Post Chemo Spa & Shape Up

Hi all,

Sorry I haven't posted for a while -- Had a blast in Phoenix, was 90+ every day, golfed 3 of 4 days, and just visited with our former neighbor who is about 65, has Parkinsons and had total spine reconstruction last year, and cannot golf anymore. She feels like a youngster trapped in an old woman's body. Dang it -- I feel pretty good compared to what she goes through every day.

The day after I got home, our pesky friend from Anchorage came down for five days -- he retired in May and this is his 4th visit already!! We love to have him, but I am forced to keep up with his wine drinking and food binges -- god help me! He's a great cook and we nibble, gulp and gorge, nibble and gorge, every day!!! YIKES!!

I DID go to the gym last Sat for the first time in ages-- Did a 30-min spin class and then 30-min abs... Really enjoyed it. Gotta get back there more regular.

Went to the Onc last week -- I hate to admit it, but I gained 11 pounds since June!!! OMG!!!!! The Ob-Gyn had told me (also last week) that my hot flash meds (Gabapentin) causes weight gain, but holy cow!! That's not fair! She suggested that I switch to Effexor, but I forgot to ask Onc... gotta send her a note...

Hello Puppy! Nice to meet you! Really enjoy your posts. I can't say I'm having hair problems except how to style it now that it's getting a bit unruly. I really should cut it, but I just want it to grow long enough to pull back with a headband or -- a ponytail?? -- haven't had more than 3-inch hair in years... and right now it's about 4 inches.

Talk about DR apptmts --- I also had the carcinoma taken off my forehead today. Burning flesh smells so lovely... ick.

Okay, I've rambled long enough.

Carol and Mary -- glad you had nice little vacations too. It's so nice to get away, isn't it?

Cathy, did you cut your hair? Your new pup sounds very cute!

Casey, Mizzy, Raye -- hope all is well with Spanish, painting and hair dos!

Hugzzz, Dottie

Good evening ladies!

Carol,

I'm glad you had such a nice time.  It has been such a long time since I have been to the Carribean.  I miss that color blue......

My colleague is getting married on St. Thomas February 14th.  She and her fiance are having a very quiet, family ceremony far from the prying eyes of her co-workers. 

Mary,

I find that if I time my trip to Whole Foods correctly I can leave there with a full stomach having sampled anything and everything and sometimes circling around to the cheese twice!  Too bad we don't and probably won't in the near future, have a Whole Foods in my neck of the woods.

No, I haven't dove at all in NC.  My husband has been encouraging me to take it up again but the currents can be so very dangerous there that I think I need to do some wimpy, shallow dives in a warm, blue sea where there will be an umbrella drink waiting for me when I get back on land.

Cathy,

I am excited to see your puppy!  Is it a standard poodle/lab mix?  I bet it will be beautiful.  We had a Woodle (Whippet/Poodle) mix when we were kids.

I hate painting but I love the results.  I hope you were able to finish the job.  I love vaulted ceilings but they are a #*@$ to paint.  I will take my boring, standard height ceilings every day.  I repainted my hall bath about a month ago.  There was a teeny,tiny air bubble that I decided to pop.  I ended up tearing the paint off in sheets.  For some reason it did not bond with the wall.  I asked the fellows at the local paint store and they said that sometimes it just goes that way.  I finally did finish it and it looks good.

Puppy,

I am going to try your olive oil trick.  I use DHC products and they have an olive oil face wash that I just love.

Mizzy,

I'll pm my email address so I can get on board.

I have to report that this week I have been wimpy girl.  I have done a couple of light workouts but nothing to set the world on fire. I was hoping to do my stair workout tomorrow but as there is a dusting of snow on the ground I will probably slug it out on the bike trainer.

Time to burn some calories before Turkey day!!!!

Casey      

PS  Somehow I missed your post Dottie!  I am glad you had a good time. Everyone needs a friend that you can indulge in the finer pleasures of the pallet.  My husband and I have made it a point to be surrounded by people who really know how to cook.  His fishing mate used to cook in a restraunt and I think my husband may be eating better away from home then when I cook for him and I'm a pretty good cook if I do say so myself.

Good-bye to the skin CA. Burned flesh and all!!!!

Good Morning Ladies,

So sorry I've fallen behind in the posts! We've been slammed at work (which is good!!) and haven't had time to post.

This will be a quickie.

Sounds like everyone is doing well! Cathy, busy painting - something I need to do too, but I hate it when I big room is involved. Like Casey, I do love the end result. Can't wait to see the puppy.

Speaking of puppies - PUPPY - I am so glad to see you posting here!!! WELCOME WELCOME!!!!!

Dottie, glad your trip was fabulous and I am so glad that carcinoma

is gone gone gone!!! B-bye carcinoma.

Mizzy- sorry you've had to deal with drama, bah!

Mary, Casey, Carol - hope you are all well. I am sorry if I missed anyone, but am sooo busy that I've got to run.

Need to start Christmas shopping manana. ugh. No extensions, BTW. As Mizzy and Puppy stated, I was worried about the damage that may have been done to my hair. Just didn't feel 100% good about it. So here I am with my 5.5' (YAY) hair and just dealing with it and looking like Kramer on a bad day, but having some good days as well.

Take care ladies.

Love, Raye

Hi Gals,

Doin' a Friday night checkin while hubbie cleans up after dinner....this time I cooked and I outdid myself--ginger mint marinated chicken with lemon barley and wild mushrooms sauted in wine & butter!!!  I surprised myself.  I've gotten so spoiled during chemo, letting him do most everything...you know, he's a great cook, but I'll tell you a secret, he's not quite the cook I am!!!!

So busy talkin about my dramas I forgot to notice, Cathy, that you are painting your dining room one of my favorite colors...bright green.  And faux painting, how courageous!!!  I really wanted to do our bedroom with a nice antique faux finish.  It was going to be kind of deep goldish yellow sponged over gold.  I was really excited about how it looked at first, until I noticed how hard it was to get the walls uniform looking.  I was trying to get this done before Erik got home and started getting desperate, so I painted over it all, but it was the wrong color!!  I ended up down in the basement opening up lots of cans of half-used paint from many previous projects and mixing them together, and got a very nice peachy color and painted the whole room with that...though it had the odd quality of drying a lot darker than it went on...

I keep on thinking I should do the bathrooms, I'm thinking of trying a taupy goldy metallic color, one of those Ralph Lauren shades. 

Dottie, glad to see you back from Phoenix,and I hope your guest problems will ease up for Thanksgiving.

Casey, I understand your fear of the ocean.  My family used to vacation at Nags Head every summer and we swam there...with the dophins, sting rays, jelly fish, sharks, and undertow...but after seeing Jaws it will take a lot to get me back in the ocean!!!  

Raye, glad that you're back...but we'd like to see you as well!!!

Mary and Carol, I'm going to work on a web page this weekend where we can all post photos...or would yall prefer just to do it right here? 

Puppy, I did the olive oil and the soda-shampoo wash, then I finished off with a minty rinse.  My hair is very nice now, except for the fact that it is too short.

I am looking forward to seeing all the pix...your hair pix, the new puppy pix, and Puppy's pix.  Puppy is sending me some photos to scan, then she can finally have her own avatar!!!

Have a great pre-Thanksgiving weekend, enjoy the holidays...everyone! 

Mizsissy 

Mizzy, 

http://www.dhccare.com/dhc/ is the site.

I started getting their catalog and they always have samples.  I tried their Deep Cleansing Oil and I was hooked!  You don't wet your face before you put it on.  Initially I thought that it couldn't possibly clean my face but I will tell you it is fantastic for removing make-up and my skin feels great. I also use their skin softener and tourmaline pack (mask).  I continue to use Oil of Olay for my lotion.  Can't beat the quality for the price in my opinion.

I hope the kitties are doing well.  I am amazed at the depth of some animals emotions.  Gus, well, he's a bit of a duffus but he has mastered the art of the pout.

Barry and I have noticed a beautiful mastiff that lives about 1/4 of a mile from us.  It lives in a dog house and only has ducks for companions.  Now that dog is depressed.  Around here mastiffs have become the cool dog to have.  People get them and just don't understand the requirements of the breed.

Barry and I are going to talk to the owners this week and possibly offer to buy the dog from them.  I am actually tempted to 'rescue' it one night but if we would accidently awaken the owner......

I am hoping that if we cannot get the dog or talk some sense into the owner that we can at least get the name of the breeder, contact them and see if there is anything in their sale contract that would let them take the dog back.

Why have a dog if you are going to tie it to a rope and stick it in the yard and ignore it?  Why spend a thousand plus dollars on a dog and do that?  As Forrest Gump says, "Stupid is as stupid does."

Thanks for letting me vent.

Raye, Dottie, Cathy, Mary, Puppy and Carol,

HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a great workout today.  I did my stair workout and extended it by doing the hiking trail loop. One hour and twenty minutes of serious cardio!

My DH is home for a week!!!!  We now have his and her computers to go with his and her couches.  We may soon have his and her dogs.

Hasta la proxima!!! 

Casey - I'll come help rescue the dog, too!!!!  In fact, I think it runs in my family, i.e. rescuing animals.  A couple of years ago one of my sisters told her neighbor that she hadn't seen their cat when in fact she had taken the poor, neglected kitty to the vet.  He  had a terrible UTI infection and stayed hospitalized for weeks.  She footed the bill and he conveniently went from the vet hospital to another sister's house where he lives comfortably now.  I can't stand to see animals abused or neglected!!!!

What's everybody doing for Thanksgiving.  We're staying in town and going to a friend's house.  We don't have any relatives in FL but don't feel like traveling this holiday.  Besides, we are enjoying our new pup.

As soon as I find out how to post a pix, I'll post one.  He's so laid back and fun!!!

Take care and have a safe and happy holiday!

Cathy

Hi everyone!  Nice to hear from you all.

Puppy, hope you feel better soon.

Casey, good luck with the neighbors.  I think Mizsissy's idea is great-if they won't let you take the dog, maybe they will let you borrow it.

Cathy, how fun to have a new puppy.  We adopted a yellow lab mix in July, and she is so sweet!  We have another dog-maybe 12 years old who is also adopted.  She wanted nothing to do with the new puppy for the first few months, but now they play together all day.  Their favorite game is tug-of-war, and I am going to stop buying them stuffed animals, because I can't afford it.  I bought them two on Saturday, and they had ripped them both apart by the end of the day!  Stuffing scattered everywhere!

I did not work out this weekend, but I took my kids to Mr. Magorium's Magic Emporium, and we loved it.  And my daughter and I baked chocolate chocolate chip muffins!  Yum!  She has decided she wants to learn to bake.  Hello, calories!

I have a hair picture to post.  I don't think there is any help for me until it gets a little thicker, but I'll let you guys be the judge.  I'll wait and see if Mizsissy's site works.  Otherwise, I will post it here.

We are hosting my sister and one brother for Thanksgiving.  We make a vegetarian stuffed roast every year, and it is actually very tasty if you like tofu!

Mary

WOW, I Love You Ladies!!!!!

Casey, Borrow the Poor thing, they will never miss it!!

Gods Speed

PS, I think in the Long run of things Sweet {{{RAYE}}} You will be very Happy

and I Too love, love , My Oil of Olay!! use to be a Mary Kay REP. They

had nothing on OOO!!!!!

Cathy, I was just teasing on the Ducks (NOT-HEHEHE) Can not wait till we

see Your Pup, what is the name?? and I am sure You look wonderful, just

the way You are!!!

Well guess I better go, I said goodbye 2 times, and I am sick, But wanted to

talk to my Pals!!! Mizsissy, "THANK YOU"

Puppy

Here's the new pup.  His name is Wally Doodle - a labradoodle who's 11 weeks old!

Cathy...What a totally darling puppy!!!  I just want to grab him & hug him!    Luv his name!!

I am going to get back to that document and email you all so you can publish your photos...however, I still need email addresses from Casey & Dottie.  I have an email address for someone named "Crech"..I don't know who this is?  Is it one of you?!!!

Puppy, IF you don't send me that package BEFORE Thanksgiving, you know what I'm gonna do?  I'm comin down to get it!!!  And I'm going to get a free haircut too!!!  Casey, you're not far away....you can come too.   We'll show y'all our Before & After pictures.

Mizsissy 

Dottie,

I sent you two invitations, one to the chemo hair doc and the other to our stats doc, which most of us have had access to since the beginning.  This is where we keep track of our weight, our goals, our exercise & so forth.  Gaining 11 pounds can be a bit traumatic, but that's why we're here, to help you!!  

I did manage to lose a few pounds over the past months...but more from stress than anything!!!  But losing just a few pounds did a lot for my self image, but the pounds are creeping back up on me too.  I think it's really important to exercise everyday.  Try to make it really enjoyable.  I love being outside, so running & biking are treats for me, even just a walk.  But with all this darkness closing in on us, it limits the hours available for this activity.  Exercise is not just good for your physical well being, but your state of mind as well. 

Anybody else live where it snows..??  We used to get snow here in Michigan and winter is the best time for our very favorite sport...cross country skiing. And it really burns those calories and cleans out your carbuerator... 

For those of you who can't get to the gym, you can do workouts at home.  I bought an exercise book at the grocery store and I have some free weights, and I think I get a better workout at home...

Anyway, we're all growing our hair out so it will be nice to get our bodies in shape too and have our new selves to look forward to this spring.  Our winter shape up can be kind of a present to ourselves for this spring...now how's that for positive thinking!

So let's start thinking about our goals...for March!! 

I am wondering if it might be a good idea to keep track of our sleep and energy levels as well.  Getting off Ativan was a big step for me in sleeping better and having more energy.

Mizsissy 

Mary!   good or you.  It's so much more comfortable without caps, wigs, scarves etc.  Mizzy, CRech is me - my last name is Rech. I think I registered again, I will check out the site after the Holiday!

Everyone, have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Carol 

Now that I think I've got the web doc thing working, it is time to check in and see where we are after seven (yes, count 'em) months.  Last summer I had lost about 4 pounds but three of 'em are back.  Yikes!!!  So my diet is starting TODAY.  My goal is to lose seven pounds, and I'd like to do it by Christmas if possible.  I definitely want to be more svelte by the time my hair grows out next spring.

Puppy is having computer problems again and can't log on, but there's a rumor that a new laptop may be in her future....

Mizsissy 

Hello?

Is everyone still sleeping from the triptaphine turkey?? Ha Ha... I went to the gym again tonight and did another duo of abs/gluts and then spin. The spin meister was a tough leader -- much harder than the other one. And tomorrow I start a monitored program at Curves -- I think they want ten visits in three weeks, so I'm looking forward to that. It's free, so what the heck? I think I'm on track now for the biggest loser wannabe! ... How is everyone?  Check in soon ..... Dottie

Hi Everybody,

I had a great Thanksgiving- ate too much but didn't drink because my brother and his gf are in recovery.  We played a family game of Taboo with my siblings and our kids.  Great fun!  We all get along much better now that my little bro is sober!

I had one of the best dining experiences of my life on Saturday.  I ate in New Orleans in the French Quarter at this little place called Louisiana Bistro.  I was with an old dear friend who lives in Seattle, her boyfriend and my hubby.  We got this thing called "FEED ME" where the chef just makes whatever he feels like and serves it to the table.  We told him I was a vegetarian, so he sent out veggie-stuffed mirlitons, bourbon sweet potato soup, and shrimp etouffe.  (I gave my shrimp away on that one.)  The meal took over three hours.  It was fantastic, and my friend was our designated driver so we could drink too much, too.  Very memorable evening.

Dottie, congrats on your workouts.  You seem to have moved to the head of the class.  Go, girl!

Cathy, I love my Y.  It is such a nice cross-section of people, all ages, races, and abilities.  And it really  helps to have a work-out buddy.

I will try to get over to the google site and post pictures.  I still have my bald spot, but it is filling in.

I haven't stepped on a scale for some time, but my clothes still fit, so I guess I'm ok.  I have cut out sugar as of yesterday.  I also quit coffee last week.  I was off coffee all through chemo, but started back with it recently and started having trouble sleeping.  So, I'm back to drinking green tea.  I am going to stay off sugar at least until I see my oncologist next Tuesday.  Then I'll set my bathroom scale to whatever I weigh in his office.  I'll be wearing my lightest pair of shoes and suit that day!  I like to weigh right under 125, and I estimate that I am just over it.  Those couple of pounds sit right around my middle, so I hate them.

I am nervous about seeing the onc next week.  Ugh.  He only does blood work, no scans or anything, but I'll have to talk to him about the genetic test and make a plan for dealing with that.  Ugh. Ugh.

Hope the rest of you are doing well.  Raye?  Casey?

Mary