Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Skye, Joni, Melia - I'm sending lots of positive thoughts your way.

Wonderful news Caya! What a relief. I'm so happy for you. The dress is gorgeous.

Oh, Jan, it really is a lot of work prepping to be away like that.  My mother handled things very well...  she was a little more paranoid than I'd be, understandably, about the kids going over to friends houses...  but it all worked out.  The DH did fine too, this latest time which was unexpected.

I have still not called my gyno. since the heart attack to find out what to do about the ovarian cysts.  I know she wants me to have a uterine biopsy too, but I'm too much of a wimp.  I am totally burying my head in the sand on this issue.

Skye, sorry PET scan wasn't approved.  What a pain.  How is a bone scan done?  Is it like an MRI?

Funny...  I've got "Nurse Larry" (he really is a nurse) coming over tonight from a Craigs list posting for two free artificial x-mas trees.  He, apparently, buys ornamnents from thrift stores, etc. during the year and donates the decorated trees to area hospitals, etc.  Knowing how much I appreciated the decorations at the heart hospital, I was very happy to give them to him.  I just posted another freebie...a double boxspring.  Someone wrote me back:  what's that?  a full or a queen?  It's neither.  It's a double.  Slightly smaller than a full, right?  Now he's (or she's) got me confused.

Thanks Tina, that pic was from Oct during our western adventure. Hair is much longer now. If I ever get my new camera figured out. I'll post a more recent pic. Jeff surprised me last night with the DVD set of Planet Earth and the Blue Planet. I have wanted to see it. I am so excited, I get in to documentries like that, and this is suppose to be exceptional! 5 years it took to make. I told him though we needed a giant screen TV to watch it on. Hmmm?? He's says I am never happy. Okay, the remodeling of the kitchen is good enough.

Caya, Congrats on the news! Does that mean you are dancing with Ned? No one has ever introduced me to Ned, so I don't know anything, but I will demand an intro next dr's appt. Everytime I go to the Dr. all the things I think of to ask vanish from my mind.

Skye, I'm sure Grendel in 6 months will be quite the ladies man. Finding a male intact..nowadays is very tough. Boy that sounds weird.. HA. Google that you googlers!!!

I worked all day and stopped at the grocery, course I go to the checkout that has a problem. The man in front of me... (and I don't get this at all)...has hot foods from the deli and a small bottle of vodka. He tries to pay with food stamps and they tell him he can't use food stamps on the hot food but the vodka is ok. So they take the food and put it back but give him the vodka, WHAT???  Food stamps for booze? What is wrong with this picture? Honestly, I was trying so hard to put this into prospective, that I don't even remember driving home. I am just floored by the "system". What person decided that welfare is best used for booze and not food? Who might this moron be? Nuts, nuts, nuts!

Got to get ready for my "harbinger of spring"....love the auditions!

Caya, congrats on the good MRI results!  The dress is beautiful.

Jan, I totally understand where you're at.  I had to have all my XMAS shopping done and wrapped by Dec. 8th, house ready for return, Ally scheduled for the week, house cleaned, AND move my mom out of our house and into her mobile home, etc.  It's very overwhelming.  I was stressed until the morning we left, then, I totally calmed down..there was nothing more I could do, time to focus on the surgery.  You'll be fine, sounds like you're getting everything done.  I'm sure your mom will be fine watching the girls.

Skye, I had a bone scan last Jan. before my chemo.  It was really easy, took only a few minutes.  Sorry the PET didn't get approved...I find that ridiculous if they already see a spot.

Tina, I don't blame you for burying your head in the sand, you went through a lot.  Perhaps give your gyn a call just to find out what your options are, you don't need to act on anything yet.

I know a few of you are on Effexor.  Do you find it helps your hot flashes?  I went to my Onc yesterday for a checkup and told him about the strong hot flashes and night sweats since my surgery.  He talked about some herbal remedies and then told me that Effexor in low doses helps with hot flashes.  I don't know whether I should try the herbals or go straight to Effexor.  Other than that, the appt. went fine, gave me a year prescription for Ativan...I'll go back to see him in three months.

A local teen died last night in a car accident.  That's the 3rd teen in a year to die because of Alcohol.  It's just so tragic, they are so young.

Lynn it is so nice to hear from you.  I am sorry you are feeling a bit blue…I agree with what some of the others have said regarding going back to work.  If I were in your shoes I would be more than a little nervous about getting back to full speed….that surgery is something else, and I bet it takes longer than you think to fully recover.  If you have only gotten out of the house one time since your surgery I think you might not be ready to go back to work next week!  Maybe you can do half time to start.  Did you restart your Tamoxifen?  Maybe the hot flashes are just your body readjusting to the medication.

Viddie love the story about your DS and the stars in his room.  I have to admit that I covered the ceiling of my room with stars when I was in highschool…and I did not ask permission.  I thought they looked great, but fortunately I had moved out by the time my mom was prepping the house for sale…she never complained about removing the stars.  It does give me a good idea for Owen’s room…..no stickers, but I bet I could splatter a nice galaxy in glow-in-the-dark PAINT!  Hmmmm…….. have to look into that one.

OMG Skye, could Grendel be any cuter?  What a little doll.  Of course I am sure that means that he is TROUBLE (the cutest ones always are…Owen being prime example).  I have to say that he has a very intelligent gaze, almost wise beyond his ummmmmm weeks? Keeping up the positive thoughts about your scans….make sure you let us know as soon as you get word.  UGH on the PET scan….but at least the bone scan is scheduled so things  can move along.

Caya congrats on the great doc visit, and to follow it with a score like that bridesmaid dress?  Awesome. 

Mary I am glad you got your note….no way should you be hauling stuff around.

Jan I hope your pre-op lab work went ok.  Hang in there….your babies will be FINE!  The worst thing that will happen is that they will miss an activity, or wind up in the wrong place at the wrong time.  NOBODY can do the Schlepping like mom….my mom has tried to do my schedule, and she never gets it quite right.   I am sure your mom will feed them, kiss them, and tuck them into bed…what more do they really need?  That said, I totally empathize with your stress…..I spent a full two weeks getting ready for my exchange surgery in August, and it was DAY SURGERY….I was home before dinner (asleep, but home).

Nancy you sound so wonderful!  I hate winter too.  I keep the winter blahs away by listening to recordings of songbirds.  Makes me feel like I am in the jungle even in the dead of winter.  So funny about the guy with the food stamps….and NOT ha-ha funny.  It is a sick country we live in.  Lots of money to build warplanes and fund invasion forces, but send a bunch of elementary schoolers on a field trip to an ecological center?  Better run a bake sale!

Tina glad you got those slot machines out of your basement, and the skeletons out of your attic (so to speak)  I read the deleted posts (pre-deletion) and that is definitely not something to keep inside.  Let it all hang out, girl…we are here for you.

The painting is still progressing.  The walls in Owen’s room were very damaged, so they required some spackle and sanding.  The first base coat goes on this evening.  I may wind up doing a mural for him…it all depends on what happens with  my teaching for this semester.  Turns out that there are a lot of sections being closed for low enrollment, and you guys guessed it…if a FT faculty loses a class they can swoop in and take mine.  Totally legit, but a complete bummer.  I have been warned that there is a strong possibility that I will lose my classes….if that happens I will probably wind up doing an elaborate mural to keep busy LOL.

I did manage to fix my computer….spent all day yesterday reformatting my hard drive, and then reloading all my software and drivers, only to find out that there was something mechanically wrong with my keyboard….not a crash after all.  Ah well…..my computer needed a little facelift anyway.

Better go help DH in Owen’s room.  May try to join chat later…HUGS!

I'm venting here. Non- BC related but so horrifying to me that I just can't stand it. I'm all twitchy and nauseated.

Last week there was a terrible event in Omaha. A woman died in her apartment. She had a toddler son who wandered the apartment for some days before he, too, died.  They were found too late. She was a native of my town and they were buried here. 

Saturday a group of the 'reverened' Fred Phelps congregation from Kansas came to town to demonstrate. They are the people who demonstrate at the funerals of our soldiers, claiming that the deaths are God's retribution to a Godless society. They stood on all four corners of a major intersection of the downtown, holding their signs "God Hates Fags" , "God Hates Your Tears" "Pray For More Dead Kids". One commented to a reporter that this is God's call to America to parent the children.

ARGGGHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a woman who grew up in evangelical Christian churches, spent summer vacations in Norton Kansas attending a country church in the middle of a wheat field, listening to the Godly elders in my family instruct the children in matters of faith, compassion, and mercy....this all just grieves my spirit. I can't stand this group.

I don't know how you dispel the hatred that they spew. 

ARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH! 

Hateful people. Full of Hate.

I'll be better in a day or week or so. I just hate that they've taken this terrible event and twisted it to their message. That they use the soldier's deaths the same way.

It's a good thing that I worked on Saturday and did not happen to drive down Broadway and see them. I may have run them over. I'd have done something that would have resulted in my arrest. 

*sigh*

Going to say a few prayers for that woman and her son and their family.

Cindy 

Cindy that is absolutely dreadful.  People disgust me sometimes.  The only consolation is that for every horrible person that has the gall to stand on a street corner and say that this poor woman and her innocent child were somehow evil and deserved to die there are at least 100 people who will hear that sad story and see it for the tragedy that it truly is.  I wish I could come to Iowa and slap each one of those sickos upside the head.

Oh, Skye, thanks for the info re your dh. What forum does he use?  I have looked and haven't found one. I doubt my husband will want to talk to him, just b/c he is so private, so I am thinking if the results aren't good, I will have to be his main support. But he might like to read the forum, and even post questions. Never know about him ....

Hi Tatas,

I totally blanked out on chat last night, DH got home late and I had research reading to do so I got distracted and next thing I knew I was halfway through American Idol.



Caya I was thrilled to hear you got a good report, and Cassie got her beautiful gown. Bridesmaid dresses today are so much more elegant than they used to be.



Cindy, those are some nasty people doing their own nasty thing and pinning a religious label on it. Whatever happened to "suffer the little children to come unto me?" Such a tragedy, both in the event and the crazy reaction.



Rebecca you are right that cute means trouble. Our vet says he is very intelligent, and he also has a devious streak which means we have to watch him literally every minute. You may not believe this but as I wrote that last sentence he was pooping in front of me, just got back from cleanup duty. But he went very nicely on the tarp we have under his play yard so at least he made the best choice he could have. And I sure hope those evil FT's do not take your classes. Wouldn't you feel terrible doing that to someone? I am dismayed.



Melia I don't even know the forum but I will ask DH and let you know. Enjoy your beach trip! Maybe some vacation relaxation will help the nightmares.



As for my scans, I'm just resigned. I had forgotten I have a MUGA again tomorrow, too. But my back is tingling as I sit here so it's a constant reminder that something is in there. Might as well find out what!

Hope you are all having a good over-the-hump day - Skye

Tina, you are exhausted I bet, physically, emotionally, psychologically. If you need to hole up at home and cocoon, just do that. You are off the charts in terms of how much stress any one person can endure in a year. And you really didn't slow down much after your heart attack. Think of everything you have had to absorb and deal with ... or maybe it's better if you don't, you may give yourself a panic attack!

Hugs, Melia

Boy, have you been busy posting since I checked in over the weekend. I have been busy finishing up the scrapbook pages from last months's Aqua Angels lunch to take to today's lunch. I was hostess this time and choose a fairly new Mexican place that is almost hidden from the street. Nearly everyone who signed up actually made it to lunch. Our group took up about half of the restaurant. I picked this place because the food is good and reasonably priced. The lunch specials, six choices, are only $4.99 and they include Iced Tea. I had a good time, and everyone else said they did, too.

Skye that puppy is seriously cute. He will break all the girl doggies' hearts in a few months.

Caya, that new dress is very pretty. Which color of blue did you get, again?

Rebecca, those glow in the dark stars have a way of staying around. My sil put some up in my hubby's old bedroom at my mil's house in the early 70s and they are still there.

I may have to read back through to keep track of the tests, scans, and surgeries that are coming up. I hope things go smoothly for all of you.

Mary, good for you for standing up for what you want and deserve! I'm very proud of you. And glad you got your Christmases.



Debbie, I want to go to that restaurant! Iced tea, too?



Tina I agree you are running on overload. I think you need something like a full body massage right now. Seriously! Glad your DH's lunch went well, and I hope you hear about the offer soon, but you need a little Tina time. I wish we could come and make you some tea and serve you crumpets or something. And I'm feeling for little Paul and his injuries. Poor dude! Give him a hug from us all.



Jan, yikes! Did your onc's comments give you pause about your surgeon? The onc sounds great. It's encouraging to hear about such a positive doctor visit. And don't feel bad about staying on the couch, sometimes we just need that.



I have some decent news too. Both my CT-scan and xrays were negative. But they said these tests are not "definitive" and we still need to wait for the bone and PET scans so I'm not turning handsprings or anything. But at least I know there isn't anything big and obvious growing in there, no pod people. Tomorrow the MUGA and they are using my port so I don't have to worry about the stick!



Hey has anyone thought about going on disability? I got my SS statement today and it said I have enough credits. It doesn't seem like such a bad idea to me. - Skye

Rebecca, I'm really upset that they took another class from you. Can we unleash the wrath of the Ta-Ta's upon any of them? Seriously, that seems so unfair.



And to answer your question, the thing that started this flurry of scans was the 1.5 cm "lesion" or tumor they found in the bone marrow of my T-9 vertebra in that MRI the Friday before last.



Somehow I can't make myself work tonight. I'm watching American Idol, hogging the loveseat and surfing at the same time. Grendel passed out at my feet after a tough day of shredding Kleenexes. - Skye

Skye, YAY! No pod people, at least! Even though it's not definitive for anything else, you have got to feel better - at least it's not bad news. And maybe having no definite answer will help with approval of the PET. Not sure exactly what you mean about going on disability, and having enough credits or not. I'm sure I would have enough credits, but you can't just decide to do it, can you? Don't you have to be approved, and prove your case and go through that whole rigamarole? I couldn't even keep my insurance to keep paying my disability, after they had promised to. Can you just do that? I'm behind in my posting, but your first haircut photo of Grendel was adorable. Sorry he's got a devious streak, but that's probably just a factor of his intelligence. It sounds like you need the services of the poop queen. Hope your MUGA goes well tomorrow.

Mary, glad you stood up for yourself! Nobody seems to appreciate their longterm employees, anymore. I guess they can get by with paying new people less to do the same job (albeit not as well). Anyway, you deserve to benefit from your seniority, and I'm glad you didn't take that lying down.

Jan, I'm glad you opened your oncologist's eyes to the inexperience of your local surgeon - he needs to know that. Hope you're doing ok - I know you've got a ton of things on your mind right now. I've been thinking about you. I'm sure the kids will be fine with your mom, and you will be fine once you get out of the house on Sunday. I'm so happy you're getting your surgery done.

Melia, I hope you get some news about your dh before the weekend, so you can relax and enjoy the time with the kids. Definitely call and ask - they really should have results by then. Sorry about your nightmares. I rarely ever have them any more - the neurontin I take makes me sleep pretty well, and I almost never remember nightmares or any kind of dreams.

Cindy, that is a horrible story about Fred Phelps and his evil followers. I am so ashamed to be from the same state as that awful, evil man. Of course, he is not typical of Kansans, but he is an embarrassment, to put it kindly. And what they do is exactly what they said - they twist everything to fit their hateful, evil message. People like that are the reason I have no part of organized religion. Anyway, it is a very sad story, and I hate that they make it that much sadder by getting in the middle of it. Phelps is insane, I'm quite sure.

Tina, it sounds like you're getting a lot done, clearing out and getting ready for whatever move you eventually end up making. I agree with whoever said you need to take a little Tina time, though - go get pampered a little bit, get a massage or a pedicure or whatever does it for you. You've had a tough few months - you deserve it.

Nancy, you need to quit thinking you're boring us, and post more. Then you'll get your posting numbers up, and we'll all be happy! I love your posts.

Rebecca, sorry you lost another class - I assume that means a corresponding loss of income.  I don't like the system of having full time faculty able to steal your classes, but as you say, more time to decorate.  Knowing you, you'll make the best of it.

Caya, I'm so glad you got a good report on your MRI. I'll go and look at Cassie's dress as soon as I'm done posting. I'm sure it's gorgeous. Enjoy your time in Montreal - sounds like fun!

Lynn, my recommendation is that I'd go straight for the Effexor. Herbal remedies are a nice idea, but I find that they rarely work for people, and I take histories all day every day at work and do ask. Id' go straight for the Effexor, which helps most people. If it doesn't work for you, then try something else. Just my opinion. Hope you're doing well, still - that time off work does go so fast, doesn't it?

Debbie, sounds like you had a fun luncheon with your water group. The price was right, too.

Robbin, where are you? And Viddie, it has been a couple days...Sharon, you too, we need some more beautiful words from you.

I had kind of a sad day today. I interviewed two people whose breast cancer had returned, two newly diagnosed breast cancers, and a gentleman I have known for years whose prostate cancer had returned. The worst story was the lady who had just been diagnosed, whose hus band asked her for a divorce the day she was diagnosed, after staying out all night drinking with his buddies. It makes me realize how lucky I am. Oh, and her mother had just been diagnosed with a bc recurrence, also, within the last couple weeks. She was so sad. I'm off tomorrow, thank goodness - it has been a tiring week so far. Tomorrow I have my CT scan, then I hope to come home and relax!

Hugs all around,