Starting chemo January 2009?

Yesterday was my 2nd anniversary for the bilat, so official 2 yrs cancer free.  Was off with DS for Vetern's day.  Did a litte gardening (cutting down the dead stems and digging up a few plants that don't winter well outside.  Took DS to use his gift card at Barnes and Noble and they did not have the toy he saw last time and wanted.  But he did get a yo-yo set, another game and a book.  At night DH and I enjoyed a bit of nookie and one of the things that made it particularly enjoyable was the fact that we could since I was very aware that for about a year after surgery our sex life was probable good for a couple dealing with cancer treatment but certainly not very good.  My body was even behaving like a young woman's instead of a dryed up woman's, if you know what I mean. .  I took today off to have a 4 day weekend.  Trying to clean up the Guest room which I use as a dressing room.  There are piles of cloths and such on the bed, on the floor and on the dresser.  My goal is to make the room look like peope and not wolves (or frat boys) live in this house.  I am also getting my hair cut and colored this afternoon.  I am way overdue and this curly hair shows the passage of time more than my old wavy hair did. 

congratulations Renrel

momand2kids, we sure are keeping you in our thoughts.  Please keep us updated. 

Momand2kids-- Keeping you my thoughts.

thanks all-- renrel--got it!!!

Feeling pretty good about all of this. GYN called yesterday and said she had read the reports from the radiologist and it really did look like it was likely nothing--- so everyone agrees---but I know better now--nothing matters until we get the pathology report.... so, that is what we will do.

My lumpectomy was 2 years ago during Thanksgiving week.. I was so stressed, sad, tired, scared.... of course then we knew it was cancer... but this time, I really feel pretty peaceful and grateful that I have such great medical care.... and things have moved so quickly--lat time it was about 3 weeks from diagnosis to surgery.  This time it is about 4 weeks from finding a .5mm spot to the excisional biopsy--and that all seems fine to me. 

Last time, I could NOT sleep without ambien- now I am still sleeping like a log!!  So, it will be what it will be..... but I always appreciate the good thoughts and karma!!!!

so I think I am not stressed, but have lost my phone twice in two days--just thought I would go back to the office to pick it up then realized I don't have my office keys either....... sigh.......

jrgolomb- If I am not in Florida on vacation at that time we should definately arrange something. And I feel confident it will be no news is good news.

Momand2kids - How are you holding up?  The wait sucks,  but at least they did not feel the need to have it done yesterday.  

 I hope you all had joyous feasts and felt graditude in your hearts for the life you have been blessed to lead.  It does not have to be a "good" life or a pain free life to be a blessed life.  I

had the friends who host my family while I was ill over to our house this time.  Way too much food for 6 people but that is sort of the point of the holiday.  We got a new Fridge and it was fun using it, though the getting of it interfered with my cooking and cleaning.  We also made a fire in our fireplace for the first time since we moved about 3 years ago.  We finally got some of our art on the walls and it is making a huge difference in the feel of our home.  

Kmmd-- Very wise thoughts indeed.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. 

I met with my onc on Monday.  Still low on the blood counts, but better than last time- now a low normal.  So relieved. Unfortunately,  I have put on another two pounds!  Then realized I had my winter clothes on, so when I went home I did a comparison with and without and discovered I had really lost a pound!  ( I really couldn't start taking my clothes off at the doc's office, right!?)

  I actually ate more than ever during the Thanksgiving break.  I spent a great deal of time with my mom who is in the last stages of Parkinsons.  We did have a few good talks during some of her more lucid moments.  Thank goodness congress finally decided to float a bit of money toward stem cell research  ( adult stem cells...)  I fear the funding is a bit too late for my mom, but you never know. 

Hugs all. 

Hello Jewels!  I hope all you US ladies had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  The Canadian Thanksgiving was back on October 11th.....so I'm going through turkey withdrawal hearing about the feasts that were had. 

Phyllis, I'm with you on the 'still going through breast expansion' thing.  My expanders were filled to the top in early September and then my exchange will be Dec 22nd.  Merrry Christmas to me!!!  Since mysurgery is so close to Christmas, it forced me to have everything done very early and everything organized in case (knock on wood) there is a complication that forces me to stay in longer than just the day surgery.  As it stands, I am scheduled to be the 1st case on the 22nd and get out after lunch that same day. 

Sorry I haven't been on very much ladies, life is calling and I am so busy with both of my kids in hockey this year and working full-time, and the kids having swimming lessons and school evenets going on.  Hardly anytime to think about cancer (Yay!) but I never forget the Jewels.  I think of you all often and I hope everyone enjoys this holiday season and that we head into this New Year healthy and happy. 

kmmd, I can totally see where you are coming from with everything being an anniversary of something and this time of year already has enough memories for all of us.  I don't think that 4 weeks would make a difference, if that's what you end up deciding. 

momand2kids, hang in there, we're all thinking of you. 

Renrel, I like the throwing of the ball of healing power

To all Jewels, you guys are awesome! Have a great weekend everyone (ya, I know it's only Thursday but I'm feelin' in a Friday-ish mood today lol).   

Hello all-happy belated thanksgiving

I am off to the surgeon tomorrow to remove a teeny tiny thing that no one knows what it is from my left axilla (my first bc was on the right).  It was found in my annual mammogram at the Dana Farber and I had yet another mammogram and ultrasound at the Mass General (where I will have this excisional biopsy tomorrow).  My BS is "encouraged" by its size and location-she says bc does not often present there.... so she really does not think it is anything but did want it out.  

 Additionally, in my regular dermatologist visit (i go every 6 months to be screened--I am fair with lots of freckles), the mole he removed needs better margins...so I have to go back in for that on Thursday-- and in between I have my regular pcp visit where my blood pressure will likely be through the roof from all of this!! I feel like I have to quit my job to keep up with all of these appointments.  

All of this flipped me out last week, but one thing I know from the experience in 2008 is that I can only control my actions and reactions.  It is what it is.  I will do what is necessary to deal with both of these things.... they are both teeny tiny and the general opinion on  both is that they will be B9...but one never knows....I am, as they say, preparing for the worst and hoping for the best

I am ready--bring it!!!! 

Momand2kids---I've got my wine glass ready to celebrate B9 results tomorrow. Wishing you well. You've got a great attitude ("I can only control my actions and reactions"). That's a line I need to tell myself and learn to do.

 Had my diagnostic mammo Friday. All ok. Wow--they were really, painfully thorough this time, including putting stickers on my nipple, port scar, and a mole under my arm (ouch when they came off!). Thought my port scar was going to burst open. And I was thinking that  if they had been as thorough through my years of negative mammos, they may have found the lumps!

momand2kids, thanks for letting us know how things went.  Good luck with the next step

Patti, same for me.  My exchange surgery is on Dec 22nd, so I'll be thinking of you on the 21st as I head to Calgary for my surgery.  Worked out well for being off over Christmas and just using sick time instead of vacation time.  For the exchange, it's only a day surgery so I should recover completely over the holidays.  I can't remember, are you getting a flap surgery?  or did you have expanders in?  Congrats on the new grandbaby's, that's awesome!

Hi ladies! Congrats Patti. What a wonderful new year you will have. Patti and jillyg- Good luck on your exchanges. I just got back from an appt. with my surgeon and going forward with my exchange also. I'm schedeled Jan. 7th. I'm also getting my left breast reduced. He said its an easy procedure. I'll be a little sore in my real breast. Which implant are you getting? I think I'm getting the silicon gel versus the saline. I have to  read my materials. I will stay in touch and let me know how it went.