Chemo Starting Sep 09

vickilynn

Dear Sisters,

May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving (even if you live in Australia!) and a day filled with family and friends and food and very little thoughts of breast cancer...

much love,  Vickilynn

hbowser

Hello, everyone. 

Pamelajo - I'm sorry, but you are required to?  You get the award for the "World's Best Daughter-in-Law"  What is wrong with It's all about me.  I thought it was all about me!? 

I am sorry, too, but I am with Patty.  My onc. was mad at me because I had lost weight when I was on A/C.  I lost about 10 pounds.  Fortunately, I gained some of it back on Taxol.  Hope it continues since I can't afford to buy new clothes.

Wanted to share a message someone sent me today:

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs! 
 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!

Holly 

DomeGal

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone (even those of you not from the US!)

I got off work at noon today and have been lounging since then....still having body aches/bone pain and not really happy with the Taxol se's...but, feel fortunate that I am just now having se's since most of you seemed to have had them with AC.  We are celebrating our Thanksgiving on Friday when my daughter and baby granddaughter can be here, so tomorrow will be pre-lim stuff and cleaning....my son has "graciously" offered to help.  My BF is going to his family's tomorrow, so my son and I will be on our own. 

Re: weight gain....I too was overweight, but have noticed that my physical weight number is staying the same, but my middle has increased to humongous proportions...don't know if that is because I have no breasts and I look "out of whack" or what, but very bloated and all the water that I drink is gravitating towards my stomach.  I figure once chemo is finished, I should even out again...I hope!

I had another (go figure) meltdown last night...just so bone weary from the se's and working that I come straight home and head for the tub and I just started crying...just wanting this to be over and wondering if I will see the holidays next year...I know, maudlin, but you can't tell me that nobody doesn't think about that?!!!!  I am thankful for this site that I stumbled upon, for the words of wisdom and sometimes despair, for the bravery of all of us on this journey that we didn't sign up for...like my son said, "I enlisted knowing what I was doing (yeah, right!) and you got chosen against your will."  It is true, but if we can make any difference at all, whether it is our group, or someome "just diagnosed", then I feel that I made a difference.  Sorry to be so introspective...wine does that!!

Have a great long weekend....I will!! 

Anonymous

Hi Everyone,

I have had a busy day with all my kiddos home.  I took them in and got them the H1N1 vaccine today, I am glad they were able to get it.  We also just had a good day at home. My pies and my cornbread are cooling off. 

My DH hurt his knee and had to go to the Dr. too, his knee cap is dislocated.  I also found out that he hasn't been taking his blood pressure meds since June.  Can you say, "not okay"?  I was very unhappy with him, I know he was stressed out by my dx, but what better time to stay on your meds?  He had blood work done today, and he has a physical scheduled for Mon.  I am sure he will be fine, but it just makes me scared that he was off of it for so long.

Patty, I live in Applewood, and my kids go to Wheat Ridge High School.  When did you graduate? It really is a small world!  I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Pamela, it is a good thing that you like to cook!  I am sure you will make a great dinner and everyone will enjoy it.  I hope you enjoy it too.  Are you making Christmas cookies?  I dread going back to work on Monday too.

Vickilynn, I agree that we will all have a wonderful holiday, and focus on other things for one day.

Barb, I hope work wasn't too bad today, I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow and a great weekend.

Barbara, it is nice to have those fond childhood memories.  I try to make those memories with my kids too.  I will make you calorie free virtual pie any day!

Amy, I am so glad that your surgery schedule is working out.  What surgery are you having again?  I can never remember.  I think you are having bilat, but not sure.  I hope your holiday is super special.

Holly, I love your poem, too cute.  Happy Turkey Day!

Domegal, you are right I'm sure we all think those maudlin thoughts at times.  It has been a yucky year, and who knows what next year will bring.  If you had told me last Thanksgiving that I would be dealing with this right now I wouldn't have believed it.  It has been a huge reality check, and I hate it.  I just try to make everyday count now.  Have a wonderful day with your son tomorrow, and a great celebration with the rest of the family on Friday.

Jane, Onty, Melinda, and everyone else, (I am so bad at addressing everyone), I hope you are all doing as well as possible and that your Thanksgiving dinner tastes great.

Love & Hugs,

Susan

Pamelajo

Gobble Gobble.

 Something inside me whispered "just buy the breast", so I did LMAO  No big turkey, just a big old breast!  hehehehe  Can you say "subconcious" .....can you spell it?  I don't think I did correctly LOL  How low have I sank to be stealing a poor turkey's breast in order to have some?  MWhahahahaha.  I'm an idiot.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Melinda-Tma3

Happy Thanksgiving everyone...just wanted to get in here early and let you all know I'm thinking of you. Turkeys are coming later.. I am baking a ham right now and getting ready to whip up my famous "Heavenly Mushrooms" for our big dinner...My husband is vacuuming up ladybugs and keeps trying to suck up the little hair I have left on my head...not sure what got in his funny bones, but he's driving me crazy (while making me laugh). Running out to the woods to pick some bittersweet vine for our tables and my aunt is bringing dried gourds.  Everyone is arriving around 12 and then let the feast begin.   I'm going light on the food so I can manage a couple pieces of pie and my mom's best ever fresh fruit salad...the secret is to add orange juice... Neece...even though it's not your holiday...I will be thinking of you and I will have two bites of everything...one for you and one for me....

I have so much to be thankful for.....last nite at dinner we each told what we were thankful for...it was very touching and when it was my turn, I just went on and on...my husband for making everything go easy,,,my daughter for helping me through the worst days...my son for say 10 times a day..."love you" (even when I didn't feel lovable)..my oldest daughter for calling just about everyday when I was home alone to just girl talk...my surgeon, nurse and onc for walking with me every step of the way and making a clear path for me to follow.  My friends who called, sent food, went to chemo's with me and met me for lunch on the days I felt good....and to each of you...you give me something to look forward to each day..with your humor, support and kindness....and to God for giving me the strength to fight this.  

Have a great day...of low SE's, working tastebuds, or just a really good long nap that leaves you refreshed....There will be better days and I pray the worst is over for all of us....Love ya!

Melinda 

Anonymous

You all amaze me everyday.  I prayed for each of you today at church and  I am thankful for you all.  I am getting ready to finish my meager contribution for the dinner we will have with friends later.  I thank God for them too, I only have to bring a few things and everything else will be made by them.  This has been a challenging year, but I too have so much to be thankful for.

Blessings on each of you, and  your families today.  To all of our non-American sisters, you are included in my celebration in spirit, I am so thankful for you as well.

May peace be with each of you today.

Love,

Susan

jadams1264

Hello SOSisters.... hoping everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I'm so thankful we did Thanksgiving on Sunday, yesterday was a bowl of chicken noodle soup and a few bites of fruit.  But that's okay it was still a good day with a lot of blessings to count!

Patty - I have a few pounds that I will happily send your way.  Just let me know when you would like them!  My mother bless her heart could not gain weight for anything, I did not inherit this condition.

Barb0323 - okay share you secret for losing some weight, I lose bad chemo week but then put it back on when tastebuds return.  Have you tried Senokot-S for the constipation problem?  Also Colase stool softners?  They really do help.

Amy - hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Guess your now counting down the days till surgery.  What is the recouparation time?  Be okay for Christmas?

Pamelajo - how was your dinner?  It sounded like it would be so delicious!  Are you still in a food coma?  Sorry work is not so good right now, if it is like my job it goes in stages and your right it will pass.

Vickilynn - how was your Thanksgiving?  How are you feeling?  Are you still having se's from the taxotere?

Holly - thanks for sharing your Thanksgiving message.  Those of us fussing about our weight certainly appreciated it!

BarbAnne41 - so glad you are through with your A/C.  How are you feeling?  Hope you were able to enjoy Thanksgiving and enjoyed a lot of real whipped cream!

Susan - thanks for making us pies with real whipped cream.  When you bake next I'd like a peach pie to go with the whipped cream.  My grandmother baked too, unfortunately, not with me in the kitchen!  Sorry to hear your hubby dislocated his knee and hasn't been taking his meds.  Men can be so stubborn.  You will have to keep after him!  Shall we all fuss at him from cyberspace?  I'm going back to W/W as soon as I finish my last H/C txt which will be in Jan.  Done lots of programs but W/W has always been the one that worked (at least for a while).  

Neece - hope you are staying cool.  Are the fires out?  How are you feeling?  

ChinaBlue- my onc says not to worry about the weight until chemo is finished.  Easy for him to say!  But sounds to me like you are doing everything right, eating right, exercising.  I think you need to be kind to yourself, the weight will come off.  You have been so good this whole time about exercising that you will probably have the weight off long before the rest of us.  Buttered toast?  If it tastes good then that's what you should eat!

DomeGal - I too am pretty much maintaining my weight but have grown very large around my middle.  In fact, if I wasn't too old to be pregnant people might wonder if I wasn't expecting!  Don't worry about the meltdown, we've all been there done that and will probably do it again more than once.  The shower/bath seems to be a favorite spot for just letting go.  Hope you had a good Thanksgiving today with daughter & grandaughter.

Melinda - so how was your huge Thanksgiving?  Sounds like you were having fun even before your company arrived.  Sometimes we just need to step back from all of this BC to see our blessings.  Will you share you fruit salad receipe with the secret ingredient?    Fruit is one thing that really tastes good to me these days.

Okay, I know I haven't mentioned everyone and I apologize in advance.  Hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday, gone shopping and found great deals if they were up to it and if you had any se's they are gone away!

Thoughts & prayers are with you!

Jane

Neece

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday - I really like the way it is a chance to reflect on blessings - we don't do that enough in everyday life I don't think. And after the time we have all had this year it is hard to find the bright lights in the gloom sometimes - though you have all been amongst my bright lights. Melinda I do hope you enjoyed the double bites on my behalf!

AMy so glad you have surgery date organsied and are happy with that. It is good to have a date to work towards and get organised. Good luck with it.

Jane the fires are under control now thanks to a weather change and some rain. How much everything depends on the weather! We think we are in control but mother nature just says "NO!" It is hot again today but not as bad as last weekend.

My treatment dates have all been moved again! Saw my oncologist two days ago and she was REALLY unhappy with the proposed delay in my final tx until Jan. So she rang the hospital onc unit and got them to bring it all forward!! SO I am back to the original plan of final tx on Xmas Eve - not ideal but at least I will get to fulfil my wish of having all the chemo out of the way by the end of the year (all going well) My next tx (no 5) has been brought forward slightly to Friday - a bit early but has to be to fit it in with tx 6 before X mas. So I really HOPE they find veins easily both times and all goes to plan. Fingers crossed.....

msmpatty

Neece, good news on getting the TXs out of the way this month!   I also have a TX on Christmas Eve, so I'll be thinking of you  (or maybe I should think of you the day before...since most of the time I think you guys are a day ahead of us ...confusing!)   I also have a TX on New Year's Eve day.  Happy Holidays to me.  HA!

Jane, send some pounds...but ONLY to my bottom.   My waist doesn't need them!   My weight loss may be self correcting on the weekly Taxols.     This morning I was in the Chair eating yoghurt with granola, then I had two pieces of banana bread, then when I left I got a chicken sandwich and a big lemonade...and I was still hungry!  Yikes.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and survived "Black Friday".   I gotta say that being in the Chair was a much more peaceful way to spend the morning than at the Malls!

Patty

Melinda-Tma3

Good Morning SOSisters.... Today is extremely bright and sunny...windy and ....cold.... we have our wood stove going at full steam....and it's very cozy right now.  

Neece...I enjoyed every bite! I should have taken a picture for you! Never thought of it at the time.I'm glad you and Patty are finishing up before the end of the year.  It's kind of like a milestone....starting off the new year with a new plan....That's good!  It will feel great to have this part behind you! 

Vicki Lynn....I was so sad to hear about Kemo....there just aren't words.....just a sad acknowledgement....He was sooo dear....I'm sad the grandkids had to deal with it as well....but they got to enjoy and love him in his short life...he brought so much hope and joy to so many people.... he will not be forgotten...

Susan-thanks for the prayers! Many coming back to you!

China and Domegal....I've gained weight too....I'm still not back to the original me....My energy is good but not great....So slowly I will work on my weight/exercise and diet.... but first our bodies need to heal....so fill your bellies with good things and lot's of variety....we need so much to get back to great.... Maybe for the new year we can work together on ideas for trimming our beautiful bodies....recipes and ideas for preparing delicious healthy meals.  Excercise ideas that really work... vitamins etc to build our minds and immune system and so forth... I am not an expert on excercise..but I'll start to post some of my finding on vitamins and good recipes too...any other thoughts here????  

I spent Black Friday with 20 little kids from church, making tree ornament crafts...we had a really fun time and the kiddos were really so neat and funny... It was a cheap escape from the mall thing! Think I'll do it every year! Parents could drop off the kids while they shopped! Good for everyone!

Thanksgiving was wonderful and it was a low turnout this year.  Only 35...so extra food for us all! I baked a ham.  We had a deep fried turkey and a baked stuffed turkey plus 20 other dishes and desserts....  good eats!  

Jane:Here's the recipe for my

Mom's fruit salad:

1 Can peaches/with juice (cut in half)

1 can pears/with juice (bite size pieces) 

1 small jar marichino cherrys with some juice(cut in half )

1 can (or fresh) pineapple with juice in chunks

4 oranges pealed to pulp and cut in bite size pieces-no skin

2 pink grapefruit (same as above) no skin 

grapes (seedless) cut in half (as many as you like)

3-4 bananas (peeled and sliced)

1 cup of fresh or good tasting orange juice

Mix together and eat in a few hours...lasts up to 4 days  (I'm eating a bowl right now!) This makes quite a bit so share some with your friends!

Holly-loved your poem...please share more!

My BC doctor said I'll be starting tamoxiphen before I start rads...meet with my onc next week so I'll keep you all posted on that little change....A hot flash Christmas....somehow sounds exotic....  So off to make birdseed suet balls for my bird feeders...Getting colder here and my birds are all about eating! Maybe if I could fly I'd lose weight...I'd fly all over visiting all of you!  Last stop -Australia...maybe for a year or so...

Hugs and dreams of flying...speaking of which...have any of you ever dreamed you could fly?

Melinda  

jadams1264

Hey SOSisters...

Neece & Patty - I'm going to be right behind you on the treatments.  My last one is on New Year's Eve which to me is a perfect way to end this year and look forward to 2010.  Neece so glad they were able to change your treatments, I know you were wanting to start your new job in January.  Patty - I'll send you the pounds, sounds like I may have already sent you my runaway appetite.

Melinda - sounds like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Thank you so much for sharing your receipe, I'll have to head to the store.  Will be waiting to hear about the tamoxifen, I think I have to wait until I finish my Herceptin in 2010 - by that time you will be a pro on this new drug.  When do you start your rads?  And yes I'd like to take off and fly somewhere exotic and warm and while I was flying all my fat would fall off and I'd be sleek and energetic when I landed!

Hope eveyone is having a great weekend!

Thoughts & prayers are with you!

Jane

barbt0323

Hello SOS Sisters.....

Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving.  We went to a restaurant at the beach and instead of the traditional turkey had seafood.  We went there with my mother-in-law, brother-in-law and his fiance.  Had a very nice time.  That evening I made a turkey breast for my husband and I.  Pamelojo - you crack me up with your comments "just buy the breast".  Never entered my mind when I bought that turkey breast!

Jane:  my secret to losing weight was a combination of things.  I probably lost about 10 pounds before starting chemo due to stress.  Since then have lost another 8 to 10 pounds.  I have been trying to eat healthier.  I love ice cream and have done away with eating it.  Sticking to frozen yogurt.  Actually, I do not have a taste for it anymore.  Staying away from fried foods.  The main thing is that I do not really have that much of an appetite.  That may all end when I start on taxotere next treatment.  Also, I have not checked my weight since before Thanksgiving.  Pigged up quite a bit.  Could not resist that pumpkin pie.

For all of you lucky ladies that will finish chemo by the end of the year, I am really happy for you!  I will have round 6 on December 30th.  Eight and final one will be on I believe Feb. 11th.  Doctor said I would have surgery about 2 to 3 weeks later.  I meet with my surgeon this Tuesday.

Well, better do some things around the house before I lose my energy.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Love to all,

Barb T  

Anonymous

Hi All,

I had a good Thanksgiving, we went to friends and that was nice.  We had a great time playing Monopoly and eating ourselves into the food coma.  On the way home the kids all complained that there wouldn't be any leftovers so I did what any good mama would do, and I went to the store on Friday and got all of the stuff to make another Thanksgiving.  Yummmm!  We played more Monopoly, and just had fun.  I don't want to weigh in for a while , but I am getting back on track today.

I am glad that you all had a good holiday. 

 Neece, I know it is hard to get through all of these treatments, but I am glad that it will be over for you. Stay cool! 

Jane, chicken noodle soup sounds great, and of course I will make you a peach pie.  Colorado peaches are the best(sorry Georgia), so I will use those and it will be wonderful, of course it will be topped with lots of real whipped cream.  It won't add to our weight problems because it is virtual.  I would love it if you give my husband grief through cyber space! 

 Barb, seafood is always a good idea, I love Florida for that as well as many other reasons.  What surgery will you have? 

Melinda, I am glad you had so much fun, and I agree, no malls on black Friday.  I think sharing healthy ideas is the way to go.  I have dreamed that I could fly, and I am with you and Jane, let's fly and lose weight and visit our friends, that sounds fabulous! 

 I am having really bad neropathy in my right hand.  It has made it hard to sleep the last two nights, and it hurts so bad I have actually woken up because of it.  I am going to buy some B6 vitamins and hope that helps.  I need to go now because typing isn't helping.

Love & Hugs,

Susan

barbt0323

Susan:  in regards to what surgery I am going to have not 100% sure yet.  I will know more when I have my appointment with surgeon on Tuesday.  I had two tumors close to each other on right breast.  One was 3.00 cm other one 3.5 cm  Onctologist said that chemo has brought it down to where they are just nodules.  Not sure if I am a candidate for lumpectomy since I have 2 or if it is going to be a mastectomy at this time.  Surgeon said initially mastectomy because of the size but chemo has really worked reducing the size.

Anybody have any thoughts?

msmpatty

Barb, sounds like you might have a decision to make regarding surgery...it's always good to have options!  I choose the breast conserving route although I did consider mastectomy.  At this point I'm happy with my decision as I don't need a prosthesis or reconstruction and the recovery was really easy.  The downside is, with this surgery you for sure need radiation.   I have a friend who elected to have a BMX a couple years ago.  She's completed reconstruction and she's really happy with her decision too!  I think you need to follow your instincts as to which route will give you the most peace of mind.

Thanks for all your encouragement for finishing chemo at the end of the year...unfortunately, I miscommunicated.   I finish up the end of the January.  But I'll take the encouragement anyway!   I'm on my TX3 of 12 weekly Taxols and so far no problems!  Keeping my fingers crossed....

Patty

 

jadams1264

Hey SOSisters.  can't believe it's Sunday evening already.  Back to work for me tomorrow, gets harder to go back everytime I have a week off.  My energy level is about 80% but fortunately I sit down all day so.....

Barbt0323- sounds like you had a lovely Thanksgiving.  Eating healthier certainly sounds like a plan, I haven't wanted anything fried since starting chemo.  I was a sweet nut - cakes, cookies my downfall and I haven't wanted any of that either.  However, I seem to be hungry all the time with the exception of my bad week.  I am hoping after my last T/C txt on 12/31 my appetite will decrease somewhat.  I would certainly consult with your onc on your best option for surgery.  I had a lumpectomy because of the size of my tumor.  I am thankful that recovery was minimal and I don't have to have any reconstruction.  I'm sure the rest of our sisters will way in with their thoughts.  You will know what to do when the time comes.

Susan - thank you for the pie, absolutely delicious!!  The real whipped cream was the finishing touch.  Will you be going with the hubby to his doctor's appt tomorrow?  Will you let the doctor know he hasn't been taking his meds?  Men!  Sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving.  When does your daughter go back to school?  Have you talked to your doctor about your hand?  I'd be interested to hear what he says about the vitamin B.  Let us know.  Back to work for you tomorrow too?

Patty - we are all so close aren't we to finishing up?  End of Dec., Jan. & Feb.  I'm not sure if we have anyone that won't be done by then, can't remember from one post to the other.  Whenever, we will all be there for one another, whatever our next step in this journey may be.

To all - hope you are enjoying your weekend.  No side effects!  Take care and post when you have time.

Thoughts & prayers are with you.

Jane

Anonymous

Hi All,

I'm back at work today.  I can't say I missed it, but it isn't all bad being back either.  It is always good to see the kids, and to hear their stories.  I will be glad to head home this afternoon though.

Barb, I had a BMX with immediate reconstruction, and although the recovery was long, it went really well.  I am happy with my decision, I didn't have a choice of breast conserving surgery, but certainly would have considered it if it had been a choice.  I agree with Patty, what ever decision you make, do what gives you peace of mind.  Know that we will be here for you what ever surgery you have!

Patty, I am glad that the Taxol isn't giving you too much grief.  I hope you continue to feel well.  Do you still have any family in Colorado? 

Jane, I am glad that you enjoyed the pie!  I have been having such a hard time calming down my eating.  I just seem to pick at everything.  I am trying to use my WW tools, and journal everything that I eat, but...I don't want to write it all down and so I don't and then...one thing leads to another.  I am going to do my best to get a couple of walks in this week anyway.

Gotta work now.

Hugs and Love,

Susan

positiveme

Hello Ladies

I have been out of touch for a few days. I went to get my counts checked on Wed. and my WBC was 1.9. Dr. was concerned and told to not skip a day with my neupogen shots like I have been doing. They als recommended to not be around alot of people for the next couple of days. I was going to my MIL but I have 7 young nieces and nephews and I was so suppose to stay away from them. I opted to stay home and be safe. I made the right choice. At about 4pm the bone pain from the shot hit me really hard. I had to take pain meds to get through it. I spent to whole weekend just lying around with no engery. Back at work today and feeling alittle better.  I saw the onc this morning and will start tamoxifen next Monday. I had a pain in my left upper arm and shoulder for about 2 months ( uneffected side). He wants a MRI to see whats going on.

I have alot of caatching up to do with reading everyones posts so I can't post to each of you but I am keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

THINK POSITIVE

Catherine

Anonymous

((((((((Hugs Catherine)))))))),  I am so sorry you have been struggling.  I am glad you stayed home to take care of yourself.  When will you have the MRI?  Keep us posted on how the Tamoxifen goes, I start it on the 15th. 

I love you my positive friend!

Susan

msmpatty

Susan,  the only family I have left in Colorado are my neice and nephew, but I still have many friends there.   It's about this time of year that I really miss Colorado. Somehow the Christmas lights on the palm trees in San Diego just don't seem right to me.  HA!   Go Farmers!

Catherine, good luck on the MRI and your first Tamoxifen.  I'm sending healthy blood vibes your way.

Jane, have a good week at work.   Despite the fatigue, I think working through my treatment has been a savior for me.   It gives me something positive to do and makes life feel "normal".   I heard my business partner tell someone today that she has "chemo brain".   She said "Patty got all the other side effects, so I took chemo brain off her hands".   Funny!

I hope everyone has a great week!

Patty

positiveme

Good Morning All

I hope everyone is feeling well today. I seem to be gettig back to normal. If I can remember what that is.

Susan- I start tamoxifen and have my MRI on Monday. I will let everyone know how that goes. Thanks for the kind words

THINK POSITIVE

Catherine

Anonymous

Hi All,

Patty, "Go Farmers"  indeed!  The football team won the state 4A title last year, and I thought they were going to do it again this year, but they got knocked out in the semi-finals.  My kids are in the marching band and the choir though, no sports kids in my family.

Catherine, I know what you mean about getting back to normal.  I am trying to figure out what that looks like.  I know that I am not being super productive at work, but I am plugging away some any how.  I hope you are doing well. Take care.

Love,

Susan

Melinda-Tma3

Hi Sisters....Happy December! The beginning of a new month....we have been at this for so long now....feels good to be making progress!  My Onc today said no to the tamoxiphen before rads...so...looks like I'm on reprieve....and no exotic hot flashy Christmas...

Here's a nice thought...

May you always have
Love to share,
Health to spare,
And Friends that care~

I'm healing well...Here's a profound statement....HAIR GROWS SLOWLY WHEN YOU WANT IT TO GROW QUICKLY!

Thinking of you guys and glad December is here....Looking forward to the new year...

Hugs,

Melinda 

msmpatty

Susan, glad to hear Wheat Ridge is still going to the finals!   Unfortunately, the "Farmers" is just about about worst mascot ever...don't you think?  

Melinda, I'm with you on the hair.   I think of all the times I complained about having cuts and color so frequently...now the darn stuff is totally taking it's time.

For anyone looking forward to Taxol...I'm mid-week after TX#3 and feel great.  Don't feel at all sick, have tons of energy, a little achiness here and there but compared to AC...piece of cake!

 Patty

jadams1264

Hello SOSisters ... back to work and it feels so good to be there and not at home on the couch!  Ok is anyone besides me loosing their eyelashes?  All of a sudden I am missing eyelashes right in the middle of one eye!  Really cute.  I know my eyebrows are thinning but it's like a whole clump fell out at the sametime of eyelashes!  ARGH!!!

Catherine - I hope you are feeling better.  Really interested in the tamoxifen, heard so many things but am counting on getting the real scoop from all of my sisters who are starting it soon.  How did your MRI go? 

Susan - I to feel like I'm just plugging along at work, but at least I'm there and accomplishing something!  I'm with you on W/W - I'm not going to start until January but right now I'm not too motivated to journal and watch what I eat.  I know I could be doing that already but figure if I start now I will quit next pity party I decide to have between now and my last txt.  The weight will come off when it is time, in the meantime I may have to buy larger pants!

Patty - my last chemo was probably my easiest but the fatigue overwhelms me and I don't even try to work the week after I have chemo on Thurs.  Fortunately I only have 2 left to go and I am so wanting them to be over.  So glad you are doing well with the taxol, I do taxotere in conjunction with carboplatin (these are the 2 I refer to as "bad" chemo".  Wish I could say I have tons of energy, I'm not sure I remember what having a lot of energy feels like!

Melinda - as someone who suffers from hot flashes, be thankful that you won't be having an exotic hot flash Christmas!  I understand the tamoxifen really produces some wicked hot flashes and there isn't a whole lot you can do about them.  When do you start your rads?   Glad you are healing well,the lumpectomy really was the least of it, isn't it?  Do you have stubble on your head?  I have stubble and 2 more txts to go - I can see little white hairs on my head - funny thing is my hair was a lovely brown (compliments on my hairdresser) before we shaved it off   I'm with you and looking forward to 2010 which is going to be a wonderful year for all of us!

To everyone who hasn't posted, we miss you!  I would try to type names but don't want to miss anyone - I think Neece was in the chair today and seems like someone else was seeing the dr. today, I hate that I can't remember!

Thoughts & prayers are with you!

Jane

Pamelajo

Checkin in with my favorite bald beauties!

Thanksgiving was a fiasco per usual.  Made a lovely dinner for the in-laws, as required, and they didn't show up.  So I ate it.  I ate all of it.  THEN, I went to my parents that evening for supper, and I ate again.  Now my ass is as big as Mom's turkey was and I don't care.  I also don't care that every bite of mashed potatoes, sweet taters, pie and homemade noodles are hanging off the my shoulder blades like big ole batman wings   Just more skin for the boobs I'm about to receive (or be built) as the case may be.

 Work is better.  I've decided there is no point arguing with idiots.......no future in it.  I just smile and go uh huh and then wait for the fall out.  Oh it's coming ladies, it's coming.  I am almost rid of my bacterial infection.........er, I mean the lady that helps me in the office.  She's finally being sent back to production next week   YAY.  Now that I've said that out loud, karma will bite me in the hind end and she'll stay for another month to bless me with germs and ludicrous statements. The new boss is proof that monkey's can run the zoo.  Amen and hallelujah.  That's all I got to say about that.

I go to see all three of my doctors Thursday.  I guess I shall be put on Femera, or one of it's sister pills for the next several years........and I will be blessed with seeing my surgeon (for no other reason than to be charged another 300 dollar office visit) and then, the icing on the sexy cake, I get to see my drop dead gorgeous plastic surgeon......ooooo laaaa laaa.  If he makes breasts only half as perty as he is I'll be happier than a hog in poo.

Girls.....I read your posts and I so wish I could wrap my ever fattening arms around you and squeeze you tight tight tight.  I want you all to feel better.  I haven't had a treatment for nearly a month, and I am still not myself.  I AM BETTER though.  I cannot wait for you all to join me.

Love you all, and please keep those chins up.  We will beat this thing and never have to worry about it again.  I'm with you all in spirit (raiding your fridges in my dreams)

behave Mama's.

vickilynn

Hello Sisters!

I had a tx this morning (just 2 more to go!), and a neulasta shot tomorrow. 

Had a good Thanksgiving at my son and DILs until the last few bites of the meal and I turned bright red and splotches all over my face!  A woman there was an RN and offered me a benadryl - so I took it and laid down for awhile - until I felt better.  The onc's office said that when you're on chemo your chemistry changes so much that even foods can make you react with allergic-type responses.  Weird. 

Then we had lots of music (banjo and guitars and singing) but I tired out soon and we headed back down the hill. 

My chair-neighbor today was a sweet lady with ovarian cancer.  We talked a bit and she's been doing chemo for 26 months!!!!  It made me put my own txs into perspective - and realize I shouldn't be complaining.  Thankfully, her txs seem to be working (she also had surgery). 

OK - my brain just quit.  Hugs and prayers for you all.

Vickilynn

vickilynn

OK - remembered the one other thing I wanted to share.

Early on in our postings, we shared stupid things that people say to us.  But I want to start a new list --- the kindest things that people say:

A friend sent me an email that simply said, "Did I tell you how much I hate cancer, and how much I hate the fact that you have cancer?"

For some reason, those words were more comforting and understanding than any I've heard in a long time.  Hope somebody says something nice to you soon!

DiDiT

Hi all!  Although I started in June, am on the same finish schedule and surgery schedule with many of you.  Had last taxol/herceptin today!!!!   24 weeks of chemo - DONE.  Surgery scheduled Dec. 18th - think I saw that Amy is Dec. 17th - perhaps we'll chat and share good news of wonderful pain management!!!!!!

Love to all!  Hang in there, we're all on the road back to normal, although - hopefully are new normal will be a changed one, more profound, more meaningful...Hugs!!

Di Di