Starting Chemo May 2008

After thought.

Maybe everyone post or send a photo they like of themselves for group photo and then have a pole dancers photo too. Just don't want anyone to be left out and some did chose not to do the pole dance. Don't know just what Jen is planning but it's an idea.

Edited to say besides some choosing not to, there were some that graduated before Rock declared the pole dance a tradition.

Enjoy the day, Karin

On the foob front...I too have the Amoena Natura but, unlike Sable, I find mine quite comfy.  I'm a B so it could be a size issue as far as comfort.  I also have mastectomy bras, so I don't find that it slides around at all.  I haven't been able to wear it more than twice since my port lies right on the bra strap area and I find it uncomfortable to wear a bra as a result.  That problem goes away in 8 days when I have my port out!!  woohoo!

When I feel like paying for one 100% out of pocket, I plan on getting the one that Noelle has linked to ... the Amoena Contact, I think its called.  Insurance covers one every 2 years.  I saw that one when I was foob shopping and really liked the idea that I could wear regular (non-mast)bras and not worry about it slipping around.

Randie

I didn't Take B-50 I took B-100. All I know is that it worked for me. It had cut the tingling almost back to nothing. I stopped talking it after my last treatment because the tingling had stopped. Wrong! Tingling reappeared. Went back on it and am still reminded of it once and awhile but basically gone.

Enjoy the day, Karin

Boy, I just started to try to catch up but have been slowed down by stopping to blubber every minute or so. I missed you guys sooooooo much and am moved beyond words.  Karin, Sue, everyone... thank you. 

I had a great trip, with great weather, great scenery, great time with my sister and my friends.  About two days ago, I had the most wonderful feeling: I could feel that my body is healing. The soles of my feet, cuts that haven't healed since May, my energy . . . I swear, I can feel my body getting stronger every minute.  

I have a lot of catching up ahead. Work, meetings, life, doc's appts. But I'm back. And I can't wait to see who pole-danced, whether in practice or in spirit!  CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

and lots of love.  "boulder" 

P.S. Apparently, I need to compile a list of the 3 or 4 people in my life who did/do not read what I say here.  I think I've made it pretty clear to the people in my "real life" how hurt and humiliated I was by their actions, regardless of whether or not they meant any harm.  I'm trying to move on but can't shake this living in a fishbowl feeling.

I LOVE it.

And I'm feeling "boa(u)lder" than ever. THough less bald! I swear my hair grew like crazy while I was away! (Alas, not the eyebrows.)  Back to reading....

Jeano -- Donde estan los photos!!! (Coconuts? Hula?  You know what's funny . . . I THINK I might have the same 'outfit' -- my little sister gave it to me!) 

Linda -- Love it. Love it. Love it.  Youse a natural!  

Noelle -- I devoted a LOT Of time on my vaca to thinking about exfoliating. I am going to do a search to see what I missed.  Because  i gotta say, my skin looked a helluva lot better during chemo than it does now. Chemo:  The Ultimate Exfoliator.  

Re: Cancer Survivor, etc.  This is going to sound mad, but right now, I am afraid to say that I don't have cancer. I am convinced that it will come back (BRCA2+) and am viewing the next months/years as simply the interval before I find out I have it again. I swear that is not as pessimistic and depressive as it sounds  . . . and I will be thrilled to be wrong.  But right now, I'm living like I only have another 10 years on the clock. Anything after that? GRAVY!

Otter,

You had said your hair growing back is sticking straight up. The cute little oink, oink's is too. If that pic looks more like you does that mean your face hairs are coming back too? Sorry couldn't resist. Not looking forward to plucking those nasty face hairs again.

Enjoy the day, Karin

Rock.

Yahooooooooooo!  You are back. We missed you. Welcome home. 

*runs at rock and "boulders" her over with a hug* dang girl we missed ya!

the ONLY hair I had seen come back was one stinking hair on my flippin lip! Darn thing didn't stop to ask for directions it just parked on the way up and called it a day.

Waaahooo!!  Rock's back!!  And we don't even need to decipher a new "name"!!   Although, I was enjoying some of our variations.  Didya like 'em?!  So very glad that you had a great and much-needed vacation - sorry about the "ack" part. 

Eddie & Jen (dauhlink) - You must pick a place for Thursday, particularly since this is your "exit, stage left" one!  Me?  Apparently, I will be living at the beach for the next 12 weeks, so bring me another damn drink with an umbrella in it! 

Kristy - Gotcha for Friday and love that picture and especially the sentiment.  Sweet!

Otter - That piglet is too cute!!  It's so fuzzy!!  When my oldest dd was about 5, she was climbed up an aluminum fence to see the piglets at the fair.  Well, when she was climbing down, her shoe got caught in between and fell off onto the little piggies!  She was horrified and one of us just reached in and grabbed her shoe.  She still talks about it every summer at the fair. 

Randie - Here's to a vicodin coma - Cheers!!

Sue - Can I just say, that I love that you always try!! 

O.K., I'm not really as bitter as I sound in another paragraph.  But I'm feeling back like when I had the delay before.  Eddie, it's that "left-out, everyone's moving faster than me", feeling.  So I was thinking.  The only reason we're cutting back is because of my WBCs being below normal (and not that far below).  I think if they come back up and can stay up for awhile on the one-third doses, I will ask the onc about doing the "regular strength" for the last two, which would still let me be done-done on Oct. 30.  For some reason, 6 weeks sounds much better than 12.  I can't imagine why.

After reading about all of the foobs, I am wondering if anyone else besides myself elected to do reconstruction??  Based on all of the issues that I am having with my peck (minor) muscle into my armpit, I am having second thoughts about my decision. 

Jean

Noelle,

PB? Don't know what that means. As for slower then in 04, you were in better heath back then. Still give you credit and congratulations just for attempting it so soon after chemo. Your body is still recovering. I admire you for not giving up and still pursuing your passions. Oh, and congratulations on real hair.

ALL - As for Labor Day, 28 years ago I was in Labor on this day and gave birth to my twins. Before I could call my one daughter to wish her a Happy Birthday she called me and wished me a Happy Birthing Day. The other stopped over.

I have mixed emotions on this last day of what we consider the summer. Part of me is sad to see it go and the other is so darn excited. Tomorrow I go back to school, faculty only. Then Wednesday the kids come back. Yeah, I can't wait. If things haven't changed since I talked to the principal a few weeks ago, I will be working in a second grade class this year. This means I will have a few of my kids from last year. Looking forward to the BIG GERMIE HUGS & KISSES I told them to give me when they saw me in September.

Enjoy the day, Karin