Starting chemo January 2009?

HAPPY NEW YEARS  to all of you!   Nothing but good wishes for all of you for a new year. I'm finally getting my exchange this Friday. Can't wait. I'm not even nervous. I did have a scare the other day. I had my 6month CT scan and the dr. found some new nodules on my lungs. The nurse called me and assured me its probably nothing but I have another CT scheduled for April. Also, I'm seeing an orthopedic surgeon for my shoulder. Both my drs said its not right. Its not dislocated but its leaning so I'll find out what has to be done with that. I thought I would start the new year with a clean slate and here I am again, seeing another dr. Oh well. Have a great week and I'll stay in touch.

Phyllis, hugs.  I'll not worry too then!  Let us know how the exchange goes.  Is it the shoulder the same side as the exchange?  Those expanders can be wicked.

I had a tough week.  Thursday I got written up at work because I have such a large backlog they need to take me off the schedule if I am to have any chance of getting it down.  I was expecting this though so I did not get to worked up and just it happen.  Then I get home and open the mail and there is a letter than my Oncologist is moving to another hospital.  So had have to decide whether to move with him or choose another doctor at my hospital.  I love my hospital and it is walking distance from work and has so many wonderful support programs but I should problably follow the doctor whose opinion I hold in such high regard.  Good news is I am joining a new Reiki share group and we are meeting on Sunday, so I will get some good energy to go forward into the year.  Also my DH was told that his salary, which was cut due to economics, is expected to be restored next quarter and since there was no furthoug this year he may actually have enough vacation to take more than a week this summer allowing us to concider somewhere that his more than a half days drive from home.  And DS has indicated an interest in the theater club his Sunday school is running.  He is likely to have his first real stage experience (not counting preschool graduation) in April.  They are putting on Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat. 

Renrel, your post was so like you I wish I could hug your for real and not just send cyberhugs.  It is so like you to be willing to talk about your feelings, and then spend the time to remind yourself of some positives.  As you've heard from my postings, I can so relate to the difficulty and pressure of work issues after breast cancer.  I can see why you'd want to transfer over to follow your Onc.  I've thought of going out of state to my previous PS.  When you find someone who treats you well and can relate to you well it is a blessing.

Phyllis, thanks for checking in.  Happy to hear things went so well

renrel

when I was pregnant with #2, my gyn told me she was moving to another hospital--I was so upset.... I didn't really care for the hospital she was going to--but I decided to follow her--and I was so glad I did.... she is still my gyn--- and the hospital that she moved to has gotten progressively better over the years----

where is your onc going???

sorry to hear about the work thing-I have to say, i sometimes feel like I am lagging behind as well.... I work hard to keep up-but there have been some projects that have just not gotten done.... I feel like I don't multi-task or manage as well as I used to.......

momand2kids - He is moving to Tufts Cancer Center. Still in the city but not walking distance from work and I doubt it will have all the wonderful support things that MGH has.  I still haven't called to reschedule my March appt.  Have to move on that. 

Plutz - Sorry you are not very happy with the results so far.  Hopefully when you see your doctor he will have some ideas for fixing things up. 

Renrel, sorry to here about that.  Sounds like you've been open and DS knows he can talk to you about it if it starts to scare him.  Things at work a little better?  I know for me the pressure I feel from others to work up to previous standards that my current stamina neuropathy lymphedema and chemo brain don't let me do is a constant struggle

Told DH last night I'm trying to think of the pressure right now as a positive sign that I'm stronger and can handle more than a year ago. 

Hi all! Sitting inside on a rainy day, recovering from stomach flu. Yes I "went there" on Weds--had TERRIBLE chills for an hour then followed by extreme intestinal "distress." But was told by co-teacher next day that 6 kids called in sick and 2 others thew up--so it wasn't just me, but poor babies.

 I'm sitting here wondering how I can keep it up. Sometimes I'm just so tired, and I'm just not recovering from this virus the way I used to (well--just had my 55 Birthday 1-17, so maybe age is part of the reason). KMMD--can so relate to the constant struggle, but I too am able to handle more I think than last year--well at least 2 yrs ago.

 And I was cleaning my room for the 1st time really since chemo (ha!!) and found my box of my wig and some hats that were just stacked on the floor, and at least got them put up on a shelf. I feel like I'll jinx myself if I give them all away. Anyone else hanging onto that stuff?

Phylliss--congrats on your recon and good luck wiht the shoulder. Renrel-hope things are smoothing out at work. Jess--I gained 5 lbs over the holidays that were so hard to lose until I got this flu, which I wouldn't recommend as a weight-loss strategy. Good luck on your ambitious field trip, and congrats to your dd for getting into the troupe! I can park great in the city---but just a station wagon not a bus!!! And hugs to all jewels--2 years since we started this road together. When the going got rough you sure all helped! (and still do!)

Milestone for me this week.  I ate mashed potatoes for the first time since chemo. I haven't been able to look at them since that time.  Next step yogurt, I still gag when someone mentions the word so I think that will take a bit more time

Kmmd--I know what you mean about certain foods.  I will never be able to drink the brand -Vitamin drink flavored water, nor jolly ranchers candies.   I held off eating mashed potatoes because I didn't want to hate them later.  I also don't really like cottage cheese anymore, either.

TRIP TO ANN ARBOR-- wouldn't you know there was a unexpected mini snow storm around the Ann Arbor area when I drove an activity 15 seat-er school bus with 13 teen-aged girls. In spite of that,  we made it on time, went to the back stage of a wonderful and beautiful theater on U of M college campus and talked to some sweet college students.  They enticed all 13 girls to try a few simple Irish dance steps.  Only one girls from my group volunteered at first( after I pushed her --gently!-- into  the middle). Somehow, in spite of their reticent actions, the complete group tried something new.  This is HUGE for my group of students.  I was/am ecstatic!

The show was very well done.  Of course dd stood out during every dance!  The 'lil stinker arranged with the director to present a gift to me before the show started.  Of course when he said my name- I kind of tuned him out because I was helping the students read the program- then my loudest girl, shouted out my name and the rest of the students shoved me toward the stage.  It was a pleasant surprise and dd is still a 'lil stinker!

I may have mentioned on earlier posts that parking is a premium in Ann Arbor and with the snow and no time to plow the roads, I was in a bit of a panic, because I wanted to get there early to find parking.     Snow was hitting the roads hard and there were several fender benders and cars in ditches.I did have  a back up plan to have dd follow me 1.5 miles to Crisler Arena- no basketball game- only tennis /and or go to a mall nearby and then he can take me back to the theater but the parking gods were on my side!  Fortunately through all of that, there were four parking spaces right in from the the theater.  We took them! 

kmmd, it's vanilla pudding for me. Blech...

Jess, glad the trip went well. What a great experience for your girls--and how sweet of your dd! Isn't it great when our kids recognize and appreciate  US!

mom--so it's hurts if you do, hurts if you don't, until you do it enough that it doesn't hurt? I think I need an attiude adjustment, more than anything at this point.

Well--I never like going to the onc, but today I rushed out of work only to find that my appt isn't til Thurs!!! I think they rescheduled with me when I was really sick with the stomach flu. I probably said "fine" to the change and promptly forgot. Or,just chemo brain still..

Renrel, you might want to go over and join us on the motivation thread.  A group of us who talk about our work outs and support each other getting back in healthy lifestyles and shape.  Very supportive group.  Even if we don't see you there, good for you, you are always a motivator for me when I read your posts

Jess--Sorry to hear about your mother. My thoughts are with you. Is she at home hospice or elsewhere? I'm glad you like the nurses.