anyone starting chemo in Nov 2005

Good to hear from you, Margerie! You probably don't want to lose any weight before the DIEP, because your PS needs some "fat" for the surgery. That flat tummy will make you want to even up, believe me. Are you all packed and ready to go?

What do you mean about perhaps electing another year of Herceptin? Is that an option now? Have you heard something?

I just got home from Herceptin #33 and a strange thing happened. I think I mentioned that I have been feeling exceedingly tired and a bit dizzy after treatment for the past three or so weeks. Well, they weighed me today and I was so happy because I got to show off my different poundage and then they all conferred like crazy and said they had to change my dosage and that they would have had to change it by 10 mg even with only a 4 pound difference. And I am down ten. Now I wonder if maybe I was getting too high a dose these past weeks since they hadn't weighed me in a month or so. I think now they will weigh me each time. I just wonder if that's why I've been feeling weird after treatments lately. I'll ask my onc. when I see her next week.

Other than that it's been raining here for most of the day. That's okay, I feel like napping again.

Hugs to all,

Anna

I know you all get sick of my weight....But I feel so close to you all and I just want to share the good news while it last. I lost 2.2 this week!!!!!

I think I will be in much smaller clothes by Christmas. And with the new grandson on his way, I can take a few pictures along my journey.

I will be getting smaller, and he will be getting bigger.

I'm getting nervous about seeing the PS on Friday. How long do the expander's stay in? I know they hurt, but I'm so ready.

I want you all to know I'm praying for us all as we take the steps back to our new normal.

My Ativan is starting to work, so I need to close for now. Love to each of you.

Oh Anna, I didn't mean to scare you. After a primary (these stats were from my onc and refer to aggressive triple +) is diagnosed, 50% of the total recurrences are found within the first year and 85% of the total recurrences will happen within 2 years. That doesn't mean 50% or 85% of us will get a recurrence. I think my personal risk is under 20% lifetime with all this treatment I am doing. It just means the first 2 years out are the most dangerous for us in terms of getting a recurrence, then the risk drops significantly after 2 years, as 85% of all recurrences happen within the first 2 years.

Am I making sense now? Anyway, to me the herceptin is good insurance. Maybe Tykerb will come into play for early stage and we can take that instead in an adjuvant setting. They are also finding herceptin helps her2- gals that have some other protein HRG. Can't they hurry that stuff up?

oh Anna- thank you!

This is so hard sometimes, and to know I will be happy with the outcome (as opposed to my mastectomy and ooph) makes it sweeter. I hope to finish stage II by the end of the year and get tatoos to ring in 2007!!

Yes, I am glad I am almost a year from diagnosis, another year under my belt will feel good too. I really believe in 5 years they will be very close to a cure, if they don't have one sooner.

OK: Tues 7:30 am Pacific time- let those good thoughts rip!

I will update as soon as I can- or have my sis fill in!

Good luck with your tatoos. I hear they fade- so pick a nice bright color!

Take care,

Margerie

Just a quick hello to all....
I'm up late again because I am writing my thank you notes to the rads staff, because I AM DONE WITH RADS!!!!!!!!!!

I got all weepy to my rads onc. because I LOVE her, and openly told her how wonderful she has been.

They showered Daniel with little gifts-they are too sweet.
I made them a hot-dog cake with fries, and mini hamburger cookies!
Good night,
PS-Margerie, I will be saying a prayer for you!
PPS-ML, WAY TO GO!!!! I am down a little over a pound from last Thursday at onco. visit, but as I type this, I am basically pouring Reese's Pieces into my mouth! I'm so weird that way.
Love and prayers, Deb

Congratulations, Debbie!

Margerie, you are on the calendar. I'll be thinking of you all next week. I figure you'll be home (at your sister's) by Saturday, right?

Love, Anna

Margerie, my prayers will be with you. ((hugs))

Debbie, WooooooHoooooo!!!!! Rads is over I'm so happy for you. BTW, where is the package???? Have you heard?

Kim, so glad to hear happy in your post! Have fun with Mickey There is nothing like the small things in life.

Anna- How is everything going with the health of your SIL ?

Odlays- I love your signature .


Now an update on my visit to the PS today. He said that I could take some more time to have the reconstruction/reduction done.

I told him that I wanted to lose the 100 lbs, and he said that to make sure my girls are even, it would be better to wait till about the weight of 150. So that is my goal for now. 132 later.

Now it is all up to me. I don't want to lose to fast, it's not healthy. So slow and steady. The weight didn't all come on in a day. So it won't come off in a day.

I just have to enjoy the journey.

Anna, that is wonderful that your SIL is home. I hope your daughter can take it easy and not forget to take care of herself also. I am sure she can't wait for you all to visit. Who cares about the dust. Go out and enjoy the sunshine.

hugs to all,
Kim

Thank you sisters for being there for me, on yet another journey. I really want new girls. But I know I'll be better off to wait.

I'll see if I can get a picture up of my PC.



What do you all think? He is easy on the eyes for sure. And was very understanding. He sat and explained everything. He did say he could tell I had done my homework. I was very in control of what I wanted and how I wanted it to turn out.

I can't help think that I may have lost a breast. But I still have balls. Sorry if I offended anyone. But it is how I feel. LOL

Well, I'm off ladies. My plastic surgeon is cute, but I think Mary Lou's will give him a run for his money. Maybe I will take a quick pic and email it later. And we can have a vote!

I'll update you when I can move my arms. Bringing the laptop.

Hope you all have a wonderful week,

Margerie

Thanks girls

Margerie, my prayers are with you today. (((gentle hugs ))))

Here is a test to take when you have the chance. I got 47... It's fun!






Dr Phil's Test: Here you go. Try this!

Below is Dr Phil's test. (Dr. Phil scored 55; he did this test on Oprah - she got a 38.) Some folks pay a lot of money to find this stuff out!

Read on, this is very interesting!

Don't be overly sensitive! The following is pretty accurate and it only takes 2 minutes. Take this test for yourself and send it to your friends.

The person who sent it placed their score in the e-mail subject box. Please do the same before forwarding to your friends (send it back to the person who Sent it to you.) Don't peek, but begin the test as you scroll down and answer.

Answers are for who you are now...... not who you were in the past. Have pen or pencil and paper ready. This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today .
It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and prospective employees. It's only 10 Simple questions, so...grab a pencil and paper,
keeping track of your letter answers to each question.

Make sure to change the subject of the e-mail to read YOUR total. When you are finished, forward this to friends/family, and also send it to the person who sent this to you. Make sure to put YOUR
score in the subject box.

Ready??

Begin...

1. When do you feel your best?
a) in the morning
b) during the afternoon &and early evening
c) late at night

2. You usually walk. .
a) fairly fast, with long steps
b) fairly fast, with little steps
c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
d) less fast, head down
e) very slowly

3. When talking to people you..
a) stand with your arms folded
b) have your hands clasped
c) have one or both your hands on your hips
d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
e) play with your ear, ! touch your chin, or smooth your hair

4. When relaxing, you sit with..
a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
b) your legs crossed
c) your legs stretched out or straight
d) one leg curled under you

5. When something really amuses you, you react with...
a) big appreciated laugh
b) a laugh, but not a loud one
c) a quiet chuckle
d) a sheepish smile

6. When you go to a party or social gathering you..
a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed

7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted.......
a) welcome the break
b) feel extremely irritated
c) vary between these two extremes

8. Which of the following colors do you like most?
a) Red or orange
b) black
c) yellow or light blue
d) green
e) dark blue or purple
f) white
g) brown or gray

9 . When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are..
a) stretched out on your back
b) stretched out face down on your stomach
c) on your side, slightly curled
d) with your head on one arm
e) with your head under the covers

10. You often dream that you are...
a) falling
b) fighting or struggling
c) searching for something or somebody
d) flying or floating
e) you usually have dreamless sleep
f) your dreams are always pleasant

POINTS:
1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1
9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1
10. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.

OVER 60 POINTS : Others see you as someone they should "handle with care." You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant.. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like
you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS : Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and
adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company
because of the excitement! you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS : Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone
who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust In your friends, but equally that it takes yo u a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would! really surprise them if you ever did something
impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions & who doesn't want to get involved with
anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. So me people think you're boring. Only those who know you well know that you aren't.

Now forward this to others, and put your score in the subject box of your e-mail, like this:
"Dr.Phil's Test, I'm a 41 "

Just wanted to report my loss. It was another .8 And it was a day early and not the same scales. So I was very happy. Put me at 18 loss so far

I will take a picture at my 10% loss. That's 22 lbs gone.

Then I look forward to "ONDERLAND"...below 200 lbs. Each step gets me closer and closer to my surgery. Plus a healthy lifestyle.

I really need to get busy and clean. We are having Michael's 50th birthday party on Sat. My oldest son will come in with family on Fri from NOVA.

Lots of family out of state. I will take some pictures

(((HUGS)))
ML

Please add your hair picture. Here goes mine.

What do you think of my curls. I'm trying to get used to them.

I wish my face would look thinner and I would be young


Oh well I'm happy and alive. That's what really matters at the end of the day.

How wonderful to hear Margerie is doing well! You have made my day, Chris. Please tell her I am thinking of her and can't wait to hear more.

Mary Lou, you are one beautiful woman! What a dear sweet face! I agree, you need to practice taking your own picture (who am I to say that anyway, you should see how mine turn out!), but please don't try to hide anything that's there. Your kindness and gentle spirit shine right through.

Hugs to all,

Anna

Today was the one-year anniversary of my mega surgery (bilateral mastectomy & reconstruction).

I didn't think it would affect me, but I'm a sad one tonight.

Anna