Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[lookingforward]

Glad it went well. I plan on being there next year!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

GAGWTA, Ladies!

Laura, I'm glad you had a nice time! I hope the Humira gets your UC under control quickly!

Sha, sounds like the race was fabulous!

Merry, I hope DD did well on the SAT!

Linda, I hope the antibiotics knock out the rest of your cold soon!

Not much to report here. Mom's third Taxol infusion went well. They cut back the Benedryl this time, and she said she felt much better afterwards. They had also been giving her Ativan, which was unnecessary in my opinion, but they skipped that this time, too. I almost think the Ativan made her feel worse than the Taxol. She isn't sure what the plan is for this week. They might do another Taxol infusion, or they might give her a Neupogen injection and let her skip the week for chemo.

DH had his colonoscopy on Friday and everything looks good. His condition has actually improved, which I didn't know was possible. His gastro Dr. was very pleased. They took a few biopsies just to look for abnormal cells, but there were no lesions or polyps or anything. His next scope will be in 3 years.

 

[Sha]

Merry Congrats on another milestone. I am looking forward to moms next month (another Disney trip). How did your DD think she did with her SATs? Hope it was better than you can want

Maureen, you will be there while I am there (11/7-9). Would love to give you a gentle hug if you want!

Linda I hope you are feeling better!

Laurabelle I hope you are feeling better too. And nice to hear the trip was good.

JSG am glad your mom is doing better with that last treatment. And that your DH is doing better! for the colonoscopy report!

Just got a call from Laurie. she and her DH are at the airport. Was great seeing her again

I am looking forward to next year already for the RFTC. Now that I know what it is generally like I can prepare better for it. I just like to know what I can before something for it. I need to get a jar for change while I am thinking about it. I have a few other ideas too! Am hoping to get some other Dis friends from the singles thread to go too. (some may not be able too since they are coming in for a trip later the month). I really hope to meet more of you there if you can make it. Do they do a RFTC like that at DL????

I was telling Laurie a bit ago, I had a client with the breast rebuilt with the abd. muscle today. (I am bad with names for the first few times). That was very interesting for me as a nurse. (oh.. heehee... today was my first real day working as an RN I wrote LPN a couple times by habit)

You ladies are outstanding! Hugs, prayers and love to you all!!!

 

[MerryPoppins]

Melissa- Congrats! I hope your dd does well. My oldest is taking her PSAT on the 15th. What kind of prep did your dd do for the SAT?

DD didn't really do any prep for the SAT. Here the test of choice is ACT, so she's really only taking the SAT to qualify for National Merit Finalist status. She's taken the ACT twice and the PSAT once. She did do an ACT prep course from a guy DH used to work with. We think he's amazing.

BTW, he sells a calculator with math formulas installed. They are allowed, you just have to know which ones to use and how to use them. We bought one from him for DS several years ago and he found it so helpful that we got another for DD. They are great! Let me know if you're interested and I'll look for his website.

Sorry to hear that your DH didn't feel great and you had more problems with UC. That's no fun. But it does sound like you didn't let it spoil your trip.

Merry, I hope DD did well on the SAT!

DD felt she did well. I breathed a sigh of relief that it's over. Now we just wait for the score and the announcement from National Merit in February. It's out of our hands. I don't really expect her to get National Merit, but I'd love it if she makes it to finalist!

Congrats to your DH on his colonoscopy results.

today was my first real day working as an RN I wrote LPN a couple times by habit

Old habits die hard, right? Glad you had a good day.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Linda, I hope the antibiotics knock out the rest of your cold soon!

Thanks. Over the course of 10 days, what was originally a cold festered into pneumonia and sinusitis. I was miserable.

Not much to report here. Mom's third Taxol infusion went well. They cut back the Benedryl this time, and she said she felt much better afterwards. They had also been giving her Ativan, which was unnecessary in my opinion, but they skipped that this time, too. I almost think the Ativan made her feel worse than the Taxol. She isn't sure what the plan is for this week. They might do another Taxol infusion, or they might give her a Neupogen injection and let her skip the week for chemo.

DH had his colonoscopy on Friday and everything looks good. His condition has actually improved, which I didn't know was possible. His gastro Dr. was very pleased. They took a few biopsies just to look for abnormal cells, but there were no lesions or polyps or anything. His next scope will be in 3 years.

Glad the taxol was better this time. Ativan is actually a really great medication because it's not only a relaxant, but it has anti-emetic properties as well. I didn't take it through my IV at chemo, but they had me on a regimen where I would take it at night after chemo and I think it helped.

Glad obm had good results, too!

 

[mjvans]

Hi Linda!! I saw your dis name and just had drop in and say hi!! Sending you a huge cyber hug!! Hope all is well with you and the family! I think of you often and hold our memories onboard the Wonder close to my heart!! Take care my friend!!
Always,
Michelle

 

[snappy]

We are back and wow what a trip!!

Late flight and I am bushed, but I just wanted to say hi and that I thought of all of you Sunday during the race. Afterwards, Sha and her mom, Ann and her sisters, and my DH and I all made it to breakfast at Spoodles. We talked a good bit about the DIS.

I think Ann is still enjoying the magic until tomorrow am.

Linda, awful that your cold morphed into something so serious. Has the antibiotic kicked in yet?

Laura, I am sorry you and your DH were limited by feeling ill. I am glad you enjoyed the birthday dinner. as I have said before, there will be other trips.

JSK, I missed why your DH had to have a scope. It obviously is not the one that is recommended at age 50. Has he had problems previously?

Merry, it is wonderful that your DD is up for National Merit. Glad the SAT went well. Will she possibly take it more than once if there is time?

Maureen, glad you have decided on your course of action for reconstruction.
I hope you get to go to the race next year as well.

IT was a joy to see Sha and her mom, and to meet Ann and her sisters. Sha is such a loving daughter, it is amazing what her mom can do with her help.
She is one of the most devoted daughters I have observed, and her mom is thriving because of it.

Ann is absolutely the sweetest and funniest thing. We shared a crazy fun time and a tear. We second lined to live jazz on the Louisiana stage at Food and Wine in Epcot. DH erased our pictures accidently that day but I am hoping Ann's sister got a few pictures of that. We kinda let our hair down.

The tear came at the survivor ceremony. When they played Why I run by Melissa Etheridge I always lose it. I was thinking about how much it would help to hug Ann, she turned to me and gave me one first. It was a real moment, one I won't soon forget. I did a lot of crying during this vacation. I would say I must be hormonal but I guess that is impossible. Everything just touched me.

DH and I had a heavenly time all week. We haven't spent 7 days alone together in over 20 years. We were so in tune. The weather was cool and very low in humidity. The hot tub was a short hop from our room. We had a wonderful experience with the New Orleans restaurant cooking demonstration event I booked. We ate our way through the Food and Wine Festival, sharing it all between us (DH drew the line on the escargots, however).

Our DD12 was wonderful with Grandma, my sister said she really distracted her from thinking about her upcoming mastectomy (Oct 13th). It made me proud to hear how conscientious she was about doing homework and studying and just being her usual cooperative and agreeable little self. After mom is recovered, I owe DD a big reward.

Thank you ladies for encouraging me to go forward with the trip. It was after all the right thing to do. I do dread work tomorrow but I am rested and very thankful for this wonderful time I was given to spend with DH. We had so many heart to heart talks. It is amazing how much fun you can have when you don't do laundry, make earthshattering decisions, deal with a puppy, clean or cook for a week.

I have to say I feel renewed. Y'all were right on the money.

 

[Sha]

We are back and wow what a trip!!

Late flight and I am bushed, but I just wanted to say hi and that I thought of all of you Sunday during the race. Afterwards, Sha and her mom, Ann and her sisters, and my DH and I all made it to breakfast at Spoodles. We talked a good bit about the DIS.

IT was a joy to see Sha and her mom, and to meet Ann and her sisters. Sha is such a loving daughter, it is amazing what her mom can do with her help.
She is one of the most devoted daughters I have observed, and her mom is thriving because of it.

Ann is absolutely the sweetest and funniest thing. We shared a crazy fun time and a tear. We second lined to live jazz on the Louisiana stage at Food and Wine in Epcot. DH erased our pictures accidently that day but I am hoping Ann's sister got a few pictures of that. We kinda let our hair down.

The tear came at the survivor ceremony. When the played Why I run my Melissa Etheridge I always lose it. I was thinking about how much it would help to hug Ann, she turned to me and gave me one first. It was a real moment, one I won't soon forget. I did a lot of crying during this vacation. I would say I must be hormonal but I guess that is impossible. Everything just touched me.

Thank you ladies for encouraging me to go forward with the trip. It was after all the right thing to do. I do dread work tomorrow but I am rested and very thankful for this wonderful time I was given to spend with DH. We had so many heart to heart talks. It is amazing how much fun you can have when you don't do laundry, make earthshattering decisions, deal with a puppy, clean or cook for a week.

I have to say I feel renewed. Y'all were right on the money.

Am so glad you went also, and really enjoyed the trip!!! Breakfast was wonderful as was the RFTC! I was walking back to the car with mom and Heather to get to Spoodles for all of us when Melissa's song was playing... love that song!

For me my tears, that I did fight back were when I was reading mom what the symbols were on the scarf. We were alone and everyone had gone for the walk (was between the 1 mile and 5K)

I was brave and did hand my camera to you DH and dont think I lost any photo


Thank you for your kind words Laurie that means a lot as things had gotten a little tense between mom and I at one point over the weekend

Have a good day today ladies!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Linda - Glad you are feeling better!
I think they added the Ativan thinking that the episode Mom had when her throat closed up was anxiety. I don't buy that, and neither did Mom. I don't know what caused it, but I don't think it was anxiety. Maybe we are just in denial!

Laurie - Welcome home! Sounds like a wonderful trip!
DH has ulcerative colitis. They make him have a scope every 5 years to see how the disease is progressing, but this time the tissue looked completely normal. Since he is over 40 now (he turns 41 tomorrow ) he will switch to every 3 years.

Sha - Yay for RN!
I am sure you will get in the habit of "RN" soon! When I first got married and someone would ask me my name I would end up stuttering because I couldn't remember what it was! I eventually got used to it!

 

[Sha]

I think they added the Ativan thinking that the episode Mom had when her throat closed up was anxiety. I don't buy that, and neither did Mom. I don't know what caused it, but I don't think it was anxiety. Maybe we are just in denial!

Sha - Yay for RN!
I am sure you will get in the habit of "RN" soon! When I first got married and someone would ask me my name I would end up stuttering because I couldn't remember what it was! I eventually got used to it!

I dont think it was anxiety... but never have had some one get so anxious that their throat has closed up either.

I have to literally say RN in my head as I sign my name

 

[lookingforward]

Linda - Glad you are feeling better!
I think they added the Ativan thinking that the episode Mom had when her throat closed up was anxiety. I don't buy that, and neither did Mom. I don't know what caused it, but I don't think it was anxiety. Maybe we are just in denial!

Laurie - Welcome home! Sounds like a wonderful trip!
DH has ulcerative colitis. They make him have a scope every 5 years to see how the disease is progressing, but this time the tissue looked completely normal. Since he is over 40 now (he turns 41 tomorrow ) he will switch to every 3 years.

Sha - Yay for RN!
I am sure you will get in the habit of "RN" soon! When I first got married and someone would ask me my name I would end up stuttering because I couldn't remember what it was! I eventually got used to it!

I got the ativan at each chemo, right after the benydrl. I never minded, it relaxed me and made me sleep through the long infusion.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Hi Linda!! I saw your dis name and just had drop in and say hi!! Sending you a huge cyber hug!! Hope all is well with you and the family! I think of you often and hold our memories onboard the Wonder close to my heart!! Take care my friend!!
Always,
Michelle

OMG, Michelle - SO NICE TO SEE YOUR NAME!! Wow, what memories that brings back!! Things are going really well here, can't complain. I hope all of you are well, too. I hold the memories of that special cruise in my heart, also, and call it up whenever I need some It was a very special part of my recovery and I still have some pictures from onboard hanging on my wall. So glad you stopped by to say hello, it made my night!

Love and Hugs,

Linda

 

[Pea-n-Me]

So nice you all had a wonderful trip to WDW!

Laurie, your description was awesome! It must have been so nice to have time alone with your DH and still feel the spark! Glad you feel renewed.

Sha, so happy for you you can finally write RN!

GAGWTA!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I got the ativan at each chemo, right after the benydrl. I never minded, it relaxed me and made me sleep through the long infusion.

Maureen, that's how they were doing Mom's, too. It sounds like the Ativan is a pretty standard component of the chemo. Hmm. I guess they eliminated it just to see if she felt better without it. It will be interesting to see what they decide to do this week, because she has been feeling pretty good.

DS had to play his drum at the football game tonight so now we are completely off schedule.

GAGWTA!

 

[NHAnn]

Hi! I got back early evening yesterday....exhausted, and a bit annoyed that no one did any grocery shopping here while I was gone I guess they think the food just magically appears.....BUT like Laurie I had a wonderful time!

It is amazing how much fun you can have when you don't do laundry, make earthshattering decisions, deal with a puppy, clean or cook for a week.

Subsititute hyperthyroid kitty for the puppy

The hug while Why I Run played was definitley "a moment" It was so great to meet Laurie (and her DH, as well as Sha and her mom).

WIll try to get back on tonight w/more details and get pics uploaded etc.
Laurie and Sha: my DSis's prefer that their pics not be "posted" on the DIS but I can PM my e-mial to you if you have any of them you want to share by e-mail. (They are still abit leery of my "internet cult" but meeting Laurie and Sha I think helped ease their minds about the DIS LOL)

GAGWTA!!

 

[snappy]

Laurie and Sha: my DSis's prefer that their pics not be "posted" on the DIS but I can PM my e-mial to you if you have any of them you want to share by e-mail. (They are still abit leery of my "internet cult" but meeting Laurie and Sha I think helped ease their minds about the DIS LOL)

GAGWTA!!

HA! I would have thought meeting the Louisiana crowd, especially after Friday night, would have confirmed their wildest fears!!!

Loved the internet cult jokes. It has been ages since I even heard that word cult much less been accused of being a card carrying member of one.

I would love to share pictures, so send the good ones by email if you can (I'll pm you my email address). It may take me awhile to get ours loaded as that is DH's department. But it will get done and I'll send you the best pics.

It was raining when we drove to the airport, did it rain all evening?




Would love to see some of the pics if you can email some to me and I will return the favor. It may take me a while though

 

[snappy]

So nice you all had a wonderful trip to WDW!

It must have been so nice to have time alone with your DH and still feel the spark! Glad you feel renewed.


GAGWTA!

Yes, the old spark is alive and well. One thing thatcontributed (other than the wine, champagne, and beer we indulged in daily. . . we were bad) was the atmosphere at EPCOT. We saw at least three wedding parties parading around and many, many couples of all ages, some even older than us. It was nice to see that we are not the only old geezers going to WDW without kids in tow. Boardwalk seems a good fit for a couple trip atmosphere wise. Also, since you can walk to the Studios and Epcot it makes it convenient to separate when the kids ARE present.

Now if we can just had more points so we could get them their own room and continue to indulge in our own private magic.

 

[Sha]

Hi! I got back early evening yesterday....exhausted, and a bit annoyed that no one did any grocery shopping here while I was gone I guess they think the food just magically appears.....BUT like Laurie I had a wonderful time!
Subsititute hyperthyroid kitty for the puppy

The hug while Why I Run played was definitley "a moment" It was so great to meet Laurie (and her DH, as well as Sha and her mom).

WIll try to get back on tonight w/more details and get pics uploaded etc.
Laurie and Sha: my DSis's prefer that their pics not be "posted" on the DIS but I can PM my e-mial to you if you have any of them you want to share by e-mail. (They are still abit leery of my "internet cult" but meeting Laurie and Sha I think helped ease their minds about the DIS LOL)

GAGWTA!!

I havent even got to the photos yet. I have lots of things I am trying to do at once. I will not post them if your sisters are in them

Yes, the old spark is alive and well. One thing the contributed (other than the wine, champagne, and beer we indulged in daiy. . . we were bad) was the atmosphere at EPCOT. We saw at least wedding parties parading around and many, many couples of all ages, some even older than us. It was nice to see that we are not the only old geezers going to WDW without kids in tow. Boardwalk seems a good fit for this atmosphere wise. Also, since you can walk to the Studios and Epcot it makes it convenient to separate when the kids ARE present.

Now if we can just had more points so we could get them their own room and continue to indulge in our own private magic.

LOL a one bedroom would work. they are out in the living room and you have the room with the door. not sure if you can rent some points from someone to bump up the room to what you need.

I still suggest the couples massage too (did I tell you all I am a hapless romantic?)

 

[snappy]

Maureen, that's how they were doing Mom's, too. It sounds like the Ativan is a pretty standard component of the chemo. Hmm. I guess they eliminated it just to see if she felt better without it. It will be interesting to see what they decide to do this week, because she has been feeling pretty good.

DS had to play his drum at the football game tonight so now we are completely off schedule.

GAGWTA!

I am so glad that she is feeling good. She is a real trooper. Has there been any change to her Thanksgiving trip plans? Now that it is October I am realizing how close we are inching to he holidays.

We have decided to forego our usual Christmas tree this year. Between our wacky puppy who bounds throughout the house not to mention mom's surgery, it seems the smart thing to do. I was thinking of your stories about your experiences with your tree and your kitties when I made this decision.

We have lots of non-tree items we'll still use.

Maybe I'll get extra creative on the mantel this year.

I did find a spectacular ornament and ornament stand for mom and my sister in the Christmas shop in MK. I even managed to get them home in one piece. My sister is also getting one of the cookbooks we got at the kitchen conversation demo from Commander's Palace . . . Commander's wild side as we got two of these.

If anyone else goes to Food and wine and plans on a ticketed event, I would highly recommend one of the kitchen conversation events. They are being held this year mostly on Thursday afternoons once a week in the afternoon. It is held on a fairly raised stage with state of the art kitchen appliances used throughout, and large round tableclothed and decorated tables are all around. Go early as we did and you are front and center. The whole thing is photgraphed so everyone gets a good view and you can see into the pans as the meal is cooked. We were served a wonderful "meal", not a tasting with a local beer as well.

The chef was told to cook for 100 and only about 30 signed up so we each got a triple sampling, thus the meal. I loved the way he was interviewed by a very well spoken woman (can't remember her name), who is apparently a fixture for these events. The duck was to die for.

If anyone needs a program for the Food and wine, let me know and I can mail you one.

Did I mention we both got Year of a Million dreams lanyards and pins when coming out of Peter Pan during EMH one morning? DH refused to wear his after the first day, but it was cool to be winners. We got them after I had let a big group go ahead in Peter Pan in front of us. That gesture turned out to be a wise one. It pays to be nice sometimes.

We also had anniversary pins and had a lot of fun with that. We got teased a lot and of course congratulated by CMs and guests alike. The photographers especially were funny about it all. DH did agree to were his pin several days, we even got a free creme brulee at the Flying Fish restaurant at the Boardwalk. OMG was that good, and the scallops, divine!!!

Laurie

 

[snappy]

LOL a one bedroom would work. they are out in the living room and you have the room with the door. not sure if you can rent some points from someone to bump up the room to what you need.

I still suggest the couples massage too (did I tell you all I am a hapless romantic?)[/QUOTE]


We do have enough for 5 nights in a 2 BR or 6 nights in a 1BR at the time we like to go. The 2 BR was great in May.

I mentioned a couples massage and DH did not go for it. We did spend a lot of $$ on this trip (I just did a tally of the $$ and it is a lot of 6 nights/7 days when you include the air travel, dog boarding, and bar tab ).

I look at the cost of this trip as an investment in our relationship. Do you know DH called me from his car after he left and ran into detours on the street I use to get to work to warn me that it was not passable as the tree guys are picking up debris along that narrow road?

He racked up some major points with me by that call.

I also know he will be a major support next week while I am busy with mom. I plan on staying with her in the hospital Monday night, Tuesday, and Tuesday night if they release her that day. My brother will get in on Wednesday, he'll be able to spell me if we can arrange for a home health nurse to deal with the drain. Sounds like they are planning on only one drain so that was certainly good news. I think I had three with mine and DH was very helpful.

Ann, don't worry I won't post any pictures of your sisters either. Would you also prefer no pictures of yourself be posted here?