Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

My story:  I was getting ready to enroll in Nursing school so I needed to get a Physical and I noticed there was a slight lump under my armpit.  This was in August, I was referred for a CT scan to which my Dr forgot to request it, and then once recieved my HMO rejected it and finally was approved in October (two months later after being forgotten and denied) they approved for a Mammogram that came back abnormal; next did a biopsy and found Cancer in lymph nodes, Breast and Liver.  Through that I gained strength, love, compassion, friends and faith - so to me it evens out!

 Tomorrow is Chemo - and going forward I will have chemo on every Friday!  I am getting closer and closer to being Cancer free!  I pray that I continue to have a good time with this 7 days - 1 chemo - 1 day bone pain and being drained  - 1 day of warmth and itching = 4 days of Blessings left for me -  Not to bad! 

Well I have off to bed,  Still working out and walking.  I know the next 2 to 3 days is my bodys and I shall listen to my body.

I remember I was complaining because I was the only one left to do Chemo and here I opened my big mouth being that I am on this weekly rate/chemo,  I am going to pass you up quickly  - he ha ! THIS SHOULD TEACH YOU ALL THIS LESSON NEVER COMPLAIN, AND BECAREFUL FOR WHAT YOU ASK FOR.  Ha ha he he ha he

Good night I have to go pack my healthy snacks for tomorrow - Yippee!  Did  I tell you I love to eat healthy too - ha he.

Have a Good night,

Love Dana 

Good morning, everyone!  I'm on tx Day 6 and back in the office.  I'm happy to be among people and feeling pretty good, except that I didn't sleep well last night, and I'm treating that with a diet Coke...

Carol - you are so cute!!  And so are your kids. 

Jenn51 - we'll pray for the best for you!!  Hopefully you are worrying for nothing.  And you are still a spring chicken.  I'm not that far behind, at 53.

I also have had some sore ear problems.  Funny, it's the little things.  This is a sort of big deal for me, though, because I don't normally wear funky earrings (I'm a conservative type) but with the no-hair going on and wearing hats, I'm breaking out my chunkier earrings, some of which I saved from my first bout with BC.  But some of them have thicker wires or stems, and they are sore.  So it's not just me, huh?

Joan - I'm sorry about your dog and the timing.  That must have been so hard.  The critters are just amazing when they sense how we feel.  And Joan - wow, our dates are so similar:

My first bout with BC in 1994 was found as a lump and we went from there.  This time, it was found on my routine mammogram October 19 (other side).  Moved from the suspicious spot on the mammogram to the ultrasound, to the biopsy and the rest is history.  Lumpectomy was on December 13.

Have a great day everyone!!

CHJ

Ok, my story....

After 2 years of having mammo every 6 months due to "shadow" was told in Jan 2007 that all was good and could go back to once a year.  Had clinical exam in May, all good.  Had clinical in Aug, all good.  Watching TV in Oct and wondering why left side a little sore, felt lump, next day it bruised (didn't last long).  No recall of trauma.  Made appt with primary care, they got me right in and put in for surgery consult.  Got a call 2 days later to go for mammo that afternoon.  Right after mammo went to Ultrasound.  5 days later, biopsy.  Met with surgeon less that one week later and results weren't back so surgeon started calling around and got the results.  Tumor.  Scheduled surgery for week later.  2 days before surgery, Mammo Dr asked my surgeon that if she could get me in for MRI that day, would it be ok.  They called me and I had MRI.  Suspicious findings on right side too so I said take them both as I am not going to spend rest of life worrying about it.  No recontruction, maybe later just to even things out some.

No family history except maternal grandmother and she did not die from that (car wreck).  History of thyroid and autoimmune problems is all I had.

OK, my story....

First off, only family hx is a maternal first cousin who was diagnosed 2 1/2 - 3 yrs ago...& is doing great!

Have always been pretty diligent about annual mammograms, & clinical exams, but was only occasionally diligent w/ my SBE's - 6-7 months out of the year. I found the lump in the shower while doing my SBE ( Sept 13 )- it was late at night, dh was out of town, & all the kids were in bed - I admit it was the only time throughout this whole ordeal that I panicked. I called my dh, woke him up, told him....& instantly felt better! Saw my gyn the next day - he said he thought it felt like a cyst, told me to wait a monthly cycle, then go to the breast radiology center to have an US & possible biopsy. Instinctively, I knew it was bc, but I waited anyway. Had a digital mammo, US, & biopsy on Oct.15 - radiologist told me that day she felt very strongly it was bc. I wasn't surprised, as I had spent the last month studying mammo, & US images on the computer to help me visually differentiate between a cyst, mass, etc. - only because I don't like surprises. Got the call on Oct.18 - IDC on the right. Saw the bc surgeon & the ps the following week. The week after that I had an MRI of both breasts & an MRI of the brain ( I had been dealing with a month long headache as well ). MRI showed nothing new on the right & nothing at all on the left ( brain MRI - negative ). Because I am an "all or nothing" type person who tends to worry a lot, I made the very personal decision to have a bilat. mastectomy ( Nov.13 ). I also chose to have immediate reconstruction w/ expanders bilaterally...with absolutely no regrets.

I can totally relate to the old adage 'be careful what you wish for' -

the 18 months prior to my diagnosis I had joined Weight Watchers,  lost 40lbs., then with the help of a trainer started working out 5 days/week. I was in the best shape I had been in, in a long time - but kind of sad with the toll the weight loss, breast feeding 3 kids, age, etc., had taken on my breasts. I was starting to consider a reduction &/or lift ( I was a DD ) - so believe me, from now on I am definitely going to be careful with what I wish for...

As far as my bout w/ se's from this last(#4) tx - GI wise, I just have some residual numb taste buds, & occasional heart burn. It's the fatigue that's hit me much harder this time. I am so, completely, mentally & physically exhausted, that even though I feel excited about being done...if you look at me, you can't tell - I'm in total spaced out mode most of the time ( that is, in between naps). So far, my nails have survived, but I'm still losing some hair, & eyebrows & eyelashes are really thinning. My skin is pale & washed out - so, all in all, I look pretty horrific....but I'm too tired to care right now.

My thoughts & prayers are with all of you,

Therese

Day two of Chemo.  It wasnt so bad this time; hoping and praying that it stays this way. 

Have a blessed day - Ladies!

God bless,

Dana 

Good Evening Jewels,

For once I can say that my day was full of sunshine & almost warm. Just being able to crack the sunroof a bit & feel the sun on my face does wonders for a person's spirit. And it's supposed to stay like this for several days.

Hey Carol, great pics! Good looking kids with a Jewel in the center. Don't those home-made cards really get to you? It sounds like you had a b-day worthy of a Jewel. I know what you mean by the weepies. There will be a couple of days that I will cry at the drop of a hat. Like really bad PMS. Augh! I thought I was done with all of that when they yanked my stuff out.

I keep intending to start a journal. I'll have to back date a good part of it but like you I have a calendar with everything important on it.

For the record I went in for yearly mammo. They found micro-calcifications & called me back for a diagnostic mammo. That confirmed the m-c & I was told to make an appt. with the surgeon. I had the same thing about 5 years ago, they were benign so I wasn't really worried. The surgeon did a stereo-tactic biopsy & I didn't think another thing about it. (More on this feeling later). So when he called me at home a few days later, he, the actual Dr., my knees went out from under me. He said the biopsy didn't show what we wanted & could I come in the next day at noon. I gathered my dh & my bf & off we went. Lumpectomy 1 week later & you know the rest of the story.

One very ironic thing....I was about 6 weeks late with my gyno appt. Usually have the m-gram the same day, but this time they couldn't get me in. Said I could come in the next week, but no I was going to be cruising the Caribbean with the gfs. Ended up being about 3-4 weeks before I had the appt. Now I've been told these m-c were really tiny, but very fast growing. IF I had gone in on time would they have shown up? I don't think so. And if they were growing that fast I know I would have been in serious trouble before my next annual. I believe this is one of my own personal miracles, that more than fate had a hand in my timing.

I'm not sure what my future m-gram schedule will be. They told me that I would never have just a screening mamo, that I would always go to the diagnostic center. And some one said something about every 3 months for the 1^st year, then every 6 mos. My bf is 16 yrs out & she is only going 1 time a year now. That's on my question list.

So you had dachshunds too. Are they the cutest things. Our 1^st one came to me from Santa! Probably one of the last years I really believed, but that year nothing could have changed my mind. We have cocker spaniels now. A black one & a golden one. Clowns!

Cathy, Thanks for the encouraging words. My onc's nurse called today with MUGA results. The test itself was great. And she said there was no note about a shadow. I'm going to hope everything is OK, but talk to my onc face to face on the 20^th.  This guy seemed so certan that something wasn't right.

Joan, I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. And right now when you could use all of the love they give. Do you have any pets to pamper you? I swear my guys know ‘something' is wrong. I'm getting so much more quiet love from them lately. It's good to know someone else is in my age bracket.

OK, KathyL, I won't push on it again. I have to admit I have in the last few days to see if I could feel what he saw. I really don't understand because 1 of his ?? was did I have implants. And then the next was did I have part of my lung removed. Was he seeing something missing or something extra. Gonna put it out of my mind until the 20^th. But thank you for the help. This MUGA was early because I told the onc that I was out of breath so much of the time. That's another ?? for him, if the MUGA is fine, why am I out of breath?

I've also heard that you are only as old as you feel. If that's the case I must be 100 lately.

Well, I better sign off for now. Tomorrow is my 1^st real pt session. I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm thinking positive thoughts for all of us to have a good day tomorrow. One day at a time, that's all we can do.

Hugs to you all.

Carol I totally forgot to mention your kids are CUTE they get that from you of course Sorry DH!  He ha he ha

Afternoon Jewels,
So, I’m 2/3 of the way done!!!!  Only two more to go, which means next time I can say 5/6 of the way done. WhooHoo!!!!

Julie-Yeah that you’ve only felt tired and had no vomiting or nausea as of Sunday. Let’s keep going in that direction.

D1- Hmmm, those nail issues don’t sound fun,but good to know it will clear up now that you’re done with chemo. Earring issues, too.  Geez. 

Love the legu acronym as you’re correct calling her your leg might be confusing.

What was the final decision for your license plate?

Hope the banquet wasn’t too boring.

Tinalee- Oh,your trip memories reminded me of my dh and I taking the trailer on a trip up to Oregon and Washington. We also did Whidby Is., Anecortes, and other little islands. It was so beautiful. We hit the St. Helena park on the way up and the Crater Lake on the way back. We stopped in Klamath and stayed. My folks met us up there. While in Washington we visited Tacoma and took a trip over to Victoria and Vancuver. My twin flew up and met us for this leg of the trip.  Thank you for triggering that memory.

CarolCa- 100 countries in your lifetime is a great goal. Go for it!!! Way to put the ‘shadow’ into perspective and once again educating those of us not familiar with all of these tests. Thank you!!!!

Jenn- Oh what a scary thing and to have to wait for results is such a nightmare.  I’ll be sending positive thoughts your way darlin’.  I haven’t had a MUGA yet, but asked my onco. if I’d get one when done to make sure my heart was still in good condition after the TAC regime, which isn’t always nice to the heart. I do have expanders, so if I do have a ‘shadow’, will the expanders hide it or cause my onco. to not pay attention?  I also asked for a bone density test afterwards as TAC isn’t always so nice on the bones either. He was on board with both of those.

Oh, your doxie story was so sweet, and your lovin’ reference to your mom as a grouchy old prude was priceless.  My mom’s mom wasn’t always the easiest to deal with especially toward the end of her life, and her side of the family even worse when it came time to deal with dispersing the estate after my step-grandfather, whom I loved dearly. He softened my grandmother quite a bit. It is what it is, so why not just call it what it is, right? Doesn’t mean you don’t love her or that I didn’t love my grandmother.

Carol- Love the pic. Don’t you love the homemade cards? My son did that one Christmas for everyone bc he was really poor. Everyone loved them. He made me cry with his to me, and my dh, his step-dad, was moved by his as well. Writing allows our men to say what they want and feel, but just can’t verbalize, I think. And major points for the dh for getting you three more pair of earrings.

Oh on the contrary, dear Carol, wearing a FUBC shirt is not against the positive thinking goal…we want cancer to go away, so we are sending that message out to the universe.
We are positive this thing must go!!!! And you took such good care of yourself with the bath and getting comfy…all prepared for a new way of being for the rest of the evening. BRAVO!!!!

About the analogy-they just come to me. Guess it’s my line of work and having to analyze literature or something.

I’m doing the same thing as far as keeping track of things since the dx.  I think it’s a great idea that you write it out in your own words even if it is only seen by you and your family. It’s cathartic. Hope the pooper and period have resolved by tomorrow.

My story: I moved and switched doctors. Met him in July 2007. He ordered all the usual yearly exams. My blood tests came back with really low hemoglobin. I’ve had issues with anemia off and on since I started giving blood. I’m A-, so my blood was in demand especially because I was negative for some virus thing. Anyway, I was used to being turned down a few times a year, but last year, it was more often than not. So, in July I took a test to make sure I wasn’t bleeding from the colon. I wasn’t.  I don’t consider my periods heavy at all which was another concern, so I was put on iron 900mg a day. I re-did the test in August, a small change.  I did my mammo at the end of August. I do one annually due to family history- dad had breast cancer. Never a bad scan. School was already in session. I noticed that when the tech did the top to bottom squish, that it hurt like heck,which was never an issue previously. That night I felt a huge lump on top of my breast. There was no way I could have missed that as I do self exams all the time. My husband said he certainly would have noticed that. I got the call to come in for a redo. I mentioned the lump I felt, and asked if the pain I felt could have been caused by the squish. Didn’t know. I was then taken in for an ultrasound. Yep, suspicious lump at 12:00. Back for a biopsy the next week. Cancer was diagnosed on 10/10/07. Met with oncologist, told him about the lump I felt. He said, the lump on the mammo is too deep to have felt it manually, so the lump on the surface was possibly an injury or something else. He ordered a PET scan and a breast MRI. The PET found two more tumors. One at 7:00 o’clock and one in the axilary area. That’s how breast cancer was found for me. Had my bilateral mastectomy on Dec. 6th, and I found the Jewels on December 14th. Oh, interesting note, my hemoglobin shot way up after the tumors were gone. Of course with chemo they’re back in the low category, but I have no doubt they will pick back up again.  Makes me wonder if there was a link between my cancer growing and the issues with anemia.
Don’t know about future screening yet…my onco is a one thing at a time guy.

Paula- Glad you were able to get out and walk in your 50 degree heat wave.

How wonderful are you feeding the masses pizza, but great idea knowing they’d be wired. Food is a wonderful carrot to dangle once in awhile.

OMG on that Respiratory Infection!!!  Time to have a dance with Jack eh?

Joan- How awful to think, benign, than discover it isn’t. Glad your doctor was vigilant even though the benign dx was given after the biopsy.

I’m glad to have the company under the blanket as we head into the fog this round, although as I stated this morning, with the nuclear reactive surges I’ve been having the blanket may be too warm for me…I’ll be throwing my side off a lot. Hope you don't mind.

Dana- So glad you’re getting 4 of 7 days that are good!!!!
Glad you had a good infusion day. Kris and I were right there with you.

Kathy- So glad all went well at the Daddy Dance. Aren’t kids great about just telling things like they are. I can imagine her saying something like, “Yes, my hair is gorgeous tonight isn’t it? Mommy has no hair, it’s a wig.“ LOL Can’t wait to see the pics next week.

CHJ- I concur about losing a pet during an emotionally trying time being so hard and how they really do sense that something is different. Animals are amazing.  Glad you’re back at work and feeling good after only 5 days. That’s awesome!!!

Deb- Wow, what a journey. I don’t blame you for just stating take them both, I don’t want to be worrying.  Reconstruction can totally be done at a later time.

How’s the dp doing after the funeral?

Wendy- So good to hear from you…and yep, you got the Tx #3 blue jewel syndrome and was hit by the same Mac 18 wheeler all right!  Here is to an easier Tx#4…I just had my number #4 today, so we’ll have to compare notes. Taxol for 12 weeks…no time to recoup…hopefully the se’s are much lighter that AC for you.

Therese- I don’t regret my choice to remove both breasts either considering there were atypical cells found in the right, so I’m thinking it was ripe for starting.

So, both you and Kathy were on the wanting breast augmentation/enhancement when you were dx, so getting your wish out of this not so pretty dx was totally deserved and paid for by your insurance company.

Congrats by the way for taking charge of your weight and losing 40 pounds and training with a trainer. You’ll be able to get back to that feeling good and in the best shape of your life soon.

Well, your tx #4 story is not making me feel so good about my hopes of skipping the cumulative action between #3 and #4…I was so out of it after #3, I can’t imagine being even more out of it.  Uuggghhh.  I’m Ok on the nails, still losing eyelashes and eyebrows. Had only a pimple or sore like thing in crease of ear where you would use a q-tip in the crease just above the ear’s opening…does that make sense? Left ear. Pale and just look ‘older’ IMO…it’s clear chemo is taking it’s toll as Kathy, I believe, mentioned earlier.

Ok, all caught up. Good luck to Carol, Joan, Judy, and Wendy tomorrow.

SIS Kimberly

Good morning! 

Wishing today's chemo warriors a smooth treatment day: Carol, Joan, Judy and Wendy--FUBC!!!

My bratty resp. bug took me down yesterday. Went to work and within an hour started chilling...put on my coat...still shivering... added my scarf (my neck gets cold)...still chilly...broke out the blanket (nice to have a clinical lab for my nursing assist. students!). Started out w/ norm. temp, was 101 by lunchtime. Got my ducks in a row at work and headed over to onco office. He did labwork (WBC low, but not too low for chemo this Fri), NP swab (up the nose--not a fun thing), and chest xray. Started on Avelox, an anti-infective. Took tons of cough meds (didn't need the whiskey ) and slept well. Feel pretty good this morning, esp since my Hgb was only 8.1... should be feeling a little sluggish, I'd think!

D1- sounds like your legu is an expert. Glad to hear that you're getting the best care. Thanks for the link to the taping info.

Kathy- can't wait to see pics from the daddy dance. And, as always, excellent info for Jenn on the possibilities of that shadow on her MUGA. We are fortunate to have you as a Jewel!

Therese and Kathy- I breastfed my 2 kiddos as well... so much for lowering the risk of BC! 

CHJ- I broke out the funky earrings when I lost my hair. Haven't had any of the earring issues, tho.

Kimberly, Kris and Dana--hope you're doing well on day 2 after chemo!

Jenn- hope you have a good pt session today!

Time to get to work. To all the Jewels: Happy Hump-day!

Paula

Good Morning Gems

Wow, its going to be kinda crowded at the chemotini bar today, must be happy hour! 

Judy, Wendy and Joan I'll save you a seat and pick up the first round.  Bottoms up to an uneventful day of txt, FUBC and FUSE's, thank god I won't be needed to stop at Jiffy Lube on my way home.

I have a gf taking me today.  The mil had a hair appt, and actually a couple of friends have asked numerous times if I need a ride.  Don't know if there just being the great friends they are and trying to help or if they actually are interested in the experience.  Probably a little of both. 

Need to wake the ds for school, he gets a sleep in on Mom's day at the "bar".  I still have my notes I took last night for shout outs, might not get to those until this afternoon.  I know by then I'll have more to read ... god I love you gals!!!

Carol

KathyL - cheer up baby, when you get a little pale apply a lil fake tan - which is so natural to do and much better then the sun!  I have noticed since my liver has attacked that my skin color isnt it the normal glow (since being black and white).  I usually have a nice color all year round but since the Liver cancer I have lost color especially around my eyes so I had a little cover there to help me look alive and Chemo helps me out with the warm glow.  For your eyes apply cucumbers in the morning and all Oil of Olay has a good products for puffiness too; they have little sponges I use every 4 days - its states to use daily but I dont have that daily money.

As you can tell I have a lot of rememdies for my body. I also use a manadrin body scrub daily (trader Joes) to help with the dryness of my skin from Chemo and it workds miracles.  I am very Vain you can say   I just love trying to look and feeling good.  Remember Kathy - you are beautiful at all times. I dont know why I checked my mail before I left this morning to school but I guess you needed me   Remember I love you and you are beautiful to all of Us.   

Hello Jewels!

I am finally feeling human again. Had my last tx on Friday and it was definitely the worst. I was much more tired and achy this round. But I made it!

I've tried keeping up with the posts, just didn't have the energy to post.

KathyL  - Love your pictures. It is so nice to put a face to the name!

Golfer - Happy Belated birthday!  Hope it was a good one.

As far as my dx - I had my annual exam in June and my mam in July everything was fine. On October 9, I was getting ready to take my ds to school and just was adjusting my bra strap and felt the lump. Dh was out of town, so I waited till the next day and called gyno to check it. She sent me for a sonogram and mammogram the same day. They could see it on the s/g but still not the mammo.  THAT is what scares me. I will never feel a mammo is enough.  I hope insurance will pay for either a sonogram or mri every year cause the mammogram isn't worth a thing to me.  One weird thing that happened - Last April I went to a medium for the first time in my life. I was always interested but quite skeptical. From the time I sat down, she was right on many things and on a lot of specifics, not just generalizations. Fast forward to a few weeks after I was diagnosed, and I remembered she had mentioned something about a mammogram. So I sat and listened to the tape I had of the reading. She had asked me if I get mammograms. I told her I did. She asked if I just had one or was just due for one. I told her I wouldn't get one until July. She told me in the mean time I need to start doing self breast exams so I could get to know exactly the shape and feeling of my breasts. I did not do this. I guess hindsite is 20/20. It was pretty weird to go back and listen to that tape, though!

Dana - I am so glad you have gotten on with your chemo, finally.

Dh and I are leaving for Vegas tomorrow. Just a long weekend. I am glad I was feeling good enough to go. So will be back on Sunday.

I have been thinking of you and praying for you all.

Hugs

Good Afternoon Gems

Just got home from my chemotini today.  Had a uneventful time with the infusions.  My mil (the great lady she is) stopped by just to say hi, and my next door neighbor was also there getting his 8 hour drip (for bladder cancer).  We had been diagnosed within a week of each other.  I told him we need to stop drinking the water at home.

Stopped with my gf for lunch at a cute little restaurant in Poulsbo.  Felt pretty adventureous in the food dept as my GI had been readied for today.  Had half of a huge philly cheesesteak sandwich.  D-lish ... got home started some laundry and the dh called to see how I was doing.  Walking to the mailbox while talking to him on the phone, the ol' GI tract said "Houston, we have a problem".  Hung up abruptly and felt quite thrilled to be at home and not at the Jiffy Lube.  I guess there is a reason they list the big "D" as a side effect almost at the top of list.  Didn't have this problem in month 1 and 2, hoping that this is not going to continue in the next 3 mos.  So now what do I do, not take Miralax tomorrow, that is what I did last week, and then just hope everything mellows out.  The darn oral meds then want to plug me up.  What a balancing act ... never would have liked a tightrope walk anyhow!!

D1, okay enough about my problem, we have a good friend (in fact the one we're going to AZ with), who has used kinesio tape for a tennis (golf) elbow and also on his feet.  He had very good success with both areas.  I sure hope that you can get some relief and I say bring on all kinds of meds, alternative therapy, whatever it takes.

Boy I sure wish I had a ds with the grades of yours.  Both of my dh girls we're very good students (in fact the one graduating from the U this spring has been on the deans list for all 4 years).  Awesome job for your dd to keep great grades, work, play ball, looks like some awesome parenting!   My son I believe has more of a motivational problem than actual learning problem.  We're hovering at about a 2.8 gpa, I believe for car insurance he needs a 3.0 for a break in rates.  He's got 2 months to hopefully work a little harder on his studies.  I definitely blame myself a bit, letting him spend so much time on "My Space".  We're like two peas in a pod lately, him gabbing with his cyberspace buddies and me yakking it up here.

Kathy, glad to hear your evening at the dance was a winner.  Gotta love the honesty of our little ones, "Mom's has no hair".  Hoping that you'll be able to share some pics.

Hope that your lunch with your gf's was fun, I kinda liked it when I was off after surgery to be able to do stuff like that.  I had more lunch dates in those 4 weeks than I have had in the last 10 years.

Again, thanks for any/all of your medical in-site on so many issues that arise within our group.  Although I may not be having some of the se's as others, I still enjoy reading about what one should maybe do.  Oh, thanks for giving D1 hell about her doc not calling.  I'd be all over that like a big dog.  When I was waiting for my final node path report I was calling every number I had, couldn't get through to a real live voice, it drove me nuts.  Finally called a number I had to a nurse I had met just once at Seattle Cancer Care.  She was able to pull up my report and give me some details.  I wasn't going to see the doc for a few more days and knew that the report had been completed and I was going nuts waiting for a call.  So D1, hoping that you made that call today!!!

Wendy, Time for celebration on your completion of AC.  Those lights at the end of our individual tunnels are getting a little closer!  I'm looking so forward to that bright light shining on all of us Jewels in the next few months, well maybe closer to a year.  As fast as Oct to Mar has gone for me, we'll be looking back at this adventure trying to remember the details before we know it.

So you noticed your lump in the Axilla, I see that you ended up having no nodes positive, gotta like that.  Thanks for sharing your story.

chj, I'm sure you probably had mentioned very early on that you had battled this beast back in 1994.  I say as we get older we get stronger both mentally and physically and "bc" does not even have a fighting chance this go around.

Jenn, story on the weiners, had a old weiner dog, he was 14 in 2000.  My parents also loved this old guy, as my mom was dying from Melanoma that year, Abercrombie would lay with her in a hospital bed in their living room.  We knew Abercrombie wasn't long for the world as well, so to bring a little new life into the situation, my dh (boyfriend at the time) and I decided to get a new little guy.  Enters Reggie, 8 weeks old and my Mom would have the biggest grin on her face when we would bring him to sit on her bed, along with the old guy.  Needless to say my mom died about 3 weeks later, and I had to do the unpleasant task of taking ol' Abercrombie in to be put in doggy heaven about 6 weeks after that.  About 2 years later we decided that two weiners is as easy as one to care for so enters Schatzie (the wild one).  We literally have to put her toys up so she will settle down.  She thinks she is a retriever, will fetch forever.

I'd love to see a pic of your "clowns".  I swear animals are at times a pain in the hiner, but the monumental unconditional love is invaluable.

Phones a ringing, hitting send before something happens to this post,

Kim, I too use Bare Minerals - I just love it.  Loreal makes a fake tan and it really looks good and not orange - give it a try.

I am so tired today Ladies, only got 3 hours of sleep and went to school and Finally I am done with Level 2 - I got a B again on my Final.  I think Chemo is starting to affect my brain because I keep getting B's and before chemo I was getting A's.  I think having Chemo before test day doesnt help with me much being that I dont get any sleep.

Wishing you all a pleasant night.  God bless!  

Oh yea does anyone have any rememdies for my Ass its burning every time after chemo - it feels like I have eaten 10 jalapenos. I have tried AD ointment but that doesnt work - i am going to ask the Dr when I see him on Friday next week for something because it burns baby... He ha

Ta ta for now!