2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS
Comments
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"We've talked before about how often people tell us how brave we are. I don't think that's right either. We are challenged by this disease, and we rise to the challenge because there really is no other choice. People are much stronger than they think. It's just that many people are never tested." — Leroy Sievers on his NPR blog
Isn't that statement so true?? We are strong and we have faced it down!
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Oh YES..I so agree with that statement. I so believe that. We have an inner strength in us that comes out when we need it It is not a matter of bravery but rather we just gotta do what we gotta do.
Those who tell us we are so brave have not yet faced something as challenging as breast cancer.
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A thought that I've found so true is that courage is not the absence of fear but courage is going forward inspite of your fear. I believe that we all felt moments of pure terror and despair, but everyone of us just experienced it and then went on to do what we had to do. The courage part is just hanging on and doing what you have to do.
I've always had a great love of history. I especially love stories of valor and courage in times of adversity whether they involved pioneers going west, soldiers in war, politicians taking a moral stand, or great achievers surmounting odds. That's what I like in sports, also. Those people, and some of my own ancestors who were ninteenth century pioneers going west to Utah, have inspired me with that same quality. They had troubles, but the kept putting one foot in front of the other, and did what had to be done. About ten years ago the 150 anniversary of the pioneers arrival in Utah was celebrated. One of the themes of that annniversary was that the pioneers walked across the plains and the mountains with "faith in every footstep." At the time, I got a keyring with the logo and those words on it. I carry it everyday and when I was in treatment, I looked at it often, thinking that in my way, I was now walking with "faith in every footstep." Sometimes they were faltering, weak, and I needed help, but I kept on walking.
As did we all
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What a beautiful commentary, Mary. Thanks for sharing that with us.
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Since I'm in chemo hats, I've been getting the "You're so brave" talk quite a bit lately. I always gently disabuse them of the notion, because what I hear behind it is: "I couldn't do what you're doing. I'm not strong enough." I tell them they'd be surprised at what they can do when faced with a situation like this. When you've got no choice, it's amazing the things you can do!
--Cindy
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Cindy, you hit the nail on the head. You never know until it happen's to you how you will react to a situation. I do believe you get an inner strength to help get you through because I would have never thought in a million years I would have been able to handle everything we have had to go through and still are going through for the rest of our lives. A day doesn't go by that I don't worry. Our lives are changed, they will never be the same but we are all stronger because of it. I guess I can look at it this way if things didn't happen the way they did I never would have met all you wonderful ladies so that I am thankful for.
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Cindy and Gail..I agree with you. Cindy, I used to tell people the same thing. I remember thinking how I would never be able to deal with any kind of illness. I had a different problem. When I moved to Israel I told my dh that if I were to ever get really sick (and of course, I never thought I would) I would not be able to deal with the Israeli bureaucracy. Boy..I managed and better than I ever thought I would!
Cindy...you taught me a new word...disabuse. I actually looked it up in the dictionary! Thanks!
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Deb, you know I've only heard that word used in that phrase: "Disabuse them of *that* notion." I wonder where I picked it up? I think my mom used to say it. "Well, if you think you're going to be running around wild all over town, I'm here to disabuse you of *that* notion!" LOL
--Cindy
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I'm ROFL over that one, Cindy! Now I can use that on my kids! GEEZ..they are not kids anymore! DARN! But I can use it on my dh! Hehehehe
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Hello my sisters!
Life has been pretty hectic, boss is still off work so I have been filling the shoes of two people for the past month and it looks like she will be off for awhile…gosh now I know how she felt when I was off but she didn’t do all of my job either. Learning on the fly has been challenging to say the least.LOL.
We went to sign off more papers today for our new house. Our Account Manager now at the bank is a rookie and she was totally unprepared to explain a few important things to us before signing off on some paperwork. My dh and I voiced our displeasure right away and wanted someone more senior to explain how things worked…argh what a frustrating appt!
Tonight I am having dinner with a bunch of local cancer survivors. My optometrists assistant is a 2 year lymphoma survivor and she has invited me to join them for dinner.
We have to get our butts moving on the packing as we have done absolutely nothing for 2 weeks, it will be here before we know it.
Laura – glad to hear that your sister is coping better, it is a worry as my sister suffers from the same illness. Love the pictures of Shelby, what a great smile!
Thankyou for putting another much needed voice to the face of breast cancer, you are awesome!
Sure you can sneak in my suitcase but you will have to be the size of almost nothing as it is a challenge just to pack my own stuff and not have the suitcase be too heavy.J
Deb – healing thoughts to your mom. Our beach weather is going down the tubes I think that yesterday was the last blast of warm weather at 31C but probably wont see those kind of temps until we head to Jamaica in a little over 3 weeks.
Graycie – I got an email from Maryanne last night saying that she wanted to chat, not realizing that DUH had I read the email would have known that it was her adding my name to a contacts list. I somehow found my way onto the chat after scrabbling to remember what my password was and waited for someone to come on…..but know one was there.LOL.
Sorry to hear about the LE. I think it is a lot more common that doctors say it is. I heard only 15% chance of getting it…yah right, how many of us here in our small group have it?
Do you know if it is okay to go into a hot tub but have your arm out of the water? That totally sucks as I wont get a chance to enjoy our new hot tub in our new house!
Victoria – it is a shame that we wont get the chance to meet this time around….
Yes moving is a big task and haven’t even started yet, its all the stuff that precedes it…
Mary – is there a delay in responding back and how do you keep track of all the conversation going on, can only one person type at a time…OMG my head is hurting just thinking about it!
Rosemarie – we did enjoy our weekend. We finally were able to have a bonfire as the fire restrictions had been lifted, dh and I had a competition to see who was the best “marshmellow roaster” too funny…..
Kelly – I wonder what impact Armidex actually has on your bones or is it being shot into menopause or a combination of both. I have my gyn appt on Nov 20 and will get details as to when my ovaries will be removed. I don’t want to have another surgery but also don’t treasure the idea of being on Zoladex for years either due to my age and being er positive.
It seems that treatment never ends with this disease….
Hands up, we are not brave…we were forced to face this disease head on or curl up in a ball and melt away into nothing. The choice for us was obvious….
Tracyseattle – welcome to Canada eh? Hope you are enjoying your stay in Alberta, have never been out West maybe someday when we get older, ha ha…we have the Caribbean bug now.
Cindy – you make me laugh….a new word disabuse. How are you?
Maryanne – Talking about bc and pink I even saw pink ribbon air freshners for the car that smell like vanilla.
Brenda – OMG little Johnny is behaving rotten. It sounds like your classroom keeps you hopping.LOL.
Debbie – another teacher with her hands full of little ones that make you go wonder how their parents cope with them at home.
Jacqui – you are a great support to your friend.
Amy – where are you little sister?
Have a super evening ladies.
Love
Michele
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Cindy,
you are soo right...
i hate when people say 'i couldnt do what you did' or 'i couldnt handle this kind of sickness'..
well, excuse me, but what i am supposed to do? Jump off the roof? Of course you'll deal with it given the alternative!!
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Hi all,
not much new with me. I am working hard, not a free minute. I hate it, I need a vacation! I am off this weekend so hopefully will recharge.
When someone tries to call me brave I roll my eyes and suggest there is no choice.
Our Run for the Cure is this weekend. My two boys will walk with me. My DH has absolutely no interest...makes me a little cranky.DDis doing fine at Uni, still not homesick, so welladjusted I guess. I miss her so much...
I am liking the chat feature of the gmail, sorry I missed you Michele. I have talked with Paula and Cathy.
Laura, the pics of Shelby in her new clothes are beautiful. I HOPE she doesn't become famous, those poor girls nearly always go off the rails. Better to use her music locally. She is a real charmer.
Deb you sound rested again. Are you feeling more enegetic since your vacation?
Mary, it is amazing what our ancestors had to endure. Both sides of my family settled here in the early 1800's. I wish they had writtten about their lives. I just have to imagine why they left their countries and their struggles. I like to read historical novels from time to time too.
How is your sister Graycie? Has she tried her sowester in the rain yet?
Fists up!
Mary-Anne
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Michele, You are making me tired reading your post. I sure hope your Boss get's back soon. I think you deserve a raise.....lol How was your dinner?
Mary-anne, We haven't had much rain but Kiki sure could have used the sowester tonight, lol, We had quite a downpour.
Just wanted to check in but actually I am pretty tired so I think I am going to go to bed. I will have to catch-up with the rest of you tomorrow probably on gmail. Goodnight everyone..........
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It's Thursday for all of us, I believe though one of us is going to head for bed sooner than the rest...
Michele...now that your house is sold you are into a new project..packing and moving. But, I see that isn't stopping you from having a great weekend with roasted marshmellows (yum!) and an upcoming trip to Jamaica. I've never been there but one of my students was there a few years back (she was about 15 at the time) and said the guys were gorgeous!
By the way..why are there weird things in between each of your paragraphs? does everybody see that?Mary-Anne..I'm with you...I need another vacation! Good luck on the run/walk... My dh wouldn't be interested in that, either. I tried to get him to ride his bike for a fundraiser for something else (he's an avid mountain biker) but he wouldn't do that, either. Oh well... I picture you in the jacuzzi because that's where you were when I arrived on Fri at the hotel!
Gail..enjoy the rain. We got a bit of it but it ended as quickly as it came. Hopefully we'll get enough rain this winter to fill the Sea of Galilee and supply us with water. ya never know here in the desert.
My mom is doing okay in rehab. Hopefully she won't need to stay there too long and can do pt at home. Not sure. I'll talk to her later on today...much later. I keep falling asleep. I can only talk to her when it's evening there and well..that's past my bedtime..
My sciatica is not behaving. I slept on a really bad sofabed at my parents' and ever since then, my leg has been aching a LOT. I'm not doing anything for it. I guess if it gets intolerable, I'll see the doctor. Still haven't scheduled my mammo or US and that was supposed to be done in Sept. Guess I missed that! Just don't feel like doing any of that...
It's a holiday here..Sukkot...so all the kids are home and we grilled meat outside and ate out on the patio last night. Our evenings are finally cooler as Fall settles in for a while....
Be well everybody...
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Do people get to stay home from work at all during any of the holidays?? It just seems to me that here in the US, we work alot but at least have 2 days off work and holidays. What days do you guys get off work???? And paid holidays??
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Cute Kelly, how true that is. When I used to work retail I worked most holiday's except Christmas. But I would get time and a half. I also got sick pay(a week's pay at Christmas time) and 4 weeks vacation which was nice. Now my husband on the other hand gets holiday's off but no pay and no vacation time. He doesn't work all year so that is probably why. He does road construction and has the winters off so we can never take a vacation in the summer when the weather is nice.
Michele, I asked about going in the hot tub and leaving my arm out and she said "no" to that to. She said I have to avoid anything that brings my body temperature up. I think you will beable to still enjoy your hot tub just don't have it too hot.
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You are supposed to avoid all extreme temps to avoid LE...I just read on the lymphedema theads that the new research shows that the snb is not as successful in reducing the risk of lymphedema as they had hoped and so all of us..even those of us with only one node removed...are at risk. There are other factors as well such as being overweight, if it's your dominant side or not and some other stuff..not sure what....
Kelly..I like the cartoon. It is so true.
Most people here get Fridays and Saturdays off of work. Teachers work 5 days a week meaning that nobody works on Saturdays but teachers have to schedule in their other day off as there is school at most schools on Fridays. And yes..they get holidays off...the schools, for example, are off for a week for Sukkot but business have one or two days off and then are open during the week of the holiday. Then they will close again at the end of Sukkot for the holiday of Simchat Torah. Confusing, I know. Nothing closes for Chanukah as that is not a religious holiday and is our least important holiday of the year. The holiday lasts 8 days but school is closed for about 3 days out of that holiday. The longer mid-year school holiday is in the spring for Passover...school is closed for 2 and a half weeks.
My dh only takes Yom Kippur off. He has to. Nobody...I mean NOBODY works on this holy day here in Israel. Otherwise, he takes no days off unless we decide to go away for a weekend (rare) or he goes with me to the States (summer 2008 he plans to go with me for 2 weeks).
Such is life....
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question...how do I get rid of the word "edit" that is at the bottom of my posts?
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Deb, Very interesting. I knew Passover was a big holiday but I wasn't aware that Chanukah wasn't. I don't see the edit on the bottom of your post's but it is always on the bottom of mind. Not sure where it come's from.......lol
Since you have been reading up on LE would you mind finding out when mine will go away......lol I wonder if it does have something to do with the extra weight I have put on. I better start working on that.
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oh..I guess we can only see the word edit at the bottom of our own posts since we can only edit our own posts! DUH!
Well..you are going for pt, right? Massages should help get the swelling down, I think. I read that. I don't have LE. You are not overweight, Gail! I saw you!!! Those who are overweight (not by a few pounds, Gail!) tend to be at a higher risk for LE. That is only one of the things. There are others, of course, and the biggest one is the amount of nodes removed. The other things are secondary, I believe. But I read that just the surgery itself on the breast can put you at risk for LE. If that is the case, then if you did a prophy on one side with no node surgery, you are at risk on that side, as well.... This is what I read on the lymphedema thread by Binney....
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Hi Girls...
Hope you're all doing well! Things are still crazy busy. Last night I played Bunco - I won $20...guess how....BECAUSE I HAD THE WORST SCORE - LOL - So I guess even a loser can be a winner! LOL
Graycie -
How's your hand doing?
Michele -
Good luck with the house stuff.
ravdeb -
I'm glad your Mom is doing okay.
Cindy -
You "sound" good...it's great knowing that you're done with treatment.
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Deb, the word "edit" is only on your own post, I don't see it on your post, only on mine ....
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Laura, Yep, It looks like even loser's can be winner's. lol....That's funny. My hand is about the same.
Deb, I am seeing a PT, three times a week. She did a weird tape job under the glove when I went yesterday. I also have to do some exercises but it doesn't seem to be going down much. Who else has LE of just the hand? Is it just Tracy and I? I'll have to ask her when she get's back from her trip how long it took for her's to go down.
Live each day to the fullest
Dx 8/30/2005, IDC, Stage II, 1/21 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2- -
Hello,
I know I don't post much but just like to sign in every now and then.
Gracie - I have Lymphoema in my left arm. Was scary to start with as I did not know what it was. Went like yourself to a PE and she was brilliant. She taught me the logic of it and how to do the massage. She also put "magic" tape on it called kinesio tax. She cut it into strips and it went down my arm from my sholder. It looked like an octopus or a spider. On the funny side as it was summer I got a tan on the bits it did not cover so it was even stranger when the tape came off!!! The theory of the tape is that it cannels the small capilliaries in the right direction a bit like iron filings if you understand what I am trying to say.
This treatment I had for about 2 months back in summer 06. I have not had any more treatment but I cannot say that it is not still there. it seems to come and go. if I am feeling well then it is not there but if I have a bug of virus it seems to flare up !!??!! However it is at the stage that I can put it out of my mind mostly.
Onto other news - had my 2 year check-up yesterday so all seems OK.
Going on holiday two weeks today to Florida and St Lucia. Cannot wait - this was the main reason I could not come over in August.
Hope you are all doing well
Jill
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Jill..always good to hear from you.
Have fun on your vacation! Glad to hear you are doing well...Yay for your 2 year check-up!
We also chat on gmail so if you are interested, pm me and I'll give you the details...
be well.
Gail...good luck with the hand...good idea to ask Tracy about it...
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Jill, Good to hear from you.
That's exactly what the tape look's like on my hand. A spider laying on my hand.......lol....fitting for Halloween wouldn't you say but I still have to wear the glove over it.
Have a Fun time in Florida and St. Lucia.
Thanks Deb for all your well wishes.
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Jill, always good to hear from you. Have a great vacation and consider thinking about any plans for the next get together.
I'm missing hearing from Linda. Hope she's at least checking in to see what we're up to.
Sorry I've not been keeping up with everyone--well I am to the extent that I'm reading everything here and on gmail.
Michele-your all inclusive posts at least give me a review of what we're all doing. Thank you for that. Enjoy your upcoming vacation as well.
Make it a great day everyone! -
I pm'd with Linda and am trying to steer her in the direction of our thread. She got a bit lost on the format. I'm guessing she's a bit busy because it's a holiday now. I hope she comes back to chat with us, though!
Be well everybody. Back to cooking!
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Hi Girls -
Hope you're all having a nice Friday. Tomorrow is the Komen Walk. I've been busy organizing my team packets, t-shirts, race bibs, etc. The weather is supposed to be FAB! Mid 70's - no chance of rain. Whew...what a relief. Walking in the rain - would not be pleasant! Do-able...but not pleasant.
About a year back, an Illinois Survivor and I started communicating via e-mail. She and I became good friends and get together for dinners, etc. She was dx'd about 5 months after me. She and her 2 daughters joined last year's team and will join us tomorrow as well. Her mother was just dx'd with BREAST CANCER! This is so rampant...everytime I turn around, I hear of another case! Also, JanClare joined our team and I'll be seeing her tomorrow as well. She has been having stomach digestive problems for the past - almost 2 weeks. Her Gastro Dr. has ordered some diagnostic testing...can you please keep both in your throughts and prayers?
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