anyone starting chemo in Nov 2005

Oh Anna,

You sound like me, Ms. Stick in the Mud/Homebody. I can imagine it seems daunting. Just pull out a piece of paper and write out all the pros and cons. Pros- great fun, adventure, scenery, history, memories, food, wine. You are on assignment to take some fabulous pictures for us!

And you might just have to buy some new luggage/travel clothes/toiletries to get yourself in the mood. Roll up your clothes, bring some Woolite and you won't have to pack as much. Have you ever heard of Weekender clothes? They are made for travel- comfy, cute, no wrinkle, easy to mix and match.

Anyway, I hope your trip is more fun than not. Send your oncologist a postcard!

OMG, call me blown out of my mind! I just opened a letter from my oncologist informing me that she is closing her practice on May 15th, that she won't be keeping appointments after that, that she won't be on call after that, that we can pick up our files before that and that a practice in Fairfax (where she is) is willing to pick up her patients.

I had an appointment with her on May 17th and we had set up a system whereby I would get my bloodchecks done in France and have the results faxed to her, etc., etc.

Out of my mind is what I am! I can't go to just anybody in Fairfax. I went there because of her; it's 20 miles from us and we have to take the Wasington beltway to get there (horrendous). Now I will have to find someone closer who is willing to see me on such short notice. How do I do that? I just can't believe this.

I'm sorry, there all of you were being so sweet and supportive and I can't even answer you I'm so upset.

BTW, the blood from foot went beautifully. The hospital I had to go to is really nice and everyone was very friendly. Debbie, I get blood taken from my foot because I am now portless and had bilateral (mast. and nodes) and am faithfully doing lymphedema prevention (manual drainage massage, compression garments when flying, the whole nine yards).

I'll get through this. Hey, we have all been through worse, right? I have so much to be thankful for. This could have happened last year when I was halfway through my chemo, boy, that would have been so bad.

Love to my sisters, A.

Oh Anna, that really sucks. I'm really sorry. We have so much faith in our docs-to be yanked away from them would be tough.

Just a quickie....
go to nytimes.com, I'm in the health section! There is a quote from me at the end of the story, but a picture of us at the beginning! Wheee!!!!!
Love and prayers, Deb

Here is the link to the NY Times article. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/29/health...UALvT3lZ7VDiJvg

Finally, chemo brain awareness. Sure hope they come up with something soon. It does get better but I do find myself throwing away important papers and not even remembering I did it. Just the other day, I threw away a check we had received from our insurance company for roof repairs. It was a rather large check. Thank God I found it after digging through the garbage. I also threw away our ATM cards...and don't even remember when I did that!
Oh well...small price to pay to be cancer free but I am worried because my Grandma died of Alzheimers.

BTW - I am making a special something to send to all of you. It should be ready in a week or so. I have everyone's address except Deb's new address. Deb can you PM your new address so I can make sure to send you a gift too.

Anna - sorry to hear about the doc. I hope you find a new one soon. Remember, everything happens for a reason...

MaryLou - I am worried about you; haven't heard from you since the shooting. How are you doing?

Kim - great news! Glad to hear the markers are decreasing. Will continue to lift you in prayer.

Lat56 - hope winter is leaving you soon.

Margerie - I wish you lived close by so we could go shopping, shopping, shopping!!!

Love,

Thank you, my sisters, for reminding me that things happen for a reason. I just talked to one of my chemo nurses, imagine how blown over they are with just 7 days notice that they are out of a job! Anyway, she gave me a very good suggestion, namely, an oncologist in the next building over. She is interviewing for a job there herself and told me that doctor does only breast cancer and that everyone says she is really really good. Who knows....

Debbie, you will laugh when you hear this. My hubs always checks the NYT when he first logs on to his computer in the morning, and this morning he printed out the chemo brain article and I read it and we discussed it and I didn't even realize that the Debbie they mentioned was YOU! That was a really good article and I will have to bring it out to remind that hubs that I have a valid excuse for forgetting silly and important things, always non-discriminatingly.

Kim, I continue to pray for negative scans and low numbers. I am still picturing you with those delightful little ones. I bet it's nice to be able to have them play outside now.

What a gorgeous day today and I am thankful that this wicked journey put me on a spiritual path I might not have embarked upon under different, less frightening circumstances.

Also, it has put all of you in my life and I treasure your voices and just knowing that you are out there. I can't believe what we have been through. I really can't.

Love, Anna

Kim - I'll be thinking of you this week. Hope all goes well.
Love,

Hi ladies,
Anna-your story is exactly the reason I adore you so much. That just cracked me up!

Time for bed. It's been such an exciting day, and I am beat. We worked really hard to pack up the basement today. Moving day is in about 3 weeks!

Thinking of you all (for assorted reasons!).
Love and prayers, Deb

Thanks everyone. Chemo went well yesterday, very smooth. My scans are on Friday and I will get the results on Tuesday when I see Dr. Michaelson.

My onc's assistant just called and my PET/CT "looks good". She knew I was nervously waiting at home, doc was with a patient and she asked if she could just call me and tell me that. LOL- I told her I was running out of house to clean.

I am so happy I could cry.

I am putting all of my mental energies into routing for good scans for Kim. Boy, it is hard to "relax" during the wait before the scan table. I will be having surgery Monday, and probably won't be home to check here until Wed. Best wishes Kim for good results!

Ok the scans are over, now just have to wait for the results. So nerve-wracking. We left here 6:30am and got to center around 8. Boy did the tech mess up my arm. I should be black and blue by tomorrow. The PET/CAT was 3 hours start to finish and then I went for the head MRI. That only took 20 minutes. Got out of there around 1:30. Felt light headed from not eating so me and Anthony went and had a nice lunch before heading home. Good thing the kids will keep me busy this weekend to not think about results.
Margerie, I am so happy for you. That is such wonderful news. I hope and pray my news is just as good. I will keep you all updated.
Anna, I hope you hubby has a safe trip.

Kim

Margerie - I hope all went well today and you are not in pain. Sending you some gentle hugs.

Kim - you so deserve good news.

Mary Lou, Anna, Debbie, Lat56 - hoping you are all doing good.

Surprise Update...I went to the post office on Saturday to mail out the surprise only to find out I have to make some modifications in order to mail them out. I will fill you in afterwards cause I don't want to spoil the surprise. Bummer... I was really hoping to have mailed it out by today. Please bare with me a few more days and I promise I will mail them out ASAP.

Well, got to go now. It's late and I still have to put Steven to bed and get things ready for tomorrow morning.

Pleasant dreams dear sisters. Love and Hugs to everyone.

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!! Three cheers for Kim!! I was so hoping for good news for you honey!! Tell your hubby not to worry, you are on a new trend now! I am so happy for you and your family- you made my day!

Yes, Kim, thank you for filling us with that wonderful news. I am so happy for you! Prayer works. I am now praying that those last spots shrivel up and disappear. Your news has put a huge smile on my face.

Love, Anna

Oh Kim, that is just the most fantastic news EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am thrilled for you!!! I just cheered out loud, and my son is just dying to know/understand why I am so pleased!

Gotta get dinner out on table. I miss my sisters!
Love and prayers, Deb
PS-prayers sure do work.

Hi all...



I also want to light a candle in memory of all the sisters who have lost the fight, as well as all the special Mom's, and Grandama's who are not with us today but whose love will always be in our hearts.



Have a great day everyone. (((((hugs)))))