Glad it's over - Let's Party!!

I am sooo glad this election is over. Now I am interested in the political scene, I try to follow the major candidates and issues and I always make my way to the polls and vote. But this year.....egad .....21 months of this stuff was quite enough. We have real issues in this country, between the wars, the economy....and personally the real estate industry mess is affecting my income bigtime. But - it's time to have some laughs, some fun and enjoy a good time. In my web surfing I came across this traditional wedding dance of a bride and groom. I don't know them....but I sure would like to. These people know how to have a good time. I am betting that this marriage lasts forever. Check it out!

Reach to Recovery

I have joined the Amercian Cancer Society and finished my training to become a Reach to Recovery Volunteer. I came home yesterday, after finishing my training, so excited about this program. This is a way to "give back" to other newly diagnosed breast cancer patients....to help someone over the rough spots and to lend a shoulder when necessary and an ear to listen.

For more than 35 years, the American Cancer Society Reach to Recovery program has helped people cope with their breast cancer experience. This experience begins when someone is faced with the possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis and continues throughout the entire period that breast cancer remains a personal concern. When people first find out they have breast cancer, they may feel overwhelmed, vulnerable, and alone. While under this stress, many people must also learn about and try to understand complex medical treatments and then choose the best one. Talking with a specially trained Reach to Recovery volunteer at this time can give a measure of comfort and an opportunity for emotional grounding and informed decision-making.

Volunteers are breast cancer survivors who give patients and family members an opportunity to express feelings, talk about fears and concerns, and ask questions of someone who is knowledgeable and level-headed. Most importantly, Reach to Recovery volunteers offer understanding, support, and hope because they themselves have survived breast cancer and gone on to live normal, productive lives.

Through face-to-face visits or by phone, Reach to Recovery volunteers give support for:
a. people recently diagnosed with breast cancer
b. people facing a possible diagnosis of breast cancer
c. those interested in or who have undergone a lumpectomy or mastectomy
d. those considering breast reconstruction
e. those who have lymphedema
f. those who are undergoing or who have completed treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy
g. people facing breast cancer recurrence or metastasis (the spread of cancer to another part of the body)

Volunteers are trained to give support and up-to-date information, including literature for spouses, children, friends, and other loved ones. Volunteers can also, when appropriate, provide breast cancer patients with a temporary breast form and information on types of permanent prostheses, as well as lists of where those items are available within a patient’s community. No products are endorsed.

For those who know me, you know I have decried for months about the lack of services in Pasco. Well....that will now change. Another gal, from Miami, who was a Reach volunteer there, recently relocated to Pasco and will now become the Reach coordinator for West Pasco. We didn't have a coordinator till now....The North Pinellas Coordinator was pitching in and trying to cover Pasco and it's 400 plus requests this year for service. There is such a crying need for help here - hopefully we can get this program working for our needy West Pasco residents.

Sixty Six and Holding!!

Ok - I confess. Today I turned 66 - boy do I feel old. We had a quiet celebration. I told Russ that I thought I should wait till Oct. 23 to celebrate....that will be my 1 year survival anniversary. I think I should start counting from that date from now on. We took a ride to Tarpon Springs and browsed the shops.The economy seems to have hurt the stores in the shopping district of the old Tarpon Sponge Docks. Lots of sales and lots of stores closed or closing. We saw a few shops that had 4-sale signs in them - including the flag store we always liked to browse thru.







This Ultimate Machine was parked next to the docks. I thought it deserved a picture. I would have loved to see who was riding this, but no one seemed to be around that might have been the owners. I'll bet this is a hoot to ride and gets plenty of attention.





Later in the day my Mom, my brother Phil and his wife Sharon came by....with a birthday cake and gifts. It was much appreciated and the cake was CHOCOLATE!! (My favorite - boy do they know me.)

10Th Annual Komen Florida Suncoast Race for the Cure

October 4, 2008 - Mark that date in your calender! That is the day of the 10th annual Komen Florida Suncoast Race for the Cure, being held at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg. I have signed up for the 5K walk - that's about 3.1 miles and have started walking at night to prepare for it. Now, 3.1 miles may not seem like much to you, but to me....that will be a real success. (Remember, only a few short months ago, I was walking with a cane.) I have some friends who have agreed to walk with me so I am really excited about doing this walk for breast cancer to raise more money for research.

If you want to walk with me, please call or email me and I will send you the information....or you can register with the link I have attached here. I think it will be a fun morning, we will get some exercise and do a good thing for other women. So mark the date on your calender - OCTOBER 4th -

Being Pampered....

So today was another milestone! I got my hair done!! Since I have been thru losing my hair, being bald, wearing caps and wigs and dealing with stubble ... I have eagerly anticipated going to the salon and getting my hair done. Evelyn told me to visit her when my hair was starting to come in, so that she could start training it. I have almost an inch of hair...so I hiked myself to the salon this morning. Ev trimmed and shaped what little I have and it already looks better.
Evelyn and Me

We talked about color and decided to wait awhile, until my hair is stronger. I met an 18 month survivor of breast cancer at the shop...of course we compared treatments, side effects and all....something I guess all women cancer patients tend to do. She was a lovely gal and very positive. I hope to see her again.

Up next...losing 20-30 lbs. (I starting walking this week!) and checking into a new make up routine. When you are wearing a cap and walking slow, you look ill and feel like hell, so you don't care how you look. But, when you start feeling better, it becomes more important and that's how I am feeling now.

What They Don't Tell You About Radiation!

When you meet with the Radiologist to discuss the radiation procedures, he will tell you about all the medical side effects possible and suggest creams, lotions and potions to use for dehydrated, burnt skin. NO ONE tells you about "Purple Dye"!! When you go for the initial planning session you are marked and tatooed so that the radiation beams will hit the same place all the time. When you are first marked the nurse uses a purple indelible marker on your skin. Yes, it's indelible....stays on the skin....but it comes off on your clothes. I was warned about this by a gal pal of mine who had been thru it, and she told me to bring baby oil and q-tips with me to each session so that I could remove the markings before I got dressed. The first few times I received a treatment, I was not re-marked and I had been tatooed, so I wrongly assumed I was done with the PURPLE DYE! Boy was I wrong....last week I got marked again and I now have purple dye on new undergarments I had purchased and a favorite blouse...but I wouldn't trade a new bra or a new blouse for radiation....so I have my priorities in order.

American Airlines and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation

American Airlines, the worlds largest airline, has partnered with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation to take on the world's deadliest form of breast cancer - Inflammatory Breast Cancer. According to Andrea Huguely, an American Airlines Spokesperson, "There really have not been any significant changes of diagnosis or survival rate for patients in over 30 years, That's why we chose IBC over other types of breast cancer."

IBC tends to spread before patients realize they have it. By the time a patient is diagnosed, the cancer is Stage 3b or Stage 4. That's what happened to me. I had no early symptoms and was diagnosed with Stage 3b. The survival rate is only 30 to 50%, compared to traditional breast cancer that if caught early has a 98% survival rate.

On Monday, American Airlines unveiled 2 of 8 planes featuring a pink ribbon that runs the length of the fuselage. Since one woman out of eight will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives, it's no coincidence that ribbons will be featured on eight of American Airlines aircraft.


American Airlines has pledged $7.5 million for IBC research and will raise money through various fundraisers and give travelers air miles in exchange for donations. This money will fund the Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s first Promise Grant – for a five-year study of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, which today is known as the foremost authority in the country for IBC.

So if you are traveling...and if you can....fly American!! It's for a good cause!

Lots of Fun, Murderous Thoughts and Pity Parties!

Let's start with the fun. I met a couple of my Chemo buddies the other day and we had lunch. We compared side effects, the girls prompted me and gave me lots of suggestions for radiation side effects to come, we laughed and giggled about funky hair and had a great time. It's funny how you can feel so close to people you have known for such a short time...I guess it's the common bond of the big C.

The murderous thoughts come from the wonderful insurance companies we deal with. When I found out my copay for radiation...I nearly flipped my wig (A little inside chemo joke guys). Whew...at least I do have pretty good insurance....what happens to those that don't? This is not a subject I want to dwell on at this time.

I had a sad little pity party for myself the other day. We planned to go to see my daughter and my grandchildren over Labor Day...looks like I can't make this trip now. I will still be in Radiation Therapy. We had been looking forward to a trip east...we wanted to see Russ' son and grandson and we had planned such a good time. We actually already have plane reservations....I will have to see what happens when we cancel or reschedule....

This is me...looking like the rigors of Cancer decimated me. Actually...I am quite cute...the wrinkles have been earned, the second, third and fouth chins I believe belong to my grandmother...not sure how I inherited them. Like the hair?? It's baby fine...salt and pepper...and this "cut??" ... the latest in post chemo hairdos. The eyelashes ARE there...just a little sparse....the eyebrows ARE coming back...SO...I am back with a vengence...ready to take life on and live each day to the fullest. I am just so thankful to have come this far...it's easy to laugh about the "crappy" stuff....sometimes that humor makes my day!

Radiation!

So...this is the last big hurdle in the war against the enemy. I have enlisted the Cancer Care Centers of Florida as my army, and Dr. Sanjay Emandi is the General for this battle. I had met with Dr. SE before, but I was not sufficiently healed to endure radiation. Now that the wound is closed up....I can prepare for radiation. Today I met again with Dr. SE and we discussed the battle plan. 5 weeks of radiation, 5 days a week. I see him again next week for tatooing and to map out the battle plan and the dosage amounts.

In cases where the breast is surgically removed, the doctor may suggest radiation therapy for the chest wall and nearby lymph node areas. Whether or not radiation therapy should be used after removal of the breast depends on several factors, including the number of lymph nodes involved, tumor size and surgical margins. Dr. Kumar, Dr. Al'Kafaji and Dr. Emandi all agree that I should do the radiation. I meet in two weeks with all three doctors to plan the attack. One of the major problems for me is the issue of my COPD. Since the radiation will be targeting the chest wall area...it will also hit the lungs. My poor compromised lungs already have problems and this will lead to more breathing issues. The only Dr. not in the loop right now is Dr. Argawal. I should make an appointment with her for issues relating to the chemo side effects. (i.e. Neuopathy, nail issues, etc.)

I have also been attending Physical Therapy for the lymphoma in my right arm. Looks like this is going to be another "lifetime" condition - another cancer treatment side effect !!

I just reread this and sound like a perpetual patient. I am really not....I just want to finish this treatment and get back to a life devoid of Doctors, prescriptions, side-effects and worry. I know that's a lot to ask....and maybe that is not even a realistic goal, but it's my goal and I plan to work toward it.
Back toTop

Maia - A gentle goddess of spring!

Maia was a character in Greek mythology. She was the oldest of the seven daughters borne by Pleione and Atlas. Among the sisters, Maia, the eldest, was also the most gorgeous and the coyest. She was sometimes referred to as the Goddess of fields. In Roman Mythology, Maia Maiestas was a goddess who could be said to be the counterpart of an old goddess of spring. Hence, the month of May, which is spring time, is named after her.

Our Maia, shown here, came to live with my daughter Pamm's family on August 3, 1994 - she went home on July 22, 2008. Rest in peace sweet girl!! She was a wonderful pet... loving and gentle...and very good. I know her family misses her.

My Favorite Yellow House!!

Whoops! I guess I messed up. My daughter sent this picture with a note that said "The BEST yellow house of all!" This is HER house....funny how I forgot that her house was yellow! I guess the apple really doesn't fall too far from the tree!

Yellow Houses!

I love yellow houses. I had one years ago and wish I had one now...alas, we cannot paint a condo any color we want to....so I live with beige and brown (so blah) and save pictures of yellow houses on my computer so I can dream. I even have a folder named yellow houses. Here are a few of my favorites.

This is a real Florida Cracker House...love the red door!! The one below with the blue door is also in Florida....see the Palm tree in the front!

Now this one is adorable...it started as an old 1960's style Florida "retiree" home like this: and became this little charmer:

This Florida gal has so much talent for decorating and design, it makes my head spin. She can truly take a sows ear and make it into a silk purse. Here are a few from New England that I like.

Wow! I can dream can't I? After all, nothing happens unless we first dream!

My Heart!!

OK folks! This might be my entry into videos, and producing!! Check it out!! The STARS of this little short are closest to my heart. Click on the underlined My Heart!! title and you'll see what I am talking about!!

Whew! We have been busy. Finally, I have gotten some strength back. I am working part-time (8am. to Noon) every day and actually starting to take an interest in my house, making awareness jewelry and starting a support group for cancer patients. Russ and I are planning a few improvements at home. We will be painting the living/dining room, kitchen, laundry room and foyer ASAP. I am thinking of color rather than the "builders white" that all those rooms are currently. I found a color from Behr called Turtle Dove that I like...that may be the one.

I am making awareness bracelets for all my friends, etc. I have done eight of them so far, and presented them on Wednesday to the nurses, the lab girls and the medical assistants that worked with me at Dr. Kumar's office. I think they were pleased. Each had two charms...one that said "Thank You" and one that designated if the wearer was an RN, LPN or Tech Person. My feeble efforts seemed such a small token of appreciation for such big hearts and helping hands.

Three of us, all breast cancer survivors, have talked about starting a support group for cancer patients in New Port Richey. I approached Dr. K about it on wednesday. Thankfully, he offered the use of his offices for a monthly meeting and will find a nurse to donate time for medical support. I am so grateful for his help with this. We all could have used some expertise during our own battle with the "demon disease". Just knowing where to buy a wig, what side effects one can expect and little hints on how to deal with them; and having someone to vent to or to cry with can be so helpful during treatment that I personally think a support group is a vital part of recovery for many cancer patients. Stay tuned for more good stuff!

Remission!!

The Tarpon Turtle was the place for a bunch of pals to go for a Saturday night dinner. We had a great time sitting outside, listening to the band and generally whooping it up! Aferwards, we headed to Toni and Craig's home for dessert and coffee...as usual Toni put out a great spread with lots of dessert choices. It is a wonderful thing to have good friends and lots of moral support. My pals have been so good and caring since I started this "cancer trip" and I can never repay their concern and kindness. I have great news! My oncologist says I am cancer free...now in remission. I still have to go thru the radiation...but that is a small problem when compared to what I have been thru in the past six months. My surgeon said I "beat the odds". I was shocked to hear him say that...surgeons are not well known for upbeat pronounciations. He was grinning and so happy. We spent an extra 15 minutes just chatting about other things. When you are faced with a life threatening situation and you have absolute confidence in your medical team, it makes the challenge easier. I had that confidence in Dr. Kumar, Dr. Al'Kafaji, Dr. Argawal, my oncology nurses (Ruth, Val and Jane) and my home care nurses Jean and Pat. Each and every one of them has contributed to my recovery. I wish I could give back some of what they have given to me. That said...I'll tell you my plans later...later.

On the Road Again!!

Hurray! I am more than halfway thru this battle with cancer. Tuesday I had a mastectomy and today I had the drains removed. My blood work is great, my pathology report looks good and I feel fine. Sure, I still have neuropathy in the hands and feet, missing fingernails, no eyelashes or eyebrows and only a few sprigs of hair..but my tastebuds are back, my nose has stopped bleeding and I don't feel sick. Life is good. I have had so many wellwishers call me, send cards, emails and cute gifts that I don't know where to begin with the thank yous. I am a very lucky woman to have such good friends and family. I hope and pray that I can return the love and encouragement to others when the need arises.

Finished Chemo

I finished Chemo today! What a great feeling. The worst is now behind me....the rest of it...the surgery, the radiation, etc. cannot be worse than Chemo. The link I provided is Robin Roberts last day of her Chemo for breast cancer. I couldn't say it better than she did. Click on the title to see her video.

What is the meaning of survivor?

Today was Chemo day for me. I only have 2 of these sessions to go. Whew....I am so glad to see light at the end of the tunnel. Each time I have chemo it catches up to me a little more. The side effects get a little worse, I tolerate it a little less and it takes a little more time to recoup....of course the alternative is not an option.

So...I was thinking today that I am going to miss all these girls in my little chemo group....we have bonded in a good way...sharing stories and urging each other on when someone is having a bad day. We laugh and joke, we feel sad and mad, we share ideas and tips for dealing with the side effects...and in a short period of time we have come to know each other in a special way.

Today I met a cancer survivor. I don't want to name names...to respect some privacy...but she is a friend of another gal in the group. She came in today to say hello. She had been a patient of Dr. Kumar and has the utmost respect for him. Her hair is growing in beautifully, she has had reconstruction and she was so upbeat and fun and such a pleasure to be around ...she brightened the day for all of us. There is a question however. What is the definition of SURVIVOR? The American Heritage dictionary describes a survivor like this: "To carry on despite hardships or trauma; persevere".

Some say....when the treatments are done and there is no evidence of cancer...you are a survivor...some measure a survivor in years...I am a 5 year, 10 year survivor. I like to measure a survivor from the minute a person decides to fight this disease. When you are diagnosed and decide to accept treatment...you have become a survivor.

I consider myself a survivor and all of those gals pals in my chemo group are survivors. Fighting the battle...toughing it out...that is surviving.

My Bucket List

I made a "Bucket List"! One of the things I always admired and wanted to learn was cake decortating . I always admired my Aunt Jeanette's skills in this area. She owned a bakery and made the most beautiul cakes and cupcakes. I loved the beautiful roses she always made and was awed at the specialty desserts she designed. I am taking a Wilton Cake Decorating Class and I have learned how to make those roses. Now, my roses are not on a par with Aunt Jeanettes and are not nearly as good as my instructors, but I am having fun and getting more familiar with the techniques. With the popularity of television shows like "Ace of Cakes" and such, our class is full. Most of the class want to go into the profession of cake decorating. Hmmmm. I just want to make cupcakes and cakes for the family. Hopefully we won't gain too much weight with all the baked goods around lately.

Back to Work

I havn't posted here in awhile....I have gone back to work. Once I started on the second round of Chemo my energy level started to come back. I am certainly not 100% but much less tired than I had been on the A/C protocol. Daytime TV was getting old...so I went back to work. I am in the Port Richey office...a little slower office than the New Port Richey Office that Russ and I both worked in...but certainly better for me. I am happy to be there. The agents in that office have been great to work with and it is closer to the house than New Port Richey...only a 10 minute commute.

A Special Card

I often get greeting cards from friends and relatives and I am so grateful to receive them. Some of the cards are humorous and give me a great lift for the day...some are warm and special and make me feel warm and special. I received a card today that made my heart sing. Many of you know that I have a brother who is Developmentally Disabled and lives in the Hope Group Home in Shady Hills that is managed by The Center for Independence. He is the youngest of us and my brother Phil and I try to stay very active in his life and include him in all our family activities. He is the light of our family and has given more to us than we could ever give to him. Since I have been undergoing the Chemotherapy treatments I have not been able to see Bing as often as I usually do...I know he misses me. Today I received a greeting card from him that he made himself. I wanted to share this with you....it is so special to me and I will treasure it always.

Trinity Grill

So, this was a special day. My "gal pals" decided to take me to lunch at the Trinity Grill. The grill is a kind of upscale type restaurant for lunch or dinner and the food is delicious. Owned by the Pappa's family of the famed "Pappa's Restaurant" that made Tarpon Springs famous, most of the food is Greek or new haute American cuisine. We had a great time...catching up on the usual gossip and reconnecting friendships. Sometimes we all get so busy we don't have time to socialize and just have a good time. From left to right...Sherry, me, Hope, Chris,..across from Chris is Anne, then Kathy, Carol and Toni. Unfortunately, our other friend Di could not be with us...she took a flight to Iowa to see her daughter on Friday and is not due back till Monday. We missed you Di, but we have decided to do this every 6 or 8 weeks....maybe even at someones home next time so we can sit and chat forever. Thanks you, my dear friends, for this outing. You have no idea how much I appreciated your thoughtfulness. I love you all.

Starting a New Round of Chemo

Well..to update you on the medical stuff. I finished my first round of chemo...2 very strong drugs for 8 weeks and now I will be starting on a 12 week second round of chemo with only one drug called Taxol. I am hoping that this round will not make me as tired as the other two chemicals I was getting the first time around. This will be administered once a week starting on Jan 23. I am getting a week off....and it is much needed for my side effects to minimize. Dr. Kumar has also ordered a special shot each week to boost my red blood count and hopes this will help the fatigue. I already get a shot to boost my white blood count.
Chemo is administered to a group of us in a room with about eight chairs. We are a mix of people, mostly women, of all ages and with different types of cancer. Our common bond is that we all have Cancer, we are all in treatment and we all have stories to share and tips to help each other. We become a special group, bonding over our illness. I've shared some great laughs with this group, some tears and some personal stories. If I have learned one thing...it is that the human spirit has such a survival instinct it amazes me. Here we all are...being poisoned each week to kill a disease...some of us going for many, many months and even years...fighting the side effects, working so hard to rid ourselves of this hideous killer we are carrying and yet carrying on...making jokes and trying to help each other. I admire so these new friends I've made in Chemo Room 1 and pray for each of them every day. Some of us will make it...some of us will not...but by gosh we all are giving it our best! Please say a little prayer for them too.

Cap Making Fun!1

OK...these are my efforts at cap making. Actually, I already gave a pink one away (I made 2) to a fellow Chemo patient. These are very comfortable, adjustable and not hot at all. I made them out of cotton. A lot of the commercial ones are jersey knits...and in our climate they are very hot. A few of the other Chemo patients have asked for one...so I am now making about 6 more. I am finding it fun to do. I'll be trying my hand at twisted turbans soon and will let you know how that works out. Hey ...I could become The Best Little Hat Maker in Pasco before you know it!!!

A Great Day!

Today I am having a great day...so my friend Phyllis took me to JoAnne Fabrics to buy a pattern and some materials to make some chemo hats. Buying thru a catalog, online or in stores locally is hard....there are very few resourses locally...they are expensive with shipping charges thru catalogs or online and of course the color selections are rather limited. I chose this McCall pattern because it seemed versatile and I have always been partial to this pattern company. I also purchased some fabrics and I am excited to start this project. I'll take pix and model them when I have a few made. I want to get a few done by Wednesday....Chemo day...I'd like to pass a few out to some of the girls in my Chemo group....we all can use a day brightener!!

Wonderful Christmas

We had a quiet Christmas this year. On Christmas Eve, we went to my brother's home in Spring Hill. Unfortunately, I didn't feel well, so we left early. I was running a temperature, which is bad news for a cancer patient, and feeling sick to my stomach. On the 25th, I was tired. On the 26th I went for chemo and then had 3 terrific days. Pamm, Bill and Liz came in on Wednesday and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday were great. I crashed on Saturday about mid-morning. That's the life of a cancer patient on chemotherapy, but we lived it up on those three days. One of my chemo side effects is I can't taste anything...all foods taste metallic or like cardboard. Last week, my mouth was not sore and I could eat spicy things. Dr. Kumar told Russ and I that the best Indian food was at a restaurant called Laziz on McMullen Booth Road. The five of us went there and had a terrific meal. If you like Indian food, try this place. We all had either chicken or lamb curries and it was wonderful...I could even taste it. Everyone left on Saturday, about the time I crashed. I was so glad that I was good while they were here.

The cumulative effect of chemotherapy is not pleasant. The side effects I get - fatigue, sore mouth, cough, sore throat, back pain, headache and low blood counts are bearable but very unpleasant. They seem to last longer each time I get another dosage. I do get shots to boost the red blood counts and the white counts, but they remain very low and are a constant threat for infection. My next chemo treatment is Wednesday. I thought that would be the end of it....but alas....I am still responding to the drugs in a positive manner so Dr. Kumar is extending the chemo once a week for twelve more weeks. Egad...that's three more months of feeling like hell most of the time....only having a few good days each month and not being able to function like a whole person, unless the chemo is different for those 12 sessions. I want to go back to work and start to live my life with some semblance of normalcy.Possibly my cocktail will be different and that will be the case. Sorry to vent...but if I have failed to respond to many of you, I wanted you to understand why. I appreciate all the calls and cards and emails....I read them all...but sometimes I am just not up to responding.