Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part III - GAGWTA!

[Candy30]

I have been thinking about her too! Honugirl!

Sha- I just want to say "Sha has got her groove back!"

Smiley- Oh my goodness! I will keep you in my prayers. You have been through a lot! Thanks for the compliment of my daughter.

PNM How are you doing?

 

[PatsMom]

Wow Candy! I loved your pictures. What an awesome party.

Had my cysto yesterday. It was as much fun as they all are! Nothing like having a metal tube stuck into a portion of your anatomy meant to be exit only so the doctor can get a good look inside the bladder. The area where the tumors were removed looked good. There is a new "red" spot that could be the start of something or could just be irritation left from the last round of maintenance treatments. So no more maintenance for me right now. I am still having bladder spasms and pain so we agreed best to let it go for a bit. I have a three month follow up scheduled in September. Then he'll compare the pictures taken yesterday with how things look and we decide what comes next. Hopefully back to maintenance treatments!

I told the ladies that I work with that there is something wrong when getting good news means that you get three weeks of treatments that make you sick for six weeks! I am just going to enjoy my summer with no treatments and look forward to my next cysto in September.

Hope everyone is doing well. Summer is slow coming to the northeast - it is cold and rainy again today. But we have had a few nice days to enjoy.

 

[Sha]

Had my cysto yesterday. It was as much fun as they all are! Nothing like having a metal tube stuck into a portion of your anatomy meant to be exit only so the doctor can get a good look inside the bladder. The area where the tumors were removed looked good. There is a new "red" spot that could be the start of something or could just be irritation left from the last round of maintenance treatments. So no more maintenance for me right now. I am still having bladder spasms and pain so we agreed best to let it go for a bit. I have a three month follow up scheduled in September. Then he'll compare the pictures taken yesterday with how things look and we decide what comes next. Hopefully back to maintenance treatments!

I told the ladies that I work with that there is something wrong when getting good news means that you get three weeks of treatments that make you sick for six weeks! I am just going to enjoy my summer with no treatments and look forward to my next cysto in September.

Hope everyone is doing well. Summer is slow coming to the northeast - it is cold and rainy again today. But we have had a few nice days to enjoy.

Thanks for the update. I am sure that it is VERY uncomfortable. Love the statement that I made bold. I am sure you will enjoy your summer! What are your dates for F&W?

She (lisa) had an adrenalectomy and is doing well. Has to drink alot of gatorade. Went to Disney World and had lots of un and loves bio in college and wants to be in the health field, maybe dr. (I caught up to her on another thread and told her to come on over here because we miss her!)

Thank you Maryann!!! Hope we see her soon!

Hi ladies! I've had a bad chest infection etc. had to take a break from my chemo again, so another delay on my grad day I'm on some stong antibiotics and thankfully they are working well, so I did get my chemo today again. Some pain and zapping in my fingers and toes, a bit squdgy in my tummy, can't taste much, but overall not too bad. I finally got over to my thread for Disney trippers in November and had to add 14 people to the list. whew....
So much to catch up, too much to respond to everyone, but some I want to for sure...
Cheryl... I nearly lived on Carnation Instant breakfast, only the vanilla flavor for several weeks. They've cleaned it up a bit with less sugar fat etc. and it does have your essential vitamins. I did take a 1 week break 2 times then, and just had another one now. They also reduced my chemo by 25% to make it more tolerable. The breaks were only 1 week but it helped a lot. I hope you are finding ways to get through it.
Candy.... Your daughter is beautiful!! you are the mom of the century for doing all that for her, and it's not even her big graduation!
Still having a hard time typing on the new laptop, argh. off to bed now! take care all!!

Disney Tripper thread??? I know I have been behind... have no idea about some trips now. I mean... I am keeping all that I have scheduled... but may be doing some other traveling.... maybe... if I keep my groove (lol Candy!)

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Smiley - so sorry to hear you have to deal with this infection on top of your treatments. Prayers that you feel better soon. Hang in there sista!

PatsMom - glad to hear you made it through the testing and that you get a little time off to relax and regroup. Enjoy the summer! The weather here is so stormy too. Its getting old fast.

The dentist was good. Ds19 had 1 cavity and we both had the cleaning and x rays. He said I am good, so I was happy to hear that. I try to rinse with ACT alot. He fixed part of my bite and its much better now. I still need 1 crown replaced.

The onc. nurse called me a day early and...GREAT NEWS! The test numbers were great she said. Praise God!! Now its off to the endo, more blood work and a sono in less than 3 weeks I think, gotta look at the paperwork. I wish I got some "time off". That is why I only try to schedule 1 doctor a month or test etc. I think August will be the mamo and maybe the eye dr. and sept. the cardiologist. That should be good.

GTAGWTA. Blessings to you all. Thinking of you all.

 

[Sha]

The dentist was good. Ds19 had 1 cavity and we both had the cleaning and x rays. He said I am good, so I was happy to hear that. I try to rinse with ACT alot. He fixed part of my bite and its much better now. I still need 1 crown replaced.

The onc. nurse called me a day early and...GREAT NEWS! The test numbers were great she said. Praise God!! Now its off to the endo, more blood work and a sono in less than 3 weeks I think, gotta look at the paperwork. I wish I got some "time off". That is why I only try to schedule 1 doctor a month or test etc. I think August will be the mamo and maybe the eye dr. and sept. the cardiologist. That should be good.

GTAGWTA. Blessings to you all. Thinking of you all.

YAY!!!

Smiley... looks like part of my post left when I replied. Sorry you have been fighting another infection. I can brush the mouse pad on my netbook or laptop and I lose things it appears.

Hope you all have a good day today!!

 

[snappy]

Still at beach with unreliable internet. We have had lovely weather but this am thunderstorm. Kinda cozy as the condo has a fireplace coupled with fab view. We don't like the way the bathrooms are accessed only through the bedrooms and the poor wifi.

Maryann, glad to hear your good news on your blood work and that you got the results timely. Sounds like you will have a wonderful vacation in November. I tried for hours yesterday to book the $80 flight on the southwest deal to go for the RFTC and finally succeeded. My wifi issues I think were compounded by DH's relatively ancient laptop, the fact that all 3 of our 15 year old girls here were on heir laptops incessantly, not to mention that the southwest web site was too busy or unavailable. Now I need to get accommodations from Oct 13 til Oct 18.

Dd15 had an encounter late yesterday with a rogue jellyfish but I never travel without meds so the advice oft friend who owns this condo and a pharmacist I dosed her with Benedryl and advil.


Smilie, sorry to head about the infection. Hope you feel better soon.

Patsmom, glad you will have a reprieve from chemo for a while. You are right that maintenance sounds better than surgery. Hope you stay on that path.

Cheryl, thinking of you.

Lisa, love your car. Makes me wish I had long hair and could drive it with my hair blowing in the wind.

Back home tomorrow and will see dd21.

Found a great new hotel here. For the parrotheads among us, it is the new hotel Margarita beach hotel on Pensacola beach. DH and I toured it a couple days ago and even saw some rooms. It is the beachy cousin of the waldorf I love so much on orlando. I predict future trips there with DH. We watched a lovely beach wedding of a couple from Okkahoma Wednesday night.

Very romantic.



Sha, cool about your July trip. Love to see you then if there is time but will understand either way.


GAGWTA!!

 

[wdw4us2]

Candy - The party looked awesome. Great cake, too!

Sha - So happy about your recent good news in your personal life.

Maryann - Getting the fridge in your house sounds like the plot from an old silent movie.

Smiley - Feel better, soon.

PatsMom - Your attitude sounds strangely familiar. . .

Laurie - Hope you are enjoying your beach time.

Saw the Gyn/Onc on Tuesday in his Deerfield Beach office rather than Miami. He seems to be in a better mood there and we were happy because it's a much shorter drive. Another good news/bad news scenario. He's not going to do the second look surgery because he said that he wouldn't be able to find what showed up on the PETscan because it's so small. I will, however, be starting another course of chemo soon with Gemzar which will be administered every two weeks. They will probably combine it will another drug after the first two rounds - don't know which one yet. I will be on this course until my CA125 numbers come down to where they want them, so who knows how long. I am having a small surgery to get my IP port removed. I will no longer be receiving IP chemo. He said that there is too much scarring from the surgery last year plus there are adhesions from the IP chemo I have already received. I will be happy to see that port go - very uncomfortable.

Just when I think things are going okay, some new drama pops up in my life. Meg was in an accident on Wednesday afternoon. She is fine, but it did a lot of damage to her car and it is not driveable. So, I had to take our Avalanche up to Orlando yesterday so she would have something to drive to work. My husband's best friend and his son followed me up there and drove me back. Couldn't get a rental car for her since she is under 21. Much drama immediately after the wreck - the other driver was arrested because he didn't have a license and when he showed the State Trooper his Mexican passport the trooper noticed it did not have a US stamp in it. Allstate has already started their investigation and can't find the owner of the vehicle or any insurance on the vehicle. This happens all the time here - illegals get someone to register a car for them and then the cancel the insurance after they get the plate and keep driving. Oh, well. I'm just thankful that she is okay. She is very upset about the whole thing because she treats her car like a person. She call it "Hermey" after the elf in Rudolf because the color is the same as his outfit lol.

I'm hoping the next few months will be uneventful. Yes, I'm still really enjoying my new toy.

 

[snappy]

Sorry you are facing more treatment, Lisa. Give Meg our best. The aftermath of a wreck with an uninsured driver is traumatic, especially for a young un, happened to Dd17 when she was 17. She was not really bothered as much about the car though, and was able to drive it home. We were stuck with the repair bill though, one of several or her car which we only had covered for liability.

Forgot to comment on the grad party Candy. How will you ever top it?

 

[Candy30]

Lisa- Oh my! Poor Meg! I am happy that she is safe and sound. That has to be frustrating dealing with no insurance drivers! I know it's crappy about getting more chemo, but the one thing I know is that you are strong woman and this too we will get through! on the removal of your port. Hang in there.

LMP- YOU GO GIRL! On your test result! Yeah on the good bill of dental health! I feel the same about doctors appointments. So many that it crowds out your normal Doc visits and then remembering the kids appts too!

Snappy- The party was fun. Even the adults got face painted and participated in the hoola hoop and other games. It was really fun! This is really the las time I could pull something like this off for her so it's done. The next parties will be sleepovers. LOLOLOL Yeah for snaggin a good flight for Disney! How is your daughter with the jelly fish? I heard they are really painful.

Sha- You are such a movin and groovin lady.

Smiley- Hope you are feeling better and recouping.

Hello to PNM Alice NHAnne! Hope you all are well!

Have a great weekend everyone!

GAGAWTA

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

Laurie - Enjoy our last day at the beach! I bet you will be glad to see oldest dd and hear all about her adventures abroad! I looked at that $80 southwest flight too.

Lisa - happy to hear that you are getting the ip port out but sorry to hear that you have to have more chemo. I am sure all your army days and training helps to keep you in that fighting mood. Hang tough sista! Also so sorry to hear about Meg and the accident. Wow, I cant even imagine dealing with the no ins. issues of the other driver. I hope this can get straightened out and cause you all the least amount of stress.

Linda - if the weather there is anything like here, its not good pool weather for sure.

Storms today and yest. too. This is getting old fast. I want summer! Where is the sunshine?? I called dh with the good news yest. He was in the middle of a business dinner, listened but seemed to care less. I wonder who I am married to lately?? Seems like a tall, big stranger Ds23 called and has arrived safely in Worcester, yeah. A long trip after work. Ds19 leaves for CA and Seattle tomm. I looked at his flight schedule. He arrives at 2:30pm and has the whole day sun. thats it. I was so that dh spent almost $800 for 1 day!! Another neighbor has sold their house. I hope we get some nice people and not renters, its 5 bedrooms, a perfect college set up. I would not be thrilled with that one for sure.

GTAGWTA. Enjoy the week end everyone.

 

[smiley_face2]

YAY!!!

Smiley... looks like part of my post left when I replied. Sorry you have been fighting another infection. I can brush the mouse pad on my netbook or laptop and I lose things it appears.

Hope you all have a good day today!!

mine is exactly the same! I've been following your posts, and I'm so happy it sounds like you have something nice going on!
today is the day when the chemo kicks in and makes me feel real bad. Cant' wait for this to be over!

 

[Sha]

Laurie I am THRILLED you can get there for the walk. If you want to be on my team that is great unless you want to do your own. I never asked which you wanted to do when we talked about you coming. The link is below. I have to see if my friends husband is going to help me with the design.

If I don't see you on this trip to BR hoping for the next one.

The beach sounds wonderful... hmmm maybe have R. meet me halfway there sometime??? Its a thought. Vinegar is good for jellies too.

Lisa is the scar tissue a big side effect of this chemo? How is Meg today??? I know all about the stress from an uninsured driver, but not an Illegal though. Mom made a comment about going to WDW. Not sure when we will because of the heat. We are going next weekend just for DTD. I go back for LD weekend but mom isnt invited (my bad!)

Thank you all for the cheers about this. I have noticed how much happier I have been and even when I get worried, and doubt... I am still not on the roller coaster of ups and downs that I had with T. There was... I dont know... when I was with R. I felt like I was home... or where I belonged... I felt comfortble and I never felt that with T. not to that extreme (ever). BUT I am just taking it as it goes. R was amazingly gentle about somethings with me (not sex wait... nevermind... making me blush! LMAO) but with something from my past that we talked about. And I never allowed myself to be that vulnerable around him.

It was a perfect weekend just the way it was.

Going to relax a little. I have a REALLY busy day tomorrow with my patients and driving across the county. Take care ladies!

 

[Sha]

mine is exactly the same! I've been following your posts, and I'm so happy it sounds like you have something nice going on!
today is the day when the chemo kicks in and makes me feel real bad. Cant' wait for this to be over!

hope that it doesnt last long with the effects.

 

[wdw4us2]

Lisa is the scar tissue a big side effect of this chemo? How is Meg today??? I know all about the stress from an uninsured driver, but not an Illegal though. Mom made a comment about going to WDW. Not sure when we will because of the heat. We are going next weekend just for DTD. I go back for LD weekend but mom isnt invited (my bad!)

Some of the scar tissue is from the surgery I had last November (hysterectomy, appendix, lymph nodes, omentum). Some of it is what the Gyn/Onc called adhesions, which he said develop as a result of the IP chemo.

Meg is still sore today. When I brought her the Avalanche yesterday, she was starting to show several bruises on her legs from the impact. She always tries to be so tough, but when I first saw her yesterday she looked like a little girl again and like she was about to cry. She's coming home Sunday night for a few days and to celebrate DS's birthday on Tuesday. I will be glad to have her here for awhile.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

Lisa - I hope you are having a good visit with Meg and that she is recovering from the accident and not in too much pain

Laurie - bet you are glad to see oldest dd for a little while

Linda (PNM) - bet you are enjoying the pool today

Cheryl and smiley - hope you are both resting up and feeling stronger

Well dh hasnt talked to me but ds sent me an e mail from the space needle in seattle and ds21 read on facebook they are going whale watching.

I guess I should be happy for them but I am not. I told dh that whale watching was something I really wanted to do one day etc. He knew this. I feel like he is just rubbing it in my face whether intentionally or unintentionally. I had to practically beg him to take off a week to go to Disney etc. Oh well.

I might go on the porch later and cut out some more material I printed out. There is just so much of it. This is decorating stuff. My next door neighbors are having a grad party for their ds so nothing like listening to a little free salsa music etc. We arent friends with them, but heah, why not take advantage of the atmosphere.

This week I have to arrange my next blood work and sono test. I didnt realize that is coming up so soon and she likes it done 2 weeks before the visit etc.

I also am trying to talk dh into a food and wine trip. He has 5 weeks vacation and 200K miles, so I guess we could use some etc.

So for those who go then, what is the weather like, swimming weather or more stormy? I am thinking of the YC,BC or Swan. Let me know.

GTAGWTA

 

[snappy]

MaryAnn, I have been in September twice and October once.

Last September during my trip to attend software training (late September) we had wonderful low humidity but warm weather, perfect for cruising the parks and swimming. It was picture perfect.

Several years ago (I think 2007) I went with my mom a bit earlier in the month and it was warmer and very rainy. September is always risky.

The October trip in 2008 I took with DH the weather was not too hot. It was very enjoyable this was the race for the cure weekend so it was the middle of October.

Are you contemplating both a wine and cheese festival and a trip after Thanksgiving?

You go girl!

 

[annrae]

I am still alive and kicking even though I have not written a post in some time. I do read your posts though and I am always very happy when everything is going well for all of you and very sad when I read about problems you are having.

I hope you had a great trip to the beach Laurie - was wondering if you received my last e-mail as I've been having a problem with my desk-top computer and could not sign into this forum on it. The IPad works though!

Candy, your party for your daughter was wonderful - pictures are great!

Cheryl - I hope you are feeling better and doing well. I think of you so often.

Smiley - You are so strong to be going through treatment and keeping a positive outlook on life at the same time. It has been a tough time for you and your family. I am originally from the East Coast of Canada.

Maryann - I hope your DH will be home soon. I always disliked it very much when my DH travelled - to the point where I would almost cry every time he left. What a baby!!!

Sha - So happy that you seem so happy!!

It was a sad week for me as a man I worked with for 22 years lost his 5 year old granddaughter. She began to run a high temp on Wed. went into the hospital on Friday and died on Saturday. I know this is hard to believe but the diagnosis was leukemia and she was not at all ill until Wed. and no one knew she had this dreadful disease.

I know I've missed mentioning so many of you and please forgive me. However, you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Have a good week.

Hugs, Barbara

 

[snappy]

Hi, Barbara!

Not sure if I answered your last email. I will try and send a note to you later.

Thanks, Maryann, I did enjoy DD21's visit although she went back to New Orleans yesterday afternoon so I only had one day with her. I did make jambalaya and gumbo though as she wanted home cooked food and I had all the ingredients for some reason in the fridge. I think I was planning to make it before I left for the beach but life intervened.

She told me all about her summer program. What an amazing experience! Both professors are Americans, and teach at universities in Spain and France. Tulane contracts with them for this summer program. Usually about 12 students enroll int heis, this year only 5 went, so it sounds like it was almost cancelled. Four company visits and lots of good speakers. Breakfast was provided but they kids were on their own for lunch and dinner. She spent a lot of money on food, sightseeing and a trip to Amsterdam.

Clearly a very good experience and her prior trip to Europe two years ago helped her be more comfortable. It was unfortunate that her wallet was stolen 5 days before returning but at least was was very careful with with her passport and did not have it with her. It was a cinch sending the moneygram(although we had to literally scrounge for the cash to send it since we were in Florida and we don't use debit cards) but picking the money up was a nightmare for her. I think I will send an email to Moneygram about it.

The stress from that episode casued her to catch something. I dosed her with Mucinex and sent her home with a bottle. She is supposed to try and work some next week, then she is off for a few days to NYC to see her boyfriend.

To be young and fancy free. . .

Back to the real world for me today, back to work. I did get an awesome tan while DH was the only one who got a sunburn.

How are you Cheryl? Thinking of you.

No DVC rooms except SS 1 bedrooms during the race for the cure weekend, so I am definitely going offsite. Trying to decide between the Hilton or the Wyndham bonnet creek. I am really in a rut here. Maybe I should try for a regular Disney room and mix it up a little. No discounts for that period right now I don't think.

Anyone else besides Sha planning on that weekend? Sha, I would love to be on your team. Count me in. I am a walker though, not a runner.

 

[Candy30]

Hi Everyone!!!

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

LMP- It's hard when you are not seeing eye to eye. I know its hard too when he is on the move a lot. Hang in there. Glad your son made it safe.

Lis

 

[PatsMom]

Good afternoon ladies

Lisa - I hope you are having a good visit with Meg and that she is recovering from the accident and not in too much pain

Laurie - bet you are glad to see oldest dd for a little while

Linda (PNM) - bet you are enjoying the pool today

Cheryl and smiley - hope you are both resting up and feeling stronger

Well dh hasnt talked to me but ds sent me an e mail from the space needle in seattle and ds21 read on facebook they are going whale watching.

I guess I should be happy for them but I am not. I told dh that whale watching was something I really wanted to do one day etc. He knew this. I feel like he is just rubbing it in my face whether intentionally or unintentionally. I had to practically beg him to take off a week to go to Disney etc. Oh well.

I might go on the porch later and cut out some more material I printed out. There is just so much of it. This is decorating stuff. My next door neighbors are having a grad party for their ds so nothing like listening to a little free salsa music etc. We arent friends with them, but heah, why not take advantage of the atmosphere.

This week I have to arrange my next blood work and sono test. I didnt realize that is coming up so soon and she likes it done 2 weeks before the visit etc.

I also am trying to talk dh into a food and wine trip. He has 5 weeks vacation and 200K miles, so I guess we could use some etc.

So for those who go then, what is the weather like, swimming weather or more stormy? I am thinking of the YC,BC or Swan. Let me know.

GTAGWTA

I'll be hoping that your DH decides a F&W trip is a good idea! We are going from October 22 to the 29th. I wanted to go when it is cool. And if I have timed it right, it should be long enough after my next round of maintenance treatments that I'll be ready to do some eating and drinking! We tried to get the Beach Club or Boardwalk but are staying at Saratoga Springs.

The Disney trips give me something to look forward to! I am fortunate that my husband is a huge Disney fan! He would go even more often if we had the money and I had the time off work!