Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Viddie, thanks for letting us know about Mel. Keep us posted. Vit D, huh?  I wonder why you are deficient in it?

Joni, good to hear from you. I am glad Thor is ok. I wonder why the vet gave him all the shots at once if that is dangerous?  Poor guy. And I am glad you are holding up ok. 

Rebecca, I am so upset at all you have gone through, and those procedures sound just terrible and painful and disgusting. What, exactly, is he going to do in surgery?  You have really been through way too much.

Skye, what a funny image of Grendel growling .... I guess he was protecting you from spooks. All five pounds or so of him.

Ok, all, stay safe. I am off to work. Steve went back to work yesterday and I was right, he came home grumbling. My good natured house husband is gone, replaced by grouchy working man.

Hugs, Melia

Oh Rebecca -  this is so unfair... Know that the Ta Ta Posse is thinking of you as you put up with the cr*p when obviously it should have been done with long ago.  And I agree with you about not doing any reconstruction in the near future, if ever.  You need to heal, physically, mentally and emotionally from this whole rotten experience.

Joni - How is Thor today?  That must have been a very scary experience.  I hope you are feeling well today.  Whatever you wear on your head will be fine Joni  - even nothing - you'll be with the Ta Ta sisterhood, so who cares?

Dx 10/16/2006, IDC, 1.7cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/16 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+

Good morning Ta Tas,

Sharon good to hear from you, it's always good to see you check in.



Rebecca, I so wish I could do something to help your misery. But this stuff WILL heal, do you have any place you can lie outside in the sun topless? (chest topless, not head) When my grandma had weeping leg sores "sun therapy" really did help her. And you're right, it is not cancer. And the fluid has to stop flowing sooner or later (hopefully sooner), right? But I don't blame you either for not wanting to mess with any more recon for the time being.



Melia, I'd miss having the handy house-husband, too. Do you think he's also kind of glad to be back at work?



Viddie, I think lots of people are low on Vit. D, and there is a definite, proven benefit to taking it where cancer is concerned. I had studies on that lying around here someplace but lost them. But I started taking 2000 mg a day and just upped that to twice a day for 4000 total, as per my GP's instructions. My GP is actually much easier to talk to than my oncologist and has maintained an active interest in how I'm doing, calls to check on me, etc. He also has me on 500 mg glucosamine and sulfamate 3x/day and I think it is starting to really help with the joint and arthritis pain.Regarding that, I did actually find another conversation on this site about aromasin and everyone generally agrees it has the fewest SE's of all the AI's.



Jan, you always know where to find things on the internet. I bet swimming caps would stay on better than any other covering in the water. And Joni if it's an outdoor pool you will probably want something on your head to prevent sunburn. I'd go for the one with the biggest, brightest flowers to suit your bright personality!



And yep, Grendel guards me from all unseen things. If it had been a mouse, he would have leapt off the bed to chase it. He jumped 4 feet in the air to catch a butterfly and eat it last week. He has legs like pogo sticks. My avatar pic of him is his most typical expression. The funny thing is, he has proved to be a healing force for all of us...my dh still dealing with his own PC issues adores him and carries him around like a baby, and ds trying to cope with his ongoing job hunt and needing to live with us also finds a lot of emotional outlet in hanging out with Grendel. So although he is a lot of work and sometimes still chews up valuable objects, he has become a major blessing to our family.



Wishing all of you major blessings today - Skye

Hi everyone.

Joni, that Blonde wig sounds like fun. My friends last year in California liked my Blonde wig the best out of the 3 I had. For my Water Aerobics after I shaved my head I used a Biker-Chic Do Rag. At least that's what I call it. It was a pink Bandanna print, but didn't slide down my forehead as much as a regular bandanna. The way it was sewn made it fit the head better somehow. The swim cap with all the flowers sounds like more fun to me, though. I hope Thor is doing better now. Last Dec I had 3 vaccines at once, and I felt yucky for several days. It's good to spread those shots out a bit.

Viddie, thanks for the update on Mel.

Rebecca, I hope things start healing and stop draining really soon.

Sharon, nice picture of your big fish.

Skye, until someone mentioned it I didn't even notice your new avatar. I swear that puppy is getting cuter all the time.

I went to my Primary Care doc today for my 3-month diabetes check. My weight is down a few more pounds from March and my blood pressure was the best reading I've had in a long time. I think my Yoga class is paying off I was able to think calm thoughts and not get caught up in the White-Coat Syndrome. A few years ago the doc would have to take it 2 or 3 times during the visit before she was satisfied that it wasn't too high. I'm not sure when the teats will come back, but things seem to be going well, and I don't expect any surprises.

Take care the rest of you.

Hi all,

I am waiting to hear another update from Mel or Larry.



Mel,

I hope you are resting as comfortably as you can. I have been thinking of you and sending hugs. I am sure you are not comfortable right now, but It WILL get easier.



I hope everyone is having a great night.



Love,

Viddie

Hi Ta Ta's,

Oh Rebecca, I'm sending you big hugs.  I'm so sorry this just doesn't seem to end for you!  Hopefully this will be the last and it will heal up for you.

Mel, I've been thinking about you all week..as Viddie says, it gets better.  I had my surgery on Monday as well and my PS said that I would start to feel better on Thursday, which I did..so here's to hoping you are feeling a bit better today! HUGS!

Skye- OMG, too funny about Grendel eating that ticket.  made me laugh!

Joni, a blonde wig, how fun!  How is Thor doing, hopefully it was just from the shots and he's back to his ol' self!

Caya, bummer about the UTI...I have never had one and I jsut can't imagine having them like you do...hugs for you too!

Well, back to work..have a nice day everyone!

love and hugs,

Lynn

p.s. I got my hair done from a salon in Boston that my daughter goes to, it was my mother's day present.  The colorist is just fabulous..he's the gay guy that every woman needs in her life!  OMG, I just love him.  It was quite expensive, but my hair is just gorgeous, he put 3 different highlight colors in.  I will most like go back and have him for the coloring, but probably stay with my local salon for haircuts.  Now we'll see if I can make my hair nice like he did for the wedding we are going to on Saturday.  practice, practice, practice.

Good luck Jan in D.C.  One of these days I have to get there... Tina maybe next summer we'll do a Washington trip.

Hi gals,

Just had to check in even though I need to use my big slow computer. Some months aga Grendel chewed the power adaptor cord for my laptop (he chews a lot of things...) and it finally shorted out for good the other day. My new one arrives tomorrow and I can't wait.



Viddie I've been taking the aromasin for 2 weeks now and it seems fine. I've checked out the D dosage and my GP agreed it's fine but that is about the upper limit. And my cholesterol readings have skyrocketed since I went off the statin so he wants me to go back on Pravastatin low dose. It occurred to me that perhaps I'll do better now that I'm not on Herceptin. I can't stand to going back to being an arm cripple so I hope it's ok this time.



Then the onc office called and gave me my schedule for tests...bone scan, MRI, x-rays and CT all in July before our meet up. Then I see him right after we get home. I already have scanxiety I must confess.



DS also got a car finally, it's a beautiful late-model used Buick, loaded, in his favorite pearl white color, and at a price on third of the smaller new cars he was looking at, and gets 33 mpg highway. So we are both happy. We took a short cruise after dinner and it is a sweet ride.



Jan you go tear up that walk! We'll be walking with you in spirit, for sure!



Was hoping to see more news on Mel but I assume she is doing well. I know you will keep us posted Viddie. - Skye

Viddie, tough call.  For sure, get off the Cape.  You need to be seen in Boston for this stuff.  Hester Hill Schnipper is the LCSW (I believe that's her title) who is married to that doctor.  On one hand, I usually prefer someone in their late 40's....  knowledge/education is still fresh, but....  this guy would have had no choice but to remain current, if not for anything but his wife's predicament.

The chief radiologist at OSU, Dr. Spigos, is an old guy but I felt so thankful to have him personally read  my stuff and give me instand feedback.  In some instances, like that, experience just looking at slides is what counts.  The older ones have seen more.

Just got in from Paul's 5th grade play...  it was called Rock The Jukebox and his part was breakdancing to C&C Music Factory's "Gonna Make You Sweat".  Went to dinner at a local place after but Jac was being a pill and ruined it.

Mel, I'll be anxious for your next update.  And Caya, yes, you are all welcome here to my place any time.  Jan, I forgot you were coming to town.  My Charlotte friends were supposed to be here for the weekend becaue Wendy's dad was speaking at the Holocaust Museum, but that was canceled.  I'm not sure what the DH's availability for watching the kids is, but I'll give you my cell on email so if you are free that night you were mentioning, maybe I can pick you up and we can grab dinner or something.

Lynn, hair sounds fab.  I wish he wasn't so far from you.  It'll be hard to maintain color from that distance.

Hi Viddie, I haven't heard of this dr at BI but I did read his wife's book. If you can't get in with him, I'd go for sure with the young gal at DF. My onc (Jennifer Ligibel) is pretty young too. I'm guessing early 30's. But she consults with all the other docs on the breast cancer floor so I feel like I am getting the expertise of many docs for the price of one. She did her internship (?) under some dr who is always on the talk shows whenever some celeb shows up with BC. I think all of them there are pretty good and mine is really up on all the new stuff. I don't think she takes forever to get into either if you want to try her.

Amera

Hi all,



Thanks for all your help. I cannot seem to make decisions. Dr. Schnipper's assistant called today and said he would be delighted to have me as a patient. That made me warm and cozy inside. I have an appointment in August. Now that I made this decision to switch, I am feel better.



Thanks Amera,



I had seen Dr. Chen at DF and liked her a lot, but I think I like the idea of having all my records in one spot.



Caya,

Your oncologist sounds wonderful. Those UTI's are a pain. I hope you feel better soon.



Good luck, Jan, on your walk.



Skye,

Your DS's car sounds so cool. I hope he likes it.



Lynn,

A long time ago, I went once with Arlene to a very chic salon on Newberry Street called Jean Paul's. Jean Paul was unbelievable. Our hair looked so great, but it was a one time thing. As much as we loved him, it way way too expensive even then.



Have a great time at the wedding. I am sure you look gorgeous in your new body.



Robbin,

It is great to here from you. What are you up to?

Have a great night everyone.i will let you know if i hear from Mel.



Mel,

I hope you are resting comfortably. Hugs. We miss you.



Love,

Viddie

Hi all,



Thanks for all your help. I cannot seem to make decisions. Dr. Schnipper's assistant called today and said he would be delighted to have me as a patient. That made me warm and cozy inside. I have an appointment in August. Now that I made this decision to switch, I am feel better.



Thanks Amera,



I had seen Dr. Chen at DF and liked her a lot, but I think I like the idea of having all my records in one spot.



Caya,

Your oncologist sounds wonderful. Those UTI's are a pain. I hope you feel better soon.



Good luck, Jan, on your walk.



Skye,

Your DS's car sounds so cool. I hope he likes it.



Lynn,

A long time ago, I went once with Arlene to a very chic salon on Newberry Street called Jean Paul's. Jean Paul was unbelievable. Our hair looked so great, but it was a one time thing. As much as we loved him, it way way too expensive even then.



Have a great time at the wedding. I am sure you look gorgeous in your new body.



Robbin,

It is great to here from you. What are you up to?

Have a great night everyone.i will let you know if i hear from Mel.



Mel,

I hope you are resting comfortably. Hugs. We miss you.



Love,

Viddie

Hi all,



Thanks for all your help. I cannot seem to make decisions. Dr. Schnipper's assistant called today and said he would be delighted to have me as a patient. That made me warm and cozy inside. I have an appointment in August. Now that I made this decision to switch, I am feel better.



Thanks Amera,



I had seen Dr. Chen at DF and liked her a lot, but I think I like the idea of having all my records in one spot.



Caya,

Your oncologist sounds wonderful. Those UTI's are a pain. I hope you feel better soon.



Good luck, Jan, on your walk.



Skye,

Your DS's car sounds so cool. I hope he likes it.



Lynn,

A long time ago, I went once with Arlene to a very chic salon on Newberry Street called Jean Paul's. Jean Paul was unbelievable. Our hair looked so great, but it was a one time thing. As much as we loved him, it way way too expensive even then.



Have a great time at the wedding. I am sure you look gorgeous in your new body.



Robbin,

It is great to here from you. What are you up to?

Have a great night everyone.i will let you know if i hear from Mel.



Mel,

I hope you are resting comfortably. Hugs. We miss you.



Love,

Viddie

Hi all,



Thanks for all your help. I cannot seem to make decisions. Dr. Schnipper's assistant called today and said he would be delighted to have me as a patient. That made me warm and cozy inside. I have an appointment in August. Now that I made this decision to switch, I am feel better.



Thanks Amera,



I had seen Dr. Chen at DF and liked her a lot, but I think I like the idea of having all my records in one spot.



Caya,

Your oncologist sounds wonderful. Those UTI's are a pain. I hope you feel better soon.



Good luck, Jan, on your walk.



Skye,

Your DS's car sounds so cool. I hope he likes it.



Lynn,

A long time ago, I went once with Arlene to a very chic salon on Newberry Street called Jean Paul's. Jean Paul was unbelievable. Our hair looked so great, but it was a one time thing. As much as we loved him, it way way too expensive even then.



Have a great time at the wedding. I am sure you look gorgeous in your new body.



Robbin,

It is great to here from you. What are you up to?

Have a great night everyone.i will let you know if i hear from Mel.



Mel,

I hope you are resting comfortably. Hugs. We miss you.



Love,

Viddie