MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

barbe1958

We used to travel away about 3 months of the year. At one point we wondered why we even had a house!

I HATED the cruise! We took our 4 kinds (in their 20's) with us when my DH was diagnosed with 3 brain tumours. It was a worry to wonder if they'd make it back on the ship. We met in our suite at 5:30 every night so we knew they were aboard before we left that port. But my DH had back problems at the time as well as my usual crippled-ness so it was a nightmare. The lineups for the flights and security and boarding and unboarding. The ramps on the ship and the VERY heavy doors on the ship. Then add in the motion of the ocean and me on a cane.....sigh. Next time I go I'll be in a wheelchair!!!

My oldest kept saying I wasn't having fun but I insisted I was. He thought I was mad, I was just in pain!  We did see some great shows though....

jo1955

NativeMainer - I have been stashing money away for two years to make this trip.  That is about how often we try to go.  When I get off the ship, I immediately start my next cruise fund again.  I make sure I have enough for the tickets and the "fun money".  We go out of Galveston, TX, so don't need airline fares - we are 7 hours away and drive up the day before.

heartnsoul76

I come from a cruising family! My father and his wife sailed the QE2 across the Atlantic to England and then flew back on the Concorde. My mother and her husband sailed the QE2 from NYC down the Eastern Seaboard and around the tip of South America, then through the Panama Canal and back to NYC (and all I got was a lousy T-shirt! j/k). Then my crazy mother set out on her own at the age of 75 and took a round-the-world cruise! She was gone for 3 months - she is full of spunk! As for me, I used to be a travel agent for American Express so I knew exactly what cruises I wanted to take. I've been to the Caribbean and on the beautiful Prince Edward Island cruise in Canada, but my next cruise will be to Alaska. I like to see something different every time. We had planned on going this May, but I'm afraid I won't have recuperated enough by then. I'm disappointed, but I want to feel great when I go so I'm going to wait until next May. In the meantime, it's down to the Gulf of Mexico as usual for our vacation...sigh.

Barbara - such a beautiful dress and a handsome husband! You both look so great - it made me smile! Then beautiful scenery AND a beautiful dessert? What more torture do you have in store for us? Do share! 

mumito

My DH and I have enjoyed the european cruises.The most memorable one was in Northern Europe.Started in Amsterdam and ended up in St petersburg Russia for 2 days before heading back through Scandanavia.I highly recomend saving up for this one.

carol6026

Well, finally got back to work today, after being off for a week. Thought it would help, but it didn't. I could not wait to get out of their. In general everyone was very nice, except for a few comments that kinda hurt. One girl told me I look like crap and another said, you are already skinny and you had to go and lose more weight. I did not do it intentionally. I did not realize until I had gone to the oncologist that I had lost 8 pounds. I was even shocked. Makes me not want to go back to work tomorrow. I also stopped and bought some ensure to drink, to try and gain some of the weight back. If anyone has any suggestions on how I can or a good web site, plz let me now. Other then that, hope all are having a blessed day.

marlegal

Carol, where are you in your treatment? I'd definitely talk to your doctors about the weight loss and a healthy way to gain it back slowly.

Cruising - have only been on one, left from NYC and went into Canada, then back down the New England coast.  I've been wanting to go on another since the day I got off the ship!  Hub didn't enjoy quite as much, he's just not a traveller in general.  I really think it's a terrific value for the money.

carol6026

Marlegal, the reason I am worried about the weight loss is because I have not even started treatment yet. I go Tuesday to find out when surgery will be and when radiation will start. But, on the other hand the cruise you were just talking about is the one I have been looking into. I really want to go up the coast into Canada.

jo1955

Carol - Like marlegal said I would still ask the doctor about how to put some weight back on particularly if you are concerned about it.  You will need your strength to get through treatment.  

Best wishes go out to you on your treatment.  Please keep us posted. 

heartnsoul76

mumayan - my mother took a similar cruise and it was one of her favorties, too! She was awed by the enormous and ornate architecture of the buildings in Russia, said it was amazing! I think she went on that trip alone, too - she was in her 70's at the time. She's now 84 and wants to go back to Italy.

carol -  Ensure is a good idea, but definitely get some input from your doctors when you see them again. I had a friend that would make milkshakes with ice cream and protein powder. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day!

jo1955

We will be cruising to Montego Bay, Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Cozumel.  Been to those ports before but don't care.  Just love the idea of cruising and getting away from here.  Ship leaves in 76 days - but I am not counting.

phew

oh gee, such hi class probs!  wish i could worry thqt way....for me?  just to cover the rent  boo hoo me.  and yey all of you!!    but i degress.....anybody out there w/o recon?   i'm wondering ifstabbing  pain/discomfort is unusual?  maybe just "kniing" ?  sometimes the stabs are enuff to cry out, otherwise just non-stop discomfort.  dont wanna present these to my practioner or surgeon, if nomal. anybody?  thanks! ~ ~ nancy carol

Sandeeonherown

Carol6026 - Well if you get up the coast of Canada, give me a call because I live in Halifax. Keep me posted if you ever head up this way...

As for the lousy comments..remind yourself tha not everyone is appropriate when they are expressing concern...that not everyone knows what to say...tomorrow is another day...wear something you like, remember to breathe and if someone says something to you baout the weight loss either ask for a suggestion on how to gain it back, tell them 'yeah breast cancer is a b**ch of a diet' or ignore them ..... you are back at work. Good for you!!! You will be fine...find a pal at work who is not saying nasty things....let her / him know how much it is hurting you and perhaps they will take the hint and spread the news for others to be quiet...

Just some thoughts...hope tomorrow is better.

JeanH

Marelegal, thanks

Barb you look beautiful so glad you enjoyed the cruise.



Hugs to all

Jean

phew

carol  after mucho emotional pain, for other sthuff, i learned that the attacks anyone can throw at me are thiers.  i found out my feelings get hurt, but i am the one that is responsible for them,  my tool?  sick humor   ex:  wheb my hair fell ourt, for a diff cancer, it was in a very uniform and stylin way.  people commenrted on it, i just said....i know! and it only cost 25K  (so you can tell it was a whil ago)  asked them if they wanted to give them the name of my surgeon, make an appt    or for ex the weight loss if they say stuff clumsily, i make sure to not take it personally.  probly they are jusy envious that they gotta buy a jenny craig program, and you....   so to that i just said:  in know!  i am fortunate .  dont gotta work hard to get this waistline.    if they say i look horrid, then i kinda get bratty.  say you would too.  or at least i think it.   i just say thats temporary, i'll be ok soon enough bottom line?  whatever somone says to me i consider the source, and not take it as a barb, or irnsult,  probly a clumsy gesture of concern    good luck with that!!  and your new travels into BC, rads, etc   ~ ~ Nancy Carol

elimar86861

"when my hair fell out, for a diff cancer, it was in a very uniform and stylin way.  people commented on it, i just said...i know! and it only cost 25K"   ~~~phew

Now THAT'S an instant classic!   ROF-BLAD (ROF-braying like a donkey!) Hee-Hawwwwnh!

phew

not only that, i was a holiday party at George Lucas's ranch, while he was still wuth linda ronstadt.  AND I WAS THE BEST LOOKER !!!!   can it get any better   well, if you gotta have cance and such   ~ ~ NC

elimar86861

Oooooh, BarbA, you look so tropical and lovely.  (I'll be lucky to get my husband on a cruise, let alone wear a tuxedo.)  Were you dining with the Captain?????

I'm not in the "Cruise Club" (yet) but enjoying the stories.

Carol6026, don't go by what the co-workers say so much, some very nice people can be total idiots about making appropriate comments.  Some really are well meaning.  For the others. follow the example of phew and have a few snappy replies ready for tomorrow.  Think up some things that will crack you up, and then it's doubly funny if you actually get to say them.

sheila888

Barbara..You look absolutely beautiful and your DH is handsome.

Hello Ladies♥

heartnsoul76

phew - a party at George Lucas' ranch? You sure know how to roll when you have cancer! I just stayed in bed!

heartnsoul76

phew - I was thinking about your post about the stabbing pains. Even though I had a lumpectomy, I was having those kind of stabbing pains, too, sort of like bolts of lightning, for months afterwards. Still do sometimes. I'll be talking and all of a sudden let out a little yelp of pain. I asked my surgeon about it and he said that it was the nerve endings trying to rebuild and reconnect after being cut. But I don't know if that's the same thing you're having. I don't have any constant discomfort, but maybe you should mention it to your doctor the next time. I can't count how many times my questions to the docs have been answered with "it's normal", but as far as I'm concerned, there's nothing normal about any of this!

Eph3_12

Amen heartnsoul76-Amen!

chrissyb

Oooooo Eli, you are naughty!!!!!  ROTFLMAO!  had to look twice before I realised it was the stools!!!  Still ROTFLMAO!!

phew

heart:  yes, i was thinking its a nerves-reconnecting thing.  i'll take your prognonsis for 20!   yeah, i was fortunate to have many friends in film industry at that time.  i got todo, ss things that most civilians dont.  not bad for a consolation prize eh?   i'll see your partee with the big kids, and raise you 2 brain surgeries.  ~nancy-carol

3jaysmom

hey ladies, just reading.. wanted you to know you're on my mind, and in my heart...

BarbaraA

Thanks everyone. Yes, DH was styling and I was looking mighty fine myself. It was just awesome and I only really gained about 2 pounds.

Eli, I LOVE the nun pic!

barbe1958

MORE pics!! You promised....

BarbaraA

I have to download my camera. Sometime today I will put some more up.

walker2222

Eli - OMG, good thing I wasn't drinking anything when I saw your new pic.  My laptop would have gotten a shower.

Barbara - more pics, you guys are a styling couple.  I feel better just knowing you had a great time.

Took the weekend off the boards and boy did I miss a lot.

OG56

Middi's I have been reading and reading and reading!! I will never catch up just want to add that I still hot flash (Arimidex) but mostly through my hands and feet, which I think is pretty wierd. I used to have cool hands and feet and now most of the time they are hotter than hell.

Eli, those don't look like the nun's legs that I went to school with! Love the pic..

(((Hugs))) to PM miss seeing her witty posts, give her my love Meece.

Linda

elimar86861

Great to hear from you again, OG56!  Any news on a possible move?

I see everyone did a double-take on that nun photo, just like I did.