2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

Yes, Michele..I ate after my long fast AND my cholesterol is down, down, down on only half a pill. I'm going to ask him if I can take only a quarter of the pill and see if that works. The less the better.

I feel good. Really good. Back to before chemo type of feeling pretty much.

Spent the day in Jerusalem. I love that city. If I could, I'd move there. It's full of character and life and color...just beautiful! I was there, with my dh, to meet up with my sister's husband and daughter who are on a trip here in Israel.

Have been really busy recently..not much time to be on line. Am working on some art projects and learning new melodies on the guitar and preparing a service for this Fri. night. Have guests around and doing a lot of driving! Did visit my beach this morning, though! It's now filled with the summer crowd. Kids are out of school. I like the winter at the beach, better.

Tracy..enjoy your fun week before you begin your new job. Happy birthday to Dave!

I read everybody's messages...
be well, Ladies...one more month and we all shall meet.

Wishing all the US sisters a happy holiday tomorrow. And if you are not celebrating, have a great Wednesday!!!

I am hoping to go to a picnic that is a tradition of my church family but they are predicting rain. It was a cold 50 degrees when I was coming to work this morning. If it is raining, I think we may finally use the last of the movie passes we received for Christmas and go to see one of the summer blockbusters. I love movies.

Hope everyone is going to have a day full of happiness . . . food, friends, family, and fireworks!!! Yeah!!

Mary

Laura, did you change your avatar? It looks very cute. Thank you for sharing your Illinois survivor group photo.

Gail, I hope your symptoms are getting better.

Paula, is there a drought somewhere in Australia? I’m asking because I got an e-mail about it, but I’m not sure if it’s an urban legend or not.

Debbie, don’t panic about a simple plane flight. You’ve been through scarier moments.

V, your statement about lacking discipline reminded me of my undisciplined second graders, who, coincidentally, always ended up being budding artists.

TracySeattle, it’s smart to spend fun, carefree times before embarking on your new job.

Michele, I’m praying you sell your house soon!

Kelly, enjoy that quality time with your little one. They grow too fast!

Ravdeb, I am starting to feel pre-Chemo myself! If I can only look it, too...

Mary and others: Happy, happy July 4th!


I’m very, very saddened about the passing of one of my ex support group friends. I met her here in San Diego in 2005 as I was starting treatment, and she was an inspiration. I admired her fighting spirit. She was diagnosed in 2002 with bc, and never had been NED. I remember when the group was debating about the definition of “survivor”. The way we were defining a survivor, my friend would never have had a chance to be called one. Yet she was still around in 2005. So we changed our definition to: You are a survivor the day you are diagnosed. She liked that very much.

She was very, very brave. She went to exercise class even when she was bent over in pain. She provided us with information we could all learn from. We helped her fly to Texas to be a representative for San Diego for breast cancer during a national Cancer symposium.

She was fine and coherent until she started whole brain radiation. Then it was over. Just like that. I’m so mad. She was only 32. She was vibrant, pretty, smart and feisty. I will miss her.

Sorry, guys. Just had to share.

Brenda -
So sorry about your friend.

That is so very sad...

another
star
shines
brightly
in
the
sky.

Brenda - its always sad to hear about another sister succumbing to this beast...

yes there is currently a drought in Eastern Australia (Sydney included!!). But aussie climate is so volatile, we are currently experiencing terrible rains and floods, but at the same time we have water restrictions because our water reservoir levels are below average. This means the gardens can be watered couple of times a week only, no hose when washing the car.. such things.
They are actually planning to build a desalination plant soon as the reservior levels were falling below 35% (should be at least 50% i think).
Whew you must be sorry now you asked a question?

no major news here, busy with life and work.
My incisions are healing well, except i am getting stitches on my back popping out and causing me grief... at least i know what to expect now, not like after my mastectomy when i was posting in panic, asking what the heck are those things sticking out of my scar??? Now i just chop them off. Feel a bit like Frankenstein's bride, but what can you do... My 'good' boob i think is shrinking a bit, and a surgeon is already talking about nipple recon in a couple of months time. Apparently i have to be completely out of action for 7-10 days post op, which makes my trip to US a bit less likely, since i pretty much used all my sick leave already and have to use my holidays for all my medical stuff now.. but i am still thinking and planning!! Really want to come and meet you girls..

long post from me this time, but i better get back to work!

have a great 4th of July!

Paula..Oh Paula..I really hope you can come meet up with us! Was looking forward to meeting the Aussie in our group!

Funny how you now just chop off those loose ends...I remember that with my incisions, too.

I also remember you saying you lived in Jerusalem and had all that snow that year. It's funny you wrote about your preference. I was just talking to my kids about this and thinking that when the kids were growing up, the place we are llving in now is perfect...big house, big yard, safe to walk to school alone and it is very close, pool down the street, etc... But now that the kids are older and soon will be out of the house altogether, Jerusalem appeals to me. I am not a fan of Tel Aviv though Jerusalem lacks the beach but Tel Aviv's beaches are NOT like the one I go to in our area. Tel Aviv lacks the character that Jerusalem has but if I were younger and without kids, Tel Aviv would be more lively and fun I'm sure.

I was LOL when I read about your drought. We live in an area where there is just no rain. By March there is no rain except some drops here and there and then by June not even any drops. This will go on til Oct or November. Some winters are better than others and we'll have more rain but with the global warming, we've had little rain and very hot summers now. Our grass is brown for the most part. What kills me is that there are no rules or regulations that are followed here to save water and soon we will not have a drop to drink. Our water level in the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) went up and Israelis automatically think they can waste water. When my parents tell me they are in a drought and I see the green grass all over I wonder what they call it in Israel!

Happy 4th!

Happy Independence Day!

I slept until almost 10am!! Its a bummer that we have a day off in the middle of the week. Half of my staff are on vacation and they left the work horse down at the farm!! I let them go though because I have my surgery next Wednesday and I have a good mind to take the rest of the summer off!

I'm going to a friend's house to hang out later in the day. I have to drive a ways so there'll be no drinking for me, they'd better have some really good barbeque!

Happy 4th of July to All My American Sisters!

I actually sat down tonight and did very little after work for a change.

We had a light rain most of the day which was badly needed….the grasses all over this area are brown from lack of rain. The rain today did wonders to put more green back into the landscape and the farmers will be a little happier but we do need more.

The people that were going to reschedule the showing that was a bust on Monday afternoon, rescheduled and showed up 5 minutes early today. It was a young couple so we will see what happens…the saga continues stayed tuned.LOL.

I have been wearing my hair back in a headband just cause it is so much easier to deal with the curls in the morning, wash, condition and put the headband in with a pin to keep it in place and ready to roll for the day.

My body is starting to feel the lack of estrogen and the effects of being on Armidex over a year -- the back of my shoulders are sore, I wobble like a 90 year old when I get up after sitting for a long period of time and my ankles hurt until I walk around for a bit. I am healthy and still here so it is a small price to pay I guess.

Scooby has been an escape artist over the past few days. We have a spot in our fence by our well that has an old board that needed to be replaced. I noticed it on Sunday night as she escaped through it and showed my dh so he could repair it. He put a piece of large plywood over it and screwed it in somehow but obviously not good enough. I found missy on the other side of our neighbour’s fence trying to figure out how to get her slender body back in the other side to our yard.LOL. I showed her where she dug the hole to help herself get out and she scurried back over but now my dh is working nights and I cant let her out unattended until he finds a permanent solution to fix it.

To add fuel to the fire this is my neighbour from hell and now she has a legitimate complaint that Scooby got into her yard and dug her way there to boot!

Cindy – haven’t heard from you in a few days, hope you are doing okay?

Kelly – nice to see that you have some time off with your dd but we have missed you!
Where are you going Rving? Are you going to the get together?

Deb – I have noticed over the last day or so that I feel better despite my usual sleeping pattern. Would love to see some pictures of Jerusalem!

Tracyseattle – you have been through a lot in the past few years including bc. Change is hard especially when you get into a comfort zone after being with a company for a number of years. It does seem though that you have made the right decision for your health and happiness, new friends are on the horizon at your new place of employment.

Mary – did you end up seeing a movie?

Debbie444 – well Deb if you look like a “cart horse”LOL, cant stop laughing about that saying, I must be a huge bull moose, haa haaJ

That is really neat that Mark and JM (Rosemarie’s son) have become pals, wait till they meet next month!

Brenda – don’t apologize for sharing your feelings or sadness here, we are a sisterhood that survives the good and the bad. I am sorry and saddened to hear of the loss of yet another sister and so young at that!

Laura – love your new picture, you are teeny tiny too…

Paula – I do hope that somehow you can make the trip next month. Remember there is a bed reserved for you in the International Room.

Victoria – thanks for sharing pictures of your studio, it doesn’t look messy to me! The picture of you and your friend shows the bond of your friendship it is a great shot.

Tahdah – good for you sleeping in on your day off…

Havent heard from Amy in a few days, where are youJ)))

Love to all my sisters
Michele

Hope you all had a wonderful day! Independance and freedom for all...all over the world! Love you all...

Mornin'..
V..pictures are great. I love your studio! Makes me want to get a truck and dump all the garbage down here and have it towed away. Am waiting for my kids to move out and then I will make them take their stuff with them!!!! Yes..my studio has become a dumping ground. but I do not allow them to put a THING on my drawing table or work table. Those are sacred. Still..I'd like less clutter!!!!!

You look great in the picture. You are really cute!!! I think I said that once before.

Hi Amy!! Good to see you stop in.

Michele..new avatar? It is tooooooooooooooo small!!! We have our fence embedded in cement so that Casey can't dig her way out. We had to make a bump like a speed bump at the end of our driveway so that when the gate is closed she can't get under it. She's smallish. The bump is a pain in the neck and when we open the gate to get the car out, she runs out and then we have to shoo her back in!

She has been whining today. Will go check on her and get going on my day. Have already done the train station route. I seem to be on that route a lot lately!

Enjoy your day, everybody...

OMG my head shrunk!! I tried to put in a new avtar and didnt realize I made it sooooo small. I will fix it later when I have time, gotta run to work.

Have a great one ladies1


Michele

Ravdeb, my heart goes out to Casey. She can't really tell you what's wrong with her. Poor thing...

Michele, Scooby sounds very smart and energetic. Has she been spayed? Might she be in heat?

The 4 of us are going to Vegas tomorrow. We are staying at New York, New York. (Angus will stay home with his favorite babysitters.) On 7/7/07 we will be at this big family reunion...more than 200 people. We'll be back Monday - I'll talk to you then!

Michele - the flashes have subsided somewhat (the fact thats its winter now sure helps!). At least i am not waking up drenched in sweat. Actually, I think most of the side effects are from Tamoxifen, as when i was off it for a few weeks prior to my op, i felt 100% better.

Ravdeb, its sad when pets age, isnt it... after my pet budgie died a few years ago, i decided - no more pets. Too upsetting when they go.
Joint paints are the worst, it takes me a few minutes to stand up straight once i get off the bed. Everything hurts - my knees, ankles, elbows, wrists..

oh, and i love your new avatar! I do my hair like that sometimes too, when i am just about to give up on it.

Brenda - enjoy Vegas. I absolutely loved it!! And i have not gambled a dollar.

Good morning everyone!!!

Debbie: you asked about Canandaigua. That town is just about 20 miles from my front door. The Finger Lakes region of NY is just south of where I live. Are you coming to this area? If so I am super excited. I would love to see you and the family. Let me know what's up.

I forgot who asked if we saw a movie on rainy 4th of July. Yes we did. We saw Shrek 3. It was a compromise choice. My husband likes comedy and that was one that I thought would not be too juvenile. It was enjoyable entertainment. But, it was freezing because of the rainy day and air conditioning.

This morning was fine and clear. I sat on the patio at my sister's house, where I am staying with her dogs this week, and just enjoyed the fresh air and song birds. Lovely, lovely beginning to the day.

Well, need to start work now. Love to everyone,
Mary

TaDah! You go girl!!! Have fun!

This is a quick note, Dave has me on the run on my little vacation! We are headed out to Jetty Island with his daughter and Grandson. Yesterday was Mt. Rainier - I took some pics and will post them later. We took Denali and you would have thought we had a kid with us - we kept stopping and posing him for pictures.....

Cindy I am thinking of you today too - hang in there! (((hugs)))

Love you all, I will try to catch up more tonight.