January Mastectomy

burley

OK, girls...remind me next time I go for a fill that 100cc's is too much!  Holy cow, I am in serious pain.  She stopped at 50 to see if I wanted to go for more and I felt fine-next time I'll say STOP!

Survived the trip with just a baseball cap on-went by my hairdresser's to have it buzzed closer to my head, so I look a little better.  They all thought I looked really cute bald, so that made me happy. 

I am lucky to have sunshine here-I can't imagine being cold and having the TE's at the same time.  The tightness is bad enough.

Hope everyone has a good evening-I'm going to take a pain pill and chill...

frosty1

Add some hot instant oatmeal to your ice cream and call it BREAKFAST!  My DD and her friends had me take them to International Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast Day the first of February and it was soooooo yummy.  Hot oatmeal with vanilla/honey/lavendar ice cream on top with berries.  Of course it's healthy!

Cooking healthy is a challenge when you are too tired and beat up.  I like Deb's analysis ... we made it through January.  And February.  We will make it through March.  And April.  One stop at a time.  One process at a time.  Screaming and hollering and laughing and dancing the whole way.

pbebow

Kim, I feel your pain!  I am definitely going to stop at 50 cc's next time!  I had 150 for my first fill and thought I was gonna die!  So the next time I had 100 thinking 50 less had to be better, NOT!  so, I don't know, I might go to 75, but no more than that.  See I am already talking myself into more and it's only been a week!  I am still hurting but not like the first few days.  I am having some serious issues with deep breaths.  I feel like I have asthma sometimes because I seem to take such shallow breaths so it doesn't hurt.  Every once in a while I have to take a deep breath and it hurts.  I have seriously gotten good at avoiding sneezes!   I'll do anything I can to keep it from coming out because I know that is going to hurt so bad.  anyway, I found out a useless fact today...  Each of my foobs weigh about 1 pound.  500 cc's of saline equals just over 1 pound.  Just thought I'd share... I could've swore they were about 10 pounds each!  Especially when I'm laying down for too long.  anyway, have a good night ladies!

Paula

bookart

I made it into work today and actually accomplished a few good things before I pooped out.  There's a lot of difference sitting up in an office chair and reclining in my lounger or propped up in bed at home.  Fortunately, everyone is being really understanding (I just wonder how long that will last).  They also moved my office while I was gone and so all my things are still in boxes and they didn't have it set up right and that's going to take awhile - and I can't lift anything!  A bit frustrating.  I didn't want this move - my old office was smaller and kind of hidden - easier to get work done without interruption!  Oh, well, they at least warned me before I left.

The one thing I really miss is good hugs - I'm still too sore.  I'm known to give good hug but everyone is really careful right now. 

 Lyn -  I'm not a single mom now, but I was really glad when the boys (19 yo popped home from college - surprise!) went to their dad's this weekend.  I may love 'em, but they're loud and active (and smelly) and I thought I would have a quiet weekend.  I wonder if there is anyone in your circle - work, church, friends, neighbors, relatives - who could lend a hand now and then?  People are capable of really amazing you - one of my ex-coworkers/friends came over and cleaned house while I was in the hospital.  People I hardly know have donated food, taken me to appointments, rearranged my closet, done grocery shopping, etc.  You never know who will come through and who will back off, but it is worth asking.  If even one errand or task is off your plate, you have a little less stress and a little more time to relax and take care of yourself.  And sometimes you gain a new friend, too.

I, too, am ready for spring and warmer weather.  The temp dropped about 20 degrees today (raining) and I was so clenched getting to my car I thought my bones would rip out of my skin.  Ouch!

I'm getting an appointment with a lymphedema/physical therapist.  Even though my node count was low, I have trouble with edema sometimes and I want to go back to being very active without having to worry about LE.  None of my doctors suggested it, but I think it is a good idea.  Why should I let the doctors dictate my care?  I would rather be proactive than be stuck treating after-the-fact.

I'm also going to my gyn tomorrow - I've had several TVs, and I although I'm BRCA neg, I want to see what she recommends.  Does anyone else suffer incredible pain from trying to hold enough pee for an ovarian ultrasound?  Sigh.  I just love paying specialist co-pays.  Of course, it is better than no insurance at all.

Sorry to be a gloomy gus - sometimes it just seems to get overwhelming.

Elaine

robinlbe

I love it that we all feel so free to share our down times, as well as our up times, with each other...and we don't get tired of hearing/reading them...and we really understand each other.  If only we could meet in person...sigh.  But it wouldn't be every day, anyway....

I even about broke down today with the genetic counselor...she suggested a support group....argh.  I would feel so guilty being with ladies who are stage IV, or who are going through chemo, or who have gone through more than I.  But maybe that's what it's all about - meeting each other where you're at, and just helping you cope and heal from where you are.

I can't imagine what a mess I'd be if I'd been taking tamoxifen!  My family would probably have run for the hills by now! 

BTW, if anyone has college kids and you're filling out your FAFSA form, check with your college - they might have an "exceptions form"  - can't remember if I mentioned this the other day or not, but while we were at my son's college the other day, we stopped by financial aid and I mentioned I had been diagnosed with BC....and the lady handed me this form.  FAFSA doesn't include medical bills, but this form does and allows you to show your medical bills for your situation.  (just an FYI in case it applies to your situation - now or a little later, because if you're like me, we will be paying on these bills for a couple of years!!!  Especially with this genetic testing....sigh)

praying for a comfortable night, a good night's rest, less pain, and healing for all....blessings..robin

neversurrender

Robin - I love that we are all free with our feelings also.  With our group being together for so long, I think it enables us to trust each other with our inner most feelings.  (I know it has only been a couple of months - but feels like I've know you ladies forever).  I love that when some of us are down, the others are there to help pull them up.  We all hit walls and need the helping hand.  We all have highs that are wonderful for us to share -grandbabies, good path reports, no chemo, new jobs.  It makes us our own little family of sisters. 

Love you all!

Go Team January !

bcincolorado

Robinlbe:

What a fantastic FASFA tip to share!  We were talking today (my husband and I) and thankful that for the first time in many, many, many years we don't have to do one since our youngest will graduate in May. 

My PS always seems to do 50cc fills and I know how much I feel like I have a basweball in me and how swollen and sore I am.  I can't imagine getting more!  I am hoping my fills are finished finally and will find out this week! 

faithandfifty

Cathy. Where are you?

I'm concerned that we haven't heard from you for a while.......

Of course it could be that you've been here often and I've forgotten. If that's the case, please forgive me, my swiss cheese status impairs periodically.

I just want you to know I'm thinking about you tonight.

xx00xx00xx00xx

KatRNagain92

Morning Team...

I'm back in the game and my time out pitty party is over (for now!:)  I too love how we can have days of complete utter whininess and not be shunned away.  I love you guys!

Brenda, the ice cream oatmeal sounds amazing.  I'm going to go to the store and get some!  Thanks!  When is your first day on the job?  Watch out for that drug test...do they test for taxo?  lol  (sorry my poor attempt of making a joke)  I'm not completely off the 'junk' quite yet.  I still need a vicodin every now and then.  Paula is so right...we are carrying around a pound of fluid filled plastic pointy expanders and the only thing holding them up is a thin layer of skin.  Is it any wonder they are uncomfortable?  My new word is un-natural.  "How are you feeling today Kat?  Oh, I would say, pretty un-natural...and you?"

Thanks for the FASFA info Robin...my Junior is looking into colleges now (good girl) and every little bit will help. 

I am starting to feel some SE on the Tamoxifen.  Mostly joint pain in my wrist, index finger and toes.  I take ibuprofen though and it seems to work.  I also woke on my side this morning!  How bout that?  baby steps....right on into the master bedroom I'm thinking! 

I am going to do positively NOTHING all day.  I am so excited.  !:)  Where should I begin my nothingness I wonder?  I think I will start with an exfoliating shower and then try (operative word here) this faux tan stuff I got yesterday at the store.  Wish me luck and streak free results!

Have a great nothing day girls!
Kat 

pbebow

Kat!  Glad that you doing well, you're posts always make me smile!  I like that "un-natural", that's a good one.  Usually when someon asks me, "So, Paula, How are you doing?" I usually just give a glib "I'm good, how are you?"  and it always throws them, like I'm supposed to just start whining and complaining, I have found that it doesn't do any good and no one really wants to hear it anyway, so I just throw it back on them.  I amazed that you woke up on your side!  That is great!  Whenever I move in bed or recliner I wake up, it's like I have to conciously move each body part.  Today my new Sleep Number bed arrives!  I am soooo excited!  If you've never slept on a sleep number bed you have to try it!  We stayed at a Marriot that had them and it was FaBuLous!  I am so excited!  I'm sure that this is going to get me back in the bed for good now!  Last night was having some wierd tightness/pain under my right arm.  Not sure what it was from or why it started...  I tried wearing a stretchy unwired bra yesterday for a while, I had read in another thread that a couple ladies wore them 24/7 and it helped with the TE's for some reason, so I thought that I'd give it a try.  But by dinner time I couldn't take it anymore and I took it off.  I am wondering if that is where the new pain came from.  My right side is the side where my foob is moving under my arm a little and I'm thinking that maybe the bra was pushing it back where it belonged, which might be a good thing, I don't know.  I did my stretching DVD this morning and it feels better (why, oh why don't I do that every day!?  It always feels better!).  I am getting ready to either shower or walk on the treadmill now, can't decide if I want to walk on the treadmill or walk outside, it's cold but the sun is shining brightly, so maybe some fresh air will do me good.  We'll see....  I had my healthy 3 point (weight watchers) breakfast this morning and will go grocery shopping after I take my son to school (young fives in the afternoon) and then maybe I'll walk before he has to be picked up....  Okay, have a great nothingness day! 

Paula

neversurrender

Brrrr...It is cold outside !    I just returned home after a 45 minute walk and I am so cold, but the cold air felt good !  My DH called me about 40 min into my walk to make sure I was still ok..sweet huh..he figured I'd last about 20 min on a walk, so he was worried.

I feel like I have gotten off easy so far on the reconstruction portion.  Those of you with TEs make me cringe in sympathy pain with your descriptions.  Those of you without recon sound uncomfortable and tight, especially in the cold.  I am currently having no problems with my breasts, even the uncomfortable tingly stuff has stopped.  Of course, I do know I have a phase 2 awaiting me, so I am enjoying the easy part right now

I have a day of reconciling bills and then I have multiple meetings for school and soccer tonight.  I am sure I will be ready to fall straight into bed by the time I get home.  I am hoping my walk will allow me to push my nap up, so that I can get it in before I have to leave - can't miss my nap !

I like my advise yesterday, so I am stopping by the store and getting myself a pint of ice cream....DH leaves tomorrow for work, so I will have the next three days alone in the house....sounds like chick flicks and ice cream for me   

Hugs !

pbebow

Sally, I don't think any of has gotten off easy!  So don't feel that way...  It is true that some are having to go through more than others and some have more pain, but no one is getting off easy!  There is nothing easy about BC!!  Enjoy your ice cream and chick flicks, sounds great!  I tried to talk DH into doing a hot fudge sundae run last night (since we were starting Weight Watchers this morning) but he wouldn't do it (and I wasn't going to do it), so no ice cream for me!  I can have it just not the real kind with hot fudge!  Oh well!  I can do this!

Has anyone ever tried Zumba?  I was thinking about buying a Zumba workout DVD, but not sure... it looks like mostly dancing and I think that I can handle that, I might have to modify some of the moves, but it sure looks like fun (watched a u-tube video) and would like something that'll help with my lower half, stomach, butt and thighs!  I just don't feel like I could do crunches right now and I am totally rockin' a beer gut right now (might not be all beer, but it sure looks like it!).  So, if anyone has ever tried Zumba, what do you think?  Are we up for it?  I had my surgery Jan 8th, so close to 2 months out now....

faithandfifty

I took Zumba last summer from a belly dance enthusiast teacher. I LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT. She didn't call out the moves -- so it took a few classes to figure out how to follow her, but I seriously LOVED IT!!!! Can't wait for summer to jump back in. A Zumba DVD would be awesome. Move at your own pace. If you get it, keep us posted.

Team January. I have a special request to make.

The birthday of a dear BCO friend of mine is coming up. She is Stage IV and was given a couple of days to live -- back in November. Her obstinancy & a ton of prayers have kept her moving thru the unthinkable. We have been together in real life about 8 or 10 times -- sometimes for a day, once for nearly a week. She goes by the nick name here of "Saint" as that was her maiden name.

She is a saint and knowing her has taught me much.

Anyhow, I'm attempting to orchestrate a 'shower' of cards for her. Her official birthday is March 9th, but it wouldn't matter if your card arrived later. If you are willing to send an upbeat birthday card to a fellow sister, please PM me for her address.

Any of you that are active in church or sports, or work or chemo, or book club, or have children under foot or parents or friends who could add a card or handprint or finger-paints or other nonsense would seriously mean the world to her.

I'm envisioning that you could get a card and just pass it around and have total strangers add their signature and a Happy to the card.

She is so deserving of this boost.

Thanks.

Everybody have a day today. No doubt we will each have a day.

What kind will yours be??

xx00xx00xx00xx

Strength and courage.

Strength and courage.

Strength and courage.

frosty1

I too love that we can moan ... and we know understand and let it go.  I also appreciate the 'sick' humor, something my DH just doesn't get.  I love that your new boobs are 1# each -- when I went for my 1 month check-up I teased the aide that I had lost at least one pound with my MX -- and I did!  We both laughed.  Of course it has come back in other ways ... The port almost hurts more than the MX.  Just when I was able to sleep on both sides, I had to stop.  Geez.  So pee test -- I will have to tell them about the codeine ... but hopefully it will be out of my system by then.  But I do start chemo tomorrow, so wondering how that will show up!  Hee Hee.  I have 2 weeks to enjoy my non-working status.  I told my new boss yesterday; she was very understanding and said to let her know if I need anything.  This must be the right place!

boromom

Hi to all of the wonderful January women,

I have spent the last five days catching up on the post. I was off for a while having good days and bad days and just not posting. I've missed all of you so much. It does bring a smile to my face every time I'm on. My family thinks I'm looney because I've turned into a bobblehead as I read and nod my head to what all of you are talking about. Also, I quite frequently talk to the computer like you girls can hear me. In so many ways, you do hear me. I feel like I know you so well. You are all the angels who have carried me through this, and I will be forever grateful for those wings. I remember the first time I found this thread not too long before my surgery, and I felt an instant connection. You are one fantastic group of women, and I am honored to cyber-know you. I also felt guilty at first because I do not have to have any other treatment, but I found out pretty quick that should be celebrated and I still have been through a lot. Someone was talking about paying for this sickness, no lump, symptoms anything. Just microcalcifications on a mammo - exactly what mine was. I also feel like I've handled this pretty well until now. Diagnosed on Nov. 19, lumpectomy on Dec. 9, reexcision on Dec. 21, bilateral on Jan 22. I am just now really feeling the emotional part. These d*** "torture" expanders aren't helping matters any. I was also feeling like a baby because I have two friends who had them and said it was no big deal. It is one big deal to me. I've had 2 fills at 60 cc's each side. He does this once a week and likes to overfill at the end - Yippee!! The procedure itself isn't so bad, it's the days after. I finally feel good about a day before the next fill. It's not horrible but very uncomfortable. Someone said like two turtle shells in your chest. I swore I was quitting after the first but am learning to take it one day at a time. The do have a mind of their own and sometimes feel like their migrating under your chin or armpits. I'm nervous because I go back to work on Monday (teacher's aide). I'm going to have the fills on Fri. morning so hopefully the weekend will help me get through. Right now, you women are who get me through - thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm trying to stay positive - it will be 50 hear on Saturday. Yeah, this cold with tissue expanders is not fun. I live in Springboro, OH south suburb of Dayton. Actually, headed to Easton today all of you Columbus girls. My daughter is home from college for spring break and my mom is treating us to a shopping trip and overnight stay there. I'm looking forward to the 3 of us spending time together. I have to go bundle up the girls so they stay warm. Thank you for all of the pictures. It leaves such a nice mental picture. Have a wonderful day everyone. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily.

Melissa

boromom

One more thing,

Kim, do you know why 50cc's seems fine and even 100cc's seem no biggie? I think it's because my PS has me tipped back on the table so I'm half laying (lying - never did get that right in school:) down. It's not until you stand up and gravity takes over that you realize it feels like they just put in a gallon Anyway, that's my take. Everyone says slow and easy and that's what I'm finally realizing. This part of the process we can have a little control over - Yeah.

binga

Melissa,

I can relate to everything you are saying.  We were diagnosed the very same day.  I had my BMX with TE on 1/27 and feel the same way you are.  I really hate them!  Matter of fact this morning I put on a sports bra for the first time (so no additional padding) and I am really considering telling my PS that I am satisfied with where I am at right now at my appt Tues.  I am so ready to just get this over and the exchange done as I find each fill a big deal too!  I am supposed to go back to work next week but work a stressful job that requires standing on my feet 12 hours and I just don't see how I can do it.  This is way more than I was prepared for and I feel like you- just when you start feeling ok you have to get a fill and it pushes you right back.  I hope you have a great time with your mom and daughter and maybe you can just forget about all this for a couple days.  

Becky 

KatRNagain92

Becky, one thing I've learned about the TE and size part is the extra skin you may have.  I truthfully love where I'm at with little ones for the first time in my life...but I just have too much extra skin.  It's already wrinkling towards the clevage area...this tells me that if I don't get a 500cc implant I'm not going to look good naked...and I kinda would like to   

So, as much as I would like to stop the process now too (for numerous reasons...work included) I'm just not going to.  We've come this far dammit!  Hang in there!

Kat

TNgolfer

Becky, Melissa, and Kat....right on!  We all have such similar stories...diagnosed 11/19, 2nd lumpectomy and AND on 12/10 and bilat Mx w/TE's on 1/28, but the TE's are really the issue now.  Can it be that I simply have put the rest of it behind me??  With the TE's I have noticed that I am cold all the time (or is it that this house in TN is not as insulated for the snow and cold we have been having?).  You're right ladies, the fills themselves really don't hurt.  I, too, have worn a sports bra and gone without -- it doesn't matter.  I (like Kat) want to rip my clothes off most of the time (though that doesn't help either.  I can't get comfortable laying down (lay has to do with position and lie is what we do when we tell people we are fine!). 

My friend Kat is right again on the total fill.  It does have to do with how much skin you have, the size of your chest and rib cage.  I was a small B and happy with that, and I, too, fear I am starting to look like Dolly Parton with breasts starting under my armpit and collarbone.  But at this point, I do think we have to trust those plastic surgeon's who have been doing this for a long time.  It is tough to stretch muscle's...and it is going to take time...and it's going to hurt.  So, we will all have to just pick up our big girl panties and deal with it.  Listen to me, will ya?  In about an hour I will want to call the PS and tell him I'm done, too! 

Mine also feel numb and tingly.  I told the PS at the last appointment that I thought there was a little bulge at the bottom and maybe the muscle wasn't covering it and that it felt like it was going to pop.  He felt what I was talking about and assured me that the muscle was covering it and it wasn't going to pop, and I was just feeling a fold in the TE.  Then I made him feel the other side where I thought that it was all swollen and didn't know what it was.  Again, he felt what I was talking about and assured me I was feeling the edge of the TE.  He also said there was some extra breast tissue in that area and that when he did the exchange surgery, he would take care of that with liposuction.  He is so patient and I am so neurotic sometimes....how can we not be...these are all such strange feelings...Again, I am so glad we have each other to share all this with.  Love you all and we need each other so much right now!

Marianne

burley

Good point, boromom-I was laying down when she filled them.  Last time I was in a half sitting position, so I knew right away that they were going to hurt.   This time, I was unpleasantly surprised when I sat up!

I'm about to write a country song about the pains of the TE's...I'm in horrible pain today after my fill yesterday, and only got a couple hours of sleep.  Just when I was finally able to do some stretching of my arms and back!  My hats off to those of you able to exercise-my exercise today will be going to the grocery store and trying to walk upright, not hunched over like a little old lady.

I'm already slightly larger than I was, and definitely more "filled out" (I had little breastfeeding boobies before.)  I think with 100cc more (2 times of  50cc!), I may stop.  But apparently I have to wait until I'm done with chemo to get the actual implants put in-aaargh!

I too am thankful for this "forum" and everyone here.  I'm always excited to log on and see what everyone is up to for the day

TNgolfer

Greetings all,

Well the nurse just called from the Oncologist's office and she had the results of the Oncotype Dx assay.  She said she would fax it to me or drop it off at my house (are you kidding, me???? -- how awesome was that).  Anyway, I told her I was out and about, so I would drop by and pick up the copy.  The number is 19.  I could have predicted that one!!!!  I am thrilled.  Even though the parameters are 0-18: chemo would not be effective and anything over 30:  chemo would be effective, I am confident in making the decision "no chemo" at the 19 number.  I have the appointment with the onclogist on the 10th.  According to the report, those patients who had a recurrence score of 19 had an AVERAGE rate of distant recurrence of 12% (actual between 9% and 15%).  (That means 88% chance of no recurrence in 10 years.)  According to the Adjuvant Online (computerized tool that the onc used, it predicted a recurrence of 18%. 

I can live with those numbers.  Going to have some donuts!!

Kim, Becky, and others with TE's.  My PS always does fills while I am laying down.  I really don't have a problem that day, it's always the next day, and it just seems like it is just getting bearable when it is time for the next fill.....remember this is a process!

Hang in there my buddies!!!

Marianne

robinlbe

You poor girls with your TE's....everytime I read your posts, my chests twinges in pain....I just can't imagine!!  My flatsie-watsie is so tight already - I can't imagine a tuna can under my skin too!! 

I met with my oncologist today....guess it's my last time.  She sees no need to see me again.  We went over my path report from my surgery;  she checked me over, looked at my surgical sites, etc, answered my questions.  I feel such a need to stay connected - but I guess it's pretty stupid when there are so many who are so sick and need her so much more.  My cancer ("pre-cancer" in her words) is gone....I was blessed and fortunate that it was caught early before it was invasive but I still had to lose one breast at the very least! 

She did tell me I would qualify for a survivor's workshop thing.  I'm not sure she even needs/wants to see me should I test positive for BRCA1 /2 or the HNPCC.  I do really like her though.  We talked about reconstruction....

I just feel as if I'm floating in the water without a lifejacket or something.....so strange.  I know I'm "cured"....I'm grateful.  truly.  But it's all happened so fast, and I've experienced a loss.  Time to move forward, but it's as if I can't move one foot in front of the other yet  - as if I'm stumbling some how.,  so weird. 

(teacher time...chickens lay eggs, we lie down.....easy way to remember....the only way I could help students remember <grin> but it doesn't really matter to me...I don't care....I get confused on laid and lain....oh, whatever!! )

Back to my little K kids tomorrow afternoon, then one more day at home...then Friday, I teach all day - four 5th grade classes and two 1st grade classes (all of which I haven't seen since before Christmas!!)

blessings to all....robin

KatRNagain92

Oh Marianne!  Praise the Lord!  You're prayers have been answered!:)

Now we can schedule our implants for the same time and arrange for a get together to put the bows on the packages (i.e. 3D nipples!:) followed by a round of golf....And no chemo to interfere with our best laid plans!

Happy Dancing here....
Kat

faithandfifty

Marianne. I'm so glad that the test was "decisive" and that they got you the info in a straight forward manner. Now: exhale!!!!

Melissa. You're probably not going to believe this..... but I am a graduate of Springboro High School!!! Seriously. Proud salutatorian of the class of 1975!!!! What a small world. When your nick popped up as 'boromom' it always made me smile -- but never in a gazillion years would I have jumped to the conclusion that you're in Springboro. I can smell an OH/IN Jan team meet-up!!

I have an idea. The annual Komen Walk is Sat. May 15th. How about that as a time for folks to gather?? Last year there were over 50,000 'registered' walkers. The turnout is in the hundred thousand category. It is sooooo emotional. There was a survivors gathering in the state house rotunda at the conclusion of the walk. VERY emotional. It's a 5K.

Think it over.

Hugs to all. Thanks to those of you who have jumped on board the birthday card train for my pal Saint. Still plenty of time to PM for her address. I heard from a NYC teacher friend of mine that she's gonna get all 100 preschoolers in her program to make 'personal' cards. Won't that package bring smiles??

xx00xx00xx00xx

Strength and courage.

Strength and courage.

Strength and courage.

faithandfifty

These are a few of the roses given out to the survivors at the end of the Komen race:

Here are a few survivors coming down the state house stairs, after the rally in the rotunda:

I'm in this picture. On the right hand side of the picture. I have on a BIG pink scarf:

Here's an overview of the closing ceremonies:

Get psyched....... May is just around the corner!!

faithandfifty

Speaking of pictures......

Here's one of my favorites of "Saint and Faith" together.

I was presenting in Chicago for a couple of days at a conference, she came into the big, windy city to keep me company & took on the title of "My People" (which is on her name tag.) We had a rollicking big pajama party -- staying up till the weee hours. We spent an entire day in the Chicago Art Institute together, before the conference began.

KatRNagain92

Well my day of nothingness has proven to be quite uneventful...with the exception of a trip to Taco Bell and the Partridge Family Reunion on the Today show.  Oh my goodness, did anyone see those people now?  And where may I ask was the elusive Susan Dey?

Those are great photos Debbie....you probably wouldn't believe this but I have agoraphobia...I cannot be around huge crowds or I get over stimulated and throw-up.  Seriously...You should have seen me at Epcot Center.  The biggest crowd I can handle is about 500.  We do the Rally for the Cure golf tournament every year though and I always enjoy that outing.  We also have a male breast cancer survivor who enjoys playing in it too.

Paula how is your new mattress?  I'm all excited for you.  I hope you enjoy restful sleep!   I would enjoy the warmth of my furnace stoked husband but I still can't risk him rolling on me in his sleep. (my big guy is 6'6") but I think the problem with always being cold is not having the fat pads that our breasts used to provide.  We have either given up our natural insulation or traded it in for tuna cans sewn under our skin.  That might actually be a bonus to the DIEP...Sally?  Are you cold?

Oh and I got to use my 'un-natural' today at the Taco Bell Drive thru.  You know how they always ask "Welcome to Taco Bell How are you today?"  I said "I'm feeling quite un-natural thanks...It got lost somewhere in the translation and I ordered my chalupa. 

We'll come up with something else....
Have a restful evening everyone!
Kat

robinlbe

OK....so how many more salutatorians are on here?

I'm one, too, Debbie....class of 1977....there were 650+ in my class....give a shout out!   (My son attended the same high school and was one of the ten honor grads - they don't do valedictorians or salutatorians anymore - which they consider equivalent to valedicatorians.....anyway, his class was well over 600 also......he ended sitting in the EXACT same seat I sat in when I graduated....left side, front row, 8th seat!  I was amazed.  No, I didn't remember that fact...but I found it in a memory book where I had written it down....and was amazed when it was the same seat assigned to Benjamin for his graduation day 32 years later....)

blessings...robin 

p.s. love the pictures!!

pbebow

Love the pictures Debbie!  Those are great!  I so wanted to walk the one in Michigan this year but you have to raise like $2300 per person to walk and I just can't do that.  I am on a Relay for Life team for the 8th year and I just can't drop my fundraising for that to do the other and I certainly can't do both.  I have had over 20 people in my family that has had some kind of cancer, so Relaying is a way to help fight all cancers.  I just attended our kick off meeting tonight, so all fired up again!

Kat, the new bed is awesome, just sitting there waiting for bedtime, can't wait !  Of course, DH thinks "New Bed, we have to christen it!"  So, not sure I'm up to that yet... I'm feeling better since my fill but not quite back to that point yet, not even sure if I'll make it all night in bed, although I have high hopes for this bed!  It is soooo sweet!  Anyway, hope all is having a good night, I have been on the go all day and am looking forward to relaxing, maybe with a small bowl of my healthy (low WW points) ice cream!

Paula

neversurrender

Melissa - I was at Easton tonight !  We may have walked right past each other and not even known it.

Kat - I do not get cold.  I think that might be a benefit of the diep.  Still fully insulated   Did you use your self tanner?

Marianne - Congrats on the score ! 

Paula -  I'm jealous of the new bed - and my DH would have the same reaction

The big news around here - my DH has gotten over his fear of my drain....yeah!!  We have resumed the happy dances.  I am soooo much happier and less stressed

Ladies, I hope you all have a wonderful night !

Sally