Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?

Hi all

Pleased everything went well Terry. Have had a quiet day as yesterday was rather manic.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend

Alyson 

Hi girls.  I'm back from my two week marathon in Dallas.  I arrived late Friday night after a 4 hour delay.  I spent yesterday doing the things I like to do when I don't want to do anything... soaked in a bath for an hour or so then went and had a manicure and pedicure followed by a light Thai lunch with DH. Today, my girls delivered breakfast in bed to me around 11AM... whole wheat waffles covered with raspberries and blueberries, fresh squeezed OJ, steaming cafe latte and my youngest's secret recipe scrambled eggs (I think she puts cinnamon in them).  All in all, a nice mother's day.  I hope you are all enjoying the same relaxing Sunday that I am, mothers or not, we all deserve it. 

I haven't yet been able to get caught up on all of your posts so suffice to say that I've been thinking of you and feeling a little guilty about being absent.  Catherine I hope you've recovered well from your surgery.  Marsha, I'm going to try to get to Orlando in the late Summer or early Fall.  I'll keep you posted.  Hillary, we are absolutely going to have to do lunch soon.  I won't be out of Pa until late June soonest (DD doesn't finish her school year until June 11).  Kay, I'm not happy with my outcome either.  I've said that before though so I won't go on about it.  I'm scheduled for more surgery on June 5th (amazing... one year less one day...).  Melanie, we're planning the road-trip to Dallas (through Arkansas)!  Were those tornadoes away from you (I hope)?  Terry, Carynn, GiJel... and Mel!  Hugs all around.

I've been so sore and achey lately... and miserable to boot.  I wonder if I've got something else going on...  I keep meaning to schedule an appointment with the Onc sooner than my next one in July.  Then I think, why bother, if there's something wrong, it's not like they're going to 'cure' me.  Blah. Aren't I a load of happiness?  I need a vacation.

Hugs Leah... missed you but knew we'd be speaking.

Twilah, guess we're surgery buddies again this year - I think last year we had our surgeries one day apart.  This year I'm finally getting to have my DIEP on June 2, and you are having surgery on the 5th, which is the date I had my mastectomy last year.  If I had thought my reconstruction would be delayed a whole year I don't know how I would have handled it.  What are you having done on the 5th - a revision?  I'll be thinking about you.

Hi all...I am on the mend.  Can't believe how many of us are now doing a second round of surgeries.   But we do deserve to be comfortable in our own skin, so to speak.

Carynn... I still had my port because I didn't want to go back to that surgeon.   No one in town would touch it, so the PS took it out while he was doing the reduction.

I am still somewhat swollen and the port area is tender.   My stitches are inside the skin and the skin is taped.   As usual, though my skin is reacting to the tape with itchiness and water blisters.  So I am trying not to scratch.  He said to shower as usual and pat dry and the tape would fall off on its own.   I see him in Pittsburgh next Wednesday, a week from today, so should be pretty much healed by then and hopefully the tape will have come off. 

In addition to being a couch potato, I did some bookwork.  I plan on working on the 2 youngest's scrapbooks...I have been piling up the baseball newspaper articles and school programs etc.  

The dress is almost done.  I had the waistband on the skirt, but it did not fit right, so I ripped it off today and will put it back together again when I find the energy.  Prom isn't til the 31st, so I have time.

So glad to not be going to work, which has become a real Peyton Place.   I have been sleeping til 8:30 or 9 every day.  So lazy!

Catherine, hope you are feeling back to your old self by now. 

Carynn...I don't mind if you give out my address.  

Twink....sounds like you are in the funk I have been in.  A vacation might do you good. 

Leah, sounds like the spring in Maine has sprung...enjoy the bike and sunshine.

My tulips are about over.   They lasted a little longer than usual, due to the cool weather.   The paperwhites and forget me nots are blooming and the Lily of the Valley are just starting.   So are my azaleas.  I just love this time of year.  

How sinful is this?   I have been wearing pjs all week.  Got dressed once to go to DS baseball game then back to my pjs.   I don't know what has gotten in to me.  Every other sick leave I ever took I at least got dressed.   But for some reason, I just feel like resting and if I get dressed I feel like I have to "do" something.   Nuts, Huh?

Well, Love you all,

Hi all.  I've had a bad few days.  What started as a moderately sore back and not of great concern, since I'm creaky all over, turned into a major pain a few nights ago.  Spasms, aches, shooting pains from my lower back into my thighs and groin area accompanied by a low grade fever.  That and blocked ears now for two weeks and constant borderline nausea.  I gave up today and went to see my PCP who ordered lumbar and pelvic x-rays on the spot.  I've been sitting here fretting since about 3PM, worried that I was going to get a call with scary news.  Not so, just got the call to tell me that, although the radiologist has to write up a 'formal' report, nothing unusual appears on the x-rays, no lesions just some arthritic changes to my spine.  I'm relieved although still in pain.

It's a rainy miserable day here in Pa.  Best suited to my mood.  I received the guaranteed offer from the relo company for my house.  I was shocked that it's so much less than what I paid for it less than 20 months ago.  Thank goodness the company will cover the loss almost completely.  I hate inspection companies too, while I'm at it... they just search and search and search.... stuff that wasn't picked up last time (when I bought the house) is now on my bill to repair or improve, like a handrail down the landscaped stairs at the side of the house.  You've got to be kidding!

Thinking about you all.

Twilah

Wow, surgeries, aches and pains, and scans. Always the scans. Will report in when I know the results of tomorrow's scan. I am expecting nothing but GOOD news.

I am not sure I can handle anything else right now...

Love you all.

Thoughts are with you Leah.  I'm off to Dallas again (sigh).

Wow, it strikes me as so weird how we have such similar experiences.  I have been suffering terribly with joint pain and of course with my bad back, that is the worst.  All my facet joints are singing to me.  I also have something going on with my left wrist, seems like probably arthritis, but really aggravating. Grrr!   So I have been in a funk. 

I finally got the painter in here Sat. and after he spent all day painting my living room, Mike came home and noticed the paint was satin finish.  I was shocked as I told them at Sherwin Williams that I wanted the same pain as I used in the kitchen and dining room.  They didn't ask about sheen, so I assumed they would give me flat.  I have never bought satin finish there ever.  So, they gave me three gallons of paint, but I will be out probably another 300 dollars for labor.  Plus, the job should have been finished this past weekend and now he will be back next weekend.  He has all the trim to pain with enamel paint.  Oh well. 

For some good news, my new couch and lounge chair and ottoman came today.  They took away the leather reclining sofa and love-seat.  It just wasn't holding up and I decided to go with fabric and no  reclining pieces.  We still have one good recliner for DH in leather.  I love the chenille sofa and chair.  So do my cats I might add. LOL. 

So glad no one has bad results, Leah, Twink, Catherine and Terry.  That is awesome news.

Pat congratulations on the decision to rebuild.   I agree, living not too far from you in the heat and humidity.  Hope all goes well for you.

I go to see PS tomorrow to get an update on what we will do about my "hamburger bun boob".  I just want to be finished.  My PS is having a hip replacement in June, so I need to get it done.  But my other thought is maybe it would be better to wait until he isn't in constant pain.  Maybe he would do a better job. LOL.  Bless his heart.

Catherine, enjoy your trip to Vancouver Island.  Showing my ignorance, but where is Vancouver Island?  I know there is a Vancouver in Canada and Washington State.  Not sure what I did, but I accidentally hit a key that changed my font.  Oh well.

Well, I am watching my San Antonio Spurs.  Ouch, Tim Duncan just got a foul, that is #5, not good.  But they are leading.  Hope they can hold on.  These NO Hornets have given them fits.

Hugs to all.  I think of you often.  Love, Sammie Kay

P.S.  Twink, where are you in the moving process?  Have you moved to Dallas yet?  Somehow I missed that information.  If I wasn't lazy I would search through the posts and find the info. LOL.

Another fly by just to let everyone know that my quarterly oncology checkup went well. I joked that I paid my $25 co-pay to have someone take my blood and feel me up - LOL!



Leah -- wonderful news!



Gentle hugs out to all of you who are in the midst of or are about to deal with stage 2+ reconstruction ...



And regular hugs out to everyone else!

Hillary

Back from Dallas girls and just doing a little drive-by posting.  I was soooo pleased to hear Leah's results, I just had to call and get it from the source.  All is good! 

Kay, I haven't bought in Dallas yet, still shopping.  Made an offer on a home a couple of weeks ago but it didn't work out so I'm back at step one.  Having seen all the houses in the area that meet my criteria, I'm now watching them come on the market one-by-one ... hopeful that something will come up.  I looked at 10 homes on Wednesday... I hate to be the difficult buyer but... here I am, still looking.  I may have to settle eventually but for now I still have time (my youngest's school year isn't out until June 11th) and it's looking like my college child is planning to stay in Pa .

My aches and pains prevail but I'm glad to hear I'm not alone.  I'm gearing up for a few eventful dates... my first PET/CT since pre-Dx and my revision surgery (I laughed at the hamburger boob Kay, I've got two).  A little nervous about both and just generally rundown with all this travel and move/house sale stress.  I do think it's time to start talking about a little fall getaway for the FCCers who can make it.  Just being able to look forward to a little downtime with friends is heartening.   Hillary, I want to get with you soon for lunch - I'll PM date suggestions.  Catherine, I'm very familiar with Vancouver Island.  You'll have a wonderful time... Afternoon tea at the Empress in Victoria, a morning stroll around Butchart Gardens and a day on China Beach... fantastic!  Enjoy yourself.  I have much family in the Lower Mainland area (Vancouver) and if you're feeling sociable let me know.  My one sis, who lived for many years in Switzerland, is a very hospitable hostess and I would love for you to meet her and others.

Hugs all.

Twilah

Melanie, so glad you are having a good time in Florida.  What an agenda you have... I will try to find sites about the place you're at.  I think of you a lot... since I live in my summer pj's... so comfortable!!! thank you again... :-) 

Have fun on the 7th... you sure know how to entertain... we'll be on the road toward Seattle...

Take care... anniversary date?? When I think of it, I found my little pea-size cancerous lump at the end of 2005... a year before dx... 

Jan, when do you plan to be in Denver with your biker-friends and where do you stay?  Maybe I can hop by and come give you a hug (and thank you for all the lovely flower pictures you have been posted)...

Twink, thanks for the info about Vancouver.  We have only one week or so, and with 2 dogs, the eurovan is the easiest way to move around.  We will stay in Tofino, by the sea, for a few days... and all you suggestions confirm what we had written down for Victoria... should be fun.  Wishing you to find the right house soon so you can relax...

Hope everybody had a good Memorial Day week-end... special thoughts for those with loved ones in the army... past and present...

Hugs all around,

Love,

Catherine 

Hi All

Have popped in a couple of times but wasn't in the mood for writing. Have been so tired that some days I wondered if I could continue teaching. All my staff were going down with early winter bugs and there has been so much on at school.

One positive has been starting pilates which I am really enjoying, however last Friday I spent the day saying things about the instructor as my back was so sore and I ached everywhere it had to be her fault, but I don't think it was as over the weekend I came down with a very nasty chest infection. This is my second day off school and I don't intend going in tomorrow. The only problem is that I have used all my holiday pay so it costs dearly when I am away.

Have spent some time wrapped up watching DVDs and knitting. DD2 is having a baby in October - first grandchild on both sides. I had forgotten how much I enjoy knitting. I am also crocheting a blanket for the cot.

DD1 is looking stunning having lost over 18kg. She is busy with singing and has a major engagement on 3rd July. Probably will have to help make a dress for that as nothing is fitting her.

I hope everyone had a a pleasant Memorial Day, ours is  April 25. This week there is going to be a special occassion for the Vietnam vets- it has been only recently that they have been remembered. The government is apologising for the treatment they received when they came back. Thats tomorrow.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying the early Summer weather over there. It is sunny today but we have already had some very cold days, yesterday was bleak.

Hugs to all

Alyson 

Terry -- Thinking about you today getting to see your new *girls* ... let us know how they look!!!!



Alyson -- As usual, amused by the differences in weather. We're just starting the glorious spring/pre-summer weather here in PA, before it gets too hot and humid! I'm sorry that you caught a bug, but glad that you're taking care of yourself.



Carynn -- You seem to pop in and out. How are you doing? Are you back on your RA medicine? Hope you're holding up OK ...



Catherine -- Have fun in Vancouver. My dh is from that area. I've only been there twice, but it is gorgeous! My hope is for us to retire there ... someday ....



Melanie -- That girls day sounds like fun, even if your dh squashed the idea of pool boys!



Sammiekay -- New furniture sounds nice. Our house is quite schizoid. We've got a few pieces of my *nice* furniture (pre-marriage and kid) and the rest is Ikea! Someday, someday, we'll upgrade to all nice stuff! Although dh is as tough on furniture as my seven year old!



Twilah - Surgery on June 5th - oh my! That leaves this weekend to get together. Are you free at all?



Leah -- Still up in the air about my Boston trip ... hope to get it settled by the end of this week ...



Well, it's been a year since my last chemo and I can definitely see the improvement in my brain function! Hugs out to Phyl, Pat, Marsha, Karen, GIJel, and Jan!



Hugs,

Hillary

Just a quick post to say hello to you all. It's very hot and HUMID here in Texas and no rain to mention. Of course they're already talking about upcoming water restrictions so I'm having some yard work done to convert some grassy areas to xeriscape. Less maintenance and heck along with the price of gas and water issues, I may as well do what I can.

 Healthwise all is pretty good except I guess it's a nerve or pulled muscle (still) that "stabs" me when I move a certain way or even take a deep breath. It radiates  to both chest and upper back near my shoulder blade and even with my daughters help I can't exactly pinpoint the location so I could massage it or something. Yesterday I had some scar pain but I know where to massage that for relief.

  I'm on "vacation" this week. Not going anywhere, just doing home projects which is just what suits me.

  Take care ladies,

Pat