Starting chemo January 2009?

ktym

Yay for you momand2kids. 

Happy Mothers Day to all

Renrel

Happy Mom's day to all to whom it applies.  Mama's let your kids and others be nice to your today.  To those with Mom's still living, remember to thank them for all their years of service to you.  And service including sharing their weakness and faults with you so that you could both learn from them and not hold your ownself to an impossible to reach standard.  To those who mom's have moved on to another plain, my heart goes out to you in your lose and grief.  I hope you are able to find comfort in the memory of the times they were there with you and in all the ways your mother is reflected back at you in you mirror, both the one on the wall and the one in your heart. 

I was planning on going to see the Chihuly exibit today for free using our BOA cards but I did something to my back yesterday and am not up for walking even through just the one exibit.  Sigh.  I did however make myself get out of bed and to the parent meeting for DS Sunday school today.  DH came to.  Due to that meeting I also did not get breakfast in bed which is how I expect mother's day to start.  Oh well.  DS gave me a card last night which he made mostly by himself that was lovely and contained a heart felt message of love.  He and DH also went shopping for a present yesterday adn I am pretty sure I know what they are.  I am impressed that DS seems to listen and remember things I have said I would like and is able to express them to DH at gift giving times.  May that be a gift he carries into his marrage and other important relations in years to come.

Either yesterday or Friday was the 2 year anniversary of my last chemo treatment.  I am glad that it really feels like the past now and that generally, current back issues aside, I feel pretty healthy.  Even the brain fog seems less noticable, maybe I am just used to it now.  

I am going to go lie down now to rest my back.

 Renrel 

momand2kids

renrel-

feel better-- my 2 year end of treatment date was on 5/6-and I was at the onc--- but it felt like forever ago... do go see the exhibit when you are better--it is unbelievable--my kids even liked it!!!

Renrel

I am so proud and happy!  DS learned to ride without training wheels today while I was resting my back in bed.  2 years ago he started on his two wheeler with training wheels and was doing so well we thought he would dump the trainers in a week. Then he took a bad fall, scraped up his knees and was afraid to get on it for the rest of the summer.  Last year he got his nerve up to try again and rode for the summer with the trainers.  And here we are today.  He got up the courage to let go of the training wheels and really ride! 

ktym

That's awesome Renrel.  Happy Mothers Day

momand2kids

MRI all clear!!!

yay!!!

Renrel

Great news Momand2kids!

ktym

yeah, what great news we're having here this week

jrgolomb

So flipping true!  I do , however, have a bit of a scare.  My thyroid ultrasound came back with a possible adenoma or lymph node.  Yikes!  The general practitioner wants to zing radioactive dye through me to see if the possible adenoma is hot, warm, or cold.......I have been to an endocrinologist before who has been reluctant to do such a test as I have Hashimoto's and cysts are common.  However, the cyst they measured has solid parameters to it , I guess.  The long and the short of it is I am off the synthroid and so am gaining weight and feel achy and out of sorts.  ( so great when I have to present to board members and non profit grant "suits").  I am sure all of this is not so simple, but I decided to go back to the specialist so I could get some answers and I will NOt wait and see.  I have to be off the synthroid for two months before they shoot the dye into my system , and then what, offer to biposy it?  No way!  I want it out now!..

I realize there is a risk because my thyroid is so close to my vocal chords, but can't a specialist try to draw some of the cyst out and look at it?  OMG!!!!panic panic panic. 

Sorry, JJs........I'm bummed.

BerkeleyKim

Jess--so sorry about your new worry. It's not fair. I hope they can biopsy it safely so you don't have to wait 2 months. But, I bet if the drs were worried they would move quicker. I'll be waiting with you...

jrgolomb

Thank you , BK. I appreciate the support.  I am going to an endo in two weeks and he has a super duper US machine that I think can determine if the adenoma is hot or cold. 

Renrel

Jrgolomb- Yikes!  I'll certainly be hoping for both quick and good news for you.

My back has healed up very quickly but I can still feel that it is not quite right.  Did not do my Wii all week.  Did try out my Golds Cardio workout one night but it was probably a bad idea.  Now alergies are hitting and I must be sleeping poorly even if I don't realize it because I have been soooo tired all week. 

We had a busy weekend.  DS's class had there art work displayed in a local ice cream shop so we had to go there Friday night for dessert to admire his work and of course eat ice cream.  Saturday DS had a overnight sleep over.  DH and I went out to dinner an a movie.  Saw Bridesmaid, very funny but also very very crude.  Then in the morning we met up with the family DS stayed over at for breakfast.  DS then fell asleep on the way home.  In the last afternoon his bike club turned into one friend coming over for a playdate due to rain. But it is hysterical listening to them try to plan things on the phone.  I am trying to let him do as much of it himself as I can, but then neither of us knows when he hangs up whether the friends is coming over or not.  Luckily I was just doing things around the house so it did not matter much.  

ktym

Good morning Jewels.  Add me to the list of people with good MRI news this month!

I loved this BC flash mob, started my day with a smile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFfAbwWhVPk  

Renrel

So is everyone still here, or did some of us get taken up in rapture?  I for one am still flesh and blood and silicone. 

I think I need to call and schedule my next appointment.  If I remember correctly the new office was not scheduling yet for 6 mths out, which seems pretty weird for a breast cancer department.  

We are off in a few minutes to pick up a new, used bike for DS.  The one he has been riding is too small and the handme down from his cousin is too big.  So Craig list is hopefully going to fill the space for this summer. 

ktym

That about says it Renrel, flesh blood and silicone

jrgolomb

Just got back from a rally in our capitol, and I am still here.  I thought, perhaps since I am an active union member, I could bargain my way into heaven if indeed the rapture came my way!

I see the onc on Monday and I am going to push for the cat scan of the adenoma on my thyroid.  I can't function with all the worry considering the thyroid /breast cancer connection.

ktym

Okay Jess, that made me laugh.  Then I got to the CT part.  Does this mean you can go back on your synthroid?  Good luck, keep us posted.

BerkeleyKim

Still here as well, and glad for it. Enjoyed a couple of great evenings with friends, and drank a bit more wine than usual just in case we were doomed.

Jess-in some circles we are "thugs" but I'd hope we union maids have a special spot in heaven! Good luck on getting a ct--I'm sure it will confirm all's well.

Last week was so difficult for me. My co-teacher died unexpectedly Friday before, due to complications from ovarian cancer surgery (internal bleeding they couldn't find a source for). Dealt with grieving Kinders, who of course react in so many different ways, grieving parents, grieving staff. Two memorial services last week. I spoke at one but was crying too much to speak at the Tongan service so another teacher went up with principal. She was just 40--way too young. Still mad at what I consider a misdiagnosis.

On a positive note--2 years since last chemo!! And so glad to be here.

Renrel

Berkleykim - I am so sorry for the loss to you and your community. 

ktym

Berkleykim, I am so so sorry

jillyG

Kim, I am so sorry to hear of your co-teacher, that is incredibly sad. 

Just wanted to pop in and say I still come here and read, but less often than before.  I always think of everyone whether I am here or not.....hugs to all the Jewels! I am doing really well and nothing new to report (which I guess is great news lol). 

Jess, good luck on your endo, I will check back to hear what is going on with that.  Hang in there

jrgolomb

Still waiting, though I see the thyroid doc next week- There is a test to look at the thyroid and still take synthroid.  I hope he will do the test right then and there!  The onc wanted me to stay off of the synthroid for one more week just in case.  UGh!

momand2kids

Just checking in--Kim, so sorry about your loss--you are right-that is way too young....

In an effort to squeeze all things medical in before summer, I have had my annual MRI, onc visit, mole removed (benign), bone density test and my very first colonoscopy!  Everything is fine, as far as I know.  they did remove  1 polyp but said all looked good..... so, I am not going to worry about a thing until November and my mammogram and next onc visit!!!!!   And for those who are worried, colonoscopy is not nearly as bad a what they say, not even the prep!

Renrel

momand2kids - sounds like you are all set to enjoy the summer! 

How is everyone celebrating Memorial Day weekend?  Yesterday was took care of alot of gardening projects.  Bought some annuals and one or two perannuals and got them in the ground.  Then we picked up a used bike for DS which just happened to be in his favorite color and then we were off to the Drive In to see Kung Fu Panda II.  Today we hope to take a family bike ride in the morning and are invited to sail with friends in the afternoon.  We need to do some house cleaning and food shopping at some point, fit in the first grilling session of the season (assuming the cheap gas grill we picked up last year still functions) and DS has a playground b-day party late in the day tomorrow.  

ktym

Renrel, I think you pack more in a weekend than I do in a month.  Quiet weekend here. I'm working all 3 days. However, we're determined that I'll get out in time for DH and I to have a walk and then supper together and nice evenings spent together.  We'll probably have a friend over at some point for dinner.  Other than that, it will be quiet.  I'm working so I can get caught up before going out next week after my BSO.  I am so dreading another surgery.   Oh well, guess it is part of the parcel that comes with BC.  My boss was pretty ticked I'm going out again, let me think of the exact quote "it just seems like your breast cancer is never ending."  I just answered "yes it does."

jrgolomb

Hello everyone.  This weekend, I am finally cleaning the house, working on the garden and circulating petitions.  Other than that, a fairly quiet weekend, with the exception of trying not to worry about the adenoma on my thyroid.  I will get a plan of attack most likely when I see the endocrinologist this Wednesday. 

My bloodwork came back all clear, and the onc said to wait before I switch to arimedex.  Anybody on that? 

BerkeleyKim

Thanks, ladies. I'm putting one foot in front of the other until the end of the school year. 14 more teaching days.

Great that everyone's having clean scans/tests. I had a bone density in April, and my osteopenia has improved, up to -.7. I wonder what would have happened thought if I wasn't on the bisphosphonates trial--I'm taking big dose of "boniva" everyday.

Jess--I'm on arimidex, and I'm achy but who knows what that's from. I just can't sort out post-chemo from arimidex, from ibandronate, from getting older. What are you on now?

kmmd--what's bso? Can't remember if you mentioned it. Good luck with that and with that boss of yours. Maybe just say, "Yes, and I'm so glad you haven't had personal experience with it"

mom--glad to hear about colonoscopy.I'm set for one in July. I figured at first why bother, but my onc wants me to do it.

Started weekend with going into work on Fri (we had off!!!) and cleaning my desk finally and Ana's a bit. Then 2 hour walk in redwoods. Then Bridesmaid with dh--FUNNY!!!

Yesterday I worked a bit, shopped with dd #2, and went to dh's family reunion dinner in sf. Today I'll clean and my bff are going to SF to have dinner and see Tales of the City musical at ACT. I LOVED that column back in the day and of course the tv show (ok--dating myself here!).

Everyone enjoy the rest of the weekend! I hope to hike tomorrow, but dd #1 might be coming up from Stanford to use my Costco card. Can't believe she's graduating in 2 weeks.

Oh--and trying to plan a vacation. Thinking Mexico, Isla Mujeres, but maybe Hawaii again.

ktym

Berkley Kim, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (the ovaries and tubes are coming out).

Thanks for the good wishes. 

Jess,  One of the reasons for the BSO is my Onc would like to switch me to Armidex or a smilar drug. We may be finding that answer out together.  I'll be thinking of you this week and hope everything goes well, you get only good news, and get back on the synthroid soon

Renrel

kmmd- I am sure you boss is just lucky enough to be clueless as to the total insensativity of his/her comment.  If he/she had any close exerience with cancer he/she would no better.  I can only hope I never said something so stupid, but I know have have and still cringe when I remember.  Sorry that his/her "luck" causes you to be stuck on the recieving end of a guilt trip for being unlucky enough to get BC and lucky enough to survive it.  Unfortunately chances are she/he will eventually come to the point of understanding and having to cringe at his/her own memory.

 Berkelykim- Bridemaids was a hoot. We saw it a couple of weeks ago. 

Today DS took the "new" bike for a quick spin in the morning and they we headed off to sail.  Had a great time.  DS was tentative, having gotten a bit sick last time, but this time had a great time. He was enjoying the choppy waters and declared the experience the "definiation of awesome."  We headed up the coasted to a great sea food place called Woodman's for dinner.  Fried shimp, clams, fish and scallops eatting outdoor looking over a slow moving river.  Hopefully tomorrow we will get in that familiy bike ride and the much needed house cleaning and food shopping.

ktym

Thanks Renrel, I think you're right on with that assessment.  Sounds like a great weekend. 

I love hearing stories about DS.  Love hearing how Jess's daughter is doing away at school.  Must be to me that is a sign of life moving on and in a good way