MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

Hauntie, DOL fan here. They sent Marlena off to care for John Black, but they are both headed back to the show starting Sept 26. In fact, they're bringing back several original stars to get back to the good ole way of telling soaps. My main soap is Y & R. Taking the soaps off the air is truly the end of an era. I remember watching those shows with my Mom & when my Dad would come home from work, she'd hurry up & turn the TV off because he didn't like them. Too Funny!! I still miss Another World.

I'm glad you had a good day today, making progress is a good thing.

Oh, I used to watch Dark Shadows!  Am looking for to Johnny Depp doing it also.

stjude, there is so much you can do with the bus when you are feeling creative.  Seating arrangements was my speciality.  My friend Mary and I worked together and often had long stretches while we were faxing documents.  We just had to wait till they went through.  So, we drew our bus and it got bigger.  Her ex, Doug, was a serial cheater.  He was a regular fixture on the bus.  We NEVER sat him near attractive women.  Not even unattractive ones, as he wasn't picky.  So he had to either drive, or sit alone, or sit near guys.  We could be flexible.  The women he cheated with were all on the bus.  Then we had old bosses and co workers that had to ride the bus.  OJ Simpson was usually right up front.  We had a fun time with our bus.  Sometimes if we got over something, we actually did let people off the bus before we shoved it off the cliff.  OJ never got off the bus.......

Hope everyone is having a great day.  I went to rads this morning, very uneventful.  I was asked by my navigator if I would talk to a reporter for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Okay...it is acutally about the navigator program.  I talked to the reporter on the phone today.  Tomorrow he wants me to go to the hospital where Nanette works so he can take our picture togerther.  I really hate having my picture taken.  I said I would do it though.  For Nanette.  Oh no! 

OK Days & Y & R here, with occas All My Kids thrown in.  Definite Dark Shadows geek & can't wait for MY boyfriend ( not stjude lori's) to reprise Barnabus!  For Christmas last year my mom got me a DVD collection of old Dark Shadows show; watched them not too long ago-what a riot!  

Ugghhh...sorry I need to vent just a little. So I have a minor infection where the drain came out and my surgeon told me yesterday to just put antibiotic cream on it. I am worried it is going to stop chemo next Tues. so I left a message for her asking her to call in an antibiotic and of course she isn't in today so they will ask her in the am.

Then, I go to my orthopedic doctor cause 8 weeks ago I had a fusion done of my c5-c6 vertebrae and he tells me that their is movement around the top screw and I need to be real careful to make sure it doesn't move anymore. Also informed me that chemo might extend the heal time from 6mo-1 yr to as much as 2 years and I need to stop moving so much. My couch has a serious butt impression already from the time I have been laid up from all these surgeries...how can I do any less!!! He says its super important because if it doesn't take or slips, they will have to go in or risk damage to my spine and surgery could be very dangerous during chemo.

I am just too tired and too young for all this stuff. I have only been 40 for less than 2 months and it has really stunk so far!! I am boycotting any further decade birthdays

lwarstler - What a major bummer - do much crap to deal with all at once - this is certainly the place to come to.  If you surgeon is so worried about your spine moving why doesn't he give you a back brace? I know that is the last thing you want to hear but it would take some of the stress off.  I don't know how all of this will effect your upcoming chemo since I did not have to do it.  I'm sure someone will chime in with a better answer.  Gentle hugs to you.

Thanks for the support everyone. I have a neck brace that I have been in until 3 weeks ago and this does mean I have to spend more time in it. I need to put it back on at night, in case I am just moving around too much and basically any time I get up to do more than go to the bathroom or get a drink. It is one of the biggest bummers about my appointment because it gets hot and it is really hard to lay down comfortably with something against the back of your head all the time. I especially don't like it at night cause its hard to get comfortable. I was really happy when he gave me the ok to take it off and just be careful. I warned all my doctors with the breast surgeries to be careful with my neck while I was out but there are so many people involved and there was no way for me to tell them if they move my neck too far to the left or right. In addition, I did have to take the brace off and turn a little far for the breast MRI, so it could have been from that. It's just frustrating because I have been so careful and was so good about keeping my brace on and doing all the things I was supposed to. oh well....I guess stuff just happpens.

Lee Ann 

Okay eph, them's fightin words! Just kidding, but I do love me some Johnny.

LeeAnn, I agree w/cmblastic about delaying the chemo if needed, and my PS says that protein in your diet is good for fighting and preventing infection. Sure hope your doc gets back w/you asap and puts your mind at ease.

cmblastic, as far as weight goes, I met w/ps today and when she first asked me how I was I said I was a bit pissy today. I can't do anything but sleep, rest, and eat. These restrictions suck, and I'm gonna gain 25 just from this surgery. I thought things were leaving my body=some weight loss, but noooo. I may be the only one hoping for nausea when I begin chemo. She laughed and then told me I had another week w/my drain and restriction. God love her.

Hauntie...I asked earlier how you were doing?  I so hope you are feeling better. 

So I have my needle aspiration biopsy next Thursday, the 29th at 1:45.  I will go dig out the apron I will be wearing.  I bake a lot and I love aporons.  Will find one with a nice big pocket for all who want to hop in and support me during the process.  Pocket party a week from tomorrow!!!!

I'm hopping on in whenever you give the call!

Binney, Thanks for the tips.  Will give onc a call tomorrow and also check out the lymphedema thread.  I appreciate the link too.

Hauntie, glad my surgery buddy is feeling better. 

Janis, count me in for the party.  I'll bring the Cheetos! 

Janis, Awesome!  I love pocket parties, we can all get so cozy and then we all feel the warmth and love!  Kay and Hauntie lots of hugs for you both and keep those spirits up, you will get through.  Lee Ann, like Jo I did not have chemo, but I would guess a delay because of infection would be a good idea just for your safety and no more problems.  Sending you lots of very gentle hugs.  Oh and by the way go ahead and rant away, we will listen and help you get through it.

  Kitty

First, thanks to everyone for the support...it really did bring me tears today because its so nice to hear from people who get it. My DH is wonderful, but all he can do is listen and then freeze cause he doesn't know what to do. I have definitely done my "its not fair" rant more than once. This afternoon too when I told him it just seems like things will not get better. 2 1/2 years I waited for doctors to find the cause of the pain that went down my left side from my neck to my knee. They finally do, fix it and one week later cancer. Of course, it is also how they found the cancer, so in that way it was a blessing but it still feels like everytime I think I am about to move forward a little something kicks me back three spaces. The neck issue took my job, my ability to drive and moved us from my church and friends (my husband took a higher paying job) and now the cancer has taken my school and sense of security. Its just been a lot of loss in the last 2 years and today, hearing I have to get back into my choke collar and have one more thing adding to my overall discomfort was just overwhelming. I'm sure I will be better tomorrow, but today I just feel really frustrated and down. Sorry, you all are being very wonderful and supportive and I really do appreciate all the hugs. I promise to be more positive tomorrow

Martha, I am with you on that--my DH is my rock too. It took him awhile to know he just has to listen and hold me. He can't FIX me--he just wishes he could. 

Janis, I stay in your pocket for your colonoscopy if you stay with me for mine on Tuesday. I have to swing buy Walgreens to pick up my "prep" OOOOOHHHHH. With all the research out there, its is amazing that you still have to "flush" yourself in such a manner. Ickky-icky-poo-poo. And Eli--LMAO!!! Your colonoscopy doc must be related to mine. If I see a big mother ship hovering over my clinic on Tuesday--I'll know for sure!!! 

Oops...I forgot to thank Elimar for the picture of my new doc!  When it comes to a colonoscopy I imagine they all look like that in our minds!  Or evil Barnabus Collins!  Thank you for my early morning chuckle......or fright!  LOL.  I go see him for consultation on Oct 4.