Starting Chemo April 2009

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Hugs to you all, Judy xxx

Hi, everyone.  Happy Birthday, Lena.  I know you don't really celebrate it, but we are, because it's another year you are here, and we DO appreciate and love you!!

I changed my avatar, so you'll see it 2 days post relaxer, actually, I got a mini-keratin treatment, it was around $65 and they put a pre-treat softener on it, and then the keratin, used the flat iron to make it ridiculously straight that i had to keep for 2 days (and it's like 95 degrees and I am sweating like a proverbial pig, but couldn't do anything about it - you can't touch it, move it or anything), but then put a nice color on it to tone down the brightening (it lightens up your color, as most chemical treatments will) and styled it myself and I really am happy.  It took all of the bulk and frizz out and left me with beautifully silky, easier to style hair.  You can see it here and it was worth the money.  Will stay like this for roughly 30 days or longer, as I don't shampoo every day, try for every other day or preferably if I can stand it, every third day.

Lena, I forgot about the clot issue.  Sorry.  What did the estrogen depletion do to your dopamine levels?  What is dopamine, anyway?  I'm at the lowest estrogen (read: none) levels, and don't really know what a domamine deficiency does.

Went on a second interview with a job I would really like, but they are looking for someone who really is into excel, and while I can handle most typical tasks, I cried Uncle when it came to what percent this, and line graph that, etc.  So . . . have a couple of leads for next week and we'll see what that amounts to.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.  Just enjoyed a nice glass of very cold chardonnay with some aged parmesean cheese slices, cherry tomatoes and kalamata olives - a snack we had every night in Italy.  Yum!

Thanks, Amy!  Tell her it was a mini brazillian (spelling?) keratin treatment.  I have some wave in the back, but it is definitely without the thick frizz.  My hairstylist and her boss were both remarking that my hair came back as thick, but with two different textures - very course and kinky in the back and just thick and wavy on top.  Good luck and thanks for the encouragement on the job.  I'm trying really hard not to stress over it and just let what will be happen.  If you get it done, let me see a photo!!

Michele

Lena...Happy Belated Birthday!   Hope it was a good one...and your PR did you right..somehow..I'm sure he took care of you...I'm wondering..does he know about US? He just sounds so cool to me! 

I went to a casino this weekend with some girlfriends...we were in the hotel room and this older guy came and knocked on the door and said he was the stripper someone had hired!  We were jut losing it....I said to my friends..could you have hired someone at least 40 yrs old and they said 80 was all they could afford!  Anyway..I hit $800.00!  I was thrilled! I called my Dh and told him and I think he was freaking that I would lose it all...don't think soo...he is such a worry monger!  I am 50!

Chelev..your hair is awesome!   

I need to get a new pic up...this last one is from December...I don't even look like that any more....isn't it amazing....how we have changed our looks from last year to this one...

Geri..I still haven't had that martini!  But we did have dessert shots at 1:00 pm on Saturday!  Abd that sucks about your friend with lung cancer....is it an early stage?   That crap is just nasty..don't know if she smoked or not but it doesn't matter...

Hi Helen...with all that security around I guess none of your wedding guests will get into trouble now will they?   MY DD has decided on her wedding date now..it is August 6th of next year...so we need to get busy....I'm excited for her and I love her fiance and I think she is ready to move out of our home but it is not going to be easy to let her go...

Hey Titan - I hadn't thought of that but you are right. Everyone will behave ... LOL

I don't know how to upload photos but if someone gives me some instructions I'll try.

I will only post a bit, since I am just feeling a bit down.

Helen - you were the bright spot in my weekend...you sound more upbeat than I have heard in months, and I am s hopeful that ou will have the time of your life at the wedding.

Had treatment #48 today - 4 more to go.  I should be happy (and I am), but the joint pain is getting to me, and I'm just tired - I know you can all relate, and it will not seem so bad in a day or two.

Thanks for asking after my friend.  She is local advanced lung cancer - has an appointment at Sloan next week to get a treatment plan.  Just a horrible disease - my cousin who is 61 and has stage 4 stomach cancer is going on hospice - so...it just sucks.

Echocardiogram tomorrow, pulmonary function tests next week along with follow-up plastic surgery, breast surgeon, gynecologist and rheumatologist...yikes, no wonder I'm tired!

Thanks for all your encouragement - it means a lot to know I can come here, and you're all waiting with ((((hugs)))).

Geri

Geri, sorry to hear you are feeling low BUT...soon you will be done. We are all standing beside you as you are nearing the finish line! Do they have a bell to ring at your onc office to mark the end of your treatments? You know we will be clinking our glasses with you. Wishing you strength through this final stretch.

Judy...Take care of your self girl! Maybe you need to slow down a bit? My PT told me to quit pushing and as soon as I let up a bit my body seemed to respond.  

Helen - It does sound like you are getting excited about the wedding. We'll be watching for you on TV. Hey...you never know.. right. It is refreshing to read you might not be super happy with your hair but satisfied. I hope you can cast your concerns to the wind that day and ENJOY it to the fullest. You deserve it.

Lena - I forgot about your issues with Tamox.,sometime's life really sucks.

We had a very nice weekend trip to eastern Oregon. The weather was nice, still a little cold. But between events my dh & I took a four mile hike on the Deschutes River. It was wonderful. The next day we drove to the Lava beds and hiked for about another 1.5 miles. Then went to Benham Falls and hiked into it another 1.5 miles. After all that walking we went back to the hotel and took a two hour nap. I was so happy that I could keep up with my dh. Two months ago, I know I couldn't have done it. So I feel happy to be making baby steps forward.

My heart goes out to those of you still struggling with aches and pains. HUGS

Betsy

Amy...you crack me up with your exercise stories!  I think that would be me too!  I can't even do ONE push up...oh well...who said that you have to be able to do push ups anyway!   Oh and..Amy..laughing at yourself is healthy too!

Have fun at the weddings Amy and Helen!  I always enjoy a good wedding!  They are so much fun...all the dancing and eating and drinking and all the fun stuff!

Betsy..sounds like you are having fun!  The weather is AWFUL here...hot, humid, rainy....no fun at all...

Geri..you will feel better once you are DONE!  Then you can go on and forget this stuff....(except for us that is.)

It is amazing...just the last couple of weeks I have started to feel like a normal person again...I don't think of cancer much at all...sometimes I freak out about that too...I catch myself forgetting about it...am I allowed to do that?   Could it be part of the healing?

Hey Judy the guinea pig..I am your sister guinea pig..I'm sitting here typing and just got yelled at for not having enough gatorade and vitamin water in the house...dang...I just bought 16 bottles less than a week ago...since when isn't just bottled water a GOOD THING???

Well..got to go get on that treadmill...or go to the store (again)..talk to you soon... on Saturday I bought 2 gallons of milk and we are almost out of that!  I need a freaking COW in the backyard! Plus a money tree would be sweet!

Hi all - I'm just staying in the background, but keeping up with your posts.  Great that you can look forward to a much better summer this year, Judy.  And we can all enjoy the preparations for the weddings for Amy and Helen's children. Thanks for the encouragement Titan and Betsy - I have 4 more Herceptin treatments left...thank goodness, because I'm not sure how much more of the fatigue and joint pain I could deal with (well, I guess as much as I had to, right?)

Still very difficult to think of what my friend Bonnie will be facing - I can only be there for her and hope I can make things a bit easier for her.

Wishing a good Friday for everyone!

Geri

My dearest April sisters - I am literally about to turn off the computer and walk out the door  - the wedding weekend is starting NOW. But I had to touch base with you all before I go. I have to tell you one more time how much you all mean to me - how I never would have gotten through all the challenges of the last year without you, how you truly are my sisters. I am crying as I write this.

I know it is my daughter's day and I'm so happy for her. But in my own heart, and as I know YOU will understand, it is a milestone for me as well. To be healthy, happy, strong and ready to stand and celebrate with loved ones is such an accomplishment. It is not something I will ever take for granted again.

Thank you thank you thank you for all your kind words, support, caring, encouragement since this journey began last year. It means more to me than I can ever express.

And when they have their toasts, I will lift a glass to my April sisters and keep you in my heart.

Amy

Oh Amy - there won't be a dry eye in the room after reading your post!  I am so happy for you and your daughter and all your family, that this can be celebrated without holding anything back, and the proverbial "to good health and happiness" means so much more to all of us than it did before we went through this.

I feel as though we are like the pioneer women of ages ago....the wagons are circled, the men are hunting, the children are huddled together, and we, the women of the circle, keep it all together, watch out for each other, support and care for each other, and, as we head off in our individual wagons, we will always be a part of that circle!  Mushy, huh, but blame it on Amy for making me teary!  Hold that glass of champagne up high for all of us, Amy (Helen and Titan will soon be doing the same!)

Thank you Judy for thinking of my friend, and for understanding that what affects one of us, affects all of us.

Have a great weekend all

Geri

Oh..Amy...one of my best friends..you go girl..turn off that computer and have soo much fun....be sure to come back and tell us all about it!

You too Helen!  This is so exciting to be talking about weddings and babies and families and all that.....so much more than freaking chemo!  We are truly done with the b-4 chemo, the during chemo...now we are the AFTER CHEMO mode.

Geri...as long as I'm in the martini wagon it's ok with me...

Alaina - so sorry - prayers being sent up for your aunt

Geri