Chemo Starting Sep 09

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  • jadams1264
    jadams1264 Member Posts: 417
    edited September 2013

    Ronnie Kay - I chant for you everyday, that the tumors shrink, disappear.  They will dear sister, you just have to believe!  Glad you were able to see Josie off to school.  They are so precious at that age.  Glad you will be back to posting.  Missed you.

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  • jadams1264
    jadams1264 Member Posts: 417
    edited October 2013


    Hello????? Where is everybody? I'm missing my sisters. Hope all is well with each of you!

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  • Mamamari
    Mamamari Member Posts: 46
    edited October 2013


    Slinking into the room with my head hung in shame for the way I abandoned you all several years back...

    Was in an incredibly dark place when I snuck out and once the dust settled I never did make it back to here...

    I just couldn't face the cancer anymore...I just wanted to live and be with the family to heal and move forward.

    So I owe you all the my heartfelt apologies...for checking out, for not being there for YOU, for being a right proper prat in the sisterhood.

    Please forgive me for dropping out on you.



    I am back...though will still be on very limited chat time...Mostly I'll be over in the stage IV boards as this bugger has decided to return and try to take me down. I Hate Cancer! But I'm so happy to still see so many of you here!

    Mainly I just wanted to stop in here and apologize and let you all know I was and have always been thinking of you.


    XO Mari

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  • vickilynn
    vickilynn Member Posts: 422
    edited October 2013


    Oh MARI... I really did wonder about you! I am always overwhelmed when someone shares that it's back... and yours looks like it's back in full force. How is your daughter? Have you continued your online business? I lost the address for that too. Are you still in Spain?


    I imagine all your energies are going into fighting this.... looks like you've been through radiation and surgery this year already. You were the inspiration for all of us showing our shaved heads, you know... I think you kicked that off for us! Unfortunately, some of us didn't do BALD as beautifully as you.


    Please let us be a support to you as well... right now I'm sharing some tears with you.


    JANE So sorry I'm not checking in as often as I should. How's DH? Any changes?


    RONNIE - praying for you and your treatments. Waiting to hear your latest results.


    PATTI - miss you, too! Been to any more concerts lately? Hope DS is doing well.


    BARBARA - glad you can check in once in awhile! You are one busy lady. Hope that life at home smooths out for you.


    I am weary - been working physically on fixing our trailer. Don't know if I told you I passed on the job at the campground... but have something NEW to do starting next week. We'll be moving our travel trailer on to 20 acres on the Hoopa Tribe Reservation. A widow from church (here 2 children are deceased as well) lives alone, 1 1/2 miles from her nearest neighbor! She asked if we would move up to her place and keep an eye on her and her property... it's actually perfect for us. She lives on the side of a mountain in her home and we'll be in back of her with a view of the Hoopa valley and Trinity River. There are lots of old fruit trees on the property and evidence that one very large bear visits the apple and pear trees regularly, using a path that will go right behind our trailer!!! If you remember, 2 autumns ago we had bears when we were hosting at the Redwoods - but they were used to people... I just won't be going out at night much!!!


    It will be a quiet and peaceful place and DH really needs that. They still want to test him more - but 2 dr's believe it's MS that he has. I know that stress is really tough on him. I think this will be a place with minimal stress. He's also very happy I didn't get a job... and he's had a couple incidents that were a bit scary - getting disoriented - anyway.... you know me by now... I learn to be content - and thrive - wherever I am.


    Sure do love you all... praying for each one of you. Vicki









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  • jadams1264
    jadams1264 Member Posts: 417
    edited October 2013


    Hello SOSisters....... hope this finds all of you doing well. Wishing you would post, I worry about you when you don't. Things are up and down at my house, DH has good days and bad days. Doctor is talking about pacemaker and ablation. DH is sick and tired of being sick and tired, but he's hanging in there. Work is crazy, doing our seasonal hiring and training. I'm working 6 days this week!


    Mari- I was so glad to see your post. I am so sorry that you are having to fight this battle again. Please know you are on my prayer list. I hope that you will keep us posted. It hasn't been that long that we don't know what you are going through, we are still here for you anytime you need us. How is your family? Are you still in Spain?


    VickiLynn - your life is so full of adventure. Living on a mountain, looking for bears! I'm sorry to hear that DH is still not well, I can so relate. You want so bad for them to be healthy. Life seems to be made up of doctors appointments and pills. Looking forward to hearing all about your new home, how old is the lady you will be helping? Is it close to a town?


    To everyone else - I miss you. Thoughts and prayers are with you!


    Jane

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  • BarbAnne41
    BarbAnne41 Member Posts: 380
    edited November 2013


    Hello Sisters-


    Vicki you sure are full of adventure-hugs to you for making the choices to make your life what you want. And prayers that things are less exhausting and that your DH feels better


    Jane-oh I am so sorry about DH being tired of being sick and tired. I think that's what I said during chemo..i will keep you in and everyone including the DH in my prayers and chants.


    Mari- no reason to apologize we all know that life takes down many paths, but my thought and prayers are with you I am so very sad it is back, please keep us posted-hugs and prayers to you.


    Not much to report here, DH and DD are getting along well, knock on wood, work is crazy as always, and that's about it, just trying to prepare for the impending holiday season and winter.


    Hugs and thought and prayers to all my sisters


    Barbara

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  • jadams1264
    jadams1264 Member Posts: 417
    edited November 2013


    Hello sisters......I sure am missing everyone!


    Barbanne glad to hear dh & did doing better. I so remember those years! Work is keeping me busy too. We are about done with our seasonal hiring, now have to get them all trained. Dh is somewhat better. Have come to the conclusion he will never be back to 100 percent. Take care and check in when you have a moment.


    Thoughts are with all of you!


    Jane

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  • vickilynn
    vickilynn Member Posts: 422
    edited November 2013

    Just a quick note... as I'm here at the local 1-room library in Hoopa!  Still settling in to the community.  I love our view --- and we even built a small deck so I can enjoy the view even more!  Haven't seen our bear, but he keeps leaving "presents" plus half-eaten pears. 

    Know that I think about you all - but no internet service at home.  Thinking I'll make once-a-week library visits.

    Hope you all are going to have a peaceful and joyful Thanksgiving.

    Vicki

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  • jadams1264
    jadams1264 Member Posts: 417
    edited November 2013


    Hello all my SOSisters..... Hope all of you are doing well. Wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and let you know that I feel blessed to know each of you!


    Jane

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited November 2013


    I've been feeling very guilty about not checking in with you guys, but I see I am not alone!


    Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Here we are four years out and all still kicking. We've had our ups and downs and a couple of us are continuing to fight the fight, but we are here. Hurrah for the September 09 sisters!


    Ronnnie? How are you doin'?


    Love,


    Patty

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  • BarbAnne41
    BarbAnne41 Member Posts: 380
    edited November 2013

    Hi Ladies! Just checking in.

    Went to the Onc yesterday she said all looked good, and pushed again for the genetic testing. Still digging my heals in on that one. Her telling me that if I tested positive for it, they would want to do a bilateral mastectomy and take what is left of my ovaries (my uterus is long gone) Not sure if she thought that was a way to convince me or not...

    We also went over. again, how they are keeping me on Tamoxofin for ten years instead of 5.

    Remember my itchy boob? Well it popped up again, I attribute it to stress and the cold weather/dryness. She said she thinks it might be lymphedema that the cancer boob might not drain so well and to call her if it doesn't get better.

     

    That was it. Other than that, work is madness, as always, and oh here's a big surprise DH and DD are having some odd passive aggressive off and on fighting. And guess what I'm in the middle-I know, I know, HUGE shocker there!!

    Well hugs love and prayers to all my sisters!! Thoughts on the genetic testing, and prayers that we all, myself included, have a peaceful holiday season

     

    Barbara

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  • RonnieKay
    RonnieKay Member Posts: 2,067
    edited November 2013


    DARN IT!!! Just typed a bunch and it disappeared...OH JANE...made me think of you!!!!


    I started with...You know you're always on my mind, right? Sorry I've been gone so long..I was spending so much time on the boards (thanks stage 4) and thought maybe I needed to try to take a break from being on the computer so much (which is, of course, on my lap in front of the tv). I was busy living life, but little did I know how much I needed my Sisters' comraderie! Stage 4 sucks...and I'm very sad that Mari is now dealing with this. Vickilynn, you were so eloquent about her picture..I remember Tom having a crush on her when she posted it...heck, I even had a crush on her!!! Anyhoo...I found myself becoming a bit too sad & angry and was treating my loved ones in ways that weren't too healthy...that BarbAnne would probably think are quite normal...LOL!!! So....just catching up with you, my September Sisters, is a breath of much needed fresh air!


    Relaying joyful news...all the chants brought Margaux RonnieLu into the world 10/15. DD had planned a home water birth (that made me quite nervous) and she labored in the pool, only to find, on her water breaking, that there was meconium & baby was sunnyside up. That meant a ride (at 5 cm...which upon arrival at the hospital, was 7 cm) to the hospital, 48 min of pushing, and a perfectly healthy baby. Since they thought there would be complications, there was a trauma team that ended up just being a huge cheering section. It was beautiful. Her name...Asher (DD), from St. Lucia, upon meeting me the first time, said my name-Rhonda-was too difficult...he wanted to call me Ronnie (middle name is Kay). My family snickered, but I loved it! So...her middle name is Ronnie-for me, Lu-for his mother, Lucretia. Just love it! She's 6 wks today and starting Monday, I will be watching her 2 days a week..M & T...since Wed is chemo & onc says I have to stay away from her for 24 hours after treatment. I may do some Fridays too but DD will be home with her (I expect phone calls!).


    Vickilynn...I am amazed & happy that opportunities for you & Don just seem to drop in your laps. I opened the refridg door after catching up on posts, and there was a half rotten pear...made me laugh! Are you packing heat??? We were at our home in eastern wash last weekend and they had the Turkey Shoot (where guys shoot clay pidgeons to win turkies...weird). I have never seen so much camoflague (sp) and so many guns. I know they were there when I was growing up, but it was the furthest thing from my life...dad was a farmer/rancher, not a hunter. Henceforth, venison & pheasant haven't been on my dinner plate! It sounds like you're out in the wilderness, which is peaceful and good for Don...but you are the social wheel...I hope there are people for you & activities that keep you involved...I know how much you love that! Are you close to the kids in that part of the woods?


    Jane...Oh my dear...this is your busy, busy, busy time and I'm glad your hiring is done! I so hope your people have better work ethics than the ones that Tom has at the UPS store. He works part time (probably not for much longer since I'm not working any more), which is supposed to be 4 hours...but the "kids," early 20s and in college (heaven help this world) sometimes call and say they'll be late, sometimes don't show up...so he's stuck. Have to tell you something my counselor said....everyone ages...fact of life...it's a gradual thing and your mind & body together, over the years, get used to the fact that you can't do the things you used to do...but it's ok, life changes, you adapt. When you get sick, suddenly you can't do the things you could, and your mind & body aren't in rhythm together. It's hard to accept...especially when it's an illness that won't get better. So, I understand Jim & Don...it's hard to suddenly have these bodies that don't match our mindset...as far as what we should/could do just so short a time ago. We all went through the same thing when we were healing from bc...and life will never be the same...but we did have healing & I pray for that healing to continue...for clear mammos...for an end to itchy boobs...for long lives for all of us. I just love you all...


    Patty....Senior year & I'm wondering if DS has plans for next year...college, I'm sure. So many marvelous places in California. I still think of when you, Vicki and I had lunch a few Decembers ago, and the darling picture of a cute, young "boy!" Wondering how the wedding business is going. I'm still watching say yes to the dress & the four weddings show. HGTV is pretty much a cult...and I'm a believer! Also hoping your Mom is doing great. The kids are coming up for Christmas so I won't be back to Long Beach until February. We'll celebrate Josie's 6th bday up here...Chuckie Cheese, I'm sure....deja vu!!!!


    BarbAnne...Oh how I love your posts...your husband and I would've done away with each other had we married!!! We had a daughter that seriously would have made him REALLY crazy. I probably was more his personality with her (which got me no where) and Tom was the calm, easy going, understanding father (your role). Like Jane says....when she marries and has children...life will be a breeze!! There's been some really awful weather in the midwest...hope you haven't had any of it where you are. Hope the job is going well...it sounds super busy, but if it's what you like...it's worth it, right :)


    Don't know if I ever updated my 2nd scan news. My tumors had shrunk more...measurement was in mm instead of cm, which was very good. I was a bit deflated, though, as I wanted them gone :( When I told my priest they'd shrunk, he said, "Oh, I was hoping they were gone." I loved that he said that. Everyone was so pleased they were smaller, but inside, I was sad....so his saying that seemed like my feelings were validated. My onc is often disappointed that I focus so much on numbers. I have blood tests every week & tumor markers every month...and they've been really good...so that's a relief...but if one marker goes from 10 to 20, I panic....even though 36 is "normal." I'm seeing what she said about fatigue being a main part of navelbine (chemo)...it's starting to take its toll, but I try to persevere, sometimes paying for it later :) My stomach complications from diep flap have been identified (after seeing a hernia specialist that was amazing!). The fascia that heals over the muscle just thinned out...mostly due to the recurrent cancer & chemo taking a toll on my tissue healing. No hernia and no surgery...she said it would just cause chronic pain...they were talking pig mesh & laproscopy...ugh. I am at peace with the bulges now...knowing what it is...and just know I can't lift heavy things nor do stomach exercises. So much for having abs that fire...which was before surgery. I keep thinking I never should have done reconstruction, but hind sight 20/20....who knew what was lurking in my cells. All in all, life is pretty great! I know I sound down, which sometimes I am...going from saying I had cancer, to I have cancer gets old. For all these months I've been fighting & staying strong & positive....and I know that's the important way to live....it's just setting in that this may be the way it goes...and hence, the sadness & yes, sometimes anger...but I'm working on it. My family, as resilient as they are, keep loving me & living through my moments with patience. I'm constantly asking God to grant me peace & understanding....along with lots more years to live!!!!


    Happy to be with you all!!!! Love & Hugs..........and a Blessed Thanksgiving!!!! XOXOXOXOXOXO I'm thankful for getting to bend your ears !!!

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  • jadams1264
    jadams1264 Member Posts: 417
    edited December 2013


    Hello SOSisters...hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I counted all my blessings and you were among the first ones! Seems impossible it's been 4 years, some days it seems like yesterday, some days not so much.


    Patty - We've been missing you. What have you been up too? How is DS doing, hard to believe how quick they go up.


    BarbAnne - hang in there with DH and DD. It will get better! I so understand how busy this time of year can be for all of us. I worked 8pm to 4:30 am on Thanksgiving/Black Friday. Was fortunate that only 2 of our new hires failed to show up for work. What a crazy time but fun :)


    Ronnie Kay - I envy you babysitting, I would love to have a little one around (that I could send home of course). I'm sure she's a beautiful baby and is so blessed to have you as her grandmother. As soon as your tumors are shrinking I think we should celebrate. If they keep shrinking they will eventually be gone right? You hang in there girl, if anyone can beat this horrible disease it's you!


    VickiLynn - I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving? How is DH doing? Have you seen the bear? Does Mr. O'Rielly get to go outside by himself? I was thinking about you the other day, you need to write a book about all of your adventures. You have the most amazing and descriptive way of telling us about your life. I think you would be a very successful author!


    Mari - I hope that things are looking up for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers!


    Neece - hope all is well in your world.


    Take care wonderful sisters. Please post when you can, I miss you!


    Thoughts and prayers are with you.


    Jane

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  • BarbAnne41
    BarbAnne41 Member Posts: 380
    edited December 2013

    Ronnie! I am so glad they shrunk but I had to giggle when you said your priest said just what you were thinking. I am super happy that they shrunk though and me and the sisters will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Congrats on the new grandbaby!!! I know living in Ann Arbor, for those of you who don't know its referred to as 10 square miles surrounded by reality, very PC hippy, etc...so those at home births are pretty prevalent and make me so nervous too! Hugs to you and your family and I'm a keep chanting. Oh and thanks for the thoughts on DD and DH they make me so crazy.

     

    Jane thank you too! I sure hope sooner is well sooner!! Glad you enjoyed the craziness of Black Friday DD and I went out at 4:30 that morning and shopped until noon, it was scary checking the old bank account, but I got some good deals.

     

    Things are still crazy at work.

    We live in a nice very quiet neighborhood in a tiny farm town outside of Ann Arbor, and there has been a rash of heroin ODs including our neighbors son Monday night, something about that all unfolding across the street really threw me and my family into a deep sadness. please pray for his family.

    And our daughters 20th birthday is this weekend, and birthdays tend to be a big deal, and she's moody, and some plans are holding together and some are not..so between work, the young man across the street passing and my DD and her birthday I am just a bag of nerves, so if you want to pray for me too, I will take 'em.

     

    Hugs and prayers!!!

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  • jadams1264
    jadams1264 Member Posts: 417
    edited December 2013

    Merry Christmas dear sisters. Hope Santa was good to each of you!

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  • BarbAnne41
    BarbAnne41 Member Posts: 380
    edited December 2013

    Merry Christmas to all my sisters, hugs and love!

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  • BarbAnne41
    BarbAnne41 Member Posts: 380
    edited January 2014

    Happy New Years ladies, and thanks for the cards. :-)

    Yes that was Mister Pumpkin Pants Patty.

    And so far Jane its been the normal flare ups...wish they would take a resolution to not picking at each other, but i think one of them needs to move out to get the stuff between them chilled out.

    At least I don't have work drama to deal with, bright side Barbara :-)

    Hugs to you all and hope this year brings us some peace love happiness and good luck

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  • jadams1264
    jadams1264 Member Posts: 417
    edited January 2014

    Happy 2014 sisters. My new year started out in the ER with DH. Blood sugar and bp sky high. We are on a 1800 calorie diet trying to lose some weight. Only started yesterday so I'll keep you posted on results 

    I hope 2014 brings each of you a healthy and peaceful year. 

    Take care dear sisters. Thoughts and prayers are with you. 

    Jane

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited January 2014

    Happy 2014 Sisters!  Sorry to be so late, but good wishes none the less.

    So, Ronnie, at what point do the rumors get so small you simply don't have to worry about them anymore?  When my mother was dx with the liver mets, the ONC said she would have chemo the rest of her life.  But after nine months of Taxotere she had had it.  So we packed her up and moved her to CA and she hasn't had chemo since.  Her tumor markers remain in the normal range.  So...do you get to take a break??  Mom turned 91 in November and is still NED.

    Jane, I am glad you made it through your big season.  My prayers for your DH.  In November I decided my fat tummy just had to go .  I'm pretty skinny everywhere else but I think Femara is wreaking havoc with my metabolism and my tummy suffered.  Anyway,  I stopped eating two things :  refined sugar, and stuff made with white flour.  Totally painless and I've lost 5 lbs and my tummy (well, almost).

    Barbara, I 'm sorry the squabbling continues.  But I completely understand how hard it is not to fall into it with a teenager.  There are so many things DS (17) and I could argue about that we could go for days.  Over Christmas we took a long road trip.  Before we left we agree we were not going to talk about all the things we disagree on and that we would just be nice and get along.  We had a great trip and no snarkiness!   Of course, now we are home and all bets are off!  HA!

    My business partner's life long best friend  was dx with ling cancer in November.  Now that is one nasty cancer.  We should be thankful we got the breast kind in the cancer lottery.  Kate only has about a 15 percent chance of being here as long as we all have since our dx.  Sad.

    Despite the itchiness and all the other SE 's, Barbara, we really are lucky to have Tamoxifen and Femara and all the rest.  I read that with our dx, the most common year of mets or recurrence was year 6.  The year after they used to stop the hormonal treatments.  I plan to stay on Femara forever...creaky ankles and all!

    You guys are in my thoughts everyday,

    Patty

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  • RonnieKay
    RonnieKay Member Posts: 2,067
    edited January 2014

    Sending love, hope & wishes for good-or better yet- great health for all in 2014!!!   

    Jane...so hope DH is doing much, much better...prayers over the wires!!!  I know just about the time you're feeling like he's adjusting, there is a very scary episode.  I have a very healthy, thin high school friend that just had a mild heart attack...ugh!  We all said "mild" doesn't make you feel that much better.  Prayers!!!

    Patty...seriously, I tell others on bc.org stage 4 of your Mom all the time!  I couldn't do taxotere again...had it first go around..so Navelbine w/perjeta & herceptin as she said-for life.  Scans on the 15th and I'm praying maybe I'll be NED & get a break.  She said she'd keep me on the biologics forever.  I go from feeling normal to feeling kind of rundown...I know chemo is killing bad cells-but good ones too.  I'm staying faithful & hopeful!  And please know my prayers are for my Sisters to stay free of C critters!!!!  Will add Kate to my list of requests for God's loving hands!!!   When you talked about your tummy I thought you were going to say you did a tummy tuck & I was going to book you for a therapy appt!!!!   I agree that giving up sugar & carbs is the way to lose #s.  Plus...feeling better is a big plus.  I started back at some of it during the holidays & I'm having to fight the urge to give in-so addictive!  Ps...yes..femara forever!!!!

    Oh BarbAnne...my heart weeps for your  neighbor's loss-such devastation in losing a child, and in such a horrible way.  Working as a high school secretary (2400), I saw the things kids are tempted with-ugh!  Thinking of you & the DD/DH saga and kinda wonder if I'd rather have had it that way rather than me and DD having our go arounds!!!   I loved your kitty under the tree-so perfectly adorable for all the cat lovers in our family!!!!

    Thank you for the wonderful cards!  Even my kids were touched.  I'm planning to send pix w/all the grandkids together-maybe valentines 😜 

    Vickilynn...hope you're not under feet of snow...although it'd be pretty to look at!  

    The wind & rain's been crazy here but maybe helped our Seahawks best the Saints!!!!

    Love to you all!  XOXO 

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  • BarbAnne41
    BarbAnne41 Member Posts: 380
    edited January 2014

    Hiya Sisters!

    Back to work, and man this week was a bear, getting back to everything and we Had the Polar Vortex. 9 Inches of snow followed by another 13 and 40 below wind chills. Lordy I am glad that's over, and hope we don't see another one of those for 20 years!! We are 38 and sunny today take it take it.

    I'm with Ronnie I hope you aren't snowed in Vicki!

    Ronnie I know I just felt such an awful loss for them and right before the holidays. I really think life is tougher on teens now a days than when we were young, there is so much more randomness! Hope you are well, I can't wait for a photo! I am glad the Sehawks won, they really are a good team. Being a MAJOR college football fan, I watched Russell Wilson come up through the ranks, he is a great player who I always thought was undervalued because of his height. Don't get me started on Drew Brees and his, I'm getting old, never know how many chances I will have speech after the game, I was like ahem, Brady is 2 years older and played a year longer than you pal... :-)

    Jane, so very sorry for the DH ER drama, I will keep you both in my prayers.Good luck with the diet. Those can be so tough. Glad you made it through all the holidays. I hope work is okay and leveling out.

    Patty- YAY for a peaceful road trip! DD and DH seem to go in spurts, where they behave and try not to push each others button then they go at it again. honestly I think it has always been like this I am just more sensitive since the last 2 years my job has increased in stress exponentially. When I get home I just wanna let down, and because they have always had the luxury of my full peace making skills, they continue to want it. Good to be needed. Bright side Barbara. I am so very sorry for your friend and partner, I will keep her in my prayers and thoughts. You are so right I was in TX with people who had lung cancer and it is a tough-tough one. I couldn't AGREE more, as far as drawing a lottery..and on the mets, that's why my Onc said the newest studies say stay on it 10 total years. Which I am happy too. Itchy, creaky and all. Take car and keep us posted on your friends.

    Love and hugs to you all and happy new year

    Barbara

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  • RonnieKay
    RonnieKay Member Posts: 2,067
    edited January 2014

    just checking in from my daughter's couch.  Holding sleeping Margaux while daddy took mama to have her gallbladder out.  I tell ya, never dull moments in life!  

    Hey Bright Side Barb...omg I love it!  I'm a football fan too (and baseball & sometimes basketball).  Kinda nervous about SF but...I think we're ready!  Love, love Russell Wilson!  We live in Renton, where the training facility is, retired Gov hubby works part time at the UPS store (fill down time) and Seahawks (past/present)  come in all the time to mail stuff.  So, it never fails...whenever I look my worst...he introduces me...as his beautiful bride, no less.  I swear I'll never leave the house without makeup again...but I do!  Oh well!  Have a good week sisters!

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited January 2014

    I thought of some of you ladies when I saw a picture of a car covered in thick ice with the caption:  "My favorite part of winter is watching it on TV from California"    Don't hate me but we've had a bit of heat wave with temps in the high 70's and bright sunny skies.  Anyone want to come for a visit?   

    Keep that positive attitude, Barbara!  You are the peace maker.  And after the terrible tragedy across the street, your DH should feel blessed he has his daughter to argue with.  I just know when DS leaves to live on his own I'll miss all the things I find so irritating now.  I keep telling myself this, over, and over, and over.....

    Hang in there Ronnie!  I just know that those now tiny little mets are in there screaming "I'm melllllting". 

    Patty

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  • jadams1264
    jadams1264 Member Posts: 417
    edited January 2014

    Hello SOSisters.... greetings from cold NC, but of course, BarbAnne will think it's positively warm at 29!  Patty your 70 degrees sounds absolutely wonderful.  DH is doing better with his blood sugar.  Had doctor's appt with cardiologist today, he is thinking DH may need a pacemaker at some point.  Just always seems to be something.  Yes, I survived another holiday season and work is back to normal, in fact, a little boring!  However, it will soon be time for summer, Back to School and once again the holidays.

    BarbAnne - how are your neighbors doing?  I cannot imagine losing a child, drugs or not.  I think we each have roles in life, you are definitely the peacemaker.  I spent many years doing the samething between DH and DD.  Still do sometimes :)  

    Patty - you will miss DS in ways you cannot imagine, but the irritating stuff - not so much!  You two have such a great relationship I doubt he will be too far away!

    RonnieKay - how's that grandbaby doing?  How are you doing? What did your scans say?  I've been chanting for you! I thought about you when the Seahawks won.  I confess I was going for San Francisco.  I know I should be loyal to the Carolina Panthers but been a 49er's fan years.

    VickyLynn - I'm hoping you are warm and enjoying the beautiful scenery of a winter wonderland.  How is DH doing?

    Take care sisters.  Thoughts and prayers are with you!

    Jane

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  • RonnieKay
    RonnieKay Member Posts: 2,067
    edited January 2014

    Dear Jane....my uncle (who's now 91 & on 2nd pacemaker) has lived a wonderful, active life with his pacemaker.  I remember years ago (well over 20) when he had the first one put it, suddenly none of the really low energy times he'd had.  I know it's a scary thought to alter your body's natural function, but we just want that wonderful man to be healthy, happy & get to experience the best of life with his darling wife!!!  

    Patty...DS and family has been LOVING the warm weather.  One day he texted - 80 degrees - it was hard not to want to hop on a flight!  My babysitting gig is cramping my style a little bit...but DD and SIL need help (read-free daycare-haha!).  Margaux really is a darling and I get the second best reaction, next to Mama, of course!

    We (well, not me, missing that extra $3000 for a ticket) are going to the Super Bowl!   Really pretty excited for this young, sometimes outspoken, beast mode team!  I'm sure you've all heard of our Richard Sherman's rant with Erin Andrews, but it's in the moment with hot-shot athletes & not that it's ok, but somewhat expected by the guy who won the game.  If you've read the write ups, he's apologized all over the place, so hopefully he'll live it down.  Anyhoo....there's my football hype.  Will probably eat way too many chicken wings...which I don't even like, since they're all fat...but Tom found the most delicious recipe and I ate a ton of them during last week's game!

    Now, for scans....Onc was over 1 hour late, and my mind rationalized that as her wanting to clear the entire office of all patients so she could give me bad news.  She finally came in and said there was no change.  I cried.  She said it wasn't bad news...that since my tumor markers, liver function & blood tests are all normal, and that the tumors had shrunk so much so fast, she thinks there's no cancer activity.  She said right away that the way my tumors grew, they had attached to the lining of the liver, which caused dimpling.  This means that I will never be classified NED, because the scarring will always be there & show on scans.  It makes me sad...somehow NED just seems like such a confidence boost...but I'm happy that she thinks there's no volume..meaning bad stuff going on in the scars.  She said she doesn't think it's necessary to scan again unless: A-blood tests change or B-I want to.  Tom asked if it meant I could go off chemo and she said that we'd stay with this regimen for a while longer and if all tests stay normal, we'll try just doing herceptin & perjeta....giving chemo the heave ho.  Oh, how I hope!!!!   It's really hard to cling onto each month's tumor markers...I find myself so anxious.  My nurse started emailing me the results the next day, because I have to wait over a week to see them on my medical email.  I wish it didn't matter....but it does.  Some day maybe I can give it a rest, but it's hard.  Enough said.  Thanks for being here for me to pour out my heart!

    Love you all & hope Barb Anne & Vickilynn are staying warm....holy moses, Barb...when I see -30, it makes me wonder how you deal with that!!!  And I know you just do...Tough people out there!!!!!       

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  • vickilynn
    vickilynn Member Posts: 422
    edited January 2014

    Oh dear sisters!

    I just caught up on a month's worth of reading your posts!  Our snow actually melted and haven't had any since... in fact, we too have had nice sunny days... even on the coast it's been near 70 and sunny!!  Today there is a drizzle of rain, and while the rest of the country is cold and wet - California's experiencing the driest year ever! 

    I'm in the library and my time on the computer is nearly done, so I'll just give my greetings to you all at once --- thinking of you all and keeping you in prayer.

     


     

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  • BarbAnne41
    BarbAnne41 Member Posts: 380
    edited February 2014

    Ronnie- I am so happy that things are good, your news is positive, but I get it, in simple terms you got a purse but NOT THE DESIGNER PURSE YOU WANTED! But this is good new and I hope all our chanting and praying will bring better news. Hugs to you on your news, and thanks for thinking of us and our weather. We are getting 3 to 5 right now of snow yuck

    Jane yes, that does sound like a heatwave. I'm sorry to say all us Michiganders with our 30 inches plus of snow and 30 below wind chills can't having a laugh over the problems in the south...I know its bad, we just figured all those people are driving on cars with tire the same as us...I am glad your DH is doing better. I have know a few people with pacemakers my dad included, who lead very long active lives.

    Patty- Yes you are fortunate! So happy we have a warm sister!! In more ways than one :-)

    Vicki Glad you melted can you send it our way :-)

    Love and hugs to all my sisters

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  • jadams1264
    jadams1264 Member Posts: 417
    edited February 2014

    Hi SOSisters....so here I sit snowbound in NC with more snow and sleet on the way.  They closed the store - in 15 years they have never closed the store for the whole day!  I'm glad to be home.  DD had to work last night, kids were with us.  She came to pick them up and now her car is stuck in the ice.  Oh joy!

    I'm sorry I haven't posted for awhile. No great excuse, I did have the flu.  2nd year in a row, despite a flu shot.  Guess it would have been worse without the shot.  Thankfully DH did not get it, we got him on Tamiflu as soon as I got sick.  We have an appointment next week with the cardiologist to discuss the pacemaker in more detail.  DH has decided it's time, he is tired of being tired!

    RonnieKay - I know you want her to say NED but......we all know it's NED even if she won't say it!!  You just keep positive and we will keep chanting.  How's the babysitting going?  Are you spoiling that baby?  That's what grandmas are supposed to do.  I was glad to see your Seahawks win since San Francisco was out.  Bet there was a little celebrating at your house.  

    Patty - please send us some of your warm weather!  We would be most appreciative.  Although having said all that it's suppose to be in the high 60s next week!  How's DS doing?  Our kids have 4 snow days to make up so far and I suspect it will be 5 before it's over.

    Vickilynn - glad you are doing okay with nice warm weather.  How is DH doing?  Wish you had more time on the computer, would love to read one of your wonderful posts about how you and DH are and what is going on with you.  

    BarbAnne - I know, I know, so what we had a few inches of snow and a little sleet.  Problem is you are prepared for this stuff, we aren't.  Last time it snowed the city ran out of salt for the roads.  Our idea of a snow plow is a pickup truck with a plow attached, well actually we do have a few real snowplows but alot of pickup trucks

    Well sisters, I hope all of you are doing well and staying warm.  Take care and remember my thoughts and prayers are with you!

    Jane

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited February 2014

    Oh Ronnie!   I was so happy to hear your news...and could just kick myself for not checking in earlier.  Frankly, I don't see how it could be much better.  Well, aside from NED.   And who cares about dimples (aren't they supposed to be cute, ha!) when she says there is no cancer activity.

    My mom has had a pacemaker for five years and just got the body/battery replaced last week.  It has made a huge difference for her and the implantation is usually a pretty minor surgery. ('course what we know what "minor" surgery is, right?)  

     DS was invited to a party last weekend at a friend's house (with Mom at home) and 20 minor kids drank and smoked marijuana until a brawl broke out in the living room.  DS had a huge shiner...other kids had ears bitten, etc.   Apparently this idiot mother hasn't heard of the social hosting laws, which make her responsible.   Otherwise everything is good here.

    Stay warm, ladies.  Springs a comin'!

    Patty

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  • BarbAnne41
    BarbAnne41 Member Posts: 380
    edited March 2014

    OH My Pattie, teenage drama, and what the heck is up with that mom??? When I first read that I read it too fast and thought it was your mom that hosted the party, and I was like why is that poor woman with the pacemaker hosting parties...I re read it. :) Here is hoping for low key drama less weeks ahead for you and DS

    I know Jane, but us northerners can't help ourselves, funny thing is the people in Michigan's UP (Upper Peninsula) make fun of us in southern Michigan, they also refer to us as trolls since we live "under the bridge" ha freakin' ha. Anyway hope its warm there and your family is well

    Things are going along here, work is still crazy, and I still work with crazy people, one lady got on my case yesterday for being TOO helpful, she said I am making it hard on every one else...This co worker is certifiable and I work right next to her. I am hoping to find another job on campus to get out of there.

    Hugs and paryers to all my sisters!!

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