Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

OMG Jan I am HOWLING!  You are so funny…..skew survival stats indeed! LOL

As for Burts Bees, it is funny you mention that because that is what I use on my gross fingers at least twice a day!  I have the lemon cuticle cream and a tin of their hand salve.  It is actually a great product, and my hands are better than they were a few weeks ago that is for sure!  Actually  most of my annoyance is having to grow my nails long…I hate having long nails!  As soon as it is over, I have a date with my nail clipper that is for sure.  Oh, and I am with you on the purse fetish…one of my guilty pleasures is to lurk around the Macys handbag department drooling.  The only thing I love almost as much as a nice purse is a WALLET!

Oh, and Tina….I guess you would appreciate this one…during chemo my sister gifted me with a dark red Balenciaga knockoff bag that looks just like the yellow one that Nicole Richie carries.  NICE except that it is so big that I lose everything inside it.  Have a great trip!  Let  us know how everything goes. Oh, and small electronics MUST have legs...they disappear and turn up in the most unlikely places but NOBODY even touched them (we swear mommy!).

Mary that is a great story about the gym…people get their panties in a knot over the silliest things!  Jeepers…if you do not get a bike, use the treadmill, or the elliptical or the…. I think many people just need a dose of reality, and kudos to you for administering it.

Joni any word from your onc?

Hello everyone,

Cannh, we are actually the Jan 2007 Chemo girls.  You are more than welcome here, but there is another list where the girls will be starting chemo in Jan 2008.  It is a real godsend to have someone to share your emotions, fears, highs, and lows with, and also as you are all going thru it together it helps when people understand how you are feeling.    God's Blessings to you as you go thru your journey.

I had a good laugh with Jan's comment about skewing statistis too!!  Each of us has choices to make, and for that lady I guess that was her choice.  It seems hard to relate to for me, when I'm fighting my darndest to stay on this side of the daisy plantation.  I'll go down with my sabre in the air...and hopefully not for a long long time.

I will not be hearing from my oncologist until after January 7, he has gone on holiday.  I'm doing okay, but started getting a cold yesterday.  We were supposed to go over to my sister's place to play cards, but Dan said "No" you are staying home and going to bed early....so that is what I did.  I'm sitting here watching a wonderful movie called "The Four Feathers", sipping on a neocitrin.

Skye, let us know how your tests go.  Caya, are your daughters back from holiday yet? 

Thanks for all the wonderful Christmas cards from everyone, it was fun getting them from all over.  Tina, you have a beautiful family.

Lynn, well your Patriots went 16-0...congrats!!!  Do you think they'll win the Super Bowl?

Tina, have a great trip!!  Viddie, Mary, Amera, Melia, Sharon, Rebecca, RobbinJaye, Cindy, Nancy....hugs to all.

Joni

Joni feel better...kick that colds butt!  Mine finally went away, but I have a lingering runny nose and a light cough that just will not go away.

We spent the day today just kind of puttering around...went to get Matt a nice new shirt and tie for the wedding, and I got to use a gift card to Borders and buy the latest Neal Stephenson book (techno-scifi with lots of cryptography and secret societies etc).  When we got home we started catching up on some household chores that have fallen by the wayside, like painting some patches on the girls' wall upstairs Barbie-Pink.  Matt poured a bit too much paint into the tray, and so in our quirky, thrifty way, we walked around the house to see what else we could paint pink.  So now the ceiling and medicine cabinet in our bathroom are SCREAMING pink.  Frances decided that we needed to do it so we could "bring out our inner pink" LOL.  It actually looks neat...we are going to set it off with a wallpaper border of  tropical frogs, and I guess I have to go and get a new shower curtain now.  Well anyway...Caya, we will be going to the Rainforest Cafe with some friends tomorrow night where they have a kid-oriented celebration.  Lots of balloons, hats and loud music.  They countdown to the new year at 8 instead of 12 and call it "rainforest time"  we went two years ago and had a great time.  Last year we went to a friend's house and had a quiet evening.  That was my first introduction to Guitar Hero...which I rocked out to even though I still had my drains from surgery (yeck).

Glad your girls had a good time in Fla Caya!  

Wow! Rebecca, that is a pretty sculpture. The daughter of one of her neighbors brought back a mug carved from that stone for my mil when she came home from the Peace Corps in 1973. We have it now along with some of the others that we gave her originally.

Okay...just realized you all started chemo in January of THIS year ... not 2008!  LOL

Thanks Joni for pointing out the difference in the years. My mind has been doing tricks on me and I have not even started the chemo yet. 

I can't believe that is going to be 2008! Anyway, cheers to all of you that are going on your first year after starting chemo!!!!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all of my dear Jan sisters!   It just has to be a better year than 07, right?  Although our daughter's wedding wrapped the year up in a lovely way.

Rebecca, I notice that my eyelashes are much thinner again too. You mentioned a makeup artist; we did this for our older daughter's wedding, and she actually put extra individual eyelashes on those who wanted them. They were glued one by one (she was a saint) and looked lovely. Before this wedding, I didn't even realize that makeup artists can be hired for events, but it was so much fun.  Back then, I didn't need extra lashes, but most of the girls had them.

I also would love to see the discussion of a get together revived. I think it's important to keep it reasonable financially so everyone can swing it, and I don't much care where it is .... it would be fun to meet in person.  I don't know if I could do it or not, but would certainly try. A lot depends on timing in terms of getting off work, but I am sure I am not alone in that issue.

Today is one of those perfectly clear, sunny, San Diego days. Just gorgeous. My husband has to work, and our son is meeting someone for breakfast, so I have the house to myself for a while. I love being here alone. I am going to try to do an album of the wedding photos on Shutterfly, the type of project I never have time to do during a normal work week.

Joni, I hope you are feeling ok, and am kinda angry that you don't get answers til the 7th. But I don't deal well with waiting; I am much better when faced with answers, no matter what they are. I am sure that is typical of most people.

Skye, I hope your pain is  not bad as well. We are all thinking of you.

Viddie, time to get really serious about Weight Watchers  again ... fortunately, we are out of most of the fattening stuff. Once our son leaves  on Wed, we are back to salds, fish, chicken, lots of veggies and fruits.

Ok, all, have a good New Year's; those of you going out, please be careful. I worry about all the nuts on the road.

Hugs, Melia

I agree - let's plan an in-person get together. Virgina Beach would be easy for me. I'm not that familiar with the midwest - so someone throw out some easy-to-get-to locations. Maybe Chicago? 

Jan, I too feel like I can't give the wig away just yet, or I will jinx myself. 

Joni, take care of yourself!

Rebecca, I wish I could grow long nails.  Mine have always been paper thin and only acrylic would work but I don't have the time or money for that.  Hope the wedding goes well.  No one but you will notice the eyelashes.

I am all partied out and tonight is my New Years Eve party so I am kind of a bear to live with.  I told my son from Houston that next year I'm leaving town for Christmas and my two sons can have the house.  I have made several special dinners and then for tonight I have made potato salad and two kinds of meatballs and spinach dip.  Of course I have to stop at the store for a couple of things my DH forgot.  I am going to do a quick run by the gym and try to work off a little stress without getting too tired.  Then going to church at 4 - will say a prayer for all of you that this next year will be one of joy.  People start coming over at 8 - OY~ how did I ever get talked into this?  Looking forward to going back to work 1/2 - anything is better than all of this entertaining!  One lucky thing happened today - a crazy driver hit our mailbox (but because the subdivision made us all buy this expensive $300 model, he didn't knock it down.)  The driver lost his mirror but missed DS#2's car.  It snowed a little but I'm sure he was going too fast on the curve in our sub.  Then he came back looking for his mirror but I didn't get his license plate in time.  He looked like a young college kid.  I'm just glad my son's car didn't get hit - of course I had told him several days ago to move it into the driveway but he doesn't remember that.  Keep safe everyone!  Hugs and Happy New Year.

Hi Gals,

Caya, I got total shivers from your Uncle Harvey's message. In the MRI, yet!

Mary, you did that young man in the gym a big favor if he listened and "got" it. Not sweating the small stuff is such a big and important lesson to learn.

Jan, I'm the opposite on purses...I always forget to change them and usually just stick to one all year. My all-time favorite is a little khaki canvas bag I got on sale for $5 at Walmart. :-) And I never thought about it but you are right that the woman who refused chemo is skewing stats like crazy.



Rebecca I think my tingling is a little more persistent than yours. but I still would have it checked out even to learn whether it's a pinched nerve. I think chirorpractic can help in that case. And I haven't forgotten your ginger tea!



I got my Herceptin this morning but they had failed to schedule the MRI so I will have to make another trip whenever they get around to it. Grrr. They were only working a half day but I was there for almost all of it. I'm going to need a nap before we go out tonight. A resort near here does a most fabulous buffet and decorates to the hilt; we are going with three couples we've both known since high school and earlier. But I'm sure we'll be home well before midnight, and little Grendel will be crying for us in his indoor kennel. He hasn't had to spend much time in there yet.



May every one of you enjoy a safe and happy start to the New Year! - Skye

Oh and UGH on the MRI, or lack therof Skye.  That really stinks.  I guess you will have to start harassing them again like you did about your rads.  What a pain!  Get on the horn girl!  You have to figure out what is going on!

Hello....Happy New Year to you all, hoping 2008 finds us all with Health and Happiness.

I like the Vegas idea, however I think July would be too hot....how about April or May?  Is everyone done treatment then?  There are some inexpensive hotels there, and I imagine everyone can get a flight from where they live. 

We could plan a really nice dinner out, and maybe even include a show.

Hugs to all, and the best of blessings in the New Year.

Joni

Hi all,



Meri left yesterday. I had a whirlwind of a week- now back to the empty nest.

Lynn,

How are you feeling? I am glad 3 of your drains came out.

My left breast is also bigger than my right. Hmmm. I am going to ask him about it next week. Yours might be due to swelling. It does take a while for the swelling to go down.

Dr. Lee told me to wear the binder for 6 weeks. I wore it 22/7. I took it off between 8pm and 10pm every night just to take a break. I do believe that is keeps the swelling down. At 5 weeks, I tried not wearing it for a day, and my stomach did extend a little. I wore it for 2 more weeks after that. I got used to wearing it. Now my stomach is fine. A few weeks ago, after a major pig out, I noticed my stomach was a little puffy. I put on the binder for a day, and the puffiness magically disappeared. Now when I want to look extra flat, I put it on. BTW, ask Linda for an extra binder next time you go in. She will give you another one only if you ask for it.

Did the doc give you a catalog of bras? If he didn’t, it is also online:

www.ClearpointMD.com. It is the most comfortable bra I have ever worn. Strangely they are only 2 for $20.00. It is style # 218.

Skye,

Hugs to you. I can’t believe they forgot to schedule your MRI. I hope you get it soon and it will show just the costochondritis. Let us do your worrying. That’s what we are here for. I still believe that the hercepton protects us fully while we are still on it. Hopefully after the treatments also.



A get together sounds great anywhere. My Stage 2 is in May though.



I hope everyone has a HAPPY and HEALTHY NEW YEAR.



Love,

Viddie

Oh, Caya, forgot to mention it, but how very cool about your visit from your Uncle Harvey in the MRI!  Those things, I am firmly convinced, can and do happen, but we are not always lucky enough to experience them ourselves.   What a great experience that must have been.  Thanks for sharing it.

Happy New Year!  It's 7 am and I'm on my parents patio and it's about 75 degrees.  They live on a 55 acre lake and it's very peaceful.  Yeah, you hear the hum of the FL Turnpike, but I lived on the side of I-93 in Boston for many years.  I'm looking a tiny, baby gecko right now.  Haven't seen one in several years.  Forgot about them.

Joni....  "sipping on a neocritin".  Is that an antibiotic or a cocktail?  Being New Years Eve and the fact that you were sipping it, I'm guessing it's a special drink?  LOL!

On the subject of wigs, I kept one and I've been telling myself I really need to lose it as it would scare the hell out of any prospective buyers when they open that door.  Looks like it belongs to one of the Monkees or something.  I did keep a lot of scarves and I also think they are just as good for bad hair days as no hair days.

Well, I love Vegas, baby!  Def. easy, can be done economically, lots to do that doesn't involve gambling if that's not your thing, which it's not mine.  I love the pools, shops, restaurants, shows.  I wonder if Elton John will still be doing the Red Piano at Caesers...  THAT I'd like to see.  When we were out there just before dx in 7/06 the DH and I wanted to go really badly and it said "mature content".  For a moment we considered bringing bandannas to tie around the kids eyes.

Mel, funnnnnny about you running your trash over.  I've nearly done that a million times.  Beats hitting the DH's car I guess, but, still, a big mess to contend with.

Viddie, my left is bigger than my right too.  What's up w/us?  After last months experience, though, I'm living with it.

Caya, re:  Uncle Harvey, not sure if I mentioned that just before my surgery that wasn't, I had a very lifelike dream that Paul's mother called me.  She passed in June of '06, just before my dx.  Then, at 4 am on the 31st, just before I got up to fly here, who "calls" me but my old boss here in FL, Bill.  He died a year ago of metastasized prostate cancer (to the colon).  He had no idea he had colon cancer.  He was the best, most optimistic, fun loving, giving guy.  Only 70.  I was shocked/bummed when I heard that news.  Anyway, I was nearly afraid to get on the plane after his "call".  He worked in aviation safety here in Boca and was always saying things like don't fly prop planes, never anything under 50 seats, stay on newer aircraft, etc...  Anyway, it's odd to have two "visits" in such a close time frame.  A little unnerving.

Rebecca, cracking up at your "quirky frugality" and using that extra pink paint.  You remind me so much of my friend, Kim, that I've known since elem. school.  She would do exactly that too.  What cracks me up is in your quest to not waste the paint, you now need to buy wallborder, a new shower curtain.  That would be me.  I do one thing and it leads to ten other things.  I think I'm chilling in my not so old age, though, because normally I would be compelled to redecorate my mothers house here, which I did initially ten years ago and I have no desire.  I give up.

OK...time for more java.  We are going to Wanndocity at noon.  It is FABULOUS.  Check it out:  www.wanndocity.com.  It's at Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, FL and it's an entire "city" built inside the mall.  Looks like a Vegas hotel.  The kids can work doing anything they "wannado".  They can work in the nursery at Plantation General Hospital, they can ring groceries at a kidsized Publix (tiny shopping carts and waist high registers), they can join the circus, be archaelogists, fireman, crime scene investigators, you name it.  They get "paychecks" and there is a bank to deposit their money.  It's really one of the most fabulous places for kids I've ever seen.  Mine haven't stopped talking about it since they went 3 years ago.  It rivals Disney in my sons mind.  There is Rainforest Cafe there.  I wonder if they do that New Years celebration all day.  I'm betting they do.  Maybe we'll go there afterward.  Sounds cute.

Tomorrow the DH and I do a dry run of the route to his interview in Miami.  Hoping to hop over to South Beach and eat at Larios, Gloria Estefan's place.  If not, we like this hole in the wall, Sergios, for good Cuban food.  That'd be an inexpensive blast from the past.

Fri. am we head up to Disney for two nights.  Staying at the Port Orleans hotel at Downtown Disney.  Two nights for $300, incl. tax, which isn't too too bad for staying in the park.

OK, over and out ladies!  Again, Happy New Year!  Wouldn't have made it without you all for sure!  XOXO  Love, T