Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

11501511531551561588

Comments

  • Tarry1
    Tarry1 Member Posts: 56
    edited March 2010
    Hi everyone,I just wanted to update you on my dilemma. Today I received phone call from the radiologist who proceeded to tell  me  that I could either have radiology which would reduce the chances by 10 percent of  the cancer re occuring OR have  masectomy and reduce the chances of it reocurring by 5 prcent.  Now there is no talk of cleaning up the margin.  I havent talked to the surgeon, or my onc or my np and the phone call was from a radiologist that I met once last year whom I really don't know.  I have called everyone and I'm not getting ny phone calls back.  Oh and this guy told me to  make a decision and let him know by Friday so he ccould give my Monday appointment to someone else if I don't  decide to do radiation. I'm really upset right now and don't know what to do.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 709
    edited March 2010

    Oh Sweetie, I am so sorry that you were hit with such awful news. Take a deep breath and why in the world is there a deadline on a critical decision that you are told you have to make? I was hit with the same news this week from a new ONC who said; 1) I no longer have cancer in his opinion therefore I do not need an oncologist but; 2) I do need a surgeon because the only way I am going to save myself is to have a double mastectomy (he wants to cut off two healthy boobs) to prevent a recurrance of cancer in the breast (ok, this is a new one on me). And I am suppose to meet with a surgeon to talk about this tomorrow, but I am too ill to do that. So, everyone will wait until I am healthy enough and can make the best decision for me. I know this is scary news delivered by the rediologist, but sounds (and I hope) you can get to your onc and get a second or third opinion on this 'idea' before doing anything rash. I am so sorry as many of the professionals that we work with (at least for me) seem to lack bedside manner and simple kindness. I would call his nurse back for clarification and tell her that you are really upset (that is what I do) and you need to talk to a patient advocate if there is one (again this is what i do).. I also demand that a treatment plan from the rad doc with this jolly new idea be faxed over to my ONC for his viewing pleasure. Frankly, I would raise the roof if someone told me that I had to cancel my appt so he could fill it by such and such (of course this is for his convenience and has nothing to do with you treatment plan). Honey, I am angry enough for a dozen of us-do you want me to go over and hit him in the head? Just breathe and go outside if it is nice and do something wonderful for yourself-maybe garden a little if you can for awhile. I am so sorry this rad decided to drop 'his version' of the news on you and I would want to know where this guy is in the food chain! Love you, SV

  • Alyson
    Alyson Member Posts: 3,737
    edited March 2010

    I am sitting here crying. I have just put a post on the Stage IV board to let them know that one of my chemo group has died. I hate this disease when are they going to find a cure or how to prevent it.

    Tarry, I can't comment on your treatment as things are very different here. It is usual for the BS, the onc and the rads onc to meet together and decide on a treatment plan which is then put to the patient. Even when I had the lump in the chest wall last year they were talking to each othe about possible treatment and outcomes. Here, as well, they do not feel that a double mastectomy prevents spread of cancer.

    I had better get my day started.

    Big hugs to all

    Alyson 

  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,258
    edited March 2010

    Alyson dear....I am so sorry.....I know....I cry too, when I read some of the other posts, & someone has died....and I don't even know them....but having cancer "with" them, just makes us feel like sisters.....I'm sorry....

    And Tarry1...I just hate, when you feel lost in the "system"  and no-one will help you!  Keep on them!  You know, try going to the Radiation posts...Maybe the gals can give you some insight!  I mean like the January 2010 Rads Start....I started posting when I had the MammoSite Device, with Radiation, & I still post there sometimes!  Good Luck Kiddo! 

    SVMelissa!  Hope you are feeling better!  Did you go talk to the Oncologist yet?  I worked a little outdoors today!  It is beautiful out!  Now I'm cooking Corned-Beef & Cabbage...And it smells sooooooooooo good!  Want to come for Dinner Gals?  Wink

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 709
    edited March 2010

    Alyson, I am so very sorry that one of your group has died. There are no words. It is a huge loss  and peaseknow that my prayers are with you my heart. Gees, I wish you were closer, if you want pm me, I would love to call and talk to you and make sure that you are OK.

    Tarry, did you get any further? Come to find out, that is how it DOES work in our neck of the woods-with rad doc sort of doing his own thing. One of the major problems in care for BC.

    Hey CB, yeah, I did see new Onc and he has a whole different take on things, He says that I cannot do chemo because of my liver, or rads or tamoxifin. The only shot he is giving me is a bi-lat mastectomy to keep the cancer from returning in the breast-HUH? And yes, I would love to come over for dinner!!!

    Jackie, I have cherokee in me-no colonial from the south escaped I believe. I feel the same way about our planet. Whe I was a child I would cry everytime the developers would come in and take down some tress. I cried for the trees. It was like I could feel their pain. Hard to explain but I lived in the woods as a child (anything to be outside)

    My body is breaking down again. I have been drinking gallons of Gatorade and whammo-I have horrible IBS and everything coming out of me is burned. My salava is burning my lips and chin, my insides are burning and my gastro, throat and urethra are burned. My tears are burning my eyes. I think I set up such an acid fire in my body due to gatorade, that I have burned the tissue that was trying to heal from the chemo. I simply do not know what to do. I have slept for two days and can get up for a few. I just don't know. Called my ONC and he says it is impossible that chemo is still a problem for me-so why does everything still taste like chemo drugs! I am so very tired. I am not writing this stuff for pity points, but to let other women know that if ya' do chemo, and these things are happening, you are not alone. XXOOO SV

  • kmccraw423
    kmccraw423 Member Posts: 885
    edited March 2010

    Tarry ... don't believe everything you read in the papers and don't take one doctor's opinion as the word from on high!  The rad dr that looked at my mammagram and performed my ultra sound was wrong - if I had listened to him I would still be walking around with DCIS.

    Every case is different!!!  Every person does what is best for them and helps them.  Talk to your ONC doc.

    Alyson - my deepest sympathies.  I am so sorry, for her and for you. (((((HUGS))))))))

    Jackie ... I always so enjoy your posts, sister.  Every time I smell honeysuckle it transports me directly to my childhood.  We used to bite the tips off and drink the nectar.

    Pam ... my cousin must be a relative of yours too!  As a child, whenever he got angry he would clean his room.  My friend said I would provoked his anger everyday and point him to another room!

    Love to all.

  • melissa-5-19
    melissa-5-19 Member Posts: 251
    edited March 2010

    Oh Ladies- we have lost a warrior and that is crushing- Alyson I am so sorry for your loss- there is nothing more to say- I pray for and end to losing our sisters globally-  We will all honor your friend and your group in our thoughts and prayers- Ladies If I miss speak correct me, but the women I know here are compassionate and care deeply.

    I am trying to work-so hard when there are more interesting things on the horizon! I Bought a shamrock today and named all the flowers on after my "Brest Friends"

    Tarry , read any thread that relates to your DX and discussed treatment- don't take one onc's word unless you are totally comfortable with he AND his staff- and we are with you- join the CROWD that no one wants to be in, but finds the water is warm here- There are wise PODs here- hang on, we will ride with you-

    Love you all- I want CB&C so SV set me a place. Meet ya'll there-Give one another hugs from me- sign , Miss Kitty, Melissa-5-19, melissa1518 or just confused! LOL

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited March 2010

    Melissa..........I vote for Miss Kitty!!!!!

    Pam, too bad you're not closer.  I'd let you start on my house when you get done with yours.  Where you clean house, I pace!  It's a wonder I have any carpeting left in my house!  LOL

    Alyson....hugs!  I've cried a bucket of tears for bc sisters that have left us in the last 3 years and it doesn't get easier as time progressives.  Every day I pray for that cure. 

    Tarry..you talked to a radiologist so naturally he's/she's recruiting for radiation.  An oncologist is going to be recruiting for chemo and I think I'd be recruiting for clean margins and then going from there.  This is all so confusing when they come at you from different directions.  Perhaps you should talk with your surgeon about getting clean margins first and then decide the next route.  Hugs to you as I think the decision-making part of the journey is really the worst.  Once we finally get "all our ducks in a row" we at least feel like we have a little control over our treatment.

    Jackie, I have your info from the Illinois addy list.  If you want to be included in the info sheet for this thread, I'll just copy it.  There is no need to resend it.

    Well, my neighbor has been over here all afternoon working on my computers and it's time to get moving and start looking for something to prepare for dinner tonight.

    I hoipe you all had a good day.

    Rita

  • melissa-5-19
    melissa-5-19 Member Posts: 251
    edited March 2010

    RITA PLEASE SEND ME THE INFO SHEET                             InnocentMISS KITTY IS IN!

  • pj12
    pj12 Member Posts: 18,108
    edited March 2010

    Tarry1,

    So sorry for the doubts you are suffering. I don't think I, living in the US, understand the logistics of the Canadian system and how it works. I don't know if you have the flexibility of changing doctors, seeking second or third opinions, or questioning the protocol of your care. Do you feel like you have some input into your plan or is it decided for you? 

    I do know it is common to face either lumpectomy WITH radiation or mastectomy and hopefully no rads to follow. I instantly opted for the latter but my surgeon made me feel like I was over reacting. The survival rate is the same... no better with mastectomy. It is true the risk of LOCAL recurrence is slightly greater with lumpectomy but that is not what we are all afraid of.  Mets is the big danger and lumpectomy with radiation offers just as great a result.

    You have suffered the worst in cancer treatment, chemo. Radiation is much easier, everyone says.  Why not see the rad onc on Monday? At least you would get to talk to a doctor and ask some questions. Can't hurt to talk. :)

    pam 

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 38,344
    edited March 2010

    Evening everyone.  I don't know if this would help Tarry or not, but my Surgeon, Dr. Ryan, a female and who I came to have huge respect for told me that here ( U.S. ) the prevailing thoughts are.....you will be treated the same.....whether you have a mastectomy or a lumpectomy.  Of course, the lumpectomy is going to be easier all way around for the most part as you will not be involving any tendons, muscles, extra tissues etc.  So, recovery is faster with less se's of any  kind to slow your overall progress. 

    The protocol is based on what your path report indicates when it comes back.  The less invasive and or aggressive your Bc is, the less aggressive your txs would be after.  Some Dr.'s have percentages relating to the txs......but I just went with doing as much as I could do.  I didn't need figures for that.  I guess my feeling was....go after it like Atilla the Hun and don't look back. 

    I hope this can all be sorted out and that you can get answers that fit your understanding of your situation.   

    Alyson, I am so sorry for this loss.  It is never easy when this happens and dare I say reopens the sensations of all our vulnerabilities where this rotten disease is concerned.  Prayers to you and to her family and loved ones. 

    I sometimes clean when I am upset and I still wonder exactly why ????  Are we burning up some of the nervous energy -- or wearing ourselves down so later we can sleep it off.....maybe, because then I think sometimes the angels come and help remove the albatross of the whole thing from us so we can move back into the light.  I also do this when my feelings are hurt and when others seem angry at me....sigh !!!! 

    Hope you all have a good evening.  I am still wearing my green.  Work at the office tomorrow and Friday so two long days ahead.....so wonderful though that we have daylight savings time as my days won't seem quite as long as they did when it was getting darker much earlier. 

    Will see you all later.

    Hugs, Jackie

  • pj12
    pj12 Member Posts: 18,108
    edited March 2010

    Tarry1,

    There is a really informative discussion in another forum that might help you.  Go to the DCIS forum and look for the thread    Need Help: Really Confused About Margins.       Great info!

    pam 

  • Connie07
    Connie07 Member Posts: 446
    edited March 2010

    I agree. Sometimes its hard to understand and/or get over one of your docs being so blunt. When they treat us like numbers it's maddening. I like to advise keeping a book or journal of everything that the docs say, even writing it down when they are saying it, and getting copies of all tests, scans, MRIs, etc. Keep your own records. You just never know what they "the Doctors" are going to do, say, recommend or refer - next. They move away, they send you to other docs or labs. Seems to me that the only comprehensive record is the one I keep on myself.

    Oh, St. Patrick would be proud. Savannah's parade commenced on time and ran a record length, almost 4 hours, even with intermittent rain. I didn't go. The grandbaby is sick with the first fever ever and the new mommy was freaking out. I've been with them all day. They have to move next weekend (27th) and not much is packed. And the room at my house that they are moving into needs packing to move out and not much is packed.

    Isabella, you are too funny. I could just see you cracking two heads together.

    Allyson, very sorry for your loss. sucks.

    SV, you continue to amaze me. Dealing with all you have and still having to deal with sores and nasty taste and one doc claims its not from the chemo??? that does not compute. DDamn it. WHY can't a qualified physician come in, take your case and consider ALL of you? I have been fighting the same battle for almost 3 years now, and it is not fun. The only doc that has consistently documented all the crap I have dealt with is my psychotherapist. Hell, I still see her twice a month just because she validates what I KNOW. you know?

    Time to check on the baby. I was disappointed that we didn't get to attend today's parade, oh well.

    Love to all, healing to those that need it, peace, strength and courage to all,

    ~Connie

  • Tarry1
    Tarry1 Member Posts: 56
    edited March 2010

    Thanks everyone for your input and informtion, I am going to see the np tomorrow , I think that the onc will be there I hope she is, I also managed to gt an appointment with the bs for Monday which is the same day my markings were scheduled for, but I have a lot of questions for the surgeon as well as alot for the onc, I will talk to the radiologist again on Friday with any other questions that come up before I let him give myappt. to someone else.

    Pam I did go on the DCIS forum  and it was full of info,  I got some questions from there that I am going to ask the surgon and the onc. Thanks for recommending it,

    I will let you know the outcome of my docs conversations.

    Thanks again for all of the support, Good nite all 

  • reeltchr
    reeltchr Member Posts: 139
    edited March 2010
    Darolyn - I have been on Femara for 2.5 mos now and I do experience hot flashes but, so far, they have been manageable. I can't answer your ques about whether it will subside or not. If you are having a very hard time with it, talk with your onc. He may be able to suggest a way to minimize the problem. Feel for you girl -- that's uncomfortable. Chris
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 709
    edited March 2010

    OH CONNIE, I SOOOO TOTALLY KNOW AND YES MY THERAPIST IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO GETS IT (AND A CR%P LOAD OF MY MONEY JUST SO SOMEONE WILL TELL ME I AM NOT BONKERS) NO EGOS TO TRIP OVER OR STOMP ON. IMAGINE, WE ARE SICK AS RATS AND WE ARE TRYING TO ORGANIZE AND FILTER INFO FROM 4-5 SPECIALISTS WITH NO ONE PERSON TAKING CARE OF MY WHOLE BODY.

    AND I LOVED ISABELLA'S SOLUTION, FOR REAL THAT IS WHAT MY DAD DID AS DID MY TEACHERS-CRACKED OUR HEADS TOGETHER-MAYBE THAT'S WHY (BRAIN TRAUMA?)-NAAA, THAT WOULD BE CRUEL!

    IF YOU SAW DAVID AT THE PARADE I HOPE YOU WHACKED HIM-HE WEARS A LEATHER COWHAT AND IS A GORGEOUS DRINK OF WATER. I AM GOING TO KILL HIM WHEN HE GETS BACK-GOING TO SAVANNAH ON BIZ, HE SAYS AND I WENT HOOK, LINE AND SINKER WITH HIS BS STORY. ONLY BEC HE INSTALLED $2,000 WORTH OF CUTTING EDGE ARTSY SOFTWEAR IN MY COMPUTER BEFORE HE LEFT. I HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT TIME EVEN IF YOU JUST SAT IN YOUR LIVING ROOM. I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU. JUST THINK, LAST WEEK, IN THE DUMPS A BIT, AND NOW, TRACKING THE ST. PADDIE'S DAY PARADE AND TENDING BABIES AND NEW MOMS. WE NEED OUR OWN PARADE! CONNIE, YOU ARE MY HERO AND THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS! LOVE TO ALL AND NIGHTY NIGHT PODS!

    CHRIS, HOW ARE YOU DOING?? DAR; ALYSON, I SO HOPE YOU WERE ABLE TO GET SOME KIND OF PEACE THRU THE DAY. MYARMS ARE STILL WRAPPED AROUND YOU MYDEAR. CB, HOW DID THE CABBAGE AND HAM DO, OR WAS IT CORNED BEEF? XXXOO SV

  • socallisa
    socallisa Member Posts: 10,184
    edited March 2010

    SV, how horrible that everything seems to be still in your system...is there any way they

    can test your fluids? maybe your liver has not filtered out the poison of the chemo..hmmm

    I had a terrible time for more than a year after chemo with the trots, etc. 

    hoping you can get some answers...

  • reeltchr
    reeltchr Member Posts: 139
    edited March 2010

    Evening Ladies - Hugs to everyone!

    SV - Been on a furlough, girl. Trying to catch up and read the last few pages and now I'm trying to sort things out in my head. It's getting late and I'm tired. Be back after I have had time to digest all that has transpired. Hugs, Chris 

  • melissa-5-19
    melissa-5-19 Member Posts: 251
    edited March 2010

    reeltch- just start a new , like everything else this to has passed.

    Hope you are doing well and have not been away due to illness, welcome back.

  • Alyson
    Alyson Member Posts: 3,737
    edited March 2010

    Oh to be so contented with life.

    Alyson

  • Isabella4
    Isabella4 Member Posts: 1,352
    edited March 2010

    Alyson, is that your cat ?? I just love the marmalade cats.

    I had a beauty, one that never grew very big, and I loved 'him' to bits, he had the most beautiful thick marmalade coat....when I was threatening him with Hellfire for some mis-demeanor I used to threaten to turn him into a pair of gloves !!!

    I discovered 'he' was a 'she', after I had named him Reggie !!!

    Unfortunately some kind person knocked him over and killed him....I would have run them over had I caught them, but never found out who it was, I only lost Reggie about 5/6 years ago, he would have been 12 now. 

    We have just had the most awful case of dog cruelty here. Some guy decided he couldn't cope with 6 dogs, so he went into his shed and hammered 4 of them to death, infront of the other dogs, AND his 5 year old son. He only got 20 weeks in prison. I would love to get at him with a hammer. I think ( know) he will be in for some trouble when he gets out, he is only in the next village to me, so I will be up there with his tormentors when he gets out ! In UK we don't stand for this, animal lovers get retribution somehow !!

    Isabella.

  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,258
    edited March 2010

    Geez, Isabella, I hate to even read about that kind of stuff, or see it on TV!  It just makes me sick!  There is ALWAYS some weirdo out there acting like the world is his.  I think it would be nice if their punishment would be the same as what THEY did!   Even Michael Vick!     

    JACKIE,   that's exactly what my Surgeon said about my Lumpectomy... If your cancer is the "type" that will respond to just the removal of the lump/margins, followed with Radiation, it does have the same results.  And I am on Tamoxifen now for probably 5 years....I know I am much older than you gals, & Femara or Arimidex would have been the drug of choice, but the side effects just wipe some of these women out!!!!!!  I read the posts there also!  So I'm sticking with the T pill, so far!  The side effects aren't THAT bad.  

      Are any of you gals taking those pills?   

    Hi CHRIS!  Glad to see you back!  Ain't nothin' going on here!  Just us chickens gabbin' together!     

    ALYSON, yes, is that your cat?  I'll bet it is!  So funny!  And do you know where you will be staying when you come here yet?    We MIGHT be going to Orlando June 7th....I think.....I hope!  DH is digging in his heels, because he HATES to travel....I don't think he is afraid, he just doesn't like anything out of his "routine!"...It drives me nuts!  I could go with our other Daughter, & he could stay & take care of my garden & little Lacee, but our Grand-sons want to see him TOO!  He always says "Later, we will go"....But it never happens!  But I'm going to let DD try & convince him he is "wanted" !!!!  & he listens to her....sometimes!   (yeah, right)    

    SVMELISSA, you deleted another post!  Was it accidental?  Or were you trying to post a picture or something?  How are you feeling now?  Is that Dave back from his trip yet?  Have you got to lay on the beach watching your horses yet, Ha!  Are your skin problems getting any better?   

    Melissa....yes, the Dinner was sooooo good!  I even put little carrots, red-potatoes, & celery in with the quarters of cabbage!  And the Corned Beef was real tender!  I slow-simmered it for about 5 hours, vegetables about 1 1/2....And I had light rye bread!   So this morning I think I will have the same, Ha!  Or maybe even corned-beef hash!!!!  That might even be better than SPAM, Ha!    Have a fun day gals!  Jeannette  

  • kmccraw423
    kmccraw423 Member Posts: 885
    edited March 2010

    Good morning ladies.

    Isabella ... that makes me sick to my stomach.  I can't even think of a punishment fitting for this a-hole.  GRRRRRRRRRRRR.

    At one time I had 10 cats ... never let any of them out for fear someone would either be mean to them or they might run over them with their can.

    Alyson ... wouldn't that be glorious ... nothing like a cat stretching in the morning sun, at peace with the world.

    Connie ... truer words were never spoken -- keep a journel with you at all times.  I didn't and I desparately needed one  Keep appointments and hospital visits document; where you want and what you did and especially payments made, by check or credit card.

    KEEP A JOURNAL AND REQUEST A COPY OF EVERY TEST, LAB REPORT, AND TREATMENT.  Then down the road, when you get your mind back and feeling 'normal' (that feeling is different for all of us) you will have a diary of the whole horrible mess.  No detail is too small.  Write everything down ... your feelings, your emotions at the time.

    Since I was still in shock I did not prepare.  I was writing on paper towels!  While in rehab you can bet your last dollar that I wrote down everything!

    Girls ... I love each and every one of you and am so thankfully blessed to know you.  I feel like a whole cheering section out there is rooting for me.  You're the best!!!!!!!!!!!

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 709
    edited March 2010

    GOOD MORNING LADIES! WOW, I HAVE A TRUE SISTA FROM ANOTHER MOTHER ON HERE (TOGETHER AT SAME TIME SAME PLACE IN THE OLDEN DAYS WITH SAME PEOPLE) AND WE FOUND EACH OTHER LAST NIGHT IN LONG TP CALL THAT KILLED MY PHONE. JAMMING TODAY-2 MUCH TO DO-FOR NOW, I LOVE ALL OF YOU AND CHRIS, YOU MISSED A DOZY UPSET AMONG THE PODS. CB, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED TO MY POST. LOVE YOU ALL-LATER SV I AM SO EXCITED

  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,258
    edited March 2010

    Well, I tried to post a cute picture here, but it isn't "working!" It is something like "May the wind at your back not be the result of the Corned Beef & Cabbage you had for lunch!   And it had Maxine driving her little green car!  Oh well....

  • kmccraw423
    kmccraw423 Member Posts: 885
    edited March 2010

    Notself ... did I hear you wanted LOL cats?  Well, here they are:

    I Sense Danger

    I Love This Thread So Much

  • kmccraw423
    kmccraw423 Member Posts: 885
    edited March 2010

    Here's another ...

    I Feel As Crappy As I Look

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited March 2010

    Oh these cat pictures are adorable!

  • pj12
    pj12 Member Posts: 18,108
    edited March 2010

    Kathleen,

    I stole one of your pictures for another thread I follow. Thanks! Love the I sense danger... isn't that just like a cat. Good timing by the photographer :)

    I just got back from my walk... long pants, two light jackets, knit cap! Overcast and cold ocean wind. Now I know the spring breakers are at the beach in bikinis but their motivation is different. "Bike Week" is over so it is quiet again... the motorcyclists are like bees and the noise is awful. At least the college kids stick to a few miles of Daytona Beach and don't spread out through the countryside pillaging and plundering. Actually the bikers are a pretty tame bunch. It's kind of like a big costume party... all black leather and bustiers. Turns out most of them are CPAs, :-) They fill up the local restaurants and businesses so that is good if you are an owner, not so good if you just want a quiet lunch. 

    Alison, please accept my condolences on the loss of your friend. It is so hard to see a friend make the hard choices, endure the awful treatments, and lose. My prayers are with her family and hope time will help them heal. It certainly puts my own ordinary journey in perspective. I think I will try to get over feeling sorry for myself and be thankful for what and where I am. Sometimes one needs a reminder that things could be a lot harder in life.

    Onward and upward.

    pam 

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 709
    edited March 2010

    EXCELLENT KITTY PIX AND I LOVE THE KITTY WITH THE 'THREAD.' PUUURRFECT! 

    Oh CB, You simply cannot lose Maxine!! And my little leprechaun, your Irish dinner sounds lip smacking? Bet it was a blast too-tee-hee. And Miss Kitty and I 'knew' each other when I was working in Page, AZ. Of course I was the mere worker bee and her family was hooked in with "Dinebitto" the trading post I was working at. Oh my, we knew all of each others family friends and pals. What a hoot. God is good and clearly has a plan. How would it be that she and I would connect here on the board on this thread after over a decade later!!! Last night, we just picked up where we left off on the phone. She realized it days before I did so I am just so amazed and grateful that one of us warriors is an "old sister" that I know from out west!

    SLisa-we need flowers!! Man I am looking for your camera and the brand but we only have a Staples down here that is sort of close. i think it runs about $300.00 but yours shoots great pix.Gotta have one-cept the photographer just might have something to do with it!! Dr.A decided not to drop me and he now truly believes my insides are still burned. He called me with a ton of prescriptions to get my esophagus and stomach healed but want me to see my gastro guy for a scope and a shrink from Chapel Hill next week to deal with PTSD issues I have and how cancer is impacting all of that-grief stuff! SL, I just feel so thrilled that he decided that I was really pitiful and wants to help.And thank you for letting me know that aftereffects of chemo may last a long time. I just started getting the trots this week-end. ERRGH!

    Jackie, you are so smart! I don't have the brains to research anything and truly glad you do. You give great information to us poor sots!! I know of so many women on Femera and SE's are terrible. Many having trouble on Tamox too. Several women in my church in our age group went through heck for a full five years, but they are cancer free in the ten year mark and free of SE's of the pills. Still five years seems a long haul!

    Tarry, anything new? Chris, I am so glad you are back. What is up with the outside world?

    Alyson, I hope that today is a little brighter for you. Love you and the kitty is so darned cute! Yours?! Isabella, anyone that would do that to an animal should be shot-that makes me so sick. I mean to do that in front of a child, let alone what was done to the animals? We have really harsh laws here but it takes a lot for convictions. How is baby moo-cow that tried to come out backward?

    Kathleen, you had ten cats? Oh my! Excellent advice too. After I hear the word CANCER I might as well be in another world. I don't hear anything. but I come home with a ton of tapes from recorder that I have to transcribe by hand to hear and read what was said.

    Top of the afternoon to Rita, Pam, Dar-how are you doing today. Those meds throw you into immediate menopause and my onc checked all of my psych meds-like prozac-it interfers with the uptake of the femera and tamox so he said the side effects for me would be terrible. He just felt it was not worth it as I am on four drugs that inhibit uptake and detox of these meds through the liver. He felt it is one of the reasons I am so ill and staying so ill. My body just cannot dump the poisens.

    OH PAM, IF THE BIKE PEOPLE LEFT FLA THEY ARE LIKELY HEADED HERE. ERRGH, A WEEK OF EAR SPLITTING HARLEY NOISE.

    I know I missed some ladies. Sending lots of love to all of you. i feel so bad when I miss someone but my brain is just not working well. My biz partner called and all of my art supplies are at the south end of the island. Gotta get them tomorrow. Then days doing watercolor and photoshoots to get stuff into the store! ERRGH. Love you all and blessings, SV