Thanks for the note and organizing a meeting. I think it is a great idea. We have never done that before. I know a few people have met others on here, but only as a one on one meetings. I would love it if you planned something like this. Not sure I could make it but you never know. Would be cool if I could. Since I know all three of you really well you have full reign on this community to do whatever you think will be a positive force on our members. Might be cool to tag it with another cancer event, fund-raising walk that is already going on or a conference, but that might bump up the cost. Just one idea.

One side note, is the internet can have some crazy people out there. So be safe. I worry that someone will get on here and take advantage of our members somehow. Don’t mean to be negative.

Dear Andrea,
Thanks for the lighter side of radiation. Sort to speak…..
Laura is keepig Maggie. She has far too much on her plate with 2 more classes to finish up before graduation with her Masters’ the end of April. Her oldest friend is getting married in May and she is the matron of honor & giving her a wedding shower & making 3 different scrapbooks for her, and taking her and all of the bridesmaids to Destin, Fl. in April, then she is giving another friend a baby shower in May, all the while working 50 hours a week, 3 dogs and a boyfriend that is like having a small child. What can I say. She is my life preserver. Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday…. He said I blew the rhinoblasty big time, but this will straighten out the severe deviated septum. I am not looking forward to this, but it has to be done if I ever want to breathe correctly again. My face is so discolored and the nasal bone protrudes. Oh well, next week by this time I should be on the road to recovery it’s just all of the crap in between. I will begin to act my age starting now. Sort of. Thanks for the ability of looking forward to your cards, very thoughtful of you. I’m kinda down but it’ll pick back up I know. I think I was hoping he would say,” No need for surgery”. All I have to do is look in the mirror to know better. Stay out of trouble. How is your daughter doing? Be Well, Patty

Thanks for becoming a supporter on my page, I am so glad I stumbled across this site, it’s been a great place to meet new and supportive friends who know what I am dealing with every day. It’s kind of like finding a whole new family. Many (((hugs))) and healthy healing vibes to you.
~Gwen

Good Morning Andrea,
I have been working on a story already. I am going to involved the scars on my back from four back surgeries, something there to do with velcro. The one on my neck will have something to do with a zipper. Then I have a couple small ones in my crotch from some stuff they did on my heart. I am think somewhere along the lines about the small ones whistling while I walk. I haven’t go much further than that. Let me know if you have any ideas.

Dear Andrea; I opened my mail to see that you became a supporter of mine in this illustrious battle of cancer. Thanks and I have added you to mine. It seems there are so many new people that it’s hard to keep up with everyone’s history. It sounds as if you have had quite a time of it. If there is one good thing that has come from this disease, is my introduction to a huge community of wonderfully strong, compassionate friends. I do say friends, because it is here that we can ponder and shout our feelings on having cancer, what the treatments are like and just plainly be ourselves. We call thanks Jill for that. I hope you continue in a forward path and that life now has settled down and become the new normal. Take care Andrea and thanks for jumping on my wagon.
Weezie

Thanks for throwing that punch for me. As you read I am new to this, but it is refreshing knowing somebody else is out there reading threw some of this stuff. If nothing else, we all know that the fight is on, and we will all be soldiers to help win the fight.

CHANGE OF SUBJECT MATTER: I had to be sure and get your thoughts about us all having a meet up rather it be for a weekend or what. I realize we are all a bit spread out though after corresponding with another leukemia patient(from the mag. COPING) beginning in the year 2000, she lived in Indiana and it so happened that my daughter’s BF at that time had his games @ Notre Dame, so I contacted Debbie to see just how far that was for her. Can you believe it was less than 30 minutes? So, off for Indiana we went, Laura with her BFF (which is now a pharmacist) and my beloved Muffy that lived to age 19. We checked into a Hotel and I stayed around as I was getting ready to meet Deb with her husband, the restaurant we met at we actually stayed there and talked for more than 9 hours. It was one of the most rewarding experiences for us both. The following morning we met for breakfast and I think it did Laura good as well to see another gal with identical dx.,age,meds, etc., and she was living well as she was being managed. Though, she had 12 siblings and they tested 3 in case her CML status would change and she already has a perfect match on the bad fontune hers would take a turn. We don’t all have that many siblings but it only takes one. We stay in touch to this day. So, in thinking back how it made us both feel, can you imagine our group getting together. It may be difficult to plan, but the rewards would far out number any roadblocks. What do you think? I’d be happy to start making calls if everyone can decide upon a city or let’s start with a state for starters,lol
I’m anxious for your input.
Be well,
Patty

Thanks for your comment. Boy, I do wish they had a catalog where I could just mail order a new vagina. LOL. And you are right, I’d take being weak over this cancer anyday. Some days you feel like you just don’t have the strength to put up that “brave” front, and if you don’t, then you will be disappointing alot of people. Thanks again, you help put things into perspective. :)

still thinking of you!
Hope all is okay with you… Keep us posted to see how you’re doing so far!

Thanks so very much for your kind words of encouragement. I applaud you being a teacher. Actually, my daughter had planned to teach HS English though in completing her student teaching she had a few kids that taunted her so she made a decision that she only wanted to teach those who are there on their in their own desire so that is what inspired her to get her Master’s to teach on the College Level. She did say that Florida was always something she wanted to,”TRY OUT”, but her home is here. Also, that vacationing there vs. living there really takes all the fun out of it. Live & Learn. I told her that it was something she wanted to do & I think she was very brave to transfer to FSU, so she decided her home was here where she was born & raised. I was also, though I never had the courage to just move & try another home so I feel she was couragous
My prayers will also stay with you, Patty

We’re in this thing together! I’ll be thinking of you and keeping you in prayer.

Bless your heart for going thru that, Andrea! My Endo is Dr. Cooper and he’s so fantastic! The surgeon is Dr. Pai- she’s very outstanding and cautious too. I don’t regret being a patient of JHOP one bit!
Please do keep in touch – russ_laura@hotmail.com and that way we can keep in touch. I’ll go back to JHOP for followups in Dec. so maybe we’ll bump into each other and have lunch together!
HUGS- hang in there Andrea!