Starting Chemo February 2009?

Hey Webbie, Jamieh, Kerry, and the rest of the gang!!!  How's my girls???? Been ages since I been here; I don't pop on here as much as I used to.

Jamieh--Thank God it was just dermatitis!!! Have a ball on your cruise!! What area are you cruising??  Lucky!!!! Take us with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kathy--That's great news!! 

Michele-Hope you're feeling OK!!!  I get that way sometimes.  I did that alot before BC--and now I feel like I get PMS w/o a period!!!! What?????????????!!

Well, have I got some great news for my "sisters"!!!! In 10 days,  I'M GOING TO VEGAS BABY---DONNY & MARIE HERE I COME!!!

Adios girls! 

Bethie~ When you are in Vegas have a drink for me.......

Nancy~ Still hoping it is just a pissed off lymph node......

We are looking at a cruise leaving from Tampa heading to Cozumel and possible Georgetown (which I have not idea where that is I just wanna go....lol..).  I am just ready to get away and it is either a cruise or an all inclusive for us.  My DH likes to eat and I do not want to do any cooking.  We may have to go in the fall because of babysitter issues but I just want to go someplace to celebrate that we have been married for 10 years.  It sure doesn't seem like 10 years.

Before kids??? Sex??  What's that??? Vague memories, lol

It's a nice rainy morning here, been raining most of the weekend.  But that's good, everything is blooming and so green, it looks lovely.

Jaimie, I don't know where Georgetown is either, lol...now I'll have to look it up because I'm curious!  We cruised to Alaska in 98, it was awesome, but I'd rather go somewhere warm.  Unfortunately, it was with kids, lol...Brendan learned how to walk on that cruise!

Nancy~  I'm with everyone else... praying that it is nothing.  But, here's something to give you hope:  the LN is on the same side where you had surgery.  Surgery (ANY surgery) can cause nodes to swell from latent infection (Kerry had cellulitis), funky drainage (seroma girls- raise your hands! Me, Jaimie), and general inflammation from *normal* healing.  So.... there are lots of non-cancer reasons for that LN to be big.  {{hugs}}  Please post as soon as you know something.

Kerry~ Sex? WHat's that?? LOL.  Still having issues with the stuff we were talking about long ago...

Jaimie~ Sent you a PM on FB about your NOLA trip.

Hi Bethie and Judy!

We had terrible weather here Sat.  Lots of rain and wind.  But, yesterday was beautiful.  I planted our veggie garden and worked in the yard all day.  I'm trying to not use any chemicals on my flower borders this year.  Unfortunately, the weeds are faster than I am.  Seems like I'm weeding every weekend and making no progress.  I weeded (AGAIN!!) and then put out corn gluten (supposed to choke off seedlings) and mulch.  Time will tell!

Hope everyone has a good week.

xxoo

Michele & Kerry: I used to use Preen in my garden, and it did work pretty good...my problem is with grass growing into garden areas, have no idea how to put an end to that.. Putting plastic down only held it off for a year or so.

So I've been doing some research into reconstruction....it scares the heck out of me, but I do think I'm gonna do it.  I want my body back, I think it could make a difference in how I feel.  Jaimie, you're a big inspiration for me...you've done so well with your recon experience, it gives me some confidence that I can do it.

Michele, I guess one of the docs in NOLA is now doing GAP, etc, procedures in Chicago, too...that's a lot closer for me, only about 5 hrs away.  There is one dr in MI who does DEIP, but she's only been doing it for a short while.

I'm guessing no one will touch me til I've been off the coumadin for at least a month.  So I have some time to figure it out, too.  I'm just such a chicken....these long surgeries scare me...I mean 10 hours???

Jaimie, how long were you in surgery?

My stage 1 was 5 hours which is REALLY fast. I recovered pretty quickly and the only real pain is the drains. I have done both implants and gap and I will say GAP was not as painful. When I had expanders I was in pain 24 hours a day. Sometimes it was just a little and other times it was horrible. Gap left me with huge scars BUT I do not hurt. My girls jiggle, are warm and look pretty good. I didn't do lat flaps after my PS who does the procedure said that she would NOT recommend it for me (did I mention how much I adore this women).



Michele- I will show you all of my battle woounds in person if you want. I have been known to flash and let people poke at them. Which is funny because prior to BC I wouldn't dare show anyone my girls and now I have no problem.



I know there are a lot of places that do reconstruction but honestly from the moment that you walk into the hospital at NOLA you feel safe. I am nervous but after tomorrow and I meet with Dr sullivan I will feel fine about everything. He just gives you the vibe of confidence and that he can handle anything that your body can thrown at him.

I'm soooo jealous. Hope you guys have a ton of fun!

omg omg omg....I think my period is back, I can't believe this....I'm 46!!!  I knew it, I'd been having weird things going on, including a couple of pimples, lol...bitchy, moody, discharge.  I doubt it's here for long, but I just can't believe this!  Not sure what to make of it, lol, but really didn't want it back for summertime!

Can you tell I'm freaking out here???

Judy, I hope the discharge is nothing to worry about. I wanted to share what happened yesterday with the vaginal ultrasound. Sounds like we are going through similar things. If you remember, I went to my midwife because of bloody discharge. She ordered the ultrasound and an appt with her immediately after to go over the results (isn't it great I didn't have to wait?) They found a thickened uterine lining so she did a biopsy, which hurt! Now I need to wait for pathology report. Needless to say I'm concerned. I talked to my sister-in-law who is a OB/GYN and she says its most likely from the femara I'm on. Very slim chance it is another cancer.

Jaimie, you're going in for phase 2 soon I think. Good luck! You'll be lookin' hot!

Oh, Cheryl, we would never ever judge you. I am glad you felt you could share this with us. Hope you are feeling OK now, and I'm glad you have the counsellor to help you out. Stupid Cancer.

Cheryl~ We do not judge you.  I hope the conselor can help. 

Rosa~ How are you doing ?? 

So I am up early before I get ready for surgery today.  I do not have to be at the hospital until 9:30 which is our 10:30 so who knows what time my surgery will actually start.  I honestly love when my surgery is first thing so I was a little bummed about going last but I will get over it.  I woke up with a stiff neck which is driving me nutts but I will be okay in a couple of hours...lol...  So less than 2 hours until I get jabbed

{{{{{Cheryl}}}}} You know, what you are describing is really, really common.  *We* (the BC patient) come to depend on these other people in our lives.  It is only natural that you would become overly-attached.  Especially when the MD made such a positive impact on your life when things were so terrible.  I can relate on a smaller scale.  So, sweetie, give yourself a pat on the back that you realize that you need help.  Take care of yourself... xxoo

Jaimie~  Good luck today!! I can't wait to hear how it goes!

Judy~ Gotta love those hormones.  I can understand why you are stressed.  Can you call your gyn?

Hi Kerry!!!  I need you to tell me about your ooph.  Mine is scheduled for 5/31.  I'm a little nervous.

Cheryl.. i did something really stupid once.. really stupid.. i can't even share it.  So..  good luck.

So, a year ago today I had my last Chemo. Happy to still be here, and feeling healthy.