Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

tinalee123 · June 2008

Hi Jewels,

Just a quick note to let you know I'm caught up on the posts, but, don't have time for shout-outs tonight. You'll remember I've got ds #2 graduation open house Sunday, so, am busy getting ready for that (read a thorough house cleaning...finally!). Took the day off tomorrow to get the brisket and deviled eggs cookin'. Got some grocery shopping to do, too.

It's been beautiful here. And, it sounds like we'll be blessed with more of the same through Sunday! YAY!!

Hope you're all well. Got a little package sent off to my SP today...I hope she knows that I've been thinking of her and sending good wishes.

Take care -

Tina

Determined1 · June 2008

Okay, please, no one feel guilty about not posting 24/7! Our goal should be to get back our lives, and I don't know about any of you, but I never posted here before bc. So a periodic check-in is good, because we'll start to worry about one another. But don't feel obligated to do more than that. I'm hopeful that someone will be around whenever a Jewel is in need, but no guilt. We've dealt with quite enough, thank you.

So my family is watching "I Am Legend," and I've already found it too scary for me (despite the fact that Will Smith is incredibly easy on the eyes).

On with my shouts.

Oh man, CathyCA, I know exactly what you mean about the testing, etc. I'm still dealing with a minimum of two med appointments a week with my le and I know more are coming to deal with my rotator cuff. (I saw the rotator specialist today, who took many measurements and made my body burst into instant sweat more than once. She says I have issues on both shoulders and that she'll work me over, but good. She's going to fuck me up short term, but I have faith in her. Cancer has given me so many gifts...) Hey, for good measure, I see the eye doc tomorrow to see if my changing vision (you guys may remember that my vision got worse with each chemo tx) is going back to normal. Where is Hank Moody when you need him? Life is good. (Vettegal will get that if she's lurking.)

PALady-My legu says massages are okay as long as the masseuse doesn't get near your le quadrant. That's the part of your body affected by the le. You can still have your legs, lower back, and other arm massaged. Be sure you tell your masseuse you're a bc survivor and may have le issues. Any masseuse worthy of the name will understand and help you through the massage (I've also heard of some masseuses-or is that masseusi?-refusing to work on a bc survivor). I got a certificate to a spa for a massage from my dh for valentine's day and plan to use it on aromatherapy or facials, just in case.

My onc wasn't interested in baseline hormone levels, either. I see my gyn next week and plan to ask him about it (even though I'll have taken Tamox for 3 weeks by the time I see him). I don't know if we need them, but it would make me feel better.

And I agree with you-Taxotere fucked us up. I'm still having trouble with one ankle and when I move from sitting to standing it takes a minute before my body adjusts. I've never had these issues before, I can assure you.

Well, SIS Kimberly, I'm glad you were laughing over my dh's infidelities with his thoughts! Sorry the drought isn't over, but the bath and beddy bye sounds good to me. Sometimes the 6'5" dh and me at 5'9" are just too big for the enjoyment of the dual bath.

I'm with Kimberly, Kris, we're all cheering for you!! Hang in there.

Your doc's dad sounds like Marcus Welby, SIS Kimberly. You're lucky to have such a relationship with a caregiver.

I'm not really sure what the collagen stim will do for my dh. I think it's supposed to tighten his wattle, or something. He also had jowls zapped (you guys have to understand, I don't see any of this). I completely understand that he wants to eliminate his acne scars, even though I think they make him handsome-we all have "flaws" that have haunted us for years and the acne predates me. But I don't think until he gets to the peels that he'll see any change there. I'm watching with interest and have laid down my marker that if I want to have a boob tidying up, that I'm allowed, since he's doing whatever this is.

Ahhhh, Wicked!!!! I'd LOVE to see that! (And oh, yeah, the wicked witch has NOTHING on my cackle!) Enjoy, enjoy! We'll be here when you get back.

So CathyCA, what is estrogen cream going to do for you, if you don't mind my asking? I need a libido cream, I think.

Carol, I think you must live in heaven...

Jenn, I think the chemo will take a while to get out of our bodies-despite what our oncs, may say. Give your knees some time. I mean I had my last chemo tx at the end of Feb and am still dealing with stiffness/soreness issues. Some of that may be age-related (meaning the older we are, the longer it takes to go away), but I don't know for sure. Just keep shooting the squirt gun from the deck chair! (And aren't strawberries supposed to be good for the libido??? Maybe that's why so many of us are snarfing them down!)

KathyL-I thought we had kids so they would weed the beds without having to be paid??!! Actually, college girl and dd have ended up doing the job together. College girl told me today that she hates weeding and doesn't understand why I like doing it so much. I told her I don't like to do it, but that it has to be done. She said she'll hire it out when she has a house. I hope she stays in college or hits the lottery!

Tina-Fingers are crossed for good weather for your open house! What an exciting time for your family! Dd went off with college girl today to look for a homecoming dress for next fall, since college girl is gifted in the fashion department, and they came home saying they'd put a prom dress (that's a year from now!) on hold! Gotta love girls.

I'm tired. I think I'll go to bed and try the pillow arrangement the rotator specialist recommended today. I'm hoping it will help me sleep more comfortably (or sleep at all!)

Nitey nite.

D1

Cathy-CA · June 2008

Tina -- hope your graduation celebration for ds is wonderful! It's been hot here the past few days, so ours tried to worm out of even going to commencement since it meant sitting and baking on the football field, but is glad we made him do it.

KathyL -- I'm guessing the difference between us is age. Since I'm in my 50s and my natural estrogen production is shutting down maybe she feels my risk of using estrogen cream is a lot less.

Carol -- yes, I'm assuming if you're estrogen positive, anything that adds estrogen is a negative. Although, my onc did say that you only absorb a little and it doesn't get into the blood stream, so maybe it's worth asking.

For those who asked , estrogen cream is used like KY except instead of using on an as-needed basis, you put it on daily for a couple weeks to help build up the vaginal walls and then keep using it a couple times a week. It helps those of us who are getting scraped a little raw during the "friction" if you get my drift.

Jenn -- I agree with D1 that chemo takes awhile to get out of our bodies. I think I read somewhere to allow six months to a year. I'm as impatient as anyone to get past all of this, but it does take time.

D1 -- You reminded me I need an eye appointment as well. I think the onc said to wait three months before having my eyes checked because the decadron can temporarily screw up vision. I'm not having the blurriness I did during treatment, but I'm not three months out, yet, so that will need to be an August appt.

Determined1 · June 2008

Wow, CathyCA, you're up early this morning! I fully expected to "pull a Carol" and post back to myself this morning!

I'm four months out from my last chemo, and I'm hoping it's enough for my eyes to settle. I really need to do something, though, I can't see to read worth a damn.

Today is going to be HECTIC!!! It's 9:30am here and I've already washed one load of laundry, read the paper and been to the gym (my usual one is closed today, so dd and I had to drive all the way across town to another community center). After posting, Ima go shower and then head off with dd to our eye appointment. On the way home we're going a little out of our way to swing by the mall to look at the prom dress I mentioned last night. Then get dd home in time to head off to work. After that, I take college girl to Bed, Bath and Beyond to pick up some dorm essentials (whatever that means-just bring the debit card, mom!). I'm hoping I can have my feet up somewhere by 6p!

I went out to the yard yesty to supervise college girl's weeding project while her sister was at work (she needed the company and moral support in case of wormage). Of course, I couldn't help myself and I was right there with her weeding away. An hour and a half later my hand had ballooned up at the end of my compression sleeve (I don't normally wear the glove, anyway). Shit! I came in right away and elevated my arm and did the MLD that my legu taught me and the swelling came down. I don't think I'm going to like this le stuff much.

Good news is that I was able to sleep with the pillows as instructed by the rotator specialist and actually almost slept through the night (usual night sweats woke me up a couple of times, but I was able to go back to sleep). Hopefully, I can keep this up.

Oh, and here's my list of se's from the Tamox: increased hot flashes (oh, mama!), increased sappiness and the feeling that tears are "right there," and muscle cramps. I just realized the last one this morning when my toes were doing that "out of body" thing that William Hurt did in the movie "Altered States" and hurting like heck. Then I started putting together the fact that I've been having a lot of those leg and stomach muscle cramps that I used to get during pregnancy. I need to go check my se list for Tamox, but I think I can blame all of these things on that drug. (So why did I get one of those bodies that overreacts to drugs?) I'm going to talk to my gyn about all of this next week.

Anyway, that the news here. Can't wait to see what everyone else is up to when I have a chance to peek in next time!

D1

camazur · June 2008

Dear Jewels-

Well, its been over two weeks and I'm not noticing any major side effects from the Arimidex. Just a few more hot flashes. Anybody else out there taking it? Might be too soon to tell. Because of the osteoporosis risk, I have to take calcium and am getting a baseline bone density test on Monday. I'm also getting a mammogram and starting rads.

I'm pretty nervous about it. But as the chocolate wrapper on my fridge says, "If they can do it, you know you can."

Thanks for being there, Jewels.

Best,

Maz

tinalee123 · June 2008

Good morning, Jewels! I just LOVE having the day off! It does so much for the perspective and attitude! I'm having coffee with my dh (he's on a conf call at home, that started at 2:30 a.m., with a fiber cut in Iowa, these poor flooded people...), enjoying the morning.

D1 - Thanks for the reminder about posting! I just don't like feeling "left out". Wink

And, want to make sure you all know how much I love reading what is written, and want to be there when others need it.

Jenn - Healing wishes for your friends' son continue. I, too, am dealing with a great deal of stiffness. Mostly in the morning. I can't decide if I should attribute that to the tamox, or the chemo overall.

LJ - I read with interest your posting about cording. Can you guys help me out with this? I think I may have what you're talking about. It never occurred to me to mention anything to my onc, I just figured it was something that would eventually go away. On my (bc) right side, in the armpit, I had what feels to be a ligament. It was noticeable and pronounced. Running thru the pit into the upper arm (on the underside of course). Is this cording? This area has actually improved in the last month or so -- due to my gardening perhaps? So, the ligament (or cord?) is not as pronounced now. The area felt tight, although I have a pretty decent, almost normal (but not like the left side) ROM. I do still have a little numbness along that underside of the upper arm, but also beneath my shoulder blade. Those areas are very slowly coming back. Your thoughts?? I have got to get myself to a le pt!!

CathyCA - Glad you made ds go to commencement. I had the same battle with our guy. He actually graduated in April, and he was "really done" with all of it. He didn't go to prom, either. Didn't want to go to the senior all night party too, but, at the last minute decided to after all. He had a great time. I think they mentally check out, and just want to move ahead. Can't say as I blame him. Sorry to hear about ds #1. I have had issues with mine, too. I’m a good listener.

PAlady – So, you’re joining us on the tamox road! I will echo D1’s list of se’s. Stiffness really gets me down. And, the night sweats (I take mine just before bed) are regular. Thank goodness we have a ceiling fan above our bed! My onc told me she thought removal of the ovaries was a little drastic, at this point. She thought they would shut themselves down (without chemical help).

Julie – How are you with your expanders? Hope they are relaxing a bit every day. You’re still at school? Will your work there be finished, until the school year begins?

Kimberly – Thought of you with a recent conversation about broccolini. I planted broccoli this year, and have a little baby in there now! I suppose if I harvested it now, it would be a “lini”, if I wait and let it fully grow up, it would just be a “coli”?? Have you scheduled the port removal?

Carla – Thinking of you! Sending positive vibes and wishes your way.

Good news – strawberries here are coming into season, finally! We’ve had such a cool and rainy spring, nothing seemed to be growing except my lettuce. It’s absolutely coming out of my ears. But, I have a fresh salad every day!

Wishing everyone a happy Friday. Summer officially begins just before 7 p.m. tonight. Thinking of all of you, especially those we haven’t heard from in a while. CarolC, my Midwest pal, hoping you’re well and are weathering the storms (literally, and figuratively).

Hugs to all,
Tina

golfer779 · June 2008

Hey Gang, here at work, gotta love this job!!!

Quick question ... whats up with V-scans for radiation? My rad doc called yesterday and asked if I could come in today for some V-scans which should make my first session on Monday go a little quicker. I guess they are like an x-ray??? I already had the CT done with the tats and thought I was ready to roll ... oh well, off to the rad doc after work instead of the 4:00 massage I had scheduled, Shucks!!!

My rad schedule times have already been modified, the scheduler was very happy that I was accommodating. Heck I'll go in at any time of the day, just as long as I can get er' done.

Cathy, thanks for the info on estrogen cream ... dreading the "friction" thing!!! I guess its to "that" aisle for me next time I'm at the store!!!

D1, oh great ... your Tamo se's sound like fun. Sounds to me like a good chat with your gyn is in order ... there's such a thing as "quality of life".

I'm with you and Cathy on the eyes ... my contacts have been tolerable to wear, but I sure can't see worth a hoot with them. Figure I'll give it til after rads, to hit the eye doc.

Maz, good news on the "NO" se's with your Arimidex, I kinda wonder if all these hot flashes will settle down a bit once our bodies have a chance to deal with what its been through at such a high rate of speed. Sounds to me like we should be investing in some "fan" stock!!!

Tina, I keep thinking of your son here in the PNW ... any news? Thank goodness some of our cold/wet weather has subsided. I'm hoping he will really get to see some of the beauty of the area without a thick layer of overcast!!!

Enjoy your open house this weekend ... kinda nice to have that day off isn't it???

Okay, off to do something productive here at work!!!

Carol

SISKimberly · June 2008

Good Morning Jewels,
I’m so excited about my day.

I’m all packed, Greg’s loaded my suitcase into the trunk as I can’t lift it, so Kath will will be my bag lifter this trip, which she has gladly agreed to knowing we’re going to have 6 days together.

I have to make a post office run, then I’m off to get my facial, manicure, and pedicure. Afterwards, I need to visit Ulta for a Bare Essentials run-the mineral makeup I use. Hmmm, then maybe a little stroll through a shoe store.
I’m staying with twinsis tonight. We’ll have dinner with some mutual girlfriends, then tomorrow morning we’re off to the Windy City. Oh yeah, Life is Good.

Yesty’s visit with my gal friend was nice. Had Mexican food at a new place, which was pretty tasty. I ordered a fish taco. Yummy. After lunch, I was off to school to look at the applications for the LA opening. Took notes and gave my pros and cons for each candidate. Hugged the boss, gave him my notes and chatted a bit before he left for a meeting at the District Office. Visited with one of our secretaries and a fellow LA teacher and didn’t get home until 4pm.
Oh, and my schedule is fine. As suspected, he wanted to know if I wanted to switch with the new person…no thanks, I like my schedule. And, I’m getting a student teacher next year in the fall sometime. How fun.

I had a neighbor and her 9 year daughter along with my twinsis over to help me with a project I’m working on for gal from another thread I frequent, and then the twinsis, dh, and I went to dinner at Mimi’s Café. The dh went for a massage, and the twinsis and I went to see a mutual friend and her three adorable boys just to catch up with them as it had been awhile since we’d seen each other in person.

All in all, a very successful and satisfying day.

Cathy- Thanks for clarifying the scans. So, was there a fibroid? Is that normal for you? What will be the course of treatment if any?

I still haven’t had a MUGA to check my heart even though I was on Adriamycin. Hmmmm. I guess because when they listen it sounds strong and healthy is why it hasn’t happened?

Hope the bone scan shows no issues. Even if it does, just adding extra calcium and vit D along with resistance training will pump up that bone mass in no time.

I’m with you on taking the estrogen cream over your slight percentage of progesterone positive status. Here’s to the end of the drought.

Hope all with your older son resolves soon.

Jenn- I mailed off The Schwartzbein Principal to you yesterday. It should be there by Wednesday.

Oh, what DRAMA in the work place. Deep breath, a glass of wine, and remember that it isn’t going to be this way forever. You will be on the top of your game again after rads is completed and then running circles around those girls. Your dh is in a tough position with so many family ties to tiptoe around. Geez.

Kathy – Whacko periods with ovarian cysts doesn’t sound fun to me at all. I wonder why an ERPR negative gal can’t do estrogen. Maybe a second opinion since Cathy’s docs don’t see a problem is in order.

I love So You Think You Can Dance. I just started watching this week. I don’t really care to watch the auditions part.
Loved the dance with the tall gorgeous blonde and her partner…the one for the daughter with Rhett’s(sp).

Tina – Enjoy your son’s grad party this Sunday. Isn’t it great to get the house deep down clean? It isn’t top on my list for getting that job done myself, but man does it feel great when it’s done.

D1- And if I were a church going gal, I’d be up on my feet with hands raised in the air saying, AMEN sister! I agree, no feeling bad about not checking in every day. We certainly should be getting back to our lives and checking in when we can. If we miss a day or so, no worries. We never all miss the same days, so all is well in Jewel Land.

Oh yeah, I had the same reaction to I am Legend. My dh was on his own.

Yeah on the rotator cuff issue and that you’ll get both shoulders worked on and loosened up again.

I have to get in to get my eyes checked when I get back from Chicago for sure. So far, just reading glasses from the store work for me, but wouldn’t hurt to get things checked out.

D1- You do know that as a cancer patient, it is the law that your insurance must cover reconstruction, and if that means both breasts to achieve symmetry, then that’s what it means, so I’d be thinking of other things to spend your marker on, gal. You might want to find out if there’s a time frame for getting your reconstruction done. I don’t think so considering you’re still dealing with healing issues from the past 8 months, but wouldn’t hurt to ask.

I too have been noticing it being harder to get up and move like I used to do. I never had that problem before chemo, so the docs can’t tell us it isn’t an se we’re dealing with.

If strawberries are an aphrodisiac then I should be all over the dh…but the libido and the upper body aren’t cooperating. Maybe you need to add real whipped cream!

Cathy – Well, heck, I didn’t know I had to be three months out. Hmmm, I guess I have to wait until August as well.

And good to know about the estrogen cream when I get to that point. I’ll be 47 a week from today. My sister about had a heart attack yesty when I told someone we were going to be 48. Age is only a number to me, but she has a little different take on that.

D1- That’s not good to have your hand ballooning up. Guess you won’t be weeding those flower beds without the glove from now on,eh? Better yet, it can be the reason why you need to hire a really cute (a little nurse payback) young man to do your weeding and heavy yard work.

Hope you and your gyn can figure out how, if possible, to cut down the se’s from the Tamox. It may just take a few months for the body to adjust?

Your day sounds busy. LOL on the pre-prom and Homecoming dresses, and the Bed, Bath, and Beyond, just bring the debit card, Mom comment. Dorm essentials? Wasn’t she in college this past year?

Glad you slept better last night as you’re going to need all that energy to get through today. When you next read this, I hope your feet are up and a glass of wine is in hand.

Maz- Yeah for no major se’s on Arimidex at this point. Taking that extra calcium with Vit. D for absorption and adding weight resistance to your exercise program will help a lot with preventing bone loss.

Love your chocolate wrapper’s message…Yes, you can!!!!

Tina – 2:30 in the morning? Did he even bother to go to bed last night?

Yep, that’s cording. I’m going in to be evaluated on June 27th for physical therapy.

Cute…a lini and a coli. LOL Love that you’re eating fresh salad from the garden daily. We didn’t plant lettuce this year. Now you’re making me think about that option.

I see my surgeon and my plastic surgeon on July 1st, so I’ll ask my surgeon about the port then.

OK gals, I’m off. If I can, I’ll use the Business Center at the hotel to check in periodically and let you know what’s been happening. If not, I’ll just take good notes and write my travel log upon my return.

Love to you all my friends,
SIS Kimberly

golfer779 · June 2008

Kimberly ... hey Miss Life is Good ... I want your life!!! Have a safe trip and enjoy ... we'll keep the Jewel homefront going while your gone!!!

Hey dinner was "fabo", marinated flank steak, grill asparagus, rice with curry and cashews, and yep "strawberries for dessert", those doggone strawberries aren't working for me either!!!

Back to work again,

JulieK_11_30_07 · June 2008

Happy Friday, Jewels!! Dh and I attended the "Survivor Dinner" for the Relay event hosted at my school last night. It was very nice. We're going over again tonight so dh, ds, and I can walk the Survivor/Caretaker lap together. We'll just hang out a little after that and then we're headed to my sister's house to stay the night over there since they're closer to STL - our Race for the Cure 5K is tomorrow morning. There are supposed to be over 60,000 people there!! I'm very excited! My sister and I also found out that we both made the Pink Honor Role by being in the top 100 fundraisers!

Kathy - did you decide on a cleaning service yet? There's nothing better than coming home to a clean house when you didn't have to do the cleaning! I've had my cleaning ladies for about 2 ½ years and that's just one thing I couldn't give up over the past 8 months. Mine usually come every 2 weeks, but I've had them coming once a month since my pay is less until September.

D1 - loved your comments about your dh on meds after his treatment - LOL. Glad you were able to both get a laugh over it once the meds wore off. I've done lots of weeding supervision lately - the ds and I actually spent a couple hours yesterday working on the flower bed that he pulled all of the mulch off of last week. Weeds grow like CRAZY around here and we had to re-weed the whole thing again before putting the weedblock down --- like that shit does any good anyway! Sounds like you have a crazy day today - hope you're done with all your running and are resting as you read this!

Jenn - WOW - that's awesome that you won the basket!! I never win anything! Hope you can find time to work that massage into your schedule!

Carol - LOVE the collage idea!! I would definitely love to get a copy - and having pics of everyone would be great!

Kimberly - that's so great that you have the support of your doc for your decisions and that you got the scrips you needed! I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time in Chicago --- there's soooo much to do there and it's really a beautiful city. The mayor over the last several years has done such a wonderful job changing the image and really working on the tourism. I had gone about 18 years ago and was NOT impressed at all. We went last October for several days and I was shocked at how different it was! Can't wait to hear about your trip! I'm so jealous you get to see Wicked!!!

I would LOVE to have only two preps. Most of our teachers (even newbies) have three and I've even had a couple years where I had four! B/c of my dept chair duties, I actually teach three periods a day and even I have three preps!! I still have lots to do to get ready for my classes this coming year - we're making the switch to Office 2007 and I have to "learn" Word, PowerPoint, and Publisher well enough to actually teach them.

Cathy-CA - CONGRATS to the graduate!!! Sorry to hear you're having problems with your oldest son - I hope things work out for him soon. Sounds like you've been very busy! YAY for being almost done with your rads!

Norma - hope your parties are fun this weekend! I hope you get some relief from your hip and joint pain soon.

Jenn - glad you've had some beautiful weather! It's been nice here also --- today is a little cloudy and we have a chance of storms throughout the day. Hope they hold off for the walk tonight! Sure sounds like fixing the mistakes of others at work is keeping you busy - I'm sure that's frustrating!

Tina - thinking of you as you prepare for the open house on Sunday!! Hope everything goes well and that the weather cooperates! Sorry to hear you think you might have cording --- hope you get some relief from it soon!

I'm hanging in there with the expanders - I have a rough time getting comfortable trying to sleep. I seem to have the most pain with them on my sides - under my armpits. I ended up on the couch again last night. I'm basically just taking Ibuprofen for the pain.

My school has been out since around May 22 - I have to go in periodically through the summer to work on curriculum and check on shipments for my department, etc. I usually go in about once a week.

Paula - thinking of you and the fam and your students while you're in Dallas - hope the trip is going well!

Vettegal - hope things are okay with you - check in when you can!

Well, girls, I better get moving. Still need to pack for our overnighter at my sis's tonight. Hope everyone has a super weekend!!!

Julie

Anonymous · June 2008

Tina, while D1 is the resident cording expert here, I'll toss in what I've learned. Cording is evidently MUCH more common than they ever let on ... what I've read is that up to 70% of women who have their nodes removed suffer from some degree of cording. And how many of us were "warned" about it by our surgeons? What's that? Nobody? Pretty amazing.

I think for most of us it resolves on its own if we're 1) really really lucky and 2) are proactive about being active/stretching the affected arm. Now, considering that we ended up with cancer in the first place, I'd say "really really lucky" is a bit out of most of our leagues.

From what I can tell it is not a precursor to lymphedema. The consensus of what I read is that it is a hardened (maybe no longer used?) lymph vessel.

What you describe is exactly what I have.

The really proactive approach would be what D1 and KathyL recommend, which is to see a PT. Through biting the bullet and stretching to the limit of what I can bear, I have about half of my normal range of motion back. I'm going to keep working on it on my own I think. I am willing to risk D1 stalking me and threatening to take me to the PT. She hasn't seen my picture, you see, so she'll have trouble picking me out from all the other women running around here with 1/2" white hair. (nyuck nyuck)

I too have the numbness. It is along the bottom of my shoulder, the underside of my arm, and the armpit. My surgeon's PA says it's because they literally cut a nerve when removing the nodes. (Ironically, the cord manages to have FULL feeling.) The nerve usually grows back together, so eventually for most of us the feeling will return.

golfer779 · June 2008

Julie, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow as I'm walking in the Seattle Race for the Cure. I will be toting my "quickie version" collage with pictures of 15 of my fellow Jewels. I'll be working on a nicer version of a collage over the next few weeks, hoping that some of those shy ones throw a pic or two on the post that can be included. Hint ... Hint to some of you!!! Eventually I'll get something done that I can send via snail mail to everyone. Feel free to add any new shots ... I've got quite a few good ones of you, but more the better!

Awesome job on the fundraising. I don't know about you, but I found that when your the poster child its pretty easy to get the donations.

I've been thinking about Patty (Vettegal) as well. Think I'll fire off a card in the mail to let her know that we're still here for support. I'm thinking that she is probably winding down with rads, and probably being in the supportive role for Vettesis.

LJ, how bout taking a pic of yourself, as I recall your our resident photographer??? You have been the mystery Jewel!!!

D1, I hate it when I post to myself.

"Wormage" ... you crack me up!!!

Okay, leaving work to hit the rad office (just what I wanted to do Fri afterwork ... would have rather gone in during the work day, but we must do what we must do. Will be celebrating TGIF in a bit !!!

Later, Carol

Jenn51 · June 2008

Good Evening Jewels,

15 rads down. I do feel like I'm living in the movie Ground Hog Day. But now I get 2 days off. Hooray!!!

I don't have any good news to share about Tyler. They won't try to take him out of the drug induced coma because his heart rate & bp are too high. They were going to do a CAT scan last night but his blood gases & O2 sat were too high. I don't have a good feeling about this. It sounds to me like his internal organs are acting up. My bff is managing to put up a good front. She is very optimistic about the outcome so I'll encourage her as best as I can.

Tina, have fun with the graduation plans. I'm sure everything will go smoothly.

I would show this ligament/cord to someone right away. From listening to D1 you don't want to have any le troubles if you can avoid it. My underarm is still so numb I can't feel the green tea when I spray it on. I have to watch myself in the mirror to be sure I'm spraying in the right place.

I love your theory on broccolini vs broccoli. I'm waiting to hear her answer on that one too.

D1, I'm not sure I want to watch "I Am Legend " because of the dog. I've heard things do not go well for him. But I'm with you on Will Smith. I loved him in "Independence Day", one of my fav flicks.

Thanks for reminding me I'm getting older. Tongue out I'm sure that is part of the reason the knees hurt so bad. But for it to change so quickly I also think the Taxotere helped. If it will go away I can wait, I just don't want any more surgery.

You do have a busy day today. I hope you don't get too tired. I've learned the hard way it is very hard to catch up if you over do it.

You wouldn't have tossed a worm in college girl's direction, would you? That was so funny. I'm pretty squeamish about bugs, snakes, birds, fish, etc. but I can pick up earth worms. I try to do it at least once a year to remind myself that I can do it.

Speaking of vision, I have been able to wear my contact all week. I even slept in it (OOPS) by accident last night. When I got up this am I kept telling dh that there was something in my eye. DUH!!!! It took 2 cups of hot tea to get to the point where I noticed I could read. Hey, guess what is in my eye. I do need to call my eye doc & see how long I should wait to get an exam. If it's taking so long for the other effects to wear off I'd guess it will be the same with our eyes. can tell my vision is not where it should be.

Maz, good to hear from you. Glad to hear you aren't having any side effects. Are you nervous about radiation? Really there is nothing to it. It takes longer for me to undress than it does to get the treatment. I get ‘shot' from 3 angles. Two of them use 2 different strengths. But it's just a matter of seconds for each shot. Today was #15 of 33 and I'm just barely tender. It's worse right around my nipple but the tea & cream she has me using really help.

Carol, I haven't heard of a V-scan. I'll be anxious to hear what it's like.

Kimberly, sounds like you had a great day. I really hope your trip is just as nice. I'm afraid we are in for some rainy weather this weekend. I hope it skips around you.

I have to ask...what is a LA teacher?

I have a friend who keeps wanting us to try fish tacos. Personally I think they sound disgusting but she assures me they are delicious.

Thanks for sending The Schwartzbein Principal. I'll be on the lookout for it.

I could probably write a Danielle Steel like novel about our office.

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one the strawberries didn't work on. In fact I'd never heard of that one. One of these days we are all going to surprise our dhs by jumping their bods, but until then I'm happy with a good hug & kiss.

Julie, your Relay events really sound nice. I hope the weather holds out for you. The weeds in your neighboring state of IN are just as bad. I think they must be HER2+. Anyone know where I could get some Herceptin for weeds?

I'm sure you will be fine with the new software. I played around with a trial version & found it very user friendly.

I'm sorry you are having trouble sleeping. I hope this pain wears off quickly.

Determined1 · June 2008

Doggone. Must be Friday or something. A girl can't run her fool head off all day and return to a slow day on the thread...

My day was mighty expensive. Eye doc (new contacts for dd and a new rx for moi). Then to the mall to see "the dress." Yep, it's perfect. We bought it. Good news is that as long as we have the receipt and the tags on the dress, we can return it ANYTIME. This is good as the dress is for the senior prom-NEXT JUNE!!!!! Then to BB&B with college girl who knows how to run up a tab. All good stuff, though. She got a bound section of carpeting for her room, some storage items and some risers to raise her bed a few inches so she can store stuff underneath it. We also found a cotton blanket for $15 because it's an irregular. We couldn't find the flaw, so we snarfed it up. Then to LensCrafters to fill my new rx (eye doc said no contacts, yet, he doesn't think my eyes are completely settled and wants to see how the Tamox will affect them). I decided to get rx sunglasses, since I won't be able to wear my regular sunglasses on cation. Then I wanted to use the same frames for my specs, just get new lenses. Well, the type of frame I have cannot be reused. I'm not happy. I just bought the sunglasses and I'm going to see how different the rx is and if it's not much, I'll just gut out these regular glasses for 6 more weeks. Grrrr.

So, what have you all been doing today?

I'm not on Arimidex, Maz, they're starting me with Tamoxifen and then I'll switch to Arim somewhere down the line. Please start lubing your rad area about a week before you start and be diligent about it. Hydration is also a must. Otherwise, the bone density scan sounds prudent to me. You go girl!

Tinalee-Yep, sounds like cording to me. It does NOT necessarily mean le, so don't panic, but do get to a le specialist and have it checked out. You DO NOT want to find out you have le when your arm is all swollen and gross, okay (you reading this LJ?). Gentle stretching will help with ROM, but be gentle. I was told cording either gradually resolves or one day you'll feel a snap and suddenly realize that it's gone (I believe this was KathyL's experience). My cording appeared in Feb and I still have it, but it seems to be diminishing in its noticability (does that make sense?). Cording is funny stuff. It's actually a string of your old lymph nodes that have been placed out of service because the lymph receptacle (the node) has been removed. Whether they snap, or just fade away, your body will reabsorb them. But I cannot stress the importance of being evaluated by a le specialist-just in case.

Oh, and your numbness sounds exactly like mine. I've just started noticing when I touch the outside of my breast-just before the armpit area-that I feel a tingle around on my shoulderblade! I think things might be coming back!!!!

Don't know what a v-scan is, Carol. (But then I wasn't always paying attention to the names of all the rads scans-of which there were many.) Hope you're able to get a massage, anyway.

Oh, yeah, I should comment on CathyCA's friction cream, too. Frankly, I'd be delighted just to have some friction!

Yeah, SIS Kimberly, life is good. Have a ball in the Windy City. We'll all be thinking of you.

Whipped cream!!! Of course!!! (Now for the practical side of me-who's cleaning up the mess?)

I want your dinner, Carol. We're getting delivered pizza tonight because college girl misses our old Friday night tradition... (Guess I could eat that with wine...)

Ah Julie, another Jewel taking her survivor lap. It feels good, doesn't it?

Weedblock does not work. We just do it the old fashioned way. I keep meaning to mulch after I weed, because that DOES seem to help some, but I'm usually too tired after the weeding is completed. I think I'll do mulch next Spring as dd will have her grad party then. (Now there's a fine way to procrastinate!)

Just getting to LJ's comments about cording, which completely agrees with everything I've learned about it. (Don't even TRY to tell me I wouldn't be able to find you-you're describing my hair, too, you know!) (C'mon, make the appointment, everyone will be happier to know it's JUST cording and you'll get some better exercises to do.)

Hey Carol, good luck in your "Race" tomorrow. I hope you have great weather. What a feel good event that is.

Sorry about the "we're getting older" slap, Jenn. (I believe we're getting better!) I know the Taxotere is contributing because things cannot just change overnight as they appear that they have, but I think our recovery will be a bit longer for those of us a little longer of tooth.

Fish tacos can be very tasty. Try them sometime. If you don't like them, just fill up on the chips and salsa on the table and have a margarita!

Herceptin for the weeds!!! LOL!

On that note. Happy Friday, Jewels.

D1

golfer779 · June 2008

Whew, time for bed for early get up, but yes, my night is not totally complete without checking the post before bed, my form of foreplay these days!!! Pretty sad, as the dh is on the floor stretching, getting ready for a morning of golf and I was just getting my sh*t" together for tomorrows walk. For my son and I its a early get up to catch a ferry to Seattle, the survivor breakfast starts at 7:00, we'll be arriving about 7:45 at Quest Field (where the Seahawks play). Walking at 9:15, a 5K. After all the festivities I'll be pointing my son towards the ferry to head home alone, as he has to get home to go to work (god I love writing that!!!), and I'll be staying in the big city to meet with some of the ladies I have been training with for the 3 day event. We'll be doing a 10 mile training walk to and from downtown Seattle after the Event. Should be fun and tiring ... my priorities are definitely to train for the Sept event, my dh actually had to get another partner for a couples golf tourney (it's a four person tourney and I'll be the missing link with our dear friends) in the eve, but I'll be pooped to say the least.

So, my rad "V-scan" is probably what you all went through during your simulation. It was a series of Xray's taken for alignment, they are used in addition to the CT. I'd have to say that the pain in my neck from holding still in my mold for over an hour was excrutiating. My arms above my head,and hands faired well, and during the first portion I thought, "this is no biggie", then the stiffness in the neck kicked in ... OMG, I did everything I could to hold still, breath, think of anything I could to try to distract myself from my aching neck. When it was finally over I was informed that I made it through the toughest part, had 3 more tats done, one quite low, near my upper stomach area, that sucker was a tender one. While laying with my hands above my head there is not alot of fatty tissue left in the upper stomach area, I swear that tat went to the bone!!!! All in all, I was told that this appt which I had not expected was just a prelude to Monday's appt, and should make my first day of rads go much more quickly.

Paula, as I arrived for my appt about 45 min early, I brought my Marathon Walking book with me, I'm all over that gal ... great info!!!

Hope your outing in Texas is going great and your having a little quality time with Ed, as well as your time spent with the kids.

Got home by 6:00, had a nice glass of vino on the deck in the sunshine, and then the dh and I we're off to dinner at the restaurant where the ds was busing tables. Tried not to keep a watchful eye on his "performance", looked like he was a busy beaver... our town fills full of boaters from out of town on the summer weekends, the place was packed.

D1, oh great the tamo has the possibility of screwing up our vision as well? Guess I should consult on that one as well, I definitely need something new if my eyes don't get better with time. Between my near sightedness and now the need for reading glasses, my gray hair is fitting right in!

Oh, in my opinion, wine goes with anything, and a pizza is in our cards here soon.

Hoping to have a pic from tomorrow, planning on meeting Kalen at the event, won't be back til tomorrow night, here's to a great Sat for my Jewel friends.

Well this took me long enough to post that my dh is now in bed snoozing away ... no friction cream or whipping cream needed tonight, imagine that!!!

Hey D1, I only posted so you would not be posting to yourself (not). Have a great weekend friend!

Carol

wvgirl · June 2008

The sun is shinning here in WVa I hope it stays here. Calling for rain in the pm.

Relay in my home county is today.

I have been cleaning,washing cloths,made pasta salad and a Celebration Cake.(low cal.) and very good :-)

1 DH Super moist yellow cake mix

3 egg whites

2/3 C unsweetened applesauce

1 8oz can Mandarin oranges (in juice)

Mix together bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes

Foisting is

1 8oz cool whip light *Don't use fat free or frosting will be runny

1 sm box sugar free instant van pudding

1 15 oz crushed pineapple in juice

Frost cake after is is cooled.

I made 1 and took to work and told everyone I was celebrating

NO MORE CHEMO

My gf called me to tell me of a cool web site with funny b/c t shirts

I am getting ready to take a peek before I go to the Relay

it is cafepress.com.

I have a picture a df gave me of me sighing the Fight Back Cancer Bus. Can you scan the pic and post it on here somehow ??

I need to once again go back a few pages and caught up.

Hope all is well.

Sunny thought being sent to all.

Carla

joteach · June 2008

Happy summer Jewels!

Well, I did it!!! I finished rads on Friday. I went to celebrate with friends from work and had a blast. We ordered tons of appetizers and I had 2 margaritas! This was all paid for by my friend's dh. They also brought flowers and a cake. It was a great time.

I brought the rad therapists and nurses a gift basket of assorted cookies and they loved it. Strangely enough I will miss seeing them everyday. After 7 weeks you get used to seeing the same people. But its great to be finished.

Next step, med onc for the dreaded arimidex. So far I've really had minimal se's for my txs. I'm trying to stay positive that the arimidex will also have minimal se's.

I'll be finished work this Thursday and hooray summer!

Joan

KathyL · June 2008

Whew! I've missed a lot of chatter on here! The kids are asleep, dh is off with the boys playing poker... so had to check in. I'm on a laptop in my bedroom, which doesn't have Word, so bear with me. I've read all the posts, but my sorry chemo brain can't remember who said what. So just a few quick shout outs.

Cathy-CA: Maybe it is the age difference. I had several docs tell me no estrogens. I'll have to ask my onc when I see him again in July.

Kimberly: Hope you're having fun in Chicago. My step brother lives there. Someday I'll get there, too. So hard to travel with little kids.

Tina: Yup... sounds like definite cording. Mine resolved quickly (2-3 months) with PT, most of which I did myself at home after they showed me what to do. No snap, as D1 thought-- but they told me that could happen.

D1: You've been a busy beaver. Nice that you got "the dress". Hope she still likes it next year.

Julie: Yup, settled on a cleaning service. I'll be calling them this week. I hope to get my first cleaning done the week of July4, then have them come every other week. Yahoo!

Carol: Rads sounds like it was a pain in the arm! Hope things get better since the actual rads will be much shorter than all the prep.

So, my drought ended. Don't get jealous, girls; it was totally all about him. Had to give in at some point, he was driving me crazy. So, I guess that's his quota until when....? maybe vacation in August (hahaha). It never works that way.

Today the kids started swim lessons. My little fishies. Had fun watching them both.

Also got a lot done for our open house tomorrow. I hope the weather holds off-- they are calling for "scattered thunderstorms". We invited everyone who made food for us during my chemo. Got a huge waterslide for all the kids to play on, too.

And yesty night our old fridge in the garage (where we have a lot stored, or put all the stuff for parties!) decided to pretty much die. The freezer isn't holding the temperature anymore. Stuff was melting. Great timing... we kinda knew it was coming as it's been off and on having issues. Anyway, had to go out and find another one, plus move the food that really needs to be frozen to the other freezer. dh did a great job finding a deal at Sears. The new one is coming Tuesday night. Not in time for the party, but we are OK anyway. I decided to make the food tomorrow so it doesn't have to be stored for long, if at all.

That's it for me. I'm pooped. Started reading a really good book about life after BC treatment (written by an onc social worker who got dx with BC). So far, so good. I'll let you know more as I get into it.

Oh, almost forgot...

The week ahead (June 23-27)!

Tuesday: Kris 60 has #10 of 12 weekly T. On the home stretch!!

Saturday: Kimberly's 47th b-day.

KathyL · June 2008