Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

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  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 1,378
    edited May 2008

    I'm back among the not so feeling sorry for myself this evening.  Had a very interesting call from my rad doc, I had called their office thinking I would need to re-schedule my simulation appt.  I received a return call from the doc (not the receptionist or nurse), had an extremely candid conversation, I revealed to her that I had seeked a 2nd op from Seattle Cancer Care (which she thought was a very good thing).  We discussed amongst other things, oopherectomies, vs. meds to shut down the ovaries, an appt I have this Fri to have a ultrasound on my supposedly good side, and again what her feelings are towards my rads regimen.  We spent a good 20-30 min. on a conversation that I thought would be a done deal with the receptionist.  Thankfully she was not opposed to having my sim on my targeted date prior to my setback of chemo today.  She typically would like about 2 to 3 weeks after that to start rad txts, but said that if my counts we're up, she would not be opposed to starting as soon as one week after my oral cytoxan dose is finished. 

    Bottom line, I'm planning on cation come about 13/14 Aug!!!

    Planning on taking both tomorrow and Friday off from work, my first real time off unplanned throughout this whole adventure.  I had to call back to my onc's office late today to ask about my training regimen I've been trying to adhere to for the 3 day walk.  Since I don't feel run down I want to be able to keep on walking ... I was told that as long as its not in say in a mall/gymnasium setting, anywhere there are alot of people in a closed in space it should be okay to walk if I feel up to it.  Our walks are outdoors, typically in area of little traffic, some trails, and I just won't breath around anybody to close.  I was told to be careful if I have allergies, which can bring on infection in my snoot.  Basically, lots of hand washing and try to stay away from large groups of people especially in a close in environment. 

    So with that said, I'll save my shout outs til tomorrow, whooo hoooo no work for me in the morning, and I'll be trying to have pleasant dreams to raise those blood counts!!! 

    Night all, Carol

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  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 1,378
    edited May 2008

    Morning Ladies, okay this is what I envision in the coming months, I'll be the last one to post, and then I'll post again to myself.  I need to get a life!!!!

    Kimberly, I'm sure your zenned out by now, feeling like a rejuvinized woman.  Hoping your having yourself a wonderful time, I have this feeling your doing nothing but.

    LJ, thinking of you this morning, here's to a complication free surgery and quick recovery., with NO NODES involved.

    D1, talk about a score with the balditude look. I could have used that a few months ago with officer not so friendly!

    Jennifer, I was sorry read of your friend who lost his battle, just one more thing to add to your full plate while trying to get over the hump. Keep you chin up and try to make baby steps in a positive direction. Although we all want our lives to be back to "normal" as quickly as possible, some things out of our own control may take longer. Try to make small moves to put yourself in better space.

    Ahh, grilled pork chops, sounds good to me, and all this talk of strawberries is making me crave a little shortcake!

    Carla, I like your T-shirt idea although I'd be surprised if your dh would get it! I must say that your post has a much more Carla deserves better vibe. As I mentioned to Jenn, small moves in a positive direction for "you" is warranted. If this cancer gig doesn't teach us anything else, it should atleast let us realize how precious our life is and having negative vibes clouding our minds can be left at the door.

    Julie, what a better way to recuperate than a book and some sunshine. So glad that you've been doing so well, and enjoying time home without (I probably shouldn't say it) but free of headaches!!!

    Yeah, another water skier, been skiing myself since about the same age. My goal has been to atleast keep on skiing until I reach age 60. That's the last time my mom said "hit it" as she step started from the beach. I can't tell you how many hours the kids have on tubes over the years. We now have a boat that the kids can "wake surf" behind. They can actually drop the rope and surf the wake of the boat. Between that and wakeskating and wakeboarding, we become very popular parents in the summer. With gas prices this year, we won't be turning down any little wads of cash the kids may bring to pitch in! YIKES!!!!

    Joan, great to hear that your rads is going smoothly, no burn's for you! I can't believe how fast the weeks are going by, seems like you just started a day or two ago.

    Paula, oh how I can relate to having a post go up in smoke ... its never when I just have a quickie to share.

    Your boob-oh-la probably will probably enjoy a short break in the action. Thinking good thoughts for your dh's procedure to go well.

    Your welcome for the B&J's, thought the kids may enjoy a little something as well!

    Vettegal, been thinking of you and Vettesis, hoping that she is healing well and your rads is not treating you too unkindly. Would love a short update if you get the chance.

    CathyCA, getting any walking in? The more stories I hear of the 3 day experience, the more hyped I am for the event. We did 10 miles on Sat and 8.5 on Sun, I was pleased that my feet feel great, the ol' calves we're a bit tight, I really have to remember to stretch more often. I spent the last couple days trying to compose a fundraising letter for co-workers, some neighbors, and generally those that I don't converse with over e-mail. I've never been one to ask for monetary help, in fact with all the kids activities, we'd usually just put the money in the pot instead of having to ask others. This time I've gone out on limb and asked away, hate to say it but being a "poster child" has really helped the fund raising effort!

    Planning on a walk today, then a little puttering in the yard. My doc pretty much said to do what I felt like, just try to avoid groups of people, if I could avoid going to work, no shopping at the mall, movies etc., and washy-washy as much as possible. I havn't spent a sick day at home in quite a while where I actually feel good. I'm still shocked that my blood count was so low as I feel like I have all the energy in the world.

    I brought up to my onc yesterday after my bummer news about no txt for the day, about my concern I have had in the back of my mind in regards to my "good side". Way back when (Oct), my MRI prior to any surgeries showed a suspicious spot on my left side where I still have a boob. I had a U/S at that time as well, and the suggestion was to get a biopsy (YUCKERS). I then went to my surgeon doc to do my mast surgery, and he wanted his own set of MRI films of both sides. Their findings we're negative on my good side. So bottom line is that I would have had a biopsy done on my good side if it were not for my surgeon getting more pics and saying no problem. So tomorrow I will be having a new U/S on my existing hoot. I would like to draw a line threw it in my mind that I really know what might be going on with that side. I really would not like any surprises come mamo/mri time this fall.

    Until then I'll be hoping for my blood counts to be on the rise!!!

    Take care my friends, will be popping in later, Carol

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  • Cathy-CA
    Cathy-CA Member Posts: 686
    edited May 2008

    Carol -- I do four miles every morning on the treadmill, but haven't been doing any longer training walks.  The San Diego 3-day isn't until November, so I have time.

    Here is what I'm doing for fundraising ....  I have signed up for a fundraiser at Rubio's (a fish taco chain in Calif.) that gives you 20% of the purchase of everyone who brings in your flier on the given day/time of your fundraiser.  The fundraiser is July 14, so I've started handing out fliers in the aquacise, jazzercise, and yoga classes plus at bridge, bunko, etc.  Attached to the flier, I've stapled a business card that I had printed up that includes a brief description of the 3-day and how donations are used.  It has both the 3-day website and my website on it.  This makes it easy to say to people, I'd love for you to attend my fundraiser and if you want to donate directly, go to my website.  It seemed easier than directly asking for contributions.  I know Souplantation has a similar program, so you might check around.  As I get closer to the date, I'm going to see if my surgeon and rads onc. will let me put fliers in their offices since they are close to the restaurant.  I, also, put the flier on my website so people can print extra out to hand out to neighbors, members of their clubs and churches, schools, etc. 

    Also, I have a signature line at the end of my emails that says "I am participating in the Komen 3-Day Walk this fall.  For more information or to make a contribution, go to website".  I sometimes forget that it's there, but was just reminded a bit ago when I sent an email to someone who responded that she would support me and had an aunt who walked in it last year.  It's a very easy way to let people know you are looking for contributions without directly asking.

    I haven't been too good about staying up on all the posts, but I am thinking about everyone.  I had my first Herceptin-only infusion yesterday and it was a piece of cake.  This is week 2 of rads and so far, not much problem.  I'm noticing some eyebrows coming back but not any other hair, yet.  Of course, it's hard to look at the top of my own head and my husband is getting tired of my saying "do you see anything?"

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  • Jenn51
    Jenn51 Member Posts: 94
    edited May 2008

    Hi Jewels,

    Hope everyone had a good day.  The weather here is finally acting like late spring.  And it didn't rain.  Of course I didn't get to appreciate it much, I slept all day.  I took dh to work & came home to get ready myself.  Sat down in the recliner & must have fallen asleep sitting up.  The next thing I knew I was sleeping in bed.  Just couldn't make myself stay awake so I just went back to sleep.  I think the 2 days with dgs, rest only on Monday & test & procedures Tues & Wed was just too much.  But I just took a short walk with dh to get the mail & I'm cooking tonight so I must have caught up.

    WVGirl, How I wish we were close enough to hug each other.  Dh has been rather stand-offish thru this (but there are a couple of other issues at work too).  My kids are out of state.  We could really talk each other thru the rough times.  I bet that cute little dog in your avatar would give some hugs & kisses.  Sometimes I feel like my pets are my only constant companions.

    Paula,  Good to hear from you.  I'm glad they have a plan of attack for your dh.  I'm sorry it's going to conflict with your rad schedule, but it sounds like dh's situation is a bit more critical than yours.  You two will be in my prayers.  Let's pray that those 2 other spots are NOT cancer.

    Well, I better start dinner.  My oldest ds gave me some Taste of Home recipe mags that his company prints.  Found a new one to try.  Wish me luck.  I haven't really cooked much in the last 5 months but old favs that I could do with my eyes closed.  I hope the brain is ready to follow instructions.  I'm wishing every one a pleasant evening, se free & too many blessings to count.

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  • KathyL
    KathyL Member Posts: 534
    edited May 2008

    Julie:  Hope the fill goes well and you aren't uncomfortable.  I found I liked the smaller fills-it took more time, but no pain.  Enjoy your weekend-it sounds like a good time.  I sooo need a pedicure.

    Carol:  Glad your training is going well.  It must feel great to be out doing some exercise and working towards your goal for the walk at the same time.  Hope this next round of tx doesn't slow you down too much.

    Bummer... I just read that you got postponed to next week.  That sucks!

    LJ:  Thinking of you and hoping your surgery was a success today!

    D1:  Gawd, you're amazing how you get sh*t for free all the time!  So jealous it doesn't work for me...  maybe I need to try a little harder.

    Jenn51:  Oh girl, I so know what you mean... I am so Type A, and the one hard thing for me has been accepting the pace I work at now, and the fact that I can't do everything/multi-task like I used to.  It IS an adjustment... and I hope you find peace with the "new" you.  In some respects, I am thankful to have slowed down, but I get frustrated a lot, too.  Keep putting one foot in front of the other, and go easy on yourself. Glad we've all made you smile here!

    WVGirl:  Big (((HUG))) for you from all us Jewels! 

    Paula:  Thinking of you and dh.  Hope all goes well for him.  DE has a new laser surgery called "cyber knife"-cutting edge surgery for tumors.  Have you heard of it?

    Well, my quick update...  last night was dd's preschool graduation.  They were so cute, and dd did a great job with her poem she memorized.  It was definitely a proud mama moment!  The school just did a spectacular job with the program-something you just don't see all the time for preschoolers.  But, oh boy, did the emotions hit me harder than I expected.  I just got all choked up thinking about how lucky I was to be there to see her, and how I know someday at her HS and college graduations I'll savor those moments, too.  I never was this sappy before, but I guess life has a new perspective now, and all these milestones are that much more precious.  I honestly feel like I look at each day now as a gift, and want to savor the moments as much as I can. 

    I guess what I'm trying to say is, I hope we can all find happiness.  I wish each of my Jewel Sisters happiness like I felt yesterday watching my dd!  Life is so precious, and we deserve to be crazy happy with each day we have.

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  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 1,378
    edited May 2008

    With tomorrow off, I'll make a few shout outs then,  but felt so much emotion reading Kathy's post I feel compelled to comment ...

    Kathy, so its good to know that it just not me who has "those" moments.  I have definitely gotten more than sappy on many occasion the past months.  Every once in awhile I think to myself about what each moment in time really means to me.  I find the tears wellowing up in my eyes more often than I'd admit to anyone but myself.  Everyday life has definitely become so much more precious to me, and I too look forward to those graduations, marriages, and everything else that a long life will reward me with.

    Thanks for sharing your great experience with us all.

    A pleasant evening to all, Carol 

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  • PAlady
    PAlady Member Posts: 176
    edited May 2008

    Good Morning Jewels!

    Tgif! I went to the onc on Wednesday for my first follow-up appointment. He wants me to start the tamoxofen - no surprise there. We did talk about the ooph briefly. He said if I do that, I would go directly on the ai medicine. He is fine with either option. He really thinks I should talk to my ob/gyn about it. Since my BRCA tests came back negative, he doubted my insurance will cover it.  I did ask him a bit about bil's diagnoses and he gave me a bit of insight for me to pass on, but said unfortunately on some types of cancer even the drs. don't have a lot to go on as far as protocol.

    As far as me having pain in my legs/hips still, he was concerned about that and doesn't think I should still be having that this far out.  D1 - how are your legs feeling? He has ordered a Petscan for next Thursday. This of course has me half scared. I keep thinking positive, but occasionally get the "what ifs". I'll probably have to hit the xanax next week...

    I met with a great group of women Wednesday afternoon at our cancer center. The person who started it wants to raise awareness for young women about bc in our community. I was the oldest diagnosed at 42. Quite a few were in their 20's and a few were already on their 2nd time around. FUBC! We are planning on doing a calendar and having a kick off party in October. Hoping we can then provide support for young women just being diagnosed and raising money for support and research. We are trying to come up with a name for our group if any of you are creative we are open to suggestions.

    D1 - so glad you had so much fun on your trip. Are you going topless all the time now? I switched out of my scarf and used a baseball cap yesterday for the first time. When I picked up my 12 yo ds he was mortified I think. He said "Mom, your hair is still too short for a hat". I asked how long he wants it to be. He wants it covering my ears!! I told him that is not going to happen. Poor kid, I know he just doesn't want me to stand out. He just doesn't realize that I stand out when wearing my scarves, too - he has just gotten used to it!

    Julie - sounds like you are having some busy times. Glad you are getting out to have fun and relax.

    Carol - I love your new pic! Boo on missing your tx. Glad your rad dr. is still trying to keep you on schedule. Have they ever given you the Neulasta shot? LOL on typing to yourself. What are B & J's???  So how long does it take you to walk 10 miles?  I hope your u/s is clean. I know exactly what you are thinking about having the line drawn. That is what I am thinking with this dumb leg pain. Enjoy your days off.

    LJ - Hope your surgery went well and you are recovering nicely right now. Hopefully you will have a smooth and quick recovery.

    Jenn - It was so nice to hear from you! I think we need to remember it may take a while to get back up to our old speed. Hang in there! Sorry about your friend - I'm sure he knew you were there with him in spirit.

    Dana - loved your post!  I hope you are doing well.

    Paula - We make freezer jam, too!  Our strawberries won't be ready for a few more weeks though. My brother had the gamma knife and it gave him 10 more years than they told us he would have. Think positive! Is Duke far from you? Keep us updated on his surgery etc. Will still keep you all in prayer. Will you just have shorter weeks for your rads, or what?

    Kathy - Love your sentiment at the end of your post. We DO deserve it!

    I am off to the amusement park with youngest ds for end of school picnic. If I don't get back on soon, hope everyone has a great weekend.

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  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 1,378
    edited May 2008

    Hello Gems

    Well from being on a downer on Weds, to feeling on top of the world today. Just got back from my appt to get an ultrasound of my "good" side which has had some suspicious spots. As of today, the doc could not see any areas of concern. I asked if she thought that the chemo drugs of the past 5 months could have possibly help to do away with any spots that we're there last Oct. She gave a resounding YES to that question. She recommended a follow-up MRI in Oct, which my onc had suggested as well. I will be sleeping better tonight with my news of the day.

    Norma, hoping that you also receive good news when you have your PET scan done next week. I know the feeling of not really wanting to have test that produce results, but atleast to me in the long run, I don't care to have any big surprises in the near future.

    The whole oomph debate is still not totally clear in my mind. I initially thought that having it done would eliminate the need for taking an ai or tamo. NOT! I will look forward to hearing out your plan as well.

    My onc did not suggest the Nu-Nasty shot yet, I have said so many times to him that I don't want the "Nasty" shot. I heard enough horror stories from you all on that one. Keeping my fingers crossed that by Monday I'll be good to go ... if not I may have to bite the bullet!

    We walk at a pretty moderate pace, so our 10 mile walk with potty stops, and a quick run into Starbucks took just over 3 ½ hrs. I'm planning on going back over to walk with Ginny in the morning, catching a 6:25am ferry to have her meet me and drive to our starting point with some of the team. We're doing a 8 mile walk tomorrow, and weather should be around 60-70. PERFECT!

    The reference to B & J's, was Ben and Jerry icecream!

    Hope you are enjoying your day with your ds, no need to worry about messing up your hair on any wild rides!!!

    Cathy, great idea for fundraising. I've been totally humbled by the support I have received thus far. Like I said, when you're the "poster child", it hits others a bit more square in the forehead when you ask for support. I didn't realize you have until Nov for training, I guess that one of the biggest things is to build up a good tough layer of skin on your feet. No pedicures to smooth those babies out til after the walk. I've gotten myself a great pair of Aasics tenni-rippers, so far so good!

    Glad to hear that your Herceptin infusion was a breeze in comparison to your other txt. Thank goodness since its kinda a long haul txt for you and a few of our other Jewel friends.

    Jennifer, so how was our meal last night ... I like the Taste of Home mag, I share a few cooking mags with my dd. Lately I've been in a rut myself (cooking wise) I think that any extra time in my day I prefer to be outdoors working in the yard.

    I was glad to hear that you took a walk with your dh. I realize that you have had some issues with shortness of breath, but if you can possibly take just a few minutes each day to breath in some fresh air and walk just a little, (do a bit of stretching), I really think it may help with a bit of your funk and energy level. I know that your going to work as much as you can and feel wiped out doing so, but taking some Jennifer time to try and rejuvinate yourself outdoors might be helpful. Just my two cents! Remember, even though I can babble on and on, I'm a very good listener.

    D1, so did we wear those gloves?, I did pretty good yesterday at keeping them on. Its just a PITA to try and be tedious with the darn things on. Score on your plant sale, I've not been so lucky, I should have bought stock in the nursery, someday I need to plant some more perennials, I tend to fill the yard with annuals and spend a fortune each spring.

    Just got a call from the marina kitty-corner from our house, the dockmaster wanted to know if we needed a slip for our boat this summer. Usually we would have already made sure there would be a spot, guess we've been sidetracked. Paid up for the summer months, with gas prices who knows maybe we'll just be sitting in the boat at the dock sharing a totty with friends. Even that is fun in my book!

    Off to putter in the yard, grass needs mowing and once again I'd rather do it myself that have the ds or dh do it. So before either get home it should be a done deal!!! Well check back in tonight, hope your all having a good Friday afternoon, and for all those healing from surgeries, getting charred boobs, or just feeling a little down and out, I'm sending out my positive mojo to you all.

    Carol

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2008

    The surgery went very well. The surgeon told the DP that she "didn't see anything in there" ... no signs of tumor anywhere. Pathology I guess could take a week, but that will tell if the margins were clean.


    Carol, I had a 1" tumor in my nodes, so there was never any hope of no involvement there. They took all of them out yesterday.  So I have 2 incisions (lump. + node dissection), and a third small one for the drain.

    I took a Tylenol last night before bed, but haven't needed anything else for pain. I have some Percocet in case it starts hurting more. 

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  • KathyL
    KathyL Member Posts: 534
    edited May 2008

    Carol:  Thanks for your comment.  Glad it's not just me that gets choked up occasionally.

    Sooo happy to hear your good test results!

    Paula:  Best wishes for your scan.  I hope it is nothing but prolonged aches. 

    Your group sounds great.  Hard to believe that you're the "oldest"-isn't that a shame that so many in their 20s are dealing with this??

    Hope the picnic had nice weather and was fun.

    LJ:  Yea!  The surgery sounds like it went well and you got some good news.

    Long day for me.  Dh is on his 2-day golf trip.  I'm pooped from working all day, being mommy, and doing bills (ugh!).  Will check in tomorrow hopefully.  Hope all the ‘cationing Jewels are having fun!

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  • LilWarrior
    LilWarrior Member Posts: 268
    edited May 2008

    Today I took my ex's dog to the vet.  He has had an open wound for about 1 month now and I tried to heal it but it never got better so I told my roommate that he needs to give me a $100 to take him to the vet - it was like getting water out of a turnip!  I hate this man, and I know hate is such a harsh word but I honestly do hate him.  I despise his selfish and self center ways, I hate how he talks, and he carries himself and I hate how he raises his children.  Anyways Bandit (his dog), whom I walk and feed everyday has CANCER.  I told him about three years ago we should get him fixed and he said no I want to mate him and look what happened the dog has cancer now.  I told him they want $600 to remove the cancer and he said I dont want to talk about this right now so early in the morning.

    I can tell you Ladies how much I really hate this man, and I am so mad at myself for allowing him to abuse me for so many years.  He is just a down right pig.  When I leave after graduation I will never look back again.  

     Please pray for me...  I just want some peace and love in my life! 

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  • RN2teach
    RN2teach Member Posts: 312
    edited May 2008

    Evening gals,

    We have had a nice week, esp. considering what is going on in our lives. Dh is adjusting to the increased seizure meds and doing well. Folks have showered us with food, cards, and even money. Our kids have even been extra nice (no small thing for 2 teenagers!).

    Carol- I love your new avatar! Great news on the u/s--didn't need any more boob problems.

    It has been a beautiful day here. My rads was moved up (yep, I still have an unpredictable schedule), so I left work early and got to enjoy a little more of the sunshine. Did a little puttering outside myself when I got home!

    CathyCa- I like the tagline idea for emails--what an easy way to let people know what you're doing! Thanks for the fundraising ideas.

    How many weeks since you finished chemo? I finished 5 weeks ago and I have the "5 o-clock shadow" look.

    Jenn- I love those Taste of Home mags. What did you have for dinner yesterday?

    I am so happy to "see" your smiling face here again. Wishing you warms days and a sunny spirit. (((HUG))) Wish I were close enough to give you a real hug!

    Kathy- oh, girl! I cried at both of my kids' kindergarten graduations! They had slide shows of all the kids with Louis Armstrong's "What a Beautiful World" in the background. And then seeing all those sweet little faces as they marched across the stage... thanks for bringing back a cherished memory!

    Cyberknife was mentioned by our rads onc. Not sure which type of radiosurgery dh will need until we see the docs at Duke on Monday. We're going to Duke because they are one of the best in the nation at treating GBM (MD Anderson in TX is another, but Duke is only 6 hours away in NC). We expect that he'll have the one tumor zapped and then get recommendations for chemo to deal with the other areas. We'll probably come home to have chemo unless there's something radical that we can't do elsewhere.

    Norma- I am still having leg pain, although it is only bad at night. My onco told me that it might take up to six months to subside! He said it was a side effect of Taxol. You had that, right? Anyway, I'd never turn down a scan for reassurance, but keep thinking positive. Odds are that everything is FINE!

    Did your brother have cancer? He must have been young.

    LJ- wishing you a speedy recovery, minimal pain, and a favorable path. report!

    D1- any pics from your 'cation? I'd like to see how the hair is growing as well--gives me hope for the future.

    Dana- I'm sorry about your dog (sounds like he is more yours than the ex's). I'm glad you came here to vent and get those negative feelings out of your mind. I'm proud of you for taking care of yourself and recognizing how bad that relationship was for you!  (((HUG)))

    Wondering about Deb1023... hope you're doing well!

    My legs are crossed and I have a fat cat in my lap--no wonder the gams are aching! Time to retreat to the bed with a book.

    Wishing everyone a great weekend.

    Paula

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  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 1,378
    edited May 2008

    My day got better by the minute ... received a package from my SP, she hit it on the head (literally), with a great hat, lotion and photo album, all three things that will get some good use!!!  Thank you, SP, hmmmmm, wonder who that could be???   I'll probably be sporting the hat tomorrow, and I have been taking pics along the way throughout this adventure.   And from the sounds of it lots of lotion will be needed once I start my "tanning" sessions.  PERFECT!

    I had an interesting evening chatting with a physicist whom works for different rad centers in WA state.  She is in charge of making sure the machines are calibrated to a tee, and also looks at patients charts to make sure that dosages etc, are correct, amongst a variety of other things (kinda blew me away).  She is a good friend to the rad doc I will be using here in a few weeks.  She also is quite fond of the doc whom I will be seeing for a 2nd op at Seattle Cancer Care.  What a small world!!! 

    Off to bed soon, hoping those white counts creep up while I'm sleeping ... god knows I probably was busier at home than if I we're to have gone to work. 

    Night all, Carol

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  • Determined1
    Determined1 Member Posts: 806
    edited May 2008

    • It's been a couple of days-sorry about that.  Yesty was dd's 17th birthday and I was up to my eyeballs getting ready for that.  Seems I'm procrastinating more than usual (now that's bad!) of late...

      Today we're off for a couple of games of round ball.  It's a travel weekend for our AAU club, so we'll be on the road.  That means no computer time for me today, either.  Gotta check in with you guys now, before we get going!

      Hey Joan, halfway thru the rads!  How's the skin holding up?  I remember at 3 weeks in my nipple was so blistered and tender.  I hope you're having better luck.  Use whatever lotion they recommend and keep that baby lubed.  Also, drink lots of water and try to get some exercise.  The whole rads thing is a real PITA, but better than chemo, don't you think?

      LWDana-I'm not a particularly religious person, but thanks for the wisdom on keeping our attitudes in the right place.  I'm a firm believer in the healing power of the mind, so that was right up my alley.  I hope you can remind yourself of those words when you're feeling overwhelmed.

      I don't know how you do it, Paula.  You sound so upbeat.  Good for you.  They were opening a new treatment area at Georgetown Hospital while I was doing rads called cyberknife.  I wonder if it's the same kind of thing they're recommending for your dh?  I wish they could've used something like that for my lumpectomies...  Seems to me that Duke (you're talking Duke University Hospital, I assume), is going to be a haul from pretty much anywhere in WV.  Do you guys end up staying in the area for the duration of his tx?  I'll keep my thoughts your way.  Please keep us posted on how things are going when you can.

      LOVE the new avatar, Carol!  Hope the extra rest is bringing those counts up.  I've been doing my count cheers for you, so you should be in good shape come Monday.  Cool beans about the rad onc.  You gotta like someone who will keep you on schedule.  You made me smile with your comment about crossing a line through your concern for your good hoot.  What has happened to us that we're now pushing our docs for MRIs, U/S, what have you?  I really didn't even know what any of those things were, let alone when they would be appropriate just a few months ago.  I think we're all becoming the med industries' nightmare-lay people with a small amount of information!!!!

      Oh, CathyCA has a great idea with the fundraiser.  I think Uno's Pizzeria and Baja Fresh (if you have either of those) will do the same thing she describes.

      CathyCA-gauging my head hair is becoming a family pastime around here!  When I put some color on it, it bounced right out at me.  I'm about a month away from GI Jane, but I'm just delighted with my progress now that I can see it!  (Six months ago I would have been horrified by this hairdo, my how perspective changes...)

      Well, Jenn, sounds like you needed a nap!  Glad you caught up some and even felt up to cooking.

      Just read KathyL's post-they have cyberknife in her neck of the woods, too.  I'll bet it's similar to the procedure Paula's dh will have.

      I probably don't get any more free stuff than anyone else, KathyL, I'm just boastful about it!  I think that's mostly because I'm always amazed at how good people really are.  I think living in a large metro area you tend to pull in to yourself more and don't get to know those around you as well.  This experience has forced me to look outside and ask for help at times and, by golly, people are really there to give it!  Oh, and I really hear you about savoring the happy times.  They really do mean more, don't they?

      PALady-The pain in my thighs and one of my ankles went away at the end of April-two months after my last tx.  I still have pain in the other ankle every day.  It loosens up when I exercise, but by the next morning, its all swollen again and its hard to come down the stairs.  My onc told me to give it more time...

      I am not going topless in public at home, yet.  I'd like to, but like you, I'm being considerate of my 17yo.  Frankly, I think the doorag screams "cancer" louder than the balditude at this point.  But whatever.  I'm going to talk to her about going topless one of these days as its getting hot out and I'm not wanting to wear the doorag all the time.  Hopefully, she's getting used to my look and will agree it's time to go without a topper.  We'll see.

      Carol-Huge sigh.  Just read about your u/s report.  GREAT NEWS!!!!!  Hope you allowed yourself a little nipper in celebration.  You sure deserve it.

      LJ-surgery sounds like it went well!  Fingers are crossed for those clean margins!!!  Be glad for the drain, I didn't get one and had all kinds of issues with seromas (which have likely led to my le, IMO).  Ice, ice, ice, my friend.  Kick back, and watch some shitty tv, or get the dp to rent some movies.  No need to rush it, now.

      So sorry to hear about Bandit, LWDana.  That's just sad.  I hope your roommate gets his act together and shows some compassion for his dog.  I can't imagine not having my dog around.

      Reading on, I see that Paula has answered a lot of my questions.  Good luck to you guys next week.  (My sis was the picture-taker.  If I can figure out how to grab her photos-once she sends them-I will!)

      G2G.  I'll try to stop by tomorrow.

      D1

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  • tinalee123
    tinalee123 Member Posts: 112
    edited May 2008
    Good Saturday morning, Jewels.

    Sorry to be away for a bit.  Trying to squeeze 5-days of work into 4!  Earlier in the week I received a nice little card from my SP, with several Tazo “Calm” tea bags.  I have really enjoyed those, and took some of them to work – that’s where the “Calm” is really needed!  Thank you, thank you, SP!!!

    Saw the onco on Wednesday for the one-month check up.  Have now started tamox daily.  I asked her about the ooph, and her opinion was that in my case, it wasn’t necessarily indicated.  Because it appears that my ovaries have probably already shut down, having an ooph would not give me a “get out of jail free” card for tamox.  After a year of no periods, we will look for some other AI. 

    I’m almost two weeks out from exchange surgery.  Doing pretty well.  The bc-side (right) is a little stiff yet.  I took off all the steri-strips.  The incisions/scars are nasty…to be expected.  I will see the ps in two months. 

    I’ve been lurking and reading, keeping up on everyone’s activities.  So, a few shout-outs are in order.

    LJ – So glad to hear things went so well!  Best wishes are being sent out to you!

    Dana – Thank You!!  For the nice devotional.  I know those take a bit of work, on your part, but, I really enjoy reading them.  Our church used to publish devotional booklets on a monthly basis.  As with everything, cost-cutting has victimized this particular ministry.

    Paula – As always, thinking of you and dh, sending positive energy your way (not to mention, lots of prayers). Glad to hear you had a nice week, considering.

    Carol – What great news!  That’s gotta brighten any grey day, eh?  How wonderful!  Chuckling about your annuals comments.  I did the exact same thing, and it was exhausting!  Finally, I found some perennials that have done well and keep coming back, in spite of the nasty winters we get here.  I use annuals as supplements, now.  What kind of boat do you have?

    Jenn – Am so happy to see your posts.  You are one busy grama!  Be sure to rest.  When my folks have my young neice and nephew, they are absolutely exhausted when the kiddos go home.  It takes them a day or two to recuperate!

    PAlady – Just started tamox, waiting for the side-effects.  I hope they’ll be very, very mild.  Not looking forward to living long-term with them!  Would love your recipe for strawberry freezer jam.  It’s going to be several weeks before strawberries are ready here. 

    Kathy – Your accounts of your little ones are precious.  I thank you for those, some days it’s really hard to remember when the 18 & 20-year old were that small!  Those are just the sweetest times!  I’ll be celebrating another sweet milestone with ds #2 as he graduates next week.  We’ll be having an open house for him on June 22nd.  Where did that time go???  Your comments about living life happily and with love are perfect.  It’s good to remind ourselves of that! 

    Cathy – LOL at the question posed to dh about hair…I do the same thing.  I have quite a bit of dark “baby duckling” fur.  Very soft and downy-like.  Everyone likes to rub my head now.  I am noticing the eyebrows are trying to make a come back, too.  I also have very short eyelashes appearing. 

    D1 – I don’t go topless out in public, either.  It’s drafty!  And chilly!  I wear my wig to work and out and about.  Around the house, I still wear my bandanas.  I wear a big gardening hat while outside in the yard, with the “fur” so sparse, I want to avoid getting sunburned!

    Gotta run, friends.  It’s a lovely day here, following several stormy ones.  You may have heard about some tornados in MN – they were about 45 miles north of the city (where I live).  Lots of devastation.  So early in the season, too.  I hope it’s no indication of what’s to come…

    Will check in later, have a great day!

    Tina

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  • KathyL
    KathyL Member Posts: 534
    edited May 2008

    Hi JJs.  A yucky stormy day here in DE.  Took dd to gymnastics this AM before the rain started (and had to bring ds along since I'm going solo this weekend).  Did some cleaning, and paperwork this afternoon.  A good day to be inside getting stuff done I guess.  Dh reported that he had a beautiful 2 days of golf-no rain down at the beaches until they were done (lucky).  The guys have a big dinner (and more male bonding) tonight, so dh will be home real late or tomorrow AM.  The kids were pretty good this go-around.  Will finish cleaning and laundry tomorrow, plus have to call to sign the kids up for summer swim lessons.  Whew!

    So the week's schedule:

    Monday:         Carol hopefully gets started on her last round after this past week's set back.

    Tuesday:         Kris60 #7 of 12 weekly T

    Wednesday:    Wing #10 of 12 weekly T (the home stretch!)

    Thursday:        open day (though I'm sure some of you are getting your daily "tans")

    Friday: Kimberly has her exchange surgery.

    Finally, some hellos:

    Dana: Sorry to hear about your dog (I agree with Paula, he sounds more like yours). 

    Paula:  Glad you had a good week, and dh is responding to the sz meds.

    Carol:  Hope the counts are going up so you're set for Monday.  Honestly, if you had to get the neu-nasty shot once-you could do it I'm sure!  But hoping your body will respond on its own.

    D1:  Good to see you're busy as always.  Hope the b-day for dd was nice.  I still don't have enough hair to ditch the wig yet either.  Waiting for the first report on here that someone's at that point...

    Tina:  Glad you're recuperating from your exchange well.  When ya going shopping???

    Hope to check in again tomorrow as the week will be busy again--  dd has her ballet recital stage rehearsal Monday night, I have tattoing on Tuesday, GYN appt. on Thursday (oh joy), and my Relay is Friday to Saturday.

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  • Determined1
    Determined1 Member Posts: 806
    edited June 2008

    Good Morning, Jewels.

    Yesterday was such lousy weather.  I was glad to be in a gym.  Dd did well in her games, yesty.  Dh and I are working on reminding her to adjust some little things.  I'm hoping she's more receptive to our suggestions than she's been in years past-it's so hard to be a teenager!  Another game today, but it'll take a little over an hour to drive each way, so it's a 4-5 hour commitment again.  Glad this is our last season of AAU...  (Although the dh and I were expressing how thankful we've been the last two seasons that we only have one kid playing-the weekends when we had 8 games every weekend between two kids were really hard.)

    Tinalee-I'm getting the same input on the ooph/tamox deal.  I can't seem to get out of having to take it.  I'm going to try to get a full exam with my gyn in the next couple of weeks so we can establish a baseline for my body, just in case there are some se's that aren't noticeable to me, but lurking in my body.  It's funny, I'm actually more afraid of tamox than I was chemo.  When was your last period?  Mine was Jan. 1 (that's an easy one to remember!).  My onc says that if I still have no period after 8 months, they'll consider me post-menopausal (of course, I'm participating in a study to try to determine actual menopause status, so who knows?).  I don't think they'll give me an AI right away as those leech your bone density and the tamox is supposed to enhance it.  Plus the tamox has been successfully used in post menopausal women as well.  My team keeps referring to a study that shows tamox for a few years followed by 5 years of AI is best.  They say I'll be taking drugs for 5-10 years.  Oh boy.

    Oh, and I'm impressed that you're withholding judgment on your girls, I get freaked out by the looks of the stitches and forget that it all takes time.  Speaking of time, I'm noticing that when I touch an area on Frankenboob, I get an electrical jolting sensation on my shoulder blade.  Maybe my nerves ARE regenerating!!!!

    Sounds like the dh is going to come home rejuvenated, KathyL!  That's a good thing.  You sound like you're shouldering the single parent stuff okay, which must be a great realization for you.  I miss/don't miss the days of taking my kids to lessons and practices.  You get such a great talk time during those jaunts.  Now I have to extract teeth to get info outta my girls!  I don't miss having to work my own schedule around being an available chauffeur, tho!

    So you get your nipple tattoo on Tuesday, eh?  Will they do the whole job in one sitting?  The whole recon thing seems so foreign to me-it's nice having so many of you here willing to share your experience.

    Dh and I watched "Recount" last night.  We were in Nashville on election night 2000, waiting for results.  That was such an emotionally confusing night.  It's funny, it wasn't confusing for me, personally, but I really felt it for our country.  Anyway, dh knows many of the Gore people and we were hoo-haaing over the actors chosen to portray them.  Kinda fun.  (Oh, and if you ever see Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth," you can see my dh's acting debut.  When they get to the part where Gore is talking about his son's accident and then they cut to Gore at a hearing with a staffer whispering in his ear-the staffer is my dh!  He's on-screen for a full 3 seconds!  Dark hair and all!  We always freeze frame that part!)

    I think I need some more caffeine, so I'll check in tomorrow.  Busy afternoon today, we have to clear out our kitchen/breakfast nook/family room (kinda one big area) as the painters arrive on Tuesday for three days of turmoil.  Dh leaves town again Monday morning (I accused him of leaving to avoid the painting mess), so we have to clear the rooms while we have his brawn (such as it is) to do the heavy lifting.  The fun continues.

    Gettin' those counts up, Carol??????

    D1

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  • Determined1
    Determined1 Member Posts: 806
    edited June 2008

    Oh, forgot to add that I have a few areas of hair that actually "lays down" on my head and this morning dh noted that those hairs were experiencing "bed head" this morning!!!  Oh yeah!

    D1

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2008

    I've been going topless for a few days now.

    Last week at work, I wore a ballcap, but took it off while I was in my cubicle. If anyone observed that there was hair while I was walking around with it on, I took it off and showed them my fuzz. All the feedback was totally, enthusiastically positive. 2 people made a comment about the Annie Lennox look.

    I didn't even wear a ballcap to surgery Thursday. That was my first outing with no cover at all.

    It's pretty short, but evidently it looks pretty good.

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  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 1,378
    edited June 2008

    Happy Sunday Morning

    Well I hope that being outdoors and active helps with the blood counts, went to "town" yesterday, walked a 10 miler with Ginny and gang. So far my feet and legs are holding up well. No blisters, and now that I'm stretching more the calves are even happy. I did take a nap when I got home, felt kinda weird as I never nap, but it was my attempt to kick back just a bit. We we're then off to our friends home for some great co. and dinner. We made a tee-time for 8:30 this morning, and as I type the dh and friends are on the front nine. I'll be off to catch them for 9 holes in about an hour.

    Received a call from my friend Debra yesterday, she had a 3rd op in regards to her chemo plan, good news to my ears as yet another doc recommended CMF to her as well. We have such similar path reports, including having been so lucky to both have lobular cancer, her news is a confidence booster that I too have been on the best regimen for me. Looks like she'll be starting round number one when I'm hopefully finishing up my #12. I'll be her biggest cheerleader!

    Tina, I'll stay tuned to see how the tamo taking goes ... I believe your one of the first from the Jewels to start taking it after the completion of chemo.

    Got a good chuckle on the "duckling fur" comment, sorry it was at your heads expense!

    Our boat is a 21' wakeboard boat (Moomba is the make) a real gas guzzler, with both of our kids working this summer and who knows how I'll be doing through rads, my guess is that it won't be used quite like it has in the past few years. We will be missing a trip to Eastern Wa, this summer (first time in 15 years) we won't be going to our favorite spot with a group of friends to watersport our brains out. It's the first week of Aug, and more than likely I will still be going to the "tanning booth". Come mid Aug, I'll be more than ready for a get-a-way.

    D1, the fun never stops in your house, birthday celebrations, more b-ball and painting to boot! I'd be thrilled to have the inside of our place painted, I spend more time wiping down the lower portion of our walls, thanks to one very hyper wiener dog who likes to bounce her toys off every piece of furniture and walls in the house. Its really great when she goes outside and its wet (imagine that in the PacNW), and rolls her ball through the flower beds and then comes bombing into the house through their dog door ... YIKES!!!

    Yeah for the "bed head", things are looking up!

    Kathy, what a fun filled scehdule you have for next week ... can't wait to hear about tatooing ... I can't even imagine. Think I'd rather have a gyno exam ... oops you lucky gal you have that to look forward to as well.

    Thanks again for keeping us clued in with txts for the week, its looking like a repeat performance from the week before.

    I'm still hoping to avoid the "nasty" shot, but if need be, I'll suck it up ... bottom line is that I want to be finished.

    Gotta go for now if I'm going to be showered and ready to catch them on the back nine ... will be back to see how others are doing tonight!

    Carol

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  • camazur
    camazur Member Posts: 70
    edited June 2008

    Carol--Have you had the Neulasta shot before and had bad side effects? Because I had it 6 times, and had none. I do take a zyrtec every day for my asthma, that's almost like claritin, which has been mentioned here to lessen the bone pain. But not everybody gets that, so don't fret.



    D1--I think you should be worried about taking Tamoxifen. Five years is a lot longer than chemo lasted. Done with chemo, but not done with se's.



    I'm supposed to start taking Arimidex yesterday, literally, but after reading the laundry list of side effects, I am too freaked out to take that first pill. Joint pain, weak bones, hot flashes, nausea, weight gain, fatigue, vaginal dryness, lymphedema--One of the lesser mentioned side effects is hair loss! My hair was fine and thin before bc. I know I have to try at least, I can always stop taking it if it gets too awful. And some drugs' side effects are temporary until your body gets used to them. But I can certainly see quality of life issues being considered. Not to mention the risks these drugs come with. I am psyching myself out to take the first one Tues. morning when I'm home for the first time in 10 days. I have been taking care of my mom with dementia at her house until her new aide comes tomorrow morning. Tues. is also my first visit with the radiation onc.



    Tina--Do let us know how your Tamox experience goes.



    I'm 4 and a half weeks past my last tx, and my eyebrows are still thinning--I never lost them all. And no growth on my head yet. But I never lost my leg hair! I was so disappointed with that.

    I'm feeling pretty good tho at this point. Just in time to start radiation and hormone therapy.



    Hope all are having a restful Sunday.



    Maz

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  • joteach
    joteach Member Posts: 116
    edited June 2008

    Hi Jewels,

    Carol - good luck with your counts and the last round. Hooray!

    Maz - a co-worker of mine has been on Arimidex for 3 yrs now with no se's. So, please don't fret too much and certainly you will not have all of those se's. I'm in the same boat and trying to be positive. I know after reading about the hormonal therapy it is so scary to think we will still be having se's from our bc for years to come.

    D1 - Yes, I agree that rads is way better than chemo. I've been taking your advice, keeping the boob lubed, drinking lots of water, and trying to exercise. I'm starting to get a slight rash and my nipple is a little wrinkly but not blistered yet. How long did it take to heal after rads?

    I'm really looking forward to summer and swimming!  On August 1, I am going to California for 2 weeks. I'm going on a bus tour,starting out in San Francisco, going down the coast and ending in Beverly Hills. I will then stay with family in Huntington Beach for a week.

    I am so excited!

    Watch out!  California, here I come!

    Joan

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  • Cathy-CA
    Cathy-CA Member Posts: 686
    edited June 2008

    Joan -- You should have a great time here in August.  I assume your bus tour includes Monterrey and Hearst Castle if it starts in SF and ends in Beverly Hills. 

    Maz -- glad you're feeling good.  I'm two weeks into radiation and no problems so far, so you should have at least a couple more good weeks.  Even though it's time consuming, rads is so much easier than chemo.

    Carol -- I agree with Maz about not worrying over the Neulasta shot if you need one.  I'm the one whose onc recommended Claritin for seven days with each shot and I never had any problem.

    LJ -- Glad to hear that your hair is coming in nicely.  I'm still aways out from having enough hair to go topless except at home, but I have switched to big, fun hats.  I was at an anniversary party this afternoon wearing a large brimmed hat and got lots of complements.

    D1 -- Sounds like the hair is growing fast if you already are having "bed hair".  Good luck with the painters.  I'm thinking of having a couple bedrooms repainted and recarpeted once my youngest leaves for college in August, but the thought of going through all the crap in his room and the game room is more than I can handle right now.

    Kathy -- What a good wife to hold down the fort while dh is off golfing!  Sorry you're having bad weather again.  My dh is off fishing this afternoon while I went to the anniversary party I mentioned earlier in the post.

    Tina -- A lot of people don't have a problem with Tamox, so here's hoping you're one of them.

    Paula -- It is so good to hear of all the support you and dh are receiving.  I'm sure it makes you feel wonderful to be surrounded by such caring friends.  Good you don't except too much out of your teens Tongue out , but they do come through occasionally!

    Have had a pretty lazy weekend. Went out for a long walk yesterday evening (got to get in that training, right Carol?)  and made dh a boysenberry pie.  We have a bunch of boysenberries in our backyard, but too often we get lazy about picking them and the crows eat them instead.  I told him if he would pick them, I would bake.  This afternoon was a 25th anniversary/renewal of vows party for some friends.  It was a lovely event, but way too much food.  I hope dh isn't hungry when he gets home from fishing.

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  • JulieK_11_30_07
    JulieK_11_30_07 Member Posts: 260
    edited June 2008

    Happy Sunday evening, Jewels!! I just got back from my "girls weekend" with my sister - we had a BLAST! I have lots of catching up to do with the posts - then I'll do some shout-outs. Hopefully tomorrow, if I'm not too tired!

    My first "fill" went well on Friday. I've had a little tightness/soreness off and on, but Ibuprofen seems to take care of it when that happens. I have my second one scheduled for next Friday and my ps said he might "double me up" since I'm wanting to be done with this whole process before school starts. Has anyone else done that and was it tolerable?? LMK! I'm debating!

    My sis and I went to the Cardinal game today - PERFECT weather for it - low 80's and overcast. Our seats were actually in a covered section, so we were in the shade, which was nice. I hadn't been to a game yet at our new stadium and I think the last game I went to was probably almost 10 years ago! My dh and ds aren't huge baseball fans, but I LOVE it and really enjoyed the day --- it certainly helped that we won!!

    Well, I'll try to catch up tomorrow. Hope everyone is doing well and had a nice weekend!

    {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

    Julie

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  • RN2teach
    RN2teach Member Posts: 312
    edited June 2008

    Hi Jewels,

    We made it safely to North Carolina. Ed's sister lives 20 minutes from Duke University Medical Center, where we see the neuro-oncologist tomorrow morning. Will try to pop back in afterwards to let you know what they say.

    Carol- Hoping your blood counts are going to be good tomorrow and your chemo is a "go"

    Kathy- you're definitely a SHERO, girl! Back to work and parenting solo while dh is out of town. Take care of yourself--you've got a lot going on! 

    Maz- good to hear from you. Hope things go well for you on Tamo. You aren't the only one still losing eyebrows--mine are still thinning.

    LJ- you're sounding good. Hope you're healing well after your surgery last week!

    CathyCa- I hear you on teenagers' rooms. My dd wants to redo her room and it overwhelms me just to think about it!

    D1- hope the painting goes well. Nice timing for dh to be out of town, huh?!

    Joan- 18 rads down and my boob is slightly pink still after the weekend. I'm a little more sensitive around my incision and it looks like it is starting to get irritated... lubing as much as I can and hoping for the best! 

    Julie- glad you enjoyed your weekend. I love baseball games! We have a minor league team--the WV Power--in Charleston and take in a few games each year.

    Wishing all my Gem Sisters a good week. Paula

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  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 1,378
    edited June 2008

    Morning Jewels,

    Just a "quickie" this morning ...

    Paula, glad you made it safely to NC. How nice to have Ed's sis so close to the hospital. I shall have you both in my thoughts and hope you receive some encouraging words from the docs.

    Looks like your sharing the Med Center with Senator Kennedy this morning.

    Maz, sounds like you have been burning the candle at both ends. Your Mom is a lucky lady to have you, such a caring daughter. I could only imagine how tough it would be to have a parent with such special needs. Another true SHERO amongst us.

    Thanks for the info on the Nuelasta shot and CathyCA for her input on the same subject, I have everything I can possibly cross, crossed this morning for some higher counts. I should know in about 3 hours if it's a go for today's txt.

    Just as I don't want the "nasty" shot I can somewhat relate to your not wanting to get started with your taking Arimidex. Remember they have to list all the se's that anyone has had on meds. Have you popped in to chat with others on the drug on any other posts? I'm sure they cannot all be horror stories. Maybe you can post the question as to who is NOT having any big problems with the drug to hear some positive stories. Such as Joan' acquaintance who is sailing along on the drug.

    Joan, another Jewel heading west during the summer months. What an awesome trip you have planned.

    I laughed to myself reading the ol' lube the boob reference once again. I need a good catch phrase for those of us who are not sporting a boob to be radiated. Can't seem to come up with anything that sounds good with "chest" or even worse "pancake"!

    Cathy, sounds like a nice outing yes afternoon, good food and too much of it, YUM! So did we have room for some pie in the evening? And are we having fish for dinner tonight?

    Nice to see you got a good walk in, I found out this weekend after our 10 miler I wasn't sore at all, where a couple weeks ago, I felt it in my calves quite a bit. I found that there are message boards on the 3 day site. I checked it out last night and found some other ladies that are looking for people to walk with right here in my small town of Poulsbo. I e-mailed them and looks like I'll do a 10 miler close to home this coming weekend. I figure that I may not be up to the training schedule they recommend in Aug (I'll be hopefully finishing up rads then), so I'm taking advantage of feeling pretty good now with a bit more mileage.

    Julie, it warms my "cockles" to hear a post where a SIS friend had a "BLAST" of a weekend. Looking back over the past 6 months, there have been far to few "BLASTS"! Good luck with your filler-ups, hope that it all works well with your schedule.

    Okay, here I go "Go Cardinals" ... our M's have sucked thus far. I'm glad we went to a game right at the beginning of the season when we had a little to root for.

    LJ, Annie Lennox huh? Can you sing? Sounds like your cruisen' right along, back at work and all.

    Kimberly, thinking you may be back from "heaven", hoping we have some pics to share!!!

    Okay, I have 3 hours to jump up and down, stand on my head, or whatever it takes to get those counts acceptable for my txt today. Guess I better start downing my water! Carol

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2008

    Good luck with the counts Carol.

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  • LilWarrior
    LilWarrior Member Posts: 268
    edited June 2008

    Well I got a second opinion on my dog and he (Dr) said its skin cancer and there really isnt much they can do.  He can cut it out but it will come right back and more aggressive.  So he recommended just to leave it alone and let it get go until the sores get so bad I will have to put him down. I have been crying so hard because its so sad to see another family member get this nasty disease.  It also gets me a little worried as well since it has hit home for me.  I trust in the Lord but it sure hard sometimes to see this disease take its toll on each and everyone of us.  I surely hate Cancer but I am claiming I will be healed in the Name of Jesus.

    I forgot to mention to you that I met this nice Dr at my clinical site and he was touched by me (touched by me - can you believe that), and the next time I seen him he bought me a faith and spiritual bible and I would like to share a couple of them with you ladies.  I know you are  all healed and moving on being NED but I am not I still have a long road down the line to fight and beat this cancer so please remember each and everyone of you to continue to pray for me and please dont forget.  

    Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law.  Therefore, I forbid any sicknes or disease to come upon this body.  Every disease germ and every virus that touches this body dies instantly in the NAME OF JESUS.  Every organ and every tissue of this body functions in the perfection to which GOD created it to function, and I forbid any malfunction in this body,  in the NAME OF JESUS.

    No evil will befall me neither shall any plague come nigh my dwelling.  For the LORD has given his angels charge over and they keep me in all my ways, and in my pathway is life and there is no death.

    Confess this Gos-pills three times a day - and claim you healing in Jesus Name Amen.

    I pray that God allows me to continue to do his work many more healthy years for him.

    Off to do Gods work on this Maternity ward with these mothers that are drug addicts and having babies on drugs.  I ask God to allow me to give the wisdom, the words and courage to these Ladies to be able to repent the devil and those drugs.  

    Love ya, Gods child - Dana 

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  • LilWarrior
    LilWarrior Member Posts: 268
    edited June 2008

    TINA and PALADY,  you are so welcome for the spiritual words.  I am just trying to allow God to use me the way he wants to.  What most I love about it, is that you two are really appreciative of it.  May God continue to bless you..

    Keep me in your prayers as I do the same for all of ya.

    Dana 

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  • JulieK_11_30_07
    JulieK_11_30_07 Member Posts: 260
    edited June 2008

    Hi Jewels! Hope everyone is having a good Monday. I slept in a tad today - pretty pooped from my busy weekend! I have lots to do to catch up at home, but the dh and ds did a pretty good job of keeping things up at the homestead and ds is working off his debt by doing laundry (you may remember the little "tv" incident a month or so ago). He's doing really well with it and has done zero complaining, which makes mama happy!

    Carol - I love the new avatar!!! Too cute! Sure hope you were good to go for your tx today! So glad your u/s came out clear!! Yippee! LOL on your vision of posting to yourself - you crack me up! Glad you're enjoying some time in your yard when you can. Hope you enjoyed the golf game!

    Jenn - sure sounds like you were ready for a nap! Glad you got some time to yourself to rest. Hope the new recipe turned out okay! I haven't cooked in such a LONG time!! I'm not too great in the kitchen, but I'm actually starting to miss it!

    Kathy - I loved your story about your dd's preschool graduation. So glad you got to enjoy it. I've been realizing how fast my son is growing up lately too --- he's going to be in 7th grade next year and I can't believe it!! It seems like just yesterday that he was in preschool and I was worrying about kindergarten! Wow - you're a true SHERO with your dh being gone for two days!! Hope all of your appts go well this week!

    PALady - Hope you had a great time at the school picnic. That's so great that you could go with your ds!

    LJ - so glad your surgery went well and you had such great news!!!! Hope you're recovering well and feeling okay.

    LWDana - so sorry to hear about your dog - it's so hard to have a pet suffer an illness too. Stay strong, dear - my prayers are with you.

    Paula - that is wonderful that your dh is responding to his new meds and that you've had such great support. I sure hope Ed's appt goes well today - keep us posted.

    D1 - Hope the dd had a nice birthday! Sounds like you've been burning the candle at both ends, girl!! Oh - I'm so happy you had some "bed head" hair!!! I'm so looking forward to that again! Mine is a lot like Tina described - baby duckling soft, but not very long yet. My son would absolutely DIE if I went topless - he actually prefers the wig, but I've explained I'm not wearing it anymore since my hair's coming back in. I don't want to damage the new growth coming in and it's getting too HOT with it on. I've just been sporting the scarf or bandana. Can't wait to see pics from your trip! Hope your redecorating project goes well!

    Tina - glad you're feeling well after your exchange surgery. I'm finding that my left expander (bc side) is a little more sore than my right. Glad the bad weather missed you!

    Maz - glad you're feeling okay! I understand your hesitation for starting another med - Joan had some good info for you though. Hang in there!

    Joan - your trip sounds FUN!!!! We don't have any major travel plans this summer and I'm wishing we could work it in. If all works out, we may get a trip in to the in-laws in Wisconsin, but that's about it!

    Well, girls - I better get some work done around the house. Weather is yucky out - cloudy and looks like the storms are headed our way. Good day to stay inside and get things organized. Hope everyone has a great day!

    Julie

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