Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Wow Tina, this trip sounds like just what the dr ordered!  I am jealous of you and your little baby gecko….The only ones we get here are the ones on the Geico signs.  Not to crack you up even more about my pink bathroom, but I am ashamed to say that I did NOT have to buy the wall border, because I had a roll stashed away in a bin for the last two or three years….got it at Home Depot for $0.99 because it was just sooooooo  cute, even though I had no idea what I was going to do with it.  Alas, it is about 6 inches too short to make it around my bathroom…which is really pathetic because my bathroom is very small indeed.  I think I am going to continue my recycling binge and use some of the other colors of paint we have stashed in our basement to create my own border…I am thinking a stripe of green and a few stenciled flowers.  Do not have anything better to do today, so maybe I will hijack DH and make him cover himself in paint again…..

OK, down to business regarding our trip.

Several of you have suggested Las Vegas, but I am reading a real hot/cold reaction to that destination, whereas those of who who do not like Vegas REALLY do not like Vegas, so maybe it might not be a good choice.

The other suggestions were Chicago or Virgina Beach.  I think either of these would work…I originally suggested Virgina Beach because my DH has gone to several conferences there and the hotels are very reasonable, and he said it was a really fun place.

I honestly think it does not matter where we go, but the sooner we pick a place, the sooner we can start arranging it.  I was thinking that we arrange it as a “conference”, and try to get a block of rooms at a hotel with a group rate.    I also think July seems to work well for almost everyone….it is far enough from the currently scheduled surgeries, and we will not have any Canadian ladies on Herceptin at that time. 

The last thing to consider is whether we bring along the families….I am voting YES on that one…my kids would be very upset to miss out on meeting all of their assorted Aunties, and I bet the various Husbands would have a good time connecting with other men who have had similar experiences.  I am also sure that we would be able to ditch the families for some alone time!

So here it is….sound off ladies….vote for your favorite location, and/or chime in with alternate locations!  Lets make this HAPPEN!!!!!

I would be glad to make the arrangements….once we come to a consensus I will get on the phone and start getting some info for us.

I am good with anywhere you want to go.  I have my last Herceptin on May 8 (if all goes as scheduled, but who's counting?) so I should be fine. I think I would also vote NO with bringing the family/DH, but like Jan I am good with whatever the group decides. And of course those who want to come solo would just come solo.

As for the dates in July - what about the July 4th weekend?  I know that is a huge holiday in the States - so mostly everyone would be off work - This year the 4th falls on a Friday, so we could have a 3 day weekend.  I don't know if this would be an imposition on some of you with big family celebrations, but I thought I would just suggest this. 

I have never been to Washington, or Virginia Beach - but Chicago may be more central.  I think Orlando would be brutally hot, but again I'm pretty easy.  Why don't we concentrate on the weekend dates first, and then hone in on the destination.

My vote would be for July 4, second choice July 11, third choice July 18th. 

Tina - sounds like you are in your element in your old stomping grounds.  Enjoy!!

OK, the suggested places so far (in no particular order) are

 Denver
Washington
Chicago
Virgina Beach
Orlando

I think it would be hot in Orlando and Washington in July, but that actually has virtues because it might be easier to get cheap accomidations and flights during these off-peak times.

Regarding families...responses so far have been leaning against families.  Perhaps we should leave that up to individuals...my situation is a bit complicated with the families, but I can easily adapt to whatever the group decides. 

I think this is a nice selection of cities.  Lets give this a few days to percolate and then I can start making calls. 

Just a thought... as we get closer to picking a specific date and specific location let's do that by regular email or private message or in our chat room. Since this message board can be read by absolutely anyone I'd hate to broadcast our specific travel plans to any one who might be reading this.

Yup, I'm a little paranoid  

Hey Ladies,

I just realized I missed a boatload of posts yesterday, including Rebecca's pink paint party. Pink can be very chic and we have certainly all earned the right to use it! Rebecca I'm glad the Burt's Bees is helping. And the wedding present sculpture is such a meaningful gift. I love it! We got five cheesboards when we got married, and certainly nothing that cool.



Thanks for the no-MRI sympathy. It reallly probably is just a pinched nerve...I like to think that the Herceptin is working, too, and I never did have any lymph spread. It was just the way they asked about the location and then immediately said I needed an MRI that got me worried.



On the get-together, it's totally about time. I actually love Vegas and it's easy to get cheap flight/hotel packages. Imperial Palace is not the loveliest hotel but it's in a great location and usually has great deals. I've stayed there and not minded it. It's almost across the street from Caesar's which has the Cheesecake Factory. If we were going to plan something for very soon I would pick Vegas because Chicago is terribly cold and nasty through about March.



From spring onward, I'd pick Chicago because Vegas is scorching after May. There are some hotels not too far from the Loop that can be reasonable. Or we could pick a hotel near the airport, one which has a shuttle, and then just stay and visit near where we're planted. There's shopping everywhere, and the motel will have a pool, etc. I'm personally more interested in gabbing in person with my sisters than sightseeing.



Or, there is Minneapolis and Mall of America. That place is fun any time of year. I went there once in February with a girlfriend and we had a blast.



We had a great New Years Eve with our friends at the resort on Delavan Lake, though we had to drive through terrible snowy roads to get there. I had five desserts, ulp! Best was Irish Cream flan with Oreo crust.



Tina, have a wonderful trip to Orlando, and do let us know if your nails harden post-Herceptin!



Oh, and I'm wondering if we really should move on to a new thread name since we are getting so many newbies wandering in by mistake. How about something to indicate we are done like Forever Chemo Grads - class of Jan. 2007

- Skye

Oops I also meant to weigh in on the wig/scarf question. I put my two wigs in an antique hatbox I happen to have. It's nice to know they are there for "insurance." My scarves all fit in a small covered bin, and I am keeping them because my mom and sister went to so much trouble to find cute ones for me. The hats I can still wear for winter, many of them, and a few went to Good Will. At some point I may find it easy to part with all of it but for now I feel better having my bald trophies out of sight but still on the premises. - Skye

Yes why don't we try it on Chatzy tonight if possible, at least whoever is around - we could try to get a good idea of perhaps the dates at least - I agree with Mel - having all of us together is most important. I don't care what city really as long as there is a pool at the hotel, a few restaurants in the vicinity and a mall would be nice - That Mall of America sounds cool Skye -

Just to show what is possible, here is one review for the Country Inn and Suites. I am sure there are others that offer the same kind of deal but I have usually had good experiences with this chain.



We recently stayed at this hotel (September 24, 2007) prior to a flight out of the Minneapolis/St Paul airport. It is in a good location if you want to visit the Mall of America (right across the street) and provides free shuttle service to the airport. Make sure you let them know what time you will need the shuttle when... more

Wow...Mall of America sounds PERFECT!  I think I like that location the best....and it sounds also like it would be easy.

We just got back from Lowes....in typical fashion, our effort to save a bit of paint has resulted in a full fledged project.  We went to get some painters tape, but wound up with a new cabinet and a new lighting fixture.  Tomorrow I have to get a new shower curtain to finish it off.  It is going to look pretty funky I think

Oh, and my DH just announced "If I pour too much purple paint...I am going to pour it back!"

tee hee 

Happy New Year my sisters!

I like the beach idea or Chicago myself.  I guess I'm not as much into walking around a gigantic mall...I'd rather be sitting around a pool or at the beach spending time together.  But I really don't know anything about the Mall of America or Minneapolis.  I'll go anywhere the group chooses.

I will leave my family at home, just want to be with y'all!

July works for me, however I think the weekend of July 4th would be tough for me.  We have an annual party that weekend that coincides with the town fireworks (you can see them from my house) and then family plans on the 4th.  Anytime after that works fine with me.

Guys, I'm up for all...  (two wines later!    But really, I am.  I've never done Mall of America and I'd be excited to see it.  As much as I love Chicago, the W Hotel was very $ for me this summer and there didnt' seem to be a of central meeting/hanging places there, i.e. in Vegas, meet at the pool in the am, type of deal...  I'm up for all.  I think it's time we all meet beyond cyber friends.

Took the kids to Wannadocity...noon to 8.  We are officially Wannadone.  It was fantastic, the DH was thorougly impressed as he hadn't been w/me the last time.  He's doing the dry run drive to Doral (Miami) tonight and tomorrow he'll hole up in Starbucks and "study" for the interview.  No sooner did I tell you ladies I wasn't up for cleaning out the house here and I had a cup of java and got on a roll.   We packed my mothers SUV FULL of junk and I put an entertainment center on Craigs List and have several hits.  We gave them a flat screen to wall mount...  so it's working out good.  I like to have my home/decorating pursuits on a vaca...  I get bored w/all vaca all the time.  I need my puttering time.  That's why I love wk. end trips.  I never get antsy.

I just checked out the Vegas Shoe Show - it's July 28 - 30, which means we would go on the 27th, so that weekend is not good for me - the weekends of July 11th or 18th work for me.

Hi Ladies,

Well we hashed things out on chat for the whole hour yesterday and, considering everyone's locations, decided we needed to be in a place that has the most direct flights to keep it reasonable for flight costs. We had come down to Chicago or NY as a result, and with further discussion thought perhaps Chicago would be the most central so that some of us would not have to fly coast to coast. I think we also kind of settled on mid-July.



I did find out you can take the Blue Train from the airport motels to downtown Chicago, it's about a 45-minute above ground ride through some of the quaint neighborhoods like Wicker Park. Downtown is Navy Pier, the new Millennium Park, lots of cool restaurants, Gold Coast shopping and the massive department stores, Watertower Place, Art Institute, etc. We could arrive somewhere on a Friday, have an initial poolside gab fest, then make a very good day excursion on Saturday, (downtown Chicago is very clean and safe these days) and end up with Sunday brunch back at the motel.



All of this is pure suggestion of course and I'd also be glad to go whereever the concensus leads us, by airline, dogsled or hot air balloon, whatever it takes to see my sisters! - Skye

Hi Ladies,

Had to be out running errands today and my onc office tracked me down on my cell phone to tell me the MRI is scheduled for tomorrow at 9 am. So I'll be glad to get that over with.



Speaking of cell phone, I found it yesterday after it had been missing for well over a week and I had just canceled the service. Last night I got a sudden urge to re-search the living room sofa and after about five minutes of digging, managed to retrieve it from the depths. It was literally the answer to prayer.



Does anyone want to do an extra chat tonight to talk about more get-together details? Or should we just wait til regular time Thursday? Melia, Robbin, Mel, others, we need input from the west coast and south as to location. I know Rebecca and I have both done some research but don't want to share too many details on the public post here.



I'm excited about it, whereever we end up. - Skye

Lynn & Viddie - After my DIEP how long should I expect to NOT be able to drive? I have a friend who's going to do the school run for me, but I'd like to give her some ballpark estimate on how many weeks she'll be doing the extra driving.