Chemo Starting Sep 09
Comments
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Hello September Sisters on day one of December 2010. We have all come a long way....from fear, to pain, to inconvenience, to drama on the homefront, to drama in the workplace, to having to face at least 5 more years of doctor visits/tests/scans, etc. I have to say I am glad to be in this place this year rather than where I was last year. My hair has lost the bald-to short spikes-to poodle look and is seeming to go for a lot of curly waves! I pray for each of year every day and although I am thankful that I am cancer free at this point, I am very sad at losing my granddaughter and that my BF of 5 years + won't even tell his family about me, about what we've gone through or that we are living together. Every holiday for me I am alone because he goes to his family's and my family is whacked. My kids are far away so I have a hard time during the holidays....especially when my son was in Iraq. But next year I have a plan to take care packages to the homeless downtown for Thanksgiving and maybe Christmas...spread some cheer and love to those who have pretty much lost everything. Sorry to be so selfish or funked...you all sound like you are doing well with your lives going on pretty much as usual. Miss hearing from you and miss hearing about all the side effect remedies that we had going on last year. Please take care everyone and if I don't have time to post again....Have a blessed Christmas (or whatever) and a Happy New Year. We are survivors!!
Kim
p.s. The Susan G. Komen race that I participated in here in Fresno had over 7,000 participants and raised over $401,000.00 Way to go Central Valley! Love you all....
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Kim- Glad you checked in, Wow that is a lot of money, good job. I hope you have a fabulous holiday season too! I am sorry about your BF. Hope he sees the light soon. We have come a long way baby.
Vicki- Congrats on the move, hope it is wonderful, warm and free of mold.
Yes, from everyone I have talked to girls are just something, and all their mouthy commentary/drama hurts their Dad's feeling and their mom's just get sick AND tired of it, i think that's about where we are if my house. The daughter and the hubs aren't speaking again, and all the stress of the holidays, plus my attempts to change positions at work, are putting me in a heck of a funk.
Ronnie! So glad you checked in salt sister. Yes I had a vegetarian Ruben, a pickle and some chips for breakfast this morning. Yummy salt. I really hope one day we can get together and have coffee, just from your posts I bet we'd have a lot to chat about! Yes going out is good, I still cook the whole meal so we have snacks, but it is pretty easy to cook it and Tupperware it. Your Christmas sounds great!!
Jane I am soo glad they are finally getting your assorted ailments under control. Maybe you can be my motivator, when it gets cold I don't like to walk as much, and my exercise bike just sits, so you treadmill I will bike and maybe we can both shed a few pounds! Black Friday was ok. We bought some stuff, but we were mainly out so my daughter could experience it. I have to admit it was really weird being in our mall at 5:30 in the morning with all the stores open.
Patty- I haven't gotten a chance to read it yet, but I picked up a copy of that book you recommended. The lady at our local library said it is amazing. How did the party go?
My daughter's nose has a little stud. I took her to a tattoo parlor that had very good reviews. There are many in the town we live by, as you can imagine Ann Arbor big college town, tattooing a piercing is a bit of an industry. It still smarts, but I guess she is happy.
Well I am up for a job where I work and I could really use the promotion, so if any of you feel like throwing up a little prayer for my employment prospect it would be greatly appreciated.
Love and Hugs
Barbara
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Hey SOSisters.... raining and cold in NC. Must be winter.
Patty - thanks for the info on the Bumble & Bumble. Wouldn't you know they wouldn't have it so I'm hunting in other stores. Are you ready for the holidays? I have this little tree up, looks sort of like Charlie Browns. Most packages wrapped and don't have much shopping left.
Kim - I think your idea of helping with the homeless next year is great. I find that being busy and doing something for others is a great way to pick up your spirits. I always get a little down this time of year, missing our puppy this year, lost my mother a couple of years ago and my aunt the year before that. Please know that your sisters are thinking of you. Do you think you BF will change?
BarbAnne - I can feel your pain with your daughter. Been there, done that. This too shall pass! Don't know what kind of motivator I will be but I'm determined come the first of the year I am going to lose weight. I'm just as determined to enjoy the holiday season (ha). The funny thing is when I start on the treadmill and the diet I really get into the whole thing for months, then I revert back to bad habits. However this time my motivation may be DH. He was just diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. He needs to watch his diet and lose some weight so we will do this together. Good for you to let your daughter get her nose pierced. My daughter got a tatoo on her ankle when she was 24 and I had a fit. Not the right thing for me to do, my hindsight is always 20/20!
Missing a lot of our sisters. Hope you are doing well. Take care and post soon.
Thoughts and prayers are with you!
Jane
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I think the holidays are a hard time for a lot of people. My dad, normally a very jolly guy, always got the blues at Christmas. They now have a diagnosis for it...seasonal affective disorder (acronym: SAD, how appropriate!). Not only do the holidays remind us of people who are no longer with us, but they think the shorter days can disrupt your circadian rhythm. Getting as much sunlight as possible and taking melatonin supplements are supposed to help. But, per Kim's suggestion, getting out and helping those in need probably helps more.
I put up the outside lights this weekend and was reminded that last year just thinking about getting the boxes down, hauling everything outside and crawling through the bushes with extension cords sent me to sofa for a long rest. This year I happily wound lights around the palm trees for several hours. What a difference!
I do think teenage girls are more of a challenge than boys. My son does a dead-on imitation of a teenage girl hissy fit, which is quite amusing. I'm not sure where he got it...hopefully I'm not still pitching them!
Jane - you might find the Bumble & Bumble Mending line in a beauty supply or beauty salon. I tried a different conditioner yesterday and, oh my, I had a brillo pad on my head. So I think the B&B stuff might actually be working.
Barbara - I hope you enjoy the book. I found the early descriptions of her cancer a little tough to read (suddenly I was pretty sure I had all the symptoms of cervical cancer...you know how it goes...) but it was a fascinating story. Keeping my fingers crossed on the promotion!
Kim - Hang in there, baby!
Patty
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Hello SOSisters.... is anyone out there? Where did everyone go? I'm lonely and missing all of you! I know, I know, it's a busy time of year getting ready for the holidays. My first cousin was just diagnosed with breast cancer, gets all the details on Tuesday. She will have my oncology and radiology doctors, same PA, same nurse. She is so bummed out and I hope I will be a good cheerleader. I so don't want her to have to go through this journey.
I'm feeling much better, DH is doing well. Looking forward to Christmas and all the things I have to be thankful for this year.
Hope everyone is doing well. Post!
Thoughts and prayers are with you!
Jane
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Jane !!!! I am posting...I know I keep checking back but not a lot going on. I will keep your cousin in my prayers. As far as being thankful, it depends on the day you catch me, sort of like the life is short versus long thing, I am REALLY hoping 2011 is one of those years where the job I want I finally get, the hubs and the daughter have fewer arguments, and financially things get easier, and I stop itching and my joints ache less and maybe lose some weight too, I know its asking a lot but gosh I would like a good year.
Patty- Thanks for thinking of me and the job. The lady who switched jobs, opening the position I wanted went back to her original position, the job she couldn't handle, too much like real work, opened back up but I am not a high enough level employee to apply for that one until it opens to the general public....ugh...so keep your fingers crossed. I am not even a bit afraid of the "harder" job, I just want to get my foot in the door.
And yes I agree Teenage girls are probably not harder than boys cause lets face it raising teens is hard no matter what, but I think their drama is very draining. Which can make them feel worse.
So I have something I need to share. You know I had my mammo the other day, and the Nurse said all clear, happy holidays...I said great...the hubs cried etc..etc...Well the hospital sends a letter after mammos, standard procedure. Well I was home alone Saturday, when the mail came a miracle, since that never happens, and my hubs is very, how should I put this nosey. So my letter came and it said." Your breast imaging studies demonstrated an area that we believe is probably benign We recommend you follow-up to confirm this area is stable. Our recommendations are that you return for your follow up mammogran may 2011. report any changes to your doctor, and continue monthly self exams." I didn't tell a soul, and maybe I am over reaccting, but Probably Benign? Jesus that just freaked out an other wise calm person, and my hubby who is easily freaked would have flipped. I would rather carry this one privately, but I need to know would this letter have freaked you girls out?
Well as you may have seen we got a doozy of a snow storm, and today is a snow day for almost all of south east Michigan, now today's high is 14....yuck..it is pretty to look at. I think I will go take a couple photos of the backyard for my Facebook page.
Love, hugs, and payers
Barbara
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Hey BarbAnne - would I freak? Absolutely! Would I wait to go back? No! I know you don't want to ruin the holidays but you shouldn't have to worry about that stupid letter. Call and make an appointment. Is there any such thing as probably benign? That's what the surgeon told me before my results came back! You know I got a new job last year in February with a lot more responsibility and hours and I'm loving every minute of it. I will so keep you in my prayers for the job. I am going on the 17 Day Diet starting January 2nd. Lose up to 17 pounds in 17 days - saw it on Dr. Phil and ordered the book. I am like porky pig and know I will feel better if I get some of this weight gone.
So are you ready for Christmas?
To all my other sisters - I'm missing you! Hope everyone is doing well.
Take care. Thoughts and prayers are with you!
Jane
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Barbara - I agree with Jane - go get that checked out! Probably benign would make me very upset! And waiting until May is out of the question!
Wanda - I know it's been a couple weeks since you posted, but it was good to hear from you. Someone sent me a card last year that I kept: "Sometimes life... is just what it is" I think we'd all like to move forward, but life gets in the way too often!
Everyone: We made it to Yuma area last week, but the RV park we're staying in has no WIFI! So I am having to make trips to the library to check email and check on all of you! I can't complain, because even the library branch I like has a coffee shop, couches and free WIFI (a lot like a Barnes and Noble). Our trip was eventful down here - I was driving our little Honda del Sol, following my husband with the Suburban towing our trailer for 1000 miles. It was just getting dark on our 3rd night out when I spied billows of gray smoke coming fromt he Burb! It seems we lost our transmission. We were stuck in Needles (you know where Spike - Snoopy's brother is from?). We finally limped our way down here and made it last week. Found an RV park on the CA side of the Colorado River (Yuma on the other).
But, I'm so sorry to tell all you snowed-in ladies - it's been 78 degrees here!!!
And I've been enjoying lots of free holiday things - a handbell concert on Saturday - a singing Christmas Tree on Sunday - and tonight they're tuning up here at the library for a string ensemble concert even as I type.
I'm very glad to be warm (helps those aching joints) and breathing better and not vomitting every morning, (the mold was really working hard on me before we left). And we have 2 invitations for Christmas dinner - so we won't be alone : )
We're glad to be here - confused about the future - but glad to be ALIVE in the moment!
love you all.
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Barbara - I would definitely make a follow-up appointment to have whatever showed up on the mammo checked out! It seems extremely odd to me that the letter would go so far as to say "probably benign" and suggest you wait six months. It IS probably benign...but that statement seems like a lawsuit in the making. (I'm with Kaiser and if they see anything amiss on a mammo...you get a call, not a letter.) Anyway...I'd demand a ultra sound for peace of mind! I'm sorry to learn from your 2011 wish list that you are still itching. I thought about you the other day when I developed an itchy rash on my legs that was really annoying. I can't imagine itching for months. Mine seemed to be due to a new moisturizer, so I trashed it and the rash is almost gone now. Fingers now double-crossed on the new job!
Jane - The 17-day diet sounds interesting. And mercifully short! Keep us up-to-date on your results. I haven't gained any weight overall, but my tummy is definitely bigger (darn Femara!) and I feel sort of bloated (double darn Femara!). I saw these Acai pills at Costco called "Easy Cleanse" (or something like that) promising that after ten-days of using as directed you'll feel "clean inside", "less bloated", "lose pounds of waste" and "have a flatter abdomen". Sounded like a good deal to me! I've been using them for three days now and haven't noticed any of the promised changes. We'll see after 10-days.
Vicki - Welcome to So Cal! I'm glad you made it to Yuma, despite the car troubles. Sounds like you're settling in and getting busy. The change will do you good! Not least because I don't see how there can be too much mold in a place as hot and dry as Yuma.
I'm pretty much ready for Christmas. I was going to put the tree up Sunday but when I learned it was forecasted to be 80 degrees that day, I opted to do it Friday evening when it was cool. I don't think I'll ever get used to warm weather Christmases. Maybe Neece can give me some pointers!
Patty
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Hey SOSisters....the warm weather sounds wonderful. It is cold here and we have ice so they closed the schools. I love spring and summer. Doing well, this is my last week that I have to work 6 days in a row. About as ready as I'm going to get for Christmas, just a few things left to wrap. My cousin has now seen all the doctors, will have more surgery on Tuesday. They didn't get a clear margin. She has stage 2B, doesn't have any further details - she was on info overload. Will start chemo in January. And her husband was going today for a biopsy for prostrate cancer. How ironic is that?
VickiLynn - sorry for your car trouble but glad you are in Yuma and settled in. I loved all the different things you have been doing. Sounds exciting - I want to go somewhere warm and new! Keep us posted when you can.
Patty - I am not starting this diet until January but I am ready. Have to admit that the Famera is doable since I'm on the Celebrex. What a difference it has made, my biggest complaint now is hot flashes. I have major belly fat, this diet is suppose to make it disappear. Time will tell. The menu is something I can live with and I only have to exercise 17 minutes a day. Keep us posted on your 10 day diet.
BarbAnne - hope you have made a appointment and gone to get this off your worry list. We will all worry right along with you although it will be just fine!
Okay other sisters - put down those gifts, wrapping paper, Christmas decorations. Get out of the kitchen, take 2 minutes and post to us to let us know you are doing okay. We sure do miss and worry about you - I know you are busy but please check in. Consider it our Christmas gift from you!
Thoughts and prayers are with you!
Jane
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Hello SOSisters, I have been doing OK. I got a shot for my leg. It was suppose to help the pain, it has a little. I might have to get the rod taken out sometime in next year.Does anyone know about the nip recostruction?? I am suppose to get it done in Jan. My PS said it was better than the tattos and also he will do some more lipo so he could do more fixing around the implants. I am so not looking forward for another surgery.I am ready for Christmas! Done with what I am going to do and if not oh well..
Barbra I am with the others, yes do get it check out soon! Don't wait till May!
Vicki, wow out in the woods! It is relaxing for you and alot fresh air!
Patty, yes we got warm weather down here too! I am sooo gald! Cold weather makes my joints hurt more! I think I need a warmer place than here in Fl.
Well I pray that everyone one else is doing good and in great sprits! It would be nice to hear how everyone is doing! Take care and have a Merry Christmas
Wanda
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Thanks ladies for all the advice. No I wasn't going to wait until May, I have an appointment with my onc in March, and you all know as well as I do, that the time between appointments, tests, surgical procedures etc...does not happen over night, anyway I am digressing. I made some phone calls, and talked to two of my girlfriends who have also had BC, one of whom is in treatment because it has come back minimally in her lungs. So medically speaking, I was told it is probably the gradual formation of scar tissue from my lumpectomy, and that the wording of the letter was just poor. As the scar tissue forms, it will change the mammogram image, hence the difference. My girlfriends agreed with the hospitals take on that, since one of them had the same thing happen after her first go round.
Now mind you I made all these phone calls and consultations on the down-low, so as to one not panic the hubby, and 2 not have to confess the letter's arrival....don't want to explain all that..
I feel very confident in the hospitals scar tissue explanation because frankly, the bottom line is, those tests are some good money makers, and my insurance covers them all, if not for my well-being, my hospital, would have for sure had me in for the bottom line..So between my hospitals explanation, my girlfriends agreement, and my own financial logic, I feel confident it is nothing.
One last thing, my onc is a test happy freak, I think I have covered that in this forum, and the results were sent to him, he would of had me in sooooo fast if it was something to worry about.
I am not worried in the least!
Thanks for the support! I will keep you posted if anything else pops up.
Wanda I am sorry about the pain- Hope 2011 is pain free and healthier.
Jane-- I am jealous of you being done with shopping. I am almost there..just a bit more. Those December birthdays are the worst and throw monkey wrench in my shopping and financial plans! A seventeen day diet, wow sounds good. I am determined to go on a super strict diet and exercise pan for the first 6 months of 2011, I want to see if I can finally get rid of this post chemo weight..Lets cheer each other on.
Patty- yes the itching continues. I think I have found a lotion that works, but by evening it wears off, and I either need to reapply or be very diligent not to mindlessly start scratching, I have done loads of damage to my skin from just scratching at night without thinking. As far as the book I haven't started yer, I have it until 1/9/2011, so I will try to get started on it after Christmas, when I have free time.
Vicki- Sorry about the moving drama, car trouble is one of the worst..But I am very glad you all are situated, found friends and are warm and mold free, throwing up every morning is no fun, even if you are pregnant!
Love and hugs
Barbara
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Barbara - Sounds like you've covered all the bases on the mammo. I do think we tend to develop scar tissue lumps and fat necrosis lumps due to surgery...but best to keep on top of them. My surgeon felt a lump in my surgery breast six months ago so I had a mammo and a ultra-sound and both said no worries. Like you, I haven't told a soul...except you ladies!
Wanda - Good to hear from you! But not so good about the pain and the further surgeries. Hang in there. Sorry, I don't know anything about nipple reconstruction.
Count down to Christmas! I'm done except for the gift wrapping...which I very unwisely left until my son was out of school and home 24/7. I'll have to be very sneaky!
Patty
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Hi Sisters! 4 Days til Christmas....I'll be heading off to Long Beach (and hopefully, sunshine!) on Wednesday & I can't wait! Tired of rain, rain, rain...which is totally normal for Seattle...but I'm still tired of it! My son said LB hasn't been especially warm but it hasn't been raining or snowing so, I'm ready!!!
BARBANNE: OMG...I'm so bad at geography but I think Michigan isn't THAT far from Minnesota...right? Saw the football dome ceiling collapse with snow! I hope you aren't freezing your tushy off! Oh my dear..I'm sorry that you had to deal with the mammo letter. I think I would've had a bit of an out of body experience, like...this can't be true! My mammo nurse, like yours, always comes in after the radiologist reads it and says, "It's fine"..but what I really want is to have the radiologist come in, look me in the face and tell me it looks GREAT. I just had my blood test, chest xray and onc appt. The onc said, "Everything looks great"...I asked exactly what that meant, and she said, "Everything looks great." I just can't hear it enough! A question: could you feel anything in the area of concern? I had a lump in May and it was exactly what you're saying...the area where my lumpectomy & brachytherapy (rad) catheters met had caused scar tissue, but it wasn't clear in the mammo so they had to do an ultrasound. They must have been able to explain the oddities of your mammo or I'm sure they would've called you back. I'm proud of you for feeling confident....sometimes we forget how that feels! I'm pulling for you on the new job! Would it be in the same department? It sounds like you're ready for "another" challenge..Good Luck! I just took the tests for subbing in my district. Can you believe after working 15 years there, I had to test to be a sub (because of retiring). I was scared, knowing that what's on the tests is never anything you use on the job, plus I was afraid of chemo brain, but I passed. Love playing with grandbabies but I think I'm needing a little adult interaction!
PATTY: I have a tummy too...it's so depressing. At various times during my life, when I've gained weight it's NEVER been in my waist/stomach. Now, I see it in pictures & I know what they mean when they say muffin-top. I've decided I have to start wearing tops with patterns. Yuck. I loved your talking about it being too warm to put up the Christmas tree! Our first year in Poway, we went to Julian (the mountains!) to get a tree. Seriously, we paid $80 in 1986, for the perfect, gorgeous, huge tree. I put 10 strings of lights on it. Two days later, the limbs all collapsed...completely! I called the tree farm & they said it was due to the Santa Ana winds we'd had in October & just to bring it back and they'd give us another tree. I cried. Luckily, the 2nd tree was fine, but what a nightmare! When I saw your email address, it brought back memories...I think we got my daughter's veil and headpiece from your company's website 6 years ago, is that possible? Anyhoo...is your shop in Encinitas? Tom & I are thinking about going to SD while we're visitng the kids in LB (we're there until 1/5) and I wondered if I might be able to pop in and see you, if you're working after Christmas. Just thinking about seeing you makes me get weepy! I don't know if it's possible, but it's exciting to consider....let me know what you think! Maybe we could go for coffee...or wine
JANE: OK girl...I may have to go for the 17 day diet! My 10 # loss on the cabbage soup diet is down to 7 on a good day! Sorry to hear about hubby's type 2 diabetes but it can be controlled by diet and exercise (voice of experience...my hubby has the same). Whenever he goes for a beer, I think...there's 15 carbs you don't need...sometimes I actually say it out loud! Good thing he doesn't say that to me when I'm on my 4th Almond Joy...I'd smack him! Don't ya just wonder when all this will stop! As for your cousin, I'm saying my prayers. You WILL be a huge support for her...I think it's God's will that you are there for her. I can't believe you have all the same medical support. Please let us know how she does...and we consider her a new sister.
VICKI: I just can't believe how you two roam around
We're really pretty much homebodies, but I read about your adventures and think...maybe that'd be fun (minus a few of the "other" type of adventures!). When you say "confused about the future"...I smile! I think we can all share that sentiment at different times But...thank the Lord, we're alive & the future is ours!!!KIM: I can't believe your BF has been by your side during your healing (I remember different times you shared how sweet he was)....but yet, hasn't shared your relationship with his family. I think it's time to figure out what that's all about (do I sound like Dr. Phil?). After 5 years, there should be no secrets...you deserve more! Congrats on your successful Susan G fundraiser...that's amazing!!! I love your holiday plans for next year! You have a big heart...and I wish joy for you in the coming year....I will pray that your grandaughter will once again be a part of your life!
WANDA: I'm sorry your leg is still painful...maybe getting the rod out will help! Good luck with your reconstruction....I can't imagine more surgeries. I'm sure you're saying enough already!!!
A Femara update from my onc: she said that new studies say that you can do femara for 2-3 years (preferably 3) and then switch to tamoxifen. I was so excited! Just recently my arms started aching when lifting heavy things. She said I need to do more weightlifting exercises. My 3 month old grandson weighed in at 15.1 pounds at 10 weeks...I thought that was enough weightlifting! Anyhoo....time to hit the gym...again!
MERRY CHRISTMAS DEAR SISTERS! I ask God daily to keep you safe & happy and thank Him for blessing me with your love and friendship...it means the world to me!
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Hello Sisters
It has been awhile since I last posted but life goes on. I am not ready for Christmas but I will do my best. We are having 20 for dinner so I will be busy. I'm glad to see everyone is doing okay and hopefully we will all have a blessed Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
THINK POSITIVE
Catherine
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Well...guess I have to take back the comment, "No rain in Long Beach, CA"..since my son said they had 2"..and also asked why he always ends up living where there's record rainfall
I don't care since I get to be with my grandaughter! Love to all.... -
Hello SOSisters... here it is almost Christmas! What a difference a year makes, I was dreading and looking forward to my last chemo this time last year. I am as ready as I'm going to be, have a pound cake baking in the oven and getting ready to make fudge. Feeling good and talking to myself to get motivated for the "DIET" the first of the year.
Wanda - sorry you are in pain. I know the cold doesn't help and you have gotten your fair share of cold this year. Don't know anything about nipple recon but sure some of our sisters do. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and it gets warm in Florida soon! When it does please send some of that warmth up here to NC.
BarbAnne - yes, we can definitely be weight loss pals. I confess I have been enjoying all things good to eat in preparation of behaving myself in January. DH is going to diet with me, the 17 Day Diet is good for diabetics and it's so much easier if we diet together. He has joined the Health Plex and will be starting an exercise program the first of the year. I have to wait to see what the cardiologist says first but the treadmill works for me. Hope you have all your shopping done and that Santa is good to you and your family.
Patty - are you anywhere near all this terrible weather I'm seeing on tv? I hope not. Hope you got all your wrapping done and are prepared for Christmas. Found a place that sells B&B, still can't find the mending stuff. Have decided as one of my NY resolutions the wig is going to be retired in 2011 - frizzy hair and all! Have a blessed Christmas!
RonnieKay - so are you in the horrible weather? I know you gals are on the West Coast but this East Coast sister never can remember what's where! You can find out all about my 17 Day Diet by watching Dr. Phil in Jan. I never watch daytime tv and for some reason saw this program about this diet before leaving to go to work. If I wasn't so old I'm sure people would wonder if I was pregnant so to say I have some belly fat is an understatement! DH is doing well with handling his diabetes and I have refrained 95.7% from opening my mouth about what he is eating. My cousin is doing as well as can be expected for someone facing chemo come January. I feel so bad for her and will be her cheerleader all the way through but we all know what she's getting ready to go through. Right now she is fixated on losing her hair. I think that is a good thing to worry about right now, the rest can come later. I hope you have a great and dry Christmas at your son's house.
Catherine - I'm so glad you posted and you are doing well. Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday!
VickiLynne - whereever you are....hope you have a blessed Christmas and both you and DH are doing well!
To all the rest of my sisters, I am thinking of you this Christmas and hope you are healthy and enjoying the holidays!
Take care. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jane
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I've been running around getting re-ready for Christmas...but wanted to pop in a wish everyone a very merry one! As for getting "re-ready"...my son is a complete Scrooge when it comes to Christmas and every year insists he wants "nothing". So I get him stuff I think he needs or will, at least, like. Then two days before Santa comes, the child starts spewing out a long list of must haves, which, of course, I don't have. You'd think I'd be used to this...but every year I'm frantically trying to find what he wants at the last minute.
Ronnie - If you get to San Diego, I'd love to see you! As I read your e-mail about the sunshine I laughed. We're drenched! But the sun is coming soon!
Jane - It seems to me there is cancer everywhere! A neighbor was just diagnosed with three (!) types of cancer ... colon, lymphoma and CLL. She starts chemo next month. And a dear distant friend announced his kidney cancer diagnosis in his Christmas card to me. Crazy!
But the good news is...our end-of-chemo anniversaries are here or fast approaching! Lumps and pains and scares and scars aside, we're living our lives. I pray that our dear Pamela Jo is doing equally well.
Have a very merry Christmas everyone!
Patty
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Apologies everyone for being AWOL from this board for so long. My only excuses are work, Christmas preparations, etc etc etc. it is Christmas Eve here today and my first year anniversary of finishing chemo and like many of the posts before, I can only marvel at the difference a year has made.
Have skim read all the wonderful posts I missed while away and don't have time to respond to everyone individually but I do want to wish you all a beautiful Christmas and new Year. May 2011 bring health and good surprises to you all.
My DH and I are heading off tomorrow morning (Christmas Day) for a two day drive north to Queensland where we will be attending (and perfomring at) a huge music and cultural festival - the biggest in the southern hemisphere. We have not been for about 4 years so I am very excited to be going again. It's a long drive but we do it over two days so as not to tire out too much. Then after a few days at home we have another trip, this time south to Tasmania, for another festival. Talk about making up for last year!!
We have just had a lovely Chrstmas Day lunch (a day early) with my parents, sister, son and his GF and can't believe the contrast to last year. I felt blessed to still have my beautiful family and yo be healthy this Christmas time.
Merry Christmas and Happy new year to all my SOS sisters. I will be out of action for most of January because of our trips away but will look forward to catching up on your news when I return.
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Ronnie- We got a part of that storm that ruined the dome in Minnesota, but generally things dry up a bit before they get here. Something about the topography of the land between Ann Arbor and Lake Michigan. But it is still cold. I am with you I can't hear everything is great often enough either. I hope your new venturing in substitute teaching goes well. I also hope your Christmas in Cali is wonderful and drys up, I am pea green that you and Patty might get to hand out. Merry Christmas!
Patty- like I told Ronnie I am very envious if you too get to hang out, we all want to come! Sorry about the rain, hope it drys out soon. I know what you mean about Christmas, it is a process. A very Merry Christmas to you!
Jane-Diets buddies it is. I am indulging in just about every way in preparation for this. I need to do something, I just don't feel right! Merry Christmas, I hope you have lots of family around.
Catherine- glad you posted and are well. Merry Christmas!
Neece--Have a fabulous time at your music festival and Christmas lunch with the family, Merry Christmas to you!
Love and hugs to all of you and a very Merry Christmas
Barbara
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It is officially Christmas Day and we've just finished celebrating the "Eve" with our darling family & my brother from Santa Monica. We had a gorgeous day roaming around Long Beach in sunshine!! My son & dil, for the 3rd year in a row, have given me a scrap book of my darling grandaughter's year...each month represented with oodles of pictures. I opened the book & last Christmas was the first page...me, totally bald, holding my darling little ones & I cried like a baby!
Thinking of all of you....Merry Christmas dear sisters...and blessings & joy in the New Year!!!
Patty...will sooo try to get in touch & BarbAnne...I feel it in these creaky bones that we're all going to get together some day and have a grand time...I PROMISE! XOXO
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First of all, Happy Holidays to all of you! I have a lot of catching up to do. I spent some time up in Chicago with my dad who is in hospice and trying to help my mom out as much as possible. I did not have internet access while up there.
Returned home and had my nipple/areola reconstruction surgery. I was very pleased with how it turned out. I am at work right now and it is quite slow. Going to spend some time catching up with everyones postings.
Barb
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I missed you all! We just got hooked up with WIFI today. My husband said I needed to be reconnected to the "world" and he was right!
Patty and Ronnie - I'm only 3 hours from San Diego! If you do work out a time to get together, let me know and maybe we can drive over???
We are settled in Winterhaven, CA (just over the Colorado River from Yuma, AZ - Jane - picture the point of Arizona and California just 7 miles north of Mexico and think desert) and other than 2 days of rain, it's been great weather. My bones are warming up and my arthritis in my back has been given a great relief. I did end up with some flu bug that's going around here, but after 10 days I am finally feeling a bit better today. We are in an RV park and making some friends - in fact our neighbors brought us Christmas dinner because we were both so sick we couldn't go out!
DH is going to be teaching Watercolor Basics class next week here and has 7 students signed up (all "winter visitors" - half are from Canada). I'm so glad to see him painting again!
And just got a call last night that our son and DIL who got married in September are expecting! Bridget will be 6 next month and they are ALL excited. This will make #6 grandbaby for me : )...
Neece - You said you'll be performing at the music festival. I remember that your son plays and sings - what do you play? or do you sing? or both? What kind of music? I actually played my clarinet with my husband on guitar and he sang a Christmas song the week before Christmas at a local church here. I hadn't played the clarinet in public since I was a teen! I love the combo with the guitar. We'd love to do more of that style - sort of a jazzy sound.
Speaking of jazz... Yuma has free outdoor jazz concerts beginning in 2 weeks and we're looking forward to some beautiful sounds under the stars.
I'll go back and re-read everybody's posts and catch up with the rest of you. You're all in my mind and heart.
Since I passed my 1-year-sinc- chemo date, I have to say I feel different. Haven't quite put my finger on it yet, but the last time I met with the onc. (not her assistant) she pretty much expected to see me with mets by this time. She really wasn't encouraging at all. So the 1 year mark was a big one for me. I feel much more like I'm going to live for 20 more years.
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Happy New Year to all my September Sisters!
Wishing you a year of health and happiness in 2011!!!
Barb T
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Happy New Year to all of you wonderful wonderful ladies!!!! I wish each of you a healthy and prosperous 2011. I love you gals and appreciate all the support that you have given me over the past 2 years.
Chinablue (Tobey)
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Happy New Year to all my sisters!!
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YES ! HAPPY 2011!!!
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Happy New Years + 1 day! The sun is shining in San Diego...perfect weather for a landmark event tomorrow. The event? Vicki, Ronnie and I are having lunch together. Who can believe it? I wish all our BCO sisters could be there.
In her last post Neece was headed to Queensland...which now seems to be under water. Stay safe Neece!
The holidays are over at my house. We spent yesterday taking all the decorations down and stashing them away for next year. The house seems so empty now.
I've got all my little chemo-head coverings in the washer in preparation for giving them to a neigbor who starts chemo for lymphoma this week. The regimen she is on includes dreaded "red devil", so she'll definitely be needing things to keep her head warm for the next several months. I hope she can find a lymphoma board with the same lovely supportive people I've found on this one.
Patty
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Hello SOSisters.... I am so jealous. I want to meet you guys for lunch! I hope you have the most wonderful time and you'll fill us in on all the details!
Had a quiet New Year's Eve and worked yesterday. Hope you all had a great holiday. Patty I am washing my head coverings too. Donating them to my cousin, she goes for final appt. on the 14th and will get her chemo start date then. I told her she needs to go ahead and buy a wig.
Everyone take care! Will post more next time.
Thoughts and prayers are with you!
Jane
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Cheers to all the September Sisters as we begin the New Year filled with happy times and healthy bodies! So great to hear from China and BarbT....thinking of all of our other sisters too!
Lunch with Patty & Vicki tomorrow...I totally feel like a child waiting for Santa!!! We're meeting in Poway, a San Diego suburb where we used to live, and I love them for driving there (Patty from work & Vicki from Az) so that we can be together! You know that you'll all be in our hearts & minds. This is like a New Year's wish fulfilled and maybe 2011 will find us all together...I'm going to put Josie's red slippers on and click my heels 3 times!!!!
I felt a sort of relief when I gave my soft caps to a friend who started chemo for bc in September, and every time I talk to her she thanks me for them! It's nice to make life a little easier for our friends and family going through this tough journey. It's funny, sometimes it feels like treatment was a lifetime ago....a good thing, I think!
Love to all my sisters....you are a blessing & a reason I look forward to a Happy New Year!
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