MI Survivors

Hello to all, I am form Port Hope MI, raised in Huntington Woods, moved the Deckerville in the thumb of Michigan my junior year of high school and then re-married and moved to Port Hope 8+ years ago.  Love rural Michigan living.  I am am avid gardener, cook, wine maker, canner, my husband and I do a lot of things ourselves.  We are still picking herbs, broccoli, leeks and parsnips from our garden.  I was diagnosed in May, had lumpectomy, onco score 21, decided against chemo, had radiation had to drive 78 miles one way but thanks to good friends and family got thru it.  Finished August 26, still struggle with fatigue, redness, swelling, fuzzy brain and insomnia, but am really doing fine.  I started tamox in July due to agreeing to a enter the Tailorx trial, said I would drop out if chosen for chemo becasue I felt the risk was not worth the benifit.  Glad to meet all of you, hate the reason. I receive my treatments from the group in Port Huron.

Hello, all.

We had a very quiet Thanksgiving, but we had it at home, with DH actually eating some of my good Bell & Evans turkey breast. Cut up real small, with lots of gravy, and homemade mashed potatoes. Today, he and DD walked the dog to the mailbox. Monday, his stitches come out, and I go back to work.

Path report said - 17 nodes taken, along with an esophagus with a 2 cm dead tumor - NED! Personally, I believe that it was the second round of cisplatin that did it - we had to beg, as his creatinine level was 2 points too low - but he agreed to come in for hydration every day for a week after treatment was done, so they gave him the treatment.

So now, we are both in monitoring and maintenance mode. It's my turn, but I'm willing for neither of us ever to get cancer again.

Thank you all for being there for us throughout this process.

F...K CANCER!

Geesh, I just came here to check on all and what do I see but ME!  By the way, that is Faiths New Book and it is Beautiful!!!!

I've been thinking about Terry, Sue...........how's it going with him?

I'm still flapping in the wind and getting no where, but I was ditzy before all this, so you can only imagine my brillance now.

Was kinda hoping we could do a Holiday lunch....but thinking Christmas will be here before we can set it up.  Thought about a Cookie Exchange......but I don't bake.  Was going to have you over here, but I don't clean either..(kidding), and it doesn't look to Christmasy here................Maybe we can all get together the first of the year.

I'm pretty free with time right now, so let me know what and when the rest can.

Denise

Hi Everyone!

Thought I'd stop in and see how everyone's doing.  Welcome to the new girls!

Sue - I'm glad Terry's doing well - I've been keeping you guys in my thoughts.

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.  Ours was quiet.  Just the DH and my Dad and football.

I'd be up for a get together either before or after Christmas.  Sundays are best for me during football season, but could make it on a Saturday.

Hope to see you guys soon!

Irene

What a cutie.

michlady - I had my first chemo at U of M Ann Arbor on Tuesday of this week. I had AC and seemed to have tolerated it well. Could your pain be related to the Neulasta shot - are you getting them? I don't know about feeling so poorly 5-6 days after the chemo, maybe others can chime in. I gave myself the Neulasta shot on Wednesday and have not really noticed anything. Wondering when I may see something other than a slight redness to the face, which is listed in the U of M packet as a side effect I might see that is not life-threatening.

Hi Michlady and Leslie............just wanted to say HI and let you know that you have found a great group of girls!  We all know how confused, dazed and scared you are just starting treatment. Just keep up the fight........you can do it.

Most of us here do know each other.........and we can be kinda crazy sometimes, but we have a good time getting together and yet I know first hand the support the MI sisters give.

We do get together for lunches every now and again and always get together and do the Komen walk in May.  Looking doubtful that we will be able to pull a luncheon off this close to Christmas, but hoping the first of the year.  We come from all over.........I was actually raised in Flint, raised my kids in Flushing and now live just south of Fenton.

Everyone stay warm...............

Denise

I did not go thru chemo so cannot help.  I do know that a few months out of radiation you can get some things happening, have flare-ups that come and go.  All part of this roller coaster, and I do not like roller coasters.  I would love to see if I can make one of the meetings.  I live in the thumb of Michigan so it will be a jaunt but we will see wher the next one is.  Winter is here, brrrr cold.  Well better get dressed have some shopiing to do and pick up my "special" expensive shoes to help with my walking.  Had a hip replacement Oct 2008, Diagnosed BC May so now I have to get serious and learn to walk right, still very uneven so will get shoes and start PT.  2010 is getting closer!!

Oh, Faith and Denise, nice pciture of you two!  And Wings...he is beautiful.  It will be a fun Christmas for you. 

Our two week vacation was spent partially upnorth at my parents, and then on a road trip to Niagara Falls, NY, MA, CT, RI, and NYC.  We got to see out little grand daguther Riley, who is 4 months old, and attend her baptism. 

Hi all,

Leslie......glad you made contact with the U of M.......I didn't have chemo so don't know alot of the side effects.  My DH had Chemo and that is ONE SE he didn't have.  Hoping good things for you.

Carollynn........Boy, you do live in the thumb!  Beautiful area.  We do have one girl that comes in from Imlay City.......yes, Irene....I'm talking about you!

Chris........Sounds like a great vacation!  Was that the first time you saw Riley?  It's killing me, as I have still not gone to AZ to see my new Granddaughter.

I'm sure I can do lunch on the 20th.  Hopefully we'll get some takers.  I know the Grands will be here on the 19th., but I'll send them packing before lunch on the 20th!

Hopefully some of the girls will check here..........I'll send a email to some that I have addy's for.

Hugs,

Denise

This is the second time we have seen her, once at 2 weeks and then now.  We want to keep in touch by Skype and webcam, but so far this has not worked.  How old is your gran baby in AZ?

Hi Girls,

Sorry I will have to pass on this lunch. Canterbury well over 2 hour drive for me. Will have to catch you on the next one. Eat something yummie for me and take pictures.

Hugs

Wings

Chris,Can you believe my Granddaughter is 2 months old and I have not seen her yet? It's killing me....just the timing.  She was born on the 5th and Fred died on the 9th., I will get there soon.....just have to force myself to put one foot in front of the other and do it.

Not sure where Cantebury is.....................thinking it might be better if we wait until after Christmas for a luncheon?  It would be fun, but so many have alot going on...............majority rules, just keep us posted!

Hugs,

Denise

Well maybe we should wait for a get together???

I hope you are doing okay michlady.  I visit your town each week, for my Toastmasters meetings.  They are held at the hospital.  

Maybe with the holidays we should wait.  How about January 11th?