Chemo Starting Sep 09

Jane - Your good news is such a relief!   Now here's an amusing story about the isotope seeds.  The elderly father of a friend of mine was being treated for prostate cancer with the isotope seeds, but he somehow got the idea that they were marijuana seeds.  He told every one he was growing a marijuana plant out of his a--.  What an image.

Patty

Jane- I am very happy to hear your news. I am keeping your whole family in my prayers.

Trying to keep up with all the posts but not doing such a good job. Summer is almost gone and I still am wondering where all the down time went. Just spent 4 days in Virginia looking at colleges with my son.  I see my PS on Wed. schedule my nipple surgery. I will then have the tattoo and finally be done.

Take care and THINK POSITIVE

Catherine

Jane, I'm so happy for you....  hang in there girl....sun has to shine from behind that cloud someday.

I wrecked my motorcycle last Sunday.  Laid up at home with 9 stitches in my face and a dislocated knee LOL  I wasnt too worried about me in the ER, but my bike, ugh.....  it'll need fixed.  Poor Victoria Vulcan.  She was a great bike.  The biggest worry was  that my scarf was not on my head and everyone was seeing me bald.  When they finally decided I had not broken my neck and let me off the backboard, they had to take the tape off my head that was holding me to the board.  I told them "not a hair, not even a stubbly hair, better come out on that tape."

 egads, the things we find important.  LOL

Pamelajo!   Here you go through all this treatment only to maim yourself on a motorcycle?  I'm so glad you are still among us...stitches and a dislocated knee aside.  What are we going to do with you?  Stay on the sofa and get well already!

Here's something for you ladies to give me your thoughts on:

Several people in the wedding business here have started a charitable organization to raise funds for cancer survivors, particularly women living with stage IV BC.  It's a lovely idea and the people who started it are really great.  Today I got a call from one of the founders of the organization about a party they are holding next week.   People in wedding related businesses are donating their services (catering, decor, drinks, Djs, etc).  Guests include hundreds of people in the wedding business and some cancer survivors.  The party is designed to raise money via a silent auction. Cancer survivors will also speak to the group. So far so good.

Here's where it went bad.  They have rented a "money machine".   This is a phone booth sized glass cabinet into which you put money. Someone then goes inside, you turn on blowers, and the person inside tries to catch as much of the flying money as possible.  At the party they plan to put $1,000 in small bills in the money machine, then invite a cancer survivor inside and let her catch as much as she can.

Upon hearing this I immediately had this image of a sick exhausted bald person scrambling around to catch flying money while a bunch of enthusiastic do-gooders cheer her on.  The image made me feel ill.  Do we not suffer sufficient indignities just getting through treatment?   Will this "cancer survivor" feel loved, supported and celebrated...or like a spectacle in a side show?  

I didn't say anything on the phone.  But now I'm thinking I should call this good-hearted but misguided guy back and tell him I don't think this money machine is a good idea at all.    Or, am I just totally challenged in the "fun" department and taking this the  wrong way.   Would any of you get into this machine at this party?  Your thoughts please.

Patty

Note:  The guy called me because I'm in the wedding industry.   He has no idea I'm also a cancer survivor.

Vickilynn- thanks for the link. Glad you got a suit you like.

Jane I am still doing a happy dance for you.

Pamela what the heck girl? Are you trying to dance with fate repeatedly. I'm with Patty stay on the sofa and chill.

Patty- I have to admit as I was reading your post I had the very same image pop into my head, before I got to your description. I would call the guy back and say maybe the money would be better spent making a gift bag/basket of some sort for the survivors who speak. Telling him you are a survivor may lend some credibility.

Kim, Any wine you want to bring is fine with me. I love great wine and great food. Have fun on your trip.

So couple things...

Went to my regular doc yesterday, and I have gained two pounds, arghhh, and he prescribed me some low dose effexor to control my hot flashes, i am a little anxiousabout taking it, I also want to talk to my onc see if he approves of it and the dosage too. I have heard that it can sometimes make you nauseous at first and taking it at a half dose, or every other day can help...I don't know any advise?

Doc also prescribed a cream for my itchy boobs (but one is worse than the other), which with the heat wave that area of my body, even under my arm is just really agitated. He said to also use AD with Zinc diaper rash cream too, that all my hot flashes combined with a bra have given me a heat rash of sorts. It is annoying and I hope this does the trick and it goes a way soon.

Love and hugs

Barbara

Ladies, thanks for gut checking my reaction to the money machine.  I guess I better call the guy.

Barbara - Here's a potential silver lining for the initial SE of Effexor:   Nausea = Less interested in food = bye bye extra 2 pounds.  (Kidding, of course)   I don't have any experience with Effexor but it seems to be fairly routinely prescribed for hot flashes.   If it stops those, which seem to be contributing to your itchy rash, it seems like a win-win.   Heck,  1 in 10 Americans are artificially happy via antidepressants...why not you?

Patty

Yesterday was total Hell LOL  but today is better.  I put make up on the one side of my face that isn't scraped up, I've mopped my floors, cleaned the toilets and made lunch.  Whooo.  Time for a dose of Ibuprofen and some thursday afternoon soap opera's.

Oh Vicki.......tell your DH I feel his pain!!!  I'm sure mine is totalled.  I have already found another and as soon as the slow insurance adjuster comes I will buy it.  You can't keep a biker out of the saddle.  Tell him he needs a trike!!!  My mom and dad have one and they love it!!!! 

I will be at the reunion either virtual or in real time ;0)  Nothing could stop me.

I dread treatment tomorrow.  I'll just say when asked what happened........ "you think I look bad, you should see the other guy".

Hubby was ahead of me on his bike.  He looked back and saw a huge dust cloud.  Figured he'd come back and find me dead.  Instead, he couldn't keep me down.  I remember none of this.  Apparently I was more worried about my precious Vicki Vulcan than myself.

Hey SOSisters...can't post much.  Is there any time that we could all post and be on at the same time next week?  Wouldn't that be great?  Let me know what you think.

Thoughts and prayers are with you.  Take care.

Jane

Vickilynn that's so funny about the time difference - I can have my reunion a day earlier. ! I remember in 1979 when  I flew to the west coast of the US, I flew out of Sydney and arrived in San Francisco the day before I left! How weird is that!

I don't care where the reunion is - just as long as we are together!

Australia had our national election yesterday - the result still undecided and it might be a hung parliament! Which means neither of the two major parties can form goverment in their own right, and may need to make a coalition deal with the 4 independents who were elected. My DH and I sat up all night to watch the TV coverage so I am very tired today!

Pamela hope you are healing up well and be careful of your  Vicki Vulcan.

Name the virtual time and place and I will be there.  I love vacations especially if we are traveling first class with good food.

I have been having problems dealing with my 18 year old son recently.  My husband and my communication with him has gotten to an all time low.  I guess you are only as happy as your saddest child.  Ug.  I am looking into counseling, it is not so easy finding a good fit.  Any suggestions?  Of course, it has to be covered by insurance.

China sorry to hear you are having family problems. As you know my little family went thru some difficlt times earlier this year. it was hell. And the last thing any of us need at this stage. I hope you can find a good counsellor even if it just for you, to have someone to talk to and perhaps bounce ideas around with.

Vickilynn yes, I live near Sydney - a region called the Blue Mountains - about 1 1/2 hours drive from Sydney. It is a world heritage listed area and very beautiful.

The votes are still getting counted in our election but some good stuff has come out of this - lots of talk about reforming politics in this country. People are pretty sick of the entrenched self interest often shown by the two major parties. We have a Greens party here and they won lots more votes because of that. Everyone is now waiting to see what the final outcome will be.

Patty enjoy your holiday!