**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

crusader1

Hi ladies,

Well I know we are all glad that 2009 is almost over. I wish all a very happy and a much healthier 2010.

I definitely consider this year to be the worst year of my life with this FBC. I am getting close to having my fills completed and hopefully to the constant doctor visits.

Next Tuesday is the anniversary of my mastectomy. I told my husband that I want to go away on that day. If all goes well we will make a quick trip to PR this week. My son in law works for an airline so we always travel last minute.

Tonight we go out with a bunch of couples and tomorrow I am making a brunch for 11 friends. I made this New Years Day brunch last year as I so wanted to keep busy prior to my mastectomy.

If you ask me the worst part of 2009 I have a number of comments.Of course number one was getting BC in the first place. After that I dreaded being bald even after my treatments were over. I also learned that some friends and family are there to support you and others just aren't. That is a difficult topic for me to make peace with. I must say that so many friends and family did support me.

Well ladies it has been great having you all here with me to get me through this year. I know our group has grown smaller but you all with be with me forever .

Hugs to all,

Francine

Anonymous

Hi , wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope you all have great ways to celebrate it. 

For myself, the hubby took me out for cocktails at lunchtime  ( Red Devil), lunch on the way home  (a quick burger and fries ). With the drugs ( decadron overload) perhaps I will actually see midnight.  Yep, that's right, the last march warrior has officially closed down the chemo caboose.....Yeeee   freakin   haaaaaa!!

Thanks so much to everyone for all the support, couldn't have done it without you.

Crazy thing , my hair has not fallen out and I'm on day 29 .  It has thinned some, but not enough to buzz it off.  It's probably just teasing me and will fall out a month from now.  The oncos office is just amazed.  One of the nurses apologized for staring at me saying she had to look close and be sure it wasn't a wig.  I told her way too much gray for that and please don't be afraid to just ask anything.  The days of modesty , being surprised or self conscious about our bodies or any health questions are long gone.

Cheers to all (  I raise my glass of cranberry juice....no vodka today) as we say a not so fond farewell to 2009 and look forward to a fabulous 2010.

arnie2two

 Don't come on very often...just wanted to wish all you March Warriors a Happy New Year and I'm a hoping it's a good one for all!!!!

crusader1

Deb,

Just read with you are soon to finish your chemo. How great!

A extra special wish to you for a very healthy 2010.

Hugs,

Francine

sakura73

Deb I am so glad that you are done with chemo  and that 2010 will be chemo-free for all of us.

 Happy New Year to all. I think maybe it is not 2010 yet in North America but it is 11am on January 1 here in rainy Melbourne. I'm spending the day packing in preparation for my move with DBF. 

pickle

Deb: I am sooooo happy that you have completed the last trek on the chemo train. Well done and you are an amazing trooper. That's great about your hair...maybe you will be one of the rare ones that keeps most of it.

Best wishes for a Happy New Year. I agree...you will probbaly be able to stay up untiul midnight....that's one good thing about decacdron. The 3 day buzz. I will raise a glass of wine to you tonight as we merrily ring in 2010!

Francine: One year for you on Tuesday. Good idea to get away. It will be one year on Tuesday that I went to get a lump checked. I started to worry about it at the beginning of last December but decided to wait until after the holiday season to get it checked. The rest just rolled from there. It is strange to think that a year has passed. I still miss my old life at times but I know the clock can not be turned back and I need to stay focused on forging a new, wonderful road ahead. I haven't had my epiphany yet about how SFBC has changed my life and made me a better person....but I have been asked that by a couple of people. I'm sure people expect some new profound enlightening from me....but I don't care and I don't feel the pressure to make everyone else feel so much better about my cancer than I do.  I wasn't so bad before....so why the heck do people expect me to be a newer better version of myself.

My hubby and I are spending a quiet New Years eve at home. I am calling it my evening of reflection. There have been many lessons and yes....surprises along the way.(good and not so good)  I will have my last cry of 2009 and look forward to turning the corner and the calendar page at midnight. It has been quite a year.

Arnie: Happy New Year to you too. Best wishes for a great 2010

Rachel: I saw the fireworks from Australia on TV this morning and thought of you. I wish you well and enjoy the adventures of 2010 with Damian. Cheers

Well Ladies....It's 5:00 here in Edmonton. I have a bottle of champagne chilling and I will pop that cork at midnight and raise my glass in honor of all of you.

Cheers and hugs

Beth P

crusader1

 Happy New Year to all the March Warrior Princesses!

Beth..Have a wonderful New Year. Eight o'clock in NYC.You have definitely been an a great listener to all of us on this board. Your concern has also been noted. You have been so thoughtful to all of us.

I remember a while back when all the names meant little to us. Now we have a relationship with many  on this board. We definitely care about each other.

It has been a pleasure meeting you this year as well as so many ladies this year.

Rachel..A terrific 2010 with Damien. Happiness is something you really deserve. I too saw the fireworks on TV this morning .

Hugs to all,

Francine

ccbaby

Happy New Year to my wonderful friends here! May the new year bring us peace and good health!

pickle

Francine: You are a true gem and I have appreciated all of your support, thoughtful posts and keeping up with your travels. I am still planning a NYC weekend in the spring. We do all care about each other and it would be wonderful to share a real live hug and a few laughs

Christy: Love your new picture. How are you doing? Have a wonderful New Year's too!

Cheers

Beth

ccbaby

Beth..Thanks, I am doing very well after my surgery. I still have to wear an uncomfortable girdle until my drain is removed, which should be in a couple of weeks. And I have a little bit of soreness and tightness on my incisions, nothing I can't handle. This is a breeze compared to chemo and rads!!  Take care!

crusader1

Christy..great new photo..Glad you are on the road to recovery.I so understand exactly what you mean. After all that we have been to we are definitely now able to handle more.

Beth- I too am anticipating seeing all who want to come to NYC in the spring.

Happy and healthy new year to all.

Hugs,

Francine

Dawnmrn1

Happy New Year!  I am so happy to hear of how well everyone is doing!  I like all of you am looking forward to putting 2009 behind me and I am looking forward to 2010, with guarded anticipation!!! Wishing you all of the best, thanks for the support in 2009! Love, Dawn

nasharayne

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!

bethr

Hi All...

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Deb - CONGRATULATIONS on your last chemo!!!  I'm so happy for you. 

 ALL - As with all of you I'm happily kissing 2009 GOOD-RIDDANCE!!!....  I'm feeling good about the new year and have high hopes.....  

 I wish the best in the New Year for all of you!!!!

Beth

kim40

Happy New Year Ladies!

I hope everyonehad a great Xmas and New Years.

Wednesday will be a 1 year from d/x. Wow!  Where had the time gone!  I could not have made it through this past year without you gals!  It made it easier knowing someone was experiencing the same fears and had the same questions as I did.  Love you all!

Deb - Congrats on being done with chemo!!  Now you can finally get off the train!! 

2010 is our year ladies - we sooooooooo deserve it!

ccbaby

Deb....Congratulations on your last chemo!! It is such a great feeling!

buddy1

Hi girls.  I was just wondering if any of you had any lumps or nodules on top of your tissue expanders just under the skin?

crusader1

Christy, I like this new avatar. Nice hair. You look good.

Buddy..No lumps or bumps by the tissue expander. Better ask your doctor. I was wondering how you were doing.

Ladies. Tuesday is the anniversary of my mastectomy. I am going on Tuesday with my husband for a few days to Puerto Rico. My stepson works for an airline so it does make travel easier. I felt I owed it to myself to get away.This has  been a  very long year for me.

Tomorrow I go to the PS for another fill , maybe even the last one.

Hugs,

Francine

..

didle20Diane

Have a great trip Francine!  Enjoy Puerto Rico....don't think about SFBC.  I had my last fill on Tuesday and was so glad to be done with that process....2/19 for implants.

 I want to thank you all for the wonderful support for the past year.  It has made the difference for me.  I don't know what I would have done without you all.  My stupid cancerversary is coming up 1/16....My birthday is the 20th.  I hate that it is so close to my birthday

Buddy, I don't feel any lumpiness either.  Is this something new?  Maybe it is the port?  Call your doctor and see what they say.  Hopefully nothing serious. 

Hugs

Diane

crusader1

Hi ladies,

Here are two photos taken over New Years. One was taken New Years Eve and the second one during my brunch on January 1st. This one is significant as I have almost the same one taken last year four days prior to my mastectomy.It has been a long year.

Hugs,

Francine

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ccbaby

Francine...Thanks!  Your New years pics are great!  The cake looks yummy!  You are so right...it has been a long year...

Buddy...I didn't have bumpiness when I had my TE. Could it be the injection port like Francine asked?

buddy1

Francine your pics are adorable.

ccbaby.  I wish it was the port.  But its not.  There are 3 small pea siz hard lumps.  I am getting ready to leave right now to go to the surgeons.  I hope he can give me some positive news. 

buddy1

Francine your pics are adorable.

ccbaby.  I wish it was the port.  But its not.  There are 3 small pea siz hard lumps.  I am getting ready to leave right now to go to the surgeons.  I hope he can give me some positive news. 

buddy1

Francine your pics are adorable.

ccbaby.  I wish it was the port.  But its not.  There are 3 small pea siz hard lumps.  I am getting ready to leave right now to go to the surgeons.  I hope he can give me some positive news. 

Dawnmrn1

Hi Guys!  Have been reading but not posting much!

Francine!  Adorable pics, you have had quite a year, but you look great!!! Have a great trip!

buddy!  I think of you often,hope you get some good news today!!!! Keep us posted

jdeking

Happy New Year to all!

Sorry, I am a little late with this. I hope we all have a much happier, healthier 2010.

Deb - Congrats on being DONE with chemo AGAIN! I hope and pray that it is your last time ever, and that we all have kicked this SFBC in its ugly butt.

Cancerversaries are coming up (or have just passed) for all of us. So much has happened in one year, isn't it amazing? I was dx'ed on 1/6/09, my b-day was 1/11, and my 1st surgery was 1/13. This time last year I was a basket case. Now I have grown and learned so much, and have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for each of you, as you made what could have been an unbearable time in my life so much easier to handle. We have shared so much, and I will be eternally grateful for each of you.

I hope we do have a chance to meet up one day. I am tentatively planning NYC in early April, and I hope that is when everyone can make it.

Congrats Rachel on moving in with Damian, I am so happy for you.

Diane, nice to see you, and good luck on your surgery next month.

You all look great, and I love keeping up with you on facebook. That is a bit easier for me to follow as I check it daily.

Again, happy new year wonderful ladies, and I know this is our year to do great big things!

crusader1

Hi,

Glad all of you liked my photos. Fun taking pictures with my own hair.I had my fourth fill today.The PS says I need on more. It's okay.

JDeKing --great to hear that you are doing fine. Yes I believe we are still on for early April. Yes it has been a long year for all. Tomorrow is my canceranniversary.Please do visit us more often.

Buddy-How is everything? What did the doctor say.

Hugs to all,

Francine

ChrisC433

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!

Deb...congrats on being done.  You have extra reason to celebrate.

Buddy...thinking about you.  I have some "bumps" near my incision, but was told it is scar tissue,  It breaks up with pressure.  Let us know how you are doing.

Francine...I am scheduling a spring cruise, but I told my DH it cant be around April 9 because I am going to NYC!

Hope all the reconstruction is going well for everyone.

I am still seeing PT for cording.  Seems like she breaks it up and then it just comes back.  I get some swelling in my arm, but it does go down when I message it.

Have a bone scan in 2 weeks, mammo and MRI in April.  My one year anniversary is January 28th.  What a year 2009 was.  If it werent for my son gettin married, I think I could wash the year from my memory!

Take care all...hugs all around!

Chris

buddy1

Great news....Surgeon  thinks its skin or blood.  nothing really.  he will biopsy any way when the PS does my exchange.

Dawnmrn1

WooHoo! Good news!!!!! Congrats Buddy!