Starting Chemo May 2008

MsKarin

Robin - got it, thank you. So appropriate and the added bonus that I collect butterflies.

angelsaboveus

 Robin thanks for the 25th wish but ours isn't until Sept. 1 , I will hold that wish until then though! But we are going to a 25th surprise party for our friends out of town tomorrow.

I have 9 people coming for dinner so better get at it, I tend to always leave things to the last, seem to accomplish more that way . Making it simple pulled pork bunwiches, coleslaw, committee salad, raw veggies, and strawberries , icecream topped with liqouer for dessert, there should be leftovers if any of ya are hungry !

Cheers,

JulieC

Sounds yummy.  What is committee salad?

angelsaboveus

It has fancy lettuce, gr onions, red onions, and mandarin oranges

the dressing  for a larger salad  is    1/2 c olive oil, 2- 3 tbs red wine vinegar,     1 tbs lemon juice,   2 tsp. of sugar, garlic clove, 1/2 tsp of dry mustard and i add the seasoning to the ichiban noodles to spice it up. Then toast almonds and the soup noodles for over top , its tasty !

otter

LOL!  I'd never heard of "committee salad," either, so I googled it.  I just figured it was a salad made of fixin's that each person contributed.  You know, like, "I'll bring the lettuce, you bring the 'maters, sis will bring the carrot slices, mom will bring the mayo," etc.  Mine sounds more fun, doesn't it?

otter 

kerry_lamb

Ok, it looks like Angels is the caterer for our little get-together, and Kristy...I can't remember exactly why..I SEEM to remember some much earlier discussions about yummy recipes..and maybe Jen? Do I remember sweet potato somethingaratherers?? Randy will have to supply the eggs because my fecking sweet little chooks are loving their life, but NOT SHOWING THEIR GRATITUDE BY LAYING!!  Otter, I completely understand the confusion AND the anxiety. Thank, thank, thank, thank God my anxiety disappeared about 6 weeks(?) ago. I really worried for my marrieage. The anxiety would start small and then just grow and grow until I completely freaked out. Sigh. AND Rock is TOO d.a.t. I hate this disease. On a happier note, I've had 7 perfect nights sleep with the new boyfriend temazapam, and tonight I'm going to try a sleep without him. XXX Love you and worry for every single one of you. PS My Dad was 76 this week and said he has never felt better! Can you believe that guy? And he won't see us for Christmas because it will be 'too inconvenient': he's traveling around Australia (again!) and will be in Darwin!

kerry_lamb

PPS: Antarctica is closer (LITERALLY) to where we live than Darwin is

Sable

Robin~ the shovel brigade started many months back.... somebody, I can't remember who was, having problems with a doc or a nurse. Then another somebody, I think karin, popped up with "I'll show up with a shovel and beat the tar out of that person". So anytime somebody has problems... we all pull out the shovels and get ready to swing LOL.

ellenoire

hmm DAT. can't remember shit. Hope everyone is well.

Robin, send me a pic of your hair and fill me in on your step by step. DevaCurl Angell is bar none -35 years of trying curly hair products 15 years of selling them -the BEST curly hair gel on the market. You are a DevaVirgin and need DevaCurl lessons. My bet is you are putting the Gel on hair that is too dry and possibly using too little(yes, i know you said you used a lot... let me work that out) 

 Have u watched the video and followed it to the letter? 

Didn't shovel brigade start on Road to Hell..? 

Tired.. nite all. 

otter

Hmmmmm..... I thought Sue had something to do with the shovels.  Not sure where it began--maybe here, maybe on Traci's "Moan and Groan" thread.  I assumed the shovels were for burying whatever was left when we got done.

We all embraced the concept, though.  Lots of new euphemisms:  D.A.T., shite, fecking, IOS (from Traci's thread = incident of suckiness), etc.

Hugs from snowy Oklahoma...

otter 

Jeano77

Morning!  It is a tropical 26 degrees here, far cry from the 65 degrees last week!  No snow and plenty of sunshine, so I am happy as can be. 

I met with my Pulmonary doc yesterday to review the CT scan.  The CT scan showed a reduction of "matter" in my left lung (yeah) . . . but still evidence of what is believed to be scarring.  It is also possible that I have something called BOOP (Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia).  They are keeping me on prednisone for another 6 weeks.  If no change to the CT scan in 6 weeks, I am simply left with permanent scarring from radiation.  If a reduction in matter after 6 weeks, she indicated that I likely had BOOP along with the scarring.  Just reading up on that more now.  All in all, I am feeling great!

Dana - Lights out on the node indeed!!!  Have a song in mind for the CD?  If not, I can use one of the extras submitted by the group.  Just let me know either way. 

Karin - I laughed at the bear pole dance until I had tears in my eyes!  Thank you for the big belly laugh!! 

Angels - the thought of them trying to squish my mast side had me running for the hills as well.  Yikes!

Hugs to all!

Jean

lewing

Oh my goodness, I'm so relieved that others are as freaked out as me at the thought of a mast side mammo!  Angels, when you first posted about that, I bounced back and forth between concern that my own unilateral mammo was somehow inadequate, and horror at the thought of trying ANYTHING on the other side.  But then my usual curiosity came into play.  What exactly do they do???

 Noelle, if next weekend (April 4-5) uncomplicates itself for you, I'll be around and available all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon (though with a half marathon in the morning, I'm not sure what kind of shape I'll be in).  The following weekend I'll be in Chicago (Mary???).  The weekend of 18-19 is totally free.  

 Jean, glad you're feeling well, sorry though about these continuing lung issues.  It sounds like BOOP is  the "good news" in this situation, in that it will clear up with a longer course of prednisone?  Is that what we should be hoping for?  Or is it more complicated?  Let us know so we can channel our psychic energy appropriately.

Dana and Randie, there is ALWAYS lots of psychic energy flowing your way.  But you know that, right?

Two weird, totally non-bc incidents to relate. Both involve extremely well-trained animals seen on the streets of NYC.  Yesterday, around 5:30 pm, Eric and I are hurrying down 5th Ave in Manhattan to meet a friend, when we see a guy walking uptown balancing a very calm black and white cat on top of his head.  Then, this morning, coming back from my run, I see a dog trotting obediently alongside its owner carrying a package of steaks in its mouth.

Linda

drcrisc

Karin - Before I came on here, I checked my email this morning and someone had emailed me the bear pole dancing video.  I forwarded it to you hoping you would post it here (being that you are our techy-posting guru!) - imagine my surprise to see that you had ALREADY posted it yesterday??  Great minds always think alike!!

Otter - Confused and can't get our words/thoughts out?  It took me a good 3 minutes to remember the "great minds" sentence I just wrote to Karin.  ("Is it good brains?  parallel universe?  Aaaaahhhh!")  Suffice to say, my children are very amused at me sometimes and that includes the 5 y.o.  Or sometimes it's just MEN.

Rock - Sorry you're D.A.T.  But I did not miss the slip of the "crush" you mentioned - spill it, girl!

Julie - I'm on another page now, but if I remember you said your dad is doing better and has a private room.  That good news.

Robin - Sounds like yours is a busy household!  The shovel brigade (I think) originated with Sue in response to my "bad neighbors" about a year ago.  (Although, otter, I'm not sure if it was to whack them or bury them or both...lol...)  I can't remember if it was on Traci's thread or Rock's where it first came up.  Nevertheless, it has been wholeheartedly adopted and used many times for "less-than" responses to a multitude of things. 

Jean - BOOP?!  Maybe the unseriousness of the name is a good sign - I'm taking it at that.  Glad you feel well!

Kerry - Yes, Kristy and Jen and Randie (if she is feeling up to it) should all be the chefs!  Maybe if you threaten the chooks with a stock pot they'll be inspired...just kidding!!

Linda - Great animal stories! 

As I said, I'm on the other page now and can't go back - can't remember everything else.  My cold seems to be better but maybe 2 doses of Nyquil in the span of 3 hours was a bit much (just wanted SLEEP) but spend yesterday being "drugged" until about 5 PM!  I also took Katie (gymnastics girl) to the doc yesterday because she's been complaining of heel pain.  I looked it up a few weeks ago and there seems to be an association with high-level athletics at this age and growing pains in feet/legs.  They suggested some stretches (which I told her about) and ice.  So the doc yesterday examines her for all of 15 seconds and declares she has "Severs Disease" (same thing I found online) but at the mention of "disease" she got a look that was priceless ("I have a DISEASE!") which included both horror and "I told you so!" at the same time.  Wish I had had a camera...

Happy Weekend - we have 3 birthdays to go shopping for today so gotta run now!

rock

I think "shovels" was inspired by something said here on May 1st (I refer to "shovel to the head") and then further appropriated by me on Road to Hell on May 18th. But I could be wrong.  (I have been mentally giving people love taps with shovels for years.) 

I confess, I will be a little disappointed if shovels didn't originate with me. I count its introduction into our lexicon as one of my proudest achievements.

BURMA SHAVE.

Gracie713

Afternoon All

Jen--Did you send your hot flashes down here????  The last couple of weeks, they have been few and far between, then last night, BAM, their back, up several times throughout the night.  

Confusion/difficulty communicating thoughts here too and it can be very frustrating.  DH has learned to just give me a few minutes and I'll eventually get it out.  It's like the words are in the brain, just can't get them out.  I used to call it "Sometimers disease"---sometimes I remember, some times I don't.  Or, the "Hereafter disease"--You go into a room and ask yourself--what am I here after??  (Is it really bad when you are trying to think of someone's name and can't--then a few weeks later, just out of the blue, the name pops into your head??)

Not much going on here.  Just busy, trying to get things done before I go in the hospital Mon.  So glad that I don't have to be there real early.  9:30am, so I figure that surgery will start around 11.  Surgeon said that I will probably be there until Thurs.  Don't know if hosp. has wireless access, but DH will bring my laptop and we will try.   Surgeon wants to take port out, onc wants it left in at least until we get the pathology back--she said....."In case you need further treatment".  Not what I wanted to hear.

Hope that everyone is having a great weekend.  The sun has finally popped out here!

sueper13

Rock,

I really, really hate to tell you this.  But it was a comment of Alaska Deb's that started the shovel brigade.  Cris, it was about your neighbors.

The comment was this: (paraphrased)  "In Alaska, we are not allowed to kill bears except in self-defense.  So, if one gets on your property over and over and becomes a nuisance, we use the 3S rule: Shoot, Shovel, Shut Up."  Somehow that evolved into a brigade of bald, asymmetrical angry women with shovels.  Now that I think about it, I think that  part WAS rock's contribution!

I miss that woman.

I miss all of you.

Robin, thanks for the butterfly.

FOUR days until I retire.

Sue

Jeano77

okay Noelle . . . where would I find the Rainbow Connection, the original by Kermit in the Pond from the Muppet Movie?  Found the song, but not sung by Kermit (which is the best version).

Jean

rock

I'll accept that. Shovels were mentioned on the first page of Road to Kill but I have no doubt that Deb (Deb!!!) had shared Shoot, Shovel, and Shut Up  before then on other threads because she was one wise woman who knows that you don't come to the battle for your life without a shovel.

"Hereafter syndrome."  Gracie, I am appropriating THAT ONE immediately. Fortunately, I now live in a studio apartment so there is only the main living area and the bathroom to leave stuff in. But I still find myself opening a cupboard and thinking "Ummmmm....???"

This is kind of a big week for us, isn't it?  Gracie/Jackie:  What is the Monday procedure? (I apologize for not knowing this; I'm afraid to scroll back and lose this).  "In case you need further treatment" -- yeah, that's the sort of qualifier that would roll around in one's head all weekend long... I know you know this but . . . I really hope that this is a whole lot of nothing.  Though a Monday - Thursday hospital stay is hardly "nothing."  I'll be thinking of you, I really will.

Sue: Retirement.  Well-done, woman. Well-done. And as a candidate for "stating the obvious**" award: What a freaking major life transition that will be. I don't think the skies are gonna seem as safe and as blue for awhile...

***Cris: I could not come up with that expression to save my life.  I am so relieved that I am not in the classroom these days! Though! That reminds me! (HORRIBLE transition, as you will soon see): I have an appointment to see a Corrections administrator here about doing research in the women's prisons.  I need to be "on point." DCS has granted us permission to be in the prisons, but this meeting is to discuss some of the logistics. Any suggestions? Advice? (I have a list of questions to ask her, but am sure I'm missing things.)

Take care, people.  Especially you, Jackie!

Roxi65229

Angels, wow, 25 years, that's awesome. We celebrate ours next year.

Robin, you sent us your snow. We're getting dumped on and here I was hoping this was over.

Jean, so gald your feeling better. I sure hope the steroids help.

Linda, yes please lets get together that weekend. I'll be celebrating Easter on the 12th so the 11th would be best for me, but I can make arrangements either way. 

Otter, I can so relate to your gas adventure. I think we can all say we've been there before.

Julie, I'm gald to hear your Dad is doing better. It sounds like he's in good hands.

Karin, thanks for loading the link. I loved your story about your new friend at school. All kids want are people they can talk too that actually listen.

Kerry, who's the new boyfriend? Temazapana? Do tell...

Rock, I bow to you, coin phrasing...shovel brigade. Whoever rightfully coined it, I remember it best here. Or do I, damn chemo brain. Must be that "sometimers disease", thanks Gracie.

Christine, my daughter had awful growing pains. Both my girls actually but more so for Jess my cheerleader. 

Sue, wow, counting the days with you.

Hi to all. Happy Saturday. 

ranD

Hey all...

Feeling great and the pole dancing bear capped it for me and my kids....lol

Drained the left lung yesterday...5 weeks since the last one and only 1L, although it felt like I had 4L in there;;;

Had a great radiologist...from Nigeria and had the most wonderful smile.  Please don't take this the wrong way anyone, but i swear, I have yet to meet a Nigerian who wasn;t just plain happy!!!! Anyway,I now have a tech and nurse who consider themselves my thorocentisis "crew" and just go out oftheirway to be ne.  The tech brings in her Ipod and plays ABBA for me...lol

anyway, time to go to bed...tylenol w/codeine for the lung pain...night, randie

Gracie713

Morning!

Nasty weather this morning, but the baby cows are having a blast running in the field across the road.  I can watch them from the living room window.  Okay-it doesn't take much to entertain me.  

Randie-glad that you are feeling better.  Don't you love it when you have your own "crew"?  The quality of care definitely increases!  Love you girl-I think about you a lot.

Sue-WhooooHooooo on retirement!!  I don't even want to think about how many years away it is for me!  

Rock-Thank you!  I am having a bilat mast tomorrow.  Left is now the breast of concern.   Insurance co has been great and my nurse case manager said that if I needed days in the hosp it wouldn't be a problem.  I am hoping that I don't have to stay any longer than necessary.  

Big hugs to all!!

lewing

Jackie, thinking of you.  And smiling at those baby cows.

MsKarin

Just giving credit where credit is due. It was Roxi that first came across the Bear Pole Dancing and sent it to me to post for all of you. Thanks Roxi, it seems it brought a smile to all.

ranD - glad you're feeling great.

Gracie - will be thinking of and praying for you tomorrow.

All - enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Roxi65229

Still snowing here. I think we got about 6 inches!!! Argh

We'll all be there tomorrow Jackie, so leave room on the bed. Hugs and prayers.

RanD, ditto on glad your feeling better.

Gonna chill today. I posted some pics on my FB for those needing sunshine. 

KristyAnn

Gracie- extra prayers for you this week, the whole group is on the standard list- gotta keep everyone covered.

Fun weekend here- makeup up high school softball game yesterday since it rained all week. DD hit 3 for 3, a triple, homerun over the fence with 2 RBIS and a single. One thrown down at second base (shes the catcher)- so that is always a good day when she has a good game. Dominoes with mom and sister last night and doing a special lunch today before DD1 goes back to college and DD2 leaves for her select softball practice about 90 minutes away- plus I just like baked turkey so its a good excuse to make a special meal. Going to try to put the solar lights on my pergola today so I can see how bright they are- DD2 is having friends over Saturday night after prom and they want to hang out in the pergola.

Final post hysterectomy appointment and bone density is Wednesday, next to last Herceptin is Friday.

Oh- I almost forgot-got my hair cut yesterday- she also waxed my eyebrows and then dyed the eyebrows- decided not to dye the hair- I am so amazed at how those two things made me feel normal again- I officially dont have chemo hair- we cut it this way on purpose LOL- was a very unexpected lift to me!

Kristy

MsKarin

Kristy picture, please!

drcrisc

Sue - Thanks for clarifying the shove brigade.  It seems quite fitting that AlaskaDeb started it.  And YAY on retirement in (now) 3 days!!!!

Randie - Glad to hear about less fluid and more caregiving!! 

Rock - PM me your list and I'll see if I can think of anything else - maybe together we make up one whole researcher!  LOL...

Gracie - Thinking about you for tomorrow....

Taking girls to a birthday party (at their gym - I LIVE there!) so, gotta run!!

ranD

jackie....

will be there in spirit and prayers...here's to good drugs and lotsa sleep!!!

Sue....YIPPEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kristy: Am contemplating a haircut as will...almst just tokk the clippers out an chemo shaved it until I realized, it wont be falling out anytime soon,,,lol

Roxi..going to fb and checking out the pics...

see you al Monday!

randie

ewesterman

Cancerversaries coming hot and fast now....Tuesday is the year one of having the biopsy then that awful wait until that dreadful 4/4/ at 4:44 when I woke up and knew. I am reading from the Torah this Saturday (the 4th) to mark the year. The Torah is what many of you consider the Old Testament...I love chanting from the Torah but it take a while to learn a segment so I only do it once in a blue moon. When I said I'd do this months ago, I never noticed it was the cancerversary so very fitting. Also, will take my family out and tell them they can all act out and be their regular selves again. We've lived in chaos and crisis mode a long time. The chaos is over, but sometimes we still act in our crisis mode selves....we need to let it go. Love you all. Otter, you DH loves you as you know. We are loved by partners, spouses, children, dogs, cats, friends, parents and we have to remember to love ourselves no matter what we're acting like.... hope you all have a great week. Dana and Randie, sending you big smooches. Oh, what the hell? I send you all big smooches. Ciao.

JulieC

Jackie - we will be with your tomorrow and all week. Just don't tell the nurses how many visitors you have. Sometimes they get kind of funny about a crowd.  Just tell them you packed light on supplies, heavy on friends. 

I'm getting good at sitting in hospitals.  My dad might get to go home tomorrow.  He needs to see a pulmonologist, but he is feeling better.  Today he had the thorosentisis procedure done to drain some of the fluid.  Thanks, RanD - I knew a little about it from you.  They took out about 300cc but said it was sticky.  Changed his antibiotic, added lasix and gave him some sort of super dose of steroids (equivalent to 80 prednisone)

Then we got more bad news today (is March over YET?!).  One of my mom's sisters had a mini stroke today and they are running tests on her. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts.

Speaking of shovels - we are ready to dig a hole and not come out until April gets here.  We had some nasty blowing snow this morning as I was going out to the hospital.  Felt like December.

Sounds like most had fun and interesting weekends.  My Girl Scout meeting was good. We purchased and put together 7 backpacks with supplies to give to kids in the area who can't afford them.  I feel like we did something good.  They said if every troop in our council donated one backpack, we would have 800 backbacks.

Talk to you tomorrow - Julie