Starting Chemo April 2009

Judy, have been thinking of you and concerned about the situation there. 

I was very resistant to taking meds but have found them helpful. It doesn't take the problem away. It just makes it easier to cope.

I hope your daughter continues to improve

Hi ladies, sorry that I have not been here for a while, I have been busy with my family and getting used to our new schedule at home. My daughter has made good progress, but we still have a long road ahead of us; I think this will always be with us, we need to learn how to live with it and cope as best we can.

This week, marks my 5 years! Hard to believe. We had a few friends over last night and drank a toast which was nice. I am still feeling quite low, but it was important to have people around me.

The situation here is worrying and stressful, but we try to carry on with our lives.

Amy, it is always difficult to know what the future holds, but I have always thought of you as someone with a very good sense of intuition and I know you will make the right choice. Wishing you all the best of luck with whatever decision you make.

It must be wonderful for you to watch Ruby growing and doing new things all the time.

Geri, I hope that you are doing ok and that your daughter is feeling well and that all is as it should be with her pregnancy. Please come by and let us know when you can.

Even though I have not been here often recently, you are all in my thoughts every day and I will try and come by again soon.

Wishing you all a peaceful and restful weekend.

Much love and hugs, Judy x

it has been quiet here. 

Judy, I think about you often especially during the conflict that is occurring there now. I wish I could see a positive result but Israel has been fighting for survival for all of its 66 years. Unfortunately much of the world just doesn't get it. I'm proud to say that our Prime Minister has been very strong in his unwavering support for Israel despite criticism that is levelled at him.

Geri, how is your daughter?

Amy, a new business venture sounds exciting but I understand the concern. At this point in life, we have come to recognize that regardless of how well we plan, life happens. Glad you are enjoying Ruby.

My little ones are growing so quickly. The 2 babies are now 2 years old and toddlers much more than babies.

Long weekend here. I'm having my family over for a barbque on Monday. It will be chaotic because we are 11 people now.

Judy - my heart rejoiced to read the words 'definite progress' re your daughter.  I really believe we can endure anything if we see it moving in the right direction, even slowly.  Enjoy your family visit this weekend.

I am doing fine. I posted a picture of Ruby on our 'walk' yesterday. I am not sure this link will work - give it a try. Ruby walking My Friday spent with her (while definitely complicating my work life) is the best day of my week!

I am concerned we have not heard from Geri for so long. I hope all is well....

Still up in the air about pursuing the new business opportunity. I think we will have to make a decision this week whether to step forward or not. It is hard, because there are some unknowns that cannot be 'known' unless you do it. We discuss and go around and around....

Love to all.

Amy

I'm still here...and checking on you...!   Daughter is married, son just graduated from OSU and starts a new job tomorrow....my hubs and I are total empty nesters now which is a little strange....I also feel OLD sometimes....just 49 5 years ago...now almost 55...where does the time go...still a sports fan...took up jogging 4 years ago...running in 5k's...its alot of fun..still working..not retirement for me in the near future...healthwise..hanging in there.....its all good though...nice to hear from all of you.

Hi ladies, sorry that I have not been here for a while. We have been busy with family and the last left today to return to London. It has been a crazy summer; on the one hand, it has been great to be all together, but it has been very overwhelming for my daughter. She did really well, joined in all the gatherings and celebrations, but I think at times she may have been struggling. She has been home now for several weeks, although we still visit the hospital for meetings. She is due to return to school next week, and so far she seems to be handling it. I have not returned to work (which of course brings its' own worry...), but I need to be home for her for now.

Personally, I am worn out from the whole episode, which is still not over and the constant worry. I know that I need to do something to take care of myself, but I cannot bring myself to deal with that right now. Your continuous love and concern have been a great source of strength for me and I am so grateful for you all.

Geri, I hope that you are doing ok and that your daughter is too. Please come by when you can.

Amy, the photo of Ruby was just gorgeous! I am so happy that you are enjoying your time with her so much. Have you made a decision regarding the new business venture? Really happy to read that your Mamo was clear!

Titan, thanks for the update; my eldest just left home and I am missing her terribly. She is due back this weekend and I am so excited...although I am sure she will be busy with friends etc over the weekend and am not sure how much we will see her.

Helen, I didn't know that anything was happening with your DIL...I am sorry if I missed a post about it. How are you all doing? Is there any update? I hope that you are managing and that your son is also doing better.

There always seems to be some challenge or other that we need to deal with. I hope that we will always have each other to lean on.

Wishing you all a peaceful weekend, much love and hugs, Judy x

Hi Everyone,  I've been away for awhile.  I guess living life and trying to focus on things I've neglected for some time.  I've been helping out with some friends who are going through chemo for lymphoma and breast cancer.  I love being there for them, but emotionally, I am spent easily.  Maybe that's why I haven't been back on this forum a lot.

I went camping in the 99-100F heat with my 9 year old at scout camp.  It was hot, but he was so happy that I was there with him.  Then my husband and I went to France for 11 days.  This was the trip he promised me when I finished all my treatments.  It was fabulous.  Way better than I expected and imagined.  I'm glad that I had been working out because we did a Rick Steves tour which required a lot of walking.  I came back for 2 weeks, then took off for a Norwegian fjords cruise with my parents and boys.  I had been wanting to take my parents on a trip.  So, I cashed out a stock I was saving and took them.  They are still healthy and able to do lots of walking.  I'm in good health now.  So we did it!  What a crazy summer, but so worth all the headaches of planning and traveling with 2 seniors and 2 kids in foreign countries.  The funniest part of our trip was on the way back we stopped in Amsterdam for 2 days.  It was during the Gay Pride Festival.  I was so embarrassed for my kids and parents.  They ended up being way cooler than I thought.  So many laughs and memories.

Love to you all.

Hi ladies, just passing through quickly today. Has been quiet here and I hope that you are all ok. We have had a challenging week with my daughter, but she has managed to get through it; I am trying to take it day by day and hold on to the good days.

Hope you all have a good weekend, come by when you can to keep us all posted on each other's news.

Hugs as always, Judy x

Amy, so sorry to hear about your colleague; it really is all around us. I find it very upsetting which I am sure is also connected to my own trauma. No one should have to suffer this disease...I wish her well.

Glad that you are enjoying Ruby so much! And good luck with your new business venture!

We are doing ok. I am learning not to have too many expectations and to deal with each day as it comes. If we have a good day, I try and take advantage of every minute of that day to give myself the strength to get through the more difficult ones.

Hope that you are all doing well. Geri, sending you a hug and hope you are ok.

Hugs to you all as always, Judy x

Hi Ladies, it has been quiet here, I hope that everyone is ok.

Tonight we begin the celebration of the Jewish New Year. I pray for peace all over the world and good health and happiness for all.

Sending you all hugs, please come by when you can. Hugs, Judy xxx

thank you all for asking after me and my daughter - I have just finished catching up..it's been a while.

I am under a huge amount of stress which is part of the reason I haven't been on here.

My dughter's pregnancy continues to be a challenge.  She is currently in the hospital (10 days) with extremely high blood pressure. They are getting it under control, but at 24 1/2 weeks, they have discussed delivering her if her pressure goes up again.  This is not a good thing for the baby - they call this small a baby a micro-preemie, with a high percentage of medical problems.  They have agreed to try to keep the pregnancy going, but she will likely have to remain in the hospital until delivery.  Certainly not what we expected...I feel so bad for her and her husband.  Their one year anniversary is in 3 weeks.

Even worse, my 27 year old niece was just diagnosed with breast cancer, probable metastasis to the spine.  I am sick about this - she went from some back spasms to this in a matter of weeks.  Our whole family is devastated, and I can't even write too much about it without tearing up.  They are still doing the work up, so no firm plan yet.  I haven't told my daughter yet - the cousins are very close and my daughter is already worried that she may be next for breast cancer...and this is before she hears this news.  I pray it doesn't 't send her pressure up again.

I'm sorry I can't write with better news, but I really wanted to thank you all for asking for me in nearly every post - tonight that means so much to me.

Geri, so sorry that the pregnancy is so difficult. I am hoping that the baby can stay in for many more weeks still. I'm sure she is in good hands, please let us know how your niece is doing as well.

Amy, I've never had a well so I can't imagine what you are going through but it sounds difficult. What do you do for water now?

Situation with my son continues to be challenging but I am optimistic, everything will work out.

My update - well problem is still not fixed. Drinking bottled water and trying not to be upset. Should have new well drilled and tested and then the water should be ok again, but I figure all that will take another month (at least).

Business oppty STILL in negotiation. Tense and not fun.

Saw Ruby this week as usual. It was wonderful. It makes every single day/ache/pain/trauma of going thru bc worth it.

Went to see a young man speak last week - his wife was there - only 28 and just finishing up chemo. She looked FABULOUS - had no clue she had on a wig and false eyelashes till she told me.  Geri - I thought of your niece. The young woman lived up near you (New Paltz) actually. Isn't that somewhere in your neck of the woods? She went down to MSK for all her treatments and is going to stay in the city (NYC) for her radiation. She had 8 tumors in one breast.  At 27!  Damn - it was very sad and upsetting. But she had a great attitude. Froze 22 eggs, and is ready to get done with everything and start living her life again.

Everything else going on as usual. I just hate this water problem. It makes me feel like there is bad bacteria on everything in my house. Probably overreacting, but I'm sure you know what I mean. The lab results from the last test came back marked: UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION: DO NOT DRINK!!!  

Yuck!

But we will get through it (eventually). How is everyone else doing?
Love to all
Amy

tomorrow I will do the Strides Walk as I have done for the past 5 years - this year has special meaning as I am walking it "in honor" of my 27 yr old niece with stage 4 metastatic breast.  They have found she is positive for two new familial genes, one of which is ATM, the other I don't recall.  They have only discovered these in the oast 18 months.  They are still not sure how much they increase the chance of breast cancer if you are positive for the gene, but apparently it is highly unusual for both the genes to be positive, as it is for my niece, which they believe is the reason she has stage 4 so young.  They have begun treatment by shutting down the estrogen which is feeding the tumors.  So far, at least on the outside, she is amazingly positive.  Please keep her in your prayers.

As for my daughter, she enters her 28th week on Monday and her pressure has been stable for the past 10 days.  They still plan to keep her in the hospital until delivery, which under the very best of circumstances will be at 37 weeks, so I'm just hoping her mental health hold uo!

Amy - New Paltz is only about 30 min from me - they harvested 10 eggs from my niece also, to keep that option open.  Let's hope both these young women get to use those eggs to raise beautiful babies!

Is your water problem any better? How scary!

Helen- I hope your son's medical conditions are improving.

Judy - I hope your daughter (and you) are doing better.

Love to all I haven't me tinned by name...I think of you all often

Geri 

Another week has passed, and not only has our water problem not been resolved, but now our neighbor (2 houses away) has failed the bacteria test as well. So now we are not sure if getting a new well drilled will solve our problem. We have a permit to do the new well and that should start soon, but now we are unsure about how to proceed. Might get the Dept of Health involved (they have been involved already, but even moreso now). I am trying not to think about it, but it does bother me.

The business is still up in the air. I think we should know something definitive this week, but I have said that for months. At this point, I don't care what happens, I just want closure one way or another!

Everything else is fine here. And I know those two things are small compared to serious health problems, so I am not letting myself get too upset. They just sort of hover in the back of my mind.

I hope all are well. Geri - how is your daughter? I bet she is tired of the hospital by this point!   I know of someone who has stage IV bc in her bones and the anti estrogenics are holding it in bay very well so far. I hope that is the case for your niece as well.

And Judy I hope London was an enjoyable getaway. You sure are a better flyer than I am. I really hate long flights.

Love to all

Amy