Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Hi all,

Mel,

One bag of candy corn this time of the year is very good. My dh keeps buying mini Mars bars and freezing them. I have one mini bar every couple of days. That seems to do the trick.

Skye,

I can’t wait to see the pictures of Grendel. He sounds so cute. I am glad your weekend was a success. They never used my port for the Muga scan test. That is a good idea. Sorry you had such a painful experience.

Caya,

I am glad your MIL is okay. That must be a huge relief.

Rebecca,

I love hearing your adventure packed stories.



We are still at our cottage. It is still beautiful here although it is getting a little nippy. We have to move back before it starts getting below freezing at night because our water pipes are above ground and we do not have a basement. We will probably move back this weekend. I am kind of looking forward to heading back now- I miss my walks with my neighbors. I just hired cleaners to clean my house today, so when we return, it will be squeaky clean. I am so excited about that.

Catch you all later.

Viddie

Pit bulls are not bad dogs - they are only made to be by owners who have them for the wrong reasons.  My brother rescued one, stray near his place of business, and he is the biggest marshmallow you could ever know.  Oz stays at the office during the day, mostly lying on his back with his feet in the air and a cat curled up on or beside him.  He loooooooves everybody!  I've never known any dog who had so much joy in life - everything is his favorite thing, everybody is his favorite friend.  He is very strong, yes - that's how they are built.  He could probably hurt someone, but it would never occur to him. Pit bulls have really gotten a bad rap, and unfortunately a lot of abusive treatment by the dog fighting scumbags, but they are only made that way by the mistreatment they get.  I would trust Oz with a baby, or a kitten - he's that gentle. 

Well, didn't mean to go on and on about that...it just makes me sad that everybody hates pit bulls.  I really don't think they're bad by nature.  Rebecca, what did those puppies look like?  I just can't imagine, but I'll bet they were cute.

Viddie, I also eat one bag of Brach's jelly beans every Easter, since I'm confessing my sins.

Lynn, how was the hot stone pedicure.  I would truly love to have one of those - it sounds just too wonderful.

Nancy, girlfriend, it's good to hear from you.  Put your Catapres patch on your upper arm or chest area - doesn't matter where really, just find a good spot and stick it on there, then rotate sites.  Most people use the upper outer arm and upper chest, but I don't think it matters a whole lot.  Upper body somewhere, where it won't interfere with clothing.  Easier than taking pills, right?  How are you doing with taking your other meds, now?

Skye, sorry about the traumatic needle-stick experience.  I'd make them use your port always, since you have it.    I'll start watching for fare bargains to Milwaukee - if there are such things.  If I find something, then I'll buy the tickiets for the concert.  You will love them.  I must write and tell them we're coming.  I wanted to go on their fan cruise this January, which would really be a blast, except that I decided that their East coast fans, which sort of dominate the group, are pretty much a closed group - the "known each other for forever, lots of inside jokes"  kind of group.  I know a number of them individually, but when they get together, they close up a bit, so I thought that might be disappointing in a cruise situation even if you were getting to hang around the guys all the time.  Maybe next year, if they can still do it.

Well, guess I'd better get out of my jammies and start my day.  I need to go over to the hospital and see about my work schedule.  Oh, I'm dreading that so much.  I want to go back, but I'm still so tired. 

Yes I know Mel...Pit bulls get such a bad rap, and in reality I think that it is a rare few that are bad....but when they are bad they are REALLY bad because they really are powerful animals.  All of the dogs that we have adopted over the years have been pit bulls to one degree or another....and that is mostly because of the amorous nature of the Pit Bull...they will mate with any dog that will stand still for it, and they have LOTS of babies!  As a result our animal shelters are literally BURSTING with these creatures, and they are shunned because of the bad rap they have received. 

In any case, the puppies were very, very cute.  Here are some pics.  

This was taken in early January.  I was still recovering from my Mastectomy, but had not yet taken my first chemo treatment. The puppy I am holding is Star...she was (and is) Bree's favorite baby.  The family kept her...but she has serious health problems and will not likely live a full life.

This is the whole pile of babies.  When they became mobile they were very funny to watch.  I do not have many pictures past this stage because I was just too sick from that dratted chemo to do much else than watch and smile.

This is Frances holding my jello brain.  It was suitably gross.  I have another one ready for the preschool party I am going to tonight.  

Ah well....enough procrastinating.  I have quizzes to write. Have a good night everyone!

How precious is this pup?

A puppy has been born in Japan with a large, heart-shaped pattern in his coat.  The Chihuahua was born in May as one of a litter to a breeder.
Shop owner Emiko Sakurada said it was the first time a puppy with this mark had been born out of a thousand she had bred.
She had no plans to sell the puppy, which has been named 'Heart-kun'.  

I just thought this was so cute.

Joni 

Sorry ladies if you didn't like my pitbull comment.  I guess I am stereotyping, but I just don't like ANY big dogs...after being attacked by a VICIOUS German Shepherd when I was 18.  His owner was a total idiot and trained him to be mean.  But after getting attacked like that, it kind of stays with you...  and you just don't really like big dogs period.  Didn't know Oz was a p.b., Mel....  sorry.

Holy buckets, miss a few days and y'all just keep going on about your lives and I can't hardly get through all the posts. Ain't it great? Moving on inspite of lingering questions or concerns.

Caya, I'm glad your MIL is doing so well.

Melia, I'm so glad that you're okay and haven't been swept away by the fires!

Skye, I love puppies. I love puppy breath. Hope your little Grendal is all sweetness and puppy kisses. And quick house training. And no chewing. Or jumping.

Mel, I agree with you. I never 'hated' chemo. It was to be endured.   

Well, I've seen my onc. We discussed the upcoming surgery and the mammo results. She was talking out of both sides of her mouth. "There's definitely reason to be concerned but I'm sure it's nothing."  huh??? She did say if there is a cancer, there should be no more treatment. The mastectomy will be the treatment.

I've gone into nesting mode, much like end-stage pregnancy.  I've started dismantling my living room and I intend to paint it by Saturday. It's not a large room. I use it more as a sitting room for reading and visiting.  But it will be my excuse to go shopping for a new area rug, a new chair and a new lamp.

I nested last year before surgery but then it was my bedroom. Now I want my living room lovely to greet people.

I've also gone into some major retail therapy. Last week it was a Sunday afternoon at Kohl's, buying new bed linens. (Kohl's is always having a sale and I had a coupon for an additional percent off.) This Sunday I was at Dillards and I now have a new bright red wool pea coat. It's being altered so the sleeves will no longer drape over my fingertips.

I've got to stop this madness! For goodness sakes, I need to be doing holiday shopping for others. Not for myself.

Happy Tuesday. It's time to go spackle the walls.

Cindy 

Thanks for all the good wishes for my MIL.  The DH and I went down to the hospital this morning - she was sitting in a chair, had already been on a walk - unbelievable. She is a real trouper. Her pain wasn't too bad.  I think she will be okay.

Tina - I'm with you on the large dogs.  When I as 16, I had a boyfriend who lived about an hour away from my hometown. So he would visit me, and vice versa (with the parents home of course). He had a big St. Bernard dog that would get very jealous of me when I was in town visiting... I just knew that dog hated me.  One afternoon we were sitting in the backyard and Rick got a phonecall (this is before portable phones) so he want in to take it.  The minute he left the backyard that St. Bernard lunged at me and luckily because she was so big, she couldn't run as fast as me.  I hopped the fence to escape.  2 weeks later the dog attacked a 7 year old neighbour (ripped off part of the kid's arm) and so they had to put her down.  So I am just not a dog fan.  The little ones are okay. 

Joni - that dog with the heart shape is adorable. Really something to see.

I went to a meeting tonight from a cancer survivor group - they had a nutritionist there to discuss diet and exercise to prevent a recurrence.  Nothing I didn't really know. One interesting thing - the nutritionist said to take calcium supplements about 1/2 hour after eating or drinking a dairy product.  Also the usual disagreements about soy and flaxseed for ER+ BC patients - my onc. said none at all, (same with a few of the other women there), the nutritionist said we could have one small serving  per day of each.  I can live without it, but I will ask my onc. again.

If you want to see my daughter Cassie - go to www.flare.com - Go to Flare intern search, then click on VOTE - then you can click on her video - she is a finalist to be an intern at this magazine - it's a big magazine in Canada - sort of Cosmo, Glamour and Allure all rolled into one. This is a huge deal - we are so proud of her.

Hey again, thanks to everyone else for sympathy on my bad stick situation. For some reason none of the other posts showed up til mine posted, and actually reposted because I got the photo code wrong the first time. Grendel has lots of puppies to compete with! Rebecca the litter pics are adorable, and I also love the heart dog!

Mel, I need to learn about this band, I know very little about them.

Caya I will go visit Flare and keep fingers crossed that your daughter gets the job!

Jan, therapy dogs are the coolest, they do so much good for so many people. I admire you for doing that.

Must head to bed, hope to catch up better tomorrow.

- Skye

Oh, Skye, that dog is ADORABLE!  And Mel, I didn't at all think you were directing anything at me about my dog comments.  I know you like me!    I def. have a tendency to be blunt and I know that.

Rebecca, very impressive brain!  Forgot to mention.  Cindy, you sound like you are in great spirits.  Glad you are keeping busy.  It's funny, I always find myself shopping for me too, at holiday time.  Prob. because my b'day is 12/16.  However, this year I am very much into not accumulating any extra's.  I am very into Goodwill mode because I really want to move back to Boca and most likely will not have a relo package from a company, so the less crap I have to haul, the better.  It's been interesting, though, realizing that shopping wasn't really fulfilling me and that I can live w/far less stuff around me.  The DH is learning/seeing some of this stuff too, which is amazing for him.  I guess that's what we've learned so far from this terrible experience.

Anyway, feeling good, slept great and plan to clean out my kitchen of any extra pans, dishes, glasses, etc. and make a Goodwill run.  Oh, the Sugardaddy's Food Network episode ran last night.  Quite a few shots of Jaclyn.  I didn't see me so much...just the back.  Will have to watch it on TiVo and slow it down.  Caya, going to Flare now.

Good Morning all,

Love all the puppy talk. Skye, he is so adorable, and what a great monster name for such a tiny guy. Jan, my brother and his fam have raised therapy dogs, and in fact have two that they have been able to keep. They are wonderful dogs. I think that is a great idea. We don't have a dog b/c we aren't home enough and I am a firm believer that dogs need company. But I would love one. During the fires, a co worker brought his pug to work, and what a hoot he was. He just took over the office and decided that his job was to make all of us laugh ... what an imp. Tina, I don't blame you for your phobia. Being bitten is awful. What is new with your husband's job hunt?

Caya, glad your mil is doing well. That is a big relief.

Cindy, what is your surgery date?  And Tina, isn't yours early Dec?

Mel, it will be a hard adjustment to go back to work, so it's probably good that you are able to ease into it.

I had my routine checkup with my onc yesterday and all is well. He allayed various fears, took plenty of time with me. I don't have to see him for six months. I know there is lots of controversy about routine scans, etc, but I am glad I don't have to deal with them. I was nervous enough just going in to see him. All the blood work he did is normal. I found it mildly amusing that the edema still baffles him. I am going to start weaning myself off the lasix and see how that goes.

OK, off to work. I have a few very intense days ahead of me getting ready to leave for a five day business trip. Keeps my mind off worrying.

Have a good day all. I love how our lives are moving forward. And Rebecca, the sheriff's badge is the perfect touch for Owen's costume, whatever it ends up being. Your stories about the kids always make me smile. And Tina, Jaclyn comes up with the funniest sayings!  Rebecca, how are you feeling physically?  How is the recon doing?

Melia

Mel - glad for you that the scheduling worked in your favour.  It's a blessing that you will be able to fill in and not go full steam back to work right away.

Melia - glad your onc. appointment went well.  As you say, our lives are moving forward - It's great to have some semblance of normalcy.  Good luck on your big business trip, but try to have some down time to relax.

Rebecca - loved the jello brain - You are very creative.  Hope the kids have fun tonight.  Tonight is my first year with no child home for the big night. The past few years Cassie has taken out my two young nephews ( now 9 and 11) in our neighbourhood, but she has a journalism article due tonight at 6 p.m. that  only gets assigned a few hours before, so she won't be able to come up to take them.  But my brother will bring them by.  We get around 300 kids here, so the DH and I loaded up at Costco the other day. 

and Joni - when I was a kid we said "Trick or Treat"  and then could add - Smell my feet, give me something good to eat!!

Tina - what is happening with you guys - any news on the DHs job situation.  Sure hope everything will go well for you. Thanks for visiting flare.

Trying to get some office work done today. Nothing really difficult, the boring order entry type of stuff, but hey, somebody's got to do it, and I guess it's me...

More good news - my older DD Amanda just emailed me that she got into the University Fashion Show as a dancer - another really big deal - she auditioned last year and didn't make it so of course is very excited she made it this year.  This is turning out to be a big week for my girls.  It's about time something really great happened for them after all the crap they've been through with both the DH and my illnesses... maybe it's a sign... 

Oh, Caya, she's WONDERFUL!  How could they not chose her?

Skye, go to http://www.lownav.com/index.html

I am very glad I asked, Rebecca. My dr gave me another talk yesterday about recon. I just cannot bear the thought of elective surgery; if I could, I would push to get the "good" breast off. Having said that, though, a prosthesis is not the perfect answer for me either. It isn't very comfy, and I am always very glad to take my bra off when I get home. So I dunno. I guess the only answer is to turn back the clock a couple of years, right?

But I am a lucky woman. The same day I had the mastectomy, a friend's 27 year old daughter committed suicide. She called last night, weeping, in so much pain. Nothing compares to that type of pain. Nothing. And there is nothing that I can say to help her.

Melia

OMG Melia that is awful about your friend.

Please do not be too turned off about reconstruction.  I think that ALL of the solutions are imperfect in one way or another.  For me, I just think that I am wearing a prosthesis....but mine is on the inside.  As long as I do not expect it to look completely like a natural breast i am fine!  It does not pop out of my clothing, I do not have to worry about going swimming with it and I can not lose it.  With a heavy duty pushup bra I can even wear a low cut gown if I want!  It really is not so bad, but if you are still unsure, then you should wait...there is always time later.

HUGS! 

I'll say a prayer for Kristy and for all of you guys.

Skye - I love that dog.  That is my biggest wish - to have a dog - or a cat - but I am so allergic.  I already have asthma so I can't take any chances.

Work is the pits - morale is at an all time low with them changing our hours - which starts next week.  Then the jerk of the office who is the one I believe who came up with this change, sent an email about not cleaning out the microwave.  Of course it was very condensending.  We are treated like little kids.  Power really goes to some people's heads.  It puts me in such a bad mood and then I come home and I'm still angry.  I guess I have to give it up somehow.  Maybe I should just call in sick for a day but that only hurts me because then I don't get paid at the end of the year for the sick days I don't use.  How do I get over this anger?  I guess everything has just built up over the months.  I try to remind myself that things could be much worse.

Rebecca, I'm sorry that your reconstruction did not turn out better.  I agree I wouldn't want them to "fix it."  I struggle with the decision I made.  The prosthesis is not the most comfortable and I am always reminded of what happened but then I don't think any of us will ever forget this happened to us.

Hugs and Happy Halloween.