Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

Happy sunny Sunday, Jewels! It's supposed to get near 70 here today - and I'm stuck inside helping ds with his history project board. Oh well, at least I can look outside and enjoy the pretty day.

Had a LOOOONNNGGG day yesterday. We left our house at 9:00 a.m. to head to the tournament and got home at 9:00 p.m.! I was pooped!! Up at 5:30 a.m. today with spasms again - uuuggh!

DS did awesome on his "forms" and placed 1^st. He had a really tough sparring match - I think the other kid outweighed him by about 30 pounds! He ended up losing by 1 point - very frustrating - so he placed 2^nd. 

Carol - that sucks that your insurance denied your sleeve - you definitely need to fight that one! Hope you enjoyed your dinner the other night and hope you enjoy your golf outing! LOVE the picture! Sounds like you have a fabulous dh! My sister and I are talking about doing the 60 mile, 3 day Relay once I'm recovered from all this too. We had looked into it a couple years ago and were going to do it in memory of our mom who fought breast cancer twice and lost her battle with ovarian at 46 - now we'll do it in memory of her and in honor of my beating it's a*s!!

WVGirl - so glad the DH seems to be coming around. Maybe you could put the book next to his "favorite" toilet in the house and he'll pick it up and read it himself  - he'd probably be done with it in a week! HA HA HA!

TexRN - YIPPEEE for you!! That's great you got to enjoy the concert with your dd - I bet the Jonas Bros concert was one heck of a girl-screaming fest!! Yikes! Hope your se's are minimal with this last tx!

Vettegal - eyebrows and lashes are definitely thinning, but are hanging in there so far. My nails are actually growing like crazy! I don't get it - I've had to trim them lots just to be able to type!

Kimberly - Wow - your school's really growing too. Mine was about 1800 when I started there 14 years ago. We're now over 2500!! The community just approved a new 9^th grade campus, so they broke ground on that a couple months ago. We also just finished 9 new classrooms at semester to deal with the overflow until the new campus is done. We're just soooo crowded in the halls, it's crazy! 45-50 in PE is insane!! Hope you get to shop next week!!

I laughed out loud at your exercise video!! I would totally buy it! Gotta love those sisters - my abs always kill me after we've been together from laughing so hard!!

Paula - YAY for you - you're done with AC! Glad the cough is finally under control for you and you can focus on keeping those se's away!

D1 - glad you checked in - hope your fog lifts soon! LOVE the "stupid pill" comment --- I'm thinking I've taken some of those lately. I can't even form a thought sometimes!

Sista - I haven't had to pay any co-pays yet at my onc's office at all. We received an "invoice" in the mail that says we owe them $20 and what payments they've gotten from the insurance so far.

Sftfemme - Welcome to the Jewels - glad you found us. Sorry you're going through this, but the Jewels are a great support system!!

Kathy - hope you're feeling better by now. Sorry you've had more aches this time! You amaze me every week that you can keep up with everyone's schedule - thank you!!

CHJ - glad you're feeling good this week! I am right there with you on the eating!! I get two weeks of barely no eating with my tx, so I'm eating like crazy right now!

Well, off to help ds with his history project! Hope the rest of Jewels are hanging in there and fighting the se's.  Enjoy the rest of the weekend, Gems!!

Julie

I'm back.  Really trying to fight the chemo brain today by making myself focus.  I had a conversation with my friend earlier, and after I got through the whole thing telling her about my second Taxotere reaction, she said "uh, yeah, I was there!"  OMG! She WAS there with me for it.  Hahaha.  Hope the brain cells will return before I have to work again some day

It is BEAUTIFULLY sunny here today, but not warm yet (so I hear, I'm not venturing out today; too lazy).  What a mood booster!  CHJ: I, too, am looking forward to some 60 degree weather later this week.  Woo hoo!

CathyCA ans Sista2:  noted the changes and made them!  let me know other dates when you have them.  I may have chemo brain, but my genes are Type A all the way

LJ: I had some facial swelling (eyelids).  Onc said it's taxotere, not herceptin related.  Wasn't as bad last time, will see what happens this time (it seemed to hit the week after chemo for me).

Paula: Hang in there with the SEs, you'll be over the hump soon.  Sending you LOTS of energy for your busy week ahead.  I'm also  planning on doing the Relay for Life this year. 

JulieK: Congrats on ds's second place.  I'll bet he's bummed though about missing first by one point.  Poo!  I love your idea for WVGirl's dh and reading the book.  That's SO the best place to put it!!

OK, I 've got pics downloaded from my camera (dh did 'em last night finally).  Someone PM me or post how to put them here now please!  And yes, I was a blonde before being bald, so go easy on me with directions

Good Afternoon/Evening ,

Sista, got your PM, I'm assuming that you got your shirt ... I didn't go back to check the post.  I am still trying to figure out the whole co-pay/dual insurance thing myself.  I have not paid a co-pay yet at the oncs office, but I am starting to receive statements from "friggin" every doc I think I have seen in the last 4 mos.  My Group Health insurance started a new policy for 2008, they cover 90% of my visits, and for some reason I'll get a statement for a 650.00 chemo txt and they want to bill be well over the 10% I owe.  I ask  if it has been put through to my secondary insurance (the dh's policy) and I'm 3 for 3 in having them say that they don't see a secondary policy listed.  I guess I need to speak a little louder as I've told them about the policy after I married in June 2007 (they always say we have your son listed, thank god he has not needed a dime from that policy).  So far I havn't sent a check to anyone, as they keep having to redo my claims.  I have this feeling I'm going to get a whooper of a bill at some point, but I'm not asking for them to hand one over.

So you didn't want a port, any particular reason?  I have grown to love mine, as I'm not much for needles, and a little EMLA cream and I don't even feel them accessing the port.  It does look a little goofy, as it sticks out quite a ways!

CathyCa and Kimberly, food for thought, the possibility of walking together in 09, in San Fran or San Diego?  I am hoping that my son will also want to walk with me next year, (he'll be 16 by then) and thats the cut-off for age.  Cathy, I'm sure we can put out some Marriott soap and shampoo in your cool pink tent to set the ambiance of a hotel vice camp tent!

Teresa, boy have you found the fountain of knowledge with this group.  I'm sure some of the other Taxol ladies will be sharing their experiences.  Welcome to the January Jewels!

wv girl, sounds like you had a great evening, another compliment on your wig, didn't you have somebody else give you the thumbs up on your "new do"?  Raising 7K was a pretty awesome chunk of change!  And I like the idea of putting the book for you dh to read at the tilly.  This group is so full of wonderful ideas!!!

Kathy, now thats some chemo brain big time, about repeating your story to your friend who was with you!  I'm feeling more chipper all the time with my minor brain farts after hearing that one!!!

I think its so neat that your mom can come and help out, there doesn't seem to be too many of us that have mom's still living or in the near vicinity to come on over for support.  I sure miss my mom, but know that she would be so upset to know that I'm going through this little bump in the road of life.

I sure hope that you can make something work for Weds, and that you can attend Wendi's memorial.  I'm looking forward to getting her book, the preface I read on line sounds inspiring.

Thanks for the weekly update of those having txt, it really helps to be able to shout out a little support and hopefully not miss anyone.

Yep, I'll be half way done with this marathon of txt after my 14 days in Mar is through.  The downside of CMF is that it last for 6 months, but the upside is that I feel pretty darn good most of the time.

Julie, yeah for some sunny weather, even if you are indoors looking out.  I swear my batteries totally recharge if even the sun shines through the window and I feel the warmth on my body.  Why I live in Washington and not Arizona is a mystery.  Well really not, after we retire I know we'll have a getaway place in AZ as well.

Congrats to your ds, sounds as if he has found a sport that he can excel at and is kicking some pa-tu-tee!  How does that work that he is competing against a giant?  It must not work quite like wrestling.  Your energy level sounds like mine after my ds skating last weekend.  Heck it took until this weekend and some 12 hour nights in bed this weekend to recoup.

Kimberly, as expected your at it again, doing a little of this and that or nothing at all, at the ds house!  Yep, had enough energy to hit nine holes of golf and wash the car, but the "should have" done yardwork is still there.  I typically would never spend a spare moment indoors if I could be outside, but lately I'm pretty darn content in watching a bunch of tv and 'putering away.  I've been so fortunate over the years to have somebody do our housecleaning as I have always done our yard as well as the elderly neighbor ladies yard.  I figure the money I make from her yardwork pays for my housekeeper.  But, that may be going away as she just sold her home, infact we're going out to dinner again tonight with the other neighbors and her to wish her well.  She'll be moving just about a 1/2 mile away, wanted the equity from her home and is just going to rent for now.  The new owners sound like there pretty well off, they bought the home because there is a marina across the street that they have a 40' yacht in.  Sounds like they winter in Palm Springs so maybe that yard work will still be there atleast when there south.

So you tried your hand at golf last year, does the dh golf as well?  Its a great sport to be able to share together as its quite time consuming.  I've met two of my closest friends from joining the ladies golf league at our club.  I better stop there as I can ramble forever about golfing!

LJ, great to hear that your Taxol txt is being tolerable to you.  You'll be breezing through that portion of txt and done before you know it.

Paula, whats up with this dry mouth thing?  I don't have many complaints about my txt, but I wake up constantly at night and there is literally not an ounce of moisture in my mouth.  So you got it, drink more H20, then gotta pee, more H20 ... yada yada yada!   Did you have this when you had your cough too?   Bedtime would be a nightmere if you did.  Do you have this all the time our only at specific times after txt.  I've tried to put a rhyme or reason to it as I document every little se of sorts each day.  I find that its dry when I'm on my cytoxan, and even last night, and I havn't had any drugs for almost 10 days.

I've got you pictured with the tabby and the recliner, hope you get that sunshine through a window as well 

I loved to hear about your students and the support they are showing towards the bc cause.  Thats got to be a great big warm fuzzy for you.  Hope you can hang in there this week, how about a good nights sleep, you deserve it!

I gave Kalen (our newbie) on the txt front a call, she had txt on Thurs, her "Nasty" shot on Friday and is laying pretty low this weekend.  The nausea is hitting her pretty bad, I suggested she talk to her onc tomorrow and see if he can prescribe some other meds.  Hoping that she'll be back out of the txt induced fog soon.  She sounded pretty dog gone pooped out, in comparison to when we met last week.

D1 - hope your Sunday is "stupid pill" free, actually I'm thinking that my "stupid pill" world is pretty good!

Sheshe, all my positive mojo will be spilling your way tomorrow as you belly up for round #3.

I know that I ramble on quite a bit and although I may not pipe up to each and everyone, I know that the support within takes care of all of us in one way or another.

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i have an insurance story for you all.  i read some where about a lady who said she started a binder for all of her chemo insurance paper work.  i have a ppo and since i usually just throw all of my "explanation of benefits" from the insurance company in a drawer and forget about them, i thought this might be a good organizational idea, what with great number of them plus bills that would be coming.  so i started from day one of cancer drama and put each EOB in the binder and then matched the bills that have started coming in with the appropriate EOB....SO....i have received two EOB's with "x" amount showing as my portion to pay.  i received the bills from the provider with exactly double that amount showing  i owed.  called the provider and they said that's what their EOB from the ins company said.  my insurance company said no, "x" amount was right and they would send corrected EOB to provider.  Bottom line is....if i hadn't paid attention, i would have paid the incorrect billed amount from the provider and it never would have been caught because they had an incorrect EOB with the amount doubled. 

i've never had any major medical bills, just dental stuff, kids doctors, yada, yada.  some of you, i'm sure, know the ins and outs of all of this but it's new to me.  i can't imagine trying to figure it all out in a constant chemo fog or if i were a lot sicker.  so for those medical insurance-ly inexperienced, like me, pay attention!!!

Carol, in your picture does it help having one sock on and one off??? He ha - you look comfy mama! Look at you lounging - you go girl, and you dh was cooking and you are relaxing - Pimping isnt easy but someone has to do it - he ha.  You deserve it Mama! 

Kim, I am getting reimbursed from BCC Medical from the state because I have Blue Cross and I dont want to get on straight medical (state) assistance I applied with this program that great Arnold Schwaggner (however you spell his name) sign for us Women.  Its to help women that have Breast Cancer.  It helps paying your premiums, meds and copayments. Its a true blessing from God because a Angel from another board sent me the information and I am so blessed to have her care enough to reach out to me.  I am so thankful for all my Sis - Angels, is all I can say about you!! 

God bless, I am off to bed, i am so tired!  Working in the hospital, studied and walked 2 miles today - Gooooooood Night!  

This is me and the dd in 2006 at my stepbrother's wedding in Toronto.  I had to show you a decent pic of me before I put the other on here!  Plus you can see my hair "before".  Thanks Carol for the photobucket info.  I took me about an  hour to do this but I think I've got it. 

This is me and dd and ds on the day dh shaved my hair.  Man, I'm a mess with no makeup.  Sorry, I WILL NOT be posting the mohawk pic as I really look like cr*p in that one!

Last one is me at round #2 with my shirt on!  This was at the end of my day, so I've recovered from the reaction by now.

I don't have any other pics (that I'll post!), but want to try and get some more, maybe with my wig on for you girls to see.  Carol-- see I DO exist!

YEAH ... the mystery woman has been revealed!!!  Absolutely great pics there gal.  For some strange reason it was easier to PM my "butt" problem to the "mystery nurse/fellow Jewel", than now seeing how young (atleast to me) and pretty you are!!!!  Thanks for sharing, and what a couple of cuties you have, as Kimberly would say, "a tru SHERO" indeed!

Off to work, will be sneaking a peak when I can,  oh, Sheshe, kick some bc butt today ...  Carol

Morning, Jewels,

I'm a bit slow getting outta the sack this morning, but I finally made it. The sun is shining and I'm off to work for 1/2 day, plus staying after to work with my students.

Sheshe- hope your tx goes well today!

I'll try to catch up w/ the rest of the Gems later.

Paula

Morning Jewels,
Well, I did go over the ds's house, and the boys finished the grout, wiring, and new switches while the gals chatted...nothing we could do without getting in the boys way. That's our story, and we're sticking to it.

Julie- We must have posted at the same time yesterday. That's great that your son did so well. 1st and 2nd are nothing to sneeze at...isn't that a funny expression...what does that mean? Anyway, 70 degrees...and you were stuck inside. Shoot. Opening up the curtains and finding a warm spot is the next best thing, so hopefully that's what you did. Isn't it amazing how one big outing can tire you out forcing a rest day the following day? 2500 students on one campus? OMG!!!!

Sista- LOL about playing the lottery regularly. I play once in awhile...actually, a lottery ticket fell out of something in my dream last night...maybe I'm supposed to play this week.

Kathy-Wow, I'm impressed that you're out of the fog and functioning...fairly well anyway. Open all those curtains and let that sunshine in. You should be doing much better later in the week when that 60 degree weather arrives...and maybe getting right out in it will be just the ticket!

LOL about telling your friend all about the reaction, and she was there with you. HaHaHa.

Oh, your pics are great!!!! You're beautiful even without makeup, girl! Are those little munchkins cute or what?  YES!!!!

38 in December, eh? You're a pup. I'll be 47 in June.

Carol- I'm sorry you are dealing with insurance idiots. I think the goal is to use smoke and mirrors, and to confuse us so that we pay the bill thinking it really is our part. Good for you not falling for it. I say make a photocopy of the primary and secondary insurance cards, attach to bill, and mail it back.

Hey, that would be fun to do the walk together. I'm not much for camping either, but I'd do it for the Jewels.

Yes, dh does play golf, too. It is nice to play together or with others.

CathyCa- I totally understand needing to keep insurance going. That's great that the ds is taking a wide variety of classes, and that he likes horticulture, for now. Community college is the perfect place to explore and discover what is out there.

I have a case nurse through Blue Shield who keeps tabs on me, too. Don't know about running interference for insurance stuff or not as I've not had issues....yet.

Dana- That is awesome about the BCC Medical program. And, you were a busy little warrior...no wonder you're tired. Hope your got a good night's rest.

38, you're still a puppy, too ...and I love that you know you're getting cuter. I do believe that as I age, I just get better and better in so many ways.  Humility is overrated. Hahaha.

Thinking about you as you prepare for tomorrow's visit to the chemotini lounge.

D1- Welcome back. No need to apologize for the choppy approach...we all know and understand the groggy brain feeling.

Oh, I totally understand what you mean about twisting the bones on the turkey...good analogy. OUCH!!!!

That is great that your onc was receptive to your poll of the Jewels.

I'm looking forward to hearing about your decision on rads. I read a long study that looked at other studies on bilateral mastectomy and rads, and feel confident that with Stage 3a and node involvement, I don't have a choice. Darn! Not looking forward to my very fair skin being burned by radiation.  Got the calendula cream on my list and heard something about Aquafer (sp) too.

Paula- Hope you have a great ½ day with your students. I'll check in to see how it went tonight.

Go get ‘em Sheshe!!!!

Hey Sista, you must have been posting at the same time as I was.  I was told that you can expect your body to take as many months as you did chemo and rads to recoup.  You will always want to wear the highest SPF from now on when out in the sun. I've personally never been a lay in the sun girl.  I will for short bursts, but usually am under an umbrella or some kind of shade if at the beach with friends or family...man I haven't been to the beach in awhile.  Need to make a trip for sure. 

SIS Kimberly

Thanks for the comments on my pics.  Took me long enough, huh?  And yeah, I'm kinda partial to the little rugrats- cute aren't they?-- but I'm biased.  I'd have had more if they weren't so darn expensive to raise, and oh yeah, one less boob to feed them with now.  Hahaha!

 D1 (and others doing rads next): Before I forget, my friend had success with taking Ritalin for the rads-induced fatigue (she was put on it for that reason, wasn't on it before rads).  Another question to add to your list... 

WVGirl:  Got you added to the weekly post!  Let me know other dates when you have them.

And, since we were talking b-days, age, etc, earlier... I've decided to make another list (can't help myself!) of the Jewels' birthdays.  We gotta keep celebrating milestones I believe.  So PM me or post your upcoming b-days and age (if you want).  I'll keep track of them all for us  

Hello Jewels again

     Haven't got my period..works for me..I hated it anyway!!

Got a lil rash on the back of my head still..cortizone is working..

The customers at work have been so nice to me..they see me in my hat and ask and itell them what is going on..they want to give me a hug before they leave and say i will be praying for you. The kindess of people i don't even know..so touching, very emotional.

D1-you sound good hope you are getting through the "fog"

Sista-can't get through day without a instant ticket to scratch for some money...

We had a great day in Pittsburgh, it was almost 70 and we get spoiled by this. Tomorrow 2"of rain and melting snow..flooding will be an issue.

Hope everyone is well..HUgs xxoo

Hope everyone is enjoying there evening,

JulieK  Great idea on where to place the book.

I found it on half.com I am putting in an order.

You can purchase used books at a fraction of the new price. The dd's have bought some of there collage books from this site also.

Sista. So far I have not received any bills for port surgery, office visits or chemo.

I just now received an EOB from dh's insurance company from my hemorrhoid surgery that I had to have in Oct. (right before bc dx)

Funny story about that ...When I went to see midwife about the lump in breast.I had seen her when I had the rupture. She said Well they fixed your bottom end now they are gonna have to work in your top end.

KathyL-Thank you for posting and sharing your pics. Another beautiful baldie and the little ones are soooo cute.

SheShe Hope your tx went good

Dana-Sounds like the insurance thing is working out for you gal. POP girl (power of pray)

Carol-Like the pic of you R and R. Lord knows us gals deserve it. Keep an eye on the ins issues. I too have 2 insurances. dh employer has the working spouse rule. If your spouse works they have to have their ins as primary and use his as secondary. I always thought that was silly until now. I was told that what mine don't pay his will probably pick the rest up minus the co-pays and meeting his deductible. Good luck I pmd you too.

Vettegal- You look great Love the hat it matches your shirt well

Well better go for now gotta go get a load of laundry folded

Hi everyone....did any of you get stomatitis?  I apparently have it in my mouth.  I just finished my last a/c a week ago. 

Looks like it's been slow on here since I last posted.  Hope everyone is doing well today.  Good luck to Dana (virgin!) and Cathy-CA today.  DE is supposed to be in the 60s today again, but it will rain.  It's getting windy already.  I plan on painting my toenails today and maybe hit the TM again to walk.  Tough day, huh?  Nah.. I have some more things on my to-do list I could knock off also.  It's just nice to have a day where I feel semi-normal and don't HAVE to do anything if I don't want to.  Gotta enjoy these moments as I'll be going back to FT work once chemo's done.

Dana: I don't want to be pushy, but I'd consider a port, girl.  If you're doing herceptin like me, that's a stick every 3 weeks for a year.  Ouch!  I have great veins, but didn't want to be stuck that much or risk ruining my one good arm.  I love my little port now   If I were just doing the 4 rounds of chemo, I'd probably not have done a port, but it was the herceptin for a year that pushed me over the edge.  Just a thought...

For the mouth, I do: Biotene toothpaste and mouthrinse twice a day.  Each morning I mix up a batch of baking soda rinse (1 tsp BS to 8 oz water) and use this every 3 hrs. throughout the day to rinse (rec. by my onc).  I haven't had any mouth issues yet with this regimen.  I do slack off on the BS rinse after the first 2 weeks, but restart full force the day after chemo each time.

Vettegal:  Great pic.  And I also like your hat!  I think chemopause has hit me too.  I wonder if that's why I keep having the heart palpitations?