**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

Hey Everyone!

Hope all those who observe Thanksgiving had a wonderful holiday and those who don't I hope you took some time to renew yourself and enjoy some 'me' time. 

Francine - Photobucket has made it easier to upload and share pictures ... give it a try.

Kim - The support group sounds wonderful!  I joined a group called 'Paint It Pink' and we educate women on the importance of mammograms, SBEs and other things pertaining to BC awareness.

Our weather has been really great so far, so that means alot of folks are walking around sick and with sinus infections.  We start out with warm temps and by the early evening they've dropped.  It's driving me crazy cause I stay warm all the time, so I have to take a jacket even when I don't want to.  I have been avoiding going to the malls and even Wal-mart cause I don't want to be caught in the pre-christmas frenzy.  As for my health, I'm still discovering who's supposed to be responsible for what as it relates to my follow-up care.  I'm starting to feel like a beach ball cause I get passed around so much.  Found out I was supposed to have a six month bone scan in MAY!!  It wasn't ordered because one doctor thought the other doctor was handling it and vice versa ...grrrrrrr.  Supposedly we will attempt to get back on track next week.  Of course my fear is something being missed during this 'interim'.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week to come!!

Hi Ladies,

BethR..always so upbeat. Glad all went well with your latest reconstruction.

Hope all had a peaceful holiday.

Big news about vitamin D today. Check your local papers..or just google ..vitamin D. I must ask my oncologist about this next week.

Hugs to all,

Francine

Hi All,

Beth I do hope results are good for your DH.

For Beth and interested others...Each night of Chanakah we light a candle on the menorah..or candelabra and say a prayer. By the last night we light eight candles. Oh yes there are traditional foods like latkes or potato pancakes, sweet things like jelly donuts and Chanakah money usually chocolate called gelt.  For kids it is a great holiday as each night they receive a gift. We buy eight gifts for our granddaughter but give all at once. I believe the story goes back thousands of years when a little oil lasted eight nights.

Tonight  we will have friends over and serve latkes and light the memorah and of course eat dinner.

Happy Channakah to all.

Hugs,

Francine 

Beth, I hope everything goes well with your husband.

BethR - good luck on the recovery.

Francine- enjoy your evening

I'm doing pretty good.  I find myself wondering why women say they love being pregnant. Of course the end result is great but, the getting there...ugh, I still have six weeks to go. 

Tanasha,

hang in there! My best friend is pregnant (15 weeks now I think? still early), but I got a book to read about pregnancy so I could know what she's going through and be able to ask her meaningful questions. I find the whole pregnancy concept fascinating (not enough to want to do it myself!  as I don't want the by-product- no kids for us- decision was made well before having bc).but the process really is a miracle- but I read something in the book that the "enjoyable" stage of pregnancy was in the middle- after any morning sickness, but before you get too huge and start having that baby press on all your organs and such. I'm looking forward to being an aunt to my friend's baby though!

DH and I had a great trip out east the week before thanksgiving, I even got to meet Diane in person! she picked us up at the end of our trip and gave us a ride into the city. I wish we had got to spend more time hanging out , but it was fun to meet her and her three kids in person.

Since we weren't happy about getting off the trail in July, this was a chance to go back and reconnect with our experience this year. This time we were really ready to go home as it was quite cold. We spent 7 nights on the trail with another night in a hotel midway through the one day it rained. I also came down with a stomach bug that day, so it kind of worked out. We hiked about 75 miles from southern PA , through MD, and the tip of WV into northern VA. Our trip included hiking through Harpers Ferry and visiting the HQ of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

 now I am looking for a job more seriously and I also started seeing a therapist who I really like.

Hi Ladies,

Dayla nice to hear that you and DH once again enjoyed the Apalachain trail. Loved your comments on pregnancy..Good to hear that you are going to see a therapist which you like and that you will be looking once again for a job. We missed your thoughtful comments on the board. Diane is sweet..I met her in NYC last spring with her oldest daughter.

Christy ..thks for the info on LE luckily I have been spared so far.

Have a good weekend all.

Hugs,

Francine

Hey Everybody!

I have an appt. with my Onc on Thursday, so we'll see what's up.  Trying to decide if I want to change locations as to where I get future care, because the drive is a bit much.  Also need to think getting fitted again for my compression sleeve and glove.  Feeling kind of out of it today.

Hey Beth P. my hubby's being himself ... stubborn and hard-headed.  Always trying to do things he's not supposed then complaining about the pain later.  Oh well.  We were supposed to ride to the beach this weekend, but they're calling for snow or at least flurries.  His birthday is Monday, so we'll try to do something special over the weekend.  I hope your husband is coming along and that everything turns out okay.

I do hope everyone has a wonderful and restful weekend!

Luv2Sing: Your DH sounds like most men I know...stubborn and hard headed...it's all normal..lol. Did you get away for his birthday? Good luck with your onc appt on Thursday.

BethR: Glad to hear that things are improving with the 2nd phase. Hang in there and the discomfort  will soon be a distant memory...like childbirth...lol. I think it's noraml to have a bit of the blues after surgery and then 'tis the season. The holidays can be a stressful time. I know it's supposed to be such a cheery time of year but in reality it can be a bit hectic and overwhelming and sad in some ways. I just hate all the commercialism and also too many obligations. I'd like to curl up with a good book, relax, have a glass of wine, some good chocolate and that's it...the rest of it could pass me by! Do something special for yourself today...it'll make you feel better.

Hugs

Beth P

Kim40: So sorry to hear about your MIL. You have certainly had  a tough year. Cancer sucks! Glad to hear that your brother is doing ok. Sending positive thoughts and big hugs your way that you and your brother get the "all clear".

I don't have LE either but my doc recommends wearing a sleeve when flying even though my risk is quite low. I only had 3 nodes removed. LE can show up at anytime so if I were you, I would get a sleeve. It's a very inexpensive precautionary item.

Good Luck and we're alwyas here to listen.

Hugs

BethP

Hi ladies,

I was so sad today to hear about the passing of Elizabeth Edwards. I know we have all thought about her . She was a very strong women who had to deal with a very difficult situation. At least now she is in peace.

A friend sent this if any are interested.

Hugs,

Francine

Dead at 61, Elizabeth Edwards shared high political ambition, endured personal

WOW...I can't believe it has been so long since I was last on the boards.

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving to all.  I went to the Bahamas for a weekend with 2 good friends and my sister (Cindy...who you may have met in NYC).  We had a great time....laughed and then laughed some more.  Relaxed on the beaches and soaked up the sun, temps were around 85 the whole time!

Happy Hannukah to Francine...we have been studying Hannukah with our kindergartners.  We fried latkes in the classroom, played dreidel, and studied the menorah.  The kids are intrigued by the differences in celebrations.

Christmas craziness is once upon us!  I, too, could just read a good book, have a nice drink and let it all pass by.  Only problem is I would have 4 boys at my feet waiting ..... waiting....waiting.  Wouldn't be able to enjoy the book!

Glad to hear everyone seems to be moving along.  Sorry to hear of health issues with family members.  It seems like once you are touched with cancer, the more it seems to show up with family and friends.  I hate how many friends I have talked to that are experiencing this now or one of their family members.  IT REALLY SUCKS!!!   My dad recently completed 40 radiation treatments for prostate cancer.  His good friend passed away last weekend of prostate cancer so he is thinking the worst.

Spring is right around the corner.....where are we meeting this year???  Looking forward to another girls weekend!

Take care....spend some "me" time during this crazy time.  And, as always, be thankful that we are alll still here chatting with one another!

Hi Ladies,

Good to hear from you Chris. I too remember your sister from NYC. Nice lady. You do enjoy your ladies getaways. I guess with all the guys in your life it's fun to get away with just women. You know the guys I mean..I too have gone away with women.  

I  would love another spring gathering..After the holidays maybe we could do some serious talking.

BethP-- sorry to hear about your rash. I hope it gets resolved soon.Lobster Chowder sounds delicious. Too bad we live so far away..Would love to have come over for leftovers.

Have any read Marisa Weiss note on the passing of Elizabeth Edwards. Beautiflly worded..of course.

My oncologist told me that she is going to the BC conference in San Antonio..She said she believes they will talk about vitamin D which has been in the news a lot lately.

Have a good and not to busy weekend ladies,

Hugs,

Francine

Awww...thanks, Raymon!  Same back at you...

Hi Ladies,

BethP..enjoyed your holiday photos on FB. I have been following some of the findings of San Antonio  on the board. I take Zometa infusions and new info has come about. It appears that these infusions are only beneficial to post memopausal women. That's good for me. Many pre menopausal women have been getting them.

I am going to the Gilda's club holiday party tomorrow evening so I won't be able to hear the stuff on BCO. I did send in two questions on line. My oncologist last week said she was interested in the findings at the conference re Vitamin D. Mine has finally gone up to a good level for a BC survivor..56.

Tanasha..how are you doing? It's getting real close.

BethR..yes how are you doing?

Hugs,

Francine

Hi All,

 Just checking in to say hello.  I'm fine.  I'm back at work after my 2nd phase of recon and so far it's healing well I guess.  I did not have a drain this time which I was very thankful for, but am still seeping, not alot, but just enough to be a little annoyed..  My PS said that could last for about a month so hopefully, it will end soon.

I'm so bummed right now.  An old friend of mine in PA was diagnosed with cancer in her brain and other areas in her body about a year ago.  She went through chemo and radiation and various other treatments and things improved for a while and then went down hill again.  She's recently been told that her body is starting to shut down because now she's very weak.  They're going to do another MRI at the end of the month and have suggested hospice after that.  She wants to be at home so hospice will come there for her.  Her daughter just got engaged and she's so happy and hopes to be able to go with her to get the dress for the wedding.  She says this is the best Christmas gift she can get.

I'm just sitting here marvelling at her strength and part of me is thanking God that I got through mine while another part of me is wondering why should I be so lucky and blessed and others aren't.  I'm humbled by her ability to live as much as she can, while she can and can only hope that I have 1/10 of that attitude in the same situation.

I'm sorry to have unloaded this but I just found out about it and I guess I needed to vent somewhere.

Other than that, I'm fine.  My house will FINALLY be up for sale after the new year and I'm looking forwarding to hopefully having a new place in the next year. 

I'm glad to see everyone here is doing well and in regards to another get together after the New Year, COUNT ME IN!.

If you can, please say a prayer for my friend Cindy.

Have a great day!

Beth