Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

Good Morning Jewels,

Again, I am amazed at all that's been posted since yesterday...



KathyL and SheShe48-Shocking that a pediatrics office-an office that deals with medicine- can be so discompassionate to one of its own nurses. SheShe48-same to you...a BC Survivor fired you? I don't think that's even legal...firing someone on the spot for disclosing they were diagnosed with cancer. (Not that I'm advocating filing a wrongful termination suit- who would want to work for someone like that anyway). I feel for you both on the tightening finances.



I am sooooo lucky to work in my school district. We have a Catestrophic Leave bank that we donate to each year. I applied to be granted enough leave to get me through the end of the school year. I am awarded 20 days at a time, and have been told there is enough to get me to the end of the year plus plenty of days for others in our district who may need it. Once that is done, if I need more time, my disability insurance will kick in at 75% of my pay.



Kathy, I hear you about all the germs and being on your feet all day long. As a teacher, I'm in the same boat. Parents send their sick ones to school all the time, and I often don't get to sit all day long- except during my 36 minute lunch, if I take lunch as I often give up lunch to assist kids who need help- having 5 periods and over 130+ students in and out of the classroom. I had to take the rest of the year off...and it killed me...I miss my kids so much...but I had to put my well-being first.



D1-Not only is FUBC totally appropriate....but FUSE (F..U...Side..Effects) too!!!! You crack me up...even when you're feeling like the Vikings snapped you the ball and let the other team trample all over you.

I often say to the TV...like it can hear me...when pharmaceutical companies advertise their wares..."How can you put on that smile and do whatever it is you're doing with all those SE's?" Notice the SE's are stated quickly in the background like we won't notice. Who can function at all, let alone have sex, with a four hour erection, loss of hearing, and eyesight? And those SE's for the CMF chemotini sound dreadful...of course, not everyone experiences these SE's...and they have to be disclosed...but that's scary shit...oops, sorry...it just slipped out....must be an SE of BC.



Vettegal-I hear you on being impatient...and agree with all the advice/support already given. I had nodes removed on the left side at the same time as my bilat, and healing is slow, but it does get better little by little and day by day. Hang in there...oh, you can't do that yet (neither can I now that I mentioned it)...ummm...Stiff upper lip dahling...you've got the right stuff!!! Love the T-Shirt idea.

My DH was in landscaping for over 15 years before he blew his back out. After three surgeries ending in fusion, he had to give it up. He's now an energy analyst at a consulting firm working to get alternative energy plants built-solar, wind, biofuel, geothermal, and hydrogen.



Carol- A Tugboater and a Truckdriver? That's great!!!! My father is working with a group to restore an old WWII tugboat from Pearl Harbor. He was in Hawaii when it was bombed-he was 5- and his father was a civil engineer hired by the govt to do things like work on the Panama Canal and stuff. Anyway, my dad feels his father may have been on this tug as he toured the damage and worked on a plan to clear away all the wreckage and repair docks and the like. My mother, who passed away at 58 of Pancreatic Cancer, was a wonderfully funny lady. She often stated that when she retired she wanted to be a poet truckdriver. Hee Hee. Sorry to hear your mom passed of melonoma. Anyway, I'm with you on making 2008 the year I show the world what this gal is made of...let's kick butt this year!!!!!



Sharon-Thanks for the info on Neupogen and Nuelasta. I know I'm supposed to get a shot of something the next day after chemo...but can't recall the name of it. Still haven't heard from my oncologists office...I'm thinking they took today off and will do the same tomorrow.



Welcome Julie K and Chris. You've found a great group here.



Julie, I am 99% positive that I'll be getting a hysterectomy and have my ovaries removed, which is apparently not included in a hysterectomy (uterus only, I believe) in order to reduce my likelihood of ovarian cancer. My dad had breast cancer and prostate cancer(still living), and my mother pancreatic cancer (passed at 58), and all of those cancers are tied to the BRCA2 gene...so Dad's taken the BRCA test as of last week-my insurance won't cover it because we don't have enough cancer in the family line...go figure- If he's positive, then insurance has to cover my test....but more importantly, my twin will have no problems getting her test approved. I already did a bilateral mastectomy-which is one choice my oncologist would have strongly suggested had the test results been in hand prior to surgery...and I'm glad I did have a bilat...the right breast did have precancerous cells roaming around. Now, the test will determine if I have all my female plumbing removed, since my cancer is ERPR+.

Sounds like your family history is full of this dreaded disease,too. I'm sorry your family has had to go down this road. Has your sister regretted her decision to remove her breasts and female plumbing? My twin is a bit unnerved by this whole thing...to be expected.



I think I've gotten everyone...if not...know I'm thinking about you and wishing you nothing but dreamfilled nights, energy filled days, and clear headed minds :-)



By the way, Charlie Wilson's War, was FABULOUS!!!! It's amazing what this man did...and how we find ourselves in the same position again...doing the same thing we've always done only this time without a man like Charlie on the team. When will our gov't learn from its mistakes?



I read the Kite Runner, YuYuBear, and hear the movie is really good...but I loved the book so much and don't want to spoil what I imagined in my head...and heard the movie gives too much away too soon. I'll have to wait and see if I can bring myself to go see it. I'm a little weird when it comes to my characters in what I read...I literally have to grieve the end of a book...I can't pick up another for a day or two...OK,that's a lot weird.



Happy New Year Jewels...tonight at the stroke of midnight, I'll be toasting us all!!!!



Love, your SIS (Sister In Survival)

Kimberly

Hello Jewels,

    I called about my path results and the dr office called back, and they don't have them yet....I know its a holiday time but it is going on 10 days. I mentioned a to them a girl i knew from another state had the surgery the same day and she had hers back on friday! All they could say, another state. Anyway now that i totally going to freak out...I am so impatiant, She did say there was alot of us waiting for path results from the same dr.I wanted to get the 2008 off with good news so i can start my treatment and look forward to fight this FUBC(thanks d1)ok, sorry for the venting!

thanks for the underarm tips, my scar too is lower but the pit has like a hole and then swelling. my breast really hurts today and my shoulder. i couldn't even wear my sportsbra it felt weird. so i am goling w/o bra today and wearing my cancer sucks t-shirt, my dh doesn't seem to mind the breast hanging a bit in the t-shirt (lol)

i am so addicted to this board!!! Hugs to all!

Have to definitely agree with D1....hard to keep up with everyone.  I am so thankful that the ones that have already started are taking the time to keep us that are not so patiently waiting, up to date on how you are feeling.  You are right, the waiting is the hard part.  I don't start until the 8th and am getting downright impatient to begin.  Don't get me wrong, I am still apprehensive about the se's and how work will go but the sooner I start, the sooner it is over.  I am willing to put up with whatever I have to to get through this.

One good thing for me I guess is that I don't have to worry about the hair loss.  I lost my hair about 3 years ago due to some weird, rare, autoimmune disorder so I am used to the wigs, doo-ags, etc.  Just have to wait and see what happens with the eyebrows and eyelashes.  I didn't lose those then so maybe they will be stubborn now too..  Who knows, maybe this will make my hair grow back!  Wouldn't that be a hoot?!?!

To those recovering from surgery....it does get better each day.

Lastly, I guess I'm a real doofus...it took me forever to figure out FUBC but I did like FUSE and will keep it handy in case the se's get me some days.

Happy New Year Jewels.  "When one door closes, another one opens" and this coming year is OUR year!!  2008 is going to be GREAT!

Afternoon Jewels,



Carol-No call from the Oncologist's office. They must have taken the day off. So, I'll hear from them on the 2nd.



Yeah, the whole BRCA thing was just so ludicrous...all my doctors were just amazed at my insurances' denial. The reason my Dad got tested so easily is because he's a man with breast cancer...he didn't need to have a family history... and Medicare paid for it. So, thankfully those results will be here by the end of the month.



I think driving a truck sounds way more interesting and entertaining than sitting at a desk as a secretary for some govt' agency. Do you ever get to go out on the tug boat?



Vettegal-I'm so sorry you haven't gotten your path results yet. It is frustrating isn't it? It might be different if it weren't the holiday season....and all the people waiting for the same doc to get their results...he's probably on a much needed vacation. In the mean time, enjoy the New Year knowing we are all hoping for Negative Nodes.



Kathy-To answer your question about why take everything. I too am premenopausal, but apparently, with ovaries out to knock out any potential creation of estrogen, the meds I'd take after chemo and rads would be for post menopausal women, and it has the slight potential of encouraging uterin cancer, so I thought why keep any of it if I no longer need it? Wow, a family of teachers. You went into a service position, too, and one like teachers that isn't often recognized as a 'real' profession. So, I will raise a glass to nurses and teachers tonight...BRAVO!!!!



Arkansas Deb- I don't recall seeing you here before...I could be wrong...but welcome. We have a teacher at school who lost her hair to a weird autoimmune thing, too. Wouldn't that be a hoot if chemo had the opposite effect on you since you've already lost your hair...kind of like stimulants given to ADHD kids have the opposite affect-calms them down...but speeds others up.



Speaking of which, D1 and LJ13, I'm sorry that you're just buzzing and fidgety...I heard the steroids can have that affect.



Glad things are moving along, in more ways than one LJ13. God I hope the smell of coffee doesn't double me over...I love coffee.



I wrote a poem earlier today and wanted to share my New Years Wish with you all.



After much rain, the sun is shining

on this final day of twenty-07,

and I think of the many dear ones

watching over us from heaven.



Massive pearly gates and golden-winged angels

isn’t exactly what I imagine this place,

but rather where souls give dissertations,

accounting for their time in this Earthbound space.



I imagine much hearty laughter

as they recognize their many mistakes,

and the futile agonizing they’d done

causing their hearts to physically ache.



I try to listen for my loved ones messages,

but sometimes the mundane gets in the way

screaming over their persistent whispers,

making it difficult to hear all they have to say.



The message that always comes through though,

no matter how loud the man-made clatter,

is the truth that we are all of one human race,

and acting with love is all that matters.



It matters not what religion we hold dear,

nor what political party we call our own,

for we can all agree we bleed the same,

and will reap what we each have sown.



So as I go into this newest of years,

that message kept near to my heart.

I will aspire to treat all with love,

knowing of this universe, we are all a part.



HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

LET US ALL ASPIRE TO MAKE

2008 MORE THAN GREAT!!!!



SIS Kimberly

Hi Sisters,

I hope this last day of 2007 finds everyone feeling better.

Kimberly I loved your poam it was beautiful and touching. Sorry to hear your dad also has breast cancer. Is he in early stages? Oh my daughter is a elementary and middle school teacher.

D1 sorry about the mouth sores, I'm afraid that is going to happen to me too.

Vettagal waiting on the pathology reports is the worst part of bc hang in there.

Lj13 My surgeon already warned me I won't be able to drink coffee during treatment. I had a chemo treatment before my first bc surgery and I have not been able to enjoy coffee since. Once in awhile I can handle it. I have been drinking green tea and honey and lemon tea and honey and all the herb teas. It settles much better on your stomach. Hot tea seems to make me feel like i'm still having my coffee.

KathyL yes, we can say it sucks, life is not fair. I know we will both be ok and we will get on our feet again. I hope everyone has the best New Years Eve and Day, I hope the Se's don't get the best of everyone tomorrow.

Hi, gang!

Just wanted to stop in as 2008 begins to offer my assurances to the words of my other BC sisters. 

You will cry. You'll be weak. You'll be weird - honestly, the chemo-brain thing happens. You'll miss your hair. Your nose will run. You will nap a lot. People will be either wonderfully supportive or astoundingly dense. Mostly they're wonderful.

You'll hold your bald head high - covered or not. You'll find humor in the strangest things. If you haven't before - you'll start speaking out on your own behalf to medical personnel. You will find blessings in the strangest places. Your loved ones will struggle to be your absolute helpmates. Let them. Give them specific chores they can do for you - it will help them feel a part of the action, a part of your care and cure.

Kids, it's the hardest, most remarkable journey of your life. So buckle up, choose some good traveling companions and make sure your map is current!

The destination is worth the stress of the journey. It's definitely the absolute goal - LIFE!!! But that journey will include remarkable side trips that reveal unexpected treasures.

I'd recommend that you journal or even start a blog. The blog is a great way to let family and friends know how you're doing (whatever you want to generically or specifically share) without being overwhelmed by phone calls or visits.  

In a year, when you look back....when you rub your hand over your new, different colored hair.....when you're adjusting to a full return to life's activities..... when you're looking in the mirror at the new landmarks on your body......your journal or blog will be a testamony to the fight for your life.

Gather round your fellow travelers. They will encourage, laugh with, cry with and hold you close.

Blessings, sisters!

Cindy from the Jan '07 chemo group 

Happy New Year to all the Jewels!

Thanks Cindy for the nice welcome of the new year for us. You said everything so well and I like the idea about a blog.  I started a page at Carepages.org at the Y-me website and maybe I will use that so that friends and family can know what is going on without having to always do it individually.  You sound so positive and knowing you have been there really lifts me up.  I haven't started yet and am tired of waiting yet apprehensive.  You definitely made me feel better.

Vettegal, you sound like you are doing much better today.  I enjoyed a quiet evening too and am getting ready to enjoy a cup of coffee.  Think I will be trying to drink alot of coffee this week in case my taste buds change.  I would surely miss my coffee.  Your hubby sounds wonderful and Oscar is very cute.  My kids are on the furry side too!

To those who started last week, hope you are still feeling well or feeling better anyway.  To those starting this week (((((HUGS))))). Hope you breeze right through it.

Happy New Year all!

Good Morning and Happy New Year Jewels,



Guess what my DH did? He went to Zales and bought me a beautiful gold on one side and silver on the other side, flat necklace that lays flat so you can put different jeweled slides on it...and he's having a customed made jeweled slide made for me...it wasn't ready yet, so I don't know what it even looks like...but how perfect to start the January Jewels Journey with my own January Jewel!!!!



Carol- I hate it when the computer gremlins play tricks on me and arbitrarily erase everything I'd just typed...oh, they think it's hilarious and often play the same trick several times in a row, which makes me say words I shouldn't and want to throw my laptop. I'm glad to hear you made your CMF decision...that must feel good knowing you have a plan and a direction. Me...still waiting. Certainly, someone has to call me tomorrow!!!! Oh, and thanks for your compliment on the poem I wrote and for the toast...I was drinking a lovely Pinot.



SheShe48- Thanks for your thoughts on my Dad...he's fine...hysterical as ever with his "Cyclops Chest".

And HOORAH for your daughter!!!! Being a teacher can be the most rewarding and the least rewarding profession all at the same time, so many leave after the first five years...I hope your daughter has found her niche and sticks around a very long time...I'm in my 21st year of teaching. AAAHHH!!!! Another negative coffee message...I'm not liking this. I will be drinking as much coffee between now and chemo as I can...I am going to go through withdrawals (but I can just blame it on the chemotini SE's).



Iowa Cindy- WOW, what a wonderfully insprirational message. Thank you so much for taking the time to come here and wish us all well and give us encouragement that it can be done.



Vettegal- I just cried when you wrote about your DH tearing up and wishing he could take your pain away...what a man you've got there girl!!! OK, so you and me and Arizona Deb...we are going to hear from our doctors tomorrow!!!! Vettegal will find out she has Negative Nodes....and Deb and I will finally know when we get on the chemo train.



Arizona Deb- Did you hear? There is negative talk about coffee again. I'm with you...I will be drinking up a coffee storm until I finally get word on when chemo will start for me. Looks like we're in the same boat on the not knowing part.



Hope everyone had a wonderful time last night...my DH and I just had a quiet evening at home...listened to music, ate homemade navy bean soup, drank a great Pinot, and watched Big Night with Stanley Tucci and the guy from Monk...something Shaloub. Great flick about two Italian brothers trying to open a restaurant serving authentic Italian food.



xoxoxo and HUGS to you all dear sisters.

Your SIS(Sister In Survival)

Kimberly

Hello 08 Jewels,

Hoping New Year's Day has everyone feeling atleast a little bit better.

Kimberly, I'm sure you atleast for the moment forgot about that darn onc office not calling.  What a cool "thoughtful" gift.  I had to tell my dh about that one, he atleast chuckled!!!  He did ask me if I told the gals online about my gift...it is the Ipod touch.  He thought I'd enjoy some video as well as music during appts, etc.  I have never watched Grey's Anatomy but my kids and friends all love it, so I downloaded all of last years episodes, I've already watched 10 of them with 16 to go.  Then I can get this seasons and get caught up.  Wasn't too sure about a medical type show during appts, but so far, so good!!!

KathyL, so sorry to hear about your dad.  Sometimes these life's test are a little too much.  Do they do any sick leave sharing where you work?  I'm actually going to work tomorrow, want to save sick leave myself, and I think I can make it for atleast a portion of the day. 

Hoping that something will work out for you, its so sad to hear of story like yours where there seems to be no compassion at all.

D1 - just to let you know, I did get off my butt and went for a good long walk.  I had spent the better part of the morning taking down the tree, deco etc., asked the dh if that counted as my exercise.  He politely informed me "NO", okay he said it could be part of my exercise.  The wiener dogs we're all jazzed up for the walk!!!!  Felt great, and I'll get in gear!  Hoping your day has not gotten any worse than your last few, sounds like txt doesn't just ease into things. 

Oven timer going off...yak later, Carol

Hey Ladies, I'm Marsha from the Feb Chemo Cruisers.  Just wanted to stop in and give you all some encouragement. 

Before you know it, this will be past you, one day you will wake up and think "what the hell just happened to me" and it will truly feel like some kind of oddball dream.  The Feb Chemo Cruisers of 07 are getting together Feb 08 in Florida at a beach house, you know why?  Cause we made the best friends of our life right here on these threads!  The journey sucked, no kidding you there, but the hair grows back, your energy level returns, your taste buds wake back up, and the shock of sitting in that chemo chair the first time subsides.

Hugs to you all, I remember when we first started and someone came on from a year previous and it gave me hope that one day I would do the same.  Marsha

Hi January Jewels! Happy New Year! I haven't been back online for a few days - wow, you all are an active group!! It took me forever to read everything I missed.

For those of you who have already experienced your first treatment, THANK YOU for letting the rest of us know what to expect! My first tx is January 3 and I'm getting very anxious about it. I saw that many of you are also taking Emend and Decadron after treatments. My onc also has me on Pepcid and Zofran, along with Reglan and Ativan, if needed. He did not say anything about Neulasta, so I'm not sure if that's a shot I will need to get. After reading what some of you have said about it, I'm thinking I don't want to have to get it.

Kimberly - I did a complete hysterectomy (including ovaries) - it's actually referred to as an oopherectomy when they remove the ovaries. Mine was done as a "laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy" - the recovery from it was not bad. I was back to work in less than three weeks and probably could've gone back sooner if I had to. I did not have the BRCA test, but my sister did b/c her insurance first denied her mastectomy - they thought she wanted to do it so she could have reconstruction to get bigger boobs - imagine that!!!! They said she first had to have the BRCA test to find out if she had the gene - she didn't, but fought the insurance company and they ended up granting approval for the mastectomy and reconstruction. She does not at all regret her decision to do it - especially now that I've been dx with bc and had previously decided not to do the prophylactic mastectomy. It was certainly not fun going through "the change" at only age 36, but the hot flashes, etc. have improved and I certainly don't miss the "monthly visitor" at all!! My mom's oncologist had told my mom when she knew she wasn't going to make it through her ovarian cancer that her daughters needed to have everything removed once we had all of our children. I don't think I mentioned that my grandmother also died of ovarian almost exactly a year before my mom did. With your family history, I would certainly encourage your twin to take every precaution she can to not have to go through all of this. I have definitely second-guessed my decision to not do the prophylactic mastectomy two years ago now that I'm facing six tx of chemotherapy.

D1 - I have to say I so enjoy your posts and your honesty! I laugh out loud at so many of your comments. Thank you for starting this thread as I'm sure we're going to need each other as we all go through our treatments. I'm glad I found it!

To everyone I missed, I hope you all had a nice New Year's and are ready to face the year together!! I agree with KathyL - we're gonna kick some BCA in 2008!!

{{{{Hugs}}}}!!

Julie

Good Morning Jewels,

       Hope everyone is doing well today! I see we have some people starting chemo today..Good luck to everyone and keep us posted on your status and hope everything goes as planned.

      As for me I am feeling better, going back to work tomorrow. Waiting for Path results today. Finally slep without any help frompain pill or sleep pill. I wanted to do it on my own, my dh says i am stubborn, that is the dago in me (oops) The italian in me.

     I am glad we have so many visiors from the other boards popping in on the Jewels for motivation and support. To all the new sisters of the board WELCOME ABOARD!!! This group has definately grew in the pass few days and I assume we will be getting more..

      Hope you all have a great day!!

                   Hugs

Good Morning Jewels,



It's a beautiful day in Lincoln today...the sun is shining, but a big storm is brewing and should come in tomorrow afternoon and last a few days, so I need to get out and take a VDW-Vit. D Walk today for sure.



Kathy- WOW, thank you for your compliment regarding my poem. I do keep them on my laptop and on a thread I started on bc.org called Poetry Anyone? Good tip on the Ritalin if Rads should knock me over when I get to that point. I am so sorry to hear about your Dad...when it rains it pours doesn't it? The good news is...only 6 more days until you are on leave from work, you'll be able to be with him on the 9th, and he's only 2 1/2 hours away...not too far...at least you don't have to fly. I'll be thinking of you and your family on the 9th...sending out lots of positive energy into the universe. As D1 OLE stated, Biotene help eliminate dry mouth and keep your gums and mouth healthy. I prebought the toothpaste and mouthwash at Target. I now need to go get saline rinse for my nose. I so hate drugs/pills, but have heard Tylenol PM is a good idea for sleep when Decadron tries to keep you awake....anything else?



D1 OLE-Thank you and sooooo cool!!!!! OH NO!!!! I won't like the taste of wine either? No coffee No wine...I hate bourbon and other brown liquor...am I too be without any vices????? Hysterical dental nightmare LOL I had a school dream last night...I was on my Prep period and ran an errand with my dh thinking I'd be back in plenty of time...but my dh has a tendancy to wonder and do too many little things in too short a span of time. I didn't have my phone...so I borrowed his...and everytime I dialed my school number some guy from Verizon said the number was not valid...I was paniced and crying hyterically, " You have to help me get through. My class is going to start, and I won't be there in time...my kids will be left outside. I need to ask someone to let them in and get started. I'll be there in 15 minutes." He of course just kept telling me there was no such number. As I began to wake...my rational mind kicked in and said, "Kim, you have a sub. You aren't working right now. Your kids are fine...they are safe." Man, that was intense!!!! They aren't even back in school from the Winter Break yet. I just love your posts...h*@# yes, the college girl needs to vaccume!!!! No convincing should even be needed. My 24 year old son wanted gift certificates to Target for Christmas so he could buy himself...you guessed it...a vacuume. Go figure!



Carol-I did forget, and cool about the IPod. Isn't technology amazing and frustrating all at the same time? Good for you taking down all your Christmas stuff and taking the pups for a long walk. Today, i plan to take down what I can reach and put it on the dining room table...the Christmas storage box is in the garage...and I couldn't lift it even if i wanted to right now. My dh can get the box and the rest of the decorations down, and I'll put the stuff away in the storage box tomorrow. I also have the last of the Thank You cards to write.



AZ Donna and Julie, good luck tomorrow 1/3/08...let us know how it goes.



Julie, thanks for the info on your total hysterectomy...that doesn't sound so bad. I'll forward your message to my sis, so she can see that your sis doesn't regret her decision at all. Aren't insurance companies just ridiculous in their reasoning? "Oh, please put me through hell by surgically removing my perfect for the moment natural breasts, so I can get perky new ones!!!" Hello!!!! Who are they kidding? Did she do a total hysterctomy as well? With your family history, I'd imagine she did.



NJ Cindy-Thanks for stopping by, and you are right...we are a positive energy group! Thanks for sharing the link...I just do a mass emailing, but others may find this very useful.



OK, I think I'm caught up unless someone posted while I was writing this.

Thinking of you all,

Your SIS (Sister In Survival)

Kimberly