Andrea,

Thank you for your kind words. Yesterday was one of my worst days, and without a doubt your cheers helped me out.

Hope I can do the same for you.

Hugs,

Erika

Hi Andrea, yes, that’s one of the hybrid Argentine cacti that I have in my garden, grown in a greenhouse in Truth or Consequences…they have the most spectacular flowers, and as you say require very little care (although they do like a bit of water when it doesn’t rain for weeks). HM

Maybe there is some way to work on this T-shirt question…print on demand? I will try to find out ore..

How are you doing??? I know you don’t live anywhere near here but should you want to visit “far west Texas” there are so many beautiful places to see…and we have a guest room!

Hi!
I want to talk to you about race for the cure day and if we might meet up there. I’m getting ready to go on a short vacation with my bff tomorrow but I’m bringing my laptop so we can talk that way.
The Poconos should be nice this week.
xoxo,
Debbie

You are too sweet!
I didn’t even pick up the computer until this afternoon, then I screwed around trying to figure out why my photos were not sticking. (Turns out it was my penchant for over-using punctuation. I do it ‘cause I think it makes my writing sound like my voice, lol).
I would love to have company, my best friend is slightly agoraphobic, she has been to my house once in the last six years.
Tomorrow AM I have to figure out when my next dental appt is, I put something in the blog calendar that doesn’t seem right. I am on a skimpy phone plan now that I’m not working but I am always available unless I’m at an appointment somewhere. What time can I call you tomorrow? Better to make plans in person.
Talk to you later!
xoxo,
Debbie
443-622-9096

just saying hi!
tired now but didny want you to think I wasn’t thinking of you. Lots to say.
Later,
xoxo,Debbie

There was a story in the paper today about this Big C show. I have to say there is nothing about it that makes me regret I can’t watch that channel!

My husband has four sisters and three of them are teachers, they all love it but find the insults tossed their way to be difficult to cope with. I hope that you are able to keep going with your career…

Hi Andrea

Thank you for your comment about the Big C, and doing all that searching! It certainly does not sound as if that will improve public understanding of cancer and cancer fighters. I don’t see how anyone who has had this disease could collaborate on this “entertainment” project.

Reading your post about osteoporosis. I had a very early menopause, at age 42, took HRT for 18 years, then stopped, I exercise, take D3 and calcium, and decided I would not take Fosamax. I do not have problems yet with osteoporosis. I don’t think they know what they are doing with these drugs. I will be at risk for pelvic fractures after the radiation, but I am just not willing to go down the Fosamax et al road and then read ten years from now about how this overlooked complication is wrecking patients’ lives. The jaw problems are just one example. Exercise everyday…eat healthy…Several of the health newsletters I read recommend strongly at least 2000 IU of D3, as Martha says she takes…

Hi Andrea.

Thank you for your support. I am amazed and humbled by all that you are experiencing. God, love, and light are with you.

-Denise

Hi Andrea—
I think the decision to do Reclast is a tough one, to say the least. Like so many other things we are advised to do these days, who really knows what side effects they will cause us down the road a few years or so. I hope that your decision to do this will go well for you. I can certainly relate to the uncertainty of it all and have often wondered if I break my hip next year, am I going to have to admit I was wrong?

I just saw some information a few days ago suggesting that calcium supplements may contribute to an increased risk of heart disease! I am going to have to discuss that with my internist on my next visit, as she has me taking quite a large dose of the stuff, as I told you on your blog. It seems in some situations, there is just no winning!

If you proceed with this, please let me know how it goes, as I may have to reconsider at some point in the future. I currently do not know anyone on Reclast therapy.

As for us being among the older bloggers here, it is quite sad to see so many young people having to fight this disease. One thing I said when I was diagnosed was that at least I made it to age 54 before having to deal with cancer—so many are not so lucky. I will be turning 57 in October and honestly, most days I do not feel that old, all things considered.

As always, I wish you all the best and thank you for your wonderful support!

Hugs—
Martha

You are so right…I guess many of us are deeply concerned about the costs associated with being ill. And of course you’re right, it’s not just the pharmeceutical folks…but they are suppose to be finding a cure in exchange for all the money they rake in.

Andrea,
I am sorry I just got on a tangent…I got the sarcasm and then my thoughts went further:) You know how it is, so hard to have a conversation in writing at times:).

I woke up this morning hurting really bad (aching is a better word I think). I forgot to change the patch, I do this all of the time, so the pain got a little ahead of itself today. I woke up at 5 am and finally had fallen back to sleep around 11 am and slept for a couple of hours but when I came out to the living room I could hardly walk. It is so frustrating and I really think this is going to be how I am for the rest of my life. The surgery just took too much out of my body. I am finally back to my more normal bleeding for lack of better words since the pelvic exam, it took exactly one week:). I had my PET scan yesterday and it went well, I actually had fallen asleep while they were doing the scan:)

My dad is doing great, literally no pain anywhere in his body, and a very slight cough and he never coughs anything up but clear muck, so that is a good sign. One of our friends on the blog is doing alternative treatment and I asked her more about it for my dad so I am going to order the meds to see if it will help. Two months ago we honestly did not think he was going to make it through the summer feeling so well, now we are looking at making plans for a long vacation in November and going to my Nephew’s graduation in December in Colorado. The same nephew is getting married next July and we are all a little hesitant to plan that far ahead, and my nephew just does not get why we “appear to not be so excited”. We personally would have been happier if they got married in December, a year from now a lot can change but I feel more positive about the situation with my dad than I have since he was initially diagnosed and I feel like God is whispering have faith in me and you will see your dad get to the wedding!

Put it this way I am in more pain than my dad is:). He worries about me and I worry about him. We are all going to the fitness center to exercise, pain or no pain (I missed yesterday and today) but I had a really hard workout for two days in a row and dad is feeling pretty good about going and working out to regain his strength.

Do you have any plans that you are looking forward too? It is so important for us to have small goals and I know that really helped me during treatment and now I am setting new goals for recovery phase.
Melinda

Just approved you last comment. Wanted you to know I always approve yours but the system flags everyone. Hope you have a great day. Thanks for all your support! Jill

It is interesting that you made a comment about the non-perky breasts and losing a cup size. I have noticed (I am large breasted) that my cup size has decreased and I always had the same cup size no matter what my weight did since I was in high school. I have not had perky breast since I developed now they are even worse:). I actually slept well last night and it felt sooo good now if it will continue then I will be a happy camper. I am still hurting from the pelvic exam on Thursday but that is nothing unusual it generally takes a week to recover from those:). I just want the bleeding to stop so I can get into the pool…I want to go play in the pool. We made it to the gym three times and yesterday I felt better after going, it closes at 6pm and not sure if we are going to make it today, I also started my new higher increased pain patch so I need to know how I react to that.
Melinda

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thank you for commenting. My mom’s name was Dorothy. Some people called her Dot. When my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, we didn’t know of any other family members having it. Mom’s mom passed away at the age of 86, from a heart attack I think. My grandmother on my father’s side had a stroke at 76. However, many family members and people that are close to me have suffered from various forms of cancer. Mom used to say that prayer kept her going for as long as she did.

Be blessed…

Hey Andrea,

Just thinking about you and wishing you well in your fight.

Stay strong, Warrior.

Jill

Hi Andrea,

Thank you so much for the warm welcome.

It’s truly very inspiring and humbling to get support from people who are going through so much more than I am. The overwhelming love and support from everyone on this site is enough to uplift my hypdothyroidism depression. :)

I wish you all the best~! Thank you again…

Jung~*

hi Andrea, how are you feeling? Thanks for the note on the photo. That is their engagement photo. They both live and work in the D.C. area.
Wedding coming up soon!
xoxo,
Debbie

Hi andrea!! Ty for your comment. I love blog for a cure as well..Stay strong and remember we are fighting for you…Keep that beautiful smile!! Godspeed :O)

Andrea—
I just wanted to wish you good luck next week! I will send positive thoughts your way!

Martha

Hi Andrea!
Just saw your message on my bio page. Thanks for the work you do. As a mom of four I truly appreciate what you do for our children every day. Many people do not and treat their teachers like sitters or simply just don’t bother. I know for sure if I were a teacher for a month I’d probably have an assault record forever.
You are absolutely right that the coolest and smartest people are here and NOW…the funniest too! ok, enough superlatives, I’m getting a headachest!
Nice to know we’re neighbors (sort of) too. At least we can always enjoy the weather together. :)

By the way, if you’re interested, the Baltimore episode of Extreme Makeover Home will air on Sept.29. (I have a friend who is their photographer. I would have volunteered but still too tired)
Talk to you later
xoxo,
Debbie

Ahhh your so sweet .. and I can’t tell you how much I appreciated what you just posted: “championship chutzpah in a coward’s body” lols!! .. That poor baby does not realize that they are really seeing a part of themselves in me. They are not enlightened enough to know that we are all the same entity and what they do not like about me simply reflects parts of their own shadow they have yet to confront. I let stuff like that SO slide on past me especially now that I live with cancer in my life. Wasn’t it Jesus that said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” or something like that that most people never get to understand especially if they are fundamentalist christians. Thank you for expressing yourself to them; but hopefully we scared them off or they are learning something about themselves. Their response was trite, banal and frankly boring.

Thank you so much for your support. Frank

Thank you for welcoming me, I hope you had a Happy Birthday!

Hi Andrea,

Yes – we are not that far away from each other. Perhaps one day we can meet for lunch or something, wouldn’t that be nice?

My treatments are being done at the Virginia Hospital Center (aka Arlington Hospital). I got a 2nd opinion with Dr. John Marshall at Georgetown and I am not quite sure how that would work if I accept the “vaccine” protocol that he and his staff at the Lombardi Cancer Center is creating. Perhaps I would have two Oncologists – I have no clue.
I don’t think that far ahead because it’s hard to think anyways….my mind is mush already from the chemo.
Anyways, glad to have you as a BFAC friend.
Talk with you soon :)
Michelle
BTW - how do you like Hopkins????

Andrea—
I’m sorry to hear that your test has been put off for two weeks. I know how it is when you get yourself all mentally prepared for something, then it doesn’t happen. Please try not to worry and have faith that everything is going to come back just fine. I’ll be thinking good thoughts for you!

Martha

Hey Andrea,
I was injected with Thyrogen in November, 2009 and again in January, 2010. My follow up was suppose to be in September, however, due to the contamination factor and shortage of the drug, lots of patients are having to wait on the cleanup. Good Luck, God Bless, and ask alot of questions before they inject you.

Dear Andrea,
I am so happy that you are going to be a Happy Young Grandma. I am glad that the teaching year is over for you so you can relax a bit and enjoy time with that new baby come next month. With so many difficult times I just couldn’t bring myself to sound like a downer with every post though there was never a day that I wasn’t thinking about everyone here. Do you know I had even forgot how to read my comments. Must be the chemo brain, but that’s another story. We will be talking soon. Love & Prayers, Patty

Dear Andrea,
I am so sorry that I haven’t been in touch but I seem to be going through a rougher patch than when we last spoke. I kept waiting for some great turn around news to report though I have missed some important events in Laura’s life though as always she just wants me to get better. I think that is a pretty tall order right now, though I will never give up on a miracle. I did post some pics of us. Sh is glowing as always, I’m just there. I still have your cards on my night stand. Laura cleaned my bedroom so when I got out of the hospital everything would be fresh and she dusted and carefully placed her cards so I can easily see them from my bed. Please forgive my inactivity, though I think of you every day and wonder how you are doing. Also, I have been a bit down with all of this other “STUFF”, but I will not give up. I only wish I had more good days. I didn’t realize just how good I had it a year ago. But, I know this thing is going to turn around for me. Be Well, Patty

Hello Andrea. We are finding ourselves learning from the site and finding inspiration from everyone. God bless and our best to you.

Andrea,
Thanks for the Happy Father’s day wish for my dad:). Oh it was too funny with the gout, the oncologist said noooo it is not related to your chemo treatments. I researched and sure enough it is a rare side effect. I am on medication to keep it under control and I have not had any problems since. I slept for an hour and half around 4 pm today, but I am tired. The pain is almost under control finally, I just took my 5th morphine in the last 24 hours. The boil is aching, my mom asked me if we should be worried since it is not draining. Me who nothing closes up well will probably have problems with the boil not draining like it needs too…oh well I will be seeing my doctor on Wednesday at noon so things should be fine until then.

I also had grown up in CA. We lived in Modesto, when I moved away to go to college my dad got an early retirement offer from the department of defense and he took it and they traveled in their motor home doing mission work for 12 years, before they bought some property here in TX. My sister lives in the middle east but we are really close, and I know we are fortunate.

How are you doing? I hope you are feeling pretty good and can enjoy a nice weekend!
Talk to you later,
Melinda

Thanks girl!
I hear ya…with the brain wont stop! This type of cancer that I have is genetic and goes to the kidney and thyroid. I have 2 brothers and the one that gave me a fighting chance at beating this has colon cancer as well, just had his colon removed and doing wonderful. But we both had our thyroid checked I had a nodule on mine that came back fine, but my brother, his is cancer! That means another surgery for him..Ughhhhhh

Hang in there as well and yes a phone call for all of us would be quiet entertaining lol

xoxo
Terri

Thank you for your very nice comment =) Since finding this place i have looked forward to writing something new everyday! It was a great idea for people who have cancer to share that with other people who have cancer. To make that connection. I know if all of you can go through the things you do then so can I! it gives me new hope! thank you for contributing to that! i hope you have a wonderful week.
rebekah

Andrea,
Hi! Thanks for the kind words. I’m actually out of work- my chemo and radiation specifically (due to the area where my tumor is in my lower colon/rectum) left me with side effects (severe diarrhea, incontinence, and extremely low white blood cell count) that’s not conducive to being in the classroom (germ city). I teach high school math to 8th graders, and love every minute of it. I miss them very much, and can’t wait to get back to the craziness that is middle school. I appreciate you touching base with me, and I hope to keep in contact with you as I return to teaching later this year, for that sanity check and helpful hints on how you’ve handled it so well.

Thanks again,
Kim

Dear Andrea,

Thank you so much for posting such a thorough response to my questions. I’m sorry my thanks are so belated. The night I posted, I was trying to decide whether to accept a job offer that would have me starting my new job right around the time of Tim’s treatment and I was in a panic. The information you shared helped to ground me. I spoke with the boss at the new job and he emphasized that his organization places great value on work-life balance and that I’d be encouraged to take care of Tim if that’s what he needed, so I snapped that job up! I don’t think I could have made the decision without your help, I was just so worried. Thanks so much.

I hope all is going well for you and that the spring weather is bringing lots of sunshine and happiness!!

Peace,
Kathy

Glad you got through. Yeah, I think it is the speed. I am going to work on that.

Will you try commenting on Bill’s post again. Yesterday I made a few changes that might of messed something up, but I think that is fixed. I am starting to think the website is just too slow right now. I am going to check with our hosting and see if that is the case. It is probably just timing out and not posting. If not, you can send me the message for Bill and I can post it. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.

Andrea – I can’t seem to figure out what is going on. Looks like my comments are working and just commented on Bill’s post. Wonder if the system is just taking too long. It does seem really slow lately doesn’t it? Does the post comment window go away and then you don’t see the comment? or does the post comment window get stuck open?

Hi Andrea—
I hope you are doing well. About the Melatonin, I bought Nature Made brand, 3 mg. The suggested dosage is 1 tablet 30 minutes before bedtime. One usually does the trick for me, but occasionally, I have taken two. I don’t recall how much I paid for it, but I don’t think it’s expensive. I hope it works for you! Take care.

Martha

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!