Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?
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Good morning from this part of the world.
Have just managed to get on line and catch up with some reading. Catherine I will be in touch. I had an adominal hysterectomy when I was 32 which is a longtime ago now, my prayers will be with you.
Last weekend I was away at a school reunion which was great fun. For a second time this year my siblings were all together. I think events of the last year or two have made use realise that life is very unpredictable. Met up with lots of old friends - we talked so much recalling some of the things we did as children living in a small sea- side township (village).
This has been a very sad week in our school community. A neighbouring school lost six students and a teacher whilst on an outdoor education trip. Daughters of two staff members were in the party but thankfully survived what was a horrendous ordeal. The party was swept down a stream, some going over a dam, by a wall of water from a rain bomb north of where they were. Many students from my school knew those who have died well as they go to the same youth groups. My daughter Erin knew the young teacher who died while trying to get a student with cerebal palsy out of the water.
I was actually in the area hit by the rain with a group of my senior students. We were on a history field trip. The rain was incredible and we had to call off some activities and head back to school. We were about 2 hours south of Auckland at the time.
It is now our Autumn break - two weeks but I will have to go into school in the second week. However this will give me a chance to skype people .
Hugs to all
Alyson
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Good evening, girls... thank you for the encouragements... I am just back from:
- chest X-ray = normal, clear, the technician even said "you want to look, the image is beautiful"... so apparently, nothing to worry about on that side.
- bone density = normal (they did the left hip -- the polio side -- and the lumbar spine)
- blood count pre-op + markers (will know more next week)
- ekg (pre-op)
- onc visit (3 month follow-up). He is very optimistic, but he always is, and if I had not pursued the echo stuff myself, I would have not known about the hyperplasia... I came back from the bone density and passed him a note to ask about quitting Tamoxifen for this last week before surgery: no more Tamox (he could have told me when I was going through the follow-up... I am glad I remembered to ask before leaving the building... my brain is a swiss cheese). I was concerned about the "clots" issue during surgery... Waiting for the bone density, I talked with a lovely lady who had just gotten her "10-year pin" from the same onc: she was in her 40's when dx, had IDC stage IIc (almost 3 she said), chemo before surgery (lumpectomy) AC + 9 months on Taxotere, 5 years on Tamox and now on an AI... she was looking great, cheerful... very encouraging... she was there to check her bone density.
Well, overall, pretty good news... and a week from now exactly I would have gotten rid of the source of my current worries...
And now... a little bragging (the second one is navy blue, same pattern):
and... some retro fun: old days at the farm... I was 12 or so... having a sandwich (baguette) during a break (hay harvesting day, probably), sitting in what was used to bring water to the cows...
and first day off to boarding school (from age 10 through 17... 21km away from home... )
My brother Bertrand made a CD with quite a few b&w pictures of our childhood in Normandy, near Cherbourg...
Have all a nice evening. Marsha, hope your DH 50th birthday was a merry one. Give him a hug from me...
Leah, when do we skype?? Melanie, glad your trip went well... not too tired??
You all take care of yourselves, now,
Love,
Catherine
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Alyson; I am incredibly sad for the loss of those young lives. I just don't know what to say. It harkens back to the conversation that Leah and I had today. We just never know when the footsteps we have left on this earth will be our last. I feel fortunate to see the little ones left by my sweet granddaughters.
Catherine; I want a sweater! I am just stunned that I the face I have seen on skype is almost exactly the face of that precious 12 year old! Thank you so so much for sharing those pics...
goodnight...and love to you all...
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Well darn!!! My cat disappeared my message by sitting on my laptop. She loves the warmth of the computer.
Melanie, so glad you are back in the foul. I have missed your posts. I would love to Skype with you. It is so neat to put a voice with a face. If you don't get Skype going, maybe you can PM me your phone number and I can call you sometime and chat. So glad you were able to tie up loose ends in Hawaii and get a lot accomplished. I know that feels good.
Catherine, I think we are playing peek-a-boo on Skype LOL. I missed you when you were on. I am hoping your DH will let us all know how you are after surgery. I am sure we will hear from you after you get 'your faculties' back after the anesthesia wears off. Be sure and use your pain pump. Remember it is your friend. Allows you to move around more and heal more quickly. I know you will heal quickly as you eat such healthy food. See you on Skype.
Marsha, how u doin? So nice to read your post. How are things in FL? I wish Suzuki would have their National Meeting in Orlando again. We went in 1990 and it was awesome. It is even better now.
They keep having it in Las Vegas. Nothing wrong with Vegas once in awhile, but I don't drink and do very little gambling, so get bored. Of course the shows are great. Remember last time we saw good ole' Wayne Newton, Mr. Las Vegas. If we go this summer I am going to Cirque du Soleil. We have been to 2 of them. I want to go to the Beatles show. You can be assured if I ever get to FL. I will be meeting up with you, that's a promise.
Well, I have avoided painting as long as I can. I am sure before we are done we will be looking for a reasonably priced painter. We are saving 1200 dollars on the kitchen, small dining room and entry hall. That is what the decorator wanted to have her guys paint those areas. I think that was outrageous. I am sure there is someone cheaper.
I go for my CT scan of my aorta on Thurs. My interest wants a good look at why it is enlarged by 2.3 cm at the proximal end. The ultrasound doesn't give nearly the view that the CT will. After that I swear they are getting no more looks at what is happening to this 68 year old body.
I continue to enjoy my online classes with Eckhart Tolle and Oprah. We are exploring the book, A New Earth by Tolle. It is quite a spiritual adventure. I feel like I am really growing spiritually. I highly recommend the book.
Well, off I go to the ladder and the paint brushes and roller.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I know now more than ever that God or Life or the Universe has placed you all in my life for a reason. The breast cancer was a vehicle and as I have heard said by Joseph(coat of many colors Joseph) to his brothers, "you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good". That is how I feel about BC. It was and is an evil thing, but many good things have come out of this journey.
Shout outs to Twink, Terry, Hillary, Leah, Alyson,Caryn,Phyl, Pat, LuckyMel,Jan, GI Jel and anyone else I may have missed. Love you all, Sammie Kay
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Woohoo
WooHoo, I cropped a pic of myself and put it in a file and made an avatar, all by myself. Takes so little to excite some people. LOL. This was a prechemo pic taken at the Grand Canyon. It was a full body shot and I cropped it for a face shot. I look pretty much the same sans the nice bangs. Mine are really short and curly now.
My next big project will be to put some kitchen remodel shots up.
O.K. guys, I am talking to myself. Hope to hear from someone else. Love you, Sammie Kay
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I am not sure how, but I missed Alyson's note about the death of the students. How tragic. I am so sorry for all of you.
Catherine, that is the info you told me about on Skype. Somehow I missed that post. Great news. I agree with Melanie, you look just as you did at age 12. Adorable. Thanks for sharing the pictures. The sweater is beautiful. What a lucky niece you have. Hope to see you on Skype before you take off for the hospital.
Love to all, Sammie Kay
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Lovely photo, Sammie Kay... see... isn't it exciting to learn new things? we are so lucky to have all those tools available... we do not feel isolated anymore...
I see the obgyn at 1pm for pre-op instructions... I have a gallon of home made chicken broth (with leaks, celeri, turnips, carrots, clove, thyme...) to drink for 2 days... more nutritious than the ready made version.
The weather is gorgeous... still a lot to do before Friday, so I won't post much...
Enjoy your day, everybody... Hugs to all... :-)
Catherine
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ps: not on tamoxifen since last Friday... same hot flashes, though and aches and pains... :-(
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Catherine; Thinking of you today...
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Catherine -- my thoughts are with you too. Hugs.
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I love the pics Catherine and Kay, your new avatar is SMASHING! I'm sorry to not have been a regular poster lately... work and travel to Dallas has consumed me. I haven't had much energy to share, although I'm generally reading and puttering about when I'm home. Hugs to you all. I hope to be settled soon.
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Melanie, nice avatar. Lemme guess... a car? NASCAR related?
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Catherine,
Our arms are around you. Hope it goes well and that you are comfortable. Love.
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Nobody noticed my new avatar??? Guess I don't look that different. Is that good or bad?
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Pfft. I'm calling you now.... apparently you're still awake!
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Leah... your avatar is lovely... the same smiling you... hope you feel as good as you look!
Thanks everybody for the moral support... I have been very busy cleaning, washing, etc. not nervous, really, just want to come back home and heal... with hopefully no cancer found (25% risk of finding bad stuff, let's assume I'll be in the 75% without)... I know the hospital, and know I'll be pampered. Then the horrific perspective of spending most of my time reading in a chaise-long on the deck, skyping with friends and family, knitting more baby stuff... or I'll start an Irish sweater for DH... surrounded by dogs, flowers, etc. is difficult to accept... I'll have to cope...
I already know I'll have work coming my way in a couple of weeks... should be out of the pain-med fog after a few days... Then I'll be switched to aromasin or so (330$/month...!!! obscene...)... any of you on this particular one?If I can, I'll drop you a note... if not, don't worry, I'll be on-line soon (may be back home on Sunday or Monday...).
I wish you all tons of nice things. Twink, hope you found the right house and yours sells fast... do you have a moving date? You must be exhausted with the logistics of all this... If you go to La Madeleine for French baked food and pastries, enjoy!
Melanie, Alyson, SammieKay, big hugs to you, dear, dear ladies...
Well, stay tuned... I am going in feeling great and in very good spirits... and I'll sleep for a couple of days...
Take care,
Love,
Catherine
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You will be surrounded by so much love as you go to the OR they will be crowded. All your FCC angels will be there with you. Hugs and love to you my friend.
I love your new pic Leah. It is lovely. As someone else said, the same beautiful smile.
Twink, have you found a house yet? When will you be making the big move. Do take care of yourself and try to rest when you can.
Cool avatar Melanie, for a cool lady.
A big virtual group hug for Catherine. She is such a darling person, nothing but good things for her.
Love to all, Sammie Kay
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I'm also sending well wishes your way Catherine!
Hello everyone, I've been keeping up but not good about writing in. The pictures and avatars are wonderful, you all look Great! I'm doing good except for what I think is either costochondritis or the nerve endings going crazy and causing alot of discomfort to my mastectomy/rib site. Anyway, I'm going to my dr. on Monday to make sure. Work is very busy and life is good as I hope it is for all of you. Take Care!
Pat
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HI all,
Sorry I haven't posted. But I wanted to make sure Catherine knows I am hugging her today and keeping you in my thoughts. You will be fine, I know!
It looks like everyone is doing well. As am I....had my mammo last Friday and it is fine. I am just a worry wart.
Am scheduled for my reduction and lift and port removal on May 9th. One or 2 weeks off work...depending what the surgeon puts on my disability papers. Then UNUM decides. Also has 2 weeks vacation at the end of May. I am really looking forward to the port removal.
It is beautiful here in Central PA....my daffodils and tulips are blooming. My garden is ready to plant the lettuce and spinach seeds. Going to get started this weekend.
Twink...good luck with the move and packing Ugh!
Leah....You look great in your new avatar and so do you, Sammie Kaye! Now I know what you look like!
Still don't have skype or a web cam....I am technologically deficient!
Will be doing preop stuff on Sat am...bloodwork and ekg, chest xray etc....what a nice start to the weekend....but it is supposed to rain, so I guess it doesn't matter.
DS is keeping us busy with high school baseball. Still working on DD prom dress...want to have it just about done by the 9th...prom is May 31. We have the graduation honors banquet, chorus concert, dance recital and graduation etc in May....so run, run, run!
Have not started the kitchen...don't know whether to start now and try to be done by DD's grad party (probably the end of June) or wait until after. I am gathering ideas for countertops, wallpaper etc. Sounds like yours is shaping up...Sammy Kaye!
Well...got to get to work!....love you all and miss you! Catherine, hope that when you read this your surgery is over and you are resting comfortably with little pain. Happy relaxing, reading and knitting!
Love,
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I'm so sorry that I've been MIA. Had enough of an RA flare to make me uncomfortable, crazy days at work and some family issues that kept me away. Things now seem to be back to the regular old crazy normal!
Hope all is well with all of you. I'm too far behind to address everyone individually, but I did have to say -
Leah - I LOVE your new avatar. I like changing mine often and I think it's about time to do so.
Melanie - Love your new avatar. Didn't know you were a Eddie Haskell, I mean Carl Edwards fan!
And Twink, yours is just plain funny!
SammieKay - You are beautiful! It's so nice to finally get a good look at you. How's things?
Pat - Howdy stranger! Good luck with your Dr's appointment, and do keep us posted. (((Pat)))
Terry - You sound good and busy too! Glad you have dates for your surgery. Your OR will be awfully crowded with all of us squeezed in.
Catherine - Special thoughts and big gentle hugs to you today, my friend. I wish for you the speediest of recoveries.
Well, I'm working from home today, so I best get back at it. Hope to see you all real soon!
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All of the new avatars are cool. Mine is actually my dh's newest car. He raced it for the first time last week. The avatar is the artist's proof for the vinyl wrap.
Carynn; check your pm please....
I have to run. No time to post. I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date. Had to do that. I have on my "Alice in Hulaland" shirt.
Catherine; Soak up that pampering. I can imagine it will be very hard for you to sit still for a bit. But...please do take good care of yourself.
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Special hugs out to Catherine ... and wishes for nothing abnormal!
Love, love, love all the new avatars!
Hugs to all,
Hillary0 -
Catherine,
Hope by now the fog is clearing and you are taking your first walk in the hallways. Big hugs and prayers for good pathology. I know before you know it you will be out walking Toby again soon. He won't let you off the hook.
Terry, Oh my gosh, busy, busy, busy. Good luck with your surgery. I know you will be glad to close that door. It is kind of like a rite of passage away from bc to finish up all the loose ends. I haven't called the ps to set up the surgery on the left breast to try to get it to match the right one. I must do that next week. I bet your daughter's dress is beautiful. Those ball games and school activities can really, really keep a Mom busy.
Carynn, sorry about the RA flare, hope you are feeling better. I have been feeling uck for a few days. Hoping it will pass soon. Think I have a bug. Seems like others are complaining of same symptoms. Tired, small headache, 1 or 2 degrees of fever, etc. I haven't missed work, just work and rest on days off.
Hillary, hi. Yes you guys can now see a close up of my face. My post chemo hair is fuzzy. It doesn't look as good as this pic. But at least it is hair. It is still very curly. The highlights I had done are almost unnoticeable. I went to someone new and she did a lousy job. I am very non-confrontational, so I just gave her my 65 dollars and in 3 months I will go to someone else and get them done right.
Pat, nice to hear from you.
Where's Marsha?
Melanie, nice car. I am sending you a PM.
Well, better get busy around my house.
Hugs to all especially {{{{{{{{{{{{"our sweet Catherine"}}}}}}}}}
Love, Sammie Kay
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GREAT NEWS!!!!!!
I just spoke with Catherine via Skype. She is doing great and NO CANCER!!! Just hyperplasia. Catherine ask me to let everyone know. We all love good news and this is the best. She sounds wonderful. Just the same sweet Catherine. Says pain is manageable and she will probably go home tomorrow. I have tears of joy as I am sure all of you do as well. Love to all, Sammie Kay
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reported aleesha
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oh wow....I wrote my post yesterday morning just before going to work. When I submitted it, the site had an "error it could not recover from". So I assumed my post was lost in cyberspace. I am so glad it stuck!
We just had a little birthday party for DD#1..she is 24 today. DS was 22 on the 17th. Mine was the 13th....49 and holding!
I planted my lettuce today before the thunderstorms set in and I had all my pre=op stuff done. So all is well....did I tell you that my BRCA was negative?
Catherine...sounds like you are doing well....hugs to you. Have been thinking about you for the last two days. I am glad you got a good report.
Nice to see you all again. I have been trying to keep u with reading the posts, even when I don't have time to write. So never forget that I think about you all.
Happy Saturday evening!
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Catherine; I am so incredibly relieved...NO CANCER!!! Now you really can concentrate on taking care of yourself. That means getting plenty of rest. No bicycling for you young lady. Thank you so much Sammie for posting the results for us.
Terry; Wow...lots of April Bdays. And what a wonderful gift...BRCA Neg!!! I still remember the huge wave of relief when hearing that for myself.
Carynn; I am sorry about missing the part on your RA flareup. I hope it improves soon.
Twink; How is the house hunting going? I know this is a very busy time for you. We need to talk sometime soon!
Leah; Don't let too much time pass before you call me again!
Hillary; How are you? We haven't heard much from you lately.
Marsha; I will probably be back to Orlando in September. Hope to see you then!
Pat; Nice to see you! All those aches and pains are so much more worrisome than they used to be.
DH is racing tonight close to home. I stayed here as I am suffering from a major allergy attack. I seem to be plagued by them since January.
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Happy Sunday, all...
Back to work tomorrow... but it was a good weekend. Hope you all had the same. Lovely weather helps...
If anyone is interested in learning to fly fish, there is an organization which offers free retreats/weekend to learn for BC people. It is called Casting for Recovery. You need to attend the weekend that is in your home state, and the application ( a simple email) deadlines are coming up in May... Here is the link: http://www.castingforrecovery.org/regional/?page_id=4#northeast
Let me know if anyone but me is interested in learning this!
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Hi, everybody... Sammie Kaye thank you for being the messenger of good news... and thank you for the adorable card. I am at home now (since 3pm)... pretty achy and running a low grade fever in the evening... but they gave me a breathing apparatus to prevent fever and promote lungs cleaning... I will go to bed early after a good soupe and a strawberry smoothie (home made)... I will have a very intellectual activity for the coming hours and days: get rid of that gas trapped in my system all the way into the right shoulder...
Your friendship and support moved me to tears... you are a great bunch of compassionate women. I wish you all a good week... I'll come back later... a bit pooped right now...
Hugs to all,
Catherine
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