The Chemosabe March Cruise

You look darling. I hope you are going commando, because the short do becomes you!

Well, I had to post a pic cos I couldn't let Jacque get away with all those hot new looks!

Terri, I'm glad your PET scan was easy to handle. I have heard that cancer patients where I live do not get a PET scan unless they have liver cancer. Canadian, socialized medicine has its disadvantages. . . but I'm going to check about that. I see my onc Sept. 14 and I think I may only have blood work and another MUGA to see if the AC did anything to my ticker.

We had a week away and I must admit it was nice not to cook supper for 6 days. I found myself feeling melancholy at times, wondering if we'd be back to this lake again in the future, feeling sorry for myself, surrounded by all that annoying bc baggage. But, I kept asking the Lord to help me relax and not be so melodramatic. And Terri, I loved that you sang hymns during your scan! I found myself singing Sunday School choruses as I walked to and from my rads. It's good to keep focused on how great a God we have. Our times are in His hands.
Christine

Keenie,

WOW!!!! You have loads of hair!! I have hope! I am about seven weeks out and I am very fuzzy. To think I may have that much hair in a few short weeks is very encouraging. Thanks so much for sharing your photo.

I know what you mean about feeling melancholy at times. I think that is perfectly normal and even unavoidable! The important thing is we don't live there, we just visit every now and then. You are a witty and beautiful woman and you have made my way a little bit easier, as all the sweet ladies here have!

Terri,
Glad the PET scan went well. I hope you have great results from it, also!

Miss S

Keenie,
I admire your hair 15 weeks out. I only still have the brown stubles at 8 weeks out. I don't think I'll have that much by Christmas at the rate I'm going.

Playwriter,
I've been taking the Biotin since chemo started. I hear it helps promote thicker hair growth expecially for those of us who are taking the Hormone Inhibitors later that will thin the hair back out. I started my Arimidex about 2 weeks ago and havn't had a problem as yet.

Had my ultrasound done today and it was just what I expected. Fluid. Now will just have to wait and see what they're going to do about it. I've had this since the drains were taken out right after the Mastectomy in Jan. Hopefully there will be a light at the end of this tunnel that WON'T HURT TOO MUCH..........lol.

Jacque,
How are the wedding plans coming along? When's the wedding? Soon I would think. Loved the pics with the new hairdos...hehe.

Angel

Hello Fellow Cruisers!
I haven't been here for awhile, so I am spending the afternoon catching up with everyone. Glad to hear of so many treatments ending, tests and scans being positive, hair growing back and SE's diminishing, and positive outlooks. I finished chemo June 28 and started rads July 23. I will be done rads August 30 - having 28 with no boosts at the end because I already had the TRAM flap recon Feb 6 when I had my bilateral mastectomy, and my rad onc & PS don't want to push it. Did not think I would need rads, but the 5.1 tumor changed THAT in a hurry....then thought I would not start until mid-September after vacation, but then Dr decided to get it all in BEFORE vacation September 7. SO here I am. It's not too bad, but I'm starting to get itchy and pimply in my upper chest area where the nodes are being radiated. They added cortisone cream to the calendula cream I've been using, so hopefully that helps. Otherwise I'm glad it's summer and I can wear lower cut tops that leave the irritated area exposed - although sometimes I feel like I'm exposing TOO much! Oh well. they aren't real anyway, right.......
I was in a real funk most of July. I feel better now, but am still tired and lack motivation to do much of anything. I also have been seeing a massage therapist for 3 1/2 weeks because of pain and stiffness in my neck - had a cervical spine xray Tues which was OK and am waiting for results of a bone scan I had on Wednesday. The MT says she things I just have lots of kinks in my neck and back that she is working out -- I think that when they tell me my bone scan is OK and I don't have bone mets then I will feel alot better! Also having very numb feet from the Taxol, and my legs feel very heavy, but I managed to walk about 2.5 miles today, so that was good! Am including a picture of my self - hair started out white, then turning darker, now kinda salt n'peppa...I'll take anything at this point! Will send the picture next as I need to review Terri's instructions first.
Considering laproscopic oary & tube removal as a precaution - whaddya you girls think? Also, going to Univ of Mr for genetic counseling & testing Aug 29....have any of you done that? There is a strong history on my Dad's side (that I'm just recently learning about!) and I have an older sister, a daugheter & 2 granddaughters....sister & DD want to know, so..
Terri - I hope you are not being affected by the hurricane.....please let us know!
Think of all of you and pray for us all often......
Diana

You look 'mah ve lous'. Another one who looks great in the short do. It's fun seeing your Moss paintings in the background, too!

love your hair, Diana!
we are keeping posted on Erin to see if she is going to hit here or veer off....

Nancy, we'll have you all in our prayers. What a loss for your dd and her husband, and for you as well. I have been where your dd is and it is a very sad time, but trust that her faith, as strong as yours, will help her through. Sending you some cyber hugs,
Christine

Oh, Nancy, so sorry about the baby. It is a hard thing to go through - I, too, had to grieve through two of my own. Prayers for comfort and peace for you and your family.

Nancy: I was just thinking about asking where you were. My sincere condolences to your daughter and your whole family. It's such a hard thing to deal with, and the hormones are going crazy too. I'll be holding all of you in my thoughts.

terri,

Thanks for posting this song. I sent it to my friend who lost her baby and it meant so much to her!

Miss S

Watermark \ Glory Baby

Glory baby you slipped away as fast as we could say baby…baby..
You were growing, what happened dear?
You disappeared on us baby…baby..
Heaven will hold you before we do
Heaven will keep you safe until we’re home with you…
Until we’re home with you…

Miss you everyday
Miss you in every way
But we know there’s a
day when we will hold you
We will hold you
You’ll kiss our tears away
When we’re home to stay
Can’t wait for the day when we will see you
We will see you
But baby let sweet Jesus hold you
‘till mom and dad can hold you…
You’ll just have heaven before we do
You’ll just have heaven before we do

Sweet little babies, it’s hard to
understand it ‘cause we’re hurting
We are hurting
But there is healing
And we know we’re stronger people through the growing
And in knowing-
That all things work together for our good
And God works His purposes just like He said He would…
Just like He said He would…

BRIDGE:
I can’t imagine heaven’s lullabies
and what they must sound like
But I will rest in knowing, heaven is your home
And it’s all you’ll ever know…all you’ll ever know…

Hey everyone! I am going to post even though I don't have anything interesting - I just miss hearing from you all!
I had tx a week ago yesterday and have felt just pretty darn good the last two days. I am going to go visit some of my old students (they attend the district's Young Adult Program) today at lunch, so that will be fun. I still haven't gone up to the high school to visit my former students and coworkers as the first few weeks are nothing but chaos - and I don't want to add to that!

My son's wedding plans are on hold while he and his fiance get settled up in Minneapolis - she starting a new job and he starting law school. It seems so odd to have a child old enough to get married, etc. Where do the years go?

I have started looking at dresses for myself, but just looking. Since my weight can fluctuate so much depending on what chemo I am on, I am going to have to wait for awhile.

Rosebud's daughter got married last weekend - and wow was she a beauty (from pics on Rosebud's blog). You'll have to fill us all in, Rosebud!

Fill ya in..where do I start??? First thing we had to do was stop at the gas station for Kleenex cause I started crying before we even got to the church. I couldn't help myself. I've come so far to get to that point and I cried. I cried when I did see her and then again helping her dress and then again..again..again..I was a sobbing mess..LOL I think I could cry right now..LOL She looked beautiful!! I couldn't believe that I made something that beautiful. I did ask what she had done with my daughter. Weather was perfect and we all had a great time.
I hope everyone is feeling good these day...Hugs..Rosebud

3boys - what did you find out? Sometimes the waiting is worse than the reality of what we have to face. Please keep us informed!

Keenie - I have tx every three weeks right now. It may change to weekly the next time (Aug. 4) as my side effects were starting to get so bad - but this time, while I felt very punk last week I have rallied quickly this week. Go figure. I guess I will let my onc make that call.

Rosebud - I am still waiting for a pic of you and hubby in your finery!

Actually, Keenie - I think you were (and I am) doing the dose dense. We took/ take one big hit and then wait three weeks. When it is done every week, they take the same dose we had/have and divide it up so the body takes less of a hit. Make sense?

Four and a half years ago, when I went thru my first tx I had A/C and taxol all together every three weeks. I was one sick puppy. My friend, who got the beast a few years after me, got A/C first, then 12 weekly infusions of taxol. She did SO much better on this regieme without as many of the SEs - but it was drug out over a longer time. Either way - it stinks - but it is what keeps up going.

3Boys - still waiting to hear?