Starting Chemo April 2009

JudyNaomi

Hi all, I am also feeling a bit unsettled this week, but it is reassuring that it isn't only me. I am so glad that I have you all here. I am not sure what I would do if I didn't.

Titan - good luck with your appointments. Please let us know how they go.

Betsy - I hope that your Mum is doing ok, we are thinking about you. It sounds to me that you are definitely doing everything you can and that your Mum is fortunate to have you all giving her the love and support that she needs.

Well, I hope that everyone has a good weekend and that our moods pick up a little.

Sending everyone hugs, take good care, Judy x

hrf

Betsy, I know how difficult it is to see your mom In this situation. Wishing you and your sisters all the best. I hope your mom is comfortable and pain free



I see onc next week so like the rest of you get a little nervous. My emotions have been up and down for the past few years -- mostly down



But I do have to share with you. Last night was the big annual conference and dinner for my provincial professional association - OPSOA. Stands for Ontario Public Supervisory Officials Association and I was shocked and happy to receive the Distinguished Leadership Award which is the highest honor and awarded yearly to the member who has demonstrated significant achievement in their career. My colleagues nominated me and the Association picked me. It was very exciting and a great way to end my career



Lena, thinking of you

Have a good weekend

JudyNaomi

Helen! Congratulations! I was so happy to read your post. You sound so happy and so positive and to be rewarded for your commitment to your career is a great honour! Enjoy! You are going out with a bang and that is so exciting! Also, good luck with your appointment next week.

Betsy - how are you doing and how is your Mum this weekend?

Lena - thinking of you too.

We have had a good weekend - we had company yesterday all day which was really fun and today we are taking it a bit easy. We hope to get out later for a family walk somewhere nice.

Sending everyone hugs! Take care, Judy x

AmyIsStrong

Helen - How wonderful for you.    Congratulations.

I am feeling somewhat better the past few days. I figured one some of what was bothering me.

I went to a 'treating the whole person' half day seminar for cancer/post cancer patients. It was sponsored by a large health food store about an hour away. The woman who ran it is someone I've known for many many years and had bc when I did. I felt that I needed to attend to support her, and was sort of dreading spending a whole morning talking/thinking about cancer. But it actually was very positive and helpful and I learned a lot.

Same old things, really - lots of exercise, water, sleep, low stress, low processed foods and simple carbs, high vegetables, legumes, lean protein. Stuff we all know. But I did learn some new things and came away encouraged.

I also went through what I think is THE MOST challenging situation I've EVER had in several decades of doing my job. A HUGE CATASTROPHE with a client erupted late on Friday afternoon and I had to spend the entire weekend solving/fixing it. It was really an emergency and would take a miracle to pull it off. Somehow, amazingly, I did it. I can't believe it, but it seems like it is ok. I am pretty exhausted from it though - a lot of phone calls and trying not to worry the rest of the time. I can honestly say tomorrow "I'm glad it's Monday!"   Whew.

JudyNaomi

Amy, good to hear that you are feeling a little better. It also sounds like the seminar was a positive experience for you which is great! And of course, well done on solving your client emergency, I imagine, you must have had a good feeling after that! A sense of achievement!

I am doing okish today, still not as upbeat as I would like, but the days are manageable.

Sending you all hugs, Judy x

JudyNaomi

It has been quiet these past couple of days here. Hope you are all ok.

Sending hugs to one and all, Judy x

inthemoment

Checking in - I'm ok, just busy!  Still read daily and post when I can, but always thinking of my friends here!

BetsyBuzz

Hi all,

Just returned to Oregon today. My mom has settled into her new long term care room (she is being wonderful, as I know she is upset about her set back). My sisters and I cleaned her old apartment and moved her. It was divide and conquer...and we did it. Too much to do in a short time for any one person. It was fun to be around my sisters, they are wonderful support. Just wanted to give you an update..thanks for all the well wishes. My mum...dodged another bullet this time. All my sisters and I agree, she is not long for this world but we are happy to enjoy her company while she is here.

 Happy Mothers Day to all you Moms(Mums) out there!

Betsy 

hrf

Hi everyone. I'm still very busy. I don't think it will slow down until July. People are being very nice to me. I had my appointment with the onc on Tuesday. Of course, there's not much to check but guess everything was ok. My colleagues at work insist I have to have a party whereas I'd prefer to go away quietly. Anyway, I said no gifts and I am setting up a fund so donations can be made to the new breast cancer centre at the hospital. I think if there is a lot of money donated I will be very pleased. Has anyone heard from Lena?

JudyNaomi

Geri - thanks for checking in, good to know that you are okay.

Betsy - you and your sisters sound like a great team! Your Mum is very lucky to have you all. I hope you have a good weekend back home in Oregon.

Helen - I am glad to hear that your appt went okay. The donation idea in lieu of gifts is a generous and thoughtful idea, you are clearly a very special person. Let them spoil you and make you a party - enjoy the attention if you can. You are clearly a very valued employee and I am sure that you deserve this!

I am doing okay this week, the week seems to have passed very quickly. My eldest daughter was home sick for 3 days so we had some quality time together at home. (although I would have preferred for her to be at school...).

Titan - I hope you are doing okay and that all went well at your appt - please come by when you can.

Lena - I miss you and hope that you are doing alright.

Wishing everyone a relaxing and fun weekend ahead and sending you all hugs as always, Judy x

inthemoment

Hoping everyone is having a pleasant, restful weekend...and for those who are, Happy Mother's Day.  Unfortunately, my BF lost his mother last week - she was a 25 year breast cancer survivor and died from kidney failure at the age of 87...active and totally with it until this illness which thankfully only lasted about two weeks.  He is doing ok, but I know tomorrow will be the "first" of many "first's" to come....She was a big support when I was diagnosed, and I will return that by being there for Kevin tomorrow.

Geri

AmyIsStrong

Oh Geri - I am so sorry for your BF's loss. And right at Mother's Day.  My daughter called me yesterday - she works at a college, and one of the grad students she works with lost his mother yesterday. She was walking her dog and dropped dead of a heart attack. My DD called me just to hear my voice. I could tell it shook her up that someone could be gone so suddenly.  For your BF's mom to survive bc and live such a long healthy active life until just before the end is SUCH a blessing. I wish the same for ALL OF US! I know he is hurting now, but in time I think he will look at the big picture and appreciate it, too.

Note to all - you can check on Lena by clicking on (or searching for) her name. Her profile will come up and tell you the last day she has been on the site. It still says 4/22, which was the day she wrote to tell us she was leaving. So she has not been back since. I hope that this is temporary and that she will miss us and stop by.  My heart is very heavy about this and I send her love & wish her the best. But for now, she is not seeing our messages. I hope she can feel the love we send out to her somehow.

Happy Mother's Day to all.

hrf

Geri, so sorry to hear of your BF's loss. No matter when, it's always too soon.



I think about Lena too. I do hope she checks in to let us know how she's doing?

Titan

Maybe Lena will come back on here when she is ready..I hope so..I miss her!

Happy Mom's day to everyone and to our favorite MUM..Judy!

 My appts. are Monday (mammo) Wed...Onc..and Thursday..BS..what a fun week...not....

JudyNaomi

Geri - so sorry to hear about your BF's mother. Sending you both hugs and love. At least she did not suffer for too long.

Amy - such sad news from your daughter - we just never know what is lurking around the corner.

Titan - good luck with the appointments this week. Do you have something fun planned for after the last appt on Thursday?

You do make me laugh about my spelling !

Happy Mother's Day to one and all and sending you all hugs! Judy xxx

Titan

Judy..you are a Mum and I'm a Mom...same thing! 

How was everyone's Mum/Mom's Day?  My daughter come home and spent it with us.  We took her to a casino yesterday (of course we lost..what a waste.but fun). Today we all went out for brunch then went shopping for some wedding things..the garter, card box, the little flower girl petal basket and the little ringer bearer pillow..what fun!  I was crying a little..then my son called me from school and I cried some more...been emotional alot lately.

 I don't know if you guys follow any other threads but a friend from the TN thread just died this morning..another one Just Payton is not doing well at well..it just makes me heartsick.  Lisa was 46 and Just Payton is 40...TN is a very scary form of BC...I freak out sometimes..other times I'm ok...I just want to get these appts over and hopefully hear good news and MOVE ON....

JudyNaomi

Oh, Titan - it sounds like you are on an emotional rollercoaster at the moment. The wedding emotions (which are of course wonderful, but still emotions nonetheless), the appointments this week and now your friends.

I was so sorry to read that one of them had died - so very sad. I am thinking about you and sending you hugs.

Hang in there, and please let us know how all the appts go. I was happy to read that you had a fun weekend with your daughter home and that you managed to spend quality time together.

Sending you all hugs as always, Judy x

Titan

1)  Mammo done..everything was fine...check    2)  Appt. with onc...everything was fine.....check...3)..appt. with surgeon tomorrow..hopefully I can say check again...I've been to the dang cancer center 3 times this week..enough...

BetsyBuzz

Hi all... I guess I will also share my sad news, my Mom died yesterday. My siblings and I all shared Mother's Day with her. So we were able to all say our goodbyes. I firmly believe the heavens were rejoicing.

My onc appt. is next week. Titan...congrats on the mammo. Sorry to hear you lost someone on your TN board. Very sad indeed.

AmyIsStrong

Betsy I am so saddened by your news. But a hospice nurse told me recently that she has seen many times with mothers that they will wait until they know everything is ok with their family before they let go. So maybe that Mothers Day was the moment your mother needed to be able to go in peace, knowing you are all going to be ok, I hope this thought brings you a bit of comfort. Sending love to you and your family during this hard time.

inthemoment

Betsy, so sorry to hear of your mother's passing.  It will be a treasured memory tha you and your sisters were able to spend mother's day honoring her.  It's been obvious in your posts that you all loved each other so much.  I wish you peace of mind in the time ahead.

Titan - great news on your follow-ups.  Say goodbye to Cancer Center after today!

Thinking of you all (and Lena)

Geri

JudyNaomi

Betsy - I am so sorry to hear that your mother passed away. It must be a comfort to know that you all spent Mothers Day together with her. My thoughts are with you and all your family at this time. Sending you love and (((hugs))). Please let us know how your Onc appt goes next week.

Titan - good news on your appts, let us know how it goes today.

Geri - How is your BF holding up?

Sending you all hugs as always (and to you Lena), Judy x

hrf

Betsy, so very sorry about your mom

Titan

Oh Betsy..I'm so sorry about your Mom..hugs to you.. I can just imagine what a wonderful lady she was...she had YOU didn't she?  Prayers and love to you over the next couple of days..hang in there ok???

All those freaking appts(there is that word again)..went fine..but I'm totally, totally, tired...The mental stress is awful.

I was hoping that maybe I would be let off the hook so to speak..but its 3 months to see the onc, 6 months to see the BS.....My surgeon said that you can tell when you are feeling better because patients don't want to see him anymore..oh well...I do have to see him anyway...

JudyNaomi

Titan - good to hear that all the appts went ok, it is an exhausting process, but so pleased that you are fine! Hope you have a relaxing weekend ahead.

Betsy - thinking about you and your family.

Hope everyone has a good weekend, hugs to one and all, Judy x

inthemoment

Same to you Judy

JudyNaomi

Hi all, hope everyone had a good weekend. We had a busy Saturday visiting with friends, and yesterday had a family afternoon out, played mini golf and ate ice cream (or drank coffee..). There is a lot of stress around with the relcoation looming, so it was nice to get out and not think about it for a couple of hours.

Betsy - how are you doing? I am thinking about you.

I hope everyone is doing ok and busy getting on with life .

Sending you all hugs as always, Judy x

JudyNaomi

Hi all,

How is everyone doing this week?

Hope you are all ok and have a good weekend ahead.

Hugs to you all, Judy x

comingtoterms

Hi all,

I was poking around on other threads and, bam! There you all were!!! So good to hear your familiar names and to know that you are still staying in touch!

I am on a long-term tamoxifen holiday due to ridiculous numbers of gynecological "issues" - ready for Monday, the 23rd and my second mammo post- DX. Hope all is well with all of you!!!

Tammy

hrf

Hi everyone. Well I'm sure glad it's the weekend. Long weekend here in Canada. This one is called Victoria Day and there'll be lots of firecrackers on Monday. I've been processing all my retirement papers. I didn't realize it was so much work to retire. I know I'm doing the right thing but I feel badly because there is so much about this job that I will miss. There will be some thing I won't miss. So far my "give a donation instead of a gift" has raised $490 towards the new Breast Cancer Centre they are building. I'm hoping the donations will get to $3,000. It's only a drop in the bucket but every drop helps. It will be a rapid dx so a woman can find out everything in 1 day and then start treatment faster. Hope the weather is good where you are. Judy, when do you have to move?