2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

Hello everyone:
Cindy: I don't blame you. The sooner you start treatment the sooner it is over. Gosh, you are brave and I'm so proud of your attitude and that you are a friend.

Debbie: how nice to be in the company of NED again. That scar tissue is not fun.

Amy: I really hope you are going to make it in August. I am looking forward to meeting you very much.

Ravdeb: I think I've read that some thyroid conditions also produce itching as a symptom so if it is the source of your problems, maybe the itching is part of the overall throid problem. Just a thought.

Graycie: Hi!!!

Michelle: I've been thinking of coloring my hair. Someone has called me "old" and I don't think I like it. My only hesitation is that once started down the path of coloring, I'd have to keep doing it.

Rosemarie: nice to have those Mother's Day things. My mother-in-law sent me a card even though I do not have any kids. She must be thinking of the good job I'm doing taking care of her kid . . . my husband!! lol

Well, I have to run. Sorry I couldn't comment to everyone. Hope you are all doing well and I'm happy to read about all your adventures. I'll be back,
Mary

OK Laura, lol
I'm not that bored.

Hi,

having a busy week readjusting the household to DH. It is great to have him back but there is always a period of shift and change til we all settle in to our comfort zones.

Fought off another cold this week. feeling better today.

DD had Honours night last night. Proud Mama here.



I am still in shock about you Cindy...did you post about your chemo combo yet? Did you have alternatives or is this pretty standard for second BC? I know I could face chemo again but it would be so disheartening. Your DH post was so funny he must be good to keep your spirits high. We lost our innocence with the first diagnosis so the second one is probably just not as shocking, is it????

Ravdeb, glad you checked out well and I hope your thyroid meds do the trick for your fatigue. I have some very tired days but probably just as many high energy days so in balance I can do pretty much what I did before. Thank goodness. Did you manage to get an MRI scheduled?

Paula, how are YOU? I am starting to wonder...

Be careful Laura. I hope you have a 5 point seatbelt and airbags and all the safety features. You don't seem like much of a risk taker I am surprised you like to drive fast. My ex-husband was a very avid car person. In his new life he races porsche and Audis I think. In our old life he simply terrified me with high speed.

Good luck Tracey with your job seeking. Hope they see your organizational skills and positive thinking and hire you.

My summer schedule has been finalized and I do have the weekend in August off. Now I must book. Tracey Seattle are you still coming?

Linny I have been sad to read about your sister and her troubles. You must feel so helpless for her. I hope the antidepressants lift her mood. It would be so hard to lose the ability to speak and move freely.

Graycie, what is new with you?

Michelle ,enjoy your tidy, clean, "new" house. You have no pressure, sit tight til you get your price.

Fists up!

MaryAnne - YES! I am coming, hope you still want me for a "Roomie"! Do you want to book the room or do you want me to? Either way works fine for me.

I am going to Vegas next week, so I plan to book my plane fare after I get back (need to make sure I don't gamble all my money away).

Amy - you have to come, we would not be complete if you aren't there.... **sniff** please?

Debbie - I am so glad all is good with you.

Cindy - I am still amazed at your strength and courage. You go girl! And YES we want you to be with us in Aug so get that chemo done with! We will all CELEBRATE with you!

I'm getting worried about Paula too.... Paula, where are you?

The speech went just fine, but I sure didn't follow my outline.... There were about 50 people there, all employees of the American Cancer Society. Three of them I have worked with on events that I have volunteered for. There were also a couple of higher level Cancer Society "muckity mucks" there. I talked about my diagnosis & treatment. I talked about our little group and how comforting it was to go thru treatment with all of you beside me. I talked about Cindy and V with their recuurence and I talked about my sweet friend Emily and Amy and Paula in regards to young women that are diagnosed with BC and the challenges that they face as a result.

The one thing I forgot to tell them that I am so BUMMED about is I wanted them to know that we are going to get to meet in August. I almost went running back into the meeting to interrupt and tell them that I forgot something!!!

Thanks for the good thoughts, I knew that you were all there with me.

The phone interview went VERY well!!! The manager was very nice and I think I did a good job of talking about my experience. She said that she wants me to come in for an "In Person" interview hopefully this week, but maybe not until next week. I was hoping for a call or an email this afternoon to schedule it, but it hasn't happened. Now I am worried that maybe she didn't like me as much as I think she did!

Well, sister elephants, I have to run off to another meeting.....

Love you all!

One more thing...

RoseMarie -

Quote:

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Laura - no way are you chicken sh**, you drive a race car!!

---

Ya know...thanks...I never thought of it like that! I'm a chicken sh** at the weirdest things! LOL

Oh - what lovely pictures! Laura - I am insanely jealous of your holiday!Do you spend much time out of the resort? My brother just came back from the Red Sea , and they left the resort to go to the great Pyramids and to go to a nearby town but that was it.
MaryAnne - doesnt she look like you! How ols is she - is she graduating High School or Uni??
Cindy - great to see you!! You are facing this in the way that i hope i would be able to ( but not sure if i could!) I am immensly (sp) and i am very proud to have you as a friend.
Laura - get that roll cage in! Rogers rally cars used to scare me rigid - and they had the 5 point harnesses, the roll cage And the plumber in fire extinguishers! In fact it used to scare me to see him rallying , never mind sit next to him! Luckily i never had to sit next to him in a rally - I had no licence , no fireproof overalls and gloves no licence, and i cant navigate without turning the map upside down - which by all accounts just isnt fast enough!!
Tracey - sounded like you did a fab job - rather you than me girl!!
Booked Catherines birthday party yesterday - they are going rollerdiscoing. Yet agin i think i will hold the bags on the sidelines - i am that stiff that if , no sorry when , i fell over i dont think i could get up again!!
Paula - hope you are doing OK - and Kelly ,floating on that pool

Debbie

Good Morning My sisters,

The showings are continuing, another one yesterday #7 in 9 days of listing. We had to turn down a showing on Tuesday as my dh was sleeping and I could not call him. We saw our agent last night as we went to look at a bungalow that was for sale. He gave us some feedback on a few of the showings that agents responded to and it was things that we cannot change like the fact that we are on a major roadway and our steep stairs. One couple that came the guy was 6’5” and they said he had problems going up the stairs, too funny.LOL. The one showing that cancelled may still come back as he spoke to the agent, so maybe???

We had someone book an appt yesterday for 4-5:00 p.m., called and woke my dh up with my cellphone that he had by the bed. The people showed up 2 hours early with the agent, like OMG, dh had literally rolled out of bed after coming off night shift and had to entertain the dogs out in the backyard while the lady looked around. She commented that we had a gorgeous back lot and said that her husband trains shepherds and they like dogs but cant have them in the city with such small lots.

The house we saw yesterday we were not wowed by it and to top it off the lady who owes the house was sitting on the couch as we walked around looking at it with our agent, so awkward. The people behind this house also had their music cranked which is not a good sign of good neighbours!

We are going to look at two more homes tonight. This is tiring to say the least….

I have been sleeping really well the past two nights, told my dh I needed to paint something everynight before I go to bed….that’s what I have been doing the past two nights painting the basement floor but now its done!

Deb – patience is not my middle name, I want the house sold yesterday, haa haaJ
So so happy that your appt went well and you are dancing with NED!! I really hope that the meds help your fatigue too.

Debbie444 – also happy for you too my dear sister, another NED lady, woo hoo…
Sounds like Mark really tired himself out at camp and had a lot of fun doing it too.

Rosemarie – did you end up booking your hotel yet? The whole family is coming to Chicago, am I right?

Tahdah – you are making me hungry talking about popcorn, that’s my favourite at the movie theatre, yummy…

Laura – glad to hear that the basement is just about done. Love your vacation pictures. You look so relaxed in the hammock. Why do you call your GTO a goat? Is that a pet name? Just curious…

Amy – I read that article “Why Me”, it is so well written, thankyou. Really hope that you can make the get together in August, please try your very best to make it!

Tracyseattle – Glad to hear that your speech went well, its too bad that you didn’t remember to mention that our group is getting together in August. I am glad that I booked my flight early as surely the prices will be higher now, haven’t checked them to see?

Cindy – you are so right about that quote, I say get busy living as we tend to do well on most days here. I love your avtar. We would recognize you in August just by your beautiful smile. Really hope you can make it! I would be going crazy waiting for chemo to start too.

Gracyie – good luck on your job prospect. I had a recruiter call me on Tuesday wanting me to run a payroll department of 25 staff and I’m thinking do I want that stress in my life now, NOT! It did feel good though that someone has passed on your name for recommendation and that I must be doing something right at work.LOL.

Mary – I know what you mean but starting the hair colouring thing and then having to continue but I didn’t care at this point, don’t like the gray….so got rid of them for now!

Maryanne – what a proud mother you must be. Your daughter is gorgeous and has a beautiful smile. Glad to hear that dh is home safely, how long is he home for now?

Paula – hope you are just resting from your surgery and will check in soon….

Gotta run, shower time.

Have a super day ladies.

Love you All Elephant sisters!

Michele

You can tell a lot about a fellow's character by his way of eating jellybeans.

Ronald Reagan

Amy - you can stay in MaryAnne's and my room (is it OK MaryAnne?) Can She, huh? Can She???

I have decided to get my hair cut and spiked again. Dave doesn't really like it spiked - he likes it the way I am wearing it now, he says that older women need to look their age....... I disagree..... I am getting it spiked!

I checked my air fare to Chicago yesterday, so far it is the same price. I wouldn't be surprised if it goes up before June though....

Cindy - we can all autograph your head!!! Won't that be fun? LOL! Maybe looking forward to our August get together will make chemo a little bit more bearable for you, I hope so anyway.

Well, off to work now. I am waiting for the recruiter to call and schedule that "in person" interview! I am sure that they are not quite as anxious as I am!

(((hugs))) to you all, have a good day!

Laura, The picture's are great as usual.. What a beautiful resort. I love your tan, you look so healthy. I used to tan like that only now I am afraid to go in the sun. I think I am going I have to because I look so pukey white. Not a good look for me......lol
You are brave, I don't know if I could do the bull or not...............probably NOT. Glad to hear Roy's you know what is feeling better.

Maryanne, I'm doing fine. I can see why you would be a proud mama, and your daughter is beaming from ear to ear, tell her congratulations....she is so cute.

Cindy, I love your new avatar. Have they mentioned any of the side effect's of the new chemo cocktail you are going to be having? I'm thinking it has to be better then A/C. I heard A/C is the worse. You are strong and the fact they are cutting down the dose it should be a lot easier on you. Maybe you won't lose your hair.

Tracy, I bet you are glad that the speech is over with. I bet they loved you. Vegas ought to be fun, have a good time. You go girl with the spiked hair if that is what you like. I say you are as young as you feel. I don't want to look like an old fart either.

Debbie, Roller discoing sound's fun but your right, you better sit on the sidelines.........lol

Ravdeb, I agree, just keep pan eye on it and if you are still having trouble after you start the med's then you can decide on the MRI if you need to for peace of mind. If your Dr. doesn't think it is anything then it probably isn't. Is that the only place you itch? I was thinking did you get a new bra or use a new detergent? Maybe it is an allergic reaction to something. I'm sure you thought of that......

Michele, I don't blame you for not wanting the extra stress of another job. I am beginning to regret my decision to take on more work. Maybe they won't call me.....lol I can't even imagine house hunting. Now that you did all that work to your house I bet nothing will measure up.

Mary, If you decide to color your hair, you could go to a silver blond since that would be closest to your natural color and when it grows out it won't be so noticeable. I bet it will look fabulous. I did notice when I met you that you look younger than your age since you have such beautiful skin. Hair color will probably even make you look younger......lol.

Well, I better run. Sabre game tonight (hockey) so my dh has to eat before it starts.

Good those root's are in since I have them......lol

Laura,What kind of sunless tanning lotion do you use? I'm like you I just tan and if I burn it looks like tan....Does that make sense.....lol.I never use suntan lotion or sunblock because I want to get as dark as I can but I know thats not a good idea. I thought with sunblock you don't tan but you are living proof you do. I usually use loreal sublime selftanner and then go in the sun to get more color. Tadah, no laughing from you.....lol

I'm naturally tan... he he he.

Laura, very nice pics of you and your DH! It's been such a long time since we had a family vacation.

Debbie: I am happy for you, and hoping you and Ned stay together forever.

dEBBIE: My right nipple (on good boob) has been itchy on and off. I'll have to add it to my list of concerns for my next onc appt. which is coming up on May 14.

Hope everything's okay with Paula.

Take care, ladies.

Hi Victoria!

Brenda..definitely mention that itch you have on the "good" side. I have to say that mine comes and goes too. It is in the "gone" mood at the moment.

Gail..I thought of the soaps and all that stuff on my bras but I've been using the same hand wash soap on them for years. and it's only on one side. Like I said..it has gone away today..hopefully not to return!

I used Loreal sublime bronze. I used the spray first but I didn't like the spray in the air. I think I may have tanned my nostrils! THAT'S a JOKE! So, I just bought the lotion which smells nice but not so sure it works as well as the spray. However..my legs and arms are a bit tan and my legs haven't been exposed to the sun yet..so I guess it does work.But, it's good to be in the sun for about 15 to 20 minutes a day to get that vitamin D. That wouldn't tan me much, though!

I wish it would cover up my bruises though. I bruise really easily because I take aspirin every day. I got a bug bite on my leg and I rubbed the spot with my jeans and then when I undressed I found I had a big bruise there! I am now not sure if I want to wear my skirts I bought!

Tracy -
You may want to go to a tan salon for the spray on tan. It's safe and it really works, although I'm not sure how long it lasts. I've done the spray on in the winter when I've had black tie events, and wearing a sleeveless gown. As for the sunless tanning lotion it's no longer orange...it's come a long way, here's the best way to do it: after your bath or shower when you're still a little wet, rub it on. Wash your hands often. Make sure you get the nooks and crannies: between toes, arm pits, etc. Then dry your whole body with a blow dryer...it seals it. I usually do this at night and then put on a crappy pair of pj's because it does stain a little. Stick with a name brand, I use Loreal, but have also used others. I didn't like Neutrogena brand. Good luck!

OMG - Laura! The walk is in 2 weeks??? You are a CRAZY woman! But I am proud of you - YOU GO GIRL!