Chemo Starting Sep 09

msmpatty

Neece - Glad to hear your good news on your back...not so much the bad news.  Do they think the disc problem is a result of your accident?  Here's hoping the exercise, pills and physical therapy help.   I had a crooked and aching back as a teenager and exercises and physio cleared it up..so it can work!   As for my son.  Yes, he is adopted.  And, yes, his bio father was African American. (Tee hee.)  My second cousin twice removed (figure that out!) is in the same grade at school as my son and he is Japanese.  So we are a bit of a "United Nations" family...much like you!

Jane - I agree the AIs are really important...but so is your quality of life.   Your doc's plan sounds right...get you feeling good, then try the AI again.   So far no major SEs from Femara for me.  Keeping my fingers crossed for you!  As for the hair, I've read on these boards that women who did Herceptin seem to have slower hair growth than the rest of us.  Patience, my dear.

Vicki - The medical marijuana law in California is just ridiculous.  As I understand it, all you need to do is walk into a marijuana clinic, attest that you have some pain or something (hang nail maybe) and you're in!  I'm not necessarily against somebody smoking the stuff, but it does cause problems like you guys have up north and we have with smugglers in San Diego.  It seems it needs to be totally illegal or totally legal (and controlled).

Nighty night, ladies.

Patty

jadams1264

Hello SOSisters....

To everyone who sent me your addresses, etc., I have sent you a list of all of our sisters via your regular email.  Let me know if you don't receive it.  For those of you who haven't had time to send me your info, please do so and I will add it to the list!

Neece - I know you were probably disappointed to hear there was no quick fix but suspect you knew that before you went to the doctor.  As Patty said the physical therapy will help, you just have to stick with it!

Patty - I know I need to be patient about my hair but patience has never been one of my better traits.  Maybe I need to go to one of the marijuana clinics you and Vicki are discussing and just get mellow     Hope you are doing well!

Hope everyone is getting ready for a nice weekend.  I so miss our sisters who are no longer posting, I know we are all busy and getting busier all the time, but a short post would be so wonderful just so we know you are doing okay!

Thoughts and prayers are with you!

Jane

vickilynn

Jane - hoping for the best results from your tests!

Neece - glad you got answers for pain.  Sometimes just having answers helps!

Patty - my onc offered me a prescription while going thru chemo.  Now I wonder if it might have helped!  I think having grown up in the 60's, the thought of walking around in a pot-daze just has no appeal to me at all!

I've had an interesting week!  Monday my husband said, "Let's go to Yuma for the week"... and gave me 20 minutes to pack and not change my mind!  The mold (the decomposing forest outside our door) was really making us both sick. 

Before I got cancer, we had been exposed to a home with lots of mold and toxins and got very sick (the onc. and toxicologist believe my cancer was caused by this)... anyway when I started vomitting every morning last week, my husband panicked.  So we took a quick trip down here.  And in just these 5 days away from home, I feel so much better - no coughing or breathing problems at night.   Arizona's dryness is good.  And (sorry all you frozen easterners and northerners) it's 76 degrees and sunny.  Can't complain about that!

We celebrated our 38th anniversary yesterday with some friends we'd met here before from BC Canada with lunch and visits to 2 of the local marketplaces... One is outdoors and the other indoors.  How nice to wear a t-shirt and no sweater and sandals!!!

We're heading back home on Monday but may need to make some important decisions about where to live in the future.  Mold is not to be trifled with.  (What an interesting phrase... I wonder what the origin of that phrase is!)

vickilynn

OK - for you word buffs:  Trifle is from the French word Trufle which meant "false or idle tale" and was first used in the 14th century to mean "treat lightly".  So there you go.  The word trifle is nothing to trifle with.

BarbAnne41

Vicki- I love the word trifle, of course I work in the English department of a college, so we all are word freaks, but I still love it, oh and the dessert is not bad either! Glad you had a good time in Yuma, prayers about you and the hubby's decision on moving.

 Jane thinking good thoughts for your scans, and thank you so much for the list!

 Neece- Sorry the doc didn't have the news you wanted, but as I am always telling myself, could be worse, so I am glad it isn't worse.

Patty-Hows the weather out there? A friend of mine just flew out to LA to visit her daughter and raved about the weather. Actually it has been in the sixties and sunny here for the past week, very very odd even for southern Michigan in mid November.

Hope you all are well

Love and hugs

Barbara

jadams1264

Hello SOSisters.... yes it has been a wonderful Monday!  All clear on scans, NED.  Only my sisters would know how relieved I am.  So much to be thankful for once again.  Onc is sending me to ortho specialist for hands and pulmonary dr. for shortness of breath.  Did say my bones look great with no arthiritis.

 Hope all of you are doing well.  Everyone must be very very busy, our posts are looking slim.

Take care.  Thoughts and prayers are with you.

 Jane

Neece

Jane, good 'ol NED! Aren't we always pleased to see him around? Well done you. And many thanks for address list. If any of you decide to pay a trip 'down under' then please message me and come stay! I will send you my street address then. Until then, probably not much use to you.

Vickilynn I am amazed at how bad an effect the mould has obviously had on you. Glad you got away for a bit but it does sound like you might need to think about a more permanent move.

BarbAnne41

Jane Yea and congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Big hugs for good news.

Neece- I hope I am lucky enough one day to be able to PM you and say hey I am on your side of the world where are you??? Ha Ha!!

Love and Hugs

Barbara

vickilynn

Congrats Jane!  Good news : )

positiveme

Good Morning Sisters

It seems like years since I posted. We had a fantastic time in Vegas!! Didn't win any money but didn't lose it all either. (that's a win for me). Just reading up on all the posts and seeing what everyone is up to. My daughers sweet 16 was everything we could have wanted it to be. She had a great time with all her friends. Tuesday night see got her driving permit. Now I will have two on the road. Bring on the Xanax. Returned this weekend from Virginia for a schloarship comp. at Roanoke College with my son. Looking forward to this Thanksgiving. Last on was spent all alone because my white count was really low.

Jane- Thank goodness for NED!!

Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers

THINK POSITIVE

Catherine

DomeGal

Hi to all of my Warrior Sisters...have had a busy 2 months with 2 cancer walks in October and reconstruction surgery on November 9th.  Glad to be rid of the "rocks", but really thought that I would be bigger like I asked for....now will lose about 20 pounds so that I will look smaller with HUGE boobs!  Where there's a will, there's a way.  Healing nicely and already back at work this week....more soreness than pain.  It is so good to hear from everyone and glad to hear that those who are undergoing more tests are getting good news.  I did finally get a primary care doctor and had bloodwork and my Vitamin D is really low so now one more pill to take a day.  Otherwise everything was okay.

Funny story about my surgery last week....it was done at an Ear Nose Throat surgery center that my ps is affiliated with and I was in pre-op with twin 6 year old boys....They were out of control and it's no wonder my blood pressure was spiking, but being the smart ass that I am I asked the nurse...."Why do I get to wear the paper thong and old lady gown and they get cute jammies and get a trip to the toy chest?"  She just laughed and was telling the other nurses what I said.  On a serious note though, I hate that I went through this and have friends and relatives that are still in the beginning phases of the journey....I have been thinking a lot about the choice that I made  to have both removed even though I only had cancer in one....my new primary care asked me why I did it and if my surgeon recommended it....told him no, she tried to talk me out of it, but I really didn't think that I could do it another time down the road.  It turned out to be the best path for me...Love you all...and sorry that I am not posting to you individually

jadams1264

Good morning SOSisters..... beautiful day in NC and I'm enjoying every minute of it.  Had to work during the BC walk so we raised money in the store through raffles this year.  We raffled off pink piggy banks with surprises in them and a pink KitchenAid mixer.  Guess who won the mixer?  Of course I bought enough tickets to pay for it, but all for a good cause.  All monies go to the Friends of the Cancer Center and we raised over $1,000!  Feeling better and I'm so glad, started back on my Famera the same day I got my test results.  Already aching joints and bones but going to try my best to stick with it!

Neece - if I ever get to travel to down under you can be sure I'll want your address.  How's the new job going?  Son and new wife doing well?  I'm trying to get ready for Thanksgiving, so much to be thankful for and try to remember that when I'm being grouchy!

BarbAnne - I bought a couple of new products, still playing with my hair.  So sick of the wig and want to throw it away.  I use my daughter as my mirror when I try to do something with my hair, her face says it all.  She could never play poker!  Hope you are doing well, any thoughts of more writing?

VickiLynn - can you move?  They say mold is so dangerous and causes so many things.  How are you and hubby feeling?  I would love to visit your part of the country, never been further than New Mexico/Nevada.

Catherine - you sound like my kind of gambler.  I take a specific amount (usually $100.), when it's gone, I'm done.  I like the people watching, the sights and shows so much better than throwing my money away.  Once I won $100.  I have friends that go all the time and when big and get comped for everything.  They probably spend a lot too!  Glad your daughter's 16th went well, sounds like you are very busy.  Enjoy the time, it will go by all to fast and they'll be off and doing their own thing.

DomeGal - boy it's good to hear from you.  We have been wanting all our sisters to stop by and post.  Were you the least bit nervous about going to the ENT center for your surgery?  I can't imagine having to share the room with 6 years old.  I would have also chosen to have both breasts removed had my stage and or size of tumor been larger.  It is such a personal decision for us to make and I'm glad there is no second guessing on your part!  Take good care and don't wait so long to post next time, we've missed you!

To all the rest of my sisters, hope you are well and just very busy.  Take care.

Thoughts and prayers are with you!

Jane

msmpatty

Seems that "pink October" is extending into November!   On the way to my son's school this morning we drove through the start of the Susan G. Komen 3-day.  The little seaside town of Del Mar was a sea of pink.  The merchants and restaurants were out on the sidewalks with water and gifts and there were bands and cheerleaders and tons of people cheering the walkers on.  My favorite sight was two large guys wearing huge pink bras over their t-shirts.  Inside the bras...watermelons!  (Are you jealous, Kim?)   Last year I was a total humbug about this event.  Maybe it hit too close to home then?  Or, maybe I was just jealous that anyone could have the energy to walk 60 miles when I was exhausted by a walk to the end of the driveway to get the mail?  This year I was cheered by the sight of so many people raising money for breast cancer.  Definite progress for me!   Hooray for Jane and Kim to be so busy raising money as well.

I got my first real hair compliment!   A friend I have dinner with twice a week while our boys do martial arts told me he thought it was looking really good.  Hooray!   Jane, if the texture and dullness are bothering you...my hairdresser recommended a Bumble & Bumble shampoo and conditioner that are formulated to repair really damaged hair.  I think they are helping to make mine a little shinier and less frizzy on the ends.

If I don't get back here before the holiday...Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  At least this year the food will actually taste good!   My list of thanks will definitely include all you beautiful, strong and supportive ladies.

Patty

vickilynn

We had our first snow yesterday but it melted due to rain by the afternoon.  A bit more is expected tonight and tomorrow. 

I attended my cousin (63 yrs old) on Friday.  He died of a tumor in his brain stem and died peacefully in his sleep before they even had a chance to do radiation and other treatments.  I was glad he didn't have to suffer for a long time.  Lots of family there - an aunt and uncle who are in their 80's, cousins I hadn't seen in years and all looked way too old, my own brothers, people from my high school years...  It reminded me of the importance of people in my life, especially those I just neglect, simply because I'm busy or it's too much trouble, or I don't take the time for them like I should.

So I invited us to my brother's for Thanksgiving and talked to my cousin about a family reunion, and resolved to write more letters to my aunt and uncle and let them know how immportant they were and are in my life.

Is life really too short?

Something I asked myself when my good friend died at age 42 after less than a month's diagnosis of uterine cancer...   We ask - "What would you do if you only had 30 days to live?"  But the truth is most of us have 20 or 30 years left to live (and some much more!) and the question we need to ask is:  "What am I going to do with the next 20 years?"

Let's live it!

(feeling philosophical this morning...)

msmpatty

Yes!   Let's live it!   Thanks for your thoughts, VickiLynn.  I still sometimes find myself thinking "Will I be around to see my son graduate from high school?".   Then I think...who knows?   No sense worrying about it...the only thing I can do is be the best mom I can be every day. 

I decided to update my avatar.  Although the color is still pretty dull and mono-chromatic, I think my hair is making progress!

Happy Turkey Day to one and all!

Patty

vickilynn

Love the hair! 

jadams1264

Hello SOSisters.... just taking a moment before work to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.  Don't we have so much to be thankful for this year?  I have been thinking of the past year, this time last year I was laying on the couch, didn't care about much of anything!  Anyway in my long list of things I'm thankful for just wanted all of you to know that you are way up there on the top of the list.  I'm sort of sad that are posts are dwindling, don't want to lose touch.  Know everyone is busy but sure would like for our site to keep going with all of our sisters.

VickiLynn - it's that time of year to be thinking these thoughts.  I have a few people I'm trying to catch up with myself!

Patty - I love your hair!!!!!

Everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving - I'll take virtual desserts if anyone wants to share.  Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jane

vickilynn

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! 

Jane - I especially like pecan pie --- any of that on your table?   You are so right, we have so much to be thankful for --- and the comparison to last year is amazing!  When I'm having a bad day, it's good to remember what life was like a year ago!

Wish we could all share a Thanksgiving Feast and include Neece!  Turkey, Ham (my brother always cooks a ham), gravy, dressing (rice or bread), mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes (DH loves those - with or without the marshmallows on top), cranberry jello, olives (so the grandkids can put one on each finger),  green bean casserole (which I really don't like, but someone always brings it!), sweet midget pickles (a MUST on my table!), pumpkin pie, pecan pie and when my Mom was alive she always had a mincemeat pie, and all topped with whipped cream.  

But it's really not about the food --- or is it????

BarbAnne41

Vicki Lynn- Love Love little pickles!! Sweet are my favorite. Yes I am in the same boat thought wise, life is short or is it, really depends on the day and what kind of drama I am in. I have been pretty depressed lately, but I am trying hard to shake it off.

Patty Love the new pick you look amazing girl!!

Jane- I know what you mean about the short sporadic posts, I really think we should always keep in touch, we've been through soo much. Man I remember last Thanksgiving, whew...

Well I spent this Thanksgiving cooking the entire meal and the tupperwareing it, and then my family meets all my in-laws at the Sheraton for a T-day buffet. I have to cook the meal in the morning so my family and I have goodies to nosh on for tonight and the weekend. While cooking this morning I really appreciated how creative I could be, and not exhausted, as last year during chemo, and for that I am grateful.

I promised my daughter I would take her out Black Friday shopping so I will be hitting the hay early, last year I couldn't and the year before I was doing a lot of shopping for her, so this year I am full filling a promise I mad last T-day during chemo.

Monday I have my 6 month mammo on my breast that had cancer. I am sure everything is fine. But if you all feel so inclined to toss up a prayer for a clear mammo I sure would appreciate it.

Here's hoping you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving and we stay healthy, happy, and win the lottery so we can get together and never worry about money again!!

Love and big hugs

Barbara

msmpatty

Barbara - I will definitely send up a prayer for a clear mammo for you!   Isn't it odd that even a routine test can get us all worried now?  'Course for many of us our cancer journey started with a mammo, so the thought of one is pretty freaky.  

I am remembering that it was this weekend last year that Taxol trashed my taste buds.  Thanksgiving dinner tasted fine, but when I prepared some leftovers during the weekend everything tasted like someone had dumped a shaker of salt on it.   The briney taste went away when I finished Taxol two months later, but to this day I rarely need to salt anything.   Not a bad thing actually, just weird since in my pre-BC life I salted everything...even potato chips!

Happy shopping everyone!

Patty

BarbAnne41

Gosh Patty isn't it weird, pre chemo and tamox I avoided salt and dreamt of donuts, now I can't get enough salt, and donuts can't even hold my attentions. Thanks for the prayers, will post Monday afternoon what the results are, I think they read them on the spot again, since technically I am a cancer survivor, even though that term bugs me. Don't ask why...

Happy shopping to you and all the other ladies too

Barbara

vickilynn

Barbara - I sure identify with "it depends on the day" and all the ups and downs... some days I'm Eeyore and sometimes I'm Tigger but mainly I'm Pooh... in a pooh-ish sort of way.  Praying for good results tomorrow for you!

I had an especially good Thanksgiving and laughed a lot and even danced a bit (just silly stuff with my nieces and nephews - who are in their 20's) and I hardly ate any food --- seriously!  Couldn't believe it was me passing up all that good stuff! 

I was also reminded of where I was a year ago --- bald, no eyelashes, a scarf tied around my head, picking at food because nothing tasted good except mashed potatoes, and then feeling so sick I had to lie down for an hour on my son's bed... wasn't much fun back then, was it? 

Woke to snow this morning --- just a couple inches of it, but nice big flakes!  And then no power for a couple hours so was forced to read!!!!  I love to read, but usually get side-tracked by other things.  Snow and no power just give me the "right" to read.

I think some hot cocoa is in order (with a dab of whipped cream - no marshmallows) so I'll wish you all well, brew a cup, and head back to my reading!

msmpatty

Barbara - Just the thought of donuts makes me feel sickish.  Way too sweet now.   And again, in my pre-BC life, I had two donuts every morning rain or shine.  Guess I've had my lifetime salt and sugar quotient and it took Taxol to let me know.

Vicki - I hope you are enjoying your hot chocolate and book.  I just love snow days...too bad I live in a place where it hasn't snowed since, like, 1948.  May be we're due for a Christmas storm?

I'm reading an interesting book entitled "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks".   She died of an especially virulent form of cervical cancer in the early 1950's and, unbeknownst to her and her family, cells from her tumor were cultured and kept at Johns Hopkins.   They proved to be the first cells that stayed alive and multiplied in the laboratory.  Called HeLa cells, they were instrumental in the development of  the Salk vaccine for polio and numerous other drugs including Taxol and (when bred with mouse cells!) in the development of Herceptin.  We owe a great deal to Henrietta.  Unfortunately, her family lives in abject poverty and has never been compensated for the billions of her "immortal" cells that are sold for research every year.  

Birthday party for the boy today!   He turns 14 tomorrow.   The first teenage year went well...keeping my fingers crossed for the next six!

Patty

BarbAnne41

Hello Ladies.

Got the all clear on my left breast. Whew what a load off my mind! Thanks for the prayers.

Vicki- Hot Cocoa, snow and a good book sounds scrumptious.

Patty- That book sounds really fascinating. Is it new? Hope your son has a fabulous birthday. I am sure boys are different than girls, but with mine, 13, 14, and 15, were moody and drama filled, but when she turned 16 it was like someone flipped a switch....she really is a good kid but she really wants that Independence teens seek so much. She turns 17 December 8th, she wants her nose pierced with a tiny diamond...and I guess her father and I have agreed, wholly cow..

Thanks again ladies

Barbara

vickilynn

Barbara - Great news! 

Patty - I had 2 boys who were teens at the same time and I not only survived, but actually loved it.  My son even wrote a song about me (and my husband) when he was 16.  The bottom line was that I didn't always give him advice, but I always listened carefully to whatever he shared.  He's 34 now, married with 4 children and I can remember disagreements but no fights.  His brother is 33 (the newlywed) and I love to see them both listen to their kids.  Moms can especially have a great relationship with their sons (sometimes much easier than with daughters, right Barbara?). 

I love biographies. A friend gave me one for my birthday this year that actually helped me through the cancer process - but heck if I can remember the name of it right now!!!!!  It's about a woman mountain climber named ------ Oh I hate that.

OK.  If I remember --- when I remember --- I'll share it with you.

But one thing I DO remember was the advice she was given for climbing a mountain:  Take a step.  Rest.  Breathe.  Take a step.  Rest.  Breathe...     Do you know that's what I had to do to make it through sometimes!?!

Jane - did you ever get really settled in your new place?  I hope so.

My big news:

Too much mold.

Much too cold.

South we go,

House in tow.

(Heading back to Yuma for the rest of the winter... leaving tomorrow.  We'll practically be neighbors Patty!)

   

Neece

Patty your new pic is lovely - you look great.

 Vickilynn glad to hear you are moving to a warmer and drier climate.

I so agree with the sentiments of "wow - what a contrast to this time last year". Everything is so much more fun this time isn't it? We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Australia but I do remember the lovely family Thanksgiving dinner when I lived in the US for a year - a special time. We are of course gearing up for Christmas. I had my last treatment Christmas Eve so I am looking forward to a celebration this year - quietly of course!

Here's to clear mammos, teenagers and new hairdo's.

RonnieKay

Happy Belated Thanksgiving to some of the people I'm most thankful to have in my life!  I've been missing you...and as usual, when I procrastinate in getting in touch with people, I get embarrassed and upset with myself, and so then I just procrastinate a little longer!  Darn, I had all these plans for how I was going to "change my life" after surviving cancer....fat chance  

VICKI: Your words rang true for me about staying in touch with family!  We went to my 84 yr old uncle's funeral 2 weeks ago in our little eastern washington town.  There are 3 "couples" left out of my dad's family (mom & dad both had 11 siblings-mom's are all gone, dad's are the remaining), and this was one of those 6.  We were a very close family, all farming families with lots of kids. I have 55 cousins on that side (41 on my moms), so I was excited to see how many would be there (30) and we did have a wonderful time catching up.  They all were amazed at how "healthy" I looked...thank GOD I got my hair colored before that!  We also talked about having a reunion next summer (they said I could be in charge of it...I went, dang, why did I look so healthy, I had cancer for crying out loud...bad excuse, teehee!).  So, guess I'll get busy!  ps...my mom always made mincemeat pie for my dad

JANE: THANK YOU for the list of sisters!  Hope more gals chime in   I agree that this committment is for LIFE   I'm not sure of what tests you had, but it sounds like they came out good...and that's what I want to know   I had my 1-sided mammo a few weeks ago and it was good...whew!  I loved that saying, I think it may have been Vicki...with cancer, you're guilty until proven innocent...so true!  I'm wondering how your condo living is doing????  So hope it's everything you were hoping for (less cleaning being the most important!).  Your body just does not like that femara, does it! (I don't blame it!).  I'm fine with it, but when I read things like "can cause lack of sexual drive"...I say, "No kidding!"  Getting personal, girls!  I read one article that said 70% reported a change in sexual drive while on AIs, and one dr statement said, "I'm surprised it's not 100%"...that made me feel better (not really), knowing I'm not alone...sort of.  Can you tell I'm bothered by this!  Anyway...we're workin' on it   Hope NO ONE else has that going on!   Like Patty said...try B & B...I swear by it!

Your hair is adorable, Patty!  Do you flat iron it?  You look quite classy...you too, Neece!!!  Jane, I'm absolutely positive your hair is not as bad as you think!  Post a picture and we'll check it out!  Barb and Vicki...have you kept your hair short????  I need to update my pic as I am growing my curls out and am back to blonde (although it's not lasting long, the white/grey is pretty honery!).  When I finally had it colored, it felt like the LAST obvious sign of bc!  I feel pretty normal now...fat, but normal!  Tom and I did the cabbage soup diet...I lost 8 pounds he lost 12...gotta get busy eating RIGHT now, and exercising more (story of my life!). 

PATTY:  The gal that cut my hair last time did the 60 mile walk in Del Mar...it's her second time there.  She loves it..walking along the coast & beautiful weather!  I did the very first one in Seattle, when it was 93 degrees.  People were dropping like flies but I LOVE the heat...which is why I never wanted to leave Sun Diego (our pet name)!  Talking about medical marijuana, when we visit our son in Long Beach, I'm amazed at all the storefronts advertising it.  People asked me if I'd ever considered using it during chemo, but I really never had the nausea, and besides, I was afraid to use it in the 70s, I would still have been too afraid it'd do something bad to me (like chemo didn't!).  Long story short...I'm glad the sea of pink was something that made you smile.  I am starting to like pink again...actually wear my $1.00 bracelet from Party City that says, "Find a Cure."  It's looking pretty ragged but I like the simplicity.  The receptionist at my physical therapy office had a necklace made for me, with the ribbon, crystals and a pearl...it's beautiful & it was very unexpected and special.  Every now and then, I think about getting a tattoo....I've NEVER considered one before.  My husband and I objected to our kids getting them so only our rebel daughter has 2...the first one she got on her 30th birthday.  My sil just got his 3rd, and he wanted me to get one with him.  The oncologist said she wasn't in favor of ANYONE having them, but as long as it's done at a clean shop, it's ok.  I found a pink ribbon that's shaped like a girl running.  I said it kind of spoke to me, since I've always been a speedy walker..I thought I'd put it on the inside of my leg...and it'd remind me to keep moving.  Then I get realistic and think it'd be another healing process, what if my body objected, do I want to look at it for the rest of my life...so, no tattoo at the time!

BARBANNE:  I am your sister in salt!  I can't get enough of it...it's the strangest thing!  So glad you're having good weather....ours has been awful!  Schools were canceled in a good part of the state last week due to snow...which would totally make you laugh, knowing that people here freak out with 2" on the ground.  Literally, people that left Seattle after work on Monday took 7 hours to get home, less than 20 miles, due to wrecks, back ups, etc.  Needless to say, everyone was excited to get the week off to get ready for Thanksgiving!  I've never heard of cooking the whole meal and then going out to eat, but it's genius!!!!  You don't have to get the house ready for a huge group, you get all the great food to munch on for days & you get to eat out...OMG, I love it!  I think we may try that for our Christmas dinner!!!!  We're celebrating early..one family goes to Portland, one to St Lucia, so we're going to Long Beach for Christmas to be w/our s, dil and grandaughter...YEAH...a sunny Christmas, I'm excited!   I love the little studs in the nose...glad you and hubby agreed to your daughter getting it for her bday   Glad your mammo turned out A-OK!

NEECE:  I'm going to go back a couple of pages to see what you've been dealing with...sounds like back pain???  It's such a good picture of you...you're beaming!  It really is such a happier holiday season this year, isn't it!  I didn't realize your last treatment was Christmas Eve...there are so many milestones that we look back on...and sometimes it seems as though it was a lifetime ago.  I'm typing this as I look at the computer clock that says 3:01 and it brings back my steriod-induced memories!!!  I have two friends whose husbands are battling prostate cancer now...JANE, am wondering how hubby is doing.

Oh...I'm back to rambling...it seems I'm always apologizing for writing too much, when in reality, I used to get in trouble in school for always talking too much, so I'm afraid it's a trait I have to work on!  I called to sign up to sub in my school district & my friend in HR said that since I retired in the last school year, I have to take the test to be a sub!  15 years in the district and they think I can't type????  But, Vicki, just as you had those self doubts when you were thinking about working in the schools, I'm feeling the same!  I'm so nervous....all I can think about is how to blame chemo brain when they tell me I've failed the tests.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!

CATHERINE:  Glad to hear you're doing well & your kids are still keeping you busy!!!  

KIM:  I'm sure you have lovely boobies & they're symmetrical   I have a divit out of one of mine!

LOVE TO ALL....GOOD NIGHT!

ps...Patty, my sister ready the Henrietta Lacks story & told me about it...she's our angel!

jadams1264

Good morning SOSisters.... my one day off this week and this was my first priority!  Sorry I haven't posted for a few days.  I am delighted to say that I am feeling good!!!!  The Celebrex has definitely gotten my bone pain under control.  I went to see the pulmonary doctor who said I have some scaring on my lungs, radiation?  He put me on Advair twice a day.  It's like someone turned on the "I feel good switch".  Anyway I have an appt. in Jan. with the orthopedic hand guy and then I'm going to be 100%. 

Vickilynn - we had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I just thinking to myself and out loud how thankful I was this year.  Kept having flashbacks to last year - time does make it all better.  We used to have mincemeat pie too, can't remember when I tried that last.  Maybe something for Christmas.  So how is the weather in Yuma?  How exciting to just pick up and go.  We are loving the condo, do have one room that has become the "catch all" for all the things I haven't found a spot for yet.  Sure doesn't take me long to clean.

BarbAnne41 - how did the Black Friday shopping go?  I was at work at 3am to do the deposit, I love that day, people are usually in a good mood for that time of morning and surprisingly patient when standing in line.  So glad your mammo was clear - I so know how you felt waiting for results.  We have waited for so many things this last year - 2012 is going to be wonderful for all of us.  I can so appreciate the daughter drama, I told mine that I wasn't talking to her until she was 25 during her teenage years.  She's 35 now and we are the best of friends.  Her daughter is now 13 and she's getting a taste of her own medicine with the moods, etc.

Patty - so agree about the taste buds.  I was nuts about anything sweet - cakes, cookies, etc before chemo.  Now not so much.  However I am already planning the January diet, now that I'm feeling better.  The treadmill is ready to go and I actually feel like walking.  Going to download some new tunes so I can zone out while walking.  How was the birthday party?  Our 16 year old grandson is actually a lot easier to deal with than his 13 year old sister.  He's the sweetheart of the family.

Neece - glad you are doing well.  I had my last treatment on Dec. 30th, amazing that it's been almost a whole year.  I am looking forward to Christmas.  DH asked what I wanted, absolutely nothing - just that we stay healthy.  Otherwise I'm content.

RonnieKay - been missing you!  I love your posts, it's like you are just sitting across the table catching us all up on what's been going on with you.  I have to tell you I would love to have 55 cousins, I have 4, scattered all over the country.  I haven't seen 3 since I was a small child.  Always wanted to be part of a big family.  I am doing well and even the Femara isn't driving me nuts since I started the Celebrex and Advair.  Hot flashes but I would have them anyway, I feel so much better!  I think the Famera and lack of estrogen do ugly things to your body and no estrogen certainly does not help with your sex drive!  I will try the B&B, Patty has been so encouraging about trying.  DH is doing very well, he gets tired a little easier than before treatment and pees more frequently.  His attitude has been wonderful!

Hope all of you have a great week.  Take care and know my thoughts and prayers are with you!

Jane

jadams1264

Hey Sisters....okay question for you.  The Bumble & Bumble I found at the drugstore.  Is there any particular one that works the best?  Stuff is $24.-$26. a bottle, but if it works I'm willing to try it!

Thanks for the info.

Jane

msmpatty

Jane - The Bumble & Bumble product my hairdresser recommended is called "Mending".  There is a shampoo and conditioner in the "Mending" line.   I do think my hair looks healthier since I've started using it...but then it could be wishful thinking on my part.  I'm so delighted to hear that you are feeling good even while on the Femara.  Better living through pharmacueticals!  Also happy news that your DH is doing well with his seeds.

Ronnie - I was so happy to see you checking in.  Am I to understand that you have 96 first cousins?  Yikes, you guys could populate your own town or form your own political party!  You do indeed look great so I am not at all surpised you've been put in charge of the familly re-union...rather than being treated like a pathetic cancer survivor.  "Sun" Diego is indeed sunny, but right now we are freezing.  It's getting down into the low 40s at night.  (All you ladies up north..quit laughing.  We know we are wimps.)

Neece -  I had a TX on Christmas Eve last year too.  And New Year's Eve.  And Thanksgiving Eve for that matter.  Aren't we glad those holidays are behind us?  I'll be toasting you on Chistmas Eve...or maybe I should do it the day before given the time change?

Vicki - If you ever get over to San Diego this winter you must call me.  Wouldn't it be fun to actually meet in person after getting to know one another in the cyber world?

Barbara - Good news on your mammo!  Whew.  I think the nose piercing sounds pretty cool.  And you are a very cool Mom and Dad for allowing it.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on teenagers.   I do think (hope, pray) boys are easier than girls.  I came to this motherhood thing rather late in life so perhaps Vicki's book provides the best advice...one step at a time and remember to breathe!  Plus mouth shut, ears open.

Oh...one last thought on the medical marijuana.  I know people who have used it during cancer treatment and swear it helps.  My thought was:  Chemo brain + Marijuana = Blithering idiot. So I took a pass.

Patty