Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?
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OK, heading to Dr. Google! Melanie, Twilah had the incisional also. Didn't she say they take a slice instead of excisional which removes the area altogether? Surely they won't have to go any where near those perfect tata's of yours. Hang in there sweetie. How was the birthday party for the granddaughter? Knowing you, it was exceptional! OH and you missed Twilah's ART purchase. She saw the cutest giraff print in an art gallery window and walked right in there and bought the damn thing! She's having it shipped, probably should have asked if she could box up all those shoes and ship that too! LOL
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Mwahhahaha... shoe envy!
You're right Marsha, Patricia was Oh So Cute! For the shoes, I bought another bag (remember?). Since I had that extra luggage space, I filled it with stuff for my kids today. I'm sure they'll be impressed with the sand and shells I collected from the beach. I bought cute little containers (twice, and settled on the second ones) to put the sand and shells in. They may not like the gift now but they might treasure it in the future... who knows.
Melanie, I can't type anything that makes any sense at this point. I wish you'd have the biopsy sooner. That's all I can say on that subject.
Here's our last pictoral diary. Leah and I tooled around town. Did a quick walk-through of the old sugar-mill (idyllic but disappointing) then shopped a little down Canal St. We found a lovely little shop called Heart Strings... 3.5 year BC survivor with a shop full of BC relevant goodies... wigs, prostheses, swimwear, lingerie, and many other gadgets (some of which I purchased). I flashed .... AGAIN. I know, I know, I have a problem. The shopkeeper underwent a unilateral mastectomy and was interested in my results... she's planning a DIEP soon.
Here are the pics.. we have to get up at 4AM tomorrow and Leah has just gone off to bed (I should do the same).
Sitting around the dining room table.
Sugar mill ruins...
Melanie, notice the necklaces and earrings
I love them! Our last dinner at the Spanish River Grille. Both Michelle (the chef's wife) and Henry (the chef) stopped by to ask about you.
Love you all. Back to reality tomorrow.
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HILLARY>so happy for you!
MELANIE>I am praying for you.
I go Tuesday for another "routine" check up with my BS and I hope it turns out just routine!
TWINK>your avatar is hilarious!
MARSHA>is that your real hair?
Loved all the pics. No shark's teeth? When we hit the florida beaches we always found black sharks teeth in the white sand...many moons ago though.
My DH got on our two wheeled motorcycle today for the first time since the bike accident in June 06! I threw a video of it up on YouTube to share with everyone... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0RK5RL8fQA
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Melanie, definitely hoping those nodal masses are just perhaps a bit of scar tissue!!!!!!!!!!! Hope you can get in sooner to find out what the heck is going on.
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Twilah and Leah, hope you have a nice trip home. Let us know when you get in, we are worry warts after all.
Jan, yes that is my hair. Haven't cut it or colored it or anything. That is total "grow out". LOL
Heading out to Silver Springs Attraction in a bit. Kenny Rogers is playing in concert this afternoon and the theatre was called to have someone come out before the show to steam his costumes. I'll get a backstage pass and get to stay for the show if I want. Not a huge fan of Kenny Rogers but what the hell, you got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to walk away, know when to run................... I also get 4 free tickets to use anytime and Charlie Daniels is in concert later this month.
Have a great weekend everyone! Marsha
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Twink: Shoe envy is right! You make walking in heels look so easy. If I could do that and not look like a giraffe on stilts, then I would have had to purchase a bag for extra shoes also. I bet the leather on the necklace is already getting softer. I guess we should have taken a pic of them together and posted that...
Leah; Spanish River Grille twice? I thought Michelle was lovely and Chef Henry was....bald. LOL...I actually like him also. I would have liked to have visited their restaurant.
Marsha; So what if you are not a Kenny fan. What a fun experience and that is what it is all about. Make an impression they won't soon forget!
Jan; Nice to hear that you and Dh are "back in the saddle" again!
Vegas; I am hoping for scar tissue! I have contacted Dr. S and he wants to see the scans and talk to the radiologist. Right now I am not too worried about the whole thing. What's the use? Reasonably, I know it should be associated with the surgery.
I hope Twink and Leah have a safe and easy trip back home. It was so nice getting to know all 3 ladies better. It was so worth the effort to make this happen. We will be taking this get together west next time!
Veg'n out this weekend...I hope!
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Hi, All.
Home to Boston. Freezing rain and slush. Hat, coat, gloves and boots. I am ready to go back...
I echo Mel's comment that this was so worth doing. It was so magnificent to just throw a comment out (or a question) and get instand feeback, thoughts, perspectives. What I have told a few friends already is how easy it is to be with people who have felt every feeling I have felt in the last year or had exactly the same thoughts (good and bad) that I have had. It was very comforting, and very good for my soul. I feel loved and even cherished in some weird way. I am quite happy right now.
Thanks for all those who shared in our experience while we were there....0 -
Afternoon all.
Spent the morning running errands and thinking of you. Sending extra hugs and prayers for Melanie for only scar tissue (which by the way I seem to have developed a lot of).
Leah - Last nite DH and I ended up at an Italian restaurant. I wanted something different, couldn't find anything that grabbed me on the menu, so asked for a linguini with herb and garlic marina sauce and spicy Italian sausage. Topped it with a fabulous glass of red wine and toasted to you.
It was so, so good!
Hillary - I am so, so happy to hear your good news. Yeay!!!
Alyson - How's things? It was so nice to hear from you. Summer's finally on it's way here; well in AZ anyway. We're in the low 80's and it's just beautiful.
SammieKay - Nice to hear that you got to take the boat out. Hope you are feeling better these days.
Catherine - Looks like we just missed each other on Skype yesterday. Hope we can hook up soon.
Hi ya Phyl! Long time no see. What is it about IT right now? We're getting slammed!
Terry - So glad to hear that all was well on your scans as well. Are you still getting snow?
Twink - LOL that no one's blaming me for the hot flash. Seriously, mine were terrible that nite! Maybe it was the combination of all of our magnetic personalities finally coming together.
Sheesh! "Some guys race number!"
Vegas! So nice to see you! There's a slight chance that DH and I will be in Vegas next month. If we make it, it will be a whirlwind trip to catch up with my cousins who will be there. I'll PM you if it looks like it'll come together.
Marsha - You'll have to tell us how the concert went. I'm a big CDB fan too. Tell us about the protector necklaces. BTW.. I haven't cut my hair yet either. Every weekend I say it's time, but then I find I'm still happy with the way I can fix it, although I do hafta use a lot of product.
Wild/Jan - I mentioned at the Hampton's that I loved the video. Bet your DH did too. Here's hoping that your Dr's visit next week is indeed, just routine.
It was so nice to talk to everyone. I think that I saw on Sykpe that you can have up to 9 conversations at a time. We should try to set up a time to meet and chat.
Well, time to assume the position on the couch, turn on the Busch race (sorry Melanie, I'll probably never call it "Nationwide"), and sneak in a nap. Sending hugs and love to you all.0 -
The Kenny Rogers concert was fun! I did my costume steaming then there was VIP seating and then a roped off section up front in front of the VIP section for family. That's where I was!!! OK I'll just tell you this, Kenny is about a 100 years old (well actually 69) and his face is all shiny from the many surgeries he's had and he freaking limps!! Just had knee surgery and has a bad hip problem. You could see, if you were close enough, and I was LOL, that he had those heating pads on his lower back area that you can buy and stick on. I saw his 5th wife, she's about 40, tiny with big ass boobs and twins that are about 2 or 3 years old. I talked to his main security man for a while and got all that dirt. LOL He likes M&M's in his dressing room (which is where I was before the show). His band was really nice. Old, too! haha He only played for an hour and couldn't remember all the words to his songs. ROTFLMAO Charlie Daniels is next then The Beach Boys. Sure hope they need their costumes steamed! Wish I'd known about this for the Willie Nelson concert a couple of weeks ago cause I love Willie, he is sooooooo cool.
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I made it home safely too. A little blizzard this afternoon just for me. Lots going on on the home front right now... I'll post tomorrow after a good night's rest. So glad to hear that Kenny limps too. I don't feel so bad (as I prepare to toddle off to bed).
Hugs all.
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Carynn, come on up to Vegas! I will be here all month except for the last weekend in March when I am going to NAPA!! Woo hoo. I love it there.
Marsha, I love Willie too, and I am not really a country fan at all. Saw him in Austin a couple of years ago at a venue called the Backyard and he was AMAZING even if he was old.
Leah, I know just what you mean about feeling cherished. I have been lucky enough to meet some of my cancer buds from the FORCE group and that is EXACTLY what it is like. To know that you are understood completely and to have the confirmation that all your feelings are valid really just makes all the difference in the world. It's a truly special relationship that outsiders just can't get. I hope to meet some FCCrs soon too!
Twink, from what it sounds like, it's no wonder you are exhausted carrying around all those shoes! And now you have to find space for them in your closet. For me, that is the challenge! LOL
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Glad to know you all made it ok back home from Florida...
We woke up to a snow blizard here... it was 74 yesterday!!!... but we did good: Toby and Zoe are squeaky clean...
Hugs to all...
Catherine
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I protest this developing reputation.. shoe sl*t and tequila peddlar. I am really a very nice person.
It's beautiful and sunny out here today but really really cold. I'm headed for a long soak in my sorely missed bath but before I go I wanted to share a shark story.
Catherine, you asked about sharks following one of the earlier postings. I have to tell you that I was the only one to actually dive into the water at New Smyrna. I thought about sharks for the entire 5 minutes I was in the water and while I waded out and back. Later that day, I think it was Marsha who said they'd been following a school of sharks (from a helicopter) just a short way down the coast. Then on Friday, Leah read an article in the local newspaper about a man who'd been bit by a shark, also at a local beach. When I got home yesterday, we went out for lunch with my son and his girlfriend. She used to live in Florida and asked where we'd stayed. As soon as I said New Smyrna (pronounced New Suhmerna), she said 'Oh, that's the place where the most shark attacks occur.' Hmmm... somebody could have warned me before I went in the water for the ceremonial dip.
My bath is much safer and that's where I'm heading right now.
Hugs girls.
t
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Twink - Laughed out loud long and hard - shoe sl*t and tequila peddler. See, I TOLD you we'd be dangerous together! Although honestly my weakness tends to go more towards purses that shoes, but either is good!
Marsha - So glad to hear that Kenny was fun. He's actually been very forthcoming about his plastic surgery. It's been said that he's pretty bummed about the way his eyes turned out and wishes he never had it done.
Vegas - I wont know for a while yet if we're going to Vegas or not. It will be a really quick trip if we're able to do it. Hopefully we can get together for a drink or something!
Catherine - 74 yesterday, then a blizzard? Oh my!
Well it's race day so you know that means. Take care all. Talk to you soon!
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In Twink's defense, she did only buy one of the two yellow heels. Can you really call that restraint? hehe
love ya lots Twink!I gave both granddaughters their baths. Abby's dad then came to pick her up, while Natalie protested. She was pulling on Ab and saying "let her go!"..."you can't take her!". I will be glad when Abby is older and they can both spend the night. It's fun to watch them play together.
I will try to check in from Nashville during the next few days. I just don't know how busy we will be. This whole month is really going to be hectic. DH has 2 big race weekends that he will be racing his new modified. We will be going north for a weekend with friends to celebrate a birthday. Then Easter. Then the first weekend of April is the Texas race. And of course the various dr. appts associated with the biopsy.
Thinking of you all....
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LEAH>same thing happened when I met the San Diego bc sisters! And we were in a mexican restruant talking freely about breast cancer as that is where we met all together.
Like Catherine we had 70 temps this past weekend and its raining right now with snow to follow they say
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Good morning gals, back to work!
Leah and Twilah glad to hear you got home safely. Leah, brrrrrr, gloves definately mean cold weather. BTW, you ARE cherished and loved! And delightful to boot.
Twilah, did the airlines make you pay extra for the weight of the "shoe" bag? LOL Hope things are settling down at home.
Melanie, you go on to Nashville and have fun. I'm sure that node is just swollen from all the drinking we did. Tell Big Daddy I hope he wins the races!!
Carynn, the "protector" necklaces were from Melanie. She gave each of us one, a silver disk with the word protect and our name engraved underneath. Is on a piece of soft leather with a little pearl hanging from it. Earrings to match. Melanie is such a sweet, thoughtful and generous person. And a hoot! haha
Hey Jan and Catherine, what weird weather, 70 degrees then snowing?? ECK
Vegas, hey girl friend, so glad to see you back posting more. My show was over the Sunday the gals came. 22 shows in 25 days was alot. There is talk of us taking the show to Winter Haven, Fl. The director is from there and is working with our theatre to do 3 or 4 performances there the end of May, first of June weekend. Probably will be doing it and will get paid to boot. Let me know when you are coming to Florida.
Twilah I didn't tell you about the sharks cause you had already been in the water. OOPS
Hillary, sure wish I could be in PA for the lunch you all are getting together for!
Alyson, we are still waiting to see the wedding pics!
SammieKay, SOOOOOOOOOO sorry you missed the Florida trip. Glad to hear you guys took the boat out. Wind in your hair and sun on your face is the best!
Phyl, don't know if you are checking in or not. Hope you got out of PA and made it to the sunshine state. Call me.
Terry, glad your scans were fine. Are you getting this crazy weather too?
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Wow, you all were right near me! I have had a hard time keeping up with the message boards. I had my 2nd treatment on Thursday and I am still pretty tired. I went to the ACS Look Good...Feel Better class today. Had fun.
Rachel
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I don't know how you might feel about this "discussion", but you may want to take a look at the Boston Globe reported this slant on the Avastin approval...
http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2008/03/03/cancer_drug_how_good_is_good_enough/
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Melanie, I call it restraint. It's one of those subjective definitions...
Marsha, you're right... back to work and last week is fast becoming a distant memory... a warm one but still ... Work sucked today. My boss is getting worse if that's possible.
We're shooting for putting the house on the market in one month... busy busy busy, lot's of little things to do before we list. I hate this part of moving. I'll be back to Tx on March 17th then again on March 25th. This will be the pattern until I complete the relocation... two weeks out of every month in Dallas. Melanie, let me know if you're going to be visiting Southlake for any reason over the next couple of months; I'm sure I could arrange my schedule to coincide with yours.
Leah, I read that article and a few others on the subject. I really don't know how I feel about this one. It seems counterintuitive, doesn't it? That the drug can inhibit tumor progression but not extend life expectancy? I wonder whether the study was sufficiently large and controlled.
Carynn...hmmm... I have a purse problem too. We'd be Trouble, definitely. Now that I've graduated to rationalizing it's okay to buy another pair of shoes if I don't already have that color (i.e. yellow), the next rationalization will be matching purses. Ack. I'm shopping for a home with more closet space.
I'm off to organize the bathroom... have a nice evening girls.
t
P.S. Hey Rachel -- Second treatment! Wow, good for you. That's two down, right? I went to the ACS LGFB too and loved walking away with all that loot. Hang in there, soon you'll be finished with chemo just as we are in this group. You might want to hook up with the Feb 2008 chemo girls who'll be on roughly the same schedule as you. We found it really helped us to have the support of others going through the same process at the same time. You are more than welcome, though, to come back here often, and ask any questions of us. We all started this journey last year and feel like old pros by now. Good luck to you Rachel.
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wow!! You girls exhausted me with your antics last week. What great fun!
I am sooo happy you got to meet each other. Wish I could have been there too....but alas, I was here is PA where we had 10 inches of snow on Friday. Piles and piles of snow here on my glacier. But, it was in the 50s today....so hopefully we have some melting without flooding. Such is life in Central PA. We are used to it, I guess.
Twilah, I can commiserate with you about work. We are having some major problems, all coming out over this last audit. We have lost our head teller over it, and it probably isn't over.
Going for the BRCA testing tomorrow. Once I get the results back, I can schedule my reduction....assuming I am BRCA negative. If positive, then I guess I get my ovaries out and consider prophy mastectomies. I know you all came thru the masts fine, but I don't want to think about it.
How long did your BRCA results take? (those of you who had it done)
Wish my onc would have had me do this sooner, instead of waiting until my last Herceptin treatment.
Well...I am off to watch my favorite show...Antiques Roadshow.
Love you all, even your shoe collections!
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Ha! Thanks for the support. In my haze, I just assumed the group was starting chemo this February. I didn't even pay attention!
Rachel
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Terry; All you can do is just what you are doing...taking it one step at a time. My BRCA test (NEG) came back in 2 weeks. It can take much longer.
Twink; I will be in TX starting the first Wed in April until Sunday. I just can't remember the exact dates. Would love to see you again. If we twist (her arm) really hard, Carynn just might come.
Short post as we are driving in Memphis right now and are about to get off our exit to eat at Houston's...then on to Nashville! I will catch up later
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Eh, Terry... I am on the same pbs page as you... love antics stuff, always so interesting... learn a lot about history through those objects. Good luck to you with the test.
Leah, thanks for the article... I won't even know (hopefully) whether it works for EARLY stage since there is no tumor to monitor... now, if it comes back within 3 years, I'll know it was of no use these 18 IV's... I am fortunate enough for not having developed heart issues... so far...
Carynn, we'll never talk if you do not put me in your contacts in Skype... all my messages are still there for you...
Running... dinner time...
Hugs to all,
Twink, you read my thoughts with the shark picture...
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Hello from down Under
Its seems that it is scare time. Saw the rads onc tonight. He is not happy with the tenderness across my chest. Thinks it is just scar tissue but wants me to have a scan to check it out. I am very sore and swollen under my arm as well which causes more annoyance and discomfort for me. Will keep you posted.
School goes on as usual, had some bug over the weekend but seem to have managed to shake it off but still tired. Didn't get out to get the things to set up skype. Will let you know when I have got it, hopefully this weekend.
Must go and get dinner on DH is late tonight so I haven't rushed.
Have loved all the pictures and feel so jealous that I am so far away.
Alyson
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I am trying to get some photos on to here.
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Lets try again.
35th wedding anniversary. Its still too big. Anyway that was pre hair
Alyson
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Still trying to get a sensible photo . I will delete this one if it comes through the same size. This is on of us getting our hair done for the wedding. Goodness knows what I was saying to Erin. Morag DD1 is behind me.
I still haven't finished cooking dinner!!!!
Alyson
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I am a really slow learner, they did work so I am busy up loading some actual wedding photos. We haven't got the official ones yet, hopefully any day.
"proud parentsI get one right then the next one doesn't work
"Erin and ChrisI must get some work done for tomorrow
Alyson
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ALYSON>I love your dress and hat! The bride and groom are a nice looking couple. Thank you for sharing!
MARSHA>we didn't get the snow even though it started snowing here yesterday. Instead it went just a few miles south of us, some places got 8 inches!
I'm off in a few to see my BS for the routine checkup.
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