anyone starting chemo in Nov 2005

I have been out for a while, only on paper, never in my thoughts.

Odalys, I am so happy to hear your good results.

Kim, I have never and will never stop praying for you. With love,

Anna

Anna, I hope your husband stays safe and home before you know it. I am glad the dog is with you to keep you company. Try and have fun on the quilt retreat.

love,
Kim

Kim, I went back and read your long post. I feel so bad for you. I hate that you have to go through all of this for so long.

Remember this sisterhood is with you all the way.
PRAYERS SENT YOUR WAY

Hi dear sisters,

Wow...I just noticed it's been a week since I posted anything on this thread. That is a new record for chatty me. You all continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. I’ve been weaning off the Effexor and so far not bad at all. I’m so happy to see one more drug off my list. Things have gotten a little hectic at work and at home. At work, I'm being recruiting for three different positions at the same time. The good news is that they are all promotions! I’m stressing because I am not sure which one to take yet. For the first time in years, I’m stressing over a good outcome. (okay, enough bragging) At home, things are great. Steven has me running around between soccer games and baseball practices. DH and I are closer than ever. He has been working on the weekends so I have to be "entertainment coordinator" for Steven in between my own chores so I don’t have much time to chat online.

BTW – I started taking flaxseed supplements as they have been linked to a lower recurrence of ER/PR + bc. For those of you who are HER2 +, ask your doctor about Fish oil. My onc said it’s been linked to preventing mets.

Anna – I hope your DH comes home soon. How was your retreat? Sounds like the new puppy is keeping you happily busy these days.

Kim – Hope you are feeling better. There was a report on GMA this AM of a preacher who attributes his brain and lung cancer disappearance to prayer. Even the doctors are saying they can’t explain how his cancers are all gone. That’s a true miracle! I believe we are surrounded by miracles every day. So I will never stop praying for you.

Margerie – How is the chemo brain these days? I think the home improvement projects are keeping you busy too. How long do you usually stay at the summer home? You are so lucky to be able to really get away every summer. It sounds like so much fun.

Debbie – How is your finger? Are you moved yet? I thought about you the other day, cause I was telling my sister about the “cancer sucks” slogan. She called me in tears because a patient came into the office (she works at a dentist office) flaunting a t-shirt with the slogan “stupid causes cancer”. Poor DS…her friend died of bc about a year before I was diagnosed. She was so upset about the woman’s insensitivity she felt like choking her. Gosh… I didn’t know what to say. This bc journey sure takes it’s toll on our loved ones too.

MaryLou - I tried to find you on myspace but couldn't. I'm not sure what happened. I'll try another time when I have more time. Glad to see things are moving along for you. How is the baby?

Lat56 – Hope you are doing well, the weather has gotten better for you, and your computer is not still giving you problems.

Hey, I wondered what happened to all the other ladies that started this journey with us? I see some of them are still around just on other threads. I wonder why they dropped off from this group? OK, must go back to work now. Have a great week everyone.

Love and hugs to all my sisters!!!!

I posted this to the main board. I wanted to share here.

History of breast cancer


Breast cancer may be one of the oldest known forms of cancer tumors in humans. The oldest description of cancer (although the term cancer was not used) was discovered in Egypt and dates back to approximately 1600 BC.

The Edwin Smith Papyrus describes 8 cases of tumors or ulcers of the breast that were treated by cauterization, with a tool called "the fire drill." The writing says about the disease, "There is no treatment." At least one of the described cases is male.

For centuries, physicians described similar cases in their practises, with the same sad conclusion. It wasn't until doctors achieved greater understanding of the circulatory system in the 17th century that they could establish a link between breast cancer and the lymph nodes in the armpit.

The French surgeon Jean Louis Petit (1674-1750) and later the Scottish surgeon Benjamin Bell (1749-1806) were the first to remove the lymph nodes, breast tissue, and underlying chest muscle. Their successful work was carried on by William Stewart Halsted who started performing mastectomies in 1882.

He became known for his Halsted radical mastectomy, a surgical procedure that remained popular up to the 1970s.

Anna,

You will probably not believe me, but spring has arrived here- it has been mid-70's all week and this weekend it is supposed to hit 80 so we are planning on taking the boat out.

Of course, now I have to recheck all the kids wardrobes- what have they outgrown already?

I am doing well, hernia repair still tight (Make a note to yourselves- never get a hernia!) I have had 2 of the 3 vaccinations for Her2 and still doing well on herceptin (only 15 more to go, but who is counting?)

Thinking of you all and wondering how you are doing Kim. My friend got his port yesterday and his first chemo is today. 6 hours- he insists going alone. He is planning on flying to a business meeting afterwards- such a stubborn man. His wife is so patient- I think I would have clobbered him over the head awhile ago. But everyone handles it their own way.

Hope you are all chins up!

Margerie

LAT56, so good to hear from you! I hope you are well.

Is it your birthday, Margerie? If so, happy happy happy! I am glad you are having such nice weather. It makes me hopeful we might get some of that here one day. Actually, today they cancelled school throughout our region, but right here we have had only teeny tiny non-sticking flakes. We're supposed to get 3-5 inches, but I hope not. If we do, I'll be cornered since I don't drive on snow. (WIMP!)

Margerie, I don't think you had any choice in the hernia acquisition. I hope you feel looser soon. I remember tight from after the DIEP. At first I was afraid I'd rip right open if I stood up straight.

Love to all, Anna

Hi ladies,
Anna - Thanks for bumping us up. Glad your doggie is getting the hang of things. Yes, I think Spring is around the corner for the rest of the country. Not for us, we skipped Spring and went into Summer. It's been in the 80's. Next week it's Steven's birthday and we're having his soccer team and school friends over for a pool party. I love this time of the year!

Margerie - I hope you had a nice birthday and got pampered on such a special day. Sorry to hear about the hernia troubles.

Lat56 - Glad you checked in. Wow, it's been a long winter for you. Any signs of Spring yet?

Kim - I hope you are feeling better.

Update - I've been trying to wean off the Effexor and it's not that easy. After the second day of not taking it, I become very light headed and dizzy and by the third day feel overwhelmed with emotions. I start feeling those feelings of doom and gloom again. It's no fun at all.

Well, I resigned my current position yesterday. It was not an easy decision since they have been so good to me throughout this whole bc journey. But, you may remember one of my earlier posts, I was angry at God because I had to turn down a position at a teaching hospital (I waited 10 years to get) because of bc. God did have better plans for me. As it turns out, the same teaching hospital has expanded their services and bought a smaller and more manageable hospital close to my home and they have recruited me to be their Assistant Administrator over the Health Information Services. This means I would be responsible for making sure patients have access to their medical information (both manual and electronic). I've been in this field for over 20 years but now I can honestly say I truly understand the importance of having such information available for care. The best part is that I can get all my continued care there, most of it for free. God did know what He was doing!!! Daaaaah...

I may be spending less time on these boards due to all that is going on but know that I continue to pray and think of everyone every day. Take care dear friends.

Love and hugs,

Yeah- I am happy you are doing well Kim. And I hope you an get a treatmetn break in the near future.

I am still plugging along- trying to get my fat butt in gear- hiking everyday, golfing with a friend today. Thanks to my ps, the side of my butt is gone, but the rest of it is still there- LOL. Of course I am in high spirits at my herceptin visit and think my onc wants to just come in and chat and he gives me speech that we need to do a PET to get a "clean scan" to see where we are in treatment and we need to order new tumor markers, we did this in Jan and they were fine, but we need a new set to be sure. Boy did I want to clobber him. I know the test is just that- but now I have this hanging over my head until May. OK- I know I could have bigger problems, but whe they diagnose someone with cancer, they should enroll them in a course of test psychology. OK I am done venting- hopefully it won't crop up in my head again for 8 more weeks. He said "there is nothing to be nervous about, this is routine." If only it were that easy!

Hope you all are enjoying your weather (80 degree or otherwise Kim!) I just bought a new bathing suit- I have 2 boobs this summer- yeah!

Love to all on your adventures,

Marge

Kim, I am glad you had a good week and hope this week is even better!

Odalys, congratulations on the new job! It sounds just perfect.

Margerie, you are so active. Sometimes I wish my oncologist would order a PET scan for me. It would be nice to have a clean bill of health and not to be in the constant wondering mode, but then I guess after a few weeks or months I would go back into worrying at the first new pain or discomfort. That's what I find hardest now: each new little thing has me second guessing.

Also, it's hard not to be in treatment mode. No more Herceptin, no Tamoxifen or AI. Just little me....

Yes, my husband is home and almost over his jet lag and travel weariness.

We are in the midst of a nasty snowstorm and I have had lots and lots of laughs today walking in the 5 inches of snow with my little 8-inch tall dog. All she can do is hop along and the snow is so light and fluffy that she kicks it up all around. Then she tries to bite the flying snow. This energizes her and makes her go faster, so we end up flying along with her pulling me and me laughing so hard I almost wet my pants.

Then we come in and it takes me a quarter of an hour to pull the clumps of snow off her little legs. Needless to say, she sleeps quite hard between our outings.

Debbie, congratulations on the nips! You must be so busy selling your house. I hope it goes well.

Mary Lou, I'm missing you. I imagine you are busy with your new grandchild.

Love to all my sisters, Anna

Anna, what do you mean when you say no sliding? LOL, I have no clue.

I do mark the reminder box at the bottom of the page so I can find the last post I made on our page. That's why I changed the title to Anna. It has been beautiful today....I have cleaned all day. Kim , glad things are going well for you.

And hugs to all my sisters. How many of us are back to work? I just do 2 days a week. I'm on disability still. But I can make up to $950.00 per month and still get a check.

I felt guilty at first, but got over it. It's my money anyway.

Love to you all.....ML

Odalys- I can just picture Stephen's party. I just love the kids parties- they think it is the best day in the world. My next production is DD's 4th b-day in May. She requested a teddy bear tea party. I think I will make teddy shaped sandwiches, have punch/tea and have a little table for the teddies to sit. Anyway, too cute.

I am doing well. I guess if my biggest complaint is my insomnia and crappy nails- I am a lucky dog. My friend is doing well with his chemo. But on top of the usual chemo side effects, since the chemo is targeted to his colon, it is very painful in the gut for a few days.

We went up skiing again last weekend and it was wonderful. I got a bit overwhelmed tonight after dinner- too much going on. I need a chill pill sometimes. I know all that is weighing on me is contributing. My poor DD- I burnt her marshmellows for the rice crispy treats and she didn't understand why. Maybe 2 ativan for me tonight! WHo knew the after is sometimes harder than the during?

Hope you are all well. And if indeed Kay is an angel, I am glad to have known her.

Peace to all,

Margerie

Mary Lou, when I looked for our group we were close to the end of the list, just about to slide onto page 2...

I agree about the crappy nails, Margerie. I have to keep mine cut very very short so they don't split and get caught on everything. Even so, they manage to split and get caught on everything.

So I'm not the only one who can't sleep through the night. What is this all about, anyway?

I remember the birthday parties. My daughter always wanted an all-day party with ice or roller skating, pizza parlor and slumber party. I still have some of the videos I made of those wild little girls getting all dressed up and singing Motown.

No, hubs likes this little doggie, too. She's such a bundle of pure love. But man, has she changed my life! I don't have any time for myself anymore. Maybe things will even out eventually. Hopefully. This is almost like having a baby!

I too am wondering about Kay. I keep telling myself she's out there traveling like she was hoping to do.

Happy spring!

Love, Anna

I have heard that Nioxin is very good. I haven't ever heard of Biotin. Is it a supplement? I need to go out and get some pronto. Can't stand these nails!

Anna

Anna - Biotin is a supplement. You can find it at your local pharmacy. I'm hoping it will improve my nails, they brake so easily. I haven't been able to grow them out.

Kim - glad to hear you are not experiencing any SE's. I really hope these drugs will kick cancer's butt! I'll be glad to show you how to upload pictures. I'll dig up the instructions and will PM them to you. Yes, it's very sad about Elizabeth Edwards. It must be extra hard to face this disease in the public eye. She was smiling at the press conference but I bet she was crying inside.