Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

D1:  We must've been on at the same time.  Glad to hear the good news about your sister.

D1 - Hurray on your sister's report!  And, on dd doing such a fabulous job at back to school night. 

Carol -- Hope ds gets over his cold.  My dh caught one on our trip and -- generous guy that he is -- gave it to me.  I'm having a hard time sleeping at night because I can't breathe, but do okay during the day.  Have fun at your port flushing.  When are they planning on removing it?

Kathy -- The best weight bearing exercise is walking.  You get just as much benefit doing 5-10 minutes multiple times a day as doing a long stretch, so try to work in small doses if you can't find a slot for a longer workout.  When I was working, we would sometimes just take a break and do a lap or two around the floor of our building. I think I have six more Herceptin infusions to go, but it might be seven.  We never really discussed total number, just that it would be a year.

One of the local hospitals is part of a grant from the National Cancer Institute and I'm on their survivor panel.  We had our meeting this morning to discuss nurse education.  They are having a dinner next month (along with CEUs) to present cancer patient issues to nurses from other areas. Due to chemo, there are long-term implications when dealing with cancer survivors.  It's an interesting panel and gets me thinking about different issues.

Hi Ladies,

You know after posting for about 9 months or so, a smarter woman would not even think to post directly on the site. Being the dork I am, typed a fairly lengthy post, decided to "refresh" the page, and poooooofffff !!! Post be gone !!!

In a nutshell ... had my onc appt yesterday, nothing riveting ... I'll schedule my port removal once I get the referal in the mail, will be having a baseline bone density test done, my achy bones I'll live with for now, and I'll have my uni-boob squish done after the port removal is healed. Lastly I scheduled my annual "you know what" visit with my gyno for the end of Oct.

So D1, I tried using a different return address on my SP gift (worked great), then ordered directly from a company and had a item sent, well my billing address was printed "big as sh*t" on the gift. Oh well, I won't reveal who it is ... and I'm still baffled as to who sent me the cool Suzy Toronto artwork.

Paula, glad to here your visit to DC was fun, I'm so glad you got to meet our fearless leader (we certainly missed you out west this summer), so that was cool you had a Jewel bond.

I must say, your spirit is amazing ... LOL at his/her brain MRI's ... you are one heck of a woman!

Off to start dinner ... ribeyes on the bar'b tonight ... hoping the dh catching the early ferry boat home, otherwise its another late meal.

Any other Grey's Anatomy fans, will be Tivo'ing tonights show.

Later, Carol

Happy Friday, Jewel friends! I've missed you all and can't believe I haven't posted for almost two weeks. I've been a quick lurker periodically when I've just had time to read, so I've kept up a little. Things have been NUTS around here. School is busier than ever, dh is having some issues at his school that have been rather stressful, and ds has had football and tae kwon do almost nightly.

We did finally get "for sale" signs up - last weekend. It's still not showing up on mls searches, which is frustrating, but we've been told the paperwork has been submitted. Hopefully it will start showing up soon!

Carol - LOVE all the pics from your 3-day!! Still waiting to see a pic of your decorated tent. Sorry you're dealing with achy's - hope the IB helps!

Sherry - Holy cow!! I can't believe you had your gall bladder out!! I hope you're feeling much better by now.

Jenn - so good to see a post from you! {{{{{BIG HUGS}}}}} for you - sorry to hear you're a blue Jewel. Please come here to talk it out when you feel like it - the Jewels are so great about not minding the venting.

Joan - Hope things are going well at school for you and you're getting back in your "groove."

Kimberly - I can't believe you had jury duty on top of everything else! Hope you're getting back in your groove with school too! It's amazing how long it takes - we've been at it now for about six weeks and I'm just finally starting to not be completely exhausted at the end of each week!

I sure hope everything works out with the teacher at your school - how awful.

D1 - BIG WOOHOO for your SIS!!!! Happy dance for her!

Your trip sounds really cool - actually both of them - the one you've already taken and the one coming up! Sounds like both of your dd's are doing great!!

Kathy - Glad your onco appt went well!! If we decide to build, I'll certainly have numerous questions for you!! We just found out one of the houses we were interested in IS still on the market - they were apparently in the process of changing realtors and that's why it wasn't coming up in a search.

Aren't little ones so much fun to watch when it comes to learning?! My niece just started kindergarten and I just love hearing her talk about it. My ds has always enjoyed school and has kept that excitement all the way through - he's in 7^th grade this year. He has three new teachers this year and isn't as thrilled with them as he was for the three who left/changed grades. He also decided that I am not "allowed" to check his homework anymore - he actually told me that he "needed to be responsible and do it himself without my help." I told him we'd try it for a quarter and see how it goes - he brought home his first grade update last week and his lowest grade was an 87% - I was pretty pleased with that!

Cathy - Wow! Your trip sounds amazing!! Hope you get everything caught up and get settled back in. Where to next??? OH - I heard that Rick Springfield is going to be coming to our area soon - thought of you when I heard it on the radio!

Paula - glad your trip went well! Love the pics of you and D1 - just makes me want to have that Jewel ‘cation even more!! His/hers MRI's - you crack me up!

Well, here are some updates with me --- had my six week post exchange appt with my ps. Everything is going well and he's happy with my results. He released me and I can now start doing my normal stuff. We scheduled my nipple/dog ear surgery for Dec. 23 --- yah, not the best timing, but I want to get it in before the end of the year for insurance purposes and won't be able to shower for a week, so I wanted it to be during a break. I also went to my onco - had the normal bloodwork done. He's a no news is good news guy too - no news to report, so I guess that's good. I did tell him, though, that I've had some blood occasionally with bm's and he has ordered an upper/lower endoscopy just to make sure everything's okay. I'm a tad freaked about that, but am trying not to worry too much - it's on Oct. 7.

Better sign off for now and try to get some work done! Have a great weekend, Jewels!!

Julie

Hey J.J.'s ...

Sitting in a very quiet house today, the dh is out of town for the week, and the ds is at dad's. I'm glad that Zach will be coming my way after work today to spend the next week with me. The saga continues with him ... we're only 4 weeks into the school year and the grades are not too good. We had a family pow-wow this morning, and hopefully we will "all" be on the same sheet of music. If need be the skating and work will be put on hold until he truly realizes his priority is school. Thank goodness I can be a bit more on top of my parenting skills this year as it looks like he will be needing some continued guidance. We'll be setting up a meeting with his school counselor as well.

So Julie, how bout trading son's for the school year ??? I'd be ecstatic to have a son who was jazzed up about his school work.

Good luck on the house sale, thank goodness it only takes one to be the right fit for your home. Hopefully that somebody comes along soon.

Okay, so I think I may have missed something somewhere ... dog ear surgery ??? What the heck is that? So Santa's bringing you nipples for X-mas !!!

Here's to a bottom's up scope that can put your mind at ease.

Kimberly, thanks for asking about Schatzie, she's still coughing a bit, I think we'll hold off just a bit longer before taking her back in ... the vet called last week, said they'd do more xrays ($$$) to see if her lungs look better. We so should have gotten pet insurance years ago.

What a great idea on the writing class for cancer patients. I personally have a journal that I've been writing in for months now. Between that, my calendar, my e-mails, cards, etc., it is still comforting to go back and read and write about what I had been feeling.

Speaking of writing, just this morning I decided to finally go through my incoming e-mails as its time to print or delete many of them. You had some pretty intense ones you fired off during your toughest times in April. Although work, jury duty, exercise yada yada seem like a pain in the rear, looking back on those times makes life now seem like a cake walk.

D1, glad you we're able to get your kid fix. Fall break already ... that's right they started much earlier than out here. Heck the UW just started last Weds.

So the ds appears to have gotten over his cold, he graciously gave it to me. So far I've not been down for the count, just feeling a little sniffly. Went to bed last night at 7:00, we we're at a neighborhood bar'b in the afternoon, had a nipper or two of vino, and when we got home I was done. In fact, I never woke when the dh came to bed, and he was gone this morning before I woke up.

I received my referral for my port removal yesterday, will be scheduling that for as soon as possible. I have my bone density test scheduled for Tuesday. Unfortunately I have to go to Tacoma to get it done, so another day off work. My sick leave time is getting to the point of being a bit scary.

We have booked tickets to go to Arizona in November for 10 days. Not the norm for us, but what the heck is these days. Will be staying once again with our dear friends in Mesa, and this time we'll also be going to see Ginny and her hubby whom winter just north of Phoenix. Having turkey dinner as we sit out on the patio overlooking the golf course sounds like my kind of Thanksgiving!!!

Off to the deck to enjoy some of this nice Fall weather.

Happy Sunday to you all ... Carol

Hi Ladies!

I am glad I only got a page behind this time! Still haven't gotten caught up on the other few pages I was missing, but I will.

Julie - Yes I will be up your way this weekend. It is going to be pretty quick, though. We are flying in to St. Louis Friday morning, then the boys play Friday afternoon in Collinsville, Ill. Our hotel that we are staying at is in Maryland Heights, MO.  Saturday they play at 9 and 1 and then we fly out Sunday morning. I'm not sure how far you are from any of those places, but if you have any free time available, PM me and we'll see if we can meet up!

Paula - How is your dh doing? Last I read he was responding well to the chemo he was on. Forgive me, as I think there are about 4 or 5 pages of info I haven't caught up on. I think I did finally get the picture resized though, it did take some work. Now it feels like my hair is getting too long for these curls - I am going to schedule an appointment with my hairdresser and I want to get it highlighted again.

Here is a link to the article they ran about my support group last week. We were on the cover! (The picture down below was the cover picture). If you click on the picture of the group of us walking away, it takes you to the article. http://www.hertimes.com  Linked By Pink is the name of our group.  They did a nice job on it, though at the time, we didn't know where the calendars would be available to purchase.  I can send one out to anyone who is interested.  They are $10 and $2 would help with the shipping if anyone is interested. They came out really pretty. They are all in black and white and pink.

Is your doctor doing any ultrasounds or mri as follow-up?  I don't agree with the mammogram thing - mine was not seen on mammo. I really want something more. My onc doesn't do the tumor markers.

Hi Kimberly! - The conference you went to sounds very interesting.  Is the 7 Steps of Healing a book? Sounds like you are super busy these days, too.  I have to do jury duty on the 17^th. I have always wanted to get called for it, but of course now that I finally have, it is interfering with something I wanted to do! I hope I at least get a good case.

Carol - Love your pics! Hopefully you can get them uploaded online somewhere so we can see the rest of them. I have lots of photos on Shutterfly and it is pretty easy to use.

D1 - Nice that your insurance will cover your machine. I'm sure as I read on that I'll hear how that is going.  Sounds like you are the type who could use the "forced" down time. Enjoy it! You got to meet JoTeach?! How nice. Hoping good things for you sis. Definitely think you both need to start a new tradition for August 17.

Kathy - So is your hair as light as it was before? Mine is quite dark and ditto and the getting wilder as it gets longer.

Ok - I think I have hit my quota of sitting at the computer for the day. Will keep catching up though.

Have a great day all!

P.S. My new SP sent me an angel pin with a funny card a week or so ago - thank you!

Thanks Kimberly for teaching me to type in Word - I just lost this whole thing!!!! So nice to just be able to cut and past again!

Just a quick check in... heading out in the morning to my f/u with the surgeon and the final reports from my scans last week. So far, all reports have been good-- tumor markers are "perfectly normal" and the mammo on the rt. boob was okay. I have the radiology reports from my brain MRI (clear!) and the PET Scan (shows some areas of slightly increased activity in the right axillary nodes and around the aorta... recommends another scan in a couple of months)... Well, then... we'll see what the doc sez tomorrow on that one. Hopefully, he won't be concerned and will be willing to take my port out before the end of the year.

After my appointment, dh and I head to Duke. I have his rad. report as well and it shows more decrease in the size of his tumors... according to the report, it looks like we may be down to only ONE tumor left! Hopefully Wednesday's visit should confirm that good news.

Things are really hectic right now at work. Didn't help that I was out 2 days last week and will be out again 2 days this week. I hate missing work--hafta work twice as hard to get ready for a sub and then catch up when I return... Kimberly, I share your frustration when the subs don't follow your game plans! What I really need is a clone...

So, things are quiet around here... looks like all is well in Jewel Land.

D1- so, gearing up for another trip, eh? How cool that you and your sisters will be working together--what a neat experience! Make sure to pack your camera along with the insect repellant.

I'm taking your advice and getting a consult for LE from my surgeon tomorrow. At the very least, I need to get some decent bras for my poor mismatched girls...

Carol- sorry to hear that Zach's progress report wasn't acceptable. Hopefully, he'll buckle down and bring those grades up before the end of the term! 

So, you have a sick pup? Hope Schatzie is feeling better!

Julie- an endoscopy... well, we do what we hafta do, right? I should be back online before your test, but I'll wish you well now, just in case. I'm sending all my positive vibes your way!

Kimberly- thanks for the link to the Sutter article-- great write-up and loved your pic. (like Carol said, we Jewels wear our pixie dos well, don't we?!)

Thanks for the update on Sherry.

Norma- I enjoyed the article about your survivor group-- what a neat name "Linked by Pink." Thanks for sharing the link.

Hope everyone has a good week. Catch ya later!

I'm finally back in town for an extended period.  Had a great time at Parents' Weekend at ds' college.  The team won their football game, so my son can't accuse me of jinxing them by attending.  They are currently ranked 15th and are undefeated. 

I'm on the executive committee for the Parents' Association, so Friday afternoon was spent in a meeting to discuss this year's activities.  The organization tries to provide parents with information that is very useful, but that your child probably won't bother to tell you.  Every event this weekend had administrators at it and I'm always so impressed by how open they are to comments.  They always make sure you have their contact information and want any feedback you have.  Told the dean of facilities that the only complaint my child has is that the water isn't hot enough in the showers.  Figure if that's the only complaint, things are going pretty well.  He laughed and said they've had several hot water heaters go out in the dorms this year and they are battling the problem.

Kimberly -- the comment about long-term issues related to chemo is a very broad one.  For example, as you know some regimens can cause heart failure.  If nurses know a patient has had this regimen, they will know to look for this even if the patient is being treated for a gall bladder (to use Sherry as an example).  There's actually a book published by the National Cancer Institute called "Facing Forward:  Life After Cancer Treatment" that discusses changes that may have occurred due to treatment and some suggestions for coping.  It's available on on-line here .  This is one of the publications that they are giving out to patients.  There is a companion one called "When Someone You Love Has Completed Cancer Treatment". 

And, yes, you did donate to my walk fund.  Thank you again.  The support has been amazing.  I'm really looking forward to November when I finally get to experience it.  We have several weekend walks in October, so we can practice 18 and 15 miles back-to-backs in preparation.

Carol -- Hope your bone density comes out good.  It's such an easy test compared to some of the other things we've experienced, but I understand what you're saying about being back at the scene.  I kind of feel that way about the breast center at the hospital, although my last mammo was clean.

Paula -- so glad you and dh are getting good news.  The two of you have been through so much.

Julie -- You have your surgery scheduled for my b'day.  Hope that's a good omen.

D1 -- the trip to the Bahamas sounds wonderful for you and your sisters. To be able to do good and enjoy a family reunion sounds perfect.  Make sure you wear your compression sleeve on the plane.  I always forget to put the stupid thing on and end up hunting for it mid-flight.  Fortunately, I haven't had any le symptoms, but I figure I shouldn't take chances.

We're home! Good news all around. I read through my scan reports while I was waiting on the doc to come in and they sounded pretty good on the second reading... guess I was a little freaked on the first reading! Anyway, my surgeon said NED (a big Kimberly WOOHOO on that one!). So, I have my port removal scheduled for 10/13-- a teacher work day, so no sub needed.

The trip to Duke went well and dh got a great report! His brain MRI shows only one distinct tumor which is shrinking, and another very small "area of concern." I'm just amazed at how well this trial is working. And to think I was dismayed that it was only a phase 1 study! We will return to Duke the week of Thanksgiving.

Sherry- So glad that your path report was good! But gee, you didn't even get a break to recuperate! Sorry you're dealing with such a crummy work situation. I hope everything works out the way you want.

Carol- good news on the bone scan. Your walking regimen is just what the doctor ordered to keep those bones healthy! 

As for the port, I'll have mine removed in short-stay surgery under "twilight" anesthesia--same routine that they used to put it in. I was pretty sensitive to the meds they used... slept thru the whole thing. I'm looking forward to getting rid of this thing!

Guess you're out on the town by now. Sounds fun even if you'll be up past your normal bedtime. I'm taking a break from my exciting evening: grading papers and getting ready to watch the VP debate. I fell asleep toward the end of the pres. debate. I'm trying to read/research as much as I can on these critters who want to govern our country so that I can make an informed decision on election day. Some days I feel that I've made up my mind... other days I feel as if I may have to draw straws...  Ah, well...

Cathy- so your walk is in November? Was thinking it was this month. Guess you'll be stepping out for some long walks this month in preparation. I know you'll do well since you stay so active!

D1- On the LE-- doc sez no... if it were LE, I'd have issues with my armpit and arm as well... What I have, according to him is a "normal" reaction to the trauma of radiation on the boob. Usually it shrinks the affected tissue, but about 10% of the population has the opposite effect--more fullness. He said it could take up to TWO YEARS to resolve... if it resolves.... it might not...

So... I dunno... All I know is, I am a full size larger on the right than the left. Makes bra shopping a PITA.

Hope your mammo is as uneventful as mine. Esp. since you already have major LE issues!

I'm heading north tomorrow with ds to prepare for the student organization's state leadership conference. The students (40 of them) will arrive Saturday morning with my colleagues for the one-day event. I'll check in with you all on Sunday. Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Paula

Hi JJ's,

I have spent 3 days on and off catching up with all of you. I have to say we are a busy bunch. I'm sorry I missed so much I have pages of notes and it feels good to know what is going on again, it makes me feel like i'm in the loop again. Still trying to sort out the new job thing. The stupid phone co finally turned on the dang phone today. They are slower than snails. I just want to do a few shout outs because I'm too tired to sort out my notes right now. I'm walking everyday up to 2 miles now. My right side gets a little sore. I going to push further tomorrow. The newly weds are great and ordered me a shuttefly book of the wedding. I was so touched and couldn't believe how beautiful all the pictures were. They bought the rights to their wedding pictures and have them on CD's and they can make the shutterfly books. So nice.  OMG  I laughed so hard at all the Dick comments, it's been very intertaining.

D1  I'm so relieved your sister is going to be ok. I hope you and your sisters have the best time in the Bahamas. Big Hugs to you. I'm glad so far your BRCA test are neg.

PAlady  I'm going to order a calender too. That is such a cool project, I know you are proud of yourself. You raised 10K and I love your chemo curls. My hair is very wavy, I guess that's chemo curls too. I have more body thatn I did before and it looks maybe thicker.

Paula  Great news for you and Hubby, you both can been threw so much this year. I really loved the thugging pics, I really think you both pulled it off.

SIS Kimberly  thank you for keeping the jewels updated for me and posting my site. I'm sorry about your friend, that is what worries me about my daughter being a teacher. Anyone could say anything about you and people believe it. I don't know where you get your energy, thank you for sending me lots of energy, maybe that's why I'm walking 2 miles already. I think that is really great you are teaching a class about writing and feelings, sounds great. Keep up the good work. Good luck on the weight loss you are doing good. I'm going to weigh myself on Monday and see how much more I have lost. Thanks for the idea of gells, now I will be able to go gellin. Thanks for the hint of chemical free mosqitoes spray. Darn those pests. Jealous of your fall weather, the 90's. It's been in the 40 and 50's and 60's here. Today was a hot one, it made it to the 60's, almost needed my mosqitoes spray. Enjoy that CA Sun.

Carol  I cried thru your 3 day jouney. So touched my picture made your photo album. I know you are sore hope you feel better soon, sending you lots of hugs and energy. I was so touched that your husband gave you that necklace, what a sentiment, he is a keeper. Enjoy your cation to Arizone for Thanksgiving. I know the first mammo after treatment is a bit eerie. Son swap?? I know I missed a lot. Glad you are hooking up with your war buddies LOL.  I was cracking up when you said I need a Get out of medical issues free card. That is so good, I'm starting to feel I have been delt one. I hope your friends baby and Steph is going good. I know I spelt his name wrong sorry. I"m glad freckle was B-9, oh my friends lump was also B-9. Carol congrats on raising all that money I know it was worth all your aches and pains.

KathyL  Sorry nipple surgery did not take, I forgot when are you having it again. Or did you just have it. Talking about chemo brain, my chemo brain is working in over time tonight. I look it up again. I'm hope your sister is healing from her gall bladder surgery wow we both had same surgery that week. I really need to take better notes. Sorry get well soon Kathy.

I love all my jewel friends, but I GTG Sherry {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ Hugs }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Hi Everyone,

just putting a few more post up, since I was too tired to finish last night.

Norma  Please give Julie a hug for me and Julie please give Norma a hug for me too. That's so great for you 2.

Carol  You are right we all have been so blessed to meet each other on line. Last year we all were bewildered and confused and somehow we all comforted each other and educated each other. Now look at us, we all are marathon walkers and taking better care of ourselves and I really think maybe enjoying life maybe more. Maybe somehow this is a path that we must take. We all met the devil head on and beat the devil. Sorry about your friends mom, big hugs to her {{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}  Oh how is dear dog doing? 

paula  How is ds new job going?  Glad your port is going bye bye.

Kris  Yeah the port is gone!

Jenn  When is your knee surgery?  Hoping soon you will be a happy pink jewel. God Bless.

LG  Good one about the sopranos wedding, it was funny. I'm glad your MUGA numbers are good.

I was so happy to hear that Wendy and Therese and Norma are well. I wish we could hear form Dana and Vettegal and the others. Wishing you positive vibes.

Carol and Kimberly  I'm glad your ports are also going bye bye.

Therese  2 walks in one year. you go girl, sending lots of energy your way. The lucheon sounded like fun.

I'm also happy everyones test and scans are having great results. D1  Glad your Brca test were all neg. My daughter is from Jewish decent, maybe one day she should have that test done. Yes, this new job thing has put me in overtime stress. I think these last 2 wks have been hell for me, and I'm been trying to heal. It has been worse than child birth. Good one.

Cathy  It sounds like it was a wonderful cation. Now ds is playing football and keeping you very busy.