Nancy-SanDiego

Mary Lou, you are so funny.  Where did you get that foot?  The answer is left distal fifth metatarsal.

Your mom sounds like mine--tough.  As she got older, she was more available and vulnerable and at times I was angry as I saw her independent sprit and confidence give way to the frailty of old age and my ineptness at the role reversal.  She died the year before I was diagnosed and though I wanted my "mommy" at the real scary times, I was also glad that she did not have to go through this with me--it would have broken her heart.  She rarely said "I love you" but I knew.  I only hope she also knew.  I am much more vocal about saying "I love you" with my kids and grandkids.  And that extends to my sisters--I love you.

Oh, I forgot.  The Lifetime Channel movie next month is the story of the Dr. who invented Herceptin.  Harry Connick Jr. plays the Dr.  Don't have any details, but it should be worth watching.

Margerie, I hope all goes well with your Mom.  Will you be with her?

Deb, let's hope for quick (and profitable) sales on both houses, so you can get on with choosing another home for all of you.

Odalys, it looks like Texas will get Ike this weekend, but does that mean a lot of rain for you?  Hopefully you will get a long break now.

Mary Lou, its great that Michael is back and your life can settle down a bit.

 Anna, where are you?

LOL

ML and Odalys, you both brought tears to my eyes thinking about the journey we have all been on and how much it means that we had each other to share the victories and the low points.  I, too, hope that 20 years from now, we are still celebrating together.

 Mary Lou, I'm so glad to hear about Michael's job, though I'm sorry the option was not what he/you were looking forward.  At least, he'll be back in the system where he will hear about opportunities.  Odalys, we will be watching the TV and keeping our fingers crossed that the hurricans pass you by.

One week from today, we will be in Tahoe.  I believe in miracles, too!

 Nancy

Sorry, I have not "talked" to all of you in a few days and I am so sorry about your Mom's need for chemo, Margerie.  It is so devastating when someone we love has to go through this, but as survivors, we know she will get through it.  I, too, took Taxol and Cytoxin following Adriamyasin.  Like Deb, I experienced low blood counts and took Neulasta or Neuprogin and A... shots for low white and red cells.  The toughest part of Taxol is the neuropathy WHICH DOES NOT HAPPEN TO EVERYONE.  Even when it does, it goes away for many.  It seems to affect people differently and different parts of the body.  For me, it is my feet, legs, and hands.  Used to be intense pain and numbness, now down to a constant low roar.  At its worst, I could not manage zippers, buttons, opening bottle and burned myself many times.  My feet and toe nails were so tender that a sheet on them was excruciating.  I lost several toe nails.   I used to take 1200 mg of Neurontin, but it made the chemo brain worse.  Today, I take 300 Lyrica, which seems to help with some of the Arimidex join pain and some of the neuropathy.  All of these side effects suck, but they are not life threatening and cancer is, so I just took it as a sign that the drugs had cancer on the run.    It sounds like you got your strength and independence from your Mom and that will serve her well as she faces this challenge.  Margerie, are you still game for house guests?

Odalys, sounds like another wet weekend and early week in the Gulf.  Let's hope by the time it hits, it is dramatically reduced.  I loved the picture you sent--looks like the Florida we all love.

Deb,  assuming is still up for hosting our reunion, take a plane, a bus, train, or car.   Walk if you want to--can't wait to see you.  Odalys, you could dry out . . .  Mary Lou, how are things working out for you.  Its so hard to think of a reunion without you and Anna.

Dentist in 35 minutes--will be back later.

Odalys, thank God you are spared this hurricane.  I thought what you wrote a couple of days ago was analygous to the fears we all have . . .

That is what we fear about these storms. They can change direction quickly and destroy everything in it's path so we always prepare even when we are not sure if it will head our way.

Treatment options are so personal.  We can gather lots of information, ask for opinions from our oncologists and survivor sisters, and discuss with friends and family.  We can learn the recurrence rates and weigh those against quality of life expectations.  However, at the end of the day its still your body and heart and you will make the best decision for you. 

Having said that, have you discussed the options with your oncologist?.  I am on Arimidex and I have consistently felt the fatigue and bone/joint pain that it involves and the osteoporosis that has been part of that drug for me.  I also have all the after effects of a body thrown into menopause and hate what that has done to my skin, bones, mojo, etc.  My onc said she could move me to Taxmoifen or one of the other Aromatace Inhibitors.  She said that many women find a difference in bone/joint pain.   Have you also considered some options like acupuncture, pain management, warm water therapy, etc.     Its good to have options, right.  But as Deb said, we are with you 100%.

 Mary Lou, my, hasn't Sebastian turned into a big boy!

Deb, I know exactly how you felt at the amusement park.  I was a real Disneyland fan and used to take Steve twice a year for our usual 10-12 hour marathon.  The last time we went, I lasted about 3 hours and was wiped out.  Worse, I didn't enjoy those 3 hours.  It was horrible and he really didn't understand, though he was a good sport about it.  Fortunately, he has other people who can take him and the two of us will do other things when we are together.

I sent you all a couple of PR proofs that Genentech will use to provide info on Herceptin.  What do you think?

 Have my meeting tonight, so better close.  Good night sisters.

Nancy

Odalys, I just heard on the news that they are predicting it will hit as a Category 2 on Tuesday.  Hope you have all the hatches buttoned down.  I have never been in a hurricane, but it sounds really scary, and wet.  If you have an evacuation call, where do you go?  Do the kids treat it as we used to welcome snow days?

Margerie, where do you find the energy to arrange and host all of these activities.  I had to take to my bed just thinking about 40 little ones here. 

The Relay for Life was truly wonderful.  I worked the Survivor's tent from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then returned from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.  Following the Opening Cermeonies, there were a couple of Survivor events.  We were all on stage and introduced ourselves and how long we had been survivors.  (We ranged from 8 days to 28 years.)  We were then given a flowering plant and walked the The Survivor's lap.  As we walked, they played over the loud speaker our words of insight about the journey.  They were as varied as we all were.  All during the day, people could decorate luminaria with personal message to honor those in the battle or those who have passed away.  I decorated one for my Survivor Sisters and listed all your names, along with my sisters in my support group here.  I also did one for Kim and two other sisters who have lost the fight.  At 9 p.m. hundreds of these lined both sides of the track and were lit with candles.  We walked a silent lap and I doubt there were many dry eyes.  The messages glowed as you walked and were a constant reminder of how much this dreaded disease has effected all of us.  So many of the bags had been decorated by very young children and were heartbreaking in their simplicity and sadness.  (But, it should be noted that throughout the day, the children were playing in the ball cage, playing socker or catch or just running in joy.)  During the night, there were going to play two movies, have karaoke singing, etc.)  The goal was to raise $45K and I don't know yet how we did.  I'll send a picture as soon I get them loaded.  Next year, they have asked me to co-chair, so I would love to hear your ideas on how to honor Survivors.  Mary Lou, you mentioned a dinner--tell me more.

Anna, Margerie, are you hooked into HER Connection?  Its a web site created by Genentech and has great info.

Good morning all.  Anna, I love your little dog, I can just imagine what a good friend he is to you. 

Lat, so good to hear from you, though it sounds like the effects of treatment are giving you a rough time.  My neuropathy is also horrible, just traded 900 neurontin for 300 Lyrica.  Doesn't do as much for the pain, but my mind is not so fuzzy.  Fatigue never ends, does it?  I have really learned to appreciate naps.

Today is the Relay for Life event.  I am leaving right now for the opening ceremonies and the Survivor Recognition lap.  I will walk for all of us.  Tonight when we have the Luminary Ceremony, I will light one for Kim in remembrance and another for all of us in recognition of our 3 year battle and victory.

 Love,

Nancy

Hi guys.  I prepared a very long message since computer problems have plagued me for the last week.  Anyway, I tried to send and got a message that the Discussion Boards were having a problem.  Will try again in an abbreviated way.

Mary Lou, keep sending pictures of your babies, I love them.  I am so sorry about Michael's RIF--have had to do hundreds of them in my HR career and was the recipient of a RIF after 11 years.  It was devastating, but like everyone I know, we landed in a better place.  Will his company provide any job assistance or is he on his own.  I sure hope that you will be able to join us--I just can't imagine a reunion without you.

Odayls, what an incredible weekend.  You can see the love and positive energy all around.

Mary Lou had a great idea in her PM.  I will do the same. 

Let's see if this actually goes through.

Love to my beautiful sisters.

Nancy