Starting Chemo April 2009

Vegas  - I'd go if you all went!

Had a wonderful time with Ruby this week. Her mom left her f/t job but took a p/t one and I did a 'real' babysitting - 9:30-3:30 (as mom worked 10-3). I did 2 bottles and 2 naps and LOTS of play time. I was a little nervous (what if she won't stop crying?) but it all went great. She is starting to laugh and smile a lot. So happy!

All else is fine here. Can't believe we are at the end of Sept already. 

Helen - so glad you are healing. And Judy - your sister is making it through - just like we did!!

Love to all 
A.

Judy..what is the date of your surgery?  I know it is coming up...thinking of you and its about time..geez..

Betsy mentioned not sleeping...does anyone else have that problem?  I just can't sleep at all...it freaking sucks

Surgery is 30th October.

My sleep pattern is not regular; I can have 2 or 3 very bad nights and then I just have to sleep because I am so exhausted.

Hugs to you all, Judy x

I don't sleep the way I used to either.  I go from too hot to too cold, or sometimes too hot AND too cold at the same time (so frustrating). Our dog is old and has to go out in the middle of the night most nights, and I have a lot of trouble falling back to sleep afterwards.

I usually give in and look at my phone or IPAD and that keeps me up even longer. (But I do it anyway.)

I take 6mg melatonin before bed, and have no trouble FALLING asleep. It is the STAYING asleep that is more difficult.

However, I talked to my aunt recently (in her early 70's) and she told me she hasn't had a good night's sleep in 15 years. Other women in my age group (mid 50s) complain about this also, so I think it may be more about women going through menopause and aging than specifically about bc. But I don't know...

I have tried Melatonin, but it doesn't work so well for me. I sometimes take a herbal remedy to relax me and take the "edge" off. I actually have trouble falling asleep. I get ready for bed exhausted and then when I am in bed, I am not relaxed and find myself wide awake. It has been particularly bad the past couple of weeks. Even though I wish we were all sleeping well, it is always comforting to know that I am not the only one having trouble with this.

The apartment is almost straight now and looking really nice. We had friends over for dinner last night, and it was nice to catch up. It was just four of us and a nice relaxing evening. 

Hope everyone is doing well; Geri how are the wedding plans coming together? Helen, how are you feeling?

Sending you all hugs, Judy.

Sounds like we need to have a pyjama party since we are all awake during the night.

Truth or dare - haha!

So Thurs was my birthday and it was a Ruby day. I went up to Philly not caring much about my birthday (I never do, which is great for my husband, haha - as he doesn't make fusses over stuff like that).  I didn't even know if my girls would remember. But they DID! Both my daughters were there for dinner and they had very sweet cards, small gifts and a little cake with a candle and they sang to me. And of course lots of time with Ruby who is laughing and cooing up a storm - so cute.

So my girls are growing up (finally) and I am enjoying it.  I think my experience with bc really helped them to appreciate and not take me for granted.  One of their close friends' moms was just diagnosed with stage 4 bc (I dont know if I wrote this here - if so, forgive the redundancy).  She was too cool for mammograms (so she thought), never had one, and by the time she found the lump, it was in her bones.  Very upsetting and her daugher (my girls' friend) is very angry at her mom, and frightened too. A mess. And now another of their close friends' moms quite probably has lymphoma (awaiting final dx) and that girl is terrified as well. Strange to see my daughters being the reassuring ones to their friends. In discussing it, they share a little more with me about what their emotions were at the time I was dx, which they have never really talked about. It is interesting to hear their retelling of it.  I am amazed that this winter will be my (and all of our) five year mark since that awful time. The docs make a bigger deal of it than I will. To me, the longer away from 2009 the better, but the exact 5 year anniversary isn't anything super important. And I'm sure you feel that way as well.

Beautiful fall weather here. I am trying to focus on enjoying each day.

Judy how is your sister doing? Is her 3rd tx done yet? Does she need anything add'l after that (radiation or meds)?

Michele - totally get the first night in a hotel thing. I wake up every hour or so. This last time I went to Nashville, I brought a big glass of white wine up to my room from the welcome reception, and sipped it as I settled into bed for the night. It was lovely and very relaxing. I'm not much of a drinker at all, but I might try that again next time!

Happy Birthday Amy! May this year be your best yet! So glad you had a good time with your daughters and Ruby. Also, very sorry to read about their friends' mothers - very sad, there always seems to be something...

Now, I am usually awake when you are all in bed anyway, so I would be happy to join any activity that was happening during the sleepless nights ...

My sister is half way through her treatment; she has gone away today with girlfriends for a week to rest. After her chemo, she doesn't have any further treatment hopefully.

Hope you all have a good day, and are sleeping soundly right now...

Hugs, Judy x

Judy - another good checkup for you! The latest of many many more. Congratulations.

Thank you! I am always happy to hear "you are fine" after she examines me.

Well, we are in October now, really starting to think about the surgery. How are you doing Helen?

Hugs to everyone, Judy x

Hi all,

It's been a crazy few weeks. After my MIL passed in mid-Aug, we had a Wake at our house for about 45 family and friends. The "party"/celebration of life was what my MIL wanted. I think we did her proud. My FIL thanked me for hosting the event. It was a lot of work but, very honoring to her memory. The thing that totally sucks is that my FIL, whom I really love, was dx with lymphoma this past week. My poor dh is reeling over it. We just finished handling his Mom now his Dad is in crisis. I am so ready for a break. I thought we would have some time between crisis's but NO! Sometimes life isn't fair!



We are heading to New Mexico for vacation in two weeks...I am ready for a break. I am praying that things will be ok with my FIL. Looks like no rest for the wicked this fall!



Geri did I miss the wedding posts?

Titan....I still love my nut!

Judi...You are in my prayers...good luck with your surgery.

Hugs to the rest of you.

Betsy

Hi Everyone,

I'm finally more awake and in less pain after my oophorectomy last week. I had it done laparascopically, but the doctor also wanted to take biopsies of my endometrium because my mom had a uterine carcinoma years ago.  That made me have really heavy cramping and bleeding up until yesterday.  I'm still bloated and the Herceptin from Tuesday didn't help.  But overall, I feel much better.  More sore than anything--like I did 10K sit-ups.

Helen--if the April 2009 wants to meet anywhere, I'm game!  Our group chose Vegas because many have never been.  Also, we wanted a venue where it would be warm enough to swim.  How is your healing coming along?

Betsy--I'm so sorry about your FIL especially after your MIL just passed away recently.  Sending you prayers and hugs for strength.

Amy--Happy belated birthday!

Judy--I hope that your sleep will improve so you can get some decent rest before your surgery.  I take a little melatonin.  That helps, but I think what has really made it relaxing is a warm soak in the tub before bedtime.  Thinking about your sister and hope that she is doing well.

florbo, hope you continue to improve every day. I had that same procedure a few years ago and remember it well.

Geri, how are those wedding plans coming along?

Betsy, so sorry about your loss. There's always something, isn't there

Judy, glad to hear that your sister is coming along. Must be a relief for you. I'm feeling pretty good after 7 weeks. Able to walk for miles without getting tired. Still restrictions on what I can do however, so I have to be careful. There is an area where there is some necrotic tissue but everything else is healing well. So on Oct. 21 I go back for a revision where PS will clean things up. Only a 90 minute procedure and go home right after but still a general anaesthetic. But I am still happy that I did it. Judy, I'm sure you will feel the same.

Amy, she is a cutie!

Hi Ladies, has been quiet here this week, I hope everyone is doing ok.

Geri, the wedding must be right about now? Hope it all goes wonderfully; we look forward to hearing all about it.

Amy, hope you enjoyed this weeks' visit with Ruby. Helen, hope you are doing ok and making good progress.

I have had a hard week at work, I am looking forward to some "me" time before my surgery. I have also had a few pre surgery appts this week after work. Just one more to go now and then on 22nd I have my pre surgery meeting at the hospital.

My sister had her third chemo this week, so one to go now. These few days are hard for her and I think they are harder each time, but she has one to go and she is focusing on that. She is an amazing woman!

Florbo, Betsy, Titan, Michelle and everyone - hope all is well with you all.

Have a great weekend and hugs to you all, Judy xxx