please help

From the little bit of knowledge we have received in the past 24hrs (There is a Spina Bifida Association Amanda is already in contact with) depending on where the defect part of the spine (the lower the better) I guess nothing can be done in utero,  but if the spine is completely open at birth then a surgery is done 1-2 days after birth,  she will have to have a C-section so as not to cause more trauma to the spine, the extra US and amnio will hellp to reveal the possibble extent of the defect and help the Dr's to know if they can/might expect any other damage,  if the spine is effected high up,  the likelyhood for brain damage is high,  it is so scary and so dam sad to think a little innocent baby can be brought into the world with such trauma,  so many prayers,  not enough answers at this point,  but the assocation is very helpful and positive.   SIL cried his eyes out last night when he got home from work and Amanda told him,  all he could say was what if she wants to be a dancer or gymnist?  I had to leave the room to cry.

Hello my lovlies

Nettie here, fresh from Tax and Hercptrin, and dental work all compressed into 3 days - fun week, and I had a stomache bug over last weekend. My bloods were too  low at pre chemo to proceed but bounced right back. I am so relieved it has started and waiting anxiously for any side effects. I have been pretty sick but am pretty sure that it was just the bug. Hand is  a black and blue mess as they found it almost impossible to get the cannula in, Herceptrin through the wrist and Tax through the thumb in the end. Hopefully we will avoid installing a port. They can't use my at risk arm so pretty restricted, alas!

Herceptrin costs £30,000 oer year. Thank god we have the NHS. One lady at the Herceprtin clinic is on her 47th treatment!. I had thought it was a number limited treatment. However, it is so reassuing that there is no limit based on cost if it is needed. (Incidentally, please do not believe any negative news on cancer and the NHS, I and my family have had the most superb care on the planet..)

Oh laptop working like a wee pussycat by the way.

Any news of Blossom? Was she ill or poorly, or old? Cats do go on adventures so hopefully that's all it is. My 3 wee cats have had colds, and wee Ted (the Ned) got really pretty sick a couple of days ago - sent me into a panic, but she had came round. I love the wee guys to distraction. They love it when all I can do us veg out and watch tele (will be on that train again soon) as they just join me on the sofa and go into a purr fest!

Great to have you back Barbe, miss your wit and wisdom big time. Hope the wedding was a blast and bet you were the life and soul. Do you miss Mick?

Cathi, Landen is a wee doll! You guys are great at capturing moments! I would love to be in a noisy, chaotic house for a while. Silence can be ringing! I love living alone, having guests, which I do a lot. Usually glad to have the house back to myself ... but sometimes ..... Oh well

Lisa, the concert looks great, fulfill a great wish? I l love live gigs and seeing heros. I love festivals but couldn't go to anything this blasted year because of bootface.Pics were great and you looked radiant. Good to hear Dennis is tolerating FEC and that you are on good terms. He will be grateful for your knowledge, insight and support Ihave no doubt.

The path reports of my tumour showed that it was less than a year old, had growm to 5cm and would have killed me within a year had we not caught it when we did. Scary, and humbling. Another girl at the Tax and Herceptrin clinic has EXACTLY (it seems) the same type of cancer, but her's didn't respond as mine did to FEC. Her tumour wa 10cm (and she has very small boobs) it was soft like normal breast tissue and even her doc didn't think it a cause of concern, just like mine. FEC shrunk it to 8cm so she is getting Herceptrin and Tax, and poss rads before she has her mx. So I am lucky, lucky, lucky, and Carol thinks she is too because so many of us walk around with this silent terrorist within us, detected only when it is too late. Like I said - scary but humbling.

Both my breast consuiltant and my onc consultant haave both retired, so I can't even thank them. Thank god they stuck around long enough to save my life.

Hope all goes well with you lovlies and praying that sweet wee Blossom finds her way home, and learns her lesson not to stray.

With heartfelt hugs to you all

Nettie xxx

Sorry I posted twice. I missed the last page. Cathi, I truly do not know what to say girl. You have had your crosses to bear this year for sure. Prayers flying across the Altanic for you lovely troubled family. Stay strong. And keep your attitude and sense of humour.

Lisa, the very best of luck with Wayne. Will be living vacariously through your hhem wee adventure so spare us nothing. I didn't realise you hadn't actually met him yet, but you willl know so very much about each other that it's just got to be a great .... date. Make sure it is and 'fess up all. xxx

Hi girls!!!  First...love to all!! Thanks for all the good wishes....I love the comment...here's to Great chemistry!!!  I will be shocked if there isn't...I really will be.

I am working today. I did my video work out this morning..saw my breast surgeon...she said all is great...see ya in 6 mos..and no need for another mammo for 1  yr!! 

I work till 7:30, and then should meet Wayne tonight aroung 10pm.  I gave myself a nice pedi last night, facial...felt good to pamper a little bit. I am very excited to go home and get ready...I hope we meet for breakfast too...then I will come home and share all the details with all of you!

Keep those fingers and toes crossed!

Val..we miss you....Sue...we miss you sweetie..pop in please!

Cathi....I am praying that the extent of the SB is very minimal. 

xoxo

Lisa

Nettie - it sounds like you have had a very rough time lately. I am sorry about your poor blue hand, the rotten tummy bug, dental treatment etc - it all sounds way too much for a poor body. Hope you tolerate the latest treatments with minimal side effects. That is scary that this bootface grew so quickly and that it was so soft. It just shows you how it can take so many different forms. It certainly is a silent terrorist - very apt way to describe it.

Cathi - love, hugs and prayers that this will be at best a false alarm and at worst a minor impairment that will hardly impact on the little ones life.

In the whole scheme of things, my missing cat (she was barely 2 and very healthy) is way down on the list. I thought that from the time I first realised she was gone. Yes, she was a sweet little creature and I do miss her and I still hope nothing bad happened to her but bootface, worry about our loved ones and other things that life throws up are so much worse. Thank you for all your kind comments about Blossom. 

Love to all oxoxoxox

Sorry..the comment was...here's to a positive chemical reaction! love it!

Barbe...I think I am wearing the dress actually that I have on in my avatar. It's just simple, low cut...but I got a ton of compliments when I wore it. Bare legs..and I think heels..cause I love heels..even though I could be taller...but I don't think he would care... Wearing my hair straight. I know he likes it both ways.  He is attending the rehearsal dinner for his son (he is throwing the party), so I think we are meeting at his hotel bar.  We haven't talked yet today.

LOL!!!

Lisa, I'm just popping on to wish you well tonight. I hope there's chemistry through the roof! But if not, relax and enjoy the meeting anyway.

Have fun Lisa!!

YAY!!!!  Great news Karen!

YEAH on the clean girls Karen -xoxoxoxoxoxo

Mary, I went to bed at 8. That's a usualy Friday night for me! Great news Karen!

Lisa, wake up! Lisa, stop doing that and come to the computer and tell us how it went!

Lisa, at least you finally met! Almost good that he had to be taken away so quickly so that you could get used to the live image...

Me to Lisa!!  You go girl!!