Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Good for you, Caya, for getting a jumpstart on your cooking for your party.  That always makes it a lot easier to enjoy your guests.

Mel, The Shield IS great.  I'd almost recommend skipping a few of the mid-seasons, as they tended to get reallllllly convoluted and it was almost an effort to try to follow it.  Went too fast.  But the last season really tied it all up.  I have to make sure my brother has TiVo in case I run into traffic next Tues., coming into Boston.  I've also got to makes sure he tapes the wrap of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.  Major catfight coming. 

Overcast and very cold here today...36 degrees.  It was really pretty this am...as Paul was walking out to the gazebo to wait for the bus, a big whitetail deer was leaping across the green space.  Looked like a post card from the 1800's...  looked really cool.  This neighborhood is really very pretty.

Think I'll  hang in here today and take care of some stuff I've been neglecting in the house.  Tomorrow I've got to be at Paul's school for a 9 am Honor Roll ceremony.  I'm babysitting Kiana from next door this week after school.  I assume she will be moving either the end of this month or December.

No muscular pains or any other for me this week, I'm happy to report.  I feel OK off the heart drugs, which is good.  I've been trying to take it kind of slow, not overdo stuff during this tapering off phase.  I've gotta say, it felt so good just taking 3 pills this am.  It wasn't near the gagfest I had going on for the last year...

Had to laugh at a headline in todays Washington Post:  Airline Executives Arrive via Corporate Jet with Tin Cups in Hand.  Honestly, you'd think they might re-think the decision to charter a corporate jet to, essentially, panhandle in Washington.  All this bailout stuff bugs me.  Who gets to decide which businesses are worthy of a bailout?  Seems un-American.  I'm sure the retail industry feels as much entitled to a bailout as Ford or AIG, etc...

Tina, I don't know why people want so badly for us to know when others die of breast cancer; I'd go out of my way NOT to mention it. Our little group knows all too well what can happen. But you are right, they do that. And we'll just go on hearing about it.



I don't watch the Shield, but like Caya I love House and ER, those and Desperate Housewives are my must-see TV.



I'm achy too, Caya. And speaking of cold weather, I saw on the news a 1,000 car pile-up in CA? Yikes!



Caya, your apple loaves sound delish. I'm having my 2 BFF's in tomorrow morning for deer widow brunch (although I'm the only deer widow). I'm making them raspberry ricotta pancakes, actually more like crepes. I needed something to keep them warm while making them one at a time and finally hit on the idea of putting my steamer basket in the bottom of my crockpot and piling them in there; should be just right. Beats buying some expensive doo-hickey at the gourmet cook shop.



My 3 evil siblings have reared their ugly heads again, I'll tell more about that offline. Partly because of that the other 3 and I are taking our mom, who is very upset, out to dinner tonight.



Now I'll "turn the page" and read the rest of the posts....Skye

Well, the last email I got was 11/13 - I just can't believe we have all been that quiet, although I know this is a busy time of year.  Guess I won't worry about it.

I like Leno's idea, too. Makes sense.  Only thing is, I'd hate to have to buy one of their cars.  But if the government did it for me, I guess I could handle it.

My favorite new tv show is Life on Mars.  After last night, they are off until Jan. so maybe they'll rerun them before then.  It is wonderful - great characters, well-done returns to 1973, good story.  Every week after it is over, I find myself saying "I love this show!".  Dexter is the other one I love. 

This is my last day of freedom, officially.  I'm going shopping.  Everybody have a good weekend.

Hi all,

It is a busy time of year, isn't it?  I have been slammed at work, a good thing, I guess. At least we are busy. I don't have a whole lot of confidence that 09 will be good for flowers, but 08 was. One day at a time, though. And if there is one lesson I have learned in the past two years, I have very little control over what happens in my little world.

 I have been cooking ahead for the holiday. I turned on the extra frig in the garage and filled it with beer, wine, soda, and stuck the turkey in there. The garaged freezer is nearly full too. I like to work ahead so that I can enjoy the holiday too, and not feel pressured in the kitchen.

This year is the first time in many years that we are staying home for TG. Usually the extended family meets at Steve's sister's house, which is halfway between our home and our inlaws. But this year, my sister in law had her thyroid taken out in Sept (cancer) and had a freak side effect. She has lost her voice. She can whisper but cannot talk. You can imagine the ramifications of that. She is an executive in a very large company, so of course her job is in danger. Hard to manage a large work force if you can't talk. They have been kind and generous, but it can't last indefinitely. So anyway, she isn't up to hosting. And my dear father in law, who is 87, fell four weeks ago and has not done well at all. The pain is better, but he won't go outside, won't socialize, won't walk without a walker, won't shower unless my mother in law gets in with him, doesn't want to get up and dressed. My mother in law insists; he would be lost without her. He is just not fighting. This is a man who went out daily, was very sociable and had events at least three nights a week, was extremely involved in his church, etc. It's a startling change. Steve and I are going to drive up there on Sunday (it's four hours away) and visit with them, then drive home. They are not up to a weekend of guests, but we need to see him. I am actually confused about Steve's reaction. He has been very reluctant to go, though last night he decided we should. His family is close, they have been great parents, and they need help. One of his sisters lives in the same town and has been a huge help, but really, the two sons need to step up. I spent 12 years flying to SF, seeing my dad, flying home the same day. I know it's exhausting, but it must be done. And my dad was not a good dad by any standards.

 So anyway, our kids are coming home, our nephews will join us, and it will be ten people. Just right, I think, and not too many for our house. If it weren't for the health issues that are keeping us apart this year, I would really be relieved to be home. Now I am a little sad, and very worried. I can't believe all that has happened to the family in the past two years; besides the cancers that Steve and I have had, the sister in law has had two, and two people in the extended fam have died. Plus my dad. I guess that happens as we all age, but my sister in law is in her early fifties.

Our daughter's pregnancy has been going well, a great blessing. She is nearly 18 wks, will find out the sex in about ten days. She had been planning to announce in person at TG, but now will call the family. I know it will be a good morale booster for everyone.

Nothing else much new. The nasty hematoma is maybe a tiny bit better. I found some soft camis, sewed the pockets in, wear a fluffy on the cancer side, and the hematoma is still swollen enough to look like a breast. Very bizarre. I am trying to view it as an implant. Jeez.

Hugs to all,

Melia

good morning gals its a bright cold morning here in the great white north and we are definitly in winter mode here ! There was a big dump of snow west and north of here . Our 401 hwy near london ont was closed yesterday and they have had over 50 cm of snow to you southern folks that s over 2 ft . The police were rescuing people out of their cars in snowmobiles ! We have snow here and the ski resorts just north of us are opening this weekend . My youngest dd wants to go skiing next weekend so I may go too ! We also had a meteorite come down over northern Alberta this weekend a big ball of flames in the sky .....cool 

As for the auto bailout ..... we here are really dependent on the auto sector . We used to live in Oshawa the big GM headquarters . The city depends on them for taxes , cash , loads of issues here . There are big spin offs related to the whole thing ....... people will lose alot here . Only time will tell i suppose . Big bad stuff around our part of the neighborhood .

Caya what a cook you are yum you make me hungry ! We are piled under snow here as you can see .... we are off to our friends place early today they live northeast of here in the county . They have a hobby farm with 2 horses a donkey and 2 big dogs . my dh is going to help her dh with his horse paddock , its seem the cold weather hit a little early for him !

Oh yes all you gals in the US have Thanksgiving coming up ...... holidays and good eats ENJOY !

Me I have passed through my storm and finally feel like  can move forward . I know now that i am free from the grip of fearing "it" my be back . I am really getting into yoga and have started to practice at home . I have a better space in my head for sure . Next is getting on with the preventative part of my bc thingy . I have a vaginal ultrasound next week to do a check and pre operative for my down under issues . I have an appointment Dec 16 with the head of gynecology at Princess Margaret Dr Joan Murphy . I am sure she will have one of her associates do the surgery as she is pretty famous around here and the best in Canada ! I really feel well taken care of and know things will work out .

gotta go and get ready to travel the sun is coming up in my backyard and the birds are at my birdfeeder  ...... hugs to all

Joni would have loved this morning!  The sun the white snow the frost npping at your cheeks !Sending angels to you lovely lady !

Great report, Sharon.  As much as I don't like snow, I must admit, some of those bright, snowy mornings are pretty to look at.

Julie, HORRIBLE s/e for your sister in law.  I recall a nurse I had at OSU after the heart stuff having barely a voice and it was so hard to process what she was saying.  Can't recall what her issue was, but she also was a B/C survivor.  On a good note, my father got his results last night and the thyroid biopsy was benign.  I guess my aunt had one too and they run in families.  Note to file:  if I ever get a lump on my thyroid, do not freak out.  Sorry to hear about your FIL.  God, I'm hearing a lot about guys his age having a bad time right now.  Talked to my cousin last night and her FIL is 89 and has been given two weeks...it all just came down 7 weeks ago, which in a sense is a blessing as it isn't the years of mental torture some cancer patients go through.  However, 7 weeks can seem like 7 years when you are going through it.

Sunny but cold here today.  I plan to finish my outdoor lights this weekend.  I've got the inside all set, tree up, etc.  Got lots of shopping done.  Even some wrapping.  I've got all my gifts ready to go to Boston on Tuesday so no mailing this year for me...yahoo.

Took Jaclyn to her movie night at school last night...Kung Fu Panda.  The kids all wore their pj's and brought sleeping bags.  It was in the gym.  They loved it.  I was on edge waiting for someone to slip and crack their head on the floor as they were running around in their socks on the blankets strewn all about.  Eventually, someone did fall...  a mom and she went down hard, right on her hip.  I felt terrible for her.  She got right up but I could tell she was hurting.  She's lucky she didn't fracture it.

Caya, your day of beauty sounds great...  I spent a good two hours at Hair Cuttery yesterday getting my roots done.  Jan, they are still doing a great job and it only set me back $69 with tip.    Speaking of you, Jan, where are you?  Caya, have fun at the play.  God, I totally forgot about Hal Linden...  he's still kicking, huh?  I read Tuesdays w/Morrie....I found it depressing but I know it was very popular.  I am not good w/anything but funny stuff.  Sad or moving stuff gets me too emotional.

Rebecca, all's quiet on the NJ front too.  What are you up to?  Mel, nice restraint at the mall.  I showed some, yesterday.  I went to JCP and spent $200 on clothes for the kids for x-mas and decided that was more than enough to spend for the day so I didn't go into the rest of the mall...I just left.  I did pick up a cute hip length black belted sweater for myself on clearance for $19.99...great fat hider, which I'll take to Boston.

Skye, sorry the "issues" are coming up again.  I swear, part of it can be chalked up to the holidays.  People become very $ concious at this time of the year.  We're already on the receiving end of part 2 of the annual "holiday hit up", as I call it. 

Hi Ladies,

Sitting here watching SNL.  LOL'd at their skit on Dateline...they were pardody'ing (sp?) the low talking guy who comments on all the gruesome details of crimes....  it was hysterical, his sick glee.  They then had Adriana Huffington commenting on how it's like Bush cracked up a brand new BMW and handed the keys to Barack...

 Lynn...stinks about your back issues.  I don't blame you not wanting another surgery.  Interesting you mention the Zometa thing.  I read an article last month and cut it out to take it to my onco...it was in the Washington Post and quoted Dr. Claudine Isaacs, who is a friend of my old onco., Charles Shapiro at OSU...anyway, Claudine is the director at the Lombardi Cancer Center where I now go...  she was involved in a recent study that promoted Zometa as a bone mets preventative.  Shapiro wrote to Isaacs when I moved here but she had a high caseload and referred me to my current onco, Jennifer Eng-Wong, who is really great....  I meant to ask her about getting Zometa, but per usual, I was preoccupied and forgot.  Note to Tina:  ask about Zometa.

I'm sorry about your aunt.  God, do I feel like you....the best thing I can offer a newbie is to decode their path report.  I feel like I have a PhD in breast cancer.  Honestly, though...  we are all so well versed in what all the stuff means...we can put it in real terms for newbies.

Tina, I just found the article on the web, printed it and will bring to my Onc.  It says the study was done on women who were pre-menopausal before BC, then became menopausal...well, that's me!  I am really curious as to what my Onc will say.  If he won't even consider it, then I think it's time for me to find a new Onc. 

Oh, good, Lynn, I'm glad you found it.  If you can forward it to me.  I should email my onco. about it.  God, I almost dread doing it, as I'm down so many pills now....  but like Caya said, it could be the next best thing since herceptin.

Lynn, I didn't realize it was via IV.  That doesn't sound very appealing, particularly because my veins are all shot, the time involved.  I wonder how often you get it...

Hi Ladies,

I had not heard of Zometa, or I would have asked my onc about that instead of Fosomax last week. He told me the treatment for osteopenia was calcium, D, and walking.



Lynn, you sound great on everything but your back. Had to get all new clothes? That sounds good to me. On the back problems, though, you really have my sympathy. It's so hard when you can't sleep. I hope the new treatment will work for you.



Tina, so glad your dad's thyroid is ok. Does he need to take thyroid meds now?



Caya, I've read about those Kinder Transports, that is not light entertainment by any means. Breaks my heart to think about it. But did you find some dresses for Amanda? It's funny because yesterday I had to run out and pick up a pair of Dockers for Nate to wear for his teaching. He is really getting an exposure to all forms and age groups of the profession, and is amazed at how negative teacher's lounges are. You and Tina with your beauty treatments must be lovely.



Melia I hope 2009 is the best flower year ever. I am floored at the descriptions of your hematoma, and I think the way you're handling it is amazing. I'm so sorry to hear about your FIL and SIL. It's very tough to recover from bone breakage in your late 80s. Your SIL just may persevere at work if she has made it this far. Is her voice damage permanent for sure? At any rate, it's great that you have the wonderful news of baby gender to look forward to.



Mel, I often wander a mall without buying, too, just for the exercise and the fun of seeing what's out there.



Sharon, it sounds like another world you live in. I love to hear about the snow in Canada; makes me feel like I'm in the sunshine belt by comparison. :-) It's excellent that you got past all that med stuff before the holidays. Wisconsin is also a big auto state. The big GM plant here is in the same town most of my family lives in and they are already seeing repercussions.



DH had not shot a deer last time I talked to him, which was about noon today. He had this afternoon and then tomorrow yet to try. i've enjoyed my weekend, finishing odds and ends. Tina, I'm so envious at how much you have done for Christmas. My sum total of preparedness is one necklace that I bought for my new DIL at a Lia Sophia party. - Skye

Skye, we didn't find any dresses, but we got two lovely skirts - one in a light grey wool blend and one in a dark grey/black wool blend.  Got some assorted lightweight turtlenecks and a nice mid grey long cardigan with jewelled buttons that will go with everything. Also some tights, etc.  She just needs a few long sleeve blouses and then she will be fine.  Also bought her 3 new bathing suits for our trip to Aruba.  They had great sales and we got lucky with everything.

I'm really tired tonight, will try to hit the hay early.  Almost finished my boring computer office work, should have done it today, but had a better time with DD shopping.

Hi Viddie,

Yes I think"icing sugar" is confectioner's sugar.  It's the very fine powdered sugar used to make frosting - icing is a British term for frosting, and very commonly called that in Canada too.

Thanks Rebecca, my email has been down at home so I wasn't sure what was going on.  Glad you are well. I envy that you have BC sisters so close by to hang with!  Off to clean the house - why do we clean before Thanksgiving and then again after everyone leaves?

Right!!!