**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

crusader1

Beth,Your DD has really seen a lot here in my city. She ate at great restaurants too. My this will definitely be a trip she and her fiance will long remember.

If you think those dates I picked at the beginning of the month fo April are good maybe we should just tell all the warriors so they can put it in their schedule. I believe it was the second weekend in April.. Friday is the 9th and so on. This is after Passover and Easter. I am concentrating on the weekend for the ladies who still work. Anyone who wants to come for more days is welcome.

Christy- Hope all goes well with your treatment.

Gina- Love the new do. Nice to hear from you.

Hugs,

Francine

7timewinner

Hello, all

Thanks for all the lovely compliments on my hair It's actually much thicker now than in my current pic, but I still need to update that. Not a lot of length, but thick as anything. And starting the chemo wave

My eyebrows are still thinner than pre-chemo, but eyelashes are mostly back.

I still don't look/feel quite like my old self yet, and I wonder if any of us ever do?? Exercise has been my salvation in so many ways, mostly because I am grateful to have a body that can *do* things again. On days when I just can't drag myself downstairs to exercise, I tell myself that exercise is no longer an option for me, much like chemo and rads weren't. It's simply a part of my life now, an important piece of the "never do this again" plan

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. Blessings to all, especially those still in treatment.

Warm hugs,

Nadine

pickle

NYDeb: Love your new picture. Beautiful.

Francine: I think the weekend of April 9th would be good. I would like to arrive on Thursday the 8th and  probably leave Sunday evening. What does everyone else think? Maybe we should do a roll call of

1) who is interested

2) do we include DH or not? I am okay either way and so is hubby.

3) Should we just make it a girls weekend?

4) Is everyone ok with meeting in NYC? It is a long way for me but I can't think of a more fun city to meet....we'll be the sex and the city group...ha ha!

I am ready to get things rolling on this. It will be so nice to meet everyone and have a spring trip to look forward to over the cold winter.

Francine, do you have suggestions for accomodations? I think it would be great to be downtown...walking distance to some of the great NYC sights. I am excited just thinking about it. You gals are the best and I can't think of a better group to get together with.

Please let us know if you are interested and also any suggestions.

BTW: DD went to the Knicks game. She said they are the worst team in the league and they played Phoenix Suns (best in league) and the Knicks won. She was so excited. The Jets won on Sunday and the Knicks last night. She texted that they are NYC's lucky charms....lol Yesterday they went to Central Park, Gugenheim Museum, Grand Central Station, Bergdorf Goodman, FAO Schwartz and the Apple store ....whew...where do they get the energy?

Happy Wednesday!

Beth P

ChrisC433

Beth:  Sign me up!  DH is more than willing to spend a weekend in NY, but....I kind of like the girls weekend idea.  I think we would be more open to share without the guys around!  And besides...what guy likes to do what a group of women want!!!  I might bring my sister along instead.

I've stayed at ground zero and next to grand central a few times.  I get my reservation through priceline.  I haven't paid more than $120 for the Hyatt or Hilton Millenium.

WOW...something to look forward to!  I usually go on a cruise in the spring, but that is scheduled around the holiday breaks.  We have a few days off in May (Friday and Monday) so I think a quick Bahamas cruise might be in order.  I went last year and the cruise was $109 and the airfare $116.  What a great long weekend that was!

Take care...Chris

pickle

That's great Chris...you are signed up! I like the girls weekend idea too.

crusader1

Hi Beth and others,

A weekend alone without my husband sounds great. I too am familiar with getting hotels through Priceline. WE never travel any other way. WE have used Priceline on hotels throughout Europe, Canada and North America.  For those of you not familiar with it you bid by location and star levels. You usually bid close to the date of arrival. There is a website totally devoted to hotels on Priceline- biddingfortravel..... after the hoildays that we should get a backup hotel which is cancelable and go from there.

Pickle- yes your daughter does seem like a lucky charm here in NYC. Maybe she should have gone to a Nets basketball game. They are 0 and 16. No wins yet this year.

Chris- I love how you travel. Just the way my husband and I do. That cruise also sounds like fun..

Wow isn't this great how we are all talking about getting together and having a fun time.

Ladies I will try to make a nice invite somehow and put it on this board for all to see.

I would go either with or without husbands. Whatever all agree to.

Hugs to all my friends.

Francine

PS Maybe by next April I will  have a new breast with a nipple. Wow..Just kidding as this stuff is more fluff to me as my cancer is gone and I feel that is what is important.

crusader1

"

Welcome to our NYC weekend reunion. We are planning on all meeting up the weekend ..let's say Thursday to Sunday.. April 8th to April 11th. The dates when you come are flexible as some may want longer or shorter stays.

We will definitely paint the town PINK..

As Pickle( Beth) said a roll call would be great.

Welcome Chris...

Hugs,

Francine

pickle

Thnaks for the official invitation Francine. It looks great.

Okay gals...let's start the roll call

Beth P

ChrisC433

Crusader Francine

bethr

Hi All,

 NYDeb - I'll be thinking of you NY eve...  hang in there!!!

All - I'm definitely interested in the NYC weekend.  I'm pathetically single, so no DH to worry about.  COUNT ME IN!!!

I've read all the posts and I don't have time for specifics, but everyone 'sounds' so much better lately!!!  I know I'm feeling better every day!!!

My best to you all!

 Beth

pickle

BethR: Welcome to the NY venture. I think we have decided on a Girls Only weekend so no DH required....lol

nasharayne

Count me in on NYC.  My BF might come but, he has family there so, he will have other things to do while we are out.

pickle

Nasharyne, that's fantastic. Welcome to NYC

crusader1

Wow,

So happy so many women are interested in coming to NYC in April.

WE will definitely have a fantastic time getting to meet and know the people behind the faces and screen names and seeing my great city.

Can't wait.

Hugs,

Francine

"

kim40

Count me in!!!  I'm sooo excited!  I will be however bringing my DH along.  He can certainly use a getaway as well. 

NYC - Here I come!!  So nice to have something to look forward to!!

pickle

Yeah...KIm. I am so excited too! Can't wait

crusader1

Ladies,

Again so nice to have so many interested in coming to NYC.

Yes Kim,it is great to have something to look forward to. Maybe my husband could come and meet up with your husband . We have been to Halifax quite a number of times. It is one of our favorite Canadian Cities.

Hugs,

Francine

ChrisC433

I have 2 neighbors that went through BC last year as well....sign them up (Denise and Karen).

pickle

Sounds Great Chris.

Alyad

Hi Everyone!

 as I posted a few days ago my DH and I are planning on hiking the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine this coming spring. I had planned to ask for a leave of absence from work, but I didn't have a lot of faith they would say yes. This had been weighing heavily on my mind lately; if I wanted to do it, I would probably have to quit my job and thus start the clock on 18 months of paying heavily for COBRA insurance,not to mention the pressure to find another job with benefits before the clock ran out.The idea of willingly stepping over that ledge was scary.

 When I hiked before in 2001, the planets sorta aligned and allowed me to do the hike- the company I worked for at the time underwent a merger, the crew I worked on was shut down, I would get to take  a few months of accrued vacation time, so when I asked for an additional few months unpaid it was also one less person for them to find a spot for on another crew. So I got to thru-hike the AT- it was one of the most richly rewarding experiences I could possibly imagine.

 But one problem with doing something like that- you want to do it again I met my DH a few years later, and introduced him to hiking, its subculture and all my wonderful crazy friends who hiked too. So the "bug" bit him too and he wants to hike. In 2007, we said let's do it in 2009. We were all set to go , but as you all know life had other plans for us this year.

So 2010 it is. That dream became about 95% closer to reality a couple days ago. I got laid off my job. It was a total shock, but after the dust settled (which honestly took about 3 seconds for me)- all I can think about is- WE'RE GOING HIKING!!!!!. So I'm going to collect unemployment and under the ARRA act the goverment will pay for 65% of our COBRA insurance for 9 months (just enough to finish the 6 month hike!)

There can be a lot of preparation involved in planning a thru-hike. We plan to mail most of our food to ourselves at post offices and other establishments along the way. We are mainly doing this to eat healthier food, much of which we will dehydrate ourselves. I bought all my food along the way the first time and I ate a lot of candy bars and ramen noodles.

So I have plenty to do over the next 3 months to keep busy! I am a little scared- once we get home net fall, we have 9 months for one of us to find a job with benefits. Paying for the mortgage and insurance while we are gone is one thing I did not have to deal with when hiking 9 years ago. I threw all my stuff in storage and the big international company I worked for was willing to pay for my insurance.

But being scared of some unknown that might happen down the road is something I've grown used to over the last year. All any of us can do is Live our lives as fully as possible and take care of ourselves. Hiking an average of 15 miles a day carrying a 30lb pack up and down steep mountains is an excellent way to get in shape! I lost 45lbs the first time. Doing a thruhike is incrediby renewing on many levels- after the the last year, I could use some renewing!

My layoff has also altered our plans of how best to get to the trail. We might take a couple weeks beforehand and take a road trip to Florida to visit my dad and best friend, then drive up to Georgia. I have a friend that lives near the start I can leave our vehicle with. I have thought about trying to leapfrog the vehicle up the trail once a month or so. It could be more trouble than its worth, and it could make it way too easy to quit (only about 25% of people make it all the way). BUT if we did that, we'd have the vehicle nearby to drive home for DH's cousin's wedding in June (and my 3 month checkup), plus maybe it would allow us to drive up to NYC in April! At that time we'll be somewhere in NC.

so I just wanted to share my big news- many people will gasp- oh how horrible you lost your job, but I am really really okay with it!

ChrisC433

Dayla...it sounds as if the planets might be realigning for you!!  Sounds like a great time.  I love to hike and camp and being outdoors all summer is just the ticket for me....have a great time!

pickle

Dayla: I agree that it sounds like everything is lining up in your favor. Wow ...that is a lot of planning...I didn't think about that before...kudos to you and DH for living the dream! I wish you all the best and as Francine said...maybe we'll see you along the trail near NYC. I am so happy for you and happy for all of us gals that will venture to NYC too.I think we have all learned to live with the fear of the unknown and maybe that fear is what pushes us to move beyond BC and live to the fullest. I am trying to move a little farther beyond everyday.

Have a wonderful day Dayla and enjoy every minute of your planning. Keep us posted ...I find it very interesting. I've never planned anything like that...I have a hard time planning a trip to a resort for just a 1 week holiday.....lol

crusader1

Hi All,

Dayla ..yes the planets do seem to be aligning up for you. Enjoy your planning. How great to experience this hike with your husband who has been so supportive of you throughout this past year. I also find the planning for your adventure so exciting. Do keep us informed as to what you must do before you embark on this trip. What does leapfroging the car mean..How does this work?

It would be great if you could hook up with us at some point.

Chris ..would love to meet your two neighbors..Denise and Karen

Ladies ..I just thought that maybe I will put up a notice on the Facebook page of the March Warrior Princesses about our reunion trip to NYC. Maybe some others gals from our group would be interested.

Today I was pleasantly surprised when my PS called me up to see how I was feeling .  He saw my name on his schedule for next Monday and wanted to know if I was ready for my second fill. He is a real nice cute young guy. I had already bought some Hanakkah goodies for his three children. We have a special bond as when I was hospitalized with my MRSA virus last July  his wife was in the same hospital having their third child by c section. During his week off vacation he came to me each day to see how I was doing. Above and beyond the call of duty.

Have a fun weekend all.

Hugs,

Francine

ccbaby

Dayla....That goes to show that if you set your mind to it, you can do anything...and with everything we all have been through this year...that hike should be a breeze.....

Alyad

I deleted the long post I made above- I have decided  to keep a lower profile online.

Alyad

ChrisC433

Dayla...I hope you are lucky with your job hunting!

Anonymous

 I had this sent to me by a friend and thought you all might get a kick out of it.

Hi,
I received this from another Breast Cancer Survivor and wanted to pass it on to my friends. Please read and watch the YouTube. It is great. Fondly, Linda


Our daughter-in-law, Emily (MacInnes) Somers, created, directed and choreographed this in Portland last week for her Medline glove division as a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness. This was all her idea to help promote their new pink gloves. I don't know how she got so many employees, doctors and patients to participate, but it started to really catch on and they all had a lot of fun doing it.

When the video gets 1 million hits, Medline will be making a huge contribution to the hospital, as well as offering free mammograms for the community . Please check it out. It's an easy and great way to donate to a wonderful cause, and who hasn't been touched by breast cancer?

Ann Somers



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEdVfyt-mLw

ChrisC433

Deb: what an awesome video....

Chris

pickle

Great video Deb. Thanks for sharing

kim40

Loved the video Deb.  I posted this on FB as well.

Next week I am finally going for a trim! It's been almost a year since my last haircut!  I'm gonna have to get it colored too as I got some grey going on.  We'll see how it goes.

Thinking of you all, as always!!

ccbaby

Kim...good luck on your haircut! Remember, tell them to cut ONLY the ends!!