Starting Chemo in June 2005

Fi,
How lovely. Yes I guess I do feel a bit over wound. But I do every year this time of year. I am for year round school. I could have sent my crew back about two weeks ago.-Think of all the fun they could have had learning all that summer stuff they miss. But I miss them greatly about October- then time for another break.
I have been victim of my own device here. I made a strong no computer before six rule and because of all the summer reading due-oh so soon-no more TV-actually they get to pick AC or TV-just wanted to see which they'd pick. The AC won.-So no computer or TV for me either. I get to play endless board games and teach the little one to read. Which I love BUT I can only play Monopoly so many times in one day:)
Nancy I got the box!! It is great! I loved your pictures and the stuff was wonderful. My son opened it while I was picking up DD from soccer-so he was excited but I had to get a new box(LOL). So DD and I packed up our box and sent it on to Jen. I am so excited about this. Have fun ladies.
Got to go pick up FB playing son. DH out of town so I am paying for someone's college ed in gas money. Think their school would of made soccer and football the same time JUST FOR ME LOL LOL
Bye
Bev

I agree on the year round school...But this is my last "summer vacation" cuz Savanna will be a senior this next year and has been working in Spokane for DH's sister for a month so we are getting a sense of empty nest..shoes at the back door I don't miss. On the other hand my grandbabies are coming for the weekend so that will be fun. I just realized that I am supposed to have an onc appointment in August and I haven't scheduled it yet...oops. Take care and am excited to read about the box as well as looking forward to receiving it. And Jen do let your mom know that there are prayers from up north for her.
KimB

Jen I am not sure which is harder- teenagers or preschoolers. Jeff has been traveling alot which never went well with the 16 year old-now is even worse. After traveling an average of 30 miles a day back and forth -taking him to football practice and picking him up-he still can't find it in himself to treat me with respect. Now he is crying he was mentally abused because we TAUGHT HIM TO READ-HUH??? It is too insane to take seriously. 14 days until our abuse continues through hours at school:) Imagine teaching him to read! WHAT WERE WE THINKING!
Many hugs,
Bev

One thing I have to admit to you guys (and probably no one else except DH) is that I have used the BC as an excuse when I am overly emotional with my "totally reasonable 17 year old".....Having raised two boys I have realized with DD that I don't get nearly as wound up about the little things.....but I do empathize with you all dealing with them...
KimB

Hey Jen
It is beautiful here too.
I haven't posted because my ds is leaving for college tomorrow. I will miss him so much-the only one that has any kindness. Told dh if his money dried up(as if he had any) the middle two would turn on him as well. They're mean not stupid. Only my baby on Friday then he is back on the 23rd. Guess I know where #2 gets his problem dealing with changes in routine. But give me week and I won't even remember why I was going to miss them all LOL
Must be a Monday for WHINE and cheese.
Bev

Hi Junies,

I hope any of you still having surgeries, etc. are doing WONDERFULLY and I want you to know you are never far from my thoughts and wishes for a speedy recovery.

I'm sorry I haven't really been keeping up with who is doing what - I had to really stay away for a while because I didn't feel like I was moving on yet. I finally found some books that deal with survivorship issues, so that was very helpful. I think I was kind of "stuck" in the process of finding the "new normal."

I manned the Komen booth at a health fair recently, and I had many women tell me they will start being more careful about doing self exams after hearing my story. That made me feel I was making a difference, and that was a great feeling.

Does anyone know where the box is? I hope that's turning out to be a fun project.

Love, Nancy

Hi, ladies, I'm just stopping by. It's been a really busy time this spring and summer, first I babysat the new granddaughter 3 days a week April through mid-June. Then I've had shows nearly every weekend. Finally it's starting to wind down.

Nancy, I've kind of felt the same way about the boards. Every time I would come on I would accidently happen on to some sad news and be upset for days. I still have days where I obsess because of some ache I have developed. I've emailed Jo and she's kind of the same way. Maybe it's scarier when you were stage III, and harder to get past. But, every day is a joy, and I've done so much more in my gardens this year! I've put in a new shade garden and been dividing perennials. I'm still battling the weight gain - 25 pounds and they are stuck like glue! You ladies may remeber I developed knee issues and had to give up Jazzercise. Well, I finally joined the local fitness club and I'm doing a water aerobics class. It's great! The freedom of movement with the water supporting a lot of my body weight is just incredible, there's a lot of jumping and I can really get some elevation without the pounding on my joints. So, I recommend it to any of you who are heavy and have a hard time with high- impact exercise. I'm really happy that you ladies are all doing well. I'll stop by from time to time, but I just can't spend too much time here.

Brenda

Dana! How are you?
Hey how does one start a blog?? I want one for mothers of teenage sons! LOL.
Everyone sounds great. Brenda- the water exercise sounds wonderful, maybe I'll have to find one after next week. My preschool starts again with 14 kids! I am so excited. And afraid. I could tell them all a story about how Mrs. Norris couldn't sleep for three weeks because maybe they wouldn't like her!! I wake up in the middle of the night thinking what if...add whatever you want here.
Insert screaming here. Now that I am throughly a five year old again maybe it won't be so bad.
Bev

Just a quick hello to you all, I don't seem to come by much anymore, life is becoming all to hectic again, didn't I learn anything in my "time out"??

All's progressing as it should be here, I wish I could relax more at each bumpy change in my chest / armpit region, however I'm fortunate that my medical team take each and every one seriously and investigate as required.

I finally have my travel "wings" back, it was such an awesome experience, a quick trip to canada for work last week. It was exhausting, jetlag seems 10 times worse, but..... worth every second for the elation of being "normal" again.
(there's some pictures of me having pots of fun up on
www.fionas.bigblog.com.au )


Hope life is being kind to you all

regards

Fi

Hi Gang!
The last time I stopped by, the June05 thread was so far down I never found it. Glad to see it's popped back up a little closer in the list of threads.

I was asked to join an amazing support group at my hospital. The funding came as a result of raising money at the Ogden Days Rodeo. The theme of the rodeo was 'tough enough to wear pink.' The group is being facilitated by the head of behavorial medicine and the bc nurse liaision. The group will meet for 12 weeks, and then it's up to us to decide if we want to continue on a more 'social' level.

It's been great hearing everyone's story. The common bond, like we have on this thread, is bc. But, at the same time all of stories are a little different. The ages of the gals run from 35 to early 60s. It's just nice to sit around an talk about whatever comes to mind. The facilitator is a little miffed at our attitudes. I think he was expecting this group to be mad and depressed. Instead, he got a group of amazing women who have taken control of their diagnosis and are facing the world with vitality, humor, and a sense of well-being. He got a little defensive tonight when we told him we are being open and honest about our feelings. He was wanting to see angry, bitter women, and he got anything but that! There are two other gals who are bc.org members! What a small world!

My hair continues to grow, and I've rediscovered the joys of color in a bottle. I'm still wondering how I managed to gain 15 pounds. Still trying to get motivated to exercise. That was a problem LONG before BC.

I'm glad to hear the group is continuing to do well. Each day is such a blessing, and hopefully, we'll all continue to celebrate each day, because it truly is a gift!

Happy Fall!!!

Hey Rebecca! I've been meaning to call you!! I've been busy with the school year starting again and family drama (again). Maybe I'm the kind of person the counselor was looking for - somewhat agitated lately! LOL!

Kit - I hope you have a pleasant move to southern Utah! It is so beautiful there! Rebecca and I are way up north. I'll ask my oncologist if he recommends anyone for you. Will you be in St. George?

KimB, do you go through Salt Lake often?

Dana, it's good to see you again!! Don't make it so long between visits!!

Fi, I loved your photos!! I'll bet you had a great time on your trip. That must have been amazing!!

Bev, I hope your preschool is going well. I teach special and regular ed kids in a school district. The kids just crack me up sometimes. They all want to "pet" my compression sleeve when I come into the classroom. It's cute because they always want to make sure I don't have on the world's biggest bandaid!

I saw my onc Tuesday, and he said my recurrance rate went from 30% to 20% since I made it a year post chemo. Then I started asking the "what if" questions about mets. He told me that if it comes back, it will probably be treatable, but not cureable (being that it usually goes to the liver, lungs, bones, etc.). When will I learn to stop asking questions??

I hope everyone else is doing well, Love ya guys!

Hey ladies!

I'm a little frustrated right now because I was supposed to meet with my plastic surgeon yesterday about reconstruction. Because I've decided to have a prophylactic right mastectomy, I also have to meet with a surgical oncologist. Originally that appointment was set for two weeks ago, but Todd wants to go with me and he had a business trip that week. So I rescheduled the S.O. appointment for next week.

Two days ago the P.S. office called and said they couldn't see me until AFTER I'd seen the S.O. Nobody told me that to begin with. If I'd have known I wouldn't have cancelled.

So now I see the S.O. next week and the P.S. the week after. I don't think it's going to push me farther because I wouldn't have scheduled the first surgery until Novemeber anyway. It's just that I've been waiting for 17 months to be whole again and the waiting/not knowing when it will all be over is getting frustrating!

On a happy note, though, my best friend from Arkansas is going to be here tonight. She and I are going to New York City tomorrow morning and staying the night. We're going to see "The Producers" on Broadway tomorrow night and just play until we decide to come back on Friday.

How are all you ladies doing??

Jen

Oh Watson. I'm so sorry about this fright you're going through. I'll be waiting to hear the good news.

I can't believe the mug didn't make it! lol I knew I should have invested in bubble wrap!!

Good luck with the SGK walk! Have fun with it.

Jen

Nancy,
I remember your Uncle Fester picture. I loved it.

I swiped a brand new hospital gown from my radiation days. I'm wearing it open in the back with one of those fake plastic butts. I'm having my husband wear surgical scrubs. I guess I'm going backwards putting myself as a patient, but it was just too funny to pass up.

Later!

watson

How do you spell relief?

F R I C K I N' C L E A N B O N E S C A N!!!!

Woo hoo for me~!!!!!! Walking in that Susan G Komen tomorrow is going to be extra special.

I had the scan yesterday, then I called my onc nurse and told her I was going to be one of 'those' patients about this. I rode her like a pony! I called three times this morning and they finally called me back with results at 9:30am! I was at a garage sale and told every single stranger there. I got one congrats and a lot of weirdo stares. Who cares!

Bev, don't let the paranoia in. It sounds like you're a great teacher. Can I come play? lol

Thanks so much for all your thoughts!

Watson