Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Hey guys,

Thanks so much for all the good wishes/prayers for my surgery.  I'm in good shape.  I spread out all the x-mas gifts on the floor yesterday to make sure it looks "even".  Ha-ha!  It's all wrapped and I picked up a Nintendo DS for my son's b'day yesterday at Walmart, so he's good to go.  The house is decorated, looks good but not overdone.  So hopefully I'll not feel too bad afterward...my onco. has me semi paranoid but I have to recall the success stories, such as my friend out here, Diana, my age, who had ovaries out in June.  Said she had a few weeks of sweats and stuff, but other than that, you'd never know she did anything so major.  Lucky her, though, she could do it laparscopically.  My stomach is so hacked up, they can't.

I may see you later tonight...  but if not, thanks again and I'll let you know how I make out as soon as I can.

Thanks, Viddie, I was going to ask that.  How long will you be in the hospital, Tina?  Any chance your dh or a friend can come on and let us know how you are?

Joni, when is your onc. appointment?  I'm sure you're ok, but understand that you need to check in when you don't feel right.  I hope your appointment is very soon so you can be reassured.  You do keep up quite a pace, you know - maybe you're just run down. 

Viddie, I don't know what to tell you about the excessive peeing, either.  That isn't particularly unusual for me, although I can go all day long at work without going.  Then I come home and go every hour.  It may have something to do with reduced hormone levels, I'm thinking, causing changes in your tissues down there.  You would probably be surprised how many women our age complain of the same thing.  If it doesn't get better, you could always see a urologist, but I'd start with your gyno first.

The hair appointment went fine yesterday.  It was great fun to see everyone there and catch up on the news.  Phiet said he could make my hair presentable, and I have an appointment  next Wed. after work for a cut and color.  We shall see.  If he can't make it longer and straighter, I'm not sure how happy I'll be, but it can't be any worse than now!  

Jan, Harrison is doing about the same on the leash.  Sometimes perfect, sometimes not so good.  I'm not sure what the issue is, whether it's stress or just stubbornness, or even discomfort or fatigue...still working on understanding him.  However, I think I'll stop using the flexi and go back to a regular leash, and see if I can get dh to do the same, as he walks him the most. 

Our oldest kitty is at the vet today for bladder xrays to rule out a bladder wall tumor.  I'm pretty anxious - can't imagine life without Ted, and at 17 he's more fragile than he used to be.  I was supposed to be at work today, but dh and I were going to give each other back rubs yesterday, as both our backs were sore.  After he got done with mine, I couldn't get up, turn over, or move in any direction.  Literally was stuck for about an hour in a halfway standing, halfway lying down position.  Still couldn't get up when the alarm went off at 4:30, so here I am taking a sick day that I don't have, already.  Oh well...maybe two days a week will be my limit.

Love you all

Hello strangers. Just popping in to say hi. I have been so busy at work, I've forgotten what my family looks like. I've gotten slammed which is good and bad. Good to be busy, but stressful as well.

Anyhow, good luck to all the gals heading to surgery. And Yippee for all those recovering. I really miss having the time to carefully read posts. I miss all of you guys and feel bad that I cannot comment more thoughtfully.

One thing though...Rebecca, I swear that when you said you'd been down, moody, etc, and then that your hot flashes weren't as bad, my first thought was that your period was coming back. That's exactly what happened to me when mine returned. The first was very long (2 weeks) and on and off heavy. Now they are back to normal except the PMS hormones seem to stick around for a much longer time. I am going to start my 2 week Prozac cycle in another week. I really think it will have to be increased though as the moodiness is not just PMS anymore, but for a few days after. I don't suppose I can have PMS for 3 out of 4 weeks.

Okay, need to get back and pay some attention to my children before they forget who I am. I will try to check in when I can.

XXOO Amera

Oh by the way....My doggies survived my absence! Stepson earned an "Atta Boy" but he still has an awful lot of "ah shits" to overcome. lol

joni good news just keep care of yurself please ,

Caya and I met for lunch today here is a pic of us. We went to Jack Astors and gobbled up our food . Great to finally meet !

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it was fun i trimmed the pic a bit so it was not sooo big !

Its snowing like crazy here we are in for another dump of the white stuff .

Guess what?  I called in for tomorrow and said I am taking a personal day -- that's a big step for me.  DS#2 is home for the night - tom he goes for a summer job internship so I can spend a little time with him, go to the gym, grocery shopping and have a relaxing day.  I got one too many terse emails this week.  I am all caught up at work even with my filing.  Let's see if they miss me tomorrow.

Joni, I hope you are alright.  I could sense by your notes lately that you were feeling a little down.  Sending special hugs your way.

Viddie, I hope you figure out the peeing thing.  I know that is really aggravating.  I find if I drink alot at night that happens but not that frequently.  I still think the Tamox makes me drier and more irritating, feeling like I have to pee.

Skye, I am really glad if you have figured out your arm problem.  That has really been perplexing.

Melia, glad you are okay.  I had a colonscopy a couple of years ago.  Colon cancer runs in my family so it's really worth the bother.

Caya, how was your dinner with the GP?

Debbie or Mel, did you get any snow?  I hear it turned cold in Texas for a bit.

Cindy, I'm glad your drains are gone!  What a relief.

My friend at work, with the biospy, it turned out okay except she got a blood clot from the procedure but that is resolving itself.  She is so relieved that she doesn't have bc.

Rebecca, Optimus Prime is such a hoot.  I would never have imagined that the helmet was that big!  That is priceless.  We could all use those at times!  I have an especially bad hair day occasionally.  I can never predict how it is going to turn out.  Going to go get a shaping next week.

Lynn, hope your mom's move went okay.

Jan, my friend is on Hawaii and they hiked to Green Sand Beach but then they had to walk down a cliff to get to the beach so they decided not to go the rest of the way.  I'm sure you would have made it back up!

Melia, laughing about the MOG.  I'll be the laid back one.  I'll need to be since the mother of the bride is a nervous nelly.  I think we are having them over for Christmas.  We really get along well.  I think they are having an engagement party the weekend following Christmas for the bridal party to get to know each other.  Things are really moving fast.

Hugs.

Hi Gals,

I just got home after being at the office for 2 days and didn't even have a chance to log in here and read, so I have some catching up to do.

Tina, I will be thinking of you tomorrow and wishing you luck with your surgery! {{{{{{Tina}}}}}}}

I had my pre-op with my breast surgeon today.  I really really like her a lot.  She also drew me pictures (as my PS did) about my surgery.  When I was leaving, she walked me out to the lobby, took one of her cards from her pocket and wrote down her cell phone number, telling me to call her if I need to talk to her about anything.  WOW, I've never gotten a cell phone number from any other Dr.  She is awsome!!!!!!

I'll catch up on the posts tomorrow, I'm so exhausted I"m going to bed!

love and hugs,

Lynn

My computer is showing that none of us has posted for 23 hours.  Could this even be possible?  Has the site been down?

Yes Mel  I noticed also that nobody posted today - glad you did to keep us on the ball!!

Viddie - Mazel Tov on your mom turning 91 - that's great.

Mary - How was your day off? You certainly deserve it. And I bet they missed you.

Lynn - Your breast surgeon sounds great. It's important to be confident with the surgery team.

Not much new here.  The DH is going to NYC tomorrow for sales meetings.  He'll be there until next Thursday, so I'll be here by my lonesome for a few days until Tuesday, when Cassie is coming home for the XMAS break.  She has one final exam that morning, then I may drive downtown to pick her up that afternoon with her stuff. She has one or two more exams in Dec., but will just take the subway down to write them.  It will be nice to have her home. Amanda's last exam is Dec. 18th.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Tina - thinking of you.Hope everything went well. Post when you can.

Viddie, I'll be right across the canal from you tomorrow visiting George's sisters house.  He is the oldest of 9 and everyone gets together once per year.  We really don't have time for the 2.5 hour drive each way plus the time there, but I didn't go last year because I just had my mastectomy, so it's been 2 years since I've seen everyone.  I wish we could get together but we're really showing up, staying for 3 hours and driving back home.  Question: I got my marsupial pouches today, do I need to bring them to the hospital?

Sharon and Caya, you both look fabulous! So glad you were able to meet up!

Joni, whew! No change in the Xray is a great thing.  Is 'skip' the person that actually throws the thingy that goes down the ice?

Amera, nice to hear from you, we miss you too! Check in when you can.

Mary, how was your day off?

It seems that everywhere I go there is someone sick. I have been pounding vitamin C for 2 weeks.  I asked my bs if they would cancel my surgery if I got a cold, she said it depends on the severity.  If I had a fever, they would cancel it, but would probably still operate with a slight cold.  Since I just had the flu 2 weeks ago, I'm really hoping it's overwith and my resistance is high.  I feel sooo much better about the surgery now that I had the pre-op with both surgeons. I had already met them last spring, but these appt's were wonderful.

Tina, thinking about you, hope everything went well today!  hugs!

My dear sisters I am unfortunately the bearer of some not so good news.  I received an email a little while ago from Paul, Tina's husband.  The text of the email follows:

Dear Friends,   We appreciate the thoughts and prayers you have all shared with us.  Things did not go as planned with Tina's surgery this morning.  When the surgery began Tina experienced a  serious cardiac episode which caused them to stop the surgery an immediately begin treating/diagnosing her cardiac issue.  She was transferred to ICU and after several tests/procedures they have diagnosed her with Cardiomyopathy. (A weakening of the heart muscle). The Dr's early hypothesis is this probably is related to the chemotherapy treatment she has had.   She is now in stable condition in the ICU unit at OSU.  She was able to talk with the Dr's and is now resting.  In the early morning she will be transferred to the Ross cardiac hospital which is a part of OSU.  They will be working over the weekend to determine treatment options, extent of damage, next steps etc...   The staff and treatment at OSU has been great.    The bad news is she had a rough day and a real scare with the cardiac episode.  The good news may be that they were able to find this heart issue in a hospital setting and immediately begin treatment.   The ICU unit does not allow calls or deliveries.  Your positive thoughts and prayers will continue to be very helpful!!     I will update you as I can.   Thank you,   Paul & Tina Please keep our beloved Tina in your hearts.  I will keep you all updated as I can.  

Oh, what terrible news!  Poor Tina.  However, it is good that this happened under anesthesia when she was being monitored so carefully.  Positive thoughts and prayers going out from here, for sure - and thanks, Rebecca, for sharing the news.  I just wish there were more we could do to help.  Please keep us informed.

Skye, your hair looks great, and it is nice to see the real you again (although I was beginning to imagine you as looking like your former avatar).  EIGHTEEN attendants?!  Well, why not?  I do think that's the most I've heard of, though.  I agree with Melia that they should have whatever they want. 

Caya and Sharon, the photo is lovely of the two of you! 

The February girls are planning a get-together already, guys.  We really need to start talking about it, too, I think.  Talking about it in a serious way, I mean.  We can do it - just need to commit to making it happen. 

My back is much better today, Viddie, thanks for asking.  That happened to me two weeks in a row, though...wonder if it has something to do with going back to work?

I got some bad news yesterday - our 17-yr. old cat Ted has a bladder tumor, a big one.  He doesn't seem to be in distress at this time, but his days are numbered, I'm afraid.  It has been hard to see him age over the last year and know that the end was coming eventually.  He's probably the sweetest cat I've ever known.  We're lucky to have had him all these years, but it's always hard to say goodbye.

Night, everyone. 

Tina & Paul,

Sending prayers your way.  I'm so sorry this has happened.  We are here for you always!

love and hugs,

Lynn

Paul and Tina,



I also am in a state of shock. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Many many hugs also. We are here for you. Please continue to update us. Tina is truly cherished here and all our prayers and positive vibes will reach her.

Thanks Rebecca for sharing this news.



Love,

Viddie (Paula)