Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part III - GAGWTA!

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

Lisa - thinking of you and hoping the new chemo will not have such harsh side effects. Wishing you all the best tomm. Your trip sounds wonderful. I love the colony salad at LTT. I am on the fence about 50s Prime Time. We will try it again sometime. Last time it was not too great.

Sha - sounds like you are making good progress with the work outs. I would fly too. Saves so much time for the things that are really important! That facebook page is a good idea.

Laurie - Your family get together idea is great too! Yes VBS starts Monday. I need to start studying the lessons.

Well I called to try and rearrange/cancel my endo appt. for July 18th. I said how about august. She aid the dr. is out. I said ok when is the next available time. She said, December. I said I cant wait that long etc. She said, do you have diabetes? I said no, I have cancer! Hmm, I didnt know they gave more priority to the diabetes there, oh well. I left it that a secretary in the endocrinology dept. is suppose to call me back. So I told her dont cancel that appt. until you get me a better one etc. I didnt know it would be so hard or frustrating just to get a visit scheduled. I think because she goes to two hospitals and is the only reg. female endo except for one of the dept. chairs, who probably only takes challenging cases etc. We shall see, so the blood tests and sono are on hold too right now.

GTAGWTA. Thinking of you all always.

 

[smiley_face2]

Hello all! can't belive it's been so long since I posted, I come here every few days to read, but am usually too sick, or too busy to post! with this weekly chemo, there is really only monday and tuesday I feel at all well, and tuesday I have to go to the hospital for the bloodwork checkup before chemo on wed. so monday I'm busy trying to get some housework, laundry, etc. done, trying to do something a week bit nice, and trying to spend some time with the 5 grand babies. I can't wait for this to all be over.
I only have 3 treatments left now, just had one yesterday, and am feeling yucky now, but not as bad as I will be in a few hours, so thought I'd take this opportunity to say hello to you all! I've got the meds I need to take at home down to a fine science now finally after 8 treatments! So the last chemo session I was able to manage the pain, nausea, etc. much better. Drugs are my friends for now!
After this chemo I will be having to travel into the city every day of the week for amonth for the radiation. That involves a good 6 hours of travel time and I am absolutley dreading it. There is a ferry we have to take and in summer the waits are horrendous so we will probably end up sitting at the terminal for a couple of hours every day in addition to the travel time. There is really no one we could stay over with, and hotels in the tourist mecca of Vancouver BC are rediculously priced to say the least! We were thinking we might stay over at a hotel a couple of times though, and actually do some of the great tourist things they have there to do!
Lisa I'm glad you are feeling a bit better! every little bit helps! I really pray this next chemo will be better for you!!
Laurie sounds like a very bitter sweet trip for you. I love memory lane trips, but for a funeral, they are hard!
Annerae, my deepest sympathy goes out to your co worker over the loss of his dear grand daughter. Losing a child is the most horrendous thing that can happen to anyone, no matter the age of the child.
Sha, I love reading your updates....our youngest daughter (23) has recently found her soulmate. He is such a wonderful fella, and she was having such bad luck with fellas before him. We really like him a lot and they get along so well, he is so nice to us, so helpful and caring. I prayed hard for that to happen for her. Now if only our oldest daughter (27) and her husband (common law) could either get it together to go to more than one session of couples councilling and repair their relationship or just call it quits and move on..... so sad cause they have our little grandson who turns 2 in Oct. I pray they will do the right thing, because I think they could make it work with some effort. Sadly the death of her brother (they were very close, only 22 months apart in age) threw a real spanner into that. She has always had issues with anxiety, insecutity, sometimes drinking too much, but this really did her in. She's had a very rough time and he comes from a bad family so has no idea of how to help other than say basically suck it up and move on. He still likes to go out and party once in a while too, does't see why he shouldn't be able to just because she can't. Not supportive at all. Anway, most of you probably stopped reading a long time ago so I'll say bye for now.
I think about all of you a lot, and like I said do come here and read every few days..... On the fourth of July, we had our grand daughter on a sleep over, my choice of what to do for my one good day of the week! and we watched the fireworks over Disneyland live on the webcam they have! and had the tv on with the celebration from the capital. It was great!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hello, ladies, been forever since I stopped by. Hoping everyone is meeting whatever challenges we all have. Good wishes and prayers are with all.

I wanted to post a link here, check post # 102.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1133513&page=7

Melissa, Beth's (MinnieM3) daughter stopped by. Thought you would like to know.

My best.

Dan

 

[snappy]

Thanks Dan for posting about Beth's daughter.

I really appreciate it. I am going to post on Beth's old thread. I would love to connect with Beth's daughter.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Coming to post link from GAGWTA sista Beth's (MinnieM3 ) daughter, Melissa here, but see Dan's beat me to it.

Thanks, Dan, and Welcome, Melissa. Consider yourself home here.

 

[smiley_face2]

oh my that was all very sad to read, but I'm so glad that Beth's daughter has come so far. Yes, love never dies, it is always there, and thus the soul of the person who has physically passed. I know that because when I pray, I can connect to the love from my son. It's only recently I've been able to do that and it has been a great comfort.

 

[snappy]

Ah, the power of love. Thanks for sharing, Smilie. Reading about you connecting to your son's love through prayer is somehow both sad and uplifting at the same time for me. This discussion is just like a God wink for me.

All I can say is thanks to all of you.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

Beth - welcome. It was so amazing to see the ladies here connection with you through your mom. Love never fades and I too find that faith is so important.Blessings to you

smiley - Glad your dd has found her soulmate and hoping your other dd and dh work things out. So glad you got to spend time with your grandkids. I am sure the travelling for the radiation will be hard. Does the ferry have a reservation system. I actuallY Read that the vancouver hotels should have good deals since they built 6 of them for the winter olympics

Lisa - hope the chemo was not too bad for you. Hang int here sista.

Well its hot as blazes here. The compressor blew on the ac unit. So the guy has to order a new compressor and install it. It will be in next firiday and its so expensive. Almost third of a new system., but dh wants to do it this way since he is leaving for china on friday. Tomm. blood tests, monday sono and teaching all week.

GTAGWTA. Thinking of you all always.

 

[snappy]

No air conditioning until Friday?!?!

MaryAnn, that is awful. Hopefully some cooler air will blow your way. None down here to send you, although the rain cooled things down last night, we are back to normal heat today.

Maybe it is good timing you are teaching next week.

Smilie, hope you are feeling better after your last chemo. I know that traveling for the radiation will be difficult. Who is going with you?

Like MaryAnn, it is wonderful to hear that your youngest daughter has found someone caring that everyone loves. Your older daughter sounds like she is really struggling with so many issues. Counseling would be good for her, whether her husband goes or not. If alcohol is part of the problem, that may be where she should start as that is addressed first in most cases.

She has to be motivated though so it has to be her to initiate it. It is very hard to stand on the sidelines. Keep praying, and I will join you.

I am anxious to get out and work in the yard, so I need to just say, GAGWTA!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I just saw something on the news about Norman, OK. We haven't seen Merry in a while.

 

[snappy]

Might be busy with her DS's wedding. I think it was scheduled for this summer.

Hope all is well with Merry.

 

[wdw4us2]

Just wanted to let you know the first chemo went fine. This drug (Gemzar) is far less toxic than any of the others I have had before. I'm actually feeling pretty good today and managed to swim for a bit. I'm hoping the rest of the infusions go as well as this one, especially since I'll be having them every two weeks instead of every three weeks.

Have an enjoyable weekend, everyone!

 

[snappy]

Lisa, I am so glad you posted with that good news. Glad as well you were able to swim.

All good news to hear!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

Lisa - I am so glad your chemo went well and great you are swimming. I want to jump in your pool right now

Linda - I want to jump in your pool right now too!

Laurie -you sure have a green thumb!

The reson its so long to get is its so old and something about being grandfathered into the old freon laws and paperwork etcl I see this guy really deals with Lenoxx units and ours is a Bryant. I never thought to look up a Bryant dealer but we didnt have a good experience with the guy who installed this.

I went for the blood tests today and I was signing the papers I realized my endo never ordered a vitamin d test. I questioned the tech and she said, yes she circled your vit d def. diagnosis but didnt order the test. I thought she usually did, so now the lab tech told me to call the dr., speak to the nurse and see if they want to order it. Another thing to deal with. Ds19 was so sweet and cooked dinner. I am trying to keep to the stovetop as to not heat up the room much. He did manwich and fries. They were hot and micro corn. Tomm. I think we are grilleng chicken and burgers. Maybe out tonight to escape the heat. Walmart never looked so good right now to stock up on my vbs supplies. I feel like sticking my head in the freezer right now. Too bad its on the bottom now.

GTAGWTA,

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm sorry about all the problems you're having lmp.

Yes, the pool is refreshing and I've been going in a LOT. We love, love, love it - kind of thinking we probably should have bought one a long time ago. But unfortunately, we need a third liner in what, 3 months? If you recall, first liner had a leak, took water out ($$), company replaced new liner, refilled ourselves. But unfortunately the stairs were never installed correctly by subcontractor and the second liner now has a rip from them where the bottom piece came off because they weren't secured right. Hard to believe we now have to waste all that water a second time ($$) in order to have the third liner put in. I am in the process of documenting everything. What a pain. I've always heard these stories but had hoped we somehow would get by without our own headaches. Oh well, things could be worse. I'm just glad we have it now that it's pretty hot out. I've been doing my own version of water aerobics with my little boogie board, lol.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good evening ladies

Hope everyone is enjoying the week end.

Cheryl - hope you are beginning to gain some of your strength back sista.

Ds is taking me for the sono tomm. after bible school, we will have lunch out somewhere. Dh forgot he had a meeting. Good as ds wants to volunteer anyway. Our friend is having surgery tomm., so I might pop into the surgery pre wait area to see how he is. He doesnt have a family per se. If they wont tell me I know how to read the electronic surgery board. I am a pro at that one!!

Last minute stuff for VBS,. Gosh, even Wal Mart was hot. I think everyone around here is cutting back on air con. The restaraunt was hot last night.! Ds is grilling so its about 83 anyway in the house now. Oh and my teaching room only has 2 ceiling fans and a practically non working ac unit and its on the hottest side of the bldg. I always teach with the shades semi open and lights off. Much cooler! I am having alot of ice bars for dessert to cool off!

Saw an old friend who just moved back to this area. She helped me when my mom died, and I had to have the other stomach surgery and she helped with my grandma too. She is a nurse. Apparently her kids didnt tell her I was sick. I think my ds facebooked them and told them. She said she was so sorry and didnt know what I went through etc.

GTAGWTA.

 

[snappy]

Our friend is having surgery tomm., so I might pop into the surgery pre wait area to see how he is. He doesnt have a family per se. If they wont tell me I know how to read the electronic surgery board. I am a pro at that one!!

It is nice to be a pro, not sure about being a pro in the surgery area though, lol.

Saw an old friend who just moved back to this area. She helped me when my mom died, and I had to have the other stomach surgery and she helped with my grandma too. She is a nurse. Apparently her kids didnt tell her I was sick. I think my ds facebooked them and told them. She said she was so sorry and didnt know what I went through etc.

GTAGWTA.

Glad you met up with your friend. She might prove to be a real good supporter for you, as she has in the past.

I am looking at taking a short 3 night trip just with DH, back to Pensacola beach, but staying at the Margaritaville beach hotel, the one we toured when we stayed at the condo a couple of weeks back. I am surprised DH is going for it but I got a brainstorm about staying there while DD15 is in NYC visiting with my brother Tom. We have to go east anyway to take her to New Orleans to the airport. And DS22 is here and can take care of the dogs.

I hope it works out. DH's work might intervene (sound familiar, Mary Ann?), but I am hoping. It was about a 4 hour drive from here, could maybe make it in 3 and a half from New Orleans.

 

[smiley_face2]

Well I decided yesterday that enough was enough.... we are leaving on the 31st and heading to Disneyland. Just hubby and me.... we will go slowly, taking a few days to stay in Sonoma/Napa wine country, a couple of days in San Francisco, and a couple of days on the coast in Big Sur, visiting Carmel and Monterey, then 3-4 days @ Disneyland, then coming home slowly with some detours into the Mojave desert, Gilroy to get garlic, and whatever else appeals to us. We did a similar trip in 2008, but spent most of the time at Disneyland and we want to see more of the places we really liked. The Hearst castle too. July 31 can not come soon enough for me!! Hubby is nervous about doing the drive even though we have done it many times before. He has a lot of trouble concentrating right now. We will stick to the smaller freeways and try to avoid cities as much as possible. We've driven into and out of San Fran a few times now so that should not be a problem. He wants to drive down Lombard street again, he better concentrate then!! I wish I could just wake up tomorrow and it be the 31st.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good aftrnoon ladies

smiley - your trip sounds wondTTful and probably just what you need right now. Our ds loved the Monterrey Bay Aquarium. They told me all about it and dh driving down the PCH. I smiled when you said you want to go down Lombard Street. I think dh did it for the ds too. They also wanted to ride a cable car until they saw one crash into another! I bet your trip to Disneyland will be perfect too! Do you have any favorite restraunts there. Do they have an adr system too? Cant wait to hear about your wonderful adventure!!

Cheryl and Lisa - thinking of you both

Laurie - you are sure the traveling woman this summer!

Candy - how is your dd's camp experience going?

PatsMOM - Hope you are enjoyin your summer too.

Well the first day of vbs was fun. We have 16 kids and 2 ceiling fans and a nice ac unit that is not very functional. It was a balmy 83 degrees in the classroom. Hmm, feels like home. I guess because its 83 i my house too

Ds took me for the sono. Oh yes, now I remember why I hate the hosp. Had to walk forever. The tech was really sweet at least and did a much better, higher on my neck and thorough job. She even talked to me. She is having a girl. My reg. girl at the other place is so unfriendly. On the way out I saw my stomach surgeon. I said hi but my voice was bad so I dont think he heard me. He had surgical scrubs on, a backpack and was carrying an edible arrangement, funny and strange. He is looking so grey, but he is only 50. I think he is sticking around there unless they get rid of him. I hate changing doctors. They didnt ask for more sono pictures so I guess that is a good sign. I left 2 messages about the blood test they might have ommitted. No one has called me back yet.

GTAGWTA. Thinking of you all.

 

[PatsMom]

Mary Ann, glad that you had a good sono. Sorry to hear you are still having so much trouble with your voice though. I know the humidity was bothering it when we met in Florida. Sounds like VBS is keeping you busy!

Snappy - hope you get your trip in!

It is hot here in NH, nothing like some other parts of the country though. It is good news for people like my daughter who work in the tourist industry. Work is slower for me this time of year so I try to enjoy the slower pace.

Hard to believe but on Wednesday of this week it will be one year since I saw a picture of my bladder tumor on the screen during my first cystoscopy. I remember asking the urologist if it could be cancer and him answering that those tumors always were. Its been quite the year but I am still here and I still have my bladder. So all the treatments, surgeries and scopes must be doing their job!

Greetings and good wishes to all.