In shock

scouser47

Momof. Wow you sound great.

Exciting times ahead for you

I have been to Norway twice. One of the most beautiful places in the world. People speak perfect english too.

You MUST go it is pretty expensive but not if you shop around. We were in a jacuzzi on deck of a cruise ship as we cruised up a fjord. Waterfalls cascaded down snow topped hills. Heavenly.

nihahi

edi.....I'm betting on "good news" from the scan results! 

adagio

momof2 - so glad to hear you ar feeling much better - you sound so cheerful and upbeat .

scouser47

Nihahi will take that bet. As I keep saying "only the good die youngish " he he.

Gotta stay around for years yet if only to keep an eye on Dh if I go he couldnt find ANYTHING.

Want to be around to give out positive vibes especially on TN.

Bingo today need to win and put in my fund to come and annoy my gorgeous sisters.

Is it today for your get together ? Give them all my love and thanks.

momof2doxies

Edi….I am on team Nihahi…please do not let those dark thoughts rent space in your head. I saw an article last month saying that Norway was the most beautiful place to visit. Since my passport pages are totally blank, I have a lot of research to do to see it I agree. Would love to see the Northern Lights, somewhere…how realistic is it to visit Norway in December. I just do not know if I could tolerate that level of "chill". LOL

Hope the Canadian get together is a fun time for all. Please post pictures! 

Need to make my to do list for the day. Seems that if I do not write goals down and then cross them off, I tend to waste the day. Now as I wait for new hair, I just cannot waste another day.

My fingers are crossed for you Edi…please keep us up to date with the results. Enjoy the bingo!

Love to all,

Jenifer

nihahi

The "gang of five" gathering in Calgary is on Monday. Cameras will be brought and used! Hubby and I are sitting in Arizona....trying to steel ourselves to return to the frozen north later today. The weather report for Okotoks is saying it is currently -37 windchill....good lord I hope the car starts!!!!!

momof2...yep....I agree, post a no vacancy sign for negative thoughts!!!!....make the plans for the future, and spend each day moving towards it. It can really be tough at times, but I have never found anything good, in "pausing" life, waiting to see how much is left.....we cannot go back and rewind or get time back, so the choices are "stay where we are" or "move forward". I truly hope to reach the "end", with more thoughts of "I'm glad I did....", as opposed to "I wish I had". There was another story on the news here last night, lauding the benefits of daily exercise in minimizing the risk of recurrence. Important info, I believe, and helps both the mind AND the body.

There is a "park" in northern Sweden, that exists as a prime Northern lights viewing spot. I think it's called Abisko or something like that. I hope that someday you do get to see how awesome they can be.

Time for one more coffee, then have to start packing up. Hugs to all.

liefie

Edi and Momof2, it is great to hear you sounding so well, and making plans. Movie, we should make plans to go visit Mom in Yachat sometime- she will get much more than she bargained for! Edi, I'm sure the bone scan news will be good.

Nihahi, you guys drive safely today. Wanted to take my dog for a long walk because the sun is shining here this morning. However, it is a freezing minus 8 degrees C, so will rather stay inside. Maybe it will be warmer by lunchtime, but I doubt it. There were two crazy people in kayaks on the lake early this morning - could not believe it.

Now really looking forward to the Calgary get together on Monday! Lots to do before I can leave here on Friday. Reason for visit to Alberta is celebration of birthdays Saturday of DH and youngest DS who was born on his dad's birthday. The double celebration has become somewhat of a family tradition. Both father and son have ordered their favorite dishes/desserts, so will be getting on the plane with a cooler full of food - lol. Will be staying with DD who is very pregnant now (8 months), and don't want her to lift a finger. Those dishes have to be made today so that they can be frozen before Friday. Better get my backside in gear. Laundry also never ends, so it will be a busy day.  

adagio

liefie - how exciting to be visiting your daughter so soon to her due date - this is such a special time in her life and in yours. It is so great that you can combine a family trip with seeing bco friends as well - have an awesome trip. I am just about to go out for my daily walk and I agree it is darned cold it hasn't gone above zero degrees all day - brrrr!!! At least it is sunny and the mountains are spectacular. Have a safe and wonderful trip!

websister

Hi everyone - I have to confess I was a bit of a wimp today with the -27 C weather here - I walked n the treadmill in a sunny room - couldn't bring myself to venture outside on a day off of work. Had a wonderful visit with Paisley and parents this afternoon - she is well on her way to walking along furniture. Just love making her laugh  

Leifie - it seems like yesterday you were sharing the news that you were going to be grandparents and the time is almost here - how exciting! Hope DD is feeling well, sounds like a great birthday tradition for DH and DS - so happy we get a visit in as a result

Edi - bone scans do take a long time, don't they? Did you glow in the dark afterwards? I've had two - after the first one they gave me a note as we were traveling across the Canada/US border shortly after - sure enough we were asked if we were carrying any nuclear weapons - I pulled out my note indicating the bone scan, very happy they thought to provide it for me. Keeping fingers and toes crossed for your results

Better go get supper out of the oven, take care everyone

Moviemaniac

Happy trails, Liefie!   Have a wonderful week with your kids.....and STAY WARM!   Give all the BCO ladies a (((Hug))) from me! 

Edi.....thinking about you!  XO

Hope everyone manages to stay warm....we are actually feeling some of the Canadian Arctic blast here in normally temperate Portland.......Brrrrrrrrrrr!  Had to pull out my long johns!

Love you ladies!  XO

Morwenna

Well, the good news is it is forecast to be (relatively) warm on Monday, with a high of -6 degrees C! ;p 

Bring your thermal underwear!

Morwenna

I had my chemo-curls chopped today. I just walked into a salon in Chinook Centre on impulse.

I explained to the girl that I had lost my hair last year having chemotherapy and this is how it grew back in: grey and curly! "OK", she says. Then a little later ...... Have you had a perm because the ends are quite dry ..... ?"

No, it grew back curly because of the chemo drugs ...... Oh, OK.

Some moments later "You've been colouring your hair .... ?"

No, it came back white, but its starting to get some colour.

Oh, OK, but you had, like, highlights put in?

Sigh, no, it all fell out during chemotherapy because of the drugs, and it was white to start with, and curly ...... 

Oh,..... I didn't know it could do that ..... 

Talking of dim: I had my RO follow up last week, and the nurse was telling me I was overdue for a mammogram, because last time (July 2013) they only did a unilateral, but I hadn't had a bilateral since October 2012 ......

I reminded her that I haven't had two breasts since December 2012! 

I wish now I had told her that if she could locate my left breast, she was more than welcome to try to mammogram it!

liefie

Hahahaaaa Morwenna - thanks for the good laugh! Where would we be without that? Thanks also for the weather update. Will have to pull out my long johns like Movie. Hopefully it will be warm and cosy in the coffee shop - wonder if they have a fireplace? Looking forward to seeing everybody.

Dakota212

hi ladies !!!! Hope u gals have a great visit. Sorry I have been MIA, life is so busy ......quick question has anyone else gained weight while taking tamoxifen and if so why is it so hard to lose it! It's driving me CRAZY !!!!! Love to u all !!!! Muah

Jennie93

Dakota, YES!!!  20 lbs in 8 months!!!   :-(

Quite common apparently but I am not happy!

Just one thread of many here:

http://community.breastcancer.org/topic_post?forum...

liefie

Dakota, for the longest time I had the same frustrating weight struggle on Tamoxifen, which I started taking in August 2012. Finally in August 2013 I got a handle on it. I just cut ALL white carbs like bread, potatoes, pasta, flour products etc. as well as ALL sugar. Drank lots of water, ate lots of healthy veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats like olive oil, nuts and avocados. Exercised almost every day. Weight started to come off, lost 14 lbs in 4 months' time. It is slow, and you have to be strict, but it can be done. I don't feel like a helpless Tamoxifen victim any more which is a good feeling. I did allow myself one square of dark Lindt chocolate every night, and on Sundays I did cheat just a little. Hope that helps!

scouser47

hi

Posted big long one yesterday and then pow !! All flipping vanished into cyber space 

Here goes again, morwenna! you made me laugh out loud! thank you? You must have felt like screaming 

honestly I swear some people speak before putting their heads in gear. My curls need yet another trim, growing like wildfire. Still have a twist in hair so easy to style.

we sister, can't believe beautiful Paisley almost walking, you will have to batten down the hatches when she gets mobile. Had a lovely message from Benny on day of my scan, she said she had spoken to you, thanks for that.

Liefie,wow what a lovely trip planned. DD so needs her lovely Mom right now. then birthday celebration and meeting up with the girls. Have fun 

Dakota, you will be gorgeous no matter what you weigh. I have put on about 14 lbs in the last few weeks, mine is just eating too much. Have trousers in three sizes hanging up !! Nice for food to taste like food and not cardboard.

Nihahi, hope you all get together safely Monday! wish I could be a fly on the wall.

Movie, I am fine honest  Won a whole £ 1.50 at bingo. Worked in charity shop yesterday afternoon which was fun.feeling a bit useful. Shopping later then maybe Chinese meal.

Been up since 3.30 am wide awake argh. Drinking warm milk and playing with DH's I Pad, much faster than my lap top. I might invest in one. He loves playing various games on it and now walks for an hour a day which gives me some Edi time.DS coming Monday to stay overnight! I will have my boy all to myself for the first time in years. 

Love to all. X

Dakota212

thank you that does help a lot. It's very frustrating I am working out a little bit but the kids are so busy and find ourselves eating out a lot which is so unhealthy. I found this quote on Facebook I thought you guys might like as well Love to you all muah !!!

Morwenna

Retreat this weekend! 

Three days of singing coaching and girl time in an internet free zone!

I'm taking Monday off work to recover, and looking forward to our meet-up!

Have a great weekend everybody! xxx

nihahi

Have a great time mo....see you on Monday.

Dakota....Liefie is dead on with the "it has alot to do with what you eat". I just got back from a pretty active 10 day holiday, and gained 2.5 lbs!!!!!! It's what I ate, and the glass of wine almost everyday that did it, I am convinced. Exercise is so important, and you are busy with the kids, but that doesn't mean your busy with "yourself". Can you do 30 minutes of stairs while at the kids games? or 30 min's of laps around a field? There's always something we can do, if we put our mind to it....gotta find a way to cut out the sugar and fats too. You can do this, we all can. 

I was reading an article in a magazine on the plane the other day. It was yet another study that has shown a lower risk of recurrence of bc with regular exercise, but also went on to discuss that the risk of heart attack or stoke is actually 7 times greater for North American women than bc!!!!.....No way, I am going to have beaten back the bc beast, to end up as a cardiac or neuro victim.....not for many many many years!!! So it's regular exercise and the right food choices for me!!!!!

liefie

Nihahi, really interesting stats on heart and stroke. I heard on the news 2 nights ago that more women die of heart disease than of all cancers put together. . . A sobering perspective, and all the more reason for exercising regularly, and eating healthy. Let's do it! 

Edi, enjoy your DS! Once they're married, it is rare to have them to ourselves.

Dakota, love that picture. It is so true. As far as losing weight, it is 80% what goes into your mouth, and 20% exercise. Also try not to eat after 6.30 in the evening, and try to have some protein with every meal. Eggs, a small piece of cheese, chicken, fish, red meat maybe twice a week, smaller portions. Good luck - you CAN do it.

Looking forward to meeting Nihahi, Websister, Benny and Morwenna on Monday morning. I will be the one shivering in the corner with both hands wrapped around a big capuccino trying to warm up - LOL. Can't wait!

Better finish packing before DH comes home to pick me up. Have a good weekend everybody!

momof2doxies

So here is my two cents on diet…which I have not been adhering to during chemo. Limit the SODIUM to 1200 mg per day. I lost 40 lbs last year and was able to come off my BP meds. But then after >6months on arimidex, the BP started going up so I had to go on another type of BP med. I do not eat red meat, only fish (wild) and organic chicken. All that and I still got another tumor. I will go back to my low sodium diet soon. But it will be more for heart reasons than BC. I believe the BC is just what I was dealt…working in research with carcinogenic agents during the 70's and 80's (thanks Emory University Hospital ) But when you limit your sodium to 1200 mg, you will quickly learn that broccoli and sweet potatoes are about the only thing you can order in a restaurant.

Another question…does chemo cause your internal thermostat to go wacko? I am like a popsicle and it is not even cold outside. It is an ordeal to change clothes because it takes so long to get warmed up. I just do not know how my Canadian sisters can survive with the arctic extremes we are having. When you meet up on Monday, have a very warm cup of "something" for me.

Liefie…you might like this. I have tons of fabric upstairs but I still cannot get my self up there to sew…mainly due to popsicle issues. So I found some 15" round lavender placemats at Bed Bath and Beyond on clearance. I ordered 110! I am thinking about using them on the white tablecloths/napkins to give the look of plate chargers. Then all I have to do is put the floral arrangement in the center with random votives. The venue has a rustic feel with high open beams. So that is my current "experiment"..we shall see. Otherwise I had better get myself going 98 more days.

Movie…the Newport News Times says there is snow in Yachats! Stay warm and safe…I know Oregon does not believe in using salt on the roads….just that sand and gravel that chips the windshield.

DH is home, so I shall go..have a great weekend to all!

Jenifer

nihahi

momof2.....imo, chemo makes EVERYTHING wacko....I bet time helps to settle down your "thermostat"! The find of placemats sounds lovely too! I agree with you, in that I will not "lay blame" as being due to what I ate or how I lived. If that were true.....then imo, bc would be the norm for just about everyone. However, I strongly believe that eating and living healthy has benefits that go way beyond "keeping bc away", and I accept that responsibility. 

Hey liefie....enjoying the weather yet . It's a windchill of -32 here in Okotoks at the moment, but at least it's sunny!!!!! Looking forward to the meet up with everyone tomorrow. My PS appt is @ 10:45 up at Foothills, shouldn't be a long appt, but sometimes he's right on time, other times....not! Save me a place at the table!!!

websister

Morwenna - I hope you're having a lovely singing retreat, hope the activities are all inside - BRRR! It's cold here!

Edi - how was the Lego movie? Have you heard any results from bone sxan yet? Glad you got to see Jackpot

Dakota/Jennie - Liefie gave great advice - I found that even staying away from gluten and sugar I gained some weight with tamoxifen. I discussed with my MO and she was fine with me cutting the dose back to 10 mg/day - when I did this I began to drop some of the pounds gained

Liefie - so sorry for the chilly welcome our city has given you, the warmth of family love and birthday candles should mak up for some of it.

Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow, Benny is very excited and has been preparing I will be here between 1130 and 1200. Can't wait! And I have put my camera in my purse 

Take care everyone

nihahi

websister....hmmm....cryptic message.....benny has been preparing?????

yep, got my camera too. I might try to get movie on the phone while we're all together too!

scouser47

hi ,

by now the meeting should have happened ??? Sure it was a riot.  Need all the gory details.

Websister, Lego movie I enjoyed it so did DH and ONE GD ! The other one wriggled and chattered and asked what time it was over from the beginning. Then she sucked on her straw in the coke cup which was by then empty until Nan gently took it from her ha ha.

They then came back for tea and destroyed the house  I am still recovering.

Next time we are going to see Tinkerbell and the pirates then to a cafe for a meal. No news on bone scan goodness knows when that will be, just hoping no news is good news.

Just collected my DS from the train station, he is soooo lovely and it is fabulous to have him to ourselves minus the bride from hell. He is chatting to DH about their favourite musicians.

 Roast chicken dinner later and maybe his sisters calling in too. At least they are all too big to wreck the house. Lol.

 Nihahi, have seen Benny's prep you lucky ladies. F/B great for spying. 

 Morwenna, weekend sounds fantastic, hope you are renewed. Through various reasons haven't been to choir for a few weeks and miss it so.

Movie, hope you are ok.

Love to all must go and peel some spuds, and shove the poor chicken in the oven.

Will catch up later x

nihahi

edi.....thoroughly enjoy the time with your son. I bet it means something special to both of you.

The Calgary meetup is happening in a couple hours. Perfect timing, as I need a pickup....just got a call from my PS, and he can't make the appt this morning. Since I have Red Cross commitments for the next three weeks, I won't be able to reschedule until into March. I am so disappointed.....I wanted to get my "nipple date" today......I want to finish this recon journey so badly!!!!! Sigh, time with friends who "get it" today, is going to be what I need!!!!

scouser47

Nihahi, we are having a lovely time. Hope you do too.
What a pile of poop about your appointment.
Dinner about ready.
Laters x

momof2doxies

The continuing saga of wedding decor…Chapter 1…The 110 lavender placemats arrived today. They are an EXACT match to the swatch of fabric I have of the bridesmaid dresses. So that delimma is solved. I took a picture and sent it to my friend who would give me an honest opinion and she said that I "nailed" it. Yippee!! 

Here is my shout out to the Canadian 5… Have a wonderful get together ! 

We are expecting another wintery mix this week. Our dear governor does not want the bad publicity he got last time for the traffic nightmare, so he is asking PA and OK is send help to us poor "do not know how to drive on ice" Georgians. The worst is suppose to accumulate by Wed and of course that is my pre op day at the hospital. I will just have to wait and see…surely I can get the pre op rescheduled before the surgery on the 26th. However, strange things seem to want to mess up "our ladies" appointments, and I very well may be bumped.

Gotta go take the dog out…have a wonderful evening.

nihahi

Had a wonderful time at the "gathering of the clan". Such great camaraderie, sharing, support and laughs. We even called movie on the phone, and everyone had a short chat with her! Thanks Benny and websister for the lovely, thoughtful gifts. fyi.....liefie's new "daughter" is a sweetheart!

in the pic....L to R...Liefie, websister, benny, morwenna and me. Hugs to all