Starting chemo Sept 05

Good to hear everyone still doing fine.  Sandra, glad to hear your MRI was fine.  How is the ringing in your ears now?  Enjoy the visit with Sandra.

Maxine - check in soon.  Worried about you.

I had such weird experience this morning.  I was speaking to a mother at my son's school who does not know about my bc.  Her father just had a biopsy to test for prostrate cancer, which was B9.  She said that she was relieved, because "once you get cancer, that is it, it or the associated problems will kill you."  I was dumb struck and did not say anything, but it has been bugging me.  Not nice to hear other people sort of pronouncing a death sentence on you....

On a nicer note - I saw Celine Dion in concert this weekend!!  She was amazing!!  I was in tears half the time.  Apart from the fact that I love her music, I just think she is a wonderfully rounded person and a good role model.  I also admire her for how she put her career on hold after her husband's dx and her son's birth.  She seems so normal in a world of people like Britney Spears!

Keep well everybody!!

Liezel 

hopeful,

so good to see your screen name again. We have missed you. Okay, can't speak for the group.... _I_ have missed you. Will post pictures of Sandra and I from London. Can't wait to meet her!

*susan* 

Just packing my overnight bag ready for trip to London to meet Susan - watch this space ;-)

Sandra from the UK

Susan and I get on really well and I am really glad I made the trip to London.    I got to meet Lesley (hubby) and their lovely daughter Lauren.  When I sort out reducing the piccie size, I will post.

Peg, who joined you in NYC restaurant?

Speak soon.

Sandra from the UK

Hi everyone

I have been off work all this year, my hands are slowly getting worse, but at last, I heard today, I will go to Southampton on 31st for more testing.  I will probably be admitted for 3 days or so.

Thank you all for thinking of me.  I will let you know how I get on.

Maxine

Hi everyone, It's been a while since I have posted.  I been reading on the posts.  Great to know that you ladies are still really active with the group.  I have started a bc support group here in brownsville texas and I have a group of about 15 or so lovely ladies.  I have been well, so far so good.  Struggling with weight issues (too much pizza and tacos) and osteopenic bones but other than that I am well and so is my family.  Robert and I will be traveling to Las Vegas next week.  Everysince bc we promised that we would take a nice trip once a year together and another with the kids.  Last year New York and Florida with the kids.  This year Las Vegas and Hersey Penn with the kids (anybody been to Hersey - I hear its fun).  Glad to know that all of you are well.  God Bless  Marg

PS nice to see on the boards hopeful - i believe we use to email eachother back in the chemo days. 

Hello ladies.  I am really going to make an effort to ‘stay in touch'.

It sounds like Sandra and Susan had a wonderful time.  What a great experience for the both of you.  I think all of us were there with you in spirit!   I saw some of the postings about the NYC get together that Peg attended.  It looks like it was a huge success.  I have never met anyone from these boards in person.  I'm a little jealous of those that have had the opportunity to do so. Peg - we are in the process of planning a ‘girls' trip to New York for a friend's 40^th birthday.  It will be somewhere in the August timeframe.  If it works out, I would love to meet you!

Marg - it's good to see you!  Sometimes the chemo days seem like a lifetime ago.  I guess that's a good sign of moving on.  I was in Vegas a few weeks ago.  We had a GREAT time.  Enjoy your trip.

Now the latest on the gift that keeps on giving:  At a routine check up last week my GYN found a ‘lump' in the neck area.  Could be a number of things, but he is leaning towards thyroid problems.  I do have a family history (mom and 2 sisters with thyroid problems), so I'm going with that. When he mentioned the possibility of an enlarged lymph node I must admit that I was/am very scared.  Started the testing this week with a neck ultrasound and lots of blood work.  No results yet.   My GP is a good friend of mine from college. I am confident that he will take very good care of me!

On the positive side - I leave for Florida 2 weeks from today!  Spring break for my kids and a well deserved break for me.

Maxine, you must be feeling pretty low? - here's hoping Southampton brings you relief.

Keep us posted.

Sandra from the UK

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hello all you wonderful ladies!

Things are going well here and I finally got my DRIVING privleges reinstated! OMG its been since early August since I have driven (other then to the corner quickie mart - one mile from home).

I go in on the 4th for my 1/2 yearly CT scan. I am really not worried about it to much. It is just something I have to do!

I have been following a 1300-1500 calorie daily intake (not a diet!) menu. So far I have lost 2 pounds this week and things are going well. I am going to start up in the next month at the gym with a good friend of mine (she already goes and has lost 40 or so pounds). I am bound and determined to be my own "biggest loser". I have between 100-130 pounds to lose! If anyone would like a copy of my menu please let me know. I am not really giving up any food group, just watching portions and eat 5-6 times a day instead of 2-3.

I will try to write more later....

Luv to all my sisters.....  Good Friday and Happy Easter to those who celebrate it.

Tina

I having trouble posting a couple of piccies from when Susan and I met up in London - I know I shouldn't say "something is impossible when it is only difficult" but I am giving up for now!

Speak soon.

Sandra from the UK xxxxx

I did it!!!! Here are two pictures from London from my wonderful visit with Sandra.

*susan* 

Hello hello my lovely sisters!



Firstly let me say how much I loved catching up on the previous posts and how gorgeous the photos are of Sandra and Susan's catch up! I would love to come to NY as I have an aussie friend living there now and have made a few bc friends as well. Definately on my to do list!



I think a few of you may have updated your pics for your profile? And how lovely they are! Glad to see us looking so good



Things have been okay here with us. Last week I had my 5th (!!!) boob operation as after the last one some internal stitches popped giving a very awkward shape so that had to be fixed as well as some nasty scars that needed revising. Just a minor op in the scheme of things and all went well.



My onc has referred me onto a gyn-onc for discussions about what to do now I have finished zoladex. I suppose I am officially finished treatment?? My 2yrs of herceptin was up at Christmas and my last zoladex was a week ago. However the gyn-onc and my onc both feel I should have at least an ooph if not full hyst. I was very upset at that as I am still mourning my oldself and was really looking forward to her returning once zoladex was done. I feel so cranky, moody, tired, etc with the menopause symptoms however this new onc said "rather than fighting the beast you need to learn to stroke it" so he is aiming to do a more multidisciplinary approach to managing my symptoms rather than me constantly fighting to rid of them completely. I am going to bite the bullet and go ahead and book either the ooph or hyst next Monday so I will let you know when THAT surgery date is over. I am hoping then to be rid of the port as well! My final legacy!



Toben as you may remember was having some serious issues since my illness with anxiety/ADD symptoms and Post traumatic stress. He has finally been seeing someone very experienced with this sort of thing on a weekly basis which seems to be helping. He has his ups and downs but we are learning to manage them slightly better at least. Liezel I remember your son was having some similar issues, how is he?



Scott has taken up his new posting with the army which is 15hrs away. He works for 10weeks away from home then is back for a week. Not the most idea situation however it is much needed for both of our sanities I feel. Long story really but much of the same ups and downs.



Tina I would love to have a copy of your restricted calorie food plan (notice me not using the word "diet"!) please. Do you have my email address? it is my user name at hotmail dot com. I have put on alot of weight (again with zoladex and menopause) and am an eating machine! I need to plan better however as I have never needed to watch what I eat don't know where to start. Once my operations are out of the way I hope to get into the gym



I have to dash as I am expecting a client any minute (I am just doing beauty stuff from home for some pocket money at the moment)!



love to you all and please know that even if I don't post I often lurk and think of you always



xooxoxoxo

Leanne!  It's so good to hear from you.  I was thinking about you when I was trying to catch up on the boards.  I'm sorry to hear about your latest potential surgeries, but congrats on finishing treatment! I know it's been a long hard road for you.  You were (and are) a true inspiration to me.  May you find huge success with "stroking the beast".  And yes - I still use the "chemo brain" excuse all of the time!

Susan, I wish I had words that could comfort you regarding your brother.  It must be a very tough time for you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I can relate to the issues with aging and ailing parents.  It makes me feel like a helpless little girl at times.  Keep us posted.

Leizel - I had a similar experience as you did earlier this week.  Was among a group of friends and we were talking about a friend who is battling cancer for the second time and the prognosis is not good.   Someone made the brilliant statement that it was ‘only a matter of time' before it came back. The whole recurrence fear is bad enough - I don't need someone telling me that it is only a matter of time.  It really bugged me too. 

Sending positive thoughts for Maxine on the 31^st and Tina on the 4^th .... I'll be away on Spring Break, but will definitely check in on my return.

Marg - how was Vegas?

I seem to only have time to check in during work hours, and I can't view the pictures from here!  I really want to see the pics from the London trip.  I'll send a PM to Susan with my email address.

Take care all!