Anyone starting Chemo in August 07?

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  • DGHoff
    DGHoff Member Posts: 624
    edited July 2008

    Hi Everybody! I'm back! I missed you all! We had such an awesome vacation though! It was pretty weird to be on vacation with no child (he was with grandparents) and no dogs. Just me and DH. But I think it was just what we both needed after this last year. We did loads of biking and kayaking, and here's the exciting part: It was pretty amazing because on the first two days of kayaking, I was miserable. I just couldn't do it. I felt weak and demoralized thinking that I was probably going to have to give it up because I could only paddle a little bit at a time before having to stop and rest. But then, on the third day of kayaking, it was wonderful!  It was so good because I actually felt like ME again, and I just felt this overwhelming feeling like "hey, I think I'm going to be OK after all!"  I nearly cried all over my kayak with tears of relief.  I feel almost like I've been lost in the woods and I've found a path that leads home. I hope this feeling stays and that it isn't just a vacation high. 

    Nash, what a wonderful idea on the skating benefit! I have family in Laguna Niguel so I'd for sure make the trip out there if you pulled something like that together!

    Kaye - I am positively GREEN (get it?) with envy over your Vitamix! I covet it very much as my Osterizer just doesn't quite get the the job done.

    Harley - Oh what a horrible doctor. He deserves a whack on the head. Would you like to borrow my kayak paddle next time you go see him? It's really long so you can get a good solid swing going! 

    Jackie - I hope the bronchitis and infection clears up soon. No fun!  

    Lillith - Glad you had a great vacation! I have to make an appt next week for the gynecologist and pap exam myself. Bleah. I know tons of people who have had abnormal paps, so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

    And hello Tami, Angie and June (hope that foot is feeling better) as well!

    DeAnn

  • lilith
    lilith Member Posts: 543
    edited July 2008

    Nash, I think the name of the game is to take things one day at a time. Then you'll see what makes most sense, and you are right - most likely the first year it will be a smaller affair.

     Most large projects are daunting if you look at them as a whole. You need to break down the task in little bits, and then tackle each bit on its own. Also, once you have put down the main areas of concern, you may want to use a good project management tool to visualise the different steps and co-dependencies. Also, putting together a website - both for advertizing purposes and for organizational ones, may be a good idea. I think you'll be pleasantly suprised at how much people are willing to help. You can definitely count me in that - at work I am bored silly, so I have time. Whatever i can do virtually...

    DeAnn - how incredible! I am so glad you are feeling like that, one and whole again, and yes - I can totally relate with the tears.

     Hugs to all.

  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited July 2008

    Wow Lilith, - why do i get the impression you have done large projects before? SIGN THIS ONE UP!

    DeAnn, I'll trade you the Vitamix for a day like you had on your kayak. I've been waking up the last few days thinking i've lost 20 years. Seriously. I'm sure it's temporary, and once it gets below 105 degrees outside, and once i get my BLESSED CORTIZONE SHOT in my toe so i can walk like a human again (rather than a silver backed ape) I'LL HAVE A DIFFERENT OUTLOOK.  Welcome back! I'm glad you had a great time - you needed it, and we need to hear about it!!

    love to all! 

  • lilith
    lilith Member Posts: 543
    edited July 2008

    haha, Kaye... is 50 mil big enough??? LOL. sadly - or luckily, not my own money. so I am still here counting the pennies. and then - right now I have been "promoted" to fixing everybody's mistakes, as after my health issues last year no-one entrusts anything relevant to me. Geez.

    The heat sounds good, actually. Here we are in the "zone", so neither hot nor cold. In other words, it is cold enough to look weird when I start transpiring widely, and hot enough so that it happens easily... go figure. Anyway, it is just one more reason to complain, i am getting pretty good at this.

  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited July 2008

    Hi, girls. Welcome back, DeAnn! Loved the kayaking story--you rock! That's so awesome that you felt so good. Glad you guys had a good time.

    Lilith--excellent advice on the project planning. Thank you. And, I think it would be really, really cool if you girls did help me with the project as well as came to the finished product! I'm actually getting really excited about this. I'm going to start approaching people at my rink and at another local rink with a larger, more active skating club. I know a woman from that rink who is a bc sister, and I'm sure I can get her on-board with the whole thing.

    Another bit of skating news--I took a skating test this morning, something I hadn't done in about 3 years. There are a series of tests that you have to pass to skate at various competition levels. I'm currently doing the adult track. There are 4 levels (pre-bronze through gold) and you have to pass a freestyle test and a Moves in the Field test for each level. MITF replaced school figures about 15 years ago. Anyhow, my point with all this is, I'd been working for about a year on my silver MITF test, and was getting ready to test it when I received my happy little diagnosis.  So I diligently slogged my way through the patterns while on chemo, started training it again in earnest in March, after radiation stopped, skated the test this morning, and....I FRICKIN' PASSED, BABY! Whoo hoo!

    I didn't skate as well as I could've, so was a bit surprised by the whole thing, but am really delighted to be able to move on to the next test and work on something new. I'd gone into the test with no expectations, b/c when I'd tested my bronze MITF, while still in blissful ignorance of my tumor, the judges "invited" me to retest, which is a polite way of saying "you suck, sorry". I passed it on the next attempt, but I really didn't expect to pass silver on the first try. So, YAY! 

  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited July 2008

    Nashie!!!! That is so UNBELIEVEABLY COOL i am in awe! You FRICKIN' passed it (which as every educated fricker knows, is WAY better than just having PASSED it)...Way to (proverbially) go!

  • Roya
    Roya Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2008

    Hi All,

    I too will begin chemo in August....8/8/08.  I had a left lumpectomy 6/20/08, 5 sentinal nodes neg,stage 2, triple neg. My port will be placed 8/5/08.  Planning A/C every 2 weeks  x4 cycles, then taxol every 2 weeks x4 cycles, then 7 wks radiation.

    Had a talk with my kids last night about hair loss, weight issues, and other things to expect.  They are ages 4, 14, & 17.  I think they are terrified but trying to be brave for me.

    Planning to go wig shopping this weekend.

  • lilith
    lilith Member Posts: 543
    edited July 2008

    Wow Nash. That is truly impressive - I didn't know you are a skater!!! and at competitive level....  that is quite something - I am really amazed.

     Roya - welcome here. You see, for us it is just one year later - the best part is that - as hard as it looks from where you are now (and I was scared witless, litterally!!!), it gets better. Even during chemo - it is already better than while waiting for it. Then little by little, one finds it gets easier, and at some point you look back and you realize the worse is gone.

    Plan for Chrismas - you'll be done by then! In the pictures, I look tired - but so relieved!

    Happy wig-shopping. Have a look also on Ebay for cheeky alternatives... they are cheap and can be fun - also for your kids. I used to ask my daughter - 12 - if she wanted me blonde or brunette for the day, she had quite some fun with the concept.

  • chemomom
    chemomom Member Posts: 171
    edited July 2008

    Way to go Nash!  That is wonderful.  I have been thinking how neat it would be to come out for your event myself.  I'd sure consider it.

    Welcome Roya.  As Lilith pointed out, we are actually a year ahead of you.  Which may be great comfort and quite irritating at the same time.  Chemo sucks.  I was down and out for about a week after each one and got by with lots of help from friends and family.  My kids are 5 and 3.  So we are proof that things will get better.  But as I recall-- misery LOVES company and people telling me happy things when I felt like crap after chemo sometimes didn't go over so well with me.  But you are certainly welcome to join us as much as you want.  And don't completely rule out going wigless.  I was bald and quite happy--  it makes for an easy morning routine, I will tell you that much!  But seriously, do whatever feels right to you.

    So call me crazy.  I am waiting... Kaye i heard you in my mind-- "OK.  Angie, you are crazy, now on with it!"  OK, anyway, I have been considering writing to Ellen and/or Oprah in the hopes that we could all meet up at one of their shows.  I thought it might be just the thing they could do for Breast Cancer Awareness month.  I remember last year, pink was everywhere in October... Well pink is dandy, but how about some real commitment here!!  But how cool would that be-- maybe we could all finally go on a belated "hedgehog cruise!"  Who knows!?!  But I would love for us all to somehow get together someday.  I really can't imagine where I'd be without you all.  So... maybe I am crazy, but if Ellen calls me up I'll be expecting to see everyone at the show!  :)

    Well--- since I am at work......  better go  :)  ang

  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited July 2008

    Hi, Roya. Like the girls said, you're totally welcome to hang out with us. If you prefer a group who's in the thick of things, then there's that, too. Whichever helps you the most. Happy wig shopping, and good luck with the port placement and first infusion.

    Angie, I think us meeting up at a show like Ophah's or Ellen's is a great idea! We absolutely have to all get together somehow. And I'm delighted that you'd consider coming out for the ice show, which I am really determined to make a reality. Actually, I can't even imagine holding it without you girls all there!

    Lilith, my competition level is so low that you'd laugh if you saw me skate. I'm OK for a 40 year old mother/cancer patient, but nothing at all like an elite skater that you'd see on TV. I am, however, better than random people off the street, so that's something, I guess! Sealed

  • yellowtownhouse
    yellowtownhouse Member Posts: 142
    edited July 2008

    Hey Everyone,

    Just checking in with some of the greatest women on the face of this sweet earth!   AMEN

    Nash....how incredible to pass your 'silver' just before the Olympics are due to start.  Well, I think you are an Olympian girl.  I adore the ice skating competition and I'll bet that you do a great job of critiquing the performances. 

    DeAnn....that vacation was just what the doctor DIDN'T order and how glorious was that?  You know you and Nash and Kaye put me to shame with your good diets and exercise regimes.  So glad you had such a rewarding trip.

    Kaye....what's with you and me and the feet girl?????  LOL   Hope you get that injection soon.

    lillith....how about taking on the chairmanship of the European division for Nash's project?  I have a feeling that you are a natural lady!

    Angie.... what a fabulous idea.  Can you imagine all of us actually getting to meet face to face?  Do you think we'd ever turn off the tears or sober up in time to go home???    :)    My daughter (who lives here in Atlanta) is an absolutely gifted writer and I know she would be delighted to help in anyway that we can.  Please let us know and don't hesitate to ask, ok? 

    As for me....I saw the workman's comp doc today and she released me.  Basically just said in diplomatic terms that old bones and sprains and strains can take a long time to heal, so....be easy on yourself and give it time. 

    Blessings on each of us.

    June

  • DGHoff
    DGHoff Member Posts: 624
    edited August 2008

    I think that would be just about the coolest thing EVER if we could all meet. I feel like you all are part of my family, but its funny how little we all know about each other!   So, I'm going to go ahead and share with you far more about me than you might have wanted! Here is a link to my picasa web album with pictures of the party and the vacation. My DH is awesome and has it all nicely labeled as to what is what. He's so cool. Anyway, you can get a glimpse of the kayaking splendor that we experienced as well as the party vibe.

    Link has been removed now that you've all seen it. Don't want that hanging out in e-world forever.

    DeAnn  

  • chemomom
    chemomom Member Posts: 171
    edited August 2008

    BEAUTIFUL DeAnn!  I think my little bucolic area of Central NY is nice.  But it does not even hold a candle to those beautiful places.  And Lanny seems wonderful.  I can barely force my husband to take a picture of me, let alone say such wonderful things about the pictures.  The whole thing is amazing.  It almost made me cry.  i am so happy for us.  All of us that have made it thru. 

    thanks for sharing the pics.  And I agree 100%-- I feel like you ladies are so close to me, and yet-- we really don't know a lot of the details, now do we. 

    Here's a tidbit I'll share about me... I have played the trumpet since I was nine years old.  When I was in high school and college, I dare say I was pretty good (lack of daily practice lead to a slow decline, in my opinion).  And when I was 15, I started playing with a local Brass Ensemble-- all amateurs of different calibers.   All older than me, of course-- local gentlemen and little me.  Mostly we played for churches, weddings, local festivals and the sheer pleasure of doing it.  We did once make an album though.  And last Tues, I went back for the first time in probably close to 2 years (first kids were the reason I couldn't find time to go, then cancer).  I had every excuse in the book I was giving for why I probably wouldn't be able to play with them regularly and then, I went and played and remembered how nice it was to *just play*.  I will be doing my best to stick with it.  And I felt like I was back to my old self a bit as well. 

    And I will also say that I have been running about 2 miles every morning before work.  No green smoothies yet or anything, but 2 miles is pretty good for a chubby chick.  And I am feeling sooo much healthier.  I am now 5lbs lighter than last year-- and that amount is adjusted for the 15lbs of boob I lost!   So overall it's about 20 lbs down.  I am telling you so I will feel ashamed of myself if I don't keep it up!! 

    OK girls-- time to go give my boys baths.  My oldest is almost 6.  When should I be transitioning him  to do his OWN bath??  2 boys,, 2 baths... that takes a lot of time from my schedule!! 

     love to all... catch ya later.....  Ang

  • DGHoff
    DGHoff Member Posts: 624
    edited August 2008

    Angie, I so love hearing that you are getting back into playing. Yet another thing in common we have...I played the trumpet from about 5th grade through high school! I pretty much was lousy though so no one would have ever invited me to play with them in anything let alone record it! Probably had something to do with the fact that I never EVER practiced.

    Very cool that you are running 2 miles every day too. I try to walk that, but I just haven't gotten into running so much. My excuse right now is that it is hot out!

    Oh, and on the bath thing, my 5-year old pretty much does his own thing in the bath. I get the water going, and I wash his hair  but the rest of it he is on his own.

    Nash- I forgot to mention it in my previous post, but congrats on gaining your silver! That is really cool.  

    Night to all!

    DeAnn 

  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited August 2008

    DeAnn, the pics are fabulous! I vote we all go to Minnesota--it's gorgeous! And your hair looks darling to top it off.

    June--sounds like you're on the mend. I'm glad.

    Angie--that is very, very cool about the trumpet playing. And I think it's wonderful that you finally got a chance to go back and play again. Awesome. And kudos on the weight loss--great job!

    Well, all I do is mother, skate, do accounting and research breast cancer, LOL, so not much to share about myself that you don't know. But I am going to share a link to a thread over on an adult skating web site that I frequent when I'm not hanging around here. I posted over there about passing my test, and people made such nice comments, I just wanted to share:

     http://www.skatingforums.com/showthread.php?t=27087

     I'll also try to post some pictures from our party at some point. The only problem is, in every single picture of me, I am shoving food in my mouth. It's sort of embarrassing!

  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited August 2008

    Hey Roya - (if you haven't left us)...welcome...How are you holding up? Waiting is the worst. Really, the rest is better. We're here if you need some friends.

    June - They "released" you, meaning you are now free to go back to work, but are they going to help with any of the bills? Or are THEY "released" from THAT? How are you walking - off the cane (or whatever it was) yet? And don't put me in any "exercise regimen" category with DeAnn. Exercise lately is me laying on my back in front of the TV. (oh wait. I've forgotten...we're taking dancing lessons so we don't frighten anyone at our daughter's wedding. The fox trot is considered exercise, isn't it?) I eat smoothies, but i don't move the hind quarters very much...it's between 105 and 110 degrees out here. And the pool is about 85. ICK. I got the cortizone shot in my toe yesterday, and it's better...but not 100%. Whatever. Someday i may look at other options. I'm only 54 for pete's sake. Too young to shuffle around.  I'VE STILL GOT TO LEARN HOW TO DO THE JITTERBUG BEFORE MY LIVE IS OVER.

    Angie - TRUMPET!! How very cool that is! And hooray on the running! Keep it up - that is ONE SURE WAY to lose weight.  I have a treadmill, but it's still so hot (even inside) and my toe has been acting up, that i just DON'T WANNA....oh, and the boys, can you toss them in together, hand them washcloths and soap and tell them you're taking notes to see how well they wash themselves, (and sit there with a notepad?) 1) time reduced 2) monitoring horseplay 3) teaching them how to bathe themselves.

    listen to me. I act like my son shaves every day and looks like he stepped out of a GQ ad. NOT SO. (The gargoyle wings tatooed on his back give him away.) Just the musings of one who has - been there, done that - and lived to laugh about it. Enjoy them. They get so strange, so soon.

    Nash - I'm really in awe. I knew you skated, but I really had no idea. Wow - I really want to come watch. You are amazing - you take care of your kids, took care of your mom, took care of your husband, AND had time to practice enough to be ready to compete ALL AT THE SAME TIME? Dudette. Really, you are incredible. 

    And if this is "true confessions", I'll unload later - dh is calling me, telling me it's time to practice dancing. (I may never hear those words again, so i better jump!)

    love to all - where ever we meet, i'll be there. 

  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited August 2008

    oops - almost forgot -

    DeAnn - those pictures are so unbelievable!!! You are such a doll!!! and not only did you PADDLE said kayak, but you BUILT IT???? WHAT??

    The sunset was beautiful, the caves were awesome - i wanna go. Thank you so much for sharing those pix!!

    When we get together, i'm bringing my guitar - we will HAVE A BLAST.

  • wackyjackie
    wackyjackie Member Posts: 669
    edited August 2008

    Hello Ladies,

    DeAnn...I'm in awe.  I laughed and cried at such beautiful pictures and the thought of you building a kayak and paddling it again!!! Beautiful and very inspirational.

    I can't wait until we all meet.  Nash, I know you can pull this off.  You're awesome!!!!

    Besides crocheting my little squares for the afghan thread and mailing them out, oh, and making people laugh all the time, I really don't have any talents like you ladies.  I can't sing to save me life...LOL.  It's so bad that when I go to church with my Dad he tells me to let him know if I'll be singing because he'll sit elsewhere(LOL)!!! But he never really leaves.  Oh, and did I mention that I got kicked out of art class in grammar school.  No, I'm NOT kidding.  So now you know I can't draw either. Okay, okay....I'll think of something......

    Have a great night, ladies.

    Hugs, Jackie

  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited August 2008

    Jackie, that's AWFUL. Your grammar school teacher should be horse whipped. I had one in 1st or second grade that when I was trying to show perspective in a drawing of my house, where you not only saw the front lawn, but you saw along the sides of the house to the lawn in back THAT APPEAR TO GO UP BECAUSE YOU CAN'T DRAW "BACK", made fun of me - seriously - and chided me by saying, now Kaye, GRASS DOESN'T GROW IN THE AIR.

    I was both intimidated by her and awed by her idiocy. I knew i was right, but how does a 7 year old argue with a teacher? Or say "ok. this is what i'm trying to do. show me how to do it."  Oh well. Teachers are just people. Flawed like us all. (But still deserving of a good horse whipping.)

    AND, BTW...the Bible says to "make a joyful NOISE unto the Lord"...so tell your dad, you love him, but to sit tight. You're doing just fine!

  • wackyjackie
    wackyjackie Member Posts: 669
    edited August 2008

    Thanks Kaye, you're the best!!!!! and I do make some joyful squeaky noises unto the Lord!!!!, but I make them anyway.  I used tease my kids during chemo and tell them that when I was done I was going to  sing like Barbra Streisand.  I guess that didn't work.  Anyway, when we meet I decided I will be the cheerleader of everyone.  I love ALL kinds of music an d I am a good listener, so you ladies can play away and you'll have a great audience in me.

     Hugs to all,

    Jackie

  • lilith
    lilith Member Posts: 543
    edited August 2008

    Hi - back at work after a long week-end (bank holiday here), how hard it it. Didn't have the time to read through all the mails, will do that later.

    June, it is a good idea - but given that folks here are working at making me redundant (they cannot find me anything after my health issues, I think this is all heavily linked even if it is done in a nice way), I will not be able to try anything there.

    Hey, have you gals seen this? http://www.standup2cancer.org/

    DeAnn, I am looking forward going through your pics... I'll send you gals mine, but I don't want to post the link in public b/cause of the kids, and not only mine. So I'll send it by pm.

  • wackyjackie
    wackyjackie Member Posts: 669
    edited August 2008

    Angie,

    That is great news about the weight loss.  You sound like you're really doing great.  I'm so happy for you.

    Have you ladies checked out the Pinkstock 2008 thread? It was this past weekend and it seems to be in upstate New York.  It might be a fun place to go to next year and meet.  But, personally,  I would love to come out to California.  I hope that Nash can get us all out there.  Good luck.

    Thanks Lilith for that website.  I had no idea about it.  It seems very interesting. 

    Have a great day, ladies.

    Hugs, Jackie

  • wackyjackie
    wackyjackie Member Posts: 669
    edited August 2008

    Lilith,

    By the way, I look forward to the pictures.

  • lilith
    lilith Member Posts: 543
    edited August 2008

    DeAnn. Your pictures are absolutely awesome, and your party looks like a blast.

    Not even to mention that you look like a cute pixie! with your haircut in the woods - you definitely ROCK, it ain't a figure of speach! the kayaking must have been such a blast.

     HUGS!!!

  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited August 2008

    Jackie--one of our San Diego lunch girls went to Pinkstock. She said it was the best vacation she ever took. Also, women from the board are still planning the March on Washington for next summer, which is another possibility for meeting up. Although, I like the idea of you all coming here, b/c that would mean I was able to get the show off the ground (or on the road, or whatever it is that shows do). Sealed

    I think we should all exchange private e-mail addresses, and that way it would be really easy to share pictures with each other. Easier than PMing, b/c we could just attach the photos straight from the computer. What do you all think? I'll go ahead and PM you all my e-mail anyhow, just so you have it in general. 

  • lilith
    lilith Member Posts: 543
    edited August 2008

    Hi nash, great idea about the emails. I was also wondering about either moving our discussion to another area - as we are all out of chemo - or a yahoo group? don't know.

    Hugs.

  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited August 2008

    Got your PM, Liith--thanks! I don't mind keeping our discussion here, as I'm on the boards a lot anyhow, but a yahoo group would be more private. Hmm. That's something to consider. What does everyone think?

  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited August 2008

    Kaye, when is the wedding?

  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited August 2008

    I don't care where we go, i just don't want to resort to email ONLY if at all possible. I love to hear the interactions between you all even when i'm not involved.

    Nash, Wedding is the 22nd, we leave for Portland the 15th, i'm down 7 POUNDS, three more (in 2 weeks...will she make it????????) 

    more later.... on to dance lessons. (yes, more later.) 

  • chemomom
    chemomom Member Posts: 171
    edited August 2008

    Excellent idea about sharing e-mail info.  Kaye, as I recall you had that idea a long time ago!  I am definitely ready for that "big step" now.  I guess it just takes some of us a bit more time to come around.  I'll start PM'ing mine around.  But gosh, it's late and I might have to do it later!  I was up late working on a resume.  I have been working for the same organization since before I graduated college.  Now, I am attempting to leverage them for a pay increase.  So... I applied for my same job at the competitor in the next town (I work for a hospital, so luckily, I have some options).  I love working where I do, and they probably know I wouldn't leave just based on money.  But I figured it was worth a try.  I am already nervous just thinking about it.  ughhhhhh.

    night girls!  I will send the e-mail later... too tired (and I have to be sure to be able to get up for my a.m. jog!!).    sweet dreams all, Ang

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