Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Options
1296297299301302326

Comments

  • meliaanne
    meliaanne Member Posts: 682
    edited July 2008

    Ah Mel, great news!!!!!!  I am delighted. And Skye, your excellent results will be next!

  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited July 2008

    Mel - GREAT NEWS!!! YIPPEEE!!

  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited July 2008

    Oh, Mel, I am soooooooo happy for you.  I hadn't read posts in awhile and I was speedreading, hoping to get to one where you said your bone scan came out OK.  This gives us all hope.  Not every ache is a recurrence.

    Now, we've just gotta get Skye through her battery of tests...  Viddie, I have my regular onco. apt. on 9/11 too.  Ick.  I never did go to have that phantom lump checked out as this onco. supposedly only see's patients on Thurs. am's.  HELLO?  Betw. golf camp for Paul, our vacation, etc., that didn't work for me.  Plus, I can't feel the area so much now.  Maybe I imagined it.  Bottom line is, waiting until 9/11 wouldn't change anything, so I'm just going to wait.  Think I may need a new onco., though, if she's that inflexible.

    Robbin, that wildfire stuff is scary.  When I lived in Aliso Viejo, there were fires in Laguna Canyon.  Seeing as though El Toro Rd. is one of the only ways out of there, it was scary to think how people could become really trapped.  Hell, you're trapped in traffic just trying to get to PCH when there isn't a fire...  same deal, trying to get up to the freeway.  I've often thought about that with South Florida too...  if there were a disaster, it'd be pretty damn hard to get out of there.

  • Lynn12
    Lynn12 Member Posts: 1,008
    edited July 2008

    Mel, that is fabulous news! I'm so happy for you!

    Viddie, I just saw your post. I'm having my stage III on Sept. 11th too. We'll be at the hospital at the same time...wow!  What is he going to do for stage III?

    Joni, I think the scooter sounds like a good idea.  

    I have my Onc appointment the day after I get back from Vegas.  I have a few things to discuss with him.

    I'm in Orlando at a conference. It's pouring rain..ugh!  The conference is at a 4 star Omni hotel and it has a lovely pool area.  tomorrow the weather is supposed to clear up, so I'm going to spend some time at the pool, they even have their own lazy river! :)

  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited July 2008

    Lynn - We stayed at theat Omni hotel in Orlando years ago when the girls were younger - it was very nice.

    Today I was downtown with Cassie looking for an apartment for her to live in for the coming school year.  Downtown Toronto is akin to downtown Manhattan - small apartments 4 Big Bucks.  We ended up finding a nice bachelor in a new building right on her campus - brand new, she'll be the first tenant in the apartment, full kitchen, washroom, comes furnished etc.  All students from her school in the building, security guard on duty from 7 p.m. - 7 a.m., buzz in door, security cameras on all the floors.  She had a roommate originally, but the girl flunked half of her classes last year so I think she is on probation and the school will only let her attend part time.  (I can't blame them).  So that fell  through, and Cassie didn't want to be in a house with alot of other kids, so we basically told her that a bach. would be about it.  It's a pretty good size, bigger than her dorm room last year, and she has her own kitchen, plus it is right on the campus.  She was happy, I was happy, I am going down on Tuesday to sign the lease.

    On the way home we were right near the shop where I bought my wigs, and I haven't been there in about year, so I wanted to stop by and see Georgina, the owner.  When I walked in, she looked at me a bit puzzled, as if she couldn't place me.  So I laughed and said ,"Oh you don't recognize me with hair."  Then she realized who I was and she ran over and gave me a big hug and told me she had been thinking of me, and had been wondering how I was doing.  She had tears in her eyes when I told her I had finished my Herceptin, and that I was doing well.  She loved my hair, told me never to dye it again (henna is okay).  She then asked if I still had my wigs, and I told her yes.  She asked if I would like to give them to a worthy cause, and I said I would.  Just today she got a letter from the Canadian Cancer Society asking for wig shops to ask their cancer patient customers when they finished treatment, if they would donate their wigs so they could be cleaned and given to women cancer patients who could not afford a wig.  I had thought that I would keep the wig forever, almost to ward off never having to use it again, but I took this as a sign from Hashem (God) to do this.  Georgina is an Orthodox Jewish woman, and I discussed this with her, and she agreed and said that this was a good deed of charity.  So I am going to get my wigs down from my closet and call tomorrow.

    Hotter than you know what here today, but not as hot as you know where.

  • luckymel
    luckymel Member Posts: 643
    edited July 2008

    Lynn and Viddie, having stage III the same day at the same hospital???  I can't believe it - but how cool is that?!  Hope you get to at least see each other.

  • viddie
    viddie Member Posts: 547
    edited July 2008

    Mel,

    And with the same PS!!

    That is such great news!!! Now you can really enjoy LV.

    Lynn,

    I think he just wanted to do the tattoos, but I had other ideas.Smile He needs to add another fat injection where I had the opening and my skin just above the dog ears area is bulging a bit. He will get the fat  for the injection from there. There is also  some extra fat on the side of one of my foobs. That's about it. I can't afford any extra lipo. If I could afford it, I would love to get a face lift, but------I gotta stop somewhere----I would like to look 20, but I am not, so I just have to accept that. lol.

    I am scheduled for 1:00. When are you scheduled? 

    Caya,

    That bachelor apartment sounds perfect for Cassie. 

  • viddie
    viddie Member Posts: 547
    edited July 2008

    Have a great night everyone.

    Love,

    Viddie 

  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited July 2008

    Viddie and Lynn, that IS too ironic.  Are you going to Brigham and Womens?

    Caya, I think I'll donate my wig too.  I will not wear it again...regardless of what else may ever happen to me.

  • skyedivine
    skyedivine Member Posts: 839
    edited July 2008

    Lynn and Viddie, both on the 11th, you'll be sisters in surgery.

    Caya, what a lovely place you found for Cassie. And I'd donate my wigs too if there were a place around here to do it. I would think that if I ever need one again, I could at least have a new style.



    I spent a long time in Bed Bath and Beyond today picking out a shower present for DIL2b for her shower tomorrow. DH took me to Milwaukee, tomorrow I'll drive back there by myself for the shower. I finally picked a couple pieces of the very nice cookware she had selected. I must say she has very good taste in everything. I also got the invitations out for the one I'm giving her in August. This MOG stuff is fun but can take some time.



    Speaking of weddings, the union of Grendel and my brother's Lhasa, Izzie, is imminent. We are just waiting for word of her receptivity to take her over there. Ah, young love is in the air! - Skye

  • meliaanne
    meliaanne Member Posts: 682
    edited July 2008

    Skye, BB&By is a great place to go for wedding gifts. They have a very generous, accomodating return policy, as opposed to Target, for example. Have fun tomorrow!

     Joni, I may be having a very chemo brain moment; did you report in on your onc visit?  How are you feeling?

    I had such a nice, normal day. I find I often judge the pleasure of a day on how little I have to drive and be gone from the house, probably b/c I work such long hours. Today I spent the whole day puttering around the house and yard, taking a long walk through the back country. I meant to do more heavy gardening, but ran out of time.  We are planning to move in 2 years to be closer to the kids, and my next house will have a smaller yard, but lots of privacy. We have 2.5 acres now, which was great to raise the kids, but is overwhelming now, esp since Steve is "over" doing yard work and  repairs. I want a small yard that I can maintain myself, and I really want good soil so I can raise veggies. We are on clay here, hard to get anything to grow, esp since Steve doesn't want to help!

     Sweet Dreams all,

    Melia

  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited July 2008

    Sounds like you had a nice relaxing day Melia. After his aneurysm in 2006, we retired the lawnmower for DH.  We like to plant flowers in the garden in the spring, and we do have a veg. garden.  When we did our landscaping 4 years ago, DH had the guys dig out a veg. garden in the backyard, they poured good topsoil into the hole, and we've had veggies the last few years - tomatoes, cukes, peppers, zucchinis and spices - I love going out and cutting some fresh herbs - sage, rosemary, basil, oregano, thyme and chives and chopping them into a bean salad, orusing in a marinade or sauce.  We also have 3 different kinds of mint which I sometimes steep into a teapot.

    This morning my mother and I went to visit a lady I met in chemo. We have the same onc. Norma is stage 4 now, and is off chemo for a month because her counts are too low.  A lovely, lovely woman. Her husband Harold made us coffee and we sat around and yakked with them for a little over an hour, then we could see Norma was getting tired so we left, although I think they would have liked us to stay longer to chat.  We'll go see her again. 

    Allan went to Saskatoon today, tonight he's flying to Edmonton, then on Tuesday he goes to Vancouver, back on Wed. night.  I'll barely see him as my flight leaves Thurs. morning at 9:30 , then he flies to LV on Sunday.  Depending on how tired he is and what is happening, he may join us for dinner on Sunday night.

  • luckymel
    luckymel Member Posts: 643
    edited July 2008

    Caya, I hope we'll at least get to meet Allan. 

    Did I tell you guys that Larry met a young woman on the bike ride who was 34 and a breast cancer survivor.  She was wearing a "Save the Ta-Ta's" t-shirt.  She's had a bilateral mastectomy and is ready for reconstruction now, but had never heard of DIEP, so he gave her my email.  Wish you all could meet him - he's such a great guy.

    You may have noticed that I've been awfully quiet for a couple of days.  I'm in panic mode - how am I going to get everything done, what am I going to take, etc.  Please tell me I don't need anything really fancy......do I?  I remember hearing someone talking about getting all dressed up at some point.  I am very excited about coming, wound vac or not.

  • Lynn12
    Lynn12 Member Posts: 1,008
    edited July 2008

    Hi Ta Ta's,

    I'm rescueing us from page 2 of the chemo thread.

    Well, I'm finally home from Orlando, and what a fiasco.  I was supposed to fly from Orlando to DC yesterday to meet with my client today, then fly home tonight.  I got to the airport, hoping to get an earlier flight to DC, but it was full.  Around noon I started getting sharp pains in my stomach.  I immediately knew it was more than just your run of the mill belly ache.  It got worse as I ate lunch and I was in the bathroom for the next 2 hours.  ugh!  My flight was at 4 and now it was 3pm and I was not getting better, couldn't stay out of the bathroom for more than 10 minutes and the pains were bad.  I asked if they have a medical facility and believe it or not, they don't.  I went to all the little stores and not one of them had pepto bismal.  I knew I couldn't get on the plane and was still going downhill.  I told the attendant at the gate that I was not feeling well, cannot get on the plane and he called for the paramedics.  They came, took my blood pressure and vitals..my blood pressure was high, however it was probalby because I was so stressed.  They said I had to make the decision to go to the hospital or not.  I said no, so the skycap got me a wheelchair and brought me to the hotel, where I continued to be sick for the evening.  It was AWFUL.  I got the 6:45 flight home today and just got home.  They couldn't get my luggage off the plane yesterday and it wasn't at the airport today. I am FREAKED that I won't get my luggage back..I have everything in that suitcase.

    I'm feeling a bit better, but still have small pains in my stomach. It must have been some sort of food poisoning.

    I see tons of emails and will try to catch up on those...this is our lucky week girls! Smile (Shelley would always say 'This is my lucky day' on her birthday, first day of school, etc.)

    Viddie, I think I am schedule for 7:30 or 8am and my surgery is about 3.5 hours. Funny how we probably won't see each other because I'll be in recovery and you'll be in pre-op. Tina, our PS is out of Beth Israel.

    love and hugs,

    Lynn

  • viddie
    viddie Member Posts: 547
    edited July 2008

    Oh Lynn,

    What a day you had!! I am glad you are feeling a bit better. Hopefully it will disappear as fast as it started, and real fast- we want you well and happy by Thursday. 

    Hopefully they put your luggage in a nice safe place. Could your luggage be in DC? The airlines nearly lost our luggage a few times, but it was always found in a few days-- and I believe they have to deliver it to you- unless, as everything else, the rules have changed. Hopefully not. Let us know when you get your luggage back. I know that feeling. 

    Mel,

    I wonder where she got the "Save the Ta-Ta's t-shirt. That was very nice  and thoughtful of Larry. 

    Please don't fret about your clothes. Everything and anything goes in LV. I've seen a lady in an evening gown with a man wearing shorts. Whatever you pack will be perfect- you don't need anything fancy. All we really care about is being together. We will have a great time.

    Caya,

    We'd love to meet Allan. I hope he can join us.

    Your garden sounds lovely. I wish I had one, but I do not get much sun in my backyard- too many trees. 

    Love,

    Paula 

  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited July 2008

    Gals- don't panic about what to bring. We are not going anywhere "fancy", and believe me, Vegas is very casual.  A pair or two of capris, and/or a light skirt, sundress (if you want), some t-shirts, maybe a couple of short sleeved blouses, one pair of light pants - don't stress, it is very casual, and hot.  And remember to bring a light cotton cardigan because the air conditioning can be brutal in the hotels and the restaurants.

    I'm bringing lots of extra "office" attire because as you all know I am staying on 4 days to work at the Shoe Show. Stress-I have to co-ordinate all my shoes and bags - it's really a shlep, but I have to do it!! And this is a huge week for me workwise - I have 2 huge shipments coming into the warehouse, and my biggest one of the season due in a couple of days after I get back from Vegas. 

    Lynn- yuch, what an ordeal!  My DH had an episode of food poisoning about a month ago. Glad it happened now, not later this week.  I hope they find your luggage - OY!!

    xo

  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited July 2008

    I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I'm so looking forward to our vacation.  We so all deserve this nice break.

  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited July 2008

    Me too Tina - We all really deserve this.

  • Lynn12
    Lynn12 Member Posts: 1,008
    edited July 2008

    Hi Ta Ta's,

    My luggage arrived at 11:30 last night...whew!  I booked a last minute pedicure tomorrow and am sooo excited I can't even stand it! We DO deserve this!

    love and hugs,
    Lynn

  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited July 2008

    Lynn- So glad your luggage arrived - Whoo Hoo!! I am going for a mani/pedi tomorrow morning too.



    xo

    caya

  • viddie
    viddie Member Posts: 547
    edited July 2008

    Lynn,

    That's great you got your luggage.

    I would love to get a pedicure, but I had an ingrown toenail surgically removed two weeks and was told  not to have pedicures for a while. At least I got the okay to use the pool. Whew!! 

    My back and leg have been hurting me for a few weeks, so I finally called my oncologist who set up an x-ray for me. It showed that my herniated disc returned and that I have stenosis. Luckily there was a cancellation today at the pain clinic, so I was able to get a steriod injection. I have had those twice before, 4 years ago and two years ago, and both times it worked like a charm. Here's hoping it works again.

    Counting the hours.

    Love,

    Paula 

  • Lynn12
    Lynn12 Member Posts: 1,008
    edited July 2008

    Ok Ta Ta's, venting time!

    The client that I was supposed to visit yesterday is all pissed because I didn't go.  She actually emailed (cc'ing others) 'while I'm glad you are feeling better, it is extremely unfortunate that you cancelled the training and now it can't be re-accomodated until late August'  OMG!  I am sooo insulted that she is questioning my integrity.  Like I faked being sick so I couldn't go?  are you kidding me? The particular module of our software is one that I am most comfortable with, I was actually excited to show them how much time they'll save and how cool it is. I offered about 10 dates from next week until Mid August to reschedule and they can't do any of them, then I asked them to pick a date and they can't have me back until late August. Grrrrrrrrrr!  So the psycho calls my boss (Wendy) and left her a nasty voicemail. OMG! Wendy is on vacation and called me last night to find out what happened.  I explained to her and she said not to worry.  Now I feel so bad because she has to deal with this client during her vacation because of me. 

    I found out Wendy's address on the cape, sent her and her partner flowers and her daughter cookies!  It's really weird because I feel that I am such high maintenance lately at work.  It might be since I went off the effexor...am I becoming psycho too? Tongue out  There just seems to be so much drama and I am so emotional about it like I never was. 

    Not sure if I told you guys that I have a coach at work.  When Ami (my colleaugue) and I were promoted last January, we are now able to have a coach that our company contracts with.  I see Jennifer biweekly for 1.5 hours, she is awsome!  It's really great to work through some of the challenges that come with managing such a large team (I manage a team of 18..that's large for me).  Anyway, I'll be discussing this ordeal with her next week and asking her why I am so emotional. I hate being emotional about work stuff.

    I am confident that Wendy is behind me 100%, she is a fabulous manager and mentor.  I'm just can't get over this client questioning me like that.

    Thanks for letting me vent...off to continue packing! 

    love,

    Lynn

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

    Lynn - mean clients suck. I'm sorry you have to deal with her. I do think its her and not you. Some people just are going to act poorly in situations like that. What a shame that she couldn't be just a little understanding. I had a similar client situation last week. My business partner who is the main contact for this client announced on a call with 15 people that she is expecting her first child and will be going on maternity leave in about 3 months. 15 people in the meeting and ONE said congrats. Several said that they hoped her maternity leave would be AFTER their next big meeting. Guess what? It's not! I thought they were terribly rude. Especially since they'll get me at their meeting instead - and I'm great :)

  • viddie
    viddie Member Posts: 547
    edited July 2008

    Lynn,

    It's obvious who the psycho one is---and it is NOT YOU. She probably didn't get "it" last night. She has a problem. I am sure Wendy totally understands. She seems to be a gem, from what you told us about her. You are just reacting to her over-reacting.  She seems like a real b----h. We'll make you forget about her.

    Love,

    Viddie 

  • jonimb
    jonimb Member Posts: 900
    edited July 2008

    Lynn,

    I agree with Vidddie, some people there is no pleasing them.  Sounds like you picked up a norwalk virus.   I had that happen to me one time, I was actually doing some training for North Shore Medical Hospital in Vancouver, and came down with it there.  Luckily there were a few people to help with the situation.

    Caya, we'd all love to meet Alan, hope we see him on Sunday.

    I had my chemo yesterday, and I also got next week's chemo moved to Tuesday, have to be at the Cancer clinic at 7:30 am next Tuesday, and my plane only arrives in Calgary at 8:30 pm...I have a 4 to 5 hour stopover in Denver on the way home.

    Feeling pretty good, but I know I'll have to rest lots.

    I finally found my sleeve for flying...I've been searching all over the house.  Jiminy Cricket I sure have to bring alot of pills.

    Looking forward to seeing you all on probably Friday, as I get in quite late on Thursday, and I'll probably just crash when I do get there.

    We're all suppose to be on the same floor, so that will be good.

    I'm looking forward to the Ghost stories.

    Hugs to all......Joni 

  • TPPJ
    TPPJ Member Posts: 1,017
    edited July 2008

    Oh, Lynn, that sucks.  You REALLY need Vegas now.  I hate "cc'ers" and big mouths on conference calls.  Two of my major pet peeves.  People that pull that crap get it back double.

    The DH's company got 200+ people on a conference call and announced his sudden "departure", complete with allegations were made and are being investigated...  ok, a year later, they still haven't turned up crap.  I'd like a second conference call stating that it was all a bunch of b.s.  I regret DH signing his rights away not to sue them.  But if he did not, they wouldn't have given us the years pay (which we had a contract for prior to all of this).  However.....I didn't sign my rights away...since all that I had a heart attack, etc....

  • meliaanne
    meliaanne Member Posts: 682
    edited July 2008

    Lynn, you have had a rotten week. I am glad you are going to get away, and am also really glad you have a boss who has your back.

    Joni, we will let you set the pace. No one is in a hurry to do anything but chat, I am sure.

    I  had my final physical therapy appt yesterday. The massage is time consuming but it really feels good. Kind of a challenge to do my back, though. And I don't want to ask Steve to do it, so I have got to figure it out. And it's a bit of a drag to wear the sleeve and gauntlet, which the therapist says I need to do everyday, all day, for the rest of my life. But I have to say, my arm and chest feel so much better. It's amazing. For the first time since surgery, I can sleep on the affected side.

    Viddie, I hope Arlene is doing a bit better this week.

    Ok, got to get to work. This poor economy is really affecting the flower business. If you have a choice between gas and flowers, guess which one you choose. So sales are awful, phones not ringing, etc. I keep telling myself that it isn't within my control, so whatever happens, happens.

    Stay safe, all.

  • viddie
    viddie Member Posts: 547
    edited July 2008

    Sweet dreams everyone!! Til tomorrow!!!

    Love,

    Paula 

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

    Good morning gals...

    So nice to see so many of you here still gabbing away...all these familiar names, RobbinJaye, Viddie, Jan, Caya, Tina, Lynn, Shorty, especially Joni....hugs to you Sweety!!  I think about you almost every day.

    It's over a  year out and I feel life is finally back to normal...I've got a wonderful thick head of hair, and I'm getting back into art...slowly, and I have a life again.  I truly feel this is the best year of my life and I'm going to be 60 in a few weeks!!! Ach!! Don't feel or look that age at all...

    My close friends have had some very serious issues.  Puppy had a double craniotomy in May and we didn't know if she'd even know her family or friends when she woke up.  Almost anybody who has this surgery has a permanent change in personality...but Puppy with her wonderful spiritual faith and positive attitude woke up the same lady...not changed one bit!!!  She had to have her head shaved and still is black and blue but life is good now...no more headaches!!!

    Mena is still very much alive, but suffered a very tragic loss about a month ago.  Her most devoted friend and daughter (who was not her birth daughter) died very suddenly and tragically...it was a terrible loss to all her knew her.

    Just checkin in to say high...and yeah, I changed my name to go along with my new post-treatment status...

    When & if that Naughty Robbin Jaye checks in here, you guys make sure she takes her anti-hormonal medication!!!!   Wink

    Miz XXXXOOOO

  • Robbin65
    Robbin65 Member Posts: 251
    edited July 2008

    When & if that Naughty Robbin Jaye checks in here, you guys make sure she takes her anti-hormonal medication!!!!   Wink

    Miz XXXXOOOO

    HEY GUYS....

    That's werid.  I haven't popped in here for a while and bam... there you are talking about me... Smile  Thanks for thinking of me you guys.  I miss you all and am busy at work.  My hair is long long.  Weeeeee............... 

     Hope you guys have a great time in Vegas.  Take pics!!!

     Peace...

    Robbinjaye

Categories