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TIME TO CIRCLE THE WAGONS GIRLS

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  • PuppyFive
    PuppyFive Member Posts: 539
    edited September 2006

    NS, I can see the RAINBOWS!!!!!!! AFTER THE RAIN!!!!!! gotta go My Driver is waiting!! love you all, and Praying, for my Sweet sisters, DEESE, CARRIE, LISA, AND EVERYONE ELSE!!! Love, debby

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 2,728
    edited September 2006
    Ok! Time for a little laugh! for all my sisters with big butts and fat bellies (I being one of them). So I started an exercise program (just another thing to take my computer time away from me).

    So I have on this Tshirt. It has a smiley and is winking at ya. Put on my big Homer Simpson slippers. Stood in front of big mirrors in my exercise room. OMG - now I have love handles. Yeppers, I look 9 months pregnant. Im gonna wear this Tshirt everyday now when I exercise. Just call me the big butt buddha belly!

    So one thing I realized, is I am so lazy, I hhave no muscle control in my abdomen. When I suck it in - well I look better.

    So there I was looking at myself. Hair a fright and fat. With my big slippers on. I did some stretching exercises to "Oh Mercy Mercy Me, Things Just Arnt What They Used To Be." Then I got my exercise ball. Sat on it and tried doing sit ups - well I fell flat on my ass!!

    When I was done, I looked in the mirror again and thought. Damn - at least I have good legs.

    Ok - time for work. Love to you all.

    Nicki
  • purplemb
    purplemb Member Posts: 593
    edited September 2006
    Nicki....a little bit every day and you will see changes in no time, keep on working out......or just put those rose colored glasses on...Nicki work on that resume....hugs...

    Debbie5...prayers for you on your heart surg..just to let you know my mom is a 20 yr survivor on her first open heart surg...and the improvments are so great...please be assured they can fix just about anything anymore..lighting grean healing candles around the camp fire today for all ....

    Love MB...
  • tflowers
    tflowers Member Posts: 232
    edited September 2006
    Niki, I had to dump the ball and ordered the bean. A little better...only because it stands out of my way vs the ball.

    Denise, Debbie, Lisa and all of our fighting sisters. We are here through everything!!

    I think we need a fight song just like the college football teams have. We could wake up the whole mountain singing it.

    Waiting for the rain and cold here.

    Tonight I have to go to a fundraiser. Friend's sister was a postwoman and was struck by a drunk driver and lost both of her legs and now blind from the trauma. Please give her good thoughts..
  • baldeagle
    baldeagle Member Posts: 97
    edited September 2006
    Good morning ladies. What, no Chemosabie to start the morning latte! OK, I have a big pot going - regular for those who are needing a jolt, decaf for the rest. Cinnamon buns right from the oven. Campfire is on daytime maintenance. Keep the fires going, but don't use up all the buffalo chips.

    I read that the debate forum is gone. So ladies, let's kep a careful eye out for wolves and orks and tigers and lions and bears, oh my! I have my bow and arrows ready to go.
    There is major fog on the prairie this morning - can't se 10 feet. So I will be super vigalent until the sun gets through. Then off to ride the range and oput out a couple of brush fires.
    Be checking in from time to time.
    Jeannette
  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 192
    edited September 2006
    Debbyfive:

    I am so sorry... HUGS to you.

    Hello girls... I am feeding my horse and enjoying the warmth of the fire. It is nice just to hang out and know I am included..

    HUGS to you all

    Wendy A
  • lv2cmp
    lv2cmp Member Posts: 899
    edited September 2006
    Good morning to all the cirle girls,

    Lisa, Debbyfive and Denise my thoughts are with you. Lisa I know you went to MD Anderson and I went also when I was diagnosed with Mets just last month. I was not impressed with MD Anderson as much as I was Sloan Kettering. They were absolutely wonderful. Words cant describe the way they made me feel. Don't give up the fight and you are only 2 hours away from me if I need to join in and help you kick some butt.
    Debbyfive: heart surgery is tough no doubt about it. My dad went through it 5 years ago and is doing well. You are a survivor and will pull through it.
    Denise: As I mentioned yesterday my dad had aneurysm surgery also. He was not able to do the clip which is easier but made it through the surgery. He is recovering well and is almost 80 years old so it can be done. You are a figher and wont let it get you down.

    Thanks for having the coffee going. I emptied the pot and put on a fresh one for anybody else needing some. The smell is wonderful this morning and perhaps has to do with the coolness in the morning air. I tossed on a few logs to keep us all toasty warm. I will be out making my rounds but will be back in soon for a coffee refill to get me going. No pain pills for several days now and feeling good so the chemo must be working. I will have scans after 5-6 months and right now I am leaning towards the 5 months and maybe sooner to see some good results.

    The cirlce is a wonderful place to be whether on the outside or the inside. NoSurrender you started a great thing. thank you! Amy
  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 119
    edited September 2006
    Good afternoon circle girls
    I hope all that are in the middle I hope you feel rested today with no pain or illness I am thinking of you all.

    Debby puppy I am thinking of you sweetie my DH has heart problems and has had triple bypass 2 stints balloons
    caths and rotor rooter (thats what he calls it lol)
    He is doing pretty good now and babes so will you we won't have it any other way!! Welcome (((Kritsin)))
    Amy I love this place this is one of the warmest places to come!

    Denise will be back to post again she is getting her sencond wind and ducks in a row , and getting more opinions is her next step.
    Denise sent me this to share ...

    Here is the visit to the surgeon in a nut shell. He showed me the CTA (3D image on a laptop), it showed an aneurysm on right cerebral artery. It's only about 5X8mm (whatever that may mean). He said they don't pop up overnight, there is statistacally a 1-3% chance of it bursting, that % doesn't grow over time(?), he can't make any predictions, it's entirely up to me how I choose to deal with it...blah, blah, blah. He mixed 'bad case' with 'I can't steer you' with 'but I can do the surgery if you want'!

    He is having the vascular radioligist look at the scan to see if coiling is an option, sometimes it's not if other veins are involved, coming off of the aneurysm, that would have to be dealt with through surgery (the clamp approach). he explained that all 3 choices have a risk of a bleed or stroke but gave me no help as to 'in his experience' or his opinion. He pretty much refused to. Will probably be about 2 weeks to get an answer from radiologist.
    dh and I decided to get a second opinion, too hard to make a decision based on what this Dr. has said, don't even want to try. I feel good about that decision. Are looking into a hospital in Cincinnati that does a lot of this kind of stuff. Don't worry, I feel good and God is walking with me, he always has.

    Love,
    Denise

    love and hugs to you all ~
    and thank you all for keeping Denise in your thoughts well wishes and prayers
    Carrie
  • 2up
    2up Member Posts: 944
    edited September 2006
    thinking about denise every single day!

    thanks for the update carrie.
  • Sige
    Sige Member Posts: 334
    edited September 2006
    ((((Victoria))))

    Nice to see you!!!

    Hugs
    Peggy

    PS: Yes, debate forum is kaput...probably for the best in light of *stuff*.
  • lv2cmp
    lv2cmp Member Posts: 899
    edited September 2006
    Just checking in on the afternoon watch. Great to hear an update on Denise.

    Adding Ramonajane to the inner circle because she posted on waiting for results. She got called in from her mammogram instead of getting the card saying everything is fine. She had ultrasound and gets results on thursday. She has dealt with this with her partner so it is really hitting home for her. As sige said to her and I quote "I read a post once about how someone couldn't understand how lesbians may have different issues from straight women when it comes to bc...this would be one of those issues...both of you fighting this beast!" Hope you dont mind me quoting you Sige.
    Lets join in chanting b9b9b9b9 as she waits for her results because we all can imagine how she and her partner feel.

    Well, back to riding the circle and keeping a watchful eye.

    Oh I did read this in the Birmingham paper and it just sucks!

    Linda Hand of Clanton was thrilled to learn in March that she was chosen to go to Washington to push for more cancer prevention, research and treatment. Then, before the trip, doctors told her that the breast cancer she fought off 19 years ago had recurred.

    "I'm going anyway," Hand said Monday. She leaves for Washington today with about 25 other American Cancer Society ambassadors from the Birmingham area for Celebration on the Hill 2006, an annual event attended by thousands of advocates for cancer programs.

    The group has good reason to meet this year. Congress passed legislation in December cutting funding for the National Institutes of Health for the first time in 35 years. And both the president and Congress want to reduce the budget for cancer research, something that hasn't occurred in a decade.
    The American Cancer Society reports that more than 560,000 people die from cancer every year in the United States, at a cost of more than $210 billion in direct and indirect costs. The National Cancer Institute spends about $5 billion a year fighting the disease.

    Hand attended the first Celebration on the Hill in 2002, and was awed by the masses of cancer survivors all wearing purple T-shirts. "We have the power of purple," she said. "It's overwhelming to see."

    Now at age 61 she's going back, but this time it's between chemotherapy treatments. She had breast cancer 19 years ago and had surgery and chemotherapy. The cancer returned this July, and she is in the midst of chemotherapy treatments.

    The event is set for today and Wednesday, and the group returns on Thursday night. Friday, Hand is scheduled for her weekly chemotherapy treatment at the Montgomery Cancer Center.

    In all, 4,749 ambassadors - including cancer survivors, researchers, doctors and nurses - from across the nation will be demonstrating their grass-roots political power in the nation's capital.

    During the event, ambassadors will meet with lawmakers to push for more research along with better treatment and prevention. They will converge upon the National Mall to share stories.

    "There's a lot of us, and we do vote," Hand said. "I'm thrilled to death to be going."

    On the Net www.celebrationonthehill.org

    Just wanted to pass the story along as there are people out there everyday joining our circle whether on the inside or the outside.

    Amy
  • AlaskaDeb
    AlaskaDeb Member Posts: 1,159
    edited September 2006
    I signed a banner that is going with a group to Washington. I said:
    "We need more MONEY for a cure. If we can go to the moon, we CAN cure cancer!"
    I wish it were that easy....
    I wish the powers-that-be would listen...
    I wish it was all unnecesary...
    Sigh,
    Deb C.
  • susanmcm
    susanmcm Member Posts: 699
    edited September 2006
    Ha Ha Ha
    I just got a PM from Debbyfive. She's trying to get records released from her GP for her heart surgeon and they (GP's office)are screwing it up. She asked that we all collectively help her kick her GP in the butt. Anybody got a picture of a butt kickin' ???? Peggy??

    Susan
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 2,728
    edited September 2006
    Good Evening: I just got home from working on the ranch. I sure like the wagon girls a whole lot more than the ranchers. "Oh the ranchers and the cowfolk should be friends." A little variation from a song in Oklahoma.

    Susam: I would surely enjoy kicking that GP's big butt! I have always had this shear pleasure of putting doctors in their place when they are being jerks. I wish I had 5 minutes with him. Debbyfive would have the records already.

    Denise: I think its great your getting a second opinion. Do you have a PCP you are close too? I can always go to mine and get a straight answer. "so if it was you or your wife, what would you do?" Anyways good luck. We are here with ya all the way.

    Carrie: all I can say is you are such a sweet person.

    Amy: your story was just fantastic. What a strong lady she is.

    Victoria: All I can say is your story really touched my heart. You are such a wonderful caring person, and you have been through so much. Glad you came here.

    Ahh now whats for dinner? Well, have been marinating meat and vegetables all day. In separate bowls of course. Gonna have a good old fashioned "Stir Fry" lol. Will have vegetable stir fry for those who dont fancy meat. And all the vegetables are home grown including the herbs.

    Someone else needs to bring dessert. "After gaining 10 pounds, I am off sugar, completely." I cant fit into my fat pants!!!

    Nicki
  • rondab
    rondab Member Posts: 87
    edited September 2006
    Hey sisters! Someone can have my place inside the circle! I'm ready to ride the perimeter! Clean report on the scan & bloodwork today. NED's with me tonight!Yahoooooo!!!!

    Actually, maybe I better wait until tomorrow night. If the local sheriff's out & about I might get throwed in the hoosegow for "riding under the influence." hehe!

    Many thanks to all who cared for me while I was inside the circle. My thoughts & prayers are still with all who are worried and waiting. Ronda
  • Sige
    Sige Member Posts: 334
    edited September 2006
    Woo Hoooooo Rondab!!! I am SO doing the happy dance with you...
    image

    and this is for you debbyfive....
    image

    Hugs
    Peggy
  • silvergirl9114
    silvergirl9114 Member Posts: 310
    edited September 2006
    My goodness---I ride of to Vermont for a week and all hell breaks loose over here!

    Was so sorry to hear about the sisters needing our care and concern last week but I know the perimeter gang kept the watchfires burning, the red cross wagon functioning and good nourishing food (like cheesecake!) coming for everyone. I'm sending white healing light to all of you in the middle of the circle and prayers for Trenton.

    For any of you gettin' the itch to wander, I highly recommend Vermont---beautiful country, small cities (I think Burlington is the largest at about 30,000 people). But it's still good to pull the wagon back into its own driveway---and for all of the houseguests to go home.

    Vickie---I seem to remember you asking a gazillion pages back (Boy, did you guys TALK while I was gone!) about genetic testing. They will do a very thorough family history, explain the ramifications of testing and make their recommendation one way or the other. If you decide to do it, it's just a blood draw---the three month wait for the results is the hardest part.

    Ronda--so glad to hear the news about NED. I like to see the guy getting around!!

    Going back in for revisions of the revisions Thursday---Frank(enboob) needs to get lifted about two inches to get the future nip lined up horizontally with the Lone Ranger. It's no big deal---without it though I would lend a whole new meaning to the terms high beam and low beam. Still trying to make up my mind about a little body shaping lipo to solve the problem with pants falling down. Maybe suspenders? Red ones? Nah---pink ones---I'll borrow them from Shelley.

    Hope it's a calm and restful night for the girls around the fire. If anybody would like some pasta with sausage, kale, canelinni beans and garlic oil just stop over to the wagon---made plenty for everyone.

    Jeannie
  • newvickie
    newvickie Member Posts: 2,941
    edited September 2006
    Yippee Ronda...so glad to hear your good news!
    Hugs,
    Vickie
    Oh and live it up...we'll bail you out!!!
  • tflowers
    tflowers Member Posts: 232
    edited September 2006
    Dancing the happy dance around the fire Rondab!!
    OK girls, lets keep the good thoughts going, they're working...
  • Naniam
    Naniam Member Posts: 586
    edited September 2006
    Oh, Peggy, I so love those pix!!!

    Rhonda/cookie, GOOD news!!!!!! Congrats. Welcome to the outer circle.

    Not feeling well myself so will check back later; don't think I am up to dinner tonight.
  • newvickie
    newvickie Member Posts: 2,941
    edited September 2006
    Thanks Jeannie...How was your vacation and how is your eye healing? I was gone for a week to Florida to visit with my daughter and son in law and still haven't caught up yet with everyones news. I'm going through "vacation blues"...sucks...miss that girl of mine so much.

    I have to call the genetic counselors tomorrow to set up the appointment and have a bone density scan on Thursday morning at 7...sick of tests but want to know exactly what's going on in this body of mine.

    Can't sleep so I'll circle tonight girls and keep you all safe and sound. Have lots of beautiful shells from the ocean if anyone is interested. Had a wonderful vacation and even went boogie boarding!!! That was an experience to remember as the waves were running 6 to 9 feet!!!

    Namiam...hugs and hope you feel better tomorrow.

    Peggy...what would we do without you and your pics to keep us smiling?!?

    Big old hugs to all
    Vickie
  • jasmine
    jasmine Member Posts: 773
    edited July 2008

    A bone density test is very non-invasive. Unlike a bone scan, it doesn't require any kind of an injection of tracer.

  • newvickie
    newvickie Member Posts: 2,941
    edited September 2006
    Oh thanks Jasmine...I wasn't entirely sure if there were any injections or tracers involved...every time I get stuck they blow a vein!! Or I guess I should say that my veins blow...no ones fault but its a real pain to get stuck in a dozen place before they can do anything!
    Hugs
    Vickie
  • jasmine
    jasmine Member Posts: 773
    edited July 2008
    The bone density is very easy. You just lay there while they use low intensity xray to scan from the neck down to the hips.

    Edited to add...don't wear any jeans with metal zippers. Wear some sweats or capris.
  • newvickie
    newvickie Member Posts: 2,941
    edited September 2006
    whew...thanks so much.
    I don't see NoSurrender...is she ok?
  • k4katz
    k4katz Member Posts: 158
    edited September 2006
    Ronda - so happy for you! I hope to get there too, someday!

    Peggy - what great pictures! Too funny!

    newvickie - I will be going to a genetic counselor also at some point, so I will be interested to hear about your experience!

    I have chocolate mousse for dessert - there's enough for everyone! And cheescake too (always have to have the cheesecake available! LOL)

    Kristin
  • newvickie
    newvickie Member Posts: 2,941
    edited September 2006
    mmm chocolate mousse...a girl after my own heart!
    I will let you know about the testing. I am actually not sure my insurance will cover it...I have read that it is extremely expensive!!! My insurance has been great so far but don't know how long that will last!
  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 737
    edited September 2006
    Here I am!
    I am so happy for the GOOD news we got today for Ronda and to know that Debby is kicking butt and taking names!

    Silvergirl nice to have you back! I LOVE Vermont! Who wouldn't love the HOME OF BEN AND JERRY'S!!!!!

    Vickie, About that genetic counseling...
    First I highly recommend a site called FORCE that was started by a girl here called Sue. She is great and the site is fantastic. They helped me a lot when I went for my tests.
    In a nutshell, you meet with a genetic counselor first who carefully reviews your family history, like a family tree. And you track who died of what on both sides of your family. That way they can see patterns. After my family tree was done they saw a pattern that might also have a link to colon cancer so I was tested for that as well.
    The test consists of a blood draw and it is sent to a lab out west, only one lab tests for BRCA.
    My test took a long time to come back but when it did I was told I have an unknown variant of BRCA2. That meant that they don't know IF that variant of the BRCA2 caused my cancer or not because not enough people have that particular variant! So I was left in limbo. My sister was dx'd two years after me but she is refusing to get tested. That is my sis!
    Your genetic counselor will explain everything to you and what it all means. And the FORCE site is a GREAT resource!

    So nice to see some Wildflowers in the circle! So pretty!


    Everyone needs to go give Tina a big hug... her dad John passed away and even though we knew that was coming, it still must be so hard for her.

    love you my sisters!
    g
  • silvergirl9114
    silvergirl9114 Member Posts: 310
    edited September 2006
    Vickie--
    Vacation was great. I rented a house online for all of us and it worked out well. It was really good to get away and not THINK about anything relating to my health. Eye is getting better, face no longer green. Sight is still a little "off" but at least I can drive again. We'll know more about next steps after I see the eye surgeon next week. He mentioned gamma knife surgery and have had time to investigate----very interesting technology. I'd just like to get rid of this blankety blank headache---figure it's eyestrain from the swelling behind the eye.

    Bone density is a snap. Bone scans need the radioactive tracer but density is just lay there and talk to the tech. My onc only does it once every two years if you have no symptoms so let's hope this is it for you on that count for awhile.

    Know what you mean about your daughter. Mine lived in Bangkok for a year---went to visit her and having to walk away from her in that airport when I left was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I also had the phone bill from hell that year! Focus on your son---he'll help bring the smiles back!

    Probably should have PM'd you with this, huh? Sorry everybody else---. Interesting news tonite about the coup in Thailand----amazing place with 23 political parties and what looked like total chaos to me. Anybody want to get topical? Or we can talk about no skinny models in Spain (yay! Such a good message for our daughters.) Or DESSERT---what's for dessert?!?!?!?

    Jeannie
  • rondab
    rondab Member Posts: 87
    edited September 2006
    Thanks all! Peggy - I loved that picture!
    Debbyfive - I'm ready to go kick some butt now if ya need me!
    Jeannie - I love your boob names! Mine are Lefty & Loosey. Lefty cause that's the original one that's left, Loosey cause I sometimes forget where I took her off at and have to look around the house for her in the mornings! And thanks for cooking tonight! Sounds good - except I've never had kale. Is that like spinach?
    Vickie - good luck with the scan. Glad to read that it's a non-invasive thing. No injections is a big plus!
    And whoever wasn't feeling good - home you feel better soon.
    Y'all are in my thoughts tonight! Thanks for getting me through this = whatever would I do without my sisters?! Ronda

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