Sept 2012 chemo

Jojo you look so beautiful



Amy, so glad you are feeling better

You look great Jojo!  : )))

Timbek, that's a great idea! I'm in. You look fab in your photo!!

Wow, it's been a while since I posted, and there's so much to catch up on. Someone mentioned a few pages back about feeling frustrated with all the people who say "you're done!" and don't get that a major chunk of it is not done. This experience is like an iceberg -- most people only see the tip of it. I get really upset with people about this too. I feel at times like I don't want to be around anyone who doesn't get it. And the only people who get it are other BC people.

I have a question, and I'm wondering if you guys can give me some advice. My mom has been having a number of health problems, but won't go to the doctor. There are a number of reasons why, mainly to do with anxiety. She's recently had some symptoms that I worry might be signs of a minor heart attack. My sister and I have both talked to her about getting to the doctor. We have both offered to help her find a doctor she likes, but she puts us off and says she'll handle it on her own. What would you do in my situation? I don't know how far to push it, as she's a pretty sensitive person...but I'm at the point now (and this is probably also due to my own general anxiety) that I'm really afraid of what's coming next.xoxo

Great advice Jojo.....



And as far as FB im in!

Jojo: love your hair!  I am having the same issues (as I think I have complained about before around graying temples making me still look slightly bald).  I may have to try it soon.  

Becki: I would also love to be a part of a facebook page to stay in touch with each of you.  We have been through so much together- I want to keep rooting for each other in other ways besides just kicking cancer's ass! 

Toastiecat:  I think Jojo made some great points.  I was also wondering how much of her own health she is putting on hold because of your condition.  Maybe she feels like it would just be too overwhelming right now to have her own health issues.  My sister has been suffering for a very long time with anorexia.  It is tough because she becomes extremely defensive whenever any of us (my family) tries to discuss it with her.  But at the same time, I can't lay off because I know that I would regret it if something horrible happened to her.  The last time she came to visit she said she just wanted to be helpful to me.  I told her that if she wanted to help me, she could start by going to the doctor.  I told her how stressed I was about her health... and even though I had cancer, I had many doctors and specialists looking after me.  She didn't have nearly the same support team.  I have no idea if she will go (doubtful) but I will continue to try to gently say my piece each time I see her.  I guess that is all we can do. 

I like the idea Jojo had of asking if you can make the appointment for her - or maybe even offering to go with her as a trade for how much she has done for you... and how much it would mean to you.  What the hell.  Sometimes I think it is okay to play the cancer card.  It doesn't give us too many perks, but if one thing it does is makes those we love get medical help- maybe that is okay.

I had some thoughts on the "done" conversation too.  Okay... this may sound really weird, and I still have radiation, a ton more fills, tamoxifen, herceptin, and whatever else before I will be "done" with treatment... but I was thinking the other day about going back to work and my feelings about my co workers who have not kept in touch during this last seven months.  Seeing them again sometimes triggers that same anger in me that happens when people think we are "done" with treatment.  They expect that we can just go back to the way things were before.  They don't understand that we aren't the same as we were before.  And to be quite honest, I am changed and continue to change.  And it is for the most part for the better.  Those who haven't kept up with me since before treatment are now strangers to me.  They think they may know who I am - but they don't any more... and I don't feel like catching them up.  I don't even think I can. 

Does that make sense?  Okay... I am having some major node pain:-(  Off to take a 1/2 a percoset and 1/2 a valium.  I am trying to take half pills so I will be half as constipated.  (sorry TMI)

I can do the fb page but you wouod have to make it in thw form of a group not a page a group you can make private. I have on set up already. I can invite who I want to and no one else jojo is already a part of it. But if you want me to do it you would have to pm me your full facebook name I would know it was you. Also I would have to name the group.

Soooo if you want me to I can also any suggestions for the page name?

I like the idea of.a non cancer related name... I will work on setting it up today...

Sister Warriors?

okay If I click the link it takes me right to it but not sure if it will for non members so someone try please

I also found a spot I can invite you by email so you can pm me your email too!

Okay trial and error lol the link wont work if you are not a member of the FB group so I am working on another way... since its set up secret its a bit tricky but give me a few and I promise I will figure it out!

Mariposa, not TMI, my constipation pretty much took over but after lots of Sennokot S, Metamucil, prunes, coffee and gallons of water my life got better but not until I was up half last night and then got heartburn too. Totally taking today off in my recliner watching tennis in Indian Wells, your state! Drains could proably have come out but we will see tomorrow when the home care nurse comes.

Jojo your hair was amazing and hope it comes back the same. No growth to speak of for me yet.

Amy thanks for FB and thanks to Jo as she got me in!

Dear September Chemo Ladies,

I have been following this thread since I started chemo (AC-T) on Sept. 5. I have been a reader but not a poster.  I cannot tell you how much strength and comfort I have gained from reading all of your posts.  Everything that you went through (side effects, challenges with family members and friends, feelings of anxiety, hope, despair, strength, courage, questions about diet etc.) I was going through at the same time and it helped me so much to read your comments and know that I was not alone.  I had a mastectomy in July and am currently undergoing radiation (day 12/28).  My last day of chemo was 12/12/12.    So many times I have almost posted to this board it but then felt shy or that it was too late for me to join.  I have 3 kids (12, 9, and 6) and I am often terrified that I won't be here to see them grow.  I am trying to focus on now and on being the best mother I can.  Not always easy .  I am hoping that you might allow me to join your Facebook group. I apologize for not speaking up sooner.  Please know how much I admire each one of you for your strength and courage--not just for facing the diagnosis and treatment but for putting yourselves out there and creating such an amazing community for one another.  I would very much like to be a part of it.  Thanks so much.  Hugs to all of you.

Jem3 - Welcome to the thread - you are not alone!  

Jem...So glad you decided to post. I could not be on this journey without all of these ladies.



When life...I haven't posted anything on FB either about my cancer. There are so many people on there that I haven't really talked with in years and they don't need to know. I'm pretty selective on who I tell. But our page will be private and no one can get in so I feel safe there.

Oh my I just laughed so hard..... The visual alone was hilarious! I am glad I found a way unknowingly to put a smile and a laughin your day cause lord knows we need it!