November 2009-Starting Chemo

Sue:  glad you added the "BTW."  Was going to ask why so long since seeing your mom.  Wondered the same thing re: Brenda, as she mentioned in a posting how long it had been since her mom had been at her house (I think.)  I think you might have a new "calling" as a financial advisor for finding medical loopholes for your systerm.  

busy busy busy time of year, so no doubt, everyone is too busy to post, but I'd bet everyone is still reading them.  

hmmmm...port names:  Brumhilda?  guess that's too negative, and it needs to be more positive since it is helping you...I do like "Portia."  Can't remember who suggested that one.

Happy Thursday!  Might end up a snowy Thursday here outside of D.C. Nette

I am procrastinating with you MELINDA!!!  What is the Altto trial?  Tell us more. 

Oh and the talk of mothers ~ ugh !  Not a great relationship with mine.  I had her living in my home for 7 years.  She has been a widow for 20 years.  She is not all there mentally and just was making my life miserable. Whole family decided to hate me when I asked her to move out.  I was diagnosed with cancer when no one was speaking to me.  Eventually my brother and mother came around.  2 out of 3 brothers still not back with.  MIND you NO ONE else would take her...  so that says it all.  I am still the one that does everything for her.  Well sorry to ramble. Just feel the urge to share.  To those of you with a good relationship with your mom cherish it !  It is something really special ~  I am thankful I have a great relationship with my DD.

The Altto trial is looking at the difference between herceptin/tykerb/herp+tykerb. Being in the study didn't affect my treatment, the computer gave me the herp arm of the study. But I will be followed for 10 years to see how herp results differ from tykerb results.

I can relate with the family dysfunction complicated by cancer crap. A few months before I was diagnosed, my sister and I became estranged when she started sleeping with a neighbor's husband and decided to leave her family.

It has been a major, major issue, the whole family torn apart. Sister went ballistic during Thanksgiving yelling how my cancer inconvenienced my Mom since I needed rides to chemo and crap. She remarried last week, a month after her divorce was final.

My mother acted like - how could I do that to her - getting breast cancer. It's all about her and always has been. There is no normal conversation just criticism and complaint. I didn't tell her about it until after I had the surgery last year and she was upset because I told my cousin in New Zealand before I told her. Well my cousin has had bc twice in the same breast and had a mastectomy and her Mum died from bc at 49. Of course she would be the first one I reached out to. She went on how she was the last to know, but I told her my brother over in the US actually was the last

I had seen her in the past 2 years - she came up here to visit when I was having chemo but didn't stay long and went off in a huff after I asked her to stop saying nasty things about her sister. She lives on the Gold Coast - only 1 hour drive away.

Her sister is more like a Mum to me - such a level headed lovely lady and Mum can't stand it that I get on with her so well.

Enough of the family issues - I'm off to see the surgeon today. I hope she takes the dressing off the port wound - it looks like they've knicked my skin when they put it on and my skin is reacting to the dressing so it's a bit pink - but it doesn't hurt!!! Boob is starting to feel better - the antibiotics must be working.

I made an appt to see big onc on the 29th to let him review the path on Bonnie - he can fill me in on all the news from San Antonio. Also want to show him last year's mammo.

Xmas just isn't happening here - we have no one but us and the cat. DD and husband in Argentina on holiday - son in London. I have convinced my mother to come for Xmas breakfast. She's been invited to some people that have little kids and that would be so much nicer than sitting around complaining to us so she can stop here on the way to them hopefully for a very short while.

Sue

Mammo results were good.  No change in the calcifications from June.  BS officially "released" me into the care of my prim. dr. for her to order the mammos from now on.  I'll have my next one in June when I get both sides mammo'ed and will be annually from then on.  Thanks for all the "good luck" wishes!!!  DH was going to meet me at the office but he ended up taking me due to the 1 1/2" of snow we got yesterday afternoon. It worked out because I needed to take .5 mg of Ativan to calm me down a bit.

Everyone have a great weekend!!!  Nette   

Nette, Can't remember ifi I said this already, but woohoo.   Damn old Chemo brain. 

Toyah ~ ugh !!!  Hoping all is fine ~ keep us posted.  Will keep you in my prayers.

Nette ~ great news on the mammo.

Have a great day girls,

Alicia

Nette, I had the easy bake oven...That is until I burned my hand on the light bulb that baked the cake.  So my grandfather cut the cord off the thing, then I had a rectangle box with a slit in the side...Boohoo.

I too baked my bunz off yesterday.  I completed my shopping and now I am ready for xmas....Woohoo.  This year is a little sad.  My mom who always comes here for xmas is not coming.  And to top it all off, my DD found out the truth about Santa....Boohoo (x2).

I've been on and off these boards since Thanksgiving. Too much cooking, travelling, and working. Let's see if I can catch up? Guess what, had my first haircut! LOL. It's nice to have a style and not have chemo hair anymore. They grey will stay!

Brenda, I'll be in Melbourne, FL on Thursday. Save me some FL sunshine!

Toyah, how are you doing?  I'm sending cyber hugs to you, Sister dear!

Sue, sounds like you're moving right along! Enjoy the heat

Nette, congrats on no Whammies! Sounds like you could be an MD!

Alicia, I still have the scar from an Easy Bake oven when I was a kid. Libby asked for one, and I thought no way! She cooks with me in the kitchen. You go, girl, on the Botox!!

Melinda, no, I'm not in any trials. I am still considered NED, so I just do my maintenance of Herp & Zometa. I may be able to end that as I've taken a year of it, plus had my sternum zapped!

Michele, all this baking is making me crave lemon sugar cookies. Yummy! How old is your daughter. Mine is 7 and still believes. Shoot, I still believe to some extent!

When it comes to mothers, I hit the jackpot! I'd be lost without her. She has done so much for me. She really is my best friend. She went through chemo is 1996 & 2002, and I went with her to all her treatments. I think she'd still switch places with me if she could! I love my hubby very much, but I want my mama when it comes to this stuff! Alicia, I'm glad you and your daughter are very close. I hope Libby and I are that close when she gets older.

Love to all!

Melinda: Sounds like fun!!! Good that the beau is finally meeting the girls - hope it goes well. He can help move the beds - that's what big stong guys are for.

We've had lots of rain here and it will continue right through Christmas - I love it!!! I managed to vacuum the whole house yesterday but didn't wash any floors - can't be bothered. It looks fine but DH keeps getting growled at for tracking in leaves.

I've got all of the food ready for Xmas - just have to do some prep work on Friday. We're having a cold lunch but I have salad dressings to make and the little tart cases to bake. I'm making leek and egg tarts for breakfast. I can get the cases done the day before.

DH's vehicle has worn brake pads and the guy told him not to drive it, so I had to get everything I needed early so he can steal my car for golf - although I doubt he'll play today due to the constant rain.

 ((((((((((((((HUGS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS)))))))))))))))))))))

Sue

Well girls - Xmas is all over for us. We had a lovely breakfast (cooked by me) and a delicious lunch, now it's time for a nap - too much wine. My mother was here for breakfast and there were just the 2 of us for lunch, but it was a feast and really yummy if I may say so myself. Lots of left overs for the coming days. It was really strange - the first time we have been alone for Xmas lunch. DD has been ordered to attend for the next 10 years or else.

The rain held off and it was a bit humid but we coped ok - I wish we had snow like you guys. My brother called from near Seattle and he said they have had lots of rain.

Love you all - felicitations

Sue