Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Caya · June 2008

Okay Mel, okay Caya is checking in.

And duh, I second Lynn - you are not a failure. Girl, You just went through like MAJOR SURGERY - it sounds to me like you are doing great. Just pace yourself, and BOOK VEGAS.

I hope everyone is doing well. I can't comment on everything because the past 10 days have been crazy busy - The DH and I bought out our business partner and the closing date was this past Friday June 20th - so last week we were running to the bank, the accountant, the lawyer etc. - all this while Marla from Dublin was here, and Amanda's grad party also on Friday June 20 for dinner. So I guess I was a bit busy last week - OY! OY! OY!

But it was a good busy - the DH and I are thrilled to be rid of our partner, the new accountant is working out great. My bank accountant is pretty dry right now due to large amount of $$$ we had to pay, but some of it is tax deductible etc. We will be fine.

Amanda's party was lovely - we had 22 people here - immediate family only, plus my BFF Toby and her family. She got a lot of nice gifts - a lovely pearl bracelet, gold hoop earrings, a digital camera, CASH (always welcome). Remember in October I had a 25th anniversary cake made with our wedding picture on it- I went back to the same bakery and had Amanda's grad picture in black and white on the cake, with her school colours (purple and white) as the icing and trimmings - it was gorgeous, as well as delicious. It was all very emotional for me, I did not know if I would live to see this day when I was first dx.

Having Marla here is great - she was last here in March and could not get over how much more energy I have now, and how much more hair. We did our usual - shopping, eating out, and we saw a great play on Saturday night downtown. She brought me a Fendi makeup bag for a gift (combined finishing treatment/50th birthday - Sept. 10) - I will bring it to Vegas.

My girls are good. Cassie started lifeguarding at the local country club, and Amanda is a senior counsellor at the day camp she was at last year. The staff told her she was the most requested counsellor - I'm not surprised, she is amazing with children.

I will be more on top of the posts now that my life has calmed down a bit - And after all that eating the past 10 days I am back on South Beach - no carbs for me - at least not until Thursday night, we have a black tie wedding, and I'm going to wear that gorgeous outfit I bought in April - Oy - I better squeeze into it, I think I gained 4 or 5 lbs. back with Marla here - I blame her!!

xo

TPPJ · June 2008

Mel, I googled Hoda after I mentioned her yesterday She did have BC, dx'd in March 2006. Of course that was five months before I was dx'd and quite frankly, back then, I could have heard about her and it may have gone in one ear/out the other. Now, I could hear someone saying the word BC from 100 miles away.

Skye, I need a Rosa too. isoooooooooo miss my Mary. This house is a wreck. I can never have both floors clean at one time. God forbid when the basement is done. A lot of it is laundry. I get it done but can't get it put away and baskets will pile up in my room. My kids should help with that and last night at 9 pm I made them do some. Problem is getting them to slow down for a minute to help. That, and they jam the stuff in the drawers and it looks all wrinkled. Whine, whine, whine... I started going thruogh my stuff last night and NONE of my jeans or shorts fit due to 10 lb. weight gain so I put them in a trunk so they aren't depressing me. I am only keeping out what I can get into. I went back to low carbing big time a week ago Monday. Dropped 4 lbs. fast but am at a "plateau" again. I remember this happening a lot when I did this three years ago. The problem now is that my huge belly incision gets very uncomfortable if I gain any weight. It's like a rope tied super tight around my waist and the extra weight makes me feel like I'm going to explode. Not to mention, I hate not being able to fit into my clothes comfortably.

Yes, Joni, what's going on? Where are you, lady?

jonimb · June 2008

Hello Tatas,

Thank You ALL for the beautiful blanket. It arrived in the post today, and it is really lovely. I read all the little squares, and each was so touching, thank you very much.

Well I had chemo again yesterday, and now we have gone back to Taxol, they originally thought it was the Taxol causing my elevated liver enzymes so they had me only on Gemzar, but it looks like it might have been the culprit. My oncologist does not want to start another chemo until we are sure Taxol is also causing problems. If on Friday my enzymes are still high, then we will be changing to Abraxane, and for now only doing one chemo to make sure we know what is affecting my blood counts. Oh and now I get chemo every Monday for 3 weeks, and then 1 week off...yuck.

Today I have my MRI at 4:30, so Dan is taking me up. The worst part of the MRI for me is them getting the IV in. Lately for blood draws I've been letting them use my right arm as I can't stand getting stuck 6 or 7 times.

So I've already had 7 of my 16 rounds of chemo, doesn't time fly when you are having a good time? I had my head shaved on the weekend, I didn't really have much left, but everytime I turned around there was hair everywhere. To be quite honest I have been feeling quite well. I usually have 1 down day and that is Wed or Thurs after the chemo.

It was really a lovely weekend here, and as last week was my week off chemo I had the family over for supper on Sunday. We had baby back ribs, corn on the cob, greek salad, sour dough bread and baked spuds....oh yeah and strawberry shortcake for desert.....yummy.

I've been reading all the posts, so I'll try to post in more frequently. Love you all.

I spoke to my onc about LV, and we are going to work out something so that I can still come, as my chemo is now on the Monday when I'm booked to come back, also I always have blood draws on the Friday before, so I may have my blood drawn on the Tuesday morning, and if all is okay have my chemo right after. He said we could work something out. Only 30 more sleeps.

Mel, hope you are feeling lots better, and Melia, you just have to come.

Loving hugs to all, and Thank you all again for the beautiful blanket. It is just wonderful!!

Joni xxooxx

Caya · June 2008

Joni - I'm so glad you got the blanket. Jan organised it, and it was hush hush from you for all these weeks. She posted pictures of it so we could all see it - it really came out lovely.

It sounds like your onc. is really on top of your treatment. I'm so glad that he is going to work around your chemo schedule so that you can be with us in LV. When you say 30 more sleeps, it really sounds so close.

That barbq menu sounds great. Don't overdo it though.

Tina you should ask some of your neighbours if they have a cleaning lady that is looking for extra work - you have enough on your hands. And it's good that the kids help out - I had mine setting and clearing the table every night, vacuuming the kitchen floor and hall after dinner as well.

Mel how are you today? Cindy and Nancy - please check in.

luckymel · June 2008

Lynn, guess you're on your way home now - sorry we didn't get to meet this time. Please do send me the link to order some crotchless girdles - I'm not liking these hooks and eyes so much, and one is definitely not enough. Besides, I need Larry to get me in it - I can't see to do it myself. What would I do if I didn't have a husband???

Joni, glad you like your blanket, hope you feel the love that went into it, because we do love you. I'm so glad you'll be in Vegas. Didn"t realize you had weekly chemo (Or I forgot). Did you mean that they think maybe the Gemzar is what is affecting your liver, or do they still think Taxol - I'm not clear on that. At any rate, I hope they decide so you can get on with treatment. How is Thor doing? I hope he's healthy and feeling well. Glad you aren't feeling too bad.

Tina, interestingly enough, after you posted about Hoda yesterday and I said I hadn't heard she had bc, I got a magazine in the mail with her on the cover, talking about her breast cancer! I think it was a women and cancer magazine, something like that that I must have subscribed to once. Wish I could loan you my Rosa - she really is good. However, she doesn't help me out all that much. She does a great job, and she seems to give Larry the idea he doesn't have to do anything in between, but the day to day stuff still has to be done, and that is still my department. Right now, though, he is having to do it, so maybe he'll get an idea of what I do and pitch in a bit more.

Caya, congrats on the buyout of your business - that must feel like a huge accomplishment. It's good to hear the girls are settled for the summer, too. Amanda's party sounded lovely - all of your gatherings do, actually!. Is Marla still with you, or has she gone home? I thought I remembered that she was just there - was it just this past March? If so, my mind is working better than I thought.

Skye, sorry you're feeling off again - it must be the fibromyalgia, don't you think? Glad you're having some beautiful weather, anyway. We certainly aren't here, as Lynn can attest. I haven't even checked to see how hot Vegas is. Or looked for a swim suit - first I need to ask if I'm allowed in the water. Not sure what stage I'll be at by then.

My stomach incision is still leaking, and so I'm putting dressings on it, and my Frankenboob is the one with the skin graft, and I am changing dressings there twice a day. Today I looked at it, and now I see why she said "don't worry about the colors matching," and so on. It scares me. Compared to the other one, which looks perfect, it is pretty scary. I'm glad we're going back Thursday.

More tomorrow - and I'll give you my Vegas flight times, too.

Love and hugs,

Rebecca · June 2008

I only have time for a quick check-in as summertime is in full swing here in Edison!

Joni, I am so glad you loved your blanket. Wrap it around you, and imagine you are being hugged. Many thanks to Jan for organizing the whole shebang!

Mel I am glad you are feeling better. Do NOT overdo it...listen to your body. Sleep when you need to...you had a horrible ordeal and your body needs to mend. Never think you are a failure sweet Mel, you are the furthest thing from!

The farm was awesome...I will try to write more about what we did later, but for now I have errands to run, and then it is off to the pool with the kiddies.

Love and hugs

luckymel · June 2008

Rebecca, I hope you have pictures to share from this trip to the farm - it sounds like such a wonderful time. Actually, summer in Edison sounds like a blast - your kids are lucky to have you.

Speaking of listening to my body....the bathroom contractor stopped by today and I was still asleep - at 11:15! So listening to my body must be what I was doing. That's a lot of sleep, even for me. He and his wife just got back from their cruise to Alaska. Since she had bc, she decided not to put things off, so she just booked the cruise and told him about it. I too am less likely to put things off now - I am very tempted to do an Alaska cruise, especially after seeing their pictures.

Well, I've got my flights picked out and have the magic number in hand, so I am going to go and call American Express and see if they'll schedule my Vegas flight for me. I will be there for sure, and I absolutely can't wait to see everybody! I am counting down the days.

Love and hugs

skyedivine · June 2008

Hi Ladies,

Joni, we loved decorating those squares for you, thanks to Jan's plans, and hope you'll realize how much you mean to us every time you see it. Sounds like you are feeling better on Taxol than I did, and I'm glad for that.

Caya, that is super you dumped a not-so-great partner. Congrats on being sole owners! DD's party sounds just tremendous. Another big milestone reached.

Mel, hope by now you have your tickets in hand. I'd say keep sleeping, the more you sleep the faster things can heal.

Thisi week has been a bear. Monday night ds2 swerved to avoid a deer and ended up in the ditch...which was a severe drop off between a tree and a light post. His car got hung up on some branches and he wasn't hurt at all, but walked home to wake us up about 11 pm so we were up most of the night trying to retrieve the car etc. He ended up with a "too fast for conditions" ticket.

Then today, as DS was leaving for work and DH was already out of town at meetings, our septic chose to overflow and back into the first floor bath. Nancy, I thought of you so much as I cleaned the inch off sewage off the floors and then bleached and disinfected. Thank goodness it didn't reach any carpeted areas, but the septic guy still isn't here and DH is at least an hour away yet. I was exhausted by the time I finished, and everything still needs another once-over. Yuck, a million times yuck! I was supposed to go to a doc appt. with my mom but luckily one sister was able to take her. And I have to drive to town to use the bathroom in the meantime.

Hope everyone else's day is better! - Skye

meliaanne · June 2008

Hi All,

Joni, glad you like the blanket. We all loved doing it for you, and I hope everytime you look at it, you will feel our love and care.

Mel, rest and nurture yourself so that you can heal as quickly as possible. Your surgery sounds so tough; it will take a long time to heal.

Rebecca, it's odd to hear about all your summer activities with the kids. A year has already passed! I remember all your scurrying around last summer. How are you healing?

Skye, YUCK. Glad your son is ok, but what a miserable 24 hours you have had.

Caya, glad your business is all yours now. And how nice that the acct is working out. We seem to go through accountants every year or so at my company, even though other employees tend to stay for long periods of time.

Tina, I hope you are trying to find some help and are pacing yourself. I know it's hard with a new house and two active kids, but you need to baby yourself occasionally too.

All is fine here. Just working, going to the gym, keeping busy. Sunday was our 40th anniversary, and Steve wrote on my card that we would have 40 more. Although I rather doubt that, we both seem to be feeling pretty good these days. I think back to the 19 and 23 year olds who headed out together, and they seem like such babies. We were so sure that we were on top of things, that we would be rich and retired by 40, that nothing bad could ever happen to us. And mostly, nothing bad did happen until a couple of years ago. Then it all hit at once, job problems, health issues, what a whirlwind. But we have three healthy kids, we seem to have possibly dodged a couple of health bullets (though I will never feel safe again in my body, I fear). And I did end up with a very nice guy. I felt that he wasn't as supportive as I would have liked when I was sick, but I think that he was just very scared, and didn't know what to do. And I probably shut him out to some extent. I shut a lot of people out. I am so used to handling things on my own, that it is hard for me to ask for or accept help. Anyway, perhaps the worst is behind us. Maybe we are in for a calm, healthy run for a bit.

I think of all of you every day. You are always in my prayers.

Hugs,

Melia

Rebecca · June 2008

Our trip to the farm was (as predicted) relaxing and fun. I was not completely up to speed, and spent a lot of time sitting and watching, and as such I did not take very many pictures this time.

The boys for some reason decided to build a windmill…well actually is was more of a large pinwheel. It took all weekend, and many trips to Lowes…although most of the materials used were recycled. The base is some kind of metal table, and the vanes were made out of the bent metal legs of an old beach chair covered in clear plastic to catch the wind. They had a lot of fun, but it looks like a garbage sculpture to me LOL.

While they were working on that, I went with my Aunt and the kids to a local strawberry farm and we picked 8 quarts of the teeniest, tiniest, sweetest, most ruby red strawberries you have ever seen. I tell you that I have never eaten anything so delicious as one of these beauties still warm from the sunshine. The kids were surprisingly helpful, although they ate more than their share LOL. Goes with the territory I guess. The plan was to go home and make strawberry jam, but unfortunately the antibiotics and the brutal sun caught up with me all at once and I got sick (blech). We did manage to make the jam the next day, however, and we wound up with an astounding number of beautiful jars of ruby red ambrosia. I absolutely love doing home canning, but never do it at home despite my best intentions. Well anyway, I do not think that I will have to buy jam for quite some time!

I am going to my PS today (finally!) and this time I am sure he is going to pull the drain, and take out my stitches. I am looking forward to feeling human again this evening, and perhaps trying on my new bathingsuit. Today is also my baby Frances’s birthday…she is 11! I can not believe it. We have a list of stuff to do today (the summer scurry is definitely on!) so I have to scoot. Love you all…..

Rebecca · June 2008

Yikes the new editor adds a lot of spaces to the posts! I wrote that in Word, and it actually did not have that many hard returns in it. Hmmmmmm

jonimb · June 2008

Well I had my MRI on Tuesday, but they couldn't get an IV in me to do the Contrast, so they did it without. I saw my onc today, and it appears some of my liver lesions are going away!!! Yeah....my onc feels that I'm at least stable but without the contrast he doesn't want to say it's a marked improvement, but he did say nothing new!!

I'm on Taxol now every week for 3 weeks, then 1 week off, so we will do another MRI in a couple of months and see how things are doing.

Find that Day #3 after chemo I'm just dragging, but at least it only lasts the one day.

Hugs to all.....Joni

Anonymous · June 2008

Joni - good news!!! Are you still having issues with pain? This is probably a dumb question - but why can't they use your port for the contrast?

jonimb · June 2008

Jan,

I wish they could use my port for the MRI, but the contrast can sometimes cause blood clots to occur, and my onc doesn't want to take any chances. We will be doing all my blood draws now thru my port, so hopefully in two months my veins will have healed enough that they can get the contrast IV in. I never have any problems when I go to the children's hospital for my MRI, so I told my onc to send me there.

I know you were the organizer of the lovely quilt that everyone made, you truly made it a special week for me. I had it on last nite when I was napping on the couch, my kitty "RC" likes it too. It is ever so warm and cuddly.

I'm looking forward to LV....we should all have a blast.

Hugs...Joni

Anonymous · June 2008

Well - I figured there was a reason. Blood clots - yikes! I'm thrilled that you like the blanket. Take it to the chemo room and make everyone jealous

Rebecca · June 2008

Great news Joni! That is so wonderful.

I got my drain pulled today YIPEEEEEE!!!!! and my PS cleared me to wear my prosthesis in a week. Everything looks like it is healing up nicely, and now that those nasty antibiotics are out of my system I feel much better...although I do feel a nap coming over me now...too bad, I do not have time today!

Lynn12 · June 2008

Oh, I love logging and and reading good news!

YAY Joni!!!!! That is such good news. We all knew you would love the blanket!

Rebecca, congrats on getting the drain pulled, it's such a relief! Glad things are healing nicely!

Melia, happy Anniversary! 40 years..that's awesome!

I scheduled my next surgery for 9/11. Kind of a weird day because of history, but I can't wait another week, so I'll just go ahead and ignore that fact while I'm there. I called the PS office and the secretary said I have to pay for half the hospital costs and half the anesthesia because part of my surgery is cosmetic. grumble. I thought I'd get away with just the PS fee..oh well, it's not THAT much.

I am soo tired. We've been all out for weeks because of the Relay For Life, now our fireworks party is this Sat. where we will have about 75 people. I just can't wait for it to be over so I can relax.

I decided to go off Effexor and it's really weird, I do feel more weepy than I did. Not really a depressed feeling, but rather that I would cry much more easily. We'll see how it goes.

meliaanne · June 2008

I forgot to tell all of you; I have developed lymphedema in my affected arm. Don't know what I did wrong .... but 34 nodes is a lot to have removed, so I guess I am not too shocked. So I meet with the therapist on Monday to learn what to do. It isn't too bad at this point, and I am hoping to get it under control fast. I am so phobic about doctors that I work myself up into quite a state before every visit. In fact, yesterday I had my third crown since finishing chemo, and I was a complete wreck. I need to take ativan before I go next time. I am irrational and the poor dentist doesn't know what to do with me.

Caya · June 2008

Just got back from a wedding - the mother of the groom is a BC survivor. At her first son's wedding 3 years ago she was in the midst of chemo... she wore a wig. Tonight I kissed her and said - "Glynis, this time it's your own hair, and you're 3 years out now." Tears welled up in her eyes and we hugged each other close.

It was a beautiful wedding - the room was all cream - cream, tablecloths, napkins, and then the flowers were hot pink, pale pink, cream and pale green. The bridesmaids wore hot pink, carried pale pink roses bouquets - lovely. Ate too much, oh well, tomorrow is another day..

good night ladies.

Rebecca · June 2008

Melia I am sorry to hear about your lymphedema...that stinks. You are right, though....34 nodes is a LOT. Happy 40th! what a wonderful blessing in your live to have shared so many years of joy. I hope I am fortunate enough to make it to that milestone...6/23 (last monday) was MY anniversary...12 years! In truth, we have been together more like 15 years because we did not actually date....he more or less moved in to my apartment almost immediately LOL. I guess when you know, you know. We were engaged to be married 8 months after the day we met....we are still going strong!

Caya that wedding does sound lovely. Glad you had a good time, and a bonding moment on top of it all.

Wow Lynn, giving up the Effexor? You are so very brave. keep us posted!

Well I have to go make breakfast for the kiddies....I slept in a bit this morning because I wound up having to take some percocet last night for the pain at my (former) drain site. He REALLY had to yank to get it out...after all it was in there for more than 2 weeks!. By the end of the day I felt like I had been kicked in the side by a rather large elephant, and I could barely move. Took a pill at 9PM, went to bed, and then the pain woke me at 1AM for another pill YECK! I feel better right now....good thing I have an easy day today...no gymnastics. I think we will just go to the pool and I will veg in a nice shady spot and work on my needlepoint.

Love to all!

Rebecca · June 2008

OK, I am aggravated now,,,,this is SO UNFAIR!!!!!

I got a bathing suit from Lands End shortly after my second surgery, which of course I could not try on until today. So today I am all excited to model it for DH and the kids and the &*&^%$% pocket is a DIFFERENT SIZE AND SHAPE than my breast form and it DOES NOT FIT!!!!!! Like...I can not even CRAM it in there it is so off.

AAAAARRRRGGGHHHHHH!

back to square one. I guess I should just buy an Ameona suit to fit my Ameona breastform......

mer1957 · June 2008

Yay Joni and so sorry to hear of your lyphodema Melia.

Caya, that wedding gets me exited!

Melia, congrats on your wedding anniversary. We will be married 30 years on 8/5 so LV is our sort of celebration.

Rebecca, hope you figure out that swimsuit issue. Can you just sew in soap scrubbies? That's what I did but of course I'm a 34 A. I still want to go to Lands End and get a suit with a real pocket. So far I just used the fabric in my swimsuits and sewed in scrubbies. Guess I'll be floating all over the place in the pool! I don't really care. You will see.. what you see is what you get. LOL.

Amera, enjoy Maine!

Lynn, hope you are getting some rest.

Mel, hope you've booked your flight!

Yesterday was my son's birthday and still no word...he must be having fun in Germany! Euro Cup final is Sunday, big game, hope Germany wins.

Jan, are you back to climbing yet?

Skye, how are you feeling?

Vinnie, thinking of you at the Cape.

Tomorrow I tackle my grout floor...I bought a garden bench that slides so I can just bend over instead of being on my knees. I plan on doing one third to one half tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you....lots of time to think.

Tina, hope you are well.

Rebecca · June 2008

Ugh Mary I wish it were that simple...and in fact had I never attempted recon it WOULD have been that simple, but since my "good" boob was (ahem) adjusted for symmetry, it is now much larger than can be compensated for with a scrubby. I was sized at an Ameona size 6, and I wear a 34D bra. Grumble grumble......

On the plus side, I surfed around a bit, and found some nice swimsuits that I like...and I have some sew-in pockets that I might try on an old suit of mine.

time to turn in....hugs!

viddie · June 2008

Hi Rebecca,

That is so frustrating. Can you return the bathing suit? Our Sears has lots of Land's End bathing suits. Maybe you can exchange it at a Sears. I do not like bathing suit hunting. It is no fun. I hope you find one that works.I hope you are feeling better today. Did your parents know you were living together? Mine didn't. I kept that secret-they would not have liked that. I was living with friends and Ed got an apartment across the street- then I moved in, but still paid rent at the other apartment and kept my room there. When my mom called, one of my friends would have to tell her I was taking a shower and I would call her back. She was impressed I took so many showers. LOL. There were no cell phones way back then.

Mary,

We will be married 34 years on August 10. Where did the time go? Your son is probably having a blast in Germany.

Caya,

Sounds like a memorable wedding. Why was it on a Thursday night?

Melia,

I hope the therapist can help you with the lymphedema. Congratulations on your 40th. That's a huge milestone.

Lynn,

75 people- Oy!! Where do you get the energy? But then again, Caya, didn't you have a huge party last year? Lynn, have a great time at your party. I see Dr. Lee next Friday and we will decide on a date for my stage 3. I would love to have more lipo- to at least get rid of my recent weight gain, but I need new carpets and flooring at our cottage. I can't believe installation is more expensive than the carpet. I wish Ed could do it, his projects from start to finish take forever.

Joni,

I am so glad you like the blanket. It was made with 100% TLC. Jan was amazing in organizing the whole thing, not to mention coming up with the idea and ordering it and mailing it to you. Many thanks to Jan.

Skye,

Is you septic system fixed? What a week for you? I hope your week got better.

Mel,

How are you feeling? Sleep is very healing. Rest as much as you can. We need you feeling rested and feeling better for LV. We want you happy. You can dream about sipping Pina Coladas by the pool.

I visited Arlene today and brought her a salmon loaf- also made with 100% TLC. I used fresh wild Alaskan salmon. I had so much fun making it. She is still very weak, but she is getting better. Her doctor says it takes up to 4 months to recover from this surgery. I remember that well when Ed was recovering.

I had my port taken out last week. The surgeon asked me if I needed it anymore. Dah!!!! Why was I there?? I don't know about these Cape Cod doctors! I do feel good about not having it anymore. I feel like another chapter has passed.

My back has been hurting me because I twisted the wrong way while I was washing windows the other day. I had an appointment with my oncologist yesterday and she offered to take an x-ray if it doesn't improve. I have a history of back problems, so I know it is my fault, but hearing her offer an x-ray was kinda scary. I forgot that back pain now can have a whole other meaning.

Actually, my back hurts while I type, so I will say good night. I am whining too much.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Love,

Viddie

Rebecca · June 2008

Heya Viddie...I am glad that Arlene is on the mend. Do they think they got all the cancer in the surgery? You are a doll to make her a delicious treat like that! I hope that she enjoyed it.

Yes, I can return the suit...I plan to do so today, there is a Sears nearby that I can use as a return spot (it is a Lands End). I am very upset about this suit, and in fact I looked at my OLD mastectomy suit and the pocket is not so great on that one, either. The good news is that my two favorite suits from "before" have shelf bras in them, and when I put my swim boob in them, they looked GREAT!!!! It felt secure, and the boob was covered. I just hope that it does not pop out if I go in the pool. I guess I will just have to try it....won't the little old ladies at my public pool be shocked if I have to go chasing my boob across the shallow end of the pool? LOL!

Have to get going on Saturday activities....happy weekend all!

Rebecca · June 2008

Oh, and Viddie, feel free to whine. I know in your heart you realize that your back pain is just "the usual" but it is very sobering to consider that even an ordinary thing can be scary in our new world. Hugs to you!

viddie · June 2008

Hi all,

Tina,

We also made our kids help out. We even made Meri mow the lawn when Jonathan went off to college three years earlier than her. She was not too happy about it, but at least she earned her allowance. They also shoveled the snow. I miss that now. They didn't do it eagerly and Meri whined that she was the only girl among her friends who had to mow the lawn. Arlene also had her dd mow her lawn, so I knew we weren't the only mean parents. Unfortunately it backfired a bit .Jonathan resents all the 'work' we made him do and is very unwilling to help out his 'old' parents when he visits. Btw, they never did their own laundry or vacuumed. We saved them for the outdoors. Now that I think of it. they had to help Ed, not me. hmmmm.

You definitely need to get a cleaning lady. Hopefully your neighbors will recommend one.

I hear you on the weight gain. It is very interesting that you lost weight on the effexor and are gaining it after you stopped and I am the opposite. Plateaus do break if you are patient and stick with it. And that is coming from a WW employee. A great way to break a plateau is by switching to a different breakfast and lunch. Most people tend to eat the same breakfast and lunch daily. Your body gets used to that. Mixing it around helps break the syndrome. When I am at a plateau, and if I am patient and good for a week, all of a sudden 3 or 4 pounds come off in one day. I see that happening with my members also.

How is your house projects coming along? I bet your house is gorgeous.

We decided to get new carpets for our cottage and that is turning into a huge project. The cottage is truly a Cape Cod cottage- it is very old and frumpy. We didn't want to sink a lot of money into this because if we ever sell it, the buyer will probably tear it down and build a bigger and better modern house. Carpets and laminate installation is very expensive- more than the carpet and laminate. The estimates for the whole job- around 1400 sf.-are coming in at about $6000- $7000. Yikes. We might have to drop this idea and just live with what we have.

Lowes is a lot cheaper. They have a sale for $199.00 installation for the entire house but I hear "you get what you pay for" with Lowes installation. There are websites dedicated to Lowes and Home depot installation nightmares. We have already had a few nightmares when we went with the lowest bidder for other projects, so I will skip them. Where's Jonathan?? LOL.

It is hot here today. I might visit a few other carpet stores today in hopes of finding a deal.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Love,

Viddie

viddie · June 2008

Thanks Rebecca,

Lol about the old ladies at the public pool. I am so glad your two favorite suits work with your foob.

She said they got all the cancer and when pressed, she said that they got good margins. She didn't offer that information until I asked her point blank, so I am hoping she is not trying to spare me. Unfortunately she would do that. I am very concerned. The strange thing is that my back didn't hurt me this much since Ed had his pancreatic cancer. I was crunched over for about 6 months during his surgery and treatments. It could be partly stress. It does feel better today.

meliaanne · June 2008

Good Morning,

Rebecca, I got some sew in pockets for tlc website: I think they were about $20 for 4. They are nice to have for swimsuits, bras, etc that you like but that aren't specifically for prosthesis. You might want to take a look.

Viddie, your back pain is probably from the tension of Arlene's illness, don't you think? I do miss the days of an ache just being an ache ... any pain now, and I immediately think "cancer."

I found out yesterday that I have an important meeting in Minneapolis on July 9, so am flying there on the 9th, back on the 11th, then off the weekend of the 12th for a family celebration of my much loved fil, who is turning 87. Busy month, but it's all good. I am obsessed with my hair, though. I have been letting the home done color grow out in anticipation of having my first professional coloring on July 11, before our family weekend. But now it needs to be done before my meeting. And, naturally, my stylist is on vacation until the 10th, so now I am trying to figure out if it's worth risking a coloring with someone I don't know. Gosh, I hope this is my biggest problem for a while.

Skye, where are you and how are you? Everyone else, check in too!

Melia

Caya · June 2008

Hello Ta Tas,

Well, some of you certainly have been busy. It's been a relatively slower paced week for the Friedman family, but today the action starts again as DH's brother is flying in from San Francisco for about a week. DH and DD went out to the airport to get him.

Viddie - Jewish weddings are mostly held on Sunday nights, and can be on Saturday night after Shabbat is over, so this can occur in the late Fall/winter when the sun sets in the late afternoon. Tuesday and Thursday nights are also considered "mazeldic" - (lucky) nights as the Torah is brought out and read on those mornings. And BTW - my mother had her laminate floors installed in her Florida condo a couple of years ago by Lowe's, and she was very happy with the job. She said Lowe's was on top of anyone they subcontracted the work out to. However, this was in Florida, and you're in Cape Cod.

Speaking of kids doing work aroung the house, I think today's kids in general are spoiled. When my 2 girls were younger, because the DH was travelling so much and I was working too (albeit in the house, but still working), we had a live-in nanny/housekeeper for about 6 -7 years. She of course did all the laundry, cleaning etc. and in retrospect, I should have made my girls do more around the house. They do make their beds, and I always had them set and clear the kitchen table, and wipe down the counters etc. They will vacuum the kitchen floor and hallway if asked (some complaining sometimes), and both have gone grocery shopping for me. They will both do their own laundry, but now with both of them home for the summer, I just do it all together. They never shovelled the driveway, we always got a service because DH travelled too much, and the snow can pile up pretty high and quickly here. For $225/season, it's worth it.

Glad Arlene is doing well. I'm sure you will be a great source of strength to her.

Rebecca - congrats on Frances being 11. Oh, those pre-teen years, especially with girls. Those strawberry jars sound great. And I hear you on the bathing suit dilemmas. I bought 3 gorgeous suits last year, I was very lucky. We also wear the same bra size - 34D. But you're a lot thinner than I am.

Mary - how did the grout work go today? Don't over do - hasn't your back been bothering you?

Not much else is happening. I have some paperwork to catch up on today, as yesterday afternoon was a wash - Amanda had pre-camp and she called me at 2:00 in the afternoon - "Don't worry Mom, I'm okay, but I had a little accident at work, I may have broken my toe, please come and get me." So by the time we were in and out of the ER at the hospital, (x-rayed - okay, no breaks, just a bad bruise/sprain) - well that killed it for me.

Have a great weekend gals.

Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

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