clinic are always so damn negative that they irritate me.  The latest from them this week is that things get worse before they get better, so even though I'm almost done, it will probably be worse after I finish treatment.  Did you find that to be the case?  If so, how far out from treatment did you turn the corner and start getting better?

 Kimberly -- thank you for the postcard.  I was in Chicago in October and loved the Cloud Gate.  I sent dh photos from my cell phone of me standing in front of it reflecting back.

 Not much going on here today.  Dh and son are out fishing tonight, so I'm by myself.  Probably should catch up on bills, so I can get them in the mail tomorrow, but that sounds boring.